nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

He nodded, "But if you or someone can teach me, I can do it." he wanted to do a good job and not fail at something again. He knew that Ms. Tompson was taking a chance on him. "But I will do that," he said, going to read it over. He knew what he was going to do wasn't super hard, but he knew he had to have some skills and know how to do whatever task was needed. "Alright, sounds good," he said about the key to check in and out. He walked with her and looked around for a second. "Alright, cool, looks like you have it all," he smiled at her. @nancyxthompsons.

She nodded and smiled at him as they walked outside. “Good to know.” She went down the path a little and went slow so he could see everything. “As long as you water them, I can do the rest. I usually tend the garden as much as I can and we have a sprinkling system. I have it all written down in the shed, so just make sure to follow that.” She led the way to the shed and unlocked it. “We have this key always in the office so you can pick them up there and just sign it out and sign it back in when you put it back so we know who had the key last.” She said and turned on the light. “This is where everything is.” @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

He looked up as his brother came into the room, doing his best to sit up and act a bit more normal. "Just tired..." he did his best to sit up normally now. He didn't want to tell Chris yet, but he was so worried he needed to talk to someone about it. "What? I am not fired... and unless you kicked me out, I am good," he tried to play it off. He knew Chris had been doing so much for him already, taking him, picking him up after being arrested, and he had been doing so much. The last thing he wanted to do was to add more to Chris. What happened was an accident, but it was going to go on for another few months. @christopherxmurray

Christopher paused in the kitchen, staring at his brother who seemingly hadn't even heard him get home from work. "What's going on?" He was in-tune to his brother, more than he ever had been. It was exhausting, to some degree but he was waiting for the other shoe to drop with the question he asked. "What happened this time?" He questioned, trying to keep the edge from his voice as he then moved towards the fridge to pull out the eggs and bacon. @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

He hated that he was stressing out so bad; this was so much on her, so much he had put on her. He just did what she wanted and followed her to an area where they could sit away from everyone and talk. He went and sat by her, close but not too close to keep space if she wanted it. "Alright," he nodded, that was good, he knew he couldn't do it right now, take care of a kid. But if she was going to go the other way, he would have understood. "I would have understood..." if she had gone the other way. He wanted to hold her so bad and show her it would be okay, but he was staying back for now. "That's right, I hear people want to be parents a lot," and they had their own problems with it. He nodded, "I am no one that should be a father..." he looked at her. He had such a hard time caring for himself lately. "I'm too stupid for that.... " he didn't mean to say it out loud, but he did. "But adoption is best..." they both couldn't handle a kid right now. @alliannahvaughn

A nod was all she managed to do to respond to the other's statement of being fine now. She trusted that he was being truthful; at least she knew now even if she hadn't known then. And if she were being entirely honest with herself, that was all the information she needed that sealed the thought in her mind. Instead of commenting though, she waited for his confirmation that they could talk somewhere else, she took a step forward, reaching for his hand to guide him through the crowd of people. It was only once they were in a more secluded spot that she felt herself relax, sitting down on the sand in an attempt to keep herself calm. "I've decided that I'm going to put the baby up for adoption." she stated, looking over at him. "I wasn't even sure I wanted to go through with the pregnancy at all, but, I'm already about eight weeks along, and the more I thought about it, the more I couldn't do that, especially not alone." she admitted. "So I thought about it. Someone deserves to be a parent to this baby, but I don't think it should be us." she admitted, eyes focused on the water. "I'm not cut out to be a mom." she admitted. "And you just admitted you were homeless; we can't bring a baby into that. So, I think this is our best bet. Find someone to take it and put it up for adoption." @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

RUDY PANKOW AS — ERWIN VANDEVEER IN ACCIDENTAL TEXAN.

a/n: couldnt find any gifs of this movie so i made em myself

[nolanxmurray]

Nolan couldn't sleep after getting the news from Alliannah. The last thing he thought he heard, or wanted to happen. But there was nothing he could do now. He really didn't hear Chris come home; he was just so out of it. But it took till Chris was in the room with him and said something about breakfast. "What?" he took a second to really come to. "Oh yeah sure ..." he didn't even know what he said yes to at this point. He wasn't sleeping; he couldn't as much as he wanted to; his mind was racing so much. @christopherxmurray

starter for @nolanxmurray

location: christopher's house

Christopher had been working all night, but was buzzing from the caffeine he had stopped to get on the way home. It was mid-morning when he stepped through the door of his home. As he walked towards the kitchen, he kicked off his shoes and set his keys in a bowl by the door. "Surprised to see you up." Christopher said as he saw his brother. Though there was no malice in his words, there was exhaustion from his late night shift. "Hungry?" He questioned, raising his brow at him, "I can make breakfast."

[nolanxmurray]

He was scared; he couldn't be a father. He was barely making it by; he felt how he felt, he wasn't that smart, and wouldn't want to pass that along to someone else. He had so many issues growing up that he hated for another kid to deal with all of that. "I am fine now, okay," he said, hating that he spilled what happened like he did. He was going to tell her, but he wanted to do it right. he knew that she would have let him stay with her, same with most of his friends. But he didn't want to do that, so he lived on his own, doing his own thing till he got arrested. Something he was going to wait to tell her. He went up to her and backed up, putting his hands up. He felt like she wouldn't want to be touched, but he had to try. "Sorry, I won't." he took a step back. He wanted to hold to let her know she was okay, but he stayed back. "Whatever you want, okay, I'll do it," he said, waiting for her to lead them somewhere. "And you can, I don't...whatever you want," he said. He knew it was up to her, and he was fine with that. "Still," he should have done better; he hated that he caused this, he felt like he did. It was turning out to be the time he was having such a hard time, and he knew his mind wasn't on protection as much as it should have been.

Alli could only imagine the stress that was coursing through Nolan's head right now. It was the same stress that was coursing through hers. Difference was she'd made her mind up a long time ago on what she wanted to do; no what she had to do. She just had to find a way to break it to Nolan. She let her eyes watch him, trying to read his body language, take in all of his movements, read him like a book but it was useless. Well, maybe not entirely; she'd gathered that he was stressed based on the way he was standing alone, his words had just been an added bonus to that. "I'm glad you have somewhere to be." she stated. Regardless of her feelings for Nolan and how she felt about things, she was the kind of person to never let someone live on the streets if she could help it. She'd give up her bed to give it to anyone if she knew it was something they needed. Nolan would've been no exception; she'd probably have switched places with him and lived on the street instead if she were honest with herself. "That's what friends do." she stated, though calling him a friend now felt a little insane. But that's what they were, friends. His question caught her off guard and she exhaled, shaking her head as she crossed her arms. "No." she admitted, watching as he came towards her and she took a step back. "Please don't touch me, Murray I'm already trying really hard not to lose it and I don't think I can keep it up if you do.." she admitted, shaking her head again. "Do you want to find a place to sit, maybe talk a little more?" she asked. "I - uh. I know what I want to do and I'm not keeping that from you, but I don't want to tell you here." she shrugged, only letting her eyes meet his when he apologized for not being too careful. "I had the ability to stop you and I didn't." she shrugged. "It's just as much my fault, Nolan." @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

He couldn't do it; he couldn't have a kid and be a father. He was barely taking care of himself right now. He couldn't do it, he knew how he was, so it worried him. She could do it, she was smart and kind, amazing really, but he just thought he was a stupid fool, so he shouldn't have a kid. "Sorry," he said, trying to get a hold of himself. "I was but..." he looked at it. "It's fine, I am ...with Chris now," he said, he had stopped himself from telling her even more. "No, I wouldn't have done that." he wouldn't want to put that on her, taking care of him. "Are you okay?" he asked, more worried about her now. he went to her, unsure if she wanted him to touch her or not. "I am sorry I should have taken care of things better," he thought they always were safe. @alliannahvaughn

Alli knew based on Nolan's reaction that he was just freaking out, that none of the things he said were meant to be directed towards Alli, but for a split second, she almost regretted telling him. Because even though she was on the same page - there was no way in hell she was prepared or ready to be a mother - hearing he was on the same page, or at least was this upset about it made her heart hurt just a little. She had to take a deep breath, remind herself she'd had a bit to process; this was the first time he was hearing him and she knew the news was enough to make anyone freak out when they weren't prepared. She was about to tell him that she knew how he felt, only that was muttered by his admittance he'd been homeless. "Wait, you were homeless?" she rose an eyebrow, almost more upset he hadn't said something sooner. "Before the trip? You could've stayed with me you know." she exhaled, glad to have a small moment of distraction from the topic at hand. @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

He was just so nervous from this he almost couldn't even talk, just coughed second from. "the fuck" he didnt mean that towards her just towards what was going on. "Fuck no you cant be" he knew she was telling about the tests. "No, no... no don't," he said. He didn't want to see that; he didn't want to see any test or proof in front of his eyes. "The..." he moved, now he was trying not to panic about what was going on. He knew they both were full adults, but he felt like he was sixteen right now. "But we were good on the trip," he was pretty sure they were. "Like I can be a dad I just. was fucking homless without a damn job I cant ..." he looked away he hadn't told her that, but he was just in such a shock he kept talking. @alliannahvaughn

Shaking her head when he said that it wasn't funny. "I'm not joking." she admitted, her voice a little harsher than necessary, but, shaking her head as she bit her lip, trying to contain the tears that were threatening to spill over. "I took a test - five actually." she admitted, hands now shaking as she looked back up at him. "I'll even take another if you want the proof, but yeah.." she added, eyes averting for a moment. "I'm actually pregnant. And we need to talk about what we're doing because there's no way I can be a mom." @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

Text: Be there soon !

He hurried to the beach; he didn't want to keep her waiting that long. Thankfully, he wasn't too far from the beach himself. He smiled, happy to see her going to go in for a hug, but stopped himself, hearing what she said. "What?" he didn't think he heard her right. "That's not funny," he said, too nervous to think she was being serious, but her face said she wasn't kidding; she was clearly upset. He knew they had their fun on their trip, but he didn't think anything could come from it. @alliannahvaughn

TEXT📱 → Nolan: No, I'm nearly there already. But thank you.

The beach was calming the pit that was growing in her stomach the longer she had to put this off. And to know that in a few short moments she'd be speaking it out loud for the first time made her head nearly spin. Sandals off, one hand in the other scanning the sand. Something about feeling it under her fingers was something comforting to her. Though she had barely gotten the knot in her stomach to subside when she heard her voice. She hadn't meant to blurt it out, yet, when Nolan asked her if she was okay, she shook her head, the words escaping her lips before she even had the chance to think. "I'm pregnant." though the words felt foreign falling from her lips. @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

Nolan: Alright?! The beach is fine, do you need me to get you??

He had no idea what was going on, but he was happy to meet up with Alli. He didn't really get along with or like a lot of people in town. That lately he works and just goes home and gets away from the world. But once he knew she wanted to meet at the beach, he made his way over. Thankfully, he borrowed his brother's car so he could get around. He was trying to save up so he could get a car, something used that could just get him around. Once he arrived, he did his best to use some body spray that he always used to cover up that he had just gotten off work. He arrived and took off his shoes, walking onto the beach till he spotted her. "Alli," he smiled at her, but once he got closer, he was a little worried from the look on her face. "You alright?"

TEXT📱 → Nolan: I don't mind, you know that. Wanna meet at the beach? Or is there somewhere better?

She knew that she personally would prefer to meet at the beach over anywhere else; it was a little less secluded these days but the sound of the waves and the people talking over them would be distracting enough to keep her occupied until he got there. Not to mention it was closer to her, which was always a bonus in her book. Before she even really waited for his answer, she put her shoes on, making her way to the beach. Once there she began scoping for shells, anything she could to occupy her time. @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

Nolan really didn't like working, but it had to be done. The good part was that he was glad he mostly did work alone. It made things he could just get into his head and music without a bother. Working with the public too much was hard with him. He had gotten off work and was going to go home and shower, but his phone went off. It was Alli; he had not really seen her since they had hung out at the lake. he had messaged her before, but he knew she had her own life. He just was doing his best to keep working and save up money as he knew he needed it and didnt want to stay with his brother forever.

Nolan: Hey! No, I just got off of work, so I smell like cut grass, but I'm free.

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 @nolanxmurray

The days since her meet up with Kira had been stressful; and it was beginning to really weigh on her. She'd been doing her best to remain calm, but for Alli that really just avoiding most people and diving into work. Whether that was making clothes for the boutique - which often times just stressed her out more - or deep diving into jewelry making to keep herself occupied. Yet, something about today she just couldn't do it; she needed to talk to Nolan. Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she pulled up his contact, clicking on their texts and sending him a message. TEXT📱 → Nolan: Are you busy? Can we meet up?

[nolanxmurray]

He was glad to know Cohen and have a friend in town like him. They got along well, had a bit in common, and he was happy for that. A person he could shoot the shit with and smoke and it was alright. The other was married and worked, so they didn't always have time to see one another as much as he wished they could. "You just keep me around for someone to smoke with," he joked as he took another drag once it was his turn again, then he sighed. "What do you mean" a few months what was going on? "Yeah," he ruffled his own hair. "A few weeks ago now... I just..." he hated it. "Things got bad..." he didn't like to tell anyone what really went on. "I missed rent and forgot.. I got behind and ... lost the trailer." he looked away, he hated how stupid he felt from everything. "I lost the cat cafe job... and I ran out of cash si I just shrugged. "The gas station got mad at me. I was just taking some chips and shit not like it was a lot" but he needed something to eat at the time. "I wasn't gonna go fucking ask people for help when I fucked up so I did that and it worked till it didnt" him going to much they started to watch him. @cohenblake.

Taking the joint from his friend and allowing himself to take a draw off of it, Cohen shook his head. "Sure I did." he laughed. "I have Archie." he chuckled. "Where else do you think I got this from?" he questioned, taking another drag before passing it to Nolan. Smoking wasn't something that Cohen did a lot of these days, but, he couldn't deny that every now and then it was still one of his favorite ways to pass the time. Even if he had to do it alone. "But seriously, my life is a little more dull when you're not around. Or well, for now. That's probably going to change in about five months or so." he slipped into conversation, eyes focused on his friend and the mood shifting when he mentioned what he'd done. "Wait, you got arrested?" he questioned, eyes focusing on his friend. "When? And more important what did you do?" The likelihood of the boys getting arrested wasn't too foreign of a concept, but it was something Cohen was convinced they'd only ever do together. "I mean, it had to be a big deal for you to do it alone and not give a shit what happened." @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

He did wish he had the money, so he could do hobbies like this again. But right now, he was broke and couldn't even pay to get a single taco himself. So he was fine to spot Liam and his quick wall climb. "Tacos are great," he could always down a few tacos. "Seems like it, you did great." he was able to watch the other get up the wall pretty quick. He would have been fine not getting food from the other restaurant, really; it was all so quick it didn't matter too much. @liamxadair

Liam nodded his head at the other's words. He always appreciated when someone could spot him, knowing he could do it without but knowing that he shouldn't all the same. "Alright," he said with a nod of his head, "hope you are cool with tacos. The truck is right down the street tonight." It had been his plan to go there after climbing anyway. It had been a short session but he was glad to get one last climb in with the other man as a spotter for him. "I earned them tonight," he joked, patting his stomach as he slipped out of the safety harness and slipped his bag over his shoulder. @nolanxmurray

[nolanxmurray]

Nolan knew he was pretty stupid at times; there were a lot of things he didn't understand. But books and movies, things he somewhat got, even though he didn't like reading. "I wish I could be like others read, and shit like that but my mind just cant handle it" as much as he wished it wasn't true. He had problems with reading, and no matter the lessons or talking to people, it never got better for him. "It's all good, man, I am just used to things going bad and people getting mad at me for something stupid. "But it's not a bad place, you just need to find your thing to do." he had so much to do at the beach or a lake that he loved to do.

"I mean you dont know me to well yet, I can be a bit of dick" he knew not everyone liked him. Or could handle his mind, which never seemed to slow down or shut up. "I didn't get this," he held up his hand, which had a cast. "Because I was being smart," he hated what happened, and still didn't understand it.

"I get it, friends can be hard, even more so as adults, when people could leave you more easily than when you were a kid. "I more have a history people know of..." he felt kept people away back home. He chuckled, "I don't know, man," he said as he started to walk around. " I mean Ive only been around just over a year and already a town fuck up" he smirked. @wrxnxashby.

Wren tilted his head thoughtfully, weighing what Nolan had said. It wasn't something Wren had considered, but he was right. "I—wow." He gave a small smile, one with a little bit of admiration. "I've never thought of it that way. You might be onto something. Some of them, you for sure think a lot. Especially when you relate to a character—it's like a reflection of yourself."

Wren chuckled. "I don't mean to sound prissy but, that just doesn't interest me." His brows furrowed, and he leaned forward, his body slightly pressed against the table. "Hate you?" he asked. "I asked for it, so how could I hate you? I'm not into petty shit like that." Wren hadn't had many friends, and definitely not guy friends. It would take far more for him to get rid of someone. Hanging out with Nolan was so nice, he almost didn't want it to end.

There was a glint in his eye as he grinned at Nolan. There was an understanding, something that Wren didn't get a lot, but something he treasured. It was all he'd ever wanted in life. "Thanks, man. I guess I have to let go of my old ways. Making friends is hard for me—was hard for me. That's all people care about when they know what you have." It was an unfortunate truth, but something Wren used to his advantage. "Where have you been my whole life?"

"Tell me all the drama. I'm sure anything will be more interesting than sitting at home." Standing, Wren walked to the door, a slight bounce in his step. He was excited, both to see the rest of the town, and to spend time with Nolan. He'd only known the other for less than two days; he hoped he could keep him around. Walking to his car, he got in, buckled his seatbelt, and started it. "Alright, tour guide. Lead the way."

[nolanxmurray]

[nolanxmurray]

Rudy Pankow as Jimmy 5lbs of Pressure (2024) dir. Phil Allocco

[nolanxmurray]

Nolan huffed a laugh, tossing Wren a look that lingered just a beat longer than casual. "Hey, I don’t think reading’s boring. I just—" He broke off with a soft snort, hands stuffed in the pockets of his hoodie. "I think it scares some people. You get too deep into books, you start thinking too much. Not everyone’s into facing themselves like that." He didn’t say I’m not, but it was there, tucked in the space between his words.

He shifted his weight, scuffing a boot against the ground. "Sand in your shoes is hell. Worse if it gets in your socks." He grimaced like he’d just tasted something sour, eyes flicking back to Wren’s. "We’ll stick to the boardwalk when it warms up. I’m not tryin’ to have you hate me after one trip to the beach."

Nolan’s smile faltered for half a second at the mention of money, but he didn’t press. He got it—more than Wren probably realized. "People think money fixes everything. All it really does is give you different problems. But... hey. You want people to know you for your brain? Then let ‘em. Doesn’t mean they’ll stop seeing the other stuff, but..." He shrugged, a little helpless. "You start showing up how you want to be seen, they’ll catch on. Eventually."

He nodded toward the front, gesturing with a turn of his chin. "Yeah, I’m ready. But fair warning—my idea of a tour is probably just gonna be us walking around while I point at buildings and make up facts about ‘em. Half the stuff I know about this place is from rumors or old Facebook posts." His grin returned, easy and crooked. "C’mon, Wren. Let’s make you fall in love with this weird little town." @wrxnxashby

Wren could accept that reading was boring for most people. As a kid, he'd thought the same thing, until he realized what it could do for him. "Nah, 's all good. I know it might be boring for a lot of people; more for me." He raised his brows and shrugged. He was a homebody, a hermit some might say. Sure, he was the party guy, but he preferred to be by himself. People couldn't hurt him when he didn't talk to them. It was a shield he'd attached to himself. "It's wet, and sand in my shoes sounds like hell." When Wren was looking at places to live, he picked one of the first to come up on his search. He wasn't particular about where he moved, as long as it was away from his problems. If only he'd known his problems would follow him here anyway. "Fine. Deal—when it's warm." Wren wasn't one for physical activity, but he knew it wouldn't hurt to try. Getting out of his comfort zone was something he knew he needed to do, he just had to push himself to do it. "Hey, nerd is not a bad thing. Gives people more to talk about than my money. I wish nobody knew me for that. I wish they knew me for my smarts, my love of reading and writing." He wanted to be liked for more than his father was. The only reason anyone ever liked his father was because he had money, a big business, and a good cover for his terrible personality. "It pays my rent, and I don't mind talking to the people. There are a good few customers." Wren looked around, and back at Nolan with a brow raise. "You ready to go? You have to give me the tour," he said, pointing at the other.