soft sunsets

Jesse: Who Kenny is sleeping with isn't really your business, Scar. Jesse: It's also not your business who I'm sleeping with. You mean my truck? Is it not possible that I have friends? I'm not understanding why this matters to you... Jesse: So, according to you, who I choose to associate with needs to be decided based on geographic location? Jesse: Scar... that's not how it works.

#text message: jesse walker

Scar: I didn't text you for a lecture, Jesse. Scar: I already feel bad enough and I'm well aware that I have no say. But stop acting like I'm dumb. She already gave it away and didn't deny it. But sure, friends. Scar: You don't have to do anything. Clearly I was drunk and impulsive Scar: I'm clear on that not being how it works. It would have just been nice to get a warning, maybe.

Bailey: no no you misunderstand me i am supportive of this!! if you could somehow look sluttier i'd encourage it but i also understand the diner isn't a strip joint Bailey: sadly... Bailey: there's my girl!!! kicking responsibility to the curb Bailey: idk if you want this smoke tbh. i accidentally texted this dude i had a bad date with and now he probably thinks i'm crazier 🫠

Scar: i need to do more shopping if i'm actually trying to dress slutty at work but also i can't give mr roberts an heart attack, he just had a stroke and he comes in every morning for his coffee Scar: Don't talk to me about texting. I did my own stupid texting and decisions. i need my phone to be taken from me. Scar: What did you say though?

Jesse: Hold on. Run that by me again. Jesse: Why would Kenny think I told you anything? What are we doing? You presume to know something? Jesse: If you don't care then why were you rude?

#text message: jesse walker

Scar: Kenny came up to me acting like she hadn't been sleeping with you and it annoyed me. Scar: I'm not dumb. I don't presume shit. Your car is there all night sometimes. I live two streets over, come home late after my shift, and I see it. Scar: The same neighborhood, really? You could have chosen anywhere in town but that's where you landed

Bailey: why are you wearing your good clothes to the diner? who's coming in there besides me that you're trying to impress?? Bailey: i think we deserve a sugar overload. we've earned it through hardship. or we can be mature and responsible or something and have a traditional marg... Bailey: babe, we stay hot. i feel like i might be already doing that on the ruining lives part but now i am also bitter so lets go wreak havoc!!

Scar: i'm single and we get a lot of traffic in the diner. sue me for wanting to look hot. i've even tightened my apron to the point of no longer being able to breathe just to get the right lift Scar: i don't want to be responsible anymore. bring on the alcohol and sugar Scar: you're so right. sounds like i need to be caught up and have some of that rub off on me.

hvneybees

she follows her inside, the warmth of the diner immediately more inviting than the thought of returning to the hospital. she settles into one of the stools at the counter, setting her purse beside her and allowing herself to sink into the momentary reprieve. "a grilled cheese sounds amazing, now that you've suggested it. though i'm wondering if i'm putting my life in your hands by letting you near a cast iron skillet." the teasing comes naturally, softened by the smile she shoots scarlett. there's a comfort about this place and the familiarity of people who have known her for years, even if she doesn't always realize how much she needs it until she's sitting here. "those old birds may look innocent, but they're constantly getting the freshest gossip." a small laugh escapes her before she reaches for the coffee once it's placed in front of her, wrapping both hands around the mug. "nothing particularly exciting, i'm afraid. the hospital has been keeping me busy, as usual. nicolas and i are..." she trails off, gaze dropping to the coffee before she offers a small shrug, keeping her expression neutral, even if she's sure her emotions are more of an open book than she'd like. "figuring things out, i suppose. but otherwise, it's the same old thing. work, home, sleep when i can." she takes a small sip, allowing the caffeine to travel through her veins, waking her up a bit more, and it's just what she needs. the question about gossip earns a faintly amused shake of her head, though she's more curious than she lets on. bear creek is small enough that news travels faster than anyone can reasonably account for, and she has learned over the years that the sunday brunch crowd could probably run the whole town if given the opportunity. "but now you've mentioned it, so you can't exactly leave me hanging. what have i supposedly been missing?" she asks, resting her elbows upon the counter, brows raising.

scar flashes her a smile over her shoulder while she finishes pouring the coffee. it holds a bit of mischief but it's meant to hold some mystery in regard to the risk that theo is taking with letting her cook for her. "the good news is that there isn't any meat so there's no risk of food poisoning and i do have to say that the dishwasher team is amazing so no cross contamination." not that there was any doubt of that. dolly's was open this long because of the tight ship and because they were good at what they did. whether it be cooking, cleaning, or serving. scar was just better at the later. "i would tell you if i was a bit worried but i'm so good at grilled cheeses that i'm convinced you're going to come back and request the same thing from me." she did have soup but she wasn't certain which she had ready so she didn't immediately offer it with the grilled cheese. "there you go. there's sugar and milk right here." moving a few seats down, she grabbed some sugar and took out the basket of milk she'd placed in the nearby refrigerator to go alongside the coffee she'd handed over. "i also have the oat and other fancy milks so let me know what you need." the popularity had grown over the last few years so she kept those on hand but never out front since her main and older clientele drank their coffee with full fat cream or regular milk. as she made her rounds towards the back to make the grilled cheese, scar could still see and speak to theo given the open kitchen. "that's good that you're both figuring things out. hopefully things are heading in the right direction." even though she was curious and wanted to come across as someone who theo could speak to if needed— scar also knew that she didn't want to push on the subject. it was a very personal situation and it was important that it come out whenever the other was ready to speak on it. "god— so much gossip. now take it with a grain of salt because i'm certain clementine and georgia are getting half the town mixed up. apparently they think that one house that's across from the gas station. you know, the yellow one, that they're swingers. i was entertaining the conversation but they mentioned the house getting a new coat of yellow paint and some interesting pinneapple decorations. mind you, i tried to ask where they heard all of this pinneapple and orgy connections but they wouldn't tell me. i think clem's grandson taught her how to get on the internet and she dove a bit too deep."

#threads: theodora shi.

"oof." she breathes out the sound, barely able to conceal the grimace that takes over her features. there's a line here – considering that scar is probably still grieving while having to deal with all the fall back from the break up – and camila has never been great at lines. crossing them? sure! but treading through delicate waters is something she is still working on, even at the big age of fifty - six. "i can't believe it was not your choice. what about it being all about the bride on her wedding day?" camila shakes her head and pulls the chair for scar to sit on. "maybe that will be doable." once the event planner comes close to them, and after being greeted with a kiss on each cheek, camila informs them that they would like to see different flavors. "the top sellers would be great. and maybe..." she turns again towards scar. "what was the flavor you wanted? the least you deserve is a taste."

#text message: jesse walker

it took time and distance to be able to fully see the impact her past relationship had on her. the control, toxicity, and the wounds that was left behind weren't something she'd allowed herself to deal with much. the complications with cancelling a wedding and trying to split assets had luckily been enough to keep her busy but there were always quiet moments or questions that snuck up on her and forced her into a mindset she'd tried her best to avoid. "there wasn't much that was about me. i think my dress and flowers were all i picked." though her ex was always more worried about outside opinion than her own. therefore ensuring the food was perfect was certainly at the top of his list of concerns. scar flashed the event planner a smile, not going in for the kiss given the exchange they had at the start hadn't been all too pleasant. "i wanted to go with earl grey. the carrot cake was delicious as well," scar added, but more in hopes of gaining points with the event planner and store owner. "which was a recommendation from diane." diane being the event planner. at least she hopes she isn't mistaken her with the floweriest she had many conversations with while simultaneously speaking to the event planner.

#threads: camila ramos.

text message to: jesse walker

Scar: i want you to hear it from me. i was rude to kenny and they might think that you told me you both are..... whatever it is the fuck you're doing. Scar: not that i care but i'm warning u

@hndsights

but it did matter. it mattered to her, knowing that the only people who knew of the entanglement were herself, jesse and jasmine, the later of which would never tell a soul, and the former, she would hope wouldn't – jesse doesn't strike her as the type of man to play games, but who is to say he isn't using her as some kind of leverage to make his ex girlfriend jealous? foolishly, she wants to believe that isn't the case, but scar isn't exactly helping, is she? kenny's jaw tightens and she leans back on the chair, feeling that, despite trying to ease up, the muscles in her body are tight with tension. it should be easier to walk away – and maybe she should have, but kenny doesn't quite know how to back down from a fight, even if they are in the wrong. "why would i not try to be friendly with you? we are neighbors. you're acting like i'm the other woman – as far as i know, he isn't in a relationship, and i'm not trying to be your best friend. or was i ever that." maybe she had convinced herself that the years working alongside hadn't mattered – it's not as if she's only worked at dolly's, and didn't have several other former co-workers around town – but she doesn't see how she had stepped outside of line here.

perhaps if she'd chosen to confront kenny, she would have remembered the points she wanted to bring up but she was running on slight panic and negative emotion enhanced by the alcohol she was consuming. her white knuckled grip tightened on her botte as she considered leaving ava alone now that it seemed she'd settled in some with the group. scar felt herself shift at the idea of jesse being in a relationship. fuck, she hadn't even considered that. "i'm well aware that we aren't best friends because i couldn't imagine sleeping with someone's ex that i was friendly with." she didn't know how hard it was to comprehend that due to the situation they were in, scar didn't want to make small chat with the person who was with jesse now. "all i'm saying is that i don't have any interest in pretending like we're friendly or wanting to catch up." there wasn't any point in hiding her jealousy and she likely couldn't if she wanted— but the truth was also that she didn't know if she was actually jealous or just jealous that someone was happily fucking while she was watching the future she'd been so close to fall apart. "— but to make it clear, i still think it's fucked up that you're fucking him." with that, she rose as she could feel herself start to get more emotional. whether that would tilt towards her crying or screaming, she didn't know, and it was why she decided it was best to leave before she found out. "just stay the fuck away from me."

#threads: kenny li.

setting: a local catering restaurant, with scarlett fay @sftsunsets

camila likes to think of herself as a romantic, but, above all, she is a woman of dramatic leanings. that, and the love she greatly holds for her wife, is the reason she's decided that her 25th anniversary is going to be the greatest that has ever been, with a party that they can all enjoy. the happiness in which she's taken care of details was one she had seen shared not only with vivienne, but with scar – until the day that the woman announced her sudden break up, that is. now, camila wants things to not be awkward, but there's only so much she can do, even with her undying optimism, to put a spin on how they're both attending a belated food tasting just so scar doesn't have to lose her deposits. "so what was the flavor you had decided on?" she asks, as they enter the place and are guided towards a table. "i think i can convince them to change the detailing just a little so it's, you know, less straight."

it was an odd situation. the cake tasting months after calling off her wedding, the fact that she wasn't here with her husband but a friend— but at least she could technically have free cake. never mind the fact that she'd paid for it months before but she refused to think of that. instead, it was free. girl math. as much as possible, she'd forget why she initially booked this appointment and decide to just look at it as a fun date with a friend. though she should have clued camila into that plan as the first question brought her right back to the day she'd chosen the cake with the man she was meant to marry. "vanilla— which now should have been one of the signs. how boring." she'd wanted something more fun and out there but his mind was more on their guests than them. "i think that's fair and totally doable. they're really impressive. the designs they showed me were great. i'm even convinced you could change the flavor of the cake. they were easy going... outside of me outright cancelling." this was an option where all parties won.

#thread: camila ramos

and just like that, the amusement slips out of their features. unfortunately, it is true that kenny hadn't even considered scar in the equation of themself and jesse – not when it seems it's been forever since they've broken up, and longer yet that the women had been in each other's life for that to matter. their brows furrow together and they try their best not to let their mouth hang, or to reach and have a drink – though they still hold onto the glass as if that could give them some kind of comfort. "i don't see how i'm being fake for talking with you." it's their first response, mouth dry – but she refuses to give in and have a sip, because, somehow, the gesture feels like an admission of guilt that kenny doesn't think she should feel at all. "who told you that? jesse?" might as well say the name, since it's going to hang between them – annoyingly so.

the slight fall on their expression tells her everything she needs to know. not that there was any doubt after the third time of seeing his truck there at odd hours of the day — and by then, she'd went above and beyond to confirm. went on walks in the early morning, stayed out later than she should have by taking the long way home. "that doesn't surprise me in the slightest." that kenny didn't think they were being fake but scar disagreed. by the actions taken, there was a lot they wouldn't agree on. maybe removed from the situation, a few months down the road, she'd comprehend a bit more that it had been five years and they didn't have close enough ties where kenny maybe needed to consider scar— but she still felt that talking to her like she hadn't been riding jesse this week was absurd. "it doesn't matter who told me what and how. i just don't understand this friendly act. we clearly aren't friends or friendly." at least not anymore. was it childish? there wasn't any doubt about it but it had been eating away at her for so long that she couldn't remove emotions from it and think rationally.

#threads: kenny li.

the stretched silence between them should be telling – but kenny takes it as unfamiliarity instead. despite them living close enough, the conversation exchanged in the last ten to twelve years was more of the small talk kind, quiet good mornings or rushed thank yous; kenny feels that, perhaps, they should be ashamed of the opportunistic manner in which they'd settled on this table, but there's little of that. this is a party, after all, their nature is normally parasidistic. so instead of dwelling on unknown tension, they click their tongue, lips curling upwards. "skipping a neighborhood party makes you feel guilty? i'd probably be jailed in your world for the amount of times i've done just that." if anything, it's the very opposite for her: she's very content to not be here. it's just her luck that she has to be here right now. "you're close with amanda?"

scar doesn't want to bring unwanted attention to herself. the party is about introducing someone to the neighborhood, and ensuring that, in turn, they have fun while having the comfort of a familiar face around. it isn't about her, or the sentiments she feels about how a casual friend would find themselves cuddled up to her ex and then interact with her as normal. "maybe guilty is the wrong word," she spoke without any emotion, peering around as to settle the growing frustration in her belly. "i'd feel guilty about.... perhaps sleeping with someone's ex boyfriend and then speak to them as if it hasn't happened over and over." the words tumble out before she could stop them, having rehearsed these exact words thousands of times in her head when she'd imagined this interaction. the delivery would have been smoother, more brutal in her mind— but it was out now. her gaze flicked back to kenny, holding it for a moment long. it was too late to take it back. "— but that's just me. i don't like being fake like that." her throat clears, peering towards ava who was now chatting with a small group of people. "amanda invited my new neighbour, ava, and i was being a good friend by ensuring she didn't come alone. i wouldn't say we're close. amanda and i, i mean."

#threads: kenny li.

Bailey: oh you're so right and green is so my color but miss redhead it's also yours so grab it next time you're at mine Bailey: the perks of being a business owner 😭 so what's on the menu for girl's night then? does it feel like margaritas and little debbie again?? Bailey: i'm in the same boat so we can commiserate together. it's all just so boring which is probably adding to my DYI habits

Scar: Mine may hold a tinge of grease and caffeine but you know you're always welcome to go through my closet Scar: yes, i've been dreaming of the combination again. i swear i went to bed thinking my heart was gonna jump out of my chest but WORTH EVERY SIP AND BITE Scar: Not DYI. tbh, if you need help, i'm known to have a steady hand. But we need to shake it up. maybe we need to find a time we're off and get hot and ruin some lives

jana-ljes

As someone with an abundance of time due to unemployment, Jana finally settled (a mere two months in) that not all hours could be filled endlessly scrutinising her general existence and career avenue and picking up a hobby or two could help lull her. Once quite adept at the French horn (her mother displeased that she picked a "French" instrument, but made her practise at least ninety minutes every day, nonetheless), those were her youthful years, and it had been some days since the blonde had any musicality left in her. So that was off the table, despite her mother pulling out the one they had rented for her and then later purchased in high school and dusted it off ─ again, much to her annoyance. The only options left seemed to be collectables, something physical or artsy; the former also ruled out when she realised she didn't find anything entertaining enough to own multiple of. An attempt was made at bird watching, in true dad fashion, a particularly dull one that required her to sit still and alone with her thoughts, and home brewing, her brother's hobby. Well, that one just ended in her drinking more than producing and feeling disgusted at the amount of yeast he used. However, it was hiking with friends, or whoever she could coax into coming for some idle chitchat and weaving when no one was free, but that she could easily do at a library or café and not take up too much room.

That day's original plan was to go on a morning walk with her sister, but being cancelled on at the last minute had Jana feeling restless and a tiny bit resentful that everyone in her life had things to attend to that related to their jobs. It was a silly reaction and a fleeting one, though it had already set in the pit of her stomach ─ or maybe that was hunger, Jana looking through her cupboards in search of something other than pickled veggies. Such a conclusion that she had absolutely nothing led her to Dolly's Diner, Scarlett posted in front of her own place, scrolling on her phone. "You damn kids and your phones," Jana joked, "let me speak to your manager!" The interior appeared empty enough that it was fair to give the cooks their break, but the older woman couldn't help but feel the twinge of distress as she tried to cover up the rumble in her stomach with a slight clearing of her throat. "You ever just think of not, being open, I mean, shutting this mofo down and hitting the open road?" She pondered aloud as she adjusted the straps of her tote, which she kept all her weaving gear in. "I guess I shouldn't say no to a fresh cup of coffee, but apple pie is not my bag, baby. The company, I am sure, is just as sweet, so it will satisfy my intake for the day. Whatcha looking at?"

#threads — jane ljes.#it was perfection - i love her!

Scar jumped up, twirled on the heel of her converse, and opened her arms wide as if she'd done some big magic move and this was her ah! ah! moment. "No manager here, but owner, however." Her collar popped in reply while she flashed a grin in the blonde's direction. Shoulders dropped while she stepped forward, peering in the direction of the diner and then the road as if both things were unable to exist in the same world. "You know, I've thought about it a few times. No direction, an open road, a full tank of gas." It sounded like fun until she remembered that she didn't really have anyone who could just up and leave with her without any set return date. Likely, she wouldn't make herself sick with worry that the whole of dolly's would fall apart without her even if she knew, at the back of her mind, that it would survive the apocalypse at this point with how long it has continue to stand, every single day, twenty-four/ seven.

She shifted towards the front of the cafe, flipping open the lights when they entered. There wasn't any reason to keep the electricity running if no one was inside despite it saving pennies on her electricity bill. Luckily, she didn't have to worry about the town thinking she was close because most knew that Dolly's was always open to welcome them. "Tragic that you don't like apple pie but I can promise you that the company is sweeter and much more satisfying." The red head teasingly winked while she looked over her shoulder, making her way towards the coffee machine. She'd let Jana sit where she wanted , whether in on a booth or to join her towards the front at the bar. "I'm stalking my exes." There wasn't any hesitation or thought of lying because she felt it was pretty human of her to dwell on the past relationships and the curiosity to see how they were doing throughout the years. "I'm in the self-pity stage of my latest break up so naturally I'm going through all their profiles to see how well they're doing and will stop by the liquor store on the way home for a large bottle of whatever is readily available in the fridge." She flashed her a grimace. "Maybe a bit too much honesty and misery for this time of day, right?"

Bailey: i ALMOST got the green one too!! but ok yes sharing is caring. i was an ace in kindergarten Bailey: are you at dolly's at all today? if so, swing by the shop when you're done and we'll just head to yours Bailey: you provide the junk food and i'll supply the booze (and maybe something to toke) Bailey: something must be going on in my girl's life...?

Scar: caring is sharing and that also means clothes because i saw you in that green jacket and it's 👌 Scar: when am i not at the diner? i finish after lunch so i'll come on over after a trip to the grocery store. Scar: nothing is happening and i think that's the issue.

Bailey: [ insert picture here ] Bailey: not that you needed photo evidence and should just take my word for it... Bailey: order one NOW