hello world!!!!! say hi to LULU!!!!!!!

Collection of young adult fantasy, horror, and science fiction short stories

Surreal and unsettling

Favorites: "The Wizards of Peril," "The Faery Handbag," and "The Constable of Abal"

Freetime Posters - 12 Music & Dance Hobby Posters

Hey everyone! I finally got these to upload! 😌 The penultimate hobby in the Freetime poster series is music and dance! Swatch, details and download below. 💃

These are on @linacheries’ lovely 4t2 conversion of Simsza’s National Park Prints (mesh is included), and they feature another 12 designs made with Flaticon elements + lots of Simlish fonts. They’re all inspired by locations, items, Sims and features from the game.

Translations:

Top: Swan Lake Starring Hannah Bell as Odette Bottom: Deja Vu Theatre Moonlight Falls April 20th - 23rd Ballet poster for Hannah Bell, Desiderata Valley music and dance enthusiast and ballet dancer

Basic Barre by Deuxjoint Ltd Advertisement for the in-game item

Top: Midnight Flows Bottom: Nightly Karaoke Every Night from 7 to Midnight Advertisement for the Downtown club

Twikkii Island Fire Dance I guess this is sort of a travel poster? I've shied away from anything related to BV since I already did the travel posters, but fire dancing is too cool to ignore, and it didn't make sense in any other context

Rip Co. Xylophone Advertisement for the in-game item

Belladonna Cove Breakdance Contest

Lulu Lounge Presents DJ Holly Kosmokos Advertisement for the Downtown club

Downbeat Kit The Heart of the Rhythm Advertisment for the in-game item

Top: It's Always Wirth Dancing Bottom: Sharon Wirth Dance Studio Inspired by Sharon Wirth, Desiderata Valley's other music and dance enthusiast

Sergei Dubinsky Live in Concert March 7th 8PM | Hoi Polloi Event Center I'm not a huge fan of these isometric icons, but pianist icons are few and far between, so I finally used one XD The grand piano description mentions Sergei Dubinsky and I really wanted some kind of concert poster, so here we are

My Muse Music and Dance Studio For the music and dance secret lot (and a sister design to the My Muse II poster from the Arts & Crafts set)

Top: Bosenklavier Model B Bottom: Make Beautiful Music, Beautifully Advertisement for the in-game item

A numbered swatch is included.

Icons are by Freepik, justicon, Good Ware, Smashicons, photo3idea_studio, amonrat rungreangfansai, smashingstocks, Futuer, Victoruler, Nikita Golubev, Amethyst prime, and Flat Icons. Much appreciation as always for their wonderful resources! <3

DOWNLOAD (SFS) Recolors are ~360KB

Lots of love, Spacey

UPDATE: Now that this series is complete, here is a master list of all the posts, plus a single download link for all the posters. All swatches are included, and files are sorted into folders so you can easily keep just what you like:

Tinkering Nature Arts & Crafts Fitness Science Cuisine Sports Games Music & Dance Film & Literature

DOWNLOAD ALL THE POSTERS (SFS) Recolors are ~8.5MB

You can now also get all the designs on BV's Travel Keeper!

Review Roundup: CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Opens on Broadway

Cabaret is now running at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway.

By: Blair IngenthronApr. 21, 2024

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, directed by Rebecca Frecknall, opened tonight, Sunday, April 21st at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway. Cabaret features classic music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Joe Masteroff based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

The production stars Eddie Redmayne as the 'Emcee', Gayle Rankin as 'Sally Bowles', Bebe Neuwirth as 'Fraulein Schneider, Ato Blankson-Wood as ‘Clifford Bradshaw,’ Steven Skybell as ‘Herr Schultz,’ Henry Gottfried as ‘Ernst Ludwig,’ and Natascia Diaz as ‘

The cast of Cabaret also includes Gabi Campo as ‘Frenchie,’ Ayla Ciccone-Burton as ‘Helga,’ Colin Cunliffe as ‘Hans,’ Marty Lauter as ‘Victor,’ Loren Lester as‘Herman/Max,’ David Merino as ‘Lulu,’ Julian Ramos as ‘Bobby,’ MiMi Scardulla as ‘Texas,’ and Paige Smallwood as ‘Rosie.’ Swings include Hannah Florence, Pedro Garza, Christian Kidd, Corinne Munsch, Chloé Nadon-Enriquez, and Karl Skyler Urban.

The Prologue Company, the dancers and musicians that welcome audiences to the club, feature dancers Alaïa, Iron Bryan, Will Ervin Jr., Sun Kim, Deja McNair and swings Ida Saki and Spencer James Weidie. The musicians of the Prologue are Brian Russell Carey (piano & bass), Francesca Dawis (violin), Keiji Ishiguri (dedicated substitute), Maeve Stier (accordion), and Michael Winograd (clarinet).

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club also features club, scenic, and costume design by Tom Scutt, and choreography by Julia Cheng.

Let's see what the critics had to say!

Check the link for full aricle about good and bed reviews!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-CABARET-AT-THE-KIT-KAT-CLUB-Opens-on-Broadway-Updating-Live-20240421

My opinion:

I've read all the reviews, I'm just an Eddie fan blogger, so I absolutely can't give a technical opinion, but I know and know the enormous effort that goes into a show. Critics are critical as they should be, so let's not be influenced by the negative ones. I haven't seen the show in New York and I don't know if I 'll be able to see it, but I saw the one in London which completely enveloped me and immersed me in the 1930s like a vortex. If you go to see the show pls, don't think about the criticism, but listen to your feelings, which are worth much more!

Chapters 13 & 14

Returned & Confronted

“Jesus, am I getting Deja Vu, or did she just Suresh you?” He still hadn’t taken a breath, and his lungs gave out as he shook his head at Lulu.  “She’s joking, right? She has to be joking. I told her point blank.” Lulu shook her head. “I heard you, clear as day, love. Sounds like she just really didn’t want to hear it.” This… felt way too familiar.

This chapter was too long so I split it in half.

This posting schedule is even crazier than their fucking relationship 🤣

Hannah & Heidi plot device omg sorry I couldn't help it just go with it ok

What is your opinion about Engage's plot twist being predictable ?

That's not really an opinion, it's a fact. Engage's twist are all foreshadowed in well.... a rather hand-heavy way you could say. Foreshadowing have to be subtle. For example, things in the begining such as Lumera commenting about Lulu's eyes color or her reaction to Lulu telling her about how they can summon emblem with invocations, or Zephia sense of deja vu seein Lulu for the first time and commenting about Lumimi not being able to have kid, all of this are foreshadowing.

However, once Veyle mentions her sibling whose line changes depending on Lulu's gender, then it becomes obvious, and we are only waiting for the explanation as to how is Lulu's Sombron's spawn and how they ended up with Lumimi. In the case of the DLC, Nil being the villian was obvious from the moment he spoke. At least to me/

That's not saying that all of Engage's twist were predictable however. The 'they were all Corrupted" for example was something, even if it did made me think it was maybe the reason why the Royalts were weaker to Corrupted effective weapons. And.. i don't think anyone ever would ever have been able to guess the "Lulu became the Fire emblem thing"!! That was not predictable !!

ALEX WESTON

BANDA SONORA DE LA SERIE ORIGINAL DE PRIME VIDEO EXPATS

Milan Records publica EXPATS (BANDA SONORA ORIGINAL DE PRIME VIDEO) del compositor ALEX WESTON. Ya disponible, el álbum contiene música original escrita por Weston para la nueva serie dramática limitada de seis capítulos dirigida por Lulu Wang que sigue a un grupo de expatriados que viven en Hong Kong. 

Consíguelo AQUÍ

Combinando suaves y bellas melodías de piano con rítmicas y enérgicas pistas de guitarra y batería, Weston ha creado una partitura que acompaña con maestría las vidas de los personajes principales y de la comunidad de habitantes de Hong Kong con los que conviven. Protagonizada por Nicole Kidman, Sarayu Blue y Ji-young Yoo, Expats estrena sus dos primeros episodios, con nuevos capítulos semanales hasta su final el 23 de febrero, en exclusiva en Prime Video.

Sobre la partitura, el compositor ALEX WESTON afirma: "En nuestra aproximación a la partitura de Expats, intentamos cultivar un sonido que captara todos los matices de esta historia, los factores externos y las vidas internas de los personajes. Queríamos captar sus esfuerzos por parecer tranquilos, serenos y resueltos, a pesar del dolor abrumador. Queríamos mostrar a los manifestantes de Hong Kong y su amor por la ciudad, así como sentir el peso de la humedad en el aire. Así, las partituras recorren una amplia gama de estilos, desde el solitario piano solista, secciones orquestales de cámara más tradicionales, brumas atmosféricas de texturas, hasta piezas más enérgicas y agresivas con guitarra y batería".

SOBRE EXPATS

Situada en el complejo entramado de los residentes de Hong Kong, Expats presenta a un polifacético grupo de mujeres después de que un único encuentro desencadene una cadena de sucesos que alteran sus vidas y las deja a todas navegando por el intrincado equilibrio entre la culpa y la responsabilidad.

CONNECTA CON EXPATS

WEBSITE | TRAILER

EXPATS (PRIME VIDEO ORIGINAL SERIES SOUNDTRACK)

TRACKLISTING –

Expatriate

The Perpetrators

Hong Kong is Our Home I

I’ll Have Another

Not Somebody’s Wife, Somebody’s Mother

Out of a Clear Blue Sky

Where’s Gus

The Perfect Family

Don’t Draw Jesus

Kid on a Leash

The Birthday Party

Not Defined by Tragedy

The Night Market

Daily Routines

Dirty Laundry

Guess You’re Not Coming To Dinner

Wine, Water and Children (or What If I Don’t Want To)

Distinctive Markings

Lavender for the Moths

Diaspora Movement

Apt. 305

Late for Dinner

Making Plans

Driving Home

Hong Kong is Our Home II

Open the Windows

Essie

Cast and Crew

Lady With a Rug

Umma

Don’t Make Me Drink Alone

SOBRE ALEX WESTON

Alex Weston es compositor de música para obras de concierto y partituras cinematográficas. Entre sus últimas partituras destacan The Farewell (dirigida por Lulu Wang, A24), que fue incluida en la lista de candidatas a "Mejor banda sonora original" de los Oscar 2020, Wander Darkly (dirigida por Tara Miela, Lionsgate), The Novice (dirigida por Lauren Hadaway, IFC), Goodnight Mommy (dirigida por Matt Sobel, Amazon) y The Adults (dirigida por Dustin Guy Defa, Universal). La música de Weston también ha aparecido en The Affair (Showtime), Jane Fonda in Five Acts (HBO), el documental producido por Ken Burns The Emperor of All Maladies (PBS) y varios proyectos para NBC, Netflix, Apple y otros estudios. Las obras de concierto de Alex incluyen encargos de grupos como el Lyrica Chamber Music Ensemble, ABCIrque, MADArt Creative, el Kennedy Center y la Bienal de Venecia.

Sony Music Masterworks se compone de los sellos Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records y Masterworks Broadway. www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/.

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Lulu’s “Deja Vu” Mauve Off Shoulder Midi Dress.

HUNNYYYY I’m here im present this reaction is long overdue I was supposed to send this yesterday but I was soo busy and the internet here is literally fcking up so bad that’s why I havent interacted IN A DAY can you believe it?!?! this is so unlike of me….BUT ANYWAYS IM HERE IM BACK HELLOO

p.s. this is very long sorry in advance 😚💗

first of all..the amount of flashbacks in this chapter is giving me so much joy I just immediately revert back to when heethan and readen were still “strangers” and seeing both his and her perspectives once again bcs it’s been a while since you’ve done one of these but aaaahhhhh my heart!!!!!! my precious lalovess 🥹🥹🥹

‘God damn she’s so beautiful….and she’s fucking all mine….’ STAAAAPPPPP this is giving me so much deja vu from the first chapters and smau’s (it’s a flashback in but still) 😭😭 reading heethan’s thoughts abt readen will ALWAYS give me the goosebumps it’s always got my heart doing fricking cartwheels dude I can feel the hee’s love for our readen goshhh it’s making me weaaakkk

“My glasses…”

“You wear glasses?”

“I used to….back in high school”

“You don’t anymore?”

“Nope…got a Lasik a while back…”

YESSSS I was wondering when we’d go to this topic again bcs of the last chapters and o m g green haired hee with those glasses?? an absolute nightmare it’s got me weaaakkk in the kneeessssss ESP WITH THE INSERTED GIF AND PIC STAAAPPP REI LULU’S HERE.

also p.s. I’m not even joking but my childhood stuffed toy that’s a grey elephant is named lulu….shut up😃💀

“They look good on you….who would have thought that someone would look better than me in my own glasses.” He chuckles.

“Stop, you’re overexaggerating.” You chuckled back.

ahh yes our still very humble readen as always..it’s part of her personality cus I swear with how rei’s describing her she is a literal goddess but still she’s humble af I love her sm my lovely (and overly humble) readen

“You’re a wonderment.” WAIT- THATS A NEW ONE 🤩🤩 HAVENT HEARD THAT ONE FROM HEETHAN BEFORE NO WAAYYY this is like way back but I guess new word unlocked hihi

stop. The fucking smut. holy shiiiiittttt that was probably the first time (?) where hee went Ethan mode while they’re doing it and it’s mfing hot

“No-no…..this is what you asked for riiiiight?……..Fucking let me eat you….let me feast on your skin……let me tear your body to pieces…..” GETTING HUGEEEEE DEJA VU from some chapters cus I literally cannot recall how many times heethan has said abt devouring readen and even more times on how he actually DID it…GODDAMN THIS IS HAWWWWTTTTT😵😵‍💫

Rei you don’t know how much I love all of the his and her perspectives from old chapters cus it just literally shows how much has happened already and how far this story has gone even though it’s only been twenty chapters I still remember when heethan would rant to himself in the smau’s and readen and him seeing each other the first time at Vicky’s dorm….staaappp 🥹🥹🥹

Heethsn’s perspective during THE iconic and will forever be remembered scene when everything unfolded that night….hee’s perspective is just absolute perfection AAWWHWWHHSNNDHEHESNHEHENNENS his thoughts and the way he thinks about her, the way he loves her it’s just something that’s out of this world and one that no one could understand EXCEPT readen. I love them.

“Let’s go pretty baby…..we got a plane to catch.” Okay let’s ignore the other dialogue in that scene for now but ITS HEREEE ITS FINALLY HAPPENING OH MY GOSHH 🥹

I’ve been waiting for chapters and chapters for heethan and readen’s “next” I guess let’s say journey together and when I tell you that I literally CANNOT WAAAIIIITTTT to see their life in Korea and all of the scenarios that could happen (and possibly smaus ;)” AAHHHH YAAAYYYY MY PRECIOUS PRECIOUS HEETHAN AND READEN MWAAAAAAAA <33333

……………………..

"...That voice....Eden? Is that you? Whats going on? I'm so confused...and scared....what's happening? What is Ethan talking about?....He's Heeseung?.....what...then who is Ethan? Who was he all this time?"

"Y/n......"

"Yes?"

"..........run."

……uhm- what a great way to lighten the mood 😃😃

let’s just uhh ignore what I wrote before that uhm….so anyways-

I definitely think that as each chapter goes by heethan’s love for readen is becoming stronger and stronger and I just truly hope it doesn’t escalate to the fact that it’s uncontrollable anymore (REI DONT EVER DO THAT TO MY HEETHAN AND READEN 🤺🤺) but DUDE.

WOOOOHHHHH things are getting MOREE saucier and juicier and spicier‼️‼️‼️ OMFGG!! are we prepared for this rei? ARE WE??

but also BIATCHHH I KNOW YOU LOVE CLIFFHANGERS BUT WHY DO YOU HAVE TO END IT AT THE WORST ONE OF ALL “…….run.” LIKE WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT 😭😭😭

Honestly cannot wait for future chapters and this chapter 20 I just adoreeee because of the his & her perspectives, it’s POETRY 😩

Okay yes I’m sorry I wrote a lot of my thoughts and a bit less screaming rn so forgive me mother rei I’m a bit emotional on this chapter (and probably cus I wrote this while it’s shark week but anw)

Reina you better hit me up once you read this because with the way heethan and heebros are plaguing my mind ESPECIALLY after their new chapters I actually think I’m gonna go crazy unless I talk to someone so

THATS ALL HOPE YOU ENJOYED OUR TALK CUS I KNOW I DID 😘😘😘

i had to bump up in the line of hte asks bc i needed to respond to yours immediately lol!

giiiiiiirrrrrl the longer the asks/summaries of chapters, the better. Once i finish chapter 9 of MT, DT chapter 6 is next. and it is getting fire....just like you said.

oh girl, this last chapter of HHP.....i'm loving that you loved and emphasized the his and her perspectives, bc that is actually crucial. bc obviously......something is about to go down..lol....something going on with heethan but its never out of malicious intent, its all out of love. but that's why i put in his perspective, so everyone can see just how his thought process had been since the very beginning, bc in MGR and somewhat of MRE, he was very calm, quiet, and composed, but that was just bc he kept everything internal. HHP reflects his mindset and how he really views readen and how much he loves you.....like his obsession and infatuation just escalated from the moment he saw you and ...normally i'm not one for the "love at first sight tropes" although i can be if they are well done, but in this story, heethan def fell in love at first sight of readen, and his infatuation only grew more and....i mean, lets not all forget, he is yandere.....he may have started out a bit soft....but he just grew more and more insanely in love with readen (all those events like gabe, samuel, scot and tiff, and now this serial killer that stalked her) all of those contributed to his growing possessive streak and just made him more and more obsessed and yearning to protect her, so that's where we're at right now but it gets interesting. next chapter you'll see some more of like...how everything went down and what happens to our girl. she's fine. trust me she's fine. lol.

Las personas se enamoran todo el tiempo y no hay nada que hacer.

Aceptar que nada es para siempre, y desear que lo que contigo no fue con otra persona si lo sea.

No vale la pena seguir martirizándome en miles de pensamientos, mejor voy a mandar mucho amor, me voy a abrazar mucho, me voy a consentir y darme mucho mucho amor.

Como dijo mi Psicologa la Lulu, deja de crear escenarios que no existen y permítete respirar.

(hitting pots and pans) WAKE UP DEJA FANS

Lulu...deja de DORMIR

Bno, ella es mi perrita Lulu, es una perrita raza schnauzer miniatura, NUNCA DEJA DE DORMIR

Radio NET Bulgaria (October 21, 2022)

23:58 JEFFERY SMITH - Shake It Up 23:55 PAUL TAYLOR - Epic Dream 23:51 PEET PROJECT - Sunday at the Spa 23:47 DEAN JAMES - Planet Smooth 23:43 MARK JAIMES - Sidetracked 23:38 GREGG KARUKAS - Manhattan 23:35 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - All That Bass 23:31 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Just Feels Right 23:27 MATT MARSHAK - Lookin' Back 23:22 PATRICK BRADLEY - Catalan Feat. Jeff Lorber & Eric Marienthal 23:17 GERRY SMOOTH - Let's Dance 23:12 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Cleared for Takeoff 23:08 PAUL MESSINA & MARK R. HARRIS - Olde Skool (feat. Greg Minnick, Ignacio Nunez & Dean Rickard) 23:04 DARRON COOKIE - Back at It Again 23:00 NICHOLAS COLE - Yokohama 22:58 MARIE THERESE - Gin And Tonic (Pier-O Bossa Chill Mix) 22:54 SUPER8 & TAB, JAN BURTON - Free Love 22:50 NICOLA HITCHCOCK - Surrender 22:42 PROJECT BLUE SUN - Naked 22:37 KITARO - Caravansary 22:30 R.I.B - I Look At Sea Horizon 22:25 SUPER8 & TAB, ALYNA - Perfect Day (Original Mix) 22:20 RHEINGOLD ENSEMBLE - Deja Bo 22:16 MARKUS GARDEWEG, MICHAEL FEINER - Fairplay (Let There Be Love) (Ambient Mix) 22:12 MATT DAREY, TIFF LACEY - Always 22:08 ROMAN MESSER, LJ AYRTEN - Break The Ice (UltraNova Chillout Remix) 22:04 SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA, JOHN MARTIN - Save The World (Matias Lehtola Unplugged Cover Mix) 21:59 RUSLAN-SET, POWERMS, V.RAY - Aspiration (Vocal Mix) 21:54 MARK WATSON - Submission 21:50 SUPERTANGOX - Last Tango In Paris 21:44 MENZI - Aufbruch 21:40 ROB NUNJES - Smells Like Teen Spirit 21:34 NO HORIZONS, SHEEMA - Summer Son 21:27 SYNTHETICSAX - Here Workin' (Dj Rostej Original Remix) 21:24 SEAL - Ooh Baby Baby 21:20 NADIA ALI - Is It Love 21:16 OXYGENE - The Ocean (Goldtripp Remix) 21:10 TONY IGY - Astronomia (Chillout Mix) 21:06 NAOKI KENJI - Maripri 21:01 RICHARD DURAND - Wide Awake (Zetandel chill rmx) 20:56 REY SALINERO - Total Delight 20:48 TORNIKE - Night Steps (Original Mix) 20:44 NOMOSK - Don't Hold Back (Soty & Seven24 Chillout Remix) 20:40 ROMAN MESSER, ROBIN VANE - Someday (Paul Echo Chillout Remix) 20:34 ROGER SANCHEZ - Another Chance (Afterlife Mix) 20:30 PIXALEND - Maritime Sadness 20:23 TRENTEMOLLER - Miss You (Lulu Rouge Feat. Asger Baden Remix) 20:19 SOUND BEHAVIOUR - Comfort Zone 20:14 HESS IS MORE - Yes Boss 20:10 SARAH MENESCAL - Don't Speak 20:07 TOUCH & GO - Straight To...Number One (Dreamcatcher Mix) 20:04 SENSPROOF - Starflight (Alex Atmospheric Chillout Remix) 20:00 TUKAN - Wonder Of Life (Chill Out Mix) 19:51 TWENTYEIGHT - Hope (original mix) 19:46 RUE DU SOLEIL - In My Heart 19:41 SHAUN ESCOFFERY - Let it Go (4 Hero mix featuring Jason Rebello) 19:36 VELVET DREAMER - Summer Breeze 19:31 VARGO - You're Not Alone 19:27 RUSSELL SIMINS - Comfortable Place 19:22 LISAYA - Falling (Roan Portman Chillout Mix) 19:16 SIMON LE GREC, DENISE GUTTENBACH - Touch Me (Original Mix) 19:10 VIV DE LA ROSA - Agua Caliente 19:04 SCHWARZ, FUNK - Rainy Ibiza 18:59 SARAH BRIGHTMAN - Beautiful 18:51 VINTAGE, MORELLI - Tree Of Life (Magnetik Remix) 18:46 SCHILLER, KATE HAVNEVIK - Don't Go 18:41 SCROOGE - African Laundry (Original Mix) 18:37 WHITE STONE - Lady 18:34 LP - Lost On You (Elk Road Remix) 18:29 SUPERLOOP - Be 18:25 SWEET EUPHONY - After We Close Our Eyes (Chillout Version) 18:22 WILDBOYZ, AMEERAH - The Sound Of Missing You (Tj's Candlelight Mix) 18:18 SHARAM, DANIEL BEDINGFIELD - The One (Downtempo Mix) 18:14 YIRUMA, RUVIN - River Flows In You 18:09 DOWNTEMPO GROOVERS - Smooth And Sexy Mix 18:02 THE THRILLSEEKERS - Dreaming of You (Tranquilo's Ambient Mix) 17:58 YANNI - Can't Wait 17:51 TARAS BAZEEV - Western 17:46 BLANK & JONES, CATHY BATTISTESSA - Miracle Man (Afterlife Remix) 17:42 BOYCHILD, SOUNDMOUSE - Counting What Ifs (Original Mix) 17:38 TOKYO COUNTERPOINT - To The Sky (Lemongrass Free Bird Remix) 17:34 DA KENT DJ AT WORK, SELECTA - Take My Heart (Da Kent Dream Of You Mix) 17:26 DELIRIUM, SARAH MCLACHLAN - Silence (Michael Woods Mix) 17:22 YANOU, DO - On And On (Piano Version) 17:19 AMAZONICS - Lovin' You (Astrovoid Remix) 17:13 LIFE AUDIENCE - Vanilla 17:10 KRISTER, DALBANI - Self Control 17:07 NATALIE RENOIR, STEREO DUB, BRAZIL XXI - Can't Take My Eyes Off You 17:04 SCUBBA, IVETTE MORAES, RONAN - The Sweetest Taboo (Remix) 17:00 EL SEGUNDO - Blue Marlin (Juan Padilla Serve Chilled Remix) 16:57 JACKIEM JOYNER - When The Time Is Right 16:53 PAUL TAYLOR - Friday@5 16:48 LOWELL HOPPER - Come On Over 16:43 EUGE GROOVE - Lampin' It 16:39 DEAN JAMES - Neon Skies 16:35 MARK JAIMES - Evenin' (feat. OLI SILK) 16:32 NORMAN BROWN - Amen 16:28 PAUL TUVMAN - For No One 16:23 PIECES OF A DREAM - People Say 16:18 JEFFERY SMITH - Visions of the Future 16:14 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - It Makes Me Want You 16:08 OLI SILK - Su Casa, Mi Casa 16:04 PAUL BROWN - Wes' Coast Swing 16:00 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Won't Let Go 15:59 GERRY SMOOTH - Lazy Day 15:55 PEET PROJECT - Galaxies 15:51 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Cruisin' 0n Taxi Way 15:47 PAUL TAYLOR - Goodnight 15:42 GREGG KARUKAS - Tomorrow We Sail 15:38 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Humble and Kind 15:33 MATT MARSHAK - One Happy Guy 15:29 MARK JAIMES - Miel's Song 15:25 JACKIE'S NEW CAR - Jackie's New Car 15:20 KEN NAVARRO - Pulse Point 15:16 JACKIEM JOYNER - When You Smile 15:12 LOWELL HOPPER - Forward Motion 15:08 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - On The Move 15:04 A & MARK R. HARRIS - Heartfelt Prayer (feat. Ignacio Nunez & Dean Rickard) 15:00 MOTOWN MOE - Shades of Funk (feat. Chris Campbell) 14:54 JEFFERY SMITH - Summers Melody 14:50 DEAN JAMES - Can I Take You Out 14:45 GERRY SMOOTH - Solutions 14:41 PAUL TAYLOR - Straight to the Point 14:36 EUGE GROOVE - Tango In Tio 14:31 JEFF KASHIWA - Six of One 14:26 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Changing Signs 14:21 PIECES OF A DREAM - TTYL (I'm Driving) 14:18 MARK JAIMES - ABC 14:13 MEZZOFORTE - Nightfall 14:09 OLI SILK - Seasons Change 14:04 KIM WATERS - Step to This 14:00 PEET PROJECT - Veggie Love 13:58 NA & MARK R. HARRIS - A Better Day (feat. Ignacio Nunez & Jason Meekins) 13:53 GREGG KARUKAS - Cruisin' Your House at Midnite 13:49 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - I Need You 13:45 DARRON COOKIE - I'm in to You 13:41 DEAN JAMES - It's All Good 13:37 PAUL TAYLOR - One Step Closer 13:33 DEE BROWN - Controlled Passion (feat. Merlon Devine) 13:30 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - After Hours 13:24 GERRY SMOOTH - Attitude Adjustment (feat. Judah Sealy) 13:19 MATT MARSHAK - Midtown 13:14 MARK JAIMES - Peak Too Soon 13:09 QUINTIN GERARD W. - He Loves to Play for Yahweh (Bonus Track) 13:05 KEN NAVARRO - Stoned Soul Picnic 13:00 JACKIEM JOYNER - Lil' Man Soul 13:00 MOTOWN MOE - Living My Best Life (feat. Nick Stone & Nils) 12:56 GEN SAX - Trapped in the Beat 12:50 JEFFERY SMITH - What's Your Flavor 12:46 LOWELL HOPPER - Just Chillin 12:41 EUGE GROOVE - Welcome To The Journey 12:35 DEAN JAMES - Thing Your Man Wont Do 12:31 PAUL TAYLOR - Find a Way 12:26 PIECES OF A DREAM - One for the Money 12:22 DEE BROWN - Deep Secrets (feat. Blair Bryant) 12:17 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Keepsakes 12:14 MARK JAIMES - Trigger Happy 12:09 wo Years On (feat. Jimmy Engher, Monte Mann, Ignacio Nunez & Dean Rickard) 12:05 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - Can You Feel It 12:00 GERRY SMOOTH - Shifting Gears 11:56 JEFF KASHIWA - Do It Again 11:52 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Have a Safe Flight Home 11:46 EDGARDO CINTRON - Make It Real 11:43 OLI SILK - Easy Does It 11:39 ERIC DARIUS - Jean Maries Groove (Dedication for Prvcy Jeans) 11:34 GREGG KARUKAS - Barracude Bob 11:30 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - You Look Good 11:26 KIM WATERS - Cruising Round Rock 11:21 DEAN JAMES - Brighter Days 11:18 PEET PROJECT - Down to the Lake 11:14 SONIX - Easy Street (feat. Eric Marienthal) 11:10 COLORS IN MOTION - The Paradise (feat. Bill Joseph Flynn) 11:07 KENNEY POLSON - Love on a Two Way Street 11:04 PAUL TAYLOR - The Face of You 11:00 BONEY JAMES - Fresh Air 10:57 MARK JAIMES - We'll See (feat. Peter White) 10:54 DEE BROWN - Love You Too 10:49 KEN NAVARRO - Smooth Sensation 10:43 EDGARDO CINTRON - Oasis 10:39 JACKIEM JOYNER - Elevation 10:34 NICHOLAS COLE - Just One Night (feat. Steve Cole) 10:31 MARK R. HARRIS - Setting It Straight (feat. Ignacio Nunez & Daniele Silvestri) 10:27 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - That's The Way Of The World 10:21 GERRY SMOOTH - Sweet Delight 10:17 NICK COLIONNE - Romantic Nites 10:13 DEAN JAMES - Home 10:09 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Latin Layover 10:05 STEVE OLIVER - She's Got The Way 10:00 EUGE GROOVE - House Of Groove 09:57 DREAMING IN COLOUR - The Dream Merchant 09:52 BONEY JAMES - Got It Goin' On 09:48 LOWELL HOPPER - The First Night 09:43 MEZZOFORTE - Four Corners 09:39 EDGARDO CINTRON - No Scrubs 09:34 JAZMIN GHENT - Work Wit' It 09:31 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - Whatcha Gonna Do For Me 09:27 DEE BROWN - Surrender 09:23 MATT MARSHAK - On My Way 09:19 PIECES OF A DREAM - Soul Intent 09:15 JESSY J - Mr. Prince 09:11 GREGG KARUKAS - Relentless 09:07 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - You Should Be Here 09:03 JEFF KASHIWA - Up 09:00 DEAN JAMES - DJ's Groove 08:59 A & MARK R. HARRIS - Westside Memoirs (feat. Ignacio Nunez & Dean Rickard) 08:55 STEVE OLIVER - In the Shade of Cool 08:52 PHIL DENNY - Brio Bounce 08:47 GERRY SMOOTH - I'm Glad You're Here 08:43 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Times Like These 08:39 EDGARDO CINTRON - Together Again 08:35 BONEY JAMES - Sara Smile 08:32 OLI SILK - Supersize! 08:28 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - You Just Smile 08:23 KEN NAVARRO - Magic 08:19 NICK COLIONNE - Got to Keep It Moving 08:15 JACKIEM JOYNER - Trinity 08:11 DEE BROWN - Make Up Your Mind 08:06 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Crosswinds 08:00 EUGE GROOVE - Days Of Soul 07:56 MARC ANTOINE - Still In Love 07:52 NELSON RANGELL - Mean Business 07:48 DEAN JAMES - Georgia On My Mind (feat. Salio) 07:44 WARREN HILL - Gimme Some 07:40 STEVE OLIVER - Chips And Salsa 07:36 REGGIE CODRINGTON - Living The Dream 07:32 EDGARDO CINTRON - Nice Little Bar 07:28 J.J. SANSAVERINO - Midnight Fizz 07:23 BONEY JAMES - Second Nature 07:21 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - Silver Street 07:17 R. HARRIS - Gus's Groove (feat. Ignacio Nunez, Jason Meekins & Bobby Lebel) 07:13 CHAN HALL, TONY CRADDOCK - Stay Awhile 07:08 GERRY SMOOTH - Rise Above (feat. Maestro J.) 07:03 QUINTIN GERARD W. - Attitude Indicator 07:00 DEE BROWN - The Prize 06:55 JAWANZA KOBIE - Let Me Lead 06:49 MARCUS ANDERSON - From The Heart 06:44 GREGG KARUKAS - Brooklyn Nights 06:39 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Find Your Wings 06:34 DEAN JAMES - When I See You Smile 06:30 RICK HABANA - Paradise 06:26 STEVE OLIVER - You Rescued Me 06:22 EDGARDO CINTRON - Just Stay Home 06:16 KEN NAVARRO - Parallel Lives 06:13 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - Focus 06:09 NICK COLIONNE - Uncle Nick 06:04 BONEY JAMES - Camouflage 06:00 JACKIEM JOYNER - Stay With Me Tonight 05:54 EUGE GROOVE - Twelfth Night 05:50 PATRICK BRADLEY - All In 05:46 DEE BROWN - Tie The Knot (feat. Lin Rountree) 05:41 DARRON COOKIE - Red Moon 05:37 ART RUPRECHT - M & M 05:32 RICHARD ELLIOT - Corner Pocket 05:27 KEITH MASON - End of Days 05:23 PATRICK YANDALL - It's Our Time 05:19 JOEL DEL ROSARIO - Sunrise on the Sunset 05:14 GREGG KARUKAS - Silent Promise 05:09 EDGARDO CINTRON - Just A Little Taste of Your Love 05:05 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - Fall Back 05:00 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Twilight Drive 04:57 STEVE OLIVER - Magic World 04:53 MARC ANTOINE - Eclectic World 04:49 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Used to Love You 04:45 BONEY JAMES - Lights Down Low 04:41 NICHOLAS COLE - The Weekend 04:37 NILS - Finally Here 04:33 PETER WHITE - Chasing The Dawn 04:29 KEN NAVARRO - No Other Way 04:25 ART RUPRECHT - Glorious Day 04:21 NICK COLIONNE - Circles 04:17 DEE BROWN - Pretty Girl (Skylar) 04:13 JACKIEM JOYNER - Back To Motown 04:09 EUGE GROOVE - Born 2 Groove 04:04 EDGARDO CINTRON - People Get Ready 04:00 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - Blue Light Special 04:00 BACH & A. KILLIAN - No Next Time 03:55 ERIC DARIUS - That's My Jam 03:51 PETER HEROLD - Better One 03:47 NATE WHITE - Feels Like Love 03:42 NELSON RANGELL - Old School 03:38 UNDER THE LAKE - Whatever You Wish For 03:34 ROCCO VENTRELLA - Come Morning 03:30 STEVE OLIVER - Let it Go 03:26 DANNY LERMAN - Snoopy's Dance 03:22 ADAM HAWLEY - 35Th St. (Feat. Eric Darius) 03:18 ART RUPRECHT - Never Alone 03:13 BONEY JAMES - Seduction 03:08 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Davy's Byrne 03:04 MARC ANTOINE - Corto Maltese 03:00 GREGG KARUKAS - Welcome Home 02:56 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Words Of Love 02:52 DARREN RAHN - Into the Light 02:47 KEN NAVARRO - A Part Of It All 02:44 DEE BROWN - Smooth Talk 02:40 HERB PARTLOW - Drop It! 02:36 NICK COLIONNE - Say What's on Your Mind 02:31 UNDER THE LAKE - Old Friends, New Grooves 02:27 JACKIEM JOYNER - Touch 02:22 STEVE OLIVER - Wings Of Spring 02:18 EUGE GROOVE - As You Like It 02:13 H ALLAN - Bam! 02:09 ART RUPRECHT - Down Time 02:05 BONEY JAMES - Ain't No Sunshine 02:00 GREG MANNING - I Can't Make You Love Me 02:00 JESSY J - Tequila Moon 01:56 DEON YATES - The Night 01:51 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Waiting in Texas 01:47 MARC ANTOINE - California Haze 01:42 MEKIEL REUBEN - When I Get There 01:37 GREGG KARUKAS - Isabella 01:33 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Let's Get It On 01:29 DEE BROWN - Wake Up 01:24 UNDER THE LAKE - Another Mothers Day 01:20 KEN NAVARRO - By My Side 01:15 ADAM HAWLEY - East Lake 01:11 STEVE OLIVER - 3D Third Dimension 01:07 ART RUPRECHT - I Get It 01:00 CHRIS STANDRING - The Revisit 00:57 BONEY JAMES - Washington Bridge 00:53 JACKIEM JOYNER - Evolve 00:47 EUGE GROOVE - Let's Chill 00:43 DAVE KOZ - A New Day 00:39 BRAD ALEXANDER - Like the Dew 00:35 NICK COLIONNE - Buckle Up (feat. Najee) 00:30 AL DEGREGORIS - The Other Night 00:25 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Percolator 00:22 MARC ANTOINE - Groovy Sunday 00:17 UNDER THE LAKE - Can't Believe It's True 00:12 GREGG KARUKAS - Our Love Is On The Faultline 00:08 CHRIS GODBER - Vibin' 00:04 CHRISTOPHE GOZE - Norwegian Wood (2022 Remaster) 00:00 ART RUPRECHT - With You All the Way

May I request a drabble where one of the kiddos is taking their first steps and Marc and Steven take turns encouraging them to do so? It’s an important milestone and they should both be involved somehow ☺️

The Spector-Grant Family Masterlist

You hold Alex by his hands and guide him towards Steven, "C'mon, Alex! That's my boy! Come to daddy, yeah? You can do it!" when you get close enough, you let go of his hands and Alex takes two steps before falling into Steven's arms, "Ah yeah! You did so well, Lex!" he kisses his son's head, "Can we try going back to mama, now?"

Steven stands up this time and you kneel, holding your arms open for your son, "There we go! See? Not too bad, innit? Just a few steps!" he lets go of Alex's hands and Alex takes three steps to you before landing in your arms.

"He's getting there!" you exclaim with excitement.

Steven goes back to a kneel, "Alright, one more time and we're good for the day." He opens his arms, "Come to daddy, Alex!"

Alex squeals, holding your hands as he waddles over to his daddy. You let go a little bit early and Alex goes from the halfway point to Steven.

"Look at you! Oh gosh. Okay. I know I said this was the last time, but I promise this is the last time." he turns Alex back to face you, "Head straight to mama, Lex."

Alex smiles and waddles over to you. Your eyes are tearing up at the huge milestone you're witnessing for your son. You catch Alex in your arms, hugging him tightly and kissing his head, "You did it, baby!"

"Wait, wait. I need to see this with my own eyes!" Marc exclaims as he suddenly comes to front.

You chuckle, "Marc, Steven said this was the last time."

"But I wanna see my son walk to me!" Marc exclaims with a bit of a whine.

You snort and turn Alex around, "Papa wants to see you, sweetheart."

Marc smiles at Alex, "Hey, buddy! Wanna walk over here to papa?"

Alex squeals again and waddles over to Marc. As he does so, Marc slips out a "holy shit!" and then apologizes, "Sorry! Sorry!" he then swoops Alex into his arms, "My boy can walk now! Holy cow! You're growing up way too fast, mister. You gotta slow down!" he tickles Alex's tummy and the boy bursts into a fit of laughter. Your chest warms at the sight.

___________

It's a little bit of deja vu. You and Steven are in the living room helping Luna walk back and for to one another. Alex occasionally stepping in because he wants to be a part of this milestone.

Every day, the three of you help the youngest of the family learn how to walk. It's always exciting, seeing how much she's learned and remembered.

Marc is fronting for a majority of it this time, "Alright, baby, come to papa! You've been doing so well!"

Your daughter grips Alex's hands as he helps guide her to their dad.

Luna sees it as a game. She walks back and forth to her mama and papa and it's filled with lots of smiles and laughter.

"She's a fast learner like you, buddy." Marc says as he catches Luna into his arms and looks up at his son.

"Did I learn how to walk fast too?"

"I wasn't there for a lot of it, but daddy said you were very quick to walk."

"Probably excited to join his dads in some mischief," you walk over, ruffling your son's hair, "I'm gonna grab some snacks. I think we need a break."

"Sure thing, babe!" Marc has Luna stand and he's making up some dance song that has her bouncing along.

"Lulu, dance party!" Alex shouts and begins doing his own version of dancing.

Marc chuckles, "Yeah! Show your sister those moves, bud!" He stands, hand still grasping onto Luna's and the three of them are dancing. Luna let's go of her papa's hand and stands on her own, she walks over to Alex with a yell and Alex catches her.

"Papa, you see that?!"

Marc laughed in disbelief, "I saw!" he called out for you, "Babes, Luna just walked over to Alex on her own!"

"What?! And I missed it?!" you come bolting from the kitchen, "Lemme see this!" you crouch down, "Lulu, baby, come to mama!"

Lulu smiles at you and turns away from her big brother, walking all the way over to you to then be swept into your arms.

"Oh my goodness! My babygirl can walk now!"

"Luna can walk! Luna can walk!" Alex shouted in excitement, jumping up and down, "Good job, Lulu!" He holds up his hand and Luna high fives it.

You shook your head, "You two are growing up so fast and I don't like it one bit! You need to stay my babies forever!"

Happier

(inspired by happier by Olivia Rodrigo)

Word count: 2.4k

I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

Part 1: Drivers License

Part 2: Deja Vu

A/N: I edited the original lyrics to match the POV :)

.

.

.

Harry had come up with a thousand scenarios of how this day would play out. Actually, he’d been thinking of this day since the moment he’d received the news. He didn’t dare to hope that she’d say yes to coming back for a sequel. He’d been sure that they would write her character off, give a lame excuse for how his love interest could not make a return and make his character forget about her completely to move on with a new girl in town. It would have been great if it was that easy in real life. Once someone was written off the script, they were gone for good. Real-life relationships were not that simple. Goodbye didn’t mean ‘never see you again’. You would still share the same friend circle and social bubbles, and it was worse when you two worked in the same industry. Harry didn’t know how he’d lasted a year without running into her, not since the Grammys.

“Didn’t you two date?”

“No.” Harry shook his head, but his eyes stayed glued on Y/N from across the room. She wasn’t looking his way, too busy saying hello to everyone else. “No,” he repeated, more to himself than to his co-star. “We didn’t.”

“But she wrote an entire album about you,” said the other twin. What was her name again? Lulu?

“Luna!” cried her sister, Lex. “You can’t ask him that!”

“No, it’s okay,” Harry said with a tight smile, slightly annoyed by the blonde twins, but he didn’t want to seem like an ass on the first day of filming. “And I don’t know if it was for me. You should ask Y/N.”

“Ask me what?”

Harry flinched when he looked up and saw Y/N padding towards them. She hugged the twins, who seemed way too excited. Harry guessed they were Y/N’s fans. They gave off crazy fangirl vibes, probably just pretending not to know the drama to interrogate him. He couldn’t blame them for assuming he was the villain and definitely could not blame Y/N for portraying him as one. It was more important that he knew who he was and how much he had changed since his last relationship. Maybe they could finally be friends.

“Were they bothering you?” Y/N asked him once the twins had left.

Harry nodded. “They’re your friends?”

“Oh, I met them last year on tour. I’m surprised you don’t know them. They were on Disney.”

“I don’t watch Disney,” Harry admitted with a smile. “Well, not today’s Disney.”

“Understandable.” Y/N nodded and bit her lip. She seemed guarded with her straight back and hands hidden behind her. She eyed him up and down, quite subtle yet noticeable. “How have you been?”

“Pretty good,” he said, nodding slowly. “You?”

“Yeah, but mostly tired because of tour.”

“You’re done?”

“Yup, last night was the last show.”

“Nice.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Nice?”

Harry blinked. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No.” Y/N giggled. “You still sound very...you.”

“Well, shouldn’t I?”

“Yeah, you should. But it’s been a year so…I mean, you haven’t changed much.”

“Right,” he said lowly, his eyes falling to his feet. Harry supposed he should say something else, perhaps bringing up another random topic to discuss, but all he could think about was what had happened between them. Things had been messy, hadn’t they? How could they go back to before that? Before her first song about him. Before he’d chosen someone else over her.

Or he could talk about her new relationship. She’d been in a happy relationship for almost six months, right? No wait, hadn’t they broke up two weeks ago? He wasn’t sure because he hadn’t been catching up. If they’d broken up, he’d sound like an ass to even mention her ex’s name. He should just stay quiet.

“I’ll see you later?” she said, gesturing at her stylist who was waiting by the door.

Harry could ask her right now -- the reason she’d agreed to film the sequel to their first movie together. He’d heard from a very reliable source that she’d specifically asked her agent to decline any project that he was in. So did this mean they were good? That she didn’t hate him anymore? He could have gathered his courage and got the answer right then…

“Yeah, see you.”

...but he didn’t.

And so she gave him a smile and a little wave, then happily returned to her stylist.

.

.

.

“See you tomorrow, Y/N!”

“See you, Annie!” Y/N said as she put the rest of her things into her tote bag. Her new driver had got her schedule mixed up, and so she had to wait here for another half an hour. She was in no rush. It had been a light first day, and she’d had a fun time getting to know the new cast members and catching up with old friends.

She sat on the sofa in the lobby, legs crossed, texting her best friend about her day. She’d purposely left out the short off-screen conversation with Harry, and her best friend didn’t even bother to ask. In their world, he didn’t exist, and his name was censored in every conversation like a curse word that was even worse than ‘cunt’. Nevertheless, she didn’t hate him anymore. She was doing just fine on her own, being busy with her career, and she’d been in a happy relationship after her fall out with him.

She and the guy, a model, had broken up two weeks ago due to long distance and some differences that they could not change. They had ended on good terms and decided to stay friends. They said you could only stay friends with your ex when you still had feelings for each other, or you had never loved each other that much in the first place. For her, it was probably the latter. Her previous relationship had been more platonic than romantic, apparently. So she had nothing but the best to say about him.

As she was going through her camera roll, just reminiscing about the past, she heard footsteps approaching and looked up to find Harry. He offered a smile and gestured to the spot beside her on the sofa. “May I sit here? My ride is late.”

“Yeah, sure.” She hurriedly scooted over.

“Good job today,” he said. “You were great.”

“Thanks, so were you.” She smiled, and they both looked away at the same time. This was so awkward. She hated small talk. She’d never had to have small talk with Harry. Conversations with him used to be so easy and natural and silly. Whatever this was, it wasn’t them.

“Can we just be normal?”

At first, Y/N thought she’d been the one who’d said it, so when she realised it’d been Harry, she was speechless.

He swallowed and sat a bit straighter, still not looking at her. “I don’t want us to be weird and awkward.”

“Okay,” she said.

He cleared his throat. “Wanna try again?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Okay, not to sound like an ass but when Joey kept forgetting his lines, I was so pissed off, I could throw a chair at the wall.”

“Right?!” exclaimed Y/N, feeling free to have finally broken out of her shell. “Like, he doesn’t even have many lines. I know he’s new but damn...you can’t get far if you don’t learn your goddamn lines.”

Harry shook with laughter. “Oh God, we sound like dicks, don’t we?”

“Maybe.” Y/N laughed, covering her mouth. “But you know what? We can’t be nice in this industry. It’s impossible.”

“Shhh, if someone heard this, we would be into big trouble.”

“Oh please, I’ve had worse articles written about me than ‘Y/N speaks facts about her lazy co-star’.”

Harry tossed his head back and cackled. “The worst one I’ve got this week was ‘Harry Styles hates therapists.’”

“What?!” Y/N gasped. “No way! That’s so stupid!”

“Right?” Harry rolled his eyes. “I could get all my therapists to speak up for me but I’m kinda immune to bullshit now.”

“Therapists? Like plural?”

“Yeah, one in every city.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah.”

Y/N rubbed her hands onto her legs. “Rough year?”

Harry’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as he leaned back. “You have no idea.” Then he swept his hair out of his eyes, sucked in a breath, and finally looked at her. “I wish I could have talked to you, though.”

She bit her tongue, knowing what she was about to say next would disappoint her best friend so much, but she had to. “So do I.”

Harry looked taken aback before his lips curled into a smile. “It’s silly, isn’t it? I haven’t talked to you in a year, and I feel like I know everything that’s happened to you except that I don’t.”

What he’d just said might make no sense for most people, but Y/N knew exactly what he meant. She nodded and wetted her lip. “You only know as much as everyone else does.”

“Yeah, I got updates on you from the news and our friends.”

“Same.” Y/N smiled back. “I hate how they write articles about your new haircut but not mine.”

“I like your new hair colour.”

“Thanks. I like your new car.”

Then they both burst out laughing. It was fun and also a little bit strange that Y/N didn’t feel the same anxiety talking to him as she used to. It must be because they had grown and were now meeting again as better people.

“Damn, my ride's here,” Y/N said as she read the text from her driver. “I gotta go now.”

“Oh, okay.” Harry stood up and followed Y/N to the entrance. “Hey, just wondering--”

“Yeah?”

“Am I...am I still blocked?” He looked a bit flustered as she tilted her head and squinted her eyes. “On your phone. Because I remember you having my number blocked--”

“I unblocked you on your birthday.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah.” Y/N shrugged. “I should’ve sent you a happy birthday text but...I didn’t want your girlfriend to get the wrong ideas.”

“My ex.”

“Yeah, I know.”

They smiled at each other one last time before saying goodbye. Y/N knew it was silly, but she was hoping he would go after her.

Ding.

A notification popped up when she was in the car. She was almost home, and it was from Harry’s number. He’d sent her a link with a message that said, “Hope you like it :)”.

Curious, she tapped on it and was directed to an audio file titled ‘Track 5’. The upload date was last year. About two weeks after their short conversation at the Grammys.

Hurriedly, she fumbled inside her bag for her iPods and put it on before she pressed play.

“Hey, Jeff, I couldn’t sleep so I wrote this song. Listen and let me know if it should go on the album.”

Then came the piano intro. It sounded good, so Y/N wondered how it hadn’t ended up on his last album.

But when he started to sing...

We ended a while ago Your friends are mine, you know, I know You've moved on, found someone new One more guy who brings out the better in you

And I thought my heart was detached From all the sunlight of our past But he’s so nice, he’s so funny Does he mean you forgot about me?

Oh, I hope you're happy But not like how you were with me I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

And does he tell you you’re the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen? An eternal love bullshit he might not even mean Remember when you were with me I meant it when you heard it first from me

And now I'm pickin' him apart Like cuttin' him down will make you miss my wretched heart But he’s charming, he looks kind He probably gives you butterflies

I hope you're happy But not like how you were with me I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go So find someone great, but don't find no one better

I hope you're happy I wish you all the best, really Say you love him, baby Just not like you loved me And think of me fondly when your hands are on him I hope you're happy, but don't be happier

The song was for her. He’d written it when her new relationship had gone public. Y/N sat there, staring blankly ahead until the honking of a car tore open her inner peace, and reality came crashing back in. The driver dropped her off at her house. Instead of going inside, she stood on her front steps and replayed the song one more time. When it ended, she decided to text him: Why didn’t this make it to the album?

She didn’t know where he was now, but it showed ‘typing’ in less than a second, as if he’d been waiting in their chat since he’d sent that link.

You would’ve hated me, Y/N.

True, she replied. Still, I would’ve loved the song lowkey. And added, I love it btw.

He took so long to type that it was driving her crazy. She flopped down on the concrete stair with her phone clutched in her hands, her heart thundering against her ribcage. Anxiety popped like a balloon when his message appeared: Were you happier?

She reread it again and again.

No.

I wasn’t either, he responded. I kept getting deja vu.

Ha, nice reference.

That song is my guilty pleasure. Love listening to you roasting me on loop.

That last message made Y/N bury her face into her palm and giggle like a fool. She thought for a second and wrote: I could come roast you in person now if that’s what you prefer. I think we’ve never had a proper roasting.

Can we meet, Y/N? Or are you busy now?

No, not busy.

Great, I’ll pick you up.

Just tell me where, she responded with a smile on her face. I got my drivers license now :)

me: wow, I'm finally done with all my homework and final projects.

also my teacher who I only showed up two times during the whole term: