Challenge 15: New Year's
Resolutions
Fandom: Stumptown
Words: 670 (not including quote from article)
Note: Slight spoiler for recent episodes
"Here's something," Grey announced as he peered at his phone. "The New Year is slowly nearing, and with the holiday season already upon us many people are indulging in retrospection and reevaluating some of their life choices. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity for all those who have failed to start making the changes that they said they would make next week, next month, or perhaps when winter starts."
"Bleacccchhhhhhhh." Dax slouched back in the booth and took a swig of beer. "New Year's resolutions are bullshit."
[Spoiler (click to open)]"C'mon, just hear me out. After all the stuff that went down with Liz--" He put up his hand in response to Dax's glare. "I know, I know, I said it was done, but still. You gotta admit that whole situation didn't shine the best light on either of our 'life choices.' Why not take this opportunity to make ourselves a little better, a little healthier, a little more stable...maybe make us less susceptible to getting, oh, screwed over by people."
Dax grimaced. "Right, Mr. Rogers. Hey, I'm all in for us not getting so screwed over by people. But wouldn't it be easier to just accept that as our fate, rather than pretend that a buncha push ups or gratitude journals will make it any different?"
"Shut up. We're doing this. I'm sending you the link, so I'll pour a couple shots and we'll each choose let's say five things from this list that we promise to work on." He levered himself up and headed to the bar as Dax's phone buzzed. When he came back with shot glasses and a bottle, and Ansel following behind holding a soda, Dax was squinting at her screen. Still reading, she reached for the shot he poured, downed it, huffed a breath and announced, "Okay, I've got mine."
Grey poured her another and handed his phone to Ansel, who perused it eagerly. "Go on then, let's hear."
Dax cleared her throat, and intoned:
"5. Meet new people.
6. Become more active.
7. Become more confident and take some chances.
36. Turn your hobby into a career.
42. Learn how to defend yourself."
"There you go." She set her phone face down on the table and slapped it. "Those are my resolutions."
Ansel and Gray, who had been making noises throughout, now outright jeered. "C'mon, that's not fair," protested Ansel. "Yeah man, that's cheating, picking stuff you're already good at."
Dax waved her finger. "No, no. You said, we could each choose." She clasped her hands over her head. "Five for five. Now, you go."
Gray took the phone from Ansel. "Okay then, here's me: 5. Meet new people. 7. Become more confident and take some chances."
"Quit copying me," grumbled Dax.
"8. Earn more money. 20. Spend more time with the people that matter." At that, he nodded to each of them and exchanged a high-five with Ansel. He looked back at the phone and fell silent.
"What, stuck finding something else that you've already done?" Dax leaned forward, eyes bright.
"Naw, it...just made me think. Okay, here's my last one. 27. Learn to let go of grudges and avoid moping." He took a breath, handed the phone to Ansel and poured another shot. Dax raised her eyebrows and quirked a grin.
"Okay, here's mine," announced Ansel, scrolling.
"Aw bud, you don't need to do this, you're perfect already." Dax nudged him a little under the table.
"Ow! I know I am. But I can always do better. Now listen:
4. Improve your concentration and mental skills.
7. Become more confident and take some chances.
16. Find a significant other.
17. Have better sex.
33. Reinvent yourself."
He looked up proudly to see Grey and Dax staring open-mouthed. Grey recovered first and slapped him on the shoulder. "Right on, brother. You do it, all of it. Behind you all the way." Dax continued to stare. "Uh, I mean, buddy, I didn't know...I mean..."
Ansel stuck out his tongue at her. "C'mon Dax, don't freak out just because you're my sister. Why shouldn't I also have better sex?" He started to giggle and kicked her under the table.
Gathering herself, Dax raised her glass. "So, well then, hear hear! I mean, I don't want to hear, but yeah, cheers to you. Here's to a rockin' 2020. And no more getting screwed over by people." She considered. "Unless we really want to!" They all clinked, laughing.
Fandom: Stumptown
Words: 670 (not including quote from article)
Note: Slight spoiler for recent episodes
"Here's something," Grey announced as he peered at his phone. "The New Year is slowly nearing, and with the holiday season already upon us many people are indulging in retrospection and reevaluating some of their life choices. New Year’s resolutions are the perfect opportunity for all those who have failed to start making the changes that they said they would make next week, next month, or perhaps when winter starts."
"Bleacccchhhhhhhh." Dax slouched back in the booth and took a swig of beer. "New Year's resolutions are bullshit."
[Spoiler (click to open)]"C'mon, just hear me out. After all the stuff that went down with Liz--" He put up his hand in response to Dax's glare. "I know, I know, I said it was done, but still. You gotta admit that whole situation didn't shine the best light on either of our 'life choices.' Why not take this opportunity to make ourselves a little better, a little healthier, a little more stable...maybe make us less susceptible to getting, oh, screwed over by people."
Dax grimaced. "Right, Mr. Rogers. Hey, I'm all in for us not getting so screwed over by people. But wouldn't it be easier to just accept that as our fate, rather than pretend that a buncha push ups or gratitude journals will make it any different?"
"Shut up. We're doing this. I'm sending you the link, so I'll pour a couple shots and we'll each choose let's say five things from this list that we promise to work on." He levered himself up and headed to the bar as Dax's phone buzzed. When he came back with shot glasses and a bottle, and Ansel following behind holding a soda, Dax was squinting at her screen. Still reading, she reached for the shot he poured, downed it, huffed a breath and announced, "Okay, I've got mine."
Grey poured her another and handed his phone to Ansel, who perused it eagerly. "Go on then, let's hear."
Dax cleared her throat, and intoned:
"5. Meet new people.
6. Become more active.
7. Become more confident and take some chances.
36. Turn your hobby into a career.
42. Learn how to defend yourself."
"There you go." She set her phone face down on the table and slapped it. "Those are my resolutions."
Ansel and Gray, who had been making noises throughout, now outright jeered. "C'mon, that's not fair," protested Ansel. "Yeah man, that's cheating, picking stuff you're already good at."
Dax waved her finger. "No, no. You said, we could each choose." She clasped her hands over her head. "Five for five. Now, you go."
Gray took the phone from Ansel. "Okay then, here's me: 5. Meet new people. 7. Become more confident and take some chances."
"Quit copying me," grumbled Dax.
"8. Earn more money. 20. Spend more time with the people that matter." At that, he nodded to each of them and exchanged a high-five with Ansel. He looked back at the phone and fell silent.
"What, stuck finding something else that you've already done?" Dax leaned forward, eyes bright.
"Naw, it...just made me think. Okay, here's my last one. 27. Learn to let go of grudges and avoid moping." He took a breath, handed the phone to Ansel and poured another shot. Dax raised her eyebrows and quirked a grin.
"Okay, here's mine," announced Ansel, scrolling.
"Aw bud, you don't need to do this, you're perfect already." Dax nudged him a little under the table.
"Ow! I know I am. But I can always do better. Now listen:
4. Improve your concentration and mental skills.
7. Become more confident and take some chances.
16. Find a significant other.
17. Have better sex.
33. Reinvent yourself."
He looked up proudly to see Grey and Dax staring open-mouthed. Grey recovered first and slapped him on the shoulder. "Right on, brother. You do it, all of it. Behind you all the way." Dax continued to stare. "Uh, I mean, buddy, I didn't know...I mean..."
Ansel stuck out his tongue at her. "C'mon Dax, don't freak out just because you're my sister. Why shouldn't I also have better sex?" He started to giggle and kicked her under the table.
Gathering herself, Dax raised her glass. "So, well then, hear hear! I mean, I don't want to hear, but yeah, cheers to you. Here's to a rockin' 2020. And no more getting screwed over by people." She considered. "Unless we really want to!" They all clinked, laughing.