A Broken Rib (drabble)

Summary: You broke a rib during a stunt, earning yourself a scolding by your girlfriend.

Warrnings: mention of bruising? and some errors (reread this maybe twice)

Author's Note: A small little drabble cause I wanted to get something out for you all but these wips are kicking my ass rn. Also this is inspired by an interview where Britney Snow (i think) broke a rib during a stunt where she had to ram against a car to break it's widow and a fic I read a bit ago were Jenna sprains her ankle at work when she's distracted by a video of reader. (sadly I can't find it or I'd link it) Hope you enjoy 🩵

Word Count: 431

________

“You’re never doing that again.” Jenna reprimands a look in her eyes that says there’s no room for negotiation. However, it was an accident, you knew that and she knew that. The stunt was easy, even your manager agreed that you could ram yourself into the car for the scene. It didn’t stop Jenna from worrying though, the second she was told about your hospital visit a nervous pit settled deep in her stomach. 

“Jen.” You groan, you’re in need of sleep and just want to be held in the shorter girl's arms while you watch your favorite comfort movie. “Don’t Jen, me I’m not the one in trouble, you are.” Crossing her arms, you finally notice just how high her anxiety was. Understanding exactly how much stress someone could put themselves under when not knowing the condition of their loved one. You had experienced the same mounting fear when she sprained her ankle on set a year ago.

You sigh, never wanting to make her sick with worry especially when you were fine. “Baby, I’m okay. It’s one broken rib, plenty of people get broken ribs and survive.” 

“I’m just a little sore.” You add, prodding at the growing colors splayed across your abdomen. “And bruised.” Jenna mumbles knowing she’s not gonna get anywhere with you. You grab her hand placing it above your heart. “I’m fine. We got the shot, neither I nor Naomi need to redo it.” 

“She’s doing all your stunts from now on and I mean it.” Jenna gives you her best stern eyes but she knows you, you’re just like her when it comes to things like this. If you can do it yourself then why not? 

“You know I can’t promise that.” Jenna sighs knowing you’re right. She gently wraps you up in a hug, careful not to hurt you further. She’ll have plenty of time to scold you but for now she’d rather get you into bed to rest. “Just take it easy next time, okay? If you need a break, take one.” 

“I will. I promise.” Promising sincerely, your y/e/c eyes boring into her soft brown ones. “Too bad there’s not gonna be a scar though, I heard women love scars.” You tease, breaking the tension.

“Oh my god, please shut up.” Jenna says hiding her face in your neck at your embarrassing statement. Unable to contain her chuckle at your silly excuse for flirting. “I love you, even though you’re a reckless idiot.” 

“Yeah but I’m your reckless idiot.” 

Squeezing her tighter in your hold. “I love you too.”

Album Review: The Big Moon

Artist:  The Big Moon

Title:  Love in the 4th Dimension

Record Label: Fiction Records

Release Date: 7th April 2017

Rating: 9.0/10

Let’s cut right to the chase, ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ is the debut album of the year. Yeah we know it’s only April but we’re confident that no other act will better this debut record by The Big Moon. After tirelessly touring these 11 tracks for the last 2 years, the south London troop spent 12 days immortalising them and it’s with a well-honed confidence ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ is being unveiled to the world.

If you were to be introduced to ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ without knowing it was a band’s first record, you’d assume it was the work of a group that had fully hit their stride, two/three albums into their lifespan, such is the accomplished feel to the quartet’s first foray into our lugholes. It’s beautifully ramshackle but with superb undertones of pop intermingled with fractious bursts of noise. To call it a coming of age album might be a little off the mark but there’s a youthful exuberance to the album that’s impossible to ignore. However, there’s also a deft maturity in feel and personality too. It’s been a long time since a group embellished an Englishness to their craft, with the odd lyrical nuisance and a nudge and a wink you can hear the linage of Blur and Pulp, as well as Arctic Monkeys. The well measured pockets of frazzled guitars convey the noisier end of the spectrum associated more with the dissonant beauty of Sonic Youth, and Sleater Kinney - so, although The Big Moon exude a very British influence, our cousins across the pond also make up the rich DNA at the heart of ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’.

Given the album’s moniker, much of its narrative is centred around love and relationships but thankfully not in a glum nor saccharine-sweet way. The awkward fumble of ‘Cupid’ is a relatable ode to love’s first encounters. Interwoven with trilling riffs and steadfast drum licks, the perfect vehicle for Juliette Jackson’s earthy vocals, the track goes on a see-saw of emotions. “I’m going to make the earth shake tonight” recounts an unnamed beau full of bravado. This is followed by a rib-tickling piece of wordplay that could have been whipped off an Inbetweeners episode “Yeah baby/take my wallet/my round/see my jonny/artfully tucked out”. As the song reaches its climax it would appear the pressure has got to our suitor and his feet have become rather chilly “Time to turn and run from romance/I’m backing out/hit the target another time”. Whilst the beginning and mid-section of the four-piece’s album seems to be a cat and mouse affair of the heart – once the LP begins to reach its end, it would appear love has taken hold and cupid has successfully hit that wonderful bullseye. The record’s title track commences in a stripped back fashion but it doesn’t take long before it swells into an expansive wall of sound. Jackson can be heard purring “oh boy/do you feel extra real” and then as the song sashays to a close, it would seem our wordsmith just can’t find the words to illustrate her true feelings for that special someone “I could go on and on and on/but my darling these worldly words would never suffice”. ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ is capped off rather aptly by ‘The End’ and it’s here the band hoist the white flag of surrender to all things amore. A wash of hazy guitar chords and pitter-pattered drums set the scene before again, expanding to a full bodied, widescreen affair, adding in strings for a nice theatrical touch. “Boy/I’m scrambled/my TV’s a fuzz/watershed thrills/my heart beats a buzz” followed by “Where once I used to bite/my teeth are falling out”. It would seem no matter how hard Jackson is fighting the tractor beam of affection, she can’t help but admit defeat – love has taken hold.

As you may have already surmised, The Big Moon can make a racket; these aren’t dainty little songs, some of them are colossal. ‘Formidable’ lives up to its name and rivals any track on ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ when it comes to sounding positively anthemic. Rolling out just to the sound of a solitary guitar riff and Jackson’s dusky vocals – the track soon blossoms into a defiant ode to friendship and compassion. As Jackson bellows “let me heal your battle scars/run my ship to ground/yeah nothing is going to take me down/gimme everything you got/let your heart beat loud” creating a very special moment on an already remarkable album. ‘Bonfire’ quickly follows in ‘Formidable’s slipstream and this is where The Big Moon are at their boisterous best. A cacophony of frazzled guitar wails, animal howls and the kind of drum beats that could level buildings, suffice to say, this song puts the ‘Big’ in The Big Moon. The album’s allure isn’t lessened when The Big Moon dial things down either. ‘Zeds’ is a cooing anti-lullaby, pivoting on the theme of love-induced insomnia “I’m sick of the sheep I’ve been counting” slurs Jackson whilst declaring “you’re stoking a fire in me” as the hours’ tick by but sleep evades The Big Moon’s vocalist.

Like a solar eclipse, once in blue (BIG) moon, we get the pleasure in hearing something special. It happened with Arctic Monkeys and most recently Wolf Alice, when they were both catapulted into the public consciousness and again, it feels like the stars are aligning once again with The Big Moon. ‘Love in the 4th Dimension’ is very special indeed.

May 2006. Our final project for Creative Writing in high school consisted of a portfolio with 5 pieces. Each piece had a specific theme or style. My portfolio was titled “Goodbye to You”.

Goodbye to You - piece 5 -  The last piece of my CW portfolio. This one had to have song lyrics or line of poetry in it to enhance the overall mood/tone. I chose the song "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds. This was inspired and mostly based off real events, slightly tweaked for my portfolio.

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

“Remembering The Better Times”

…Won't you come see about me…I'll be alone, dancing, you know it baby…

Driving down the highway, my radio is blaring. I recognize the song. It's my favorite one from The Breakfast Club. I find myself singing along with the mesmerizing lyrics as I remember the better times.

…Tell me your troubles and doubts…Giving me everything inside and out …

Fried chicken and brown gravy mix in the air. The chilly breeze from the windows sends shivers racing up my back. He is talking to me. He's saying something about not having his homework done for Economics. I sigh and hand over the worksheet, wondering if that was the only thing troubling him. He smiles and thanks me. Another shiver runs up my spine but the windows are now closed.

…Love's strange: so real in the dark…Slow change may pull us apart …When will I get any of your heart, baby?…

Slow dances. I haven't slow danced since middle school. My partner holds me close, a firm grip on my waist. His fingers drum against my ribs and I let out a giggle. He thinks it's funny and does it again. A fluttering in my stomach as he does it again and I can't help but wonder if he feels the same.

…Look my way, but never love me…I won't harm you…

We sit together in his car. A companionable quietness from his perspective, deafening silence from mine. I struggle to find words for how I feel. He smiles at me and asks if I'm alright. The answer is 'no' but I answer 'fine' anyway. I look into his chocolate eyes and wonder if he knows. We say 'goodnight, see you at commencement rehearsal tomorrow.' He drives away and my heart goes with him.

…I'll put us back together at heart, baby…

I drive onward, reflecting on what could've been, what might be. The road continues on but it's a one-way street with no room for U-turns.