Who: Maria DeLuca and Caroline Forbes What: Meeting for lunch When: March 28th Where: Local restaurant Rating/Warnings: G/None Status: Complete
Maria was so excited to see Caroline Forbes again. The two of them had become friends while she was in New York because Caroline had booked the band she was in for a handful of events. It was nice to make a friend like Caroline because the two of them had really meshed together personality-wise and Maria had enjoyed that Caroline seemed to know some hidden treasures in New York. It had been a shock to know that Caroline had also come from Orange County to New York, but that and the fact that their mothers both needed them at this moment made Maria know that their friendship was important.
She made her way to the cafe that they decided to meet at and let the waitress bring her back to the table that was reserved for them. It wasn’t anything fancy, but Maria had enjoyed this place when she was back in town to visit her mom. She ordered herself a water as she waited for Caroline to get there.
Moving back to Orange County hadn’t been as difficult as Caroline thought it would be. Yes she loved her life there, but after breaking up with her college boyfriend she felt a little lonely. Yes she had friends there and her career, but she missed her mom and her childhood friends as well. When her mom got sick Caroline knew it was time to come to the home she grew up in.
It turned out one of her New York friends was in a similar situation. Not only had Maria also grown up in Orange County, but she also had to return to help with her mother. Caroline hadn’t seen Maria since they were back in New York and was eager to catch up with her friend. She arrived at the agreed upon cafe spotting Maria already there.
“Hey,” Caroline said with a smile on her face as she walked over to her friend. “How are you? How is it being back?”
“Hi!” Maria got up and moved from her spot to give Caroline a hug. It was so nice to catch up with people again, especially someone that could relate to the mother issue, “And I’m good. It’s really weird actually. It’s nice to see some of my older friends, but being back here where I can see the sky and not have to jump on the subway is strange.”
She moved to sit back down at the table as she spoke and then grabbed her water glass for a sip, “What about you? Is your mom doing alright? Mine seems to be in high spirits, but I have a slew of appointments set up for her now that I’m back.”
Caroline of course returned the hug before sitting down. “I totally get it,” she replied. “It’s like some things are exactly the same as when I left but then also like so much has changed.” Seven years had passed after all.
“My mom’s in good spirits too,” Caroline replied trying to stay optimistic. “Her health isn’t as bad as I was expecting.” But she knew it was cancer and could possibly get worse. Hopefully though it would just continue to improve. “No wandering off?”
“Exactly, it’s also kind of sad to see some of my favorite places have gone out of business from when I was in high school, but now I can discover new things,” Maria remarked with a small chuckle. That was the only bonus was figuring out what kind of quirky things she could find now. New York was great for finding the most obscure or newest fad.
“That’s good! Fingers crossed that things just keep going well for her. I can definitely get some stuff for my mom’s store if you want some crystals or anything,” Maria had never left behind believing in the New Age science that her mom brought her up in. Even if it didn’t work it could make someone mentally feel better, “And not lately. I’m hoping it doesn’t happen again before we get some medical answers.” Dragging Mimi DeLuca to a doctor was the toughest part of this.
“I know!” Caroline agreed. “Who would have thought seven years could run out so many businesses?” But then there was always something new opening up in Orange County so it really shouldn’t surprise her. New York was the same way times like ten. “I am going to miss the pizza though. And the bagels.” But the second she came back Caroline knew this was home.
“That’d be great,” Caroline said with a large smile. New Age had never really been her thing but she was willing to try anything at this point. “I hope so too.” Caroline couldn’t even imagine what that fear was like. Her mother wandering off and not knowing where she was. It sounded horrific. “You staying with her?”
“I’m not going to complain about all the awesome asian restaurants that went up though. I definitely need some hot pot and KBBQ in my life,” Maria chuckled as the waitress came by to grab Caroline’s drink order, “And yeah, New York had such good desserts too. Ugh, now I’m regretting this decision.” Maria let out a soft sigh.
“Of course, nothing can make things worse at this point,” Maria smiled and mentally made a note to grab some crystals and stuff for her from the store later today, “Yeah, I’m crashing at her place for now. It’s big enough for the two of us, but I may have to go get my own apartment if I ever want to bring someone home. What about you?” She didn’t really have prospects on that horizon right now, but it was something to consider for the long run.
“We might have to take a food tour one day,” Caroline joked though she did kind of mean it. She’d totally be up for trying all the new places with Maria. “Any of your childhood friends still around?” There were a few for Caroline which made coming back easier.
“If you ever want to bring someone home?” Caroline replied with a smirk. “I feel like that should be a when.” Caroline got it though she was in the same boat. “Yeah I’m staying with my mom too.” She wasn’t even thinking about getting a place of her own at the moment. “But luckily I still remember how to sneak boys in from high school.”
“I’m down. And actually, a lot of people are still here, surprisingly. My best friend, Liz, moved back a bit ago and apparently my friend Isobel and her brother, Max, are also here. It’s kind of nice to be able to see people a little easier now. You got any friends still here?” Maria was thrilled to come back to some old friends and she didn’t have to start from scratch with her friends.
“Ha!” Maria let out a loud laugh at that comment and grinned, “Wow, girl, calling me out. And it might be a when, but that’s why you find someone who has their own place. And I definitely didn’t have those kind of skills in high school, but I’m sure I can be creative.” That was definitely something to think about and she chuckled to herself as she glanced at the menu when the waitress came over to take their order.
“Yeah. My childhood best friend and her sister and brother are still here. It definitely helps.” Not that Caroline ever really had a problem meeting people or making new friends. She was a social butterfly by nature.
“Luckily we aren’t in high school any more and most guys worth hooking up with either of us should definitely have their own place,” Caroline replied with a laugh of her own. It was nice to joke around with a friend from her other life. The one she had back in New York and not solely focus on her mother.
“Oh that’s awesome. Yeah, it’s nice to rekindle some of those old friendships again. I honestly can’t believe I’ve been out of high school for a decade. The thought of it makes me want to weep,” Maria enjoyed being slightly over dramatic about it, but it was also kind of nice to be an adult and not have to worry about homework and tests anymore.
“Or girls, I don’t discriminate on that, but I will discriminate on their housing. If they don’t own any books then I’m not spending the night,” Maria pointed out to Caroline with a grin. Maria had let New York be a new beginning for herself all those years ago and discovered more about herself in the process. Star signs were more important than gender to Maria.
“Speak for yourself,” Caroline replied grinning. “It’s only been seven years for me.” But even saying that made her feel old. High school both felt like it was a lifetime ago and also like it was yesterday. But still she was a completely different person than the girl she was back in high school.
Caroline wasn’t at all judgemental of who Maria slept with. But when it came to herself she was only into men so it was natural for her to speak that way. Still she felt a little bad that she hadn’t included Maria’s preferences in her previous statement. “You’re right. I mean if they are in the same situation as we are then they deserve a little discrimination. No books is a definite deal breaker though.”
"Enjoy your youth while it lasts," Maria teased with an easy smile. She definitely didn't feel like she was in her late twenties and she was honestly looking forward to turning thirty.
It wasn't a big deal, habits were hard to break especially when they weren't your own. Maria was very casual about announcing her sexuality; not everyone needed to know unless the situation called for it. "Exactly. A disgusting house does not warrant subsequent hook ups, I don't care how hot they are. And so glad you agree with me, I feel like it is a simple rule to follow."
“A hot guy,” Caroline paused, “or girl,” she added for Maria’s benefit. “Is great and all, but if they don’t have brains? They aren’t worth a second night.” Caroline wasn’t above one night stands. Hell she had her fair share after Jesse. But she also wouldn’t mind being in a relationship again.. Eventually. Her life was too crazy right now for that.
The waiter came by, Caroline ordered a BLT and some iced tea before turning her attention back to Maria. And on the subject of relationships. “Is there anyone you wish was still here?”
"Agreed. I dated enough Chads in my lifetimes to not want to deal with someone that is just looks and no substance," while it had been great in the bedroom it didn't leave her with any other substance. Same went for some of the models she saw, but there wasn't a fun name for them.
Maria ordered a turkey club sandwich and a lemonade. The question from Caroline made her wrinkle her nose as she shook her head, "Not at all. I kept in touch with basically everyone that mattered to me. You?"
Caroline shrugged her shoulders. “Would it be totally cliche if I was hoping to see my high school boyfriend?” But she knew he wasn’t around. They broke up because they were going to separate schools. She knew that like herself he had stayed gone as well.
“It’s weird. Being back home just brings up all those memories, you know?” Caroline had been the popular girl in high school, cheerleading captain and homecoming queen. But she hadn’t exactly peaked in high school, her life in New York had been pretty amazing too. It was a different kind of amazing. Full of friends and an incredible career. But still being home reminded her of that other version of herself.
"It is 100% cliche, but I understand that feeling. It's equal parts hoping their life is a mess, wanting to show how awesome you are, and weird unresolved sexual tension," Maria pointed out with a chuckle. Isn't that why people went to high school reunions?
Maria gave an understanding nod, "it does. But nothing wrong with memories. Just don't be that person who tries to turn into the old version of themselves." Those peaked in high school people that tried to stay relevant with new high schoolers were a whole weird breed. Maria was not the type to go down that road.
It was kind of that. Mostly the unresolved sexual tension. Caroline didn’t want his life to be horrible. She honestly hoped he was happy and doing well. Just like she was. But being back here it just reminded her of all that history.
“Definitely not,” Caroline agreed. As great as high school had been she was both shallow and insecure back then. In college she had really grown into herself, or at least she thought she had. She rarely felt like she wasn’t enough anymore. “It’s just the nostalgia of being back you know?”
“Yeah, I totally get that. Being around here reminds of all the stupid shit I did as a kid and how much fun it was,” Maria had gotten up to some dumb things when she was younger but she believed in living through the experiences and learning from them. She definitely felt a lot wiser now that she was older, “Thankfully I feel too old to do some of that stuff anymore. I think I might have to swing by my old high school and take a peek at it.” She doubted anything had changed in there, but it would be kind of nice to look at it now that she was so far removed from it.
“I’d totally go with you.” Even if it wasn’t the same high school Caroline had gone to it’d still be fun. She didn’t think Maria was the type to have her photos on the walls or any trophies in the case. But still it would be exciting to see where Maria went to school and picture her there. “We should go after lunch!”
“Oh god,” Maria groaned aloud at Caroline’s enthusiasm and then realized Caroline was being serious and Maria’s eyebrows raised, “Oh! You actually want to. Um, sure? I don’t have much else going on except heading back to the shop. Yeah, we can go take a look and see if they let us into the building. They used to have some photos from the musicals up, so you can laugh at me.” It did sound like fun as long as they let them in the building.
Of course Caroline actually wanted to go. That was definitely her scene. “Like I would laugh at that.” Caroline had always wanted to do drama in high school, but her plate was already too full and it interfered with cheerleading. She would just have to live vicariously through Maria’s past. “I can’t wait.”
“Alright, now let’s eat before we head over there,” Maria grinned before spotting the waitress coming over with their meals. It would definitely be a walk down memory lane and it would be fun to go with someone who didn’t know her in high school. She would just have to make Caroline return the favor with a visit to her high school.