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@xjaylahopkins
JAYLA KIMBERLY HOPKINS
JAY • JAY JAY
she/her • queer • born December 5, 1995
born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. daughter of Ronald Hopkins and Tonya Wilson. only child. attended Montana State University from 2013-2017. living in Merrock since 2017. youth librarian at Merrock’s Memorial Library. beader. volunteer at Merrock Community Center. horse mom to Misty. currently single.
BIO • STATS • CONNECTIONS • TIMELINE
“It’s always good to be confident what can I say?” She grinned. She had all the confidence in the world. Even if she had to fake it until she made it, she was going to come out on top. “I will admit, I am a little rusty on this one so it may go in your favor.”
"Let's see how much it helps you," Jayla laughed. She loved good, healthy competition. When Jordyn admitted that she hadn't played skee-ball in a while, it boosted her own confidence. She was excited to see if that worked in her favor. "Let's see! Do your best!"
"I figured you would come prepared," given how much Ashleigh had gotten to know Jayla over the last few months, she definitely seemed like the kind of person who was always one step ahead and ready for everything that came her way. "So far, so good," she turned Dusty to follow Jayla, clicking softly with her tongue to let the mare catch up to her friend. "The programs have all been busy, which is nice. Do you guys keep busy over at the library? Summer programs yourself?"
Jayla was always one to be prepared, something about it being a sense of comfort for her anxiety. She nodded, snickering quietly at what had become an expectation of her by anyone who knew her. As Ashleigh explained how the summer was gong thus far, she was aware that summer was prime opportunity for keeping busy. When she question was returned, Jayla hummed a drawn out confirmation. Then she elaborated some. "Yes, the summer programs keep me busy. I have more time to occupy, keeping the kids busy until they're back in school. So it's a lot of extra activities be offered!"
You know what makes me really, really sad? That some people will never experience the awesomeness of a rotational six CD player inside a car. You know the ones where you could put six in and then pick whatever one you wanted to listen to? Like, who needs an aux cord when you have that? Besides, albums are way more fun to listen to than trying to look down at your phone every three seconds because you want to skip a song.
I say we go back. As someone who does still own several CD binders because I not only have a functional single disc player in my truck but also a cassette player.. Sometimes, albums are also just meant to be listened to as a whole, in order, which I feel like streaming and playlists discourages.
And I love that for you, genuinely! Plus if you think about it this way: lay down on some snow, you're gonna be wet but can dry yourself off, but lay in some sand and you'll find it in your things for weeks! Snowflakes and sand are kind of both like nature's glitter in a way. There's probably a metaphor or something in that.... Anyway! That all sounds like a little bit of both, finding peaceful things in the active things you do. Totally my whole deal too.
You are not wrong! Sand can be like glitter, in the most annoying way. It ends up in uncomfortable places. Call me insane, but I would rather risk frostbite. I'm going to blame it on growing up with snow and not beaches to begin with. But, like I said, I grew up outdoors. So I am enjoying summer regardless! What have you been enjoying so far, this summer?
"Ready!" Ashleigh smiled, smoothing her hand through Dusty's red mane, tangling her fingers in the long locks, looking over at her friend. Although she spent an awful lot of time in the saddle, it wasn't often that she got to do it for fun, just spending hours out on the trails with a friend, catching up and doing something for herself. "I've got snacks and water, too, so if we're out for a while, we're covered."
"So did I, so we're good!" Jayla nodded, sure they had more than enough food and water for the afternoon. With that said, Jayla began to slowly lead the way out toward the trails. She kept a rather slow pace so that the two could chat as they rode. ''How has the summer been treating you?"
where: Harmony Ranch when: July 2026 who: Jayla & @leighash
"Alright.. Ready to head out?" Jayla asked, riding up beside Ashleigh on Misty. One of the best parts of the warmer months was more time out riding, whether her horse or the others at the ranch and Jayla was never one to pass up the chance.
Winter is gorgeous in its own way too, absolutely. The weather extremes on either end aren't always as fun, but I love the idea of getting to enjoy the weather for you. Are you thinking more of the athletic kind or relaxing kind... or a bit of both?
Do not get me wrong! I'm not saying that I don't enjoy summer. I do. I am just also, maybe more, fond of winter. I would rather have a good snowball fight than be laying out on the beach. But I still enjoy a good lake day, in the warmer months! I love being outside! Whether it's out with my horse, or kayaking, or hiking in the forest. So, I guess that means more athletic. I think it may just be more how I was raised. What about you?
[open / dash/gif chat - @merrock ]
Now that it's Summer I have to know: what's on your sand-bucket list? You know, like, bucket list but Summer themed. Or like if the Summer was your sandbox with unlimited possibilities, but there was only so much time and space for you to do what you wanted to in. Orrr even just a mid-year-ish check in on any resolutions you had?
I'm a winter baby. And I do prefer it, generally. But I think my main goal for summer is always to get outside more! To just take advantage of the warmer weather and all of the activities that we can only do comfortably when it's not frigid here.
Who: Jordyn & Open (0/5)
Where: Emergency Services Carnival
When: July 2026
“Are you sure?” Jordyn asked the person next to her. She didn’t want to hurt their feelings and she was winning so far. “My streak is incredible and I am quite fabulous at this game.” She tied the back of her work shirt with a scrunchie showing off her midriff. “So pick a game you feel you can win.” She teased.
"That's quite the confidence for someone who's about to get their ass kicked at skee-ball." Okay, ring-toss, not Jayla's best. But was it anyone's, really? She opted for a game she knew she was much better at to go next.
Location: Carnival Fairgrounds Date: July 3rd OPEN
"Two hours!" Cherry leaned back against the picnic benches on the edge of the fairgrounds. She'd taken to them with some funnel cake needing a reprieve and some space to brag. "Two hours at the ring toss! I was going to go insane. But I saw this," she lifted the stuffed animal from her lap and tossed it over. (The ugliest, and somehow cutest, blobfish stuffy.) "And I knew I had to have it." She tipped a piece of funnel cake into her mouth. "Now the fun can really begin."
"If anything, that show you have incredible patience," Jayla giggled. It was a little amusing seeing that degree of determination for a single stuffed animal. Then again, if she spotted a stuffie that she liked that much, she would probably do similar. Having caught the blobfish, Jayla took a moment to inspect it with a grin before handing it back, carefully. "Sounds like you have your big win for the night, I still need to get one for myself," she smiled with a single shoulder shrug before her attention returned to her own chocolate-topped funnel cake.
who: leo & your muse
where: downtown merrock
when: feat. donut day
white cardboard box set in his hands, leo rolls his lips between his teeth and frowns. looks here, looks there, flush of embarrassment. how these ended up for free in his hands, tries to decipher: they appeared out of nowhere, delivered as if he got them for himself and he hadn't. " ... guess this is a sign to give my brain a break. " refers to: endless notepads, held in place by the outdoor salt-shakers, table otherwise sans food whatsoever. " these ... i dunno, they manifested. " a thief? him? never, not even a number two pencil back in high school.
"Manifested?" Jayla raised a brow. "You don't remember picking them up?" she chuckled. "Have you at least checked to see that they're good picks?"
"It sounds like one of those things you hear in a bar, like… some old tale someone made up while they're completely drunk," she said with a loud laugh, absolutely able to imagine one of the fisherman she often times drank with down at Anchors telling the story, cigar in hand, waving a whiskey around while everyone laughed. Hence why she'd never get a goat on a boat. "He's very smart, and thank God for that." Otherwise, she'd have a whole mess on her hands that she would have to deal with, and Ashleigh didn't want that. "At least we do have places like the sanctuary to go visit and spend time with their animals, so we feel less bad about not having more of our own, you know?" made it a little easier. "Although with the weather turning warmer, we should spend more girly horse time together up at the ranch."
"That's exactly what it sounds like," Jayla giggled. It just sounded all bad. "And not many cats are! Granted.. a lot hate water but.. You know what I mean." A cat on a boat sounded risky, particularly if they were of the half a single brain cells variety. "Very true! I am not sure what I would do without having other excuses to be around animals. Or.. I guess I do? I would probably have a house full of animals myself. Perhaps not the smartest deal though. I am much better off, for now, sticking to my horse." Jayla's words came out more like she was trying to convince herself, as was often the case when the idea of adopting a cat came up. "I will definitely be over more often as it warms up!"
"Do you think some fishermen would help me out?" she asked, tilting her head to one side. She was sure that they got all sorts of odd requests, but... saving someone's goat from the ocean might be a new one for them. "Cats are fun, though. That one, I do have one the boat, but Howdy's really savvy, stays away from any danger zones, thankfully." She had yet to have any mishaps, didn't want to end up jinxing herself if she wasn't paying attention some afternoon. "But Misty is a pretty worthy star of your attention. But yeah, I spend a lot of time at the ranch and I'm glad for it, keeps me from making any decisions I might regret in the middle of the night when I look at these cute faces."
"God, I would hope so. That sounds like such a miserable way for a boat goat to go. Drowning," she shook her head, stifled laughter still audible. "Smart cat!" Jayla smiled when Ashleigh mentioned Howdy steering clear of danger on the boat. "That's what I keep telling myself! You never know.. One day I may just show up with a cat but volunteering at the ranch is a good deterrent to just focus on Misty and the other horses. But it doesn't mean I'm not tempted.." Her attention returned to the creatures they were petting before them. "Being an animal lover is not for the weak."
Suki looked up from aggressively negotiating with the dough and immediately caught Jayla trying, and failing, to hide her laughter.
Her eyes narrowed. “Oh, you’re enjoying this.” She pointed at her with flour on her fingers. “You have the energy of someone at an aquarium tapping the glass while the octopus solves puzzles.”
Looking down at herself, she realized she had somehow accumulated more flour despite touching objectively fewer things. Suki blinked. “…How.” She brushed at her shirt. The flour spread. She stared at it. “That feels targeted.”
But then Jayla mentioned checking the fridge. Suki’s entire expression changed. Her posture straightened. Her eyes widened. Slowly, dramatically, she pointed toward the refrigerator. “Oh.”
A grin spread across her face. She walked over and opened the fridge like she was revealing a secret weapons cache. Inside was a completely normal fridge. To Suki, however: possibility.
She started narrating immediately. “Okay, inventory.” She pulled things out one by one and lined them on the counter. “Half a red onion.” Thunk. “Questionably old spinach.” Thunk. “Three kinds of sauce for reasons unknown.” Thunk. “A singular bell pepper.” Thunk. She held up a jar. “…Capers?” Her eyebrows rose. “When did I become an active participant in a capers household?”
She set them down and continued. Then she found shredded mozzarella. Suki held it up and turned dramatically to Jayla. “Oh.” Her face softened immediately.
“The forbidden cheese.” She said it jokingly, but her eyes flicked to Jayla for half a second; just checking, making sure the joke stayed a joke and she wasn’t making light of something she took seriously.
Then she brightened again. “Okay. Options.” She pointed around the counter. “Classic.” Pepperoni. “Experimental.” Mac and cheese plus dino nuggets. “Suspiciously sophisticated.” Caramelized onion, spinach, bell pepper. She looked at Jayla. Then grinned. “…Or.”
Her voice lowered. “We do half normal pizza and half What Happens Happens.” Suki reached over and lightly bumped her shoulder against Jayla’s. “And if it’s terrible, we never speak of this again.”
“But if it’s incredible?” She grabbed the sauce dramatically. “We become insufferable and tell everyone we invented pizza.”
Hearing the emphasis on the word 'targeted', Jayla finally gave in to full on laughter. "You have to admit, it's a little funny.." An flash of an innocent smile followed the sentiment. As Suki pulled random items from the refrigerator, Jayla watched. Each new item was considered thoroughly as she watched them hit the counter. "I am not one bit surprised that there are capers in there," she chuckled. "Hmm.. I am down for the bell pepper and onions.. Maybe not the questionable spinach. Absolutely yes to the pepperoni. Duh. And don't worry. I brought my lactaid." She would spare her friend of dealing with her writhing in pain on account of pizza night, later. "We can do half and half," she nodded in agreement. That way, if it was a total disaster, they still had something to eat. Nothing like having to order a fully prepared pizza from Pizza Thyme after failing themselves. That would be embarrassing.
WHO: ashleigh & @xjaylahopkins
WHERE: spring fling, downtown
WHEN: may, 2026
"I swear, this is really dangerous," Ashleigh said with a laugh as she crouched down to scritch the ears of a baby goat, looking up at Jayla. "I cannot have farm animals on a house boat, but coming to this booth in particular is making me wonder about the logistics of a house goat." That probably could not swim and would be in danger every single time that it got up on the dock, so... maybe not. Still, it was hard not to want to smuggle them all home with her. "Do you ever feel that tug to just adopt every animal you come across?"
"Boat goat! I'm not sure I would want to worry about having to save it if it goes overboard but that would be you problem, not mine," Jayla snickered. She too crouched down to greet the creature before them, loving ay excuse to bond with animals. "I have to constantly remind myself that I have Misty. I volunteer at the ranch for a reason.. I have been debating getting a cat for years but simply have not pulled the trigger on that one," she admitted with a nod and a soft laugh.
