fletcher-bailey

[fletcher-bailey]

Beautiful 🌸:What’s your favourite thing about each of the seasons?

"That's one thing I really don't love about this side of the U.S. There are no seasons. It's hot and dry in the summer, and it's chilly in the winter, and there's almost no spring or fall.

Going back to when I was over in Pennsylvania, I loved the light warmth of spring days, and how you could see flowers bloom. If you're not paying attention, it can happen so fast, but petals all over the ground, leavings budding on trees, and winter lets go of everything. The animals come out, and you're waking up to morning doves and earlier sunrises.

The charm of an east coast summer is something that can never be topped. It's not blistering hot, it's a great time to hop in the Delaware river or take a trip out to the shore in New Jersey. Thunderstorms aren't constant like they might be in the south, but when they come, they leave everything feeling refreshed and brand new looking.

Then the chill of fall mornings is my favorite part of when September hits. Some days it warms up, some days it stays foggy and it gives you reason to cozy up in your place with a mug of hot chocolate. Even if your shoes soak through because of how wet it can be, it's a reminder that the holidays are around the corner.

And snow. I miss snow, I love snow, and how cold the air can get so it can feel sharp when you breath in. But it's revitalizing and reminds you that though the world looks like it's dying as it loses its leaves and color, you're still alive to enjoy it. Sledding and snowball fights and early nights with comfort foods.

And then, it all starts over again."

[fletcher-bailey]

What is their greatest weakness?

"I'm not a very confident person. My decisions are made more on a whim because if I don't go that route, I get stuck. I worry about making the wrong choices, or I'm afraid that I can't follow through.

Moving to Aurora Bay for example? I applied and put a deposit down on an apartment at Ocean Crest even though I couldn't head out for another month, that way I was locked in. If I didn't do that, I'd probably still be in Philadelphia."

[fletcher-bailey]

Fletch nods, the prom then probably paled in comparison to Eddie's after party. "A hotel suite was definitely out of all of our affordability back then, but that sounds fun. Was it an open party, or did you keep an exclusive invitation list?" Not that that would keep kids from crashing if they caught wind.

"One of the other parents' in Oliver's classes has a teenager, so I offered to pay her to keep an eye on him until I get home. My go-to is here tonight, so I couldn't ask her."

And Fletcher wouldn't have wanted to. Shiloh has always been there to help him, even last minute. She needs to have fun just as much as everyone else.

"One thing I learned about this place is they don't hold back when it comes to celebrations. You expect it in cities, especially downtown events, but small beach town? It's probably a recluse's nightmare, though."

@eddieferguson

"Oh no, mate - I had my brother rent us a hotel suite for the after party. I don't think there was a single sober person there." he said, chuckling lightly as he recalled whatever bits and pieces he had left of that night. Having older brother growing up had its advantages once upon a time.

"Oh, that's wack. But at least you're having fun and a good night out. Who did you leave Oliver with?" he asked out of curiosity. Tonight would definitely be a busy night for all the sitters in Aurora Bay, he assumed. "Definitely agree with you there. They had a good budget for this."

[fletcher-bailey]

It’s a relief that it isn’t a complaint, but rather an observation made, and he doesn’t have to get a manager to fix the issue or remove it from the check. Fletcher shrugs and clicks his pen at his side, fidgeting with the information.

“I can’t ignore you, that would make me a really bad server. Like, really bad. So if ‘not bad’ isn’t ‘good enough’ what about a different side? We have onion rings, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese… I figure if you want fries, a fruit cup is off the table.”

@ninaxgray

"They're not bad." She shrugs. There really was nothing wrong with the fry itself, more of the symbolism of change. Too much of it was going on in her own life, if she shrunk her feelings to just being about a change of oil, the concept of change felt a lot easier to come to terms with. "Ignore me, I don't even know what I'm really going on about..."

[fletcher-bailey]

“I don’t even think mine had a theme.” Nothing outside of ‘don’t do anything dumb or kill each other’, and those were more heavily enforced guidelines than a theme. “My friends and I did sneak away, some of us got pinched, but the rest of us made it out to the football field to hide and hang there. Until they sent someone out for a sweep, and they caught us under the bleachers to drag us back in.” 

Then they were watched like hawks, he recalls. 

“It’s funny, though. We’re given more freedom to wander anywhere we want, but there’s a better chance this place will be left in shambles because of it. Hopefully someone doesn’t get too drunk and try to find the woodworking and shop classes. That could end bad.”

Fletch grimaces at the thought, but he thinks he doesn’t have to worry after himself or his friends. The only one he truly can’t predict is Reggie, but there is security there in that he wouldn’t get himself into too much trouble.

“But a cheating scandal — why do things get messier as people get older? I think I see it a lot more now than I did as a kid.”

@theotanaka

“The council must've given them a big budget. Ours was like, a Night to Remember or something." The most cliche theme his year could've got, it wasn't as fun as this. There were a few streamers and a smoke machine but that was as far as it got. "Nothing like this," he adds with a light chuckle. "I think the most entertaining thing was the fight that broke out in the carpark afterwards, and it wasn't even students. It was the parents. Some cheating scandal gone wild." He sipped his punch, nodding. "You're right, I think some of these classrooms are gonna be absolutely ruined after tonight." @fletcher-bailey

[fletcher-bailey]

Happy National Friends Day!

— @reggiellewellyn @leomlarson

[fletcher-bailey]

Fletcher’s smile is slightly held back only for the fact he’s biting his bottom lip to keep from laughing at Esma’s obvious level of inebriation. He tilts his head to the side, the longer he watches the harder it is to subdue the snickering that’s given away in the way his eyes squint.

“Ten, for sure. I bartended for all my working life, except for the year I was a barback and dishwasher, and I miss working with you guys. But I need mornings to take care of Oliver.”

It’d never been a problem. Santiago and the rest of the staff definitely helped when Oliver had to hang out in Four Leaf’s management office on nights Fletch couldn’t find a sitter, but he couldn’t keep putting that on them. “I fill in for Santiago when he needs it, but you guys are full staffed. I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

@esmaxdemirci

who: @fletcher-bailey where: under the sea prom

"On a scale from one to ten," Esma drunkenly started. One too many seafoam shots in and she'd been sitting at one of the tables next to Fletcher eating shell shaped macarons. "How much do you miss Four Leaf? And me of course." She's quick to add, green hues meeting his. "And what do I have to do to convince you to come back?"

[fletcher-bailey]

"Oh, c'mon. You have ten of them," Fletcher throws right back, not at all bothered. He knows grace isn't a trait he'd been gifted, but he also knows it isn't a serious comment before Cherry softens the blow of it herself. "But fine, I'll spare them. It's the least I can do.”

Especially for providing the right kind of distraction this evening. Fletcher had been surprised in the first place to find out she didn't have a date, but he didn’t ask. Surprise colors his features when she also opts to join him, too, when he thought that maybe she would want to break away at some point to join her other friends.

He doesn’t press that, happy for the company. First stop then, the beverage station.

“Sneaking beers like we’re eighteen and can’t get caught? It's like going back in time, so let's do it.”

The lack of consequence wouldn’t make that any less fun, Fletcher is already tucking two of them under his jacket and making a ‘shh’ sound, his finger held up to the grin on his face. He nods to the gymnasium door for her to follow out to the halls toward the fields.

@cherryxkoch

"Well, maybe just a few—" Cherry replies bashfully as they exit the dancefloor.

To the crowd around them, their situation might look different than what it was but Cherry didn't mind. She had already caught a few errant side-eyes from Ziggy when they had arrived, which hurt more than she had let on. It was hard to hold her head high when the life still felt so bleak without him, but she was determined to have a good night despite it all.

"I don't think my toes are quite ready for that just yet," she teases before adding a quick "kidding" to offset any potential hurt feelings on Fletcher's part. Looking around, this did feel a little too much like high school for her liking. Crushes and friendship break ups, ghosts of situationships past haunting the halls with hot dates in red.

"I've never wanted to mingle less in my life," Cherry tells him. "Come on, let's sneak a beer and sit on the bleachers."

( @fletcher-bailey )

[fletcher-bailey]

Fletcher flips his hand over to squeeze Cherry’s in return in silent thanks. He really hopes it’s coming off as a means to sort his thoughts - labelling the feelings and figuring exactly where they are stemming from so he can make sense of the kaleidoscope of emotions he has been sifting through for the better part of the evening. It's a tug-of-war between too many things, and he does truly feel some guilt in dragging Cherry into it.

He has his reasons for why he asked her, not wanting to add to Leo's plate or try and ask Reggie to stay unbiased in a situation that involves his sister and best friend.

“I don’t want it to come off like I’m saying she needs to ask me if she’s allowed. I’m proud of her, and I know I would’ve told her ‘hell yes, go for it’, but feeling like an afterthought, it’s hard to swallow, but it also feels selfish, because I’m focused on me and-” he sighs and winces, trying for a guilty smile. “Thanks. Putting these feelings to words did help a lot, it’ll be easier to talk to her about it.”

When the time comes, because it definitely won't be tonight. Arguing over the phone never felt right, FaceTime or not, and it's well after midnight in New York City at this point. He'll have to decide if waiting for her to visit will make it better or worse.

“She’ll kill it over there, though. I know that for sure.”

@cherryxkoch

Her face manages to pull together a smile as he casually mentions going back to Philly. Cherry didn't want that, missing out on seeing Ollie continue to grow, seeing Fletcher around the diner, but wouldn't ever be selfish enough to say it.

"I'm her friend, but I'm your friend too." A hand extends out to give his a quick squeeze before returning to rest in her lap.

It didn't feel like playing both sides, Cynthia had been so busy with work and life, Cherry had been the same with her own. It was hard to maintain a close friendship under these circumstances, she could only imagine how hard it is to keep a relationship together. At some point.. maybe people weren't in a position to sacrifice what they wanted for love.

A crease forms between her brows at how easily Fletcher can push his own feeling away, as if they meant nothing. "You're allowed to be upset, Fletch." It feels silly to say, but it felt as though he needed permission. "She can be hardworking and ambitious and all those wonderful things, and you still be upset that she didn't talk to you about it. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive."

"And you don't need to pretend like you're okay with it when you're not. Especially not with me."

( @fletcher-bailey )

[fletcher-bailey]

❤️ – the last instagram post my muse made of your muse + reggie!

@reggiellewellyn

[fletcher-bailey]

"I do remember being pretty cross-faded on my prom night. Just a bit, because we wanted to go find one of the dives after. There was this one on one of the slow streets that never ID-ed us, as long as we weren't rowdy."

When he was a kid, it definitely was easier, but Fletcher wonders how those bartenders didn't care. He asked for nearly every license for anyone who walked into his bar that looked under forty, but a small group of nineteen and eighteen year olds slipped under their radar back then.

"I'm having fun, though. My girlfriend couldn't make it home in time and that kinda sucks, but I'm still having fun." Fletcher searches the floor for Cherry for a moment. "But everything they put together here, it's definitely a few levels up from a regular prom. I don't think Aurora Bay knows how to do things low key, they really get into their community events."

@eddieferguson

closed for: @fletcher-bailey event: under the sea prom

"I don't know what I was expecting, but this is actually not bad." Eddie said as he picked up one of the colorful drink. Not exactly what he would go for on a night out, but he was too curious to not try the glowing cocktail -which tasted like all the poor choices him and his high school friends would be up to on prom night. "It's not quite as fun now that drinking is legal."

[fletcher-bailey]

The level of scrutiny at which Nina examines the single french fry leaves Fletcher watching with silent curiosity. They aren't cold. He saw them pulled from from the frier. Maybe too salty? He's not sure even when she finally asks her question.

"I know at one point my boss was trying a different oil to fry them in, but I don't think he went through with it. Would require an allergen notice, so I would have to know." Peanut oil, he recalls. Gideon experimented with peanut oil over the grape seed. "I can get you another batch and just see if it's these ones. What's exactly wrong with them?"

@ninaxgray

Closed: @fletcher-bailey Where: All Nighter Dinner

Nina, slumped with chin on the counter, elbows splayed, holds a french fry up to her face to mindlessly inspect it. She doesn't seem too focused, however. "You guys change brands or something?" Nina mumbles, no way a dinner was cutting their own french fries at the back, this was totally stuff from the bag.

[fletcher-bailey]

"Definitely take advantage now. He will grow wise to your ways, so you can easily stash half of the candy away, and he probably won't realize it's missing."

Fletcher gets it, though. Sweets in moderation is the goal. If he has to go through another filling debacle in the dentist's office with Oliver, he might just opt to use Reggie as positive support and skip town himself.

"For now. He will catch on eventually, but you have time to figure out a system. I tell Ollie he can trade candies for money for the art store, and it usually works pretty well."

@jokangmin

"If it was all up to me, we'd sit down and eat all of them together." Kangmin said, chuckling lightly. He was a lot more flexible with his son when it came to...pretty much everything. Khai was only two, of course he was going to want to snack and eat candy, be on a screen and scribble all over the walls. But Millie May and him were trying to coparent and in the effort of things being smooth with them, he tried to adjust to the rules she had in place for him. After all, their son spent most of his time with her. "You know, the 'dad tax' is not a bad idea. I'll have to steal that idea. He's still quite easy to fool so as long as he has the basket with a few, he'll think he's winning."

[fletcher-bailey]

CLOSED STARTER for @cherryxkoch at the under the sea prom

"There's no way you haven't taken dance lessons."

Though his point of reference are his own skills, or lack thereof, Fletcher will insist Cherry has some advantage. It makes him feel better about it.

There's a lot he feels better about now. The sting from disappointment when he learned Cynthia wouldn't be making it in time for this event has ebbed, and he's barely even thought about it. Having someone who knows the details accompanying him in her place definitely helps. He doesn't have to talk about it at all, he can focus on distracting himself from it. Cherry makes that easy.

"Just watch out, because I'll be ready for round two." It's an empty threat, one he can't hold any intimidating look for just to keep up the facade of confident. "But first, I was going to catch some air. Want to come with, or do you want to stay and mingle? Don't feel any pressure to tag along."

[fletcher-bailey]

CLOSED STARTER for @delilahcarreno at the under the sea prom

"Oh, look. We find each other inside a school zone, again. We need to really find other places to hang out."

Fletcher chuckles to himself when he finds Delilah in the mix. The bonus to tonight is it isn't a PTA meeting where Delilah is giving him pointers on how to pass store bought cupcakes off as home baked.

"The food is good. Better than that potato salad they put in containers and force us to take home." To this day, Fletcher doesn't know which parent brings it in. There's a chance they know how bad it is. "Did you graduate from here? Is any of this familiar? Any deja vu moments you're having?"

[fletcher-bailey]

CLOSED STARTER for @theotanaka at the under the sea prom

"My prom looked nothing like this. But I guess they might just pull out all the stops for a twenty one plus party?"

Or something.

Fletcher can just see a handful of teenage punks ripping the streamers and jellyfish decorations down in a lack of class, all for a laugh at the expense of the school. Adults are different. Adults should be easier, assuming the alcoholic consumption is kept under control.

"When I was a senior, they shoved us in the gymnasium and only let out down the hall to use the bathroom, but we weren't allowed to wander. This could go either way with some of the things I've seen unravel in this town."

[fletcher-bailey]