Misery[Ella]

[Gabriel James]

It had been a pretty busy Saturday night at the Churchkey. Gabriel was pleased with the crowd, even if it was starting to dwindle. It wasn't too late just yet, only 10 maybe 11 O'Clock. However, by nature the Churchkey was a fairly tame bar. The younger crowd was probably out at the crazier clubs, and the older crowd was ready to call it a night. Knowing this, Gabriel had slowed down his set with a few ballads and slower covers. People seemed to be enjoying the music, and lingering a little longer just to hear him, and the thought that he may be the reason for their staying made him smile.

He had taken off his black leather jacket really early on, as the spotlights made him very sweaty. By now he was probably grossly glistening, and the back of his white t shirt was clinging to his back. He likely looked ridiculous, with his curls in every direction and his nails still painted various colors from the recent visit to his brother's house. His niece insisted that they play makeover. He didn't let the discomfort bother him though, and decided he could throw in one more song.

"This next one... its gonna be my last one," Gabriel said as he strummed a little bit. "It's a bit of a couple songs from this band... just some band..." he explained vaguely. Gabriel wasn't the best at segways. So instead of talking he just sang.

"Thanks guys. You guys have been awesome," Gabriel said with a smile as he finished his song. He put down his guitar and put the radio back on for Cecil - the bar keep. Some people immediately got up to leave, but a couple people had come in while he was playing the last song. He hoped some were worth talking to, because it was a Saturday night, after all, and Gabriel wanted to let loose a little bit.

[Ella Robbinson]

When Ella found out Gabe was back in town, she had mixed feelings about it. She knew he'd left to pursue something important in his life, and she was incredibly proud of him for that. It was hard to commit to something so unstable, so the move was a tough call to make. She envied the fact that he knew what he wanted and that he had the strength to go after it. So when she found out he'd come back... Amongst the usual surprise, she felt concern. Why come back here after all these years?

At least he'd picked up a bit of work. It was why she was venturing to Churchkey's that particular Saturday night. Playing the role of a supporting old friend was one she would gladly step into. That and she was curious to know why he came back.

She walked in towards the end of his song. Listening to him sing, it was easy to tell how much he'd improved over the years. His voice and skills were practically mind blowing, and it was good to look around the place and see the people around her watching him. They were clearly really enjoying his performance as much as she was - maybe even more. There were a few faces in the small crowd that were singing along; off key, but at least they were enjoying themselves enough to try. And really, how could anyone go wrong with Maroon 5 songs?

It looked like he was moving to leave, so Ella took the necessary steps to end up in front of him. "Hey! Did you just finish?" She asked, the corner of her mouth tugging into a frown; "I'm sorry I missed it. But... Hey, your last song was incredible!"

[Gabriel James]

Gabe wiped the sweat away from his brow as he turned to step off the little stage area. He didn't take three steps toward the bar before somebody stepped in front of him though. It took Gabriel a moment to collect his thoughts and memories and totally realize exactly who was standing in front of him. "Oh my god!" he finally said with a little laugh at his late realization. "Ella... Ella Robbinson... wow...hi... thanks," Gabriel rambled, thrown off at first by the sudden appearance of his old friend. Ella was the second person from Gabe's high school days that he had run into that week, and it still managed to surprise him when old friends were still in Pilot Ridge. He and Ella had known each other a long time, and could be considered friends. They hung out a little bit in high school. She thought Gabe and Everett's antics were a little immature so they hadn't always been super close. But clearly they had become close enough that Ella noticed he would be playing at the Churchkey this particular Saturday night. And Gabriel was genuinely glad to have run into somebody like her on what otherwise may have turned into another lonesome Saturday night sitting alone at the bar.

"I did just finish," Gabe explained, "And I'd totally hug you except I'm sweaty and gross and I doubt you need a moist smelly hug from that awkward music guy from high school." He smiled his charming smile as he made fun of himself lightly, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so.

[Ella Robbinson]

Oh good, for a second there Ella couldn't see the light of recognition in his eyes and had been worried. There was nothing more awkward than remembering someone who didn't remember you back, right? Maybe that was just her thing, so she shot him a grateful look when he recognised her. He'd definitely grown into his own since he'd graduated. She instinctively felt bad for losing touch with him, even if they hadn't been super close when they were younger.

"Damn." She replied, crinkling her nose slightly in her own disappointment. She'd have to get her timing better next time. There would definitely be a next time. Ella looked down at herself quickly when he talked about a hug; it was a Saturday night, so she had put some effort in to make herself look good. And in heels she was just that little bit taller than he was. "Oh, I don't care about that. C'mere!" She held her arms out to him anyway, missing him more than she realised.

"Are you staying around for drinks at least?" Ella asked, raising her eyebrows. Surely he wasn't about to leave yet, "I'll buy, if that's a decent incentive."

[Gabriel James]

"Don't worry about it," Gabriel said, accepting Ella's hug, happy that she wasn't completely disgusted by the sweat he felt like he was swimming around in. "I'm preforming all the time. Here... out in the town... I'm sure once I start over at Hammel I'll be abusing the auditorium like when we were kids," he said with a smile. It meant a lot that she had specifically wanted to hear him preform.

"Oh I'm definitely staying around," Gabriel said with a smile. "C'mon it's only 11O'Clock. The night is young." Gabe laughed at himself and pushed his glasses up as they were slipping off his nose with the added sweat. He'd have to ask Cecil for a towel or something. "As for the drinks... they're on the house," Gabe said with a little smirk. "I sorta work here... if you didn't notice." He'd probably still have to pay for the drinks... but at least he'd get a discount for preforming that night.

He laughed, and turned toward the bar, gesturing Ella to follow. He sat on one of the stools and as Ella sat next to him he asked the bartender to get him a Sam Adams. "And anything the lady wants. Put it on Cecil's tab," Gabe added, half joking about Cecil's tab. All the bartenders knew him, though, and laughed when he suggested such things - and just let Cecil charge him later.

[Ella Robbinson]

The hug, sweaty as it may have been, just reaffirmed how much Ella had missed his company. He'd always been good at keeping her mood up. And of course - Ella had thought she'd heard he was going to start working at Hammel. Well, at least that meant she'd see him a lot more often than just this. And she was glad for the fact. "Then I'll definitely be sure to actually catch your next set." She said with purpose. She meant it, too.

"You work here?" Ella asked, a touch of sarcasm creeping in to her humoured voice, "No, I just thought you commandeered the stage for fun!"

She followed along as he indicated, taking a seat to his side and watching the short interaction with the bartender. Just look at him - all charm and adorableness. There was so much more to him than that, but... "Gin and tonic, please." She ordered, offering one of her very best smiles to the bartender. Especially if he was something of a friend to Gabe. Ella turned her attention back to him quickly; "So... What are you doing here? I thought you got out!" She feigned a dreamy expression in his direction; "Leaving the rest of us behind for greater things."

Hey, she was only teasing.

[Gabriel James]

"I thought I got out too," Gabe admitted, "But Pilot Ridge has a way of just roping you back in doesn't it?" He chuckled as he mimed a lasso, shrugged as he went to continued. "Actually it's more like L.A. has a way of kicking you out when you least expect it. But hey, we gotta make the most of what life gives us so... When things didn't work out I came back east mostly to be closer to my niece and well... here I am." The bartender brought the two their drinks and Gabe thanked him, and reminded himself to give him a tip later.

"The funny thing is though... up until tonight I did just jump up on the stage for fun... and free drinks occasionally. But mostly just because the mood struck me and the owner of the place likes me for some odd reason," Gabriel explained with a smile, chuckling at the memory of the day he first asked Cecil if he could just try out the piano. It had turned into a full fledged preformance before either of them blinked.

"But what about you!?" Gabe asked after taking the first long sip of his drink. "What are you still doing here? I could have sworn by now you'd be long gone. Traveling the world. Breaking hearts on every continent."

[Ella Robbinson]

Ella offered a solitary nod, knowing that there was something about Pilot Ridge that had people still hanging around. She always wondered if it was a safety thing. She could understand that. Ella quickly got the sense that something had happened during his time in L.A. Something she probably shouldn't ask about. And so she wouldn't. "Well, I'm glad you're back." She admitted, offering another bright smile to the bartender as he made his way back.

Even she found herself getting caught up in the story the more he talked. For some odd reason? Ella simply laughed, reaching over and pushing against his jaw lightly; "Everyone likes you, you know that." That had to be obvious. Just look at him!

"Ah, unfortunately I found no hearts to break." She chided, running a hand through her hair. A simple sign of nervousness - she just wished she'd some something as incredible as he had. "I pretty much stayed here. Though, now I monitor the dorms. Most nights and some days. It sounds like it'd be a difficult job, but - and this probably sounds really cliche - I sorta get to help in whatever way I can." And that to her was better than wandering so aimlessly in her own life. It was a step up from nothing.

[Gabriel James]

"Well I'm glad you're glad I'm back. It's good to know somebody won't mind seeing this face back in Vermont for a while," Gabe said with a laugh. He honestly had no clue how long he'd be around. At least for the school year. Maybe more. He wasn't sure how long he would need before he mustered up the courage and energy to go for it again. He wasn't sure how long it would take to get his muse back. He couldn't be a cover singer forever. "And I can't help it if people are naturally drawn to awkward freakishly curly haired short guys," Gabe offered with a smirk after Ella had pushed his jaw away. It was nice that even after all this time that kind of interaction was natural.

Gabe took a long sip of his beer. He let it slide down his throat and sighed once it all went down, relishing the taste and slight burning sensation as it went down. He listened intently as Ella talked, his eyes lighting up when she said she was a dorm monitor. "No way!" Gabe said "I'm starting in the music department this fall. I can't believe I haven't seen you around Hammel yet." Then again, the dorms were on pretty much the opposite side of the building from the administrative offices. Still, they should have at least run into each other in the parking lot or in the courtyard or something."That's awesome, though. That you've stuck around to help out."

[Ella Robbinson]

Wouldn't mind? Ella found that to be the understatement of the night. She really did hope to be able to see a lot more of him, especially given the fact that they were working at the same place. She'd definitely have to make a point of wandering by the auditorium during her afternoon and night shifts if he planned to occupy the space so much. Was that weird? She hoped not. "People hear the voice and stay for the hair," She started, resisting the urge to touch it. That was also weird, right? "I bet." With a smile, she promptly turned her attention towards her drink.

"I guess I should come out of the dorm halls a little more often." She replied with a small laugh. It could be so time consuming though. Hammel students had a real knack for sneaking things in undetected. Though, she liked to think that was a security thing - it lightened the load on her conscience! "I figured it was better than having a nothing job in Pilot Ridge." Which she had done, until about two years ago. "I... Honestly, I never left here; I don't know why. It just seemed easier to stay." She glanced at him curiously, wondering if that'd make any sense to someone who jetted off to L.A.

"I wish I had the guts to move like you did, honestly." Ella admitted with a small shrug. "Or... Strength? That's probably a better word."

[Gabriel James]

"I'd say I'd come visit you but I'm not sure how appreciated I'd be around the girl's dorms," Gabe joked. He tended to stay in between his office, the classroom he was teaching from, and the auditorium. As a student the auditorium was like Gabe's safe haven. He went there whenever he was emotional or needed somewhere to just get the music out of him. He had written his first song in that room when he was 15. It was rarely used when he was around and hoped it was the same now that he was a teacher, because he loved the space and liked to think of it as his own.

When Ella told Gabe she had never left he could help but raise his eyebrows in a bit of surprise. She had just always seemed the type who would want to get out and explore the world. When she had explained that it just seemed easier to stay, however, Gabe smiled understandingly. He knew exactly what she was trying to get at. After all, it was the reason he came back to Pilot Ridge. Things were familiar. Things were 'easy'. "I tend not to think plans through, though," Gabe explained. "I had no clue how hard it was going to be out there. But... you know me. Mr. Impulsive. I took a shot. And maybe at some point I'll build up some more guts or more strength - whatever it was that drew me out there in the first place - and then give it another shot." He looked over toward Ella again before saying, "Easy is pretty much right where I have to be right now."

[Ella Robbinson]

"I'm sure you'd be more appreciated than you realise." Ella replied with a laugh. The connotations of her words should have been obvious; he was a cute guy, and teenage girls loved having someone to swoon over. She may as well not exist compared to him.

It was almost embarrassing, to admit that she hadn't gone anywhere or really done anything since graduation. The feeling of being lost had reigned more heavily than she'd initially realised. But then, she'd always been lost. In some way, to some capacity. "I mean, I can't really talk but... Isn't it better to take a chance than to over think things?" She mused, glancing at the glass in her hand. This was a lot more heavier than she realised, and that prompted her to take an ample drink from the glass. She caught his eyes briefly and tried her hand at a smile; reassuring and almost brave. "The laid back approach, then?"

[Gabriel James]

Gabe laughed at what he assumed was Ella's joke. He understood the implications, and was sure it might be true to a certain extent, but never really thought of himself as the guy girls found attractive. He was mostly self conscious about his height - especially having been the only one of his brothers to never reach 6 foot (by 4 whole inches too). He focused a lot on the fact that his eyebrows were strangely triangular, and he always hated the way his eyes squinted up when he smiled. "Yeah well... I'd rather not be known as the creepy music teacher who hangs around the girl's dorms weather they dig the curls and scruff or not," Gabe said rubbing his hand over his face. He hadn't gotten the chance to shave in a few days and it showed. He thought he looked like a hobo.

"I'd say..." Gabe started, musing over his thoughts while he took another long drink before continuing, "Chances are great... if they don't run your bank account dry and send you crawling back to your parents begging for some money." He shrugged, slightly embarrassed to admit that was how it ended. "Even worse if they refuse to give it to you but... hey. That's life right?" Gabriel forced a laugh, and then took another long sip of his beer, ready to start feeling good about things again.

"But things are looking up. Got a job. Got a place to stay. And despite it all, yes, I'm definitely taking a laid back approach."

[Ella Robbinson]

Ella pressed her lips into an amused line when he spoke, opting not to laugh so openly at what he'd said. "Well..." She let the sound of her voice drag slightly, "They won't think you're creepy. The monitors? We might." She teased, tilting her head to one side slightly and letting her gaze flick towards his hair, "And there's nothing wrong with the curls. Trust me." How could there be? They were a part of him! And they were cute!

With a small, albeit reluctant nod, Ella had to give him that one. Money was essential to most big risks in life. And the concept of borrowing from her mother never sat well with her. But she was sad to hear that was how things had ended from him. "Yeah." She drawled slightly, trying to offer him a light hearted smile; "I guess that's life." The good with the bad, and all that. All encompassed in a simple expression.

Raising what was left in her glass - had she really had that much to drink in that short a conversation? - she offered it towards him. "To your job, your place to stay, and the laid back approach?"

[Gabriel James]

"And to old friends," Gabriel added when Ella raised her glass for a toast, raising his own nearly finished drink. "and to new beginnings." He clinked his glass against Ella's and downed the very last of his beer. He put the empty glass down, staring at it for a moment, deciding if he wanted another one, or something different, or if he should call it a night before he got himself into trouble.

He looked over at Ella though, who also had finished her drink, before turning back to the bartender. "Fuck it," he said. "Yo! Can I have an Alabama Slammer? And another S.A.?" He asked, before turning to Ella. "You want something else? Seriously, it's on me." He hoped she's stay. He missed the familiar faces. And even though he and Ella weren't close like he was with the guys back in high school, he couldn't deny it was good to see her, and he would like to hear about how things have been in Pilot Ridge, even if they were super boring and uneventful. Gabe was usually amused by even the simplest of stories. It was probably why he loved his niece so much. Everything was simple and sweet and innocent, and her stories made even the most mundane every day events exciting.