[Blake] Begin Again

[THAYER JUDE MONROE]

Thayer took a deep breath and relaxed, letting his toes dig into the warm sand.  It was nice weather out on the Cali beaches, nothing like Cleveland.  Cleveland kind of sucked, but he wasn't about to trade his internship for anything.  It was an awesome experience, being home to some of the biggest artists of the decade and probably longer.  Since arriving in Cleveland however, he'd learned a lot about music and producing.  It had been an amazing experience so far.  He had learned so much, had met sooo many people, and to him, had learned the most important aspect of his business, which was to stay true to what you knew, and record what felt like your truest self.  Even Blake, he was finding, had to deal with people telling her what to sing and  promote.  But she should just write what she knows.  That was what people knew and loved her for, her honesty and openness into her life.  He still hadn't told her about the masquerade ball.  He wasn't sure when the right time would be,  He didn't want her to think he was into her because she was Blake Parker.  He wanted to get to know her without that added layer.  And he also knew that he was in no position mentally or emotionally to be in a relationship.  Thayer didn't do flings.  He was all or nothing.  He either wanted it all or nothing at all.  At this point in his life, he didn't have time for complicated.  He needed to focus on school.  The only girl that was going to get his time was one that really, truly meant something to him.  And Blake didn't know it had been him at the masquerade.  He also didn't know if  she would maybe even want something with him.  He didn't know.  Sometimes it seemed like she flirted with him, but other times he felt like, she had work, and her career, tours, interviews.  She was busy.  Surely she didn't want to waste her time on something that didn't matter either.  So here he was, on a beach with her in LA, getting to know her and making it something that mattered.  Aside from her career, she was  a pretty incredible person, whether she realized it or not.  She just didn't know that he was that guy she was fantasizing about. But that didn't mean he should be anything less than perfect for her.  He knew deep down there was something about her he was drawn to romantically, and when the time was right, he wanted it to work, if she'd have him.  Until then, Thayer didn't want to mess anything up.  So now, as he turned to look at her, basking in the sun in her vintage bathing suit, she looked kind of perfect.  Not unattainable, just someone he could put effort into knowing.  Her cousin Dylan, the rocker she'd introduced him to, was off talking to some people playing volleyball, trying to get in on a game, and Thayer took it as an opportunity to hang out with Blake.  "So," he said, watching her, "Was music always in the plan for you then?" he asked, curious about her upbringing.  In his household, music had been such a huge part of his life.  He wondered what her life was like before she had become this icon, and just how much of Blake before had been able to stay the same as Blake now.  

[BLAKE EMMA PARKER]

Blake had spent a good chunk of her time on the beach already trying to build a sandcastle with Dylan, and then ultimately burying him in the sand. She kissed his cheek, taking a picture of it before sending it to their mothers. They’d been able to get something to eat at the stand near the parking lot, sneak in a few beverages and enjoy the water for a bit before she had ultimately settled onto her towel. She took her phone out, changing the playlist to All Time Low before she set her phone down on the towel beside the wireless little speaker system and placed her sunglasses back on. Blake smiled as she looked over at Thayer, clearly volleyball wasn’t his thing. “ Yes and no,” she said, offering a quick smile before she looked into her bag to get out a couple of magazines, stretching her legs out as much as she could. “ Vocally I’m nothing compared to Dylan. He’s always been the more talented one in the family,” she said admiringly. Blake brought her hands up to her hair and tightened it. “ Before Dani, my youngest cousin was born, it was just the boys and then me. So naturally, I garnered a little more attention.” she said, “ Well.. I may have demanded it. But we would put together these little skits and shows.” Blake said, dropping her hands over her stomach. “ But I’m only nineteen. So.. it may not even be in the plan for me as I get older anyway. I wanted to be a wizard, but my acceptance letter from Hogwarts never came. So I improvised on how to get my own magical life,” she said playfully. “ I think when I was younger I just… wanted to be happy. Whatever that meant. And right now, that means being something that other girls can relate to. In the future, it might be a baker. Or a childrens book author. I don’t know… “ she said, narrowing her eyebrows a bit. ‘ Is that pathetic?’ she questioned while laughing under her breath. “ Okay Mr.Monroe, what about you? Was music always in your plans?”

Outfit

[THAYER JUDE MONROE]

Thayer laughed out loud,  laying back and closed his eyes in the bright sun, "Isn't that what every kid ever wanted, an acceptance letter to Hogwarts?" Thayer moved his hands behind his head, letting the warmth wash over his bare skin, listening to Blake talk about her life.  "I don't think it's pathetic, I think it's normal for people to want different things at different points in their lives.  Right now I just want to finish my degree and start my career.  I want to accomplish every music dream I've ever had," he laughed, "but at some point down the road I know things will change.  i'll have accomplished those things and other things will seem more important.  Like starting a family, that's important," he added.  It was true.  He didn't want to become so consumed in the m=business that he forgot to have things like a wife and children.  he had had a wonderful child hood, one that was fun and carefree, in a town that was laid back, a place where someone could really dream about wonderful things.  "I just think that sometimes plans change, depending on what's important to you at the time.  But music has always been in my plan.  I could hum a melody before I could talk.  Berklee was always the plan.  As if helping to perfect someone else's musical vision could somehow make some difference, that's what I've always been drawn too.  Music is like... I don't know, to me it's always been as easy as breathing, you know?"  

[BLAKE EMMA PARKER]

Blake smiled as she sat up on her elbows, looking over at him to listen as he talked about what his own goals were, and eventually would probably be like. “ You’re set to graduate this semester?” she questioned curiously. It seemed like whenever he was ready to take on the world it would happen.She wondered, as she watched him, if he ever made his own music. But that being said, if he did it was probably a very personal thing. He wasn’t out trying to push demos or anything, so if he wanted to make it into that side of the business, he wasn’t doing a very good job of promoting himself. Except that wasn’t what he wanted. She weighed her options, debating if she should ask if he did, but then that gave him freedom to ask about insights into her own life. “ Do you want some ice cream? My treat,” she said, standing up. She left her phone at her feet, trying to catch Dylan’s eye so that she could gesture to him that they would be right back. Blake turned back, watching Thayer as he stood. He really did have a nice body; Jessica hadn’t been lying about that. “ Or is ice cream not in your diet, cause you seem…” she said, trying to think of a word that wouldn’t make him a piece of meat as she lingered her eyes over his stomach and arms before looking back into his eyes. “ Fit.” she settled on before digging through her purse to take out her wallet. When she straightened up, she offered him her water bottle full of wine so that he could have a drink if she wanted. Maybe she could get a cone with two scoops so that she could share with Dylan since she didn’t feel like carrying two back. “ So you’re not originally from here… your girlfriend back in Michigan, she’s okay with you coming out here, being at the beach with me… What’s she like?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye, always eager for a love story. When they approached the stand, Blake asked for a cone with both strawberry and chocolate on it before looking over at Thayer.