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harry allen | 23 | sweet lil stoner | barista baby

[theharryallen]

valxdupont​:

“Nah, they’re fuckin’ good. No matter how much money I make from my books, I’m obsessed with those noods.” They laughed, walking along beside her. Val could eat and eat and eat when they were high, and that was their plan tonight, definitely. Any time they spent with Harry, they were usually smoking. “The world is our oyster!” Val echoed her with a laugh. “I’m so fuckin’ excited. No meetings tomorrow! An actual day off! We’re goin’ HAM tonight, Harry!”

There was a distinct amount of comfort here. Like no matter where Harry went or what she might get up to, she’d end up back here with Val. And that made her happy - she craved adventure and cheap thrills more often than not, but that didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate what she knew and adored. Especially when that meant staying up, smoking and eating her weight in takeout with one sweet author. “Oh, fuck yeah! Tomorrow’s off for me too. S’like the stars have aligned for us.”

[theharryallen]

ike-whittle​:

“I am literally the least creative person I know. Which makes me a fraud, a sham, an impostor. But we’re saving all that for my psychoanalyst, so I’ll have to come up with something else. But I assure you, any pretense of complexity is just that. Pretense. I have the depth of a half-empty carton of orange juice.” He clicked his tongue, shoving another piece of candy into his mouth. Coffee and gummy bears did not work well together, not at all, but that certainly was not stopping him from hyping himself on sugar. He smiled, flashing his teeth, before snickering. “Hey, I woulda taken the slime monster over the walrus. Slime monsters you can maybe befriend and have a heartwarming TV monster movie about it. Flipper and Free Willy already cornered the nautical market, so I was doomed. But people make those slime videos on the internet now, yeah? I don’t really get them. I don’t get the ASMR ones either. I found one, this lady, clacking her nails against a table, like this.” He demonstrated, but his own were cut too short to make a sound. “I hear her in my sleep now. I think she might live in the walls.” 

Harry couldn’t help the peals of laughter that left her, in that moment. “That’s such bullshit, man! I don’t believe you for a fuckin’ second. Actors always talk themselves up, but playwrights? Y’all always undersell your shit. And then it’s fuckin’ brilliant and you make the rest of us feel like absolute nonsense. ‘Cause you act as though you didn’t create a fuckin’ treasure. You act as though you don’t love your work the way everyone else does. All I hear is lies, my man.” She ate another bite, the spicy heat of the artificial flavoring almost burning her throat. She liked the feeling. “Those slime videos are fuckin’ traumatic man. They get me, in a way I cannot even try and explain. And I don’t get ASMR. Makes me nervous. Feels like it’s all a big secret someone’s keeping from me.” She chuckles. “You’re too much, Ike. Wonder why I put up with you.”

[theharryallen]

saffronharlow​:

If there was one thing Saffy would never turn down, other than a stiff drink, it was the opportunity to blaze up and get baked. She was in fact a ‘recreational marijuana user’ as in she always had a few joints stashed on her ready to spark if the mood struck. And the mood struck often. “You got yourself a deal curly locks, let’s bounce” her mouth turning up into a half smile. She just got a fresh stash from River, perks of being friends with a drug dealer, and if Harry wanted to partake she didn’t give a fuck. There were few people who she tolerated enough to chill with on a regular basis. Saffy didn’t make friends she acquired them through odd circumstances and despite her bad attitude they stuck around no matter how actively she tried to be rid of them. Or at least pretended she wanted to be rid of them. After making their purchases they head out the store and onto the pavement, Saffy immediately pulling a bottle from her six pack and popping the top off to take a swig. “There’s a park around the corner, it has this sick spaceship jungle gym and at this time of night there shouldn’t be any gremlins running around. You dig?”

God, Saffron really was all that. Harry didn’t want to look all moony or anything, but she could barely help herself. Because Saffron was just so… attractive, with her good style, and her pretty face, and her wry wit. And god, the joints she always had stashed. Harry hated walking around like a human heart eyes emoji, but she was high and Saffron was just being herself. Harry felt herself slipping into the crush, before she could help and stop herself. Harry could only grin, pointing some finger guns Saffron’s way, before internally groaning at her own demeanor. She paid up, tossing all of her newly acquired munchies, and of course her Snapple, into one of her tote bag. As they hit the pavement, the cool air calmed Harry, a grin slipping onto her lips. “Sounds like a dream and a half, Saff. Always up for a little bit a’climbing. You lead the way.” She slipped her sunglasses over her eyes. “How you ‘been?”

[theharryallen]

jameselrxy​:

“I try to stick to local coffee shops a lot but like you said, sometimes you just gotta go for it and head to Starbucks.” He laughed softly. “Really? There’s decent state parks near here? That’s- that’s good to know.” James said slowly, doing his best to make note of it for later. James listened closely as she talked, always paying close attention to the people he was talking with, always wanting to soak in what they were saying as best as he could. “That’s really cool- minus the breaking your nose part. There’s no way I’d have the coordination for that.” He laughed truthfully, not for sure if it was one of those things he simply didn’t have or if it had been affected by his injury. “But it always looks badass when I see people skateboarding in the park and stuff.”

“Well, you can always come visit Big Shoulders. I’ll give you a drink, on the house. Just make sure I’m on at that time, ‘cause the rest of the baristas can’t make a drink like I can.” She grinned. “Starved Rock State Park is a little ways away, but it sure is beautiful. I’ve spent a lot of time up at Moraine Hills State Park, too. Nature’s the real stuff, man.” She nodded, taking a swig of her Snapple. “Well, if you’re ever looking to learn, I’m a fantastic teacher. I’m getting ‘real good at some of the tricks. People don’t take me seriously, sometimes. But it’s basically a sport, being ‘real good at it.”

[theharryallen]

therobrtsmith​:

“That I do. Do you know where I can find the nearest place to get something to eat? I am starving and all i’m seeing around here are clothing stores and places that are not for eating.” He chuckled.

“You like Chinese food? There’s a great lil’ hole in the wall. Few streets down. I’m always down for some dumplings, if you’re not opposed to a dining partner.”

[theharryallen]

therobrtsmith​:

“Yup. I am definitely lost.” Robert murmured to himself as he roamed the streets this afternoon. He had been in town a year, so one would think he knew where everything was, but sadly that was not the case. Looking at a figure nearby, he tried waving them down so he could ask them for directions. (@chicagcstart​)

Harry was riding along on her board, Take a Slice by Glass Animals blasting in her headphones. She weaved in and out of people, feeling the wind blow through her hair. This was bliss… her favorite way of existing. But soon, she saw a man waving her down, so she slowed down, jumping off the board and catching it, easily. “‘Sup, man. You need help?”

[theharryallen]

sophieparker​:

“Jesus christ, this is bad coffee.” Sophie groaned, a disgusted look on her face. Placing the mug back down in front of her, she stared at it blankly for a few moments, trying to decide if she should take it back or just suck it up. Complaining at cafés or restaurants she really wasn’t her thing, especially when she knew how trying customers could be at times. She wasn’t that sort of person. “Is it always this bad? Or did I just come in at the wrong time?” She inquired curiously, her gaze drifting towards the person by her side. ✰ ––– @chicagcstart​.

Harry had just gotten off of her shift, but she was getting a coffee anyways. Working there, it was free. Was it the best coffee in the world? Not by a long shot, but still… it sufficed. “Manny’s the one who made it for you, and Manny’s pretty shit at making them. I mean, the stuff’s not that good to begin with, but if you had caught me on my shift, you’d certainly have a different reaction. You want another one? That stuff looks like toxic waste.”

[theharryallen]

graves-and-sullivan​:

   “Well, I would say my favorite candy is twizzlers,” he answered as he looked at his side and saw the other and smiled. They had always been Jaxon’s favorite candy as long as he could remember. “I recommend getting those giant massive bags and they are perfect to snack on during movies or anything.” 

“Oh, hell yeah! Twizzlers are a good pick. Which is kinda wild to me, ‘cause I hate all other types of licorice. But there’s something fuckin’ addicting about Twizzlers.” She grinned, searching for them. “Now I need something salty for balance. Gotta keep everything in ratio.”

[theharryallen]

itsjames-b​:

“What would you do if your mother is trying to get you to meet someone because apparently you’ve been single for too long?” James asked the other, followed by a sigh of defeat. “I’m running out of excuses to say no to meeting this random woman she’s been trying to set up with… for like months now.” @chicagcstart​

Harry chuckled, shaking her head. “I’d tell her to mind her own business! My love life and exploits in that same vein are my business and mine only.” She nodded. “‘Course, my mom hates that I’m dreadfully single, but I don’t really love conforming to rules, so I just.. do as I please.” She smiled. “You know anything about this woman?”

[theharryallen]

ike-whittle​:

“I really never know what to say to reporters, man.” Ike gave a low, irritated sigh, running a flustered hand along his face and shoving some hair from his forehead. He paused to shove a gummy bear into his mouth before offering the open bag. “They always ask shit, like, ‘How did you get started? What’s your inspiration?’ And, I just, I don’t know. They want you to go on and on about some teacher that touched your soul, or how you’re very sad about your grandma or some shit. But it’s all an accident, you know? Things just fuckin’ happen. No rhyme or reason or nothing. The real world ain’t like that. Decisions don’t always make narrative sense. People do things just ‘cause.” He huffed a little, trailing off. “I have to email this guy back and make people come see the play. What do I tell ‘em? Should I make up a grandma? Mine was a real piece of work. Gave me a savings bond every Hanukkah. I don’t even know what those are for. Plus, she used to tell me a walrus lived in her tub so I wouldn’t use her good bathroom. Years and years of tusk-themed night terrors, I tell you. Not enough therapy.” @chicagcstart​

Harry’s mind raced the way it often seemed to, but she stuck her hand in her bag of Doritos, as she nodded her head, listening to what Ike had to say. She always thought about how she should probably start looking like an asshole and using chopsticks to eat the chips. As much of a douche as she might appear in doing so, that way, the orange powder wouldn’t stain her fingertips. “You’re talking to the queen of doin’ things, just ‘cause. I got you, man. But maybe it could be fun to shake things up, eh? Lie to ‘em a little bit. Test your creativity. I mean, you got it in spades, don’t you? Hot shot playwright, and all.” She smirked, popping another chip into her mouth. “That’s what grandmas are for. Mine convinced me that a slime monster lived under my bed. I mean, why would I believe that? But I did. I really, really did. Now even the sight of slime to this day… shakes me to my fuckin’ core.”

[theharryallen]

jameselrxy​:

“There’s just something so cozy about fall.” James said, eyebrows raising some. Not that he exactly remembered what he did in the fall- just that there was over priced pumpkin drinks and pumpkin patches- All of which sounded beyond appealing to him. “Ah, well, that makes sense then. If you’re skating then summer really is perfect for it.” He paused for a moment, looking over at her. “For me, I just like the warm weather. Though- camping oddly sounds like a fun thing to do in the summer too? Have no idea if I ever been or not.” James shrugged. “But skating- board. I assume, skateboarding? That’s pretty awesome. I don’t remotely have the coordination for something like that.” 

“Gotta admit, I have to agree with you. Nothin’ like a Autumn Trails scented candle from Bath & Body Works. And there really isn’t anything like a Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Starbucks. I mean.. I work at a coffee shop, and sometimes I betray our stuff for the 'Bucks. It’s... nostalgia, mostly. “Camping is the best. I really like hiking, and there are some seriously insane state parks near here.. I’m always hyped for a camping trip.” She grinned, grabbing her board. She had a few of them back at the apartment, but this was her favorite. “Got my first board, aged 10. Broke my nose ‘real bad from a fall, age 13. But it’s worth it, learning to skate. It’s like... total adrenaline rush to the max.”

[theharryallen]

valxdupont​:

Val grinned lazily as they waited for Harry to grab whatever she deemed worthy of their night of snacking and drinking. And smoking. And whatever else. They were eager to get out of here and go enjoy the evening, but getting something to eat was definitely a good idea- especially when they both knew they’d get hungry if they were smoking anything at Val’s place. Looping an arm with Harry’s, they let her lead. 

“Ramen noodles I’ve already got at home, too. One a the rare things I can cook by myself.” They pointed out with a little pat to her arm. “Sounds good. Get two bags of chips, just in case.” They added. “We can always order Chinese food later, too.” They said, realizing how hungry they were already.

Harry never knew what to expect from a night with Val, but it was always satisfying. Whatever shape it took, Harry knew she was in for a good time. They looped their arm in hers, and she made sure that Val was supported, keeping a matched pace. “I’m honestly a little too into the Cup’O’Noodles. They’re so fuckin’ bad for you, and they don’t even taste that good. But the salty umami flavor gets me, you know?” She grinned, as they made it up to the register, plenty of snacks in tow. “Chinese food? You’re speakin’ my language, babe.” She made sure to pay, and after getting it all settled, she patted his arm, affectionately. “Off to your place, Val. The world is our oyster!”

[theharryallen]

jameselrxy​:

James glanced over at the person who had laid down next to him. His head tilted for a few seconds, trying to remember if he knew her but from what he could tell, he didn’t. But that didn’t matter to him one bit. Instead he offered her a smile. “Oh yeah, it’s for sure here.” He laughed softly. “I’ll be glad that it’s summer for about a week, then after that, I’ll be wishing for spring or autumn.”

Harry loved meeting strangers, especially when she wasn’t anticipating their responses. She was who she was, and sometimes she liked meeting people to see whether or not they’d take her at face value. But this guy seemed nice enough, and he wasn’t bad to look at, so she was happy to have stumbled upon him. “God, I do love fall. But summer’s like the best weather for skating. I take my board everywhere, and no one looks at me like I should be in a car, in the summertime.”

[theharryallen]

saffronharlow​:

Bourbon was Saffy’s drink of choice, everyone knew it. She always drank it neat, no mixer, no ice, no additional flavor. She liked it when her liquor burned going down her throat. But today she’d been craving a nice cold brew and stopped off at the convenience store around the corner to pick up a case of Raging Bitch. It wasn’t the smoothest tasting beer but that’s why she liked it, it made her twinge whenever she drank it but it was strong and gave her the buzz she needed. The case hung from her fingers as she stood in the snack aisle thinking she might as well restock her snack hoard, she knew when she got high she sure as shit didn’t want to have to come all the way here when she inevitably got the munchies. Her gaze settled lazily on Harry as she approached, brow raised. “I thought we already went over this, candy is not the vibe. You need to go for the classic stoner combos” she put her beer on the floor and pointed to a tub of cheese puffs. “Cheese puffs, bbq fritos, oreos, Cheez whiz,” she gave her a look that said the Cheez whiz was essential “And about three bottles of root beer. Its the only way to power through the haze my dude”

Smoking was.. a habit Harry wouldn’t be able to break anytime soon. Maybe she was dependent. But she loved the feeling of giving over her anxiety fully, allowing the energy to mask any constant concerns. And whenever she smoked, which was often, she got the typical cravings one might get. This convenience store knew her well, and she knew the common cast of characters who ended up here, on the regular. Saffron was… one of the best of them. She was effortlessly cool, hot to boot, and actually gave Harry the time of day. A winning combination, in Harry’s eyes. “Alright, I’ll add the fuckin’ cheese wiz. But only if you’ll smoke with me. I’m not tearing through these munchies all by my lonesome. That’s too depressing, even for me.”

[theharryallen]

evelyn-nestor​:

Evelyn stopped off at a convenience store to pick up a couple of guilty pleasure snacks after work. She had already grabbed some chips and was now looking at some of the chocolate. “My favorite candy on this shelf? I guess it really all depends on the mood. I really like Nerds.”

“S’like…” She held a bag of Doritos and a pack of Starburst. She was now looking very introspectively at at one of the tubes of mini M&M’s. “I’ve been really trying to perfect the munchy snack move, you know what I mean? But then every time I get here… I’m craving something different. I just want to find the ultimate go to. Nerds are good… they could add a punch of flavor.”

[theharryallen]

valxdupont​:

Val had their messenger bag over one shoulder and they’d already bought a few bottles of wine for the stash at home. They’d agreed after a quick call to meet up with Harry at the convenience store. It was easy enough to get to- just down the street, a direct line, and their phone gave directions for how far away it was in feet. Once Harry had arrived, they walked in together, and Val’s pale eyes stayed vacant, though a smirk formed on their face at the obviously misinformed question. 

“Oh yeah, I fuckin’ love the candy’s thats uh… the one right there.” Val pointed with their finger at a random spot, clearly not able to see any of it, their finger actually pointing at some ramen noodles. “C’mon, Harry, don’t fuck with me. Tell me what’s there so we can get some shit an’ go!” They laughed. “If there’s some Twix, I’m sold.” They added.

Harry loved hanging out with Val, and so, she was looking forward to the night ahead. Maybe it was the way in which their sarcasm and wit matched up well with Harry’s. They were funny as hell and shared Harry’s penchant for smoking so... it just made sense. The convenience store was always her preferred place to meet up, so she could snag a few snacks along the way. And she knew it was an easy spot for Val to get to, which was an important piece to this puzzle.

Harry burst out into a rivulet of laughter, smacking herself on the forehead. “How many fuckin’ times do we hang out, and I still.. Jesus. I’m sorry. I’d love to get what you’re so fondly pointing to, but I’m not in college anymore so I’m not sure ramen noodles will suffice.” She grinned. “But I’m grabbing some chips and some Reese’s PB Cups. And some Twix, just for you.”

[theharryallen]

Harry Allen often found herself in convenience stores. Sometimes, at random hours of the night. She found a certain peace in knowing that they’d always be open, and besides, where better to stock up on a whole lot of snacks? 

So as she skated through the early evening air, she grinned, the high of her last smoke running through her, creating a sense of calm. She came to a stop next to the nearest drug store, and picked up her board, walking through with a lazy gait.

Eyeing the first person she runs into, she ponders out loud. “Okay but like... what’s your favorite candy on this shelf? ‘Cause I’m looking for optimal snacking ability.”