Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Summer 17th, Year 1

Tense. 

That was the only word that could be used to describe the current situation. Sebastian, Sam, and Abigail all surrounded in Sam's room, sitting cross legged on the floor in a circle. It was Sam's birthday, and he wanted to finally know what this farmer was about. While everybody else had seemingly lost interest after not seeing her for over a month, his curiosity had only grown. 

Admittedly, when looking for places to skateboard, he saw a few glimpses of the farm and how it was coming along. Plus certain deliveries and hearing Sebastian mention she'd sent a letter to Robin including the supplies and money needed to do upgrades on certain buildings on the farm. 

"Sam, they've clearly shown no interest in getting to know any of us in the town, why would we just show up one day?" Abigail stretching and, laying backwards on the floor and almost hitting one of the legs of Sam's bed. "Why are you still even interested?"

"How are you not!" Flabbergasted, Sam shot up and pointed at her and Sebastian, "I remember how you two were curious when they got here, and after a few weeks just gave up! Maybe they're just shy, like Sebastian."

Sebastian takes a long drag of his cigarette, "There's shy, and then there's stay the fuck away from me. Disappearing for the time it takes mom to build a coop? That, that is stay the fuck away from me. Not just "shy"."

"When it's you guys' birthday we always do what you two wanna do! We went into Zuzu city and clubbing for your birthday Sebastian. Abigail, for your birthday we went to explore different graveyards and spray painted in a drain tunnel! So why can't my thing I decide on be just, popping by the farm."

Abigail raises an eyebrow, "Just 'popping by the farm'? Nothing else? No searching around for hours on end or waiting for them to come home?"

"No waiting around or searching for them to come home, promise."

"Cross your heart and hope to die."

Obligingly, Sam makes the motions, and begrudgingly, Sebastian and Abigail get up, and follow him up north, and then towards the entrance of the farm. 

The iron gates of the farm stood proud, and closed. Adorned by a large wooden sign, with lovingly engraved letters across the top. 'Starwood Pastures'. Behind the gate was surprisingly well taken care of. There was still rubble here and there, however a nice little wooden path had been made from the house, to the crops, to where the coop and silo were, and a small dirt path towards the gate. Despite the sweltering weather, the crops were growing nicely, some looking like they're almost ready to be harvested.

"Wow...she's...been doing a lot of work." Abigail sets her hand on her gate, giving it a little push, only to find it locked. "Although she clearly doesn't want any visitors."

Sam nods, "She has made a lot of progress. And a locked gate means nothing here." A wicked grin crosses his face, a hand on the gate, and over he went. 

"Sam! You promised we'd just stop by."

"This is 'popping in'. I popped over the gate, and now I'm in. Don't tell me you're scared of a little adventure."

"It's trespassing!"

Sebastian follows Sam's suite, although with much less gusto than Sam, "And who here is gonna enforce that rule?"

Abigail sighs, "Okay, fine. An hour. That's all you get." 

And over the fence Abigail went as well, leaving the Trio standing in the farm to look around and try to find this new, fabled farmer. 

Zuzu City, 6 Months Ago

"How's the new album progressing?"

Kacey Carvers manager sat across from her in his office. The plush brown chair folding into him slightly. She knew to expect this, of course it was going to happen. When inspiration finally left, and she was left not knowing what songs to write, or any rythm or melody planned out. Her label would get impatient, and would ask for something from her. "I've tried a couple drafts, however, nothing really feels right to me. Ya know?"

"People will be expecting a new album soon, ya know?"

"Couldn't I just release a single?"

He sighs, leaning forward in his chair and across his desk slightly, sweeping some of her red bangs out of her eyes. "I suppose a single is better than nothing. Have you tried doing new things and exploring new places to find some inspiration? I know life has been stressful lately, however it really is necessary that something is released."

"I know."

"Didn't your grandfather pass away and leave one of your cousins a farm in a small town?'

"I believe so, but why?"

"If you could buy it off of him, that could be just the change of scenery you need! Plus imagine the photoshoots we could get. Imagine, Kacey Carver working hard to clean up an old farm left by her grandfather. The family legacy must live on! Plus the car shoot did so well. People were raving over it."

"I...suppose I could give it a chance. I'll ask him about it."

"Good! Hopefully he agrees."

Five months after the initial conversation with her manager, Kacey found herself driving her Mustang to the middle of bumfuck nowhere, and stopping outside the old iron gates. She had never really visited her grandfather out at the farm much. Just a few times during spring break, or for thanksgiving. Other than that her parents were concerned with her schoolwork, wanting her to go to college and become a doctor, until she wrote a little song for fun, posted it on the internet, and it went viral. From then on, they were focused on helping her start a successful singing career, and she did just that. Becoming one of the top artists in the nation. 

The gates didn't have a lock on them, so they were easy enough to shove open, and get her Mustang through. Deciding against having her shiny, well manicured car out for anybody and everybody to see, she pulled it around to the other side of the house, and threw a tarp over it. She'd sent letters to the mayor, saying she was going to move in. However, she had requested to be left alone and not meet them until she was ready on her own terms. Surprisingly, he had agreed, and now she was greeted to a cabin, with a mailbox stuffed with three letters. One from Lewis, one from Robin, and then a package of Parsnips. And with that, the start to her new adventure in life begun. 

Chapter Text

Summer 17, Year 1

Their surrounds were clearly worked on a lot the past month. Abigail knew it's state before the new farmer had arrived, and it wasn't good. It was overgrown, and in desperate need of some help, and repairs. Some of the repairs had already been done. The necessary ones on the house - done by Robin, only ever having communicated with the farmer in letters and mail however. Even when she worked on the house, she still hadn't seen the farmer.  Plus there was now a small chicken coup on the eastern side of the farm, surrounded by a stone fence to give the chickens some space to roam, however not wanting them to get in the way of working on the rest of the farm until it was done.

Most of the rubble had been removed, rocks, tree branches, even trees that had grown in the way. Cut down, and cleared out in order to remove the old and make way for the new. As it turned out, there was more pathway than what they had only seen at the entrance. Even though the crop fields there was a little walkway built. The area clearly designated for crops was organized pretty obviously. The crops that gave multiple harvests surrounding the outside of the area. Hops and Hot peppers first, then Tomato's and Blueberry's and lastly was corn. On the inside of the outline of the whole area were the single harvest crops. Mostly separated into 4x5 sections. Radish closest to the entrance, then red cabbage, and melon. There was a 4x5 section that was split with different types of flowers. Poppy's, summer spangle, and sunflowers. 

Wheat had its own growing area designated, that area was farther east on the farm, closer to the chicken coup and mostly automated via sprinklers, likely to save the farmer time and let them focus on other crops, only needing to go over and check on the wheat when it's time for harvest. They also had scarecrows set about to keep crows and other pesky birds off of the crops. It really had only been a short time since the farmer had moved in, and the farm was really starting to look good. Despite how much there was still a lot of work to be done.

Sam whistles, looking over the crops. "They sure have been busy. It's even more impressive the farther into the farm you go. Maybe part of why they never come to town is because they're so busy working on fixing everything up. Imagine how many hours this took."

"Yeah but they're having seeds delivered them. They've just been sending dad letters including their request, and enough money to cover what they're attempting to buy."

"So maybe they're doing it cause they're tired after working."

"I dunno guys." Sebastian looks around, "Most people wouldn't mind the short walk to Pierre's in order to get seeds. Writing a letter and addressing it and then waiting for it to be mailed out and going through that whole process ultimately is gonna take more time than just going. I still think they want to be left alone."

Sam shrugs, wander over towards the chicken coop, investigating it. "Well, we're here now. I just wanna meet this fabled new person." 

As the trio was talking about her, from the inside of the farmhouse, there sat Kacey looking out at them between the blinds that had been pulled down. Had three people really jumped over the gate just to see her chickens? They didn't go to her house, just looked at her crops, and then went to the chickens. So hopefully her secret was still kept as to who she was. She'd gone to great lengths to ensure herself privacy in this town. Only having one moment where she thought that might be ruined. However, luckily that seemed to have been with somebody who A) did not give two shits about who she was or this town in general or B) was good at keeping secrets. She knew he recognized her, he said it aloud. But she certainly didn't get the vibe from him that he cared. That was a surprisingly nice change from the bustle and constant asking of autographs in the city. 

Kacey was thankful for her fans, certainly. However she missed having her privacy without having to work for it. She wanted that back, at least for a few months. However, if these three didn't get the hell off of her farm soon, she'd have to ruin that. By now, all three of them were standing by the chicken coop, leaning over the fence and reaching down to touch her chickens. She'd give them 10 minutes, and if they weren't gone by then, she'd have to go confront them. Sighing, Casey walked over to her bedroom, grabbing her axe off the wall and setting it by the door. Better safe than sorry just in case the secret was out. 

While yes, moving to the country she'd gained her privacy back, she'd lost a good chunk of that safety. Her grandpa's old gun was still hidden beneath the bed, however she didn't really feel as if that was necessary for this situation. The three didn't look particularly ill-willed, just curious. She couldn't necessarily faulted them for that. She would be to if somebody moved in, and then didn't speak or meet anybody within the town. 

Towards the end of the 10 minutes, Sebastian noticed the tarp covering something that looked suspiciously car shaped. And, curiously, he went to grab it and rip it off the top of the car, revealing the shiny chocolate brown with purple undertones 2016 Mustang. Sebastian recognized it immediately, and some of the mods that were done to the car. So he had one piece of information about this farmer, they liked cars. At least enough to get one, and a nice one at that, and then change things about it. However, pulling the tarp off of the mustang was one of the less informed decisions they could have made. 

Now, they had touched Kacey's baby. And now she was worried that they were going to do something to it. Better to stop them now and reveal her identity than have them mess with her car. 

And quickly so, with that thought in mind, the axe was in her hand, her door was open, she was down the steps, and yelling at Sebastian. "Hands off the 'stang!"

Not expecting to be yelled at, especially after thinking the farmer was nowhere to be seen, he whirls around putting his hands up in the air. Only to find a lady with an axe in her hand, and not a happy looking on either. "I wasn't gonna do anything to it! I was just curious- it's a really nice car." Surprisingly to Sebastian, he found himself rambling at the sudden confrontation.

"You're right. It IS a nice car. Now step away from it."

Before Sebastian could however, there was a high pitched squeal. One of a fangirl who had just seen one of her favorite singers. 

"THE NEW FARMER IS CASEY FUCKING CARVER?" Abigail, was now bouncing in place. The expedition to the farm hadn't been her idea, but she suddenly found herself having no regrets that she agreed to go along with it. 

"Goddammit" And there went all of Casey's peace and quiet. At least, that's what she thought was going to happen. 

Chapter Text

Summer 20th, Year 1 

———————-

knock.

Knock. 

knock. 

 11:00pm. Who the hell was coming on to Casey’s properly at 11. Yeah, she knew she likely didn’t have the privacy that she used to after Sam, Sebastian, and Abigail’s visit. However, she wasn’t expecting something to come of it so quickly. 
   The front door swung open with ease, axe in hand, and prepared to tell whoever it was to get off her porch. 

Much to Casey’s surprise, it was a familiar dark haired man with stubble lining his mouth. “Oh. It’s you.” 

With an exhale, Casey discards of her axe setting it down next to the door again. 

Shane Raises an eyebrow, “I come to bring you beer and I’m threatened with an axe?” 

 “You came to bring me beer?” 

 “Heard your identity got out to the town. I figured you could use a drinking Buddy.” He pauses for a moment, looking at her, “My usual spot in the pub was taken.” 

Casey laughs, “The real reason comes out. Alright. Where do you wanna drink?” 

 “Your house is fine.” 

 “My peace is already ruined. I might as well go out somewhere and see the town. Recommendations? Preferably some place quiet.” Shane simply nods in agreement, “You smoke? I can grab some cig’s left over from the city if you want.” 

 He seems to perk up at that. “Sure.” 

Shane was already a few beers in when he’d made the decision to come to her house. Yeah, his spot was taken, because he got up and everybody crowded around the bar to talk about the newly found identity of the farmer. 

 Well, fuck hearing them gossip. It was annoying. He’d rather just go drink with the only person in this town who had as little interest in him, as him in them. Granted, that lack of interest and nosey ness is what made him interested in the first place. And as luck would have it, not only was she down to drink with him, but she was gonna supply cig’s too. This could be a promising friendship yet. 

It was quiet at the dock, aside from the sound of some crickets and the water gently moving underneath where they were sitting. Shane cracks open the six pack, offering one to Casey. She takes it from him, popping the top off of it and taking a sip. The taste was familiar, somewhat comforting. It reminded her of home, or rather of the countless parties she ended up at. 

"Everybody's talking about you."

"I'm not surprised."

"If it's any consolation, it's a small town. No matter who you were it was bound to be big gossip. You could be a nobody and they'd all wanna know every single thing about you'd."

She shrugs, "Well, they have something to work off of without disturbing me."

He laughs, bending over slightly. "They'll only know what the kids tell them. Small town, they know nearly nothing about pop culture. One of the main things they're talking about is your car actually. Sebastian mentioned it."

"It's not mine. Well, it is, but it wasn't initially. It was my brothers before he passed." Casey looks off in the distance,  her eyes glossing over slightly with the memory. She adored her older brother, he was one of her lifelines, and one of the reasons why she got into writing music and singing anyways. He was always so supportive, and his cancer diagnoses both shook everyone and hurt them. Giving her his car was one of the last things he wanted to do. It would get here wherever her career was going to take her as he said. As long as she kept up the maintenance on it. Luckily enough for her, even when you know nothing about cars, when you have lots and lots of money, you can hire people to keep track of what needs done when. 

The two lapsed into silence. Shane not wanting to particularly comment on her brothers death. Uncomfortable topic and all. Pulling out one of the cigarettes' and lighting it, Casey puts it between her lips, puffing the smoke out after a minute. Before passing an unlit one to him. "Here." 

"You can't tell people I'm being nice to you. I have a reputation."

"Then why are you?"

He shrugs. He knew that internally, she seemed at least slightly less judgmental than everybody else in the town. All the gossip, all the hurtful words they said about him. She isolated herself, much like himself, and kept out of it. She actively didn't want to be around anybody. And so far, she had been decent company. "Dunno. But if you want to keep your privacy, I'd suggest going out into the town. It'll help keep people off your property. Somewhat at least."

"I'll keep that in mind. It's not like I have the privacy I wanted anyways."

He nods, holding up his beer, "Cheers to that." The rest of the evening was spent in silence - aside from their goodbye, drinking and smoking and just enjoying each others company. It was nice, serene. For Casey there was no pressure from the outside world. For Shane, there was no judgment, no gossip. 

Summer 21st, Year 1

Today somehow felt warmer than yesterday. It was only 10 am, and after finishing watering the plants, Casey was already soaked in sweat. She felt disgusting, but it was time to go get some more supplies. And it was probably better to take the advice that Shane had given her. Go out in the town and let the people see her, satiate their curiosity, keep them the hell off of her property and keep some sense of privacy. Besides, she could use some fruit tree saplings, get a start on getting different types of produce going. Preferably, something easier on her back. So fruit trees it was.

Walking into town, she really wasn't entirely sure as to where to go in order to get the saplings. She knew she could get them, and she knew where she'd bought things from in the past, however, she didn't know where "Pierre's" was located. Based off of the lack of website she guessed that they were just a local business. 

While looking around the town, which felt awfully empty from what she'd seen, Casey admittedly wasn't paying the most attention. Just looking for a sign as to where the shop was. After finally spotting it, she starts to walk towards it. Surprisingly, she didn't walk into anybody. Opening the door, a little ding rang out overhead. An old-school bell hanging behind the door, how cute. At the front of the store there was a man behind the desk, he looks up, surprised, and seemingly becoming more surprised after spotting Casey. "Oh! Hello! Welcome into Pierre's, how can I help you?"

"Just getting some fruit tree saplings."

He blinks, looking at her for a moment and seemingly processing. Having expected it to be just somebody passing through the town. "You're the mysterious farmer who keeps just sending letters and some coin! How nice to finally meet you." His words towards the end almost seemed to drip with...resentment. "It must be so nice to have the luxury to not have to leave your property." And there it was. 

Casey just shrugs. "I like my privacy."

"Clearly." 

Casey starts looking through the shelves, trying to find the saplings, it didn't take long to do so. Although, after finding them and bringing them up to the counter, Pierre had seemingly gotten over his temporary jealousy of her privlelage, and was trying to make some sort of pleasant conversation.

"So what brings you to the valley?"

"Burnout. Needing a change of scenery, take your pick."

"Well...in any case, welcome. If you ever need any seeds or anything, feel free to stop by. Or send a letter. Either way I'll take your money. The business is greatly appreciated."

She chuckles, "I probably will." She reaches into her purse, pulling out the coin needed to pay him for the saplings, "Here you go."

He counts them, before smiling. "Thank you! Have a nice rest of your day."

"Thanks." Casey takes the saplings, and steps outside the store, balancing them precariously. 

The saplings now blocking part of Casey's vision, her luck from earlier of not running into anybody ran out. And she firmly, walked into somebodies side. Stumbling and barely managing to stay standing up, she tries to move the saplings to see who she'd run into. It was a really pretty girl with long beach like curls and blue eyes looking back at her. She blinks, "...When they said Casey Carver was the new farmer I didn't believe them..."

Chapter Text

Summer 21, Year 1

---------------------

The girl standing before Casey was absolutely stunning. Long, flowing golden locks cascading down her shoulders, big expressive blue eyes surrounded by expertly applied mascara. She had a full face of makeup done actually, which from what Casey had seen was pretty rare around her. Suddenly, Casey felt as if she was back in Zuzu city, surrounded by equally as pretty girls who say her as a chance to get fame, money, or who knows what. The reminder wasn't exactly welcome, but Casey never quite felt as if eyes weren't all on her at the same time, always. 

"Oh, um. I guess. My grandfather left me the farm when he passed."

Haley tilts her head, examining Casey. Casey's long hair was pulled up into a high ponytail that somehow hadn't fallen down much at all while doing the farm work, and she was sure aside from that she looked at least a little odd compared to her usual put together state that the media saw. She was covered in sticky sweat, makeup free, and wearing nothing glamourous. "I thought Sam was going on about some nonsense and was completely wrong about who had just moved here."

"Ah, so it was Sam who spilled."

Haley shrugs, "Small town, not much of a sense of privacy. I'm sure Zuzu was so much more private."

Not...really.  Instead of responding to Haley's misconception Casey just, shrugs. Not much of a fan of this conversation. "I've got to get back to the farm so...I'll see you later?"

"Wait! Before you go, if you'd want, I'd love to go out to dinner with you sometime! Maybe we could make it a double date? My boyfriend Alex and I have been needing to go on a date soon anyways."

"I'm not really dating anybody right now-"

"Then you could bring a friend!" Haley shrugs, pulling out her phone, "Do you have snapchat?"

"I have it, but I barely use it."

"That's alright!" Haley hands her phone to her, clearly expecting to get her snapchat. Casey felt wildly uncomfortable. This girl probably meant well and all, and while she was expecting something to happen when she went out into town, she wasn't expecting to find somebody asking for her snapchat. "If you decide to go out with us, we'll pay for food of course." 

Free food...that sounded not too bad. Enough people who she didn't really know had her snapchat anyways, so against her initial judgement, Casey added herself into Haley's snapchat. Then handed the phone back to her. "I really do need to get going now though."

"Of course! Have a great rest of your day!" Haley smiles, and starts to turn around headed off to do whatever Haley did during the day. 

Casey sighs, finally, she had some semblance of peace heading back to her quaint farm.

The next thing to do was to find a place to plant the three fruit tree's she'd bought. Ultimately, next to her house she planted the Orange tree, the Peach tree ended up planted a little past where her crops currently were, and where she had her chicken coop - which currently sat empty. And lastly the Apple tree, her favorite fruit, sat in it's own lonely corner of the farm she'd recently cleared off. While she didn't know exactly how long she'd be around, Casey did know that she wanted apples, and plenty of them, so in her plans was to plant several apple trees. 

Completing the planting, she knew she should go inside and work on writing some sort of music. She had a meeting with her manager soon. They’d want something to work with, music wise. But right now, she didn’t have anything. 

But the lull of her bed in the cool air conditioning after a long day of work was too alluring…and she found herself instead of working, laying in bed, scrolling through social media on her phone and looking at all of the people who used to be her friends and the exciting things happening to them. 

She felt bitter, her friends managed to keep living life lavishly, happily, but here she was, sitting on an old run down farm in the middle of bum fuck nowhere, and doing nothing exciting.

------------------------

Summer 23, Year 1

The day of the meeting was here. Casey was sitting in her mustang, looking up at the large square building made mostly of windows. She could see some of the people milling about inside, some certainly there to also talk to their managers, others there to do their job. 

This wasn’t going to go well, Casey knew that. She was supposed to be taking this time off to get inspiration to write songs again, yet here she was, decidedly not doing that. Maybe they could get her a gig voicing a character in a movie, or something like that.

She knew her manager wouldn’t agree to that though. Almost two whole seasons had passed. Two whole seasons where she hadn’t put a pencil to a sheet of paper and wrote any songs. Hell, she didn’t even have any instruments in her house. She really did need to at least move a piano inside so that she could do something . 

All she could do now though, was tell herself to suck it up, step out of the car, and go inside the large, modern building. So she did just that. Going inside the building, and heading up to her manager's office. She knew what was coming. 

Much to Casey’s surprise though, her manager seemed to be in an awfully…good mood that day. 

The familiar room was cold, the plush brown chair, once again across from her behind the large desk. “Casey! How good to see you! Sit down! Sit down!”

Casey sat down, feeling the cheap plastic of the chair beneath her. “You seem awfully excited today.”

The man grins, “My wife and I just got news. She’s pregnant, so of course I'm happy!”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you! I’m afraid we must discuss work however and not just my family matters.”

Casey chuckles, “Of course, all work and no play.”

“How’s the album coming? Or any songs? Anything?”

“Nothing yet.”

Casey’s manager runs a hand down the front of his face, sighing. “How are you feeling about writing songs compared to before?”

“It’s…getting better, I guess.”

“That's good. Because I have some news.”

Casey sit’s silently, looking at the balding man expectantly.

“We have a couple of people wanting to work with you and do songs ft. you. So if you can get an album written…we could strike a deal to get them on the album as well.”

“I’m sure there’s a catch.”

“They’re going to want a sample or just, anything regarding the album.”

“Of course.”

“Two weeks. If this deal is to work out, I need something within two weeks. Half a song, a full song, something. Nothing polished, obviously.”

“Right…who's this deal with.”

“You remember the up and coming pop star from a few months ago right? Matthew Mack?’

Not only did Casey remember Matthew Mack, she’d briefly met the man at a party. He was stunning, and his vocals were shell shocking. To match his dark, messy hair, light skin, and overall attractive vampire look, he had a deep, sultry voice. 

Casey had to admit, the thought of working with him was very, very appealing. But two weeks was a short time to get something to work with, let alone something good enough to keep his label interested. 

“I remember him, yes.”

“Good good. Do you think you can do it?”

“I can try.”

Chapter Text

 Summer 25th, Year 1

 Two weeks was a short deadline. One that Kacey wasn't sure that she'd be able to hit. It didn't have to be a full song, she knew that, but a sample, or some proof of concept. But there she sat staring at her small wooden desk in the corner of her room, spinning a pencil between her fingers, and blank as to what she should write down. 

  Writing used to come so easy to her. She'd be walking down the subway and suddenly have an idea for a song, or a whole album, and would just. Write it. While maybe she had to drop everything that she was doing and get it down on paper, skin, whatever she could in order for the thought to actually come to fruition, it still came. 

   Casey groans, leaning back onto the back legs of her chair and pulling her fingers roughly through her hair. Maybe listening to some music would help. Going on a walk, anything. She was desperate. Silently hoping for a sign of something to help her gain some variety of inspiration, the heavy, thudding knock the sounded upon her front door felt like a god reaching down and granting her only wish. 

   That was, until she opened the door, only to find Shane standing there. He was fidgeting with his hands, still rough and unshaven like usual. 

  "Oh. Hello."

  He looks up, seemingly not having realized that the door had been opened for him. "I uh. Well. The dance of the moonlit jellies is coming up. Everybody goes. My uh- my goddaugher wants me to take her. But I know she's just going to run off and play with Vincent. Is there any chance that you might be interested in being my drinking buddy for it?"

  Casey raises an eyebrow, "Is this you asking me on a date?" 

  For the first time, Shane notices a small stud in her left eyebrow, sparkly, it looked like a diamond, but everybody knew that they were easy to fake nowadays.

   "No. Just two people trying to be less miserable in a miserable town that wont mind it's business."

  Casey crosses her arms across her chest. "Still sounds like a date to me."

  "Well it's not. Do you want to go with or no?"

   Casey chuckles, "Sure sure. But you're going to loose your mean grumpy guy reputation."

  He scoffs. "Just bring something to smoke."

  "Cigar's or weed?"

  Shane thinks for a moment, "Is both an option?"

   Casey shakes her head, "I've learned all too well it's best to stick to one or two things."

  Shane cracks a small smile, "Not sounding much like a city girl there. Surprise me."

   Casey nods, "Everything has to be in moderatio-" Casey stops for a minute. Moderation. Moderatoin. It was her brothers favorite word, and a nice sounding song title.... 

   Without warning to Shane, Casey was dashing back into her house, into the corner in her bedroom where her desk sat, and quickly, scrawled down a word. The blank paper, finally having something written on it. Normally, when in the process of writing a song it would be filled edge to edge with hastily scrawled words, but now, just a single word sat on the paper. 

  Mildly concerned, Shane pokes his head into her house, not taking any steps inside however. "You good?"

  She looks up at him, her hair starting to fall from it's ponytail, "Of course. I just....got an idea." She puzzles for a moment, "I need to work on it. I'll see you at the festival. When is it again?"

  "The 28th. At the beach at night."

  She nods, "I'll see you then. Now shoo, shoo." 

Summer 28th, Year 1

  Casey never would have described Shane as her type. Her brother might have, with the bad habits of smoking and drinking, but she wouldn't. Too rough around the edges, too insecure to admit that the was, in fact, asking her out on a date to the dance of the moonlit jellies. However, Casey was never one to shy away from male attention. It was one of her many vices. 

  Red.

  Red was definitely her color tonight. Something about it drew her to it. So she found herself in black booty shorts, black boots, and a clingy red tank top matched with a red painted pair of lips, and braided hair. It was supposed to be a casual event as far as she could tell, so she didn't want to overdue it, however she did want to have a way to entertain herself. 

  She got to the beach later than everybody else. As far as she could tell, she was the last person there. Luckily, nobody had seemed to notice. At least that's what Casey thought, until Sebastian approached her from another part of the beach, stopping next to her, and putting out the cigarette he was working on. "Not only are you the talk of the town due to your fame, but you show up late to events as well." He tsk's, "Such a rebel."

  Casey looks at him, raising an eyebrow, "Okay emo boy."

  "I am not emo!"

  "Then what are you doing? Expressing your feelings with your hair."

  Sebastian huffs, "I just need to get it cut, that's all."

  Casey shakes her head, "Sure sure. It's definitely not intentional." 

  "I was going to invite you to sit with Abigail, Sam and I. But if you're just going to call me emo instead."

  Casey laughs, "I already promised somebody else I would sit with them, It's the only reason I'm here tonight really."

  Sebastian blinks, confused. "What? Who? Oh god please don't tell me you've fallen into line with Haley and Alex."

  "No no. Shane and I seemingly have similar vices. So we've agreed to indulge together."

  "oh...that's. I don't really know if that's better or worse. But you certainly aren't making yourself any less talk of the town. People don't like him."

   "My goal isn't to be liked."

   ".....right." Sebastian starts to stalk off to his small group, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. While he didn't have anything particularly against Shane, the dude was well. He was certainly a loner. And the pretty popstar hanging out with him was an odd choice. One that made him feel....icky. Maybe it was jealousy. She was awfully pretty, and  had a really nice car. Yeah...that's it. Sebastian was just jealous that Shane was in the running to get to be around, and maybe even ride in, her really nice car. It had nothing to do with how she looked as if she dressed up for him. 

   It took a minute or two, but she found Shane relatively easily. He had put himself off in a corner, like he seemed to like to do. He was all by himself, sitting on the edge of the dock. 

  "It would be awfully funny if you were to just suddenly fall in. Maybe a gust of wind hits you." 

  Shane looks up at her and scowls. "You wouldn't dare." 

  Casey simply shrugs, "You don't know me well enough to say otherwise." Her outfit had clearly caught Shane attention, his gaze lingered over her chest, then her waist, and hips, but he seemed to catch himself and pulled his attention back to her face. 

  "If you push me in I'm pulling you in with me."

  Casey laughs, sitting down. "Well. It's no fun unless it's skinny dipping. Is there any good place to do that around here?"

  Shane pops open the bottle of whiskey which he had opted for instead of beer tonight, and takes a swig of it. "If you're feeling adventurous enough, most people go home shortly after the jellies show up."

  "Most people?"

  "Willy lives on the docks, and Elliot lives on the beach. So they might catch a glimpse."

  Casey chuckles, "That certainly sounds like not very many people."

   Shane shrugs, "Elliot may write a book about it."

   "About watching me skinny dip?"

   "About watching a beautiful lady skinny dip in front of his house. It's almost like you'd be putting on a show for him."

   "A beautiful lady?" Casey leans towards Shane, puffing her chest towards him slightly. "You think that I'm a beautiful lady?" 

   Shane sort of freezes, seemingly realizing what he just said, and Casey pries the whiskey bottle from his hand, taking a swig of it herself.  He watches, quietly. She certainly was something.... 

   "You aren't denying it." She presses towards him slightly more, almost putting her nose onto his. "You at least tried to deny that this was a date."

   He scowls, unhappy at the reminder. "It's not." 

   "Sure sure. And you weren't ogling my chest earlier." 

   "I have no clue what you're talking about."

   "Mhm. Sure." Casey stretches. "I imagine that we'll be here later than everybody else. I brought weed. So why not do a little skinny dipping."

   "You can."

   "And you'll what? Watch?"

   "If that's what you'd like." 

   "You should join me if I do." 

   Shane shakes his head, tossing some of his hair aside, "No way, I don't want to risk getting any bits stung by jelly fish."

   "I heard they wont sting if you don't bother them."

    Shane just grumbles, and takes another swig of his drink while the two of them lapse into silence. 

   When the jellies did finally show up almost two hours later, Casey was awe struck. They were so beautiful. Living in the city had it's perks but this...she'd never seen anything like this in person. Sky scrappers, people hooking up at parties, beautiful sets for performances, mansions, sure. But never anything with such subtle yet obvious beauty. The way that their glow reflected off the waves. 

  She just sat, watching for awhile, not even noticing when Marine came by to tell Shane that she was taking Jas home and she'd see him when he got home later. 

  "Its beautiful isn't it?"

   Casey nods, "It is. I've never seen anything like it."

   "It's one of the few times that I don't feel totally miserable here. Something about it cheers me up or something, I don't know."

   "It's just so....stunning."

   Shane nods in agreement, and they lapse into a quiet silence again, until more people leave and Casey produces the blunt, and lights it.  They smoke in silence, and the jellies slowly start to subside, going off into the distance. 

   Casey, now inebriated and high, starts taking off her shoes, that skinny dipping idea didn't sound too bad honestly. And it would be a good way of entertaining herself. Surely Shane would have some sort of a reaction to it. 

  "You will join me wont you?"

  Shane looks over to Casey, dazed from the alcohol and weed. "What?"

  "I wasn't joking about the skinny dipping thing. It is good fun you know."

  Shane shakes his head. "No. I wouldn't know. I've never done it."

  "Well, that's boring. You're doing it tonight. Come on, strip." She makes a vague hand motion towards Shane, attempting to hide how much she was actually stumbling. 

   "Absolutely not."

  "There must be something I could convince you with."

  "Nope."

  Casey thinks for a moment. "Well. It's your loss." 

  Tossing aside any ounce of embarrassment, Casey continues to pull off her shirt, pants, and then her bra, and underwear. Shane attempts to pull his eyes away. She didn't seem to be bothered at the aspect of being naked in front of him, he however, suddenly felt extremely awkward. 

  "Do I ease in or jump?" Shane doesn't respond, too busy attempting to keep his attention on something - anything - other than the suddenly naked girl that was right next to him. He may have his vices and his bad habits, but he always found himself shy around women.  

  Casey thinks to herself for a moment. "Jumping it is." And, without waiting any longer, she was stepping a few feet back onto the docks, running, and then leaping into the water. How cold it was shocked her, but it was also rather refreshing. The shock of the water to her system made her really start to feel exactly how not sober she was, so she opted to just float among the surface for awhile. At least until she felt the water ripple around her. 

  After nearly half an hour of sitting on the dock by himself, Shane finally made what was likely a bad decision for himself, and got mostly undressed, stepping into the water, and slowly wading out to Casey. 

  "Decided to join me after all?'

  Shane just harrumphs' in response. Before Casey moves, very quickly, and starts splashing him. 

  "That's not fair! You can't get a head start on me like that."

  "I can and I will." She grins, her makeup was starting to run, and was was previously perfectly good red lips were suddenly red lips with lipstick smudged around them, and down her chin. Her mascara had also started to get around the edges of her eyes, and her foundation was almost all but gone. But Shane didn't notice any of it, any of what Casey would have considered an "imperfection" only unaware of it due to the alcohol. He was not focused on winning this obviously, very very serious water fight.