Oaks Creek has always been a small town. Established in 1783, the traditions and cultures are old and set in stone, passed from child to child for over two centuries. Mostly known for its Fall Harvest Festival, Apple Picking Event, and it's cows, Oak Creek has always been the kind of place people wanted to escape from. Unless you were direct descendants of the town founders or a wealthy family looking for a country vacation house, it wasn't a place to climb the social ladder. Corn fields, cow fields, hay fields, horse pastures. With not a lot to do, it's not hard to imagine what kind of trouble the younger locals get into. With a population of less than 3,000 everyone knows everyone; three police officers, two grocery stories, a handful of mills, and a downtown that consist of a handful of blocks. New people are exposed and sometimes obsessed over, the trouble makers scrutinized, and nothing is ever a secret.
Lately things have shifted. With the economy slowly crashing, big corporation trying to take over the meat and corn industry in Oaks Creek, some families are starting to become hungrier than others. The poorer are getting poorer while the rich get richer. The towns people and the farmers are becoming hostile towards each other and city hall has become a site of brawls and arguments. With houses become foreclosed left and right, businesses struggling to stay afloat, it is starting to seem like the future of Oaks Creek depends on a generation who could careless about adulting and more about drinking in a barn on a Friday night.
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Private 1x1 between Syd and Mint-toothpaste. Caution: May contain stuff that is smutty.
Levi hated driving in the rain.
His sight always grew hindered by the oversized droplets that only seemed to frequent Oak Creek and Oak Creek alone. The dirt roads became slick with mud, usually sending a truck or unlucky car right into a ditch to get stuck until whatever storm eventually passed. The rain made the old leather seats of his truck grow damp and the torrential downpours collided on the roof in a loud, unruly tempo that not even the five radio stations available could drown out.
It was also raining when his father died.
He hated the rain so much that until he was seventeen, Levi refused to drive during a storm. Getting his license a year earlier had already been a hurdle within itself, but no matter how light or heavy the rain came down, Levi still would not get behind the wheel. Even now, at twenty-two, he hasn’t driven at night during a storm.
His mouth quirked up ever so slightly hearing Olivia’s confirmation about her home. The Hudson home was magnificent, glorious, beautiful -- he has heard it all. The fact that a girl with the world in the palm of her hand didn’t seem too inclined to return to her estate was humorous to him, uncanny, even.
“Confinement can’t be too bad in a big ol’ house like that,” he said softly, the southern twang his voice held creeping in. Levi’s eyes were transfixed on the blurry road before them. Even with his wipers going, he still had trouble seeing through the water. With his knuckles gripping the steering wheel tightly, he pulled onto the main road that ran through town.
After a minute or so of steady driving, Levi dared a glance at Olive and his face immediately hardened. “Put your seatbelt on,” he snapped harshly, slowing down for a moment so he could reach over and pull it around her, clicking it into place. His eyes lifted to meet hers for only a moment before he peeled away and focused back on the road, a little stiffer than before. A muscle in his jaw ticked. He knew that he shouldn’t be so bitter to the Hudson girl, she had been nothing but polite to him in high school -- when they rarely talked. She was usually being flirted with by the wealthy boys, the ones that had something going for them, who would be able to escape the clutches that Oak Creek often held on its lower-class citizens. He stayed out of her way and she stayed out of his.
Until now, that was.
But still, no one rode in his truck without a seatbelt.
With the awkward silence that hung in the air for a couple of miles, Levi had almost forgotten Olivia was in the truck with him. Her body was shielded by his large guitar case and if it weren’t for her head popping out from behind, he might have forgotten to turn right and down Old English road towards her place.
He glanced at her, his hands loosening ever so slightly on the steering wheel as the rain lightened up. Levi’s shoulder’s relaxed and he leaned back into the leather seat with a sigh. “You’re welcome, Hudson,” Levi started. “And don’t worry, there’s still four miles to go. I could take back my offer.” A playful glint swarmed his eyes as he passed a smirk to her. As the girl went on about her overbearing mother, Levi scoffed and shook his head, damp hair falling in his eyes. “Is this taking place before or after solitary confinement? Just getting my story straight to tell the police.” It felt off, cracking jokes with someone who was practically a stranger to him, especially since he was nothing short of rude to her earlier. Sure, he knew of her story, of her family, of her wealth, but other than her name and her delinquent tendencies, Levi knew next to nothing about her.
As she continued to ramble on, he couldn’t help but to arch a brow at her. Her assumptions about him made his chest tighten slightly, his lips pressing together -- debating on whether to say his piece or not. It wasn’t that Levi was dreading teaching the girl guitar, it was mostly the fact that he didn’t like abandoning his familial duties. Levi enjoyed spending his time at crazy home and, even though he would be getting paid, teaching Olive would take away from his time trying to figure out how to keep the James household afloat.
“It’s not that I don’t have zero interest,” Levi started, licking his lips and trying to figure out how to not make an ass out of himself any more than he already had. “It’s just that I have a lot going on. I’m busy enough as it is…” His words trailed off, thinking about her last words as they hung through the air.
I hate having to be in the same room with myself…
As much as it puzzled him, Levi wasn’t able to respond because as he pulled up into the grand driveway of the Hudson home, a frantic looking woman flew out of the front door. Mrs. Hudson, actually. It was still drizzling and Levi slowed the truck to a stop, the engine still running a little too loudly. “Your castle awaits,” he muttered.
He was slightly surprised by Mrs. Hudson’s outbursts. Did she not recognize him? While the Hudson’s weren’t known to associate themselves with the James’s, or any of the other poorer townsfolk at that, Levi was still put off -- considering she has met him countless of times and had even made a generous donation at his father’s funeral.
Blinded by money, so it seems.
Staring straight ahead as the woman rattled on and on to poor Olivia, Levi gritted his teeth, knowing damn well he might definitely regret what he was about to do. All it took was one final glance at Olive’s shaken expression to have him backing up out of the driveway.
“Looks like you’re not getting murdered today, Hudson,” he uttered under his breath. Rolling down the window, Levi popped his head out and plastered on a fake and charming smile, like a true southern gentleman. “Evening Mrs. Hudson! Just me, Levi James. We were just stopping by to ask if it was alright for Olivia to join us for dinner at my place?” Seeing her sharp and angular face turn slightly softer at the sight of the tousled-haired and golden-eyed boy, Levi took that as all the permission he needed. Within seconds, he was turning back onto the winding country road and headed towards the other side of town.
“Hope you like homemade pizza and cherry pie.” He thrummed his fingers against the steering wheel as he took the winding road towards his home. This drive was filled with far more crops than before. Rotting fences, larger fields, smaller homes. Even the air seemed to take a sigh of relief as the clouds overhead opened up, revealing a golden sky riddled with streaks of crimson, a sign of on the oncoming sunset.
He couldn’t believe he was doing this. Levi could already see Layla’s knowing little grin in his mind, red lips and all. It’s not every day he invites a girl into his home, let alone a Hudson at that.
“Forewarning… My house is a little, uh, chaotic.”
As if on cue, the small, yellow home came into view. A shield of trees covered some parts of the porch, but Levi could already see a familiar mop of brown hair and large red rainboots hanging off the stairs. Parking the truck on the side of the house under a large oak tree, Levi hopped out of the car, guitar on his back, and started towards his younger brother Lucas, who had a look on his face that often meant Levi was going to end the night with a headache and a beer.
“I know that face,” Levi stated, pointing an accusatory finger at the young boy. “What did you do?”
Lucas bounced off the wooden stairs and rushed towards Levi, puddles splashing in his wake and grazing the bottom of his shorts. He was wearing a shirt that was two sizes too big for him and streaks of dirt riddled his freckled cheeks. Without a second thought, Lucas held up a very large frog, the animal nearly touching Levi. A chorus of ‘ribbets’ also echoed from inside Lucas’s pockets and the boy’s eyes darted around the lawn innocently.
“Lucas, but Obi back. And Padme… and Darth.” As much as Levi tried to make his voice sound authoritative, an effortless laugh crept through his words. He ruffled his younger’s brothers head and strode towards the house.
“They didn’t like the rain!” Lucas called to Levi, holding Obi close to his chest.
“They’re frogs, Lucas.” Levi waved him off before turning over his shoulder to Olivia. Chewing the inside of his cheek, he shoved his hands in his pockets sheepishly as he jutted his chin to Lucas, the boy darting back to the creek that ran behind their house. “That’s my younger brother, Lucas. He’s harmless -- most of the time.”
"My aunt's name really isn't that important." Jasper mumbled, his eyes scanning over the menu as Aria ordered in front of him. A smile tugged at his lips at the conversation between the small girl and the waitress, and Jasper glanced quickly up from the menu when it was obviously his turn to order. "Sunny side eggs and bacon with orange juice. Also, is it too much if I also ask for coffee? Black? I could really use some. Thank you" He added politely, slipping the menu back to the older woman with a genuine smile. Although his head really was pounding, Jasper didn't mind listening to the little butterfly in front of him. Nor that grin she was giving him, one that brought up a lot of questions of his own. Like how come those green eyes were so familiar, for starters. Leaning on his elbows Jasper ran his fingers over his temples letting out a painful sigh. He really had to stop drinking if it was going to leave him feeling so awful. And yet, there he was. Almost nightly, guzzling down beers and liquor, pickling his liver right along with the rest of the town. A bunch of alcoholics, if you asked him. People in the city didn't even drink as much as the locals here. The sound of a cup sitting down in front of him made Jasper startle and he found his hand reaching for the hot liquid instantly as he sat up. "I think I know this one." The older woman, Mal spoke to Aria before looking back to Jasper, her voice carrying a matter of fact tone. Her finger rested against her chin as she thought and Jasper took a long sip out his mug, his eyes holding hers. "Oh?" He asked, his eyebrows raising. "As I was back there brewing that up it got me thinking about another man who used to come in here and order a black coffee. Mhm. Same height, same dark hair, you're Mr. Hudson's son aint ya?" Mal stated more than asked, her hand now resting on her hip. "He used to come here all the time. I have to say I sure did miss seeing him, but I know how hard it had to be on em. After all that stuff happened down by the lake. Anyways," reaching out to squeeze Jasper's shoulder Mal casted a sympathetic smile. "I'm going to go get that food ready. Isn't often we get customers anymore. Well besides Aria, couldn't pay her to stay outa here." She mumbled with a gentle laugh, walking back towards the kitchen once again. Dragging his eyes away from the kitchen door Jasper took another sip of his coffee and found himself looking over Aria and her reaction. It wasn't that he was ashamed of who he was, because he wasn't, but the name usually brought out two reactions. One was brought on by the criminal reputation his surname held, amd the other was just the typical he's rich. Filthy rich, drowning in money, dirty money. "I wasn't trying to hide it or anything," Jasper found himself speaking before Aria could, explaining himself. "I just try to keep it low key. Most of the locals don't recognize me and I kind of like it that way. I'm sorry if I seemed rude earlier, I just didn't want to." Making a spooky face Jasper laughed and brought the mug to his lips again. "You know, scare you the fuck away. Most people avoid us Hudson's. And unless you want to test me at a game of poker, I promise, I am an honest guy." -- The food was so good Jasper was tempted to order more, but the rain had let up and a few more guest had stumbled their way through the doors, the once empty cafe now filled with the buzzing of many voices. When the check came Jasper pulled twice the amount out of his wallet, leaving it tucked under his now empty coffee cup. Both their plates were so clean that Jasper had to restrain from glancing under the table, his mind wrapping around how in the hell the itty bitty girl in front of him had managed to eat the massive load of food she had ordered. "You ready to leave? Your friends have probably alerted the police on your disappearance by now." He joked, standing up and offering his hand. Outside the air had dropped several degrees, and Jasper found himself having to avoid several large puddles as they walked together up the sidewalk, the mixture of dampness and the noticeable chill leaving him longing to be back in his car. "So do you have any plans for the rest of your day?" He asked, digging in his pocket for his cigarettes.
For once, Olive was grateful for the rain. Anything to cool the scorching blaze that had became her whole body. Even when Levi had suddenly called after her, changed his mind, the only words that found themselves forming inside her clenched jaws were fuck you; words she restrained herself from spewing. The last thing she needed was a public display, as if it would actually injure her reputation, but still. The thoughts of her mother hearing about it was enough. So when the water began to pour from the sky as if Oaks Creek had suddenly been engulfed in a hurricane, Olivia found herself giving a silent thank you to what ever it was that looked down on them. Maybe there was a God after all. The thought was fleeting, because the next thing she knew she was being ushered to a truck and tucked into it like she belonged there. Definitely no God after all. Olivia liked old stuff. There was always a smell that had a way of teleporting you back to a different time. Worn leather, decades of spices and sugars, grease from working hands keeping a vehicle running. She was so focused on the way the seat felt worn and comfortable beneath her that she almost missed Levi's questions. Same house? Guess he remembered her then. "Um yeah. Same place. Not that I really want to go back to solitary confinement." She muttered, staring out the window, staring anywhere, as long as it meant not looking directly at him. Of course Levi wasn't hard on the eyes or anything. Back in school plenty of girls bad swooned over him, tall and dark; always alone but in that loner kind of way that many found attractive. Olivia on the other hand had constantly avoided him because he avoided her. Back then she wanted distractions, she wanted anger, she wanted to fill a void inside of herself with anyone that was around, anyone who had called her beautiful. Levi James had certainly never called her beautiful and Olivia had never minded. She had been rich and he had been a good guy from the wrong side of the corn fields. Two things that didn't blend well. Sometimes she really regretted her entire adolescents. As the truck roared to life Olivia ran her fingers along her seat belt before deciding not to put it on. Instead she pulled at one of the holes in her leggings, glancing up every couple minutes to either stare straight ahead or sneak glances at Levi. Who, Olivia decided, was probably as uncomfortable as she was. Clearing her throat Olivia tucked her hair behind her ears and leaned forward so she could see around the guitar. "Not to ruin our absolutely wonderful awkward silence, but thanks for the ride. Even though I personally was looking forward to walking miles home soaking wet holding pumpkins, I'm one thousand percent positive my mother would have sacrificed me over her livingroom floor. Although the blood? She probably would have called 911 to revive me just to make me clean up the mess, and then murdered me again properly in the barn after.." Giving a small shaking laugh, Olivia bit into her lip and watched as town began to dissolve into fields. When had she gotten this bad at talking? "And I'm sorry you have zero interest in teaching me musical instruments and I'm sure you're only doing it because it's just another job, and I don't hold anything against you over it. I hate having to be in the same room with myself but like." Pinching her arm lightly Olivia smiled, glancing from Levi to the road. "I can't really avoid that, you know?" Leaning further up Olivia watched as her family property came into view, her stomach flopping. She had been gone what? An hour? It hadn't been enough. It didn't even feel like an escape. Sighing as the tires turned into her driveway, Olive stared up at the large house. All those windows and for what? To remind her of how empty the place really was? It was as if the whole estate could read her mind, because before she could even understand what was happening, her mother was dashing out the door so quickly the screen banged against the bricks, a giant wooden H falling in the process. She didn't dare leave the cover of the porch and the whole act alone made a laugh bubble from Olivia's lips. How ludicrous, afraid to get wet but not afraid of mortifying her daughter. At the sight of Levi driving the truck her mother's face became a heavy mixture of worry and pure anger. Even through the glass windows her voice carried. "Olivia Hudson! You had me so worried! When it started raining I almost sent your father out to find you! And you told me you were going to a pumpkin patch not frolicking with some boy. What did I say when you came home? I said I didn't care if you were an adult or not that if you wanted to stay here you were going to listen to us and this." Waving her hands franticly in the air. "Is not listening. I thought you were over this.!" She half screamed, now loud enough everyone in town could probably hear. Olivia froze, her hand on the door handle. What ever her mother was saying now had become lost by the rushing sound of blood echoing through her ears. She didn't want to get out. She didn't want to go in. Quiet frankly, she just simply wanted to dissolve into the seat. "I'm sorry." She heard herself whispering, so low she wasn't sure she was actually talking. "Maybe I should have actually walked."
Aria was used to surprised glances and widened eyes always being sent her way. Whether that was due to her rebellious acts or her less than ladylike adventures sometimes, it didn’t matter. She had grown quite accustomed to ignoring the lingering and curious gazes that always seemed to follow wherever she went. She didn’t encourage the attention. In all honesty, she somewhat hated how well known her family was to the town of Oak Creek. She usually brushed off the stares and minded her business. But, for the first time in a long while, as the tall boy stared at her, Aria flushed lightly.
Hey, at least they both seemed to have a swearing problem.
Trying to drown out the calls of her friends, Aria shifted her weight and hugged her arms to her chest as a small breeze rushed past them. As the boy turned towards her friends and then back to her, Aria passed him an apologetic glance. Just like herself, her friends were anything but subtle. She adored them for it, usually. Except for when she met handsome strangers -- which in Oak Creek, didn’t happen very often. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Grace’s raised eyebrows and the trading of whispers between the fellow girls. At the moment, she much preferred it when they were babbling about lattes and the stupid parade float -- anything other than her conversation with the mysterious boy and the effect he had on her.
But, it seemed like the boy’s interest left as soon as it came. Aria noticed his attention drifting away from her as he dismissed her attempt at conversation about the fire. Ouch.
Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Aria was about ready to return to her friends until a few droplets of rain splattered across her nose. Furrowing her brows and glancing up at the darkening clouds, Aria muttered sarcastically at the oncoming rain, “Great.”
His aggravated mutters about being hungover caused Aria to raise a brow at him. “It’s noon,” she stated. Even through the small headache she had woken up with from too much whiskey the night before, Aria still managed to drag herself and Grace out of the house before 9am. If she was hungover, she might as well be hungover with ice cream.
Well, that was, until a tall and dark haired boy came around and sent it tumbling onto the concrete.
Just as she had started to step around the stranger and finally begin the trek back to her friends, Aria’s hand was snatched and, before she knew it, she was being dragged down the sidewalk, rain pelting down harshly. She gasped at the cold rain and hastily followed the boy as he led her through downtown, feet splashing into already deep puddles and soaking her boots and tights. She unknowingly gripped his hand tighter as they jogged, her small stature trying to keep up with his long legs.
She was fully aware that she was running through downtown Oak Creek with a stranger while getting sopping wet from the rain. Did she care? Not one bit. If anything, he was her saving grace for not having to talk about the Harvest Parade and stupid float ideas for another hour. Bumping into him had been the most exciting thing that happened to her the entire week.
As he finally led her into the old Corner Diner, it’s name respectfully given, Aria shivered in her sweater and hugged her arms against her chest. Her blonde hair was now plastered against her cheeks and was dripping profusely down her back. Her boots were soaked down to her socks and her thick sweater now felt heavy and chilled. As her new companion shook out his hair Aria smirked once and shielded her face from the wayward water droplets.
Glancing at Mal, who had been at the Corner Diner for years, Aria passed the older woman a sheepish and apologetic grin. “Thank you, Mal. Sorry about the water.” Mal only waved them off after she started heading towards the back to clean up their mess. She was a blunt woman with a Take-No-Shit attitude, that’s why Aria was so fond of her. She also almost always gave her extra fries, so that was a plus.
Aria rubbed her frigid hands together and then brought them to her mouth, breathing hot air into her palms to warm them. There were only a few others in the diner and the lack of customers caused Aria to furrow her brows and press her lips into a thin line. It was lunchtime on a Sunday… Where was everyone? Aria remembered a time when she was barely able to snag an open table in this place, especially on Friday nights after football games.
She wasn’t blind. Aria knew of the closing businesses and the ever prevalent onslaught of chain restaurants and corporate-owned buildings staking claim on all that Oak Creek was built upon. Like Ma and Pa’s, for instance. Even The Sunny Egg was barely staying afloat and already looking for a buyer to take over the old restaurant. Then there was Hodge’s. While the James family still kept their father’s legacy alive and continued running the delicious bakery, there was no denying that even their business had slowed.
So much had changed in Oak Creek. Aria felt somewhat responsible for it.
Her family was an old and well known name across town. A “Founding Family”, they called it. Her parents were a part of the town council and held quite a bit of power, often taking part in large decisions, such as adding new restaurants and shops. Of course, she had no part in the matter -- she wasn’t allowed in any of the town meetings. Probably due to her high opinions on tearing down the original and family owned shops and replacing them with more “popular” and “well known” ones. Oak Creek could put all the Dunk’n Donuts they wanted into the town, but nothing would ever beat Hodge’s and the town officials were fools for thinking otherwise.
Smirking at the boy’s -- Jasper, so she learned -- offer to replace her food, Aria followed him to the booth. “Yeah, Aria Montgomery,” she told him, giggling once at their wet footsteps as they slid into the booth. “Careful, I swear I could eat the whole menu here if I tried hard enough.” She passed him a wink and leaned her elbows on the table, eyeing Jasper once again as if he were a new toy. “Who is your aunt?”
Mal returned with a couple of dish towels and two menus, flopping them in front of herself and Jasper while she moped up the water with a towel on the floor with her foot. The older woman sighed and handed Aria the other towel, noting that with her long blonde hair dripping water, there was no way in hell her floor would dry anytime soon. “Thank you, Mal. I’ll leave a good tip I promise!” She laughed, which resulted in Mal passing Aria a smile of her own before she turned to Jasper and eyed him curiously, just how Aria had done previously. Poor kid.
“Can I have the BBQ burger, please? With extra bacon? And fries, please. Oh! Also a chocolate milkshake?” Aria uttered, hoping to drag Mal’s eyes away from Jasper. The boy was probably starting to feel like a zoo animal. Mal chuckled once to herself as she scribbled down Aria’s order.
“I don’t know where you put it,” she sighed, gesturing to Aria’s small form. “You could out-eat my husband, I swear, and he’s about twice your size.”
“Don’t forget, I did beat him in the pie eating competition four years ago. Fair and square.” Aria beamed at Mal and her eyes then darted towards Jasper, her smile faltering. Mal snatched his order as well and then disappeared into the back, leaving Aria alone with him once more.
“Sorry, I’m probably not helping your hangover, am I?” Something devious glimmered behind her green eyes and a playful smirk fiddled across her lips.
The thing Jasper liked most about Oaks Creek was the food. When he had first come back, he had been suprised on the amount of restaurants that had closed. Ma and Pa's that had been around for generations. Although there was now more shops with familiar names, like the Dunk'n Donuts that had magically popped up downtown, Jasper still stuck to the local places.
Down a few blocks Jasper spotted a weathered black sign that dangled above the sidewalk and his pace slowed a bit. The Sunny Egg Diner was a large part of his childhood. They sold breakfast all day and the inside always smelled like bacon and syrup. When he was a child the cooks always put choclate chips in his waffles and the owner was a sweet older lady who often snuck him and his sister Leah candy at the register. Shaking his head slightly Jasper frowned, pushing the memory away. He tried hard not to think of his childhood, and it was something he often failed at. That's why he had picked New York City for school, the chaos of the city often clouding his thoughts.
Maybe it was the rush of dulled and fleeting memories or the fact he was dehydrated and hungover, but Jasper didn't notice the small form that was coming his direction. His eyes lingered on the sign, glanced at the FOR SALE post in the window and then a bit too late, down at the face of a little person.
"Fuck." Jasper swore, his hands flying out instantly to steady the frame in front of him. When his hands connected with curly blonde hair his eyes widen and he instantly dropped his hold, tucking his hands down into the pockets of his jeans. He had smacked into a girl eating.. Icecream? With a bit of suprise and curiosity in his gaze Jasper watched as she bent and tossed the empty bowl away.
Jasper didn't know a lot of the locals, at least not many his age, anyways. There was a handful of guys he sometimes partied with, sometimes got too drunk with, sometimes sold minor drugs like weed with or vandalized abandoned farm houses with, but that was the extent of it. He had never had a girlfriend in town and had never spent his summers on flings. The girl population of Oaks Creek was entirely new to him, but he knew all about them. It was like taking a cookie cutter and mass producing the same person. Doing a quick look over of the girl infront of him Jasper raised his eyebrows. He took in her clothes and stance before looking into her face. Definitely not a farmers daughter.
"I'm not judging." Jasper joked, a small smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. Behind him calls and laughter carried in the air and Jasper glanced behind him for a moment before turning his attention back to Aria. The name was completely unfamilar but he was sure he had seen her before.
At the mention of the fire Jasper ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. "I didn't stay long," he mumbled, already looking over her shoulder for a place to eat. The girl was pretty, but a part of him really didn't want any attachments. Coming back was for school purposes only he reminded himself, and yet a small part of him wanted to stand there on the sidewalk. If it wasn't for the drops of rain that began to come down he probably would have.
"I'm too hungover for this." Jasper groaned, his eyes darting for a place to run to. His head was already beginning to pound and the last thing he wanted was to be soaking wet. Without thinking Jasper reached for Aria's hand, his fingers tangling with hers, before pulling them down the street. People scrambled past them to their cars and into stores, but Jasper didn't notice, his mind completely focused on how small the hand was in his. By the time he reached a small corner diner, they were both completely soaked.
The warmth of the restaurant made Jasper shudder and he let go Aria's hand to shake out his hair. An older lady at the register raised her eyebrow at the pair before pointing to an empty booth close to the door, already busting around towards the back. "Sit. I'll bring menus and a towel." She called over her shoulder before disappearing behind a door.
Jasper wasn't sure what made him more uncomfortable. The fact it was deader than a cemetery inside, or the fact he had impulsively tugged someone he didn't know half a block away. Clearing his throat Jasper turned towards Aria and shrugged. "Thought I'd replace your food. I'm Jasper, and you're Aria right?" Walking over Jasper sat down and noted the fact he was leaving a noticeable puddle behind. "I'm here staying with my aunt until Spring."
All of the James children were outgoing, except for him. Lily, Layla, and Lucas were all seekers of attention and flourished in the spotlight. Their wit and humor made them popular amongst the other town members, whether their reputation was good or bad, Levi never cared to find out. Lily was able to finagle her way into about any friend group with her daredevil attitude and her dire need to fit in. Lucas came home from school every day with a new “girlfriend” from his third grade class and was already making himself known to be the jokester in his elementary school career. Layla was charming, sweet, and responsible. She was wise beyond her years and definitely Levi’s crutch, even if he didn’t like to admit it at times.
Himself? Well, he was just… Levi. Nothing notable, but nothing harmful, either. Blending into the shadows was more his style -- no spotlight, no attention. Things were easier that way and, to be honest, he preferred it. He used to be more outgoing and sociable before his dad died. Having a ragtag group of friends and seeming to have the entire world within the palm of his hand. Levi also used to be quite the charmer, like Layla, often stirring up all sorts of trouble with the other teenage delinquents of Oak Creek.
Now? Now all he does is help his mother in running the bakery, play his guitar, and try to make up for his father’s absence. Part of him always felt somewhat responsible for it.
He watched Layla’s mind rattle through, trying to remember the Hudson girl, and his sister’s eyes widened as she stared at Olivia, old memories obviously seeming to resurface. “Oh my God! Hey!” Layla exclaimed, grinning widely. “Sorry, you just look so different and I haven’t seen you around in a while. Levi, you remember Olive, right?” Layla gestured a hand to the other girl and Levi merely stared at her, his gaze wavering ever so slightly as soon as he met her eyes.
He remembered her now. A Hudson. A Hudson who clearly seemed to be embarrassed with her darkening blush and trying to hide behind that chestnut hair of hers. She was a year younger than him in High School. Levi only really knew of her because of the generous donation her family had made to his father’s funeral expenses. While his mother expressed her gratitude towards the family, Levi had never gotten the chance to thank her himself.
Levi also knew of Olivia because she had stood on the railing of the old bridge heading out of town. It was no secret what she had been contemplating on doing, even through her seemingly drunken state. Then there was the barn fire she had been attached to and the public fighting, as well. For a girl who had everything in the palm of her hand, Olivia Hudson seemed to hate every minute of it.
As she noticed his guitar, Levi shifted his weight awkwardly and cleared his throat once. He wasn’t used to seeing someone so eager about seeing his guitar, it had practically become a fifth limb for him and the rest of Oak Creek seemed to have registered it as such as well. “Um, yeah?” He said, his voice not nearly meeting her level of excitement. Although, he had to admit, her announcing that she had also played an instrument, a violin, had piqued a little of his interest and his gaze immediately went to her hands, as if he could envision music coming out of them. Where his fingers were calloused and rough from playing and baking, hers seemed more delicate, softer.
“He’s great!” Layla insisted, breaking the small bit of silence that ran through the bakery. Levi pursed his lips and shot his sister a look, daring her to press the matter on even further than she already had. He wasn’t exactly keen on playing in front of other people -- it was just something he picked up after his dad had passed, something to distract him.
As Olivia spoke again, wanting lessons from Levi, his eyes grew wide and he stilled. Was this girl serious? Were the Hudson’s so privileged that they automatically assumed he of all people would have the god damned time to teach a spoiled rich girl like herself? During her absence of Oak Creek she had probably been traveling the world, spending daddy’s money like no other and not caring about anyone else besides herself. No responsibilities, no worries, that’s what the rich in Oak Creek thrived on.
As Layla said, “He’ll do it!” Levi also uttered a harsh “No.” He caught his sister's bewildered glance towards him and he shot back his own furious one. He didn’t have time in his already demanding schedule to teach a random girl guitar. Sure, he wasn’t exactly being very kind and polite to the Hudson girl, but Levi had lost his manners towards privileged residents of Oak Creek as soon as they started buying out small businesses, sending more people in poverty while they relished in their large estates without a care in the world. Even the thought of them made his stomach churn. He figured Olivia was no different.
Levi noted Olive’s instant regret on her words as her gaze traveled across his flour streaked clothes, his tired face, his rumpled hair. Realization seemed to be setting into the girl and thank God for it. Levi saw that she was blinded by her lifestyle for a moment. “I don’t have the time,” he snapped, a hand tightening on the strap of his case strewn across his chest as he glared at Olivia. “And you’re right, I have zero interest.” He heard Layla’s small gasp from her place at the register, but he simply ignored it, his hazel eyes boring into the girl that had the audacity to walk into his store and request something so foolish, while her family was the reason Hodge’s bakery was failing. Sure, Olive probably had no control over her parent’s advances onto the town, but at the moment, rage took over and reason sank into the background.
He watched her start to slink out of the shop, his lips pressed into an aggravated thin line. He was being harsh, Levi knew that, and as Olive muttered her goodbyes and snaked out the door, his face started to soften, his own regret now starting to show.
“You’re an ass,” Layla growled to him, her brows furrowed. “She was nothing but sweet to you.”
“She’s just a bored rich girl that thinks everyone is at her disposal.” His own words even stung as he uttered them and Levi sighed and raked a hand through his hair, pushing it back and off his forehead. For someone who worked at a sugar-filled bakery, he sure was bitter as hell.
“You know, we could really use that money…” Layla whispered, her eyes landing on the nearly empty cash register. “I could cover some of your shifts or close the bakery some nights…”
Looking over to his sister, Levi sighed and passed her a silent apology. His eyes then traveled to the back where he heard Lily scuffling around and blasting some random rap song while she prepped for tomorrow. He was an older brother, the man of the house now. He was responsible for them, and for Lucas.
Drifting back to Layla, Levi chewed on the inside of his cheek for a moment until he eventually rolled his eyes, shook his head, and rushed out the door and towards Olivia. He hated it when his sister was right, which was quite often.
“Hey, Hudson!” He called, jogging lightly to catch up. The chilled air clung to his skin and his breath came out in a light fog. Slowing his stride, now walking alongside the surprised girl, he glanced back at the bakery before speaking again. “Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll teach you.”
They walked for a few paces before he spoke again, his offer sitting in the autumn air between them. “But you’ll need your own guitar. And how about twenty bucks an hour instead? One hundred seems pretty steep and I’m no teacher to begin with.” Levi shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and lifted his head, staring at the darkening clouds that loomed above. Autumn in Oak Creek brought rain almost every day and if they didn’t hurry, he and Olivia both would be caught in the downpour.
He battled with himself for a moment. For years he had always held this distaste towards the rich and prosperous of the small town. He kept out of their way and they mostly kept out of his, that was until they started buying out family-owned businesses. Ever since then he struggled with being the southern gentleman his mother raised and he found himself in drunken brawls with the rich pricks from time to time. He wasn't proud of it. There was a lot he wasn't proud of.
Giving in and deciding to show the manners his parents instilled in him, since he obviously didn’t make the best impression earlier, Levi sighed and started to lead them towards the parking lot where his old truck sat. “Hate to break it to you, but I don’t think you’ll be making it to the pumpkin patch today.”
As if on cue, rain immediately began to pour onto downtown Oak Creek. “Shit,” he hissed as the cold rain pelted across his face. Levi grabbed Olive’s elbow and began to usher her towards his truck. “Come on, I’ll bring you home.” Gritting his teeth and hunching his shoulders from the chilled raindrops, Levi rushed towards his truck with Olivia at his heels. “Same house, I’m guessing?” He called over his shoulder once they arrived at the navy colored truck. It was rusting in some places and the doors creaked when they opened, but this was his father’s old truck that he kept in their garage to work on. Levi loved every piece of it, rust and all.
Once inside, the familiar old leather scent engulfing him as he positioned himself in the driver's seat, he rubbed his hands together for a moment, trying to warm them up. He had set the damp guitar case between them, considering there was no back seat. Part of Levi was thankful for the barrier between him and Olivia Hudson. It was already out of character for him to be chasing a girl down the street, much less taking a girl home -- and a wealthy one at that.
Human interaction. What Olive thought would be an easy, get in and get out alive, eat your donut in serenity, scenario had turned terrible wrong. It had truly been that long since she had been around anyone close to her age, besides family, and she had no idea how to act. Glancing quickly from the girl, Layla, and her brother, Levi, Olivia flushed. Her tongue felt like it had some how glued itself to the roof of her mouth and she stumbled over her words. Which, only made her blush darker. "Oh I'm not new." She stammered, her fingers anxiously squeezing the edges of the paper bag that had been handed to her. "I'm Olivia. Olivia Hudson." She pressed, praying it didn't bring up any memories. Honestly she didn't know which was worse. Being forgotten by everyone or actually being remembered. Olivia knew the James family. Not directly, of course, but Layla had been a year younger than her all through school. And then there was the accident- Olivia's parents had donated money towards the funeral expenses and Olive remembered bits and pieces of the service. Tragedies were always a huge thing in Oaks Creek. Right along with any form of drama. Like her overdose, or the winter night so many years ago, where she had climbed the railing of the bridge leading out of town and watched the water rush by. Wondering what it would feel like to be washed away with it. Clearing her throat Olivia forced the smallest of smiles at the girl and tried to appear as normal as humanly possible. That was, until she spotted the guitar stapped to Levi's back. "Oh my god!" She exclaimed, turning so quickly to face him she nearly knocked the tip jar over with her purse. "Is that a guitar? I've always wanted to play one. My parents forced me into violin lessons instead. But wow. It's nice to see other musicians in this small town." Now fullly grinning Olive raised her eyebrow at him "Are you any good?" She asked teasingly, reaching up to tuck a strain of hair behind her ear; a nervous habit she had inquired when she was a child and one she still hadn't shaken as an adult. Biting into her lip at Levi's bewildered expression Olive glanced quickly between the siblings. "I'll pay you for lessons. Name your price. A hundred dollars per sitting? Two hundred? Please." She practically begged, resisting the temptation to touch the black case on his skin. Her eyes swiftly took in the flour on his clothes and his tired face and her gut flipped slightly. He had been working, she realized. He probably worked everyday. Her stomach dropped and she tried to hide the sudden disappointment in her eyes. "I mean, if you have time. I understand if you don't." She insisted, suddenly feeling embrassed again. "You know. On second thought I'm sure you probably have zero interest in sitting with me for hours. I got carried away for second. I'm sorry, really." As much as Olivia didn't think she fit in with any Hudson member of her family, she couldn't deny the fact that she still had the money. She had been gifted the luxury of never having to actually work, besides being a care taker, and even then it wasn't physical labor she had endured. Just mental anguish. She had never had feet that ached or hands that felt raw. Shaking her head slightly, Olivia tried to force the guilt she felt away. None of that was her fault, she reminded herself, because she had no say so in being born. Yet, the feeling lingered; always finding a way to resurface no matter how deeply she tried to shove it out of her mind. Taking a step backwards Olivia tucked the donut into her purse, her appetite no longer as strong as before. "Anyways, it was nice officially meeting you both. I was just heading down to the Pumpkin Patch and I think I want to hurry up and get there before it starts raining. Have a good day." She muttered awkwardly, turning to bolt out the small little cafe.
wearing: outfit
If Levi never had to smell another cinnamon filled snickerdoodle cookie, it would be the greatest day he had ever lived -- even better than his ninth birthday, when he was gifted a Star Wars lightsaber that glowed blue and made noise, just like a true Jedi.
However, for the time being, Star Wars would have to wait and cinnamon would be his best friend, whether Levi was willing to accept it or not. Considering his mother owned Hodge’s, a small and quaint family run bakery right in the heart of downtown Oak Creek, Levi had tried to grow accustomed to the sweet and spiced scent. He had come home smelling like sugar, vanilla, bread, and everything under the sun, it seemed like, ever since his father started the business back when he was only four years old. Of course, being only a child, he didn’t actually partake in the process of mastering the art of cookies and sweet buns and danishes, just the taste testing. And even then, he wasn’t much help. Everything loaded with sugar tasted spectacular for a four year old.
But still, even at twenty two, Levi hadn’t grown to like the smell of cinnamon.
And, right now, the entirety of Oak Creek reeked of it.
“Oh come on, Lee. Please?”
Levi’s golden eyes snapped up to his younger sister, who was currently dusted in flour and was putting on a valiant effort of trying to persuade him to work for her so she could go run around town with her large group of teenage friends. If it were any other day, Levi would merely give her a few annoyed grumbles but eventually let the brown-haired girl wiggle her way out of the bakery undetected. However, he had been at Hodge’s -- the name of his father and also the name of their bakery -- since five in the morning and he also needed to help his mother with dinner, like usual.
“Lily, I already told you I can’t.” Levi crossed his arms and then leaned them up against the glass countertop, his guitar case strapped across his back. He sighed once and passed the second youngest of the James kids a pointed look. God, he was really becoming a parent to his siblings. “Mom needs me home tonight.”
From the corner of his eye, Levi noticed Layla, the second eldest, shift her weight and pass him a glance as she worked the register and greeted the small number of customers that walked through their doors. Levi was the closest to her, given that she was only three years younger than him. She knew why Levi needed to be home early and the wariness in her eyes still pained him slightly.
Hodge’s had been a staple in the town of Oak Creek for almost twenty years. The recipes have stayed the same since his father opened the bakery and for a majority of Levi’s life, the bakery was usually jam packed with customers and never struggled with money.
Until recently, that is.
The quiet town of Oak Creek was growing, but not in the way one would hope. Chain restaurants and businesses started popping up. Large corporations started taking over and within a matter of five years everything had shifted. Customers going to the newer and fancier bakeries and sweet shops down the road, leaving Hodge’s struggling to stay afloat. Their income started decreasing so they weren’t able to update the store -- not that Levi would have wanted to. The interior was still as his dad had left it and ripping it apart would be a crime of its own.
Levi needed to be home tonight so he could keep an eye on Lucas while his mom had yet another meeting with the bank. Things weren’t looking good, not even close to good. If they didn’t come up with enough money, Hodge’s would surely be bought out by another greed-filled corporation, most of which were owned by the wealthy inhabitants of Oak Creek. Levi didn’t interact with a lot of townsfolk to begin with, but he made sure to steer clear of the rich pricks that seemed to waltz around the streets of Oak Creek as if it were made for them.
As if it were theirs for the taking.
Lily’s sigh snapped him out of his daze and he stared at his baby sister from across the counter. She wasn’t fully aware of the struggles the James family was facing right now, but the girl was smart enough to have figured out a great deal on her own. She needed to work more at the bakery, leave the room while he and Layla conversed with mom about bills and money, and the girl even sold a great deal of her clothes -- claiming that the items were out of style. But, Levi knew better than to undermine her. Lily knew they were struggling, and God Bless her, she was trying to do her part in helping however she could.
“Okay…” She eventually said, eyes darting to the flour ridden floor. Out of all the James children, she resembled their father the most. Round face, kind and warm chocolate eyes, and curly brown locks that contrasted her tanned skin. Slap on an array of freckles and her spitfire attitude and she was practically their father incarnate. Levi’s heart strained as he looked at her and he swallowed once before pushing off of the counter, his throat tight.
The car accident their father had died from was news that Oak Creek still talked about to this day. Even seven years later.
It happened in the fall, about a month from now, at the very beginning of November. It was a rainy night and Hodge was on his way to pick Levi up from a friend’s house. Levi was supposed to spend the night, but he had been so spooked by a scary movie that he had practically begged his father to drive across town and bring him home.
He never arrived.
A drunk driver smashed into his car in a head on collision. Hodge James died on impact. Lucas, only a year old at the time, has no memory of his father.
Ever since then, the smell of cinnamon -- the smell of fall -- disgusted Levi even more.
“Hey,” Levi started, his voice growing softer than before. “You wanna watch The Empire Strikes Back tonight?” A smirk played at the corner of his lips, the only time Levi ever smiled, really, when he was toying with his siblings.
Lily rolled her eyes and shoved his shoulder once, leaving flour residue. “You know I hate that one. It doesn’t even have Hayden Christensen in it.”
“Yes, that’s why it’s one of my favorites. I can’t stand to hear you ogling over Anakin Skywalker. I swear that’s the only reason you watch the movies.” Levi retorted, starting to make his way towards the door.
Lily shrugged once and began to retreat into the back once again to prep for the morning. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
The ringing of the front door opening caused Levi to quickly shift his gaze towards the door, thankful for any customer that walked in during this time. He studied the unfamiliar girl that strolled in as Layla greeted her in her usual cheery tone. She was the angel of the family. Strong, steady, thoughtful. Levi honestly wouldn’t know if he would still be standing if it weren’t for his sister's selflessness and her kind heart. He had always thought that she was the glue that held the James family together.
She was also the one that always tried to hook Levi up with girls.
Which was exactly what she was doing at the instant, even though the girl didn’t even have to open her mouth to do so. Levi was very acquainted with those conspiring glances and that devious little glint her hazel eyes always held as Layla attempted to score her older brother a date. It wasn’t that Levi was unfamiliar with girls and dating, he had a few flings here and there, random drunken hookups out in a cornfield like the rest of the locals took part in when they were rowdy teens. But, Levi had been on his own for a while now.
He had bigger things to deal with.
Levi shot his sister a warning glare and locked his jaw, silently begging her to keep her mouth shut and to let the new girl eat her sticky bun in peace. He had almost thought that he was out of the woods, until Layla opened her mouth after she handed the girl her food. “You’re new here.” She stated, no question in her words.
Levi exhaled sharply through his nostrils and ran a tired hand down his face. Oh, this ought to be good.
“My name is Layla! That’s my older brother Levi.” She nodded towards him, a large and white smiled spread across her face, accented by her bright red lipstick. “Welcome to Oak Creek. Our parents,” Levi winced, “own this store. Where are you from?”
Gritting his teeth, Levi adjusted his guitar case strap over his chest and just glanced at the new girl in greeting. Apparently, like a child, his sister didn’t think Levi was able to introduce himself. However, noting his standoffish aura and his set jaw, he honestly didn’t think she was that far off. But, would he ever admit that to her? Absolutely not.
“Layla…” Levi warned, his voice low and his eyes boring into his sister, who seemed to be blatantly ignoring him. Brat. Surely this girl didn’t want a whole Full House introduction on the James family, most people didn’t. They were nothing but background noise to the other major Oak Creek families. Most people forgot about the James’s, almost as much as they forgot about Hodge’s bakery.
wearing: outfit
Aria was fairly certain that she would never grow tired of the smell of cinnamon.
Even though the entirety of the small town of Oak Creek seemed engulfed in the rich scent and most of her friend’s conversations were about the extensive decorations and the extravagant Harvest Festival -- Aria didn’t exactly blame them, either -- there was one positive throughout the craziness that was Oak Creek in the fall: cinnamon.
She was always one to go against the grain within her friend group. While the exclusive entourage she had found herself in from an early age entailed some of Oak Creek’s most notable and well known young adults that seemed to run the town, Aria wished that she were invisible. It was hard to hide yourself in a place where absolutely everyone knew your name, your family, your home. Granted, Oak Creek was small and her graduating class had a whopping 68 students. But still, that didn’t stop her from trying.
Unfortunately, at the moment, it would seem that becoming invisible would be next to impossible. Especially since her group of friends were giggling and slinging around dozens of shopping bags in front of her. Spiced coffee in hand, warm hats, and thick scarves wrapped around their necks, even though it really wasn’t that cold out -- they were most likely wearing the accessories for the simple pleasures of snapping a picture or showing off their new clothes they had bought for the oncoming school year. Nothing was wrong with that of course, even Aria herself was wearing some expensive pieces, such as her diamond earrings or her boots, for example. However, she wasn’t one to flaunt her family’s wealth as if it were a personality trait, like some of the other upper-class townsfolk.
But hey, to each their own.
Telling her parents that she had wanted to take a year off from school was practically equivalent to them discovering booze in her underwear drawer when she was sixteen or them finding her sneaking around with a farmer boy a few years back. It was safe to say that her parents were pissed, disappointed, and unwilling to face the fact that their daughter would never be like the rest of the upper-class young adults in Oak Creek. Despite only having a year left in her veterinary technician program at the university a few hours away from town, Aria felt stuck. Stuck to her family name, her family’s wealth, her family’s status -- everything she had tried to repress in all of her years at Oak Creek. Of course, she adored animals and spent most of her mornings with the goats and the chickens her family owned. She talked to them while she sipped her morning coffee or read to them aloud in the safety of their small barn and the quiet that the country so often brought. That was her heaven -- the smell of hay, the soft whistle of the wind through the fields that surrounded their estate, and the aroma of cinnamon that cloaked the town during autumn. No amount of scarves or warm hats or commercialized events of fall could compare -- no matter how much her friends or family tried to shove them down her throat.
“Ar? Are you coming or what?” A familiar voice sounded from ahead.
Snapping her head up, releasing her gaze from her leather boots, Aria stopped on the sidewalk and smiled softly to her friend Grace, who was patiently waiting for her ahead. The rest of their small group headed for the center of town to drink their coffee and eat their freshly acquired donuts from the bakery. Aria herself had chosen ice cream instead, ignoring the strange looks from her friends as to why she would order something cold when the weather outside was slightly frigid and crisp.
The large statue of the town’s founder and his horse sat perched in the middle of the bustling chaos and Aria could already see her friends staking claim in their usual spot at the horses front hooves. “Sorry, yeah, be right there,” she told Grace, tucking strands of her thick blonde hair behind her ears as a light breeze shuffled past.
“We are discussing float ideas for the Harvest Festival parade. You should really join us!” Grace chuckled as she backed away and headed towards the town square with the rest of her friends.
In all honesty, she would rather listen to her mother’s nagging about her college mishap than talk about float ideas for the thousandth time. It would end up being the same as last year, anyways. Maybe instead of an apple-themed float it would turn into pumpkins or witches or even scarecrows. She didn’t particularly care, either way. The towns founding families put on the parade every year and, since Montgomery was an old and historic name for Oak Creek, that also meant that Aria had to pull her fair share of weight in organizing the floats. All the parade offered was an opportunity for the powerful and popular town members to relish in their wealth and status and to smile and wave at the less fortunate while they tossed out candy, as if sugar could overrule what terrors were really happening within the small town. Surely, the money for the Harvest Festival could go towards helping the closing businesses or the struggling farms, but no one wanted to acknowledge those facts -- they were shrouded by their love of fancy spiced drinks and cheap decorations.
Sighing, Aria eventually stepped forward, eyes locked on her small bowl of chocolate ice cream as she took another bite. However, before the spoon made it to her mouth, she had run into a hard object and before she knew it, her ice cream had tumbled to the ground and was nothing but a splatter on the sidewalk.
“Oh, dammit,” she muttered, shoulders dropping as she looked up to whatever had ruined her snack. What she hadn’t been expecting to see was a very tall boy with dark hair, the faint smell of a cigarette lingering around him. She blinked once, craning her neck back to look at him fully. Her small stature was not in her favor today and Aria furrowed her brows slightly.
She knew everyone, absolutely everyone, in Oak Creek. From the sheriffs to the grocery store clerks, there was never a person that she hadn't spoken to before. And while she didn’t know this boy personally, she had seen him recently. He was at the bonfire last night, although he didn’t seem exactly keen on interacting much. Aria mostly noticed him standing in the background, drinking quietly, and only speaking when spoken too. He had disappeared halfway into the night, but Aria had been too drunk herself to worry about unknown boys and their whereabouts.
Until now, that is.
“Sorry, I wasn’t looking at where I was going…” Her green eyes darted from his brown gaze to the spilled ice cream and Aria flushed before she bent down to pick up the now empty styrofoam bowl. Noting his questionable look, she chewed on her bottom lip and tossed the bowl into the trash. “It’s never too cold for ice cream,” she stated, shrugging once. From around the boy, Aria could feel her friend's stares and hear their calls to her, urging her to join them. Peering around his tall shoulder, Aria flashed them a small smile and waved the girls off before returning her attention to the dark-haired boy.
“Hey, you were at the bonfire last night, right?” She asked, her eyes raking over his slender appearance, not being shy about it either. She was always the more outgoing and outspoken girl from her friend group -- never being afraid of saying what was on her mind and being unapologetically herself, whether her family approved or not. “Now, I know every single person in this town, but I do not know you.” Her eyes twinkled with curious interest.
Oak Creek usually didn’t offer Aria any surprises. The town was as eventful as a retirement home and just as slow-paced, too. But, here standing in front of her, was just that -- a surprise. One that certainly looked out of place and that smelled like smoke and cinnamon.
If it wasn't for the tapping against his driver side window, Jasper could have slept all day. In fact, he wanted to, ignoring the noise right up to the words, "Son, you can't be parked here. Are you okay? Do I need to call someone to come get you? Do you need an ambulance?"
Ambulance? Jasper jerked his face up off the steering wheel so fast he was sure he had given himself whip flash. He squinted his eyes at the gray light that filled his car before turning to look at the man who had woken him. Black uniform, shiny silver badge, gun fastened to his waist. Fucking fantastic.
Fumbling for his keys Jasper turned the car on and rolled his window down offering the cop a forced smile. His eyes lingered to the name on his uniform, Officer Baker, before looking to the concerned face that stared back at him. "Sorry Mr. Baker. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep. I'm sorry, I can leave now, unless I'm in trouble." He stated, stretching a bit in the seat. The clock on his dash read 12:34 and Jasper was suprised he had slept so late. The night before had been a blur of faces, excessive drinking, and constantly avoiding females. If he was being honest, most of his night consisted of him wandering away from the crowd and fumbling his way through corn fields and the occasional gourd patch. How he found his car, he would never know. He was so focused on trying to recover his blacked out memories that he almost missed the cops dismissal, barely having time to register a thank you before Mr. Baker had returned to his police cruiser. Jasper wasted no time leaving the tiny dirt road, heading back towards Oaks Creek.
When his professor had assigned him the project Home Town, he had failed it. Not because he had turned in a poorly written essay with an even poorer filmed documentary, but simply because he had refused to do it at all. "Take a semester. Go home Mr. Hudson. When you return in January, turn in your assignment and I'll personally change your grade. I'll also allow you to continue my class. One more year and you'll have your bachelors. Don't ruin this for yourself over your hatred for where you're from."
Jasper had nearly laughed at the ludicrous suggestion, but he took it anyways. He couldn't afford to fail. So here he was, hungover and tired, the marks of his steering wheel embedded on his forehead, driving towards a place he didn't want to be. It had only been a month and already he was beginning to pickle his liver. He spent most days out in the country, hanging out with people who didn't really know him, drinking and standing in front of bonfires. It was better than the alternate reality of his aunt and uncle's home, where he felt trapped. Where he was forced to stare at pictures of his parents and worse, pictures of his sister. His cousin Olivia was great, but it was obvious she was as fucked up as he was. The Hudson's sure knew how to raise a family.
As Jasper pulled into town, his eyes took it all there was to Oaks Creek. The downtown section was nothing more than a main strip of stores, surrounded by a couple streets of businesses and restaurants. There was a park and a duck pond, a fountain statue in the center of town, and a City hall big enough to house half the town. That's where they held festivals and banquets. When he was small he remembered having Christmas parties there, eating ham and turkey while his father talked finances with the mayor. Sometimes when he allowed himself to admit it, Jasper felt like his family played a huge role in why this place was so poor. The thought repulsed him.
Parking and digging for a fresh shirt, Jasper eyed people as they passed. Mostly house wives and the occasional young person, shoving by with bags of decorative items. With the Harvest and Halloween right around the corner and nothing else to do, people decorated. Pumpkins were already beginning to show up everywhere, along with happy faced scarecrow and brightly colored wreaths. Lighting a cigarette Jasper stepped out his vechile and leaned against it, blowing smoke rings into the air. The place could have been a movie set, if it wasn't so damn tragic.
A woman passed by and scrunched her nose at the site of Jasper smoking. "You know that is an awful habit young man." She muttered, hurrying to her car. Jasper merely watched her with a frown, his free hand sliding through his hair. It was getting long and he needed a hair cut. The dark chocolate had grown out to the point it was constantly getting his eyes or standing straight up in the air, and to be frank, it wasn't helping with the locals. Neither was his designer clothes or his nice car. To fit in better Jasper had resorted to wearing a lot of white t-shirts and long sleeve button ups but he wasn't sure if it was making any difference.
Putting out his cigarette Jasper stuffed his hands into his pockets and began to walk down main street, his stomach and his head begging for food and coffee.
Olivia felt bored. Chronic, crippling, suffocating boredom. The kind that caused midlife crisis, caused kids to run away in the middle of the night, caused regular people to want to die. Honestly, it wasn't an easy feeling. So Olive filled her time with bullshit. Utterly useless shit. Like reading books she'd read already, going through dusty boxes of junk her father had packed away years ago, and playing the violin until her fingers screamed and bled. She had walked the court yard over and over. She planted flowers and watched them die as autumn approached. She had fought with the family landscaper over raking and then threw herself into heaps of multicolored dead leaves like she was six again. Anything to make the days pass. She had spent so much time on the internet she couldn't even look at her phone anymore, and she had successfully binged watched everything worthy on Netflix.
When Jasper came, Olivia thought her days would be a lot less lonely. The air had turned just cold enough that it felt good to be outside, and the first week he was there they spent most of their time together drinking and hanging out in the loft of the horse barn. While her whole existence had been medicore, Jasper's life had been filled with city lights and college. Eventually the conversation ran out. It seemed neither of them liked to talk about growing up or Oaks Creek, and when Jasper found other things to occupy his time Olivia wasn't upset. She was suprised he knew anyone since he had never spent much time home, but it was easy for her to see why he had friends. He had the Hudson traits while she did not. Maybe she was the milk mans baby after all.
When Jasper invited her to parties or town events she opted out until he stopped asking. That side of her had been stripped away from years of playing card games with old women. From months of sitting at Aunt Margaret's bedside watching death stalk and creep upon the old woman like a owl hunting its prey. She probably needed therapy, but who didn't? She was fine, she told herself, everything was fine.
.×.×.×.×.
"Where are you going?" Olivia's mother asked her for probably the hundredth time in an hour. Olivia sighed, sat her brush down on the dresser, and turned to address her mother yet again. "I'm going to the pumpkin patch. I've told you this at least ten times now. You know the one, mom. I want to decorate the porch." She stated, clinching her teeth in the process. The worried expression that had settled across the sharply dressed woman in front of her made her stomach twist in anger. She wasn't a child, she wanted to scream and yet, she understood. It had been months since she'd been anywhere other than the convenient store for a candy bar. But that longing for solitude was over. This morning Olive had woken up, gray skies and lingering rain clouds greeting her from her window, with a different attitude. The tiniest spark of light in her forever maze of self pity.
Averting her eyes away from the matching blue shades of her mother's, Olive glanced at herself in the mirror. She wore a cream colored long sleeve shirt, shorts, and solid black stockings beneath. It was definitely not anything special and Olive burrowed her brows in frustration. Where in the hell did her mother think she was going dressed like this in the middle of the day? Certainly no party.
Shaking her hair loose from her shoulders Olive pushed passed her mother and began to descend the stairs toward the front door, her mother's voice carrying down to her. "Well, is Jasper going with you. Are you walking there? Your car is still in the shop. You know that it's several miles Olivia. I just don't know if..." Slamming the door, Olive left her mothers voice behind and began the walk down her driveway. She had wanted to scream back that Jasper hadn't been home in days, that maybe if everyone laid off from watching her every breath maybe they'd notice more, maybe if everyone stopped asking her so many questions she wouldn't feel like ripping her own hair out. It was times like this that Olivia was reminded of the freedom she used to have and how she had ruined it for herself.
The best thing about living in a town like Oaks Creek was the lack of good roads. Unlike the hard black pavement coating most places, the lack of state funding was more noticeable here. Other than her driveway, the side of town Olive lived on was dirt road central. She had always loved it, it was easy to walk on and she could see cars for miles. No getting ran over unexpectedly here. Sighing, Olive pushed her legs towards town and enjoyed every minute of it. It wasn't until she saw the buildings of downtown looming ahead that she allowed herself a moment to breathe. Her legs ached and burned from the unaccustomed exercise. "Dear god I'm out of shape." She huffed to herself, stopping for a moment to lean against the nearest fence. It belonged to a beautiful white town house she'd never been in, but she was positive they wouldn't mind her being in front of their yard. Everyone was nice, mostly.
Like any other typical Friday, town was busy. Cars crowded parking lots and voices carried over the sounds of every day life. A dog barked somewhere down the street and Olive groaned, pushing herself back to her feet. She had a mission to complete, she reminded herself. Although now that she was almost there, she realized with a slew of curse words she didn't know how she was going to carry the pumpkins back home. "I'm such an idiot." She groaned, beginning to make her way to The Pumpkin Patch. No wonder her mother had seemed so concerned about her story; it made no sense.
Waves of cinnamon and sugar smacked her face as she passed by the local bakery, and Olives mouth watered at the smell. Her stomach growled with hunger and Olive found herself opening the door before she could think twice, stepping into the dimly lit cafe. "Hello, can I help you?" a cheery voice greeted her, and Olive smiled looking up at the menu quickly. "A sticky bun, please." She stated, digging in her purse for money and handing it quickly over. Now inside Olive realized she was sweaty from her walk and she shifted self consciously at the thought that she might smell a lot less like vanilla perfume and more like body oder.
Although Jasper was born in Oaks Creek, it has never been home. Throughout the school year Jasper was always sent to boarding school, in which in spent almost all of his time. The last three years he has attended university in New York City, trying to put as much space between himself, Oaks Creek, and his family's overwhelmingly haunted past. Now he is home for the first time in years and staying with a cousin he barely knows. Oak Creeks hasn't changed much and Jasper has been away for so long people barely recognize him.
The Hudson’s have always been criminals. Wealthy with tainted money, all of it earned and ripped from the hands of the people who deserved it most. A lot of them farmers, all of them poor to begin with. His family home has high security with iron fences and tall hedges. Corn surrounds the property and the house is rarely lived in since both of his parents are always out of town for work. Jasper has grown up in a lavished life-style, one if which he has never had to experience what it’s like to go hungry. He has never worried about new clothes, college tuition, paying bills, or any of the alternative. He has had everything money could buy and yet he is far from happy. He withers in a deep self-loathing that no one around him seems to understand. Picture-perfect family, picture-perfect life, and picture-perfect appearances. Too bad it is as fake as his family’s “businesses.”
Who would ever guess his mother was a raging alcoholic, his father had several affairs with lonely farmer wives, plus a major uncontrollable anger problem, and his older sister Leah died from a swimming accident when he was only a child? To top it all off, he’d switched his major from Law to Fine arts and Education. A career path that would definitely leave him expunged from the family tree.
Standing a little over 6’4, Jasper has always towered over people. He has hair such a dark chocolate it seems black and eyes the color of fresh acorns. Ever since he was eighteen, he has had a huge cigarette addiction, smoking sometimes over a pack a day. Regardless he is still very athletic and spends most of his time running and working out. He knows almost no one from Oaks Creek because of his family's reclusiveness, but has been known to get in trouble with the locals when home. Jasper never misses an occasion of misfit, although he keeps who he is as secretive as possible, always upholding a respectable appearance and putting as much distance as he can from the last name Hudson.
Olivia has always been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Like when she got caught hanging off the side of the bridge at the edge town, intoxicated. Suicide attempt is what the police told her parents, needing to feel the breeze is what she called it. Or the time she accidentally got arrested for a fire in a barn, one she walked up on around the same time the fire department showed up. What about when she got punched in the eye over a misunderstanding and got arrested for publicly fighting? For a family of such high standing, Olive was positive she was cursed. She lacked the manipulation, charm, and voice to squeeze by in life without constantly failing. She wasn't made to be a criminal. Who needed friends when she had herself? Who needed anyone when she had practically grew up taking care of herself; pocketing money that her parents constantly threw at her, and saving it for nothing more than her great escape.
When Olive turned sixteen, started dating and sleeping around with the farmer boys, her family became enraged. Yet it wasn't until she accidently overdosed at a party in the middle of the woods that she finally broke the camel's back, the last straw to her long list of mistakes.
Her parents sent her away to her great aunts; an older woman whose estate was full of cats, dust, and antique furniture.
Homeschooled for the last two years of high school and then spending the next two years taking care of her dying aunt taught Olive a lot. It changed her in ways that her family bragged about when she came home for the first summer in four years. Reserved, rather shy with human interaction, and quite. If only they could see it for what it really was, depression. Now locked away inside a huge house on the edge of town, Olive has thought of nothing but all the ways to feel free again. All the ways to be careless, how easy it was to accidentally cut herself while shaving, how simple it was to steal from her father's bourbon bar in the study, how no one noticed when she skipped a meal or two or three. Living in a mostly empty mansion had its perks.
Standing at 5'4 and weighing 119 pounds, Olivia appears on the smaller side. She constantly dyes her hair between shades of blonde and brown and has striking blue eyes. With such an innocent face many mistake her for a teenager. When alone she often reads or plays the violin, and she keeps a daily journal of her life.