xjaylahopkins

[xjaylahopkins]

It might be the mood, but don't add fuel to it! You saying the word 'hip' makes you just as lame and I am, Ryder. I already turned in my Christmas program but there will be more crafts for you in a few weeks when I'm coming up with ideas for Valentine's Day or St. Paddy's. Don't worry!

Have you seen the state of the world these days? It's not a vibe killer, it's a mood. You're just not as hip as I am, obviously. But that's true, I do enjoy getting to reap the benefits of anything -- does that mean there are lots of crafts lined up for me to help out with this time around?

[xjaylahopkins]

"I wouldn't expect otherwise," Jayla let out a slightly louder laugh when Jaz threatened to take her down with her. Once their skates were on, Jayla too stood up alongside Jaz, waiting to assess as to just where Jaz was on comfort level and skill. She watched intently, just to be sure her friend didn't fall this early on in the evening. "If you're good, we can go," Jayla nodded, slowly making her way from the bench to the actual skating rink.

Jaz just hummed in response. “ ‘Decent’ is better than horrible, I suppose,” she mused. “But if you let me fall on my ass I’m absolutely dragging you down with me.” She was joking (mostly) but hopefully Jay got her humor. She wasn’t completely helpless, but the excuse of being a bit rusty was good to fall back on (though hopefully not literally, for her own sake). Surprisingly it didn’t take much to convince Jaz to get a pair of skates on, though it did take her a second to steady herself once she stood up. “Ready?”

[xjaylahopkins]

"Umm.." Jayla paused for a moment, assessing how the flannel jacket would look on Chloe. "Try it on. Let me see how it actually fits." Though the colors were pretty, Jayla wanted to assess the fit on her friend before signing off on a purchase.

who: CHLOE & OPEN.

where: Treasure Chest.

when: sometime during November.

Chloe loved going to thrift shops. It was like going on a treasure hunt every time she walked into one. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet as she looked around, rummaging through the assorted dresses and tops hanging on the rail. The main thing she was looking for was more fall and winter pieces to fill her wardrobe. "Do you think this would look good on me?" asked Chloe as she turned to the nearest person, holding up a flannel jacket that had the colors orange and brown throughout it. "I don't usually wear these colors, but this is kind of cute."

[xjaylahopkins]

"It's part of what makes it fun!" Though Jayla spent more time on the daily with much smaller kids at the library, from time to time she got interaction with the teens which she often found quite amusing. "God, I hope so!" Jayla laughed at the mention of the cha cha slide. "Guess we'll find out! I will request it myself, if I have to."

"Kids are both the coolest people and biggest losers all at once," Iris explained. "I worked with my share of them in the teen library programs this summer and..." She shook her head. "Yeah, for sure, small town Maine is going to be different from the Midwest or even more urban Massachusetts. But we can all do the cha cha slide, right?"

[xjaylahopkins]

Jayla couldn't help but shake her head, a tad dismissive at the sentiment. While deep down she understood that Riddy was probably right, Jayla never went out of her way to be a 'good person'. She simply lived her life with the deep values of community care that she had been raised with. She didn't know any other way of life. "When I first moved here, I did not know a single soul. The community center gave me something to do, a way to meet people, while also giving back to my new community." And really, she would have began helping out at the center regardless, even if she had known folks in the area. However, it had helped at a time when she moved across the country with nothing but a job lined up to land on. Now, nearly seven years later, it was simply routine. "No, I don't have a regular schedule at the center. I am not an employee, only a volunteer. So I have no set schedule. But if you have a day that you have planned ahead of time, clear and ready to go, if I know far enough in advanced I can make sure to be there that day. At least on the weekends."

" jayla, if the world had more people like you, we’d be something far better than what we are now. " there was such conviction in her tone, barely able to contain her admiration for jayla. " what made you join the community centre to help out? did you hear about it one day and decide to 'do your part' as well? " she rested her elbows on the table, her chin propped against her knuckles as she gazed at her. " i'll have next weekend free; they’re finishing up the work on the spa and dealing with the electrical setup, so starting thursday, " she mused, then asked, " do you usually work there on weekends? "

[xjaylahopkins]

Wishing for death was sort of a vibe kill. You're welcome! Okay, well, Halloween is over. Soooo... I do my best! At least it means that the joy of the holiday spirit comes early and we get to enjoy the benefits of my busiest season come new year!

Boo, hiss, you're killing my vibe. But I do appreciate you not forcing me to chew on plants, it's never been a goal of mine. Hm, well, too bad, looks like it's going to be chilly for a while, so ranch is out and, well, I'm busy with Halloween, so... huh. Rain check! That's just how business works, I can both appreciate and respect your hustle.

[xjaylahopkins]

Jayla as the Rainbow Fish at the library during work, passing out candy (and out throughout the week) as Boo from Monsters Inc

[xjaylahopkins]

"Depends on what you consider risk.." Jayla slightly tilted his head in consideration. Though, tonight she had opted for comfortable items straight out of her closet, in a look reminiscent of Boo from Monster's Inc. She laughed when Jaz stated that she was not a seasoned skater. "Don't worry! I got you! I come here every couple months with friends, so I'm at least decent on skates."

"And what about you?" she asked, giving the other woman's outfit a once over. "Do you like the risk too?" Was her tone a little flirtatious? Maybe. Sue her. In a more normal voice she continued, "Can't tell you the last time I went roller skating, so you're gonna have to tell me you're at least decent at it if I'm going to put a pair of skates on too."

[xjaylahopkins]

Jayla looked around them, assessing people's risk probability with their costumes on wheels, knowing that Jaz was right. "Something tells me some of these people did not plan ahead. Or they like the risk of danger," she laughed a tad nervous for them. With her anxiety, Jayla had put more thought into the risk factor than was probably needed. And in that moment, she was grateful, hoping they wouldn't see too many costume related injuries that night.

Who: Jasmine and @xjaylahopkins Where: Roller Skating at The Fun Spot When: Hallo-Week 2024

After bonding with each other over s'mores at the Newman's wedding, the least Jaz could do to repay the favor was join Jayla at the rink. Whether or not she was going to join in the skating part of it all was a different story. "Y'know, I get that it's fun for people to come dressed up in costumes, but I feel like too many don't think about the practicality of them." You definitely wouldn't catch her in something here that was too restricting or that would get caught in her or someone else's wheels. Her own outfit was just her regular clothing, explained away as being 'a superhero on their day off, dressing up as her.'

[xjaylahopkins]

No. Death was never on the table. Got it.. Don't worry, I won't force you to chew hay. One night at tumbleweed or one afternoon at the ranch. That's all I ask. Once I sell out of Santa Claus, hearts will go up for sale. Yes. I'm on a bit of an advanced schedule, just like the stores these days.

Death suddenly isn't an option? Like I can't just say that I hit thirty and roll over and not have to choose either one? This seems vastly unfair. Well, either tobacco or they put like… grass and shit in their mouth and they chew on that. Or hay? Maybe it's hay. Either way! They're always chewing on something. Oh yeah, like once they sell out of Santa Claus, they put hearts up on the shelves?

[xjaylahopkins]

"I won't judge.. too much. I will laugh," Jayla admitted. I her defense, she still clearly remembered being that age roughly fifteen years prior, also thinking she and her friends were the coolest with their modernized takes on what anyone older than her would have considered a classic. Now she was the adult, getting to see what the kids thought made them cool these days. It was always an interesting, entertaining observation to make. "For what it's worth, I don't think any of us are.. I talk to people born and raised here and that feels like another world at times too, public school or not."

"I'm sure they'll be...not terrible." Iris had her doubts. She felt both like she was just a teenager yesterday and it had been ages all at once. "I think it's a bit of both, honestly. Ryder grew up as a rich boy and I grew up with weird professor parents, so we're definitely not a good sample of average Americans."

[xjaylahopkins]

happy birthday to you! @owenryder

Happy 30th! This feels like a milestone, so I thought that the balloons and banner were appropriate. Today is the one day a year where everything is actually about you, so enjoy it! You get your choice of dinner tonight, of course. And for dessert, a chocolate and peanut butter cake made by yours truly. Now, for your actual gifts. In the pretty category, I got you a new chain. In the practical category, $100 toward art supplies. Hope you have the best day! Happiest of birthdays!

x Jayla

[xjaylahopkins]

"The more, the better! It all goes to a good cause!" Jayla reiterated with a grin wide across her face. Of course, she didn't want to pressure anyone into pitching in or feeling obligated to contributing to the center. However, she couldn't help but be excited by the prospect of help, whether material or labor, over a the center. Especially with the colder months, the holiday season, coming up. "I am more than sure that there will be spots available! Perhaps, let me know, when you plan to come by? That way I can make sure to be there that day too, if possible."

“ i’ll bear that in mind, ” she smiled, her laugh genuinely warm. “ i’ll check with the spa staff, see if they’ve got any donations – you can never have too many round here. ” she knew the holiday season drew in lots of people in need, many of whom relied on whatever food they could get at the community centre. it was a tradition started by her gran: riddy’s dad and siblings would head out in the evenings, handing out hot meals around the whitmore house and into town. “ i’ll make sure to sign up for the holidays. who knows, maybe there’ll be a spot in the kitchen too, ” she grinned, nibbling on what she had in hand. “ i’ll pop by at weekends to help out, ” which was true—once she pencilled it in, it’d become a regular thing.

[xjaylahopkins]

It's called bonding time with your roommates, Ryder! Tumbleweed or getting on a horse. Those are your options. Are you talking about chewing tobacco? No, I'm not that far ahead! Valentine's Day will start in December. We need to get through Christmas first.

But can't we expand my horizons into cowboy fashion without the cowboy dancing…? Especially since I am not so sure that I am good at dosey-do or whatever it is that cowboys do. And I'm not chewing anything, either, isn't that what cowboys do? I was going to say, I'd be more surprised if you told me that you were already planning Valentine's Day. If you are, don't tell me. Just make sure you squeeze in a few good listens to Monster Mash in between, as long as you do that, you're good.

[xjaylahopkins]

"You didn't have to!" Jayla grinned, shaking her head as she took the Tupperware of cookies. "I probably won't have much, but we can do wine," Jayla nodded, assuring Stevie that it was fine if she wanted to drink while at the house. Jayla led the way from the entry way out to the living area where the living room, dining space, and kitchen island met. "Feel free to take a seat anywhere you would like, I'm just getting the rest of supper ready to go for us all."

Stevie immediately took in her surroundings. This place was cute. Full of artistic expression which she expected from Jayla and her roommates. "Hi!" She said brightly, before returning the hug. "I know you said not to bring anything, but I brought cookies. Just in case." She said, the Tupperware in her hand. "And there's a bottle of wine in the car, but I wasn't sure if I should've brought that in. I can always drink it later when I'm home."

[xjaylahopkins]

"We are going to find out, seeing what Eli and Colton, and all of the rest of the kids do," she shrugged. It was amusing seeing preteens, teenagers, reinventing things like common dances these days. Jayla didn't consider herself to be that old, and she really wasn't at 28, but the reminder of general differences was definitely there. "I never know, between you and Ryder, if I just had a weird Midwest schooling experience or if it's a cross-country public school standard," she laughed. "We did have a whole P.E. unit on dancing. Line dancing, square dancing, all of it."

"No, I trust Aisha way more than that," she said, grinning over at her friend. "Wait, that's a terrible thought. People dance so many weird ways now." Iris shrugged. "I went to weird schools so I don't actually know what the public school experience is, it's kinda sad."

[xjaylahopkins]

Jayla had stepped away from the dance floor, now wandering around outside of the tent, when she spotted Jaz with a line of children waiting on s'mores. She didn't imagine Jaz had signed up for this, confirmed when Jaz's expression screamed 'help me'.

"No, I got it," Jayla said, picking up a stick and marshmallows herself. Though, looking around, she turned back to Jaz and asked, "do you want me to help out with...?" Jayla gestured to the children with pursed lips, then smiled at the younger woman.

Who: Jasmine & (Open!) Where: Cage and Cordelia's Wedding When: October 19, 2024

All Jasmine had wanted was a s'more. It was something quick, easy, a great excuse to stare at some fire for a moment to get away from everything so... wedding about the whole event. Except now she had been at the fire pit forever because apparently she was 'the best' at toasting marshmallows and had done it for like twenty kids at this point even though she'd kind of just been tuning them out throughout the day and didn't actually know how many were there.

Her jacket had been left on a chair somewhere and the sleeves of her dress shirt were pushed up to her elbows, having gotten herself way too into this task. Jaz debated just trying to burn the marshmallows intentionally at this point but like, they were for kids, and just because she was getting annoyed didn't mean should mess up their snacks. She also considered convincing a few of them that she could shoot fire out of her eyes (and maybe by now it wasn't far from reality) but the venue wasn't exactly appropriate for that so she put a pin in that idea for another time.

Finally, another adult approached and Jaz immediately turned to them and through gritted teeth asked, "do you want one too?" with a still somewhat friendly tone while her eyes yelled 'help me.'