colin-baxter

[colin-baxter]

That’s fantastic. I’m glad you two had a good time. Work is…work. Not very fun, but it’s money I didn’t have before.

Yeah, it’s always nice to get out. It was fun to see her, it was like seeing a friend I lost, I know she’s busy and all but we only really ever get to talk on the phone and not for very long. So how’s your work going?

[colin-baxter]

I've been fine. Just working. It's good you got to see Nancy. I kind of have been meaning to get out and go do things, but I just never really got around to it.

I have been here the whole time! Just busy with work I guess, I finally got to go out with Nancy to this new cafe in town today, that was nice. I really just have been thinking about some things, when I think I just want to be by myself and that’s exactly what I have been doing. Enough about me how have you been?

[colin-baxter]

I could ask you the same thing, Maya. I've just been around. And you?

No, not really still boring little River Heights! Where have you been?

[colin-baxter]

So, uh, have I missed much?

[colin-baxter]

[colin-baxter]

Colin was a bit taken off guard by Ned’s kindness. He recalled what Maya said about him warming up to him, but that fast, he doubted it. Either way, he decided to return it. Ned wasn’t ever a very popular character in Colin’s book, but he also didn’t want to seem like the jerk. Whatever Ned put out he would return if only to be somewhat civil between the two.

"It is. It’s a bit difficult to figure out Thanksgiving in the first place, but with this whole ‘storm the mall and buy things as fast as you can without dying’ thing, it’s just really…I don’t know, different from both Venice and England." He shrugged looking around the mall for another moment. He had no idea where anything was, and no idea where to go, exactly. He thought he’d resort back to kindness.

"Well, I’m more of a tag along this year than anything. I’m just learning the tricks of the trade, so I planned to follow who ever I got paired with around, and…well, just help. So if you have a plan…" He trailed off, shrugging a little. He didn’t need to spell it out. His intentions were more following than anything.

Black Friday//Colin&Ned

[colin-baxter]

I'm certain. Yes...well, it was, um, good seeing you again, Nancy.

Oh, if you’re really sure … Well okay then. That is true I suppose.

[colin-baxter]

He shrugged. “Lots of filing work, mostly. I get to see a lot of the artifacts beforehand which is quite a pleasant perk.” It was a boring business at times, but he was surrounded by what he loved, there wasn’t much else to it. He wouldn’t trade the job for anything. Maybe just some of the people in town. “It’s quite fun to see things no one else does when working in a museum. There’s always something in the back to look at. Maybe I can show it to you one day. When it’s not as busy in the back.” He liked Mel. She was loud and bold but in a good way. She was a strong personality that he liked being around.

Undercover || Colin&Mel

[colin-baxter]

Right… Oh, no, it’s fine. I may just take an extra shift. No such thing as too much money.

No it didn’t come across as wrong, it’s just a little awkward. Oh, well if you’d like you could come over to my house. I’m having a few friends over as well.

[colin-baxter]

Of all the people in River Heights, Colin had been paired with Ned. He would have sooner wanted to do the whole thing with Nancy never seemed to work out the way one expected. But he could be civil, couldn’t he? While he wasn’t the biggest fan of Ned, from the horror stories he had heard on the news about American Black Fridays, he would need to be at least on the same page as Ned.

He knew what he needed to buy, but this was more of a test run for him. He had never been in America before this, so Thanksgiving and Black Friday was foreign to him. It would be an interesting experience, that was for sure. The boy had agreed on meeting Ned at the food court within the crowded confines of the mall, so on his way he went. With Mel’s grand tour of River Heights, he was finding his way a bit better. As for finding the food court? Well he just followed his nose. That was the easy part.

The crowds were heavy, and it reminded him of a backed up highway. You couldn’t get anywhere without at least a little aggression, and even then you only advanced a few feet. From your previous position. Finally, he found the food court and Ned for that matter. He nodded at the boy who he knew the dislike was mutual with. It wasn’t as if he bothered to hide it. “So, this is what America does on the weekends.”

Black Friday//Colin&Ned

Of course he had to be paired with Colin. Of course one of Ned’s least favorite activities was to be done with one of his least favorite person. Maybe that was a little harsh. Shopping wasn’t all that bad. Okay, Colin wasn’t that bad either. But still he didn’t care for him that much. Perhaps spending time with Colin would make things better. 

After all his only deal with him was that he had once liked Nancy. Maybe that had even passed. He didn’t know. They had agreed to meet at the mall rather than Ned picking him up. He had plan this Friday, get what he needed and get out.

He’d done the whole Black Friday thing before and it was crazy. He had his list of things he needed to get and he was determined to get in and get out, hoping Colin would be the same. Ned arrived at the Food Court, grabbed a cheeseburger from McDonald’s, then proceeded to wait for Colin to show up 

[colin-baxter]

Oh, it, uh, it was. I’m sorry if it came across wrong… Um, nothing, actually. It’s my first thanksgiving in the states, so I’ve never truly been a part of it. I’m not really educated on all of it.

Oh. Well I guess I’ll take that as a compliment. So, what are your plans for thanksgiving?

[colin-baxter]

Colin jumped a bit when the door swung open, fumbling a moment with the cup and the candy, handing them back before jogging to fall into step with her. She was a little…meaner in person. But he did his best to keep up with the fiery girl, barely processing her question. “O-oh, there’s a museum opening outside of town, and…I know an old friend here, so I thought…why not? I’m actually from England as of birth, but I came from Italy. Venice to be specific. It just got too expensive. Um, so I guess it’s kind of business more than anything.” He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, not quite sure how to take the whole situation.

Undercover || Colin&Mel

[colin-baxter]

Undercover || Colin&Mel

Walking along the streets of River Heights was odd for him. He missed Italy but things there were just so expensive. Not to mention he was a wanted man. He needed a fake passport and an amazing plan just to get out of the Country. He was a wanted man, and there wasn't much he could really do about it other than lay low in a town no one had heard of. At least he had made a few friends along the way, including Mel. She was a nice girl, and pretty at that. The best part was that she was going to show him his way around, starting with the cafe. He was desperate for some decent food after hours on the plane. He followed the address that Mel had given him, knocking once he got there. "Mel?" He called after a moment.

[colin-baxter]

How are things for you, Bess? Anything interesting?

You’re welcome Mr. Colin sir!

[colin-baxter]

Lead the way.

Cafe it is!

[colin-baxter]

True, but it seems everyone in town knows you in some way. So I suppose it does make you a star more than anyone else but less than Hollywood. I wouldn't go to anyone else with such a thing.

I’m pretty sure everyone’s a star in their own way. We’ll let me know if you find one!

[colin-baxter]

It’s quite a success in my book. Thank you, Bess.

You are? Awesome. Bonus points for Colin!