Realistic or Modern our hometown is in the dark [modern one x one]

[willow_moon]

Our Hometown Is In The Dark

​

It was strange how your hometown could seem so different in a few years time, but everything changed with time - that was inevitable. Griffon had probably changed too. No, he definitely had and argumentatively not for the better. The now twenty seven year old Griffon was still stubborn, hot headed, and still very immature for his age He still drank way too much, made questionable decisions, and got himself into dangerous and unpredictable situations more times than not. Some things never changed, Griffon seemed to be one of them. It didn't take much to persuade Griffon into doing almost anything if it came with the promise of a good time. He had little concern for the impact that his decisions had on the people in his life, or himself.

The change of scenery had been refreshing for a while, but it didn't help Griffon to get his life back on track any. It had only taken a little over five years for Griffon to end up back in his hometown, a place he’d swore he’d never go back to. The last thing he wanted to do was have to admit to anyone who still knew him in the area that he was now twenty seven years old and still not even remotely close to having his shit together. However, being a terrible liar it was almost always too obvious when Griffon was trying to compile some sort of lie. Unless he could come up with some sort of half believable story, he was going to have no other choice than admit the truth. He had told a few people he was back in the area, only after coincidentally running into them while doing errands around town. It wasn’t like Griffon really had too many close friends left anyway, more so just acquaintances or people that he didn’t mind drinking with the odd time. Most of his actual friends had moved on with their lives and were either getting married, having kids, or getting settled into their careers. None of those things sparked any sort of interest in Griffon, and never had.

It had been a last minute decision to take up an invitation to a party that his old friend Riley was having, apparently running into old friends didn't always end up being a bad thing. He and Riley had always been close friends since they'd been young, but had drifted apart when Griffon had chose the path of drugs and non stop partying for the last couple years of college. Nonetheless, anything seemed better than lying around his apartment wallowing in his self-pity, which was how Griffon now seemed to be spending most of his time since he'd returned. It only took him about ten minutes to decide that he was as ready as he would ever be, it wasn't like he was worried about trying to impress anybody - if anything he was hoping he'd be able to slip into the party virtually unrecognized.

He had a couple close friends, but nobody else that he really cared to see or interact with. He slipped on a grey hoodie, followed by a pair of loose fitting denim jeans and his signature black snap back hat. It was true that Griffon’s sense of style hadn’t changed much since high school, but it didn't seem to bother him any. After taking a few minutes to brush his teeth and admire his reflection in the bathroom mirror, he decided he looked decent enough to go to this stupid party. Realistically he probably should have taken the time to shave, but with a shrug of his shoulders he decided he could probably go a few more days before people started to question whether he was in fact homeless.

He smirked at the thought realizing that he probably shouldn’t even care what any of his old friends thought about him anymore anyway. They were his old friends so it wasn't like they really knew him anymore or anything, Griffon wasn't even entirely sure he knew himself these days. He seemed to be merely a shell of the kind and compassionate person he'd once been, or so his Mother had said recited on repeat countless times. Even though Griffon knew she was right, he still refused to acknowledge it or actually do anything about it. Then again, it wasn't exactly the easiest thing in the world to come to terms with being a piece of shit and actually make a conscious effort to change your life.
Within ten minutes he was as ready as he would ever be, it was now or he knew he wouldn't end up going. Scooping his car keys off the kitchen counter, he shoved on a pair of old beaten up skate shoes and headed down the flight of stairs towards the back parking lot. There sat his pride and joy, a 1999 beaten to hell black Honda Civic that Griffon valued with his life. It had a few dents and scratches and the passengers side door handle was nearly ripped off, but Griffon was determined to drive it into the ground.

Climbing into the passenger seat he couldn't help but think to himself that it was a miracle in itself that the thing even started. Even if she needed a little more than a bit of TLC he couldn't really complain, it usually got him where he needed to go without too much trouble. The party was probably about a fifteen minute drive from his apartment, so he didn't have any reason to be worried. The engine light had been on for about six months now, but it had been on many times before and nothing had come of it. Turning the key in the ignition he wasn’t sure why he suddenly felt so uncomfortable, or why he couldn’t seem to shake the bad feeling looming in the back of his mind waiting to rear it's ugly head.
He assumed it was probably just anxiety that he had agreed upon going to this party at all, especially when he was seriously starting to doubt that it was a good idea at all. It seemed strange to to feel this way considering confidence was something that Griffon didn't typically lack in the slightest, even if he wore it as a mask to disguise his many insecurities.

When he finally got inside the party the air was thick with the aroma of cigarette smoke, weed, and copious amounts of alcohol. It seemed impossible that this many people could manage to fit into such a small house, to the point where many of them had branched out onto the front and back deck as well. Some appeared to be familiar faces, but not as many as Griffon had been used to seeing at local parties back in the day. Twenty One Pilots played somewhere distantly in the background, the bass echoed with ease throughout the thin walls of the house. Griffon weaved through the crowds of people hoping he would recognize someone actually worth talking to, and focusing on trying not to look as awkward and out of place as he currently felt.

 

[ChessieGirl]

It had taken some time to get used to the new routine. To be fair, it was far more than a routine they had to get used to. It was a whole new way of life. One that she hoped she'd slide right back into.

But things had changed more than Genny would have imagined. Though the small sleepy town still looked the same; aside from some new developments at the water front, and the new Mall, there were bigger changes to the general memory of the place. Mainly the fact that her Grandparents were long gone now. But it was more than that. When she was last here all those years ago, Genny had a sense of belonging.

Now she felt like an outsider. When she walked down the street, she didn't recognize the faces she saw. Conversations stopped, when she walked into a store where people were talking. The few people that did recognize her, either assaulted her with the usual uncomfortable questions, or ignored her altogether, choosing instead to turn and whisper as if she couldn't hear them.

What on earth had made her thing 'coming home' would be a good idea?

But they were here now, and Genny had spent what little savings she had on her Grandma's old home. Inexplicably up for sale, when she'd tearfully been looking for a place to go. When hopelessness cascaded over her like a heavy cloak, the run down and memory filled home seemed like a beacon in the storm.

The wreckage from a hurricane more like.

The home was everything she had remembered, but had not aged gracefully. Her Uncle - a man whom Genny had not had contact with; a bitter alcoholic who hated everyone - had laid claim to the house, and apparently drank himself to death within. Filth lined every surface. Windows broken. The furnace broken beyond repair, raccoons living in the attic. Raccoons! She had to evict Raccoons before she could even enter the premises.

But they'd made do the best they could. The fireplace still worked to heat the main room, where she set up Liam in a makeshift bedroom until she could afford to get the furnace fixed, and for the next month she scrubbed and painted, and bleached and cleaned. The main bedroom was colder than an icebox, but to give Liam his space, she'd slept in there, under piles of blankets and layers of sweatshirts.

Trying to make the best of their terrible situation.

And then there way Riley. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips every time she thought of the one constant from her past, who hadn't turned and whispered. Who hadn't asked too many questions. Who seemed genuinely happy to welcome her back home.

A kid she'd tutored back in highschool, Riley had always been smart, but struggled to keep his head on his studies. Riley was always looking to get out and have more fun. Despite their different outlooks on life, they'd become unlikely friends. He'd tease her about her nose always being in a book, Genny would lay awake nights laughing until her sides hurt, hearing his tales of Bush parties, and antics in the small town.

"Its just a party, you need to get out and have some fun!"

It was who was on the phone now; Jenny's head cocked with the spiral stringed receiver tucked in the crook of her shoulder while she stared at the stove top coffee maker willing it to boil and percolate the fresh brew.

"What are you even doing awake right now?" Genny toned down the line. "Weren't you out late trying to 'hustle up some hunnies' or whatever it is you get up to at all hours?"

She heard his laugh down the line, then the sound of him chewing. "Havent been to bed yet. You don't want to know... look. Mom will watch Liam, its all taken care of. Just come for a drink, put in an appearance. People need to know your more than just that chick who's back and works at the grocery store."

Genny chewed her lip, looking out to the living room where the young boy sat playing on the old battered game boy. "The boys will be there.." Riley toned on. His nephews, who were around the same age as Liam. Riley's Mom had been one of the few people in town to help her out with no questions asked in town. Genny couldn't have been more grateful for not having to explain herself.

"It will be good for him, to hang out with kids his own age. So he does't turn out to be so much like his Mom."

Genny rolled her eyes as the coffee started to bubble and spurt, sending promise of caffeination. Pulling down a mug, she reached for the pot holder to take the battered pot off the burner.

"Fine." She toned reluctantly. It did sound nice to get out of the house and do something other than scrubbing or hammering or painting.

"But Im not staying long. And Im NOT being your wingman for some conquest."

She poured the black coffee in the mug relishing the warmth in her hands as she spoke.

"Nah!" Riley laughed at her words. "I don't need a wingman. Don't you bail on me. Mom will be by to pick up Liam at 7. "
He gave her the address, teasing her about not having a working cell phone and being old school having to write it down. Genny hung up, with a warm smile. Which carried her through out the rest of the day.

By the time Liam was picked up, and she found herself staring at her limited closet, Genny's cheeks had ached. Seemed she hadn't smiled that much in quite some time.

Leave it to Riley to talk her into doing something way out of her comfort zone. And though she nearly backed out of going at least ten times, Genny found herself climbing the steps to the address she'd had written on the scrap paper.

When the door opened she ducked in carefully, trying to appear near invisible. No one seemed recognisable. But no one questioned her presence either. Jenny pushed through the crowd and found a small corner in the kitchen where she set down her bottle of rye. Looking around she questioned for the 20th time just why on earth she was here. But soon she was handed a glass, and found a small group of people willing to attempt small talk over the base of the loud music. The same questions, the same answers swirled in the scent of weed and booze. Reverberated with the bass of the music.

"...single mom. Hes 7"

"...I work at the grocery store..."

"...no, he's gone. I don't like to talk about it."

"...the old Carmichael Place. They were my grandparents."

 

[willow_moon]

Griffon had managed to score an unopened tall can of beer from the fridge virtually unnoticed, casually opening it he nonchalantly chugged half the can of beer before his attention turned to a familiar figure standing on the other side of the room. So far his plan of being unnoticed had been going quite well, but the looming feeling of anxiety was still somewhere in the back of his mind. As long as they weren't here it would be fine, right? They being the reason why Griffon had skipped town in the first place, a group of rough people that should've probably been avoided at all costs but instead people that Griffon found himself snorting lines of cocaine with, and racking up an amount of debt that he'd knowingly never be able to pay back. He hadn't bothered to tell anyone the details of this, whether it was from being embarrassed or the fact that he genuinely feared for his life not being able to pay the debt. It seemed easier just to skip town and run from his problems, something that Griffon apparently did quite well and for years. The lengthy hiatus from town hadn't changed anything, other than wondering if coming back here was even what he should have done.

He was out of options, and out of places to run so naturally he ended up back in this sleepy town. "Hey man, glad you decided to come!" a familiar voice echoed, Riley nudged him on the shoulder as he approached him in the kitchen quite apparent he already had quite the buzz from the half empty bottle of gin he had clutched in his hand. "Yeah man, I figured it was better than laying around watching tv and feeling sorry for myself." Griffon shrugged, offering a half smile - though it seemed to be forced. It was evident that something was on his mind, but it wasn't like he was about to tell Riley about his drug debts and the other unfortunate details about how fucked up his life actually was.

"Oh come on, Griff.. you were never one to wallow around in your own pity, more like life of the party. Man, we had some wild times back in the day." Riley rambled on, leaning back against the fridge and observing Griffon as he took another swig from the bottle of gin. "I don't know how the hell you drink that shit straight, I can only do that with whisky." Griffon laughed, shrugging his shoulders as he brought the can of beer to his lips once more and finished it off before setting the empty can down on the counter. The alcohol seemed to make the anxiety subside temporarily, but it was only a mask and he knew that. "Well, either way have fun man I'll catch ya later and help yourself to that beer in the fridge." Riley added, slapping Griffon on the back before he made his way over to a group of guys playing beer bong on the far side of the room.

"Don't mind if I do." Griffon muttered under his breath opening the fridge and grabbing a few more beer out of the fridge setting them on the kitchen counter, not hesitating to open another can and take another swig from the can. It was then his brown eyes caught a familiar figure standing across the room.

Genny?

He hadn't seen her in years, but of course Griffon would recognize her at any rate since they'd been so close all those years. She too had been someone that Griffon hadn't bothered to explain the details of his little ordeal to before skipping town, he'd only left his parents a brief note as to why he was skipping town - as far as he was concerned it was nobody else's business and he was sure that eventually they'd put two and two together. After all, it was Griffon we were talking about and there seemed to be no limit to the amount of trouble that he found himself in and this time definitely was no exception.

He took a deep breath wondering how he could even start a conversation after how he'd left, no doubt she'd been heartbroken when he'd just decided to leave for no apparent reason, no explanation no anything. Christ, they'd probably all thought he was dead somewhere or something. He was very much alive, somehow - but if they caught up with him maybe not for too much longer. Pushing the uncomfortable thoughts out of his mind he took a shaky breath and started in her direction, weaving through a crowd of people before he stopped in front of her.

"Hey stranger, it's been a while huh?" said Griffon maybe all too casually, offering her his signature half grin. Well, this could go one of two ways but he was hoping that it wouldn't go as negative as it potentially could. It wasn't everyday your best friend just flaked out for years on end, but there was more to the story than Genny likely realized. He was sure lots had changed, with Griffon not really but Genny had never been anything like him - she wasn't a loser and in Griffon's eyes had always been far from that. A good friend, someone that Griffon should've never even bothered with considering he likely caused more damage than good in her life.

 

[ChessieGirl]

The conversation had died out quickly, when the small group realized Genny wasn't going to offer more information. It was fine, they likely surmised. They'd be able to make up the details on their own. Surely a story way more interesting than the actual details.

As the small group dispersed from the kitchen, Genny found herself alone. Not awkwardly so. Though the party raged on in the rest of the house, the closeness in the kitchen had vastly improved. She lifted the rye to her lips, taking a decent swing. Feeling the warmth course through her chest, and spread out through her body. 'huh.. look at that, this party is getting better and better...'

She could hear Riley across the room chatting up a friend. She caught his eye, as he looked over the other man's shoulder to her. Tossing her a wink. She knew the look. Genny shook her head dryly at him, rolling her eyes. No. She wasn't interested in being set up. It didn't matter who Riley was talking to. Though she couldn't tell since the man's back was to her. But it didn't matter. She turned taking another sip of the straight rye. She'd finish her drink, and make a quick exit. She'd shown up. Made small talk. Had a drink.

She'd gone to the damned party.

Mind made up she turned. Suddenly face to face with someone standing directly in front of her. Genny blinked looking up into surprisingly familiar eyes. Her mouth coming open to apologize, the words dying on her lips.

Griffon...

The name formed in her mind, but the sudden surprise - and quite possibly the two shots of rye - had left her momentarily speechless as she stood rooted to the spot, staring up into those eyes.

Closing her own, Genny took a breath and found her smile. Shaking her head, she opened them again.

"Griff, God! How long has it been?"

Could he hear how fake she sounded? How forced the words all came tumbling out?

She tried again, reaching for the empty glass. Then realizing it was empty, opting for the bottle still on the counter next to her. Taking a quick swig, she offered the bottle up to him.

Genny shook her head with a dry laugh. "Sorry... this is all just so....

Then her eyes grew wide, before she reached up and smacked him on the shoulder. "Where the hell did you go?!" She gestured to the party, raging on in the rest of the house.

"This place is a nightmare without you!"

 

[willow_moon]

Griffon was surprised when Genny even replied to him, half expecting her just to turn and walk away from him not interested in any explanation he had for his lengthy hiatus. He raised the beer to his lips once more, taking another exaggerated drink before turning his attention back to her once more. "Well, it's kind of a long story.." he began, not even sure how to finish where he was going with this. How did you explain that you were essentially a piece of shit who owed a bunch of drug debt to people who quite certainly weren't fucking around, Tyler Zimmerman of all people. He knew that Genny knew who that was, and his friend group of people who had little to no aspiration in life. He swallowed, trying to find a way to form some sort of explanation for where he'd been if she asked..hopefully she wouldn't pry.

"A nightmare, huh?" asked Griffon, raising an eyebrow before offering one of his signature smirks. "Somehow, I actually believe that..same old boring shit around here?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow curiously. Their hometown had always been boring, but a nightmare - it was quite possible. "I also believe it's been a nightmare without me around here." he added, with a laugh. Somehow this party didn't seem so bad now that he saw another familiar face, but not only a familiar face - Genny, one of the few people he'd actually missed. Well, aside from his family and his younger sister which he'd only seen a handful of times since he'd been back in the area. He assumed not much had changed, aside from the new mall that he'd noticed the other day when he'd been running errands.

"How have you been anyways?" asked Griffon, finishing off the remainder of his beer before cracking open his third one in ten minutes. He usually wasn't too much of a drinker, typically cocaine and pot seemed to be Griffon's go to. But, tonight since it was a party setting he supposed alcohol would have to suffice..unless people were offering lines later on - he surely wouldn't be able to say no to the offer. "Anything new that I should be aware of?" Griffon questioned, anything to draw the attention of himself and the miserable lie he had been living for the past several years in his solitude.

He glanced over at Riley who seemed to be having the time of his life in a beer pong tournament, fortunately he'd be distracted for a while and maybe he had Genny would actually be able to catch up a bit and have a decent conversation. Anything that involved Griffon not having to spill the details of just why he'd ran from town in the first place would be enough, it was a reality that he didn't want to have to quite come to terms with now.. or possibly ever. It was a nice thought, even though he knew it wasn't reality but Griffon had seemed to become an expert at disassociating from his problems and sort of putting them on auto pilot - quite possibly one of the biggest reasons why he found himself in the predicament he was in at this very moment.

"You look good, by the way." Griffon added, smirking at Genny as he took another sip from his beer hoping he didn't look as awkward as he currently felt. It seemed strange for Griffon of all people to feel awkward and out of place at a party, the one place where he usually felt the most comfortable since he'd never really grown up.