So...About That Cactus (Maebelle)

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Zachary walked into the restaurant that he used to frequent back when he was still living at home. As usual, despite living all the way over in the university area, he was still summoned back to Pilot Ridge for some strange family errand that he just gave up fighting against anymore. Really, there was no point. And as soon as he finished it, Zach was out of there like lightning, not even bothering to stay for dinner.

Which was a mistake, because as soon as he got into his car, his stomach rumbled like an earthquake so much that he was certain the neighbors could hear it.

So rather than go back inside and risk being kept for another two hours that could better be used in isolating himself in his room, Zachary decided for a quick meal at Honest Abe's before heading back to his apartment. He was expecting to be in and out in under 30 minutes in order to get back as quickly as possible, but...what he was not expecting was to see a familiar face. At least, he thought it was a familiar face. Zachary approached the young woman sitting alone cautiously. "Maebelle?" he said her name tentatively. He still could have been wrong. And if he was, then there was going to be a Zachary Bishop shaped hole in the wall in about 5 seconds.

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Maebelle dared to say about herself that she was a good cook, and that she actually had been looking forward to the spaghetti she had been planning to make for dinner. What she had not anticipated on, however, was the electricity in the apartment building going out again. In turn that did not give her a chance to prepare anything. Some sandwiches could have done the trick, but since the young woman had only just returned from the retreat, she actually hoped for a decent meal. Her solution had been to head to Honest Abe’s and to quickly grab something to eat there. The spaghetti was good to say the least, so it would pretty much make up for all the bad luck that had started to hit her.

It probably was somewhat pathetic to spot her sitting there all by herself, but Mae was more than used to it and didn’t really mind the privacy. Not after this gave her a chance to ponder about the events from the last couple of days. Still though, as soon as a voice reached her ears and a glance was cast in Zach’s direction, she didn’t really feel uncomfortable and discouraged by the approach. In fact, features actually lit up and Mae sat up straighter, out of the hunching position that she applied to not draw any attention.

“Zach?” The gardener smiled. “Zach Bishop.” And she even rose off her seat to fully inspect him. If this were anyone else, Mae would not have bothered. She blossomed right on the spot. “It’s really you!” Without a fair warning, instead of the normal hug, a little poke was given to his chest. Extra confirmation that this was not imagination. Of course soon enough followed by an embrace, even though that one did feel awkward as soon as arms were laced around his neck. It made Mae pulled back with a little nervous chuckle, tucking a dark strand behind her ear.

“I mean… hi. I missed you.” Still awkward, Mae. Still awkward. “Sit.” A hand motioned to the seat opposite from hers with a questioning tone to her voice. It almost sounded like a command as well though and she soon realized it. “Please?”

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Oh, great, he had the right person! Zach mentally wiped his brow in relief and broke into a wide, less-than-awkward smile. "You…yeah. It's me." He chuckles in his classic little awkward laugh, where he stared down first and then back up at his conversation partner. "You look well," he commented as he took Mae's embrace like he was seeing an old friend. Well, she was and old friend.

"Yeah….It's been a while." Zach wasn't any better at talking as she was. "I thought you left?" he inquired with a slightly confused furrow in his brow as he took the seat across from hers without so much as a blink. He was more than willing to join his old friend for a meal. In fact, Zachary had even forgotten he was in a hurry.

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Maebelle was glad when Zach took the seat across from hers. She thanked him for the compliment and then gave a little weak as the question that followed. It did make her smile falter ever so slightly, mainly because her reason for being back would require a long explanation. “I did leave… but then I came back. About three months ago.” The young woman informed him. “I kind of work at Hammel now.” She didn’t exactly feel too proud about that… Mainly because it was not her big dream, nor goal in life.

“How about you? Have you always stayed here? Around the family?” Mae was an only child. She had no idea what it was like to grow up in a big family, but she did figure it must be difficult to leave all of them behind. Part of him still looked the same, yet something about him had changed as well. The gardener couldn’t put a finger on it though. He still came across as living in a shell though, shielded away from others.

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"Oh, really?" Zach was honestly surprised to hear the news. "That's funny actually, because Ollie works there now too. In the dorms." He was proud of them despite the reasons for why they were working there. Any job was better than no job, and Hammel, as it seemed so far, was willing to accomodate their former students until they could get back on their feet. At least, that was what Zach hoped with Ollie. He was going to get better, just needed a break, then was sure to get back on his feet with the band.

"Uh, yeah. Kinda." Zach shrugged and scratched his temple. "I moved out. Going to University now," he elaborated, then, after a moment of thought, he gave a short laugh. "I live all the way over there, across from the university, but..." He made slightly irritated face...with a smile. "I still come down here half the time anyway for one thing or another. The point was to get away. So much for that plan." It was laughable, all his efforts were to get away from family life, yet, he couldn't. Zach let out a sigh of acceptance. "Oh, well. So....you were gone. Is there a story to that?"

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Maebelle hadn’t seen Ollie around yet. That did make sense though. She never came in the dorms… or hardly ever in the building itself. Being around a lot of people had never been her forte, yet she definitely did have developed skills when it came to avoiding them. “Oh? I didn’t see him around yet.” A soft chuckle was given. “Not that I really have paid a lot of attention though.” Zach probably remembered that her socialness level was the same as his. It hadn’t changed since they last saw each other.

After that, she listened to Zach talk. She rather heard what amazing things he had done with his life so ar. While it wasn’t something overly spectacular, it did sound like more progress than Mae had made. “Oooh, what are you studying?” Her smile was genuine and she sat back some while sipping her drunk. “It doesn’t exactly sound easy to escape from such big family. Wherever you go, you’ll always come across someone.” Chuckling, she was joking. Or, well, not really. She still wondered how his parents had made it out of this with a decent mental health.

The question that got shot back in return to her previous answer made her face falter ever so slightly, but that was only because she feared too many details would end up being unraveled. Along with emotions. “I… just wanted to get away from it all. Like you. I lived with my grandparents for almost five years though.” Which was rather long… but something had kept her there. And then she had been stupid enough to leave that chance of happiness behind upon returning back to Hammel.

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"Well, he tends to stay in the dorms, being the monitor there and all. He's got his own room." Which Zach had to admit was a pretty good deal for a job, being able to get free room and board, so he thought that Ollie was doing pretty well for himself considering everything that had happened lately. Though he wondered if Mae had heard about Ollie's accident…he wondered if Ollie would be upset if he told her.

Zach wouldn't consider much of anything he did progress. What would be progress would be finally graduating and getting out of this town. Then again, that's one reason why he wanted to become a novelist, he could work from anywhere he pleased and make his own hours. Then he wouldn't have to leave his family. "Creative writing," he told Mae. "I, uh….yeah, it's not easy at all. It's like being famous, when there's really nothing special at all." He could joke about it with people who already knew and sympathized about his family.

Mae didn't seem pleased at being asked that question, Zach noticed. Maybe he should have just let it be? Well, she would explain everything when she felt up to it, Zach supposed. "I'm sorry, it must have been rough. It's good to see you again, though."

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Maebelle smiled some while nodding to what her friend was saying. She always liked to let others know she was paying attention. “Maybe I should check the staff office every once in a while. If he wanders out of his room… I spend most of my time outside, being the gardener and all.” Might as well drop that detail as well. She did feel jealous towards Zach though, but attending college herself had not really felt like an option financially. It would have given her life a different twist.

“Living the student life, huh?” Her face was completely lit up, truly intrigued by the life he was leading. Even if it also meant still being stuck in the middle of his family. “I wouldn’t mind taking some of them off your hands.” The gardener chuckled. Being an only child had often led to loneliness. It would be nice to experience a change. “Only if they’re as calm as you of course.”

A soft laugh could be heard as Mae shook her head. “Oh no, it wasn’t rough. It was a good time.” She smiled, able to tell he had probably caught on the slight bitterness to her flashing back on the last five years. “But it’s nice to be back. And of course to come across you again. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

When a waiter stepped over, she first glanced at Zack. “Will you join me for dinner?”

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Zach understood why so many students wouldn't have been able to attend college. Realistically, it shouldn't have been an option for Zach as well considering how difficult it would have been putting even one child through college when he had so many siblings, but he had been set on it for as long as he could remember. There were always scholarships out there for the strangest of things and people, even one for making a prom dress and tuxedo out of duct tape; he didn't win that one, but he managed a lot of others. "Gardener, huh?" Zach had a sudden urge to smile. "It suits you," he commented. He wondered how much interaction she had with the students with that job.

The shy writer managed a laugh and nodded. "I'll give them all to you so long as I can have them back for Christmas." Mae would make a good mother, Zach thought, she would probably be fine managing even JJ. "Don't worry," he continued with an eye roll, "They're perfect angels."

Ah, good. It was just his imagination then. Though Zach was sure there was still something she wasn't saying. He supposed if she wanted to continue and talk about it she would. "Yes, we do," he agreed, then a few moments later when she sent the invitation. "I'd like that. I haven't eaten yet myself." Zach was a man who liked familiarity, so he would end up ordering the same thing he always did.

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Maebelle laughed softly. It was true. Being a gardener suited her, but that wasn’t difficult to conclude. Of course she had only applied for it after having assumed it included limited social contacts. She had been correct about that. The flowers and plants were her friends and family. Still, Mae wouldn’t have minded to take some of his hands. She pouted. “You would let me celebrate Christmas by myself?” Which she actually did plan on doing… which she did deserve for locking herself away from others. Mae didn’t mind too much though. “I bet you only want them back for the pile of presents that you’ll receive.” She jokingly teased. Perfect angels? Sure.

With Zach accepting her invitation, Maebelle finally paid attention to the waiter and ordered some lasagna. While she had intended to go for spaghetti, it would be more difficult to eat that without creating a mess than lasagna. She also ordered some water. With her friend having placed his order as well, Mae sat back in the seat to relax and to grow comfortable. “So, how’s the love life?” A lot of assumptions could be made, but she rather didn’t make the wrong ones. Therefore hearing it from his mouth was safer.

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"Well if you're going to complain, we'll have enough to feed a small army at my parent's house. You're welcome anytime." Even if it was offered in good humor or just to be polite, it was true enough. Thanksgiving, Christmas, holidays in general at the Bishops was pretty much open door, Zach was certain that most of his siblings were going to invite someone over. What was one more mouth to feed?

"No, honestly, I don't really care gifts, at least not from them." Half of them would be more likely to give him a lump of coal for Christmas, while the other half would get him socks with at least one of them spiderman socks. Because that joke never got old.

When the waiter came, Zach put in his order for a simple burger and fries, deciding to be a little adventurous and getting the seasoned fries instead of the normal ones, accompanied by coke. Not the healthiest things, but it was easy to eat, and Zach liked the simplicity and familiarity of it.

As soon as the waiter left, Zach was met with a question that nearly caught him off guard. "Love life? What love life?" was his answer. Though he really didn't have time for one anyway.

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Maebelle chuckled, shaking her head. That was not how she had meant it, but it definitely was a nice suggestion. “I will think about it”, she decided to answer. It was doubtful she would accept the offer though. She would rather stay in her apartment than being a bother at a family party. It probably came across weird for him to have invited a random friend, especially since she was convinced that he could invite more interesting people.

After having taken a sip from her drink, she was quick to place the glass down again as a different waiter came to get their table ready. Once he was gone, Mae plucked the napkin from it and placed it onto her nap – it having been a habit for as long as she could remember. After that the question got asked and she received an answer which she probably should have expected.

“I don’t know. You’re a great and good-looking guy, so I figured that perhaps you had found someone you liked.” She gave him an empathic smile, not wanting him to feel awkward by her having asked this. Perhaps it was best to discuss a different topic, mainly because relationships weren’t her thing either.

“Do you live at the dorms?”

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Zach joined in on her laughter and shrugged. "Seriously though, if you need a place to be, we don't mind. I'm sure my brother's and sisters will be bringing their own horde of guests. And it's not like you won't know anybody. Ollie will be there." By default. Though as it was, Zach had a list three miles long of people he wanted to invite, including his "boss" and that Rocky Horror girl, Noa.

Zach's expression changed from one of confusion to one of more confusion. "Good looking?" He looked down at himself, looking himself over. "Where?" Although it was just a joke, Zach was still unsure what about him a girl might find attractive at all. He hadn't had any luck in that department, though he had managed to find himself a good cluster of girls who liked to boss him around.

"Though, I'm going to have to shoot that right back at you. Got anyone special in your life?"

"Nah…I got an apartment, over near the university." With a roommate and everything. "It's surprisingly cheaper than the dorms, especially when you're splitting the cost of rent." With someone who's family owned their own video game company, though he was pretty…cool.

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Maebelle nodded to acknowledge the suggestion again. Still, her accepting it would be very unlikely. Had it just been him and Oliver, she might have been more willing to consider it. After that the topic didn’t get changed for the better though. Zack did seem to be confused by it, despite his joking attitude, and she also should have known that it would backfire. First, however, the brunette opted to try and at least make sure she was serious. “You’re a catch. And I’m a girl, so I can know.” And that was the best argument ever. No way he could go against that with a more logical reasoning.

After that, her features softened and her smile faded slightly. “Not anymore”, she replied. “We broke up a couple of months ago.” As for details… let’s say she rather didn’t indulge in them because it would definitely put her in a negative light. “But it’s okay.” Mae was quick to add that, simply because people tended to engage in a pity party if she didn’t express her own opinion on the matter.

“Oooh, that sounds nice. I assume with a roommate then? Anyone I know?” Perhaps it was someone from her past as well. If not, it didn’t really matter. She just liked to know what had become of the others. “I probably missed the house warming then?” A little grin crept on her face. It was nice to feel comfortable again.

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Zach couldn't argue with that, definitely. He wasn't a girl so he didn't know what girls looked for in a guy. He didn't really know what qualified as a 'catch' though. Looking at himself, Zach couldn't see how a man who was on the shorter side of average height, wore clothes that looked like they just came out of a donation box, and who had no muscles to speak of though maybe a little flab around the edges, could be considered a 'catch'. "If you say so."

But in the future, if it came up, then Zach was allowed to use the same argument against her. Maebelle was an absolute jewel in his opinion, a man would be lucky to have her. And someone who gave that up obviously didn't know what they had. "I'm sorry to hear that, Mae." He wasn't about to pry any further, though he was curious as to what had happened. She'd let him know if she felt he needed to, he accepted with a smile.

Zach pursed his lips and thought it over. "Um...maybe? Do you remember Dakota? He was a couple of years behind us in school. He was...well, a bit of a metal head." And kind of still was. Well, Zach had no room to stereotype, he himself had long hair and wore Claudia's skinny jeans when he was in high school. Zach smiled. "Yeah, that kind of...well that happened a long time ago."