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Jeremiah Hamilton:
The Cafe was as busy as one would expect for a weekday rush, with the staff zipping here and there to keep tables cleared and guests happy. Jeremiah was at his usual table near the front, rolling silverware like a pro and setting the new stacks off to the side for one of the servers to grab as needed.
Kenzie:
Kenzie was out in the rain on her board, like the delinquent teen she is. She is dressed in a long sleeved polo, blue jeans and skate shoes, probably vans. As she rolls along looking for a nice spot to escape the rain, and her emotions, she spots the Green room. "Shit, that name sounds so familiar---" She mutters before spotting a familiar face inside. "Oh. Dude. HEY!" She calls through the window and waving at Jay with a smile. She makes her way in, board in hand, and cutting in front of a group of people also about to head in. That would have been a large order, she wasn't waiting on that!
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Jeremiah looked up at the call, muffled as it was through the window, then grinned as Kenzie made her way in and motioned for her to join him if she wished. "Hey. How goes things?"
Kenzie:
She went toward him, not even bothering to check if it was a sit down and order or head to a counter then sit. She up nods to him. "They go---" She said with that tone of exasperation and like she just went through some things. "How about you?" She looks around a bit, acknowledging he is busy but also, didn't care she was taking his time. "So this is it huh? The great Green room I keep hearing about?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"That bad, huh?" He asked with a small smirk, nodding as she looked around. "Mmhmm. My little corner of the universe, as it were. Things are going well enough overall."
Kenzie:
"Good, good." She smirks to him. "So, do we sit and eat and get some hot drinks or do I go snag an apron and help with this chaos?" she tilts her head to the side.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I think they're on top of things at the moment." He replied, glancing over to the folks behind the counter and giving a quick 'you good?' look before getting a thumbs up in return. "If you'd like something, though, we can make it happen."
Kenzie:
"Oh yeah, I am a soggy rat right now. Klaire said I need a hot chocolate to warm up and not get sick. So, probably one of those. Cheese and pastry platter too probably. Anything else you'd recommend?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I always recommend the lemon orzo soup. Our lead chef has been knocking that out of the park lately." He hopped up from the table. "Want anything extra flavor-wise in the hot chocolate?"
Kenzie:
"That soup sounds epic and, dealers choice. I trust you." She grins and takes a seat in the booth the large group she cut in front of wanted.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Jeremiah ducked behind the counter, returning a minute or three later with the hot chocolate and snacking platter. "Soup should be ready in a minute, they're putting the finishing touches on the new batch."
Kenzie:
She nods happily. Normally she made herself smaller, but today she was sprawled out in the booth. She picks at some of the food with soft happy groans and tries the hot chocolate. "Dude, what did you put in here?" Her eyes wide, seeming to enjoy it, even if it was just real and made with milk.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Dark chocolate and raspberry, which is my usual go-to for that." He replied with a smile, glad to see her enjoy it. "The caramel is also solid."
Kenzie:
"mmm, yes. That is -exactly- what I needed. Perfect. I could jump you right now if it didnt get you in trouble." She laughs softly. "How long have you been working here for?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He chuckled, sitting back in his seat as he looked her over. "I opened it not long after I moved here, so about seven years."
Kenzie:
“Oh wow yeah. That’s a long time. Also— makes a lot of sense why they just let you do whatever.” She laughs happily. “Impressive to be able to move and open up a spot though. Must have taken a lot of courage too. Like, ever been to Philly before that jump?”
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I hadn't, actually. Was looking at New York originally but something about Philly called to me. Glad I went that route in the end; wouldn't have met some of the people I know now otherwise."
Kenzie:
"Dude, same. I--- I expected to blow through Philly and just full stop. Although, I am not sure how much more time I do have left here." She chews her lower lip a bit. "A bit of a falling out of sorts. No real biggy."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Right about that time, Val stepped out of the kitchen, hair in a net, apron still on, a big goofy grin on her face. Was she a server? No, but she got permission from someone to take this one out.
She put the soup and other ordered food in front of kenzie, along with a slightly larger than average bread roll, a shh motion to Jay like he wasn't her boss, and quickly offered a hug to Kenzie before dissapearing back to the kitchen.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Oh?" He watched her for a moment as though reading her face, nodding when the moment passed. "If you feel up for talking about it I'm willing to listen."
He gave Val a curious look as she emerged from the kitchen, smirking at the 'shh' sent his way before looking back to Kenzie.
Kenzie:
She watched Val and can't help but laugh softly. "Bitch--- she stole my move. Its totally because I showed her up the other day." She shook her head entirely amused. She took a few moments before she looks to Jay. "Depends on how much time you have and if you want the abridged version or not."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I have all the time you need." He said with a small smile. "Can give us some privacy here or we can head upstairs, however you prefer."
Kenzie:
"Ok. Also, Officially. You suck." She teases happily. "Problems always sound way less bad when spoken and now I am probably going to feel like a total idiot, and you will tell me I am not, and that I may or may not be justified in how I feel or my actions and it'll be a whole ass scene." She sips the hot cocoa so Klaire doesn't get mad at her. Never know whos watching. "Now, this is a story all about how, My life got flipped-turned upside down, And I'd like to take a minute, Just sit right there, I'll tell you how I became the fool from Bel Air. --- So, I came here, not expecting much. Much happened and kept me here. I met Tommy, and others and I am a Hippy from SoCal so things of the more carnal nature happened, it was fun and so forth. Well, Tommy and I got closer and closer and it was nice, even though I keep to a strict, now albeit broken rule of no relationships. Another friend in our group then soon after confesses -love- to me, hes sweet, and nice, but I dont have much interest in him but he knows that I tend to be free, and with how I am, I get in my head that I now have obligations or expectations. Fast forward a bit, I start to just feel icky about it all and put my foot down. Just said no more of this and that I had to re-find myself. Had to tell them I just, I cant with them, and probably not the capacity Tommy and I said we were and this all turned into a giant ass mess that I knew relationships would bring. Why can't I just have kept to casual like a good little pixie?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Jeremiah smirked a touch at the teasing, listening intently as she went through her whole ordeal. "I did the casual thing for a long time myself, bouncing between folks and not caring much about the aftermath. After a while I needed something more stable in my life, and maybe that's what you felt too when you started getting close with Tommy. Guessing it feels like it's been too much too fast, though?"
Kenzie:
"No. They fucking left town, twice, entirely unreachable by anyone." She laughs softly. "I just--- I don't know anymore. Something just feels gross and I think I need a recalibration of sorts. Just shake it off a bit. I know who I am." She chews her lower lip a bit. "Guess I left that bit out huh? Just, A lot of misconceptions of me started to get around and it irked me more than it should have. But to hear someone tell you they love you, but also mock you for different ideals, and ---" She shakes her head again. "Again, not worth it." She groans. "The more I think about it, the more I feel like I have to cut ties with Tommy, and Tommy isn't even here to talk about any of it. But time keeps bubbling and I can't sit in 2003 until they show the fuck back up." The parents of a family near them turn to give her a dirty look with all the casual talk and curse word.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He nodded quietly, eyebrow arching up a touch at Bones going MIA again. "That would be a deal breaker for me too, so I don't blame you there. A good relationship should be about respect and trust, and if they're not showing you that then stepping back to reassess things isn't a bad move."
Kenzie:
She takes a deep breath. "Thank you. I---" She sighs. "Just yeah." She picks at some more food. Her previous mode of take all of the space reverted back into being small. Legs curled under herself as she fit in a very small portion of the bench. "Sorry to just dump all that on you. Had a last talk with one of the guys who told me they loved me before I came here and I am still pretty ramped up about that. Like, I've been in town 2 months. We have done no dates. It--- I dont know, Maybe I'm overthinking this all over again and have some bad concepts of how life is supposed to work. You can't tell Klaire though. She thinks my advice is solid."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"You're welcome, and no worries. Happy to help where I can." He said with a quiet smile. "Sometimes you fall for people quickly and sometimes not, but if he's moving too fast without getting to really know you you’re allowed to be uncomfortable with that and say as much. Communication is incredibly important in relationships as well, and if they're not willing to listen that's on them, not you."
Kenzie:
She nods. "Yeah, I get that too. I think it's clear now, hopefully, that I am a solid no. As I left they said they wont make a move but have hope that maybe oneday--- like, dude. You cant put that on me after me going through this long no speech and leaving the house."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
Cue a heavy sigh and shake of the head. "Some guys do not get the hint, do they..."
Kenzie:
She laughs softly and shakes her head a bit. "It's whatever at this point. After here Im probably going to the college to find some frat party to crash. Drink, let loose and forget the day."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"That might work for today. What about tomorrow, once the hangover passes and you’re still in the same place mentally?"
Kenzie:
"Hmmm. Round two probably." She grins a bit. "I'll get over it eventually."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Maybe. There is a difference between stepping back from an issue and running away from one, though, and crossing that line can be easier than you realize."
Kenzie:
"Hmm. But, I said my bit to them, and I said I will be leaving now and doing my own thing for a bit. So, is that running?" She tilts her head to the side. "Self destruction is often from running, but there is no running here. This, this is just pure hippy chaos."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Not yet, no. Just good to keep an eye on where that line is." He smiled a touch. "I'd also try talking to Tommy when they resurface. I know they're a very caring person in general and would appreciate a face to face discussion on how you're feeling."
Kenzie:
She nods. "That is the plan. When ever they show back up at least. I've tried calling, texting, sexting, nude, bribes, I sacrificed three goats and a cow. None of it worked."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"That is dire, then." He said with a small chuckle. "I've been trying to get a hold of them as well, albeit on more official business."
Kenzie:
"mmm. That too. No matter how hard I try to like--- be around, or help--- Its never sought after. I feel marginalized. I feel like I am over looked often. So I think that compounded a lot of the issues I was feeling. Literally saying -Hey, I would love to do this and this is why I think I would be good at it.- To have someone else picked, that may not have been better. Actually, probably worse because of other issues of just getting along. See, now I am just crushing the mood. Just let me know when I need to go under the table and just occupy my mouth another way." She teased dead panned.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"That's understandable. You'd think Adam in particular would know to avoid that, considering his eyes opened pretty young himself. You've certainly proven yourself with your studies, and anyone who pushes that aside is both a fool and should be reminded of the work that you've put into it."
He chuckled at the final comment, shaking his head. "No thank you. I'm good on that front."
Kenzie:
She laughs "Discarded again! REJECTION!" She makes a scene. "Oh al the rejection! Just gonna kill me!" She laughs a bit as people seem annoyed with Kenzie pretty quickly. "Thats what hit the hardest honestly though. But, it is what it is I guess."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He chuckled in return, smiling warmly. "It's a shame, really. You strike me as a very capable woman, and you deserve the proper respect and acknowledgement for that."
Kenzie:
"But its because I'm only 26 isnt it?" She grins more and leans back in her seat.
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Age is only a number unless we're talking legal statutes." He smirked, looking her over. "I've known teenagers wise beyond their years and fifty year olds who make me wonder how they've survived as long as they have. You definitely fit more in the former category."
Kenzie:
"So my little lies aren't working. I am trying to fit in with the latter."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Why, though? Mediocrity isn't something to aspire to."
Kenzie:
She just laughs softly. "It was a joke, but also, sometimes perceptions can help you. With these Brads marching around, being a young dumb yet totally adorable girl isn't a bad thing."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"True enough. Let em see what they want to see and then surprise them from behind." He gave a nod. "Take it that the misconceptions you mentioned before have gotten in the way of that, though?"
Kenzie:
She shook her head. "Never gotten a chance either way." She shrugs. "I basically show up to be the clown for people and get some laughs then move on."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Is that the role you want at the moment, or do you have something else in mind?"
Kenzie:
She takes a deep breath. "I want to be in a role that needs me at the right place and the right time, around people who will support me as much as I support them. As much as it sucks to be overlooked--- Its just fate reminding me, rather harshly, that it just isnt ready for me yet. So, I just have to keep learning, waiting, and pushing to get to where I need to be."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He nodded quietly. "I hope you find those people for you soon. For what its worth if you ever need a hand or someone to vent to I'm happy to be there."
Kenzie:
She nods. "Thank you. I appreciate it. I think I am going to buy a crap ton of ice cream though and head to Klaires. Might be a wiser move than booze, drugs, and boys.:
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Sounds like a plan. Can send you with some more of those pastries too, if you like."
Kenzie:
"Sounds great, but then Klaire will accuse me of trying to date her again." She laughs. "Maybe next time."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Oh?" He asked with a smirk, giving a nod. "Fair enough. Give her my best, if you will."
Kenzie:
"Maybe. Depends how I feel." She teases. "It was good seeing you again, Jay. Until next time." She left cash to cover the cost of food and left.
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