#i’m fine i’m great pshhh

[ghuleh-recs]

did he—did he just PAT HIS LAP? excuse me?

video credit: @moony-ghoul ♡

#instant anime nosebleed #nervous sweating #i’m fine i’m great pshhh #my gifs #pls excuse the quality #not my fault #worth it tho #the band ghost #phantom ghoul #aeon ghoul #ghost bc #ghost band #ghost gifs #nameless ghouls #phantom ghost #aeon ghost #mummy dust #re imperatour #flashing tw

[oneofthetorturedpoets]

She’s a maneater part 1/?

parings: melissa schemmenti x reader

warnings for this chapter: melissa is a bully

-

you woke up with a jolt as the blanket was ripped off of you for the fifth time that night.

"oh my god, melissa" you groan, turning over, expecting to see her sleeping but shes wide awake on her side, with her head resting on her hand.

"you kept letting go of me and im tired of it." you chuckle slightly, trying to ignore your irritation. you pull her into you quickly, she yelps out. you lean in close.

"a simple ask would do you just fine, my love." you whisper against her lips.

"well, you know me, stubborn as always" she smiles and connects your lips, the domestic nature causing your heart to stutter, she pulls away slowly, her hand coming to your cheek. "I love you."

you and melissa weren’t always this way, it took a lot to get where you are now.

-

you were late your first day, traffic was stressing you out and you struggled to find parking spot in such a busy street, you had to park 5 minutes away. you were rushing into the school doors, through the hallway when-

BAM.

you slam right into the red headed teacher. her papers went flying and so did your ego. the look she gave you might as well killed you.

“i am so sorry-” she immediately drops to the floor, grabbing her stuff. you follow, trying to compensate for your clumsiness.

“why are you running through the doors anyways? if your kid is late then sign the damn tardy slip” angry radiating from her words.

“oh no- i don’t have a kid. i work here. i actually just got hired” her head swings over to look at you. you wish the earth would swallow you whole.

“30 minutes late on your first day” she scoffs. “great first impression, you’ll definitely get along with ava” she storms off, leaving me confused and flustered.

I walk down the hallways to the principals office, Ava is already leaning on the door frame, ready to great me.

"you're late." she says, sternly.

"I know, I'm so sorry, I couldn't find a parking spot so I parked super-"

"it was a joke, I don't care" she walks into her office. "pshhh no one told me I hired another Janine." she laughs, looking at the camera. the guy zooms in on my confused face. "anyways, you're in room 12, just down the hall, where you came in. your kids are currently with ms. schemmenti's class, room 13, you're taking her third graders also. if you talk to Melissa, she'll sort out who's who's." Ava's already on tiktok, laughing about a video before I can respond.

its going to be a long day.

-

I look up at the sign on the door that says room 13, I take a deep breath before opening the door, knocking as I do so. All of the attention is on me as the room goes quite. I look around the room, only seeing the students.

"hey kids! I'm the new third grade teacher that's going to be next door." they all shout hi in return. "where's your teacher?" I ask as the door opens again.

"oh god, not you again." I spin around, seeing the same redhead from earlier.

"uh- hi, im y/n y/ln. the teacher next door" I say, holding my hand out waiting for hers. she looks down at my hand and then back up at me, before rolling her eyes.

"alright guys! this is ms. y/ln, she will be taking half of you's with her, so if you're in third grade, please line up at the door, single file!" the students jump up, lining up in an almost perfect line.

"thank you, ms. schemmenti, if you need anything, ill be just over there." I say as I point towards the wall. she doesn't even look at me so I take it as a hint to leave.

-

three months later

“i’m tired of the new kid, she waltzes in here, all miss clumsy but charming, takes over the kids hearts and everyone loves her” melissa vents to barbra

“remind me again, are you trying to offend or compliment her? she’s been doing everything right, she’s the teacher we’ve been wanting to work here, what do you hate so much about her?” melissa stands up, pacing the 2nd grade class.

“she’s a newbie, and newbies make mistakes that we can’t afford” barbra shakes her head, not believing melissa.

“that’s not the real reason” the bell rings “talk to me when you find out the reason, until then, be nice to the kid” melissa huffs as she sits back down, watching barbra walk out and her kids march in.

-

a/n: first chapter of my new series is done!! this is a short chapter just to get something out there, hope you guys like it!

taglist: @esposadejoyhuerta @dopenightmaretyphoon

to be added to my taglist, send in an ask!!

#melissa schemmenti x reader #melissa schemmenti #law #lisa ann walter #abbott elementary #x reader #new #wlw post #wlw fiction #my fic #fanfic

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LOST EDEN ー Ruki Dark [02]

CHAPTER MASTERLIST

ー The scene starts in the guest room at Eden

*Pshhh*

Yui: ( This tea smells wonderful. I’m glad I brought it with me. )

( I believe that adding some jam on top will alter the fragrance even more. Now where did I put the jar...? )

*Cling*

Yui: Ah!

*Splash*

Yui: Hot...

( I poured hot tea on my foot! I better cool the area quickly...! )

ー The scene shifts to the bathroom

*Creaak*

Yui: Cold water, cold water...

( It’s starting to hurt more and more... )

*Pshhh*

Yui: ( Phew...Still, it doesn’t take the pain away. The skin looks quite red as well. What if it leaves permanent scars? )

Ruki: What are you doing over there?

Yui: Ah...

ー Ruki approaches her

Ruki: Your foot...Did you burn yourself?

Yui: Yeah. I spilled a little tea...Ah, I promise I’ll clean the floor laーー

Ruki: That doesn’t matter. However, don’t go scarring something which belongs to me. 

Yui: Eh...?

( What does he mean...? )

Ruki: You are mine, remember? So I can’t allow you to get hurt, not even at your own hands.

Yui: ...

Selection

→ I’m sorry. (M)

Yui: I-I’m sorry...

( I’d also be incredibly worried if Ruki-kun were to burn himself. It’s the same thing, isn’t it? )

Ruki: If you feel that way, then be a little more careful. 

Yui: Yeah...I truly am sorry.

Ruki: Yes. I should also apologize for not giving you a chance to explain. ...Come on, show me.

→ I am my own woman. (S)

Yui: My body belongs to me. So, you know...

( It’s not like I don’t want him to show concern, but his phrasing kind of shocked me... )

Ruki: It’s rather troublesome how you don’t seem aware of your own position. Very well. I shall teach your body directly then. 

Who you belong to, that isーー 

*Rustle*

Ruki: It’s swollen rather badly...At this rate, it might leave a scar.

Yui: I see...

( But it’s my own fault. I guess it can’t be helpedーー )

Ruki: You’re giving up?

Yui: I mean, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Ruki: I do not want to just watch in silence as my possession is being harmed.

...I actually know a great solution.

Yui: Eh?

Ruki: A Vampire’s saliva is known to have a healing effect...Let us put that to the test.

ー Ruki moves closer

Ruki: ...

*Thud* 

Yui: !? Y-You can’t!

( Did he just try to lick my foot...!? I’d die from embarrassment! )

Well...I-I’ll see if applying the cold water did any good first, so don’t worry. Thank you for coming butーー

( I better turn off the faucet and go to the kitchen...! )

*Splash*

Ruki: Oh? 

Yui: ( Ah! My hand slipped and I pointed the shower head at Ruki-kun instead...! )

I-I’m so sorry! I’ll grab something to dry you offーー

Ruki: It’s fine. ...Don’t try to move in your current state. 

Yui: But...

Ruki: I don’t need a towel or anything. I can simply do this after all.

Yui: Eh...?

ー Ruki takes off his shirt

*Rustle rustle*

Yui: Eh? Ruki-kun...!

( I can’t look at him directly... )

Ruki: It feels icky to walk around in wet clothes after all.

Yui: R-Right. Then, I should probably get going soon...

Ruki: Wait. Continue to apply cold to the burnt area until I give you permission to stop. 

Yui: But...

Ruki: ...I’ll do it. Give me the shower head.

Yui: Eh?

*Pshhh*

Ruki: ...

Yui: ( Uu...I can’t watch him from the side. )

Ruki: I don’t understand why you’re so insistent on looking away.

Yui: I-I mean!

Ruki: ...It’s a little disheartening to see you act in such a way. This is nothing you haven’t seen before, is it?

...Right. Perhaps we should just take a bath?

Yui: Eeeh!?

Ruki: I’m sure it wouldn’t be easy with your burnt foot? I’ll help you.

Yui: I-It’s fine. I’ll manage. I can take a bath alone...!

Ruki: No need to be modest. ...So, do you usually take baths while fully clothed? 

Yui: ...!

( I don’t think I can keep up with his teasing any longer...! )

I-I swear I’m alright now! I’ll step out first, okay? ...Take your time!

ー Yui leaves the bathroom

Yui: ( That gave me a scare...This is bad for my heart. )

( I wonder if he seriously meant everything he said? )

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

#diabolik lovers #dialovers #ruki mukami #lost eden #diabolik lovers translation #lerukidark2

[panjakes]

Sly dogs

Parings:Park JihyoXBlack!fem reader

Summary:Yn and Jihyo are in love and with a little help from Dahyun, they finally get together

@jvmisvu this one’s for you luv!!🥰

Jihyo stomped into the restaurant where she was meeting Dahyun

"Where we're you yesterday?" Jihyo asked sitting down opposite to Dahyun

"Uh me and Yn went shopping...why?" She asks

"You and Yn see, to be getting close" Jihyo says

"Close? Jihyo what are you talking about?" She asks with a frown

"You guys hang out a lot these days” Jihyo says rolling her eyes

"We're friends...and why do you care? Do you love her or something" Dahyun says chuckling.

Jihyo can feel her cheeks heat up at the comment.

"Jihyo...Are you in love with Yn?" She asks. Jihyo just nods her head

"Since when?!" She asks

"The first day I met her" Jihyo mumbles

“Does she know?!” Dahyun asks with wide eyes

"I-I don't know" Jihyo says

"You've been in love with her this whole time?! She's your best friend!" Dahyun whispers

"I know but you know how great of a girl Yn is! I can't help it!" Jihyo whisper back

"Jihyo? Dahyun? Your hanging out and didn't invite me?"

The two girls both look up seeing Yn with a smile on her face. Jihyo sighs before smiling up at her

"Yn! Hey sorry we just kind of ran into each other" Dahyun says

"Mind if I join?" She asks

"Of course not!" Jihyo says grabbing her so she can sit next to me

"So what we're we talking about?" Yn asks sipping from her straw

"Jihyo is having some issues in the love department” Dahyun says making Jihyo look at her with wide eyes. Yn gasp looking at her

"And you didn't tell me? I thought we were besties" Yn says

"We are!” Jihyo says

"I thought you loved me?" Yn says faking hurt

"Oh she loves you alright" Dahyun says smirking

"Hey! Stop it!” Jihyo mumbles before hugging Yn

"I do love you I promise I do" She says matching Yn’s expression

"So who's the person your having trouble with?” Yn asks

"Uh well she's amazing honestly. She's really pretty" Jihyo says blushing

"Do I know her?" Yn asks

"Oh yeah" Dahyun says smirking

Yn gasps again before pointing between Jihyo and Dahyun

"Let me find out it's Dahyun" Yn says

"What? Ew no" Jihyo says frowning

"What's wrong with me?!" Dahyun asks with a pout

"Nothing... your just not my type" Jihyo admits

“I’m everyone’s type” Dahyun says flipping her hair over her shoulder

“Everyone but mine” Jihyo says making a straight face. Yn laughs at the state down the two we’re having.

"Then who is?" Dahyun asks with a smirk making me freeze

"Is it me?" Yn asks smirking

"W-what?! Pshhh no never!! Why would it be you?"Jihyo say waving her off with a laugh

"Okay dang I was joking. I think I'm going to go" Yn says getting up and leaving before Jihyo or Dahyun could stop her

"Damn Jihyo you just fucking up... she'll never date you now" Dahyun says

"Shut it or I won’t pay for your food and I’ll make you walk home" Jihyo says rolling her eyes standing up to go after Yn

"Yn! Yn! Yn wait!" She shouts running after her disappearing figure

"What Jihyo" she says turning around

"A-are you upset?" Jihyo asks. Yn doesn't say anything she just stares at jihyo before walking closer to her

"Jihyo let me ask you a question" Yn says

"Uh okay ask" she says

"Would be dating me be that bad?" Yn asks with genuine confusion on her face

"Huh?!" Jihyo asks confused

"When I asked if your crush could be me you said never me and then asked why would it be me...what's wrong with me?"Yn asks with a hurt look

"Yn I didn't mean harm behind it" Jihyo says with a frown. She didn’t mean to hurt the girls feelings

"Well it hurt my feelings" Yn says walking away

"Yn!" Jihyo says sighing

"You seem upset" Naeyeon says sitting next to Jihyo on the couch

"Oh no I'm fine" Jihyo says

"No your not" Naeyeon says making her sigh

"Yn's upset with me" Jihyo says with a sigh

"When isn't she upset with you. What do you do to her" Naeyeon asks making the red head sigh again

"I made a joke about not ever wanting to date her" Jihyo says rolling her eyes. Thinking back that was so stupid

"Why would you make a joke like that to your crush" Naeyeon says

"I don't kno- excuse me?" Jihyo asks. She just caught her by surprised how'd she know?

"I see the way you look at her Jihyo...everyone does." She says

"Naeyeon you don't know what your talking about" Jihyo says rolling her eyes

"I do. You loved Yn for a loooonnng time. It’s also pretty obvious” Naeyeon says smiling

"I make it obvious?” Jihyo mumbles

“Yup! I bet she knows! She most likely has feelings for you too and that’s why she was so hurt by your stupid lame joke” Naeyeon says poking the girls shoulder

“This is so embarrassing” Jihyo mumbles

"Yeah so go make things right with Yn" she says with a smile

"Thank you Naeyeon so much" Jihyo says hugging the girl before rushing out the house to Yn’s house

Jihyo gets there unlocking the door with her Key and going in. She stops at the corner when She hears two voices. Yn lives alone

"Did you do something with your hair?"

"Uh yeah I used this new curling cream now my fro looks super curly" Yn says

"It looks so pretty I love this look on you"

"Thank you Dahyun" Yn says

Dahyun? What is she doing here

"I can't believe what Jihyo said" Dahyun says

"Yeah it really hurt my feelings" Yn says in a sad tone

"She's an idiot I don't know anybody who wouldn't want to date you" Dahyun says. Is she trying to make a move on Yn?

Jihyo peeks around the corner seeing Dahyun trapping Yn in between herself and the counter

"Yeah...can't believe I actually like her there's no way I had a chance" Yn says sighing. Jihyo smiles to herself. She likes her too?Naeyeon was right!

"She's stupid and doesn't deserve you" Dahyun says slowly leaning in. Oh HELL NO! Not with Jihyo around

"Ynieeeee!!!" Jihyo shouts finally making herself known. Dahyun quickly pulls away from Yn with a huff

"Jihyo? Why are you here?" Yn asks

"We need to talk come here now!" Jihyo says

"Jihyo...who da hell are you talking to?" Yn asks

"I'm sorry please come outside to talk" Jihyo says looking over at the darkskin girl with doe eyes

"I'll be back Dahyun" Yn says sighing. Jihyo allows her to walk in front of her. She looks Dahyun up and down and roll her eyes following Yn out to the porch

"What is it Jihyo?" She asks. She sighs before grabbing her hands holding them in her own. She caresses the back of her hands with her thumb. They were so soft

"I love you" Jihyo says quickly

"I love you to" yn says nodding her, her Afro shaking just a little bit

"No Yn not as a bestfriend. Yes you are my best friend but I want you to be my girlfriend" Jihyo says looking into her brown eyes

"Jihyo what-" she starts but The red haired girl cut her off

"I'm not finished...I made that joke because I felt like you didn't like me and never would. I was scared and I didn't think it would make you upset and I'm sorry" Jihyo says

"Jihyo I…” Yn starts off

"Please? Let's at least give it a try and if you don't like it we can stop at anytime" Jihyo says looking into her eyes

If they could only be together for a minute, it’ll be worth it to Jihyo

It was silent for a moment before yn gave Jihyo a smile.

"Okay...let's try it" she says smiling. Jihyo screams a little before jumping onto her

"Please let me kiss you" Jihyo asks. Yn didn't even respond she just leans in kissing the girl on the lips. After the two pull away Yn puts Jihyo down and they go back inside the house hand in hand

"What's this?" Dayhun asks

"A relationship she's my girlfriend now so you can leave" Jihyo says wrapping her arms around Yn's torso

"This true?" Dahyun asks Yn

"Yeah" Yn says nodding her head with a smile

"Well our plan worked" Dahyun says smirking

"Plan?" Jihyo asks looking at Yn

"Yn knew you'd come by so I thought it would be easier for you to confess if you thought I was going to make a move on her" Dahyun says giggling

“Also Naeyeon gave me a call” Yn says winking at the girl

"You sly dogs" Jihyo says looking at Yn

"You love this sly dog" Yn says smiling at the girl. Jihyo smiles at her pulling her into a hug

"That I do" Jihyo says with the biggest smile. She rested her head on the taller girls breast,loving the feeling of being embraced by the soft women

"Ewww!!! I'm still here!" Dahyun says

"Well you can leave cause we're about to cuddle" Jihyo says picking Yn up from the floor, speed walking to her room

"Lock the door!" Yn shouts as Jihyo carry’s her away. Once they get to her room Jihyo lays her on the bed. Jihyo basically throws her shoes off climbing under the blanket laying her head on Yn’s chest. For about five minutes the newly couple laid in a comfortable silence with Yn playing in Jihyo’s hair.

"I love you Yn" Jihyo says with the biggest smile on her face

"I love you to" she says kissing her forehead

#ambw #ambw fic #black girls are beautiful #black reader #black reader insert #kpop #kpop poc #x black reader #x black!reader #kpop imagines #black kpop stans #black y/n #black fanfic writer #kpop fluff #twice layouts #twice jihyo #twice x reader #twice x y/n #twice tzuyu #twice x you #twicexblackreader #black!reader #Awbw

[sweepseven]

Kànon, I reject your apology for stuffing my ask box. This was the best. I’m just gonna consolidate and respond all in one chunk. 

the thing is that i'm incredibly weak for a plot, any plot, and also "siblings" and "separations/reunions" are some of my favorite tropes, so unsurprisingly i was almost IMMEDIATELY sold on this show. twin brother & sister are so sweet in that first scene, and there was this, like, playfulness to the swordfighting? which?? adorable?? but also really really useful, because, like, the moment where i went "i'm here for whatever these characters want to do i am 100% invested in this storyline.” is when twin brother doesn't make it on the ship, and twin sister sees this and starts *screaming* for him, like, two separate people have to hold her back, and we were close enough that i could see how absolutely devastated the actor looked, and i mean. see above about siblings and separations/reunions, god, that moment HIT. absolutely incredible.

lol every detail emphasizes how “for you” this show is. I totally get why you latched onto it, especially that dramatic separation moment. It sounds like you had great seats!

speaking of incredible: i'm still lowkey not over how they pulled off foreshadowing. FORESHADOWING. in a show without words. the preshow was so insanely COOL and just like- i knew the counselor was gonna be up to something bc that's the classic trope but seeing the ore mining and then the rock and then seeing all that stuff come back??? insane.

YEAH GOD I wish more people paid attention to the preshow!! It lays out so much! One of my biggest criticisms for the show’s marketing is that I don’t think it prepares you very well to actually have to pay attention to a plot. I think Cirque has made some improvements on that front lately, but they could definitely do more.

also re the first scene- i'd actually seen a tiktok going around on tumblr just a few days prior of the performers practicing the trick where one person spins another person lying on their feet (what is the actual term, if there is one?) and uh, when i realized that was what was happening? very very much the "!!!! :D i've seen this!!!" instinct.

The act is called Icarian games! It used to be pretty rare but these days Cirque is having kind of a love affair with it. I much prefer the extended pageant scene and martial arts that used to take up this spot in the show, though. If you haven’t seen it, get a load. 

(also there is, uh. more. but i've hit ask limit for the hr i think)

pshhh fuck that. More below for those following along. 

from what i've seen, i think i'm more invested in twin brother than maybe people tend to be, both due to the aforementioned weakness for fictional siblings but also because I Am Not Immune To The Lantern Scene. oh my GOD that- i just- the scene has the EXACT energy of telling a scared child a story in the middle of a storm and it's so achingly soft and I'M. as a chronic cat person i was delighted when we got to see a cat and then?? the ending?? where twin brother makes a bird that flies away? writing it out like that it sounds so cliche but i think it's an honest testament to how WELL that scene achieves its goal that it 102% worked for me, i was, fully just, hands over my mouth staring, wide-eyed. i am soft!

Shadowplay is a work of art. It’s so calm and tender, and achieving that kind of intimacy on a stage that huge is incredible. A real testament to the heart that permeates the entire show. 

also though like. here begins the refrain of "wait did. did i miss some details or something" because, uh, i fully thought he got shot through the hand? like, with an arrow? and then at the start of this scene he unwraps the bandage and is fine and i just kinda went "okay sure, for the sake of the story" but uh. is that. not what happened? i'm not sure

I think it’s reasonable to conclude that he was shot through the hand, but my personal read on it -- because I’m powerless but to interpret everything in this show in the most serious and realistic way -- that he lacerated it trying to pull the arrow from his father’s chest. ._. idk why I’m like this but I AM WHAT I AM.

unsurprisingly also i would die for twin sister. this is, a little bit due to the fact that i am still the kind of person that goes starry eyed at anything to do with people flying above me (never quiiiite got over the desire as a kid to be on Heights and be Flying) but this is also due to the fact that i'm just, extremely not over well the actor played her? like there's so much about her that's just- her terror and desperation in the early scenes, how hard she tries to get the people she's with to safety, how absolutely relieved she is to see the valet on the beach, how absolutely CONFIDENT she is in the forest with firefly boy (god i wish that were me) like i just. i love her?? i truly do

The Twin Sister is perfection. I adore her character. Without her grit and optimism like 3/4ths of the show wouldn’t happen at all. I also really love the contrast in the way the twins develop. She’s off getting shipwrecked, climbing mountains, falling through forest canopies, and making friends literally everywhere she goes. And meanwhile he’s sitting in a cave, then sitting in a cage. And that’s it. And both journeys are equally important! The brother comes across as the more gregarious of the two in the opening - maybe more the combat expert, more the instigator, etc. But it’s the sister who gathers together every single ally that helps them in the final battle. She’s a phenomenal leader. And I love that her brother lets her do it. 

Fun fact! The Twin Sister is played by two different people each show. One is the main actress and martial artist, and the other is an aerial straps artist. 😁

also also i thought the moment where they introduce each other to their respective partners was cute :D despite having some sense of the plot beforehand, i didn't actually know what was going on in the archer's den? so i think i missed a lot of the details that you probably picked up on VERY hard, but i do remember seeing the counselor's son light that spark in the bowl, and watching it go off, and just being like "oh shit, that's gunpowder" like. incredible.

I actually never take in a single detail of the Archers’ Den scene whenever I see it because I’m too busy counting Counselor’s Son Hair Flips. 

oh hey and! uh! speaking of the counselor's son! see above about details i probably missed, because like- i didn't see him in the background of the chief archer's dance until she was done and leaving the stage and the spotlight singled him out

Damn it, that’s always my fear. He’s going on a whole entire emotional journey back there but he’s not always lit well enough to convey it. I’ve seen him really hidden in the background and I’ve seen him so prominent and dramatic that he practically distracts from batons. It really depends on when you’re seeing it and who’s playing him - the approach seems to change a lot from romantic to political, overstated to understated. A key spotlight at the end can be a great “oh fuck” moment, but only if the Archer’s Den scene hits particularly hard.

which, by the way, like- okay so 9 times out of 10 i just Dislike every love story i've ever been given, so they couldn't really sell me on the romance, and then i was confused during archer's den which means i probably missed some fundamental character establishing, and EVEN THEN that was SO COOL. i am also, apparently, not immune to spinny.

Damn it again, that’s always the number one detail I want to know about: how much romance exists between the Counselor’s Son and Chief Archer’s Daughter. It’s a massive cornerstone of the plot and it gets played so many different ways like I said, so I’m always curious which one people see. Of course my favorite is “fucking miserable unrequited love heartbreak fiasco,” but I’ve also seen and enjoyed an “ugh my dad’s trying to get ahead and I’m more interested in my work but I stg if you blow this for us I will ruin everyone’s life including my own in one second” approach.

Anyway batons is the best act in the show and the Chief Archer’s Daughter is perfect the end. 

also, mentally, for what it's worth, the story works better for me- emphasis on for me, i understand that most people are actually normal about love stories and don't perpetually go ?? when presented with one- but for me i like to think that she freed twin brother not because she was in love with him, but because it was right, and she didn't want to hurt people any more. there was this moment during archer's den, where one of the prisoners is killed and they roll him off the stage, and she goes to the edge and looks down, and she looks deeply discomfited, and it's like. i can use this to create an alternate interpretation of events so mayhaps i will

I love that interpretation and can completely see it for her. And let me be very clear: if you ever wrote that scenario I would read it so fucking fast and with such enthusiasm you’d wonder whether it’s possible to receive kudos on something before you’ve even hit “post.”

but the other thing about the counselor's son, is that uh. i did not put together that he WAS the counselor's son until that final scene, where he's just lying there horribly wounded and the counselor comes over and throws away the chieftain's belt in favor of just, holding him gently and trying to give him some comfort, and it was only then that i went "oh is that- no, that wouldn't- wait, no, yes, that's his SON?????" so that was a fun moment!!! anyway i was very glad that he survived. (and yes i AM a sucker for taking things with immense capability to harm and using them to make something beautiful, so, the fireworks show? very very good ending :D)

LOL I get that. They honestly could not look more different. I am obviously very glad that he survives too, and I know I’m incredibly biased but I feel strongly that he is the character most closely tied to the theme of the show. “The fire that can unite or separate, destroy or illuminate”?? Every beat of the plot is governed by whether he’s fucking around with psuedo-gunpowder and for whose benefit. The story would never reach resolution without him. And he does it all with so little time onstage! Ugh. I just. I would die for him and he definitely would not care 🥰🥰🥰

also, lowkey still in awe about the wheel of death act. like. as a kid it took me months to figure out how to do one double jump, and you're doing it midair???? on a giant spinning PENDULUM ARM???? sir???????????

Absolutely bonkers. If the guys I’m thinking of are still with the show, they’re straight up in their 60s and have been performing that act their entire lives. I’m pretty sure it’s them - I’m fairly certain they came back after the pandemic. 

nonetheless, there's something very- everyone gets their partner, everyone gets to live happily ever after- about the ending, and honestly actually i love it? if i were less invested it might be saccharine but everything about this show already almost feels like a fairytale so yeah! everyone does live happily ever after! that's the idea!

It all goes back to the preshow - if you’re on board for plot and paying attention to it, this show pays off in droves.

(i mean, unless one happens to be writing mental fanfics about lasting trauma, which, i may be doing, but the show doesn't need to do that. that's what fic is for!)

Writing for this show has been so incredibly fun, and my fervent, desperate interest in reading anything you have to contribute aside, it’s because it lays just the right amount of groundwork. We know who these people are, we know what’s happened to them, and now we get to add every single complexity we wish there was more time to explore in the show itself. In traditional fandoms you have to ignore things, set others aside, or explain things away. But with Ka there’s such a light framework to start with that you have no choice but to fill in the blanks. It’s a wonderful exercise in character development and worldbuilding.

So yeah. Write it. I promise you have an audience. Or if you just have ideas and have no desire to execute on them, I love a good prompt. 

anyway, i think that's all i have to say for this? but like, also, this is the second time this week i've spent an hour just typing stuff about this show, so like, who knows! once again can you tell i have lost the capability to be normal about this? because i have. (also, uh. sorry about your inbox? anyway, thank you :D)

Thank you! This has been a delight! If you want more non-romance Ka in your life, I have...

Birthright, which is basically a snippet of “I think CAD should have been in the final battle and SOMEONE will die on this hill.” I would give anything for Cirque to add her into that scene, I am begging, she deserves it esp now that they kill off the Chief.

Choosing Adversaries, adding some background and complexity to flesh out TB’s journey.

Blizzard, which was just an excuse to stick CS and TB in a room together and make them deal with one another. I love. Making. These. Two. Bicker.

Unspeakable. Technically CS/CAD but it’s def more about betrayal and toxicity than anything close to real romance. 

Adaptation, which was written using a friend’s OCs but was a super fun excuse to explore what goes on with the Mountain Tribe. 

Open invite to join my Cirque Discord server if you want to chat more about this and other shows, too! You can reach me at sweepseven#7557. Or just keep sending in asks, idc, I wanna hear everything always. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and support! I can’t tell you what a difference it makes in such a tiny fandom. 

#cirque du soleil #ka #anonymous #replies #this was so fun ty :') #I can't wait to see this show again

[falling-pages]

A bird? A bird: Hikaru x Haruhi

in which drunk Hikaru is a mood.

-

Hikaru Hitachiin x Haruhi Fujioka

-

Enemies to lovers, non-host club au, aged up au.

-

TW: Drinking

-

The disgust lingered in the back of his throat like iron, like a bad pill you swallow but not fast enough. He fumbled the chaser to his liquor, and now he was stuck with the gross aftertaste. The refuge of his office, where he gulped down air like water, could only last so long. He couldn’t even go out in the common area, break room or restroom without having to see her--and for that, for taking away his freedom and social butterfly antics, he hated her.

Every time he saw her cute little snarl and tight little bun and stiff black skirts enraged him, filling his blood with a heat he didn’t know how to deal with. Despite her short height, she held her nose in the air as she worked, the only way she could look down on everyone like she so desperately craved. Always propping up her law degree, well this and actually that, ruining any jokes he made with a deadpan stare. She messed with his head, distracted him from his work, and for that she must go.

As much as he had tried to get her fired--and he had tried--nothing made the boss budge. He tried pulling rank, as the head of the software department; he tried using his parents’ names; nothing worked.

She’s doing a stellar job, the bossman had said. And, she’s our lawyer. If we did fire her for no reason, she would sue us into the ground.

I do have a reason, Hikaru retorted. She annoys me.

It wouldn’t hold up in court, but it seemed good enough for him.

Hikaru inhaled deeply through his nose, grounding himself by gripping his desk. Surrounded by all his trophies and achievements, he still could only think of her. He had to handle this, or else he’d go insane, but he had no idea where to start.

Kaoru. Kaoru would know what to do.

He rose from his chair, taking one last look behind him at the stained glass city through his clear glass window. Despite it only being mid-afternoon, the city was pulsing and alive with color, birds dive-bombing for food, vendors hawking at passersby, tourists mixing and bumping into natives. Tokyo was loud, and crazy, and alive, where he knew he belonged and longed to be. Even nature was straining at its leash for the workday to end, eager to celebrate the Friday night.

He turned back and shut the lights off in his office, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he walked. His department was rather quiet, having given his employees the afternoon off. If Haruhi knew, she would chide him, but they were so far ahead of schedule that he couldn’t risk them burning out.

Once up the stairs and around the corner, he heard his brother’s voice laughing and chatting and speak of the devil, she’s here.

It shouldn’t have surprised him. Karou and Haruhi were surprisingly great friends; he tended to mellow her out, help her unwind from the stick up her ass. He just had that calming effect on people.

As soon as he saw her, Hikaru spun a 180 and turned right back around the corner, and Haruhi would have let him, but Karou intervened.

“Hika! Come over here!” he waved, a bright smile splitting his face. “Haruhi was just telling me how much she liked you!”

Haruhi seethed, switching to a guarded pose as soon as she saw him. “I certainly was not.”

“Oh, right, my bad, she was telling me how much she liked your latest game patch,” Kaoru apologized, but it was the furthest thing from sincere. “Tell us about how you came up with it. Haruhi would love to pick your brain.”

Hikaru smirked, testing the waters as he approached. “Is that true, Fujioka?”

She frowns, pushing her bridge up her glasses up her nose. God, those glasses. She looked so dumb in them, making her eyes seem so wide, so innocent, so...pretty. All he wanted to do was pluck them off her face and laugh as she jumped for them, reaching and whining.

“I mean, it’s original, for sure,” she said. His cheeks warmed at the praise, even as she squirmed. “And it should market well, and you didn’t infringe on anyone’s copyright this time.”

That wasn’t my fault. He took the compliment with a grain of salt, biting back, “Still in the whole get-up, I see. Not much for casual Fridays?”

As amber eyes raked down her body, Haruhi concealed the shiver that ran down her spine. “No, actually, because I didn’t go to law school to wear jeans every day at work.”

“You didn’t go to law school to become a smartass, either, but here we are.”

“OKAY!” Kaoru exclaimed, jumping up between them. “Friday afternoon, yeah? Any big plans for the weekend?”

Both instigators ignored him. “That’s the uniform, you know. We tend to be pretty laid back around here.”

“Lawyers can’t be laid back. Laziness and a laissez-faire attitude is how we get sued.”

Hikaru stretched, rolling his eyes. “Woah, woah, pardon your French.”

Haruhi shook her head, and a few mismanaged strands of hair fell from her bun to brush against her neck. Her pink lips perched in contempt, and she looked so fragile, squinting behind her thick-framed glasses, that he couldn’t help but notice how tight her shirt was, tucked into a pencil skirt that hugged so tastefully over her--

“Hika!” Kaoru suddenly exclaimed. “Honey wants to know if we’re still down for drinks tonight.”

His saving grace. “Oh, my God, yes,” he moaned, salivating already at the thought of tequila burning down his throat. Washing the week away was just what he needed, especially with the way this conversation was going.

And then Kaoru did the unthinkable: With his award-winning smile, he turned to Haruhi and asked, “Would you like to come?”

Hikaru could have strangled him.

But God heard his prayers, and the resident buzzkill shook her head. “Thank you, but sorry. I don’t drink.”

“No surprise there,” Hikaru murmured.

Kaoru definitely heard that, but if Haruhi did, she didn’t react. He shot his twin a look, a be polite etched into the lines of his brow.

“Sad,” Kaoru said. He bent over to pick up his work bag, stuffing his bento within and waving to Haruhi. “Maybe next time? We can go out for boba or something.”

Haruhi smiled--Hikaru didn’t think he had ever seen that before. It did something to him; suddenly, he felt as if his body was shaking, like his throat was full of needles, like he had taken one too many to the head.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” she said, and the smile disappeared when she looked at him. She gave them both a quick nod. “Have a great weekend.”

“Thanks.”

“See you Monday!”

Hikaru waited until they were out the door before punching his twin in the arm, hard enough to make him yelp.

“Dude, watch it,” Kaoru snapped, brushing over the mussed fabric of his cardigan sleeve. “It’s cashmere.”

“Stop flirting with her.”

Kaoru stopped in his tracks. A cloudy sky obscured the smirk on his face. “Woah, what’s got you so worked up?”

Hikaru kept stomping towards their subway stop, too lost in his own anger to notice who he had left behind. “‘M not worked up,” he retorted. “But you’re dating Kyoya. You shouldn’t be flirting with a girl.”

Kaoru skipped to catch up, joining him as they descended the stairs. “Kyoya said it’s fine if I flirt, as long as I come home to him every night.”

It took everything in Hikaru to keep him from shoving his brother into the sad, drab gray stone walls. He couldn’t put a finger on the irritation nettling just below his skin, or why the first layer of his heart seemed to simmer whenever he caught them talking to each other. All he could figure out was that it burned, and it made him hate her even more.

When he stayed silent, Kaoru knew he was right. He preened as he dug around for his subway card. “Boba isn’t a date.”

“Of course it is.”

“Then maybe you should ask her out on one.”

By then they were at the platform, waiting for their train. As the whistle signaled its approach, Hikaru very seriously considered pushing Kaoru onto the tracks.

“Tch. Over my dead body.”

“Then you can’t be jealous.”

“I’m not--”

Hikaru threw a punch when the train approached, distracting him and allowing Kaoru to live to see another day. As they hurried on, Hikaru couldn’t get his mind out of the gutter--or off her.

Jealous. Pshhh.

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

“I dunno, senpai, she just….she makes me feel something. Whenever she talks to me it’s like my hands are on fire, and my head hurts, and I feel like….like she’s stabbing me. There’s something going on in my chest, like a, like a--a bird. There’s a bird or a butterfly or something with wings in my stomach, and I don’t like it.”

Hikaru knocked back a shot and signaled for another one, eyes bleary as he tried to find the bartender. There were three of them, or maybe that was just how blurry his vision was, but he didn’t care; as long as one of them saw him and passed him another round, he’d tip them the moon.

Mitsukuni watched his friend wave to no one, the effect of one too many fireballs in the span of just two hours. He hadn’t seen Hikaru this hammered since college--and now, at 27, it just looked more like a cry for help than an occasion to let loose. And without Kaoru, who had already gone home with Kyoya and the rest of their friend group, on babysitting duty, Mitsukuni was the one left to make sure he got into a cab.

“A bird?” he asked, watching as Hikaru swung his head in confirmation.

“A bird.” A bartender came back with another shot, handing it to the redhead and giving Mitsukuni a questioning look. He waved at him, confirming he was the babysitter, and the waiter turned back around.

“Tell me about that.”

Hikaru gripped his cup, tonguing at the rim like a sippy cup. “It’s fluttering around, Honey. It’s--hiccup--like, moving. Whenever I see her or talk to her my heart just begins to pound.”

Mitsukuni bit back a smile. His vodka cran lay forgotten on the bar, but this experience was just too amusing to violate with alcohol. “And what do you think that means?”

“Means she’s gonna kill me.”

“Kill you?” His eyebrows shot up. “Why is that?”

Hikaru slurped the shot, spilling some down his chin, and Mitsukuni was fairly sure it was just plain water. “Because. She’s mean, senpai. She looks at me like she’s studying, like she’s gonna slice me in half. Like...I dunno. Like I mean something to her.”

Mistukuni twisted his wedding ring, inching closer to the discovery. He’s almost there, almost recognizing what the rest of the friend group has known for months. “And if you mean something to her, why does your heart flutter?”

“Acid reflux.”

“No, Hikaru.” He gently swatted the other man’s hand down before he could ask for another drink. “It sounds like the beginnings of love, to me.”

Hikaru gaped, not a thought behind those eyes, until it hit him like a wrecking ball. His fist fell to the bar, thudding, but he felt no pain. Only existential dread and a rocketing realization.

“Oh.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Oh, fuck.”

-

If you like what I write, please considering buying a coffee :)

#ouran high school host club #hikaru x haruhi #hikaharu #hikaru hitachiin #haruhi fujioka #enemies to lovers #ohshc

[cookie-run-kingdom-story]

(Cookie Run Kingdom) Episode 9: Castle in the Sky

???: Wake up, Pure Vanilla Cookie. The time for your second chance has come. Pure Vanilla Cookie: Who... are you...?

Pomegranate Cookie: Master! At last, you have regained your body and strength! Dark Enchantress Cookie: My faithful Pomegranate Cookie... Such a pleasure to finally see you with my own eyes. Dark Enchantress Cookie: I knew that you would be the first one to greet me. Know that I will not forget this. Pomegranate Cookie: This place was once falsely named the "Vanilla Castle"... Without that hypocrite of a king and his lackeys, this land is yours for the taking, Master. Pomegranate Cookie: The world trembles before you and the might of the Darkness you embody! Dark Enchantress Cookie: No, this is only the beginning. I have yet to claim the strength of the Five Heroes as my own! Dark Enchantress Cookie: Soul Jam made of the purest Life Powder, scattered across the world... It is time I made it mine! Dark Enchantress Cookie: Pure Vanilla Cookie, you may watch from your abyssal prison as I use your power to remold this world into a realm of the Darkness!

GingerBrave: Where is she?! Where is Dark Enchantress Cookie?! Custard Cookie III: Ha ha! That old lady knew better than to confront a mighty king like me! Chili Pepper Cookie: Not a Cookie around, huh? Where is everyone? Wizard Cookie: I get the feeling that... No, I'm almost certain that we’re being watched...

???: Outlanders. Step no further. Villager Cookie 3: B-Black Raisin Cookie...! Black Raisin Cookie: Hide! An attack has begun! Leave the outlanders to me. Chili Pepper Cookie: Huh? Who are you? Show yourself or else! Black Raisin Cookie: Your eyes are not trained to pierce the shadows. Such eyes will never see me. Black Raisin Cookie: Outlanders are not allowed to set foot in our village. Villager Cookie 5: Black Raisin Cookie! They're coming! Black Raisin Cookie: Good! Let's see how skilled these outlanders are in battle. The longer you last, the better. Strawberry Cookie: W-what? Like, WHAT...? Raisin Crow: Caw caw! Caw! GingerBrave: Gah! Get away from me, crows! Vanilla Cane Legionnaire: *Ominous humming* Custard Cookie III: Look! A yummy giant vanilla ice cream cone! ....Is about to attack us! GingerBrave: I don't think it wants to be eaten! I think it really, really hates that idea! Wizard Cookie: Its waffle plating is stronger than it seems! Prepare for a tough fight....

Custard Cookie III: What a great victory! Not for a minute did I doubt the skills of my faithful servants! GingerBrave: Pshhh... That thing didn't stand a chance! Strawberry Cookie: But what is this place? Looks.... creepy... Chili Pepper Cookie: Yeah, where are we?! There's nothing but dust! Wizard Cookie: Hey, over here! A piece of waffle has fallen off those things. Chili Pepper Cookie: *Clunk clunk* Thing's hard as diamond! This isn't some regular dough. Wizard Cookie: These are Wafflebots! Wizard Cookie: I've never seen such an intricate fusion of magic and engineering before! Wizard Cookie: Could this be the Vanilla Kingdom?! We need to take a look around! GingerBrave: Wait, you're saying that Dark Enchantress Cookie sent us to the Vanilla Kingdom?! Custard Cookie III: This way, my Cookies! My kingly senses tell me we're on the right path!

Black Raisin Cookie: Sorry I’m late. But I’m here now. Everything is going to be fine. Villager Cookie 1: We made it…! Some are in rough shape, but if it weren’t for you….! Black Raisin Cookie: The Wafflebots are more aggressive than usual…! But… It’s gotten quiet. I wonder what happened to those outlanders. Chili Pepper Cookie: YOU! You used us as bait! Black Raisin Cookie: Outlanders! How did you manage to get past the Wafflebots? Custard Cookie III: We defeated them in glorious combat! Villager Cookie 1: They defeated… the Wafflebots? Black Raisin Cookie: I don’t believe you. It must be some kind of trick. Are you on their side?! Chili Pepper Cookie: Huh?! Say that again ya- Wizard Cookie: Wait! We’re just like you, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside! There’s no ice cream flowing through our dough. Black Raisin Cookie: Hmm… I can see that. You are indeed a group of baked Cookies. Delicately baked, at that. Black Raisin Cookie: But I know better than to trust an outlander. You will prove your honesty to me. GingerBrave: Easily! What must we do? Black Raisin Cookie: Simple task: eat this. Chili Pepper Cookie: EW! Raisin buns! Bleargh, take them away from me! Black Raisin Cookie: Knew it! Picky-eating outlanders are not to be trusted. Black Raisin Cookie: Get out of my sight! Now! Villagers: *Battle cry* Outlanders begone! Chili Pepper Cookie: Seriously?! All this because of stupid raisin bread? GingerBrave: Take cover!!! Everyone, over here!

Black Raisin Cookie: GOT YA! Villagers: *Battle cry* Surround them! Chili Pepper Cookie: HMPH! It’s gonna take more than that to stop us! Black Raisin Cookie: !!! Wait! No, not that way!

???: ENOUGH! Villager Cookie 1: Wise One... Healer Cookie: My patients need quiet. Please, do not disturb their rest. Black Raisin Cookie: Healer Cookie! Outlanders have breached the village. Healer Cookie: Wafflebots? Here? Where?! Black Raisin Cookie: No, Healer Cookie. Not Wafflebots. These Cookies. Custard Cookie III: *Ahem* GREETINGS, NEWLY MET COOKIES! I am here to become your new king! Black Raisin Cookie: These outlanders would dare to- OW! Healer Cookie!? That hurt! OW! Healer Cookie: Don’t you see, Black Raisin Cookie? These Cookies are not our foes. Healer Cookie: Don’t close off your soul to strangers’ help. Custard Cookie III: Such wise words! I, Custard Cookie III, also wish for peace between our Cookies! Black Raisin Cookie: But how can we trust them?! Healer Cookie: Permit them inside, Black Raisin Cookie. Let’s hear their story. I sense that my staff is eager to listen as well. Black Raisin Cookie: Your staff can’t even talk! Healer Cookie: Now, now. Friends of the village, and Cookies from afar! You are all welcome here.

Villager Cookie 2: My arm… Strawberry jam is seeping out… Villager Cookie 4: H-h-help… me… My head… So dizzy… Healer Cookie: You will be alright in no time, friend! I was gone just for a moment, and already more wounded need tending. Strawberry Cookie: Um… Are you taking care of all these Cookies? By yourself…? Black Raisin Cookie: Yes. He is the greatest healer we have ever met. Almost every Cookie of our village has had a wound tended by Healer Cookie before. Healer Cookie: Though I find myself cleaning up after many of Black Raisin Cookie’s shenanigans. He he. Black Raisin Cookie: …Shenanigans?! Custard Cookie III: Well now! When I am crowned King of the Vanilla Kingdom, I shall appoint you as the Royal Physician! Healer Cookie: Then I must double my efforts to live up to such expectations! But, if I may ask, your Majesty… What is it you mean by “King of the Vanilla Kingdom”? GingerBrave: It’s a magical kingdom with a long history. The kingdom was so awesome and advanced that every Cookie living there was happy! Chili Pepper Cookie: Not to mention that it had lots of treasures too. Custard Cookie III: Technically, my healing magic is also a treasure passed down from the Vanilla Kingdom! Villager Cookie 4: That’s… amazing…! Can the Wafflebots be fought with this magic…? Healer Cookie: If only we could receive aid from this kingdom, we would no longer need to live in fear! Healer Cookie: GingerBrave! There is something I must know. Where is this Vanilla Kingdom? Wizard Cookie: We’re still looking, but we think it shouldn’t be far from here. Have any of you seen it before? Healer Cookie: Could it be…?! Is it the castle in the sky? Cookies: A castle in the sky? Healer Cookie: But that is also the origin of the Wafflebots. With every rise of the crimson moon, they descend upon the land to inflict terror. Custard Cookie III: No, that can’t be the Vanilla Kingdom! The kingdom wouldn’t attack other Cookies! Wizard Cookie: Let’s not jump to any conclusions. I’d like to hear more about this for my research. Healer Cookie: The castle appeared above our village a few moons ago. A nightmarish screech echoed from the Raisin Cliffs, and from a wall of fog and dust appeared… Healer Cookie: !!! A sound like this! Villager Cookie 1: Black Raisin Cookie, hurry! We need you near the cliffs! Black Raisin Cookie: What’s going on?! Villager Cookie 1: The crimson moon! And the sky… It’s opening up again! GingerBrave: We’re coming with you! We can’t let Black Raisin Cookie go alone.

Villager Cookie 1: Black Raisin Cookie! Over there! Black Raisin Cookie: On my way! Raisin Crow: Caw! CAW! Villager Cookie 2: Help! Over here, please! GingerBrave: What’s going on?! The Wafflebots are all over the place! Black Raisin Cookie: The sky has opened. Soon, they will rain down on us. Black Raisin Cookie: And it was the perfect opportunity to strike at the heart! Villager Cookie 5: Black Raisin Cookie, there’re too many of them! What if they break through to the infirmary?! Black Raisin Cookie: ...We make our stand! Take defensive positions. We need to protect the wounded! GingerBrave: You can count on us too, Black Raisin Cookie! Custard Cookie III: It’s time to prove my worth as king! Black Raisin Cookie: Help…? From you? Black Raisin Cookie: We don’t need the help from outlanders. Never ever has anyone helped us. Chili Pepper Cookie: Still mad about that raisin bun thing?! Black Raisin Cookie: But! We can’t afford to refuse your help. Watch my back. Please. GingerBrave: Good idea! You can trust us!

Vanilla Cone Legionnaire: *Whir. Bzzzt.* Villager Cookie 3: H-H-Healer Cookie…! Healer Cookie: Stay back! Do not come any closer! Healer Cookie: I am so very sorry… If only Black Raisin Cookie were here…! Villager Cookie: No! Don’t say that! Healer Cookie: You’re right. This is not the time for weakness! I am not alone! I must… wield protection magic once more! GingerBrave: That’s right! We’re here to help! Ha ha! Healer Cookie: GingerBrave! Wizard Cookie: We knew you’d be safeguarding the rear. We heard you are a great healer. Strawberry Cookie: ...I’ll help too! Healer Cookie: Everyone…! Thank you for your aid! Healer Cookie: I will not stand down! I must protect my friends!

Strawberry Cookie: The Wafflebots! They’ve stopped moving…? Villager Cookie 3: Amazing…! Healer Cookie, is this a form of healing magic as well? Wizard Cookie: I’ve never seen such a power spell before! This is not some ordinary magic here… Healer Cookie: I… don’t know. Did I really cast this spell? I felt a surge of power as soon as I made up my mind to fight…! Custard Cookie III: Such a fantastic Cookie as yourself is more than welcome to become one of my subjects! Custard Cookie III: I shall bestow upon you a grand title and riches! How about it? Why don’t you come with us? Healer Cookie: I wish I could, however… Huh?

Wizard Cookie: What… is that floating stone? I can sense a powerful aura emanating from it! Strawberry Cookie: It looks like the stone is… breathing? Chili Pepper Cookie: Is it a gemstone?! Lemme have a look! Huh? It went inside Healer Cookie’s staff? Healer Cookie: Was it you? Were you the one that made my staff resonate with power in the past few days? GingerBrave: Is that some kind of magic too? Wow! Healer Cookie, that’s so cool! Healer Cookie: I am also quite surprised, GingerBrave. Your arrival has changed something here. Healer Cookie: For some reason, I have a good feeling about this. I feel as invigorated as a young adventurer! GingerBrave: Alright! Let’s keep this up all the way to the Vanilla Kingdom!

???: ...nilla Cookie… Pure…. Vanilla… Cookie! Pure Vanilla Cookie: Hmm? Huh?! ???: At last! You can finally sense my presence. I have been waiting for so long. Pure Vanilla Cookie: The voice… I kept hearing your voice, but I could not recognize it. Pure Vanilla Cookie: You are the Light of Truth. And in turn, you are also me, are you not? Light of Truth: Yes! Yes! You finally recognize me! Light of Truth: You have turned away from me for far too long. But I have been here… waiting,  constantly waiting. Pure Vanilla Cookie: I was ashamed… All my magic power and knowledge, and yet I failed... Light of Truth: Then embrace me, unite with me once again. Are you ready? Pure Vanilla Cookie: Yes. I will fight for peace and happiness once more! And this time… I hope I get the chance to fix my past mistakes! Light of Truth: There’s the Pure Vanilla Cookie I know! And don’t be afraid. We’re capable of so much!

Black Raisin Cookie: We made it past all those Wafflebots. You lot sure know your way in a fight. GingerBrave: It wasn’t too difficult… After all, we all fought together! Black Raisin Cookie: These are the Raisin Cliffs. This is where the sky opens…! Wizard Cookie: So… this giant shadow we’re standing* right now is…?

*actual text

Strawberry Cookie: Look…! The castle…! Chili Pepper Cookie: Er… I’m not seeing things, am I? How is that castle floating in the sky?! Wizard Cookie: It’s gigantic! That must be the Vanilla Kingdom. It has to be! Healer Cookie: Could it truly be so? Then let us make haste! GingerBrave: Healer Cookie, look! The ground is glowing with each step you take. Healer Cookie: Perhaps this has something to do with the gemstone from earlier. I can also feel my staff getting warmer and warmer. Wizard Cookie: I think I understand now! That gem has unlocked a portal! Black Raisin Cookie: And look there, columns of pure light! There’s no turning back now. Everyone, hold on to each other’s hands tightly. GingerBrave: The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here! We’re ready! Wizard Cookie: I’m not scared. After all, this is magic from the Vanilla Kingdom! Chili Pepper Cookie: I call dibs! Any treasures we find are mine! Custard Cookie III: I can hear the fanfare already! Hold on, Vanilla Kingdom! Your king is coming!

Villager Cookie 3: Wait…! Black Raisin Cookie! Villager Cookie 3: Take this! A lunchbox, just for you! Villager Cookie 2: We’ve been saving some Jellies, every day... Black Raisin Cookie: But there wasn’t enough food to go around to begin with…! All of you… thank you. I promise to return peace to our village! Healer Cookie: And I promise to become a better healer! We will return! Villager Cookie 1: Black Raisin Cookie! Healer Cookie! We’ll be waiting for you! Villager Cookie 4: Bring back some souvenirs…! GingerBrave: Time to jump into the portal! Vanilla Kingdom… here we come!

GingerBrave: We finally made it to the Vanilla Kingdom! Custard Cookie III: Behold, denizens of the Vanilla Kingdom! I, Custard Cookie, third of this name, a descendant of the king, have come! Sound the fanfare! Wizard Cookie: I can’t believe it! The Vanilla Kingdom… This discovery will be remembered in the history of magic as my greatest achievement! Wizard Cookie: Just take a look at the architecture! Layers of wagers carved with intricate care, as if they were chocolate bricks! Can you imagine walking along the streets here in past?!*

*actual text

Custard Cookie III: What did I tell you! The Vanilla Kingdom is the grandest of all kingdoms! I told you, didn’t I? Didn’t I?! Wizard Cookie: Indeed, you did. You were right! Strawberry Cookie: There’s something familiar about this place… But, it’s a bit different from what I imagined. Healer Cookie: Strawberry Cookie, do you feel that way as well? I sense a hint of… yes, something in the air. As if butter has aged rather too long... Chili Pepper Cookie: All I can smell is hidden treasures! Now… where are they?! It’s time for the heist of the century! Black Raisin Cookie: Do not forget why we are here. You may look around, but we must keep our guard up. Chili Pepper Cookie: Hey, you. Kiddo. Mustard or Custard, whatever your name is. Here’s a red carpet, just like the one you’re always chanting on about. Custard Cookie III: Well now, it’s perfect for a king’s grand entrance! An excellent find, ha ha! Black Raisin Cookie: Look up there, the silhouette in the crimson moon. Are the Wafflebots being created at the top of the castle? Chili Pepper Cookie: Then lead the way! And if it goes straight into the treasure vault, that’d be great!

GingerBrave: Hmm… I haven’t seen any Cookies yet. Custard Cookie III: Perhaps they are preparing a banquet to welcome their king! With lots of Jellies and fireworks! He he! Chili Pepper Cookie: I’d take a visit to a treasure vault over a welcoming party! Black Raisin Cookie: Something is amiss. It is too quiet… Keep your eyes peeled. Chili Pepper Cookie: Yeah, yeah. Quit your yappin.

Wizard Cookie: The cobbled tiles are very ornate, fashioned into honeycomb shapes! And those houses… amazing! Black Raisin Cookie: Wizard Cookie! I told you to keep your eyes open! Wizard Cookie: GAH! Black Raisin Cookie: Tread lightly. These tiles you admire so much are breaking away. Wizard Cookie: Upon closer inspection, it doesn’t seem to have worn away due to time. Maybe they were damaged during the Dark Flour War? Healer Cookie: What do you mean? That war… It ended a long time ago? Wizard Cookie: It was generations ago, yes. But maybe there weren’t any Cookies to fix these roads since then. Perhaps they fled from Dark Enchantress Cookie? Healer Cookie: Dark Enchantress Cookie…! The crimes she committed…! GingerBrave: We can’t just leave this place like this. Let’s fix up the holes in the road!

GingerBrave: I’d say that’s a job well done! We should cross over it carefully. Custard Cookie III: Wow! Look at that abandoned village down there. We’re so high up that it looks like a little toy! Chili Pepper Cookie: *Whistle* One wrong step and any Cookie’d become crumbs in no time… Custard Cookie III: ACK! What a horrid thing to say! Black Raisin Cookie: I’ve never been this far from the village… Wonder if everyone is safe… GingerBrave: Hey, Black Raisin Cookie! Whatcha doin? Keep up! Black Raisin Cookie: Ah. Yes, I’m on my way.

Chili Pepper Cookie: *Sniff sniff* Ya smell that? Smells like stuff worth lots and lots of COINS! GingerBrave: Chili Pepper Cookie! Be careful! Chili Pepper Cookie: Lemme see here… Trash. Junk. Scraps… No, no… Chili Pepper Cookie: This place is nothing but a scrap heap! ???: SCRAP?! ???: This alloy is coated with shiny syrup! These rivets are made of purified sweet cream! You call my perfect toys “scrap”! I DON’T LIKE YOU! GingerBrave: Huh? Who’s that? Healer Cookie: Impossible…! A child… here?! ???: WHAT? Are you Cookies? ???: Nooo… I’m the ONLY Cookie here! But I don’t see your data chip interfaces….? Chili Pepper Cookie: Hey! Get your hands off me! ???: Round face. Flat body. Minimal ratios of cream in the dough. ???: OH WOW! I haven’t seen another Cookie besides me in… calculating… FOREVER! Healer Cookie: Exactly how long is “forever”, little one? ???: Huh? How should I know? No Cookies were around to tell me. I woke up and no one was here! GingerBrave: It’s dangerous to stay out here all alone. Why don’t you come along with us? Black Raisin Cookie: I disagree. Something’s not right! Black Raisin Cookie: Are you alone? Where are your friends hiding?! ???: What? I’m not a suspicious Cookie! You don’t even know me yet! ???: HMPH! I don’t like you too! I’m outta here. Have fun getting lost! Black Raisin Cookie: Fine by me. I would rather trust my instincts!

Chili Pepper Cookie: Oooh! What do we have here? How much do you think this is worth? Wizard Cookie: Huh? When did you even swipe that?! ???: *Stomp stomp* They can’t even tell how awesome these Wafflebot parts are! Chili Pepper Cookie: Oi! You there! Show us where more treasures like this are kept! ???: Huh? I guess you could call them treasures, but who said you can take them?! Gimme them back! I need those parts! Chili Pepper Cookie: Nope. I found this, fair and square! My agility and speed helped me earn this! Wizard Cookie: Now, now… There’s no need to fight. Just give it back. ???: Yeah! Listen to the Cookie stuffed with ice cream! Wizard Cookie: I… What?! ???: And you! The one with 13 grams of chili sauce! This is MY playground! And these are MY toys! ???: Everything left in this kingdom is mine. So go away. I’m telling you “nicely”. Chili Pepper Cookie: Nope! Not gonna happen! I found it. I picked it up. It’s mine now! Custard Cookie III: HAHAHA! Looks like Chili Pepper Cookie has met her match! ???: You’re as funny as the ingredients in your dough! AHAHA! Healer Cookie: *Ahem* Pardon me, but I have something to ask. Healer Cookie: Are you truly alone here? Where are all the Cookies of this kingdom? ???: I dunno! And I don’t care. This kingdom was ruined a long time ago. ???: Have you been living under a sugar cube? I thought everyone knew this. Healer Cookie: No. It cannot be! All the Cookies who once lived here… they cannot be gone! Where have you come from then? ???: What a good question! I’ll tell you if you play with me! TAG! You’re it, hehehe! Chili Pepper Cookie: STOP! Black Raisin Cookie: This is not the time for games!

Wizard Cookie: Fascinating…! What on Earthbread is this massive fortress? Custard Cookie III: Rejoice, my subjects! A descendant of the Vanilla Kingdom has come to claim the throne! Custard Cookie III: I hereby declare this fortress as my castle! Why? Because it looks cool and shiny, just like all the other buildings of this kingdom! Wizard Cookie: Why not tone it down a bit…? Being humble in your ancestral kingdom might be a bit more… kingly. Custard Cookie III: Nah, it’s alright! All the Cookies of the Vanilla Kingdom are kindhearted just like me! Once you meet them, you’ll know what I mean. Chili Pepper Cookie: Look at that massive door. Think it’s some sort of vault? Yeah, it* gotta be it!

*actual text

Wizard Cookie: Don’t take anything! No, in fact, don’t TOUCH anything! GingerBrave: Whoa…! Look at all these sleeping Wafflebots! Is this some sort of factory? Black Raisin Cookie: If it is, then this entire journey has been worth every moment! Once this factory has been destroyed, our village is saved! Wizard Cookie: Hold up. There’s some sort of signs here and there. Wafflehouse Construction… Hauling… Kingdom Defense... Wizard Cookie: I think the Wafflebots weren’t designed for attacking. It looks like the Vanillians made Wafflebots for tasks too difficult for Cookies to handle! Healer Cookie: Yet they are attacking us… Perhaps they went haywire after the war. Wizard Cookie: Oooh, take a look at these! These are blueprints for a Waffle Goliath! Wizard Cookie: Unbelievable! It seems that a permanent enchantment is cast on the complex machinery of the Wafflebots! With this spell, they can perform up to twenty-seven different types of commands! Custard Cookie III: …? Ahem… Yes, yes quite fascinating! As a future king, I take interest in every little detail of my kingdom. Come, oh good Healer Cookie, my faithful servant. Healer Cookie: I don’t think you should get that close- Custard Cookie III: Oh, do not fear! This one seems docile? Waffle Goliath: *wwwwWWHHIR* *RUMBLE* Custard Cookie III: Eh? Waffle Goliath: *WHIRRR!* *Clunk. CLUNK!*

Chili Pepper Cookie: These things are tough! Black Raisin Cookie: It missed you by a pancake’s breadth! I told you we must dismantle them at once! Waffle Goliath: *Bzzzt!* *Clunk!* Waffle Goliath: *Rumble...* Waffle Goliath: *RUMBLE!* Wizard Cookie: You have got to be kidding me... Chili Pepper Cookie: RUN FOR IT! Black Raisin Cookie: NOOO! Healer Cookie: Everyone, make haste! This way! GingerBrave: Healer Cookie?! Healer Cookie: Here, a small passageway! Follow me!

Custard Cookie III: Healer Cookie! I hereby appoint you as my Royal Bodyguard! Custard Cookie III: You saved your king’s life! I will bestow a gift for the ages upon you! Healer Cookie: I am only glad to have helped. Chili Pepper Cookie: Hey, how’d you find this secret passageway? Chili Pepper Cookie: Finding secrets like this is a nifty skill! Wanna team up? We can split the loot, 10 to… 0, he he! Healer Cookie: Ha ha… Erm…

GingerBrave: The path is smoother here on out. I think that’s the city center over there! Black Raisin Cookie: Wait… Do you see where the Wafflebots are moving? Healer Cookie: Oh NO… It seems they are preparing to head towards the village! Another attack is imminent! Black Raisin Cookie: There are still Cookies remaining in the village. Healer Cookie! We must return quickly! Healer Cookie: W-wait! Black Raisin Cookie: What are you waiting for? We have to go, now! Healer Cookie: The light in my staff… I think its power has been depleted from conjuring that portal. I am not certain if we can make it back up here! Black Raisin Cookie: ...Protecting the village is our top priority! Let us think about the return trip later. Healer Cookie: Can we inspect the Vanilla Kingdom, just for a few moments more? There might be Cookies that need our help! And… Dark Enchantress Cookie... Black Raisin Cookie: What has gotten into you? You are Healer Cookie, the sage and healer of OUR village. Our enemy is not Dark Enchantress Cookie, it is the Wafflebots! Black Raisin Cookie: We’ve only just learned of this place! This kingdom is not our home. This is not our war! Healer Cookie: Yet we’ve learned of it! We cannot deny the truth and walk away! Turning away from those who are suffering is cowardly. Black Raisin Cookie: Are you calling me… a coward? Black Raisin Cookie: ...I did not realize you thought of me that way. Healer Cookie: Black Raisin Cookie! That is not what I mean- Black Raisin Cookie: I recognize this look… You would look upon me, as if you depended on my abilities. But then, you would stare off into the beyond. Black Raisin Cookie: Our village’s wounded were in good hands, in your good care. It felt as if you belonged there… I guess I was too quick to judge. Healer Cookie: No, wait! Wait… I will go with you! We can find a way, together. Black Raisin Cookie: No. Don’t pour salt into my crumbs... Healer Cookie: Black Raisin Cookie! Don’t go! I shall- GingerBrave: Look out! Wafflebots, incoming! It’s too dangerous to run out there alone right now! Healer Cookie: AH!

Pure Vanilla Cookie: Why am I here again? Ah, I understand now. I am a failure. Pure Vanilla Cookie: I disappointed my friends. I could not protect the Cookies of my kingdom... Light of Truth: Pure Vanilla Cookie. Are you prepared to confront the consequences of your actions? Pure Vanilla Cookie: Yes… I really am quite pathetic, aren’t I? Worthless... Pure Vanilla Cookie: It does not matter if I remember… It is always the same, then and now! Light of Truth: The time for solace and regret has not truly begun yet. You must return to the Vanilla Castle and gaze upon your past, once and for all! Pure Vanilla Cookie: But… I cannot. I do not have the heart to endure such agony any longer.

Healer Cookie: What…? Wh-where am I? GingerBrave: PHEW! How’re ya feeling there, Healer Cookie? Wizard Cookie: We got caught up in another Wafflebot attack. It seems you’re still in one piece! Strawberry Cookie: Healer Cookie… We didn’t know that you were so angry about what Dark Enchantress Cookie did... Healer Cookie: So… it was not a dream? Black Raisin Cookie has truly returned to the surface? Alone? GingerBrave: Erm… yeah. But Black Raisin Cookie is tough! We should hurry and find Dark Enchantress Cookie and then help out the village! Healer Cookie: Perhaps...

Chili Pepper Cookie: Oi! Healer Cookie! Is this even the right way? Healer Cookie: This appears to be the only path, no obstacles of any sort. But over there… are those barricades? Custard Cookie III: Barricades? The Cookies of the Vanilla Kingdom wouldn’t build these. Maybe they didn’t know their king has arrived! GingerBrave: It looks like the Cookies were desperately trying to block Dark Enchantress Cookie’s monsters. GingerBrave: But in the end, it looks like they fled. See, this barricade over here is destroyed to bits... Healer Cookie: The city must be this way… I can feel it... Healer Cookie: Let us remove this barricade and continue on. Come!

Wizard Cookie: From what I recall from my research, the capital of the Vanilla Kingdom should be around here. It was said to be quite prosperous, so something of interest might still be there. Wizard Cookie: Is my hat on straight? I need to make a good impression. It’s the first time entering the ancient city, after all! Healer Cookie: Wizard Cookie… Healer Cookie: I believe the entire city has been destroyed. I… cannot believe it. Wizard Cookie: Huh?! Move! I have to see this for myself! Wizard Cookie: What on Earthbread have you done, Dark Enchantress Cookie…! The healing fountains! The shining walls! Nothing is left! Custard Cookie III: There’s not a single drop of springwater left, not even for their king? Wizard Cookie: On behalf of all wizards of Earthbread… Dark Enchantress Cookie, you will face justice! Healer Cookie: This once grand city has been reduced to nothing but crumbs… This cannot be! Healer Cookie: Hello?! HELLO?! Is anyone here? GingerBrave: Hey, take a look at that. There’s a statue in the middle of that ruined square. It’s the Cookie we saw in the tapestry! Strawberry Cookie: That’s… Pure Vanilla Cookie, right? Something about this place seems… creepy. Healer Cookie: A lone king with no Cookies to remember him… Custard Cookie III: I can’t see… Lift me up! I want to see how much I resemble Pure Vanilla Cookie! Wizard Cookie: Don’t touch it! The statue is already cracked, it’s too dangerous! Raisin Crow: Caw! Caw!

Healer Cookie: Is that… Black Raisin Cookie? AGH! GingerBrave: The statue’s crumbled down! Healer Cookie, are you alright? Healer Cookie: I-I am uninjured. Healer Cookie: Of course, it cannot be Black Raisin Cookie. Why would she be here... Raisin Crow: CAW! CAW…! Chili Pepper Cookie: Is it just me or is the ground starting to break apart... GingerBrave: GAH?! The ground really is falling apart! RUN! GingerBrave: The square is gone… Nothing’s left. A few seconds later and we would’ve been toast! Wizard Cookie: There’s nothing here but ruins… Could it be? Does the Vanilla Kingdom truly not exist anymore? Strawberry Cookie: It’s only a memory now... Chili Pepper Cookie: Does that mean there’s no pile of treasures as well…? Wizard Cookie: I didn’t come this far just to look at some ruins... Custard Cookie III: Cheer up, my subjects! Once I am crowned king, I will do everything to restore this kingdom to its former glory! GingerBrave: Let’s hurry and get to Dark Enchantress Cookie!

Villager Cookie 5: Black Raisin Cookie?! You’re back? How? Why?! Villager Cookie 5: You’ve returned so soon!? But where is Healer Cookie? Black Raisin Cookie: *Huff puff* I-I-I came back because I was worried! Is everyone safe? What of the injured? Villager Cookie 1: Everyone’s safe, all thanks to you! But you’re…?! You’re crumbling all over! Villager Cookie 2: Is… is Healer Cookie coming back too? Black Raisin Cookie: ...No. Black Raisin Cookie: Forget that for now. We need to leave the village, and quickly! Villager Cookie 3: But… but Healer Cookie is…! *Sob* Black Raisin Cookie: What are you waiting for? Leave, NOW! Raisin Crow: CAW! CAAAW! Black Raisin Cookie: Oh? What have you brought, my winged friend? Black Raisin Cookie: What’s this…? A torn piece from… Healer Cookie’s robes?! Has something happened? Black Raisin Cookie: Oh no! What have I done?! I knew I shouldn’t have left him behind in my anger…! Black Raisin Cookie: Hang in there, Healer Cookie. Help is on the way.

???: GOTCHA! Strawberry Cookie: ACK…! GingerBrave: You again! ???: I was waiting for you to play hide-and-seek with me! What’s taking so long? Wizard Cookie: We are quite busy at the moment. Why do you keep asking us to play? ???: Because this place is BOOORING! All I did was ask you to play. Is that too much? Wizard Cookie: Well, erm… No… However! ???: Analyzing behavioral patterns… AHA! I see why you’re so skeptical! Your dough contains popping candy! You’re 70% intelligence, 29% curiosity… ???: What is that last 1%...? Further analysis shows… Ooooh! 1% genius! Wizard Cookie: Well, I wouldn’t say that’s wrong! He he! GingerBrave: What’re you doing here, by the way? ???: Right now? PLAYING! But I was fine-tuning my latest bot matrix configuration to make it less dependent on my commands. That would be one SWEET upgrade! Ha ha. GingerBrave: Up… grades? What’s up with upgrades? Wizard Cookie: Hmm? This is quite different from any form of magic I know. ???: HE HE HE! This is not just magic! This… IS magichanical engineering! ???: I can build things with profoundly elaborate designs and then use learning protocols to teach them how to think! Lemme show you on that busted Wafflebot over there! Wizard Cookie: That’s the Wafflebot that just attacked us?! ???: Oh… You don’t like robots? But robots are SO COOL! ???: And they’re really strong too! I’ll show you later.

Strawberry Cookie: Oh wow! I found you first this time, he he! ???: He he he! Where did you come from? And why are you ALWAYS hiding? Strawberry Cookie: Well that’s… erm… I’m kind of shy… Hiding is comfortable. ???: How interesting…! Even with all that artificial strawberry scent? Strawberry Cookie: Oh yeah? What’s so... interesting…? ???: You could be so much tougher if you did just what you want! Strawberry Cookie: But… I already like whatever I’m doing…? Strawberry Cookie: You’re making me uncomfortable… ???: 13% concentrated strawberry syrup. 7% sugar, adding to sweetness and adorableness. Pink food dye. Interesting. Very interesting! ???: Can I analyze your components further with my lab equipment? Please! I can take you to my workshop! Strawberry Cookie: What?! NO! Go away! GingerBrave: Uh-oh! Strawberry Cookie! Healer Cookie: Please bring back Strawberry Cookie, this instant! ???: Psh…! The weak ones are always so demanding… You’re the weakest Cookie here, aren’t you? Healer Cookie: I… what? ???: Don’t worry! I won’t hurt anyone. It’s been a long time since I’ve conducted a thorough analysis on a new subject. Enough talking now, bye bye!

Chili Pepper Cookie: GOTCHA, ya lil cheeky Cookie! ???: You caught me! He he. I concluded you were just dull and slow, but WOW! You’re agile and quick. GingerBrave: You underestimated us! That was your first mistake. Running is our specialty! Wizard Cookie: Now let Strawberry Cookie go! Strawberry Cookie: I’m… actually alright… Don’t worry. ???: My analysis is over ANYWAY, so she can go! Surprisingly, I didn’t find any secret ingredients in her dough. Wizard Cookie: Hey! Why do you keep on talking about Strawberry Cookie like that? Strawberry Crepe Cookie: I WAS CURIOUS! How is* that regularly baked Cookies like you were able to defeat my wondrously engineered Wafflebots? Wafflebots made by me, Strawberry Crepe Cookie!

*actual text

GingerBrave: Wait, are you saying that you let the Wafflebots walk around the Vanilla Kingdom? Healer Cookie: Then… the reckless attacks on the village were also… How could you do this?!

Strawberry Crepe Cookie: Erm… because it’s FUN? HE HE! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: I woke up from a cryobaking pod and the kingdom was completely empty! Even the king was gone. Do you know how BORING it was here? Strawberry Crepe Cookie: I was about to get ABSOLUTELY BORED, but some Dark Enchantress Cookie let me study the Wafflebots. Looks like I had a talent for magichanical engineering, he he! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: She’s really cool! And so nice! I want to live in a kingdom where Dark Enchantress Cookie is the ruler! Healer Cookie: Dear child… you are mistaken. Happiness comes from soft, sweet, and peaceful things in life. Dark Enchantress Cookies has molded you into something against your own nature! GingerBrave: This kingdom will never fall into the hands of Dark Enchantress Cookie! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: You think you can beat ME? Oooh, this is gonna be FUN, hehe! Detailed analysis of all of your dough was done AGES ago! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: Chili Pepper Cookie. 1% spiciness. 99% ignorance. Chili Pepper Cookie: Say that to my face! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: Custard Cookie III. 70% naivety. 25% custard. 5% royalty. Custard Cookie III: See! Proof that I am indeed royal! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: And GingerBrave. 100% bravery. You’re perfectly… ORDINARY! GingerBrave: I’m no ordinary Cookie! I’m super brave when I need to be! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: No more theorycrafting! Time to test it out on the field. I hope you don’t disappoint me, he he!

Strawberry Crepe Cookie: I… lost…! No, no, no! That wasn’t FAIR! Let’s call this a practice round! Wizard Cookie: Oh yeah? GingerBrave: Be more careful and don’t pick fights with other Cookies! Shame on you! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: I never said we needed to have a real fight! You were supposed to LOSE, easy-peasy! Strawberry Crepe Cookie: Let’s go, one more time! Please? PLEASE?! Just one more…!

GingerBrave: We finally made it to the Vanilla Castle! For real this time! Dark Enchantress Cookie must be inside… let’s hurry! Healer Cookie: Thank you, everyone, for accompanying me. I swear on all my power, I will stop Dark Enchantress Cookie!

#strawberry crepe cookie #chili pepper cookie #wizard cookie #Gingerbrave #pure vanilla cookie #dark enchantress cookie #pomegranate cookie #strawberry cookie #Custard Cookie III #black raisin cookie #cookie run kingdom #cr dialogue #crk

[avasnotalee]

hiiiiii i made another terrible miraculous t-word fic lol

Word Count: 1383

Ship: MariChat

Switch!Mari Switch!Chat Noir

It was yet another night of waiting on a desertedrooftop for Chat Noir, as he waited for Ladybug. Although he knew she was busy being the new guardian of the miraculous, he couldnt help but wish his partner were there with him. Chat missed the nights they shared, when they leaped from building to building; making sure everything was in order. He missed the jokes and remarks they exhnaged.. he missed it all. Then he thought of the most hurtful time he had been stood up by Ladybug, and how he went to Marinette’s place. He had begun to go there more frequently on the days he was left to patrol himself, as marinette was good company, although he could never stay there for very long.

As everything in Paris seemed in order, Chat Noir made his way to the rooftop of the Dupain-Cheng family’s bakery. With a knock on the little trap door, Marinette popped up to answer it. Before Chat had came, she was very busy learing about her new responsibilities as the guardian, but thankfully she had her new kwami friends to help her through the journey. Those new friends of course, had to hide in marinette’s miracle box, which the box itself was safely hidden in a pink dollhouse on her desk.

“Oh, um- hey Chat!” Marinette exclaimed nervously, she was not prepared for his presence, as she was deep into her studies.

“Hey Marinette, Ladybug didnt show for patrol again tonight, and I was wandering if I could hang with you a while to feel less lonely?”

“Yeah! Of course, come on in.”

Suddenly, it hit marinette like a brick that she still had all of her pictures of Adrien up in her room! (not that it mattered, becuase they were for research purposes only, right?)

“wAIT- hold on my room is uhhh- a little messy.. um.. yeah! wait here for a minute.”

suddenly, the trap door was closed in Chats face.

“Shes a terrible liar” Chat thought to himself

“What is she hiding?”

Marinette came back with a nervous smile plastered across her face

“Okay all clean like a bug in a rug! super sparkely- nice haha..”

“Are you okay mari?”

“Oh me? what? pshhh yeah im great”

“ooookay then”

Chat noir climed down the steps into Marinettes vibrant room

“Soooooo what are you really hiding from me?”

“Me? Hiding? Something? I have no secrets from you Chat Noir” Marinette nervously giggled

“Are you suuuuuure?” Chat teased, lightly poking her in the side

A high pitched squeal escaped mari’s lips, causing chat noir to give her a smug look of suspision

“Oh now theres defintley something youve never told me before”

“I have no idea what youre talking about”

“that youre actually pretty sensitive, huh purr-incess?” The blonde teen smirked

“I um.. no-“

without giving Marinette a chance to defend herself, Chat Noir tackled the poor girl to the ground

“cmon chat, were not 5 years old”

“well too bad there is nothing you can do about it” he grinned, pinning marinette at the wrists above her head. Chat proceeded to take his free hand, and start spidering her helpless midsection

Marinette began to buck and squirm “come ohohohon chat noir hahaha” she pleaded

“this is the most convenient way for me to get information out of you, isnt it marinette?”

“nohohohoho theres nothing to hide hahahaha”

“I know how to get you to tell me”

Chat began to dig and wiggle his thin fingers into her underarms

“PLEHEHEHEASE CHAT NOIR NAHAHAHA” Marinette threw her head back in laughter, with her legs kicking out in front

“Please what? Keep going? Sure I will!”

“ILL GET YOU SOHOHOME FOOD FROHOHOM THE BAKERY PLEAHEHEASE STOHOHOHOP!”

Chat Noir let up his fingers to think about the deal

“hmm I could go for a macaroon right about now. I’ll set you free, but the macaroon has to be grapefruit.”

Marinette lay on the ground panting “fine, I’ll get you your grapefruit macaroon.”

She got up to get the treat, and as she quietly went down the stairs, it struck Chat Noir that he may be able to find what she was hiding while she was gone.

Chat looked everywhere, but couldnt find anything interesting. Just as he was about to give up, he noticed a diary free on marinettes desk. As soon as he was able to walk over, he could hear marinette coming up the stairs. He quickly grabbed the book but didnt get the chance to open it.

Marinette walked into her room to see Chat Noir standing very awkwardly, with his hands behind his back.

“Um, Chat? What do you have?”

“Nothing. Why do you ask?”

“Obviously becuase youre hiding something behind you.”

“No I’m not, I’m just respectfullly holding my hands behind my back. Did you get the macaroon?”

“Of course I did” Marinette extended her hand to give him the macaroon. Although the grapefruit macaroon that she makes weekly was reserved for adrien, she considered making another one another time would be worth it to get out of Chat Noir’s Claws

As he went to grab his snack, Mari realized his other hand was still behind his back. He was definitley hiding something.

“Chaaaaaaat, what do you have?”

“I already told you, I dont have anything.”

Marinette ran behind Chat, and got a glimpse of her diary just before he was able to turn around. He shoved the whole macaroon in his mouth, then held the book high above her head, just out of reach.

“Hey! I need that!” Marinette whined, jumping to get her diary back.

“You didnt read anything in it did you!?”

“Not yet”

“I really need that back chat”

“onlly if you can reach it first”

of course Mari couldnt reach it. She defintiley wasnt short, but she was not near as tall as Chat Noir. She remebered once when she had tickle_ him as Ladybug, so it was definitley one of his weaknesses. If she couldnt reach, shed need to use another method to get back the holder of all her deepest secrets

Marinette scribbled Chat Noir’s underarms, causing him to pull his arms down to protect his sensitive spots

“H-Hey! You cant just- nahaha” He then dropped the book and Marinette put it back in her super safe box for it.

“Now its payback time!”

“What- why? nO-“

Marinette then tackled the flustered cat “Why not? Dont tell me youre ticklish Chat

Noir!” Of course she already knew the answer, but seeing him turn all red and shy about it was just too cute to miss out on.

“God I hate that word. I hate even saying it out loud.”

“aweee but its such a presious word! tickle tickle tickle kittyyyy”

Marinette began to teasingly poke Chat Noir’s sides, and watched as he started to panic

“no mari wait- nohohoho you cahahant just nahaha” he tried to push her hands off his torso, but he was already weak with laughter

“poor ticklish chat, having your weakness used against you and Ladybug isnt even here to help.” She cooed, spidering his tummy

“noHohO I- plehehease I cahahahant! hahaha” Now he was the one pinned with his legs kicking beneath marinette being straddled on top of him

“dont let any akumatized villans find out about your little secret, itd be over for you within 30 seconds! Escpecially around your your hips~”

“hohohow did you- AHAHAHAHA MARI IM GONNA DIIIIHIHIE AHAHAHAHA!”

Chat thrusted and bucked in attempt to get the strong girl off of him, but it was practically useless as he was rendered imobile given his situation.

“MARI HAHAHHAHA I CAHAHAHANT!”

“Ill tell you what kitty, if you say the word tickle, I’ll let you go.”

“BUHUHUT I CAHAHAHANT NAHAHAHA!”

“its such an easy word to say, if you refuse to say it, im just gonna assume that you must like being tickled”

“NOHOHOHOHO I DOHOHOHONT”

“then say it.” Mari grinned down at him

“TIHIHIHIHI NAHAHAHAHA” Chat Noir’s laughter went silent

“okay fine you were close enough” she sat on the floor next to him and played with his hair as he still giggled out the phantom tickles

“youre sure protective of that book arehehent you?”

“eh, it was mostly just an excuse for me to get you back.”

“thats so mean.”

ty for reading! If you have any story requests pls send lols

#miraculous tickles #tickle #miraculous ladybug #mlb tickling #mlb tickles #tickling #t-words #im cry this took way too long for how it turned out wtf #marichat asf tho

[fangirlfanwritings]

Nick Miller Request

Ok ! Let’s see... I was thinking of a new girl fanfic. Nick miller falls in love with Jess’s new teacher friend after dating for a couple weeks and just like how he kissed Jess, he kisses the best friend! They try to keep it as secret as possible but during a game if truth/dare, things because crazy! Thoughts ?

The first time you met Nick was also the first night that Jess had invited you to come over to her apartment. You had been teaching at her school for a month and you and her were quick to become friends. To celebrate your first month at the school she was going to host a “Girls Night” at her place. You were thrilled to meet CeCe and the three of you were having a great time. 

When the front door opened and her three male roommates walked in she was quick to tell them to get lost. When the arguing started you interjected. “Jess, I really don’t mind. We can all hang out. Plus it’ll mean I know more people here.”

“Fine, but don’t be weird,” she pointed threateningly at them. 

You can’t remember whose idea it was- hell you couldn’t remember much from that night- but you ended up learning how to play True American. Many drinks and a full game later you and Nick were the only ones still awake. “You know what, Y/N, I’m just going to say it. I’m just gonna say it. I like you. You’re fun. You’re pretty. You’re pretty fun. You want to go out on a date?”

“On a date?” You drunkenly laughed. “With food and drinks?”

“Definitely drinks and maybe some food if you’re lucky.” He tried to wink but closed both eyes. 

“Give me your phone.” He passed you his phone and you slowly put your number into his phone. You blinked the numbers into focus to make sure they were right before giving it back. “If you remember this conversation tomorrow then I’ll go out with you.”

When you had woken up the next day you left before Nick was up. As you nursed your hangover back at your own place later that day your phone buzzed. “I’d call but I don’t know if I can form words with my mouth yet. How’s Tuesday night sound for our date?”

******

You two had been seeing each other on the down low for a couple weeks now. Jess had invited you back for a game night at her place tonight and you were excited to get to see her, Nick, and everyone else again.

You showed up a little early and found yourself alone with Nick. “Hey,” he greeted you. “Jess is with Winston getting Chinese and Schmidt is picking up Cece.”

“Just us two, huh?” You pulled a bottle of wine from your purse. “Guess we should start the party for them then.” Nick smiled largely. “I’ll grab some glasses.” You went to walk past him to get to the kitchen but found yourself stopped when he grabbed out and held your hand. He pulled you back towards him and his hands cradled your face as he pulled you in for a deep kiss.

When it was over you were seeing stars, unsure of what had happened. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he admitted.

“You should have done it earlier,” you grinned. The door opened and you two pulled apart. 

“Hey,” you and Nick said together.

******

“Next game, Truth or Dare,” Schmidt commanded.

“What are we, middle schoolers?” Cece rolled her eyes.

“It’ll be fun guys,” Winston sat up straighter. “I’ll go first. Jess, truth or dare.”

“Truth!”

“Who’s your favorite student of all time?”

“What?!” After hearing her ramble and name off students for 10 mintues Schmidt finally called her off. 

“That’s enough, we don’t need to hear which one of those nasty bacteria ridden pygmy people is your favorite. Next! Y/N, truth or dare?”

“Um...dare.”

“I dare you to take your brazier off.”

“Veto,” Nick yelled.

“What?” Everyone else questioned.

“I veto that dare. I veto it, I don’t like it. I don’t- I don’t want to see her brazier. Keep it on, please, Y/N.”

“Nick, since when do you not want to see a bra,” Winston asked?

“Psh, ha, I never want to see any woman’s bra. Pshhh.”

“You’re sweating.” Jess noted. “You’re hiding something. You have a secret.”

“No. No I don’t. I don’t have a secret.” 

“Look at the pit sweat starting,” Schmidt pointed out! “What are you hiding, Miller?”

“Nothing,” he shook his head and avoided eye contact.

“Nick, truth or dare,” Cece asked and he just shook his head. “Truth or dare?” He shook again.

“Truth or dare” everyone but you shouted at Nick.

“TRUTH,” he finally yelled nervously!

“Are you dating Y/N?”

“What,” Jess gasped? “No.”

She said right as Nick said “Yes.”

“We are dating, okay. We have been going out since the week after the party,” he admitted.

Winston raised a finger to speak up. “Nick, are you saying that Y/N, this fine woman, is your girlfriend?”

Nick looked at you now. “If she wants to be, then yes.”

You nodded. “I’d like to be.” 

#new girl imagine #new girls imagines #nick miller imagine #nick miller imagines

[loveisblindfanfictionbka]

Love Is Blind: Chapter Eight

Chris looked around her living room as he waited for Robyn to change clothes. Her apartment had a nice mix of new and old especially with it’s unique high ceilings, it reminded him of his house and could see the appeal of her wanting to buy it.

“Robs, where have you been?” Melissa asked.

“I thought Lele told you I wasn’t gonna be home,” Robyn replied.

“I did but you didn’t tell me why,” Leandra replied.

They had called her in a conference call as soon as she had gotten out of the shower.

“I didn’t know I had to explain.”

“Considering you don’t just not be home, you do.”

Robyn laughed, “I was safe so it’s not a big deal.”

“You were with Chris, weren’t you?”

“Chris who?” Melissa interjected, “you finally met your internet friend?”

“Yes.”

“And you won’t believe who he is,” Leandra said.

“You know him?” Melissa asked.

“Yes.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s Chris.”

“I know that’s his name but who is he?”

“It’s Chris, Chris stupid,” Leandra exclaimed.

“Your ex-husband was your internet friend!” Melissa yelled.

“Yes. And stop screaming, he might hear you.’

“Wait, he’s there?”

“Yes, we’re going to see his sister.”

“What? What the hell happened yesterday? How’d you find out it was him?”

“He came to the shelter to pick up a dog for his daughter and I was in the middle of doing an exam of the dog when he walked in. I figured it out when he said his daughter’s name then he figured it out when he realized I knew her name already. He asked me to dinner so we could talk so we went to Mahogany’s. After that we walked around Central Park, he offered to play me some music so we went to his house. It got late, he offered me the option to stay over if I didn’t feel like going home and I accepted.”

“All that in less than 24 hours?”

“Yes,” Robyn said with a giggle.

“And you aren’t mad with him?’

“Why would she be? They’ve basically talked about their entire relationship without knowing over the last 3 or 4 months,” Leandra interjected, “what I want to know is did you get the dick for old times’ sake.”

“Leandra!” Melissa exclaimed.

“Girl hush, I’m not asking you. Robyn, did you?”

“No I did not. He did cuddle with me, we talked a bit then fell asleep. That’s all.”

“No kissing?”

“Only on the cheek.”

“Ugh….you are no fun.”

Robyn laughed, “this is not what this is. We’re working on being friends. A lot has happened and a lot of stuff has to be discussed.”

“Well we know that but you really not trying to climb on top of-”

“Leandra, stop it,” Robyn interjected with a laugh, “sex complicates things and things between us have been complicated enough.”

“Exactly,” Melissa said, “so what are you going to do today?”

“See his sister. Be officially introduced to his daughter and he’s taking me horseback riding.”

“That sounds like fun. How is he?”

“He’s actually really good. A lot calmer and at peace. It’s a bit different but I’m getting used to it.”

“That’s good. How do you feel about him?”

“Intrigued might be a good word.”

“Do you like him?”

“I do but he’s always been likable.”

“That’s true. Well things happen for a reason.”

“One can hope but I gotta go. He’s probably worried about what’s taking so long.”

“Ok but call us later.”

“Will do. Love you.”

“Love you too Sis,” Melissa and Leandra said simultaneously.

She hung up and looked at her outfit in the mirror. Robyn thought she looked great but for Chris’s smile, it must’ve been more.

“I guess you like it,” she said softly.

“”You look beautiful. I like the boots.”

“Thank you.”

“Was everything ok? You took a minute.”

“Melissa and Leandra called me while I was getting dressed. Sorry about that.”

“It’s not a problem. I was just concerned you had changed your mind.”

“No, of course not. Ready to go?”

“Yup.”

“Does Jess know I’m coming?”

“Yes and no.”

‘What does that mean?”

“I told her that I was introducing my internet friend to her but I didn’t tell her that it’s you specifically.”

“You’re trying to give your sister a heart attack.”

“No, just a welcomed surprise. You know she loves you.”

“I remember.”

“You nervous?”

“No. Just curious.”

“Curiosity can be good.”

About two hours into the trip, Chris glanced over at Robyn as she stared out the passenger window, “you ok over there?”

“I’m good. You don’t have to keep checking on me, you know?”

“You’re just really quiet, that’s all.”

“I’m just thinking.”

“About yesterday?”

“What about yesterday?”

“I guess I should say about last night.”

“Is that what you’re so worried about? Chris, I asked you to sleep in the bed with me, why are you so concerned about how I feel?”

“I don’t want you to feel pressured or like things are moving fast. I really did mean the whole building a friendship first thing.”

“I don’t doubt that you did but there’s nothing that happened that I wasn’t ok with. You really have no need to worry. Are we almost there?”

“About another half-hour. Did you need to stop for anything?”

“Can we drive thru a Starbucks? I’d like a coffee.”

“Of course. There’s one off the next exit.”

About thirty minutes later, they got two drinks and coffee cakes before pulling back onto the road to head to Jessica’s house. 

“Jess, are you here!” Chris exclaimed as he unlocked her front door. He reached back for Robyn’s hand to tug her slightly behind him as they walked into the foyer. 

“Frecks, I’m in the kitchen!” Jessica yelled back.

Chris turned to Robyn and put his finger over his lips for her to be as quiet as possible. He led her to stand behind the wall beside the open-format kitchen as he walked over to kiss his sister’s cheek, “Hey Sis.”

“Hey You, I wasn’t expecting you until later. You hungry?”

“No, we stopped and grabbed something to snack on.”

“We? Oh, you brought your internet friend with you? Where is she?”

“She’s coming in. How was Anesa?”

“She was good. That puppy is already attached to her. I swear Malika and Emmanuel are gonna be begging for a pet next.”

“Sorry.”

“No biggie. So what she look like?”

“She’s beautiful but what does it matter?”

“It matters a lot. You haven’t brought anyone to meet me since Robyn.”

“Well I haven’t dated anyone since Robyn.”

“My exact point. I’m glad you’re opening up to somebody. Now bring her in here.”

Chris stepped behind the wall and grabbed Robyn’s hand to bring her in next to him, “Jessica, meet my internet friend.”

Jessica’s eyes widened as she ran over and grabbed Robyn into a big hug, “My sissy is back!”

Chris laughed as he leaned against the kitchen counter. Robyn and Jessica rocked back and forth for a few moments before leaning back from each other, “I guess you missed me.”

“You cannot imagine. Talk about somebody being hard to live with,” Jessica replied with a glance towards Chris, “how have you been?”

“I’m good. I’ve been ok.”

“Dating anybody else? Children?”

“No to both.”

“Why?’

“Just not in the space for it. How are you?”

“I’m good. Just taking care of my babies. Trying not to kill my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Ch….That is a whole other story we need to talk about. So what brings you with him? How did you find this fool again?”

“Well we kind of found each other by accident.”

“Really?”

“Yea. He came to the shelter I owned to get a puppy and I was doing an examination of the puppy, he walked in with Anesa and well the realizations kind of fell into place.”

“So all this time he was spilling his guts to who he should’ve talked to in the first place?”

“I guess you could say that.”

“Well I’m glad it worked out like this, I really had no interest in getting to know a new person. You’re my favorite.”

“I thought I was your favorite,” Chris interjected.

“Pshhh...who told you that?” Jessica replied as she grabbed Robyn’s hand, “what does my brother have set up for you to do today?”

“Well he wanted to officially introduce Anesa then we were gonna go horseback riding,” Robyn replied.

“Definitely do the horseback riding, Anesa is with her cousins at their father’s house until this evening.”

“You didn’t tell me that,” Chris said.

“I wasn’t gonna have my children meeting some stranger broad anyway. I also didn’t expect you here so early. You normally don’t show up until after noon.”

“Well I wanted to take Robyn to do something since she hasn’t been up here before.”

“Well go do that. I got stuff to take care of around here.”

“You are so rude.”

“Look, you lucky I’m not kidnapping her and keeping her with me. You can’t just bring my sister back in my life and not give me uninterrupted time with her.”

“I was going to let y’all have a moment after I had mine first.”

“Boy. Take her out. The kids should be back by time you get back here.”

“Stop barking orders at me, Ma.”

“Get out Christopher before I change my mind and keep Robyn with me and kick you out.”

Robyn chuckled as Chris rolled his eyes and grabbed her hand, “we’ll be back later, mean ass.”

“Bring my sister back in one piece.”

“What about me?”

“I can replace you. Her not so much.”

“Bye Jessica.”

They left back outside to Chris’s car. He turned to her as he pulled his hand away from the ignition, “we’re in there playing tug of war with you and didn’t bother to ask you what you wanted to do.”

Robyn chuckled, “whatever you want to do is fine with me. I’m just going with the flow.”

“You sure? Because if you wanna stay here and catch up with Jessica, we can.”

“Me and her can always talk or get together separately, it’s not a big deal.”

“You sure?”

‘Yes, I’m sure. I would like to spend more time with you, if that’s ok?”

“That is more than ok,” Chris said as he reached for her hand, “I just don’t want you to feel as if you don’t have any options, that’s all.”

“I’m good with my options, Chris.”

Chris smiled and brushed his hand along her cheek.

“Why are you just staring at me like that?’

“I’m trying to reconcile us being here right now.”

“Do you think we would have been here if you had never come into the shelter?”

“I think it depends on if we had decided to finally meet each other in real life. And by we, I mean you.”

“Me?”

“You were the one who wanted to keep this mysterious.”

“That is true. So you wanted to meet me?”

“I did.”

“When?”

“After like the second week of us talking. I just felt this really close vibe with you like I knew you, oddly enough.”

Robyn giggled as she brushed her hair behind her ear.

“As we continued talking, I just wanted to know more about you, see your face, hear your voice. The basics really.”

“Hmm…”

“You never wanted to meet me?”

“Honestly no. And it’s not because I wasn’t growing to like you, it’s just taking it beyond the chat just made it seem more real. And the more real it became, the more expectations would enter the situation. I didn’t want things to be that deep.”

“I can understand that.”

“I’m still not ready for anything deep, even with you.”

“Did you date at all?”

“I went out to dinner once but I left before the meal even came.”

“Why?”

“I did nothing but compare it to our first date.”

“And it was worse than that? Our first real date was when we were 15.”

“I should say our first date as adults. That was different from our carnival date at 15.”

“Oh ok. I really went out trying to impress you.”

“You did, you failed but you tried.”

Chris scoffed playfully and Robyn laughed, “wow, tell me how you really feel.”

“I was already in love with you so even your failures were cute to me but honestly, everything was too typical and so not suited for our relationship.”

“I can agree with that. I was trying to be an adult and do it the grown up way.”

“That’s why I did appreciate the effort besides you made up for it on our second date.”

“The museum was a lot of fun.”

“It was. Have you been back to LA?”

“Maybe twice. I get all my business updates electronically and it’s easy to videoconference for any meetings I need to be present for. You?”

“Nope.”

“Why?”

“Nothing really there for me, I guess. Mel and Lele were already in NY. My mother moved back to Barbados. And everything reminded me of us, I didn’t need the memories.”

“Ah. That makes sense.”

“We should probably get going if we’re gonna ride horses.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Chris turned the key in the ignition and put on his seatbelt. As he pulled out of Jessica’s driveway, Robyn put on her seatbelt, kicked off her shoes then folded her feet underneath her.

“Comfortable?”

“Yea. Thanks.”

“Did you want to get something to eat before or after?”

“After should be good. That coffee cake and coffee should hold me over for a while.”

“Alright then let’s go.”

#chrianna #loveisblindfanfiction

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ @sasuhinabigflash2020 || Day One: Chance ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura ] [ SasuHina, NaruSaku ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

[ Previous ] [ Next ]

With the end of the war and the aftermath all around it, Sasuke finds that what he feels the most is tired. Between the fighting, the politics, and his own personal struggles, all he wants to do upon securing his freedom is lay down and sleep for a thousand years. No more risks, no more struggling...just some peace and quiet.

But unfortunately, life waits for no man, not even Uchiha Sasuke. So, while he spends a great deal of his time cooped up at home, he eventually finds he can’t do so forever. While he has plenty on his mind, and could think himself through an entire day, there’s more that needs to be done.

Like work.

Missions are hardly a challenge, and he only takes them occasionally. Enough to support himself. Otherwise, he’s not too keen on supporting a system within a village that’s so cruelly wronged him in the past.

...but that’s what he devotes all of his spare thinking time into: it’s not going to be this way forever. So in the interim, he does what he must.

But that’s not all he finds himself unable to avoid.

“Oi! Teme!”

Lying on his stomach on a couch, Sasuke’s eyes peel open, gaze already murderous as Naruto quite clearly pounds on his door.

“I know you’re in there, ya bastard! Open up!”

Teeth gritting in a snarl, Sasuke takes to his feet and wrenches the door open. “What?”

Retreating half a step and looking ready to block a blow, Naruto hesitates a moment. “...jeez, what’s got you so crabby?”

“You, obviously. What do you want?”

“Well, uh...how to explain…” A finger itches at his chin. “The Academy’s putting on a fundraiser, and...I thought I’d ask if you could...help?”

“...help how?”

“Well the point is, it’s supposed t’be, like...a little carnival! Booths and all that. And you pay to play games or eat food or whatever. So, I thought, if you had some spare time tonight while it was going...you could maybe throw a few ryō their way…?”

Sasuke’s eyes narrow. “I can’t just make a donation or something?”

“Well, sure! But...c’mon man, that’s no fun! The kids have been working really hard on all their booths! And you know they’d be psyched to see ya!”

At that, the Uchiha’s expression painfully sours. “...I doubt that.”

“No, really! Look, I know…” Naruto sighs, a hand at his neck. “...I know it’s not easy. But these kids need people to look up to. And hey, you want people to know the truth, right? Well...where better to start than with kids? Before they get other garbage in their heads!”

He considers that. “...anyone else going?”

“I’ve got a few others roped in, but some of us are on missions right now. Sakura’s going, Kiba, Shikamaru...I think Ino said she’d think about it, and Hinata’s going!”

Though unchanged in expression, Sasuke internally brightens just a hair. “...all right, I’ll come out for a bit. Just...don’t expect much. I don’t want to be out late.”

“Oh please, they’ve all got bedtimes, too. The kids, I mean! It’s not gonna run all right or nothin’. It’ll open at two! So, y’know, you’ve got a little time.”

“Fine. I’ll be there.”

Naruto’s blues go starry. “Thanks, man! It means a lot! Iruka-sensei’s really excited about it!”

Ah, that explains a lot. Nodding, Sasuke watches the blond retreat before shutting his door. A little carnival, huh?

...sounds cute.

After a proper breakfast, some kata, and then a shower, Sasuke deems himself ready. Dressed as casually as any other day, he meanders toward the Academy grounds to see - as Naruto promised - little aisleways of booths.

...huh.

“Sasuke-kun!”

Repressing a cringe, he turns to see Sakura waving him over. Beside her stand Naruto and Hinata.

“See? Told you he’d come!”

“I’m a man of my word,” he replies blandly as he approaches.

“So, where to first? Games, food…?” Sakura asks, digging out her wallet.

“Games!” Naruto declares, hands thrown into the air. “I’m gonna win all of ‘em!”

“Carnivals are known for their rigged games,” the rosette counters with a grin.

“Pshhh, they’re kids! How much could they do?”

Heading for the proper booths, Sasuke stands idly toward the rear of the group, watching with guarded eyes. He hasn’t been to the Academy since…

“See anything you want to try, Sasuke-kun?”

Glancing to Hinata, Sasuke then roves eyes over the games. Most are...pretty basic. A ring toss, catching fish with a paper net, hitting targets...but one catches his attention. A game of chance, it declares.

“What’re the rules?” he asks the kid behind the booth, who quails slightly at the sight of him.

“We’d like to play, if that’s all right.” Coming up beside Sasuke, Hinata smiles charmingly. “But...we don’t know how.”

Glancing between the two, the little girl offers a set of dice. “...w-we roll. Whoever gets the higher number wins. The more rolls you do, the...the bigger the pot.”

“What are your prizes?”

After a pause, she fetches a little bag of...smaller bags? “I...made treats. If you win more, you get a bigger bag.”

“Well I like treats,” Hinata chirps in reply. “How about...two out of three to start?”

Nodding, the student hands Hinata a die, and they both roll. Hinata’s stops on a three, and the girl’s a five. Again. This time, Hinata’s six to her two.

In spite of himself, Sasuke finds himself watching the last cast a bit nervously. Hinata’s die lands with a five facing up. But the other spins and spins on a corner, landing on...a six.

“Aw, you got me!” Hinata laughs, handing over the proper ryō. “Want to try, Sasuke-kun?”

Eyeing the prizes, he admits, “...I’m not a big fan of sweets…”

“Well, maybe you can win them for me! And I’ll trade you another booth’s prize later.”

Again he glances to her, a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze. “...all right. Two out of three.”

Looking far more wary, the girl hands him a die. His first roll is a four, hers a one. Then his two to her five.

“Sure these dice aren’t loaded?” he teases, hesitating as she swiftly shakes her head.

“N-no! I just bought them this morning, I promise!”

“It’s all right,” Hinata gently cuts in. “He’s only joking. It’s all a game of chance after all, ne?”

“...yeah.” Taking up his die, Sasuke waits for the girl before casting. He ends up with a six, brightening only to see...a second six.

A tie.

“...roll again?” he asks, looking up.

Clearly unsure, the girl rapidly shakes her head again, and just hands him the bag. “T-thank you for playing!”

“...hey, I -?”

“Thank you,” Hinata intercedes, a hand on Sasuke’s arm before guiding him away.

In spite of himself, he feels his shoulders wilt. “...I just…”

“It’s all right, Sasuke-kun,” Hinata murmurs.

“No, it’s not. I knew coming here was a mistake,” he hisses bitterly. “I knew they’d -”

“Opinions are some of the slowest things to change. Sometimes...they never do. But not all of them matter.”

Watching a gaggle of students crowd around Naruto, Sasuke finds himself surprised by the painful pang in his chest. “...some matter more than you think.”

Softening, Hinata lays a hand upon his shoulder. “...it might not mean much, but...I’m not afraid of you, Sasuke-kun. I might not know or...understand completely, but I hope you know I’m on your side.”

Looking to her touch, Sasuke makes to reply...but soon finds himself interrupted as Naruto and Sakura rejoin them.

“Whoa, win some candy? Nice!”

“It took Naruto ten tries to beat the ring toss,” Sakura offers with a smirk, ignoring as the Uzumaki tries to make excuses.

Shaking his head, Sasuke hears Hinata giggle beside him, clearly amused by Naruto’s pleading.

...it brings another feeling to his chest, but...not quite the same as before.

“I vote we try some food next!” Sakura then offers, cutting Naruto off. “You can buy me my portion since you borrowed ryō for that game, Naruto.”

“But -! Sakura-chan, I -!”

“You want anything, Hinata?” Sasuke asks, following as the other pair start to move.

“No, thank you - I think the candy will suffice,” the Hyūga replies, smiling. “I don’t want to get a bellyache. Besides, I’m happy you won it for me.”

Ever so lightly, pink blooms along the bridge of Sasuke’s nose. “...hn. You’re welcome.”

Maybe this was all a good chance to take.

     Heya everybody! Long time no see! Not gonna lie, it feels both good and yet a little weird to be posting on this blog again, haha! Since I wasn’t able to participate in SHM this year due to the schedule change and my own busyness, I’m super psyched to be able to do this event. Admittedly I’m a little on the slow side writing lately (I recently took nearly a month hiatus from my main blog), but I’m going to do my best to do every day that I can, and try and keep the same word count average I had during the year-long challenge. That said, there might be days I skip if it keeps to be too much. But I’m hoping that will not be the case!      Anywho, just a little canon-divergent fluff-angst combo. I tried something in a modern verse first but it...flopped lol, so we have this instead which I like a lot better. Poor Sasuke...he has a lot to come to terms with and face upon his return after the war. But at least he’s got someone in his corner!      That said, it’s very late and my eyeballs are not happy lol, so I’ll be back tomorrow! Thanks for reading!

#sasuhinabigflash2020 #shbf2020 #sasuhina #narusaku #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #uzumaki naruto #haruno sakura #a light amongst shadows [ canon verse ]

[thotsforvillainrights]

~Housewarming Party~

Au: Roommates

Part: two

Theme: general

“Get up!” Magne slammed your door open and you scrambled around in the bed for a second. “Jesus, Mag! What the hell is going on with you?” You groaned as you scratched the back of your head. She smiled and tossed a box onto your bed in front of you. You wiped the sleep from your eyes and picked the box up to read it. “Streamers?” You shook the box and looked at Magne in confusion. She just smiled and waved her hand for you to follow her out of the room. You stretched out and went to go follow Magne. When you came out of the room, there were balloons filling one end of the room corner up. Toga was busy blowing air into a pink one when she noticed you. “Y/N!” She mumbled your name, her fangs accidentally popping the balloon in her face. “Aw man. That’s like the 12th one so far.” She pouted and Magne shook her head. “Uh yeah, I know. I told you to hang the streamers instead, but you insisted on blowing up the balloons.” She handed Toga a trashbag to put the busted remains of the balloon into. “If I’m not mistaken, it’s neither of our birthdays today so what’s up with all the decorating and stuff?” You questioned them as Magne shuffled around in the kitchen drawer to look for some tape to hang the balloons. “Not a birthday party, but a housewarming party instead!” Toga cheered loudly. “Yeah, it’s not just for us either. We decided to throw it for Spinner too since he just moved in around the same time as us as well.” Magne added. “Okay that’s all fine but who are we even gonna invite? Because that burnt guy from down below us is probably fed up with the noise we make up so often.” You hinted at your downstairs neighbor Dabi. “Pshhh, he’s not really all as grumpy as he seems. I chatted with him as he was getting home from work one night. He’s only like that when he has to open for the tattoo shop he works at a few blocks away. You just gotta hang out with him is all.” Magne explained as she began to tape balloons to the wall. “Yeah! And I also invited some friends I made too! There’s the person across from us. He’s a college student in his last year of tech school. His name is Tomura. I can tell we’re gonna be great friends!” Toga raved. “Uh no. He told you to get lost the other day, then he locked his door behind him to make sure you couldn’t get inside.” 

“Blah! He’s just being a little shy is all. I also made friends with other person on this floor. His name is Twice!” You nodded and thought to yourself about the fact you hadn’t made any new friends since you arrived here. Was there something wrong with you? Suddenly there was a soft knock at the door, just barely audible. You went to open it and smiled when you saw Spinner shyly rubbing his arm through his hoodie. “Hey.”‘ He greeted you. “Who is that?! Spinner???” Magne pushed past you and gave him a tight hug. “Come in! I’m glad you got my text message I sent you!” Magne spoke to people to effortlessly sometimes. You could only stand back and watch with the same shy disposition that Spinner shared with you. Magne noticed this and a light-bulb went off above her head. “Actually, you two should go to the store for me and pick up a few things for tonight!” She scribbled up a quick list and handed it to you along with her card. Then she tossed Spinner the keys to her car (think of like idk, a 2018 Kia Sorento or something). “Be back soon you two.” She smiled and turned to help Toga with the decor. You shrugged and headed out the door with Spinner. Once downstairs he passed the keys to you. “What? There’s no issue with driving her car or anything like that. Magne is really cool about that stuff.” You reassured Spinner. He shook his head and took the list and card to hold instead. “No, it’s not that. I’m a really scary driver as I’ve been told before. I’ve been in like 3 car wrecks before. I think it’d be best if you drive instead.” You nodded and got into the car.

On the way to the store, you let him take control of the Aux cord. he had a huge thing for Rob Zombie and Hopsin. There weren’t many words exchanged, but luckily it began to feel less awkward and more comforting like you two had know each other for a while. Finally you both made it to the store. Spinner pushed the cart while you rambled on about the list of stuff Magne came up with. “At the end, she literally just wrote for us to get whatever else we think we’ll need. I have the feeling she’s gonna blow her check before the end of the week. She’s got a compulsive shopping addiction. I think whatever else she didn’t list, I’ll just buy it with my money instead.” You said as you added chips to the cart. “I’ll go half on it, since it’s apparently my party too.” Spinner added as he pushed the cart forward and onto the next aisle. As you two shopped, you made small talk. Somewhere along the lines it shifted onto the topic of video games. Then Shigaraki’s name came up. “You’re friends with him?” You asked Spinner. He nodded and scanned the game section for something new. “Yeah. Me and him have game nights once a week at his apartment. He doesn’t really leave much unless it’s for school or whatever. Other than that, he just stays in there most of the time. I bet if I told him I’m bringing something to the party to play, he’d probably come.” Spinner joked with you. “Bet! I hope he comes because Toga would be sad if she didn’t think he accepted her invitation.” You two laughed it off, and eventually checked out of the store. By the time you made it back to the apartment, Toga and Magne had made the place look awesome inside. There were also more people just chilling on the inside of the apartment. 

Dabi sat on the couch and flipped though his phone while Toga made friends with the new face in the corner, someone Dabi must’ve brought along with him. His name was Hawks apparently. There was also Toga’s friend Twice talking to Magne, but no sign of Shigaraki just yet. Twice had brought with him, a friend named Muscular. Spinner looked visibly shy at the sight of a few new faces. Sure you all lived in the same building, but you never really saw each other as much unless you lived close on the same floor. “I’ll uh...I’ll go get Tomura like we talked about.” He told you before making an escape through the front door. Toga had turned on the speaker in the corner and blared party music at a medium level of volume. While she, Twice, and Magne danced in the corner of the room. Dabi went out to the building and lit a cigarette, offering for Muscular to join him if he wanted. You went to spread out the groceries on the snack table, adding a little flare of decor as well. Hawks sat on the floor and recorded you for a Snapchat video. Then he did the same for the trio dancing in the corner. Spinner came back through the door with Shigaraki and the two began to set up a gaming station in front of the living room TV. Once finished, Spinner installed the new game he purchased, and Shigaraki called some people up. He invited at least 2 more people that were in the same college as him. Someone by the name of Kai and Hari. Meanwhile, Magne had turned the lights off and turned on the party lights. You watched in awe as the colorful lights flashed around the room and the sound of laughter was soon heard. Everyone was conversing and hanging out as if they’d been friends all their lives. Finally you let go of any and all shyness you had left as you went to join Twice, Toga, Magne, and now Hawks too in the dancing corner. Kai and Hari showed up, each bringing a friend of their own as well. Two by the name of Setsuno and Nemouto. 

The party was underway and honestly the most fun you had since moving in the apartment. By the end of it, you had a huge mess to clean with Toga and Magne, but it could be worth it when you  looked into your phone contacts and saw it wasn’t empty for once. It was a warming feeling to tell truth, and you felt like you were right where you belonged!

»—————————–———————————————————–✄

TIp Jar: https://cash.app/$YuTakeyama

#roommates au #au #magne #toga #overhaul #spinner #hari #nemouto #twice #hawks #dabi #muscular #shigaraki #bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia

[shookmybones]

Thank God for Cafes and Hot Guys

Ch.1 (PerryX3)            

She sat down and watched, over and over again, the way he walked, back and forth, back and forth. His eyes met with hers. Finally. She thought. She tried not to seem excited, even though she looked like a dog waiting for his owner to come walking up to the door. The dog’s eyes raised his body, and his hopes. So was she; just like the dog; raising her hopes farther than she could ever reach. Those blue eyes are enough for today.

          As a matter of a fact, she did this everyday. Only because she can’t and will possibly never be the same way after those blue eyes met hers. Her eyes were so dark, so brown-black-dark. Perry. Her eyes said it as she looked at the busboy of her dreams. (More like, her “real-life”-everyday world.)

“Darlenys? You’re drooling again!” Arlin snickered.

“She’s like so in love with that busboy guy.” Marlen told her.

“No! Really?! Ya think?!” Arlin replied sarcastically.

“Arlin, don’t mock her!” I said.

“Sorry!” Arlin said, sarcastically saying things to get me worked up.

“Let’s go! I’m tired of staring at him!” Marlen pointed. I wanted to kill her! (Not really, but, yeah. I had the urge.)

          Perry came closer as if someone had planned the script in a movie and the guy was just desperate to meet that girl who drove him crazy.

           My heart was beating faster than ever! I was sinking deep into my seat.

“Oooops! Dropped…uh…something…”

“Here let me help you…”

“No! …I…uh…?”

           He looked at me, as I looked like an idiot who actually puts her whole body under the table just to get a…thing.

“Hi.” He said.

“…Hi…um…yeah. Let me…uh, get out from under this table.” I said.

“I’m Perry, and I’ll be your waiter this, uh, morning.” He smiled.

His smile was…amazing (ah-may-zing)!

“Oh. Hi Perry! I’m Darlenys, your customer this morning!”

“And I’m Arlin and this is her sister, Marlen!”

Shoot me now. I thought.

“Hi Perry!” Marlen waved.

“Hello Marlen! Hey Arlin!” Perry greeted them.

“So what brings you guys here?” He asked us.

“We have breakfast here…” I said.

“Since she’s too lazy to make any!” Marlen interrupted.

“Hahaha. I can’t cook!” I explained.

“Neither can I! I’m just the busboy!” He said, smiling. I felt so relieved.

“Wow, we have so much in common!” I said, sarcastically.

“Yeah! I mean, you both can’t cook, and wait…what else?”

Perry whispered something to Marlen in her ear. She giggled.

“And…” She continued., “You both like each other!!!”

“Lol! What?!” Arlin seriously laughed out loud!!!

“Ummm…?” I was so embarrassed! I felt my cheeks getting warm; the urge to pee; I wanted to cover and run!

“Excuse me!” I went to the bathroom.

           Perry knew where I was headed.

He followed me…and waited and listened to hear if anyone else was in there. Then, he

barged in quickly.

“Hello?”

“What are you doing in here? This is the ladies’ room!” I laughed, even though I was crying.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Perry asked me.

“My little sister comes up with the silliest things!” I kind of cry-laughed.

“So? Kids are always embarrassing their brothers and sisters! It’s one of those natural things, like girls being pretty just like you.” He smiled. I blushed naturally.

           Perry stared. Then he whispered in my ear; or tried to I giggled.

“What? What did I do?” He asked.

“…Nothing.”

“…?”

“I don’t like whispering. It tickles me.”

“…O…K?”

“I know it’s silly!”                                                          

“Well, no. Different, a bit. At least you’re one of the people that don’t gossip. I hate gossipers!”

“That’s nice…LOL. I’m not much of a gossiper. But everyone sort of is, in their own way.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. See, there are people that say a thing or tow to a friend who begins a long train of lies. And then there are people, who… take what they’re told and just repeat it for the world to hear. Like…? Uh…?”

“Like…uh?”

“Oh, like, ‘Perry and Darlenys speak in a ladies’ room.’ ”

“Or, ‘Perry kisses Darlenys in a ladies’ room.’ “

“What?” I paused, then continued, “So that’s what you whispered!”

“Huh?” He joked.

“Noth-…”

“…-ing.” He kissed me.

           He held my face. His eyes closed. Mine, shut tightly. (I had a tendency to peek!)

“A bit forward, Mr. ..?”

“Delloplane.” He continued. Then stopped to look for something; A sign. He put it on the doorknob from the exterior.

“What’s that for?” I asked.

“It’s kind of like a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign…What? You want women to come barging in here with the urge to pee and disturb us?”

“I guess not.” I shrugged.

“You’re guessing now?”

“…LOL. No.”

“Good. Because I want you to know that I like you.”

“Well…I could have guessed that!”

           He kissed me.

“So does this mean I don’t have to come in here and stare at you anymore?” I asked, feeling embarrassed by my question.

“What?…Oh! Well,…you can still do that, if you want to.”

“So, you knew?”

“Yeah; I stare at you, too.”

“Wow! Marlen was right!”

“I’m glad.”

“I have to go. I promised Marlen and Arlin that I’d take them to the mall!”

“Now I’m sad!” He puppy-dog pouted. (Adorably, of course!)

“And I’m sorry to hear that, but I have to go!”

“Well-okay. But we have to say good-bye/”

“Okay! Bye-…”

           He kissed me. (It was pretty passionate!)

“Bye!”

“How are you going to get out of here without being noticed?”

“Ehh…I’ll find a way.”

“Okay.” I smiled at him.

           I came out of the bathroom with an odd face of carefully-considered caring (?).

(In other words…I was happy enough to burst!)

“What’s with you?” Arlin asked.

“You know, stuff.” I replied smiling.

“Can we go to the mall now, Neni?” Marlen asked.

“Oh! Yeah! Can we?” Arlin reminded herself.

“Sure!”

          I saw Perry come out. Well, actually, I saw that he was out. I didn’t recall the exiting-part. As long as he wasn’t in there anymore and got out without getting in trouble…it didn’t really matter.

“Here’s the check, ladies. Have a beautiful day!” Perry secretly winked at me.

“Mm-hm…”” Arlin and Marlen stared at me.

“Oh, I guess you guys don’t want to go to the mall…”

“Wait!…” They both said.

          So, we’re driving to the mall, the car was full of… “I’m hot; You’re cold. You go around like you know who I am, but you don’t. You’ve got me on my toes!

I’m slipping into the lava. And I’m trying to keep from going under. Baby, you turn the temperature hotter. Cuz, I’m burnin’ up, burnin’ up for you, baby!”

“LOL! Okay! Okay! Let the chouffer drive!” I said.

As We arrive, I laid down a couple of ‘ground rules.’

“No: running around like maniacs; no leaving Marlen alone; always have your cell phones on and off of silent mode. Are we clear?”

“Question: What if I see my friends? Can I go with them and walk around the mall?” Marlen asked. Arlin agreed.

“Well, let me put it this way, if you both know where you’re going to be; say, meet each other somewhere in the mall where you’d go.”

“Limited Too!” They both giggled.

“Whatever, as long as you know.” I replied.

“Always pick up your phone! Especially when it’s one of you guys, or me!”

Ch.2 (Keep Your Receipt!)

           “Thanks Neni!” Marlen got out with her ‘boys’. (JB tote bag)

“Thanks Mom!…” Arlin’s sarcasm dared to come out.

“…” I gave her ’the excuse me-I’m looking for-the swimming pool-look’

“I mean, Darlenys.”

“That’s what I thought you said.” I said.

“LOL! Okay, bye!” I waved.

          Turns out Marlen was on to something because as soon as she and Arlin saw me turn the corner, she ran into the mall and looked for her friends, a small posse of girls that were waiting for her at Limited Too.

“Wait! You mean, you called? OH!…Uh?? Sneaky! Air five! Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!” Marlen completed her portion of the air five.

“Hey Marlen! Com’on! There’s new stuff in here! You gotta come check it out!” Krystal pointed to the store.

“Jonas Brothers stuff?!” Chelsea’s eyes widened.

Brithany, Xiomara, Alexandra, Miranda and Aishah stared at the marvelous-ness (?) that was come to be called “Limited Too.”

“Okay, I want to see quick and then I’m going to Hollister.” Arlin said. (So typically.)

Back to more important things, like Perry.

           I rush home; fast enough not to get in trouble and start giggling at the fact that all of this happened today. Thank Marlen! (I think I actually thought that?!) I did! Well, now all I want to do is see him again! “The last time I freaked, I just kept looking down. I stu-stu- stuttered when you asked me what I’m thinking’ ’bout…”

“Hello?”

“Lenys!”

“Keyra?!”

“Where are you right now?!” She asked me, getting up and going to a door.

“…Uh…in California. Why?…”

“Just asking.”

The doorbell rang.

“Keyra!!!!!!” I screamed, throwing the phone. (Who cares?!)

“OMJ! I’ve missed you so much!!!”

“Pshhh! You’ve missed me??!! I’ve missed my besterist more than anyone else!”

“AHHHHHH!…” We both screamed.

“So,…enough of this out here! Let’s go inside!” I continued; “I’ve got so much to tell you!”

As Keyra and I caught up, we shared very important details.

“So, guess who I’m going out with?” Keyra jumped up.

“Uh…no idea. Who?”

“…JOE JONAS!!!”

“OMJ!!!!!” I thought about Nick, but didn’t dare to ask her.

“So?”

“You’re wondering about Nick, right?”

“Actually…,” I sigh, “Yeah!”

“He’s fine, I guess. Not really up to much. Don’t worry Lenys, I mentioned you to him; Nothing embarrassing though! I just told him that you love their work, and you really, really think he’s a great guy, and that he deserves better.”

“Keyra! You did not say…”

“What? Yeah, I did! He had to hear it from someone other than his brothers!”

“You’re ah-may-zing!!! (amazing!)” I hugged her.

“I love you, Lenys!!!” She hugged back.

“So…?” She gave me ‘the look’.

“Uh…oh yeah! I met someone…”

“Well, I was going to say, ‘Ask me why I’m here?’ but, okay, let’s go with that!”

“…Thanks for putting me on the spotlight and all, but…yeah. His name is Perry Delloplane. He’s got dark, black hair; deep blue eyes; he wears those skinny, tight Jonas jeans (we) I like so much! He’s sweet, really nice, and he…”

“What?”

“He likes me back!!!”

“Oh, you go Lenys!!” We high-fived; Keyra cheered me on.

“Hey, why is it so empty in here?” Keyra asked looking around.

“Marlen’s at the mall with Arlin; we took pictures in front of her house the day of Camp Rock..”

“Oh, yeah!”

“Wow!”

“What?”

“He kissed me in the ladies’ room!”

“….?”

“Long story-short: Marlen embarrassed me and I went to the bathroom. Perry went in to see if I was okay. He comforted me…”

“Oh, yes he did!”

I shoved her.

“What?” She said.

“It’s complicated, but, trust me, that’s it.”

“What do you mean?”

          I told her how Marlen embarrassed me. I told her about what I thought Perry whispered. (I was most likely right, by the way.) Then ,I told her how Perry ‘comforted’ me. He liked me too! (Yes!)

“Hey! Want to go see him?” I asked.

“Sure, I mean, if you’re sure.” She replied.

“I just have to call Yasmin, my besterist from home.”

I called Yas.

“Yas! You have got to get your butt over here! It’s urgent! I want you to meet someone!”

“Uhmmm….okay. I’m going to sound a little bit like you, but…should I be scared?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“Okay, where should I meet you?”

“At The Breakfast Club Café.”

“Okay…what time?”

“Now-ish…”

“Not going to say anything.”

“Fine by me! I love you!”

“Love you too!”

           As Keyra and I get our stuff together to go to the café, I remember something…from this morning. The receipt!

“Wait! Wait!” I looked for the receipt.

“What are you looking for?”

“The receipt. It might have the hours.”

“It says 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.” (It was Tuesday.) Keyra said, reading out loud.

“Well, I don’t know his work hours, or what shift he usually works. To me, I’m guessing he works in the morning..”

Then I realized that there was something written on the receipt.

           “Your eyes are dark, mysteriously wonderous and empty. They make me braver. Brave enough to kiss you, (which I’m sorry if I was too forward, btw.) and just as brave to ask you out, maybe. (?)

Circle       Y   or   N  

“Well now you know his hours. And we’re in no rush, it’s only 1:36 p.m.” Keyra said.

“Yeah, okay! Let’s go!” I said, pulling her.

“Lenys, I said no rush!!” She yelled after me.

“And why can’t I get through the night without another fight? I’m tired of the hurting…”  My phone rang. It was Yas.

“Are you going over there?”

“Uh, yeah…I’m getting in the car.”

“Okay. Actually I’m closer, so I’m going to walk there.”

“Okay then!”

“Bye!”

“Bye!” I hung up the phone.

Ch.3 (Counting On Time)

          Yasmin decides to walk. Why? No idea. She’s texting who knows who for who knows what reason when she bumps into someone in the same thing; texting. It causes accidents.

“Oh, my gosh! I am so sorry! I..” She’s being helped up by Kevin Jonas!

“No, it’s okay! Things happen…” he got a good glimpse of her.

“..And for a reason, apparently.” He continued, “I’m Kevin Jonas.”

“I recognize you, yeah. I’m Yasmin Abreu.” They shook hands.

“Oh, Hi, Yasmin.” Kevin’s hair was in his eyes. (And we all know how hot that is!) His hair was straight.

“Where are you headed in such a hurry?” He asked her.

“I’m meeting my friend at a café just around here.” She replied.

“Oh, what, uh, your boy…”

“No! Just, just a good friend my best, most dearest girlfriend.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Can I ask why you’re in a hurry?”

“Sure! Ask!”

She laughs. “So, why are you in such a hurry?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t.”

“Oh, but I like now. This is a good time.” Kevin says.

“Why?” Yasmin looked befuddled.

“It could be because it’s California, where the sun’s shining 85% of the time…or because I just met you, Yasmin.”

She blushed. (Awwww!)

“Where is she?” I looked for Yasmin up and down the street.

“Maybe she’s inside already.” Keyra suggested.

“Maybe.” We went inside. She was inside; Talking it up with Kevin Jonas. He kind of turned, noticing Keyra. Yas got up when she saw me.

“Hey Yas!” I hugged her, whispering, “Why is Kevin Jonas here?” in her ear.

“I bumped into him on my way over here.”

“Hmmm…okay.”

“Well?”

“What?”

“It’s nice that you are getting to know him and I’m very extremely happy for you! Both of you!”

“Hi Yasmin!” Keyra greeted her.”

“Hey Keyra!” Yas said “Hi” back.

“Well, we better see who this guy is, before…” Yas said.

“Can I get your order?…”

          Perry was a couple of tables away, but I could hear him perfectly, as if there were no single person but us two in the room of that bathroom in that café. He came towards Yas and Kevin’s table. (I hope he still remembered me.) When he got there, he made no eye contact whatsoever with me. I felt so confused and hurt all at once. Then I thought about going to the bathroom to make it all better, but Keyra could have gone with me, or even Yas.

“So you’re just going to ignore me?” I didn’t hesitate in saying this to him.

“Yes.” He made no eye contact with me. He kept going about his business.

“Okay.” I was about to leave.

He grabbed my hand, “Only because I’m being watched.

“Huh?” I turned to him.

“The inspectors are here and I’ve got to do so much stuff today and the boss left me on duty for almost everything!”

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

“Hey, if you were to get excited about something right now, would you get in trouble?”

“Uh…tell me in the bathroom. Go in like nothing’s ever happened and you are just going to use the bathroom and then I’ll close it for clean up.”

“Thanks.”

“Hey!” He made eye contact with me, smiling.

“Yeah?”

“I LOVE YOU!” I whispered; more mouthing the words than whispering itself. Perry.

“Really?” He said to himself. “Time to clean the bathroom!”

          He told two workers to work on orders, both in and out. He rushed, went back to get the mop and cart to play it out.

“Is anyone in here?” He looked around, as he looked for me, as well.

“Just me; I hope it’s okay.” I looked at him.

“What did you want to tell me?” He asked.

“I read the receipt.” I replied getting closer.

           I showed him the receipt. He read it and said that I didn’t fill it out.

“That’s what I came to tell you. Yes, Perry, I’d love to go out with you!” I smiled.

           He started jumping around everywhere.

“This is…is ah-may-zing (amazing), this is, is insanely-crazy-good…Wow!!!!” He grabbed my face and kissed my lips for a good five minutes.

“Whoah baby!” I said, biting my lips afterwards.

I giggled.

“Hey how’s about we go out tonight? I’m a Cali guy and I know some ah-may-zing (amazing) places to go out to.”

“Uh, sure!”

          We exchanged numbers, email addresses, work hours, and work emails. Anything that could be used to connect, we exchanged it. We finally left the bathroom after about a good 10 mins. Later on, I went back to Keyra, Yas, and Kevin. Yasmin and Kevin were pretty occupied with their own conversation to join us in ours, but we forgave them because of the “image” we saw. Kesmin.

“Operation Kesmin is on go: OVER!” I said to Keyra through my hand-walkie talkie.

“Copy that, besterist! Over and out!” Keyra laughed.

“So, when am I going to meet Joe?”

“Soon…!”

I froze; Then, kind of giggling, played along. Keyra’s eyes were being covered. She had to guess…which was pretty predictable because I was sitting face-to-face with her so it was definitely not me!

“Joe?”

“Good job! Here’s your treat!” He kissed her on the cheek.

“Hey! I want to meet my besterist friend in the whole wide world!” Keyra’s eyes widened.

“Hi, I’m the besterist, Darlenys. One of the reasons why she’s always smiling.” I introduced myself.

“Hi, I’m Joe, but you already know that don’t you?”

“Should I say ‘no’?”

“It’s kind of hard to do that since you’re accessorizing: Jonas style!” He pointed to the bag and the pendant that had JB on it.

“Oh,” I held the pendant, “Right!”

“Well, I’m flattered that you love me and my brothers!…and that’s a great coincidence that Keyra’s your, uh…besterist?”

“Besterist! Besterist friend in the whole wide world, actually!” I smiled, hugging Keyra.

“Yup!” Keyra def. agreed.

“Okay?…”

“Awkward!” He said, I did too (?). Which made that even more weird.

           We laughed and just talked. Perry signaled to me.

UH-OH! I was so confused! I’m completely horrible when it comes to signaling. Just the basics are good for me; “Hi,” “Bye,” and “I have to pee!” It’s really sad! I know! He gave up and went back and forth near Joe, Keyra and I.

“Wha…I can’t understand you!” I whispered.

“I’m going on my lunch break!” He whispered back.

“Lenys…?” Keyra noticed. Great! (sarcastically thinking.)

“Uh, I have to go…” My cell phone rang. Arlin! Yes!

“I’ll be right back-maybe.”

“Maybe?” Joe asked.

“You see, my sister and her friend are at the mall, and I’m their ride, so…yeah. BUT, (I have no idea why I’m saying this, but,) what are you guys doing tonight?”

           I felt so stupid after I said this, but I felt so bad that I had to leave them.

“Uh, well, I guess not?” Keyra looked at Joe.

“Uh,…no we’re not really up to much today. What’d you have in mind?” Joe asked.

“Oh, I don’t really know, but I’m going out with this guy and I really don’t want to go alone! I wanted Keyra to come and since you’re here, you should go with her! Whadaya think?”

“Well, if it’s okay with you and this guy, and Keyra…” Joe was interrupted by Keyra.

“Of course it’s okay with me! I just hope that you can have the best first-date of your life with…”

“Perry.”

“Oh, you mean, the busboy at the café?” She asked.

“He works here; he’s the one over there, with the dark black hair…”

“Oh, I see him.”

“Well, then it’s settled.” Joe said.

“…Oh man! What have I done?!” I shouted.

“ Excuse me?” Joe asked.

“What happened, Lenys?” Keyra asked.

“I have, like, no idea what to do, or what to wear or…anything.” I continued. “He said he’s a Cali guy.”

“So…? I’m a Cali girl…”

“…And I’m from New Jersey, so what does this have to do with anything?”

“Uh! I don’t know.”

“Okay, Okay! How about we go bowling and then we meet there, play a game or two, then we go our separate ways on this double date?” Joe asked.

“Okay, it sounds good!” I said. “Thank you so much! I don’t know what I would’ve done without both of you guys, literally! I mean, I’d be lost!” I left to go pick up the girls.

I get a phone call from some strange number.

“Hello?”

“Hey.”

“Who is this?”

“Perry.”

“Oh! You scared me there, for a sec!”

“Well, I can see that signaling to you is never going to work!” He laughed.

“Shut up! I’m not the signaling type! I only know hi’s, bye’s, I have to pee,…”

“I love you?”

I got quiet, “Yeah.” I responded.

“Uhm, I’m actually driving to pick up the girls, but can I tell you something really quick?” I asked.

“Sure, what?” He asked back.

“I kinda made a little double-date with my friend and her boyfriend but it’s going to be at a bowling alley, so…it’s just a game or two and then we go our separate ways, but…does that mess with what you had planned for tonight?”

“Actually, that’s great! We can go bowling for part of it, and then, we can go around town.”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise!”

“Well, okay; what should I wear?”

“Jeans, a nice shirt, NO HEELS!”

“Not a problem with the heels!”

“Why’s that?”

“I only wear them when it’s extremely special; not that this isn’t!”

“Okay. Well I’ve got to go! I’ll pick you up at 7:00 p.m.!”

“Okay! Bye!”

“I’ll be counting the minutes!” He added.

Ch.4 (Rendez-vous)

           He’s just as excited about this as I am! Then, I thought, what to do with the girls tonight?

“Guys! What are you up to tonight?”

“Uh, don’t know!” Marlen said.

“Nothing I guess (?)!” Arlin thought, then just figured that there really was nothing to do.

“Well, I have to go out and catch up with Keyra, but I can’t leave you guys alone, and I’m DEFINITELY NOT TAKING YOU! So, what da ya think?”

“Sleep-over at a friend’s?” Marlen almost stood in her seat.

“Uh, I don’t know? Do I know this friend?”

“Yeah. Aishah.”

“Oh! Is her mom there?”

“Marlen’s already getting it started!” Arlin laughed.

           Marlen was already calling Aishah and asking and planning their ah-may-zing (amazing) sleepover.

“Oh, wow!” I laughed. “What about you?”

“Can I just stay home?”

“As long as you don’t leave the house and don’t answer doors.”

“Okay.��

“So it’s settled? You guys officially have something to do!”

“Yup!” Marlen came into the conversation after she hung up.

Arlin and I laughed!

          We got home. I got out my Ipod and connected it to the dock ad just started dancing to my play lists. Music always calmed me down when I was feeling uneasy…because I was so excited!!!

          Perry and I were officially going out and not just as girlfriend and boyfriend, but on a date! How wasn’t this real? Then again…I pinched myself “awake” but I was already awake and I was dancing around in my room, doing invisible air-guitar solos for all of my dreams that have and were coming true!!! I was finally going to go out with the guy of my dreams!

           I was taking a shower. My clothes were all set on my bed, (Yes, I still did this!), Marlen was at Aishah’s, and Arlin was on the computer. The doorbell rang and since I was taking a shower, I barely heard anything. Arlin answered the door.

           There stood Perry Delloplane in a nice shirt and jeans with some vans. (Me like! Not that I saw!)

“Hey Arlin!” I had a feeling we weren’t alone, “Can you come here a sec?!” I couldn’t leave because I wasn’t about to go over there in just my robe.

“He’s here!” Arlin smiled, poking me.

“Okay, Okay; but I really am going to catch up with Keyra and talk to Joe some more…”

“Joe-Jo-…” Her face was paralyzed.

“Jonas.” I said.

“Whoah!”

“No, you can’t go!” I said.

“Maybe you’ll get to see him one day!” I said.

“Fine! Have fun…”

“Oh yeah, in my robe!!!” I grinned sarcastically.

She laughed out loud, “Sorry! Well, when you get dressed, have a good time!”

“Thanks!”

           I went to the living room. I did my breathing exercises on my way there. Turns out, so was he! Perry.

“Whoah! You look…beautiful!” He stared.

“Thank you! You look really nice, too! Love the shirt!” I pointed.

“Thanks! Oh, by the way,” He ruffled through some things in his bag of stuff, “I got you this.” Then he took out the bouquet that matched the single orchid.

“Orchids? Classy! Thank you!” I put them in a vase. I put the single one in the hair. “Let’s go!”

“Yup.” He took my hand. I blushed.

          We got to the bowling alley. Keyra and Joe were talking. As soon as I was in five feet of them, I heard a loud, “Lenys!” cry.

“Keyra!” We hugged. Joe walked over and said hi. Perry said hi.

Keyra whispered, “He’s cute!” in my ear. I giggled.

“Okay! Let’s do get this started!” I shouted. Keyra laughed.

“Yeah!” Joe screamed, making a funny face at Keyra.

She laughed. They kissed.

Perry held my hand and we talked about everything as the game kept going.

“Yeah! Oh Yeah! Uh-huh!” Joe danced.

Keyra pointed and laughed.

“Oh yeah?” He ran towards her. She screamed. He kissed her.

“Oh god! Not in public!” I yelled; Perry laughed, then got completely serious, getting closer, holding my face. We kissed as I tried to bowl; I dropped the ball and kissed him…getting a perfect strike?! Joe’s eyes widened. Keyra’s jaw dropped. Perry and I had no idea that that had happened. We stopped. I giggled.

Later On…

           Joe summed up the scores, even though that was the machine’s job, and turns out, Keyra won! He overreacted.

“What?” He pulled his hair. “That’s impossible!”

Then I added, “That’s illogical, Joe can’t have it!”

“Haha!” Keyra pointed at Joe. Perry and I laughed.

Ch.5 (Nine In The Afternoon)

           Perry and I decided to go our separate ways, without Keyra and Joe.

“I think we’re ready to go.” I whispered to Keyra.

“Okay…” She whispered back.

“Bye Joe, Bye Keyra!” Perry said as he held my hand. I had a huge grin on my face.

“Oh! Leaving already? Okay then!” Joe asked. Keyra shoved him.

“Bye Lenys! Bye Perry!” Keyra shouted, waving.

           I was so extremely nervous. Perry made me feel safe, although he was a total stranger, he was a caring stranger.

“Where are we going?”

“Anywhere you want!” He ran from me, making me chase him.

I laughed.

           It was like a part in a movie, the guy plays around with the girl, she plays back.

          We tumble and roll around on some grass. Perry falls on me. I laughed to a silent smile. We just looked at each other. Perry kissed me. He helped me up and we got into the car and rode off.

           All of sudden, “Shake It” comes on the radio and I scream. I, trying to be hilarious, started singing to it.

“I’ll take you home if you don’t meet me at the front door (meet me at the front door). You’re body’s cold, but girl, we’re getting so warm. And I was thinking of ways that I could get inside. So now you’re falling in love (Here we go now!). This feeling’s tearing me up! (Let me go now!)…”

Perry laughed so hard at me, in a good ‘you’re so cute’ way!

“So, Cali-guy, where are we going, tonight?” I whispered in his ear.

“I told you, anywhere you want!” He whispered back.

“Well, as you may have noticed, I’m not from here…At least let me know what we’re going to do!”

           He thought deeply, for a couple of minutes; Enough for us to reach our destination.

“Here; we’re going to have fun!” He opened the car door for me. I screamed inside my head (and outside)!

“What are you screaming about?”

“…I…like to express my feelings for the crowd to hear…?” I shrugged my shoulders.

He laughed. “Com’on!” He took my hand (tonight. We could run so far. We could change the world Do anything we want. We could stop for hours, just staring at the stars. They come down to show us.)

Meanwhile…

Marlen was at Aishah’s house doing who-knows-what and just laughing about it all the way to the movies. Marlen and Aishah heard that there was going to be a special appearance of some actor from this new movie that was premiering. Marlen calls Arlin to rub it in her face. Aishah laughs.

“Hello?” Arlin answered her phone.

“Hi!” Marlen said.

“Hi…?” Arlin answered back.

“Guess what we’re doing?”

“…Uh, what?” “We’re going to see that British guy, Skandar…”

“What???” She took a deep breath. “Where are you, right now…wait a minute, you’re trying to trick me!” Arlin doubted the girls.

“Okay…? But he looks just like that guy and he TALKS just like that guy…and he,…hangs out with…” She stared with a shocked face, “NICK JONAS?!!!”

“What?? Too bad Darlenys…never mind.”

“What?”

“She went out.”

“Com’on and see him for yourself, if you want!”

           Arlin thought. Marlen interrupted her pensive state by asking, “Where are Joe and Kevin?” “Having a life-how should I know?!” She looked for her key, some money and her phone. “Where are you guys again?”

          As Arlin walked to the Phantom of The Opera Cinema, she noticed all of the full parking lots from stores nearby. The lights, the crowd, everything-extremely crazy!

“Wow! Those little girls were right!” She actually said out loud.

(She spoke to herself, in other words.)

           Arlin barged through those doors, cutting through people like a butter knife.

“That was fast!” Marlen said to Aishah.

“Yeah!” She responded.

           Arlin found Marlen and pointed in her direction.

“You! Alright! I’m here! Where is he?”

Skandar was across the hall from all of this teenage-escapading from all around the state! He, who had been in a room full of girls, could only focus on the one with the shiny, long, black hair. (In case you’re wondering, a hint would be that Arlin was one of the few brunettes who had shiny, black hair.) Skandar was seriously about to go over there to meet Arlin; and trust me, that’s all Arlin wanted to happen.

“OMG! He’s coming this way! What should…Is…Does my hair look okay?” Arlin asked.

“Marlen! Is her hair okay?” Aishah snapped her fingers in front of Marlen.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah! Perfect!”

“What are y…”

“Don’t turn around and just pretend we’re talking about something funny.”

           They all fake-laugh their target, well, Arlin’s target.

“Hello! I’m Skandar Keynes; From, Chronicles of Narnia…”

Ch.6 (Skandar Keynes)

“Yes, I know! I loved both of those movies to death!”

“Oh really? Thanks! I’ll be sure to tell the cast!” Arlin laughed.

“So, what’s your name?”

“Arlin K…Salazar.” She starts to say his last name.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

“Arlin. Just Arlin!” She tried not to laugh.

“That’s a nice name you’ve got there.” He played that over and over again; same as Arlin with what he had said.

“Well, the movie’s about to start.” Skandar said.

“Yup.” Arlin responded.

Awkward-Seconds-Silence.

“Is it okay if I sit with you…?” He asked ARLIN.

“And us?!” Marlen piped (?).

“Oh, Hi!” He said.

“Hi! I’m Marlen! This is my friend, Aishah!”

“Hello!…Well, Arlin?” He almost put out his hand.

          Arlin was trying not to “break a sweat,” but then again, Skandar Keynes…And out of nowhere Nick Jonas decides to join them! And I was on what had become the best night of my life! I’m finally going out with Perry Delloplane! And then, out of nowhere, Nick Jonas seems to be available, and in the area? Great!

Going Back To PerryLenys…

          He took me to a carnival that had been in town for about two weeks. It had rides, games, concession stands and all that good stuff! We went on the classics; bumper cars, Ferris wheel, and carousel. Perry couldn’t keep up with me on the bumper cars! I was definitely on a roll! Then we bought a bag of cotton candy and shared it. My fingers were all sticky but he held my hand either way.

“Doesn’t that bother you?”

“ What?” He looked confused.

“My sticky, cotton candy-smelling fingers?”

“I ate some too!”

“Hmmmm…?” I was confused now.

“Look, it doesn’t matter if your fingers are: long, short, sticky or clean; I care about how much I’ve waited for this to happen.”

“Really?” I stopped.

“Yeah.” He stopped too.

“This has been amazing! I love it!…All of it! This, here, and you and me…I’m making no sense…” I said.

“Yes you are! That’s exactly how I feel right now! I, actually, didn’t think that there’d be anything more perfect than this.”

“What do you mean?” I took some more cotton candy.

“That’s exactly it! I mean, that is what I mean? I’m trying to make sense here, if that’s ever going to happen.”

I laughed. “Apparently not!”

          He laughed too, his deep blue eyes glistening against his white skin. Then, that strand of hair…it covered his right eye-my favorite eye-because every time I did something stupid on that first date, that right, blue eye would right away tell me that it was okay. Cute, even.

          As he went on and on about something that ,clearly, didn’t interest me at all, I just stared at him. Then, he realized that I wasn’t listening and stared at me, smile on smile.

“So, what else do you want to do?” He asked me.

“I don’t know. We’ve gone on almost every ride in here!”

“Almost every ride…” He thought, getting out of his pensive trance and now pulling me to the one ride that I had said ‘no’ to.

“Oh…com’on! Please!!” His eyes begged me, his arm pulling mine.

“Uh, NO! I don’t think so!”

“Why not?” He stayed still.

“…Be…-Cause!” I set my foot down.

“For me?” He bashed his long eyelashes.

“You promise to hold on tight?” I gave in. He smiled.

“I promise!” He held my hand.

I blushed a little. “Oh Crap!” My feet stiffened.

“What? I told you I’d promised?!” He said.

          After about ten minutes, he decided to let it drop. I felt so embarrassed, but I’m extremely afraid of roller coasters. Instead we went on all of those nauseating rides that, for some reason, I was completely comfortable about!

Ch.7 (Sparks)

Now Arlin and Skandar…

They were watching the movie, (a new chronicles…movie that he had starred in, if you must know!), feeling the least bit uncomfortable. Marlen and Aishah were so intrigued by the movie, that they had completely forgotten who they were with to even pay attention.

Several times, Skandar tried to pay attention to anyone but Arlin’s reaction to the film, but she was all he could look at.

“What?” He said.

“What?” Arlin asked back, confused and laughing at the same time.

“Uhm…are you liking my movie?” He finally got it out.

“Yes. I loved the first one, why wouldn’t I like the sequel?”

“Hmmmm…good point.” He patted her hand, softly brushing the layer of skin as an excuse to touch her.

“Your hand is so soft!” It slipped from his mouth.

“Thanks…? It’s an off-day to not hear a compliment on the softness of my hand!” Her sarcasm boomed. He laughed, sighing.

As Skandar pulled his hand away, Arlin felt how cold she instantly got.

When the movie was over, everyone went from complete and utter darkness to the plain, fluorescent lighting of the mall.

“Ah!” Arlin’s sensitive eyes screamed to be closed.

Nick had the same reaction. They practically mimicked each other.

“Oh my…” Arlin blinked a couple of times. “All better!”

“Are you sure?” Skandar worried.

“Don’t worry!” Marlen reassured. “She’ll be fine!”

“Okay then.” He smiled.

Arlin was about ready to go on, when Skandar grabbed for her hand.

“What are you doing (not that it’s bothering me)?”

He chuckled. “Dancing with you in the mall, what does it look like?”

Arlin’s face was puzzled; enjoyably-puzzled.

Then she heard clearly, that melody…Twilight! It was Bella’s Lullaby!

“You read Twilight?”

“Yes I do!” He laughed a little, trying to get out the words. “Edward Cullen is dazzling!!!”

Arlin laughed as she swayed in Skandar’s arms. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“So, how is this happening, exactly?!” She finally spoke.

“What’s happening?”

“No offense, but, when there’s music like this, or any type, we Americans just walk around, humming and shopping. I didn’t really think that THIS would be going on!”

“Well, I have a few connections!”

Okay! Arlin thought to herself.

Suddenly…

“Arlin!”

“Keyra!…AND JOE JO-…”

“JONAS; yeah, I know. Hi Arlin!”

“Oh, hello. I’m Skandar Keynes.”

“Hey Joe.”

“ ’Sup, Nick?!”

They did their handshake.

Keyra rolled her eyes at how long it took for two brothers, who TOUR all around the world together, to do a handshake.

“So, what are you guys doing here?” Nick finally says something!

“Oh, you know, walking around, getting chased by fans, stuff like that! HAHAHA!” Joe responded.

Keyra laughed. “So, I chase you around?? Is THAT who this is??”

“Hey, HEY Baby! No, no, no…” Joe apologized.

“Haha! You should have seen your face!” She pointed.

“HA!” Joe said.

“Arlin, are you hungry? Because Joe and I were just about to go eat something…” Keyra waited, holding Joe’s hand.

Skandar whispered in her ear, she nodded and he explained their…“situation”. (They decide to go eat, just not in the mall, but at some pizzeria!)

“We’re actually going out…” Skandar began; Keyra interrupted.

“Congratulations! You guys look so cute together!”

“What?!” Nick was shocked. “You go out to see one movie and now you’re going out?!”

Marlen and Aishah laugh. It all happened so quickly! Arlin hid her ‘blushing’ from Skandar.

“Oh, wh…not yet!” He smiled at her, gripping her hand tighter.

Arlin looked up at him a bit too quickly, almost feeling offended. Skandar held up Arlin’s chin with his thumb and index finger. Keyra covered Joe’s eyes. Nick laughed at his brother. Skandar sealed the last moments of silence with a kiss.

“Now, we’re dating.” He smiled down at her.

Arlin smiled cheezily, as always.

“I love it when you do that.” He smiled back at her.

She blushed.

“Well…that was nice.” Joe interrupted. Keyra shoved him.

“What?” Arlin asked.

“Nothing, nothing.” Keyra said.

Meanwhile, Noriette, my best friend from grade school, was at the mall with a couple of friends. She passed right by the scene of people and superstars…backing up in the process!

Nick, part of the ‘scene of people and superstars’, was barely paying attention, feeling left out, almost.

Hey! He thought.

Oh my GOD! It’s Nick Jonas! Okay…okay! Stay calm…even if he’s coming straight towards me…

“HE’S COMING STRAIGHT TOWARDS ME!!” She screamed under her breath.

Noriette was standing next to a gumball machine. Nick was inches from her.

“Oh, gum!” (?) Nick used the excuse of gum to get closer to her.

“Hi.” He said.

Noriette froze in her tracks.

“H-hi.” She responded a second later.

“You know who I am, don’t you?” He asked.

“Uh…No?” She nodded sarcastically.

He laughed. “You’re pretty AND funny? Nice!”

She blushed slightly.

“So…how’s it goin’?” She started up some small talk with him.

“…” He took the moment to laugh at that, “Oh, you know, walking around the mall, getting chased by fans…Usual stuff.” He laughed.

“Oh!” She laughed.

They laughed. (Basically, there was a lot of laughing going on at the moment.)

Nick’s friends were all wondering why he was taking so long at the gumball machine-and then noticed the pretty girl that he was talking to, then called to him and said they’d meet him outside when he was ready-which wasn’t going to be for a while!

Anyway, Let’s finished up PerryLenys’s date, shall we?

So, as we had left off, Perry and I were out with Keyra and Joe, bowling and kicking butt as we did it! Perry and I had our big strike (kiss.) Joe was extremely jealous of that- And the fact that Keyra had wont the game. HA! Then, Perry and I left to start our date, where he surprised me, once again, with how sweet he was! The Carnival on a first date was the most perfect of perfect first dates! The roller coaster-not so much! I guess since I’m a girl (and I really HATE stereotypes, but I’ll have to make an exemption) that I should be a wimp! We rode the death trap.

“Hey! Hey, it’s okay!” Perry comforted me. He hugged me, stroking my hair and face.

I nodded hesitantly. “I’m okay! Well,…that’s embarrassing!”

He laughed. “I’m sorry! If I’d known you’d get like this, I would have dumped the idea.” He was hugging me tightly to his chest. My arms were wrapped around his neck, fingers intertwined. I giggled softly, whispering softly in his ear, “Take me home?”

He nodded.

He gave me a piggy ride to the car.

ARLIN WAS IN OODLES OF TROUBLE IF SHE DIDN’T GET HOME SOON!

I got a phone call on the ride home, one of my missed calls of the night!

“Aren’t you gonna get that?” Perry asked me. (Silly boy!)

“No.”

He shrugged. After a minute or two, he asked how I was feeling.

I nodded. “I’m fine. Just overwhelmed was all.” I smiled at him.

He smiled back. “Good. Because…there was one more thing that I wanted to show you.”

I looked at him, confused.

“Don’t worry, there are no roller coasters at this place.”

“HahaHA!”

He kissed me at the stoplight, since he was the one who had to drive.

Ch.8 (Just Kiss Me.)

We passed by the cinema, where they were giving a movie with Skandar Keynes in it. That’s when it hit me. Because we ALL know that Arlin could not resist!

“Hello?” She answered right away. She’s good!

“Hey Arlin! How are you holding out at the house?”

“Oh, good. Eating something.” It was totally quiet.

“You went out, didn’t you?!”

She started to speak, but I cut her off.

“We’ll talk about it when I get home!” I said, hanging up first.

“Oh crap!” Arlin thought out loud. She stood up, startled.

“What?” Skandar asked; He did the same.

“You have to go, NOW!”

“Why?!…I mean, I wouldn’t want to go now!”

“I’m sorry! I had a great time!”

“Me too!” He grabbed her face gently into his hands, bringing her closer to him. He smiled at her first, making sure that she’d be okay with that. Although it was obvious that she was!

          He kissed her lips gently. His tongue slipped into her mouth, where hers awaited anxiously. (They were kissing passionately. It had to be done! Surprisingly, Skandar and Arlin knew exactly how to do it.) Skandar touched her face, feeling the smoothness of her cheeks. Their tongues had their own battle inside their mouths. Arlin wrapped her arms around his pale, white neck. Finally after about ten minutes, Skandar pulled away, sadly, making it end all too soon. Arlin’s mind was clouded. Skandar was breathing heavily, his forehead against hers. He smiled at her, said “bye,” and then left out the door. Arlin was sitting on her bed, then laid down, mesmerized as soon as he left. She practiced her breathing.

Meanwhile, PerryLenys…

“Where are we?” My eyes were shut tight.

“Step inside.”

“With my eyes closed?!” I didn’t want to fall.

“I’ve got you, it’s okay.”

“Yes, it is,” I muttered.

He ignored me.

We walked inside. My eyes were still closed. It was warm inside the dark place. It smelled like…vanilla?

“Mmm…’ I took in the sweet vanilla. He scrambled around.

“Okay; open your eyes.”

It was bright. There were frames hanging around. Paintings. Artsy.  The view was amazing. The shore. The waves were coming in and out. The window was enormous! There was even a boardwalk leading to the beach. Some backyard!

“Wow!” I gasped at the view.

“I know. But you have no idea how amazing it looks right now!”

He stared at me as I stood in front of the window, the wind blowing in my face. My hair blew wildly.

I blushed. He had no idea how amazing this was for me too!

“…I, um…want to show you something,” He walked around, looking for something, “Please, make yourself at home!…Um, do you want anything?”

You. “Nothing. It’s fine, thank you.” I said.

“Okay.” He bit his lips, smiling. He went on, coming back in a couple of minutes.

“…I tend to think a lot, and well, I draw what I think about.” He came to sit down next to me. He handed me a paper from the top.

“This one took me awhile…I wanted to get it down perfectly.”

It was…me. I was being drawn by my boyfriend! crazy!

“ Oh, my gosh!” I observed myself in the drawing. It was like staring into an animated mirror; “Wow! These are really good!…It’s , amazing, actually!…” I turned to him.

“You didn’t tell me you could draw!” I accused him.

“It slipped.” He shrugged.

“Perry, what I meant to say was, ‘You didn’t tell me you could mirror your thoughts!!!’ These, everything about you,….ahh! You’re amazing!”

I gave up explaining what he was to me. Only because ‘amazing’ didn’t just cut it! He was: glorious, sweet, smart, caring, passionate; the exact replica of the Perry I used to dream about 24/7. He was all of that and so much more.

He smiled at me. “You’re everything I always knew you’d be…” He took that pause to touch my cheek with the back of his hand, “and so much more.” He leaned in closer towards me. I went forward, mirroring his actions. He stared into my eyes; I stared into his deep, blue eyes; He brushed my bottom lip with his index finger. I blushed uncontrollably. Perry smirked at my blushing, not enough for me to notice. He pulled me in to begin one of the greatest kisses of my life! The want, the need, the desire: all the same but all there, differently expressed.

Perry’s kisses had never been so intense, but all at once, it was just as sincere as the first; only longer, and more passionate and longer. When he pulled away to catch some air, I practically fell to the couch, where we had picked up where we’d left off. His tongue softly traced the outside of my lips. I was hyperventilating. I opened my eyes, knowing that I was killing the moment, but needing to look at him. His eyes were watching me. I nodded an “okay” and his tongue found mine. My fingers wove into each other around his neck, moving up to knit them into his pitch black hair. This time, I pulled him away to catch my breath. I rested my head back, onto the couch. He grinned at me. I looked up at the ceiling still learning how to inhale and remembering how to exhale. My hands were shaking, I didn’t know why, but I hope it was because I was hyperventilating.

Perry tried not to laugh at my reaction to…that. He tried to help the situation by doing the same, later realizing that he truly needed it! He looked at me, head still rested on the couch. I looked at him. He smiled. I returned the gesture. Then he spoke.

“Let’s take you home.” He reached for my hand.

Ch.9 (Mm-hmmm;D)

When I finally got home, Arlin was sleeping. I was too mesmerized to even argue, not to mention walk or even think straight.

The Next Day…

Sun was brightly shining into my window and trying to get through my eyes. I wrenched them open, screaming, almost completely falling off of my bed! Arlin had apparently been staring at me sleep.

“Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!” Arlin and I screamed at each other.

She laughed, watching my reaction. My heart was drumming in my ears.

“Hi.” She said.

“…uh, hi?!” I was annoyed at my wake-up call.

“How’s it go-…”

“This is not a conversation over the phone! I’m right here…”

She laughed. “Sorry.”

“Speaking of…”

Uh-Busted!

“Okay, so maybe I left the house, but I was being mocked by your little sister and her friend. AND it just so happens that he DID notice me and he DID kiss me and I AM his GIRLFRIEND!!!” Arlin shouted out.

I waited, then spoke when I could feel her skin cool in her face.

“Are you done?” I asked calmly.

“Yes.” She waited for me to shout back at her, only differently.

“…What?” I asked.

“You’re not yelling. Aren’t you mad?”

“No. I’m not mad.”

“But you’re going to yell…”

“No.”

“Why?”

I stared at her, bewildered, then smiled. “Keyra called me while I was on my date and she had told me about you and Skandar when she had left a message. I know everything there is to know about him. He’s a pretty good guy. I trust you, too!” I scuffed up her hair.

“Hey!” She readjusted her long, black locks.

“You’re still just a teenager. Don’t screw this p and make it go too fast!”

“Ha! Of course not! What am I, stupid?!…Don’t answer that!” She put one finger in the air.

I waited a minute or two before we both burst into laughter.

“Don’t worry about it! I trust me too!” Arlin said, ungrammatically correct.

“I’m going to ask Marlen if she’s ready, because I’m picking her up from Aishah’s house! I’m going to go get ready.”

As I’m Getting Ready…  

I haven’t forgotten about Marlen, don’t worry! I sent Arlin to get Marlen, who was picking out some cute boys (Marlen, not Arlin!) with Aishah.

Arlin’s confused at why they were pointing at random little boys until she understood everything!

“Oh, wow! Dylan and Cole Sprouse…huh.” She said, staring at Marlen and Aishah. “This should be fun.” She sat down somewhere and stared, almost too casually.

15 Minutes Later…

“Arlin, Arlin! Guess what?” Marlen jumped up and down.

“What?” Her mouth tried not to hang too open.

“Cole and Dylan invited us to go see a live broadcasting of their show!”

“They couldn’t have said, ‘a movie’ ?!”

“That’s so, so much better than a movie!” Aishah stated.

“Well, duh!” Marlen said.

Marlen and Aishah talked on and on about their double date with the twins, and Arlin just looked at them as she walked them home. Suddenly, her phone saved her from hearing any more details.

“Hello?” She answered.

“Arlin?” Skandar answered back with his deep English accent that made her swoon.

“Hi.” She smiled, showing her mouthful of grillZ (braces).

“Hello.” He replied.

Moments of silence, a breath or two inhaled and exhaled almost too harshly.

“So…?” Arlin started.

“I missed you.” Skandar told her.

“I missed you too.” She said, smiling again.

“Why is she all ‘smiley’?” Marlen asked aloud.

“Are you talking to you…” Aishah stared at Marlen.

“BOYFRIEND?!” They said together.

Arlin smiled nervously.

“Tell them it’s a ‘yes’.” He told her smoothly.

“Okay.” She did as she was told.

“OOOOOH!” Aishah and Marlen yelled.

“ANYWAY…!” Arlin said.

“Meet me, today…I…need to see you.” Skandar told her.

It was quiet.

“Okay.” She giggled.

“Cool. Stop by my house, here, then.” He said. He gave her the address, too.

“Okay.” She had it written down and ready to go.

At Skandar’s…

Arlin did seem to notice that she had no idea what his house had ever looked like. He didn’t even live in the United States! Suddenly, she found the place he had said was his “house” and knocked on the door.

“Skandar?” She called.

The door opened. He motioned for her to come inside.

“Thanks.” She said.

He closed the door quietly.

“Why is it so dark?!” She yelled, nervous.

“Calm down, Arlin! I’m just trying to be romantic!” He took her through the dark room, over to the dark dining room with the candles down yonder.

“Oh my gosh! Skandar!” She slapped his arm lightly.

“What?!” It confused him to see her react to what he did. Normally, Arlin would usually just gasp, not hit him.

“I’m sorry!” She laughed, “Did you do this all for me?”

“For US. I wanted to see you tonight because I have to spend as much time with you as possible.” He said.

Arlin was a bit shocked. She really wanted to ask him why, but she held it in. Skandar stared at her, waiting for her to ask him something.

“What?” She stared at him, confused at how awkwardly silent it was, not so much the things he was saying.

“Nothing.” He grabbed out for her hand. Suddenly, he got up, pulling Arlin with him.

“What are you doing??” Arlin whispered, smiling slightly.

“SHH!” He took Arlin’s hands and wrapped them around the back of his neck. He put his hands on either sides of her waist. Arlin blushed slightly. They danced to the city sounds. It was pretty quiet throughout the rest of their time together. Arlin got extremely comfortable and laid her head on his chest. Skandar rested his head on hers. Arlin closed her eyes and drifted into her own ‘La La Land’ as Skandar held her in his arms.

Moments like these are never to be wasted. There’s always a way to keep it all together and stay ‘in sync’. We’re young now, but what if you let time pass you by? What if you love someone now, but not forever like you’d promised? I mean, sure, it happens. We’re only humans; we only have desire on our minds; we only like to live for the moment not knowing it’s all we have; it’s all we care for. That’s exactly true about Skandar. He was only human. He could only live in the moment as a rushed life of Hollywood and fame; he could only want so much as to what was given to him; he would only love as much as he felt he was loved back. But with Arlin…It was all very different. This terrain was very foreign and new. She was his want, his need, his moment; except he didn’t want anything to do with the lack of time to appreciate it. Skandar knew how much he loved her. He knew how much he wanted to be with her. From the beginning of it all…the black haired beauty from the cinema, that was his calling of desire.

After Arlin turned around and noticed him-the expression on her face, just what he had hoped for- his face lit up more than he’d ever known possible.

For as long as he had known, he’d always been happy with his early start in his career. He adored the Narnia fans. His cast had become one of his greatest buddies. Somehow, someway he felt empty; unamused. It was as if he was waiting for that meteor to shoot across his sky; As if he was waiting for Arlin to catch his eye all along.

“Why are you so quiet?” Arlin asked him, lifting up her head to stare into his eyes.

Skandar returned the look. “No reason. I just don’t find that there is anything to say, really.”

“…Oh?”

“Well, yeah. I just thought that you could hear everything I was saying.”

Arlin was confused. “Skandar, maybe it’s just me,…but I’m no Edward Cullen!” Arlin laughed to herself.

Skandar joined in. “What I mean is: ‘When it gets really quiet like this, I just feel like we can hear each others’ secrets.’ ”

Skandar came close to her left ear and whispered, “Close your eyes. Empty out any thoughts and listen carefully.”

She did as she was told. Skandar began to whisper in her ear.

“You are one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen, do you know that? That’s exactly what I was thinking that day that I thankfully noticed you out of all of those insane girls,” he laughed, “No offense, but fans get pretty crazy!

Okay, okay! Seriously, though… Pretty is just when you were turned around and your back was facing me. I never told anyone this, but, as soon as you turned around, I forgot how to breath. You were literally breath-taking!”

Arlin giggled. “I hope I ended up being breath-returning!”

“Oh, but of course!” He continued whispering in her ear, “And thanks to you being breath-returning, I spoke to you! I was clearly at the point where, and don’t laugh, but, either you were going to act like a fan and attack me with your endless shrieks or I was going to faint!”

“WHAT??” She covered her mouth.

“SHH! You can tell me your secrets when I’m done!”

“Okay! Fine!” Arlin said. She laughed at him.

“Com’on! I’m being serious!” He laughed, almost too quietly to try to be serious. “Okay,” He whispered, “So, I was thinking, as you were staring at me staring at you, that you thought that I was some kind of idiot or something.” He laughed, cocking his head back, “I was hoping you’d say ‘yes’…”

“Why…” She stared at him, starting to ask a question.

Skandar lifted his head up, looking at her. He smiled, letting her speak.

“Why wouldn’t I have said ‘yes’?”

“…I…don’t know.”

Arlin shrugged her shoulders.

Ch.10 ( GEEZ SKANDAR!)

They stopped dancing after a long discussion that they were having about their first impressions of each other. Skandar and Arlin went out to the balcony and sat on the stairs that were their own part of the boardwalk to the beach.

“Oh my gosh!” Arlin was flabbergasted.

“What?” Skandar asked her.

“It’s all so…” Arlin almost couldn’t continue.

“Beautiful?” He finished her fragment. “Yes. I always thought that you were.” Skandar touched her cheek lightly with the back of his hand.

“It’s all perfect. Everything. You. Me. This…place! I love it!” She told him.

“So, you really liked everything?”

She nodded.

“That’s good. I hoped you would.” Skandar told her, brushing her lips with his finger.

“Mm-hm!” She started cracking up.

“What?” What did I say?” He asked her.

“It was in Prince Caspian…” She paused to laugh, “I was watching the movie with the audio commentary…”

He stared at her, raising his left eyebrow.

“Uhm…yeah…you said that.” Arlin blushed with embarrassment.

He tried to remember, failing in the process. He laughed anyway to ease her embarrassment.

“Mm-hm!” He said for her to hear in person. Arlin laughed. She kissed him on the cheek. He said it again.

Arlin laughed, then gave him a sly look. He returned it. The stars were attempting to shine throughout the sky, but it just seemed like there were enough lights in the city, so it didn’t really matter!

Arlin actually searched his face for a kiss this time! Oh man! She was smiling as Skandar came to stop at her lips. Skandar touched her face, cupping his hand to the shape of her jaw. Arlin’s eyes were closed. Skandar started to stand up; Arlin started to pull away; to her surprise (actually, not really!) Skandar didn’t let her!  He tripped backwards, landing on his back. Good thing the sofa was right behind them! Arlin gasped. Skandar barely budged. Geez, Skandar!!!

“Oh my gosh! Are you okay?”

“Better!” He really wanted to continue, but remembered the reason why he had told her that he wanted her to spend as much time with her as possible…He kissed her lips one more time, pulling her closely to his chest on the couch.

Arlin breathed heavily against his chest, clouded in her head by Skandar’s sweet kisses, as always.

“Arlin…this is too much! And it’s going to be harder to do anything that I wanted to accomplish.”

“What are you trying to accomplish…exactly?” She lifted her head and rested her chin on his chest.

“I’m going to miss you so much…” Skandar mumbled to himself.

“What are you talking about??” She almost shouted.

“Arlin, you don know that I haven’t given up my career and I pretty much do this for a living…Well, I sorta have this movie that I something, and , well, movies take a while to get worked on…”

“Okay…” Arlin tried to understand.

“Well, yes, um…I’m pretty sure that I’m getting picked for someTHING in this movie and I really want US to be okay; I want you to be okay with this, the whole ‘me going away for a wildly long amount of time’ thing…I’d really miss you if I ever had to go away too long! You know?” He stared deeply into her eyes.

“I, well, you know…what are we going to do about that?” Arlin faked a half-dead smile on her face.

“Don’t give me that.” He looked at her.

“What?”

“Give me a real expression; one that you’re actually feeling.”

She stayed with her choice of a half-dead cheezy smile. Skandar grabbed her face and tried to make more acceptable facial expressions with it: angry, sad, infuriated, jealous…etc.

“There.” Skandar finished rearranging her facial expressions.

“What do I look like?” She asked, curious.

“You look,…upset…,a bit understanding…and in love.”

Arlin blushed. Skandar looked all around her face, searching for anger. He reeled her in, closer to his lips, her face was still in his hands.

“I will NEVER forget you. It’s impossible to do that…” He brushed his nose up and down from her nose to her lips, then back to her nose, “I love you too much.”

Arlin kissed him, her saltwater tears escaped her eyes at an acceptable pace. Skandar felt his cheek getting a hint of moisture. He stopped kissing her, looking at her eyes. Arlin tried to look away.

“Don’t cry, Arlin.” He wiped away her tears.

“I’m happy for you…,really!” She wept on his chest.

They were still lying uncomfortably on the couch. Skandar didn’t say a word. Arlin let everything out that night. She fell asleep, curled up on Skandar’s chest.

“Don’t worry Arlin, I’ll figure out when I come back. I’ll be with you soon enough.” He kissed the top of her head.

Ch.11 (Nickette)

So Nick, what’s the deal with you and Noriette?!

The last time these two ever saw each other was at that mall outing where the both of them happened to have been with their friends. Nick, with his brothers and their girlfriends, where Kevin and Yas had gone to get some coffee and talk. Noriette was with her buddies and along came Jonas! She had been standing next to a gumball machine for some apparent reason (?) and Nick was walking straight towards her. He had purchased a gumball as an excuse to talk to her…And, well…they talked, alright!!! They asked each other questions about movies, music, life, friends, family, any other interests besides the apparent (Nick and Noriette were definitely on the same page with the interests!) So later on, they exchanged information, Nick’s info being a little more limited to phone number and e-mail address, and decided to make plans.

“Hello?” Noriette answered her phone as she sped down the stairs with her bag.

“Hey, it’s me.” Nick said.

“I’m walking out the door right now…!” She trailed off as she saw what was waiting for her from outside her house.

“Hi there.” Nick was outside, in some nice, tight jeans, a really cool graphic t-shirt and his green, white and black checker-laced converses.

“Um, you look great…,as always.” Noriette told him, hoping that he didn’t hear her. He smirked at her, slightly. He heard that!

“You look great, too! From what I’ve seen so far!”

“Uh!” She patted his arm lightly.

He laughed, getting a little red. “That didn’t come out the way it was supposed to!”

“Oh really, now?!” She interrupted him.

“Um, seriously though, I’ve only seen you about two times in my life, this one included, and you’ve looked really great every time!”

Noriette felt a little dumb, “Oh…um, thanks.”

He laughed. “Com’on, let’s go!” He grabbed her hand.

Noriette and Nick went to the car, where Big Rob was taking over the car as chouffer. Nick and Noriette talked on their way to the most amazing miniature golf course ever!

“Aaaaaawwwww!” Noriette shrieked.

“Do you like it?” Nick asked her.

“Yes!…But, um, I’ve never been to one of these mini-golf places.” She confessed.

“It’s okay. I have been to a couple. I’ll show you the ropes.” He winked at her.

Noriette blushed.

They stepped out, rented their clubs and started off. Nick demonstrated and Noriette looked more than attentive.

“Com’on, here…I’ll show you.” He grabbed her hand, stood behind her and positioned that same hand on the club. Noriette “pretended” that she couldn’t do any of it properly as an excuse for Nick to have to touch her even more! (wink, wink.) Nick, not being born yesterday, automatically knew what game she was playing, and asked her to try it on her own so that he could see whether she was paying attention or not. Noriette was actually paying very close attention so she wouldn’t look stupid and she scored a bit too perfectly for just a beginner.

Nick was in awe. “Are you sure you’ve never played this game before?” Nick smiled at her.

Noriette smiled at him and nodded.

During the rest of the game, obviously Nick was in the lead, him and his love and patience for golf, but Noriette was right behind him. They were practically competing against each other! Afterwards, they summed up the scores, with Nick, of course, as the winner. He did his little “victory dance” and Noriette stared at him. Nick cleared his throat and stood still.

“Are you hungry?” Nick asked her.

“Um…actually I have to probably start heading home…Can I get a ride?” She asked, seeming embarrassed.

“Did you really actually consider the thought of you walking all the way home, by yourself?” Nick asked her.

“Oh, right.”

“I’ll take you, of course!” Nick said, grabbing her hand.

At Noriette’s Front Porch…

Nick got the chance to quickly get her home, safe and sound. They were standing right outside her house. Noriette and Nick were both staring away from each other, at the sky. Noriette turned back to look at Nick, who was still staring at the sky. Noriette stared at his face, his lips, and his hair-every bit of perfection. She had the sudden urge to touch him, his face, his lips-more so with her own- instead of just his hands.

Nick finally came to look at her, right when she attacked his lips as quickly as she could with her own! She was too embarrassed to pull away, and she didn’t want to, so she kept kissing him. Nick, of course, being a guy, didn’t just stand there taking it all in for himself, he also kissed her back, which made Noriette very happy and she felt a lot better when she kissed him because she knew that he was kissing her back! Noriette’s sisters were coming to the door, Noriette tried to become unresponsive towards Nick’s kisses. It worked to the point that he stepped back slightly to ask her what was wrong. The door opened.

“That.” Noriette simply told him.

“Hi!” Nick greeted the girls.

“Mmmmmmm!!!” They screamed in muffles. (They were covering their mouths.)

“…Okay, then. I’ll see you later, Noriette.” He let go of her hand, hers slipping out of his grasp.

Can’t really tell you that hat was the last time that they saw each other…because it wasn’t.

Several Days Later…

Nick called Noriette, who was working at the time, but she couldn’t just avoid him because of that fact. She picked up and spoke as quickly as possible.

“Meet me on my lunch break, maybe?” She asked.

“Of course!”

Noriette was biting her lips on the other end of the line.

“Gotta go, bye!”

‘Love you, bye!” Nick hung up.

Noriette sighed, and when she took a good look at the clock, went back to work.

The day dragged and Noriette was organizing products and other things. The clock tolled. Nick time was getting closer.

Ch.12 (Home at Work)

Meanwhile, PerryLenys…

Ah, yes, the primary couple of the whole story shows up! Well, they’ve been busy, what with Perry getting promotion and Darlenys’s work was catching up with her. Much more time to be inseparable!

The thing is we don’t let things get in the way, we just take advantage of them and help each other get through them.

Today, I was super-busy with a couple of logo-designs for three or four big and new companies! I had no time for almost anything, not even Perry! -Or so I thought. Perry would usually try and calm me down when I got all “angsty” when it came to work. I was lucky enough to work at home, that way I could spend some time with the girls, Marlen and Arlin. This fact also allowed Arlin ,the oldest of my “roomies,” to have a life. Lately, she’s been hanging out at Skandar’s place. Every time I ask, call or even talk to her, she just simply stares back at me and then-nothing. She tells me everything’s okay with her and Skandar-whenever I can get something out of her. Other than that, he’s here with her at home. It’s nice that Arlin has Skandar. I really appreciate him keeping her occupied. And he’s really smart, so it’s nothing like that! He never seems to bring her down or anything. She’s just been a little,…melancholy. My phone rang.

“Hello?” I said, almost breathless when I saw who was calling.

“Hey.” Perry said, “Are you okay? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages! How’s the logo-de-…”

“Don’t say it!”

He paused.

“It’s…I got one done. I’m on my way to the second one. Arlin’s been worrying me. I don’t know what I’ve been doing lately because I can’t remember and…UHH! My head is spinning from how crazy life’s been!”

“Hey, hey! Calm down, Darlenys! Look, do you need any help? I just finished locking up and I have Chinese!”

“Hmmm!” I sighed, chuckling. “Okay. I mean, will you? Could you, really?” I thought about what he had said about locking up. “Wait, you said you just locked up NOW?”

“Yeah. There’s this huge inspection of the café and I’m in big trouble-the fired, kind- if I don’t make sure that everything’s perfect!”

“Oh. That sounds tough!”

“Ehh, not really. Now, let’s say we help you out. Let me in.”

“You’re here already?” I walked to the door.

“Well, yeah. It sounded urgent.”

“Thank you, so much!” I hung up, running to hug him.

“Hi, there.” he said, his face near my hair.

“Hi.” I smiled at him, looking into his eyes.

“So, how’s about that work?”

I looked down in disgust.

“I’m just kidding. You look like you’ve been at this all day!”

“Pssht! More like all week.” We went inside after standing at the door in each others’ arms.

I sat on the couch, tugging on his hand to follow me.

“Uhh! I have no idea how I’m going to finish or how I’m going to live with myself if I don’t and…(blah, blah, blah…)”

Perry grabbed my lips with his thumb and index finger, pinching them almost.

“Hey! Calm down! You can definitely finish and, I mean, when it comes to how to finish, you did the first one, what’s so much if you do two more? Something nice and simple, right?”

“Hmm?”

Perry laughed; grabbing the left side of my face to reel me in closer to his lips. He unpinched my lips, only to press them against his own.

All the anxiety definitely went away. I was calmed. Perry handled me gently, weaving his fingers into my hair. I felt my hands moving up his chest, around his neck. He stopped, catching his breath.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled. “Now, we should really get to work.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re here; after an extremely long day of work, you’re tired, and yet you come here to help me on something that I’ve apparently failed at doing myself.”

“And?” Perry questioned me.

“What? You’re not tired?”

“I’m here to help you. The last time I checked, you were desperate.”

I covered my face. “UHH!”

“Are you okay?”

“Overly-stressed disorder. I invented it.”

Perry laughed. He hugged me, rubbing my back.

“It happens to everyone.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Whatever that was, back there.”

“I forgive you.” He smiled at me.

We got to work straight away. Perry spent the last four hours trying to figure out how to help. Thanks to him, I finished. The scary part would be presenting and hoping the boss likes it.

“Oh my gosh!!!” I kissed him. He picked me up. I said, almost crying with relief, “Thank you, thank you, thank you so, so much!” I kissed him again.

Perry smiled, laughing at me. “Sure, anytime!” He kissed me.

“You should get home. You’re probably really tired.”

“Um, well, yeah, but it’s okay.”

“Thanks again. Oh, and I’m sorry for going all ballistic on you back there.”

He laughed, remembering, “It’s okay. You look adorable when you’re mad, by the way.”

“Do I, now?” I said, sarcastically.

He kissed my lips one more time, hugged me and left.

Ch.13 (It’s The Best Day Ever!)

Finally, some Skandarlin…

Arlin and Skandar have been spending all their time together. They’ve be remorsing Skandar’s soon-to-be-departure. Skandar was told that he had to leave for a big movie and Arlin’s left to mourn over the fact that she doesn’t really hang out with anyone but her boyfriend, meaning, Skandar. (Meaning, this is not New Moon.)

Skandar hates seeing Arlin this way which is why he’s decided to keep as much contact with Arlin as he possibly can.

“Arlin?” Skandar knocked on the door of her room.

He had come to see her.

“Coming!” Arlin unlocked the door.

“Hey.” She said.

Skandar stared at her with steady eyes. He got closer and touched her lips with his finger.

Arlin hyperventilated.

“Hi.” His face was inches from hers; she could feel his breathing under her nose.

Arlin stood perfectly still; Skandar stepped into her room. He’d never set foot in it before. He shut the door. Oh mannn.

Arlin was frozen. Skandar came back to her. Arlin stepped back, wary.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re leaving today, aren’t you?”

Skandar looked away. He went to touch her face, his thumb lightly stroking her cheek.

Arlin looked away from his gaze.

“Tomorrow.”

Arlin bit her lip. She squeezed her eyes shut and laid her head against his chest. Skandar laid his head against her head. Arlin began to cry. Skandar lifted his head from hers and took her chin in his hand.

“Oh, no you don’t!”

“Huh?”

“I came here to have the best day ever with you!”

“How can I not cry if I only have TODAY to be with you?”

“It’s possible. Just think, I mean, of course I’ll miss you so much that I’ll eventually go crazy, but if we fantasize about today, it’ll keep us happy to the point that we’ll pay attention to that, and not the days you haven’t seen me, or I you.”

“What are you talking about? That’s not even as good as me touching you or kissing you?!”

“Well, no. But I’m sure it will suffice.”

“Skandar…”

“Just try. I mean, we could have an amazing day today and I’ll try and keep in touch whenever I’m not doing anything.”

Skandar looked at Arlin and she just nodded, slowly, but it was still a nod.

Skandar smiled. “That’s my girl.” He kissed her once. (Wow, that was very macho of you.)

“So…What are we going to do?”

“You’re serious? You can’t think of anything to do?”

She shook her head.

“Arlin, I’m here and you’re here.(and there’s furniture;D justkiddingg!) To me, there’s always something we can do.”

“Huh?”

“We can be with each other, silly.” Skandar explained, touching the tip of her nose.

“And do what?” Arlin was obviously already hyperventilating.

Skandar raised his eyebrows slyly. He kissed her. Arlin wrapped her arms around his neck. Skandar picked her up and carried her to her bed. Skandar kissed Arlin with a passion that should be illegal in fifty states. Arlin tried not to pant as she breathed, but it was utterly impossible not to! Skandar’s hands ran through her hair; Arlin’s hands as well. Skandar kissed Arlin like he was never ever going to see her again. He lingered on her lips, his, then moving hastily towards her neck. Arlin got a chance to breathe. Skandar turned so that he was hovering over Arlin’s body. Skandar and Arlin stared at each other in astonishment, or rather, catching their breaths. Skandar kept looking at Arlin. She attempted to breath, but as soon as she inhaled one deep breath, Skandar’s mouth was on hers. Not complaining, but, needing a breath otherwise, she responded to his keenness. Their bodies laid on top of one another’s, touching ever so slightly, yet they could both feel the heated warmth, even through their clothes. Now, they weren’t going to be stupid and screw everything up, but a little “making out” wasn’t going to hurt anybody-or could it?

Skandar stayed with Arlin for as long as he possibly could. They both knew that  they would have to leave each other eventually, but they tried to fit in as much time as they possibly could.

They laid next to each other, staring at each other, trying to memorize every possible facial expression that each of them made. Skandar was willing to leave, of course for his career, but not without memorizing his beloved girlfriend’s face. Only on opposite day would a movie be more important to him than Arlin.

Ch.14 (Skandar’s Departure)

Today was the day. Skandar stared at Arlin as she slept and played idly with her hand. It was almost four in the morning; Monday. Arlin started school today and Skandar started working on his acting and memorizing lines for shooting, etc. He’d spent all night thinking of ways to keep in contact with Arlin. He came up with I.M. and video chats. It was perfect!…except for the time-zone problem.

Arlin moved around , still feeling to see if Skandar had left.

“I’m here, Arlin.” He reached for her hand, sliding his fingers through her hand.

“Oh my gosh!” She wrenched her eyes open and threw her arms around his neck and cried. Skandar rubbed her back, resting his head into her neck, kissing it.

Arlin calmed down after a few seconds and came to the realization that they could always call each other, or e-mail, or even I.M.

“Skandar?” Arlin started to ask.

“Yes?”

“Will you-would you still love me, even if you had to stay longer than necessary?”

Skandar didn’t hesitate in answering back. “Of course I will! Arlin, there are phones and computers in England! And I’m even going to change my cell phone plan and switch to your phone’s company, so that we can talk for as long as we please and not get charged for it! Who knows? I might like it better than my crappy cell phone company!”

“Let’s hope so!” Arlin’s face lit up, “That would mean that I’d get to talk to you all the time!”

“Yes, and it wouldn’t be that bad, staying up late so that you can get a good night’s sleep! I mean, you’re starting school, now, and I’m a little used to staying up really late, so I really don’t mind!” Skandar told her.

“Well, yeah, I mean, if that’s okay with you, but I really don’t think that those teachers of mine would appreciate me drooping my head and eyelids in their classrooms!” Arlin laughed.

“Yeah, me either. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble because you’ve been staying up all night talking to me!” Skandar laughed as well.

“Oh, and we could text each other! I always have my phone with me!” Skandar offered.

“Okay!” Arlin seemed eager to be on her phone 24/7, texting Skandar non-stop. Skandar was happy that she was happy; enthralled, more like it.

It was five forty-five in the morning and Arlin and Skandar were going on and on about the ‘brick in the middle of their road’ and how they were apparently going around it.

“Okay, I now this might sound a bit absurd, but, would you mind if we did video chats? I mean, I wouldn’t want to miss a thing about your life while I’m stuck in in England, away from the best, most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me! Would that be okay, I mean once in a while?” Skandar’s eyes were pleading.

Arlin tried to hide the smile that seemed to be forming around the edges of her lips. “Sure, Skandar. I’d love that!” She smiled, looking at him.

Skandar exhaled a long-held breath. “Oh! Thank goodness! I thought that it was going to be weird or something!”

Arlin laughed at his reaction. Skandar actually tried to hide the slight embarrassment that he felt. Arlin kissed him on the lips, after having seen that it was time for her to get up either way.

“Arlin?” Marlen called from the bathroom.

Arlin and Skandar panicked and Skandar then, thought quickly.

“It’s your turn!” Marlen burst  through the door to tell Arlin to get ready for school.

“Thanks, Marlen!”

Marlen went, closing the door behind her. Skandar came out from behind the door and went to Arlin’s bed again.

“I’ve got to go! I’m not sure that I’ve packed everything! I’ll text you as soon as I can! Bye Arlin!”

Arlin ran over to Skandar and practically jumped on him. He caught her, staring at her lips, that we already, so remaining space between their faces.

“Okay, okay! Go…pack your bags! I’ve got to go to school, Skandar!”

“You’re so mean!”

“What?”

“Just kidding?”

“No.” Arlin laughed

“I guess not.” Skandar agreed, giving her one last peck on the lips.

“Arlin! Are you done yet?!” I called after her.

“Yeah!” She said.

“Skandar, how are you going to get out of here?” Arlin asked him.

“Don’t worry about me! I don’t want you to get in trouble this early!” He said.

“If Darlenys catches you here, you will get me in trouble!”

“Er, right.” Skandar waited a little, then started to sneak out quietly.

“If someone finds you, I had nothing to do with it!” Arlin whispered, trying to almost shout quietly.

“Okay!” Skandar said sarcastically.

Arlin’s first day of school dragged on and on. New teachers, new school, new faces. There never seemed to be anything old, recognizable. It was around math class that she’d wished that there were some way to be able to sleep with her eyes wide open, but not obvious like she was in some trance.

“Hey,” If it weren’t for Skandar and the way that they altered each other irrevocably, and irrationally also…

Arlin turned to hear the voice that would get her through math class…Hayden Christensen. Of course any creature with a name like that would have the face and body to go along with it.

“Uh, yeah?” Arlin responded, then tried to get a grip on her ridiculous reactions,-sweating, breathing almost too unevenly, staring- or at least trying not to.

“Skandar wouldn’t do the same,” She thought immediately.

Her phone sent a vibe through her whole body.

“Can I borrow an eraser?” Hayden, the god from above, asked Arlin.

Smoothly, she frantically reached for her pencil, almost throwing it at him, from how eager she was for him to erase all of his mistakes.

Arlin focused on her phone’s sudden thorough massage throughout her body. It was Skandar. Suddenly, the Hayden reaction seemed almost absurd.

Skandar wrote: “What are you doing right now? I miss you like crazy!!! I’ve boarded a train and a plane so far. Help me!”

Arlin laughed slightly. She texted him back, writing: Pssht! You help me!! I’m in math!”

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, she saw Hayden, the god from above, Christensen looking at her with the biggest smile that the heavens could have ever put on his face. Arlin tried not to get clammy fingers as she texted Skandar, but it was inevitable. He was just so….Oh, look, Skandar!

Skandar texted Arlin back: “Hahaha. Well, I guess you’re right. Good luck!”

Arlin sighed when she heard the bell ring. Finally!

Arlin texted him back: “Gee, thanks.” She picked up her stuff, getting ready to leave, only to find out that she still had history to deal with. Ugh!

In History,…

Arlin sat down next to her friend Jessica from Spanish. Jess was known as the gossiper and nothing more. (This included her talent for talking for a brief period of time non-stop.) Then, as soon as it was unfortunately possible, Christensen sat down next to her friend Jessica.

“Hey there, beautiful.” He sat down smoothly.

Jessica rolled her eyes, yet still managed to giggle. Arlin noticed the way that they were obviously flirting and was instantly comforted. “No more Christensen!”  She thought.

It’s not that he annoyed her. He had barely said more than a sentence-a question, actually. So why did his existence bother her so much? He gave her emotions. Not just any emotions, but the kind that made her feel like she was betraying Skandar’s love and affection towards her. It was as if she were untrustworthy towards herself for doing this to Skandar. Like she were ever capable of doing such a thing.

“Are you going to mind if I sit somewhere else?” Arlin said to Jessica.

“You don’t have to leave!” Christensen’s eyes were agonized.

“Yeah, I do, actually…I sit over there.” Arlin pointed near the door. She got up form the right side of the room (close to the windows) and sat in her seat.

She texted Skandar, “School’s okay, but, I still miss you,” and closed her phone, waiting on the final minute or two.(The bells didn’t always work.)

The bell was taking a little too long and Arlin was getting restless, moving in her seat, opening and closing her phone, twirling her hair….etc. Hayden, the god from above, Christensen, was watching her from across the room. He was sitting near Arlin’s friend Jessica, until Arlin looked in that direction and the seat’s empty. He was coming towards her to sit in front of her. The teacher was pretty strict on seats, but there were like five minutes left and he had left the room to copy some papers for the overhead on tomorrow’s lesson. Great! Arlin thought to herself.

“Hi, new girl.” He said, slyly.

“Hi, new guy? What, I don’t have name?”

“Well, apparently, neither do I!” He smiled the most dazzling of all smiles. Apparently, he thought he was Edward Cullen. He was wrong. He was Jacob Black; the way he tried to drive Arlin off of her road to Skandar, who couldn’t really do much since he was in England. She didn’t want to sound like a little school girl, wining to the teacher about this annoying kid who was pissing her off at the moment. She was just going to have to learn how to deal.

“Why don’t you tell me what I should call you?”

“I like Arlin for me, and hey, annoying kid for you!”

“Oh, Arlin. Hmm, that’s nice.” He smiled, “But, if it’s okay, I’d like to change my name…”

“Sorry, you’re going to have to take that up with whoever’s in charge of the name-changing business. I, for one, can’t help you, annoying kid.”

He smirked at her, then smiled. “Okay, so how’s about a nickname?”

“I’ll bite.”

He laughed. “I’ll go by Hayden,” the god from above, “Christensen.”

The bell rang and everyone was getting up from their seats.

“So…can I, you know, help you with anything, you know, since you’re new and all.”

“When I come to you for something, then we’ll see what you can help me with.”

Hayden tilted his head.

“See you around, Christensen.”

“My nickname’s Hayden.”

Arlin walked out the door.

Ch.15 (You just don’t get it?!)

The teacher dismissed the class, finally and Arlin sighed a big sigh of relief when she had been dismissed. That meant that she could finally leave!

Arlin was so disoriented and tired! She just wanted to go get any other papers other than the first five she’d already been given (school info and general papers that are just “reading” and signing to approve of certain concerns.) she planned to head straight out the door and just lie down. As unbelievable as it was, today had been the longest day of her life!

As she walked home she was feeling a bit self-conscious of the cars. Apparently, there was one following her! She froze and turned around to sigh a sigh of aggravation when she took a look at the designated driver. It was Hayden Christensen. He rolled his window down and smiled at her.

“Hey new-I mean, Arlin.”

“Why hello, Christensen!” She smiled sarcastically.

“Need a lift? You seem tired. I could get you home quicker.”

“Thanks, but, really, I don’t live far from here.” She tried to be as sympathetic as possible. She wasn’t having the best day of her life to be able to feel many different emotions.

“Oh. Are you sure? How far away is it?”

“Um, I don’t know. Two or three minutes away from where we are now.”

“I can make it in one.”

She rolled her eyes. “Really, now?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Arlin started to have flashbacks of all the possible different ways to say that phrase. She immediately started to walk home as fast as she possibly could.

“BYE?!” Hayden yelled, suggestively.

She waved her hand back at his direction violently.

“What had I missed?” Hayden wondered to himself.

Arlin unlocked the door and dropped her bag next to the entrance and went straight to her room as soon as she entered the building where my apartment was.

She turned on her radio and put The Beatles on repeat on her ipod. She kicked her shoes off and got her laptop and turned it on. Arlin took a big sigh and went into her closet to pick out some shorts or sweats or anything that was loose enough or breathable in. She headed straight for her personal bathroom and took a hot shower. When she was drying herself off, she heard a beeping sound coming from her room; her laptop. She put her clothes on and looked to see what was wrong. There was some sort of video chat. She pressed “Accept” and screamed, forgetting that her microphone was on.

“Nice to finally hear you, Arlin.” Skandar smiled widely.

It was really him! Skandar Keynes. Her boyfriend. And he couldn’t wait to talk to her!!

“Arlin?” He said. “What’s wrong?”

Arlin was staring back at the screen, mesmerized. She hurried to fix her hair so that she wouldn’t look stupid once he saw her on her camera.

“Hi Skandar! I’ve missed you!” She said as soon as she was on her camera.

“Hi, Arlin! I’ve missed you more!” He said.

“I doubt that.” She replied sourly.

“Why?”

“You’ve probably got a lot of things on your mind, what with the movie and all. I don’t think there’s room in there for me.”

“Stop that! Of course I’m not going to say that I don’t already have a lot on my mind, but none of that’s pushing out what’s already been there.”

“Well in that case, then you win.”

“So, how was school?”

“Uh! Annoying!”

“Really?…You don’t mind if we don’t talk about it, then, do you?”

“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”

“Well, I was just wondering if some day that you’re not doing anything…”

“Like today for example…” Arlin interrupted. Skandar smiled at her eagerness and continued.

“Well, if we could just talk, or stare at each other…?” He thought over what he said, but it still sounded really awkward and a bit psychotic.

“I’d love that, but…” She hesitated, trying not to be eager. Skandar started to speak but Arlin got in her last word.

“Could we actually do that today?”

“Um, sure.”

Arlin and Skandar talked on and on and on. Eventually, I came home and Arlin’s book bag was near the door. I figured that either she just left it there or that she was still excited about high school. That nerd. Whatever it was, because with Arlin you could expect either of those, it was nearly six thirty (p.m. of course!)

“Marlen? Arlin?” I shouted as I entered the apartment, laying my stuff down near the door.

Marlen ran over to greet me.

“Hey, Neni!” She wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Hi, Marlen! Did you have dinner yet?”

“A while ago, actually. I don’t know about Arlin, though. She’s been in her room since we got home from school.” Marlen told me.

“Okay. Thanks. You all set?” I asked her about her homework and chores.

“Yup.”

“That’s a first.” I muttered.

Marlen went back to her doll-playing. I walked over to Arlin’s door and knocked.

“Arlin?”

“Oh my gosh!” Arlin whispered, shifting her weight carefully and adjusting the volume.

“Yeah?” She shouted at the door’s direction.

“Can I come IN?” I shouted back.

“Its open!”

I opened the door and looked around for a while. She looked around as well and wondered what I was looking for.

“Hi?!” I said to her. “You’re alive?!”

“Healthy as a horse. Why?”

“I haven’t heard from you. Bad first day?”

“Um, something like that. No, really, it was just longer than I was prepared for.”

“Have you heard from Skandar?”

“We’ve been texting back and forth since this morning.”

Arlin smiled at the memories this morning had given her to ponder about.

“Oh. Sounds…FUN?!”

Arlin rolled her eyes.

“Oh. Kay. I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be bathing and Marlen’s playing with her dolls if you need anything.”

“I’m fine. Just tired.” Arlin said.

“Kay. I’ll probably go to Perry’s later. Want to go with?”

“No! But tell him I said, ‘hi.’ ” She smiled.

“Okay, then! Don’t jump out of your seat, now! Geez!”

“GO SHOWER!”

“Fine! Geez!”

I went straight to the bathroom and took a shower. When I was wrapping my towel tight under my arms, I heard Arlin, talking. She was talking to someone, but I didn’t remember hearing the doorbell ring. Funny.

“Oh my gosh! Really? That’s so cool!” Arlin said from her room.

“Yeah. It was pretty cool, but I’ve really missed you. Everyday, I feel kind of empty, like something crucial in my life hasn’t happened. I haven’t seen you in a while!”

“Skandar, it’s been 21 hours. It hasn’t even been a whole day yet!”

Skandar? He’s in England! How could that be?  

I changed quickly into my robe, brushed my hair and ran out of the bathroom.

When I was about to go straight towards Arlin’s room, the doorbell rang. I went to the door, opening it in shock, and secretly, adulation.

“Hi. How may I help you?” If this kid was selling something, I was definitely buying. I examined what was the cutest guy since…and then I instantly thought of Perry. He had blond hair, short, but grown out a couple of inches from his scalp. His eyes were green, he had big, perfectly shaped lips. He was tall, almost as tall as…Perry. A bit younger, I assumed. A bit cute, also…Too young, too young.

“Um, Does Arlin Salazar live here?”

He was Arlin’s friend. But what about Skandar…?

“Um, yeah. She’s here….Do you want me to send her a message?”

“I’m sorry, I thought you said she was here.”

“Yes, she is. She’s talking to her boyfriend right now. He’s in England.”

“England? Hm. I didn’t know she was into that long-distant relationship crap.”

“Well, no. He had to go there for work.”

“What does he do?”

“I’m a little busy, right now, and apparently, so is she. Could you come back later, maybe?”

He glanced at me. I was in my robe. He raised an eyebrow. I knew how busy he thought I was.

“Whoah, whoah! I just took a shower! It’s nothing like that!”

“Wha-…”

“She noticed.” I whispered, shutting the door. I sprinted to Arlin’s room, aggravated by her little friend.

“ARLIN! One of your friend’s who was at the door, and was very good-looking, I must say, was very rude to me! And he kept on asking about you!”

“Oh CRAP!”

“What happened?” Skandar spoke.

“OH MY GOD! SKANDAR! ARLIN, SKOOT OVER!”

“Oh my gosh!” Arlin muttered under her breath. “Darlenys, seriously…com’on. Get out of here!”

“Well excuse me, you’re not the only who made friends when you met him!”

Skandar stared at us while we argued about him. “What? Okay.”

“I’m sorry, Skandar. You’re girlfriend was being a little rude! So, how’s your movie going?”

“It’s okay. She tends to do that!”

“EX-CUSSSE ME?!”

“Oh! I’ll talk to you later, Skandar.” I left the room so that they could hack it out on their own and changed into clothes.

“Arlin, I’m so, so, sooo sorry! I didn’t mean that!…I” He rambled on and on.

“FINALLY! Alone again!”

“So, you’re not mad at me?”

“Of course not! As long as you really didn’t mean that, then we’re good!”

“Of course not!” There was a pause, then Skandar spoke. “So, who was at the door?”

“Crap!” Arlin said, under her breath. “It was some kid from my school. His name is Hayden,” the god from above,  Arlin thought, “Christensen. He has a slight interest in me.” Arlin made air quotes.

“Oh, really??” Skandar said.

“Don’t think too much about it.”

Skandar made a sad face. He had thought about it.

“What is it?” Arlin asked him.

“…If you had to consider him, would you?”

“Who, Hayden?” Probably thinking that she would, Arlin thought of a lie, for Skandar’s sake. In truth, she had known better than to think of Hayden that way, but she just couldn’t help it! He was quite dazzling. It was like he came into her life as a distraction form what she really wanted, Skandar.

“Yes, whatever his name is.” Skandar muttered that last part under his breath.

“Well, no. Not really. And besides, what good would it do? I’ve already got everything I could ever ask for.”

“Well,…good.” Skandar muttered.

“Skandar, I’m hinting a bit of jealousy, here.”

“Well, no. Not a bit.” He said, scratching his head.

“Honestly, I’m not going to let it get anywhere NEAR far.”

Worry-wart.

“Fine. If he as much as tries to even…”

“Jealous!” Arlin sang.

“I’m calm, I’m calm.”

“You okay, there?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

Arlin giggled at Skandar’s reaction. It was silly of him to feel this way. He didn’t even know what Hayden looked like! Then she thought about again and skipped the ideas that were practically jumping off the walls of her head.

It got a little quiet. Skandar sat in his chair, laid back and breathing easily. Arlin stared at him. Then, the most crucial of questions popped into her head.

“So, how much longer am I going to have to live without you?”

“A couple of months; three, I believe.”

“Are they trying to kill me??!!” Arlin was fuming.

“You’ll be fine. Just make some friends. I hear those help you through the rough times. Stay busy. I’ll be back in no time.”

“How do you cope so easily?”

“Easily?! I’ve got a lot to do here, and I know that the sooner it’s over, the sooner I’m back in California.”

“That sounds pretty hard to me!” Arlin muttered.

“Look Arlin. I miss you like crazy and I love you just as crazily, but if I think about that in that way, I’ll be stuck missing you for a while!”

“In a crazy, twisted way, that makes sense!”

“Of course it does! You‘ll see! In no time, you‘ll be in my arms and I‘ll be in yours! Just find something to do! Try out for some kind of sport! What about cheerleading? You told me you loved that!”

“Oh, that.” Arlin’s love for cheerleading had been substituted for her love for Skandar Keynes as soon as that first kiss happened on that group gathering ages ago!

“Yeah, that! Just keep busy, like me, although I have no choice! You’ll see how fast time flies.”

Ch.16 (Effort)

Meanwhile PerryLenys…

“I’m here!” I called from the buzzer so that Perry could let me in.

“Okay.” Perry pressed the button, unlocking the door.

When I got up to his door, he opened it and took me by the hand.

“Well, hello.” He said, smiling almost ear to ear.

“Hiya.” I said.

Perry came closer towards me, his lips lingering on my jaw, down to my neck. I gave the door a little push, closing it successfully. Perry started to suck on my neck. I pushed him away a little.

“What?” He actually sounded hurt. Aw!

“What are the girls going to say?” This was for Marlen’s sake. (wink, wink.)

“You have long hair, you know.”

“Shut up!” I nudged him. “Is this what I came here for?”

“Is this what you wanted to come here for?” He stroked my cheek, all the way down to my neck.

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously!…No, not that I mind…”

Perry’s lips crushed against mine. I couldn’t fight against him this time. Feeling weak, I wrapped my arms around him. He grabbed my hands gently and locked them around his neck. Never detaching his lips from mine, he picked me up and I wrapped my legs around him.

We were headed to his room. I managed to gulp. His lips left mine, only going behind and under my ear. I bit my lip and rolled my eyes to the back of my eye sockets. My head went back, and all of a sudden, when I thought that I would hit it with the wall, it was against something soft, and now Perry seemed shorter than everything else.

Perry sucked on my jaw, going to my neck again. I considered my long, black hair again and sighed. (Cover up wasn’t going to do anything, so I sighed about my alternative.)

My hands were like slick around his neck. I fumbled for a place to set them, just letting them slide down his neck, onto his chest. He stopped kissing me and looked at me, sighing.

“Do you want to go out? Because we can…”

I sat up, rolling my eyes, and kissed him on the neck.

“Guess that’s a ‘No’.” Perry stated obviously.

“Really, now? Is it?” I said sarcastically.

Month one is behind us, especially for Arlin and Skandar.

In a month: friends have been made, relationships have boomed, and everything’s pretty sane.

Arlin took to Skandar’s advice and has been making new friends here and there. She’s been in and out of the house with Jessica, from Spanish and Math. Perry and I are pretty satisfied with the outcomes of that advice. It really killed me to see Arlin that upset about Skandar leaving to England. Perry was upset that I was upset, but nevertheless, he knew how much I cared about my roomies. I used to have to leave the house because Arlin was so depressed, but it really shows that Skandar cares. He still, to this day, I.M.s with Arlin, giving her advice and encouraging her that they’ll be together soon enough. It’s absolutely adorable!

At school…

Homeroom, Arlin went to her locker, Jessica tagging along, and discussed about school-related activities.

“So, how’s Skandar?” Jessica asked, not really caring but wanting to make conversation.

Arlin rolled her eyes, knowing this. “He’s fine. I’ve got two more months until we are finally together! I miss him so much!”

“Wow! You are so lucky!”

“Really? How?” Arlin asked sarcastically.

“Well, you’ve got a great boyfriend and he’s just as in love with you as you are with him!”

“Jess, I’m just lucky, but, I mean, you have half the guys at school waiting on you to say, ‘yes’ to them! Now, if that’s not really, truly lucky, then I don’t what is!”

“Well, yeah! But I don’t’ have the guy waiting for me!”

“Okay, who is ‘the guy’?” Arlin made air quotes around Jessica’s exact phrase.

“Hayden, from Spanish, or math.”

Arlin closed her locker with a little more force than necessary. She sprinted back to homeroom, just minutes before the bell rang. Jessica like Hayden?? Of course! She just had to! It was perfect! Now, she would have no distractions, other than the obvious onsets.

“So, have you tried to ask him to hang out or something?” Arlin asked Jessica.

“Are you crazy??!!” Jessica threw her hands up.

“Apparently.” Arlin mumbled sarcastically. “What’s wrong with that, Jess?”

“Well, everything! It will ruin my vision.”

“Your…vision? Of what?”

“Well, being the hopeless romantic that I am…,” Arlin rolled her eyes at Jessica’s words, “I’d want him to ask me out.”

“So get his attention somehow,…talk to him, you could start off as friends and go from there, hopefully.”

“So get his attention somehow,…talk to him, you could start off as friends and go from there, hopefully.”

“Hmm…” Jessica said stopping her class, “I’ll text you so ideas. You have study hall today.”

“I do?”

“I checked for you.”

“Gee, thanks.” Arlin went to her class.

So Hayden liked to make people like Jessica sit around and worry about him? Typical teenage heart throb. Arlin would have to be blinded by some kind of voodu curse to ever feel that way about him while her and Skandar existed together.

A Couple Of Days Later…

There’s a school trip, a type of recreational trip to the beach. Everyone’s invited! Plus the additional invites, there are some chaperones needed. Other than that, it’s a fun, co-ed trip where almost anything can happen.

“Finally, math!” Arlin sighed, sitting down.

“I know, right?” Hayden Christensen said, sitting down in the seat in front of her.

“Oh, boy. Hi, Hayden.” Arlin grumbled.

“Hey, no Christensen today?” He noted.

“Sorry. I’m having an ‘off’ day today.”

“Really? Why is that?”

“It’s Friday! I’m just…tired.”

“More like exhausted! Do you sleep at night or are you too busy talking to your English boyfriend online?”

Arlin stopped breathing altogether for a second. “What did you say?”

“Oh, yeah. I went to your house one night, ages ago; I don’t think you’d remember.”

Arlin had flashbacks for a couple of minutes.

“Oh, yeah. I remember.”

“So,…Was that, what, an excuse not to talk to me?”

“No, not really. I mean, I wasn’t lying. I really was talking to my boyfriend…”

“Your boyfriend, from England?”

“AIM?”

“AIM? Really? Why are you taking so much effort into lying to a guy who really likes you?”

“Hayden…”

“Just, save it, or better yet, tell your ‘boyfriend’ about it.”

Arlin couldn’t wait for math class to be over, now.

She felt really sympathetic towards Hayden Christensen. He really was just trying. If only he could try with Jessica. She was crazy about Hayden! Arlin thought of the best idea she’s ever had in a long time! It was bound to work!

Arlin looked at Jessica, who was obviously trying NOT to stare at Hayden, the god from above, Christensen. She decided to text her, so as to not make it obvious that she was staring.

Arlin’s text read: “Come to my house after school. TRUST ME, THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!”

Jessica got the text in seconds and stared at Arlin with huge eyes. Jessica texted her, accepting her invitation.

Ch.17 (Planning)

Afterschool…

“So, what was all that about?” Jessica asked curiously.

“I’ll tell you when we get to my place.” Arlin replied.

“Okay…You’re really scaring me, here, Arlin!”

Arlin simply smiled.

When they got to Arlin’s apartment, they went straight to her room and closed the door behind them.

“SPILL!” Jessica said, dropping her stuff on the floor and sitting on Arlin’s bed, next to her.

“Hayden knows about Skandar!”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It really shocked me, because he made me feel all bad and stuff and then he was like, ‘Are you lying to me because…’ “ Arlin didn’t continue.

“Because?…”

“Jess, don’t get mad, but…he likes me.”

“But you love Skandar, right?!”

“Er, right. Still, I felt bad.”

“Yeah.”

“But that’s why I instantly thought of hooking him up with someone who likes him more than he thinks he likes me!”

“Who?”

“Jess, seriously now!”

“Oh, right.”

“Anyway, so I pretty much came up with the perfect plan.”

“And this plan is…?”

“I’m getting there! Anyway, so, you and I go to the school bonfire trip at the beach, and I try to get Hayden to relax and make him think that I’m letting him get closer to me, when I’m actually hooking him up with my friend.” Arlin shoved Jessica lightly and winked at her.

“Oh! I like!” Jessica laughed.

“Yeah! This has got to work!”

Arlin and Jessica spent the weekend plotting and scheming to be ready for the big day. With all of the careful planning, this was bound to work.

On Monday…

There are two weeks left until the trip to the beach and two weeks of Arlin trying to convince Hayden that she’s given him a chance. So much work had to be done without over-doing it or not doing enough. Jessica was telling Arlin everything about Hayden that she could so that Arlin could talk to him without upsetting him-AGAIN.

“Oh god, are you sure?” Arlin asked Jessica if she was okay with this. It was getting a little weird to stalk a person who you were trying to seduce and then give way to a friend.

“Arlin! Don’t worry! I’ll be fine! I mean, as long as you guys don’t, like, kiss or start holding hands-I’ve wanted to do that for way too long! It’s almost embarrassing!” She stated matter-of-factly.

“Er, of course not.” Arlin felt a little vision popping into her head the minute Jess had mentioned kissing or holding hands with Hayden, the god from above, Christensen. She also saw Skandar, pulling Hayden away from her and punching him in the mouth. Yikes!

That night…

Arlin invited Jessica to sleep over, more to plan than do mani-pedies, but still having fun. Time was running out and Arlin still wasn’t sure how to flirt with him-Not that she didn’t know how-without falling for him. She knew what her priorities were but lately, all the talk about Hayden was dangerous for her. She was cautious of Skandar too. She loved Skandar almost irrationally, and he loved her that way too. It would be pure torture if she would ever act so stupidly as to falling into temptation with Hayden; and she’s not much of a masochist.

Arlin was quiet throughout most of the evening, keeping mostly everything to herself. Jessica was looking at a couple of magazines, wondering what to do with her hair for approximately two weeks from now. Arlin stared at her computer screen, just scrolling up and down, listening to music. Suddenly, a window popped up. It was a video chat from ‘SkantheMan’. Arlin smiled and accepted.

“Hey!” Skandar greeted her.

“Long time no see! Hi!” Arlin smiled.

“Oh, definitely. I’ve been dying over here-literally! In the last scene, someone knocked me out in a battle!”

Arlin laughed. Jessica slide out of the room, hoping to find a better place to concentrate on cute hairstyles. She went to the bathroom.

“So, how’s school?” Skandar asked.

Arlin hushed. “School’s…kind of there!”

“ ‘Kind of there’? How?”

“Well, there’s this school recreational trip to the beach, so school’s not so completely horrid.”

“Horrid? Arlin, it can’t be that bad!”

“Well, it sort of is! I mean, I’ve missed you so much…”

“Haven’t you been distracting yourself like I told you?”

“Oh yeah, my friend Jessica is sleeping over tonight. We’re planning for the trip. I can’t wait! I love the beach!”

“When is it?”

“In two weeks!”

“Wow! That was close!”

“What?”

“Um, I have great news!”

“I’m coming back a week after your trip!!”

Arlin screamed. “REALLY?!”

“Yeah!”

“In that case, I REALLY CAN’T WAIT FOR THAT TRIP!”

“So, who’s going on this trip?”

“I don’t know…the whole school, I think. Why?”

“Just wondering who will be there.”

“Skandar, are you acting jealous again?”

“No, I’m not acting. I’m off the clock at the moment.”

Arlin laughed. “You are hilarious!”

“Am I?” He said in a prosaic voice.

“Yeah.”

“And why I am so hilarious?”

“Because you’re being really jealous over something so silly! Tell me exactly what are you worried about?”

“That kid that likes you.”

“Hayden? Oh, you definitely don’t have anything to worry about there!”

“Really?!” He said in the same, uninterested voice.

“Yeah, because my friend Jessica and I are planning a little hook-up with her and Hayden.”

“Well, in that case, I am a little calmed down.”

“Good.”

“Skandar?” Arlin asked.

“Yes?”

“Do you know if you could get done two Fridays from now?”

“Um, I’m not sure. Why?”

“Well, I couldn’t possibly think of anyone that I could hang out with at the beach than with you.”

“I’ll try to figure out when I’m not needed anymore.” Skandar smiled.

Ch.18 (Filling Up The Stash)

Suddenly, Jessica popped in the room.

“Arlin? Darlenys is going out to the supermarket. Do you wanna go?”

She looked back at Skandar, who was yawning. She smiled at him and typed, “Go to sleep. I’m going out. Love you.”

He smiled at her. He typed, “Is it obvious? lol. Bye. I love you more!”

Arlin smiled and exited out and put her computer on standby.

“Sure. Let’s go!” Arlin stood up.

“Talking to Skandar again??” Jessica sang her question.

Arlin blushed. She nodded.

At the Supermarket…

“I’m just going to get what I need and leave!” I yelled after them as they went straight to the magazine section of the store.

“It’s cool. We don’t need too much time to skim through some magazines.” Arlin said, following Jessica.

“I’ll call you, then.” I said, waving my hand.

“GET ME SOME PICKLES!!!” Arlin yelled.

I stopped in my tracks pausing to laugh.

Meanwhile, Jessica and Arlin were looking at magazines, skimming through pages, when suddenly…

“OHMYGOSH!” Arlin practically shouted, making some customers stop and star.

“What?! What is it? Why are you yelling?!” Jessica asked her, trying to calm her down, but only hyping up her mood.

“Skandar’s movie is going to have a premiere party…WITH A SPECIAL SCREENING IN ENGLAND??!!!”

“Really?” Jessica would never be as enthusiastic as Arlin was about England, or Skandar Keynes.

“YEAH! I have to buy this!!”

As Arlin and Jessica were looking through the magazines, Hayden Christensen was doing a little shopping of his own.

“Oh! Body spray!” (I don’t know; What gets guys excited about shopping…?) Hayden grabbed the body spray in his hand. (Axe, obviously. He’d been watching way too many commercials!)

Hayden was passing the magazine aisle, going back an aisle before it when he noticed his two classmates, Arlin and Jessica.

Arlin was looking at a magazine and Jessica was peering out from hers to look at Arlin’s from time to time.

“Skandar Keynes-of course.” Hayden muttered to himself. Maybe she was just an obsessed fan-sadly, gone too far-and she was “keeping the dream alive.” Hayden shook his head from side to side. He went back into his aisle and waited for them to leave.

Hayden grabbed the magazine that Arlin had picked up and flipped violently through it, ripping out the pages that would give him the dirt that he had been looking for.

At the apartment…

“Oh my gosh, finally!” I said as I ripped open a box of Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds. “I needed this.”

Meanwhile, as I’m going insane with all of these different projects and plans, Perry is just about to get off work. Till then, I’ve got some work ahead of me.

15 Minutes Later…

“Hello?” I said, not even looking at the caller I.d.

“Hey, I’ll be there in like, two seconds.”

“Why t-…” The doorbell discontinued my question. I smiled and got up to answer the door.

Outside the threshold stood Perry; deep blue eyes that were on my face as soon as I opened the door. Lips, the lower one thicker than the upper one, parting at the smirk he was now giving me. He walked through the door, standing in front of me.

“Hi.” I said, standing in front of him. My hair was pretty much everywhere! The makeup that I had  worn was running away from the rims of my eye sockets. I had a t-shirt as long as my knees on, and underneath that were some jersey shorts to create the long t-shirt-effect.

Perry raised an eyebrow at my look, smirking at me still.

“Hi,” He wrapped his arms around my waist, making my over-sized shirt come into my sides in the middle. “Are you working hard tonight?”

“Oh, am I! I had to go buy some thinking food tonight! I ran out! It was pretty scary!” I joked.

“Hm…did it work? “A little.”

“Have you tried this.” He grabbed my chin and pressed his lips to mine for a couple of seconds. He looked at me then.

“No, I hadn’t thought of that one.” I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck, and grabbed a fistful of his midnight-dark hair and rose from the ground on my tip-toes to better reach him. My breathing sped and, a few seconds into the passion, I wasn’t the only one who was having trouble breathing!

Perry pulled me to his chest and then, without noticing, I wasn’t on the ground anymore. He was walking towards my room.

“Wait, wait. We can’t go in there!” I said against his lips.

“Why not?” He looked at me.

“Arlin and her friend are in there.”

“Oh, right.” He looked around the room, pausing to look behind me. “Hmmm…”

“What?” I asked.

“Would you look at that! No one’s sitting on the couch!” He said, sarcastically.

I laughed at his sarcasm. He smiled at me, looking up at me, since I was wrapped around his body; my legs were wrapped around his torso like an octopus, as were my arms around his neck; fingers played with his locks of darkness. Perry charged for my couch, slipping and falling on his back, onto the carpet luckily, with me now sitting on the perfect plains of his stomach.

“Uhf!” He said.

I covered my mouth. “Are you okay?!”

He looked at me and said, “That’s gonna hurt in the morning.”

Ch. 19 (I don‘t wanna be,…Without U.)

Meanwhile, Arlin and Jessica…

These girls have been planning and there are officially only thirteen days until said trip. Arlin’s been eating, breathing Hayden information and she honestly thinks that she’s got it pretty much covered. There’s not much left to learn, thanks to Jessica.

“Okay, so, I think I’m ready.” Arlin said.

“I hope so, because you’ve got a week to get Hayden to start talking to you again!” Jessica told her.

There was a knock on my bedroom door, where Arlin and Jessica were at.

“Come in!” They laughed at their little screen-playing game where Jessica was pretending to be Hayden.

“Hey, guys! Did ya miss me?” Hayden came in and dropped his stuff! (Speak of the hearthrob!)

“Holy snot!” Arlin screamed.

“Hayden!” Jessica screamed.

“What are YOU doing here?!” The girls got up and fidgeted with their hair.

“Visiting. Well, you know, I was around the neighborhood.”

“Uh-huh…” Arlin said, dubiously.

Hayden gave Arlin a face, “Anyway,…I thought I’d, um, come by…”

“Sure. Hayden, what are you REALLY here for?” Arlin asked him.

“Okay! You caught me!”

Arlin and Jessica looked at each other. Jessica nudged Arlin and gave her one of the looks that they’d been talking about.

“Listen, Hayden,” She fidgeted with her fingers, “I’m sorry about Friday in math.” Arlin said.

“What?” Hayden looked dumbfounded.

“When I was talking to you, and I was all irritated and stuff, it was just a long day.”

“Oh, that stuff! Yeah, um. Don’t worry about that! I’m a little too excited on Fridays! It’s kind of weird.” Hayden took advantage of Arlin’s mood by trying to add in talk about the bonfire trip.

“So,…you girls going to the bonfire trip?” He tested his question in his mind to see if it was safe, first.

“Actually,” Arlin pointed at him, inching closer while giving Jess a few glances, “I was thinking that we should all go together! I mean, we’re all good friends here and we’re pretty capable of having a good time. Well, the school’s taking us, of course, by ‘together’ I mean we should, you know, hang out there.”

Arlin tried to sound tongue-tied only to make him think that he made her nervous in a way that she couldn’t make coherent sentences around him.

It worked. Hayden’s ego was starting to look enormous already when he said, “I knew my irresistible charm wasn’t just a rumor.”

Arlin rolled her eyes. “Don’t push it, Christensen.”

“No, ma’am.” He replied. He got up and stretched. “Can I have some juice?”

(Random-much?)

Arlin sighed and said, “Sure. Just go help yourself.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t’ spill anything.”

“I’ll try not to.” Hayden winked. Jessica’s heart fluttered, even though he was obviously winking at Arlin.

Meanwhile, Perry and I…

“You okay?” I asked Perry, as I got off of him so that he could get up.

“I’m fine.” He smiled. I giggled, gasping at the same time that my eyes spotted Hayden, Arlin’s annoyingly-good-looking friend, walk out of my room!

“What?!” Perry tried to look in my direction.

“What are YOU doing here?!” I asked Hayden.

“It’s nice to see you, too, honey!” He went to the refrigerator and got some juice and grabbed a cup to pour it in.

“Who’s that?” Perry asked, pointing while looking really ticked off.

“Oh, that’s Hayden. He’s Arlin’s friend.”

“And so if he’s Arlin’s friend, why did he just come out of YOUR room??”

“Why should I know?”

“Because he obviously came out of your room.”

“What are you trying to say, here?”

“I don’t know. Maybe that, ‘if he’s a guest, he knows his way a little too well around your apartment.’ ”

“So? It’s not that hard to find your way around this place!”

I stood up a little more and put my hands on my hips, bringing the sides of my shirt into my body.

“So, Hayden…?” Perry called over to him. Hayden stopped drinking his juice. “How often do you come here?”

“Here? Umm, I’ve only been here twice, but this time, I got to come inside and everything! I mean, I even got to go inside the room!” He smiled stupidly.

I covered my face in frustration, annoyance, and anger.

“Thanks for the info!” Perry said to him.

“Sure, thing!” Hayden took a sip of his juice and went back to the room, right when Jessica came out and asked if he was doing okay.

“Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Just talking to…uh…?”

“Perry.” Perry said between his teeth.

“Oh, well, just…just making sure, you know.” Jessica walked past Hayden close enough that she somehow spilled the juice on his shirt.

“Oh my gosh!!” Jessica moved her hands frantically, trying to find a place to set them on Hayden’s shirt. “I’m sooooo sorry!”

“It’s okay! Good thing I have another shirt around here somewhere.”

Perry looked at me dubiously, eyeing the size of my shirt. (oh crap!) I knew EXACTLY what he was thinking!

He started to get up and look around for anything he had brought with him. I grabbed onto his arm and stalked after him. He got to the door and stopped.

“I’m leaving.”

“Why? I didn’t even do anything?”

“You don’t have to keep playing along with your little game! I get it! You don’t want me anymore!”

“Whoah! What?! What are you…? Oh my gosh! Perry, that’s absurd! Hayden, right? That kid who just came out of my room, was in there because of the girls!”

“ ‘I’ve got another shirt around here somewhere?’ ” He quoted Hayden while pulling a piece between his thumb and index finger.

“Oh my god! Ew! Perry…he’s like seventeen! And second of all, this is MY shirt!”

“Why would you buy an oversized shirt?”

“I wanted one???”

“You’re lying.”

“What?”

“You’re lying.”

“Really? Are you kidding me?!” I yelled.

Jessica and Hayden looked at Perry and me. I opened my door and we went out to the hall to talk.

“So,” I shut the door, “Do I have to like keep all of my receipts now? And since when are you concerned with the sizes of my clothes?!”

“That’s not even the point! The point is that…” He stopped, took a breath, then looked away from me.

“What?” I grabbed his chin with my thumb and index finger. “What’s the point here?”

“…I’ll never be your first anymore.” He sounded a little ashamed to use such words. It shocked me a little. I’d never heard anyone other than girls say that kind of stuff. He looked at me.

“What??” I felt really annoyed and at the same time, I wanted to start laughing and I had no idea why, but I knew that now wasn’t a good time.

“So,…what are you trying to say exactly?” I asked him, fighting the small, pools of saltwater tears to flow from my eyes.

“I don’t know if I’m trying to say anything.”

“I wish you were trying to say that you believe me.” I murmured, tears already falling down. I caught my breath.

“I love-…” I started to say.

“Don’t say that anymore.”

“Wha-…”

“Look,…I’m,…going to go home,” I shook my head, because I couldn’t find my voice. The words he was going to say hadn’t come out yet, but, honestly, that’s why I was shaking my head. Because I didn’t want it to be true. If he said that he was going to break up with me, then I’d be back into reality and all of the times I’ve had with Perry would all just be dreams; lost, but never forgotten. It’s like I’d just been asleep this whole time and now, slowly, it would all come falling down on me and wake me up. I never wanted to open my eyes up to this. Ever.

Perry left. He didn’t say anything, which gave me hope (but only a smidge.). I walked away slowly, opening my door.

Hayden and Jessica stared at me, then said, “Arlin, we’re leaving.” to Arlin, in my room. I smiled a little at them.

Hayden came up to me and whispered, “It’s my fault, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” I smiled, whispering back.

“Hey!” He complained.

“Com’on!” Jessica pulled him. “I’m sorry.”

I nodded once. She closed the door. Arlin came out of my room. She looked at me.

“You’re a mess.” She said.

I made a face and closed the door to my room once I was inside. I laid down on my bed and pulled  the covers over my head.

Ch.20 (The Not-So-Third Wheel.)

Skipping around to Wednesday morning…

There are officially eleven days until the famous Bonfire Trip at Arlin and Jessica’s school. The ingenious plan seems to be working since Jessica and Hayden have been talking more than Jessica could have dreamed! Arlin’s been feeling like a third wheel from this, but honestly, she could have cared less! Jessica was finally going to be as happy as she was with Skandar, and not to mention, Skandar would finally stop being jealous of Hayden! Hayden, the god from above, was only trying to be a good friend now, as he realized that him and Jess were getting along.

It was lunchtime, finally! Although it would be a quiet lunch period today, what with Jessica having an appointment, today of all the days! Arlin took her seat near the window, longing for the day to be over and stood up , money clenched in her right hand. She took her place in line and stood there patiently, going with the flow of student-body traffic.

There were two girls talking in front of her. Arlin wasn’t trying to listen, but they were talking a little too loud to be standing one in front of the other.

“So, you’ve seen them too?!”

“Yeah! They look so cute together!!”

“Really? Ugh! I think Hayden would look adorable with me!”

“Oh God! Get over it! It seems Christensen’s finally settling down!”

“Yeah, okay! Like you weren’t going to say the same thing!”  The other girl bit her lips.

“I knew it!” The girl kept talking. “You just can’t stare at…at a wonderful creation of GOD like him and NOT fantasize!”

Arlin seemed like she would burst into laughter. She motioned to the two other girls to move forward.

“What’s so funny?” The girl who kept talking said. Her beach blond hair moved with the motion of her walking.

“Yeah?” the girl who bit her lips said. She had green braces and green eyes to match. Her curly-red hair also seemed to fit with the bridge of red-brown freckles across the bridge of her nose. Both very modelesque. Both wearing Hollister, naturally.

“I don’t think you should refer to him as a ‘GOD’. He’s just a kid.”

The two girls made faces at Arlin.

Arlin raised her hand, palms up. “Okay, okay. An exceptionally good-looking guy. But personally, I don’t fantasize about him.”

“Are you blind?” Blondie said, putting her hands on her hips. The curly-haired girl laughed.

“No.” Arlin replied.

“Have you seen him?” She took a breath. “In PERSON?”

“Yeah. All the time. He’s my best friend’s friend. And, I guess he’s my friend, too.”

Arlin got her food, paid for it, and left.

The two girls followed after her. They gasped at the same time that Arlin stopped. Christensen was sitting at a table, staring at Arlin’s things on the table. He looked up, a smile on his glorious face, and greeted Arlin.

The girls gasped even more when they saw Christensen motioning to her to sit down.

“This isn’t your lunch period.” Arlin accused him.

“Oh well. No one’s going to miss me in study hall.” He replied.

“Where’s Jess?” He asked. Arlin’s smile went a little smug, but no for the actual reason at hand: Jessica’s absence.

“She’s at an appointment.”

“Hey, look, I’m sorry if you’ve been feeling…eh, left out. Jess and I have been…”

“Bonding??” Arlin smiled widely. (Teehee.)

“Yeah.”

“Well, that’s GOOD!”

“It is.”

“But?” Arlin prompted.

“But?” Hayden looked puzzled.

“I don’t know. I felt a ‘but’ coming along.”

Hayden laughed. “Well, I don’t know about ‘buts’, but…”

“See?!”

He laughed again. “I guess I’m trying to say that it’s unfair that I’ve been hanging out with one of my best friends more than the other.”

“Best friend?” Arlin murmured between her teeth. Wow!

“Yeah! Of course! I mean, were you expecting something more?” Hayden questioned her with a pleading voice.

Arlin sighed, took a bite out of her apple and said, ‘no.’ Hayden sighed too, looked around and asked, “What’s for lunch?”

Arlin made a face at his nonchalance, intentionally, and said, “Pizza, chicken fingers and turkey and gravy sandwich; at least those are the main dishes. I wouldn’t suggest anything else, so it doesn’t matter.” She smiled a little. Hayden smiled at her and went up to get his food.

When he came back, he was more than excited to eat with Arlin, since he noticed for a fact that Jessica wasn’t here and Arlin was somewhat vulnerable, or so he thought.

“Look, Arlin! They had juice!” Hayden showed her the small carton of apple juice that he had picked up in his hand.

“Oh! Three drops of squished fruit in a carton! Fun!” Her sarcasm made him laugh, which was just what she had been hoping for. It was a bit weird for her to admit, but sh e liked it when she could make him laugh. It pleased her and, honestly, she was starting to think that those girls were right; Arlin suddenly saw herself in a very unfamiliar, barren place, holding hands with Christensen and getting to hear the sound of his laughter very close to her. This plan was working. Arlin was going to get closer to him than she ever really wanted. This was going to be extremely dangerous.

Arlin and Hayden both walked into their math class, the last class of the day. The class cheered as soon as they saw a substitute walk in. It was going to be an easy class period, and it was only Wednesday.

“Listen up, guys and girls, your teacher, Mr. Quin is on an intensive teaching trip and won’t be back until Monday, so I’ll be fitting in. Now, this is the part where you all cheer, right? Okay…”

The class cheered on cue.

“So, all I ask is that you keep it down. You have extra credit work that he left you guys. If you need any help, I’m an English major, so we’ll see what we can do. My name’s Mr. Lucas, so just try NOT to need me, if you know what I mean…”

The class laughed. The few girls that were already huddled into a group in the corner were examining Mr. Lucas. He had on pale-black pants, a decent shirt, converses, and he wore square, small glasses. His hair was long and layered on top of itself, not going past his ears in length. He had a bit of a faint shadow, but nothing unprofessional.

The girls in the back, apart from Arlin, were laughing and giggling about Mr. Lucas’s appearance.

Arlin was barely paying attention.

She definitely noticed Mr. Lucas’s appearance, but it wasn’t the main center of her attention; Hayden was.

“Hey!” Hayden greeted her.

“Hi.” Arlin looked up from her book.

“so, I…I was thinking…”

Arlin looked up from her book again, putting her bookmark inside.

“Yeah?” She asked.

“What?” He interrogated.

“You were going to say something?” Arlin asked him.

“Oh,…um, I forgot.” He stalled nervously.

“O…kay?” Arlin went back to her book.

Class was almost over.

Five minutes left…

“Hey, Arlin?” Hayden asked.

“Hmm?” She barely looked up from her book. Hayden closed her book, and she quickly slipped the bookmark before it closed.

“Are you doing anything weekend?”

“Don’t people usually ask that kind of stuff on Friday?”

“Answer my question.” Hayden said.

“I don’t know. Probably nothing. I only really do stuff with Jessica.”

“Would you be okay with watching a movie with me? I mean, I’ve tried asking my other friends but they’ve all got plans.”

“Ummm…,” Arlin thought of the possibilities and shook her head.

“Geez, you just had to say, ‘no’!”

“What? No! Not, ‘no, I don’t want to go!’, Uhhh…I meant, ‘yes, I’ll go.’!”

“You shake your head when you’re saying yes?”

“No.”

“Okay, so, is that a ‘yes’,” He nodded, “or a ‘No’,” He shook his head.

Arlin gave him ‘the look’. “Yes.”

“Cool.”

Ch.21 (Movies with Christensen)

Arlin and Hayden have been spending time together; to anyone, they should just get a room; (to Hayden too.) Obviously, Arlin and Skandar, (who really shouldn’t know about this, for the intention of KEEPING Hayden alive), are still irrevocably in love and they are going to be with each other soon enough. Jessica is M.I.A. (Missing In Action), so Hayden can’t really focus on Jessica the way that he was supposed to. It was obvious that his crush for Arlin was only going to get stronger. And as for Arlin, her slight attraction for Hayden was going to grow, whether she likes it or not.

***-Hayden P.O.V.

At home…

“Hayden, you lucky guy! You’re finally going to get to go on a date with Arlin!” I talked to myself. “Yeah, I know, ‘What a weirdo’ Oh crap! She’s just thinking that I’m ‘just a friend’ when I want to be so much more!, “I had just remembered, right when I had mentioned her name.

I walked over to the mirror in my bathroom and gave myself a little confidence boost/ “pep talk.”

“Okay, Hayden! You can do this! You the man! YOU THE MAN! She’s just a girl-a gorgeous, fine, extremely hot girl…Yep, this isn’t working.” I gave up with the self-mirrored talk and just settled for some food to calm myself down.

Why couldn’t girls be like food? They’re so hard to figure out! Food is as obvious as anything else! But, GIRLS!! Sure, they’re beautiful, but they are sometimes a pain in the neck! Food is just, well, pretty obvious, especially if you’ve made it yourself! A homemade sandwich has you ingredients that you decided to put in yourself. IT doesn’t make itself and start packing itself with all of these different concoctions! Unless you make someone else make it for you! It really annoys me when there’s something in my sandwich that I clearly didn’t remember ordering!

That’s pretty much like girls! You don’t always get what you’ve ordered. I guess I could relax by saying that the night is young and I think I could get her to like me in time for the beach trip!

Wow! I never thought that I’d live to “think” the day that I liked school!

***-End of Hayden’s P.O.V*

Honestly, Arlin and Hayden were getting closer by the second, and watching a scary movie had nothing to do with “getting closer.” Arlin had already adjusted to Hayden. After the movies, Hayden walked her home.

They were walking pretty far apart from each other. Arlin was staring at her intertwined fingers. Hayden stared at her in complete silence. Arlin looked nervously at her fingers still, then getting annoyed by the ideas running through her head. She walked a little faster, with her newly-clenched fists at her sides. Hayden tried to catch up.

“Hey! Why are you walking so fast?!” He yelled.

“I always walk like this!” She yelled back, answering his question.

“Uh-huh. Don’t tell me you’re scared of the dark!”

“What? Why do you say that?”

“Because I saw you in the movies! I was sitting right next to you!”

“Oh, REALLY?! So, you think that I’m scared of the dark-BECAUSE OF A MOVIE?! Please! It wasn’t even that scary! I’ve seen worse!”

“Oh,Re…?!” Hayden started, but Arlin cut him off.

“AND, it’s not even dark outside!”

They got to the apartment building and Hayden stopped in front of Arlin and thanked her for coming with him. Hayden hugged Arlin and she melted in his arms, hating the effect that he had on her.

“Bye!” Hayden said, now looking at her; his eyes were obviously twinkling.

“See ya, Christensen!”

He looked at her. She smiled and said, “Bye, Hayden!”

He smiled back.

When Arlin got inside and up to her room, she felt a text that was vibrating through her pants. She looked at it. It was from Hayden.

“You were too scared.”

She smiled, rolled her eyes and got ready for bed.

Ch.22 (You’re Irresistible)

School was getting  weirder and weirder each day! Jessica hasn’t shown up in a while, only because she’s going through way too much for a silly little trip to the beach. Hayden was the one who was getting weird! He was being extremely nice, and sometimes bashful; and he was smiling a lot-practically every time that he saw her.

On Friday, Hayden wasn’t being his usual, cocky self. He was being pretty funny, and as much as Arlin didn’t want to admit, irresistible.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty much the same as usual, only Hayden was I.m.ing Arlin instead of Skandar. Skandar was wrapping up the few scenes and any other Narnia-related activity that he was involved in; after that, he’d go to his house (in England) and collapse on his bed. These days, he barely made it to the couch! Arlin had been informed by his late-night texts; and she was occupied with her newest bff, Hayden, who in truth, wanted to be known as her ‘bf’. Arlin couldn’t say that she hadn’t considered it before, because lately, she’s been thinking about a little more than math in her class with Hayden.

That’s when Sunday night allowed her to be able to see him more often than she was unfortunately hoping she would. Hayden had I.m.ed her.

“Oh my god!” Arlin rolled her eyes, smiling a small but slightly happy smile.

She typed, “Hayden?”

“At your service;D” he typed.

“Yeah, okay.” She replied.

Hayden typed a pretty long message. It read, “So, how do you think you’ll do on that math quiz on Thurs.? I think I’m going to ace it! It’s soooo easy!”

Arlin found a reason to panic. “Math quiz. Ohgod! Yeah, you’ll be acing what I’m definitely going to be failing!”

“I could teach you how to do what we’re doing right now.” He replied.

“Now? How?”

“Not on here! At school, Dr. Seuss!”

“hahaha.”

“I’m sorry, but seriously, I could tutor you. It’s not that hard! You’ll see!”

“Oh, yes we will see!”

“Okay, so, would this be better at school or at home? See, because we have to pay attenton at school, and maybe he’ll be teaching the others how to do those problems, and then, maybe you won’t need me.”

Arlin gawked at her screen. What was she going to say to that?!

“Arlin, I would really recommend that you let me teach it to you. Besides, you can trust me more than our own math teacher.” He said.

“Well, I guess.” She replied.

“Good.” He hesitated, then started typing again, “So, starting Monday then?”

Arlin’s mouth had opened involuntarily.

“Um, sure, I guess. Where should I meet you?”

“Um, I’m not sure. Where are you most comfortable?”

“In my room.”

“Then, we’ll meet there! Got to go! Take your math book home on Monday! I could go right after school if that’s okay.”

“Uh, uh…sure?”

“Hayden responded by laughing virtually.

“G2G! Bye!”

“Bye.”

Monday and Tuesday weren’t anything ordinary. Hayden was actually keeping his promise and tutoring Arlin It seemed like he had no more affection towards her as much as he used to. But, unfortunately for Arlin, she’d fallen for him a little too late.

As for me, Perry and I were a bit of a mess right now. If I could really blame anyone, it’d definitely be Hayden, but he didn’t really DO anything; Perry just hasn’t realized that the whole thing is just a misunderstanding.

On Tuesday morning, before work, I was about to head out the door, when I realized that I hadn’t had some breakfast. I hated to admit it, but I really needed to go to Perry’s caf��. I was in the mood for a croissant and a French vanilla cappuccino in a mug or something; wouldn’t be too bad. To-go. Not because I was mad at him; because I was completely tormented and lost without him. It was honestly because I was going to be late; and I just wanted to see his face in person. Just one more time. It’s been killing me to refer to photographs. The only reason that I hadn’t done this before was because I was afraid that he wouldn’t even look at me. I don’t think he would do that. Would he? I walked over there to see.

There he was, beautiful as ever. He had to at least take my order.

I walked up to the register, since I was going to leave with my food. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, looking through my bag, as if I needed to distract myself already. Staring at Perry was always very distracting. I was at the register, looking to see if I still wanted a croissant.

Just as I’d hoped, he was at the register. I tried not to look at him from the corner of my eye. He didn’t look like he was mad at me.

“Can I come over tonight?” I asked him, pleading deep in my voice. I gave him my money. He handed me my food. He was smiling, but I didn’t know if it was out of habit.

“Sure.”

I stopped and looked up at him in astonishment.

“Look, I’m sorry that I overreacted on you like that on Friday. I’ve honestly missed you like crazy,” Perry looked me in the eyes and whipped his hair out of the way, letting me rediscover those deep-blue small pools of perfection. His eyes twinkled in the light.

“That’s funny. I thought that you would hate me for the whole misunderstanding! I was actually really scared to come over here because I wouldn’t think that you’d talk to me.”

“What?” He started to give me back my change my change. His fingers lingered on my skin as he gave me the folded receipt.

“I was kind of hoping that you’d come.” He smiled.

I opened the receipt. Aside from the $7.39 that I owed him for the food and my change being a total of $0.61, it read: “See you at 7:00p.m.?”

Perry was attending a customer, but he was looking at me with a sly grin across his face. I loved the fact that he wasn’t mad at me anymore. (Not that I wanted him to be mad at me in the first place, but why the sudden mood swing?)

I looked at him and nodded my head.

Tuesday night…

Ch. 23(“I can fix that.”)

***

It was 6:45 pm. I was showered, just in a cami and some underwear, looking for something decent to  wear. (Honestly, all I had to do was change into something more than what I was already wearing, but I just couldn’t decided whether his mood would stay like this or if when I got there, he would find a reason to be mad at me.) I settled with some jeans and a graphic t-shirt. I straightened my hair, though.

I took a deep breath, announced my departure and left out the door.

I rang the buzzer and told him that I was here, just like old times. I heard the buzzing of the unlocked door and went upstairs to his apartment. I’ve only been here several times, but each time made it even easier. It was exactly 7:00 pm. Perry received a ring at the door.

I was so nervous that I might have almost turned for the corner, but I didn’t know what to expect, really. I mean, it wasn’t like he was going to show up at the door, shirtless or something!

Perry opened the door. He was wearing a deep V-neck t-shirt and cargo pants.

I came into the apartment and Perry closed the door behind me. We sat in silence for about three seconds, away from each other, and yet still on the same couch.

I closed my eyes tightly, took a deep breath and spoke.

“Perry,…I’m extremely sorry for giving you the wrong impression. I really wasn’t trying to do that! I…” I couldn’t continue because Perry had interrupted me.

“Look, I’m the one that’s sorry. I overreacted! I’ve been dying to see you! I hated myself after I realized that you really were telling the truth!”

“And when exactly did you realized?!” I turned to look at him, annoyed. “So, when?”

“Sunday,” he sighed. He looked at me, then looked away and continued with his anecdote. “Well, that Hayden guy came over to my café and he came to talk to me about how there was never and never will there BE a ‘you and him’.”

“Wait! Hayden said that?!”

“Mm-hm.” Perry nodded.

“Huh…I’m going to have to thank him for that.” I muttered to myself.

“Me too.” Perry agreed, now looking at me. “I’m extremely sorry and, to tell you the truth, I feel really stupid!”

“Oh, REALLY?!” I asked, hinting the sarcasm. He grimaced.

“Yeah. I completely forgot about everything that you told me you liked and how differently you do the things that you do…” Perry looked at me; I was looking down, as if in a pensive state when I was just bashful.

Perry tilted his head to try to see what I was looking at. I was aware of how quiet it had gotten, but I didn’t look up at him. He sensed a bit of aggravation within himself. Perry searched for my chin with his fingertips. I shivered at the touch. He made me look at him. We were both at eye level. I stared back at his eyes, but tried to keep a serious expression on my face. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do; Hid the expression that clearly showed on my face as soon as his blue-eyed gaze was on me.

“What’s wrong? Why are you acting like this?” He asked; I still sensed the aggravation in his tone.

“I’m just acting like this because you are.”

“What?” He was instantly confused.

“You,…” I bit my lips, trying to form a correct sentence structure.

Perry slowly let go of my chin and turned to me. He sat cross-legged and waited patiently.

“You don’t know how much I’ve wanted you; from the beginning,…” I paused, because of nervousness instead of sentence. He was about to speak. I put my index finger  up, motioning to hold on a second.

“I know that I’ve made it look like I’ve screwed up in the past, with someone else, but right now…”I went closer in Perry’s direction, touching up his arm. His eyes went wide, the blue almost crashing like iced water. “I’ve never wanted to make it seem that way before.”

Perry stared at me slightly horrified. I took that as nervousness before I could have been offended by it. He didn’t say anything. I retrieved my hand. He was looking down at his feet, (or so I thought).

“You don’t have to prove anything to me. I believe you, already. He said, still looking down.”

“I’m not trying to prove anything.” Something clicked in the back of my head and helped me realize that he probably was just forgiving me from the misunderstanding, but meant that we really weren’t making that much progress to do this. I closed my eyes and sealed my lips together. “Um,…I’m going to just…you know, go.” I started to get up and leave. I got as far as three feet from the door before he tugged on my arm.

“Darlenys…” Perry whispered. That much made me stop; because I had missed the sound of his voice so much that I turned around just to hear it better. I turned to face him, lips still mashed together. Perry bit his lips; something he would do out of indecision-or seductiveness.

He slowly came closer to me. His hold on my arm loosened, only sliding down to my hand. He held onto it. With his other hand, he reached for the door, barely turning the knob so that it was technically “open,” but looked more “closed” than anything . I was about to reach for the door, when suddenly, Perry turned me around. I was standing right behind the door, staring at a guy who wasn’t making any sense at the moment.

“I love you,” He said as he intertwined his fingers with mine. I stared up at him in marvel.

“And…” He continued. I held my breath; my lips were still mashed together. I didn’t think that I was prepared for what came next; (only because I had no idea that it was going to happen in the first place.)

Perry’s face came closer to my ear. “I want you too,” he whispered. I could have sworn that I almost cried. He bent down to kiss my no longer mashed lips. I tried to help him by getting on my tip-toes, almost losing my balance to begin with. Perry grabbed the belt buckles of my jeans and hoisted me onto his body. We closed the door from being against it. It shut a little loudly. Perry kissed me and for the first time in that whole day had I never felt more complete (or so I had thought). Perry walked with me on his body. We followed the path that the wall was leading to: the kitchen.

Perry looked around and stopped. “Whoops!” I laughed.

“Wait! I’ve got an idea!” Perry said, looking past me, to the refrigerated goods, almost, instead of the refrigerator itself. He sat me down on the counter and looked through the fridge, getting two things: whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

“What’s that for?” I felt human enough to ask.

“In case we get hungry.” He left and came back within five seconds.

I rolled my eyes, purposely waiting until he came back.

“I saw that.” He pressed his lips to mine, smiling widely. I used my legs to reel him in closer. He grabbed my waist to finish hoisting me to his. This time, he kept his eyes open enough as to see where he was going. My arms were wrapped around his neck.

We got to his room, where I froze and looked around. It was amazing how neat his apartment was. Perry looked around with me. He carefully set me down on his bed, kissed my forehead and went to the bathroom. I got off the bed and went to the window. It was my favorite part of his room, especially at night. The moon shone through the window and into Perry’s room. It was so peaceful (and calming.)

Perry returned to his room, where I stood at his window, looking outside. He quietly came behind me and kissed me on the cheek. His touch made me shiver from the shock. He was smiling at me. I returned the gesture. This moment couldn’t have been more perfect! Perry pulled me into his arms, carefully and softly, barely touching me.

“Are you okay?” He whispered.

“I was,” I whimpered.

“Nervous?”

“Mm-hm.” I nodded.

“Don’t be. You’re here with ME.” He said, looking straight into my eyes.

I looked at him, cocking my head to the side.

“You’re all I’ll ever need.” Perry whispered.

I figured that I might have given in. I’m the one who set the field in the first place!

“Perry?”

He looked at me with undivided attention.

“I love you, too.” I kissed him, toying with his dark-midnight hair in the process. I walked backwards, trying to remember where his bed was, then hitting it and bending my knees to fall on it.

“Uhf!” I said.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Boy, doesn’t that sound familiar, I thought.

Perry kissed my neck, stopping and looking at me. Had he noticed how hard I was breathing?

“What’s wrong?” I asked. We still had our clothes on, so it wasn’t a matter of disappointment.

“Am I allowed to..?” He attempted a noise that was close to sucking air in.

“Uh…knock yourself out?!” I really had no idea what he meant. Perry laughed. He sucked on my neck. I started giggling. He stared at me and smiled.

I looked at him, serious now and sat up. He had a mischievous look on his face, although he had no idea what I was going to do. I turned him onto his bed and touched his nose, down to his shirt. He stared at me with a smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes with a replying smirk of my own and instructed him to help me take his shirt off. He went for his shirt, where I gawked at his marvelous body. I pressed my two hands lightly on his chest. My hair came down on his chest, tickling him enough to make him laugh.

Perry sat up and looked up at me. I was sitting on him; one leg on each side. I slipped out of my tee-shirt, left in my bra and jeans. He smiled at me, I smiled back. Eventually we were completely in sync with one another. “It was, in fact, the most erotic moment of my life!” Perry  turned to me.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” I smiled in his arms.

“You hungry?”

“Mm. A bit.”

Perry grabbed the whipped cream carefully, as to not unsettle me from my most comfortable spot. He grabbed the chocolate syrup quickly as well. “Which one?” He raised them both.

“Whipped cream, please.”

Perry shook the can and sprayed some in his mouth, missing COMPLETELY.

“You have terrible aim!” I laughed.

“I know…On the plus side, my mouth tastes better than yours.”

“Because I would want THAT!” I let my sarcasm go.

“Yeah!” He said, matter-of-factly.

He came closer to my face and moved his face from side to side, against mine, trying to get as much whipped cream on my face as possible.

“Hey! Perryyyy! Stop!!!” I laughed.

“I’m sorry.” He laughed quietly. Perry grabbed a hand full of my hair in his right hand as he pulled my face closer, licking off the whipped cream off of my face. I giggled. I laughed when some of the whipped cream was sliding down my neck. Perry stopped it from going any further by kissing it to a halt, then licking there as well.

I looked at him and shook my head, laughing a little. His face was a mess. He had whipped cream all over! On his cheeks, on his nose, on his lips and his chin. I took my finger and swiped it off the tip of his nose, where most of the whipped cream had accumulated. Then, I fed it to him. He sucked on my finger, making sure he had gotten all of it. I bit my lips with a small little smirk. I made him lick himself clean. I didn’t want to lick him, really. His lips were another story.

I sat up on my elbows and stared out his window. What a view! The beach looked great! Of course, I wasn’t choosing it over anything else at the moment. Perry looked at me. He kissed my bare shoulder. That caught my attention, and so I looked back at him.

“What time is it?” I tired to look around, but I couldn’t get past his eyes.

His face kind of slumped. “I have no idea.”

“Oh man,” I sighed. “I might have to go to work today,” Not that it mattered, since I worked from home, but everything was at my home, not his.

I paused, not realizing what day it was. “Perry? What day is it?!?!”

He chuckled, “Wednesday.”

“Oh.” I thought this and my times and schedule all in my head. “Actually…I’m free.”

“Ha. That’s great!”

“Do you have to go to work?”

“I’m closing the café.”

“What?!”

“I’m kidding. I’m going, I’m going.”

I rolled my eyes.

Perry and I finally got out of his bed and headed for the bathroom. He got there first, but he let me in (after seeing me pout about it.)

“Um, I need to shower.” I said. I wore one of Perry’s white dress shirts. It was extremely wrinkly, but it had his scent. An unfamiliar musk. Not “man-scented” but perfume-like.

“I know.”

I stared at him. “So, can I…you know, have some privacy, maybe?” I suggested.

“Darlenys, does it really matter anymore?”

“True. Well, what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know-brush my teeth or something.”

I shrugged and slipped into the warm shower, stripping myself of his shirt once I was safely inside.

I eventually got dressed and Perry got ready to go to work. I decided to go get some breakfast with him.

Ch.24 (Sometime Around Midnight.)

Arlin was stressing out over the biggest math quiz to have ever existed. It was tomorrow, on Thursday. Then again, there was the trip to look forward to, and today, Hayden would be coming over. Although she couldn’t admit it to herself aloud, she had started to like Hayden, like a guy. Like…

Arlin got up from her bed as soon as she had thought up that little thought and went to the door. He would be coming sooner or later. Arlin was getting extremely anxious, and not because she knew that she’d be failing without his help.

Ah, the doorbell…

Arlin went to answer the door. It was Hayden, alright. Drinking juice. He sipped and sucked on the straw, getting every last drop.

“You done there?” Arlin asked.

“Just about…,” he kept sucking on it. There wasn’t much in there, just sayin’!

Arlin gave Hayden “the look.”

“Can I throw this away inside?” Hayden asked stepping inside after he had finished his fruit punch juice pouch.

“Uh, yeah.” Arlin made Hayden follow her into the kitchen. He threw it away and got to the living room, where he’d dropped his things lightly to the floor.

“Let’s get started!” Hayden said, with a little too much enthusiasm. Hayden caught Arlin in a few of his greenish-blue gazes and Arlin, for some odd reason, always had a writing utensil in her hand which would do amazing somersaults in the air, whacking Hayden on the head! Arlin covered her mouth, trying to hider her laughter, but forming a smile instead.

“Oh my gosh!! Are you okay??!…Again?”

“Yeah. I’m just as fine as the last couple of times.”

Yes. You. Arrrre. Arlin thought, sounding so much like myself.

After about two hours and thirty minutes of “studying time,” Hayden’s phone rang.

“Sorry,” he looked for his phone, “Hello?…Yeah…I’m at Arlin’s house…No. No…”

Arlin stared away from him to give him some privacy.

“No Mom, she’s not my ‘friend’…” He whispered into the speaker of the phone, air-quoting “friend” for his mother to hear the emphasis on her far-off assumptions.

Arlin almost laughed aloud. Yeah right. Hayden, her, “friends.” They could barley be classmates.

“Mom, I’ll call you when I get home.” He shut the phone. “Where were we?”

“Um…”

“Sorry, I mean, if you heard something that you would have thought completely revolting…” Hayden started to apologize.

“Not completely revolting…” Arlin replied in a quiet voice, cutting Hayden off, mid-sentence.

Hayden smiled. “I better get going. I have to be home before dinner.”

“Yeah, sure. Okay. Thanks! I’m so surprised at how easy you make math seem. It’s almost illogical.”

Hayden shrugged. He bit is lip and rove Arlin into an imaginary hospital for about five seconds or so. He grabbed his things and Arlin walked him to the door.

At night, Arlin was on her computer checking mail and listening to music and anything else that could be used to help her stop thinking about… “SKANDAR!!!” Arlin almost jumped off of her bed when she saw the window of Skandar via webcam. She put her hair up, always going for the unimpressive ponytail when she wasn’t looking in a mirror. “Arlin?” Skandar spoke. He squinted through his poor lighting in his room. “Skandar!!” Arlin was instantly partially full of joy. The other parts were full of embarrassment and shame, and not because she had fallen off of her bed.

“Hey! How have you been?! I’ve missed you so much!” Skandar told her earnestly. “Oh my gosh! You have no idea how much I’ve missed you!” Arlin had a crazy thought to show something to Skandar. “Skandar, I’ll be right back!” Arlin shuffled through her things around her room, looking for the specific item that she wanted to show him. “What is it?” Skandar squinted to try to read the letters on the magazine about Narnia and Skandar and his date. “It’s a magazine.” “About?!” “Narnia and the big release date for it to hit theaters. It’s also talking about you and the big premiere party! And…” Arlin gasped at the unexpected little news at the right bottom corner. “You date?” “Date?!” Skandar was confused and taken aback as well. “That’s what it says, Skandar.” Arlin almost sounded mad. “Well, Arlin. I really don’t know what to say about that.” “Skandar…are you dating someone behind my back?” “…No.” He hesitated. “Are you?” He asked her the same question. “Um, no. Why would I?” Arlin interjected just so that she wouldn’t be forced to mention Hayden’s name, for being the closest friend, that just so happens to be a guy. “Exactly! That’s what I’m saying! I’m saying, ‘Why would I have to? It’s pointless if I’m doing this,’ ” He extended his arms and touched the keys on his keyboard. Arlin didn’t catch the drift. “Talking to you through the internet, on a webcam, instead of sleeping.” Arlin knew that Skandar was telling the truth; she was just a little insecure about the rumors that it was getting to her. “Wait! What’s on the cover of that again?!” Skandar pointed, virtually, towards the magazine. “Oh, Narnia, you, Anna, Georgie, William, some Narnians, something about a man living in a car,..” Arlin looked at everything on the cover and named off things that caught her eye. “I have that same magazine! I can’t believe they would write that stuff!” “What stuff?” “The ‘date’ stuff! I specifically told them to keep it a secret…” Arlin gave a disbelieving look. Like paparazzi listen! “Okay, okay. I told them to put in all the things that I had been mentioning about you, and me, and…” Suddenly, Arlin heard a knock at the door where she would have least expected visitors. “Hold on, Skandar. I’ll be right back. Sorry.”“It’s okay, take your time.” Skandar layed his head down on his bed. he didn’t mean to fall asleep. He was doing fine, until he closed his eyes in a very slow blink.“Hayden?!” Arlin yelled in a whisper.

“Open, please?” Hayden signaled by pointing to the handle of the door that led to the balcony and down to the shore. Arlin opened the door, letting him inside.

“What are you doing here?!” Arlin whisper-yelled.

“I came to see you.” Hayden said, with his big, deep blueish-green eyes on Arlin’s face.

“Hayden, you just saw me like six hours ago!” Arlin whispered.

“Why are you whispering?”

“Darlenys is sleeping, and she’ll kill me if I woke her!”

Hayden looked around the dark room and said, “Who’s room is this?”

“Mine.” Arlin told him.He came inside and looked around. “Hmm…nice.”

“Gee, thanks.” Hayden felt a little uneasy about something. he was scratching the back of his neck and head, looking away. “Um, Hayden…?”

“Hmm, what?” He looked at her as soon as she had spoken his name.“Did you come here for a specific reason…? Or can I just go to sleep?”

“Are you too tired? I actually just wanted to, uh…talk to you…about, ehm, something…"Hayden was a nervous wreck.

“Oh, okay. What is it?”

“Can we actually just…you know, take a walk?”

Arlin looked back at her computer. Then she looked at Hayden.

“Sure.” Hayden opened the glass door of Arlin’s balcony and offered for her to go first. She went back to her room and put on her uggs really quickly and put a white delicate dress over her tank and shorts. The dress was basically simple. It had delicately sewn white flowers on it and was a bit short, but she had a pair of shorts on underneath.

“How does she do that,” Hayden was thinking to himself in his mind.Arlin’s heart sped by as she approached the balcony’s glass doors, thus getting closer to Hayden. “Let’s go,” She whispered breathlessly.

“Er, right.” Hayden opened the door a little more and let Arlin go outside first.“So…, what did you want to talk to me about?” She spoke in a normal tone.“What? What about our walk?”“Well,” Arlin’s arms lifted effortlessly and smacked down on her sides, “We walked a little.” Hayden rolled his eyes and grabbed Arlin’s hand, just swiftly putting his hand into hers, without any of the fingers-interlocking-mumbo-jumbo, and pulled her along towards the Fire Emergency walk-way towards the beach streets. Arlin and Hayden’s hands seemed to have stayed together, and Arlin practically forgot. Well, they walking absent-mindedly, so she didn’t FORGET forget. Up until Hayden loosened up a little and started talking about Jessica, Arlin took her hand back, sort of smiling at him. “Um,…” Hayden started nervously.“So, you seem to be holding quite the conversation there, Hayden.” He laughed. He never laughed at anything sarcastic that Arlin had mentioned. Hayden cleared his throat and looked away from Arlin. “So, what ever happened to Jessica?” He finally spoke.“Jessica?” Arlin sounded a little dumbfounded.“You know, that girl from math class who…”“No, no! I KNOW who Jessica IS, I just…didn’t know that you were going to talk about her.” “Well, what did you think I was going to talk about?” Hayden asked. And, as if on cue, a young couple passed by, holding hands, unwilling to let go, causing Arlin and Hayden to make some room on the enormous side walk for the two insignificant people.Hayden was really quiet during the rest of their wlak. “So, how’s Skandar?” He started again.Arlin kind of squinted her eyes at Hayden and then just looked away. “He’s…good. He’s doing good.” Hayden looked away from her, looking straight ahead, at a palm tree that was near a bench, almost right on the beach. All that was missing was the sand, which was a couple of paces away. “You tired?”“Uh, not really…” Arlin responded.“Good. Let’s sit down.” Arlin looked after him confused, and then, in a way she couldn’t even explain to herself as soon as Hayden held her hand. Arlin suddenly found herself sitting down next to Hayden on a bench, under a peculiar little palm tree, a few paces from the beach. “Hayden, what is going on? Why are you acting so strange?”“I have a feeling that we can’t be friends, Arlin.”“What?! And why not?!”“Because I’m attracted to you.” Arlin’s mouth formed a small impish smile, blushing altogether. “And you’re attracted to me…” Hayden continued.

“WHAT?!” Arlin’s face was still a pinkish-red glow on bronzish skin.

“Well, aren’t you?” He said this quietly, getting very, very close to Arlin’s face, making it hard for her to talk. Hayden’s nose was about an inch away from hers.

“Do you mind?!” She said.

“No, not really, thank you.” Hayden smiled.

“So, are you saying that you don’t find me 'attractive’?” Hayden added emphasis on the last word.

“Well..I’m saying that you are not that I think you are.”

“But…thinking that I am is just the same..”

“No, I didn’t say 'thinking,’ I said, 'saying’ that you are are attractive is the same as me thinking it…Wait!…”

“Oh! So you DO think that I’m attractive!” He yelled. Arlin tried to look away. “So, you’ve got to be attracted to me if you find me attractive.”“No.” Arlin blurted out, making sure it sounded matter-of-factly. Hayden raised an eyebrow. “I’m just saying that’s not necessarily true.” Hayden’s nose touched with Arlin’s.“Not necessarily.”

Hayden kissed Arlin. He didn’t know exactly how long he’d been wanting to do this, but he had an idea. Hayden’s lips pressed against Arlin’s ever so slightly. Arlin was sitting on a bench, under a small palm tree, with a boy who wasn’t British, at midnight. And she liked it? Well, let’s just say Hayden wasn’t the only one who was kissing back. Arlin didn’t know what was going on; (Well, she did, she just didn’t want to believe that it was real.) Hayden’s lips, smacked on hers. They were even making those kissy-smacking noises that always happened in the movies! His lips were soft; softer than she could have ever imagine them to be. It was almost surreal how perfect this moment was.

For the moment, she couldn’t remember where they were, why they were, or who they were. All she could feel were Hayden’s lips. Oh yes. She knew those very well. The tips of Hayden’s fingers touched Arlin’s face. It was strange. Arlin tried to pull away (in her mind), but physically she just sat there like Hayden was actually…Arlin almost pulled away then, but Hayden had stopped kissing her, so she didn’t look rude when she stopped; out of nowhere, because GOD FORBID THAT. Hayden bit his lips, looking away a little. Arlin stared at him, but it wasn’t in horror, which should have been her reaction. He cleared his throat.

Ch.25 (Thursday Morning)

Suddenly, Hayden’s phone ran. He picked it from out of his back pocket and looked at the caller i.d. It was Arlin. “Why are you calling me?” Hayden asked her.

“Oh crap! Pick it up!!” She yelled.

“Okay!!” Hayden picked up his phone. “Hello?”

On the other line…

Dark, hot nights were just the kinds of things that usually made me in the mood for some cold cereal,…and gave me the urge to use the bathroom. I could hardly ever sleep when it got hot wherever I was. I got really restless. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom and washed my face with cold water. Then, I went to the kitchen and got some Honey Bunches of Oats; preferably with almonds at the time. I walked around with my bowl and decided to check on the girls. Marlen was fast asleep, in an awkward position, as always. Arlin’s room was a lot quieter than it should have been.

I opened her door carefully. Her computer was still on, which was honestly normal. I went to shut it off and noticed that she had been chatting with Skandar. Apparently, he fell asleep on his keyboard or something. I turned off the computer and looked for Arlin. I looked at the only possible place that she could have been in at 1:22 a.m.: her private bathroom. I knocked on the door.

“Arlin?”

No reply. “Arlin? Are you in there?”

Still nothing.

“Oh, so that’s how you want to play this game? Okay!”

…

“Arlin? Are you okay atleast?”

It just got quieter.

“Ohoho! So it’s the silent treatment?!” I opened the door to a dark, empty bathroom.

I looked around for a phone and called her cellphone. She never went anywhere without it! Or so I thought, as I heard her ringtone a lot closer than I would have expected. I went through her contacts and called her friend Jessica. She didn’t answer. I decided to call her other friend, Hayden.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hello?” He answered back.

“Hayden?”

‘Yeah…this is Hayden. Who is this?”

“Darlenys.”

“Oh, hey!”

Oh my god. “Have you seen Arlin?”

“Um, Arlin, Arlin…” Hayden walked away from her and walked back towards her casually. “Arlin?! Is that…Is that you?! Get , get, GET OVER HERE!!”

“So, you found her?”

“Yeah! Don’t worry Darlenys! I found her!”

“So you’ll bring her back home safely?”

“That’s part of the plan!”

“What PLAN?!”

“Uh!..” Hayden hung up on me and put the phone on silent. Arlin stared at Hayden.

“What was THAT all about?!”

“Darlenys was looking for you!”

“Oh my god! Out of ALL the nights for her to wake up in the middle of it all…” Arlin murmured.

“Com’on. Let’s take you home.” Hayden offered.

“I am SO dead.”

Hayden walked Arlin to the apartment and went through the fire-escape pathway, which was the same way that Hayden had come in through, and they had both left. Arlin peeked through the backdoor to see if I had went off to bed, (and lucky for her, I semi-trusted Hayden, and I had.) Hayden walked in briefly to make sure that Arlin was okay.

“Whoah.” Hayden whispered.

“What?” Arlin whispered back.

“Nothing…I’ve just never been in HERE before.”

“Well, enjoy, because I doubt that you’re going to be in here again.”

“Why is that?” Hayden asked. Arlin looked at him.

“What do you mean, ‘Why is that?!’ ” Arlin said, getting to the point.

“Well,…Hayden,…I don’t…like you-like THAT.” Arlin tried to sound less harsh, but it all just sounded…HARSH.

“Oh, REALLY?! Because I can tell you right now that I wasn’t the only one who was kissing BACK.” Hayden looked her straight in the eyes.

“I know…And I’m sorry.” Arlin tried to look away from his blue-ish gaze.

“WHAT?!” Hayden yelled in a whisper.

She pulled on his hand and they went out to the fire-escape pathway.

“Hayden, I know that I…wasn’t just standing there, but I don’t like you.”

“I can’t believe his.”

“Well, believe it.”

Hayden looked at Arlin and came closer. Arlin just looked at him. Hayden came even closer. Arlin stayed still, looking at Hayden. Hayden looked at Arlin.

“Do it, if you have to, but I’m not lying to you. I love Skandar.” Arlin told him seriously. And it was honestly true. She knew what she was doing. Arlin was completely certain that she loved Skandar. She couldn’t wait ‘til he got back.

Hayden nodded. He took a step back. “Okay. Okay. I understand.”

“Hayden, you’re a really good friend, and I do care about you.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Look, I’m sorry that I wasn’t the one, but I know exactly who is.”

“Who?”

“Just come by my house later in the morning, for school.”

Thursday Morning. Not the day of the bonfire trip. BUTTTT, Skandar’s back!(:

Skandar’s finally packing his bags to come see Arlin again. The day that she doesn’t entirely know about has come!

Arlin was going to go to school with Hayden this morning. She was going to “fill him in” on the little plan that she had been building up with Jessica. “Where has she been, anyway?” Hayden said as he followed Arlin out the door.

“Um, I don’t know. All I know is that she texted me and told me that she’ll be in school today, and that she’s definitely going to the trip!”

“Hmm.”

“Just promised me you’ll make this special for her tomorrow.”

“Of course! You know, this would have been a heck of a lot easier if she would have told me or tried to.”

“Yeah. Right.” Arlin’s sarcasm seeped through.

“Well, let’s go.”

Ch.26 (The Bonfire.)

School was pretty easy that day. Aside from that math quiz, nothing was too stressful. Hayden understood Arlin completely as to the whole reason for her “denial” towards him. Everything was going pretty easy.

Skandar was about two to three hours away from seeing Arlin. It was almost insane! He just had to go through the whole customs and get his luggage and get some real food. (For some reason, no matter what class you ride on a plane, the best kind of food that airlines can offer are peanuts.) Skandar went through about seven bags of peanuts in half of the (8) eight hours or so of flight it took to get from London, England to California itself. Unfortunately, he was too tired to actually go visit Arlin, not that she knew that he was currently in the U.S., not to mention, California, but he wanted to surprise her by video-chatting with her.

12:33 A.M. -SkantheMan would like to chat via videocamera.                                

                        ACCEPT OR DENY

After he had spent the entire time sleeping, he could actually stay awake at this time, unlike when he was in England and he had to practically tape his eyelids from closing just to talk to Arlin.

Arlin was just seconds away from signing out, when she saw that “SkantheMan” wanted to conversate. Arlin had just remembered that he would be here tomorrow and clicked “Accept” with a hint of over-excitableness. “Hi, Skandar! You’re coming back tomorrow, right?!” She said. “Hello, Arlin! Yes; yes, I am coming tomorrow! I’m so excited!!”

“I’m so glad you’re going to be home.”

“Me too!” Skandar smiled. “Skandar, I’m sorry, but I have to go to bed; tomorrow’s the day of the trip that I’ve been waiting for!”“Oh, well, I’ll say 'goodnight’ then.” He smiled.

Arlin and Hayden walked to the school bus and stopped to look for Jessica.

“Remember the plan?”

“Yup.” Hayden said.

“Cool.” Arlin said in a very gangster voice. Hayden shook his head.

“She’s coming!!” Arlin and Hayden did their handshake. “Hey, Jessica! We’ve missed you!” Hayden hugged her. Jessica sighed as if she had died and gone to “Jayden” heaven.

“I’ve missed you too!” Jessica mumbled. Hayden broke apart the hug, and Jessica sighed sadly, and then Hayden put his hand through hers, swiftly, in the “friend” way, but Jessica didn’t care! She could feel the blood racing through her veins, and suddenly, everything was gone and it was only her and Hayden. “Arlin!” Hayden called, “Look who’s here?!?!”

Jessica waved. Arlin waved as she walked towards them.

“Hey, Jess, where’ve you been?”

“I don’t know, but I’m glad I’m back,” she said, giving Arlin signals. Arlin looked at Hayden more than Jessica, smiling at him and sending a “good job” signal.

“Hey, let’s go set our stuff down.”

“Uh, sure!” Jessica agreed. She smiled wider as Hayden pulled her along. It meant that they were still attached to each other. Arlin was happy that everything was going exactly as planned. At Skandar’s…Skandar called Arlin’s phone, but it just kept ringing. She didn’t answer. That was weird. He called home. “Hello?” I said, picking up some clothes and putting them in the hamper for later.

“Hey, Darlenys? It’s Skandar!”

“OHMYGOSH! SKANDAR! How’s your movie coming along?!”

“Ha, actually, I’m at my beach house in California.”

“OH!! You’re here?!?! I’m so excited to see you, Skandar!! Arlin’s out right now…” the doorbell rang. I buzzed in my visitor.

“He-…” Perry started to say, but I put a finger on his lips, which he kissed.

Skandar continued, “Yeah. I just finished filming and I’m just so excited to see her!”

“Well, you can come over and wait 'til she gets back if you want…She’s at her school’s Bonfire trip. Didn’t she tell you?” Perry started kissing my hand, up my arm, onto my neck.

“Well, if that’s alright…”

“Of course it is!”“Okay then, bye!” Skandar hung up.

“Well, bye to YOU, too, best friend.” I ended the call.

“Who was that?” Suddenly, Perry was at my ear and had me giggling.

“Skandar!” I giggled.

“Arlin’s boyfriend?” Perry asked, getting away from my ear.

“Yes. He’s back, finally!”

“And he’s coming HERE?” Perry sounded upset. I looked at him and tugged on his hand. He followed me into my room and I went for the closet as he sat on my bed. “Well, until Arlin comes back. They’ll leave…Well. HE will, anyway. Why?”

“I don’t know?”

“What are you looking for?” He asked.

“Something nice to wear.”

“Oh, baby.” I looked at him and laughed. “What?” He asked.

“Nothing.” I snickered.

“You know, I passed by that beach, the one with all of Arlin’s friends, and it seems very ROMANTIC…” Perry got up.

“Perry, you’re a GENIUS!”

“Yeah, I know, ” he came behind me and nuzzled his face into my neck, kissing it.

I turned around and said, “Skandar can go surprise Arlin!”

“Uh, yeahhh…That too!”

I laughed. “I know what you meant. Thanks, babe.” I kissed him. He squeezed my cheeks lightly and I backed up into the closet. He pulled back.

“Oh, I’ll wear this!” I said.

“I love how you look in anything!”

“Yeah, especially 'nothing’.” I said in a low voice. Perry chuckled. I put on my halter-top dress with the delicately sewn flower patterns and my small light brown uggs. Perry held my hand. “Hmm…I think Skandar’s here!”

“He better not be making 'googley’ eyes at you!” “Perry, he HAS a girlfriend, remember?!?!”

“I know, but STILL.”

“You’re hilarious when you’re jealous!” I bit his ear lightly.

“Ow!”

“Oh, puh-lease!” I went for the buzzer and stood by the door. “Hey!” I hugged Skandar. Perry cleared his throat.

“Oh, geez!”

“Com'on, Skandar!”

“Where are we going?” He asked.

“To find Arlin so that she can finally see you!”

At the bonfire again…

The music was playing, and Jessica and Hayden had REALLY started to click. Arlin was really glad for them. She was sitting down, roasting a marshmallow on a stick. She poked at it with her finger. “Hey! Wanna dance?” She looked up to Hayden extending his hand out.

“Where’s Jess?” Arlin asked, staring at him.

“Dancing with David Casper.”

“Hmmm….”

“Oh, Com'on!” “Okay, okay.” She giggled.

Out of all the songs, it HAD to be a Taylor Swift song, and it just HAD to remind her of Skandar. It was their song, “Breathe.” It had barely started when someone came behind them and tapped on Hayden’s shoulder, and whispered, “May I cut in?” in a beautiful British accent. Arlin’s body froze and she started to cry.

“Um, sure…?”

“Skandar.” Skandar said.

“SKANDAR?!?!”

“Oh, so you’re Skandar?” Hayden asked, letting go of Arlin slowly.

“Yes, that’s me. Who are you?” He asked Hayden.

“Oh, I’m Hayden Christensen.”

“…Ohhh!” Skandar just said.

“Well, get to dancing guys!” He patted Skandar on the back.

“Skandar?! You’re BACK?!” Arlin walked towards him.

“Yes, love.” He held out his hand and stroked her cheek with the other, “And I’ve missed you dreadfully.”

“Probably not as much as I have.” Arlin whispered as she was finally swaying in Skandar’s arms.

“Hmmm. I’ll take you up on that.” They finished dancing to their song.

Perry and I danced far from them, seeing a lot of our friends had crashed this little high school trip as well. Keyra and Joe were there, and Noriette and Nick, and even Yasmin and Kevin. Aishah, Marlen and Dylan and Cole were eating melted marshmallows and laughing about who knows what. Suddenly, “Crazier” came on, and Perry and I walked closer to everyone else so that we could hear the music better. Keyra and Joe walked over towards us slowly; as did the rest of the party crashers. Arlin looked at Skandar, and Skandar looked at her too. They put their noses together, also their foreheads. Perry and I were already ahead of them.

“Arlin?” Skandar whispered. She looked up at him, not that she already wasn’t, “You make me crazier.” He kissed her.

Sequel? ;)

#thank god #thank god for cafes and hot guys #fanfic #fanfics #fanfiction #fan fiction #fiction

[shiro-0197]

😭😭the mirrors were the prime reason, like do I really wanna see myself agonizing in like twenty different angles? Please— but yeah I asked my mom if I could quit so much, she finally let me xD

Excuse me sir if we ever meet I'm taking you out on a bookshop date. We'll find all those horror books and take turns reading the scary paragraphs in funny voices, or just compare the book covers and rate them, it'll be a blast :P I usually go alone, because my family likes going to the grocery store next to it, and I'm always alone in such a big place 😔😔

THANK YOU ¡ Awww omg that's so cute, tho yes the feeling of pride and happiness?? Unmatched :] BTW I finished the first season of money heist and it's pretty good so I'm gonna start the next one!!

Hehe I just use my mom's car, and I'm frankly surprised she lets me, I mean, I've crashed my bike, and I'm like, the clumsiest person to ever exist?¿? But nevermind xD KSHDKSHDKS IKR??? WHAT INSTINCT??? But I hope you get to drive (with more than just instincts 😭😭 soon)

you have a very complicated relationship with alphabets in maths, as expected, my smart cookie xD I just dislike them in general. Like c'mon, y'all alphabets are so greedy, WHY DO YOU KEEP TRYING TO GET YOUR WAY INTO EVERY SINGLE SUBJECT >:(

please?? Get used to it?? BECAUSE IM GONNA CARE THE HELL OUT OF YOU AND LOVE YOU TO DEATH SO GET USED TO IT GRRRR I LOVE YOU😾😾

omg yes, I get what you mean haha. No PSHHH, you draw so well. Plus I'm sure there are a lot of picrews you can use :P

I'm very sure I love you more, Cookie :>

—[.- .-. ..]

Abhqhdh😭😭 understandable, seeing the pain makes it more painful😩

Oh my god that sounds so good I WANT THAT😡😭💕💕 I really wish we could do that rn🥺

Oh that's cool, I havent even started yet😭😭 I'll watch it next week hopefully, but I'm glad you like it so far!! I trust your judgement so I'm sure I'll do as well

Welp, I guess she trusts you either way XD and that's great actually, hehe!!

Yeah I LITERALLY DONT UNDERSTAND WHICH THING IS FOR WHAT PURPOSE AT FIRST GLANCE... WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO !!!! I hope so too, really, because I've been thinking about it and I felt very anxious about using a car😭 because, like, what if I bump it on smth accidentally. Oh the struggle of over thinkers😔

True true, theres literally a thousands of those guys in other subjects, give some space for numbers!!! What the hell>:(

AWH ILL TRY MY BEST FOR YOU THEN🥺💕💘

True, picrews are actually very helpful. Though it's kinda hard to get multicolored hair, but that's fine I can just edit that XD it's still pretty difficult to make them look different JSJFJS

By the way, yesterday I had a dog follow me because I ate a sandwich and I smelt like the sausages used in it XD they followed me all the way till home and it was kinda funny to me. Like they would change direction to check something out and then would run back to me. It was so cute😭 I hope someone fed them. But tbh that sandwich wasnt really good, there was no cheese and it wasnt as spicy as promised:( #disappointed

No way, honeydew, I love you more🤭😼💕💞💕💞 I hope your day's going well so far!!♡♡

#Ari💕 #sorry for late response😩 #had a bad start of the day #tuesdays are the worst😔

[chloe-clegane]

My Devotion and Mah Protection - Chapter 8 Aspiro Frigis

Ao3

Prev Chapter

Next Chapter

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WARNING for Sexual Assault - Section will be marked beginning and end with ******

This chapter is dedicated to someone I love very much and I hope that you’ll read my full authors note on Ao3. 

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After two weeks, Rayla and Callum finally left their private love bubble at the Moon Nexus. They flew on the back of one of Janai’s hot cats she left for them after returning home. The plan being they would take it to Katollis, Amaya would stay an extra week until Callum’s birthday and then ride back to Lux Aurea, back to her girlfriend. It worked out well and it was nice making the trip in just a day.

They were going to Katolis for a reason Rayla had been dreading, and Callum was determined to do anything to get her excited or, at the very least, not grumpy or anxious. There was no way that the elevation ceremony would go as badly as she was catastrophizing. He knew she didn’t like the attention or the pomp, but he knew it wouldn’t be all bad.

“Things went great at the procession, you had fun, you smiled without faking it and people loved you. And you were adorable with all those flowers.” She crossed her arms and continued to pout. “You’re being stubborn,” he cooed.

“Flowers are one thin’ Callum, a coronet or what’ever Opeli called it is another.” She turned away from him to look forward as they rode.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder, “I’m excited you’re about to be my princess. My princess-wife, wife-princess, goddess-among-women, warrior- princess-of-moon, Moonshadow-former-assassin-wife-warrior-princess-goddess-of-beauty. My princess-wife-lover-who-is-lovely-and-perfect”. He smiled and kissed her shoulder after each title.

“Oh shut it!”

He could feel the roll of her eyes just by holding her and didn’t have to see her face to know she was blushing and smirking.

“I guess it’s not soooo bad, bein’ yers.” She leaned her head back and rested it on his shoulder, as he kissed her cheek and ear and nuzzled into her neck. She hummed her happy little hum.

“I’ll be your delicate princess and you’ll have tae fuck me in mah princess tower. Rescue me with yer hard cock and I’ll give you lots of royal babies or somethin’ stupid like that.” She sighed like a damsel.

“That’s not how I remember the fairy tale but sure, we can do that,” he chuckled and nibbled her ear. “But a lot of royal babies, huh? Where did that come from?”

“Nowhere! Shut up, stupid... I hate you,” she spluttered and wiggled from his grasp but he pulled her back in.

“You don’t hate me,” he laughed.

“Yeah, I do.”

“No, you don’t.”

She sighed. “No I don’t.”

“I love you, and it’s just cute to hear you bring it up.” He held her tight. “You already know how I feel about it”. He wanted children with her so badly, he longed for a family. He could already picture beautiful children that would be half her and half him. He had no idea if they’d have horns or moon magic or green eyes or ten toes. But he knew they would be precious and wonderful. As a bonus, he knew he would enjoy making them with her. It sounded romantic, filling her up under a full moon. He smiled into her neck. She hummed again.

“I wasn’t bRiNgIn’ it up, ” she muttered, “but… but I suppose it could be nice… later on… In the future.” She sighed sweetly. Hearing that made him feel warm and hopeful. This was maybe the second time she’d ever said she wanted children. She leaned in and he held her like that, smiling the rest of the ride home.

They arrived in the evening, they were tired but incredibly happy to see Ez and the rest. His aunt pulled both him and Rayla into a bone-crushing hug and then signed some very suggestive jokes about all the excessive post-wedding sex they’d been having. He was glad Rayla’s sign language still wasn’t that good yet, knowing her, she may have died of embarrassment and he wasn’t ready to be a widower.

Soren also had a lewd joke lined up. Rayla kicked him in the shin. Opeli smiled and welcomed them home. Corvus was happy to see them and challenged Rayla to a rematch of the last time they trained together.

After a quick meal, Ezran wanted to show them their new room himself. They were surprised it wasn’t just one. It was a private apartment. It had been one of the larger bedroom suites the castle kept for visiting royalty but it had been furnished and set up to their tastes. It was a definite upgrade from his childhood room conjoined with his brother’s.

There was a sitting room and a large bedroom. Both had double doors leading onto a generously-sized balcony. It also had a private washroom and another smaller empty bedroom on the other side of the sitting room. It was decently sized and bare but there was a big diamond pained window and the moon shone threw it beautifully. After the conversation on the ride there, Callum couldn’t help but imagine the possibilities of the spare room. Later on, he thought, in the future.

The main room was a great space, he loved the look of the large fireplace with a very comfortable-looking loveseat and two chairs. The July weather was too warm but he could already picture them sitting together in front of that fire in the winter. Curled up cozy under a blanket, cocoa in hand. Or the blanket beneath them while they make love naked on the floor. Callum had to suppress that happy thought for now. The furniture looked like it was all imported from Xadian and in the cooler color pallets that she preferred. Although, he noticed his old desk had been moved in and placed against a window and he smiled.

As Ezran gave them the tour Rayla walked around with a giant smile plastered on her face. His brother had done this for her. This was more than just a bedroom. This felt like a home, secluded and private for just the two of them. Callum knew It would be her hideaway, where she will go to get away and feel somewhat normal. They’d been so nomadic the last three years, from the time he left that fateful night with her. This would be their home, even if they still aren’t always here, they would have a place just for them.

“Is it ok?” Ezran asked unsure.

“Are you kiddin’?” Rayla hugged him fiercely and he laughed.

“Have I told you how happy I am that you’re my sister?” he asked with a grin.

“Maybe once or twice.” She smirked but then the smile softened “Ez, it’s perfect.”

Callum came up beside her resting a hand on her waist “Ezran, it’s great,” he said sincerely. “Thanks, buddy.”

The three of them shared a hug and Bait wiggling into the middle of it.

After that, Ezran and Bait excused themselves and left them to get some much needed sleep. But even exhausted they couldn’t resist breaking in the new bed. She led him to it with a gentle hand and a sweet blushing smile. The full moon could give her power, make her disappear, but any moonlight could make her radiate. As he undressed her in the moonlight and laid her gently down he felt lost in her love. Her hands, her lips the feel of her breath in his ear when she moans that she loves him. He loved her. Soft and tender.

In the morning, he could see her through the open doors of the balcony. Spinning on one foot, over and over again, each one more controlled than the last. He quietly watched her, and when her face whipped around he could see how focused she was. She had taken his words to heart. She was doing something that made her happy, even though she downplayed it and rolled her eyes when he caught her or asked her about it.

Finally, he shifted in the bed and said good morning. She almost fell, blushed and looked annoyed.

“Don’ spy on me!” she barked.

“How was that spying? I woke up and looked at you through an open door.” He laughed at how defensive she got.

“I-uh” she had no argument and she knew it. “Fine, you caught me”

“Come here.” He opened his arms for her and she floated to him. “I love to watch you dance.”

“Yeah but this is practice, havin’ you see this is embarrassin’,” she whined.

“Eh, you see me screw up all the time. It’s all fair, and besides, that all looked perfect to me.” He tucked her hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek. “You seem happy”

“Pshhh It’s not uh big deal, I’m just doin’ some pirouettes is all.” She pulled away and looked anywhere but his eyes.

“All I’m going to say, Rayla, is that I love that you’re thinking about the future. Our future.” He pulled her in and kissed her before her blush intensified and she fleed to freshed up before a team of maids came to torture her into her dress. The same one she wore to the procession.

“No, wait. Come back,” he cried after her half heartedly before laying back down. He felt the breeze from the open door and the comfort of the bed. The sheer curtains on the bed swayed.

When he was young, he felt so unsure of himself. He worried he would never be good enough for the life that was expected of him. He was always out of place, his mother was gone and he kept a guarded distance between him and his dad, probably his biggest regret. But right now he felt content. He had his wife, his brother, his aunt, and Soren. He had a place he felt at home. He had a purpose and a skill that made him proud and fulfilled. Even when he was falling out of trees and into mud or accidentally singeing his eyebrows off he got better and he kept learning. He didn’t know what would happen. The thought of Aaravos scared the crap out of him, but he knew he was loved. He knew he was capable of doing great things and he knew that with Rayla he would never feel lost or out of place again.

Months ago, they stood in the same spot announcing their engagement, again they smiled and waved. Then they arrived at the moment Rayla was dreading. The part where she knelt and Ezran placed a coronet on her head, careful not to catch it on her horns. Similar to Callum’s, but with the angled ends. He could feel the waves of anxiety that came off of her as they stood.

“She is now made Rayla, Princess of Katolis,” Opeli proclaimed.

He gave her a supportive smile as they both went back to the edge and waved. Again he kissed her and people cheered. But when Callum looked out into the crowd he saw people on the edges, booing. It happened at the procession, too, but this was more. It looked like they were handing out papers. He felt a pit in his stomach and now he felt as nervous as she was. This was supposed to go well, he thought it would go well

When things finished, Callum was able to collect the reading material, he and Rayla shared a look. She crumpled hers and threw it in on the ground. Callum clutched his and went on a warpath.

He practically kicked the throne room door open. Opeli and Ezran looked like they were finishing something. Soren was sitting in the corner happily polishing his sword. When they saw what was in Callum’s hand they all looked nervous. “What is this!?” his brother looked upset but Opeli spoke first.

“Prince Callum, we’ve been following things carefully,” Opeli said, trying to project calm.

“Oh, so you did know about this?” he accused. “Was no one going to tell me that the people in my own home hate me!? He looked at the pamphlet and cleared his throat. “The prince has been corrupted by foul magic and elven control. He has become the replacement of the once Lord Viren, who was turned evil by dark magic and influenced by a putrid elf mage to bring turmoil and destruction. If we allow this vile union that defies nature, we threaten to endanger the future of our kingdom. Our once great kingdom of Katolis has been made strong by human excellence for generations is endangered. ” he stopped and adjusted to the other page of the pamphlet “Now let me skip to this part: Our prince has been made a slave to a wanton elven temptress, who seduced him to gain access into our royal family.”  

He saw Rayla wince when he read that part. He knew she hadn’t read the whole thing before crumpling it up. He tried not to growl as he continued “I know some people still don’t like elves, that’s expected, but this!?”

Ezran was trying hard to stay calm, make him calm down. Callum didn’t get mad often, but this had set him off.

“Callum, we weren’t trying to hide it from you. We just didn’t want to worry you, things have slowly… escalated. The wedding was happening. You were both happy. Opeli, Aunt Amaya, and I all agreed we would wait until after the wedding.”

“OH, so this was a family affair!? Everyone just wanted to keep me in the dark?” he accused. Rayla stood to the side looking at the floor with a sad frown. He was surprised she wasn’t as mad as he was.

Ezran made his voice firm. “I’m standing by what I did! I wanted to give you a wonderful day, not have to worry about ignorant people. Believe me, Callum, I hate that people are saying terrible things about you and Rayla. I didn’t want you to be upset, just not for a little while.”

Callum thought about the way he had laid in bed that morning. “I’m such an idiot!” Callum growled. “How did I not see this coming? I’m living on a fucking cloud thinking I could have a perfect life. Thinking that two people loving each other could change the world. None of this is going to be easy is it?”

Rayla took his hand. “Callum, I think they have a point - not knowing didn’t hurt anything. We’ve been so happy, and maybe that’s okay.”

She looked at hir with pleading eyes. Making him wonder if he should just take a breather. “Ugh.” He looked at the stupid pamphlet in his hand.

Soren crossed his arms and sighed. “After the thing at the procession, I agreed with Ez too. Rayla you said it yourself, you didn’t want to ruin a good day.”

Callum whipped his head around to look at his wife. Her eyes were wide and she dropped his hands and closed her posture, then she shot Soren a look that could kill.

“What happened? How much of this did you know?”

She started apologetically “I didn’ think it was that big’of a deal, we’re used tae elves and humans hatin’ each other”

“What happened!?”

“What?”

“At the procession, what happened?”

She sighed. “Remember when I disappeared and got the journal? Some arseholes spat at me in the side alley. Soren got in their faces and barely had tae touch his sword before they turned tail. But Callum, the day was wonderful, so I just let it go. And it wasn’ about you, they hated me not you. So I didn' think it mattered.”

“That matters to me, Rayla. If people are spitting, throwing rocks at you in the streets, calling you a whore. I care! I care about people harming my wife. Saying that what we have isn’t real.”

Soren tried to intervene. “Callum, she really meant well.”

“Shut up, Soren!” He knew he should calm down, he knew he was being an asshole, but this made him snap.

Now Rayla’s nostrils flared. “You care about me but what makes you think I need yer protection. I can fight mah own battles! ”

“Oh, so you’re going to do the thing where you close off because you’re too fucking stubborn,” he shouted and could feet the heat in his face. She just loved to martyr herself.

She growled.

“Callum! Go cool off!” Ezran shouted at him, fed up. Callum was taken aback, but it turned into defiance.

“Sure, I’ll go cool off but not around any of you.”

Rayla's angry face fell, she stepped forward and softly spoke his name. But he just turned around and stormed out.

Callum flew out to the woods nearby and tossed lightning at a stone cliff until he got careless and hit a tree that quickly set fire. He panicked to put it out. “Good job! Start a forest fire in July, real smart! AGGGGH!” He yelled out to no one. He sat down on a rock and put his head in his hands and took a few deep breaths. He knew he should find a less destructive way to vent his anger… this just worked well.

He felt ashamed for yelling like that, but it has all just made him so angry, it bothered and it scared him. He took the piece of paper back out of his pocket and felt sad. They called him an idiot, they called her a monster and a harlot. These people knew nothing about them and they had it all wrong. He and Rayla were in love, they were a family and they were happy. He worried that maybe people really aren’t ready for what they had. They all had good intentions and for Rayla especially. He yelled at her for not telling him one stupid thing. He was the one being a dick, making them unhappy.

He decided to walk most of the way back and it gave him time to think about all of the apologies he needed to make. The first of which he owed to Rayla.

Callum entered their apartment of rooms and set aside his spellbook and sighed. It was wrong of him to blow up like that, it was over the top and out of line. But so were those pamphlets. He found it terrifying to be compared to Viren, he was nothing like him. And Rayla is nothing like Aaravos. He looked out onto the balcony, this was his home, but it felt… cold despite the July heat.

“Hey, Babe, I missed you.”

Callum jumped and spun around, he hadn’t realized Rayla was in their apartment. But why should he be surprised, she's a master of stealth, but on the other hand since their wedding ritual he’s felt more in tune with her. So in a way, he was very surprised. It had been a strange sensation. He was surprised again, as she came around the corner. She was wearing one of her silky night dresses and her stockings, the special ones he’d bought her the last time they were here in Katolis. He had to shift his pants a little just at the sight of her, she was so exquisite. But he was confused.

“Babe?” he chuckled. “Since when do you call me babe?”

She looked away and shrugged “Oh I don’ know, don’ worry about that. Come here, Callum,” she sounded off, nervous. He wondered if it was because he’d been upset with her. She closed the distance between them and threw herself into his arms and kissed him.

“Whoa, I uh-I appreciate the gesture but can we talk? About earlier?”

**********************************

She scoffed and swatted his chest playfully. “I told you, don’ worry. We don’ have tae talk about that right now,” she took his hands and pulled him into the other room and towards the bed. Callum wasn’t opposed to where this was heading. In fact, he loved those stockings and that nightgown but most importantly he loves the beautiful creature wearing them.

“Rayla,” he chuckled, taking both her hands in his. “Seriously though, you don’t have to plan apology sex, or whatever this is.”

He dropped her hands and held her face, she opened her mouth to speak and he kissed her, long and tender. When he pulled away, she kept her eyes closed for a beat. It was kind of cute like she wasn’t ready to be done. It put a smile on his face, “I will happily make love to you my wonderful wife, but I want to talk first . I shouldn’t have gotten so upset earlier. And you-” he kissed her gently on the forehead. “don’t need to be sorry, I do. You didn’t deserve any of that.”

She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him back in for another kiss and it felt strange. The energy was different and couldn’t put his finger on it, sporadic.

She pulled away and laughed. “Well fine, I guess I’m not sorry then. See, everythin’s fine we both agree it’s oh-kaaay. Now come here.” She shoved him back onto the bed. She wasn’t laughing when she pushed him, she wasn’t...

“Rayla, love, can we just talk? I mean it. This whole thing has me-“ he tried to sit up but she jumped on him kissing and pulling at his clothes.

“Don’ you want me Callum?” she muttered against his skin.” He did want her, he didn’t want to reject her, he didn’t want to make her feel bad. Worrying about becoming a public enemy in his own home wasn’t really putting him in the mood. Then he shuddered as she opened his pants and in two quick strokes had him hard. It felt wonderful, Callum thought maybe he just needed to relax.

“Yeah, I always want you,” He took a breath and smiled, hoping it didn’t look as forced as it felt. He couldn’t help the hum in his chest as she stroked him. He started running his hands up and down her thighs. Relax, just relax, she wasn’t making him relaxed. “Rayla, you can slow down, we have all afternoon. How-how about I to take care of you first-” she cut him off.

“It's fine, I just want you now. Relax.”

Relax, why couldn’t he just relax. She wasn’t engaging him, it felt like she was doing things to him. She was lining herself up.

“I love you but can we stop-“ he shifted to try and rise but she put her hands on his chest and slid herself down. He shuddered.

“Oh Callum, I love you too,” she moaned, but it wasn’t her usual low humming moan, it was higher pitched.

He felt unsure and wondered why he couldn’t just get in the mood. This is his wife, she loved him and she loved her, “I guess we can talk after…” he said weakly. She smiled at him and kept riding him. Why didn’t he feel loved, he wondered?

He reached for her face to pull her down, kiss her, take over. But she pushed his hand away and held herself upright. She seemed like she was already winded. That was strange. Why does this feel so strange?

She was moaning on top of him and while Callum couldn't deny his own pleasure it didn’t feel right. He didn’t want to be doing this.

“Stop, Rayla lets stop” he tried to get up again and she shifted her weight onto his chest again.

“Callum let me do this, let me love you”. She cooed at him. This didn’t feel like she loved him. Why wasn’t she listening to him? He moaned despite himself.

“See Callum it’s fine, It feels good” She was panting.

It wasn’t fine, he realized there were tears running down his face. He pushed her shoulder and she shifted her weight on him again “Rayla please, this isn’t ok”.

She put her hand over his mouth, nearly all her weight was on his face. She was keeping an erratic pace. She’s never put a hand on his mouth before, she’s never made him feel like this before. He let out a muffled moan underneath her hand. He didn’t like this, it felt good so why didn’t it feel right.

He didn’t want to shove her or hurt her, but she wouldn't listen. He slapped at her arms, pushing them off his face “Stop!”

“Callum don’ be like this” Then they were swiping at each other, grabbing at each other's wrists.

He was crying “Stop!” her hands were on his face and swatting him trying to keep control of him.

***************************************

And then he heard her voice, but she wasn’t speaking, it was coming from the other room. “Callum are you ok, who are you wi-Callum?“ She sounded worried. Then he heard Rayla’s voice scream his name.

He looked up and saw his wife in the doorway. Now, there was no hesitation. He shoved the Rayla on top of him onto the floor as hard as he could.

His eyes were wide and his heartbeat was in his ears as he shook, tears running down his cheeks. He looked between the two of them.

The Rayla in the door wore a look of horror and it transformed into anger. “Wha-Who the fuck are you?” Her voice was fierce, but her eyes were still wide and disturbed.

The Rayla on the floor was angry, defensive. “Who am? Who are you!?” Then she looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Callum, this is obviously a trick. Do something!”

Things felt like they were in slow motion.

The one in the door slowly drew her blades. The one on the ground stood and approached him.

“Aspiro frigis!”

#My Devotion and Mah Protection #warning non con #THE DRAGON PRINCE #rayllum fic #my fic #Racist pamphlets are fun #rayllum #older rayllum #two dorks in love #read the author's note on Ao3 #Home sweet home

[irishtowriteabook]

🌸Jealous -David+Natalie

A longwinded starter of a multitude (or should I say multiDUDE cause I’m cool) of fanfics.

-English isn’t my first language-

Summary: After the whole Ilya confessing his feelings to Natalie thing David struggles to withhold his “pshhh” attitude. And in turn develops an attitude. David Dobrick essentially turns into a David Doprick for tidbit.

—

Jason was making some semi self deprecating jokes but despite their hilarity and golden vlog material David couldn’t focus. His gaze constantly flitted over towards the view finder in his worse for wear camera that was in a precarious position atop the dashboard. His viewers on Tuesday or Wednesday or whatever-day he uploaded this would probably think he was checking himself out or lost in thought. He wasn’t. Hah! He was looking at them, Natalie and Ilya, laughing up a storm in the backseat. Storm Katrina who?

Their laughter was so loud it probably broke the sound barrier. Ilya was still somewhat erratic due to the drugs in his system and either Natalie found his hijinks cute or she had entered protective friend mode, David couldn’t tell anymore, he just couldn’t read her lately. And that frustrated him more than the time where his video editing programme crashing and his early morning work had vanished. Just like that.

“And Jeff goes up to the girl at the counter playing the whole good son act: Ah yes ahem my dads getting old and it’s hard seeing him that way but someone has to take care of him you know? And I suppose he thinks I don’t hear him, that I’ve actually got deaf like he said I had and-“ David tuned Jason out and fiddled with his camera now, craning it around the car towards the backseats so as to capture the twos reactions. They however were much too caught up in some whispered joke.

A slightly audible gulp left David’s throat as he watched Natalie through the view finder. Her head tilted back, showcasing her smooth neck and chest, as she giggled wholeheartedly. Pangs formed in David’s already weighty chest. ‘Why can’t I ever make her laugh like that?’ She looked like she was glowing today! And that wasn’t because of that highlighter shit, she was just- she was just stunning.

All of a sudden Natalie’s deep brown eyes met his over the rim of the camera and she shot a small smile at David as Ilya flopped down against her shoulder, grumbling. David’s heart ached as her smile visibly faltered as he didn’t return one. A snap sounded in the car due to the forceful shutting of the camcorder, David now fully turned around.

This abruptness caused even a dazed Ilya to quieten down. Jason kept his eyes mostly on the road but glanced towards David’s general direction, shifting his hands on the drivers wheel. “Uh you okay Dave? I wasn’t finished my bit. Your subscribers will be left on the edge of their seats!” He said with his signature wheezy laugh. David tucked himself into the innermost corner of the car seat and just fumbled with the holding string piece off his camera. “I have enough footage. It’s cool.” He muttered with a half arsed grin. Jason looked through the parking mirror to Natalie.

Her brows were furrowed as she watched David, not paying attention to Ilya who was pressing his entire tongue against the back window at oncoming traffic. Jason hitched his eyebrows once before returning his focus to the road. The rest of the ride was mostly silent except from the whispers of Natalie and Ilya and Ilya’s nonsensical mumblings.

—

The very moment the car came to a standstill David was rushing out the door, so fast the door hinges very nearly gave way. “Gotta edit. Help yourselves to some drinks.”

Jason turned around almost immediately to face Natalie despite the constraints of the belt digging into his chest.

Even in the cover of the night he could clearly see she already seemed deep in thought. “What’s uh- what’s going on with David tonight eh? Stress?” Jason questioned and allowed Ilya to play with his hair. “I don’t know.” She drummed her fingers and pouted her lips a bit. “He seemed fine up until after Ilya’s wisdom tooth removal.” Natalie leans forward, her eyebrows still creased in genuine worry. “I’m going to go after hi-“ She was cut off by a drawn out “Natalieeee” from a drowsy Ilya. Nat paused in her movement and looked to Jason for a little help. He nodded towards her with an understanding smile. “You go, I’ve got this- Come on sleepyhead”

-

“Hey Dave!” Natalie paused as she swung around the ledge of the door into David’s room where he lay splayed out on the bed. He didn’t respond, instead just moving his toned arms to cover his eyes and forehead area. “..Want a drink? I’m getting Ilya some water to flush out the bloo-“ “Nah but thanks.” Natalie was taken aback by his not necessarily rude but unusually blunt response.

She leant her head tiredly against the wood and watched him carefully. Down the hall there was an uproar of laughter as Ilya entertained the other squad members arriving on the scene. Just as David thought she had left she spoke again. “Listen David I know it’s been a long day but I feel like something else is bothering you. I’m your friend too, not just your assistant.” A pained scoff left David’s throat, now he’s been downgraded the friend? “I’m fine, Natalie. Just tired is all. I just want some space..can you do that?” And for the first time in a long time Natalie was at a loss for words.

Her frown pierced his skin through his hoodie and she pursed her lips, something she always did when she was annoyed. It just didn’t make sense. He always wanted people around him, talking or not. “Sure. I’ll be in the kitchen with the others.” She quipped shortly after a few seconds of silence and took a sharp turn on her heel towards the kitchen.

Eventually the chatter and laughter faded as the gaggle of vloggers moved over into the living room. It was then, and only then, that David removed his arms from over upper face. His eyes were shiny and glistened in the dark of the room with unshed tears. He muttered a curse and stared at the spot where Natalie once stood.

David sniffled and harshly rubbed his nose with the palm of his hand before opening his laptop up, connecting the camera cords and transferring the files. His eyes stung as her pushed himself through the editing process. And then he stopped. A clip lay there, one he couldn’t look at till now. The bit about Ilya confessing his fucking feelings. David couldn’t- David couldn’t help but notice the way Natalie was looking at Ilya as he slowed it down, in awe almost. “Shit.” David whispered as a singular tear trailed down his cheek.

—

Natalie tried to focus on Zane’s video ideas, she really did, but her eyes kept drifting off down the hallway where David still residing. “I can’t wait for David to hear these man!” Zane chuckled and the various heads nodded. Here it comes. “Hey speaking of, where is David? Haven’t seen him all night. You didn’t leave him in Chicago did you?” Heath wondered and draped an arm around his girlfriend as all eyes turned to Natalie. “Oh uhm he’s a bit tired, you know how it is. All the..travelling.” She smiled.

“We’ll leave him rest up then. Can’t get that coin without the creator!” Heath suggested with a laugh. “Who wants more drinks?!” Zane exclaimed and danced over animatedly to the countertop. Whoops and hollers left the mouth of most people in the room, the rest too hungover, passed out or worried about David.

—

Did they even notice he was gone? Did they even want him around? As a friend, not a medium of income. Did Natalie even want to be here? All these thoughts buzzed through David’s head despite his attempts to just..silence them. His computer was now strewn away to the side as sat on the edge of his bed, palms digging into his eyes with his elbows on his knees.

With a hefty sigh he dragged himself out of bed and crept out the door towards the kitchen. His heart tugged in his chest as he noticed Natalie pressed up against Ilya on the couch. Everyone’s attention was on Ilya, grasping on his comedic tales. No one noticed David. Or so he thought.

Natalie got a sinking feeling as she took heed of a forlorn looking David, watching as he sneaked into the kitchen.

“Are you going to talk to me then hm?” David almost jumped out of his skin as Natalie’s voice piped up from behind him. He pretended to continue looking in the presses just so he didn’t have to face her. “What do you mean?” He faked a laugh, his nervousness seeping through. He stuffed a biscuit into his mouth, one that he doesn’t like she realised, before turning around. Natalie stood there looking far too cute in her pajama shorts and black top with her crossed arms and tapping impatiently foot.

Natalie stormed up to him and plucked the biscuit packet away from him. “You don’t even like these!” She spluttered out and slammed them onto the counter. ‘How do you even know what I like and don’t like? You’ve been so busy with Ilya lately it’s like I wasn’t there too.’

“Great. Now my biscuits are going to be all crumbly.” David pouted. Natalie in the meantime looked like she either wanted to rip her hair or his hair out in utter frustration. She stepped forward to him and stared him down. “What. Is going. On?” Natalie questioned stonily, her brunette hair sticking out from her earlier anxious ruffling.

David froze as he could almost feel her breaths and angry huffs on the skin of his chest. “I-I dont know what you want me to say Nat- is it still okay if I call you that?” Natalie was outright confused at his words. “Of course it’s okay? Stop diverting the subject!”

“You’re worrying too much. I’m fine, exhausted but fine!” He laughed flatly and bravely placed his hands on her shoulders. A burst of pain shot through his veins as she shrugged off his hands. It brought back memories as to how she’d always be so affectionate with Ilya and Zane and yet shied away from his hugs on video. Usually that wouldn’t upset him but shit. “David!” The pair were interrupted by a grinning Carly as she bounced on in. “Good to see you! Just grabbing a drink!” She said brightly. Natalie didn’t face her, instead she kept her gaze locked on David who smiled at Carly. The moment Carly went however David’s smile dropped. And Natalie seen that.

“Dave..” She sighed out as he shuffled past her, blank faced. “Go have fun Na-“ David’s words got caught in his throat as she latched onto his hand and tugged him back to look at her. “Have I done something wrong? Why won’t you look at me? Did I mess up when I was recording you and Ily?” Ily? Nickname stage. Great. David stole a look at Natalie and studied her worried face, feeling all shades of bad over being the cause of her discomfort. She should be out there with her- their friends.

He gently pulled back from her vice like grip and she let her hand fall slowly to her side. “I’m going to bed okay? I’ll see you in the morning or something like that, I’ve got a lot of editing to do so I might be in my room all day. Go out with the gang though. Enjoy yourself! Go wild!” He plastered on a smile. Natalie hitched an eyebrow at him and recrossed her arms, shifting her weight on the balls of her feet.

“You’ve done your editing though? We just watched your video inside there?” Natalie said and saw David’s arm go back to scratch at his neck. “Second channel stuff. You know? It takes ti-“ “No I don’t know David! I’m not a vlogger. I usually just help you choose which bits are the best bits. Usually! Tonight you can’t seem to get away from us fast enough, from me.” David opened his mouth to respond as he finally gained the courage to meet her eyes.

Hurt and confusion and despair swum in them and he had never felt so much guilt. Not even when Jonah felt into the pool off the motorcycle. “Nat I-“ “No, forget it. You call me when you need me, boss.” Natalie replied sarcastically and saluted him, sauntering off, doing her best to maintain her composure. She hated when David was mad at her. She missed him and his smile and his jokes and his laugh and it had only been a few hours. Felt like an eternity though.

—

David sniffed as he tapped through the Instagram stories of his friends; laughing, joking, dancing, food tasting reviews. A knock on the door shook him out of his- I don’t even know what.

Natalie crept in, avoiding looking at his vest (barely) covered torso or him as he sat up in his bed. She edged the door to a close with her foot before setting the tray of breakfast foods down on his seemingly constantly clouded nightstand. “You didn’t need to Natalie. I was going to make my own in a little while.” David said, subdued. “No you weren’t, I know when you’re lying to me Dobrik. We have been friends since kindergarten after all.” She shrugged and straightened back up, his eyes following her every shuffle. Natalie seemed so down this morning and although David felt his distancing wouldn’t affect her enough to cause it, it was. He thought she wouldn’t notice.

“I’ve cleared your schedule for today. Told everyone you were sick so we’ll be staying at home.” She murmured and looked everywhere but at him. “We?” David unknowingly voiced his thoughts aloud and she looked at him as if shocked he was even asking that. “Yes Dave! We! You and me!” She snapped. Her eyes grew sad as she noticed his posture once again deflate and his eyes sink downwards. Natalie tugged the covers off of him and flung open his wardrobe doors seeing an array of black clothing. “Come on. Get up and get dressed. You might feel a bit better and get out of this funk you’re in. Are you frustrated about videos? Is that it?” She pondered and riffled through the hangers as David stood beside her. “You go relax, I can take care of myself” David spoke gently, his husky morning voice sending shivers down her spine. “No.” Natalie spoke vehemently and sifted through the hangers with more force than before, eventually yanking some band shirt and baggy sports pants out and laying them on his bed.

“This isn’t a vlog David. You don’t have to condense all your feelings down in 4 minutes and 20 seconds. Not with me. I’m here to listen to whatever is bothering you-“ David opened his mouth “-Ah ah ah! And I know something’s bothering you. I’m here as long as you need me. I want to be here. So I really really don’t get why you’re acting like I’m some stranger.” Natalie said as she shut his wardrobe door closed.

“Nat-“ David tried to intercede. “No David!” “Nat!” He tried again but she shook her head as she pushed past him softly to grab his duvet, doing her best to ignore the stinging feeling of tears in her eyes.

This time round however it was her breath that caught in her throat as David’s strengthy arms slipped around her core, tugging her against him. And just like that her stoic posture just melted like butter against him. David was cautious that she’d pull away but as she quietly wrapped her arms around his neck he took that as the go ahead to tighten the hug. Natalie was so warm and soft against him, her faded perfume filling his senses.

Natalie let her nails scrape against the nape of David’s neck and a smile snuck on her face as a small hum escaped his mouth. She loved the feelings of his arms around her, so secure and safe. His five o clock shadow was scratchy against her cheeks but she didn’t care. What she did care about however was how this feeling was barely familiar to her. ‘How long has it been since I’ve hugged him?’ Thinking back she could clearly remember the awkward embraces shared with Zane and Ray and Ilya but..David? Nope.

Natalie pressed herself flush against him and ensured that there was no space between them. She wanted to get closer and closer and- “God I’ve missed you Nat.” David groaned out, his lips tickling the skin of her neck that his face was now pressed into. Her eyes fluttered to a close as his thumb gently scraped and rubbed a slip of showing skin from her short sleeved black top. “Have I not been here Dave? Hm?” Natalie murmured and leant back just slightly to meet his eyes. “I-“ He adverted his eyes but she grasped the left side of his face firmly and stroked his cheek with her thumb. The other arm stayed locked around his neck.

“You have been here yeah. But so has everyone else. I guess I’m just used to having us time. Do you get me? Do I sound selfish? I’m sorry, I’m not good at this whole sharing feelings thing.” He whispered. “Yeah I can tell!” She breathed jokingly hoping to get a real smile out of him. He managed a tiny one in her direction. Her heart fell.

“Oh David-“ Natalie pressed a kiss to his cheek before moving to his ear to whisper, smiling as she felt him freeze. “You’re my best friend. Okay? Only you! Not Casandra, not Erin, not Ilya, you.”

David leant back, a grin steadily forming on his lips, of which she struggled not to stare at. “You mean that?” He stuttered out, vastly happier. An affectionate smile took over Natalie’s face as his eyes lit up more and more. Natalie took a second to just admire the man, sliding her thumb across his jawline as her eyes flitted from one of his eyes to another. “Of course I do, David” She smiled and reluctantly pulled back as he pulled back.

“It doesn’t make it okay that instead of talking to me you just blanked me and everyone though.” David looked even more guilty at her words but nodded along as they needed to be said. “I’m sorry Nat. I really I- I am. I wasn’t thinking and even that’s not an excuse.” He fumbled with his pants pockets. Natalie softened as the sincerity shone in his eyes.

“Cmere dork. It’s okay, I forgive you! I still love you even though you can be a major dick.” Natalie giggled and pulled David against her once more.

‘I’ll show you.’

—

Until next time! Comments or likes are appreciated if you’re able to spare the time! -Ella x

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