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goodnightoilcountry · 11 days

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jo's nhl fic rec list !

hi - welcome to my attempt at being a fic writer again. i have a wip list in the works but first things first: my fic rec list of all the works i've found and adored.

if you don't know yet, you will know soon that i am such a sucker for angst. i hope you find something new to love from the list below !

i will aim to update this weekly with new additions have NEW tagged next to it. additionally, if any fics become archived / deleted i will also tag it as such.

* updated thursday 25 april 2024 *

weekly note: so, i've sadly had to remove summaries of each fic to make way for new fics. i'm going to think of a solution to work around this, but whatever i do, this will still remain the masterlist for my fic recs!

like my selection of fic recs? have a player who's not been featured? let me know and i'll go on a deep dive for you!

ANAHEIM DUCKS

better man (trevor zegras) by @starry-hughes

hard to forget (trevor zegras) by @hockey-fics

something about the sunshine (trevor zegras) by @huggybug word count: 3k

last night in anaheim (trevor zegras) by @itsjusthockey word count: 2.3k

CAROLINA CANES

do i really have to tell you (brady skjei) by @senditcolton

this is how it ends (sebastian aho) by @silverstonesainz-archive

i could love you with my eyes closed (sebastian aho) by @matthewtkachuk

finish line (sebastian aho) by @silverstonesainz-archive

lover boy (seth jarvis) by @sydnikov

being bold (seth jarvis) by @sydnikov

9PM in Vancouver (andrei svechnikov) by @thewintersoldierdisaster

in five (andrei svechnikov) by @sydnikov

NEW - sunkissed: pt 1, pt 2 & pt 3 (andrei svechnikov) by @sydnikov

NEW - all the pretty girls (pyotr kotchetkov) by @unluckyhoneybee

COLORADO AVS

summers back home (nathan mackinnon) by @happer08

crushes with beefcake (nathan mackinnon) by @ohmyeyesmyeyes

i didn't have it in myself to go with grace (nathan mackinnon) by @mattyanonwrites

monday morning (nathan mackinnon) by @matthewtkachuk

colorado (for the first time) (nathan mackinnon) by @withwritersblock

FLORIDA PANTHERS

subtle (matthew tkachuk) by @hockey-hoe-24-7 word count: 3.1k

you say you hate me (matthew tkachuk) by @pucksnsticksnhockeyboys

all for you (4 times you tried to tell Brady you loved him, and one time matty did it for you): pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4 & pt 5 (matthew tkachuk) by @comphersjost

4 times you fake a relationship + 1 time you didn't (matthew tkachuk) by @hockeywhy

4 times you didn;t find the one + 1 time you did (matthew tkachuk) by @hockeywhy

homecoming (matthew tkachuk) by @doc-pickles

NEW JERSEY DEVS

gin, tonic, and tequila shots (jack hughes) by @hockey-fics

stay the night (jack hughes) by @eyesthatroll

everybody wants you, but i don't like a gold rush (jack hughes) by @sunkissed-zegras

invisible string (luke hughes) by @hugshughes

tidal wave (luke hughes) by @babydollmarauders

drops of jupiter: pt 1 & pt 2 (jack hughes) by @youunravelme

breakable heaven series: pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4 & pt 5 (jack hughes) by @chewingcyanide

hey, i can be your boyfriend (nico hischier) by @theemporium

second best (jack hughes) by @chewingcyanideA

my heart's racing, and it isn't the exercise (luke hughes) by @sunnyskiesscareme

head start (jack hughes) by @youunravelme

first rule of fight club (jack hughes) by @thatintrovertedwriter

valentines (nico hischier) by @hischierdevils

reaching out (jack hughes) by @bedsyandco

clumsy (jack hughes) by @babydollmarauders

a walk down memory lane (jack hughes) by @letsgetrowdy43

lover of mine (nico hischier) by @ohmyeyesmyeyes

you're not the one (nico hischier) by @ladylooch

moth to a flame (jack hughes & trevor zegras) by @itsjusthockey

when the party's finally over: pt 1 & pt2 (jack hughes) by @itsjusthockey

NEW - off limits: pt 1 & pt 2 (nico hischier) by @hischierhoney

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

five times everyone knew mat loved you & the one time mat realized himself (mathew barzal) by @idontgiveaflyinggrayson69

bad luck charm (mathew barzal) by @matwith1t

show you (mathew barzal) by @islesnucks

to all the girls you've loved before: pt 1, pt 2, pt 3, pt 4, pt 5, pt 6 (mathew barzal) by @youunravelme

the word wing-woman (mathew barzal) by @youunravelme

this is how you fall in love (mathew barzal) by @youunravelme

it's nice to have a friend (mathew barzal) by @youunravelme

we've come so far baby (mathew barzal) by @mendeshoney

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

cause i'm not ready (auston matthews) by @misshoneyimhome

3 times people asked you if you an auston were together + 1 time you finally are? (auston matthews) by @bedsyandco

we're parents? like actually parents? (auston matthews) by @austonwithan-o

moth to a flame (auston matthews ft mitch marner) by @marnerparty

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

lucky (quinn hughes) by @43-hugs

4 times everyone else caught on before the 1 time you and quinn finally did (quinn hughes) by @mrsensitive

5 times Quinn wanted to kiss you + 1 time he finally did (quinn hughes) by @bedsyandco

friend's don't (quinn highes) by @hischierdevils

third time's the charm (quinn hughes) by @thatintrovertedwriter

fearless (quinn hughes) by @theemporium

plus one (quinn hughes) by @bagopucks

growing up is (quinn hughes) by @adoristsposts

NEW - home (brock boeser) by @bedsyandco

NEW - nothing but love (quinn hughes) by @starry-hughes

NEW - can i be close to you? (quinn hughes) by @43-hugs

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lazy-drawn · 2 months

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Share With Me

Jonathan Kent x Damian Wayne | Fanfic + Audio

One-shot audio fanfic with a classic true trope. (˵¯͒〰¯͒˵) Sharing one bed, enjoy! And let’s give @the-barista-district a great deal of thanks for it. ( ๑‾̀◡‾́)σ"

Pt.1/3

Pt.2/3

Pt.3/3

They had been working a case in…what country did they end up in? Jon couldn’t remember but it had them running all over most of Europe and Damian could speak whatever language the person at the front desk spoke so what he care where they ended up? Jon had booked this hotel online which was in English and he just wanted to sleep so he picked on of the first things he saw that had high enough ratings. They had everything taken care of and would fly home on an afternoon flight back to America, so Jon was looking forward to sleeping in. Problem was, in his delirium, he misunderstood the booking he made and now the Super Sons had ended up in the very last room in this hotel in the dead of night in who knows where with...one bed.

#damian wayne #damian al ghul #robin #dc comics #fanfic #jonathan kent #superboy #audio fanfiction #ao3fic #ao3 link #jon kent x damian wayne #jondami #damijon #jonathan samuel kent #jon kent #tiktok

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lotuslolitasblog · 9 months

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Coffee Pt. 2

For TD Rarepair Week.

Prompt: Double Date

Ships: Shawn x Amy (main ship) & Jo x Brick

Words: 1283

Disclaimer: High School AU + slight references to other fics I wrote on AO3. You can check them out, but it’s definitely not necessary. @totaldramararepairweek2023

For Amy, getting coffee always meant a recipe for disaster. After a fateful exam day, she had decided to steer clear from it to not cause any more wardrobe problems.

This was not a normal day, however, since Shawn and Amy were going on a - sort-of - date.

The local coffee place - Pahkitew Flavors [1] - had a lot to offer. It was more of a diner actually, but Shawn and Amy often went there for their amazing coffee. It became some sort of tradition. It also helped that Sammy worked there and was always willing to give them something extra at a family rate.

Sammy brought them their respective coffee orders: a skinny latte for Amy [2] - she made it her mission to always order something else - and just a plain black coffee for Shawn. “The waffles are coming right up! After that I’m going on break.”

Sammy having walked away, Shawn turned back to Amy. “So, what do people do on dates?” That was… weirdly upfront. Then again, Amy - obviously - had a lot more experience in the matter. She wouldn’t be surprised if Shawn only ever kissed the tender crook of his elbow. [3] “Well, usually, we talk about ourselves and get to know each other, but since we know each other, let’s skip that stuff. We can just talk about whatever comes to our mind.”

“Have you heard that Zombiebusters is getting adapted into a TV show?” “What? No way! They’re so going to ruin it,” Amy scoffed. “Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. At worst we get to make fun of it!” “You make a strong point.”

Sammy came back with the pancakes and then went back to change out of her work uniform. Meanwhile, Amy and Shawn were discussing who they would cast as the leads in the Zombiebusters TV series. “Timithy Chamalamadingdong? Hell, no. Anyone but him.” “He’s hot enough to draw a thousand fans in.” “His acting style doesn’t fit Alex at all!” “It would definitely fit for the earlier books.” “Nuh uh.” “Do you at least think Nichelle Ladonna should play Grace?” “Duh. She’s amazing. Her stunts are incredible!”

“And for Maja?” “Mmmh. I don’t really know. Not a lot of people could pull it off. She needs to be cold, calculated, good at sports and to have a few screws loose.” “So, like Axel from sci-fi club?” [4] Axel was the newest addition to the sci-fi club. She was a survivalist at heart, with a survival rating - Amy didn’t know people had a survival rate. What could hers be? - of 9,7. She also seemed to believe in the zombie apocalypse. Shawn found her brilliant, but Amy thought there was something seriously wrong with her. “She could fit, oddly enough. I don’t know if she’s the actor type though.”

“Hey!” they heard. Amy’s voice shot up in the direction of the sound. Sammy was walking towards them, uniform in hand. “Did you see someone near the table there?” she asked, pointing to the booth right in front of them. Amy hadn’t remembered seeing anyone there. The booths were pretty much closed off so only the staff and creepy people watchers could see you. Amy wasn’t a creepy people-watcher, but she was curious. She shifted her position to see if anyone was there. No one was sitting at the table. Under the table however…

Jo and her friend Brick - although Amy had some suspicions about that friendship - were hiding under the table. Jo was quite possibly dying of embarrassment, while Brick gestured for her to not tell Sammy. “Nope, no one!” she said.

“Oh, but there are drinks on the table, I should probably take them back to the kitchen,” Sammy replied. “No need, you’re on break! Someone will do that eventually.” Sammy insisted, but eventually, she went out of the diner door without ever approaching the table.

The moment Sammy walked out the door, Amy grabbed her latte & the plate of waffles and she went over to Jo & Brick’s booth. “Hey, where are you going?” Shawn asked. Amy slowed in her tracks, realizing Shawn hadn’t seen the two hiding under the table. “You’ll see.”

Amy entered the booth and put her food on the table. “She’s gone, you can come out now.” Brick and Jo both resurfaced. Jo was holding her face in her hands due to her ever-increasing embarrassment. “Well, cats out of the bag. Why were you guys here?” Amy asked. Jo sinked further into her chair. Brick ended up spilling the beans: “We were on a date…”

Shawn congratulated them and gave Brick a high-five. Amy shared a look with Shawn and grinned. She then turned back to the new couple: “How long have you two been dating?” Jo answered: “He asked me out last Tuesday.” Amy smiled, all smug and mouthed at Shawn to pay up. Shawn grumbled and took out 10 dollars out of his wallet, mumbling “Couldn’t you have done it two days earlier?”

Jo addressed the elephant in the booth: “What are you guys doing?” Amy grinned and replied: “We had a little bet going on about when you would finally ask each other out. I bet on the period between last week and this week. Shawn bet on the two weeks before that.” Brick smiled. “I don’t appreciate you betting on my love life, but if you’re gonna do it, at least milk him for what he’s worth,” Jo said. “Oh but combined with everyone else I get 60 dollars. Everyone was in on it.” “Everyone?” Jo widened her eyes.Shawn nodded.

No one was particularly surprised by Jo and Brick’s attraction to one another - except Lightning who had a lot of trouble understanding that Jo was not a gay male -, but they were all a bit perplexed by the time it took them to admit it. Brick was pretty much the only one to be willing to play peacemaker to Jo’s petty squabbles with Mike, Lightning or… anyone really. Adding onto that, they were basically linked at the hip.

“Does anyone else know?” Shawn asked. “I think Duncan has a feeling, but he’s not really friends with anyone in the group except me so he wouldn’t have told anyone,” Jo said. “Goddamn, you really gotta start hiding it better,” Amy snarked. She really enjoyed hanging out with Sammy’s friend, even if that came with a drop in popularity. Then again, she wasn’t the only cheerleader whose mask was slipping. Dakota was spending an awful amount of time with a gamer named Sam lately.

Jo ended up changing the subject: “I didn’t even know Sammy worked here. Brick, I thought you remembered that sort of stuff.” “Well, Sammy never named the place she worked at. I thought it was a coffee place though. This is a diner!” “Yeah,” Shawn confirmed, “but a diner that makes excellent coffee.” “Ugh, coffee,” Jo grumbled. “I don’t need a drink to stay energized.” “You don’t like coffee? Not even in ice cream,” Amy asked. “Especially not in ice cream. Who thought that was a good flavor idea?”

That conversation turned into a debate about the best ice cream flavor. Amy maintained it was coffee, while Shawn - the traitor - preferred strawberry. Brick liked mango sorbet the most and Jo’s favorite was pistachio [5]. “Pistachio?” Shawn said. “That’s just plain wrong. That’s as good as broccoli cream soup.” Brick nodded. “Et tu, Brick?” Jo gasped. Brick defended his opinion: “You’re plain wrong.” “Judas,” Jo mouthed. “Geez, what happened to having correct opinions? Coffee is the right answer.” “No!” the three others answered in unison. Shawn and Amy’s sort-of date had turned into a full-blown double date. And honestly? It wasn’t that bad.

[1]: AKA Explosive Flavors ;p

[2]: I honestly do not know if you can order that anywhere. I just looked up “basic white girl Starbucks order”

[3]: Why yes, that is a Glee reference.

[4]: Foreshadowing? Possibly.

[5]: They’re all wrong. Raspberry sorbet >>>>

#total drama rarepair week #total drama rarepair week 2023 #jockjockjock #shamy #td shawn #td amy #td jo #td brick #td samey

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biscuitblinkeu · 2 years

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Master list

Rules - MY ARCHIVE IS “roseschaennel” where I will be re-writing my old fanfics posted here , and posting new stories, although I will still post on tumblr at the same time :) Everything I write is not meant to hurt who I write about, this is simply fiction, whatever my mind comes up with. Please be respectful, no delulus allowed, let’s be respectful as fans, thank you.

Anon list: 🐶 - 🥠 - 🐉 - 🇧🇷 - 🍺 - 🤍 - 🚴‍♀️biker - pfp anon - 💜

WIP: Work still in Progress - Paused: Not Working On

Requested Fanfic List

Update List

☆彡PARK CHAEYOUNG

* The Little Mermaid (Masterlist)

* Tragedy (Masterlist) WIP

* Unlawful (Masterlist)

* Ms. Popular - Rewrite

- Part two

* Bon Matin! (Paused)

- Part two

* To be Loved (rq one shot)

☆彡LISA MANOBAN

* “I could be a better boyfriend.” 🎶

* Someone I Can’t Live Without

☆彡JENNIE KIM

* Sometimes It’s Okay To be Selfish (Old)

* Sometimes It’s Okay to be Selfish Rewrite (Masterlist)

* Hold Me Close and Don’t Let Go

* My Favorite Regular

* April Showers Bring May Flowers

* I speak for the trees (pt 1)

☆彡JISOO KIM

* The Best Thing Ever

* Masquerade My Heart

* Tomorrow’s Blessings (Masterlist)

☆彡 PAIRS

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ CHAENNIE

* Something Peculiar (Masterlist)

☆彡 GROUP

* Hoghearts (CS)

#master list #blackpink #fanfic #request rules #blog rules #twice #itzy #blackpink x reader #biscuitblinkeu

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rrasado · 3 years

Note

can we get more filo! Mc?? (Its up to you from what fandom u like and the stuffs), hi ate

Watch me try to figure out which kohai are you dkdnsb

Even More Filipino! TWST MC Headcanons but this time it’s because someone requested it.

Calling mga kababayan! @sourpterodactyl @eggy-melancholy @luvielle @twstanmu @leviskokoro. Tag a fil twster!

Cracks knuckles (in all seriousness im cackling at the fact that I accidentally sniffed out most twst filo fans with these so ai ai)

“I knew it ahas Na literal ahas to” “..huh?” “Oh nothing Jamil jeje-“

But in all seriousness, Fil!Mc would feel most at home at Scarabia

I mean why wouldn’t they, hot climate hecking good food and the damned uniform is a tank top, a. tank. t o p.

Do yall know how stuffy the uniforms are!? The scarabia uniform are godsent in Mc’s eyes, and the s w e a t p a n t s

...The cafeteria, they refuse to call it cafeteria, they’re adamant on calling it canteen until their dying days

“Look I get y’all are going for that Conyo Richie private boarding school aura but canteen is elite™️ I won’t change my mind”

Let’s be real here, they’de actually have a high shot at the ghost bride

“YOU WHAT-“ “I tried singing ;-;” “Trey-senpai that ain’t singing thats just mindless drawling— Yknow what, EY LILIA SENPAI CAN I BORROW YOIR CLUB’S GUITAR-”

Have they maybe considered ✨Harana✨

I’m not even joking I am 101% sure they’d pull Harana for Eliza. The twst boys and the slapped ones are all snickering the moment MC got down on one knee

Ha you utter f o o l s.

The suave charm is on. The sultry love sick voice tone (y’all know what I mean) is evident, they’re actually pulling it off realll well.

Eliza would be stunned, escpecially at such heartfelt display of affection that’s peppered with foreign words here and there.

“P-Princess I don’t think-“ “How romantic! Such a lovely display of love💙!”

Ok but...mistaking Jade’s club for a camping club or sum-

I’m willing to make a fic on that another time but only if y’all want skbsjsbsb

Imagine pulling out folk dances, scratch that imagine pulling out Tinikling.(shush server peeps-)

The twst boys are h o r r i f i e d™️

Ankle snapping 101. And the only ones who can keep up are Floyd and Kalim 🤦‍♀️. Jamil is a close second

Remember the Scary Monsters event? Mc has a whole damned Archive of scary myths.

Probably uses only one of said scary myths and look how the magicam mobsters run. Even the twst boys are horrified of whatever this mananangal or kapre is.

“A half bodied demon-“ “a w h a t-“

Hand to god they probably accidentally go pspspspss™️ at the savanaclaw students due to habit (and maybe because they’re trying to get Lucius’ attention)

But Yknow, they don’t know what’s worse, the fact that they look so awakward or the fact that it actually worked, some of the beastmen with cat blood in their biology actually stepped forward.

Hear me out, Yuuken and FiloMc bonding over their countries’s respective swordsmanship.

Even better, They train together

Two isekaid bishes going batsh*t on some ol practice dummies at ramshackle’s yard, bonus some of the twst boys catch them practicing Kendo and Arnis then BAM- instant fear and respect.

Like “Oh hey cmon let’s check on the only two magic less peeps in our schoo- gREAT SEVEN WHAT DID THE DUMMY DO-“

Even even better, they train with diasomnia, (again, I can make a fic of this if demand calls for it dknsns)

So the takoyaki bastard kinda not so lowkey insulted MC in chapter three by saying “Nor do you have a beautiful voice-“...sir- no BASTARD THE AUDACITY-

So after episode three dies down blah blah blah all things good- MC makes a very innocent offer 🙂

“Ara? You want to sing something in the lounge?” “Yes, it’s a very famous lounge song back in my country and we usually sing it at these types of places ” “What song did you have in mind?” “a little song called ‘My Way’ 😊”

If y’all know then You K n o w™️

Imagine if it actually did activate the curse cause it’s a place with legit magic 🤡

Haha bad luck for Mostro lounge 🕺💃

P.S. sebek is prolly still salty that two magicless people from another world can keep up with him in swordsmanship pfft-

Fil!Twst MC HCs pt 1

Fil!Twst MC HCs pt 2

Istg if y’all come at me for more- i can’t believe y’all actually like these tho sksnsn

-♠️

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland headcanons #twst filipino mc #twst scarabia #twst octavinelle #twst diasomnia #twst yuuken #twst mc #twst headcanons #rras writes

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reachexceedinggrasp · 3 years

Note

Would love to hear about your beefs with Lucas because I have beefs with Lucas

(Sorry it took me three thousand years to answer this, anon.)

They mainly fall under a few headings, with the third being the most serious and the thing that I am genuinely irl furious about at least biannually (and feeling unable to adequately sum up The Problem with it after yelling about it so often is a huge part of why this post has been in my drafts for such a long time):

1. His self-mythologising and the subsequent uncritical repetition of his bullshit in the fandom. Obvious lies like that he had some master plan for 10 films when it’s clear he did not have anything like a plot outline at any point. We all know the thing was written at the seat of various people’s pants, it’s blatantly self-evident that’s the case. There’s also plenty of public record about how the OT was written. Even dumber, more obvious lies, like that Anakin was ‘always the protagonist’ and the entire 6 films were his story from the beginning. This is preposterous and every time someone brings it up (usually with palpable smugness) as fanboys ‘not understanding star wars’ because they don't get that ‘the OT is not Luke's story’... Yeah, I just... I cannot.

Vader wasn’t Anakin Skywalker until ESB, it’s a retcon. It’s a brilliant retcon and it works perfectly, it elevated SW into something timeless and special it otherwise would not have been, but you can tell it wasn’t the original plan and there’s proof it wasn’t the original plan. Let’s not pretend. And Luke is the protagonist. No amount of waffling about such esoteric flights of theory as ‘ring structure’ is going to get away from the rigidly orthodox narrative and the indisputable fact that it is Luke’s hero’s journey. Vader’s redemption isn’t about his character development (he has almost none) and has no basis in any kind of convincing psychological reality for his character, but it doesn’t need to be because it’s part of Luke’s arc, because Vader is entirely a foil in Luke’s story. It’s a coming-of-age myth about confronting and growing beyond the father.

All attempts to de-centre Luke in RotJ just break the OT’s narrative logic. It’s a character-driven story and the character driving is Luke. Trying to read it as Anakin’s victory, the moral culmination of his choices rather than Luke’s and putting all the agency into Anakin’s hands just destroys the trilogy’s coherence and ignores most of its content in favour of appropriating a handful of scenes into an arc existing only in the prequels. The dilemma of RotJ is how Luke will define ethical adulthood after learning and growing through two previous films worth of challenge, education, failure, and triumph; it’s his choice to love his father and throw down his sword which answers the question the entire story has been asking. Vader’s redemption and the restoration of the galaxy are the consequences of that choice which tell us what kind of world we’re in, but the major dramatic conflict was resolved by Luke’s decision not the response to it.

And, just all over, the idea of Lucas as an infallible auteur is inaccurate and annoying to me. Obviously he’s a tremendous creative force and we wouldn’t have sw without him, but he didn’t create it alone or out of whole cloth. The OT was a very collaborative effort and that’s why it’s what it is and the prequels are what they are. Speaking of which.

2. The hubris of the prequels in general and all the damage their many terrible, protected-from-editors choices do to the symbolic fabric of the sw universe. Midicholrians, Yoda fighting with a lightsabre, Obi-wan as Anakin's surrogate father instead of his peer, incoherent and unmotivated character arcs, the laundry list of serious and meaningful continuity errors, the bad storytelling, the bad direction, the bad characterisation, the shallowness of the parallels which undermine the OT’s imagery, the very clumsy and contradictory way the A/P romance was handled, the weird attitude to romance in general, it goeth on. I don’t want to re-litigate the entire PT here and I’m not going to, but they are both bad as films and bad as prequels. The main idea of them, to add Anakin’s pov and create an actual arc for him as well as to flesh out the themes of compassion and redemption, was totally appropriate. The concept works as a narrative unit, there are lots of powerful thematic elements they introduce, they have a lot of cool building blocks, it’s only in execution and detail that they do a bunch of irreparable harm.

But the constant refrain that only ageing fanboys don’t like them and they only don’t like them because of their themes or because they humanise Anakin... can we not. The shoddy film making in the prequels is an objective fact. If you want to overlook the bad parts for the good or prioritise ideas over technique, that’s fine, but don’t sit here and tell me they’re masterworks of cinema there can be no valid reason to criticise. I was the exact right age for them when I saw them, I am fully on board with the fairy tale nature of sw, I am fully on board with humanising Anakin- the prequels just have a lot of very big problems with a) their scripts and b) their direction, especially of dialogue scenes. If Lucas had acknowledged his limitations like he did back in the day instead of believing his own press, he could have again had the help he obviously needed instead of embarrassing himself.

3. Killing and suppressing the original original trilogy. I consider the fact that the actual original films are not currently available in any form, have never been available in an archival format, and have not been presented in acceptable quality since the VHS release a very troubling case study in the problems of corporate-owned art. LF seizing prints of the films whenever they are shown, destroying the in-camera negatives to make the special editions with no plans to restore them, and doing all in the company’s considerable power to suppress the original versions is something I consider an act of cultural vandalism. The OT defined a whole generation of Hollywood. It had a global impact on popular entertainment. ANH is considered so historically significant it was one of the first films added to the US Library of Congress (Lucas refused to provide even them with a print of the theatrical release, so they made their own viewable scan from the 70s copyright submission).

The fact that the films which made that impact cannot be legally accessed by the public is offensive to me. The fact that Lucas has seen fit to dub over or composite out entire performances (deleting certain actors from the films), to dramatically alter the composition of shots chosen by the original directors, to radically change the entire stylistic tone by completely reinventing the films’ colour timing in attempt to make them match the plasticy palate of the prequels, to shoot new scenes for movies he DID NOT DIRECT, add entire sequences or re-edit existing sequences to the point of being unrecognisable etc. etc. is NOT OKAY WITH ME when he insists that his versions be the ONLY ones available.

I’m okay with the Special Editions existing, though I think they’re mostly... not good... but I’m not okay with them replacing the original films. And all people can say is ‘well, they’re his movies’.

Lucas may have clear legal ownership in the capitalistic sense, but in no way does he have clear artistic ownership. Forget the fans, I’m not one of those people who argue the fans are owed something: A film is always a collaborative exercise and almost never can it be said that the end product is the ultimate responsibility and possession of one person. Even the auteur directors aren't the sole creative vision, even a triple threat like Orson Welles still had cinematographers and production designers, etc. Hundreds of artists work on films. Neither a writer nor a director (nor one person who is both) is The Artist behind a film the way a novelist is The Artist behind a novel. And Lucas did NOT write the screenplays for or direct ESB or RotJ. So in what sense does he have a moral right to alter those films from what the people primarily involved in making them deemed the final product? In what sense would he have the right to make a years-later revision the ONLY version even if he WERE the director?

Then you get into the issue of the immeasurable cultural impact those films had in their original form and the imperative to preserve something that is defining to the history of film and the state of the zeitgeist. I don't think there is any ‘fan entitlement’ involved in saying the originals belonged to the world after being part of its consciousness for decades and it is doing violence to the artistic record to try to erase the films which actually occupied that space. It's exactly like trying to replace every copy of It's a Wonderful Life with a colourised version (well, it's worse but still), and that was something Lucas himself railed against. It’s like if Michaelangelo were miraculously resuscitated and he decided to repaint the Sistine Ceiling to add a gunfight and change his style to something contemporary.

I get genuinely very upset at the cold reality that generations of people are watching sw for the first time and it’s the fucking SE-except-worse they’re seeing. And as fewer people keep physical media and the US corporate oligarchy continues to perform censorship and rewrite history on its streaming services unchecked by any kind of public welfare concerns, you’ll see more and more ‘real Mandela effect’ type shit where the cultural record has suddenly ‘always’ been in line with whatever they want it to be just now. And US media continues to infect us all with its insidious ubiquity. I think misrepresenting and censoring the past is an objectively bad thing and we can’t learn from things we pretend never happened, but apparently not many people are worried about handing the keys to our collective experience to Disney and Amazon.

4. The ‘Jedi don’t marry’ thing and how he wanted this to continue with Luke post-RotJ, so it’s obviously not meant to be part of what was wrong with the order in the prequels. I find this... incoherent on a storytelling level. The moral of the anidala story then indeed becomes just plain ‘romantic love is bad and will make you crazy’, rather than the charitable reading of the prequels which I ascribe to, which is that the problem isn’t Anakin’s love for Padmé, it’s that he ceased to love her and began to covet her. And I can’t help but feel this attitude is maybe an expression of GL’s issues with women following his divorce. I don’t remember if there’s evidence to contradict that take, since it’s been some time since I read about this but yeah. ANH absolutely does sow seeds for possible Luke/Leia development and GL was still married while working on that film. Subsequently he was dead set against Luke ever having a relationship and decided Jedi could not marry. Coincidence?

There’s a lot of blinking red ‘issues with women’ warning signs all over Lucas’s work, but the prequels are really... egregious.

#sw #salt #more unhinged rambling #anyway dowload the despecialised editions #unsubscribe from Disney+#be free #usually we'd be having a big family thing for Boxing Day but you know #so God bless us all at home separately #I hope everyone had as happy a Christmas as possible in keeping with the situation #I should see if I can drag my brother outside to build a snowman

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ambiguoslyambitious · 3 years

Text

Chapter Three: (Overdue) Introductions PT. I

Author: ambiguoslyambitious (me!)

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 3,839

Summary: Today's the day that Bela will finally make her debut in Pelican Town and meet some of the townspeople. Will she be able to salvage her reputation or has her fresh start already began to expire?

“Wait, so you’re telling me that the townspeople have been trying to welcome me all week?” Bela lowered her eyes in shame, her face reddening once again. Yoba, they must think I’m some stuck up city bitch.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Victor answered reassuringly. “However, none of us knew that you were...hearing impaired.” Victor rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish look sweeping across his face. Something Mayor Lewis failed to mention. Thanks a lot.

“Oh, Yoba,” Bela shook her head. “The whole town must think that I’m so rude.” So much for a fresh start. Maybe I should just become a hermit. No socialization. Just me and Mother Nature.

“Don’t worry! I’m sure we can clear this all up.” Suddenly, Victor’s dark eyes brightened. “Would you like to accompany me into town? I know that my mother wanted to invite you over to our residence for dinner. I-if you aren’t too busy, that is.” He quickly looked away, cheeks flooded with pink.

“Oh, uh,” Bela also averted her gaze briefly. “T-that would be lovely.” Shit, meeting the mom already.

Victor shot her a sheepish grin. “Splendid! Hopefully, we’ll be able to run into a few of the townspeople and try to salvage your reputation.”

The pair proceeded to exit the farmhouse.

“I must say, Bela,” Victor said, sweeping his gaze across the farm. “You’ve done a magnificent job so far.”

“Thank you,” Bela responded shyly. "I admit, I hadn't realized how much this old farm had gone into ruin." She stared out sadly out towards the other islands she hadn't reached yet, remembering when the farm was bustling with activity. And I still have so much work left to do.

Sensing her sadness, Victor tried to lighten the mood. "You used to visit this farm, right?"

"Yeah," Bela gave a sad smile. "When I was a kid, I used to spend the entire summer here, helping Grandfather tend to the chickens and cows, and watering the crops each morning."

"Sounds like you two were close."

"Not really," Bela admitted. "Summertime was the only time I got to see Grandfather. He and my father weren't very close. The last summer I spent here was ten years ago. Before he got sick and..." Her eyes welled up with tears.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Victor apologized, looking over at her worried. "I don't mean to remind you of such sorrowful things."

"It's fine," Bela offered a half-smile. She brought her gaze up to the bright afternoon sky, taking in the sweet scent of grass and the warm spring breeze. "Not all of my memories of him are sad. I know that there were really great times that are just easy to forget now that he's gone."

This time, Victor was the one to offer a half-smile. "I suppose it is easier to remember the bad times. Remembering the good times forces you to remember how much you miss the ones you've lost."

“HELLO, VICTOR!” called out a frantic, yet cheerful voice. “OH MY YOBA, IS THAT THE NEW FARMER? HI!” A bubbly young woman, adorn in bubblegum pink rushed over to meet them on the dirt path across from the defunct bus stop heading towards town.

“Tabitha, this is Bela.” Victor smiled, knowing that Tabitha was one of the friendliest people in town to meet. She had a habit of making even the grumpiest people smile. Thank Yoba, we've run into Tabitha. She can quickly turn around this somber conversation.

“Hi, Bela! It’s so nice to meet you!” Tabitha giggled, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “My twin brother Theo and I moved here a year ago and run The Stray Café across from the bus stop. Hopefully, you’ll be able to meet him soon, though he isn’t much of a socializer.”

“Hi, Tabitha.” Bela smiled unconsciously, the young woman’s happy energy was infectious.

“Those are cool headphones!” Tabitha said, taking notice of the devices in Bela’s ears. “Listening to any good music?”

Victor quickly glanced over at Bela before responding. “Um, Tabitha. Those aren’t headph-”

“These are actually hearing aids.” Bela interrupted.

Suddenly, Tabitha’s face fell. “I’m so sorry! I hope that I didn’t offend you!” The poor woman looked close to tears. Yoba, how can I be so stupid and insensitive?! Theo always tells me to never assume. I'm sure she hates me now.

“It’s ok!” Bela quickly reassured the young lady. “It’s an honest mistake.”

Tabitha visibly relaxed at Bela's words, letting out a sigh of relief. "Good, I'm glad that I didn't ruin our chances of becoming best friends."

"Hold on," Victor laughed. "Who says that I'm not already Bela's best friend?"

Tabitha rolled her eyes playfully. "I guess then we will all just have to be besties."

Bela let out a laugh, with the pair soon joining in. Maybe meeting the townspeople will go more smoothly than I thought. At least I 've managed to make friends with these two.

"So, besties," Tabitha glanced between Victor and Bela. "Where are you guys headed?"

"I was just bringing Bela into town to meet everyone." Victor responded. "My mother invited her over for dinner and I figured that I would take her to the saloon afterwards."

"That's a good idea. Why don't you guys come with me to Pierre's first?"

"Sure," Victor nodded. Then he looked over at Bela sheepishly. "That is, if it's ok with you."

Bela smiled at them. "Yeah, that's fine. You guys know the town better than me."

_____________________________________________________________

The trio continued their way into town, heading east towards Pierre’s General Store. As they entered the store, Pierre looked up from the catalogue he was reading at the register.

“It’s farmer Bela!” Pierre greets excitedly. “Welcome to Pierre’s! If you’re looking to buy seeds, my shop is the place to go.” Finally, a new customer.

Bela offered a small smile. “Thank you, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Bela’s eyes swung around the small shop, taking note of the tall shelves filled with different kinds of seeds. Small containers held fresh produce with labels containing the names of all the local farms.

“I’ll also purchase whatever produce you make on your farm for a good price.” Pierre’s grin became slightly more forced as he continued making his sales pitch. Hopefully, this city kid will be able to produce crops worth selling. Can't be any worse than anything Andy brings.

“Hopefully, I’ll have something worthy to sell soon.” Bela awkwardly joked. “ Yoba, this guy is intense.

To the right of the counter, a door suddenly slammed open. Pierre rolled his eyes as a purple-headed figure stepped out looking annoyed.

“Really, Abigail?” Pierre glared at her.

Abigail shot back a similarly annoyed look. “What? You know the door gets stuck. It’s not a big deal.”

She dramatically rolled her eyes, walking towards the exit. She shot a quick glance at Victor and nodded, coming to a stop once she laid eyes on the new farmer, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“Who are you?”

Victor smiled, seemingly unperturbed by the young woman’s rudeness. “Abigail, this is Bela, the new farmer.”

“Hi,” Bela waved awkwardly. Well, she definitely doesn’t like me.

“Oh, I heard someone was moving into that old farm,” Abigail said, looking Bela up and down without meeting her eyes. “A shame, I liked exploring around there.” Without another word, Abigail walked out of the store.

“Ms. Rivers?” called out a small, quiet voice from the right. Bela could barely hear the man even with her hearing aids turned on. She turned to look over and was surprised to see a tall man, with thick glasses and an even thicker moustache. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Harvey Hickey, the local doctor.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Hickey.”

“Please, call me Dr. Harvey.” He offered an awkward smile. “I work, well and live, in the clinic next door with Paul, the town’s optometrist.” Suddenly his ears burned red. “A-as roommates of course!”

Bela just smiled politely. And they were roommates.

“Uh,” Harvey rubbed the back of his head nervously. “Well, um, please, uh, make sure to, uh, schedule your annual check up at, uh, some point. It was, uh, nice to meet you.” He awkwardly made his way up the register, a simple protein bar in hand.

"Well, I've got to pick up some things for the café," Tabitha said with a smile. "I'll see you guys around!"

"You're not coming to the saloon?" Bela furrowed her eyebrows.

"Oh, uh," Tabitha started stammering nervously. "T-that's not, uh, really my scene." I hope Bela doesn't think I'm lame.

"That's fine," Bela replied reassuringly. "Since we're neighbors, I'm sure we'll be seeing each other often. I'll try and visit the café soon."

"Oh, you should! I can't wait to introduce you to my brother!" Tabitha's eyes lit up once again. “Bye. Bela! Bye, Victor!” Tabitha waved goodbye, as she proceeded to gather supplies for the café.

"Well," Victor said, a hint of nervousness creeping into his usually calm voice. "Now it's time to meet my mother."

_____________________________________________________________

Bela and Victor exited the store, making their way east to the Jenkins’ Residence, which happened to be located directly next to Pierre's General Store.

“I told you this would be a short walk.” Victor smiled as they approached the giant, two-story manor which was painted a beautiful shade of robin’s egg blue. Bela’s eyes widened at the vastness of the manor, whose front entrance was guarded by a set of beautiful bronze gates.

Victor pushed the gate open and gestured for Bela to head inside. She followed the ornate crystal path until she reached a set of giant oak doors.

“Allow me.” Victor again held open the door for Bela, who stood in the entryway desperately trying to take in all the grandeur. Directly across from her was a beautiful wooden staircase, hinting that more beauty was yet to be seen. To her left was the living room, adorned in rich red and gold curtains and rugs. To her right, a kitchen with a large mahogany table sat with matching chairs.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful in here.” Bela’s eyes glowed with wonder.

“Why, thank you.” called out a sultry, yet sophisticated voice. An elegantly dressed woman appeared to cascade down the stairs effortlessly. “You must be Ms. Bela Rivers.” The woman extended a hand in greeting, which Bela immediately took.

“Yes, it is nice to meet you, Mrs. Jenkins.” Bela smiled nervously. I can’t believe this is Victor’s mother.

“Please, call me Olivia.” She gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Is this really the same girl who ignored Caroline and Jodi? She seems polite enough.

“Well, Olivia,” Bela said awkwardly. “Thank you for inviting me over. I appreciate your hospitality.”

“Don’t worry, Bela.” Victor chimed in. “My mother loves any opportunity to entertain guests.”

”Well, I wouldn’t want this manor to go to waste!” Olivia gives a dry laugh. “Let’s head over to the kitchen.” She quickly turned on her heels and elegantly strutted away. Victor offered a small smile to Bela before following his mother.

As the pair took their seats, Olivia brought a large platter with a covering on top of it.

“What fine dish have you prepared this time, Mother?”

“Well, since, I heard that our guest used to live in Zuzu City,” Olivia smiled coyly as she lifted the top. “ I decided to prepare pan-seared butterfish over a plate of assorted vegetables from the garden.”

Both Bela and Victor stared at the platter in absolute wonder. The butterfish was a brilliant shade of gold, contrasting the rich greens of the cabbage and lettuce underneath.

“This looks amazing!” Bela exclaimed, remembering the holidays when her mother would prepare this. Her heart tinged with sadness, as her eyes began burning with unshed tears. I need to think about something else.

“Is something troubling you dear?” Olivia asked inquisitively, eyes narrowing as she glanced over the newcomer. She noticed a faint glint emitting from Bela’s ear, eyes widening in realization. She's deaf! That's why no one's been able to get in contact with her. Can't wait to clear that up with the ladies.

“Oh, i-it’s nothing.” Bela offered a flicker of a smile before lowering her gaze.

Olivia shot her son a look, to which Victor responded by shrugging.

“Perhaps,” Victor looked between his mother and Bela. “I should pour us each a glass of wine.”

Olivia nodded, stealing another glance at Bela. “Why don’t you grab some pomegranate wine from the cellar? I’m sure the tartness will compliment the sweetness of the butterfish wonderfully.” The young woman also nodded in agreement. Oh, Victor, please don't leave me alone with your mom. There's just something scary about her.

Victor glanced over at Bela once more. “Of course. I’ll be just a moment.” He gracefully walked away from the table, disappearing down the stairs of the cellar.

“So, Bela,” Olivia clasped her hands together. “What brings you to Pelican Town?”

“Well,” Bela nervously met the older woman’s gaze. “I decided that I wanted a fresh start.” Bela purposely kept her answer vague. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to talk about her parents just yet.

“A fresh start?” Olivia’s gaze hardened. There must be something this girl is running from. Why else would she need a fresh start so young?

“Yes,” Bela responded, meeting her gaze. “I found that life in Zuzu City just wasn’t for me anymore.”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “But, what about your career? If I’m not mistaken, I heard that you had a very promising job at Joja in their corporate office.”

“I did.” Bela responded. “However, I’ve found the work to be...unfulfilling.”

Olivia’s eyes widened and she leaned back in surprise, a hand raised up against her chest. “Unfulfilling? By Yoba, I spent thirty years working my way to become an accounting manager and accumulating all of this.” She gestured with her hand carelessly.

“Mother,” Victor chided, walking up the stairs from the cellar with a dark red bottle. “Not everyone wants to be a corporate monkey.”

“Didn’t this corporate monkey earn enough to give you a full-ride to one of the finest universities in the entirety of the Ferngill Republic?” Olivia shot back, her tone icy.

“Yes, Mother,” Victor’s tone softened considerably, as he began pouring the wine, “But, money shouldn’t be the only thing you work for.” Why can't she understand that money isn't everything?

“Oh, really?” Olivia retorted, condescendingly taking a sip. “But was it not money that afforded you this life of privilege?”

The room suddenly went silent. Well, this has gotten awkward, Bela thought to herself, her fork lazily moving some of the greens in front of her.

Victor's jaw clenched, struggling to maintain his composure. Why can't my mother just realize that I'm not trying to be ungrateful. I just want to be happy.

"I recently lost my parents," Bela said quietly, interrupting the momentary silence. "A-and I didn't know what to do with myself. One day, I just found this envelope from my grandfather that said that one day I'd be in need of change and that I had this farm for when I needed it."

Victor gently placed a hand on her shoulder, as she fought to keep tears from streaming down her face. "I'm sorry for your loss, Bela."

"I'm sorry." Olivia said, glassy-eyed as well. She quickly grabbed a napkin, dabbing her eyes delicately. "Part of the reason why Victor and I moved to Pelican Town was due to my husband's...passing." Yoba, I should've been more sympathetic instead of interrogating this poor girl. I should've recognized that she was also going through loss.

Victor exchanged a somber look with his mother before looking back over at Bela. He reached over and grabbed his glass, raising it up in a toast. "To new beginnings."

Bela and Olivia followed in suit, each taking a long gulp of wine to help assuage some of the emotional pain caused by their respective grief.

_____________________________________________________________

"Well, that could have gone more smoothly," Victor shook his head as he and Bela left the manor for the saloon.

"It certainly was an interesting dinner," Bela responded gently. The rest of the dinner had been eaten in an awkward silence. "Your mom is a really good cook." And an even better interrogator. Maybe she volunteered part-time at the Zuzu City PD?

"Yeah, well she's usually an even better host." His eyes looked apologetic as they met Bela's. "I'm really sorry for the way dinner turned out. My mother can be...a lot."

Bela gave him a smile, playfully pushing his arm, "Don't even worry about it. I'm already making memories in this town."

Victor pushed open the thick oak door of The Stardrop Saloon, a barrage of sounds and smells overwhelming the new farmer. Bela was hit with the warm, bitter scent of beer as a jaunty folk tune played in the background, accompanied by the sounds of glasses clinking and laughter.

“Why if it isn’t the new farmer, Ms. Bela Rivers,” a kind voice greeted. “Welcome to The Stardrop Saloon! What can I get for ya?”

“Hello, Gus,” Victor smiled, taking a seat at the bar and gesturing for Bela to join him. “Why don’t we just take two glasses of wine to start?” The mustached man glanced over at Bela.

“Uh, yes,” Bela smiled. “Thank you.”

Victor leaned closer and whispered in her ear, his breath warm and gentle, “I hope you don’t mind me ordering for you. I figured you’d want to still be coherent while meeting some more of the townspeople.” He let out a small chuckle as he pulled away.

“What,” Bela teased, as her cheeks turned pink. “You think I can’t handle more than a couple glasses of wine?”

Before he could respond, a perky blue-haired woman arrived back with the two glasses of wine in hand. “Here you go!” She gently placed them before the pair. As Victor reached for his wallet, Emily gently shook her head, “This one’s on the house.”

She turned to face Bela, her blue eyes glowing with kindness. “Hello, Bela, I’m Emily!” Ooh, she has a nice aura. I'm sure we'll be good friends.

Bela smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

“Well, if it isn’t the new farmer,” came a sultry voice from the right of the bar. A beautiful woman slid onto the barstool next to Bela, while Emily placed a glass of wine in front of her.

“Yeah, I’m Bela,” Bela responded, still taking in the woman’s striking appearance. Her face was like a porcelain doll’s, smooth and pale with only a single mole marking her otherwise unblemished skin. Something about her seems familiar, but I can’t put my finger on it.

The woman extended her hand, a mischievous glint in her dark eyes. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Shiko.”

Bela’s eyes widened in partial recognition. “Shiko? Shiko Takahashi?”

Shiko smiled back dryly. “Ah, so you have heard of me. Makes sense since I heard you’re from the city.”

“What's a model doing here?” Bela’s jaw dropped.

“ Former model,” Shiko flipped her dark locks over her shoulder carelessly. “I decided to retire and live the simple life.” She smiled at Bela, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Kind of like you, huh?”

Bela returned the smile. “Something like that.”

Victor raised his glass, taking a careful sip before looking over at Bela. “Well, it’s always a pleasure seeing you, Shiko. If you don’t mind, I’d like to introduce Bela to some of my friends.”

The pair got up from their stools, heading over to what appeared to be a game room. Two old school arcade games greeted them at the entrance, where the angsty, purple haired teen was violently shaking the joysticks and shooting out creative combos of curse words.

“Obviously, you’ve already met Abigail.”

The girl shot a dirty look at Bela. “Victor, you done showing the new girl around? I need your help. I can’t get past this damn level.”

Victor rolled his eyes. “I was just bringing BELA over to meet everyone.” Why does Abigail ALWAYS have to be so fucking rude?

Bela gave an awkward smile as Abigail turned her attention back to the game in front of her. What is this girl’s problem with me?

“Bela?” Suddenly, a messy-haired blonde was standing right in front of her, his eyes gleaming with recognition. “Yo, Sebby, it's really her!” His arms quickly enveloped Bela into a tight hug, lifting her off the ground. It took everything in her to not spill any wine as the young man gently rocked her.

When he finally put her down, Bela was overcome with memories of her young self playing at the beach with a pair of blonde and black-haired boys. “Sam?”

His green eyes glowed with happiness. “Wow, I can’t believe it’s been, what, like ten years?” He looked over to the pool table where the raven-haired fellow was still poised with a billiards stick. “Fuck the game, Seb, come over here, it’s our Bela!”

Sebastian flinched when Sam said “our Bela”. Abigail’s head whipped over, shooting a venomous glare at Bela. “What do you mean, ‘our Bela’? I thought she just got here.”

Sam shook his head. “Don’t you remember? Bela used to visit every summer when we were kids.” Suddenly, Sam burst out into laughter.

Abigail’s eyes narrowed defensively, “What’s so funny?”

“Of course you don’t remember,” Sam managed to choke out. “You were too busy being besties with Haley.”

Even Sebastian let out a small laugh as Abigail’s pale face turned beet red. “Whatever, that was a long time ago.”

“Well,” Victor smiled, breaking the awkward tension that was beginning to form. “I hadn’t realized that you already knew each other.”

“Oh, yeah,” Sam smirked mischievously. “Bela and Seb knew each other REALLY well.”

Both Bela and Sebastian flushed red, ears burning hot. Abigail looked over in curiosity, annoyance written all over her face. What the fuck does that mean?

Victor raised an eyebrow quizzically, glancing between the two. “Really?”

“Sam,” Sebastian rolled his eyes, the red refusing to leave his face. “Why do you have to be such an ass?” I bet she doesn't even remember.

Bela looked over at Victor sheepishly. “It was just a middle school fling. We were kids.” I doubt Seb even remembers.

Victor burst out into laughter, while Bela and Sebastian bore similar mortified expressions. Sam joined Victor in laughter, with Abigail continuing to shoot death glares at Bela.

"So," Bela said in an attempt to break the awkwardness. "How've you been, Seb?" Yoba, I don't know what to say to him.

Sebastian avoided Bela's gaze, preferring to maintain eye contact with the wooden floors. "Oh, you know, nothing's new." Dammit Sam! Why'd you have to bring THAT up?

"Seems like there's been quite a few changes since I've been here."

"Yeah," Sebastian nodded, stealing a glance at her. "But, most things are still the same." Like how much I've missed you.

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scriptaed · 4 years

Text

his side, her side | 9:23 A.M.

genre: angst/fluff/implied smut; (bold = genre for this particular drabble)

pairing: reader x jungkook;

length: 1.8k;

synopsis: a collective snapshots in time shared between two, whose fates were undeniably intertwined and futures would never come to be.

a/n: this is not a chronological series; more so, his side her side is a collection of drabbles in which each drabble helps paint the overall picture. each drabble can be read separately without having read the others. // alternatively: his side, her side pt. 7;

her side;

Jungkook [9:23 A.M.] Happy Birthday!!

You can still recall every fluctuation in the mayhem that he always brought along, particularly on that very hour of your day. A beacon of light had peeked through your curtains and perfectly struck your already-squinting eyes, but it isn’t the sun that has your heart racing like the end of a marathon that marks the start of your special day—rather, it’s the aftermath of its gentle shake that engraves this particular moment amongst the myriad of otherwise mundane, forgetful birthday mornings.

It’s an overly cliche scene straight out of those young adult rom-coms you used to roll your eyes at, yet even you couldn’t remain immune to the flutters of your stomach and the drums of your chest when you awaken to the sight of his name first thing in the morning. You won’t admit it now, but the undeniable stretch of your grin upon reading his message is enough proof to your prideful self that he still manages to evoke an emotional response from you—even after all this time.

A relieved sigh escapes your restricted chest as you prop yourself against the bed frame and dally with the unexpected task at hand. Flipping your phone from palm to palm, you mull over just how blindsided you had been to this incoming text. You had been arranging dinner plans for a girl’s night out in preparation for the one day you get to celebrate your ever-so-slow descent into adulthood and eventual retirement that you hadn’t even paused to anticipate this year’s annual texts from colleagues and classmates you had not heard from since… your last birthday; and even though Jungkook doesn’t exactly fall into that category, for you two had really only connected half a year ago, he was the last person you would have expected to be reminded of today.

Come to think of it, it’s been a while since your mind had stumbled upon the ephemeral memories shared with him, a while since you caught him staring at you in the corner of your eyes, a while since you fidgeted with your hand and contemplated your choices of fight or flight. Ever since your project had ended and your excuses to strike a conversation with your partner dwindled to zero, you had convinced yourself that fate had finally given up on you and is now punishing you for leaving the myriad of granted opportunities to wilt; because you still bumped into him at work from time to time—but after that particular night of a gut-wrenching revelation, your ultimate decision to cut your ties came abruptly.

It was no easy feat, that’s for sure. After having reality slammed before your eyes and accepting that maybe this red string that tied you to him is nothing but a silly fantasy, you had to somehow train yourself to forget everything you’ve come to know in the span of a month. You avoided him at work and on the walk home, you adjusted your daily routine to ensure your paths never crossed with his, you even archived his messages that you once found yourself daydreaming over the endless possibilities now burnt to ashes, until slowly but not certainly, he had become an afterthought.

Yet here he is, just as you’re about to forget him, like an old habit that trickles its way back into your daily routine, you find yourself smiling at the thought of him once again… and after all that has come to light? To be the first person to send you birthday wishes? You can’t help but snort at yourself and him, shaking your head at the naive skips of your heart and the audacity of a man who just doesn’t understand the repercussions of his alluring charm.

Because even if you could no longer feel the same way about him like you did in a fleeting fragment of the past, you would never be able to deny this attractive force of his. He’s different from the others. He’s quiet, aloof, and intimidating, but his reputation can’t hold a candle to the real Jungkook you know. He’s more than the apathetic look he wears more often than not and he’s gentler than the devilish smirk that he adorns when he had witnessed something less than worthy of an arduous, feigned laugh, because the crinkle of his nose when you finally manage to crack a toothy grin on that face is worth every bit of intimidation.

He doesn’t give a shit about what others thought of him because he sticks to his virtues and he treats every guy and gal—lame or popular, average or gorgeous—equally. He says he doesn’t give a shit about the opinions of others’, but he takes careful consideration into the delicate response of those affected by his actions. He does what he does because he believes in doing the right thing and not because he wants those extra points that has you believing in chivalry again.

And all of that still holds true, that is, if the motives you suspect behind his text proves false.

It’s a good thing your birthday came well after you had mostly gotten over whatever thing you had for him—otherwise, you’re sure things would have gone awfully awry today had you not been. You would have been clinging onto that last bit of hope and wondering what it means for him to have remembered your birthday and even go through the effort of sending you a message after all this time apart, but now, knowing what you know about him, you hold your head high with a smile hiding more than he could have ever had.

Two can play at this game.

You [10:12 A.M.] Thanks!! 😊

And for once, it really doesn’t mean anything more than that.

his side;

Notification [9:18 A.M.] Y/N’s birthday is today!

Jungkook had just finished downing his first bottle of today’s many, hoping that his favorite drink, also known as water, would be enough to dilute the distasteful coffee he had willingly subjected himself to soon, when his phone vibrates against the kitchen island. The boy had leaned over the counter and grabbed ahold of his phone fully expecting to internally roll his eyes at social media and its pesky birthday reminders of people he doesn’t know well enough to just casually drop a wish for, but the familiar name that pops onto his screen freezes him in his tracks.

It doesn’t occur to Jungkook how long it’s been since Y/N’s name had taken residence at the top of his notifications. A crooked grin cracks his precedent frown as he recalls the persistent messages Y/N had once bombarded him with in their time together. He can still remember the click of his tongue as he indulged in his cathartic workouts only to be disturbed by the seemingly endless stream of texts and reminders of work. Who would’ve known those memories would be revisited with a tender fondness that has even Jungkook dumbfounded?

It isn’t like he totally forgot about Y/N. After all, out of everyone he’s met at work, she’s been the most peculiar one by far. Although their time was short, the fidgety hands, wavering eyes, and curt responses intertwined with the most giggly of laughs, she always kept him on the edge of his seat, wondering just what was going on in that mind of her’s—particularly when he came into work that one day and nothing was ever the same.

Because some days he would spot her from the top of the stairs and try to greet her from afar only to watch her pivot on the balls of her feet and shuffle in the opposite direction. Sometimes he would bump into her on the way to their cubicles in the morning only to find himself searching for the girl in the following days turned into weeks and months, even. At times, he would even lock eyes with the girl across the hall, waiting for a response and wondering if he had mistaken himself when she passed by without a single greeting.

Sometimes he felt like a ghost, not to the colleagues, not to the world, but to her. He couldn’t quite put the unsettling drop in his chest into words—because it isn’t exactly disappointment nor dejection. It was almost as if she had awoken one day, swept by the winds and the mystical moon, and for whatever reason, decided to sink a ship that had long set sail.

But as Jungkook has come to learn, time flies by quickly, even for a man like himself; because whatever he was feeling, the heightened consideration catered toward her, the amusement he found in whatever she had in the works, the profuse feeling that something was fueling the two and something was inevitably bound to manifest, and the crash of confusion when it all came to an abrupt stop, had faded with each passing week.

Still, even the sight of her name brings a grin to his lips.

Seeing as how Y/N had shot him a birthday wish last time—and being the first and few ones to remember, at that—Jungkook figures it would be rude of him to swipe the notification into the abyss, even if the two had an unexplained, rocky interlude up to this point.

Draft [9:22 A.M.] Happy Birthday

Jungkook cocks his head at the blunt message. Short and to the point, it’s a message he would have sent any other colleague… but seeing the fond birthday wish and gratitude the two had shared just a scroll above his drafts, he finds himself scratching at the task before him.

“Jungkook?” a familiar voice calls from outside his apartment door. “Are you in there? You ready?”

“What? Oh, shit,” he curses when he notices the time on his phone. “Yeah, give me one second!”

You [9:23 A.M.] Happy Birthday!!

The phone is tossed to the side as Jungkook dashes to open the door to a girl who stands before him with a pout and crossed arms. Peering down at his partner, the chuckle that leaves his lips depart along with the thought of what he had left behind.

“Don’t tell me you forgot about our coffee date,” she mutters.

“And what if I did?” he laughs, freezing when he locks the door behind him. “Oh, shit.”

“What? Did you forget something?”

“Oh, uh,” he pauses, contemplating, “it’s nothing. Let’s go.”

He may have forgotten his phone, he may have forgotten having sent a message to someone he no longer held any ties to, but when he returns to the apartment and checks to see a heart next to his message and a reply right under, he would never forget the thought that crosses him in that very moment.

It doesn’t mean anything more than that, right?

#bts scenarios #bts x you #bts x reader #bts smut #bts angst #bts fluff #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jungkook smut #jungkook angst #jungkook fluff #jungkook scenarios #jungkook imagines #jungkook fanfic #bts imagines #bts fanfic #bangtan fanfic #scriptaed

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thegreatestofheck · 4 years

Text

Ocean and Alcohol Pt. 8 ✘JJ Maybank✘

part one! part two! part three! part four! part five! part six! part seven!

(gif not mine! all credit to aaronwarner!)

Word Count - 5869 Warnings - light swearing Synopsis - A high stress run in with the goons that you met in the marsh the day before leads you to Ms. Lana’s, where you’re confronted with the truth behind your feelings for JJ. A/N - Here’s the next part! If any or you wanted a more concise version, this story is also up on Archive of our Own under the same name! And, as always, thank you so much for your support! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay groovey

It was confirmed. There was never going to be a normal day hanging out with the Pogues.

JJ was describing how he and John B had witnessed someone getting attacked in their own house rather dramatically. Pope and Kie grilled him while John B paced back and forth. “You’re sure they were the guys that shot at us yesterday?” you asked, looking up from your hands. “Yes!” JJ said, letting a puff of smoke out of his mouth. “How do you know if you can’t describe them?” Pope yelled, exasperated. “I wasn’t taking little mental polaroids the entire time! I was under duress, okay?” JJ took a step back before taking another hit from his vape pen. “That’s alright,” you said, putting up a hand as Pope shook his head and crossed his arms. “But I can tell you,” JJ said, taking a deep breath to try and calm himself down. “By the way Ms. Lana was screaming, these guys were serious hombres, man.” “Wait,” you said, scowling. “Ms. Lana? That’s whose house you were at?” “Yeah,” JJ said, running his hands through his hair. You stood quickly, picking your bag off the ground. “Where are you going?” Pope asked. “I’ve got to go see Ms. Lana. I can’t leave her there alone,” you said. You made for the door of the porch, but JJ grabbed your wrist. “You can’t go there,” he said, shaking his head. “Those guys could come back.” “I don’t have anything they want, do I? Ms. Lana is my friend, I can’t just-” “Why do they want the compass anyway?” Kie asked, sitting up straighter. “Yeah, it’s a piece of shit,” Pope said before looking back at John B, who was still pacing. “No offense dude, I know it’s in the family-” “The office,” John B said, looking at JJ. “What?” “My dad,” John B made for the front door. “My dad’s office.” You watched him walk inside, one hand still on the porch door. JJ tossed you a pleading look. You couldn’t leave him here when he wanted you to stay, but how could you leave Ms. Lana there knowing that she was hurting? “Dammit,” you murmured to yourself as you turned toward JJ and followed them inside the house. “He always kept the office locked in case anyone tried to steal his Royal Merchant research,” John B explained as he led you all through the house. “We used to laugh about it, but now that he’s gone I’ve just...I’ve kind of kept it has it was.” The door you stood in front of looked like every other door in the house; white, wooden, plain. The only difference was the lock that kept it shut. John B stared at the lock for a few moments, as if deciding whether or not it was worth it. “For when he gets back,” Kie said. She sent a very pointed look to JJ and Pope, who rolled their eyes. It was clear to you that there were some in this group who weren’t one hundred percent sure that Big John was coming back. For John B’s sake, you really really hoped he was going to. John B unlocked the door and pushed it open slowly. The room was an absolute mess. Papers, books, charts, and maps littered almost every surface, You weren’t sure how anyone was supposed to find anything of use in this room. It was a fire hazard. You also didn’t want to mention that a locked door wasn’t really much use when there were glass windows surrounding the place, so you kept it to yourself. “I’ve slept over here like 600 times,” Pope said aimlessly. “I’ve never seen this door opened.” Even though you couldn’t really understand the room, John B seemed to know right where he was going. As you wandered around, looking at the intricate drawings and pictures hanging on the wall, John B picked up a corkboard of pictures and scribblings. He set it on top of a large pile of papers, the others starting to crowd around it. You glanced out the window, a bad feeling settling in your stomach.

“Here, this is the original owner.” John B pointed at the first picture on a corkboard. A sailor. He went through each of the pictures, describing how they got the compass and what happened to them. “So, you have a death compass,” Pope said, a little nod of his head. ‘Great.” “It’s not a death compass!” John B protested. “It’s cursed,” JJ said, pressing his lips together. “You have to get rid of it.” John B turned away from the corkboard and sat down on the only clear surface in the room.

“Look, there’s this compartment in the back,” John B said, flipping the compass over. “Where soldiers could hide secret notes or whatever.”

You and Kie leaned over to see what was on the inside. John B twisted the back off, looking at the compass. “Look,” you said, pointing at the back. “There’s something etched in there.” “What is that?” Kie asked. “That wasn’t there before.” You could feel John B tense as he looked back at Kie. “This is my dad’s handwriting.” “How can you tell?” asked Pope as he neared, a hand on his hip. “He does that thing with his R’s. See?” John B showed Pope the carving. There was in fact a very strangely drawn R. “Can I see it?” JJ asked, leaning over you as you crouched on the ground. John B showed the compass to JJ. “Red...Rout-” “That’s an A,” you said, pointing at the little letter. “It says Redfield,” Kie said. “Right.” “What’s Redfield?” Kie asked. “Maybe...maybe it’s a clue,” John B offered, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe it’s a clue to where he’s hiding.” You felt yourself grimace. He wanted to believe so badly that his dad was still out there, but nine months was such a long time to be away. If his dad was still alive, why hadn’t he come back? “A clue? C’mon, that’s-” Pope looked over at Kie, who shook her head, giving him the same look as before. He cleared his throat. “If it’s a clue, it might be an anagram.” That was all John B needed to hear. “Yes, an anagram. Perfect.” He stood, shuffling around on the desk. “You’ll need some paper.”

Pope took the paper and pencil and started to write. “How do you concentrate with that thing crowing at you?” Pope asked. “JJ loves the rooster,” John B said. “I love the rooster,” Kie added. As Kie, Pope, and JJ leaned over the paper to try and solve the anagram, John B started to dig through some of the other things in the room. “How can I help?” You asked him. He shook his head, scribbling something on a piece of paper. You turned back to the anagram station, listening to them bicker. “You’re missing a letter,” Kie said, pointing at the paper. Pope smacked her hand away. “Guys,” John B said. “Somebody’s here.” You all moved toward the window slowly, peering outside. A black car had pulled up beside John B’s van, two large men stepping out. They were definitely the guys that shot at you yesterday, which meant they were the same people who had attacked Ms. Lana. Your blood began to boil at the sight of them. “Son of a bitch,” you muttered, narrowing your eyes as they approached the house. “This is suboptimal,” Pope said, voice so monotone you almost laughed despite the fact that there were very dangerous people approaching the house. “No,” JJ moaned, shaking his head and stepping back. “I told you. Why does it always-” “JJ, listen to me,” John B said, pushing his friend against the wall in hopes to quiet him down. “Where’s the gun?” “The gun? I, uh, I can’t-” “Now you don’t have the gun?” Kie cried. “The one time we need the gun?” You wrapped your arms around yourself, moving to stand as close to Pope as you could. You were hoping to absorb some of his strange calmness into yourself before your head blew off from stress. “It’s on the porch,” JJ said finally. “Go get it!” JJ ran from the room and you felt your heart sink. Kie stepped back toward you and you laced your fingers through hers, giving her hand a tight squeeze. Maybe if you couldn’t take any of Pope’s calmness, you and Kie could pass some kind of comfort to each other. JJ ran back into the room, shutting the door behind him. “Where’s the compass?” You heard one of the men yell from outside. You shuddered at the sound of his voice. “Where’s the gun?” John B asked. JJ looked around the room, eyes wide. “They’re on the front porch.” “Routledge!” A man yelled. “Where you at, boy?” “Shit!” “The window! Out the window.” JJ and Pope ran to the closest window, trying to pry it open, but it wouldn’t budge. “It’s painted shut!” JJ snapped as Pope continued to push it upward. “We can break it,” you offered. “Too loud,” Kie said, shaking her head. John B leaned up against the door, eyes closed, his breathing steady. How he managed to stay calm despite there being two men in his house who wanted to kill him was beyond you. You and Kie shuffled through the stuff on the desk for something sharp. “Routledge!” You felt something slice against your finger. Despite the sting of pain, you shoved papers away to reveal a letter opener. “Kie!” You tossed the letter opener to her and she ran to the window. You shoved your now bleeding finger against your jeans and made for the window. Pope ran to the door, standing beside John B. “Hurry,” JJ said as Kie started to cut away at the paint. “I’m going as fast as I can!” You ran your hands through your hair, wishing that you could somehow be of more help. The doorknob rattled. You stuck your knuckles against your mouth to keep from crying out. JJ took the letter opener from Kie and tore through the paint as the man outside the door started to kick it in. “You better not be in there!” he yelled from the outside. John B and Pope hurried away from the door, everyone now crowded by the window. You took Kie’s hand in yours again. There were tears in her eyes and she squeezed your hand repeatedly. When the gun went off, you jumped, but kept your mouth clamped shut. Your jaw began to ache from how hard you were clenching your jaw. JJ finally managed to pull the window open and then stepped out of the way. Kie jumped through the window, dragging you along with her. One by one, the boys hopped out after. “Where do we go?” Kie whispered. You pointed toward the chicken coop, where the rooster was still crowing happily. The two of you bolted toward the coop, the boys following not far behind. You helped Kie inside and waited for the boys to reach you, herding them in with your hand. You were the last inside, shutting the coop behind you. You scurried to the back, as far from the door as you could get. You sat between JJ and Kie, breathing heavily. You looked at JJ and he glanced down at you, slowly reaching out to take your hand. The rooster continued to crow as you sat, every cluck making your pulse spike. “Pope, shut it up,” JJ hissed, pointing at the chicken by Pope’s feet. “What am I supposed to do?” “Pet it or talk to it or something!” Kie said, tears running from her eyes. “I don’t know!” “He’s coming,” John B said, sitting back against the wall of the chicken coop. You sucked in a deep breath, closing your eyes. For all the times you thought about how you were going to die, going out in a chicken coop had never been on your list. Still, you would die surrounded by friends, so there was something beautiful in that. “You do something!” Pope said. You felt JJ’s hand pull away from yours as he reached out a grabbed the rooster. You tried to look away as he broke the rooster’s neck, shutting it up instantly. Kie let out a shuddering sob, but no one made another sound. “Ratter! What the hell are you going?” The other man yelled. “Let’s go!” You saw the man’s feet slowly retreat away from the coop, letting yourself breathe once. When the engine started, you heard Kie let out another sob. Even after the black truck pulled away, no one moved a muscle. It was a few minutes before John B pushed himself onto his hands and crawled out of the coop. Pope scurried out next and Kie after him. JJ sat there, holding the dead rooster in his hands. You crawled over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I loved this rooster,” he said, staring at the body. You slowly wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “I know,” you whispered, gently moving your hand onto the rooster’s body. “You did what you had to do.” A few tears stung your eyes, blurring your vision. You blinked and they fell, preferring to cry when JJ couldn’t see you. You kissed the top of his head and took the rooster out of his hands and setting it on the ground. “Come on,” you said gently. “Let’s go.” The two of you emerged from the coop. You noticed a shift in JJ as soon as you stepped out. The shock was gone instantly, replaced by a fake version of excitement. “That was crazy,” he said, grinning at John B who let out a deep sigh. Kie walked toward you and JJ, her tears starting to dry on her face. She put one arm around your neck and the other around JJ. “We almost died,” she breathed. “Nah, we woulda been fine,” JJ said, patting her on the head. You held her tight, knowing full well that she was right. “I really need to go,” you said, finally pulling away from her. “I need to see Ms. Lana.”

“What if those guys come back for her?” Pope asked. “Then she needs someone there to protect her,” you said, jogging back to the porch for your purse. “And it has to be you?” JJ asked, arms crossed. “If it’s not me then who?” JJ sighed, looking down at the leaves. “I’ll be there until the sun goes down,” you said to John B. “If there are any new updates, I’ll be at Ms. Lana’s or my house. Come get me.” John B nodded. “Thank you.” You put a hand on his arm and waved to the others. “Babe, wait!” JJ ran after you as you went to the car. “You’ll be safe?”

“Of course,” you told him, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. Before you turned away again, JJ grabbed your wrist, pulling you back for a real kiss. You felt yourself smile against his lips. An ocean roared in your stomach, wanting nothing more than to stay here with him, to hold him until all the horrible thoughts were out of his head. But you couldn’t. “Hey, JJ!” Pope called from around the house. “Get your ass back over here!” JJ groaned and you felt the vibration against your lips. When you pulled away, he tried to take your lips back but you put a finger against his mouth. “Your friends are scheming, Maybank,” you said. “And I have to go.” With a roll of his eyes, JJ dropped his hands from your waist. “I’ll see you later, yeah?” You said, smiling at him. He smiled back, starting to back away slowly.

“Yeah. Stay safe out there, sailor,” he said, giving you a mock salute.

“You too, bucko.”

There was a smile on your face as you drove away. How in the world had the boy managed it? Just minutes ago, you were seconds away from dying and yet JJ could still make you smile. You weren’t sure whether your heart was pounding from the adrenaline or from the lingering feeling of JJ’s lips on yours.

Your smile didn’t leave your face until you pulled up to Ms. Lana’s house. You could hear her crying before you even made it to the front door. “Ms. Lana?” You called into the open window. “It’s El.” “El?” You heard her quiet voice coming from somewhere in the house. “El, darling, you shouldn’t be here.” “Can I come in, Ms. Lana?” “You shouldn’t.” You pushed the door open anyway. Your heart dropped into your stomach at the sight of her home. Glass was shattered on the floor, papers flitting in the wind of all the broken windows. The furniture was overturned and books were scattered about. You found her sitting on the floor of the bathroom, head in her hands. “Oh, Ms. Lana.” She startled at the sound of your voice, looking up. You saw the tears running down her face, her eyes puffy and red from crying. “You shouldn’t be here, child,” she said, shaking her head as her lower lip quivered.

“You’ve always been there for me.” You sat beside her, draping an arm over her shoulders. “Now I’m here for you.” She dropped her forehead to your shoulder and started to cry. She took your hand gently, squeezing it in the same way Kie had earlier. You could feel her tears rolling down your arm, soaking through your shirt. When her tears slowly started to subside, her sobbing returning to normal breathing, she sat up, wiping her cheeks. “Here.” You pushed yourself off the ground and put out for your hand for her to take. “Let’s pick some things up.” “It’s such a mess,” she said, looking around. “I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

“Well, I’m here now,” you said, smiling. “I’ll help you.” It was nearly impossible to figure out where to start. But once Ms. Lana was on her feet, she knew exactly what to do. She grabbed a broom and started to sweep up the glass and other broken things from the floor. You tried to right some of the furniture, moving them all to the same spot so she could sweep. You spent the next few hours trying to return Ms. Lana’s house to somewhat livable. Even though her house looked like a hurricane blew through it, there was no longer anything on the ground to step on and there were places to sit.

As you placed books back onto the shelf as best as you could, Ms. Lana made something to eat. The two of you ate outside, looking out at the water. Sweat beaded down your neck, the ocean glaring off the water and shining against your face.

“How did you know to come here?” Ms. Lana asked. You took your time swallowing as you tried to come up with a reason that wouldn’t immediately let her know that JJ was the boy she and you had told her about.

“I wanted to come see you after I heard about Scooter.”

Ms. Lana looked at her cup of tea.

“Those boys told you, didn’t they?” “I don’t know what-” “You don’t have to lie to me, honey. I told you, I’m not going to tell your daddy anything.” You breathed in a deep breath. “That boy you were telling me about. It was John B, wasn’t it?” You scoffed and rolled your eyes.

“God, no. He’s just a friend.”

“JJ then.”

You grimaced and tried to play it off in the same way, but Ms. Lana already knew. You set your cup down and met her gaze. The game was up. You were caught. “Yes,” you said finally. “Yeah, it’s JJ.” Ms. Lana smiled as she took another drink from her cup. You always thought that if anyone found out about the two of you doing...whatever it was that you did...that they would be disappointed, try to steer you away. But Ms. Lana just smiled.

“Tell me about it,” she said.

“Ms. Lana-” “Indulge me, El. My house was broken into and I need something to take my mind off of it.”

You felt a smile grow on your face. You leaned your head back, letting out a deep sigh.

“It’s like….” You sighed again. “I don’t even know. It’s like being alive for the first time. Like I’ve been in this state of comatose for my entire life and all of the sudden I’m awake.” You couldn’t help your smile as you looked up at the sky.

“It feels like I’m caught in a storm but I’m not drowning. I’m not afraid. Not when I’m with him. Nothing can touch me when he’s there. No one can.” You looked down at your fingers.

“Do you love him?”

You snapped your head up to look at her. “I’ve only known him a little over a month, Ms. Lana.”

“I know,” she said. “I only knew Scooter three months before we were married. I never regretted my decision.” You shook your head, the elated feeling in your chest gone. You knew your answer, but you couldn’t say it. There was too much weight to it. It meant too much for you to just say out loud.

“You don’t have to know now,” Ms. Lana said, reaching across the table to take your hand. “But be careful. Don’t get that pretty heart of yours broke and for the love of God don’t break his.” You shook your head quickly, unable to form the words you wanted to say.

“There’s more to do inside,” you finally decided on. “We should get back to work.” Without waiting for her to respond, you took her plate and yours back to the kitchen, mind running.

Was that how your relationship, whatever it was, with JJ was supposed to end, his heart broken or yours? Why couldn’t it end happy? Did everything need to fall apart or was there actually hope that something good could come from this?

You helped Ms. Lana clean for another hour or so until the sun started to set.

“You should head home, my dear,” Ms. Lana said. “I am so grateful for your help.”

You gave her a tight hug.

“Any time you need me,” you told her, hands on her shoulders. “I will drop anything.”

“Even that boy of yours?”

You rolled your eyes.

“Where do you think I came from?”

It was nice to have someone else know, someone who wasn’t Kid or the Pogues. Ms. Lana was an adult who actually cared, who could give you good advice, who could help when you needed it. She was someone you could actually trust, someone to rely on. The thought made your smile grow wider.

“Have a good night, dear,” Ms. Lana said, walking you to your truck.

You sent her one last wave before pulling away.

You expected your dad to be angry when you got home, but you were confident you could talk yourself out of it.

“Where were you?” He demanded, as usual. “Someone told me they saw you on the cut. I thought I told you-”

“I was at Ms. Lana’s,” you said, forcing tears into your eyes. “She’s just so...with Scooter and everything.”

You covered your face with your hands, imitating sobbing sounds. Your dad dropped his anger instantly and walked over to you. He wrapped his arms around your back, holding you tight.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he whispered, planting a kiss on your head. You sobbed to cover a gag. “Scooter’s death hit us all really hard.”

You lifted your head up to meet your dad’s eyes, disgusted by how close he was to you.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” you said, voice quiet. “I think I just need some time alone. Is that okay?”

Your dad nodded his head, letting you go. You took a careful step back.

“If you need me, Kiddo, I’m always here for you,” he said as you started toward the stairs. You nodded your head slowly.

“Thanks, Dad.” You dragged your feet upstairs. With your back turned to him, a smile made its way onto your lips. There was nothing like a successful guilt trip. Closing your door, you let your jitters leave your body by waving your arms in the air to some inaudible beat that you made up. It was only 8 o’clock (ish) and yet you had the whole night to do whatever you wanted without your dad checking on you. He hated it when you got weepy. He didn’t know how to handle it. So, he usually left you alone until the next day. That was how you had managed to sneak out to most of the parties in your past.

You just hoped the Pogues were planning something interesting that night.

JJ tapped on your window thirty minutes later. You threw the window open, shoes still on your feet.

“Where to?” You asked. “The Wreck to pick up Kie.” “And then?”

“John B won’t tell us until we’re all in the car.”

“That’s fine by me.”

You crawled out of your window, following JJ down to the ground. He took your hand as the two of you ran across the lawn and into the trees.

Jumping into the back of John B’s van. The front seat was empty, most likely reserved for Kie.

“Hey, Pope,” you said as you sat next to him. “John B.”

“Hey,” they both replied. JJ slid into the van behind you. “What have you boys been up to?” you asked.

“We went to the lighthouse,” Pope said. “Almost got arrested.”

“I did get arrested,” John B said.

“Pardon?” You leaned forward.

“Yeah. We went to the Redfield Lighthouse and it was fine and dandy until I showed the guy the compass. He freaked and called the cops.” You looked back at JJ, who pulled a blunt out of his pocket. He shrugged.

“How did you get out?”

“Kie’s dad bailed me out,” John B said as if it was the most normal thing.

“And we’re going to her workplace now?”

John B nodded his head.

“Yup.”

“Let’s just pray her dad doesn’t kill us.”

Her dad didn’t kill you. But the conversation between John B and Kie went on longer than you had expected.

“What colleges are you looking at, Pope?” You asked, trying to break the silence. You heard JJ sigh dramatically as he leaned his head against the window.

“I’m going to apply to as many as I can,” he said. “But it doesn’t really matter if I can’t get that scholarship. Have you been planning on college?” “Yeah. I have to get myself a good job to keep myself afloat, ya know? Like a lawyer or a doctor or something,” you said.

“You? A lawyer?” JJ asked with a scoff. You narrowed your eyes.

“Well, I’ll have to do something to survive, won’t I? I can’t be a dishwasher for my entire life.”

“Where are you going to apply?” Pope asked, trying to turn your attention away from JJ’s comment.

“Brown, I think. And maybe Harvard. Maybe some other reputable schools. I would prefer somewhere small, but who knows.”

“And I’m guessing your dad would pay for it?” Pope asked. You knew that he hadn’t meant the sharpness in his words, but you heard it anyway.

“Probably not,” you said, pulling at a tear in your jeans. “He doesn’t want to think about me leaving the house ever. I talked about college once and he….yeah, no, I don’t really bring it up.”

“What would your dream job be?” Pope turned to face you fully. “If you didn’t have to think about school or money or a family.”

You pulled your lip in between your teeth, looking around and leaning forward as if you were about to tell a secret.

“Promise you won’t laugh?”

“I promise.”

“I don’t,” JJ said, lifting his hand. You smacked his hand out of the air before turning back to Pope.

“I want to be work in the archives of a museum,” you said, whispering.

“What?”

“Like, when people discover things, I want to catalog everything and date it and figure out where it was from and who used it and stuff like that.”

“That is so cool,” Pope said with a smile. JJ rolled his eyes.

“You want to be a coroner, right?” Pope nodded his head quickly. “That is seriously the coolest.”

“What did I say about being a kiss ass?” JJ asked from the back.

“Just because your aspirations are to be high all the time doesn’t mean it’s the same for the rest of us,” Pope said.

The car fell silent for a bit.

“I want to be a mechanic,” JJ said finally. “Like my dad.”

You leaned over to look at him. He was rolling the blunt in between his fingers, staring at it. He looked up at you, one eye squeezed shut. You smiled at him and he smiled back. It wasn’t his usual half-grin and it looked almost...sad, but it was a smile.

Both of the front doors opened at the same time. You turned around and smiled as Kie slid into the passenger seat.

“I heard you’ve had a busy day since I left,” you said. Kie rolled her eyes, a smile on her face as she glanced at John B.

“Yeah, it’s been crazy,” she said, sharing a knowing smile with John B.

“What the hell was that?” you whispered to Pope. He shrugged, looking at his hands, all the previous joy gone from his face.

They started down the road. It didn’t take long for JJ and Pope to start bickering about smoking or vaping or something along those lines.

“Look, I know I was wrong about the lighthouse,” John B said, interrupting their argument from going any further. “And I was wrong about pretty much everything else. But I was right about one thing. My dad is trying to tell me something.”

No one asked him what it was until he slowed to a stop at the cemetery.

“John B,” you asked, wrapping your arms around yourself. “Why are we in a cemetery?”

“Come on, guys,” was all he said. You sent a look at Kie and she simply shook her head, following John B out of the car.

“This place is freaky,” she said. “John B, what are we doing?”

“You know how you’re trying to remember a song, but you don’t know who sings it?”

“Everyday,” you grumbled.

“So, Redfield. This whole time I thought it was a place.” John B stopped in front of a crypt, shining the light onto the name at the top. “But what if it’s a person?”

“Voi-effing-la,” JJ said, staring up at the name.

Your stomach started to squeeze. You didn’t like dead things, especially not dead people. Cemeteries were creepy enough from the outside, you weren’t overly fond of being inside one.

“My great great grandmother Olivia,” John B said, glancing back at the group. “Her maiden name was Redfield.”

“I’ll be damned,” you breathed.

The five of you stared up at the crypt, all in different states of shock. The etching in the cursed compass actually meant something and that something was a clue that led you all here, to this crypt. You had a feeling you were all teetering at the edge of a cliff, a cliff none of you wanted to fall down. Except maybe John B.

“Help me with this door,” he said.

Pope stepped forward and tried to help him push the door open, but it wasn’t moving. Even when JJ tried to help, it still remained where it was.

“This door is like 700 pounds,” Pope groaned. “It’s not going to budge.”

“We didn’t come this far to get stuck at a door,” JJ said.

A quiet hiss from the door startled you. At first, you thought it was a booby trap and a poisonous gas had been released and you had all been infected, but then JJ relieved your fears.

“It’s a snake!”

The boys jumped backward.

“That’s a moccasin alright,” JJ said. When you looked over, there was a smile on his face. “Ye old cottonmouth. Death in tall grass.”

And then he proceeded to bark at it. You pressed your palm to your forehead.

“Are you seriously barking at a snake?” you asked, eyebrows pinched.

“JJ, shut up!” Kie sounded so done with him and the others and you couldn’t blame her. She put up with a lot. “You’re gonna wake the dead man!” Pope said, tapping JJ’s shoulder with his hand.

“What? They’re afraid of snakes. Everybody knows that.”

“No.” You shook your head. “I don’t think everybody knows that.”

You stepped toward the door, trying to figure out exactly you all could get inside. There was a relatively large hole at the top.

“Hold up,” JJ said. “If there’s one, there’s probably dozens.”

You waved him off, standing on your toes to stick your hand through the hole. JJ started barking again and while the boys tried to shut him up, you put a hand on Kie’s elbow and pointed at the hole.

“I can get through there,” she said. You nodded your head and the two of you started to clear away the branches.

“What are you doing?” John B asked turning around.

“I can fit through the hole,” Kie said, pointing at it.

“You’re not going through there.” He shook his head.

“Look, this is about your dad. And honestly, I don’t believe in it, but you deserve to know the truth.” John B looked away from her and she gave a little shrug of her shoulders. “I’ll do it.”

You crouched down, setting out your palms to hoist her up. Pope held onto her waist to stabilize her.

“I’m coming too,” you said once she was inside. Putting a flashlight between your lips, JJ and Pope helped you through the hole after Kie. You dropped to the ground and your pulse started to race. You really hated dead things.

“You alive?” John B asked. “You got like a, a heartbeat and everything?”

“So far,” Kie called back, shining the flashlight around. A shudder ran through you as your light shone over a broken casket.

“I hate it in here,” you said, wandering around. “What are we looking for again?”

“You’ll know it when you see it,” John B told you.

“Real helpful,” you mumbled, shoving your free hand into your sweater pocket.

“Oh my god,” Kie breathed, standing by a crack in the wall.

“What is it?” You crossed the crypt and stood by Kie to see what was in her hands. “Oh my god.”

“Did you find something?” JJ called from outside.

Kie pulled the envelope from the crack and turned to look at you, a hint of a smile on her face.

“He was right,” she breathed. You smiled up at her.

“Now can we get the hell out of here?”

***

Taglist - @bitterbethany @lovelymaybankk @ilymarkchan @downbytheouterbanks @clearcolourlessglass @obxwriterfan @tangledinsparkles @chill-sushi

#jj maybank #jj x oc #jj x reader #jj obx #pope heyward #john b routledge #john b obx #obx #outer banks #kiara obx #kie obx #reader insert

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humanmoodring-retired · 3 years

Text

Season’s Yeetings Pt. 1 || Blanche, Connor, Nadia (x2), Regan, and Kaden

TIMING: Present PARTIES: @harlowhaunted @connorspiracy @humanmoodring @kadavernagh @chasseurdeloup SUMMARY: Another exorcism. feat. Mav the Exorcist CONTENT: Self harm, suicide attempt (possession-driven)

If it could, Nadia was sure that her heart would be beating way too fast. She was… scared didn’t seem like it could properly encompass what she was feeling. Nervous and terrified and resigned in case things went wrong. And this could really go wrong. This could go terribly, actually, ending with not just a dead body but the wrong spirit also being destroyed. But she didn’t think she could handle being like this for much longer, and she knew that there was no way in hell Cordelia could be allowed to keep her body and do whatever she wanted with it. This had to end, no matter what. She looked around her apartment, covered in dust and messy as the day she’d walked out. This was the first time she’d been in it since the wards had been put up, and it hurt a bit to be back. This was somewhere that she’d once felt safe, comfortable. She didn’t know if she’d ever feel comfortable again if she made it out of this. But she needed to steel her resolve. She looked over at the others, gave them a nod and what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “We’re just waiting for Kaden and the exorcist, right?” And her body, of course, but that didn’t need to be voiced, did it?

Regan knew that she didn’t need to remind Nadia of what she had said in the cabin. It was as good as a promise, even though she couldn’t say the word. Nadia wouldn’t die alone. No matter what happened here today, Regan could at least give her that. And anything could happen. The first aid kit Regan had set on the counter was testament to that. Nadia didn’t want to acknowledge it verbally, but her tense expressions and manic pacing -- sometimes through the floor -- said what her words didn’t. She was terrified. In some moments, Regan allowed herself to be, too. This wasn’t how Regan wanted to come back to their apartment together, both of them ghosts of their former selves, but if today went in their favor -- and she would do anything she possibly could to see that it would -- one of them could be saved.

When Blanche and a young man who she assumed to be Connor arrived, Regan backed up to the opposite side of the room, staring across at them with a tight frown and black eyes. She didn’t greet them, but she wouldn’t shame them either. She didn’t have anger inside of her anymore -- not enough to speak -- but from an objective point of view, she did blame the two of them for Nadia’s current predicament. They would set this right, or they would face consequences. They both seem determined but anxious, focused with heavy steps and tight knuckles. Blanche, especially, seemed more an adult than she ever had before. Regan silently watched as some parts of the stage were set. Candles, salt, metal which looked dangerously like iron, and more. For her own contribution, she pushed the furniture to the sides of the room, creating an open space in the center. She could see all of their footprints in the dust, layered on top of each other and the ones she had left just a couple of weeks ago. When that was done, she went back to her wall, maintaining as much distance as possible from anyone who wasn’t Nadia. “Yes,” Regan replied, Nadia’s nervous smile melting through her a little, “Kaden said he would be ready at twenty after.” She checked her watch. Soon. “As for the-- I don’t know anything about them.”

Did it make him look better or worse to show up with homework? Photocopied pages lay folded in his back pocket, but he hadn’t dared pull them out in front of the others. He’d read them countless times anyway. Connor was more than grateful for the material’s Leah had copied from her archives for him, as well as everything he'd found while researching with Rio, but he still hadn’t managed to find anything that related to the exact situation they’d found themselves in. As far as he could tell, exorcising the wrong soul from a body just didn’t happen all that often. He supposed either he was that much of a fuck up, or Nadia’s situation was just that special. Regardless, he reckoned the older exorcist would know. “Do you know where Kaden found this bloke?” Connor asked nobody in particular. He wondered if it would be impolite to smoke a cigarette while they waited. He opted against it, since the woman with the dark eyes seemed ready to kill him at any moment. “I mean, I appreciate the help. I really do. I just wanna check what exactly we know about him.”

The somber expression on Blanche’s face couldn’t seem to leave, even as she entered the apartment and took a look at Nadia and Regan. “Hey,” she said in greeting, her tone flat. She couldn’t say much else. Blanche dropped her smaller bag on a piece of furniture and began to set up as much as she could - Blanche was conscious enough to keep the iron as far from Regan as possible. She glanced at Connor as he began to speak, pulling the long black bag she had on her back off. “He has his connections. I’m sure he’s adequate,” Blanche replied, though she was unsure too. Granny had instilled a distrust of exorcists in her from when she was young. She wasn’t sure how much of that was out of fear of being exorcised herself, but Blanche knew that a lot of people liked to masquerade with powers they didn’t actually have for the chance to get quick cash from desperate people. She unzipped the large bag, before pausing, with a frown. Warily, she announced, “I borrowed a shotgun from a friend,” she said, pulling it out. Well, really, she borrowed it from Stan, who was all too keen to give her a firearm after she got stabbed in his place of business. “It’s loaded with salt rounds. In case things get… Bad.” She glanced at the door, moving her equipment out of the way. “I suppose we’ll hear them.” She looked to Connor. “And we’ll feel Cordelia whenever she’s nearby.”

It had been so long since Kaden pulled up to Regan’s apartment, pulling up to park in front of the building felt strange and foreign at this point. Putain, he hated that. Still, there was a small sense of relief. This was finally almost over. “Welcome home,” he said to Cordelia as he led her from the car up to the top floor. It was eerie being here, even though there were plenty of people waiting inside. Maybe it was because of how abandoned the building felt now. Maybe it was because of how defeated Cordelia seemed, almost accepting of her fate. Almost. Didn’t matter. He carted her upstairs and walked her in. His heart caught in his chest as he looked around the room. Empty, cleared out, and covered in dust nothing like he remembered. It was strange to see it like this. It was strange, too, to see Regan in this context. Willingly, at that. Black eyes and distanced, it was almost easy to forget who it was. Almost. This wasn’t the return to this building he expected for both of them. He winced when he remembered what he’d done to Cordelia’s wrist. Nadia’s body’s wrist. Hopefully Regan didn’t think too poorly of him. But it was too late to do anything about it now. And if this worked, a broken wrist was the least of Nadia’s worries. Blanche was here, too. With a shotgun no less. He shot her a look but let it lie. And also some kid he assumed was Connor. He couldn’t see Nadia even if he wanted to. Now where the fuck was this exorcist?

“Howdy, folks,” the man with a mustache said as he walked through the door behind Kaden, tipping his stetson. “I heard we have a big here nut to crack.” He took a good look around the room and assessed the situation. “I see you all followed instructions. Thank you kindly, this set up should work just fine. Just fine.” He noted the handcuffed woman in the center of the room and made a quick guess that was the little lady in question. “Mr. Langley, good to see you again. I suppose some introductions might be in order. My name’s Maverick, but you can call me Mav.” He was told there was going to be a medium, another younger exorcist, and a banshee. He wasn’t sure what a banshee was doing in these here parts or what her particular interest was in this here ghost, but he wasn’t one to question. Not if he was going to rake and scrape himself together a handsome pay day out of this job. “First thing’s first. I believe a repossession is in order, is that the case here? No need to dilly dally if we’re all ready and raring to go. You all know the plan?”

“What a fucking gentleman,” Nadia snapped at Kaden as they walked into her old apartment. Good memories, she remembered. There was the cabinet where she stored all of her equipment, and that was the couch that she’d passed out on after a couple of good heist, and there was what was left of the kitchen table that she’d definitely destroyed on her way out of this place. She rolled her shoulders, felt Kaden’s knife shift from where she’d tucked it in the waistband of her jeans, the shirt covering it up. She’d just need to snap her handcuffs off like she had the last time this happened. Whatever, she could do it. She could do it. She looked around the room, glancing at the little banshee, the children, the shadow of her host. “Howdy, folks,” she said mockingly. “This looks like a party, huh?” When the mustachioed hombre walked in, she rolled her eyes and glanced at the shadow, at Nadia Diaz. Give me your best shot, she said with her eyes.

For her part, Nadia didn’t know what the hell she was supposed to do. This next part was on her, right? She had to get this started, wasn’t she? She was. Of course she was. But she was a bit nervous. Really nervous. Scared, maybe, was the right word. She gritted her teeth as she and Cordelia stared at each other, steeling herself. All she could see was her reflection in the mirror, grinning as she faded out of existence. Except Nadia couldn’t fade now. She couldn’t. She couldn’t. She stepped forward instead. “Right. I-- I repossess her, and you exorcise her out, right?” It sounded easy. This was her body, too. It was her body. She could do this. “Is there…” She trailed off as she looked at Cordelia. What a mess the two of them had made of her life. Looking in that woman’s eyes, her eyes, Nadia knew what she wanted. She wanted her fucking life back. “Is there anything else I should do?”

For a moment, Regan lifted herself from the wall when Kaden walked in, yearning to approach. But now wasn’t the time for so many reasons, and she was forgetting herself. Cordelia -- Nadia’s body -- was dragged in, wrist swollen under the handcuffs in a way that made Regan think it might be broken. Would Kaden have-- later, that was something to think about later. Once Nadia was in there again. So she stayed glued to the edge of the room, eyes flitting between Nadia, Kaden, and the shotgun that looked so massive and out of place in Blanche’s small hands. There was only one more person they were waiting on now, and just as Regan thought it, their final party member swung into the room looking like a man straight out of a spaghetti western, but far scrawnier. He appeared almost as malnourished as that child Blanche and Kaden were friendly with, Rio. But despite his protein deficiencies, his mustache still glistened under the dull lightbulbs -- which Regan suspected wouldn’t be there long considering her own track record -- and he seemed energized and ready. Where on earth had Kaden found this man?

“Hello,” Regan said in response, her first words to anyone other than Nadia, “What are your credentials?” She bore into him, not stepping any closer. Was Nadia really ready to pour all of her trust and hopes into this? Regan looked over to her friend for a moment, seeing her fear and tenseness. She offered a hand, though she knew Nadia couldn’t exactly take it; maybe it would still be enough. “I’m Regan. I’m here for Nadia. I’m a-- I was a doctor. I will not let anyone die here today.” As for Mav’s question, she had no answer for him; she’d leave that to Blanche and Connor to answer. She relayed her friend’s concerns instead, in case Mav or others were unable to hear her. “Nadia is wondering if there’s anything she should do.”

Connor's eyes widened as Blanche drew the weapon. "You bloody Americans and your guns," he sighed, but they could have done worse in this situation than a rocksalt shotgun. It was powerful, yet non-lethal, at least at the right distance. "Just be careful. Get too close and you'll blow her fucking chest out even without actual bullets." Thankfully, Kaden and Cordelia's arrival saved them from further conversation about the weapon. "Oh, you're as lovely as ever, darlin'," Connor scoffed, his confidence boosted by the presence of the others in the room. Kaden seemed as gloomy and squinty-eyed as the last time Connor had seen him clearing Snicker-Snackers out of his apartment, yet this time, the weight of his bad mood was far, far heavier.

Connor stood as the final man walked into the room, raising an eyebrow as if this was some type of bloody joke. He imagined this was what John Wayne would look like as an exorcist. "Mav," he repeated, extending his hand. "Y'alright, mate? I'm Connor. I'm gonna be helping you out with this one." He was glad he wasn't the only one who wanted to know the stranger's credentials. Thankfully, Regan had saved him from asking the man directly. He could feel Nadia's nerves, her fear, and somewhere in there, her determination. Connor couldn't touch her, couldn't offer a comforting hand, but he gave her as reassuring a smile as he could manage. "Just stay strong, yeah? Stay focused. You got this."

“I know. If I didn’t know how to use it, I wouldn’t have it,” Blanche snapped quietly at Connor, her already bad temper souring even further. She refused to look at Cordelia, there was no need, considering Nadia hadn’t yet repossessed her body. She wouldn’t need to watch for the struggle for control between them -- not yet, at least. Blanche pressed her lips together into a thin line, examining the exorcist carefully. Had she died and woken up in a bad Western? Blanche was with Regan on this one, and she glanced at the Banshee quickly before turning back to Mav. What were this man’s credentials? It wasn’t like she could ask for a CV or an exorcist license… Blanche slung the shotgun over her shoulder, finally stepping forward to greet him. “Blanche. Medium. I’ll be running telekinetic interference in case it gets…” She let out a breath, remembering the telekinetic game of tug-of-war her and Constance played in the classroom. She had thrown the teacher’s desk through a window. Blanche grimaced, and she hoped they didn’t completely trash Nadia’s apartment. “Completely out of hand.” Eyes narrow, Blanche glanced at Nadia. “Whenever you’re ready to begin, Nadia. Just like we practiced.” She looked back at Mav, still distrusting of him. Finally, lowering her voice, she asked. “You can tell what she is, right? The spirit in the body?” He had to at least be able to answer that Cordelia was a poltergeist. It was the only question she could think to answer to make sure they weren’t getting scammed.

Kaden wanted to go over to Regan, give her hand a quick squeeze of reassurance before slinking off to the side, but it wouldn’t help. The only thing that would help was finishing this, giving Nadia back what was hers. He wished he could see her, give her some reassurance before all this started. “Mav’s one of the best there is. Trust me,” he said before backing away to the door. He had to be. After what Kaden sacrificed to get him here, he had to be. This wouldn’t be for nothing. “I’ll be right at the door. Let me know if you need me.” With that he headed to the door, giving the scene one last look. He really hoped he’d be useless here and it’d be over sooner rather than later. He had to trust this was the best group possible to make this happen.

Mav gave the hunter a nod. “I’ll call on you if I need you, partner.” He didn’t know much about this Langley fellow but he trusted Porter would only refer him to someone worth his time. And this case sure sounded like a doozy. “Nice to meet you, youngin,” he said, shaking Connor’s hand. “I hope you’re good and ready for this rodeo. It’s sure to be a hullabaloo. Just follow my lead and stay by me.” It seemed like Mav and Mr. Langley might be the only two in the room who couldn’t see ghosts by the sound of it. That was alright, he didn’t need to see them to exorcise them. “Telekinesis? Well I'll be damned. That’s a horse of a different color right there, boy howdy.” That was more than he bargained for from a medium. This might not be a total disaster after all. Maybe they had a shot. Though not if they all kept on questioning him. He hoped he could settle this score and keep the quarreling to the spirits. “Young lady, I’ve been dealing with ghosts and performing exorcisms since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I know a poltergeist when I feel one and you’d best believe I know how to handle one so none of y’all need to fret about any credentials, you hear?”

Mav fastened his hat on his head a little tighter and rolled up his sleeves before pulling out his grand pappy’s old iron pocket watch. It was a silly old trinket, but it was a fool proof focal point for him. “We’ll need our Ms. Diaz to repossess her body. Once she’s in there, we’ll start the exorcism. The circle here should keep little lady Cordelia trapped while we do the banishment. There’s bound to be a lot of rattling and hollering but it’s very important that once I start wagging my mouth that no one interrupts me. One missed syllable is all it’ll take for things to go belly up in a delicate situation such as this one. So if we’re ready to start wobbling jaws and get this show on the road, y’all need to be absolutely sure you’re ready.”

Just repossess the body. That was all Nadia needed to worry about doing. She looked at where Cordelia and her body waited within the circle. The moment she crossed that line, she’d be stuck in there with a homicidal maniac until everything was completed. The way that Cordelia looked at her without really seeing her would have chilled Nadia to the bones. This had to be the most twisted form of self-loathing, when her own eyes were filled with so much hate, but she wasn’t even in there. Nadia looked at Regan’s hand and, comforted, stepped forward. Cordelia straightened up, her mouth set in a hard line. Nadia crossed into the circle, and there was no going back. She stood toe to toe with her own body, her feet floating off the ground and making her an inch or so taller. Once again, Nadia felt like she was staring at her reflection in a mirror back in Phoenix, blood on her hands and a smile that wasn’t hers, had never been hers, stretching across her mouth. She was done with this. Nadia reached her hand out and grabbed her own shoulder.

It felt weird, feeling Nadia Diaz’s hand pass through her body, but the sensation meant that the repossession didn’t work, and all Nadia could do was laugh. “You can’t even be dead properly, can you?” she hissed at the translucent figure in front of her. “God, any ghost worth their shit can possess. Come on, champ, try again.” She looked out amongst the group in front of them, from the little banshee to the cowboy, sneering. Bet they felt like dumbasses, backing the wrong Nadia. She was clearly the better of the two, more in control and more capable of taking care of this body. Not that it’d matter for long, but, shit, it was as if Nadia didn’t even want it anymore. Just like when Nadia had taken over, the girl had no fight. She couldn’t have fought back if she wanted to. “Didn’t you hear me, you dumb bitch? Try aga--” Nadia gasped, and, for the first time in weeks, she wasn’t alone in her head anymore.

The first thing Nadia noticed was that she was unbalanced. She wobbled a bit, trying to remember how to plant her feet on solid ground. Her wrist hurt. Her throat hurt. Her head was killing her. She had to blink tears out of her eyes for a moment as everything came back into focus. She was trembling, but she could feel it. She could feel everything, not just herself, and the weight of it was crushing. It was relieving. But she could feel Cordelia, too, just underneath the surface, and the poltergeist was so much stronger than she was. However, Cordelia wasn’t the one that was used to being possessed, and this would always be Nadia’s body first. For a moment, and just a moment, she had total control, even if the spirit taking up residence in her body fought like a motherfucker. “Now,” she gasped out, locking eyes with anyone that she could. “Start now. You’ve got to start now.”

Regan wasn’t sure why Blanche felt the need to mention her size to Mav (she was more shrimpy than medium, though neither of those words were qualitative enough for Regan’s liking), but she was already struggling to follow everything else that was happening. Telekinesis? Horses? A pocket watch that made a shiver roll down her spine? Instead of trying to make sense of nonsense, she turned her attention to Nadia and Kaden. As much as she wanted him to stay here, she knew it was important that someone guard the door. The last thing they needed was for Cordelia to escape… or for Ms. Carmody to wander up insisting to see what was causing all the noise. Despite not agreeing with Mav’s chosen terminology, she understood that his warning about interruption was to be taken seriously, and for a moment, she considered promising that she wouldn’t interfere. But… what if she had to? What if there was no other option? What if Nadia’s death would be a result not of the “exorcism,” but of Regan’s inability to intervene? So she held her tongue as tightly as she held Nadia’s gaze. Her fingers felt nothing as she tried to graze her friend’s hand, but something in Nadia’s eyes told her that it helped a little nonetheless. Regan only wished she could do more. She wasn’t the best at inspirational speeches, but it seemed prudent to remind Nadia that she believed in her. “You were shot by a mime and wouldn’t even come to me for stitches,” Regan said, voice resolute, “you’ve been using hydrogen peroxide on your wounds despite my warnings, and you fearlessly confronted all of those dangerous individuals at 66 Brimme Stonne. There’s likely more that I don’t even know about.” That thought sank like a stone inside of her. “You can do this, Nadia. You’re tough and, to my chagrin, occasionally medically irresponsible. But most importantly tough. And I’ll be here. No matter what.” That was a promise Regan would have made if she could.

At Mav’s instruction, Nadia drifted into the center of the room, where Cordelia stood in handcuffs. Though Regan had seen both of them individually before, seeing them in one place, staring each other down, was maddening. Some part of her wanted to explain all of this away as a hallucination, but she couldn’t lie about that, not even to herself any longer. There was no imagining Cordelia’s fury out of nowhere, either -- it was very real, even directed at someone so insubstantial as Nadia. There wasn’t even a tremor under Cordelia’s voice; she thought herself invincible, truly believing that Nadia was going to die trying. More impossible things unfolded -- Nadia vanished. Regan looked down, expecting her to pop back up through the floor, but she didn’t. Her head swiveled frantically as she searched the room. Nadia was gone. But Cordelia -- something was changing across her face. And her balance. Cordelia nearly fell, and Regan was caught off guard by how Cordelia’s voice changed. Uncertain, fearful, frenzied, with a backbone of determination. Regan knew, then -- that was where Nadia had gone, somehow. She stayed back, lingering at the side of the room as she looked to Mav, pleading silently with him to save her friend.

Bloody hell, there were a lot of people here. Most of them actual adults. This wasn't like last time when it was a bunch of kids in the woods just hoping to get this right. Connor wasn't sure if he was intimidated by that, or comforted by it. "Right," he said, nodding and stepping into position next to Mav, trying not to let the man's colourful use of language blur his judgement. They wouldn't have invited him if he wasn't capable. This was Nadia's life at stake. "I've got you, mate." He touched his focal point, currently nestled inside his pocket. It would make its real appearance once they were ready. "You got this, Nadia," he said again, looking at her sincerely and giving her an encouraging nod.

Connor could feel the palpable tension in the room. He felt the poltergeist's fury, the struggle, the pain. He focused on the battling spirits, never taking his eyes off them, ready to leap in at any moment regardless of not knowing how he could help. "She's winning," he said, managing a hopeful smile. But they weren't out of the woods yet... There was still the rest of it to do. "Quick, I'll start getting everything in place, yeah?" No wobbly mouths, or waggling jaws, or whatever the cowboy had said. The ritual had to go perfectly. He drew the diagrams around the Nadias, taking the relics and items as Mav handed them to him, the two of them settling the playing field as Nadia and Cordelia fought for control over the other. "You’ve won, okay Nadia? Stay strong, we're almost there," he called to her.

The mustached exorcist watched and waited as the spirit of Nadia Diaz returned to her own body. Mav almost wished he could see it proper, but he didn’t need to see to know what was going on. The energy shifted around them, forces battling to occupy the same space, and beyond that, he wasn’t a spring chicken. He could hear the arguments back and forth. When she said the word, Mav didn’t hesitate to start chanting. He gripped his fingers tight around the chain of the pocket watch as he formed the Latin clean and precise even with his accent peaking through, narrowing in on the energy until it was clear and crisp as sweet tea on a summer’s day. In normal circumstances, he’d never need to focus his energy like this, not for a basic removal ritual. But this? This was three gallons of crazy in a two gallon bucket. The spirit that belonged to the body was weaker, it would take everything he had to pull the poltergeist away. And then a little more than that to banish it back to hell and keep Ms Diaz from heading down to the bone orchard herself. He felt the words forming a bond of energy, like the chain from his watch, latching onto the poltergeist and pulling at it, peeling it away from the body. She was tough as a pine nut. A focal point wasn’t enough. Without dropping a phrase, he nodded to Connor and reached out to him to pull from him, to strengthen the chain. It was going to need to be strong as steel, iron even, to make this work. But Maverick Mulaney was no failure, no sir.

Blanche understood Mav’s exasperation, but she wasn’t quick to drop her skepticism. Once it was all over, she could apologize -- or kill him, if she ended up being right. The somber thought made her grimace, even as Nadia succeeded in overtaking Cordelia and the removal started. The energy in the room was thick and made her skin tingle uncomfortably. Watching Mav start to pull from Connor, Blanche backed away and started inching closer to Regan. “Regan?” She said quietly, not taking her eyes off Nadia and Cordelia. This was probably the first thing she had said to Regan directly in a very long time, but it was better to warn her now then let her be surprised. She had seen the first exorcism, and Nadia’s screams of pain weren’t something she would soon forget. That said, maybe with the removal it would be, at least, a little better. “Once Cordelia is out, it’ll get better for Nadia.” She spoke softly so she wouldn’t disturb Mav or Connor’s concentration. “... Well… Maybe not better. But it probably won’t get worse,” she corrected herself. Her hands tightened on the gun, and let out a hissed wince as her body began to feel like ice. “I think he knows what he’s doing.” Blanche was struck again with a sort of sadness and pity for Cordelia, as well as the familiar guilt in her gut, but she shook it off. There would be time to lament her choices later, now she had to keep a careful eye on Nadia. She narrowed her eyes at Nadia, taking a few steps forward as she tried to watch for Cordelia’s soul to be ripped out of Nadia’s body. “C’mon, c’mon. Let her go.” Blanche hissed under her breath. Before it killed Nadia.

Just like last time, Nadia felt a pulling sensation, like she was being ripped in half. She gritted her teeth against the pain so hard that she tasted iron in her mouth, but she stayed in control for as long as she could. This was working. They were going to win this. Granted, she felt like her insides were coming apart, as the connection with Cordelia that had literally just reformed was severed again and again and again. Cordelia raged against her skull, but Nadia held on as much as she could. If she concentrated, she could hear Mav chanting. She focused on that, on the sounds of words in a language that she didn’t understand. If she made it out of this-- When, when she made it out of this, she was going to start learning a new language. Maybe a dead language, something that could be useful in this fucking town. But she was making it out of this. Fuck, it was cold. It was so cold. Nadia felt herself trembling, and she opened her mouth to say something, but she didn’t say anything at all. She screamed.

“No!” Nadia screamed out, finally regaining control as the temperature in the room plummeted and the lights surged with her anger. No. This wasn’t happening. She wasn’t losing this. Not now. Not now. Just like in the last exorcism, she reached inward, to that part of her that was dead and had been for so long but refused to fucking stay that way. Again, the felt the shackles, fucking handcuffs of all things, fall from her wrist, but this time, she knew she wouldn’t make it out in time. She had one last Hail Mary. She didn’t even feel the pain in Nadia’s wrist as she gripped the knife hidden behind her back as tightly as she could. Lightning fast, she ran it against Nadia’s neck, leaving a thin red line. But that would be too easy, wouldn’t it? Too quick. Nadia Diaz would die suffering. She felt herself being pulled, pulled out of the body, but Nadia clung on as hard as she could, planted her heels, and dug the knife into Nadia’s stomach. It was poetic, wasn’t it? This was where she’d stabbed Kaden, where she’d stabbed the little medium. She gritted her teeth and dug in more, as much as she could. It wasn’t a big knife, sure, but she was a determined gal, and she didn’t give a fuck about Nadia’s pain. Not anymore. Then, Nadia wasn’t pulled out of Nadia’s body. She pushed herself out.

#season's yeetings pt. 1 #chatzy: blanche harlow #chatzy: connor piers #chatzy: kaden langley #chatzy: regan kavanagh #mav the exorcist #//mav is a gift #what a man #what a mustache #self harm tw #not!nadia #wickedscontent

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slash-em-up · 4 years

Text

Marry Your Monsters Pt. 11

What’s that thing they say about the best laid plans?

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Miranda was beginning to understand how Spann had gotten so far in Jesse’s business.

The woman was a terrifying marvel.

After Lisa and Miranda had agreed to do whatever they could to aid Jesse/protect Miranda/fuck up Preston’s hostile take-over plans, Spann had immediately put them to work.

The pair were barricaded in Spann’s office, pouring over every single contract and document Preston had signed or presented in the last three years.

Well, more like, Lisa was scanning the Organization’s archive and Miranda was reviewing the legal-ese.

Spann had also conjured up Miranda’s bag - and she was more than happy to change out of her shredded, sweaty, bloody dress into a pair of clean jeans and a tee-shirt. Feeling more like an actual person than she had in several hours, Miranda was fully focused on the screen before her - absorbing each tiny detail of the documents and noting anything even slightly suspicious on a notepad. She had nearly filled this one. Preston had been a very busy boy.

It also offered an emotionless peek behind the curtain of The Organization’s dealings - which was the only way Miranda felt she could process things right now. Even so, as dispassionately as it was laid out, it was still hard to read.

God, how could she have been so blind?

She’d been married to a serial-killer for over four years and she hadn’t suspected a thing. It would have been embarrassing if it wasn’t so damn sad.

Throughout their engagement and their marriage, Jesse had seemed dead-set on keeping his promise to make her the happiest woman in the world; and when he’d asked if she’d thought about having a baby she hadn’t hesitated. They’d be the perfect family.

Of course, every couple had their problems - she just hadn’t expected the gilded glow of her own to tarnish in quite the way it had.

It would have been so much easier if he’d just been having an affair.

Her train of thought was interrupted by Lisa laying a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Hey, you doing okay? Do you need a break?”

Miranda gave the dark-haired woman a small smile. Maybe it was because they were in very similar situations; but she’d immediately taken a liking to Lisa.

“No, I think the work is helping me stay sane right now; but I’d kill for a cup of coffee.”

Miranda winced. Well, she couldn’t use that particular hyperbolic statement anymore.

Lisa grinned, giving her stomach a look, then raising an eyebrow back at the blonde.

“And would that be spiked or…”

A small chuckle escaped as Miranda looked woefully down at her pregnant belly.

“Spiked, with a side of jalapeno poppers. It’s been a hell of a day.”

Lisa laughed.

“I’ll get you some hot water and lemon. Basically the same thing, right?”

“Right.”

The other woman left, leaving Miranda to return to the contract she’d been perusing.

She was interrupted again as a loud electronic shrieking sounded out from the hall speakers.

Reflexively, her hands shot up to cover her ears until the reverberating sound of a tearful female voice echoed over the din.

‘Mom! Mom… I don’t…where I… find… PLEASE!’

Fuck, fuck, fuck…

Miranda stood, pacing as quickly as she could toward the office door before coming to an abrupt halt.

This was exactly the kind of thing that would get her killed… or captured… or whatever the fuck Preston wanted with her. Honestly it was like a badly written action movie. Female lead goes off and does something stupid - gets herself taken - hero comes in, guns blazing and saves the day.

The summer blockbuster formula almost made her gag. And she very much doubted that Jesse would be in the rescuing mood if her grand scheme ended with whoever he’d kidnapped escaping.

Miranda paced the room, biting at her thumbnail, waiting as long as she could for some kind of sign that she should take action.

A loud scream echoing down the hall clinched it.

She was about to do something very, very stupid.

-------------------------------------------------------

Jesse sincerely hoped he never had to play poker with Spann. She would win, hands down.

They both sat in Jesse’s office as Spann assisted him in the now pitifully difficult job of shaving his head.

She’d found him standing over the razor and steaming bowl - bare-faced and glaring down at them, trying to work out how he was going to be able to do this himself.

Mirrors were for people with faces… and potentially hazardous self-grooming was for people with two functioning eyes.

God he really was pathetic.

Preston’s assistants face had been blank and still as she’d asked to shave him; which was probably the only reason he hadn’t gutted her simply for walking in on him.

She hadn’t offered him pity or framed it as her ‘helping’ him.

He appreciated that.

It also gave him an opportunity to check in on what his traitorous fixer was up to.

‘It’s not the mask that’s intimidating… it’s the man behind it…’

While Jesse did actually agree with the statement, the fact that is was coming from Preston was pretty fucking hilarious.

‘Kills three people and he thinks he’s Michael Myers…’

“He’s mocking you now? He decides who lives or dies?” Spann sounded disgusted.

‘It’s time for a change in personnel, just not the one Preston wants.’ Jesse signed, tilting his head so Spann could scrape the sharp metal over his temple.

The woman didn’t pause in her careful movements; but Jesse could see the slight tilt of her lips as she absorbed his words.

“You’re making the right decision.”

She gently toweled the soap from his scalp, running her hands over it to check her work.

“This will all go smoothly.”

Jesse stood from the chair, towering over the small woman who’d just earned her place at his right hand.

‘Take care of it; but leave Preston to me.’

Spann smiled.

“Yes, sir.”

Stepping over to his computer, Jesse took great joy in telling Preston he was out - Spann leaning just barely out of the camera’s eyeline to appreciate the look of shock and horror on Preston’s face before he casually flicked his camera off.

If the pair had been paying a little closer attention to their other screen, they just might have seen a shape move awkwardly out from behind a coffin and make their way slowly closer to Jessica and Tommy.

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This was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea…

Miranda could have slapped herself for being so impulsive. What the hell was she thinking? Even on her best days she was far from sneaky, and it was even harder to slink around when you couldn’t see the floor to avoid tripping hazards.

She bent down as low as she could to hide behind an open casket lid while she waited for Preston to finish talking to a half-naked girl.

Miranda winced in sympathy as Preston got close to the poor kid. She looked terrified, and with good reason.

The boy Preston had dragged in looked like he was down for the count too.

She wished she’d taken a moment to grab Jesse’s knife from the office - the damn thing was the definition of ‘style over substance’; but it would have been better than nothing.

Thankfully, she was close enough to hear everything Preston was saying.

He really was that much of a prick, huh?

A surprising surge of protective anger flooded through her as she listened to Preston go off about Jesse.

‘Hey, that’s my fucking serial-killer you’re talking about, asshole!’

Miranda groaned silently.

She’d deal with that particular bullshit after the girl was safely out of here… And then she’d deal with the other flavors of bullshit this whole mess had turned up, not the least of which was protecting her serial-killer from the OTHER serial-killer who was staging the murderer’s equivalent of the Russian Revolution.

“This is gonna be over quick, alright? See one way or another, one of us is going to slice you.”

Preston smashed the boys head into the concrete floor before hoisting him up and walking him over to a large bank of computer screens.

Miranda shifted slightly as Preston spoke casually into the still air.

“Hey boss, you ah, you recognize this kid? He was with the girl in Ashville?”

Oh fuck, that’s why he looked so familiar.

He was the boy from the store. He’d been there when Jesse was trying to kill the prostitute.

She had to get them out. There wasn’t any question in her mind.

A sharp beeping from the largest screen brought Miranda’s attention back to the scene. A familiar silhouette filled it, and what Jesse wrote next was… surprising.

YOUR POSTION AT

THE ORGANIZATION IS

NO LONGER REQUIRED.

Then the screen went black.

Preston stood, frozen, staring at the blank monitor for a few seconds as the two captives sat tearfully at his feet.

When he did move, Preston bent down, muttering something to the pair too low for Miranda to hear, before stepping out of sight.

Miranda made her move.

As slowly and quietly as possible, she slipped out from behind the casket lid.

The sneakers she’d replaced her sandals with made the barest of squeaking noises as she tip-toed over to the bound pair.

It would be a lie to say the comical widening of the boy’s eyes wasn’t a little funny - but she supposed it was fair to say he probably wasn’t expecting an enormously pregnant woman with bruises and a bandaged arm to come to their rescue.

If she’d heard correctly, the girl was legally blind… or almost… so she wasn’t surprised that she was a little slower on the uptick than her fellow captive.

But when the girl did notice Miranda had to jolt forward to cover the girls mouth as she inhaled sharply. She couldn’t risk too much noise, and she offered the girl an apologetic look when she finally lowered her hand.

“Sorry.” Miranda whispered.

“What the fuck?!”

Tommy scooted back on his ass to get a better look at her.

“Jesus, lady what are you doing here?!”

Miranda frowned.

“None of your fucking business. Just know I’m here to help. I’m gonna get you out.”

The girl looked up at her with watery eyes.

“I’m Jess.”

That nearly made Miranda snort. Of course she was. Hopefully Jessica would be less trouble for her than Jesse.

“I’m Tommy.”

“And her name is Miranda.”

A voice from behind caused all three of them to freeze, Jess and Tommy looking fearfully over Miranda’s shoulder.

Fuck. She knew this would happen.

“Hello Preston.”

Miranda stood, turning slowly to face the man in black; making sure to keep the kids behind her.

“Did you come back to clean out your office? I heard you got the shaft. Too bad.”

Preston smiled, showing all his teeth as his hands formed into fists.

“Ah yeah, Jesse gave me my walking papers. But what in the world are you doing down here?”

Miranda circled as Preston did, making sure he always stayed in her direct line of sight.

“Me? Oh, you know, bored housewife. Emphasis on the bored. Thought I’d take a little stroll.”

Casually, Preston pulled a familiar bladed tool from his belt, making Miranda’s heart beat faster.

“Well, I’m so glad we could run into each other like this. Pretty fortuitous.”

“…Oh?”

“Mmhmm… see, I think this is gonna go one of two ways. Either your hubby is going to come down here to the rescue - at which point I’ll cut his ugly face off again - and make it stick. OR he won’t, and I’ll carve the fucking baby out of you and let Jesse deal with the clean-up. Either way, it’s time for a little payback.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Preston charged.

Miranda screamed, uncaring if the whole facility heard her, and ran.

She moved as quickly as she could back towards the hallway, nearly grasping the handle before Preston was on her.

His arms wrapped tightly around her chest as they rammed into the metal, making her yelp in pain and wrap her hands protectively around her stomach as she writhed in his grip, trying everything she could to break free.

Her foot collided with his knee, causing him to hiss out a curse and momentarily loosen his grip.

Miranda shifted, trying to use her weight to unbalance him; but it was too late.

One hand wrapped unforgivingly into her hair and Preston slammed her head into the metal door once, twice, three times until Miranda’s vision began to fade and her muscles relaxed.

The last thing she saw before everything went black was the steady red blinking of a security camera.

#Jessica writes #Jesse cromeans x mrs cromeans #jesse cromeans #chromeskull #laid to rest 2009 #chromeskull: laid to rest #horror movies #slasher fiction

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lazy-drawn · 6 months

Text

Need Advice One-Shot

Jonathan Kent x Damian Wayne Fanfic + Audio Story

Took me a while to make another one since I will now be making videos & posting them on TikTok. Hope you all still enjoy it all the same. And @the-barista-district thanks for encouragement!(o_ _)ﾉ彡☆

Pt.1/2

Pt.2/2

For the last two minutes Damian had finally moved from the doorway and started to approach where Dick was sitting, stopping then starting again. Then Damian finally stood on the opposite side of the table Dick sat at, turned on his heel walked away few feet only to turn back to return. He did this a few times actually, once or twice when he stood in front of Dick his mouth opened then clamped it shut before walking away again. Only to repeat the whole thing over again. “…No.” Damian said, turning on his heel again to leave or start this weird hesitant dance all over again. “Oh my god, Damian, what do you want?” Dick asked, dropping his spoon loudly in his bowl, tired of watching whatever this was supposed to be. “You’re starting to make me dizzy, spit it out.”

#damian wayne #damian al ghul #robin #batman #batman and robin #dc comics #fanfic #jonathan kent #superboy #audio fanfiction #tiktok #damijon #jondami #dick grayson

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van1llab34n · 3 years

Text

✨KING PENDRAGON by Van1llaB34n ✨

Published on Ao3

CHAPTER ONE : THE BAD FEELING & THE TREASURE CHEST (Pt. 2)

"Didn't peg you for an artistic soul, sire! Now you're telling me you can draw? Hopefully better than whatever Morgana doodled on the walls."

Arthur shot Merlin an unamused eyeroll but pushed a bound notebook to him all the same. Merlin pursed his lips and carefully opened it. The bindings were brittle, and some pages slid out, Merlin fumbling to catch them. When he did, he whistled quietly and looked up at Arthur and back at the page in rapid succession. Arthur could draw... incredibly well. He flipped through the pages and gazed at them with wonder. Some of the drawings he instantly recognized. A detailed sketch of a horse's head. A simple outline of a hut on a hill. But as Merlin got further into the book, the drawings became grander and grander.

One depicted Morgana, with her features sharp even as a child, gazing out of her window to the courtyard. Another of Gwen's face, her eye's closed and smiling gently. An old man with a long beard with a cloak pulled over his head. A woman kissing a child's forehead. He flipped through the pages enthralled by their contents. When he got to the end, he found a paper ripped out and folded in half. He looked up at Arthur questioningly, who had averted his eyes to avoid Merlin's reaction to his work. Getting no response, he pulled the page out and opened it.

This drawing was different than the others. With the rest of his art, Arthur had painstakingly created tiny details and gentle shading. This one... the face of a young boy, was haphazard and roughly made from jagged lines and harsh shadows. Merlin ran his fingers over it and then raised it to the king.

"Who is this?"

---

CLICK LINK TO CONTINUE CHAPTER

Love you all and home you guys enjoy the chapter!🥰

#bamf merlin #merlin fanfic #merlin fanart #merlin emrys #merlin #bbc arthur #bbc merlin #bbc morgana #bbc merthur #archive of our own #arthur pendragon

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evil-overlord-scriptology · 4 years

Text

Dating My Brother’s Archenemy Pt. 2 (ARCHIVED)

CrAzYArtist: Party? Like full out high school party? Drinking and drugs and everything? O.o I didn't know you were into that...

GreenThumb: Yeah... and my sister is making me go. But it'd give us a chance to hang out.

MonKeybiz: I'm for it! As long as you don't make me do anything against my will...

$Cha-Ching$: Fine by me, never been to one before.

CrAzYArtist: Where's it at?

GreenThumb: Ermmm... It's Amber's party... My sister is friends with her and she's dragging me a long as her ride back home. Can't see why I can't just wait around in town until she's ready...

MonKeybiz: ...You're kidding, right?

$Cha-Ching$: Gives Kori a perfect chance to speak with Nathaniel though...

MonKeybiz: True...

CrAzYArtist: Say one more word about that and I'll break the record of my grudges.

$Cha-Ching$: No idea of what you mean, but I can tell you're serious. Not crossing the line

MonKeybiz: I second that!

GreenThumb: Besides, it gives you three a perfect chance to crash Amber's party.

CrAzYArtist: I'm in!

$Cha-Ching$: Me too!

MonKeybiz: Me three! lol

*RabidsingeR has signed in*

CrAzYArtist: Clear you weekend calendar, Lexsie, we're going to crash Amber's party!

MonKeybiz: And do a little matchmaking between Nath and Kori on the side.

$Cha-Ching$: Hey, this is Penni!

GreenThumb: Plus you finally get to meet me in person!

RabidsingeR: You had me at 'crash Amber's party' XD I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this...

"You are not going out like that." Castiel said, not even looking up from his guitar. I looked down at my pure white flowing knee length dress and sheer tights with snowflakes picked out in silver. Lysander, who was sitting across from him scribbling away, glanced up, raised an eyebrow then looked at my brother, "She's not dressed inappropriately." Castiel still wouldn't look up, "She's going to that stupid party, so she's dressed inappropriately." He stated simply. I rolled my eyes to Lexsie who kept dabbing at her make up while Penni kept slapping her hand away. I wondered how Lexsie could even like my brother, he was just a pain sometimes. Penni smacked Lexsie's hand away again, "If you keep touching it, you're going to smudge my work!" The blonde girl snapped. Savannah sighed, "Really Lexsie. You're the one who wanted Penni to do your make up..." Lexsie's fingers started inching their way towards her face again, but one glare from Penni stopped them.

Castiel finally looked up, "You look fine Lexsie. Stop fussing." He said flatly. Lexsie didn't really need the bright pink colored blush after that, she was so red in the face that the base couldn't hide it. Savannah, Penni and I giggled. Over the few days that we had to get our costumes ready for Amber's Halloween party Lexsie and Castiel went from Stage 1: 'You're Just My Friend, Whatever' to Stage 2: 'Blushes and Compliments.' It was all according to Tansy's '10 Stages of Relationships' chart. Penni was at Stage 7: the 'Can't be Without You' stage. Savannah was still at stage one with Lysander. Tansy said I was between Stage 5: 'Shyly Skipping Around the Subject of Dating' and Stage 6: 'Small Kisses and Presents.' I thought it was strange that Tansy had this whole thing already worked out, and that it made sense, somewhat.

I sighed and snatched up my white wedge heels, “Let's go we're going to be late. Hey Castiel, are you using the car?” My brother, squinting at a page of lyrics, shook his head 'no'. I smirked, now came to part of tricking him, “I need the keys really fast, where are they?” Still trying to decipher the Lysander's writing, Castiel pointed to the small bowl sitting on the table, “There, stop bothering me.” He snapped. Before my twin realized he had been duped, I grabbed the car keys and ushered my snickering friends out the door, calling over my shoulder, “We'll be home late, see you later!” Before I closed the door, I could see Lysander smirking at me, he winked. So he knew my plan, but didn't bother to tell my brother. Guess he was on my side again.

vvv

So far the party was a total bore. The only thing exciting was when some random couple got into a major fight which ended with a major make out session that made me want to gag. Penni seemed to be enjoying herself though, having never been to a stereotypical teen party. Even I had been before, when Lexsie dragged me to one our freshmen year, that was when we met Savannah. And I met Ty, much to my later misfortune. I kept to the seats, sandwiched between couples who couldn't keep their hands off each other and druggies smoking themselves silly. Savannah had left in search for a soda, knowing it would be a lost cause, while Lexsie was busy warding off guys hitting on her. Penni, however, had headed straight for the dance floor. From my view, I could tell she was owning the floor with her crazy moves. I hadn't even known she was into dancing.

Savannah reappeared, two Dr. Peppers in her hand, “Guess Nathaniel is cracking down on the beer, I couldn't find any.” She said as she handed me one of the frigid cans. I shot her a look, “Were you looking for them?” I asked suspiciously. Savannah plopped down next to me, not caring if her medieval lady dress was wrinkled in the process, and laughed, “Of course not. But you know how hard it is to find a coke at these parties. I was kinda suspicious when the first cooler was nothing but sodas, so was the second and the third... after I looked around, I couldn't find any beer.” I popped the tap on my soda and took a nice long drink. Something bumped into me, causing me to spew my drink... just as Amber walked past in her skimpy pirate girl costume.

As Lexsie would say: It was an opportunity worth dying for, and from the look Amber gave me, I thought she really was going to kill me. Savannah dying of laughter beside me didn't help my case of it being an accident. Suddenly I went from being the invisible snow princess, to the girl facing Amber's wrath. I slouched a little in my seat, bracing myself for the hurricane that was about to be unleashed.

“YOU LITTLE BITCH!! You did that on purpose! Why are you even here, I know I didn't f***ing invite you!” Amber started, her voice shrill to the point that I knew any dogs within a mile could hear her. I slumped down a little lower, my cheeks flaming red. I didn't like being the center of attention and suddenly I was on Broadway. “Uhh... I'm sorry, I didn't-” I started, but Amber didn't even let me explain, “You ruined my $200 costume! You are soooooo paying me back, bitch! Don't think you won't!” Amber shouted then stomped away, her whole right side drenched in my backwash. I buried my face in my hands, not sure if I should cry or laugh. Lexsie came up just as the rest of the crowd started returning to normal, “What happened?” I was still embarrassed to speak, but Savannah wasn't, “Well, you see. Kori decided it would be a good idea to spill Dr. Pepper on Amber and-” “It was an accident!” I practically wailed, both my friends cracked up.

vvv

Hours late Jade finally showed up as a green haired vampire. I didn't even have to make introductions, Lexsie and Savannah spotted him the minute he walked through the door, his bright green hair as out of place as Savannah's purple hair or my white locks. When I saw that there would be no awkwardness between the three I went to find Penni. She was surrounded by jocks trying to flirt with her, and she didn't look very pleased at all. I smiled and joined her, “Hey Penni, Jade's here. Do you want to meet him?” I asked. Penni looked at me confused, she had already met Jade before he went back to his own school, and she knew I knew that. I gave her a look, trying to express with my eyes that I was giving her the perfect chance to escape the jock's unwanted attention. She finally got the message and nodded before dragging me away with a force I didn't know she had.

Of course, we never made it that far. As we walked underneath the upper story walkway, there was a voice shouting, “There she is!” It was followed by a show of ice cold water down on my head. I shrieked at the sudden change in temperature, throwing up my arms to deflect most of the downpour off my poor head. Laughter filled the air, and I was dragged back to the day that Amber had altered the comic I had drawn. Only this was worse, this was physical discomfort.

Penni was staring at me, mouth open wide and eyes nearly popping out of her head. None of the water hit her luckily. Her gypsy costume was still in tact, but the same could be said for my snow princess dress. It had gone from gleaming white to sheer in .03 seconds, plastered to my body like a second skin. I hastily crossed my arms over my chest, shaking from the cold air that now wafted at my body. Amber appeared before me, taunting, “I told you you'd regret it, little bitch. How does it feel?” Penni glared at Amber and opened her mouth to defend me, but someone else beat her to it, “Amber! That's enough.” Shivering I looked over my shoulder just as Nathaniel wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. His sister backed down with a pout.

Nathaniel took me to his bedroom. I sat on his bed, the blanket wrapped around me, watching him as he carefully made sure his door was cracked two inches. I couldn't help but smile at that, “I-It won't m-m-ma-matter. The-They w-w-will a-a-a-as-assume the w-w-worst.” I stuttered, my teeth clattering together loudly. Nathaniel didn't answer as he shifted through his drawers and pulled out a pair of grey sweats and a formless white T-shirt. He motioned to a closed door on the other side of the bed, “Bathroom is through there.” I didn't move. I just stared at the pile of clothes he gave me, then up at his golden eyes, “Why do you always help me?” I blurted out.

Nathaniel blushed a little and looked away sheepishly, “Uh... I guess I feel responsible for what my sister does to you.” He said uncomfortably. I looked back down, disappointed, “...oh...” I stood and moved toward the bathroom to change, but Nathaniel grabbed my arm, “Korianna, wait...” I looked up at him, half hoping half dreading what he would say. Nathaniel studied me for a while before saying, “You know I like you, Korianna. I guess that's the real reason why I want to protect you from my sister's stupid pranks.” I stared at Nathaniel for a minute, my brain trying to catch up to what he just said. Nathaniel blushed even harder and started to let go of me, thinking that I was rejecting him, when I threw my arms around his neck and crashed my lips to his. Surprised he stumbled back a step and I was dragged with him, my feet skittering forward to avoid doing a face plant. Somehow my left foot got wedged behind his right and he tripped over it. To avoid falling to the floor, Nathaniel twisted and we both ended up on the bed, me on top of him, kissing...

...just as Melody opened the door.

The three of us stared at each other for a minute, all of us blushing. Then I bolted off Nathaniel and fled for the bathroom, the clothes he gave me clutched in my arms. I stood leaning against the door, breathing heavily. I could not believe Nathaniel and I had just been caught by the girl who had a crush on him. Castiel seeing us kissing was bad enough, but Melody wasn't one to keep a secret like my brother. She was almost as bad as Peggy when it came to gossip, except when it dealt with Nathaniel. I just hoped her policy of not telling Peggy anything about Nathaniel would cover this incident. I could hear Melody speaking in a chocked tone, “What's going on? I-I came to tell you I was here and she- Did Kori... was she...?” Then came Nathaniel's much calmer voice, “Someone spilled something on Korianna's costume, she came to me for extra clothes.” His voice left no room to question how I had come in his bedroom looking for extra clothes and ended up kissing him. There was a small muffled sob and the sound of a door slamming.

I finished tugging on the white shirt and tying the sweats tighter around my waist before leaving the bathroom, my wet dress flung over one arm. Nathaniel was standing in the middle of his room, staring down at something in his hands. I peered around him to see a pair of yellow cat ears attached to a head band teetering over his palm. Melody must have given them to him before she left. I gently touched his shoulder, startling him. Biting my lip I looked down, “I'm sorry... I-” Nathaniel pressed a finger to my lips, “You shouldn't be sorry. It's not your fault.” He said softly. I tried a small smile and took the cat ears from him, “These are nice. You should wear them.” I said timidly, trying to change the subject to a safer track.

Nathaniel snorted, “I don't celebrate Halloween. I think it's stupid.” He said dully and I rolled my eyes, “You would.” I muttered then shoved the car ears down on his head, laughing at his expression of surprise. “There! You know, the ears really look good on you, I think you should wear them from now on.” I said between giggles. Nathaniel frowned at me and tried to pull the ear off, but I swatted his hands away, “No I like them. Leave them in.” Slowly he lowered his hands and didn't try to take them off again. I grinned at the thought that Nathaniel would wear something even if he didn't like it, because he knew I did. Mentally I made a note to tell Tansy I had gone from between Stage 5 and Stage 6 to fully on Stage 6 of her 10 Stages of Relationships. I knew she would be thrilled.

*CrAzYArtist had signed in*

$Cha-Ching$: Hey so what happened after the water accident yesterday? No one saw you after that.

MonKeybiz: Seriously, girl. I know you want to be with your boy, but spend some time with your homeys!

RabidsingeR: Savannah, don't try to be gangster. It's just atrocious.

CrAzYArtist: 8 points for Lexsie!

RabidsingeR: We're not playing Scrabble, Kori...

GreenThumb: Back on subject... where did you go? I didn't get to even say hi before you disappeared.

CrAzYArtist: No reason... I just didn't want to be in that house anymore

$Cha-Ching$: So either you got into a fight with Nath or kissed him again...

RabidsingeR: I'm going with kissing... At least here's hoping ;P

CrAzYArtist: Since you'll drag it out of me anyway... Yes, Nath and I kissed again, and Melody walked in on us.

MonKeybiz: ...Oh snap... doesn't she have a crush on Nath?

$Cha-Ching$: Yep... ladies and Jade, prepare for World War 3

CrAzYArtist: Oh come on! Melody and I are rational people, it's not like we'll end up cat fighting in the middle of the hall.

RabidsingeR: When it comes to guys, all rationality goes out the window.

$Cha-Ching$: Yeah, I mean look at how Lexsie first treated me for the whole Lysander mess... and she doesn't even like him (not like Savannah)!

RabidsingeR: THAT WASN'T THE REASON!

$Cha-Ching$: *read in sarcasm* You're right. It was because Kori forced Castiel into the whole mess, since that makes a whole lot more sense.

MonKeybiz: Penni you're hilarious!

RabidsingeR: Grrrrr...

CrAzYArtist: Get over it, Lexsie.

GreenThumb: Back on topic girls.

MonKeybiz: lol, what are you the Topic Police?

GreenThumb: Yes... don't make me write you a ticket! ^^

MonKeybiz: I'm shaking in fear, Jade.

CrAzYArtist: Has anyone seen Violette? She hasn't been on.

GreenThumb: She was on briefly yesterday while you were getting ready for the party.

RabidsingeR: Oh... and what did you two... discuss...? Hmm?

GreenThumb: How nuts you are.

$Cha-Ching$: 'You' as in all of us, or 'you' as in Lexsie?

GreenThumb: You as in Lexsie.

RabidsingeR: Love you too Jade! X(

MonKeybiz: Okay guys, we have a crisis on our hands. Kori is possibly facing a cat fight with Melody...

CrAzYArtist: I can handle myself, Savannah...

RabidsingeR: We all know you can't, Korianna.

CrAzYArtist: ...

MonKeybiz: Nice going, dummy.

RabidsingeR: ...Oops...

*CrAzYArtist has signed out*

I glared at the log in sign for ChatRoomzNet, normally I was used to Lexsie's hurtful comments, knowing she didn't really mean them, but that was just too far. Crossing my arms I slouched in my computer chair, but the more I thought about what she said, the more I realized... Lexsie was right. I couldn't take care of myself. It was always my brother or my friends who stepped in when something didn't go right. Now Nathaniel did the same. I closed my eyes wondering if I surrounded myself with people who had an instinct to protect me, so I wouldn't have to do so myself. Did I make friends or bodyguards? I shivered, scared of the answer. Maybe I wasn't so innocent as everyone made me out to be, maybe I was just a manipulative girl and a coward.

My cell phone buzzed, bringing me out of my self depression. I answered it without thought, “Hello?” “Is this Korianna?” Someone, a guy by the deep tone of his voice, asked. I frowned, wondering who could have gotten my number. “Yeah, who's this?” “Nathaniel... You gave me your number last night, remember?” I shot straight up in my chair, I had forgotten that we had exchanged numbers when he walked me home. I leaned back in my chair, my right hand pressing into my forehead, “Sorry... I didn't add your number in yet, I was too tired last night.” I shut my mouth, knowing I was about to start babbling. There was a pause on the other side of the line, “Korianna... are you alright? You don't sound very happy.” Nathaniel ventured. I mentally cursed, why did Nathaniel have to be so good at guessing someone's emotions? I stayed silent, debating if I should tell him or not. I sighed, unable to lie to the guy who had been nothing but nice to me since I came to Sweet Amoris, “I'm not. I-” Nathaniel cut me off before I could explain “Don't say anything else. I'm coming to pick you up, then you can tell me what's bothering you.” I couldn't help but smile.

vvv

“Alright, now what's the matter?” Nathaniel asked after he returned with two ice cream cones, handing me the chocolate one. I licked the frozen dairy, taking my time in answering. When I didn't answer for a while Nathaniel shrugged and leaned back on the bench, eating his own ice cream contently, waiting patiently for me to answer. Crunch! I pulled back realizing I had just ate all my ice cream and was working on the cone now. I was stalling. I sighed and turned to Nathaniel, “Do you... think I'm helpless?” I asked him. The student council president blinked several times, his blonde eyebrows pulled low over the bridge of his nose. Nathaniel shot me a funny look, “What makes you say that?” I sighed and looked down at the remains of my melting cone. “Something Lexsie said earlier, about how I can't take care of myself.” I saw Nathaniel's gold eyes narrow and hurried on before he could say anything, “I think she's right. Looking back, I've never been able to get out of a mess by myself. Lexsie and Castiel were always taking care of my problems. Then Savannah and now you. I can't think of any time I solved a problem by myself.”

It took forever to Nathaniel to answer. I could tell by his frown that he was still trying not to get angry at Lexsie and failing miserably. Finally he exhaled deeply, his head bent so that his bright blonde hair covered his face, “Do you... want... to not be protected?” I tilted my head, “Huh?” I asked him confused by the question. Nathaniel looked at me, “Do you want your friends not to care about what happens to you?” He asked, his expression unreadable. I shook my head, still confused at what he was asking. Nathaniel closed his eyes and smiled, “Then you have nothing to worry about. We all love you Korianna, that's why we step in, because no one wants to see you hurt.” My eyes widened a fraction at the word 'love' but I shoved that thought out of my mind before it could fully form; now wasn't the time to be thinking like that. I stared at my lap, dimly feeling the cold sludge of chocolate ice cream sliding down my fingers. I hadn't thought of it that way. I pushed a smile on my face, "Alright if you say so..." I murmured. Nathaniel grinned and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. I blushed, but didn't pull away, I could get used to this...

vvv

*CrAzYArtist has signed in*

RabidsingeR: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! FORGIVE ME! I'll never say another word again!

CrAzYArtist: Just drop the subject Lexsie...

$Cha-Ching$: Please! You've been going on and on about this for hours.

RabidsingeR: You would too if your best friend is super mad at you!

$Cha-Ching$: First off I wouldn't have even said it. Second, Ken would never be mad at me, it's against his nature.

MonKeybiz: Well we all thought it was against Kori's nature to get mad enough to LOG OFF!

GreenThumb: You three are terrible friends. Kori, are you okay?

CrAzYArtist: Yeah...

RabidsingeR: It doesn't sound like it! TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG!!!

MonKeybiz: Seriously? You're the one asking that?

CrAzYArtist: Nothing's wrong. And Lexsie...

RabidsingeR: *gulp* ...yes...?

CrAzYArtist: I'm only forgiving you because it got me a date with Nathaniel.

RabidsingeR: WHAT?!?!

$Cha-Ching$: O[]O

MonKeybiz: GIMME DETAILS WOMAN!!

GreenThumb: Well what do you know? There IS a silver lining to every thundercloud! CX

“So then my mum was all for sending me across the Pond to my uncle's home, studying abroad as it were. That's why I'm here.” Tansy explained before class that morning, twirling a strand of her springy brown hair around her finger. She was nodding her head to a song only she could hear, her teeth latching onto her bottom lip, her rabbit earrings bobbing at the motion. Lexsie nodded eagerly, determined just to keep the girl talking so she could listen to Tansy's accent. I would feel sorry for the British girl, if she wasn't so talkative to begin with. Savannah yawned and laid her head on my shoulder, “Wake me when the bell rings.” She mumbled, closing her red eyes for a few extra minutes of sleep. I glanced at my sleepy friend then returned to my sketchpad. It had been a while since I had drawn, not since Amber got a hold of that cursed comic. It was only because Ms. Orion, the art teacher, was determined to make me enter a drawing in some annual art exhibit that I was even drawing. I would have said no, but then the miraculous thing happened and both Nathaniel and Castiel said I should enter something.

I had decided to continue working on the piece I started when I first moved to Sweet Amoris, the one with Ken and Penni smiling at each other. I filled the blank spaces with pictures of Savannah and Lexsie with their arms around each other's shoulders, both laughing. Opposite of my two friends I had drawn Tansy, her face aglow with the light of her laptop. I erased Nathaniel in the library and replaced it with another picture of him bent over a filing cabinet, leafing through some papers. I also erased Amber and her crew and replaced it with the principal when she was calm and grandmotherly. Now I had a problem of small spaces in between the drawings, too small to be of any use, but big enough that they were noticeable. Tapping my pencil against my lip I tried to think of a way to fill in the spaces. Shading them in would be tacky and would ruin the drawings, clashing with the light shading. Maybe I could smudge the drawing around the edges to get rid of the white spaces. Tilting my head I scanned my drawing, trying to imagine what it would look like. If done correctly the pictures would appear to be coming out of a fog, but it would be hard to get the smudges exact. If I did smudge the drawing, it would probably take up more time than drawing actual pictures.

“Wow. You're really good.” Penni said behind me, causing me to startle. Savannah grunted and sat up, giving me a bleary-eyed glare. The blonde behind us was still staring at my drawing, more specifically Ken. I shrugged, “I've had a lot of practice.” I said, but I knew she wasn't listening to me, her stormy grey eyes were still on Ken. Tentatively her fingers reached out to graze her best friend's penciled cheek. I watched her, amused. “You know, if you want, I can copy the drawing for you so you can have one of your own...” I offered. Penni gave me a wide eyed look, “Really? Yeah, I'd love one!” She said in a rare show of excitement. I smiled at her and flipped the cover of my sketchpad back over the drawing, “I'll give it to you tomorrow then.” I told her. Savannah leaned against me again, “What about Lysander? Will you draw him for me?” She asked in a sugary sweet tone. I glared at her, “No.”

vvv

“I'm eating here.” I said to my friends at the beginning of lunch, pointing to the Student Council Room. My decision earned knowing looks from the girls and a glare from Castiel. Lysander just smirked, he had forgiven me for crashing the date with Penni, but we were just overly polite now. At least he helped Lexsie drag Castiel away, so I could avoid the drama of Nathaniel and Castiel butting heads. Nathaniel looked up when I entered, smiling when he saw who it was, “Hey Korianna.” He said before popping a carrot stick in his mouth. I gave him a flat look, “Carrot sticks? Really, Nathaniel?” I asked. Nathaniel shrugged, “My mom always packed them in my lunches when I was younger. I like them.” He stated nonchalantly, nibbling at another carrot. I shook my head and sat down in the chair to the right of his. “Well, my mom packed brownies. I think I got the better deal.” We both laughed.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at my lunch; a roast beef sandwich, iced tea in a thermos, and a wild berry muffin. I chuckled sheepishly, “I like to cook...” I said sheepishly. It was Nathaniel's turn to shake his head, “Is there anything you're not good at?” I answered him quickly, “School.” It was true. Castiel didn't apply himself at all and managed to make As, I studied hard and still barely made Bs. Nathaniel seemed surprised, “Really?” He asked. I nodded glumly and waited for Nathaniel to start comparing me to my brother, but instead he said, “If you ever need help studying, I can help.” He offered. I shot him a surprised look, seeing that blush of his that I loved. Reaching over I swiped one of his carrot sticks, “Alright, thanks Nathaniel.” I said, biting the stick in half with a Cheshire Cat grin. Nathaniel shot me a dirty look, grumbling something about thief under his breath. I only smiled and finished off my stolen carrot stick.

vvv

A hand appeared in the middle of my face, waving. I jerked back, blinking and glared at Penni. The blonde was glaring back at me, “You should really get your hearing checked, girl.” Penni snapped. I began to turn back to the book Nathaniel had loaned me, but Penni snatched it out of my hands before I could focus on its words. “Oh no! You're going to put this book down and converse like a normal person.” Penni said. I crossed my arms, “Study Hall is supposed to be for studying, not talking.” I retorted. Penni scoffed and waved her hand around the room, “And how many people are actually studying? Zero.” I opened my mouth, but my blonde friend cut me off, “You were reading for pleasure, it doesn't count. Besides... if you read you can't read the letter Ken sent me...” Penni finished with a sly grin.

I suddenly forgot the book, “Give me!” I yelped reaching for the crumbled paper that Penni was waving around. Penni rolled her eyes, “Geez, you're just like a three year old.” She said as she dropped the letter in my grasping hands. I stuck my tongue out at her, but my eyes were already on the scrawling handwriting:

Hey Pen!

Got your letter, finally (you wouldn't believe how long the mail takes getting here...). I'm glad I'm still your bestest friend! XP Can you believe how long it's been since we last saw each other? Too long in my opinion! And don't worry, I'm sure we'll see each other again before we're both sixty, maybe fifty-nine, lol. So you finally met Kori? I never got to talk to her in person, but like I said she sure seemed nice. Glad you could rectify that! See what MS is teaching me? 'Rectify' such a wonderful big word. Man I hate it here, it's all 'do this, do that, listen to the Sergeant or get your butt handed to you.' That's a direct quote from one of my MS friends. Her name is also Lexie, like the girl who's a friend of Kori- the one who seems to have it in for you. I've made a total of two friends at MS. Lexie, who is sarcastic and stubborn as a mule at times, but she's a good kid (lol I sound like an old man). Then there's Carson. Ooo Carson... that guy is

Hey. I'm Lexie. Kentin isn't here right now, and he left this letter in plain sight, he should know better by now that if anything is left in the open, I'm going to be all over it! I'm a raccoon in a sense... MUST. HAVE. SHINY!! lol but it doesn't have to be shiny, just interesting. So, Pen... are you a guy or a girl? To be honest the name doesn't really give anything away, no offense. Kentin really doesn't talk about his life before he came to MS, but then I don't know anyone who does. Sergeant Krisp would probably go on and on about how wussy it would be if someone shared their sob story BC. Sorry, using MS lingo here. BC means 'Before Camp' kinda ironic, no? Ha ha, I sound like a frenchy. So, Pen, have any dirt to share on our good friend Kentin? That kid is as solid as a steel wall when it comes to BC life. I mean, even I'm more open then Kenny-boy and I've had a hard life. Not that I'm going to tell you, I don't even know you! Oops! Gotta go, Kenny is comin' back!

Sorry about the paragraph above, I'm too lazy to rewrite this letter, and too lazy to scribble out what Lex wrote. Anyway, before Lexie got a hold of this I was talking about Carson. Well, I have to say if you weren't my best friend already, Carson probably would take that title. I think he might be a long lost brother or something... but we look nothing alike so it couldn't be that. Maybe a distant cousin. And yes, I wrote to my mom like you asked *cough cough ORDERED cough cough* I haven't received a reply yet. I wonder if my 'wonderful' father/master burned the letter, he probably did considering contact with someone's mother makes the person a wuss. Sorry, Pen, but MS can make a person bitter. Only the thought of you keeps me me. I know that sounds extremely cheesy, but it's true. You're the only person who ever thought of me as Kentin and not who I should be. That's why you're my bestest friend!

Say hi to 'Cuddles' for me!

Kentin Pierce

P.S. What's this about Kori drawing us? I want to see! Can you send me it? And tell Korianna thanks for doing that.

4rm Lex: Hey, Pen. So after reading Kenny's letter (behind his back I might add) and concluded that you were a girl (at least I hope), I have to know. Do you like like Kentin? Or are you just 'bestest friends'? Not that I'm trying to move in on your space, girl, just want to know. Cuz if so I'll be keeping the other ladies off Kentin's back. Not that he needs any help, but Kenny-boy is a real catch in MS. Probably the cutest guy here. All the girls swoon at the sight of him! Anyway, send me an answer! Us girls have to stick together and protect our men! ;3 (Kentin's probably going to kill me for this, but I don't care!)

I set down the letter very slowly, then turned to Penni. “So what did you write in return?” I asked, carefully keeping my tone nonchalant. Penni glared at me, probably mad that I could read her mind so well, and pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper. I unfolded it and turned my back to Penni so she wouldn't see what I was doing.

Dear Ken,

I'm glad things are going so well, and that you made friends. Does Lex really call you Kenny-boy to your face? O.o And Lexie, I'm not tell you if I like like Ken or not, I don't want to create any confusions as to how I feel for Ken, besides that information is between him and me alone. But if you feel it necessary to keep other girls off him, go right ahead. Ken, I'm not going to send you the drawing Kori did of us, because I can use it as another incentive to come home, you know... blackmail. X)) Besides seeing me again of course. And also, when did you get so popular? WHERE'S MY DORK AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM!?!?!?! lol XD Anyway, me and Lexsie are now relatively good friends, we still have our hard times, but that's because she's a hot head and has a crush on Kori's twin brother (you remember Castiel, right?). Well... I guess that's another long story to save for WHEN you come home, there's a lot of long stories. Like how Kori has a crush on the student body pres Nathaniel Powers and visa-versa (they're such an adorable couple!!) or how there's now a British techie girl going here. Oh! How about the Amber's Halloween Party Mishap? Starring Korianna, Amber, and an accident involving soda... that one is a doozy! I swear, if you put Kori and Amber withing five feet of each other, there's bound to be some interesting (and very amusing) events that will- whatever I completely forgot what I was going to say.

I scooted a little farther away from Penni and started writing:

Hiya! This is Korianna West, and this is to Lex (I'm just going to call you that since my own best friend is names Lexsie- with an 's' though): Penni likes Ken. I repeat, Penni likes Ken. She likes him just as much as I like Nathaniel, which is a lot, just sayin'. And since I'm sure Ken is reading this... if you break my friend's heart I'll track you all the way down to Military School and castrate you with a rusty spork. Don't think I won't, after all my twin brother is Castiel! But other than that you're good! ^^ But I still have to approve of you before I give my consent for you to date Penni. Otherwise you're out of luck. So when are you coming back, Ken? Cuz I'm tired of having to chase off idiot boys who thinks they have a chance at our lovely Penni (one of which being my own friend; and boy was Lys pissed at me! O.O). You had better come back and claim what's yours cuz

The letter was snatched from my hand before I could finish. Penni was standing over me, red in the face. I could almost see the steam coming out of her ears like a cartoon. I smiled at her, “I've got his address now, so I'll just send my note to him if you don't.” I told my friend, knowing how much it would frustrate her. Penni turned even more red, if that were possible; for a moment I thought she would hit me.

*$Cha-Ching$ has signed in*

$Cha-Ching$: KORIANNA!

CrAzYArtist: Really? I thought you already blew all your anger off at me in Study Hall.

MonKeybiz: Now I'm curious what you did, Kori.

RabidsingeR: Who isn't?

GreenThumb: If it has anything to do with boys, then I'm not. Why can't we have a NORMAL discussion?

MonKeybiz: Because you happen to be the only guy here.

XxSilentBlossomxX: It is true Jade.

GreenThumb: Kori! Make Nath join!!!

RabidsingeR: Really? Then they can just flirt over the internet too.

CrAzYArtist: Thanks for talking about me like I'm not here. AND WE WOULD NOT!!

$Cha-Ching$: Hey, I have a crisis here!

XxSilentBlossomxX: Oh no! What happened?

$Cha-Ching$: Kori wrote to Ken that I like him and then blacked mailed me into sending it.

CrAzYArtist: Guilty as charged!! X3

RabidsingeR: ROTFL!!!!

MonKeybiz: Oh so cruel, Kori. I commend you!

XxSilentBlossomxX: That wasn't very nice, Korianna...

GreenThumb: I agree with Violette.

RabidsingeR: WOULD YOU TWO JUST DATE ALREADY!?!?!?!

GreenThumb: LEXSIE!

CrAzYArtist: BTW, did you know Ken apparently has a friend also names Lexie? She doesn't spell it with an 's' though.

$Cha-Ching$: Kori...

MonKeybiz: You know, I think Violette fainted...

RabidsingeR: That could be a valid reason why she's not answering.

GreenThumb: ...I'm going to murder you one day...

RabidsingeR: But you won't! ^^

$Cha-Ching$: Back on topic...

CrAzYArtist: Oh please, I know you played matchmaker that day you and Nath took me to the mall. Pretty convenient for your parents to show up JUST THEN.

$Cha-Ching$: …

MonKeybiz: 1 point to Korianna.

RabidsingeR: Tell me one person who can out-argue our friend.

GreenThumb: I can name two- Castiel and Nathaniel.

MonKeybiz: Oh, touche. :{D lol mustache!

RabidsingeR: I seriously question your sanity, Savannah...

MonKeybiz: Why do you and Kori always say that?

CrAzYArtist: Because it's true!

RabidsingeR: Like that time you made us perform live in the courtyard of the school! I told you we weren't ready for publicity!

GreenThumb: Oh geez, here they go again... talk of the old days.

$Cha-Ching$: You have to admit it is amusing to watch them...

CrAzYArtist: I don't even know why you made me play along, I can't play an instrument or sing worth a flip.

RabidsingeR: You're still the prettiest of us three. Plus you were popular back then.

CrAzYArtist: I'm not the prettiest!!

MonKeybiz: No I really think you are. Your silver hair and purple eyes really works, makes you look exotic. As opposed to Witch Eyes over here.

RabidsingeR: Or Goth Girl. Admit it Kori, you're the prettiest!

CrAzYArtist: AM NOT!

MonKeybiz: Oh really, then why are you the one with a semi-boyfriend and neither of us have even a smidgen that our crushes even notice our presence?

RabidsingeR: You might as well agree, when Savannah starts actually making sense you know that she's right.

CrAzYArtist: I. AM. NOT. THE. PRETTIEST!!

GreenThumb: She's right. I'm the prettiest, can we change the subject now?

$Cha-Ching$: XDDDDDDDDDD I think I'm going to die of laughter!!!

MonKeybiz: ...I don't even know how to respond to that...

CrAzYArtist: I think Penni has the good idea.

RabidsingeR: *cough cough* Kori's still the prettiest! *cough cough*

CrAzYArtist: LEXSIE!!!

“Ouch!” I yelped and stuck my jabbed pinkie into my mouth to try and suck away the pain. The couple in front of me shot me a strange look, but didn't pay me any other attention. I glared at the pencil that I had pricked my finger on, if it wasn't so important I would have snapped the drawing utensil out of spite. When I was sure that the pencil didn't have any other evil plots up it's sleeve, I grabbed it again, careful to keep the point away from my fingers this time, and started sketching a rough outline of the couple. I had originally meant to spend the day at the park, just drawing scenery, but then someone saw my drawings and asked if I did portraits. I was about to tell him no when the man shoved a ten dollar bill in my hand and sat his girlfriend down in front of me. After that I started up a little business of drawing people for ten dollars a drawing, twenty if they wanted it colored.

As I began finding the right curve of the woman's cheek, a shadow fell over my drawing pad. I looked up to see a sleazy looking teen, the kind normally found smoking pot down shadowy alleyways, leering down at me, “Hey there... haven't seen you here before.” He sneered. I scrunched my nose up in disgust at his breath, no wonder Castiel didn't like me coming here. The couple frowned at the guy, but didn't move. I was glad, I had already sketched them out and didn't want to ruin the pose. Besides, I could handle one druggie teen. My ex-boyfriend, Ty, was an addict as well, so I knew how to deal with drug heads. “Excuse me, I'm trying to concentrate, can you wait?” I asked politely, though I knew he wouldn't do anything. The sleaze cast a bloodshot glace at my drawing, “You're good... what do you say of drawing me?” He asked, smirking. I wanted to gag. I shot him a look, “Do you have ten bucks?” I knew he didn't, there was no way, and even if he did he probably wouldn't want to pay for a picture.

Before he could answer someone sat down beside me and threw an arm around my shoulders, “Sorry to keep you waiting, babe. This guy bothering you?” A new guy asked. The couple sighed and I gave them an apologetic look before turning to my rescuer, “Yeah...” I mumbled. The new guy shot Sleazy Druggie a cocky smile, “Begone, and stop bothering my girlfriend.” He ordered airily. Sleazy Druggie gave me a glare, as if it was my fault he had to leave, and slunk away, his greasy dreadlocks dangling low over his face in defeat. False Boyfriend grinned at me when Sleazy Druggie was gone, “So... my name is Kyle, what's yours?” The couple I was drawing groaned, exchanging knowing looks. They thought I was about to hit it off with False Boyfriend, as if. I did smile at him, knowing it would be rude not to at least thank him. “My name is Korianna, thanks for saving me, but I didn't need help.” I said. Kyle seemed to ignore that last part, “Korianna, huh? Nice name. So what are you doing right now?” I gave him a look that said 'I'm on to you', “Being paid to draw. Can I finish this couple please?” I said flatly. Kyle gave me a winning grin, “Sure, I'll go get you some ice cream while you are!” He hopped up before I could tell him no. Sighing I returned to drawing the poor couple, making sure I made it perfect, they deserved to have the best drawing I could give them after waiting patiently.

Kyle came back just as I handed the couple their finished drawing, two ice cream cones in his hand. He handed me the vanilla one, much to my dismay. At least Nathaniel knew I liked chocolate. Kyle sat down again, too close for my comfort, but considering my side was already pressed against the arm rest of the bench, I had no where to go. Kyle gave me an appraising look, “So, Korianna... where do you go to school, I think I would have noticed your white hair if you went to my high school.” I took a cautious lick of the vanilla ice cream and had to suppress the grimace, I really didn't like vanilla. “I go to Sweet Amoris.” I said nonchalantly. Kyle laughed, “Really? That place is the most drama filled school in this town.” I frowned at the guy, that comment was making him lose points, not that I cared; I was still sitting there because I was too polite to blow him off, especially after he rescued me from Sleazy Druggie. Kyle seemed to catch on to what I was thinking, he faked a cough, “Sorry...” He mumbled, looking sheepish.

I pretended to check my watch, “Excuse me, but I'm supposed to be meeting my boyfriend for lunch.” I said in a false cheerful tone. Kyle's face fell, leaving no doubt that he had been trying to flirt with me. “Bye!” I called as I walked away, waving over my shoulder as I headed for the cafe across the park. I hadn't ever eaten there myself, but it seems I was the only soul in town that hadn't, even Savannah and Lexsie had been. I was seated almost immediately, given a small two-party table in the back corner of the cafe, near the kitchen. I set my drawing supplies on the table in front of me and ducked behind my menu, lest some other creepy guy decided to hit on me today.

I hadn't even scanned the first column before my waitress was at my table, asking if I was ready to order. Talk about super service. When I didn't answer right away, she began blathering about today's special and what her favorite meal was. I ended up choosing the special, something called Slammer's Choice, which turned out to be nothing but a fully loaded hamburger, and a chocolate milkshake topped with whipped cream. I was hoping that the milkshake would help tone down on the super sweet vanilla taste still coating my tongue. I opened my drawing pad, intending to work Castiel's birthday present, a drawing of Demon, while I waited for my food.

“One Slammer's Choice and milkshake.” Someone said a little later, while I was coloring in the right eye of Demon. My head jerked up at the familiar voice and I found myself staring at Nathaniel, looking very odd out of his crisp white shirt and blue tie he always wore at school. “Korianna?” He asked, startled, proving it wasn't just my imagination. I shook my head in disbelief, “You work here? I didn't know that.” Nathaniel blushed and looked away, "Yeah... My father wants me to have a job, and this was the only place hiring." He said sheepishly. I smiled and shook my head again, this time with amusement, "Only you, Nathaniel..." The blonde's eyebrows drew together and he opened his mouth to speak, but I continued before a word could pass his lips, "I used to work at an art supply shop, it's what got me hooked on drawing. Who knows, maybe you'll become a great cook!" "I don't cook the food." Nathaniel said flatly, I shrugged playfully and grinned at him fluttering my eyelashes, "Then you'll be a great host, for when your all rich and famous and host all those fancy parties with your spoiled wife and bratty kids." The look on Nathaniel's face could curdle milk, I hid my milkshake from view just in case he ruined it.

Just as Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, a boy our age pokes his head out of the kitchen, “Hey Nate, stop flirting with the pretty girl and come get Table 7's order!” Nathaniel rolled his golden eyes and called back, tucking his serving tray underneath his arm, “Alright, TC, be right there.” The boy, TC, grumbled something under his breath that I didn't catch and disappeared back into the kitchen. Nathaniel looked back at me, “My shift is almost done, do you want to wait around...?” He asked hesitantly. I smiled, “Of course.” I said, I could wait for Nathaniel forever, but I kept that part to myself.

vvv

I eagerly licked at my second ice cream cone of the day, this one chocolate. Nathaniel walked beside me, still laughing over my story of the flirting fiasco I had suffered before I ran into him, “I knew you were pretty, Korianna, but-” Nathaniel broke off laughing again. I rolled my purple eyes at him, “I'm going to take that as a compliment and ignore the 'but'. Also, if you ever buy me vanilla ice cream, I won't speak to you ever again.” I said snippishly. Nathaniel started to crack up again. After a while I nudged him in the ribs, “Okay, your turn to tell a funny story.” Nathaniel shrugged, “My day isn't as... interesting as yours.” He said nonchalantly. Having already suffered through one of his failed attempts at a joke, I conceded the point; Nathaniel was too serious to have funny days.

“Fine, tell me about TC, what's those initials stand for?” I asked, changing the subject. Nathaniel made a face, “Why are you thinking about getting him to flirt with you too?” He teased. I mock glared and swatted his arm, “Speak!” I demanded playfully. Nathaniel laughed and threw his arm over my shoulders and drew me closer, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, “Well, TC's real name Tyrone Cyril, so you can imagine why he goes by his initials.” I snorted, “And I thought Lexsie's full name was bad!” I said between giggles. Nathaniel smirked, “Yes... what is her full name?” I turned my nose in the air, “She made me promise not to tell. A secret is a secret and nothing, not even a kiss, will pry it from me.” I said airily, Nathaniel smirked, “Oh come on, Korianna. I told you TC's real name, and he made me promise never to tell either... I won't tell a soul.”

I looked my boyfriend up and down, pretending to consider if he was trustworthy or not. Finally I stage whispered, “You promise?” He nodded, trying to act serious, but his lips kept twitching. I glanced left and right and dramatically waved Nathaniel down. Grinning he leaned down until our faces were inches from each other. The air suddenly got a lot tenser and more serious. We stared at each other, aware how close we were. My tongue darted out to wet my lips, and Nathaniel's gold eyes zeroed in on my mouth. I couldn't believe how much I wanted him to kiss me, how much I needed him to. Nathaniel leaned even farther in, so close that I could feel the presence of his mouth, just millimeters from mine. One tiny movement and we would be kissing.

Nathaniel's eyes flicked back up to my wide ones and he smirked, “I'm not kissing you until you tell me Lexsie's name.” He said, pulling just a little farther away. I glared at him, darn his everlasting sense of cruel jokes. I think he was learning too much from the villains in those mystery books he was always reading. With one last look of surliness, I leaned up and whispered Lexsie's name in Nathaniel's ear, nipping at his earlobe just to get revenge. Nathaniel jerked back, his golden eyes wide with surprise, then he crashed his lips to mine. I guess I lied when I said a kiss wouldn't be able to pry the secret from me, because when Nathaniel finally pulled away from my tender and kiss-swollen lips, I was ready to spill any secret he asked, just so he could kiss me like that again.

I was trying to concentrate on my English paper due next week when my cell phone buzzed on my bed. It was Savannah, *U better get on ChatRoomz.* I sighed, I had specifically told my friends last night before I logged off that today I wasn't going to get on so I could finish my homework. *Homework, remember?* I texted back. Savannah's answer came quickly, *K, I just thought u might want 2 defend urself. Jades gettin pretty tired of doin the job 4 u* I blinked at the text, was it just me or did Savannah sound mad? I minimized my essay and pulled up ChatRoomzNet, dreading what was going to happen.

*CrAzYArtist has signed in*

RabidsingeR: YOU!

GreenThumb: Finally!

*GreenThumb has signed out*

RabidsingeR: HOW COULD YOU?!?!

CrAzYArtist: Whoa, whoa what did I do?

$Cha-Ching$: You staying on Savannah?

MonKeybiz: Yeah... someone needs to be the mediator.

$Cha-Ching$: Alright then I'm out, text me when the chat room is safe again.

*$Cha-Ching$ has signed out*

MonKeybiz: Will do!

RabidsingeR: Korianna Rillei West, who did you tell!?

CrAzYArtist: WHO DID I TELL WHAT?!

RabidsingeR: My ****ing name!

MonKeybiz: Hey hey, let's keep it PG.

RabidsingeR: Butt out, Savannah! It's none of your business.

MonKeybiz: Are you sure Kori is even the person who told?

RabidsingeR: Because she's the only person who actually knows my full name besides my PARENTS!

I gulped staring at the screen and suddenly understanding what Lexsie was so upset about. I quickly swiveled my chair around so I wasn't facing the computer and texted Nathaniel *Please tell me you didn't tell anyone Lexsie's full name...* It was a long moment before he answered *No, why?* *Because someone must of overheard us and told everyone else. I'm dead* Nathaniel took a while in answering, *I doubt Lexsie will kill you.* *Well if I don't show up Monday you know who to blame. I have to deal with this mess now. Bye* *Good luck O.o* I turned back to the computer screen and grimaced. I hadn't spent more than a minute texted Nathaniel but Lexsie was already shouting at me again

RabidsingeR: KORIANNA YOU COWARD, COME BACK AND FACE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!!!!!

MonKeybiz: Castiel might have had something for her to do. She hasn't logged out.

RabidsingeR: KORIANNA!! Get your butt back on and take it like a woman!

CrAzYArtist: I'm back. Geez I had to ask Nathaniel something, sorry!

RabidsingeR: What did you ask him? If he told anyone my name?

CrAzYArtist: ...yes...

MonKeybiz: Kori! O.O

RabidsingeR: WHAT?!?!? You actually did tell your boyfriend my topmost secret in the universe?! You promised never to tell!

CrAzYArtist: It's a name, Lexsie.

RabidsingeR: SO? You made a promise never to tell, and guess what, *****, you did!

MonKeybiz: Hey hey, PG remember?

CrAzYArtist: It's Nathaniel I told, do you really think I would just share with anyone? You can trust Nathaniel, he can keep a secret.

RabidsingeR: Yeah sure, that is why Amber texted me about my name this morning? Because your boyfriend can keep a secret?

*SBPrez has joined the Chat Room*

CrAzYArtist: She must have overheard us!

RabidsingeR: Uh-huh, sure. You told her AND Nathaniel! I know you did.

CrAzYArtist: Are you even listening to yourself? I hate Amber, why would I ever tell her anything besides 'get lost'?

RabidsingeR: Because you are always defending her when I try to talk bad about her.

CrAzYArtist: That's because I hate gossip and you know it!

RabidsingeR: I don't know anything about you Korianna West. I thought you were a promise keeper, but obviously you're not!

CrAzYArtist: You are over reacting, Lexsie. It is a NAME!

RabidsingeR: That you know I hate!

CrAzYArtist: You know what I find amusing? You have no qualms of spilling other people's secrets, say... Jade's crush on Violet, but I dare whisper your real name and suddenly I'm the most horrible person on Earth!

RabidsingeR: Well, if the shoe fits.

CrAzYArtist: Alright, hypocrite. I'm the most horrible person on Earth. I should just bow down to you and beg for forgiveness for all eternity, because it's obvious that I will never be able to redeem myself.

RabidsingeR: What did you call me?

CrAzYArtist: Are you so incompetent that you don't understand the word 'hypocrite'? I'll try to spell it out so you can understand: It means that you can do anything you want but God forbid someone else do the same thing. Do you understand now?

MonKeybiz: Kori... calm down.

CrAzYArtist: You asked me to defend myself, I am. So BUTT OUT!

RabidsingeR: Geez, aren't you defensive when your little innocent image is at stake. You know I'm glad I found out what you were really like so now I can just avoid you.

CrAzYArtist: I guess you'll have to give up your foolish dreams about Castiel then, since he is my twin.

SBPrez: BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!

MonKeybiz: Hey who are you? This is a private chat room, how did you get in here!?

SBPrez: I'm Nathaniel.

RabidsingeR: Great, did you tell your boy to come and defend you, Korianna? Two against one is it? You're a coward.

SBPrez: Korianna didn't invite me. Penni did. She thought I could give a better explanation.

RabidsingeR: I'm all ears, traitor.

SBPrez: Alright. I blackmailed Kori to tell me. She tried to not tell me, but I got it out of her. She also made sure no one was around before she told me and whispered your name in my ear.

RabidsingeR: So how did that *****y sister of yours know my name?

SBPrez: -_- When I asked her about it, Amber admitted to breaking into the Student Council Room and stealing some student files. She happened to grab yours, Lexsie.

*RockStar has signed in*

RockStar: So Penni told me to get on and break up a fight between Lexsie and Kori... My solution: Stop butting heads and forgive each other already. And Kori, it's your turn to make dinner.

SBPrez: Oh great...

RockStar: Please tell me that isn't who I think it is.

MonKeybiz: *gulp* Why am I suddenly in the middle of two fights?

CrAzYArtist: Lexsie?

RabidsingeR: What?

CrAzYArtist: Call a truce so we can watch Nath and Castiel fight? :)

RabidsingeR: ...alright...

SBPrez: Sorry to disappoint you, slacker.

RockStar: Say that to my face, Goody Two Shoes.

SBPrez: Gladly. You're reading the computer screen, so I said it to your face.

RockStar: I MEANT IN PERSON!!!!

SBPrez: I'm typing this in person, slacker. So I'm saying it in person.

RockStar: Stop being a ****

SBPrez: Gladly, when you do the same.

RockStar: GRRRRRRRRRR!!!! You're dead tomorrow Mr. Goody-goody!

SBPrez: You've been saying that for years, West.

RockStar: Well this time it's real, Powers.

CrAzYArtist: Ah, be silent both of you before I come after you!

SBPrez: Fine.

RockStar: HA! You're whipped, goody-goody!

I glared at my brother's response, he was going to regret that. I dug around my drawing until I came up with a small silver whistle. Sticking it in the corner of my mouth I began blowing with each breath as I continued to watch Nathaniel and Castiel fight between them. Demon began barking like crazy and I could hear loud crashing downstairs. My brother started yelling at me, but I was too busy blowing on the whistle to answer. Finally he typed on ChatRoomz:

RockStar: KORIANNA RILLEI WEST!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!

MonKeybiz: Huh? She's not doing anything.

CrAzYArtist: I'm blowing a doggy whistle. I thought I told you to stop fighting.

RockStar: **** it, Kori!

SBPrez: Hey, watch your language.

RockStar: Oh I remember when you used to say that, goody-goody. Don't deny it.

SBPrez: Shut up...

CrAzYArtist: Do I smell a back story?

RabidsingeR: Tell tell!

RockStar: Never.

SBPrez: For once I agree with West, I'm not telling. And you were stupid, slacker, to believe her over me.

RockStar: Oh was I? I saw you, Goody Two Shoes!

SBPrez: Ever thought that it was her fault?

RockStar: She wouldn't ever do anything like that!

SBPrez: You obviously didn't know her then.

RockStar: I'm sure you knew her.

SBPrez: As much as I would say I did just to annoy you, that would be lying.

RockStar: Yeah, right.

RockStar: KORI STOP BLOWING THAT **** WHISTLE!!

CrAzYArtist: Then stop arguing with my boyfriend. And Nathaniel, stop arguing with my brother.

SBPrez: You don't have a whistle to bother me with.

CrAzYArtist: I'm not kissing you again if you continue.

SBPrez: ...fine...

MonKeybiz: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you got him there, Kori!

RockStar: *gag* I think I'm going to vomit.

RabidsingeR: I'm still mad at you, but I have to say that is perfect blackmail.

CrAzYArtist: I should know, that's what Nath used to get me to tell him your name.

RabidsingeR: In that case... I guess I forgive you. Kisses are hard to abstain from.

“So... how bad do you think it will be?” Lexsie asked me and Castiel as we started up the stairs towards Sweet Amoris. My brother shrugged, not commenting. I tried to keep an optimistic view on it all, “Well, not many people really like Amber, so they will probably zone her out if she tries to talk to them and-” I cut off abruptly when the three of us entered the main hallway, my mouth dropping open a little at the sight of the redecorated halls. Everywhere there was papers taped to the lockers and walls, scattered over the floors, and in neat stacks by the doors. Every last one had Lexsie's student ID photo and her full name printed in capital letters across the page in red ink. If that wasn't injury enough, drooping from the ceiling was a white banner that said LEXSIE LIARD IS LEXSINGTON CONCORD LIARD!!* Castiel and I exchanged worried looked over Lexsie's head then looked down at our friend. She actually looked like she was going to cry.

Some jerk spotted us standing there at the entrance of the school and shouted, “Hey! There's the Walking History Book!” Everyone standing in the hall started laughing. Castiel glared and stalked towards the source of the jerk, murder written clearly on his face. Everyone made a clear path for my brother, giving me a clear view of the idiot who opened his mouth and signed his death warrant. I only knew it was him because Lysander had the guy by the collar, the usually laid back musician looking about as murderous as Castiel. Seeing that the boys had it handled, I nudged Lexsie towards the Student Council Room, knowing that she would be able to escape the scrutiny there. This reminded me too much of my own problem when Amber decided to doctor my art and show her work to everyone else.

Nathaniel glanced up when we entered the room, his gold eyes serious. He didn't say anything as I forcibly sat Lexsie down in one of the chairs, since she was too stunned to do so herself. I walked over to my boyfriend, “Is there anything you're doing?” I whispered, with a cautious look to Lexsie. She just sat there, her green eyes hazed over as every nightmare over her name probably came to life. I felt sorry for my best friend, nothing could compare to having your worst nightmares realized. Nathaniel looked at Lexsie as well before saying quietly, “I already had my sister suspended. Someone went to get a ladder to take that stupid banner down and Savannah, Penni, Iris and Lysander are collected the fliers as we speak.” I nodded and sat down beside him with a sigh, “Man... I don't want to deal with this.” I grumbled to myself. Nathaniel reached out and took my hand, “You need to be there for Lexsie. She was there for you when Amber bullied you.” He said. I nodded slowly, he was right of course. He always was when it came to things like this.

My brother burst in at that moment and Nathaniel dropped my hand quickly. I schooled my face so not to show the hurt as I turned to my brother. Castiel was glaring at Nathaniel, for whether he saw us holding hands or for another reason (which was plausible), “I'm taking Lexsie home.” He growled, it wasn't a question. Nathaniel narrowed his own golden eyes, “You don't have guardianship over her. She cannot leave without parental consent.” I sighed, of course the two boys in my life would find something to argue over in the midst of a crisis. Lexsie didn't even seem to acknowledge that she was being talked about, she sat in her chair as still as a statue. As I watched her, my friend drew in a shuddering breath, like those when you were crying, and burst into tears.

Nathaniel and Castiel halted in their argument to stare at Lexsie, both looking extremely uncomfortable to be in the presence of a girl's tears. I glared at them both for being idiots before I sat down beside Lexsie and pulling her into my arms. Lexsie didn't notice, she just continued to sob. Fat tears rolled down her face, leaving black trails from her mascara as huge gasping wails shook her body. Her hands were curled up in front over her, as if trying to hold her heart in. I shushed her, petting away her shoot green highlighted black hair away from her wet cheeks. Lexsie continuously shook, like a small dog in the cold. her face turning blotchy red. Crying was never beautiful, no matter how many movies made them. It was an ugly business, to be seen only by those closest to you. But even I had never seen Lexsie cry, she was an impenetrable wall, holding all tears inside to be saved for a later time.

I shot a nasty glare over my shoulder at Castiel and Nathaniel, who still stood there dumbly, staring at poor Lexsie. Guys should never see a girl cry, it was an unwritten rule. Especially when one of the guys happened to be a crush. Nathaniel was the first to recover, probably used to seeing Amber cry over nothing, he practically had to shove a still stunned Castiel out of the room, shutting the door behind him. The faint click of the door shutting sent Lexsie into a full out bawling fest, it was as if she had been waiting for the boys to leave so she could let her reservoir of tears loose. I just held my friend tightly, knowing that no words or friendly gestures could stop such a flood.

...

$Cha-Ching$: So... you think she's getting on?

MonKeybiz: Probably not.

CrAzYArtist: Castiel took her out for ice cream, because ice cream makes everything better.

MonKeybiz: I worry about your philosophy sometimes, Kori.

CrAzYArtist: It's not mine! It's a West family belief!

$Cha-Ching$: All of you West's are strange.

GreenThumb: Remind me never to meet your parents...

SBPrez: I wish I could say the same.

CrAzYArtist: If you want to truly date me, Nathaniel Powers, then you have to meet my dad. It's the law.

SBPrez: It is not the law.

CrAzYArtist: It is in the West family. My father has to approve of every single guy I ever date.

MonKeybiz: So how did Ty pass the Great Test of the Century?

CrAzYArtist: Don't get snarky with me... and that little prick could charm a homeless man into giving up his last pair shoes.

SBPrez: So why did you two break up?

MonKeybiz: Oh you know, cheated on Kori then tried to make it as if she was the reason he cheated. The usual stuff.

GreenThumb: Ouch.

MonKeybiz: Yeah, Lexsie knocked a few of his teeth out when she heard about it.

SBPrez: Should I be worried?

CrAzYArtist: Just don't screw up and you'll be fine. But Lexsie would be the least of your worries if you ever did anything to hurt me. I know Castiel is looking for a chance to lay into you.

SBPrez: WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?!?!?!?!

CrAzYArtist: My side. CX

MonKeybiz: Okay lovebirds, we have a serious crisis on our hands. What are we going to do about Lexsie?

CrAzYArtist: I'm sure if something evil happened to you the best thing to cheer you up would be to go get ice cream with Lysander. Trust me, it's being handled.

MonKeybiz: ...I hate you...

$Cha-Ching$: Is it bad that I'm laughing so hard?

GreenThumb: No... So Penni, any news from Ken?

$Cha-Ching$: o///////o HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?!?

MonKeybiz: Kori have you been spilling secrets again?

CrAzYArtist: I take offense to that.

SBPrez: I thought we cleared this up last night.

MonKeybiz: Nath stop standing up for your girlfriend! Let her answer the question.

CrAzYArtist: I did Savannah. I said I take offense to that, meaning NO!

SBPrez: Nath?

$Cha-Ching$: You're name takes to long to spell out, so we shorten it on chat.

SBPrez: Savannah's name is only a letter shorter than mine...

CrAzYArtist: But her name shortened sounds weird. Savan doesn't have a ring to it.

MonKeybiz: Plus it sounds like a guys name...

SBPrez: So... Savannah is the only person who doesn't have a nickname?

CrAzYArtist: And Castiel and Jade and Ken.

$Cha-Ching$: Actually Ken's real name is Kentin, so yes he had a nickname.

SBPrez: I wasn't counting Castiel.

CrAzYArtist: You might as well start, buster. He's my brother which means your going to be seeing him a lot.

MonKeybiz: Careful what you say, Nath, Kori loves her brother.

SBPrez: Don't call me Nath, please.

MonKeybiz: Why not?

SBPrez: Reasons I don't wish to share yet.

CrAzYArtist: You're just as closed off as Castiel sometimes.

GreenThumb: Oooooooooo, burn!

SBPrez: Shut up Jade...

MonKeybiz: Well I'm not going to stop calling you Nath until you tell me. So there!

*RabidsingeR has signed in*

CrAzYArtist: LEXSIE! How are you feeling?!

RabidsingeR: better... you're right, Kori. That ice cream philosophy works wonders.

CrAzYArtist: HA! Take that suckers!

MonKeybiz: We never said you were wrong.

$Cha-Ching$: Just strange.

GreenThumb: And that we never wanted to meet your parents.

SBPrez: *eye roll* All of you are nuts. Why do I get on is beyond me.

*RockStar has signed in*

SBPrez: Bye, Korianna! See you at school!

*SBPrez has signed out*

RockStar: At least I don't have to deal with that goody-goody tonight.

CrAzYArtist: You do realize how stupid you sound when you call him a 'goody-goody' right?

RockStar: Shut it, Kori.

CrAzYArtist: NEVER!!! Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

RockStar: I'm not related to you.

CrAzYArtist: So... you don't want to be with your non-related family when Nathaniel meets Dad?

RockStar: I'm related to you again.

CrAzYArtist: Too bad! You're not going! XD

MonKeybiz: Hey, let someone else have a chance to speak, CRH!

$Cha-Ching$: CRH?

GreenThumb: What does that mean?

RabidsingeR: Oh, you two aren't new to the chat room atmosphere. CRH means Chat Room Hogs. It's for people who take all the spotlight

CrAzYArtist: I think they got that without the explanation, Lexsie...

RockStar: KORI! Stop being a prick.

CrAzYArtist: A. Who are you and what have you don't with my brother? B. Who are you and WHAT ON EARTH HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY BROTHER!? C. I'm not going to be pussyfooting around her. That is the last thing she needs.

MonKeybiz: Awwwww, Castiel is so cute when he's all protective.

CrAzYArtist: Castiel stop cursing, you're burning my ears.

RockStar: I'LL STOP WHEN YOU STOP BLOWING THAT **** DOG WHISTLE!!!!

CrAzYArtist: It's the only way to make you behave. Besides, it keeps Demon happy.

MonKeybiz: It is effective.

RockStar: Kori, go to bed before I call Mom and tell her you're still up.

GreenThumb: You still have a bed time? Even when both of you live without adults supervision?

CrAzYArtist: There's a flaw in your plan, Castiel. When on earth has Mom EVER enforced our bedtime? And I know you won't call Dad, because you'll both just start arguing.

RockStar: STOP BLOWING THAT GOD**** WHISTLE!

CrAzYArtist: Then stop being stupid. I have homework anyway, good night everyone! (except Castiel)

GreenThumb: You don't think she's mad right?

MonKeybiz: Kori? Naw, the twins just like arguing for fun. It's actually kinda funny.

RockStar: Shut up Lucky...

MonKeybiz: YOU PROMISED NEVER TO USE THAT NICKNAME AGAIN!!!

*CrAzYArtist has signed off*

I shook my head and shut down my computer. As I pulled out my math textbook to work on the problems due Friday, my phone buzzed. I glanced at it then smiled when I saw what Nathaniel sent me. *Sweet dreams, Korianna* I unlocked my phone and texted back: *Don't let the bedbugs bite ;)* Though I had only been dating him for a few weeks, my relationship with Nathaniel was already better than that of Ty. I hoped it continued that way.

Monday we were back at school, a mass of yawning zombies just wishing for those ten more minutes in our heavenly bed. Everyone except Nathaniel of course. He was bright eyed and energetic when I came stumbling in the Student Council Room, groggy like always. My golden haired boyfriend raised an eyebrow as I plopped down in the closest chair, “When do you go to bed, Korianna?” He asked as he returned to his task of filing away a file. I raised my head a little from the table to glare at him, “Less talking, more sleeping.” I spat. Nathaniel, bless his soul, didn't respond. I laid my head down on the table again, letting a small happy sigh escape my lips. There was fifteen minutes to the morning bell, maybe I could get at least ten minutes of dozing if I just laid there, thinking of how tired I was...

The door burst open, “Nathaniel! You wouldn't believe- Oh.” I twisted around to glare at Melody. Lexsie, Penni, and Iris all stood behind her. Lexsie was the only one who wasn't surprised, she just giggled behind her hand. Lexsie knew I wasn't a morning person, and she found great amusement when other people discovered how grouchy I could really be. I saw Nathaniel roll his eyes in my peripheral vision, “Korianna, try going to bed earlier if you can't get enough sleep.” He said. I shot him a glare as I laid my head back down, grumbling, “Tell Castiel that, then maybe he would stop playing the stupid guitar at midnight.” Luckily Nathaniel didn't hear me. No need to give him another reason to hate my twin.

vvv

“And so... if you carry the two, you will get that the function of the graph equals...” Mr. Gordon said monotonously. Half of the class was already nodding off, their eyes drooping closed, while the other half of the class were keeping themselves entertained with whatever. Only the geeks who found mathematics fascinating were actually paying any attention to Mr. Gordon. Even Nathaniel, sitting a row over and a seat ahead of me, was only half listening. He held his pen in one hand, but his eyes were on the book he was reading, hidden carefully behind the student sitting in front of him. I dug my fingers into my white hair and yanked subtly, trying to wake myself up, as I continued to doodle all over my math notes.

Charlotte, Amber's friend, leaned over to whisper to me, “Hey, did you get question five on the Physics homework?” I glanced at her, Charlotte was actually okay when she wasn't with the two other members of the Terrible Trio. Although, Penni was convinced Li was the nicer of the three. Still, neither couldn't be as bad as Amber. Charlotte had been a little nicer to me since the cruel prank Amber pulled with the artwork. I pulled out my homework and quickly passed it to Charlotte when Mr. Gordon wasn't looking. I knew helping Charlotte would be helping Amber in a way, but I didn't care. “Here, I don't know if it's correct or not, though. I haven't had a chance to ask Nathaniel.” I whispered to Charlotte. She smiled her thanks and snatched the paper quickly just as Mr. Gordon was turning around.

“Korianna West. What is the answer to the problem?” The teacher asked. I felt something shrivel up and die, “Uhhh...” Was the only sound that came out of my mouth. Of all my subjects, I was worse at math more than anything. Instinctively I glanced at Nathaniel. My boyfriend was half looking over his shoulder, the corner of his mouth that I could see was tilting up in a pitying smile. One of the geeks was waving his hand wildly in the air, his eyes wide with determination to answer the question. Mr. Gordon ignored him, no one but the person he called on could ever answer the question, his beady little eyes glaring at me, “We're waiting, Miss West.” “X equals x squared over four x to the fifth.” Everyone turned to see who dared disobey Mr. Gordon's orders. Not only was Mr. Gordon the most boring teacher in the history of school, he was also the evilest.

Mr. Gordon glared at Castiel who was hunched over in the back of the room, lolling across the desk. It was obvious he had just woken up. Lexsie, sitting to the right of him, had her eyes glued to her notebook. She didn't like being called out by teachers, having a fear of speaking in front of a crowd greater than ten. “Castiel West, have you been sleeping in this class?” Mr. Gordon asked my brother. Castiel, being Castiel, smirked, “Yeah... could you tone down on the talking? It's disturbing my sleep.” In one movement everyone turned to look at Mr. Gordon, who was looking very red. I could almost see the steam rolling off him. Nathaniel didn't look very pleased either, I knew he had a big thing about respect. Right then, I didn't care. I wasn't in the spotlight anymore, my twin had taken the hit and that's what twins are for.

vvv

“So where were all of you this weekend? You didn't even get on ChatRoomz!” I asked over lunch. Savannah shifted in her seat, her face downcast. The picture of guilt. Penni quickly shoved another slice of roast beef into her mouth, preventing her from answering. Lexsie was the only one who looked me in the eye, “We all went to Melody's birthday party.” She said flatly, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. And it would have been, had Melody not have a crush on my boyfriend, “Wait, what?” I asked, not sure I heard her right. Savannah pipped up, “We didn't go because we wanted to! We thought we would find out why Melody liked Nathaniel or whatever.” She looked frantic, her purple hair actually frizzing out of her braids as she spoke. Lexsie shot her a look, “Savannah's right. We only went to tell Melody that her little crush was useless.”

I blinked and sat back, “Let me guess, the reason why I didn't even know of the party was because Melody didn't want me to know... right?” I asked. My three friends exchanged looks. I rolled my eyes, “You could have told me you were going. It makes you look stupid that you didn't.” Penni ducked her head, “I know... we weren't thinking. Forgive us?” I stared at each friend for a long time, until all three were uncomfortable. Then I grinned, “I will... if you have anything interesting to tell me.” “Lysander has a tattoo on his back! Rosalya told me!” Savannah blurted out. Lexsie smacked her upside the head, “Dummy, we're not supposed to tell.” I shook my head, “Not interested anyway.” “Capucine said some very rude things about you.” Penni added. I rolled my eyes, “I don't care what that wannabe thinks of me.” I said then turned to Lexsie sitting directly across from me. This was their last chance to redeem themselves. I would forgive them anyway, I just wanted to tease them a little. Lexsie smirked, “I know why Amber has a crush on Castiel. And it has something to do with Nathaniel.”

I perked up and leaned forward, now that was interesting. Lexsie giggled, “First of all, explain how Castiel and Amber could know each other when they were younger.” I sighed, “My family is actually from here, but we moved when Castiel and I were about four.” Savannah conceded the point, “That would explain why Castiel chose to live here when your dad kicked him out...” She muttered to herself. I ignored her and pointed at Lexsie, “Speak, firecracker.” My black haired friend glared at me, but said, “Now I don't know the full details, but apparently Nathaniel and Castiel are like polar opposites of what they are now. Nathaniel was supposedly the bad boy and Castiel the perfect angel.” I rolled my eyes again, “Well duh, you grew up with us, remember? Castiel was really nice when we were younger. It wasn't until junior high that he went all crazy.” Lexsie waved her hand and continued, “Well the story goes along the lines of Nathaniel broke Amber's doll or whatever and Castiel fixed it. She's had a crush ever since.”

Penni snorted, “If she wasn't such a bitch, I'd say it was cute...” She grumbled. I didn't bother to snap at her for her swearing. What she said was true. Lexsie huffed and crossed her arms, “Besides, it's cruel to support Amber being with Castiel when one of your own friends has a crush on him.” “Who has a crush on me?” Castiel asked from behind me. I nearly jumped three feet in the air and turned to see Castiel staring down at us girls, eyebrows raised curiously, with Lysander watching behind him looking extremely amused. Lexsie miraculously didn't seem fazed by it, “None of your business, West.” Castiel smirked at her as he sat down beside me, across from Penni, “Someone has a crush on me, I think it is my business.” I tuned the conversation out as the two started debating if it was Castiel's right to know who was crushing on him or not. Lysander sat down in front of Savannah, “Nice dress.” He commented. Savannah, going all shy once more, eeped and blushed. My eyes darted between the two as a sly grin pushed up the corners of my mouth, this was getting interesting.

…

*$Cha-Ching$ has signed in*

CrAzYArtist: Savannah and Lys sitting in a tree!

RabidsingeR: K I S S I N G!

CrAzYArtist: First comes love!

RabidsingeR: Then comes MARRIAGE!

MonKeybiz: SHUT THE HELL UP YOU TWO!

CrAzYArtist: THEN COMES BABIES IN A BABY CARRIAGE!!!!!

RabidsingeR: One with white hair and one with black,

CrAzYArtist: And two adopted aunts who've got your back!

MonKeybiz: ...jerks...

$Cha-Ching$: Uh... what did I miss?

RockStar: Oh, Kori and Lexsie are just teasing Savannah about Lysander. Ever since we all logged on.

SBPrez: It's starting to get annoying.

RockStar: For once, I agree with you Powers.

GreenThumb: The universe must be ending...

RockStar: Jade, I will end you.

CrAzYArtist: Hey! Stop terrorizing my friends, Castiel!

MonKeybiz: Oh he can't, but you can?!

RabidsingeR: What you didn't like our song? I'm hurt

MonKeybiz: Not yet you're not... when I get through with the both of you you'll know what hurt really means!

RabidsingeR: RUN! Lucky is making threats!!

MonKeybiz: LEXSSSSSSSSSSSSIE!!!!!!! Stop using that name!

CrAzYArtist: What name, Lucky?

RockStar: Alright you two, as amusing as it is to see Savannah angry, dial it down.

RabidsingeR: Phooey, I hate it when you get all responsible, Castiel...

MonKeybiz: He needs to be if he ever marries you...

RabidsingeR: SAVANNAH!

RockStar: What?

GreenThumb: I shouldn't be laughing so hard...

$Cha-Ching$: You're not the only one... XDDDDDDDD

CrAzYArtist: Lexsie and Castiel sitting in a tree!

MonKeybiz: K I S S I N G!

CrAzYArtist: First comes love!

MonKeybiz: Then comes MARRIAGE!

CrAzYArtist: THEN COMES A BABY IN A BABY CARRIAGE!

MonKeybiz: And one of the hip!

CrAzYArtist: And one pulling Castiel's hair!

MonKeybiz: And one running naked through the streets!

SBPrez: Now I'm worried...

RabidsingeR: SAVANNAH KNIGHT! KORIANNA WEST!

I was just about to type out my answer when I heard Castiel roaring my name as his footsteps thundered up the stairs. I winced, maybe it wasn't just a good idea to tease someone when they were under the same roof.

CrAzYArtist: NATHANIEL! I need a get away! Castiel's coming to kill me! Meet you at the park!

SBPrez: *sigh* the things I do for you... fine

*CrAzYArtist has signed out*

*SBPrez has signed out*

After snapping my laptop closed I grabbed a pair of sandals and climbed out of the window and onto the fire escape just as my brother began beating against my locked door, “Korianna Rillei West! You are dead, do you understand me?! Say your last prayers, pest, because I'm going to kill you and send you back home in a box!” I laughed as I started for the fire escape ladder, “You're just repeating yourself Castiel. Can't you make up a better threat. By the way, I'll be home whenever!” I didn't hear his response as I quickly descended the ladder, barely escaping with my life.

“I wish you would put something on that covered you more.” Castiel muttered for the hundredth time. I rolled my eyes, “Look buster. You're not my father so you can keep your comments to yourself.” I snapped, not bothering to look up from the book I was reading. Castiel glared at me, “No, but I am your older brother and the one responsible for you since Mom and Dad live in another town.” I pushed my sunglasses farther up my nose and ignored him. He was only older by two minutes, so it really shouldn't count, but I knew if I told Castiel that he'd start getting logical on me and I didn't want that. It was summer vacation and after much begging I finally managed to drag Castiel down to the beach. I was starting to regret my decision since all he did was throw a tantrum over my bikini bathing suit.

The false red head opened his mouth, no doubt to start another round of bikini lectures and the danger of lustful teenage boys, when I ripped my sunglasses off to glare at him, “Look, before you say another word, just think of your reaction if Lexsie would come marching up here in a even skimpier black bikini.” I snapped, shoving an accusing finger at my brother's bare chest. Castiel glared at me, but shut his mouth. So he knew that that would be a pointless argument to get into. I smirked, “Good, cuz here she comes.” I said slyly and pointed over my twin's shoulder to the black haired girl sauntering up to us. I don't know who's reaction was more amusing when Castiel turned around: Lexsie's bright blush or Castiel's mouth dropping open. I cackled, “Need to step into the cold ocean for a moment, Castiel?” I asked sweetly and got two equally dirty looks from both Castiel and Lexsie. I just smiled as I returned to my book. And here I thought I wasn't going to get a chance to play matchmaker.

“I thought you went home with Savannah.” Castiel commented to Lexsie as she sat down at the edge of my beach towel, her back facing me. Lexsie shrugged, “I was, but I figured it would be more fun here then at home with my parents nagging at me to get a summer job.” I sighed exaggeratedly, “Poor Savannah... she doesn't get to be around her crush all summer.” “KORI!” Lexsie screeched and turned to me, her face red. I grinned up at my best friend, “What? I was just commenting that she won't be able to hang out with Lysander, is all.” I said innocently. Lexsie glared at me, she knew what and who I really meant. Castiel, being the blockhead that he was, looked confused, “Savannah likes Lys?” He asked. I rolled my eyes at him, “Well duh, why do you think Lexsie and I made up that song to sing to her on ChatRoomz?” I asked. Castiel shrugged, “Because you two are idiots. I'm going to walk Demon.” My brother said as he stood, the dog's leash already in his hand. Demon pranced around his master's legs, panting happily. Castiel started walking away before something made him stop, he turned back to Lexsie and I, “Oh and... I'm not going to help you crash another date for him, got it?” Castiel growled. I smiled happily and waved my hand, “Don't worry, I want them together. They're perfect for each other. Go, walk your slobber monster, and try not to get dragged in the dust.” I said. Castiel gave me a sour look before walking off, Demon already pulling hard on his leash, wanting to run.

Once my brother was out of earshot, Lexsie turned on me, “I can't believe you did that!” She hissed. I smiled as I turned over on my stomach, and opening my book, “Oh boo-hoo, he didn't notice I was talking about you. Castiel is a hard head, remember? And very dense when it comes to girls that like him. Remember Amanda? Or Christie?” Lexsie humphed and crossed her arms in a pout, “Yessss...” She ground out, no doubt trying to forget those awful snotty girls who thought they were in love with Castiel. Their mistake was they were cruel to Lexsie and me, whom Castiel was very protective over, and thus ruining their chances of every landing a date with the 'hottest guy in school'. I grinned and continued listing off names, “Or Georgia? Or Jessica? Or Sarah? Or Renee? Or-” “I get it!” Lexsie snapped and I broke off with a giggle. My friend was so fun to tease. I opened my mouth to tease her some more, when Lexsie sighed, her shoulders slumping, “I get it... I don't have a chance with him. I'm just another girl who likes Castiel...” She said dejectedly. I blinked at her, did she really think herself like that?

I smacked her up side the head. Hard. Lexsie startled and turned to stare at me, her green eyes wide while I glared at her, “None of that self-pity, missy. A lot of girls like Castiel, sure, but do you know what he thinks of those girls?” I asked. Lexsie shook her head slowly. I smiled evilly, “He thinks they're all shallow insects that care more about the fact that their in a relationship than who they're in a relationship with.” Lexsie was starting to look down again, so I hurried and added, “And do you know what he thinks of you?” Immediately Lexsie perked up, her attention zeroing on me. I silently prayed that Castiel forgave me for telling Lexsie something that was supposed to be kept between the two of us, “He thinks you're, and I quote, 'an original who knows who and what she is.'” I poked Lexsie in the cheek, “Now, are you going to tell me that you don't have a chance with my brother again? Cuz I have plenty other proof that says you're the best pick.” I said teasingly.

Lexsie giggled like a normal girl, “Does he really say that?” She asked, a blush riding up her cheeks. I rolled my eyes, wondering what monster I had created, “Yes, but if you dare mention I spilled, Castiel will murder me and then you'll be without your best friend. Plus Nathaniel will murder Castiel and then you'll be without your future hubby.” Lexsie's happy little blush when darker with anger, “KORIANNA WEST!!” She snapped and I burst out laughing, glad she was back to normal. Fortunately, before Lexsie could get a hold of my neck, someone behind us asked, “Uh... why would I kill Castiel?” Lexsie and I both turned to see Nathaniel standing behind us, his golden head tilted curiously. I brightened, “Hey I thought your family was still in the Caribbean!” When Nathaniel told me that his family was vacationing on some island in the Caribbean, something they did every year, I thought he meant he would be gone all summer.

“Obviously not.” A voice I really didn't want to hear said behind Nathaniel. Lexsie groaned, “Great. Just when I thought I could get away from you.” My friend said, glaring at Amber who was standing there haughtily. I kicked Lexsie's foot, “Be nice.” I said through clenched teeth, I really didn't want to reprimand her, but Amber was Nathaniel's sister so I might as well try to be nice. Not that Amber was making the job easy for me, “Yeah, Lexington, be a good puppy and obey your girlfriend.” The blonde haired girl sneered. Nathaniel took a deep breath, his golden eyes looking heavenwards as if to ask for help. Meanwhile I was too busy trying to keep Lexsie from tearing Amber's throat out. Amber, apparently not realizing her death was emanate, laughed, “Geez, Korianna, I didn't know you had such a hard time keeping your girlfriends. Maybe you should let her go, she obviously doesn't want to be near you anymore. Can't really blame her.” I was awfully tempted to do what Amber was suggesting and let Lexsie murder the girl.

Luckily for Amber, her brother finally turned to her, “Amber, stop it.” He said lowly. Amber frowned at Nathaniel, “I'm only playing around. I don't see why none of you can get jokes.” She said in a fake hurt voice. Nathaniel gave her a look, “You're jokes are hurtful. Stop it.” Amber's blue-green eyes filled up with crocodile tears, “Why are you being so m-mean to me?!” Amber wailed, bringing almost everyone's attention to us. My boyfriend looked like he was at the end of his rope. He turned to us, “Sorry, I'll be back.” He apologized before dragging his sister off. Lexsie and I glanced at each other, the black haired firecracker looked like she was about so say something when Castiel came back... with a new friend.

“Kori, do you have a first aid kit?” Castiel asked as he practically shoved the girl down on his towel. Lexsie and I blinked at the newcomer than at each other. Castiel glowered down at us, Demon's leash clutched tightly in his fist, “Do you?” He growled. I rolled my eyes at my older twin and yanked my beach bag closer to me, digging through the massive thing to find the small first aid kit I had brought. Lexsie looked surprised, “Wait, you mean you actually brought that a kit?!” Even the new girl looked shocked. I snorted and jerked my thumb at the happy slobbering Demon, “With that monster out in public, of course. Trust me, this isn't the first time he's caused a riot.” Castiel looked offended for his dog, who just barked. The mysterious girl flinched away from Demon, her sea green eyes fearful of the animal. I smiled at her as I produced the little white box from the bottom of my beach bag, “Don't worry about him, Demon's all bark and no bite... with the occasional accidents.” The girl didn't answer me as she put her wrist out, showing the sand scrape from wear she hit the ground.

Lexsie winced in sympathy, “I know how that feels. First time I ever held his leash, Demon yanked my feet out from under me and made me scrape my knee. But the Slobber Monster is just a big softie.” The black haired girl told the ginger. Castiel glared down at Lexsie, “He's a guard dog, he's not supposed to be a 'softie.'” My brother snapped. Lexsie rolled her eyes at him, “Well then you might want to talk to him, because Demon is the wimpiest dog I know.” I rolled my eyes at the two arguing, “Oi, lovebirds. Take the argument, and the Slobber Monster, elsewhere.” I snapped and earned two glares. I grinned, “Why don't you go get ice cream to cool off?” I asked innocently then tossed a few bills at Lexsie, who snatched at them hurriedly before they got blown away by the breeze, “Go on then. I'm busy.” I said, shooing the two away before they could argue with me. Shooting me sour glares the two hotheads left, Demon prancing between them, his stubby little tail waving madly.

With them gone, I smiled at the shy girl, “Hi! Don't mind those two, they're just blockheads. My name is Korianna West. That guy is my twin, Castiel, in case you didn't know. And the black haired girl was Lexsie Liard. What's your name?” I chatted away. The ginger silently watched me as I applied disinfectant spray, not even flinching at the sting, and putting on a large cotton bandage. When I was finished she retracted her hand, cradling it against her chest, “Eva... Eva Biaglow.” She whispered so lowly I almost didn't hear her. I smiled, well at least she was talking. I settled down on my towel, turning so I faced the ocean. “Yeah. Hey are you new here? Or do you just go to another school. I go to Sweet Amoris.” Eva shook her head, “No... I just moved.” I glanced at the quiet girl. She was more shy than Savanna and Violette combined! “Oh, do you know where you'll be going to school yet?” Eva nodded, “Sweet Amoris.” She said quickly. I sighed, this conversation was feeling more like an interview. I hoped Castiel and Lexsie got back soon with that ice cream, and I hoped they were considerate enough to get me some!

I heard rustling and glanced up to see Eva standing, “I have to go. Thank you.” She murmured and left without another word. I watched her go, her head down as she scurried across the beach as fast as she could without running. I raised an eyebrow before turning back to face the ocean, well that was odd.

vvv

It turned out that Lexsie and Castiel not only forgot about my ice cream, but they seemed to forget that I existed altogether. Both disappeared on me like they were never around in the first place. I scoffed and laid down on my towel, leave it to those two that the time they decided to go all doe eyed and finally admit to their feelings (at least I hoped) was when they had someone else with their party. Oh well, at least they weren't making out in front of me and making me feel like the very awkward third wheel. I reached into my beach bag of wonders and pulled out a novel. Just as I was turning to my dogeared place someone cleared their throat behind me. I laid my head back so I was looking at the person upside down. “Yes?” I asked politely.

The guy smirked, his chest, and a very fine one I had to notice, puffed out, “Hey, I'm Dake and you're hot.” My polite expression fell flat as I stared at him, was he really that obtuse? Did he think a name and one stupid compliment would get him anywhere? I turned my gaze back to my book, resting my right arm under my head to serve as a pillow, “That's nice. Now go away.” I said flatly. Scratch just forgetting about me, I was going to murder Lexsie and Castiel for forgetting about me and not saving me from obvious flirts like this guy! The guy wasn't so easily deterred, “Aw, come on, babe. I know you're not that cruel. You stole my heart, being as lovely as you are.” Dake said as he came and sat down beside me. Flat Look numero dos was sent his way, “So, you're saying that beauty is the only thing that matters to you? Can you be more shallow?” I snapped. The guy didn't take it as an insult, “When it comes to you, I'll be anything!” The flirt declared. My eyes gleamed, “Oh really, can you be nothing but a bad memory?” I asked sarcastically. Dake chuckled, “Come on, sweets, I know you're playing hard to get. You want me, I can tell.” He said confidently. I wanted to hit him, “You're right... I want you gone.” I growled and turned my eyes back to my book, determined to ignore him. Mildly I hoped I didn't set the pages on fire with my glare.

Suddenly the book was gone from my hands, I shot straight up, “Hey! Give that back you jerk!” I yelled and reached out to take the book Dake was dangling from his fingers. “First, a kiss.” He said and leaned in his cheek ready for a peck he obviously thought he was getting. I would love to disappoint him. As my fingers curled into a fist and my arm went back, ready to knock a few teeth out of this idiot, someone grabbed my elbow, “I do believe she asked you to leave her alone.” Nathaniel growled harshly. Dake blinked up at the golden haired guy then down at me, as I tried to scorch him with my glare. He was soooooo lucky Nathaniel came along when he did, otherwise Dake the Flirt would be a few teeth shy of a full smile. The guy scoffed and stood, “Fine fine, I can see I'm not wanted... see ya, baby.” Dake said airily, trying to brush off the fact that he had just been rejected. I rolled my eyes as he walked away, muttering, “Apparently you can't...”

Nathaniel sat down beside me, giving me a strange look. I smiled brightly at him, “Thanks for saving me!” I said then leaned in to give him a little kiss on the cheek. Nathaniel raised an amused eyebrow, “Where's Lexsie?” He asked. I shrugged, “Eh, her and Castiel went to find ice cream a while ago. They better have a good 'we had a frank discussion of emotions and we're now dating' story if they want me to forgive them...” I grumbled. Nathaniel laughed and sat back, his hands propping himself up. I leaned against his sun warmed side, smiling, “What happened to Amber?” I asked curiously. Nathaniel shrugged, “She had an allergic reaction to some nuts and had to go home.” I blinked, “Oh.” I really didn't know what to say. Yeah I was glad she was out of the way so I could spend some time with my boyfriend, but- “Is she okay?” I asked. Nathaniel nodded, his eyes closing as he turned his face to the sun, “Yeah. She's not that allergic. Not the way I am to pollen, or my mom to cats.” I giggled, “What's your dad allergic to?” I asked teasingly.

Nathaniel cracked one eye to glare at me, “Ha ha, very funny.” My boyfriend said sarcastically before grabbing me by the waist and letting us both flop back, my torso securely pressed against his chest. I blushed madly, “Nathaniel...” I said and tried to ease up from his chiseled chest. Mildly I wondered why on earth a student body president would have such a nice body. The boy beneath me gave an amused snort and tightened his arms around my waist before tilting his head up to nuzzle my neck. My breath hitched when I felt his smiling lips press into the soft skin under my jawbone. I tried to push away again, but Nathaniel stopped me by latching on to my earlobe with his teeth. A tiny gasp escaped my mouth when he tugged, my heart fluttering like some flighty bird in a cage. Before I had time to respond, Nathaniel flipped us over so I was on bottom and he was laying halfway on top of me. Slowly Nathaniel traveled up and down my neck, taking his sweet time to explore ever inch of skin with his mouth. He buried his nose in the defined hollow of my throat, kissing the skin just below it periodically.

With a barely suppressed groan Nathaniel finally leaned up to capture my mouth with his. His tongue probed against my bottom lip, asking for entrance. My lips seemed to part on their own accord and Nathaniel's tongue dipped in, giving me a whole new sense of the word 'kiss'. My mind drew a blank on everything; where we were, what day it was, the fact that Castiel could walk up on us at any time, even my own name slipped away briefly. I seemed to forget that Ty used to kiss me like that all the time, that every time the jerk kissed me he would forcibly shove his tongue down my throat. Nathaniel's kiss was more, so much more, in ways I couldn't begin to explain. I moaned into his mouth, my hands running over his bare chest to his golden hair, my fingers tangling in those locks. Nathaniel seemed to enjoy my reaction and stroked the roof of my mouth with his tongue as a reward. I groaned again. Nathaniel retracted his wet muscle from my mouth and sank his teeth gently into my lower lip, drawing back slowly so that his teeth scraped against the tender flesh. “Nathaniel...” I groaned, my breaths coming in at shallow pants.

Hearing his name must have shook some sense into him, for Nathaniel leaned back, looking about as breathless as I was feeling. “Korianna, I'm... going swimming.” My boyfriend managed to get out before scrabbling off of me. Though still a little giddy from that make out session, I couldn't help but grin, “Why, Nathaniel? Need a nice long cold bath?” I teased. Nathaniel shot me a nasty glare before grabbing my wrists, pulling me to a stand, “No... come on your coming with me.” He said determinedly. I laughed and shot forward out of his grip, “Last one in pays for dinner!” I yelled. I could hear Nathaniel's shout of cheating behind me, but ignored it, laughing the whole way.

Of course, Nathaniel beat me. He had managed to snag my waist just feet from the water and spun around so that he was the one closer to the waves than I before letting me go. I was still trying to find my footing when Nathaniel dove head first into the brine, earning first place and getting a cold soak all in one. I laughed at him when I finally gained balance and pounced on his back, causing both of us to go underwater. When Nathaniel finally surfaced, one eye closed as the other narrowed dangerously at me, I just continued to laugh, my white hair plastered to my body. “Korianna... you're going to regret that.” He growled playfully and started towards me. I 'eep'ed and dove under the water in an attempt to get away from my boyfriend. He just grabbed me by the ankle and dragged me back, catching me up against his chest. I squealed and struggled, but not too much. It seemed that Nathaniel's form of punishment was a quick nip at the neck, that wasn't something too bad. I giggled and tried to get away playfully, until I noticed that my bikini top was strangely loose. Tilting my head in confusion I began to reach backwards to see if the knot was loose or something when I felt something along my side that definitely wasn't my hair.

It was my bikini strap.

I went red and pressed myself further against Nathaniel's chest as my arms crept up to keep my top in place. Of all the things that could happen to me, having my top come off in front of my boyfriend, in a public place no less, was one that I didn't want to happen. Somehow I would have to think of a way to get it tied again without Nathaniel knowing. If only Lexsie were here, she could do it for me and none would be the wiser. “Hey what's this?” Nathaniel suddenly asked and I felt a small tug on my top. I mentally groaned, now karma was just trolling me. “Uh... Korianna, I think your...” Nathaniel trailed off when I nodded, “I know. C-can you... tie it back?” I asked awkwardly. Without a word Nathaniel took a step back, the water sloshing around us, lapping coldly at my hips, as Nathaniel took the two untied straps between his fingers. There was a few sharp tugs and I felt the relief when my bikini top once again laid snug against my skin.

All in all, I'd say it wasn't that bad a day at the beach.

*MonKeybiz has signed in*

CrAzYArtist: Heeeeeeey~! How's your summer coming?

MonKeybiz: Fine... except for the fact that all my friends are a state away, and so is my crush.

CrAzYArtist: Awwwwww, poor Savannah! You need a hug!

RabidsingeR: lol, Kori have you been eating sugar again?

CrAzYArtist: I'M STILL NOT TALKING TO YOU!!

RabidsingeR: …

RockStar: By stating that you're not talking to her is talking to her, Kori.

CrAzYArtist: Did I ask you?

MonKeybiz: Okay, what did I miss?

SBPrez: Well... West and Lexsie abandoned Korianna at the beach last week.

RockStar: Butt out, Powers! It's none of your business!

SBPrez: You left your sister, whom I am dating, alone. I say it is my business.

RockStar: Kori is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

SBPrez: I don't doubt that, but it's still rude and careless to leave her to fend for herself.

RabidsingeR: See what you did, Savannah?

MonKeybiz: I think it's kinda sweet! ^^ Nath is standing up for his girlfriend!

CrAzYArtist: While Castiel is covering his butt.

RockStar: HEY!

RabidsingeR: Kori stop being mean.

CrAzYArtist: Okay... as soon as you admit what the heck you two were doing when you were abandoning me!

SBPrez: Oh this should be good...

MonKeybiz: I am super duper curious now.

RockStar: We didn't do anything!

RabidsingeR: Yeah! We went to get ice cream, that was it!

CrAzYArtist: Nice excuse. Except I could see the ice cream stand from the ocean. You weren't there.

RockStar: What were you doing in the ocean? You said you didn't want to go swimming.

CrAzYArtist: Nathaniel wanted to go swimming. And stop trying to change the subject. I'm not letting this go.

RockStar: NATHANIEL POWERS!

RabidsingeR: Kori!

SBPrez: We are dating. It's perfectly acceptable to swim together. -.-

VictorianPoet: Among other things.

CrAzYArtist: SHUT UP LYS!!!

MonKeybiz: Wait! When did he get here?!?!?!

VictorianPoet: I joined shortly before you logged on. You had just missed the conversation.

MonKeybiz: Oh... well then, HI LYS! Welcome to ChatRoomz!

VictorianPoet: Thank you, Savannah.

RockStar: WAAAAAAIT a damn minute. What do you mean 'among other things' Lysander?

CrAzYArtist: Say one word, Lysander, and I'll ban you from my chat room.

RabidsingeR: You can do that?!

CrAzYArtist: As the administrator and creator of this chat room: yes.

VictorianPoet: I do believe that is blackmail.

RockStar: I don't care if you ban him, I want to know what you and Goody-goody were up to!

SBPrez: Nothing more than what you and Lexsie were up to.

RockStar: KORIANNA RILLIE WEST! You. Are. Grounded!

CrAzYArtist: What?! You can't ground me!! And what were you and Lexsie doing anyway, if I was grounded?

RabidsingeR: Nothing!

MonKeybiz: lol a little too fast there, Lexsie... you just made it obvious.

RabidsingeR: Where are Penni and Jade?

CrAzYArtist: You're subtly is very lacking. (They're both on vacation)

SBPrez: Just admit you two were making out already!

RockStar: NATHANIEL!

MonKeybiz: lolololololol I think that's the first time Castiel has every called Nath by his first name. XDDDD

RabidsingeR: We weren't doing anything!

CrAzYArtist: Then where were ya'll and why won't you tell the rest of us since you're SO innocent?

RockStar: ...You're sarcasm is not appreciated...

VictorianPoet: They were making out... more so than Nathaniel and Korianna.

CrAzYArtist: LYSANDER!

RockStar: Traitor.

RabidsingeR: Imma going to KILL you!

MonKeybiz: I'm going to die of laughter!!!!!!

SBPrez: ...I think you are enjoying this, Lysander.

VictorianPoet: Very much so.

RockStar: Kori will you ban him now?

CrAzYArtist: I'll ask him one question before I do...

VictorianPoet: Hm?

CrAzYArtist: ARE YOU A BEACH SPY OR SOMETHING?!?!?!

VictorianPoet: Yes.

CrAzYArtist: …

VictorianPoet: And I commend you on how well you handled that Dake character.

SBPrez: lol how long were you watching us, Lys?

CrAzYArtist: Regardless of what he answers, he's dead anyway...

RockStar: Who's Dake? And what was he doing?

SBPrez: Flirting nonstop with your sister shortly after you and Lexsie abandoned her.

RockStar: ARGH! I'm going to kill him than you, Powers, for messing with my little sister!

CrAzYArtist: I'm TWO minutes younger than you! And you're not going to kill my boyfriend unless I get to kill you for messing around with Lexsie!

RockStar: I didn't do anything!

CrAzYArtist: Yeah yeah... keep talking. Denial is strong with you, but I'll break it eventually.

VictorianPoet: ha ha

MonKeybiz: *sigh* Why am I not there to enjoy all this drama?

RabidsingeR: If you were I'm sure we'd be having this discussion about you and Lys.

VictorianPoet: Hm?

MonKeybiz: BAN HER KORI!! BAN BAN BAN!!!!!!

SBPrez: I'm hungry. When are you taking me to dinner, Korianna?

CrAzYArtist: Shut up you cheater.

SBPrez: You cheated first~! ^^

RockStar: No one is taking anyone to dinner!

VictorianPoet: I thought you were taking Lexsie to dinner tonight...

CrAzYArtist: YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO PRACTICE WITH LYSANDER!!!!!

RockStar: Damn you, Lys...

MonKeybiz: lol, Lysander I never pegged you as a troll.

VictorianPoet: Is that internet lingo? I'm afraid I don't understand.

MonKeybiz: I'll teach you if you want!

CrAzYArtist: Great, now that everyone has a date tonight, bye! I gotta go get my wallet...

MonKeybiz: KORIANNA!

RabidsingeR: I'm going to murder you the next time I see you!

SBPrez: Better make sure you have a lot of cash. I have expensive tastes, honey.

CrAzYArtist: ...I hate you...

“I thought you said you had expensive tastes.” I said as Nathaniel lead me into a restaurant that wasn't too fancy; it wouldn't suck my whole savings dry. Nathaniel smiled at me as he held the door open, “I do, but I decided to be nice. Besides, most fancy restaurants make you reserve ahead of time.” He said cheerfully. I glared at him, “Nice to know you're so worried about my wallet, Powers.” I growled sarcastically, my boyfriend's smile only grew wider. My eye twitched as a funny thought came to me, “You know... you're last name makes you sound like some type of lame superhero.” I pointed out. Nathaniel's grin turned into a smirk, “Oh? So can you imagine me in a cape and tights?” He asked seductively. I blushed brightly and pressed my fingers into my temples, closing my eyes tightly, “Ahhh! The mental image! It burns!” I squealed. Nathaniel just laughed, not at all offended like most guys would be.

After the tired looking hostess showed us out seats and took our drink orders, Nathaniel turned to me. “So, what's my price limit?” He asked teasingly. I glared at him, “Nothing over forty bucks, got it?” He gave a mock salute, “Yes, ma'am!” He said before turning to the menu. I studied him, intrigued by his sudden display of cheerfulness. At school, Nathaniel was always so serious and focused, he rarely ever got distracted from school stuff. The guy sitting across from me wasn't like the Nathaniel at school at all. He was cheerful and more relaxed than I had ever seen him; he actually made jokes that were funny. I mean this was the guy who kissed me in public at the beach, at school Nathaniel was too busy with student council stuff and academics to barely even walk me to my next class. I liked the Nathaniel at school, but I was starting to like this Nathaniel a little more.

My boyfriend seemed aware of my gaze, his golden eyes looked up from the menu to meet my own, “Yes?” He questioned, his mouth turning up in an easy smile. I returned it, “Nothing... just noticing stuff about you.” I said in an almost dreamy tone. Nathaniel's eyebrows started reaching for his hairline, “Oh? What kind of stuff?” He asked as he set the menu down, giving me his full attention. “You don't act the same in school as you do out. You're not so... serious.” I said. It surprised me that Nathaniel frowned and shifted in his seat, looking extremely uncomfortable. “Yeah well... my dad is very strict when it comes to school.” He said, sounding like the School Nathaniel I knew. I tilted my head, confused at his sudden change in personality, “Most dad's are, mine is too.” I tried to tell him, but Nathaniel just shook his head. I shrugged and looked down at the menu, determined not to ruin the night over something Nathaniel clearly didn't want to talk about.

vvv

“That was nice. We should do this more often.” I said as we walked out of the restaurant. Nathaniel smiled and snatched up my hand, entwining our fingers together, “Sure, and I promise I'll pay next time. Do you like sea food?” He asked. I stuck out my tongue, “No thanks. I don't like fish at all.” From the look on Nathaniel's face, I might as well said that I enjoyed kicking kittens or something. I laughed at his expression, “You should see your face.” I giggled. Nathaniel looked away with a pout, “How can someone not like fish?” He asked. I stuck my tongue out at him, “The same way you don't like sweets. I just don't.”

Nathaniel glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and let go of my hand to wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to press a kiss into my temple, “You're cute,” was all he said. Suddenly I felt extremely shy, as I remembered making out with Nathaniel on the beach for some odd reason. Lately he had been acting more like a boyfriend and less like a... friend, even though we had technically started dating back during Halloween. Nathaniel chuckled at my blush, “You're even more cute now.” He commented and tightened his hold around my waist. I was starting to feel as shy as Savannah when she was around Lysander. “A-are you ready for school to start?” I asked, stuttering only a little.

The golden haired boy laughed, “Not really.” He admitted. I stared at him, honestly I had thought he would be happy that school would be starting. Nathaniel seemed to be that kind of person, the one who looked forward to school for whatever reason. I on the other hand could stay in my room drawing or hanging out with my friends for the rest of eternity and never go to school again. If I could get away with it, I might actually have considered dropping out; but since no one ever succeeded as a high school dropout, I continued to go to school. Nathaniel smiled at my shocked expression, “What? I'm a normal teenager, Korianna, I hate school as much as anyone.” He said amused. It was my turn to turn away with a pout, “You could have fooled me...” I said. I only got an eye roll from my boyfriend.

“Kori...?” A boy called. I frowned as I turned around, that voice sounded oddly familiar. My jaw dropped when I saw who was walking towards Nathaniel and I, “T-Ty?!” I sputtered when I saw my ex-boyfriend walking towards us with a quick stride. He had changed drastically from the last time I saw him, before I moved to Sweet Amoris. Back when we were still dating, Ty managed to keep that 'All-American boy' look and hiding his less than stellar activities. Now his plain blonde hair, which used to be so wavy, hung limply over his washed out blue eyes. Bags sagged under his eyes, dark against his pasty skin. Looking at Ty, I could hardly believe that the boy who looked like the typical football jock had turned into such a sleaze.

Completely ignoring Nathaniel, Ty wrapped his still muscled arms around me and squeezed tightly. I gagged at the rancid smell of his shirt pressing into my face. Was this the only shirt he owned?! “Kori! I can't believe it's you! When I heard that you moved into this area I was ecstatic! Babe, you don't know how much I missed you, I even moved here to find you!” Ty pulled back and gave me a grin that I once melted for before ducking his head to kiss me.

Instead of my lips, his mouth met Nathaniel's fist. Ty stumbled back, letting go of me in the process, and cradled his jaw, “What the f*ck was that for?!” Ty garbled as he glared at Nathaniel. My golden haired knight in shining armor stood in front of me with his arms crossed. What was with boys trying to flirt with me out of the blue all of a sudden? It was like they were all waiting for me to enter a relationship before they decided to crash things! Ty glared at Nathaniel, “Dude, who the hell are you?” Ty snapped, blood dribbling down his chin a little. Nathaniel didn't look amused in the slightest, “Korianna's boyfriend.” He said flatly.

Despite the situation before me, I couldn't help but do a happy dance on the inside. Nathaniel admitted it so easily, as if it were only natural that he was my boyfriend. When I had been dating Ty, he always laughed it off and changed the subject. If he actually did admit that he was dating me, Ty would always seem reluctant to admit the fact. I glanced between Nathaniel and Ty. I hadn't realized how bad a boyfriend Ty had been compared to Nathaniel. They were practically on the opposite spectrum of boyfriends. Ty laughed harshly, “So that little bitc-” Nathaniel slammed his fist into Ty's face again. I was honestly surprised that he was so violent. I never expected Nathaniel to be violent prone. Sure, he and Castiel almost got into a fight when I first moved to Sweet Amoris, but I had thought it was a one time thing. Guess I was wrong.

“Refrain from calling Korianna that.” Nathaniel actually growled. I had seen enough. I tugged on Nathaniel's sleeve, “Come on, he's not worth it.” I said softly. Nathaniel glanced at me out of the corner of his eye before nodding and turning his back on the still moaning Ty. I smiled as I looped my arm through his. Other than the incident with Ty, which I hoped never happened again, tonight was a good night. I got to see a part of Nathaniel that no one ever did and I knew that he wasn't ashamed of me like Ty had been. I had gotten a better deal with Nathaniel than I'd ever get with Ty.

RockStar: WHAT?!?!?!?!

SBPrez: You heard me. I want to know all about Ty.

RabidsingeR: Why? And how do you know about Ty? We've never mentioned him by name... that I know of.

SBPrez: ...he tried to kiss Kori...

RockStar: WHAT?!?!?!

SBPrez: Is that the only word you know?

RockStar: Shut up, Powers. What happened with Kori and Ty?

SBPrez: We left the restaurant, some guy called out to her. She called him 'Ty'. He started babbling about how much he missed her and tired to kiss her. I smashed my fist into his face. When he called her a bitch, I punch him again.

RabidsingeR: Nath... I love you. Don't ever change.

RockStar: HEY!

RabidsingeR: I love him like a brother!

VictorianPoet: You know... he might be your brother-in-law one day.

SBPrez: You're matchmaking is not appreciated, Lysander.

RockStar: *gag* LYSANDER! Stop trolling.

VictorianPoet: No.

MonKeybiz: Stop it! Oh dear heaven and earth! For all that is holy, STOP! I'm dying of laughter!!! XDDDDDD

MonKeybiz: Where is Kori anyway? She hasn't logged in at all.

RockStar: It's Saturday before school starts.

MonKeybiz: Ohhhhhhhhh...

VictorianPoet: What does that have to do with anything?

RabidsingeR: I shall explain for you newbies to the mysterious ways of Korianna West. Come in closer, little children, as I spin a tell of woe and misery.

SBPrez: Cut the dramatics and speak plainly.

VictorianPoet: You fail at theatrical speech anyway.

RabidsingeR: ...jerks... Anyway, we all know Kori hates school. So she has a tradition of sleeping in extra late on her last true day of summer. The record is sleeping for eleven hours straight. She didn't get up until 5 pm.

RockStar: Yeah, and that was when Dad flipped her mattress over and dumped her out of bed. If he hadn't interrupted she'd probably have slept all day, literally.

SBPrez: Why are you always more talkative when your girlfriend is speaking?

RockStar: Why do you even care?

SBPrez: I don't.

RockStar: THEN WHY DID YOU ASK!?!

SBPrez: To see you get defensive. It's amusing.

RockStar: …

SBPrez: Also, it's nice to know that you admit to dating Lexsie. I'm sure Korianna will be happy.

RockStar: NATHANIEL POWERS!!!!

MonKeybiz: lol Lys, I think you're rubbing off on Nath.

SBPrez: Don't call me Nath.

MonKeybiz: Tell me why you don’t want to be called that name and I'll stop calling you that.

GreenThumb: Since Kori isn't here to keep you on track... we WERE talking about Kori and Ty.

RabidsingeR: ...oops. It's amusing to see Castiel and Nath dish it out, why don't they do that normally?

VictorianPoet: Because they're both whipped by Korianna.

MonKeybiz: lol that's true! XD

RockStar: ...I'm not even going to respond to that.

SBPrez: I still want to know about Ty.

RockStar: You'll have to ask Kori. It's her story, not ours.

SBPrez: You couldn't tell me that to begin with?

RockStar: No.

SBPrez: ...you're a dick.

RabidsingeR: ...O.O Did...He...?

MonKeybiz: HE DID!!! NATHANIEL JUST CUSSED!!!!!!!!!!!! THE WORLD IS ENDING! THE WORLD IS ENDING!! Lshdklgjakdlgjlaksjdfl!!!!!

SBPrez: -_- ...You two are weird.

VictorianPoet: You can't really blame them. I've known you almost as long as Castiel and this is the first time I've ever heard you cuss.

GreenThumb: It is strange hearing that coming from you, Nathaniel.

SBPrez: *sigh*

RockStar: Ha ha! Everyone thinks your a Goody-goody!

SBPrez: Shall I go into how you were as a child?

RockStar: Lexsie already knows, and of course Kori does too. So your plan is flawed.

SBPrez: Then how about why you became a jerk?

RockStar: Stop right there, Powers.

SBPrez: ^^ I wasn't going to say anything.

RabidsingeR: Okay, this is too muck OOC in here. NATH GO BACK TO BEING A SERIOUS STICK IN THE MUD! CASTIEL START HATING NATH AGAIN, STOP WITH THE POKING FUN AT EACH OTHER!!!!

GreenThumb: I agree with Lexsie, it is a little weird.

SBPrez: I'll be a stick in the mud when school starts.

RockStar: I DO HATE HIM!

SBPrez: The feeling is mutual, West.

RockStar: Shut the hell up, Powers.

GreenThumb: *sigh* Here we go again...

MonKeybiz: Ring around the rosy, Pocket full of posy! Ashes ashes we all fall down!

SBPrez: You do realize that song is about the Black Death right?

MonKeybiz: Really?! Cool!!

RabidsingeR: *cough cough* NATH IS A NERD!

VictorianPoet: Knowing trivia doesn't make someone a nerd.

RockStar: Says the guy full of useless trivia.

MonKeybiz: Hey! I love trivia! Don't spoil my fun, Castiel!!!

RockStar: Don't worry I won't!

MonKeybiz: ...I hate you... Nath and I are going to start at Castiel Hate Club.

RabidsingeR: Hey! Don't hate on my boyfriend!

MonKeybiz: You were the president of his fan club back home, it's only right that I be the president of his hate club here!

RockStar: ...What?

VictorianPoet: ...

GreenThumb: XDDDDDDD

SBPrez: lol

RabidsingeR: SAVANNAH KNIGHT, I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU!!!!

MonKeybiz: *sigh* just like old times.

“Kori, I need your help, get down here!”

I paused in shading the last bit of my art project and called out. “Why? You said you didn't need any help.”

“Get the damn dog outta here! He keeps getting in the way!” Castiel snapped back.

Sighing I set aside my drawing pad and wondered into the kitchen where my brother was, “You know… I don't think Lexsie will really care if you-”

My brother cut me off, “Take Demon for a walk!”

I rolled my eyes as I whistled for Demon to follow me. The slobber monster practically knocked my feet from underneath me in his hurry to get to the door. Instead of reaching for the leash, because not even Castiel could hold back that dog sometimes, I grabbed the dog whistle and a baggie of treats.

First holiday this school year, and I was spending it walking my brother's uncontrollable dog. I hadn't had any downtime since the summer ended, what with my AP classes that Nathaniel convinced me to sign up for and more extracurricular activities like the art club and Theater. And even though it was Thanksgiving holiday, I still had to write a five page essay over Hawthorn’s 'Scarlet Letter', finish my still life for the art club before Christmas break, and finish painting the props for Theater’s spring play.

Tansy had convinced me to get into Theater, saying that I would be just the girl for it. She didn't tell me that they only needed my artistic skills for painting the backdrops and props. Oh well, at least I was needed somewhere. Lately it seemed like I was just getting under everyone's foot. Some people I could understand, like Nathaniel who took nothing but AP classes as well as being the student body president, were very busy; but ever since Lexsie and Castiel started officially going out she never so much as said 'hi' to me, even though she was in our apartment almost everyday.

I didn't blame her of course, Castiel had only asked her out three weeks ago so I knew that Lexsie was still getting used to her 'in a relationship' status. Nathaniel had been the only thing in my radar when I first started dating him and even before that. But it still hurt that she only had eyes for my own brother and I was forced to be around her constantly anyway.

Demon suddenly took off, probably after some stray cat. I wasn't too worried about him, Demon was a city dog; Castiel had told me that the first and last time Demon had ran into the streets he got hit by a car and broke his right foreleg. Since then the giant slobber monster avoided walking even near the curb. It was one thing neither my brother or I had to worry about.

Jumping up on people and knocking them over was still a problem, unfortunately.

Demon disappeared around the corner of the bank and not five seconds later a girlish shriek resounded. I groaned and quickened my pace, I just hoped that whoever Demon 'attacked' wasn't some uppity snot who was going to file charges or threaten to call animal control.

I didn't know who the girl was, but I did recognize the boy who was helping her up.

Jade grinned when he saw me, “Kori!”

I blinked at my green haired friend before smiling back, “Hi, Jade. Uh, sorry about Demon. He's kind of… uncontrollable.” As if to prove my point, the slobber monster took off again, this time barking after a skateboarder who had just shot past us. I helped Jade pull the girl to her feet, “I really am sorry, are you alright?”

The girl stood up, dusting off her floral print skirt and held out her hand, “Oh I'm fine! My name is Ruby, and you're Kori, right?”

Ruby, huh? I glanced at her bright red hair, her parents name her right at least. I shook her proffered hand, “Korianna, but my friends call me Kori.” I glanced between Jade and Ruby, “Are you… related by any chance?”

Ruby laughed, “It's the names, isn't it? That's how everyone else always guesses. Our mother wanted to name her children after jewels. Something about how precious the 'family jewels' were.” I smiled again, if there was one thing to be said about this strange girl, it was that she was a lot more outgoing than her brother.

I glanced at Jade to see him rolling his eyes fondly. They seemed to get along at least. He turned to me, “So how have you been? You haven't gotten onto ChatRoomz in forever and everyone always says you're busy.”

I smiled sheepishly “Sorry. I signed up for more extracurricular activities this year and they're really taking it out of me.”

“Yeah I know, when I went to Sweet Amoris to help out with the garden again this year you didn't even drop by.”

“You were there? You didn't tell me that!” What else have people been neglecting to tell me? Lexsie didn't even tell me when she started going out with Castiel, it was my brother who told me about an hour before their first date! And Penni never told me she started taking dance lessons until she asked Castiel for a ride to the dance studio one day.

Jade shrugged helplessly and rubbed the back of his neck, “I'm not allowed in the school since I'm not a student. Why do you think I always made you run errands for me?”

I hung my head in defeat. Some vacation this was turning out to be. All my friends were turning up and doing things without telling me, which made me feel incredibly left out. Hopefully it wouldn't be so bad when I went to have dinner at Nathaniel’s house tonight.

Ruby giggled and patted my shoulder, “Don't worry about it, Korianna! Jade here is just a fuddy duddy,” The red haired girl leaned in as if she was going to tell me a secret, “I think it's because he won't tell anyone who he has a crush on! It's effecting his life, ya know?” She said loud enough that Jade heard her.

He turned bright red and sputtered while Ruby and I laughed. Smirking I tilted my head to the side and raised a hand to shield my mouth from Jade as I said back, “Oh? Do tell~” I hadn't talked to Violette in a while, but from what Savannah told me she still had a crush on Jade. Could he have a crush on her? It would make my matchmaking job much easier.

Ruby gave me a one armed hug that was more like a strangle hold, “Oooo I like you! Jadey-boy why didn't you tell me your friends were so fun?”

“Jadey-boy?” I snorted as Jade's blush turned darker. If I ever got back on ChatRoomz I was going to announce his silly nickname to everyone.

#Script's Archives #mcl fanfiction #mcl #my candy love #fanfiction #dmba

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