HAVENWOOD FALLS — Today’s spotlight is on another senior at Havenwood Falls High, Nikki Morris. Morris plays a significant role in the book The Fall by Kristen Yard, although we presume it’s a fictitious role, as that is the agreement between the authors of these books and the Court of the Sun and the Moon.
Tell us about yourself – e.g., who are you, what do you do for work, favorite subject in school, what do you do for fun?
It’s Nikki, b$%#&! (My best friends, Serena Alverson and Logan Andrews, say that only works for Britney Spears, but whatevs). I work part-time waiting tables at the Fallview Tavern & Grill, owned by Serena’s family. It’s about as glamorous as it sounds, but I like working Friday or Saturday nights because drunk old people are amusing and tip well. My favorite subject at school used to be pretty much all of them, until recently. I am really smart, but something happened a few months back that sort of made me question why grades (or any of it) even matter. Let’s just say my shot at Valedictorian is loooong gone. During my free time, I hang out with my smexy man, Max Cooper, Serena, and Logan—when he isn’t being a tool. He’s had a stick up his butt lately, but I guess that’s not really what you asked. So…
What is something unexpected that most people don’t know about you?
I’m an Irish Dancer dropout. Well, more like I was kicked out. It was a dark day in the Nikki files. I don’t like to talk about it, but Serena loves to. *eye roll*
What do you love about living in Havenwood Falls? What frustrates you most?
I used to love all the festivals, and how close-knit everyone in town is. Especially when bad things happen and we all pull together to fix them, like when the library burned down, and we all raised money to build and furnish a new one. But now? I am questioning everything and just want to leave. I’m sick of watching how I act and what I say. I’m sick of the spies. The town asks an awful lot of my family. I can’t really say much more than that, just… Havenwood Falls isn’t as perfect as everyone wants you to think—even postcards of pretty places can give papercuts. And OMG the mountain reception is utter crap.
Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
Seattle. No matter what my mom says, that’s my plan. I want to move there, start over and get my indie label off the ground. Serena and I have a GTFO pact, no matter what her aunt or my parents try.
Where’s your favorite place to hang out in Havenwood Falls and why?
Well, free food at Fallview Tavern is killer because Simon is an amazing cook. He’s also not too hard on the eyes… Callie’s Consignments and Coffee Haven are me and Serena’s addictions, and sitting outside the police station is fun because the Kasun boys are strapping lads…
What’s your favorite holiday/festival/special thing to do?
The carnivals were always fun… until that one time they booted me from my Fortune Telling booth because my fortunes were “inappropriate” and “inaccurate”. This summer I was digging the free music in Town Square on Thursdays. My boyfriend’s band plays most weeks, so that’s cool. People up here are basically on the lookout for distractions until they keel over. Reasons why I’m getting out while the getting’s good.
Well, she’s an interesting one, to say the least. Our investigative reporter is looking into Morris’s claims of the town’s demands on her family. In the meantime, you can meet and ask questions of the book’s author, Kristen Yard, this Thursday at the Havenwood Falls Book Club meeting. She’ll be streaming live for a Q&A session beginning at 4 pm MT (6 pm ET).