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[clarexflannery]

"Understood," she said with a small nod. Clare had always had a petite physique, so she didn't have to put in much effort to stay in shape. She enjoyed practicing yoga and, at Sloane's suggestion, had recently started trying out pilates. She found both to be enjoyable ways to challenge herself physically. Apart from that, she usually met her physical activity requirements by taking a walk or swimming in the pool, which her high school PE teacher would have been proud of. "I think a lot of people workout to attain a certain look..." While they were indeed good-looking, they were not Clare's type at all. "Well, I won't take up any more of your time or unintentionally appear in your photos."

“There’s no real progression that I’m tracking or a goal I’m aiming for.” Warned replied, scratching idly at his elbow. “I’m curious to see how much my body changes over the next twelve months with a strict routine.” There was more to it than just curiosity for him, whether he was ready to admit it or not.

Though a small piece of him knew deep down that he was only working out so vigorously to make a certain Twitch gamer miss what he had walked out on.

“Mostly though I just workout so that I look hot.” He added candidly.

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"That's a lie, but I'm not your therapist, so..." she said with a nonchalant shrug. The phrase 'getting by' was deeply rooted in something else. Clare could only imagine what it was for Travis. Perhaps he needed to free himself from insecurity, doubt, or falsehoods he'd come to believe. Clare could come up with endless ideas, but that wasn't her problem to solve.

"The right opportunity. Until then, I just keep walking forward. The end is already determined. It's just a matter of living out my journey until then." Everything was a choice in this life. You could choose to try new things or stay stagnant. Her life would not be on this current windy unknown course if she remained back in New Jersey. "Three wishes...go. Anything you want with no limitations."

"Hm, not as deep. More... straight talking." Travis teased, referring to her added remarks, with a shrug of his shoulders. It wasn't that she was wrong, she was in fact right, because he held the same belief. The world waits for no one. He'd had his fair share of being left behind or becoming a passing thought to some, but the earth continued to spin, therefore he never let his emotions show.

"I'm not waiting for anyone," he pointed out. "I'm just existing in this shitshow. There's no point in expecting anyone to save me, because I don't need it, I just want..." He didn't know. To be happy? That was the usual answer people gave, but he'd become so numb to the outside world and his emotions, that he supposed he could live without it. "I just want to get by. What are you waiting for then?"

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[clarexflannery]

Taking Emira's words to heart, Clare nodded, doing her best to accept their version as true. This was new territory for her and she just didn't want to misstep. This felt like a second chance at life. One version lived with her mother and now the other version got to see it out with her father. "Yeah, later today works. I was just gonna go over to the art studio to work on some commissions, so maybe we could meet there?" Clare already had an idea for a gift that she'd been working on, but she thought perhaps a perspective from her dad's second hand would be best.

"Which is totally normal," Emira pointed out with a smile so Clare didn't feel so alone with feeling clueless about Father's Day. "I know this is easier said than done, but remember to not put too much pressure on yourself for this. He's going to love whatever you give him or plan for you two," she reassured her before nodding as her smile turned into a grin. "Of course I'd love to help. We'll start with some small, fun ideas and go from there. Maybe we can meet up later today to start planning? Tomorrow afternoon works for me as well."

[clarexflannery]

clare: weird reality TV is freakishly good clare: ooh, what are you working on? clare: i'm just finishing up this water color commission piece

willow: i didn't even know that was still on! willow: weird reality tv is so good. willow: maybe in a b it. i need to finish a sketch, but then i'll be free. @clarexflannery

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clare: what? clare: sweep the driveway? don't you have people for that?

texting clare

Axel: come out front. I need you to sweep the driveway.

@clarexflannery

[clarexflannery]

clare: hmmm well maybe naked and afraid would be your speed clare: although that's not really doc related, more so weird reality tv's forgotten sister clare: would you want to go for a walk?

clare: depends what you're watching. clare: i am very much into documentaries right now if you want to be spooked or weirded out

[clarexflannery]

clare: depends what you're watching. clare: i am very much into documentaries right now if you want to be spooked or weirded out

willow: why is there never anything good to watch? @clarexflannery

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https://www.instagram.com/theyouthquote/

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nitsanraiter via instagram

[clarexflannery]

"That you were a hot, stuck-up blonde with a superiority complex, but your beauty outshines that," she said casually. It was an unsolicited comment, but after getting a sense of this woman in a few minutes, Clare thought they were pretty spot on. "The dude with the dreads? I guess you have an admirer." They had been giving her the lowdown on the guest list of those who were invited and who would be worth her interest, and those who probably weren't.

Clare was trying her best to stifle a laugh at the mention of Lorelai's professor insinuating that her level of empathy needed to be higher. However, she wasn't surprised considering her interactions with a physician regarding her mother's illness. It was rare to find someone who was both incredibly knowledgeable and empathetic too. "And how do you intend to improve that?"

Clare. Lorelai flicked through the catalogue of people she had ever met before in her mind, drawing a blank for a brunette named Clare. It was possible the brunette knew Lorelai from around campus, she looked to be the same age as Lorelai, maybe she was a stalker finally making her presence known or maybe she was a fan of Maisie's podcast and looking for retribution on Maisie's behalf.

It wouldn't be the first time.

"What else did Dray say about me?" Lorelai pressed, arms folding tightly across her chest. "Also, who the hell is Dray?"

"Undecided as of right now. My professor says I need to work on my bedside manner before I figure out my speciality." Lorelai nodded briefly at Clare's advice, cautiously glancing at the bowl of queso on the nearby make-shift buffet table.

"Noted and slightly disgusted."

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"I figured you would need a gentler touch. You seem a bit sensitive. But sure, the world fucking sucks at times and you're stuck in shit. Unfortunately, the world waits for no one." Clare knew that in an instant following the loss of her mother. She was practically on her own and had to figure out what her next moves were. If she didn't dare to drive across the country to find Axel, she had no clue what she would be doing in Hoboken if anything.

Listening to him, she could sense he had a void he was trying to fill instead of facing it head-on. It's how she felt before she left for Vancouver and gaining some personal space and clarity, she now had a more optimistic look, albeit still pragmatic. "So, what are you waiting for then? A fairy godmother or a genie to turn your life right side up?"

"How poetic of you to say." Travis huffs, as he once again takes another drag, before discarding the cigarette to a patch of grass at the side of them. He doesn't expect her to sit down, but he supposed he didn't mind the company. One person was better than the whole rag-tag bunch of assholes inside. "My deal?" His brows knit together as he tries to comprehend what she means, however, he decides to take a stab at it anyway. "Life is mundane and I'm bored. Nothing ever lasts, everything and everyone eventually disappears. So what's the point in doing anything, because at some point you're going to end up hurt."

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[clarexflannery]

"Peyton," she said with a small nod before she got to a spot where she could sit safely and not fall into the ocean. Enough distance through from the stranger that if they tried anything weird, she could hit him over the head with her book and water bottle and get some distance on them. "I'm Clare." Taking a look out at the water, she couldn't help but take a deep breath and embrace the ocean waves and the bird squawking in the distance.

"Uh yeah…I found it about two weeks ago. I prefer the quiet over the noisy and crowded beach." It provided her the space to think freely and even get a few chapters in whatever book she was reading any given day. "Are you from here?"

It may seem like Peyton was always either at home or at working at the library, but there were times he was outside-not where the general public would hang out, but he would go out. It was nice to get away from the quiet bustle at the library and especially away from home. He was lost in thought when he heard a creak on the wooden pier, turning towards a woman that was walking his way. "Hi." Surprised, he waved at her although he didn't mind the intrusion, he was kind of bummed his alone time was over.

"Peyton, who are you?" He asks, confused that she was encroaching on him yet acting as if he was the one encroaching on her. He was surprised that she had ventured over to this side of the beach. "Seems like you made it to the quiet side of the beach." He added as he straightened up his posture. @clarexflannery

[clarexflannery]

Nodding at his feedback, she was going to do her best not to get in her head. Allowing fear or intrusive thoughts to permeate her mind would not do her any good. Clare had to be one with the ocean if this was going to go well for her in any capacity. "Well, whatever you're pursuing, I do hope it works out well for you. You'll still be up to give me surf lessons though, right?" They hadn't even been out on the water yet, but Clare appreciated their energy and persona. He was super chill and mellow, which was just what she needed right now. If she was going to establish herself in this town, she needed friends outside of Aiden and hiding away in the grounds that belonged to Axel.

"I drove through Arizona to get here and from what I saw on the roads, it looked nice." Although Clare knew better than to pull off to the side of the road for more than ten minutes if it wasn't warranted. She was lucky the sheet of metal on wheels held up and didn't break down on her long trek across the country. "New Jersey. Just outside of New York City...so views like these are nice. And it doesn't smell," she chuckled.

Asher snaps and points with a wink and a quick, "Buh-ingo. See? You're picking up what I'm putting down fast enough. But it definitely isn't so easy. Not at the start when you're all up in your own head." Something Ash never had a problem with after a few hits of his pen. Getting lost in his own head had never been an issue with his hobbies, just himself and anything over-stimulating and overwhelming.

"Maybe. I don't know, I sorta have something else in the works. If it goes well. It's not surf tutoring, or whatever you'd call it, but it's something with a lot more money in the future. I'm twenty-seven, I need to break out of retail." It's a tough pill to swallow, Ash loves his job. It can only pay so much, is the issue, but if what he has with Silas works in his favor, he can see if Jared can give him one weekend day shift or something. So Ash isn't entirely out of it.

He laughs at her surprise. "You don't know that law either, then. Yeah, can't touch them. Not the ones chasing you, but see, sometimes I paddle out and a pup will jump on the board just to check things out." The first time, Ash couldn't help himself. He pet the darned thing. Her question about Arizona is another one that inspires a bittersweet feeling, as he thinks of the arid climate, the red rock back drops, and the sweltering summers.

And the stars. Endless stars overhead in the trailer park.

"I miss it, because it's home, but I think I was always meant to be a beach kid. I love the ocean, and sand never bothered me much. The palm trees feel like home, though. take it you're not California-born, huh?"

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[clarexflannery]

"Did you not want to do this? Is this something you would have chosen?" she asked, tapping her fingers against her thigh, trying to keep calm. Clare had many friends who felt pressured or were told who they should be, without getting the chance to question or pursue their true interests. While she didn't have much, she was thankful that her mother allowed her to pursue her passions and dreams. "What position did you play in football? Do you follow the local team? I can't remember their name, but I met the quarterback and he was really nice."

The sternness in her tone tells Caleb she might just be trying to avoid some trouble, so it's easy for him to stop suggesting. So long as she has the means to pay, it's not his business how it's handled or who is handling it at all.

"Sure, no problem. I'll hook your car up, and we'll head to Pit Stop."

It doesn't take too long. Fortunately, Clare hadn't run entirely off the road, so it's an easy hook-up, and Caleb joins her in the truck in just a moment. "For as long as I can remember." It's a bit of a fib because Caleb does remember some of his early years, before his parents moved him and his father went of being an employed mechanic to owning his own garage.

"My father taught me everything. Put me to work. Meant that I barely had any free time between football and school work, but it's alright. He instilled one Hell of a work ethic in me."

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