The beat was unmistakable, and she loved it. Not many pieces of music could hold her attention the way this one did. She had fallen in love with it after hearing it in a movie, and ever since then, she blasted it as loud as possible whenever possible. As it was, she was tapping her foot in time with the unforgettable beat. Her lips mouthing the words to the song that only she was privy to. Her headphones provided a concert for only one, and in doing so, placed her in her own little world. Perfect. She liked it this way. It was the same effect that curling up in the corner of the local book store with a bottle of water and a copy of something that had captured her attention gave. Between the pages, she could be anyone anywhere, and again, she liked it that way.
She was on her way to The Ranch in search of someone. This search has just recently started. Her time in this town had also recently started. This new town was still so new, and yet she had found a few places she fit in. There was a local burger place that was divine. The older man behind the grill truly had a talent, and his work with burgers could have hung in a museum if such a thing was possible. Of course, the local book store was truly a find as well. She had been surprised to find such a place here, and instantly she had fallen in love with it. Her mother had fostered a love of books, and she knew they provided a wealth of knowledge as well as a means of escaping a world that sometimes one can feel trapped inside of. She never knew her father. So in some tales, she could live vicariously through the characters who did know their father. The reunions, the happy moments, all the milestones they were lucky enough to enjoy were things she could only dream about, and dream about them often she did. The town had a huge fountain in the center square as well. It was a great place to simply sit and watch the people in town bustle about their daily lives. When the book didn't quite hold her attention, she often found her gaze wandering from face to face. It was away to get to know people, as the people would chat away without care as if she wasn't even there. It didn't bother her. She liked being invisible, and it allowed her to learn a few things about certain people and the town. It's where she heard about The Ranch from. Apparently, the place was a place of legend from the stories she heard. If one wanted to party and be seen it was the place to go. It was almost as if it were a status symbol to be there. She didn't give it a second thought until her visit with Madame Gabriella.
She knew people like Madame Gabriella were sometimes scoffed at by some. At one time, she felt the same way as well. It wasn't until an encounter with one led her to a photo in her mother's room. It was well hidden, and she couldn't imagine how the woman knew it was there. It was of her mother and a man. He was a man she could only assume was her father. So from that day on, she took it to heart when a psychic would speak to her. She wanted to purchase an Oujia Board, but her
friend back home, Abby Prescott, had talked her out of it, telling her it would open a door to something she couldn't control, nor did she want. It didn't hurt Abby had threatened to beat her up if she did either.
She had found Madame Gabriella on her first trip into town. Exploring her new surroundings, she had stopped in her tracks when she located the book store. It was like a dream, a dream that only got better when she turned to see the sign in the window across the street. Have your palm read. Know your future. Madame Gabriella Never before had she been so torn about where to go first, but she could not make up her mind which way she wanted to go first that day. It would be the first place she stepped into in this town, and that first day Madame knew so much about her already. While others may laugh at the fact that she believes her, Paige continued to go and pay for her words of wisdom. It didn't matter to her what other people thought. It never had. She had told her today that her life was about to change. She then simply told her to look for Lucas. Lucas. Paige had no idea how Lucas was, but she had to try and find him. Knowing that The Ranch was the place to be seen, she was also hoping it was the place to be found, and Lucas would be among the guests. Still getting there proved to be a difficult task. Having a car wasn't the issue. Finding the place, on the other hand, was. She assumed that GPS might not take her there. Frankly, she didn't want to try and find the place. So she resolved that finding another way to get there was of the utmost importance. A taxi wasn't an option either. If she had wanted to be a bit more ostentatious she could have hired a limo. The thought actually did cross her mind, drawing an audible giggle when it did, one that would actually get her called out in class by a professor who didn't find her outburst the least bit funny. It was in that very class that the idea came to her. It was genius in fact. Another student was going to be there at that party, or so she had heard. Taking that into consideration, she had approached her and offered her cash for a lift to the party. Paige lived the philosophy of doing what one had to do to get what one wanted, and she wanted this.
So here she was now, winging her way towards The Ranch. It's beautiful how the world looks laid out beneath you when you're soaring in an airplane of any kind. It was a sight she adored but rarely got to enjoy. Her mother was the jet setter, flying off whenever her job required it. Paige was simply a spectator. Tonight was different. Tonight was her night, and she couldn't wait to finally arrive at the Ranch.
Once they touched down, she took her headphones out, wrapped them around her IPOD, and shoved them in the pocket of her jean shorts. Standing she wondered for the first time if she was dressed appropriately. Jean short, simple pink vee neck tees shirt, and tennis shoes. She had no idea what, or even if there was a dress code for attending. As she left the plane, she simply gave (
@CasualVelociraptor ) the girl a nod. "You'll get the rest when we leave," she told her, handing her an envelope. "That's the deal we agreed on, and I am a lady of my word.$1000 now and another $1000 when we leave. You get upon our arrival back home. Should I decide to remain here, you will still get your money, as per the fact you were willing to give me the ride home. I'll let you know if I decide to stay later than you do. I've got your number." There was no need for a handshake or a written contract. Her word was her bond. The exchange may have seemed cold to some, but it was a business deal. There was a time for business, and there was a time for pleasure. That much she was certain of. Still, she didn't want to seem any more frigid than she already had. So she gave her a warm smile. "You're pretty good up there you know. It must be nice to be so in control of something like that. Hopefully, you'll make a career out of it. Flying I mean. I know this woman who is a pilot. She flies the big plans though. Well, she did. Recently survived a crash. She's been cleared of any wrongdoings, but last I heard, she hasn't taken to the skies again. Don't be like that. Don't let anything stop you from doing something you love. Ever." She gave her a firm nod as if punctuating her point further, before turning and leaving, setting out on her search.
The scene was something straight out of a film. She couldn't help but giggle at all the outlandish things happening around. There was so much drinking. Drinking wasn't she had an aversion to. She admitted to having a drink, or an entire bottle when the mood suited her. This was high school, college style drinking. There was no comfortable place to curl up and sip from a champagne glass. There was no classical music playing. Quite the opposite actually, she took note of. There were drinking games, sex, naked people in swimming pools, drugs, oh my the drugs that surrounded her were the things of legend, of an addict's erotic dream, pulling them in and making them become lost in a drug induced haze that swept them away. She smiled. Drugs were something she had only flirted with briefly. It was something she had to explore. Life was all about lessons and experiences. She felt one who had the most of both was well educated and would do well in the world. The only thing missing was a blonde licking salt off the back of her hand. Just as the thought ran through her mind she paused and sighed. "There we go," she mumbled. "The scene is complete." There were even bikers here, actual bikers. These were not some knock off, poor imitations of Sons Of Anarchy. They appeared to be the real deal. Of course, only speaking with one would be the only way she could decide that for sure, and she was sure that would not happen. "Then again," she mumbled once again as one walked past. "One never, eeeevvvver knows."She couldn't forget about looking for Lucas. He might be here. He might not. It was a chance she was taking by coming here. 'Still, it couldn't hurt to be here,' she thought. She continued to meander around, taking in everything. The music wasn't that bad. The people all seemed too 'too'. They were too good looking, too rich, too high, too drunk, too well dressed, too not dressed, and too....curious. She couldn't help but stop, smile, and actually laugh a bit at the sight of the pilot and the biker. "Sounds like a title of a book," she mused. "To each his or her own girl. Get it while and where you can." She turned to the lady at the bar, smiled, and said, "Can you hand me a beer? I don't care what kind. Just make sure it's full." Turning back, beer in hand, smelling, tasting like the liquid nectar she so desired and needed right now, she once again took in the scene. The scene provided a buffet for the senses, and she was starving. ." The only question," she whispered softly, "What am I in the mood for?"