#keep it together in spite of everything. I really think ashton wants love and I really hope he finds it)

[sidleyparkhermit]

Laura Bailey did so good. She finally walked this thing around to Laudna and gave that talk the time and space it needed and let us see why only Laudna could really pull her out of this

#critical role #cr spoilers #the two of them are so good together #and marisha being so smart about what needed saying. imogen’s freedom of choice is ALREADY there #no one can take away what they have #god there was so much stuff tonight that has needed to be said for a long time #(also taliesin got such a cute little expression while laudna was talking about how Imogen is why she can #keep it together in spite of everything. I really think ashton wants love and I really hope he finds it)

[cals-sunflower]

the heart you broke (l.h)

summary: the one insecurity you have in your relationship with luke is brought up in a heated argument.

-

the sound of the door opening and closing made you grin to yourself knowing that your boyfriend was finally home. you hadn’t seen him since the morning when he kissed your head and mumbled an i love you before he left for the studio.

“there’s my favorite girls,” petunia’s head lifted up at luke’s voice and walked over to greet him. he bends down to give him some kisses and pets before sitting on the couch next to you. “hiya babe, how was the studio?”

“it was fantastic baby! we finally finished the album and i can’t wait for you to hear it at the listening party,” he rests a hand on your thigh leaning back with his head on the wall, “how was your day honey?”

“first of all i’m proud of you guys because i know how hard you guys worked for this album. it makes me happy to see you happy and my day was okay i guess. watched more criminal minds episodes and cuddled with piggy,” you nodded your head towards the tv that had a paused screen of the show.

“gosh i missed you,” he nuzzles his head into your neck placing small kisses to the exposed skin. “you’ve been away from me for a few hours lu. you make it sound like you haven’t seen me in years,” giggling while he now moved to place kisses all over your face.

“a few hours too long my love,” luke pecks your lips once more and leans away from you to give you space. “watch the show with me?” his phone rang loudly not giving him a chance to reply to you.

“hey ash what’s up?” seeing ashton’s face pop up on the screen. “hi ash! miss you and congratulations on finishing the album.”

“thanks y/n! it means a lot and i called to ask you guys and tell you everyone is going out in honor of finally being done with another album. wanted to see if you were coming or not.”

“yeah, we’re gonna be there mate. it’s about time we let lose after being so stressed out,” you freeze at luke’s words. you never were the one for going out to the club, not liking all the sweaty bodies and feeling closed in.

“sounds great, we’re going to the usual spot. see you then mate!” luke bids his goodbye with ashton turning to you after hanging up. “um lu babe, you know the club isn’t really my thing,” you were uncomfortable having this conversation because it’s not like he didn’t know how much you don’t enjoy being at the club. it was different at listening parties or parties at the houses because you pretty much knew everyone and felt safer.

“i know princess but promise you’ll think about going? we have a few hours before having to go and it would be greatly appreciated if you’re there celebrating with me,” he rubs your thigh with his thumb giving you a small smile.

“sure, i’ll think about it babe.”

“great now let’s watch criminal minds.”

-

you knew he was upset as he took glances at you sitting on the bed with his shirt on not moving a muscle to get ready to go.

“so you’re not going?” you shook your head sadly at him. “yeah of course you’re not.”

“what the hell is that supposed to mean?” you thought he’d at least be a bit more understanding but that wasn’t the case at all. “you do this shit all the time y/n.”

“well what’s wrong with that?” your brows furrowed which seemed to fuel his fire even more. “imagine having a boring fucking girlfriend who wants to stay inside all the time. you literally go to work, come home and follow the same routine everyday,” you felt your anger level rising not understanding where this was coming from and why he was talking to you with such hostility.

“i’m fucking sorry that i don’t feel comfortable. quit being a dick about it.” this lead you guys into spiting words you didn’t mean at each other and yelling at each other. why was he being a completely different luke than he was a few hours ago?

“at least sierra wouldn’t be a homebody,” he runs his hand into his golden curls, “she’d be out there celebrating with us unlike you.”

“well go fucking call her then! if you miss her so much,” your breathing was uneven but you refused to notice how you were on a thin thread of crying. “yeah maybe i will, then maybe i’ll finally be the fuck away from you,” the venom in his tone left a bitter taste in your mouth. with that he grabbed his jacket and phone, stomped his feet downstairs and slammed the door.

you slide your back to the wall and pulled your knees up to your chest. you replayed all of his words and started self doubting. had you really been that annoying to him for following your daily routine? did he really think you were boring? and was he still in love sierra? you didn’t notice you were crying until the first tear drop landed on your hand leading you to cry harder.

-

not knowing how you ended up at sierra’s house, you closed your car door and walked up to her door knocking on it lightly. of course you’ve been over here at a party she hosted and you always thought she was more of luke’s type. confident, bubbly, social and outgoing but he resured you that they were nothing but friends. now you weren’t so convinced he wasn’t still in love with her.

“y/n? what’s wrong?” sierra looks at your face seeing the puffy tear stained eyes and red nose. “i don’t mean to bother you but luke is still in love with you. he basically confirmed it without saying so tonight before he left and i don’t wanna stand in front of his happiness,” you felt your cheeks heat up and your heart pounded coming to the conclusion luke no longer wanted you.

“wait what? i’m not understanding, did you wanna come in to cool down?”

“no no, just wanted to um let you know so you guys can be happy again. it’s obvious he’s not as happy with me and i should have knew that. i mean look at you, who would honestly pick me over you,” you lifted your head up to give her a sad smile before walking away despite her calling out your name.

she watched your car leave and felt panicked. not knowing what to do sierra rushed to grab her phone and call luke. no answer, so she calls all the boys until calum finally answers.

“hey sierra? you okay?”

“listen to me, did luke tell you guys anything that happened?”

“with y/n? yeah he said that they got into an argument before he came here. why’d you ask?” sierra felt awful knowing that he probably said something about her to you.

“i think he compared me to y/n. she was just here a few minutes ago telling me that she didn’t want to stand in front of luke’s happiness and that he was still in love with me which i know isn’t true.”

“are you kidding me? we have to get in touch with her, i’ll call you back,” she sits with her phone in hand wondering what in the hell lead him to compare you to her.

-

“we have to go like now. luke your girlfriend went to sierra’s and told her you were still in love with her,” luke was confused about why you even did that until it hit him that it was his fault. the color drained from his face now realizing the weight of his words. luckily none of them started drinking so michael grabbed the keys and lead the boys to the car.

“call y/n ash, make sure she’s okay,” ashton nodded dialing your number.

“hi ash, is everything okay?” everyone could hear your small sniffles.

“hey kid, where are you?”

“i’m at home but i’m packing up my stuff. i thought you guys were at the club, no?” luke’s heart beats faster at the thought of you leaving because he doesn’t want you to leave. he doesn’t know why those words came out of his mouth, he didn’t mean them whatsoever.

“are you going to tell me why you’re packing or-“

“me and luke had an argument about how i didn’t feel comfortable going out but didn’t want to stop him obviously. some words were said back and forth until he said that sierra wouldn’t have stayed at home. so i told him to call her if he missed her so much and then he said that he would and he’d finally be away from me. not to mention he said that i was boring. so i figured that was the end of our relationship, you know?”

luke wanted to scream that it wasn’t true and if he could take it back he would. he loved you so much despite being together for only five months. he didn’t know what to say and it bothered him knowing he hurt you and didn’t think about it.

“doll you know that’s not true, right? luke loves you so much-“

“yeah but not as much as sierra. ash i want him to be happy and i didn’t realize how unhappy he was with plain old me. i try so hard to be outgoing but i’m just naturally an introvert. but ash i have to go, i love you and please don’t tell luke. i’ll most likely be gone before he comes back,” ashton tries to get you to not hang up but it was too late.

-

when they opened the door they seen your suitcase in front of it. you walked in the living room with a duffel bag and paused upon seeing the four australian men standing there with sad eyes. “what are guys doing here?”

“babe,” you winced at the nickname feeling yourself about to cry once more tonight. “please don’t say it. i already know.” luke steps forward towards you but you backed up keeping the space between the two of you.

“you don’t know. i’m sorry i made you feel this way, you know i love you. i didn’t mean it and I don’t know why i even said it,” you shake your head looking down.

“luke please it’s okay and i understand. i want you to be happy even if it’s not with me.”

“but honey, i’m so happy being with you and love coming home to you,” luke’s eyes began watering feeling like a terrible person for ever saying something like that. he didn’t know just how insecure you were when it came to sierra and that past relationship. they watched as you leaned down to kiss petunia on the head and give her a little scratch.

“i’ll miss you baby, i love you so much,” you stood up and then kissed luke’s cheek. “thank you for making me incredibly happy for the past few months. i wish you well luke,” he tried protesting for you to stop but you didn’t want him to see you cry so you grabbed your bags and walked to your uber that pulled up not too long ago. and just like that you were gone. luke had lost you and he didn’t know what to do.

“guys, i fucked up and now she’s actually gone,” the tears that had rested in his eyes fell down freely knowing you removed yourself out over an argument. he compared you to his ex and it’s all his fault you were gone.

#5sos imagines #luke hemmings #michael clifford #ashton irwin #calum hood #luke hemmings x reader #luke hemmings imagines #luke hemmings angst

[calpalirwin]

Thin Pink Line

Request in which you tell Ashton you’re pregnant even though you never wanted kids

A/N: Okay, but this actually happened to a friend of mine and now that spunky little niece of mine of gonna be 4.

Word Count: 1.2k

And away, and away we go!

__

Your fingers shook as they grabbed the box off the shelf and dropped it in your hand cart. The fact that you were even buying a pregnancy test was enough to set you in a panic. This shouldn’t be happening. This wasn’t supposed to happen. You had made your stance on having children clear and steadfast: you didn’t want them. And Ashton, your sweet, loving husband who had never hid his own desire to have them, had loved and married you anyway. “Kids are nice, but you’re what I want. You and me, together, will always be more than enough for me,” he had told you. And to be honest, he was a little relieved. He loved his job, and as much as he wanted kids, he knew that would affect his career because he’d want to be a hands-on dad as much as he possibly could. And with you, he would never have to make that life-altering choice. Or so you had both thought…

Wait… you were getting ahead of yourself. You were only a few days late. There was no guarantee that you were pregnant. The test was just a precaution. Covering all your bases.

You threw some other random odds and ends in your hand basket, before hitting the self-checkout.

You breathed a sigh of relief that Ashton was still at the studio when you came home, giving you the chance to hide the box in your nightstand drawer. You didn’t want to worry Ashton if you didn’t have to. You breathed another sigh of relief when he messaged you that he’d be home late, unsure if you’d be able to keep your panic to yourself in his presence.

When you awoke in the morning, you checked that Ashton was sleeping soundly beside you, his chest rising and falling with each breath that fell out of his parted lips, before grabbing the box from your drawer and hightailing it to the bathroom.

You didn’t even need to set the timer. By the time you finished washing your hands, that undeniable pink line had formed in the result window. You slammed your fist on the counter, tears springing to your eyes. “Fuck…” you muttered. You took a moment to compose yourself before trudging back to bed.

Ashton’s arms instinctively reached for you when he felt your weight dip the bed on your side. “Hey, baby,” he mumbled, still more or less fully asleep. “Sorry I got home so late. But got the day off.”

“It’s fine, love,” you mumbled back, kissing his bare chest as you snuggled into him.

“Anything you wanna do today?”

“Whatever’s fine.”

“Mmmkay.” A kiss found its way into your hair. “Gotta pee.”

You heard him shuffle about the room, the sound of the light flicking on in the bathroom, and then a very confused, “Um… babe? What’s this?”

SHIT!

“What’s what?” you asked, silently cursing yourself for 1.) asking such a stupid question and 2.) not burying the damn thing!

Suddenly he was standing over you, the test wadded up in toilet paper in one of his hands, an eyebrow arched in silent question. “This…” he said. “What is this?”

“A pregnancy test,” you answered dumbly.

“Is it yours?”

“Yeah… you mad?”

“What? Why would I be mad?”

“Because I… we…” You sighed heavily. “I dunno.”

“I know this isn’t what you wanted, but I’m not mad. This is… well… how are you doing?”

“I think I’m in shock…”

“How accurate are these things?”

“Pretty damn accurate if you’re late.”

“And are you late?”

“Yeah…”

“Shit…”

“Ash?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m scared…”

The bed dipped and his arms wrapped around you, pulling you into his side, his hands rubbing up and down your arm. “I know, baby, I know. We’ll figure this out. Whatever you want.”

“Even if I want…?” Your question hung in the air. You couldn’t even bring yourself to say the word.

Ashton nodded solemnly. “Yeah. Even if you want that.” But neither one of you were entirely convinced he meant what he was saying. “Um… we should probably see a doctor. Just to confirm you know?”

You nodded, your body shaking. “Ash, I don’t know what happened. I- I think it might’ve happened when I changed my implant. I never wanted this! I’m sorry! I know you wanna be a dad! I know a bunch of people want babies and can’t! I should be happy, but I’m freaking the fuck out!”

“Look at me,” he coaxed. “I am not mad at you. I will support whatever choice you make. Okay? You not wanting kids is not some flaw I love you in spite of. I love you, period. You’re my wife. You’re the one I want to spend my life with. Kids or no kids, my family is always going to be whole because I have you.”

“But what if we don’t do this and ten years down the line, you hate me?” you asked in a horrified whisper.

“And what if we do and ten years down the line you hate me? Baby, there are a hundred million different outcomes to this. And who knows what’s gonna happen down the line. All I know is that right now, I love you, and I want you to do what you think is going to make you happiest. This isn’t a decision we need to rush. It’s not a decision we should rush. But I am going to love you no matter what.”

“Can we go get it confirmed first? Before we talk over the options?”

“Of course, baby.”

~~~

The doctor’s smiling face was all you needed to see to know the answer, even before the question of “Do we want to discuss options?” left their mouth.

The doctor and your husband looked to you expectantly. You screwed your eyes tightly shut and behind your eyelids you saw a small bundle nice and snug in your arms. Ashton’s eyes and your hair. His dimpled cheeks and your wide smile. The best parts of both of you combined into someone so little and so perfect, and so uniquely them. And you saw them growing up, and you and Ashton there for every single moment. And god damn it! You never wanted this moment. But maybe what you wanted wasn’t what you needed. Maybe you needed that faint pink line, a starry night nursery, and ten perfect little fingers and toes. “No,” you shook your head. “No, I know what I need to do.”

“I’ll give you both a moment,” the doctor said, excusing themself, while Ashton’s hand gripped yours tightly.

“So you…” Ashton started, his voice hoarse.

“Need to keep the baby and raise it with you,” you nodded. “Yeah.”

The tension melted from Ashton’s shoulders as relief washed over him. “I love you baby, so fuckin’ much. C-can I ask what made you change your mind?”

“You.”

“Baby…” he protested.

“No, no,” you cut him off. “You are the best decision I ever made. Anybody else and I wouldn’t be able to do this. I wouldn’t want to. But you, Ashton? You make me want to do everything I never thought I wanted, because everything I never thought I wanted turns out to be everything I need in life. I love you. So fuckin’ much. And I’m gonna love you and our baby with everything I’ve got until the end of time.”

“Our baby…” Ashton breathed. “Fuck, that’s amazing. So we’re really doing this? All in? Straight into the deep end?”

“We’re really doing this. All in. Straight into the deep end.”

__

Tag List

@frontmanash​ @goeatsomelife​ @flameraine​ @creator-appreciator​ @cxddlyash​ @1-irwin-94​ @sparkling-calm​ @tea4sykes​ @youngblood199456​ @5-seconds-of-obsession​ @gosh-im-short​ @aquarius-hood1996​ @talkfastromance4​ @itjustkindahappenedreally​ @philthepegacorn​ @ashtonlftv @miirandaaa​ @karajaynetoday @myfavfanficsever @stormrider505 @cashtonisruiningmylife @another-lonely-heart

#thin pink line #ashton irwin #ashton irwin fic #5sos #galcal irwin

[just-pjo-drabbles]

Swimming in the Moonlight Ch. 1

Adrian Kemp couldn't accept anything less than 1st place. Winning was everything, end of story. So, when Chiron paired him with Griffin Cohen, a slacking son of Aphrodite, for an archery competition, his win streak --and his reputation-- looked like it was coming to a swift end. Chiron claimed he paired them up in hopes that they would rub off on each other, at least a little bit, but Adrian wasn't so sure that was the best idea.

After all, what could a competition addict learn from someone who's best friend was a beach chair?

Adrian belongs to me, Griffin belongs to @markiehh

Originally posted by me on AO3

“Chiron, please, pair me up with anyone else.”

“Adrian—”

“Chiron.”

The centaur sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Adrian had managed to stop him on the porch of the Big House and he had a feeling that Chiron had been avoiding this conversation all day long, but he underestimated Adrian’s persistence.

“I believe you two would be good influences on each other.”

A loud, humorless laugh boomed from Adrian. “Griffin. A good influence on me. Yeah, okay. All Lover Boy does is sit in his beach chair all day at the lake.” He could picture him now, sitting in that stupid chair drinking his stupid piña coladas with the alcohol he somehow managed to sneak into the camp for the past two years. If it weren’t for the fact that he was one of the consistent suppliers for the Hermes Cabin’s monthly secret parties, Adrian would have ratted Griffin out solely out of spite. “I can understand why I’d be a good influence on him, but seriously?”

“Griffin needs to learn to take things more seriously and you need to…take things less seriously. I genuinely believe it would be good for the both of you to spend more time with each other.”

Adrian blinked and crinkled his nose in disgust. “You’re telling me, the head counselor of the Nike Cabin, to take things less seriously.”

“I’m aware of your lineage but winning isn’t—”

“Yeah,” Adrian snapped, “winning isn’t everything.” He clicked his tongue in disgust and started walking down the steps of the porch, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You know,” he called over his shoulder, “I hear Michelle from the Athena Cabin has a habit of pulling all-nighters while she’s doing her research. You should confiscate her books and tell her that wisdom isn’t everything.”

Chiron said something else, but Adrian was already far enough away where he couldn’t make out what he had said. It was probably for the better. Even though he respected Chiron’s judgement on most things, he couldn’t have been more wrong on this one. Griffin was insufferable. End of story. Hearing what Chiron had to say probably would have only worsened his mood.

He needed to kick the hell out of someone but he was starting to lose all his willing sparring partners. His eyes subconsciously moved towards the cabins, falling on the bright red walls of the Ares Cabin. It had been two years since they’d broken up. She couldn’t still be mad at him, right?

•    •    •

Wrong. Before he even got to knock, Titus opened the door and stood there, completely blocking the inside from view. The guy was only fifteen and he was already six and a half feet tall and almost just as wide. His forearms alone were just about as big as Adrian’s head. He stared at Adrian down his nose and his dark brown eyes bore through him. Adrian was pretty sure he could feel a small spot in the center of his forehead starting to cook underneath his gaze and he suddenly felt like the ant getting roasted by the giant with a magnifying glass.

It would scare most people away in an instant. Too bad Adrian was shameless.

“Hey, Tiny.”

Titus folded his arms and sneered. “Evelyn isn’t here.”

He was caught a little off guard by the bluntness. “And what makes you think that’s why I’m here?”

Titus raised an eyebrow and looked at Adrian condescendingly. “So if you aren’t looking for Evelyn, why are you here?”

“Gods,” a voice said from inside, blocked from view from Titus’s massive body, “he’s such an idiot.” A hand shot out from between Titus and the doorframe, hitting Adrian in the chest and pushing him down the stairs of the cabin’s patio. His arms spun, trying to keep himself balanced, but the back of his foot hit a rock on the ground and he fell on his back. The air left his lungs on impact and as he stared at the sky in disbelief, Evelyn stood over him, her hands on her hips. Her blue eyes stared down at him furiously and he was suddenly a lot more fearful of her than of Titus. He knew that Ares’s inferno eyes weren’t hereditary, but he swore he saw blue flames dancing in her irises.

“I told you not to come back here,” she said, her voice dangerously even. “Why did you come back here?”

“I wanted to spar,” he sputtered, his voice raspy from the wind getting knocked out of him.

Evelyn stared at him for a moment, contemplating. Finally, she put her hand out for him to grab. He started reaching for her and hesitated, trying to read her expression. It hadn’t changed. The fire in her eyes that wasn’t there, but was, at the same time, hadn’t left and everything inside of him was screaming at him not to take her hand. Even that Nike intuition that let him sense what would be his downfall was telling him, no, yelling at him that it was a bad idea.

But he couldn’t resist. Holding her hand again was too appealing.

So he grabbed it.

He regretted it before their fingers even grazed.

She pulled him up so fast that his head snapped back and he bit his tongue, almost instantly tasting the coppery tang of blood. He was pretty sure he yelped. She spun him in a circle, putting her free hand in the center of his back, right between his shoulder blades, and pushed him back into the ground. His cheek sunk into the mud and she put her foot where her hand was, the heel of her combat boot pushing into his spine, making him sink further. Each time he tried to push himself back up, she drove her foot down harder.

“There,” she said, “sparring over.”

“As much as I loved that,” he replied, spitting out mud between every few words, “I really need to blow off steam and I was hoping we could move past what happened.”

Her foot lifted and he rolled over onto his back, only to see a spark of joy in her eyes. He held back a smile, glad that he was finally able to get through to her. He rose to his feet and she said, “You found out who your partner is.”

His heart deflated. Or maybe he…didn’t get through to her.

He sighed. “Yeah.”

Evelyn cackled. “Oh man, as soon as I saw your names together on that list, I started dying. Chiron’s finally knocking you down a peg and it looks like I’m gonna be on top this time.”

Adrian’s eyebrows furrowed. “Who’s your partner?”

“Ashton.”

His stomach sank.

“Hypnos Ashton or… Apollo Ashton?”

She only smirked.

#percy jackson #pjo #heroes of olympus #hoo #percy jackson fanfic #fanfic

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

It’s me again! Temporary heart by prettymuch with Calum

Thanks for your song suggestion and all your patience!

Support me on ko-fi! It ensures I can continue to provide this content and helps me save up for graduate school! 

Requesting for song blurbs is CLOSED. Thanks for all the love. 

__________________________________________

Heartbreak 

He told his mom about you. His sister too. 

That’s what makes it worst the worse. He had called home. For the first time in years, he couldn’t hide his smile when anyone talked about you. When he FaceTimed his mother, just to check in, she knew immediately. She saw it in him that something had shifted his soul. And he had to tell her. He couldn’t hide you from her. 

The heart’s no good in an emotional capacity. It’s too fragile and too sensitive to be given freely.  But you snuck in. You managed to slip around Calum’s defenses and he was hopeless to defend himself. The truth is he was okay with being single but he did want someone. He did miss that feeling of wanting to wake up next to them. He missed talking on the phone even though the conversation was bouncing between things happening and things in the future. He missed sometimes just the silence of hearing the other person breathe. The comfort that he was still alive and so were they and they wanted him. They wanted every ounce of him. 

Is it so wrong to be wanted that it had to come with a price?

“I’m really sorry, Calum.” He’s not meeting your eye and you can see the tick of his jaw. You know. You know you’ve broken his heart and you wish you didn’t. You wish you had taken all this back, never taken him up on his offer to grab a coffee that day in January. Because then you wouldn’t be sitting here in June telling him that you can’t do this–with the constant traveling and you’ve thought about seeing other people. Admittedly you might’ve liked the idea of Calum more than you did want to be with him. You liked the idea of having someone who had seen the world, but you know that at the end of the day, not coming home to your love is the hardest thing. 

If you could spare his heart, you would. 

“It’s okay,” he whispers. It’s hard to get the words over this closing throat. The tears are choking him. He doesn’t want to cry in front of you. Not that you haven’t seen the tears from him before but not about this. He should’ve expected this to happen because it always does. It always fucking happens. 

“If I could go back, I would. If I could tell myself to spare you, I would.”

He shakes his head, finally throwing you a sideways glance. It hurts more to think that you know what you’re doing and you regret. He tries to never regret anything even if it bashes his heart into a thousand pieces. There is no sense in having regrets.  “Don’t. I don’t want you to take it back.” 

“But I’m hurting you. And I just–I can’t bear that thought.”

“People hurt people. It happens all the time.” A fucked up truth and that it didn’t matter what you wanted not to do, you had already done it. He wanted spray acid back in your face but swallowed it back down. Now wasn’t the time to be spiteful. 

He keeps it together on the drive back to the studio. He feels like an idiot agreeing to see you for lunch while knee-deep in meetings and writing. But when he opens the doors to the studio and the receptionist smiles at him, he can feel his chest caving just a little. 

He takes the elevator up and thankfully it’s empty. As the doors slide close, he lets the first sob choke him and rock free. He had even called home about you. He thought about asking you to move in. Duke liked you and he wasn’t fond of everyone. Fuck, he had started to see you in everything and now you were gone. 

You should’ve just reached into his chest and taken the last few pieces of what was left. It would hurt less than the stabbing in his chest. What was he going to do now? He wished in some ways that his heart would actually give out on him. That way he could have a transplant. He’d throw out the old broken thing and try to get around with a temporary heart, something else placed into the cavity to keep the blood pumping but wasn’t so fragile and weak. 

Maybe it wasn’t even that weak of him to cry. But he hated it. He hates the way the tears are tracking down his skin–hot and salty. The sting just a little in the small nick he gave himself a day ago shaving the not quite a full beard but not scraggly enough to keep up with every day. 

The doors open and he wipes his nose with the sleeve of his shirt. “Fuck sake, what happened?” It’s Ashton to first notice the mess of Calum slinking down the hallway into the kitchen of the floor. 

“She’s-it’s over.” Most of the crying has stopped, though the tears are cradling his jaw as they continue their descent down to his neck. But now it’s getting harder to breathe. Everything comes in short bursts and wheezes. 

Michael rushes over, a consoling arm around his shoulder and eases him into a chair. There are no words that console the ache in his chest but he appreciates when someone hands him a bottle of water. They all gather around, but he covers his face into his hands, bending over. Maybe if the world’s upside down in his vision it’ll make it hurt less. 

His mother calls him a few days later. He hasn’t answered a text from her and she has to know. When he finally lets the phone connect video to video, she sighs. “Talk to me.” 

It’s a simple three words. But she can see the ache on his face. Calum is silent for a beat, shrugging as he tries to avoid his mother’s perspective gaze. 

“Talk to me, tama.”  

-H

#calum hood #calum hood fanfic #calum hood fic #calum hood blurb #calum hood angst #calum 5sos #5sos #5sos fanfic #5sos song blurb #5 seconds of summer #5 seconds of summer blurb #h writes #song blurb #song rec #asks #answered #ashton irwin #luke hemmings #michael clifford #5 seconds of summer imagine #calum hood imagine #5sos imagine

[clifford5sosx]

5SOS Chat

Who:  The 5SOS Boys

What: Being themselves

Where:  A Hotel in LA

When: Aug 3, 2020

Rating:  Let’s give it a PG-13 for language and sex references

@famelukehemmings, @calumshoodstf, @latenightdemons

Ashton: Knock knock.

Calum: no ash

Ashton: I regret writing a song about you right now.

Luke: What did I just walk into

Ashton: Knock knock.

Luke: No Ashton

Ashton: I didn't write a song about you

Luke: Okay and?

Ashton: ???? Well I couldn't say I regretted writing one so I went with that.

Calum: you wrote a song for me??

Calum: it was best years, wasn’t it? you guys, you shouldn’t have

Luke: Shut up Calum

Ashton: Calum, please picture my eye roll.

Calum: ew don’t make me do that

Ashton: Mikey is about to be my favorite.

Luke: HEY

Calum: mikey is mine ash

Calum: malum all the way

Ashton: 🙄 fair.

Ashton: Shut up, Like. You've always been my favorite.

Ashton: Luke too.

Calum: Is like luke’s evil twin brother?

Ashton: Oh god.

Ashton: I don't need two of them.

Luke: I'll give you two of me out of fucking spite now

Luke: Trying to trade my ass in for Mikey

Calum: All mikey does is play video games, he’s the least problematic of us all

Ashton: I wasn't trading the ass, I was reading the whole human.

Luke: Fine! I'll trade you in for another Drummer

Ashton: You act like I could trade you actually.

Luke: It wouldn't stop you from trying

Ashton: .......

Luke: Yeah that's what I thought

Ashton: 🙄

Luke: Did you just roll your eyes at me?

Ashton: I did. Gonna do something about it?

Luke: You are so lucky I love you

Ashton: 🙄

Luke: Slowly that love is turning to hatred

Ashton: Is it?

Luke: Yes it is

Ashton: I don't even know what love is.

Luke: Well that’s a depressing thought

Calum: could you guys not

Ashton: Not what?

Ashton: Sometimes thoughts are depressing.

Luke: I'm aware of how depressing thoughts can be.

Ashton: I was also joking. I love my drums.

Luke: Your drums don't count they're inatimate

Ashton: Just break my heart, why don't you?

Luke: I would never break your heart!

Ashton: 🤔

Calum: yes he would

Luke: I would not!

Calum: I know, I know.

Mikey: Boys, what are you doing?  And who is breaking who?

Luke: No one is breaking anyone!

Mikey: What?  I was looking forward to some action.  Damn.

Luke: Well you've come to the wrong place

Mikey: What about Ashton's heart?

Luke: He said I was breaking his heart because he loves his drums and I told him that his drum don't count because they're inatimate

Ashton: He's breaking my heart.

Mikey: For him, that counts.

Calum: Ladies please

Luke: IM NOT BREAKING YOUR HEART

Mikey: I don't think he's had a real relationship since.... shit

Ashton: It's BROKEN.

Luke: I'm just gonna shut up now

Ashton: ..........I've had more fuck buddies then actual partners, yes. You're correct.

Luke: I don't want to hear about all your fuck buddies

Calum: I’m almost to the hotel, put on your happy face because I know you fuckers have missed me.

Mikey: I hope you aren't talking about drumsticks

Luke: I'll get right on that Calum

Mikey: Any word on our housing situation.  Do we get a beach house or what?

Ashton: Ew Michael.

Ashton: Why not, Luke?

Ashton: What's a happy face.

Luke: I'm working on it, I have to talk to Harry about it but I'm sure the offer is still on the table

Calum: Yes, let’s get a fucking beach house!

Calum: Please, I wanna play bass shirtless in the sunset while the waves are crashing

Ashton: A beach house.

Mikey: For us, it better be.  I'm gonna sit out on the beach at sunset and get shitfaced.

Calum: Yes. This will be fun ash

Ashton: I'm terrified

Luke: Listen I felt pressuered into doing this! The house was supposed to be mine not for all of us

Luke: But I love you all so why not

Ashton: I just kind of nod my head and agree.

Luke: Well if it brings us all together again I'm okay with it

Mikey: Plus there is Ashton's heart

Ashton: What about my heart.

Ashton: Awww Luke misses us.

Luke: What about his heart?

Luke: Shut up, Ashton

Ashton: Make me.

Luke: I'll pass

Ashton: 🙄

Luke: Why are you always rolling your eyes at me?

Mikey: I'm not

Mikey: I'm just saying

Luke: I think I should second guess actually living with the three of you

Ashton: My heart????? What about my heart?

Ashton: .........because rolling my eyes is fun.

Luke: I don't know! It was Mikey! I don't even think he knows what he was talking about

Ashton: 🤣

Ashton: I'm teaching myself tiktok dances.

Luke: Half the time I don't even know what he's talking about

Luke: NO

Luke: NO NO NO! You will not fall victim to that!

Ashton: ....But I look good.

Luke: I-

Luke: No comment

Mikey: His arms are big.

Mikey: Again - just saying.

Mikey: I'm also a great roommate

Mikey: Cal is too, and what will he do without us

Luke: I've noticed how big his arms are

Ashton: There's one that's like "come and fuck my life up" and then you push the camera down. And I'm kind of amused by it.

Ashton: Mikey has a point.

Mikey: Mikey - who, what?

Ashton: I said you had a pooooint.

Luke: See he doesn't even know what he talks about

Mikey: Yeah, that's what I thought.  Just checking.

Luke: You had a point Mikey

Ashton: 🤣

Ashton: Also it's nice to know "I look good" gets a no comment

Luke: I said no comment

Luke: Thats kinda a comment

Mikey: I said your arms were big and Luke agreed

Luke: No one wants my comment trust me on this

Mikey: I'm not sure I want to guess at that comment

Luke: No Mikey you don't

Ashton: I'm curious.

Luke: No Ashton, you're not

Ashton: 👀

Luke: You're not, Irwin

Ashton: 👀

Luke: Stop giving me those eyes!

Ashton: 👀👀

Luke: Ashton Fletcher Irwin!

Ashton: Yes?

Luke: Stop it

Ashton: But.

Luke: but what? there's no buts

Ashton: I have a butt.

Luke: Yes yes you do

Ashton: ......

Luke: Okay time to change the subject

Ashton: I'm learning a lot.

Mikey: Do you guys want to share a room?

Ashton: What.

Mikey: Also, what about Luke?  He's really tall, knows how to dress.

Ashton: He's basically a bean stalk with a good fashion sense.

Luke: Shut the fuck up, Clifford

Luke: Well gee thanks

Ashton: Was a compliment.

Luke: Calling me a bean stalk is not a compliment

Mikey: He's filled out a bit.  Five years ago he was a beanstalk.

Mikey: I'm just helping.

Ashton: Helping...?

Luke: Mikey, Mikey darling just stop

Mikey: I'm helping.  Come on, Ash, it's your turn.

Ashton: You've gotta tell me what you're helping with.

Ashton: Because what am I taking a turn on?!

Mikey: Okay what about him turns you on?

Luke: MICHAEL GORDON CLIFFORD

Luke: WE ARE NOT DISCUSSING THIS

Ashton: I just choked.

Mikey: Why?  I'm helping.  That's Doctor Clifford to you.

Ashton: And I'm highly amused.

Luke: Helping with what?

Luke: I swear to god I am going to hurt you

Mikey: Ashton, you did not answer my question.

Ashton: 🤣

Ashton: I love seeing him sweat. This is amusimg

Luke: Mikey! Stop it!

Luke: Oh my god I'm trading this whole damn band in

Calum: Hey! What did I do!

Calum: I walk back in this chat and I see you’re trading us in?

Luke: Okay I'll keep Cal

Luke: But you two are gone

Ashton: Because Mikey's helping

Calum: Thank you 😍

Luke: HELPING WITH WHAT?!

Luke: Embarassing me?

Ashton: And I have no idea what he's helping with

Calum: In other news

Mikey: Luke, his answer is everything, he just doesn't want to say.

Ashton: Calum.

Luke: Mikey stop it OMG

Calum: I might be a bit late getting to the hotel, I have a stop to make

Ashton: Are you getting laid.

Mikey: MAKE WHAT

Luke: I dont need to know about anyone getting laid

Ashton: Also how am I embarrassing you?!

Calum: Wow ash, you read me like a book

Calum: It’ll literally be like five minutes

Ashton:.......Man. I hope it doesn't take five minutes.

Luke: Not you, Ash! Mikey

Calum: Mate

Luke: la la la la I can't hear any of this

Ashton: I love fucking with all of you. It's fun.

Mikey: Sure you can.  He's behind you staring at you all night.

Luke: jackass

Calum: It’s been a hot minute, so I gotta do what I gotta do.

Calum: Text you all soon

Luke: MICHAEL STOP OH MY GOD

Calum: 😍

Mikey: Cal, you sound like you gotta piss, not fuck

Calum: Jesus mate, what do you want me to say??

Calum: I’m about to go to pound town on a girl I hardly know??

Calum: Luke is going to literally die of embarrassment

Mikey: I know what you meant, but never say it'll just take a minute

Mikey: Unless it will just take a minute

Mikey: and that is a little sad.

Calum: No, idk. I don’t know her.

Ashton: I'm crying.

Calum: Literally tinder over here is nuts

Calum: Aussie girls are hard to get but American girls??

Mikey: Sex first then you can get to know her.

Calum: EXACTLY

Mikey: See, Mikey solves everything

Ashton: ....this is the first thing you've solved all night.

Calum: Oh what the fuck

Calum: She dipped

Mikey: I'm working on the rest.  I think you and Luke should share a room

Luke: No Michael

Ashton: Why?

Luke: Did Calum get stood up?

Calum: I did... what the fuck man

Luke: Lets focus on that, K Mikey?

Luke: Focus on Cal

Calum: No, it’s fine. Damnit.

Calum: Okay, alright, I’m heading to the hotel now.

Ashton: Michael, answer me and then we focus on Cal.

Mikey: Wait, what?

Luke: Fuck

Calum: Let’s all just regroup. I’m hugging all of you as soon as I see you all.

Mikey: How?  Were you supposed to meet her?

Calum: Yes.

Calum: And she backed out.

Calum: I’m not mad

Ashton: She's a dumb shit.

Mikey: Oh shit, what was she doing instead?

Calum: Right? I’m a stud. How could anyone resist these curls?

Calum: Or

Mikey: curls?

Luke: Dude maybe she got nervous

Ashton: You're adorable.

Luke: And where tf do you have curls?!

Calum: Yeah, idk where curls came from

Calum: I used to have curls

Ashton: 🤣

Calum: Should I bring them back?

Luke: I have curls

Luke: NO

Ashton: Yes you should.

Luke: Thats my thing now

Calum: Remember that poll I did on Twitter

Calum: And I said no curls

Calum: Well

Calum: Now I’m gonna put a new one up

Ashton: 🤣

#Here it is #and I'm home at last so replies coming

[legxllyblxndc]

scratch night ( @foreverwednesday )

SC AM JM LO SD BA: It had been a few weeks since the party and yet Seth still wasn't over the embarrassment of how he'd been; he felt awful still and everytime he was around the group he felt like they were all laughing at him. He'd been at every rehearsal though and he was more than happy to do a scratch night to raise money for the next musical. He walked over quietly to the tables they were all sat at, keeping his head down as he sat. He didn't even dare look at Alyssa - he was sure she just thought he was an idiot now.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey had been so excited since the college had announced the scratch night; she loved Spelling Bee, but getting to sing something a little more her was definitely something she looked forward to. She was especially excited that everybody's families seemed to be there. "What are you the most excited for?" She looked up at Ashton with a smile. They had been spending a lot more time together recently and she was happy about that.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny wrapped his arms around Caleb from behind as he came back with their drinks, kissing his friend on the cheek before he sat down next to him. "I wish we were going first - I don't actually think I can wait all that long for us to sing." He laughed, shrugging his shoulders. "The anticipation is too much." He loved singing their duet so much and he could hardly wait for the others to see it. They had worked so hard.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I wonder if any of their talent will start to rub off on us, the longer we're around them." Lucy laughed, raising an eyebrow as she looked to Isaac. She had definitely grown more fond of him since the night of the party and she was glad she wasn't the only non-singer that was here to support. "I hope so, anyway. Don't get me wrong - I do enjoy stuff like this, but I'd like to get something out of it too." She laughed, jokingly.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott was honestly just happy that nobody had tried to force him to sing; he was happy enough performing in Spelling Bee, because his friends knew it was a 'favour' to Hettie - but he wouldn't be able to face singing in front of them all properly. "Are you going to kick off if you don't win?" He asked Hettie with a little smirk, raising an eyebrow. He thought she was an obvious winner, in his eyes.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Surprising herself, Betsy actually felt a little bit nervous about performing with the others - it was their first audience for Spelling Bee and she really wanted people to like it. "Isn't it weird that we're raising money for another musical, when we're already in this one?" She laughed, looking to River as she took a sip of her drink. "I mean, don't get me wrong - I'm excited for it, but it just seems like a lot." She laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK joined the chat

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa had toyed with the idea of not going to the Scratch Night. She didn't see much point, it wasn't like she was performing in it... but eventually, she convinced herself to go. She felt like such an idiot for how things had gone with Seth and she didn't like that one bit. Alyssa rolled her eyes as she noticed Seth unable to look at her. She just thought he was incredibly rude, if anything. She sat quietly at the table, drink in hand. She didn't really have much of anything to say to anyone.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton enjoyed spending time with the people in the musical, more so than he ever thought he would, so he was definitely glad when he had heard about the Scratch Night. It gave him more time to spend with everyone... particularly Audrey. He shrugged. "I dunno. Caleb and Johnny are doing something, right? That's bound to be pretty funny." He chuckled. "What about you?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb smiled widely as he felt Johnnys arms around him and looked to his friend as he sat down. He genuinely felt like he had found a platonic soul mate in Johnny and Caleb was so happy for that. "It's gonna be so much fun. Do you know the running order?" He asked. He had no idea who was going where but he was excited. He loved hearing the rest of the cast sing.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac chuckled before he shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not sure that it works like that but hey, here's hoping. I'd love to just be able to walk without tripping over thin air. Maybe their co ordination would do that." He chuckled. He was loving all the time he got to spend with Lucy and he was pretty sure that the feeling was mutual, he liked that even more. "So you can't sing? Not even a little bit?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie had been a little disappointed that Scott hadn't wanted to sing... but she didn't let him see that. She felt awful though. Everyone else had someone there to support them...except for her. She still couldn't tell her parents. She rolled her eyes as she listened to Scott. "Of course I'm not. My ex boyfriend is on the judging panel. I'm not going to win." Hettie knew that she was spiteful enough if it was the other way around.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River had surprised herself with how much she was loving the rehearsals... she had been even more thrilled when she got to perform outside of that and still get to see her friends. "I guess so." She shrugged her shoulders. "It is a lot." River laughed as she nodded her head, "But I think that's kind of the point. Besides - are you telling me that you're not going to have fun with it all?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth cleared his throat slightly as he looked up at the stage; he was nervous, even more so because he didn't really know what to say to his friends and it would be the first time he'd sang in front of a lot of these people in a long time. He wished he could talk to Alyssa about it; he wanted to talk to her so badly, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey smiled at the mention of Caleb and Johnny's duet - she knew it was going to be amazing, whatever it was. "Yeah, I'm really excited for that too - they're like a mini TV duo ready to happen and I love it." She laughed. "And I'm excited for everybody to see the girls song - but I feel like I'm biased." She shrugged her shoulders.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Yeah, it's on one of these!" Johnny smiled, grabbing one of the sheets of paper from the table and giving it to his friend. He knew he was at uni now and he still had a lot of friends there, but it was nice to be making new friends here and besides - he'd gone to this college, he still knew a lot of the people.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy laughed, nodding her head. "Maybe! We'll have to see, just focus really hard on their feet." She smiled. She could feel herself loosening up around this people and whilst that usually scared her, it felt nice to be this comfortable. "Oh god no, not at all. Nobody wants to hear me sing." She laughed, raising an eyebrow.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Of course, Scott's parents weren't there either - he had mentioned it to them, but they hadn't even bothered giving him excuses of why they couldn't come. It almost didn't even hurt him anymore. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that - dick." He muttered. "He's not the only judge though, you could still swing it."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Of course I'm gonna have fun with it! And it's not gonna stop me auditioning." Betsy laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "But yeah - it's a lot. Especially in second year. But whatever, right? This is probably the last chance we'll all have to take so much on at once." She smiled. "You feeling nervous?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa didn't even know what to say to Seth. She was so annoyed at him. She thought it was one thing for him to leave the morning after, it was another thing entirely for him to barely speak to her afterwards. They had gone from speaking every day ... to basically nothing. And Alyssa was never one to chase someone else. She was sure that she wouldn't be able to hold it in for the rest of the night though.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton chuckled as she spoke about Caleb and Johnny. "They really ought to be on TV or something. They'll be the new Ant an dDec." He nodded. He spread his arm along the back of her chair as he nodded again. "You might be biased but I'm pretty sure that we all know it;s going to be great so.."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb took the paper from Johnny with a smile. "Okay - so we're a decent way off from the girls number, that's good." He chuckled with a nod of his head. He knew that they were going to be so good and he didn't want to be anywhere near it, honestly."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac laughed and nodded his head, "Focus on the feet. Got it. I think Aaron and Alba are doing a dance number so... I should be golden." He shrugged his shoulders with a laugh. He knew a lot more people than who knew him. "Are you sure?" Isaac asked. "Though, I can't speak. I sound worse than cats screeching."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie hated how Scotts parents were unable to support their son. She thought that he was so talented and someone that they should be beaming with pride about... not the opposite. And she wished she had the guts to tell them that. "Oh right - Fleur Morley is gonna vote for me? Yeah right."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "As it shouldn't! You're bloody amazing." River laughed as she looked over at her. River was an okay dancer. She was pretty much average in everything, to be honest. So she was a little in awe of Betsy sometimes. "Probably. And you'll have a lot of fun doing it." She nodded her head. "A little. But that's what fuels a good performance, right?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth had never meant to make Alyssa feel like she didn't matter to him; if anything, it was the opposite. The night at the party had made him realise how much he liked her and that pretty much terrified him. He hadn't felt like this in a very long time and now he was so sure he'd messed it up for good. He didn't know how to fix any of it.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "That's exactly what they're like - except neither of them are that short. Boring." Audrey laughed, scrunching up her nose. If she hadn't been sure of it before, the last few weeks had definitely made her sure that she liked Ashton and she was loving any time they got to spend together. "Is that the general consensus?" She laughed. "That takes all the fun out of it!"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Are you scared of the girls?" He grinned. "I mean, I hope you are - 'cause I am too and that would mean I wasn't the only one." He chuckled. He was pretty sure they all knew the girls number was going to be fantastic. "I honestly think my head might blow off when I see the costumes." He laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "You'll come out a real tap dancer by the end of tonight." Lucy smiled. She was excited to see the numbers that weren't just singing, to see something different - for somebody that was more academic than creative, she still really enjoyed all of this stuff. "I am so sure. Even my parents ask me to stop if I try." She laughed. "That bad?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott tried not to let on how much he hated that his parents just didn't care enough to support him, but he was sure Hettie saw through it - he never seemed to be able to hide anything at all from her. "I think they're supposed to be professional, aren't they? S'not like they can just give it to their best friends." He shrugged.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Oh - well, thanks!" Betsy laughed, shrugging her shoulders. She never bothered to big herself up on the singing and acting - she knew she was good, but she wasn't as good as some of the other girls. But she knew she was an excellent dancer and she loved that. "I mean, Rock of Ages is basically the most fun you can have, right?" She laughed. "For sure it is."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: If she was completely honest, the only reason that Alyssa had gone to the event was so that she didn't have to answer any questions from the others about why she wasn't there. She just wanted the night to be over and done with. So she could go home and be on her own.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "What? Because one being shorter than the other is what makes them so entertaining?" Ashton asked with a raise of an eyebrow. For a little while, Ashton had wondered if Audrey was more into Caleb than him, but the last couple weeks seemed to show him the exact opposite. "And why's thaT? You don't want people hating it before you start do you?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I would love that!" Isaac laughed and shook his head. He was so excited for tonight, to watch everyone. He was always in awe of someone who could even hold a small tune so he knew that this was going to be a lot of fun. "Wow - okay. I do not want to hear it then."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb shrugged his shoulders "They're all so damn talented, man." He laughed. Caleb wasn't sure he had ever seen a group of girls more talented than them. He nodded slightly. "Their costumes are gonna be insane. I can't cope already."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie knew Scott well enough to see through his acts... and she knew that the same could be said vice versa. That was why they got on so well. They couldn't bullshit one another, like they bullshitted everyone else. "We'll see." She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sure you'll be thrilled to see Rivers performance." She rolled her eyes. She was still bitter about him lying to her, though.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "No worries." River laughed as she shook her head. She liked complimenting people and if she thought it, then she was going to say it. She didn't see the point in pretending like you didn't think it. "Oh, for sure. What are you hoping for?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow."You can probably have a guess at mine."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth had to wonder what Alyssa thought of him now - he knew how he'd feel about himself, if he were her. He was desperate to talk to her, but he knew he couldn't. He looked at her fleetingly, clearing his throat again before he got up and headed over to the bar. As the first people started singing, he looked to the stage.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Definitely. You don't know it now, but if they were the same height? The whole act would be down the pan." Audrey laughed, shrugging her shoulders as though it were factual information. Although she was in no rush for things to turn serious, she definitely knew where her mind was now - and she liked knowing. "Maybe. Then it would be fun proving them wrong." She laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I bet - but then you'd be wanting to join the cast and leaving me without a stage manager, so maybe you shouldn't look at all." Lucy laughed, raising an eyebrow. "I told you. But at least we can listen to all of these people who can actually sing."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I know, it's crazy! They shouldn't even be allowed in a group together, they're too good." Johnny shook his head, but there was a smile on his face. He knew how hard the girls had worked and he wanted them to do well. "I feel like it'll be too much for my little eyes." He chuckled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott couldn't help but laugh at Hettie's dig; he knew she was pissed off still, but he didn't think he owed her any explanation - they weren't together. "Why'd you say that?" He asked, almost challengingly. Sometimes, it was like he almost wanted the argument.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy shook her head as River asked what she would be hoping for. "In this one, I just wanna dance - I feel like I'd have the most fun there. The dances will be so cool, right?" She smiled. "A guess? Please, you're pretty much made for the part and I don't think anybody will even fight you on it." She laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa rolled her eyes as she noticed Seth glancing at her. She paused for a moment before she got up and followed him across to the bar. She wasn't going to let it hang over her for the whole night. "So - are you just not going to talk to me? Is that where we're at now, then?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow as she stood beside Seth. She wasn't a confrontational person, but she didn't like being treated less than she thought she deserved to be treated.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Oh right - well, lucky for them that they're different then, huh? Johnny and Caleb stand no chance." Ashton was always laughing with Audrey. She made him happy. Something he didn't think he had actually had before. ANd he liked that the two of them were pretty much on the same page with everything. "You are --- one of a kind, Audrey." He chuckled as he shook his head slightly.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I'll divert my eyes, don't you worry." Isaac laughed as he nodded his head. "Couldn't leave you lonely, could I?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He nodded slightly, "Looks like it's starting." He muttered, nodding to the stage.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed but nodded his head, "Hey - we're gonna have a lot of fun though, so that's all that matters if you ask me." He chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders. He smirked as he looked over to his friend, "It been a while then, mate?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie rolled her eyes. Sometimes, she was almost certain that Scott said stuff to try and annoy her or start a fight. "Because you know what." She muttered and crossed her arms over her chest. That was what she liked about Johnny, he didn't seem to try and push her buttons like Scott always managed to do.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: The girl nodded her head as she listened to Betsy. "That makes sense. The dances will be absolutely incredible." She laughed. She couldn't wait to see all of it, if she was completely honest. She was pretty sure that they would all be incredible. "Thank you, thank you. I thought the same."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth definitely didn't expect Alyssa to come over and speak to him and he was pretty sure he felt his heart drop into his stomach as he saw her come over to him. "I --," he stuttered, not really knowing what to say. Because really, Alyssa was right - he wasn't being at all fair. "It's not like that, I didn't... I wanted to speak to you but I -- I'm sorry." He sighed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "So lucky. I bet Dec was quaking in his little boots. Is he the little one?" Audrey laughed, realising she didn't actually know which one was which. When they had first met, she had - of course - been attracted to him, but now it was more than that. He made her laugh and she loved that. She smiled as he spoke, looking at him happily. "Is that a good or a bad thing?" She laughed softly.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Thank god. I wouldn't want you tapping away." Lucy laughed, shaking her head. She had never imagined herself getting along with somebody in the cast like this. "Absolutely not. We promised to have simultaneous breakdowns, don't think I've forgotten." She smiled. She watched as the next few acts performed, smiling as they announced it was River's turn.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I have no idea what you're talking about." Scott shrugged his shoulders. As far as he was concerned, Hettie had also slept with somebody that night - that was more than he'd done. "Here we go." He smirked slightly as he turned to the stage, hearing River's name. He was actually rooting for the girl; he wouldn't admit it, but he was excited to see her perform.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy nodded her head. "That's what I thought - the music is obviously great, so." She shrugged her shoulders with a smile. As they called out River's name, she nudged the girl gently. "Knock 'em dead!"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Aylssa knew that she shouldn't but couldn't help but be annoyed by him and what he was saying to her. He was stumbling and he only apologised because she had gone over to him, she was pretty sure. "It's not good enough, Seth. I thought we were friends. I thought we were --" She shook her head. "Do you have any idea how much you humiliated me? Making me feel like I was the problem when you kissed me." Her voice was calm, but you could tell she was upset.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Yeah - Dec is the little one... I think." Ashton chuckled. He didn't know what was going to happen between him and Audrey but he was excited to find out, that was for sure. He wondered what she thought might happen... not that he was in any rush, though. "A bit of both. I like it." He winked at her with a laugh. He was pretty sure that he had made it clear that he liked her.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Really? Miss me too much?" Isaac asked, though he couldn't help but laugh slightly. He liked Lucy a lot and that almost scared him. He was sure that she wouldn't think more of him than a friend... at most. "Of course. Gotta schedule in that breakdown, right?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He looked up at the stage as Rivers name was announced, she had always been so nice to him and he was excited to hear her.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie rolled her eyes once again as Scott spoke... and sighed as she heard Rivers name. It wasn't that she didn't like the other girl... she just didn't like whatever kind of hold she seemed to have over Scott and why he would lie to her about it.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River nodded. She raised an eyebrow as she heard her name.... but got up and quickly moved to the stage. She was incredibly nervous. But as she looked to her friends, she smiled, winking at Scott with a laugh before she started.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth's eyes widened slightly as Alyssa continued talking; he'd genuinely never seen it that way, he'd had no idea of the way she was feeling. "I -- what? No, I didn't - I never wanted to make you feel like you were the problem! Alyssa, please believe me... I'm sorry." He whispered, shaking his head. "I was the problem, I was an idiot... It was never you. Of course it wasn't you." He sighed, running a hand through his hair nervously. "I really am so sorry, I should never have... That whole night I was just - stupid."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I knew it. Ant has the big head." Audrey laughed, nodding her head enthusiastically. Most of the time, what she was saying didn't even seem to make sense - but she liked that Ashton either understood or humoured her. She couldn't help but wonder what page he was on and she wished she had a way of knowing. She didn't want to get herself in deep and get hurt and she was slightly worried that was going to happen. She laughed as he winked, shaking her head. "I like that - all good wouldn't be interesting enough. A little bit of bad keeps you on your toes." She laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Absolutely." Lucy smiled, rolling her eyes playfully. If it wasn't for Isaac and Alyssa, she didn't actually think she'd be enjoying the musical as much as she was - she loved the cast, but having like minded people around made it so much more fun. "Of course - the scheduling part is the most important."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "The most fun." Johnny smiled, nodding his head. He knew that the whole night was going to be fun and he couldn't wait. He turned to the stage with a smile as River started to sing. "What, since six girls were standing in front of me wearing barely any clothes? Yeah, try forever." He laughed, rolling his eyes.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott couldn't help but smile as River winked at him, smiling up at her slightly. He had never heard the song, but he liked it. He couldn't figure out why she seemed to have some kind of hold on him, but she absolutely did. He clapped for her when she'd finished.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy definitely felt on the outside of the group sometimes; not in a bad way, but she seemed to be the only one not involved in any kind of drama or coupling - and she didn't mind that. It gave her the chance to look on and she could definitely see a lot of stuff unfolding - especially between Scott and River.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa sighed as Seth continued to apologise. She didn't want to hear an apology, she wanted to know why. And then he finished talking and Alyssa nodded her head. "Right. Message received." The girl muttered as she rolled her eyes. She started to walk away from him then. She had gotten the wrong end of the stick with all of this, she was sure. He didn't like her. He had just kissed her because he was drunk. She should've realised.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Yes!" Ashton nodded his head. Sometimes, he didn't know if he liked what she said or humored her but he didn't think that, that mattered. The two of them had fun. He hoped that they were both thinking the same thing. He liked Audrey a lot and there was absolutely no denying that. "Everyone likes a little bit of bad." He laughed with a nod of his head.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac smiled. He didn't know if he would be enjoying the whole musical at all, if it wasn't for Lucy, Seth and Audrey. Between the three of them, he always felt like he belonged and it was probably the first time he had ever felt like that. "Can't have a breakdown at an inopportune moment."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb couldn't wait to perform. He loved being on stage and he was sure that he and his friends were going to have the most fun, performing together. He was so glad with how well they all got along. "That wasn't what I meant and you know it." Caleb laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie was already in a mood... but she was positively fuming as she saw River wink at Scott. She barely even clapped for her once she was done... Though soon enough, it was her turn for payback as it was her song with Johnny. She got up and held her hand out to the other. "Lets have some fun!" She laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River laughed as she finished her song. She had, had so much fun. She quickly moved back to her seat, next to Betsy. "Was that alright?" She giggled to the other girl. She felt like she was buzzing... especially as she smiled over at Scott.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth wasn't even sure what to do as Alyssa started walking away, but he knew he couldn't just leave it again - it obviously hadn't worked out well. "No, Alyssa - please wait." He called, walking after her with a sigh. He knew he needed to explain better. "I didn't mean - I didn't mean that I regretted what happened... I wanted to kiss you. I just regret - the rest of it. Being so drunk, ruining it all. I regret that." He sighed, swallowing hard. "I haven't done - anything even close to a relationship in a really long time. It all feels - really fucking hard." He admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. "And I'm sorry that I let you carry all of that. That's what I meant to say."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Everyone?" Audrey asked with a raise of an eyebrow. She had only ever been in two relationships; one serious one, at that and she knew from those that she got bored when things were so straightforward... But then she wondered if that was just her being stupid. Did everybody really need a little bit of bad? She smiled as Johnny and Hettie got up onstage. "Look how sweet they are." She smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy had only known Hettie when she'd started the musical and now she felt like she had even more friends than that; and that was big for her. She wasn't a person with a lot of friends. "Of course not. How unprofessional." She laughed, shaking her head. She clapped as Hettie and Johnny were called; she liked seeing Hettie with him. He seemed to make her happier than Scott.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny laughed loudly, rolling his eyes. "I know exactly what you meant - and no it hasn't, you cheeky devil." He chuckled, taking Hettie's outstretched hand with a smile. He was so happy that she wanted to sing with him and he'd had so much fun practising their duet. He was so ready to perform - and especally with Hettie.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott nodded his head as River smiled over at him, a silent way of telling her that she did well - that he liked it. He had genuinely never met anybody like her and he didn't think he would again - maybe that was why she intrigued him so much. He chewed on his lip as Hettie and Johnny got up and started to sing. He hated watching them together, he hated knowing how much time they must've spent practising this.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy was still clapping for River as the girl came and sat back down and she nodded her head. "It was so good, oh my god! And I love that song!" She smiled. She definitely noticed the look over to Scott, though.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa listened to Seth and she nodded as she realised that he was finished. She took a moment to think about what she had to say to him. She wanted to make sure that it was right, that she wasn't going to say something to mess up an already fragile situation. "You didn't mess anything up. YOU were drunk. It happens." She shrugged her shoulders. "But I understand it's been a long time. I just --" She paused, "Do you think I'm that unreasonable that I won't be sympathetic to that?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "I don't mind waiting, letting you have your time. I just don't want to be ignored."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Everyone I've ever known." Ashton shrugged his shoulders. He knew that he wasn't exactly someone that could be described as a good guy. Though he hoped that, that wasn't something which would scare Audrey off. He really wanted the two of them to make something out of all of this. He didn't know if any of his ex girlfriends would really agree though. He shrugged his shoulders slightly as he looked up at Hettie and Johnny, "I guess."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac was sure that he had never liked someone quite as much as he liked Lucy... and although he wasn't ashamed of his lack of experience, he wondered that, if they were to ever be anything, she would be put off by it. "How professional indeed." He chuckled as he nodded his head. He looked up at the stage then.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed as Johnny spoke. And he cheered loudly for his friend... he cheered even louder as the couple finished singing. He thought that they were brilliant and it was clear how much the two of them got along, the chemistry they had.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie beamed as she looked at Johnny. As they got off stage, she wrapped her arms around him with a laugh. "That was so much fun!" She girl squealed. She liked Scott... but she definitely had a lot more fun with Johnny. "Oh my god. You were so good!"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River laughed as she listened to the other, "Thank you, thank you." She smiled. The girl felt herself blush slightly as Scott nodded. Though she looked away from him quickly, she didn't want to see his face as he watched Hettie with Johnny. River knew that it was inconvenient to have feelings for Scott but she couldn't help it.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth shook his head. "I was stupid - I tried to keep up with everybody else even though I don't drink that much anymore and I put myself in stupid situations. I shouldn't have kissed you in a game like that, it should've been - better." He sighed. He wished he'd been brave enough to make a move before the game. "I don't think you're unreasonable at all... I just felt embarrassed. We kissed and then an hour later I'm passed out in somebody's mums bed?" He sighed. "I'm sorry for ignoring you... and for making you feel like you were the problem." He sighed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey nodded her head - she wondered what that meant, though. She really liked Ashton and she wanted something to come of all of this; and the little bit of bad he talked about excited her, but only when she wiped her mind of everything he'd admitted doing to his past girlfriends. She smiled as he spoke about Hettie and Johnny; she'd almost bypassed that he would, of course, be on Scott's side - if there were sides. "Back soon." She smiled as they called her name. As soon as the music started, she forgot everything else.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy clapped and cheered as Hettie and Johnny finished; she knew that no good could ever come of her telling Hettie what to do, but she did really wish she'd give Johnny a fighting chance. She thought he could make her so happy. She smiled as Audrey sang, but she couldn't help but glance over to Isaac - she sometimes wondered if he liked the blonde and she didn't know why that bothered her.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny hugged Hettie gently as she wrapped her arms around him, a smile on his face. It was times like this where he'd realise that he really liked her... and he knew that was a problem. He knew he had to be careful, because there was Scott. "You were fantastic, Hettie - of course you were." She smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Do you like him?" Betsy was never one to skirt around subjects and the fact that River's cheeks were pink after just looking at Scott told her everything she needed to know. She wasn't judging and that was clear from her tone of voice - she was just curious.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott watched Hettie and Johnny's performance with a face like thunder, clapping slowly when they'd finished. He couldn't even bring himself to watch how they were afterwards. It pissed him off; Johnny pissed him off.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I know that you're sorry. I heard that!" Alyssa cried, almost snapping at him. She wasn't bothered about apologies. She knew that he was sorry. She just didn't like being in such a weird place with him. She didn't like not knowing what they were or what he was thinking. "Then why didn't you talk to me?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "If you were embarrassed. you should've just talked to me."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton had no idea that Audrey was worried about what had happened in the past. He knew that he hadn't left the best track record and he knew that he couldn't promise her it wouldn't happen if anything did happen with them. He just refused to even bring it up, if he was completely honest. "Good luck!" He smiled as he called after her. He was excited to listen to this one, that was for sure.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac cheered as he heard Audreys name. He got along with the girl a lot but he didn't think of her much more than that... not when he had Lucy right there. He thought that she was probably the most gorgeous girl he had seen. He smiled as he realised that she was looking at him.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie loved performing... but it was always bitter sweet. She wished that her mum and dad would be there, would be supportive. She wanted to be honest with them but she knew that she couldn't be. They would ruin this for her. "I had so much fun." She laughed before she kissed his cheek. She couldn't believe how much fun she had with him.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River raised an eyebrow as she heard Betsy and turned to look at her for a moment... before she shrugged her shoulders. She trusted her a lot but she didn't know her feelings for Scott just yet. "I'm not sure. Maybe." She muttered. And she knew that was probably the worst answer. She was going to end up hurt, she could already see it.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that." Alyssa muttered with a shake of her head and a sigh. She really didn't know how to deal with this. She was so embarrassed and she didn't think that she had felt like that in a long time. Alyssa was so careful to not let herself be in situations like this. "Right. Well that's great, isn't it?" She asked with a sigh. "You just got drunk, Seth. It happens to everyone. I just - I don't like not knowing where that leaves us." She sighed before she shrugged her shoulders, "I miss my friend."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton cheered loudly as Audrey finished. He thought that she was maybe one of the most talented people he had ever met. "That was amazing." He laughed as she came back to the table. Ashton thought he was okay but he didn't think he had a patch on the likes of Audrey and Hettie and Seth.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac wished that he was a little braver. He wanted to be able to tell Lucy what he thought of her. That he thought she was beautiful and that he enjoyed spending time with her.. but he wasn't. And he knew that those thoughts were probably just going to stay to himself.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie smiled widely as Johnny agreed. She looked to Scott for a moment when he asked her to sit with him before she shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head, "Sure." She smiled. She knew he'd be annoyed but, really, Hettie didn't care.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River didn't see the point in lying, in pretending something wasn't happening. She didn't see why anyone would. She wasn't ashamed of her choices. She nodded as Betsy spoke, "No. I know he isn't. I wouldn't be his friend if I thought that." She shrugged slightly. "Just a tricky situation to navigate."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth shrugged his shoulders slightly. "No, it's okay..." He sighed. He knew he'd done badly and he knew that Alyssa had every right to be pissed at him, he just wished there was an easy way for him to fix it all. He nodded his head; he understood what Alyssa meant - not knowing what or where they were made them both miserable. His stomach dropped a little bit as she said the word friend, but he understood; he would rather have her as a friend than nothing. "I miss mine, too." He sighed. "Can we just - go back to normal?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Thanks!" Audrey laughed, a big smile on her face - now the solo was out of the way, she was so excited to sing with Ashton and to listen to everybody else. The competition aspect of the night hadn't really crossed her mind, she just loved singing with everybody so much. "Are you excited to sing?" She smiled, raising an eyebrow. She was definitely excited to hear it.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy honestly had no idea about the kinds of things that Isaac would thinking and she would never guess it - not with people like Hettie and Audrey around. She had always been somebody who had to connect with somebody on an intellectual level and she felt like she'd done that with Isaac - but she wasn't going to say that. "Okay - I'm gonna go and get a drink, do you want anything?" She smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny smiled as Hettie said she'd sit with them; he knew Caleb wouldn't mind it at all and he was happy to get to spend some of the rest of the night with her. "Okay - we're just over here." He smiled, leading the way over. "Not long 'til our duet, man!" He laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy nodded her head. "I know... Fucking tricky is the word." She laughed softly. She would hate to be River, in the situation that she was in - and to be honest, she was just glad she wasn't. She raised an eyebrow as they called her name, not even really having noticed the last couple of acts. "Oh - gotta go!" She laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: If things between her and Seth were just going to be awkward whenever they got close to something, she would rather the two of them just stay friends. "I'd like that." Alyssa nodded. "but.." She paused. "I think we still need to talk about what happened between us, what was said at the party. Not tonight. Tonight we can just relax and spend time together but... sometime soon." She didn't want things to be hanging in the air, to be unspoken.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton smiled as he looked up at Audrey. It was so clear how much she had enjoyed that and he wished that he could find the same kind of enjoyment. He loved performing but, underneath it all, it terrified him too. "I'm excited for our song." He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her again.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac knew, though, that even if he didn't say anything to Lucy, he was glad to just be her friend. He thought that she was probably the most interesting person he had met and he definitely wanted to carry on getting to know her. "Just a coke or something, please."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie nodded slightly and followed Johnny to the table. She didn't think that she had to tell Scott. She was sure that he would be fine on his own. She smiled though, as she watched the next couple. She wished that she could be that good. "Do I even wanna know what you two have cooked up?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a laugh.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Like Johnny already knew, Caleb didn't mind Hettie coming to sit with them. He was just glad that Johnny got to spend more time with her, really. "I'm so bloody excited." He laughed as he shook his head slightly.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River nodded, "Go kill it!" She called after the other girl... When she realised that Scott was on his own though, River scooted over so she could sit beside him, "Hey. How're you doing?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a soft laugh.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth nodded his head. "Yeah, okay... We can talk about it." He said softly - he didn't particularly want to, he knew it was just going to be as awkward as all this had been, but he wasn't exactly in a position to deny Alyssa the chance to speak about what had happened if she wanted to. "Do you want to come and sit down?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey laughed, leaning into Ashton as his arm went around her. "So am I." She smiled. She had loved practising for their duet and she still wasn't over how good the boy was. She clapped as Betsy finished her song, looking over to Johnny and Caleb excitedly. "It's Ant and Dec's turn." She laughed, nudging Ashton gently.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy nodded her head, getting up to go to the bar - she was drinking, either. She didn't feel the need to. She looked around to see if she could see Alyssa, her eyebrows raising slightly as she saw she was with Seth - she hoped they were sorting everything out.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny laughed, shaking his head. "It's a surprise, right?" He grinned over at Caleb. He clapped for Betsy, but was already up on his feet and ready to go - he was way too excited. "We'll be back soon." He chuckled, looking over to Caleb.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy loved performing, but she was honestly just as excited to get off the stage and watch Caleb and Johnny perform. She mostly just loved the community part of theatre, the chance to be around all of these amazing people.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott looked up as he heard River, raising an eyebrow. "Hey - fine, just watching." He laughed, shrugging his shoulders. The only part he was performing in was the Spelling Bee number. "Your song was good - really good." He smiled.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa really hated the idea of not taking about what had happened. They were both drunk, sure, but she didn't think that, that meant that neither of them meant what they had said about the other. She thought for a moment before she nodded her head, "Yeah, okay."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton smirked as Audrey lent into him. He liked that, even though the two hadn't discussed anything, they were on the same page with everything. It was really nice to have that. He cheered for Betsy, she was probably the person in the cast, besides Audrey, that he was closest to. "Oh, I can't wait for this." He chuckled with a shake of his head.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac simply watched everyone perform as he waited for Lucy to come back. He wondered what she thought of him. He wondered what most people did but it mattered more to him about what she thought.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb beamed as he realised it was their turn. He bounded up to the stage. He loved performing but even more than that, he loved making people laugh. This had both of those so it was pretty much perfect for him.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie rolled her eyes at Johnny. She was excited to see what the two of them had come up with though... and it almost definitely did not disappoint. She was almost crying with laughter by the time the two of them were done.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River nodded slightly. She wished that Scott had decided to sing but she knew that she absolutely could not force him to if he didn't want too. She smiled though, as he complimented her "Thank you. I had a lot of fun.”

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth wasn't even sure what he would say when it came to talking about it... He had a lot to work through, a lot going on in his head but he wanted to be able to get through it all. "Good." He smiled, leading the way over to the table that Isaac was sitting on. "Mind if we sit?" He smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey didn't think they needed to discuss anything just yet - they both seemed to know where they were at and she thought the talking would come in time. She was happy, for now. The only thing she was curious about was if Ashton saw anything in the future or if he just hadn't thought about it. Like Hettie, she was almost in tears of laughter by the time the boys finished.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy grabbed a coke for both of them and headed back, smiling as she saw Alyssa and Seth had joined them too. "Sorry - I didn't realise you were here or I would've got you something to drink as well." She laughed, shaking her head. "How good were the boys?" She smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny had an absolute ball performing with Caleb, especially when he looked over at Hettie and saw her laughing. He thought that was something he had on Scott; he made her laugh and he loved doing so. He gave Caleb a big hug as the music finished, still laughing. "That was so fucking good!" He laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott nodded his head. "It looked like it. What was that song even from?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He'd liked it. He kept a straight face as Caleb and Johnny sang, the laughter around him annoying him - he knew it was funny, but he didn't want to laugh. He didn't even look over at Hettie, knowing she'd be laughing.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa really just wanted to know where the two of them were at. If he told her that he thought he had a lot to work through, then that was fine, she just wanted to know that, that was the case. She wanted to know if they would eventually go anywhere. She smiled as she looked up at Lucy, "Oh, no. Don't be silly you're fine." She laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac nodded, "Of course." He really liked Seth and he wanted his friend to have everything he wanted...though Isaac didn't know if the other actually knew what that was. "Thanks." He muttered to Lucy as she handed him his coke. "They were really funny." Isaac chuckled.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie didn't think that she had ever laughed this much though, that was for sure. And seeing how hard Scott was trying not to laugh, how annoyed he looked, only made her laugh harder. Hettie knew, in the back of her mind, that she and Scott were not good for another another. She cheered loudly as they were finally done.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb had, had a blast performing and he hugged Johnny back, still laughing. "I loved that" He cried. Johnny was probably one of his closest friends already, which kind of blew his mind seeing as how they hadn't known one another for that long.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River raised an eyebrow. "You don't know it? It's from Waitress." She smiled. It was probably Rivers most favourite musical and she almost couldn't believe that Scott had never seen it. She sighed though, as she realised why he wasn't laughing. It was that reason that she was trying so, so hard to not like him like she did. He was never going to like her back when he was so het up over Hettie.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: When they spoke about it, Seth knew that he would be as honest as he could be - because he'd seen now where covering up what was happening would get him. If he wanted even a hope of something happening with Alyssa, he knew he had to be honest. "I think that was my favourite one so far." He smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey had absolutely no idea that any of Ashton's ex-girlfriends could or would be at the show, but even if she did she wouldn't think much of it. She didn't like to think of herself as a person who was bothered by the presence of anybody's ex - she was still friends with a lot of hers.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy smiled as Isaac thanked her, smiling over at Alyssa. "You're sure?" She asked. "I'm glad you came over, I feel like I haven't seen you since the beginning of the show." She laughed. She loved spending time with Alyssa.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Me too!" Johnny laughed, clapping his friend on the back. It wasn't long until his number, so he stayed near the stage until then - when it had finished, he walked back over to Hettie with a smile. "Up to your high standards?" He smiled, raising an eyebrow.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott shook his head. "No, I don't think I'd ever heard it before - but it was good, I liked it." He shrugged. He wasn't massively into musicals, but the song had made him laugh. "I think we're all up soon."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa didn't know if she wanted to know Seths answers though. If he was just going to tell her that everything he said was because he was drunk... she would rather not know. "I know!" Alyssa laughed as she looked over at Lucy. "But here I am now!" She smiled over at her friend, "Just in time for the big group number, right"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac nodded his head along with Seth, "Yeah, I really enjoyed it too." He chuckled. "But don't you have to go up soon?" He asked his friend. He was excited to see everyones reaction to Spelling Bee. He was so ready to start selling this show.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie always knew that Johnny was a good singer... but he seemed to outshine her expectations with his solo. "You were amazing." She smiled with a nod of her head. "Seriously. I can't believe how good you were" She was definitely impressed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton, like Audrey, had no idea one of his ex girlfriends was there. He knew , though, that if she was, she wouldn't be happy. Ashton didn't mean to be a bad boyfriend, but he was. He couldn't seem to make himself stop.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River nodded, "Well - we'll just have to go see it, won't we?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a laugh. She didn't blink twice about it though. They were friends. Friends did stuff together. THat was all... right? "Oh- yeah!" River smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Just in time!" Lucy laughed, nodding her head. "Good luck!" She smiled over to Seth, giving the rest of the cast a thumbs up as the announcer called them up. She was so excited for people to get a little glimpse of what they were doing and to see some of their hard work pay off.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Yeah, here we go." Seth laughed, smiling at the good lucks before he got out of his seat and went up to the stage with the others. He felt so much more at ease now that he and Alyssa were back on okay terms and he was actually pretty excited for this.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny was always more of a character actor than anything else, so he'd loved his song - and he was so excited for the next number. "Thanks!" He grinned over to Hettie, holding out his hand to her. "Ready?" He smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Come on!" Audrey called excited as the Spelling Bee cast were called up, practically running up to the stage. She was so excited for everybody to see what they'd been working on and pretty proud of everybody, too. She looked out for her family and smiled over at them.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott smirked slightly; he would definitely welcome the idea of doing something with River outside of rehearsals. "Sounds like a plan." He nodded his head. "Better go." He laughed, getting up.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa smiled as she looked up at Seth, "Good luck." She muttered before she glanced at Lucy and then back at the stage. She was pretty sure the other girl would be proud of her for sticking up for herself and she couldn't wait to talk about it all a little later on.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac smiled. He was so excited, like he was sure that the others were as well. He couldn't wait to see everyones reaction and he knew that Lucys hard work was about to be appreciated. He couldn't wait.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie nodded as she took Johnnys hand. She didn't do too much in the number but she was excited anyway. She was excited to show everyone what they had all be working on. She smiled over at Lucy before she looked back at the rest of the cast.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton couldn't help but chuckle as Audrey ran up onto the stage..But he quickly followed after her. He was definitely excited for this one, like he knew that his friends were as well.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River smiled as Scott agreed. "Perfect." She laughed. She didn't know in what capacity but she was excited for it regardless. River looked over to Betsy and the others with a smile. She was so excited to perform in Spelling Bee and this was just making her even more ready.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy had a smile on her face the entire time the cast performed; she would never get over how hard they had worked and how perfect they all were for the parts they were playing. She looked over at Alyssa and Isaac with a smile.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth had always been a nervous performer and that was no different now, but he felt a lot more confident with all of these people beside him. They were all so good and seemed so confident to him.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: As the music finished, Johnny turned to the rest of the cast with a huge smile. He knew they had done well and he loved hearing the audiences reactions. "Right - I think we all need a drink now." He laughed, raising an eyebrow.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Spelling Bee was completely different to anything Audrey had done before and Olive was such a lovely character to play that she felt so happy when they'd finished. She laughed over at Johnny. "I could definitely go for that."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott felt more nervous than he would ever let on about performing, even though he didn't have much to do in this particular number - he knew he had people from the football team watching and all he could think about as they finished is what they would be saying.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa couldn't believe how good they all looked up on the stage. If she wasn't excited about Spelling Bee before, she definitely was now. She quickly got up and made her way to the cast once they were done. "You were all so good!"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac beamed at Lucy as they were all finished, "You must be pretty proud, huh?" Isaac didn't think they could've been half as good as they were, if it wasn't for Lucy and he thought that she deserved to take quite a lot of pride in it.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie was so happy when the music finished. Everything had gone perfectly. She nodded as she heard Johnny, "I could use a drink. Would you get me some rose, please?" She asked him... before turning to Scott. She knew how he would be in his head. "Fuck them. If they don't think you did a fantastic job. Because you bloody did." She whispered to him. Quiet enough that no-one else could hear her.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: When Ashton had been in college, he had been too 'cool' to join any of the musicals. It was only when he had left and found a decent group of friends in Uni, that he felt comfortable enough to perform. "I think we deserve one, to be honest."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: To say she was buzzing, would be an understatement. As the song ended, River was on cloud nine. She was about to turn to Scott when she saw him with Hettie. The girl shook her head slightly and moved back to the table.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb turned to Betsy, a smile on his face. "It's our turn soon!" He chuckled. And he was so excited. He loved performing. He always had so much fun and he thought that Audrey was so talented.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth smiled as Alyssa came over, shaking his head. "That was so much fun." He chuckled happily. He had never really thought much about what he was going to do after college, not yet, but this was the first time he wondered if it would be performing. "Was it good? Did people like it?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy nodded his head, the smile on her face matching the one on Isaac's. "So proud." She agreed. They were fantastic and she was so happy with how they'd all performed. "Just the rest of the show to do now." She laughed, raising an eyebrow.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny nodded his head, heading off to the bar to get their drinks. He stopped to look behind him for a second, sighing ever so slightly as he saw that Hettie was with Scott again. He shrugged his shoulders and turned back to the bar, instantly getting chatting with a girl he had known in college.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey quickly headed over to speak to her family after they'd finished the number, loving the nice things they had to say about everyone before she grabbed herself a drink and went to sit down again. She had a little while before she was up again, so she was excited to watch everybody else.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott shook his head as he heard Hettie - he knew that she knew him inside out, but sometimes it still surprised him. "I don't care." He shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't going to admit that he cared what his friends or anybody else thought, not here. "You were great, H."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy smiled, nodding her head. "I know! How exciting." She laughed. She loved Rent and Mimi was a dream for her, so she was so happy to be doing the number with Caleb - especially when he was so talented. "We're after Ashton, right?" She grinned.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa smiled as she looked up at Seth. It was so clear just how much fun he had, had and she loved that for him. The girl nodded her head. "They seemed to really like it, Seth." She beamed. She couldn't wait to see them after a performance of the full show. She was sure that people were going to love it.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac couldn't know how Lucy was feeling, since all he was, was the stage manager but he liked that she seemed to be happy with how things had gone. "And I'm sure that they'll be just as fantastic, if not more so." He chuckled. He couldn't wait to see it all properly.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie didn't even think that Johnny would be disappointed in seeing her talk to Scott. She wanted to make sure that her friend knew she was there for him, no matter what. "Of course not." She rolled her eyes. His pride was one of the things she hated most about Scott. "Thanks! I had a lot of fun"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: It wasn't long after spelling bee, that it was his solo number. He was excited, if a little nervous. It wasn't often that Ashton would sing on his own, as himself. It was just a little weird to look out at everyone.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb nodded. "Yeah, just after Ashton." He hoped the college would do rent soon. That was one that Caleb was dying to do and he was pretty sure he wasn't going to continue performing once he left college.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth smiled even more widely - he knew that Alyssa wasn't the type of person to lie just to give him or the cast a compliment, so it meant a lot. "Do you want to - I don't know, to meet up or something? Tomorrow? To talk about everything?" He had to get it out, or he would lose the bottle to ask,

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Even better, I bet." Lucy smiled. "And hopefully that got them even more excited for it all." She could see just by looking at them that they were all happy and had loved performing, so she hoped that same energy would come into rehearsals.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: It wasn't that Johnny was necessarily jealous, it was just that on the night of the party people had made a couple of comments and now he was starting to get just a little worried about what he had gotten himself into by going on a couple of dates with Hettie.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "What are you rolling your eyes at?" Scott asked, rolling his own eyes. He sometimes wished that Hettie could see that he didn't want certain things to be mentioned. "Yeah, I could tell... Looks like everybody did."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey watched with a smile as Ashton sang; she knew how good he was from the musical and from rehearsing with him, but she still thought he was amazing. She looked around to see what the other members of the cast were doing and raised an eyebrow as she saw Johnny at the bar with a girl.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "We'll be fine, we'll smash it." Betsy laughed, shaking her head. She loved the song and she thought Caleb was a super easy person to perform with. "Think the college will ever touch Rent?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. She cheered loudly as Ashton finished his song.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: If something wasn't working, Alyssa would say. She didn't see the point in lying to them. So she hoped that Seth and the rest of the cast knew that too. She raised an eyebrow as he asked about the next day. She definitely hadn't expected him to want to talk about it all so soon but she nodded her head, "Tomorrow sounds great."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac nodded. "I'm sure. They all loooked like they had a lot of fun." He smiled. It was nice to see Lucy so passionate about something. He hoped that the cast wouldn't let her down.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Nothing Scott. Just thought we were over you lying when you know I can see right through them." Hettie shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't being fair... but she also didn't care. She didn't like being lied to. "Yeah. Exactly. That's what performing is supposed to be about!" She narrowed her eyes though, as she saw Johnny with some girl and she was pretty sure the two were flirting.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton smiled as the song finished. He felt good. He was pretty sure that he did a good job and Ashton knew that it wouldn't be long till his and Audreys duet and that was the bit he was most excited for. He moved back over to her with a smile.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb nodded, "Course we will." He chuckled. He was so ready for this. At her question, he shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe we'll convince them to do it?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a laugh. "Lets get to it!"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth nodded his head. "Okay, perfect. Tomorrow." He was nervous, of course and he wondered what would happen when they spoke - what would be said, what the outcome would be... But he also knew it was the right decision and it was only fair to let Alyssa know what was going on in his head.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Fucking hell. You don't automatically have a right to know everything that's going on in someone's fucking head, do you know that?" Scott snapped. It annoyed him that the girl seemed to think she was entitled to all of his thoughts. He noticed her attention being taken by something and turned, smirking slightly.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny was a natural flirt, just because he was so sociable and friendly, so it always seemed like he was being a little bit flirty anyway - but he definitely knew the girl was flirting with him and with Hettie over talking to Scott, he didn't see why he shouldn't enjoy that.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "That was so good - so good." Audrey smiled as Ashton returned, shaking her head. "How'd it feel?" She asked - she found it crazy that a lot of people in the cast hadn't even performed all that much before when they were so good. She was so excited to sing with him soon.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Fingers crossed!" Betsy smiled, walking up onto the stage as she heard their names. She knew most people would already know this song and she was excited to see their reactions.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa couldn't help but wonder what might be said the next day...and she knew that tomorrow couldn't come quick enough. She had no idea if it would be good or bad. "Okay..." She muttered before moving back over to the table. She needed to talk to Lucy.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Fuck off Scott!" Hettie snapped with a shake of her head. She was already pretty annoyed at him lying to her but seeing Johnny flirting with some random girl tipped her over the edge. "I don't think it's fucking unreasonable to not want your friend to lie to you. Asshole."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River noticed the commotion between Hettie and Scott... she wasnt a person who liked to judge things but she didn't understand the two of them. They seemed to make each other more miserable than happy. She didn't see why anyone would want that kind of relationship.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton laughed as he listened to Audrey. He shrugged his shoulders. "I really enjoyed myself." He chuckled. He couldn't wait till he got to perform with her soon, though. He had seen that his ex was in the room now though... he just hoped that she wouldn't make a fus..

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb smirked and followed Betsy up and onto the stage. He was so excited and he hoped that his friends enjoyed it too.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth went to sit back down with Isaac as Alyssa went off to Lucy - he knew she probably wanted to talk about it all and she had every right to. "How'd you think that went?" He smiled at the boy.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy looked up as Alyssa came to sit with her - she was glad that she was alone, she definitely wanted to ask her what was going on. "So - you and Seth are talking again?" She pointed out, phrasing it as a question. "What happened there?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Oh, you fuck off. I'm not lying to you, I'm just not talking to you about something I don't want to talk about." Scott rolled his eyes. "You talk about things you know I don't want to talk about, what do you want me to do?" He asked.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny turned to watch Caleb and Betsy, still chatting to the girl as he did so. He genuinely wasn't trying to make Hettie jealous, he didn't play games like that. He was just enjoying himself and it made him feel a bit better not just waiting around for her to be done with Scott.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Again, Audrey hadn't even thought about the fact that anybody problematic might be here - she had just thought about the actual performance side and about seeing everybody from the cast. They hadn't had many problems yet, any of them and she didn't anticipate tonight being the start of it.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Fucking yes!" Betsy laughed as they finished, holding up her hand for Caleb to smack it. She thought they'd done so well and she'd loved every minute of it.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Her head was completely fried and she definitely needed to get it out with someone. She nodded as Lucy spoke, "I cornered him and told him that his behavior wasn't on. Basically." She laughed and shook her head. "And we agreed to be back to how we were... except we're also meeting up tomorrow to talk about what happened at the party.."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac smiled as Seth sat down beside him... He hadn't really been able to talk to his friend for most of the night. "It was really good." He laughed. "Lucy seemed really impressed so... you got the vote of the director." He chuckled.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Which is basically lying to me, is it not?" Hettie asked with a raise of an eyebrow. She scoffed as he continued. "Fucking hell - you sound like a fucking child, Scott. You say 'sorry H, I don't wanna talk about that." Is that so difficult?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow. She barely even paid attention to Betsy and Caleb.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb beamed and quickly gave Audrey a high five. He was so happy and practically buzzing "You're amazing!" He laughed as he nodded his head and he really meant it. He thought that she was so good.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton didn't think there would be an issue but he never really did. He was happy being blissfully unaware. He stood up as he heard their names though and held his hand out to Audrey. "It's time!"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy laughed, an impressed look on her face. "Oh, good for you!" She smiled. "It wasn't on at all, it was weird... Saying all of that to you and then ignoring you?" She rolled her eyes. "Oh wow... What do you think will happen?" She asked. No matter what had happened, she hoped that Seth and Alyssa could make it work because she thought they would be good together.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth smiled. "We did? Well, perfect. That's all we needed." He laughed. It was well-known that Lucy was a tough critic, so he felt happy with that. He smiled as Ashton and Audrey started to go up on the stage. "What's even going on with these two?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He was so out of the loop.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "No." Scott snapped defiantly. He hated admitting that he was wrong and especially to Hettie. "You're fucking difficult." He muttered, shaking his head. He had no idea what was going on onstage, because he was pissed off now.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "You're the best!" Betsy laughed, shaking her head. She looked over to see Johnny at the bar and went to sit at their table with Caleb. She got on with both of them quite well. "Johnny seems busy." She laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Here we go!" Audrey smiled, taking his hand and squeezing it gently in a little good luck gesture as they got up onto the stage. She was so happy with how they'd rehearsed it and she knew they sounded good together.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa smirked slightly as she listened to Lucy. She felt pretty happy with herself honestly. "So weird, right? It just - it wasn't fair. And I didn't want him to think he could get away with that." She shrugged her shoulders at her friends question though. "I don't know. He said that he has a lot in his head, or something... but I dunno." And that was what frustrated her the most.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Exactly." Isaac chuckled with a nod of his head. He didn't think that anyone elses approval mattered. Because if Lucy was unhappy, they would all have had to work ten times harder. He raised an eyebrow as he heard Seths question. "They're together? I think? Or like, almost. I'm not sure what exactly but they're definitely interested in one another.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie shook her head, "I'm not being fucking difficult! And if I was that difficult, why don't you go and find fucking River. I'm sure she's fucking gagging for some attention from you." She rolled her eyes. She was so sick of this conversation already.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed as he sat down. He felt like he was buzzing. Performing was always such a rush for him. He looked over his shoulder and laughed slightly as he spotted his friend. "Yeah - he can't keep the girls away."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton smiled. He was excited to perform... but especially with Audrey by his side. And as the song finished, he didn't think he had ever had that much fun. He smiled at her. "You're incredible." He muttered, not realising his ex had made a bee line for their table.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "It wasn't fair. But at least he knows now. Like, whatever happens with you guys - he knows that he can't play you like that?" Lucy shrugged her shoulders. She had never even been in a relationship, but she knew you had to set certain standards. "Do you think he means with everything that happened?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "I guess it would be a lot for anybody."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth had always loved music, but he hadn't considered musicals all that much before - he was having a lot of fun though and he already knew he'd be auditioning for the next one, no matter what part he was given. "I thought so, but I wasn't sure - I feel so behind on all of the gossip." He laughed, shaking his head.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Well I didn't ask you to come over, did I?!" Scott snapped, shaking his head. He didn't want to continue the conversation and he was so pissed off now. He rolled his eyes again before he walked away, over to the bar.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy laughed, nodding her head. "So it seems - I thought he had a thing going on with Hettie, though?" She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Honestly, the people in this cast move so quickly I can barely keep up with it all." She chuckled, rolling her eyes.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny was completely absorbed in conversation and hadn't even thought about how it might look; he had glanced at Hettie a couple of times to see her in a pretty intense discussion with Scott, so he didn't think she'd be bothered. He finished his drink and got himself another - and one for the girl.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "You are -- amazing." Audrey laughed, shaking her head. She thought he was so talented and it had been so much fun singing with him. She knew that she really, really liked him. She raised an eyebrow as she saw Scott storming off. "Oh shit - do you want to go and see Scott?" She asked him, knowing they were friends. "I'll head back to the table."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Yeah, exactly. That's why I had to say something. If anything did happen, he has to know that he can't treat me like that." Alyssa thought that knowing your self worth was pretty important. She wouldn't change that for anyone. "Yeah, i think so." She muttered. She would never hold it against Seth for not being ready for something new, she just needed to hear that.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac had always enjoyed musicals, he just knew that he could never be on stage. He wasn't exactly tone deaf but he wasn't good either and he knew his nerves would never hold out. "Alright - what else don't you know? You saw River and Scott at the party, right?" He wasn't a big gossip but he wanted to keep his friend in the loop.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie rolled her eyes as Scott stormed off. She was in such a mood, she was in half a mind to leave before she got a chance to sing. But when she heard her name, she got up onto the stage anyway. She basically ignored both Scott and Johnny though .She was pissed off with both of them.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb shrugged his shoulders, "But she has a thing with Scott doesn't she?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He didn't think that his friend was doing anything wrong. It was just a bit of harmless flirting from what Caleb could see anyway. "Gotta be like dash to keep up."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton shook his head slightly as Audrey complimented him... but he definitely like it. He nodded slightly as she spoke about Scott, "I should make sure he's already." He muttered. He quickly lent forward to kiss her cheek. "Hey - mate.." Ashton muttered as he moved to stand next to the other at the bar. Meanwhile, Jessica had gotten to Audrey, "I'm just gonna say this once and I really don't want to interfere but you need to be careful with Ashton."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I absolutely agree." Lucy smiled. She liked that even though Alyssa had obviously been upset over what Seth had done, she still knew how she deserved to be treated. She thought that was so important. "I mean, what do you want the outcome to be?" She asked.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth nodded his head, interested. "Yeah, I saw them - I know that something is going on with Scott and Hettie. What am I missing?" He laughed. He wasn't usually so much of a gossip, but when he was around these people for so much time he definitely liked to know what was going on between them all.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny looked up with a smile as Hettie started to sing; she really was incredible and he had no doubt that her talent knew no bounds. He finished his conversation with the girl and went to sit back at his table. "Your duet was so good, guys." He grinned.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy nodded her head. "Yeah, there's that too." She laughed. She honestly couldn't believe how fast everything had started to happen and yet nobody was even together yet. "Cheers!" She grinned at Johnny's compliment.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey smiled as Ashton kissed her cheek, not even realising anybody was at her table until she actually got to it. "Um - hi?" She laughed almost nervously, not really knowing if the girl was joking or not. "Sorry, what's going on here?" She was completely taken by surprise and she still didn't register that this girl could be an ex.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott looked up as he heard his friends voice, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, mate?" He asked, his voice gruff. He was still pissed off with Hettie and now he was having to watch her sing - even though she was amazing.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: This was why Alyssa was sure that she and Lucy got on so well, they were one in the same. She knew before she said it that Lucy would understand why she had said something. "You already know what I want the outcome to be." She shrugged. "but really, I just want things to be clearer. If he likes me and needs to take things slow, great. If he wants to be with me, even better. If it's the opposite, fine. I just want clarity.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Ah - okay. That's the tricky one." Isaac thought for a moment before he spoke. "So Scott and Hettie had their thing, yeah. But at the party, she ended up staying in the room with Betsy during 7 minutes so... you can imagine." He shrugged. "But also - I think Hettie has been on some dates with Johnny?" He shrugged again "It's all a big mess, really."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb chuckled as he shook his head. He liked Audrey and he knew thatshe had something going on with Ashton... but at least it didn't seem to be as messy as Hettie, Johnny and Scott. He wasn't sure he'd deal with that. "Not as good as your solo though. Fucking hell, man!" He laughed as he looked up at his friend.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie finished her song and immediately moved to sit at a table on her own. She didn't want to talk to Johnny and she definitely didn't want to talk to Scott. She was so sick of boys.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton smirked, "I was going to ask you the same thing.." He muttered as he looked at Scott. "Seems you and Hettie got into it?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. Jessica sighed as Audrey questioned her. "I'm Ashtons ex girlfriend, Jessica. I just -" She shrugged. "He cheated on me. Multiple times. I didn't want you getting in too deep and not knowing that. And someone telling you to be careful because he doesn't care."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy nodded her head. She loved how open Alyssa was about everything, including her feelings - everything seemed black and white and Lucy thought she was that way, as well. "I think he does. I mean, isn't he pretty much admitting that by saying there's a lot going on in his head?" She raised an eyebrow. "He just needs to be honest with you."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth's eyes widened as Isaac told him of everything that had happened surrounding Hettie. "Bloody hell," he chuckled, shaking his head. "That happened when I was already asleep?" He laughed. "Wow. You're right, that is... such a mess. How has all of this happened already?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Nah, you're just being nice - anyway, we still have your solo!" Johnny was excited for that, he knew it was going to be so good. He smiled back up at the stage as he looked to Hettie and clapped for her. He thought she was going to come back to the table and he was confused as she didn't, looking over to her.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "Nah - she just doesn't know when to give it a fucking rest. Keeps saying I've lied to her." He rolled his eyes. He really didn't think he had lied to her, even regarding River - he just hadn't thought properly. He hated being told he was wrong and this was a prime example of that.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I --..." Audrey didn't even know what to say, really. She had never liked cheaters and even though she knew that Ashton had cheated on a couple of his exes, it hadn't really sunk in until now. When her dad had cheated on her mum, it had torn the family apart - she hadn't seen him in twelve years and now here was this girl, telling her to be careful. She didn't want to get hurt like that, she didn't want to be that girl. "He might - he cares..." She said softly, shaking her head. She wanted to believe that. "Can't people change?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa didn't see the point in pretending when it came to most things. She would always rather tell someone how she was feeling, than pretend like she didn't feel it in the first place. She shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno. i guess I'll find out tomorrow, right?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow. She was really trying not to get her hopes up.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac laughed as he saw the others face. He was pretty sure that if he had to guess, he would guess it was Hettie that would be in the middle of it all when they had started rehearsals. "Yeah, some of it happened when you were asleep." He nodded before he shrugged his shoulders. "your guess is as good as mine, honestly."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I am not. I'm speaking the truth." Caleb laughed. Though he was suddenly incredibly nervous as he heard his name. "See you see." He laughed, trying to keep the confident front. He had sung this song a million times before... he knew that he could do it, he was just really nervous.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie rolled her eyes as she saw Johnny looking at her. She knew that she had no right to be angry with him. She had been with Scott and it wasn't like their relationship was entirely friendly, but she didn't like Johnny flirting with some other girl. She didn't like it one bit.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton nodded his head with a laugh. "Fucking hell. Sounds like you've had a lot of fun." He muttered with a shake of his head. He didn't have an opinion. If Scott said he didn't lie to her, then he believed her. Jessica sighed as audrey spoke "And I'm sure that he cared about me too but Ashton likes the attention. He gets wrapped up in it and then you're done for." She sighed ever so slightly. "Of course he can. But do you really think he has?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I guess you will. And you'll tell me right away?" Lucy asked with a smile. She was so happy that she seemed to have found a kindred spirit in Alyssa, that she had found somebody who understood her and vice versa. "At least it's something, right?" She shrugged her shoulders.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "That would make sense as to why I don't remember a lot of it, then." Seth laughed, shaking his head. "I hope people don't start falling out with each other over it, you know?" He sighed. "It all seems pretty fun for now, but I just don't want people to get hurt..." He liked the group dynamic, he didn't want people to end up hating each other.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "You'll be great!" Johnny called with a smile, waving Caleb off. He got up and grabbed Hettie's wine, taking it over to the table where she sat on her own. He wasn't the type to let things fester, not if he could help it. "Hey - that was... wow. Amazing." He smiled. "Got your wine."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, tell me about it. Fucking girls, man." He shook his head. Sometimes he loved how well Hettie knew him and other times he hated it - he wanted to be able to pretend to be somebody else and yet she always saw him.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey felt stupid. She felt ridiculous for being here, practically acting like she was in a relationship with this boy who apparently just didn't care - she was just one in a list of many. That was how it felt. She sighed, shrugging her shoulders at Jessica's question. He hadn't even seemed to bothered when he'd admitting to cheating on those girls. "Multiple times?" She asked, her voice small. She had thought he liked her and maybe he did - but was she just setting herself up to be hurt? Was she going to get in even deeper and then be pushed away?

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Of course I will. Like you even have to ask." Alyssa laughed as she shook her head. There was no way that Lucy wouldn't be the first person she would speak to afterwards. The brunette nodded her head, "Yeah. It's something."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Yeah - I can't imagine you remember much from that night?" Isaac asked. "And then there's River in the mix with Scott too... messy, messy, messy." He shook his head slightly. Like Seth, he didn't want anyone to get hurt either. "I think it's probably inevitable though, don't you?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed as he heard Johnny call after him... and he had a lot of fun on the stage, playing his guitar. He barely even noticed anyone was even in the room. He got tunnel vision when he played. And he found he had, had a lot of fun.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie sighed as she realised that Johnny was coming over. She really just wanted some time to cool off, that was why she had sat on her own. Apparently he had other ideas. "Thanks." She said simply. She really was not in the mood for small talk.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton laughed. "You'll figure it out. What's going on with River after the party, anyway? Looks like you have someone waiting for you." He chuckled. Sometimes, he didn't even realise how he spoke about girls. He would certainly never think it was bad.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Jessica nodded as Audrey questioned her. "he cheated on me three times. Three different girls." She and Ashton had only broken up a few months before and she was definitely still upset about it, but that wasn't why she was talking to Audrey. She genuinly just wanted the other girl to be careful. "And I'm not the first one he cheated on either."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I didn't think so, but I wanted to make sure." Lucy laughed, nodding her head. She was actually excited about what was going on between the two of them; which was more than she could say for any of the other relationships going on between cast members.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth laughed, nodding his head. "Yeah, not much at all." He admitted. He thought that might be a good thing, though. "Yep - and didn't Caleb and Audrey have something going on, too?" He raised an eyebrow. Everything else seemed to go away, though as he heard his name being called. Butterflies instantly set in and he was so nervous as he got up onto the stage.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny could tell instantly that Hettie didn't want to talk to him, he just had no idea why. "Okay... Did I do something?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He would go away, if she told him too but he wasn't going to ignore the fact that she was obviously annoyed at him.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott laughed softly. "Nothing's going on - it wasn't anything serious." He shrugged his shoulders. He liked River, but he didn't think either of them would imagine anything happening between them - they were so different. "Just a party, wasn't it?" He raised an eyebrow.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey exhaled sharply as Jessica told her it had been three girls, her hands ringing together nervously. She felt like a complete idiot. "I know.." She admitted, nodding her head. She always looked at girls with cheating men and wondered why they'd taken them back, why they'd gotten with them in the first place - was she really going to be that girl? She cleared her throat slightly, nodding her head. "Why are you telling me this?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa smiled... and as soon as Seths name was announced, she turned her head to the stage. She was so excited to hear him sing and she could tell how nervous he was. Alyssa really did think that he had a beautiful voice and she looked forward to listening to it every time.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac nodded, "Oh yeah." but he was interrupted by Seth being announced on stage. "Good luck!" He called after his friend. He was certain that Seth was one of the most talented people he had ever met and he thought that it was a massive shame that the other didn't seem to realise just how good he was.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: The fact that Johnny didn't know why she was annoyed, made her even more pissed off. It wasn't like he was being subtle. "I have to get ready for cell block." She muttered with a roll of her eyes. She wasn't lying though. She needed a full outfit change and she needed to do it now. "I'll talk to you later."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton nodded as his friend spoke and he couldn't help but laugh. "Jeez- have you told her that?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "She looks at you like a lost fucking puppy, mate." He nudged his friend "You're just that good, are you?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Jessica tilted her head slightly as Audrey said that she knew. She wasn't going to judge her, that wasn't what she was there to do. She just really didn't want to see Audrey get hurt by him. "I just want you to know what you're getting yourself in for, that's all. Or what he's capable off, rather."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy was always surprised by Seth's talent, just like she had been in his audition - it was just his confidence that let him down, she thought. He was so obviously nervous as he got onto the stage, but she knew they were all routing for him. She smiled up at him, nodding her head.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth's hands were shaking as he got up onstage, but he tried to ignore the size of the crowd as the music started and he began to sing. He loved singing and his parents had always told him he had a nice voice, but this was something totally different. He did get a bit lost in the music though, a smile on his face as he sang.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny raised an eyebrow, sighing slightly as Hettie pretty much ran away from the question. He didn't like that, he liked to just get things out - but he knew he didn't really have much of a choice. He sighed and went back to sit with Caleb, picking up his drink and watching Seth.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "She knows." Scott laughed, shaking his head as Ashton spoke. "Oh, piss off - no she doesn't. She knows what it is." He laughed. He didn't even realise that the way he was speaking was bad, he genuinely didn't. "Must be the case." He smirked.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: The worst part was that this girl didn't even seem to be jealous or vindictive - she genuinely seemed to care, which made this all so much more real. She felt upset and she felt stupid, especially as she heard the girls last words. "Sorry, I have to - I need to get changed for the last number." She whispered, feeling like a little kid. She really didn't want to be upset.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: A wide smile was on Alyssas lips as she watched Seth. She thought that he was incredible and he was doing such a good job, especially because it was clear just how nervous he was. "He's so good." She whispered excitability to Lucy.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac cheered loudly, the loudest he had been that night, when Seth finished singing. He had been so surprised when he had seen the other in Spelling Bee but it was so clear just how talented his friend was.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie knew that she couldn't just run from an argument... and most of the time she wouldn't but she was trying to cool down before she spoke to Johnny. She didn't want her anger at Scott to go at him too. She was looking forward to the final number though. And she knew that the other girls were too.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton shrugged his shoulders with a laugh, "I guess we'll see. But I'm definitely right." He didn't worry about how River would be after all of this. That wasn't for him to think about. He knew that Scott would be okay and that was all that mattered. "Fuck.." He muttered, as he saw Jessica leaving the table that Audrey had just been sat at.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "He's fantastic." Lucy smiled, nodding her head. She clapped and cheered as Seth came back, wanting him to know just how good he was. She thought he could be one of the most talented people in the whole competition if he just believed in himself a little bit more. "Oh, here we go - the big number." She laughed. She was excited to see this one.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth had a huge smile on his face, his cheeks pink as he ran back over to the table. "That was so much fun." He chuckled, dropping into his seat in a relieved manner. "Is it the girls number now?" He smiled. They had made such a big deal over it that he was so excited to see.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy had been changed for a while; she was too excited to wait and she beamed as the other girls came back and started to get their costumes on. "They're not going to know what's hit them." She laughed, raising an eyebrow.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny shook his head slightly, but he knew that Hettie did actually need to get changed so he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt - maybe she would tell him what was wrong later. "Here we go - the big moment." He nudged Caleb with a chuckle. He knew this was going to be phenomenal, the amount of work that had gone into it all.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey didn't even realise how close they were to going onstage and literally had to throw her costume on, trying not to let herself get upset before she went on. She wanted to give the best performance possible and not let the girls down and that meant pushing it all aside for now. She got her costume on and took a deep breath, trying to get into performance mode.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Very confident." He smirked. He didn't think River thought anymore into it than he did - he hoped not, anyway. They would never work, in his eyes. It was just fun. "S'going on?" He asked as he heard Ashton, following his gaze. "Who's that?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa was probably the loudest in the room. She didn't tend to make a scene so she thought that it showed how much she actually cared about Seth. She smiled as he came back to the table, "You're incredible." She cried over to him before nodded her head and turning her attention back to the stage. She was excited to see this one.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac smiled as he saw the smile on Seths face. He was glad that his friend seemed to enjoy himself. "You looked like you were having a lot of fun." He laughed as he nodded his head slightly.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb sighed as Johnny came back, he didn't think that things had gone well with Hettie... but he was distracted by the girls. "I'm not prepared for these outfits." He laughed with a shake of his head. He looked to his friend for a moment before back to the stage. He didn't want to miss a secon.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie noticed that something was off with Audrey but now wasn't the time to ask. She made a note to check in later though .The two were not close but Hettie wasn't heartless. She wouldn't leave someone upset. "Let's do this!" She laughed before she followed the other girls onto stage. This was the one that she had been most excited for .

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton nodded... but he was distracted now. He could only imagine the amount of horrible stuff Jessica had been saying about him to Audrey. "That was my ex fucking girlfriend." He muttered with a shake of his head.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy had always loved Chicago as a musical and she knew these girls were going to do it justice. "Oh my god." She laughed as they walked out in the outfits, shaking her head - she would never be that brave and they all looked incredible. She could definitely see why they had spoken about it so much.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I was!" Seth laughed, but his eyes widened as the girls walked out. There was no denying they were all absolutely gorgeous. "Woah..." He laughed, shaking his head. He didn't mean it in a creepy way, more in just a not able to believe how confident they all were way.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Mate, me either... I can feel my heart pounding." Johnny laughed, obviously joking - but his mouth practically dropped open as the girls walked out. They all looked amazing but Hettie was absolutely on another level for him and he could barely take his eyes off her. She was probably the most gorgeous person he'd ever seen.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey smiled over at Hettie, nodding her head. As they walked out, she tried her hardest to keep everything at the back of her mind and she thought she did a pretty good job of it. She knew the number was amazing and that made her so happy.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Let's kill it!" Betsy laughed, nodding her head as they walked onto the stage. She looked over at the group of their friends and winked as they started. She was so excited to actually get to dance - properly.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott raised an eyebrow. "You're joking?" He didn't really know what was going on with Ashton and Audrey, but he knew that wasn't good. "Fucking hell..." He raised an eyebrow, but he was soon distracted by the girls on the stage - very distracted.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa raised an eyebrow as the girls came on stage. She almost couldn't believe the college had let them. She couldn't help but laugh as she heard Seth, though. They were all gorgeous girls, she couldn't exactly blame him for admiring them, could she?

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaacs eyes went wide as he saw the girls on stage. He was in complete shock. "Oh my god..." He muttered, shaking his head and trying to put his face back to normal. He couldn't believe the confidence they all had, that was for sure.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed as Johnny spoke... though it fell short as he saw the girls. "Fucking hell.." He muttered with a shake of his head as he looked at them all, his eyes being drawn to Audrey. There was no denying that she was absolutely gorgeous.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River cheered loudly as she saw the girls. She couldn't help but admire their confidence and she almost wished that she could've been up there with them all.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie had been so excited for Cell Block and seeing everyones reactions made her enjoy it all the more. This was the part of performing she loved the most, doing something completely outrageous. She was having the time of her life.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I fucking wish I was." Ashton muttered. He shook his head slightly. It felt like a nightmare... until the girls came on stage. He took in all of them. He nudged Scott with a laugh. He definitely had not been expecting this.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth registered Alyssa laughing at him and turned to her with a laugh of his own, shaking his head. Like her, he was so surprised that the college was even letting them do this and he wondered if they had known the extent of the costumes. They were so good, too - he had no doubt this would be a winner.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy couldn't help but laugh at Isaac's reaction, watching him for a second before she turned her attention back to the stage. She didn't blame anybody for the way they reacted, the girls all looked amazing and the dance was fantastic.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny laughed softly as he heard Caleb, but he didn't take his eyes off the girls - or more specifically, Hettie. She was just so stunning and she had such an easy confidence about her.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy absolutely loved every moment and she was happy that the number got to showcase every single one of them. Even as she was performing, she saw the audiences reactions and had to try her hardest not to laugh. She knew they all looked good.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey was having a blast, even with everything that had just happened and everytime she looked at the other girls she admired how talented they were. She hadn't had much of hand in the choreography, that had been mostly Alba and Betsy - but she knew they were all putting so much effort into getting it right.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott laughed as Ashton nudged him, nodding his head. "Oh yeah - bet you wish you still went to college now, don't you?" He laughed, raising an eyebrow. All of the girls were gorgeous, there was no denying that. Of course, he thought Hettie had the edge - but it wasn't to say he couldn't appreciate how good the others looked, too.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa smiled at Seth as he turned to her. She found the confidence of the girls quite intimidating, though that wasn't something she would say. Some of them were even younger than her and she didn't think that she would ever have that kind of confidence.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac almost felt like he shouldn't watch the girls. He knew that it was just characters and that they were all having fun but he felt a little weird watching them. He looked to Lucy with a nervous smile.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb had known that Audrey was beautiful. He had seen every bit of her and still thought that... but it was literally nothing compared to what he thought now. He could not tear his eyes away from her. He sighed as they finished, "Fucking hell.." He muttered again. He was at a loss for words.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie didn't think she had ever had as much fun as she had, had with the girls doing that dance. She smiled as she looked at the others once they were done, almost forgetting she had been pissed off a few moments ago.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Like his friend, Ashton didn't see any harm in looking at the other girls too, "If this is how they're fucking dressing, you bet." He laughed before he shook his head. He had all but forgotten the threat of whatever Jessica had said to Audrey.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth applauded the girls as they finished the number, but he didn't cheer for fear of looking creepy - he was sure there were enough cheers for them anyway, most of them from the different boys around the place. "That was... Well, it was something." He laughed, looking at the other three.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy cheered on the girls as they'd finished - she had gotten closer to a lot of them through the musical and she just thought it was so great how much they'd obviously practised this. "They're so good." She smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Fucking hell indeed..." Johnny repeated, his eyes still wide. He too was lost for words, he felt like he'd been dragged through a hedge backwards. "Fucking hell..." He laughed softly, shaking his head.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy laughed loudly as they finally finished, wrapping her arms around whichever girls were closest to her and hugging them. "We smashed it!" She laughed, shaking her head. She didn't bother getting changed, she just threw a jacket around her shoulders and headed back to her table.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: As the song finished, Audrey couldn't help but looked over to Ashton quickly - and it just seemed to prove every bad thought she'd been thinking as she watched he and Scott laughing. She swallowed hard and got down off the stage, not bothering to get changed like Betsy. She just needed a friend, so she headed over to Caleb and Johnny's table. "Hey guys - shellshocked?" She laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott laughed, nodding his head. "Definitely worth waiting until the end." If he wasn't pissed off at Hettie, he would've headed over and told her just how good she looked - but he was pissed off, so he wasn't going to.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa laughed as she listened to Seth, "That's one way of describing it." She chuckled. But she nodded her head at Lucy. She thought that the girls had been amazing and there was no doubt in her mind that they would win the group number.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Like Seth, Isaac didn't cheer for fear of looking a bit creepy... but he noticed numerous other people doing so. "They were really good." He nodded his head as he looked at Lucy

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed as neither of them seemed to have words for what they had just seen... and his laugh got louder as he heard Audreys voice. "Fucking hell audrey." Caleb repeated, nodding his head. It was so clear that he didn't even know where to start. "You look---" He shook his head. "I don't have the words."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River quickly moved over to Betsy as she got off the stage. "Oh my word. I know you told me that it was going to be good but I didn't imagine that!" She shook her head, "And you chorographed it, right? Insane. Truly insane!"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie pouted slightly as all of the girls disbursed... and she was on her own. She didn't want to be the first one to try and fix things between her and Scott and she was pretty sure that Johnny was annoyed at her so she sat on her own table again with a huff.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton nodded as Scott spoke, "Definitely." He could hardly believe how good those girls looked. "Jesus.." He muttered, his eyes raking over Hettie as he spoke, "You sure you wanna stay pissed off at her, man?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth laughed, nodding his head in agreement. Really, he thought Alyssa was just as attractive as any of those girls - more so, in fact. And he thought she had the same amount of confidence, just in a different way - and he absolutely found that attractive.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I guess it won't be too long until we find out the winners, right?" Lucy smiled, although it seemed like they were having what seemed to be a five minute or so break before then. "Anybody have any suspicions?" She smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey couldn't help but laugh and she loved that; she loved that Caleb had the ability to make her laugh in seconds, even when she felt so terrible. She sat down on an empty seat, a smile on her face. "Horrible? Terrible? Completely repulsive?" She teased, pulling a face of pretend shock before she laughed again. "Thanks, Caleb." It was exactly what she needed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy smiled widely as River came over, still on the buzz of just performing. "Thank you!" She grinned breathlessly, sipping from her water bottle. "It's - we've practised for so long, it feels like it's all paid of." She laughed, shaking her head. "I did - I had some help, Alba helped me. The red haired girl? But yeah, it's - I'm happy." She smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott was completely distracted by one of the other girls, another blonde and was barely paying attention. "--What?" He asked, before realising what Ashton had said. "Yeah, watch yourself mate." He muttered, raising an eyebrow almost a warning.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa raised an eyebrow as Lucy spoke, "Oh - they're winning the group number. For sure." She nodded slightly. She wanted to say that she thought Seth was going to be up there for the solos too but she didn't know if she was the most partial.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "It will not." Isaac chuckled. He had forgotten that all of this was a competition. He had, had so much fun watching his friends and he really hoped that no-one would be upset if they didn't place.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb smiled even wider as he heard her laugh. He liked that he was able to make her laugh. "Insane. In the best way. That's all I can say." He laughed with a nod of his head. He had no idea what was going on with her and Ashton but he didn't care. He always had a good time with Audrey and that was all that mattered to him. No matter what came from it in the future.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River nodded her head slightly as she listened to the girl. "Oh, it absolutely did. You guys were amazing." She smiled. She could move well... but nowhere near as well as the girls who just did that, did. "Oh right. She's Elias' sister, right?" Of course River knew about Elias, everyone did.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie rolled her eyes as she saw Scott looking at Ava. She hated that she couldn't keep her temper under control. Everyone else had someone to go to, to have a good time with and to get praise and love. And she was on her own. Her cheerleader friends hadn't really bothered to make the effort to come and she had pretty much isolated herself from the two boys she liked. Sometimes, she really did hate herself.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton laughed as it took Scott a moment to realise what he has said, "What?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. "You seem distracted. And she needs some attention. What's so wrong with that?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Absolutely. I think I'll protest if not." Lucy laughed, nodding her head. The girls absolutely deserved to win after the performance they'd just given - she was curious about the others, though. She loved competitions, even the ones she wasn't involved in.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Hettie's got to be up there, hasn't she?" Seth raised an eyebrow. He thought she had been so fantastic. "And um, is it Alba? And Aaron." He nodded his head. He could see them placing very highly.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I'll take it!" Audrey laughed, nodding her head. She genuinely hadn't come over here to make anybody jealous or even to prove a point to herself; it was just that Caleb made her feel happy and wanted and she needed that right now. "I didn't get to tell you earlier, but the duet? Killed it." She smiled, nodding her head. "I'll punch the judges if you don't place."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy loved dancing more than anything other part of performing, so something like Chicago was ideal for her really - and getting to choreograph the number had been the icing on the cake. "Yeah, that's her!" She laughed - it always amused her that everybody knew Elias.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny smiled as Audrey and Caleb spoke, but he soon got up and walked over to Hettie's table slowly. "Hey... Tell me to bugger off if you want, but I just wanted to ask - did I do something earlier?" He asked softly, raising an eyebrow. He just didn't want things to be awkward between them.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Yeah, you can fucking stop that now." Scott shook his head. He and Hettie might be in an argument, but he didn't want to hear that. "I'm distracted? You've fucking lost your girl, mate." He laughed nodding over to Caleb. He had just noticed that Johnny was over with Hettie again, though.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I'll probably join you." Alyssa nodded with a laugh. She liked that the two girls were in agreement though. She nodded as Seth spoke, "Audrey too." She smiled. She hadn't realised just how good Audrey was until tonight.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: isaac laughed as Seth mentioned Aaron and Alba, after his conversation with Lucy earlier that day. He nodded though, "Yeah, they'll definitely be up there. Am I the only one that thought they were absolutely in love?" He laughed again.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed, "I thought you would." He smiled at her. it didn't matter to Caleb what happened between them. He knew he had a friend for life with Audrey and that was all that he really cared about. He didn't mind if nothing came of the two of them flirting. "Oh, thank you! We had a lot of fun." He laughed. "Hey - a girl who is willing to fight for me. What a turn on."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River knew how Betsy felt when it came to dancing, she had the same thing with her activism. It was why she knew that performing was not for her in the long run. "Ah okay - but anyway - yeah. You were all amazing." She shrugged her shoulders.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie raised an eyebrow as she heard Johnnys voice and she shook her head, "no. I was just being a jealous bitch." She laughed bitterly. "Sit? Please?" She asked him. She didn't want to upset him, she didn't want them to be the same as she and Scott. It was the main reason why she liked him so much, he brought out a completely different side to her.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton laughed, "Don't worry - She's too high strung for me." He found it interesting how Scott reacted though. "Caleb isn't a threat to me." Ashton muttered and he meant it. He thought that if Audrey liked him, she wouldn't have been spending so much time with him, especially after she and Ashton slept together. "Johnny for you on the other hand.."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy laughed, a smile on her face. She didn't think there was any doubt at all on the winners of the group. She had to laugh at what Isaac was saying. "I think you're definitely reading into it." She shook her head. "But I do think there was something there, yes." They had had too much chemistry for there not to be.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth nodded his head. "Audrey too. In fact, I don't think I could call it between her and Hettie." He thought they'd both been amazing and he definitely thought they could be a first and second place, in some order.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey always had the most fun with Caleb and that was why she liked being around him; he never brought anything serious into it, never tried to make things something they weren't and that was her all over. "Right? I thought it would be, I really did." She grinned, obviously teasing.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Betsy smiled. "Thanks, River - next time, you'll have to join us." She laughed. She would love to do something with absolutely everybody dancing, she thought it would be so much fun.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Jealous?" Johnny asked, confused, but he let out a little laugh and sat down as Hettie asked him to. He was glad that she seemed like she wanted to talk to him now. "That song was -- wow. Just - no words." He laughed, shaking his head.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott rolled his eyes, but secretly he was glad. He wondered if he would feel the same about River and it alarmed him to know that he probably would. "No? I haven't seen any of his ex-girlfriends speaking to her." He shrugged his shoulders, fake-casually. He laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Are you joking? There's no competition." He laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Me neither." Alyssa definitely did not want to be in the judges chair right now. She knew that she wouldn't be able to make a decision when they were all so talented. "I guess we'll see soon though, right?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac laughed as he shrugged his shoulders, "What can I say, I'm a romantic." He chuckled as he shook his head. He was definitely intrigued as to what might be going on between the two but he knew that he couldn't say.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb didn't see the point in making things out to be bigger than they actually were. He had fun with Audrey and he thought that, that was all that mattered. It was basically his whole lives philosophy. "Ah - so that's why you did it?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: River shook her head, "I don't know if I could keep up with choreo like that." She laughed. Though she would try. She would love to be able to do something like that.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie rolled her eyes with a sigh, "So you're telling me that you weren't flirting with that girl?" She laughed though, at how ridiculous she sounded. She figured that the two of them had been on a few dates, he must know that there was something there. She smiled though, as he spoke about the final song, "And the outfits?" She wiggled an eyebrow before she laughed again.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "That's just a point in my favour. No-one thought they needed to warn her off him." Ashton genuinely7 believed he had nothing to worry about. Even after Jessica had spoke to her. "Are you sure about that, mate? I don't see the two of you going for dates."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "That we will." Seth had absolutely no idea that he would even be somebody the judges considered to place - he hadn't even sung a song from a musical and he had been so nervous, he knew there was no way that they would even remember him.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Well, keep your eye on them. You might see the happy ending." She laughed. She would absolutely love to judge something like this, even though she couldn't sing at all. She liked to make decisions.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Oh yeah, couldn't you tell? This is just, like - the sexiest of places." Audrey laughed, shrugging her shoulders as she looked around the venue, obviously joking. She didn't think that Ashton cared at all that she was over here and maybe that was the problem.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I'd help you - promise." Betsy smiled. She liked a challenge and she liked being able to make choreography that was accessible, not something that people found hard and stressful to pick up.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "What girl? Oh! At the bar?" Johnny realised, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, I guess but not in a - a way that meant anything? It was just a conversation." He shrugged his shoulders. The fact that it bothered Hettie made him feel almost good... Like she cared enough to be jealous. "Absolutely the outfits. Maybe more than the song." He laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "That's absolutely not a point in your favour, man. It's a point against it, if anything." Scott laughed, raising an eyebrow. He knew he'd be panicking by now if his ex-girlfriend had been around here. "Don't need to go on dates, do I? Poor guys never even stayed the night." He laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa nudged Seth then, "But I do think you have a pretty good chance, you know?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow. It felt nice to be almost back to normal with him. She was just incredibly nervous for their conversation the next day.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac laughed and nodded his head, "Yeah, I'm gonna have to now, aren't I?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He knew that he wouldn't but he liked that he and Lucy were joking around. He had to be incredibly comfortable for that.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Hey - we only live ten minutes away from one another, don't give me that." Caleb laughed as he shook his head slightly. He wondered why she had come to him instead of Ashton but he wasn't about to comment. He was glad that she had.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I have no doubt that you would." River nodded her head, she liked that Betsy was so passionate about it all, that she was so sure she could whip everyone into shape.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie shrugged her shoulders, "You don't have to explain yourself to me." She muttered with a shake of her head and a laugh. Hettie was an incredibly jealous person, it was one of the traits she liked the least about herself. "Maybe? I did not wear this for it to be a maybe."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton shook his head. He knew that Audrey was still thinking about him. Whatever Jessica said might have gotten in her head but he was sure that he could talk himself out of it. "How do you know?"

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth shook his head, but there was a little smile in his face. He loved that Alyssa thought that, but he didn't think so at all. In his eyes, there was no way. "The people here are way too good - in the best way." He laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I'll be disappointed if you don't." Lucy joked, shrugging her shoulders. She really found like she'd found her people with the three people at the table and she felt really, very happy about that.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I meant the actual venue, not where we live!" Audrey laughed, shaking her head. She liked the area they lived in, she always had - she knew it wasn't the most expensive, but it was home. "What are you doing after this?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. She didn't want to face the music of what she'd been told if the night was cut short when the winners were announced.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "I don't mind - I'd rather explain myself than you think something different." He smiled softly. He laughed as she spoke about the outfits, nodding his head. "You look incredible, Hettie. Really, really incredible."

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "Just do. He's still trying hard." Scott laughed, shrugging his shoulders, leaning against the bar as he watched them. He wondered what was going on in Hettie's head.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa shook her head. She forgot, sometimes, how little he seemed to believe in himself. She was almost certain that he would be in the top three. She shrugged, though. "You're just going to have to wait and see, huh?"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "And I definitely don't want to disappoint you." He smiled. Isaac had never felt like he had fitted in, anyway... until he met Lucy, Seth and Alyssa. And he felt so grateful for that. He almost appreciated her more because of it.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Well - we can leave the venue and go back home!" Caleb laughed as he shook his head. He liked that he now knew he didn't live far from Audrey. He shrugged his shoulders as he looked at her, "Dunno. What are you doing after this?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie was surprised by that. She was so surprised by that. After dealing with Scott for so long, she was used to someone being defensive. Johnny was completely different to that. "That's better." Hettie laughed with a nod of her head.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton raised an eyebrow slightly as he looked at Scott. "You don't wanna go over there and put a stop to whatever it is, no?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow. He always found these kinds of situations so interesting.

- joined the chat

SC AM JM LO SD BA joined the chat

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth shrugged his shoulders. "I guess so... I don't mind either way." He smiled. He was just happy to be with everybody and after spending the last year of his life becoming himself again, performing here alone had been a big step.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "I'm sure you would never." Lucy laughed. She didn't often wonder what it would be like if she gave being in a relationship a go, but sometimes when she thought about how easily Isaac and her seemed to bounce off each other... She wondered just for a second.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: "That's better!" Audrey laughed, shaking her head. Her and Caleb seemed so similar in every sense, even down to where they lived and it made things... well, easier. "Hanging out with you?" She smiled, raising an eyebrow. She had missed him.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny could tell that Hettie seemed surprised by his answer and he honestly thought that was sad; that she wasn't used to people just telling her the truth. "What are you doing after this - do you want to go and grab a drink or something?" He chanced, smiling slightly.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott shook his head. "We aren't together. She can do what she wants." He had to stand by that, because admitting otherwise meant admitting his feelings he wasn't going to do that. He didn't want to be in a relationship, he didn't want this.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa liked that about Seth. He genuinely was just happy to be there with his friends. "Although - you'd totally be the winner in my eyes." She laughed as she shook her head slightly. She thought that he was so talented.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac smiled as he heard Lucy. He thought that, that was a pretty big thing, coming from her and he definitely liked it. "Oh - I think they're getting ready to announce it.." He uttered, nodding to the stage.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed but shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Everything has gotta be in black and white for this dumb boy." He laughed again. Caleb nodded as she spoke again, that was what he had been hoping she would say. "Sounds good to me."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie didn't really know much different. Her parents would do and say anything to make them look better, her brother rarely spoke to her and Scott was too defensive. Johnny was such a breath of fresh air. "A drink actually sounds great." Hettie smiled. "Though, i'm afraid, I'd have to change out of this." She laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "She can. And who." Ashton nodded his head slightly. He thought that Scott had already pretty much admitted to feelings for Hettie when he had gotten so angry about how he had spoke about her a little earlier ... but he wasn't about to say that. He thought that was pushing his luck.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth smiled, shaking his head. “I think you’re too kind.” He chuckled. He liked that Alyssa seemed to have confidence in him though - it meant a lot. “Oh look - they’re getting ready for the announcements.” He smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Lucy turned to the stage with a smile as Isaac said they were ready for the announcement; she was excited to see the winners and she hoped Hettie would place somewhere. She thought she deserved it.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: “I wouldn’t say dumb, just - you know. Different.” Audrey laughed, judging him to show that she was teasing him. “Perfect. Hopefully we’ll have something to celebrate.” She laughed. She knew that Caleb and Johnnys duet would be placing somewhere.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: “What?! If that’s the case, I don’t want to go.” Johnny laughed, pulling face. “I’m kidding, of course that’s fine - I’ll wait for you once they’ve announced the winners and everything?” Spending even a little bit of the night just him and Hettie sounded perfect.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: “And who.” Scott repeated, although he rolled his eyes. He thought they were pretty much in the same position, with girls who had other boys after them and he hated it. He looked up to the stage as they started to speak - he was sure Hettie would win something.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa shook her head. She didn't say things just for the sake of being nice but she was sure that she didn't need to say that to Seth. She looked up at the stage though. She was excited to see who would get what.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Isaac had no idea how they would ever pick for first, second and third but he was excited to find out, that was for sure. He looked at Lucy, a smile on his lips before he looked back up to the stage.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Different? I'm not sure that, that's nicer." Caleb laughed but he knew that she was just playing and he liked that. He liked that she was easy to play with and mess around. "I'm sure we will!"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Oh shut up." Hettie laughed as she rolled her eyes. She looked up to the stage then, suddenly incredibly nervous. This was what she wanted to do. She didn't want to be faced with the possibility that she wasn't good enough.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton nodded his had but he looked up at the stage then anyway. He was intrigued if Audrey would place anywhere. He was sure that he needed to talk to her but he was trying not to think about it.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Elias walked onstage, a completely straight expression on his face. He was happy to be a judge but he hadnt wanted to do any announcements and he was angry that they’d made him. “Hi. I’m Elias, one of the judges. I’m announcing third place.” He muttered into the microphone. “Everyone was good. Third place group number is Johnny McGuiness and Caleb Knightingale. Third place solo is Seth Calloway. Well done.”

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Seth’s face dropped slightly in surprise as Elias announced him in third place. He was so surprised but so happy. He walked up to the stage, slightly shocked, to get his certificate and smiled widely over at Alyssa. He wasted no time in getting back to their table. “Oh my god!” He laughed, shaking his head.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: “It’s so much nicer. And I really mean it.” Audrey laughed, winking across at him. “YES!” She laughed as they were announced in third place, cheering loudly. She really thought they deserved it, they had been so funny.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: “What? Get in!” Johnny laughed as he and Caleb were announced, running over to him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders as he ran up to the stage. He was more than happy with third, with all of the talented people there.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott clapped, but slowly. He knew Johnny would be smug about winning and he didn’t like it at all. He looked over to see Hettie’s reaction.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa cheered as Seths name was announced. She thought that it was so well deserved and absolutely the confidence boost that he needed. "See! I told you" She laughed as he came back to the table.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Although Caleb had, had a lot of fun with Johnny and their duet... he hadn't expected to place and he laughed loudly as he heard their names. He clapped his hand on Johnnys back as he made his way to the stage. "Yes!" He laughed as he looked to his friend for a moment.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie was incredibly nervous... but she was really happy when she heard Johnnys name. She smiled and cheered for him. She knew that Scott was looking even before she glanced over to him.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton was pretty surprised by third place. He didn't expect either of them to place, really. But he wasn't about to say anything. He didn't want to look bitter, after all.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Fleur rolled her eyes as she listened to Elias. She knew he didn't want to be there but she thought he was being a baby about it. She stood next to him and smiled at the audience. "So I'm announcing second place!" She chimed as she looked at the others. "For the groups, we have Alba Heyes and Aaron Gonzales." She smiled at the pair. "And second for the solos is Ashton Kidd!"

-: “I can’t believe it!” Seth laughed, shaking his head. “This is... just crazy.” It was a massive burst of confidence for him, he had never thought much of himself before, but coming third out of all of these people... he had to wonder if he was really any good. “Wow...” he laughed, shaking his head again.

-: “Third place is good enough for me!” Johnny laughed, shaking his head. He still couldn’t believe it and he was so happy. “Definitely calls for celebrations!” He smiled as he walked back over to Hettie. He wasn’t surprised by second place and he clapped happily for Ashton.

-: Audrey wasn’t sure if she would place or not, but she also didn’t really mind as long as Cell Block did. “Congratulations!” She laughed as she saw Caleb coming back. She looked up for second place; she wasn’t surprised that Ashton won at all, he was so amazing. She clapped for him, but it just reminded her of what his ex had said and it hurt.

-: Scott cheered loudly as Ashton’s name was called - he thought he had absolutely been one of the best and it didn’t surprise him at all that he’d come second.

— joined the chat

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "I can. I knew you would!" Alyssa laughed. She was honestly so proud of him. She liked watching him as it dawned on him what had happened. She was so happy for him. "You're too talented for us now, aren't you?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a laugh.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "Me too!" Caleb laughed. He smiled though, as Johnny moved back over to Hettie and he went back to Audrey himself, "Thank you, thank you!" He laughed. he was honestly pretty happy. "Watch - it'll be you in a second." He muttered with a nod of his head.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie smiled as Johnny came back over, "Absolutely!" She smiled before she reached over to kiss his cheek, "Congratulations!" She was happy for him but she was definitely getting more nervous about not placing. She knew that it would be between her and Audrey, like it always seemed to be, but she was nervous.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton raised an eyebrow as he heard his name. He definitely hadn't expected it but he was delighted about it regardless. He quickly jumped up onto the stage then went back to Scotts side, beaming over at Audrey as he went.

—: Tommy Junior liked that he got to be the one to announce first place and he had a little smirk on his face as he took the microphone. “So, of course, I’ll be announcing first place.” He grinned, raising an eyebrow. “First place for the group number is the girls with the Cell Block Tango. Very deserved.” He smiled. “And in first place — we have a tie, ladies and gentlemen... it’s Henrietta Dreyton and Audrey McCoy!”

—: “Oh, absolutely. I’ll be with my celebrity friends starting tomorrow.” Seth laughed. He was still slightly shell shocked and he couldn’t wait to tell his parents. “Oh wow, they tied!” He smiled, clapping loudly for Audrey and Hettie. He thought they both very much deserved it.

—: Audrey thought she knew that Hettie was going to win - it just seemed obvious, now they’d come to first place. Her face broke into a big smile as they announced that they’d tied and won the group number. “Congratulations!” She laughed over to Hettie as she met her on the stage. She was so happy.

—: Johnny knew Hettie was going to place and he cheered so loudly as they announced her name. “You did it!” He laughed, standing up and clapping for her. He could tell she’d been nervous and he was so happy that the judges had seen how amazing she was.

—: “Well done, mate.” Scott muttered to Ashton with a smile as he joined him, looking up at Tommy for first place. He couldn’t help but smile as they announced Hettie’s name, clapping almost proudly.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: "That's what I thought." Alyssa laughed. She knew how big this was for him and she was so excited about what he would do with his new found confidence. Alyssa raised an eyebrow as she heard the two girls had ties but she thought that, that was probably the fairest way to do it and cheered for both of them. They were both so talented.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb wasn't sure he could call it as they waited for the solo first place... but he stood up and cheered for Audrey as he realised that she and Hettie had placed. He thought that, that was probably the best thing he had heard that day.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: If she was honest with herself, she knew that she had been making excuses to not let herself be hurt when she didn't place. Elias was her ex but she didn't think that he was completely unfair. Still, she was shocked when she heard that she and Audrey had tied. She smiled at Johnny, glancing quickly at Elias and shooting him a smile before she looked to Audrey. "You too! Congrats!"

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton smiled as Scott congratulated him .He was pretty proud of himself but he wasn't about to make a big deal out of it. When it was annouced that Hettie and Audrey were the winners, he rolled his eyes. Of course he was happy for Audrey but Calebs reaction annoyed him

—: Seth was happy they’d called it a tie - he certainly didn’t think he’d be able to call it between them, so he understood why the judges hadn’t been able to. They had such different voices. “This has been such a good night!” He smiled. He wished it didn’t have to end soon, he wanted to spend time with Alyssa but he thought she’d want to wait until they talked tomorrow.

—: Audrey was so happy, she honestly hadn’t expected it and she looked over at her family with a beaming smile. She could hear Caleb cheering and it made her laugh. She felt so happy.

—: Johnny had never doubted that Hettie would place somewhere and first just made sense to him. He was so glad she’d agreed to go for a drink with him, he wanted to be able to celebrate properly and he knew they were both going to be in great moods now.

—: Scott raised an eyebrow as Ashton rolled his eyes, but he didn’t question it. He was proud of Hettie, he knew how much this would’ve meant to her. “I’m gonna go and see her...” he muttered, before he headed towards Hettie.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa nodded her head as Seth spoke. She had, had such a good night and, like Seth, she wished it didn't have to end. But she didn't want to ruin things by talking about everything tonight. "It's been the best night!" She laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb was so happy for Audrey. He thought that she deserved this and he thought that this was the best possible outcome from all of this. "Go Audrey!" He shouted loudly, before he laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie beamed as she looked over at Johnny..and was about to go back to him when she realised that Scott was coming over. The blonde raised an eyebrow as she looked up at him "You've stopped throwing a paddy then?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton knew he should talk to Audrey ... but he didn't see the point. If she wanted to go over to him, then cool but he had plenty of other people who he could spend time with, he knew that.

—: “The best.” Seth agrees. Spending the night with Alyssa and the others had their table had been just what he needed and he didn’t feel so nervous for their talk tomorrow now. “Do you have somewhere to be? Or can I walk you home?” He smiled. He didn’t mind having to get on the tube afterwards, not at all.

—: Audrey smiled as she heard Caleb, blowing him a kiss with a laugh. Her gaze wondered over to Ashton - was he going to say anything at all to her? She didn’t even think he cared and that just made her think about what Jessica had said earlier. She hated how much it actually upset her, she looked at him for another second, wondering if he was going to do anything at all, before she sighed and headed back over to her table. “Okay!” She laughed, pushing it all to the back of her mind. “What do you want to do tonight?”

—: Johnny was about to head over to Hettie and congratulate her again, but he saw Scott going over and figured that they would want to have a minute together. He cleared his throat and pulled on his jacket, thinking he would grab Hettie one last drink before they left.

—: “I wasn’t throwing a paddy.” Scott rolled his eyes, sticking his hands in his pockets. “I just came to say congratulations, is that so bad?” He never knew how to apologise, not properly and he thought it was because his parents never did. Not to each other and certainly not to him. “You deserve it. Really.”

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa hoped that things would go well the next day. She really wanted to be on good terms with Seth. She had missed him when they hadn't been talking. She smiled though, as he offered to walk her home. "Yeah, I'd like that." She nodded.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb didn't even realise that he was Audreys second choice. And even if he did, he didn't think that he would even care all that much. HE got to spend time with her, that was all that mattered to him. He shrugged, "What do you fancy doing? You're the star of the show after all." He laughed.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie sighed slightly as she listened to him. She shrugged her shoulders though, "Thanks." She was still pretty annoyed at him but she knew that he was trying. She thought that, that was enough. "You know you probably would've been up there too, right? If you'd actually have sung outside our group number."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Ashton shook his head as Audrey went back to Caleb but he wasn't about to get upset over it. He was going to have a good night, regardless. Of that he was sure.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: After tonight, Seth felt so positive that things were going to be okay. He liked Alyssa too much to let them not be and he was going to try his hardest to get his feelings out and just be honest about it all. "Okay, perfect - you wanna speak to anybody or should we head off soon?" He smiled.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Audrey didn't even think of Caleb as her second choice, he was just different to Ashton. They made her feel two different ways and right now, with Ashton not even coming to speak to her - he was making her feel pretty stupid. She laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, stop it - I'm just kidding, don't you dare stop saying that." She grinned. "You wanna go and get drunk?" She laughed.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Johnny grabbed a drink and headed back over to the table Caleb was at, hearing the last part of Audrey's sentence. "Mind if Hettie and I join?" He asked with a smile. He wanted them all to be able to celebrate and he would love it if it was together. He liked the idea of it almost being like a double date and he knew the four of them would have a lot of fun.

SC AM JM LO SD BA: Scott shook his head. "Nah - maybe if this was a football game." He laughed, shrugging his shoulders. He knew he wasn't as good as the other people and that was fine... He just didn't want to make an idiot out of himself. "I'm proud of you... You did good." He nodded his head.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Alyssa had no idea what would be said... she had no idea if Seth just wanted to be friends but she hoped not. She wanted something between them so badly... part of her wondered if she was imagining their connection because of that. "No. I'm good to head off whenever."

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Caleb laughed, "I'll never stop. I'll even change you to that in my phone if you so wish?" He asked with a raise of an eyebrow and a laugh. "I absolutely fucking do!" Caleb smiled and nodded as Johnny spoke to him, "Definitely!" He beamed at his friends. He was even more excited for the night now.

HD CK AM IS RW AK: Hettie shook her head, "Trust me. This too." She muttered but that was one thing she wouldn't push. She knew he would never listen to her. Though she smiled as he said he was proud. It probably meant the most to her, to hear that from him. "Thank you." She laughed. "I can't believe it."

#hettie || threads #river || threads #alyssa || threads #caleb || threads #isaac || threads #ashton || threads

[itisannak]

Winter Wonderland (Calum Hood Fluff)

Summary: (Y/N) is to become Mrs. Hood on Christmas day but has to spend Christmas Eve away from Calum.  There is a makeout session in this chapter and a bit of suggestive content. Connected to "Dance Lessons" with Michael.  (Request) (Words: 4k)  (Part 2: Santa Baby,  Part 3 )

"Good morning, Mrs. Hood." Calum says in his groggy morning voice as I stretch on our bed.  "I am not Mrs. Hood yet, Mr. Hood." I reply and turn my head to face him.  "Well, starting from tomorrow, you will be, so better get used to it... Mrs. Hood." He says and pecks on my temple.  "Whatever you say, hubby..." I whisper, standing up from the bed.  "Where do you think you are going?" Calum asks me, rubbing his face.  "I need to get ready. (Y/B/F/N) is picking me up in an hour." I reply, slipping my romp on.  "In an hour... We have time until then, babygirl." He tries to convince me to stay in our bed longer.  "Not really. I have to pack my stuff for today and tomorrow..."  "I hate that I won't see you for so long." He groans and I chuckle.  "We've been apart for longer... Remember that every time you are on tour we don't see each other for weeks? Months maybe?" I ask, turning to look at him before I exit the bedroom.

Walking to my closet, I hear Calum singing as he gets ready for the day, reminding me exactly the reason why I am marrying him. I change my direction and walk into the bathroom, smiling at the reflection of my boyfriend as he brushes his teeth. I hug him from behind, my hand resting on his chest and my head leaning on his back. "What is it, princess?" He asks me after he spits out his toothpaste. "Nothing." I sigh and leave a soft kiss on his back. He takes my hand in his, spinning me around to face me. "I love you too..." He smiles at me. "I didn't say I love you..." I state, cocking an eyebrow. "Well, I pretty much can read your mind...."   "Oh, you can, huh?" I chuckle. "Yeah, I can. I bet I can tell what you are thinking about right now." He murmurs, stroking my cheek. "Oh yeah? What am I thinking about right now?" I ask, licking my lips. "You are thinking about how badly you wanna kiss me. How badly you want to feel my lips on yours, and then on your skin. And how badly you want to just go to bed and have me instead of spending one and a half days away from me..." He replies, pressing his body against mine. I gulp thickly, feeling every hair on my body stand straight; it's true... I would much rather stay with Calum and drive to the venue with him on our wedding day. But I guess the stupid tradition of him not seeing me the day before the wedding and my bachelorette party will keep us apart. "Well, you are not wrong. I was thinking of kissing you." I whisper, resting my hand on his chest. I watch him smirk down at me, licking his lips seductively. "But now that you know my plans, there is no reason to execute them." I move away from him, making him groan in frustration. "Come on..." He growls, walking behind me. He grips on my wrist, pulling me to his body as I giggle. "I think you owe me a kiss." He says softly, tangling his fingers in mine. "I have it scheduled for Christmas Day, at around 7:30 in the evening. I think that's when the officiator will call us husband and wife." I tease him. "We need to rehearse it. I mean, we had a dinner rehearsal and a dance rehearsal and a playlist run through. And don't get me started on clothes fitting and try-ons. I think we should have a kissing rehearsal as well." He comments, bringing his hands to my lower back, resting them on the curve above my ass. "Well, after the arguments you presented, I think that a kissing rehearsal would be beneficial for both parties." I reply, earning a chuckle from him. "I love it when you talk business to me." He whispers before he leans down to kiss me. I part my lips, letting his tongue slip in my mouth as he pulls me on his body, leaving not an inch between us. "I am going to miss that." He murmurs against my lips. I pull him back to the kiss by gripping his hair lightly.

He bites on my bottom lip, making me melt into a puddle. I feel my chest on fire, the need for this to move forward coiling deep in my stomach. "We have a bit of time." I mumble as we part to catch our breath. He looks at me with his eyes glistening as his hands support my ass while he picks me up and carries me to our bedroom. "Last time we are having sex as just a couple." I comment and he hums as he undoes the tie on my romp. "Next time I am going to fuck my wife." He whispers before he leans down to kiss my neck. The words make my heart speed up, warmth spreading throughout my body. "But we have to be quick. (Y/B/F/N) is picking me up, remember?" I shudder as his lips touch my soft spot. "Yeah, I know." He mumbles, spreading my thighs and placing himself between them. I pull his head up for a kiss, tasting him one more time. His hand goes to my hair too, pulling at me locks as he presses his cock on my sex. He grinds his cock on me, making my breathing more labored, sharper. He drives me absolutely insane, to the point where my body responds to his slightest touch. I feel his hand reach between our bodies, trying to lower his briefs and pull my panties to the side.

But the doorbell ringing stops us, making both of us groan in unison. "I have second thoughts on (Y/B/F/N) being your best gal for our wedding." Calum giggles, rubbing his hand over his face. "I'd be lying if I said I am not having them as well right now." I giggle as well but kiss his lips as I sit up. "I can't believe I will have to go on with blue balls until our wedding night." Calum groans, plopping on the bed, fixing his briefs before he bounces back up. "I think that there are enough videos on the web to help you get rid of that." I joke, tying my belt around my waist to hold my romp together. "It's not the same, and you know it." Calum groans, following right behind me. "Not much I can do to help. But, I think that you'd like to know that my white lingerie, the ones that I will be wearing after our wedding party, will leave near to nothing to the imagination." I state, winking at him. "Damn it, woman! How is this supposed to help me?" He hisses through gritted teeth. "Oh, it is not supposed to help you. It is supposed to make it hard for you to concentrate and fun for me to watch you be in complete agony until the second I will leave this house." I smirk, jogging down the stairs to let my best friend in.

"So, are you ready for your last night as a single lady?" (Y/B/F/N) asks me as I fix my earrings in the mirror in front of me. "Weirdly, yes. I can't wait for this night to get over and just skip to saying yes to marrying my man." I turn around to tell her face to face. She smiles at me, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "No jitters, no nervousness?" She asks me and I shake my head no. "I know that if any people are meant to do 'forever', is me and Calum. I mean, if you just think how badly he had to chase me at the beginning of our relationship, how stubborn I was, telling him no after no..." "Until he burst into your office and demanded a meeting with you. I remember that..." "And he ordered freaking Korean food for the meeting. I had nothing to right on the reason for the meeting report." I giggle, sitting on her bed. "And he got you. And you stayed with him, in spite of everything. And now you are getting fucking married." She cheers, almost jumping on the bed. "And now I am getting fucking married to the love of my fucking life." I scream, feeling the warmth I always get when I am talking about him. "Let's go celebrate that." She gets up, holding her hand out for me to take and get off the bed.

(Calum's POV) "I hate how empty the house feels." I groan, bringing the throw cushion to my face. "Thanks... I am happy to be here too." Ashton says, the irony present in his voice. "I didn't mean that exactly... I meant that without (Y/N), the house feels empty." "Can you stop groaning and huffing? You are getting married tomorrow. She is away from you to have her party. After tomorrow she will be yours forever... Jesus..." Ashton groans, handing me my glass of whiskey. "She could have had her party the day I had mine. That way we would be spending Christmas Eve together." I whine and he huffs frustrated. "You are such a baby. I honestly don't know why (Y/N) is marrying you." "I am good at sex and I am her biggest fan, easy. If you follow my recipe, maybe you'll get a wife too." I tease him, taking a swig from my drink. "You are such a savage when you are missing (Y/N)." Ashton comments before he takes a swig from his drink.

Before I can respond to his snarky comment, my phone rings, making me leave my glass on the coffee table and reach for it. I see her name and her picture on my screen, sparking joy inside me and painting a wide smile on my face. "If you say a single word right now, I will fucking cut your head off and kick it around like a damn ball." I threaten Ashton, whose eyes go wide. "Hey, sunshine. Miss me already?" I say as I accept the call. I hear her hum happily before anything, plastering the smile on my face permanently. "You have no idea how much." She says. Faintly, I hear the music from the place they are. "So much that you are out dancing?" I tease her and she chuckles. "Oh, you know. The girls just took me to a strip show." "Strip show? I hope you won't leave me for a stripper." I laugh, but the sudden tightness in my stomach reminds me that it is a real insecurity. "Actually, I prefer a lap dance from you than from anyone in here." "And that will be my wedding gift for you." I giggle. "I wasn't lying before, I really miss you. And I am actually counting the minutes to see you again." She says in her sweet voice, the voice that is able to make me do whatever she wants. "Just the minutes? I am counting the seconds to see you again. I am counting the seconds until you become Mrs. Hood." I state, earning a chuckle from Ashton. I throw him a glare and one of the cushions next to me. "I love you. And I can't wait to marry you." She giggles. "I love you too, sunshine. I can't wait to hold my wife again. But, I want you to have fun now, ok? Just promise me you will be walking down the aisle tomorrow at 7." "If you promise to be waiting for me." "Well, if it wasn't for Ashton keeping me home, which by the way is so empty without you, I would be camping outside the venue just to make sure I would be there on time." I half-joke. "You need your beauty sleep. And camping would be a little hard on Christmas Eve. I mean, it is fucking cold right now." She giggles. "I'll get my beauty sleep. And you will rest, ok? I love you, bub." I coo. "I love you too. Good night." She sings, blowing a kiss at the end of the sentence.

(Next morning/ Y/N's POV) After the night out with my friends, I could barely sleep for 3 hours. The moment I opened my eyes it hit me; it's Christmas. Ever since I was a child I loved Christmas. I loved the energy, the love in the air, the decorations. I thought that nothing could make Christmas more magical. And I was wrong. Everything good happens to me on Christmas; Calum asked me to move in with him on our first Christmas together, asked me to marry him on our third. And now on our fourth Christmas together I will get to walk down the aisle and marry the hell out of him. I stare at the ring decorating my finger for a moment. It has become a symbol of commitment for us, an instant reminder that he and I are together on this life, on this relationship. It's more of how I have connected it with Calum and less of the fact that the ring probably cost a small fortune. But if I was to marry him with a cord around my finger, in a crappy town hall, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I would still consider myself the luckiest of lucky women. I smile as I push myself out of the guest room's bed in my best friend's house and shuffle my feet on the cold floor. I feel like dancing, twirling around, and singing out loud, but I am pretty sure my friend would kick me for that.

I make my way to the kitchen, feeling strange as I hear sounds going on in the kitchen. "Hey!" I am greeted by Luke, who is trying to make breakfast. "Hey! Merry Christmas." I cheer and approach him to kiss him. "How did the bride sleep?" He asks, pointing to the coffee pot on the table. "For 3 hours, with difficulty because your best friend was not there to hold her." I reply, pouring some coffee into a mug.   "I swear, you two are acting like babies." Luke chuckles. "You asked how I slept, and I answered." I reply with a shrug. "What time are you supposed to start getting ready? You know, for your wedding. We really don't want you to be late, Cal will be insufferable. In fact, if you could show up before Calum, it would be great." He says, making me smile. "I'll have breakfast and slip right in the shower. And then I will have everyone over to torture me until I look like a 'princess' for my 'big day'." I sigh, just at the thought of people pulling and twisting and touching my hair while others touch my face. "Aren't you excited to get ready for the wedding?"Luke asks me in shock. "More than I've ever been. I just... I would like to do it my way, do my own hair, and my own makeup and just have fun with it. It would mean something that way." I sigh and Luke hums. "Pay the hairdresser and the makeup artist, and tell them to leave. Problem solved." He replies and I chuckle. "Wish it was that easy. Anyway... You are going to see Calum in a bit, right?" I ask and he nods. "Can you tell him that I love him?" I ask again and he sighs. "I think he already knows." Luke replies with a chuckle. "Is it so hard to tell him?" I ask, rolling my eyes. "Whatever the bride wants." Luke surrenders.

From the moment I slipped into the shower, to the moment I slipped into my wedding dress, I went through a sea of emotions. I sat still and waited until everyone was over taking care of me, thinking about the moment I will get to kiss my husband. "Look at you..." My best friend comments as she enters the room I am waiting until I walk down the aisle. "I look good, huh?" I ask as I fix my vail. "You look like a Snow Queen. Calum will lose his mind." She gasps, bringing her hands to her mouth. "Is everything ready out there?" I ask, taking deep breaths. "I just checked the ceremonial place and the reception haul, and they look spotless." She assures me. "Calum's ready?" I ask, huffing. "He looks like a model ready for a runway. And in any minute, he is going to grab the perfect bouquet you two have picked, and he is going to walk to his spot, and wait for you." She smiles at me. I nod my head, feeling my stomach settle for the first time today. "You look perfect. Enjoy this day, ok?" She leans in, pecking on my forehead. "Thank you. For everything." I sniffle, trying to avoid tearing up and messing with my makeup. "You are welcome. I'd better get going. See you in a bit, Mrs. Hood." She sings as she exits the chamber.

The music plays as my dad and I walk the first few feet towards the altar. I am smiling as I look at the people around me before my eyes land on Calum. He looks like he is barely holding his lips from ripping apart from all the smiling. I feel my eyes tear up as I approach him, suddenly feeling everything becoming too real. My dad gives me away to Calum, smiling at both of us and blowing us a kiss as he walks away. "Hi." I giggle as I look at Calum. "Man, I can't wait to kiss you." He whispers, handing me my bouquet. "Friends, family, loved ones. We were gathered here today to honor love, the love of these two amazing young people. And what better way for these two people to make their love official than getting married on Christmas day. Because above all, marriage is love. Marriage is a commitment to one another, marriage is joy, marriage is patience and understanding. Marriage is reconciliation after a fight, knowing that the person you chose to love for the rest of your life will always choose to see the best in you. Marriage is everything and more. It is my greatest joy to let Calum and (Y/N) exchange their vows now." The minister finishes, prompting Calum to start talking. I watch him take a breath, reaching to take my hands in his.

"My dearest, no words will ever describe how I feel right now. I can't remember how life was before I met you. I can't remember how it was living alone and coming to an empty house. I can't remember how it was sleeping on a bed alone, without your hair in my mouth. I can't remember how it was like not being in love with you. And I hope I never get to remember. I am in utter, absolute love with you; with your mind, with the way you view things, with your soul. You came into my hectic, scary life and chose to stay, no matter how hard it got. And being with you, loving you, was like getting into a little safe space, in a space where no one and nothing could touch us. You make me calm and keep me safe and sane. I love you. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." Calum says, his voice getting raspy at the end. I can't help but tear up a little- ok, a lot. He reaches to pick up the rings from Ashton, slipping mine on my finger. I pick up his and feel my heart flutter in my chest.

"It has been, and always will be the greatest privilege to start my day by your side. I know that no matter how hard my day has been, I will get home to a loving person and one of the warmest hugs. I don't have many regrets in life, but one of the things I wish I could change is making it hard for you to get me out for a date. I wish I would have said yes from the first time you asked me out because that would mean I would get to spend more days with you. I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world, just because I get to see you in every aspect of your day; I get to see you sleep, wake up, do what you love. I get to see you smiling, sometimes I cause that smile. I get to see you being sensitive and vulnerable. I get to see you read and get lost in your little world. I get to pick up your mind on everything, big or small. I get to be by your side. With you, I can see my future vividly, and it is more bright than I could ever possibly imagine. When you suggested we get married today, I fell more in love with you than anyone has ever fallen for another person. You took my favorite day, my absolute favorite holiday and you made it 10 times more special. I love you, Calum Thomas Hood, for everything you are, for everything you stand for, and for everything you hope to ever reach. I can't wait to be called your wife." I choke on my words, feeling that every word that leaves my mouth is truly labored by my soul. I slip his ring on his finger, watching him smile at me.

"Do you, Calum, take (Y/N), as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish for better or for worse?" He asks Calum who smiles even bigger now. "I do." He states. "Do you, (Y/N), take Calum, as your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish for better or for worse?" He asks me. "I do." I reply, without even having to process the question. "With the power provided to me by the United States of America, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." The officiator announces; before he could finish his sentence, Calum is cupping my face and his lips are on mine, making our guests erupt in screams of excitement.

"Mrs. Hood..." I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and find my husband smirking at me, opening his arms for me. I hug him after I excuse myself from the guests I was talking to; honestly, I was looking for a way out of talking to them. "Hi, Mr. Hood." I whisper and he chuckles. "Have I told you how gorgeous you are?" He asks me, making me giggle. "Once or twice..." I tease him, earning a hum. "You are absolutely stunning. I can't take my eyes off you. I can't believe you are my wife..." He leaves a peck on my forehead. "I can't believe I am your wife either." I whisper back, pressing my face on his chest. He brings his hands to my lower back, keeping me close. "How did I get you to be my wife? Really?" He sighs and strokes his thumb on my waist. "You made me fall for you. And then you loved me as I've never been loved before. And then you gave me the sweetest life. So, I couldn't say no when you asked me to spend the rest of my life with you." I remind him and he hums happily. "I love you." He whispers, swaying me to the rhythm of the song that is played. "I love you." I whisper back, smiling to myself. "Good, cause you are kinda married to me. And I want this marriage to be my one and only. So, I hope you like (Y/F/N) (Y/M/N) (Y/L/N)-Hood, cause it is going to stay with you till death do us part." He pushes my chin up, smiling at me. "I freaking love it." I assure him, leaning up to kiss his lips.

My Masterlist /  Santa Baby / Part 3  

#calum hood #calum thomas hood #calum 5sos #calum hood imagine #calum hood smut #calum hood fluff #calum hood smut imagine #calum hood fluff imagine #5sos #5sos imagine #5sos smut #5sos fluff #5sos smut imagine #5sos fluff imagine #5 seconds of summer #5 seconds of summer imagine #5 seconds of summer smut #5 seconds of summer fluff #5 seconds of summer smut imagine #5 seconds of summer fluff imagine #imagine #smut #fluff #fluff imagine #smut imagine

[mrsmess]

Meta season4 - part 3

Ted Koppel’s big night out - Paris being hilarious. And a little iffy.

Lorelai waits for an excuse to accept Jason’s date invitation. Rory and Lorelai gets to participate in a school tradition that feels very authentic, academic party traditions are the weirdest. Emily asks about Jess, and potential suitors of Lorelai’s, giving Lorelai a good chance to admit to thinking about Jason which she of course doesn’t take.

I love Richard and Emily, but they are crazy. Richard should have obviously have told Emily about keeping in touch with his ex and Emily obviously shouldn’t be jealous about it. And Emily blames Lorelai because she herself is crazy. That’s crazy!

So ultimately the relationship between Lorelai and Jason sets sail through the power of spite, so entertaining. And they go on a chaotic date that reminds me of THIS post.

Rory sees Paris and Ashton making out. Yuck.

The nanny and the professor - “And scene.”

Possibly the best scene in the entire series and the only thing it needed was Lauren Graham.

The interaction between Rory and Lorelai in the kitchen is fricking awesome too. So much fun. “I didn’t cheat on Dean with an old guy.” She admits she cheated, it’s admitted, canon, just fyi.

The irrelevant rivalry between Michel and Tobin leads to the wonderful scene between Lorelai, Michel an little Davey.

Lorelai and Jason are cute together. Yay! But poor Cyrus. And Jason turns out to have a few issues, that mainly adds flavor to the character, but considering Lorelai just sort of goes with it (sleeping in the guest room) it kinda makes me wonder what the point of it is.

Lots of newspaper and Doyle stuff in this episode. Looove that. Paris prioritizes her secret relationship over her newspaper ambitions. Rory is upset over it. Her level of anger even matching the one to come in Nag Hammadi. Then she ends up in Ashton’s class.

The clamor and the clangor -  The church bells are restored. Lane’s band gets the gig at CBGB. This is a very good episode.

Omg Rami Malek!!!

Rory feels targeted by Smiths guy but is jumping to conclusions. The guy calls our girl Madeleine Albright as an insult, like an idiot.

Luke and Lorelai breaks my heart, and makes me laugh. Luke doesn’t want to owe her anything and sweeps her driveway to be able to tell her that. Sucks to be him. It’s snowing, and traditional magic ensues; “Wanna break the bells?” “I’ll get my toolbox.” And the scene at the church! Perfection. “You’re passing judgement on you living together by not living together!”

And then:

“Oh thank god! Carry on!”

Lane shows up at Yale and Rory’s immediate reaction is she has to call her mom. Lane’s secrets are out. Mrs Kim discovers them. Lane’s been lying to her mother for long, since the cookie monster entered her life. It’s understandable, a moment’s honesty can’t change that, but it’s the only way to start. This creates too big of a divide for them at present however.

“If I woke up and you were gone i would have a fricking heart attack.” This is the absolute loyalty that overrides everything else Lorelai has for every other mother except her own. She feels it for Mrs Kim, she winds up feeling it for Liz, but not Emily. Or maybe she feels that way because she did what she did to her own mother. Sort of a compensating thing.

A family matter - This episode really is intended to be connected to Nag Hammadi, through its’ timeline, and storylines. The firelight festival is a day away, and Liz shows up, disturbing Luke’s life further.

Paris is unable to apply her usual brutally honest tactic on her own life and break up with Jamie, something Rory takes by the horns and makes her do.

Jason continues to be a hilarious mess even if he sounds like a surfer when speaking japanese. He and Lorelai takes turns sneaking around telling their friends and families and the latter makes an effort (sort of) to tell Emily who can’t even take the idea of them seriously.

Coop shows up with Jess and his broken down car at Luke’s which leads to a brilliant, but not a little bit painful reunion between our boys, where they pick up exactly where they left off; mid-fight.

Lorelai and Rory find Jess in the backseat of his car and Lorelai’s parental instinct kicks in, she goes and talk to Luke, which obviously pays off: He leaves the key and the apartment for his nephew.

Nag Hammadi is where they found the gnostic gospels - I’m not touching this with a meta stick. Can’t. I’ve written fic about it instead :)

#Gilmore Girls #meta #season 4

[lavieendonna]

Brushwork || ArtMajor!Calum AU (Chapter 26)

Summary: An Art Major AU where Dallas - third year gawky art student at VCA -  makes a deal with Calum - her cute new neighbour and project partner - and they spend the semester learning that the perfect masterpiece takes a whole lot of brushwork.

Date: 27 October 2018 Requested: lol     Pairing: Calum + Dallas Words: 3.1K Warnings: anxiety-ridden family confrontations FTW!  A/N: so this is like, what, 4 months late? Or something? But it’s nearly over so please bare with me! Thanks to the one or two people who still read this piece of shit. If there’s no one, well, I feel good for posting this just for myself anyway. 

Big Love xo 

Ask | Masterlist | ‘Brushwork’ Spotify Playlist | Next Chapter | ‘Brushwork’ News

Chapter 26: Usually When She Looked at Me I Felt Like I Wanted to Throw Up My Insides and Shrivel Up on The Pavement

I honked the horn of Ashton’s car outside of Belle’s flat, immediately regretting it when I realised that it was heading into the late evening and I would have disturbed family dinners all through the neighbourhood. And I knew I did, too, because Belle lived in that kind of area; the kind on the “classy” side of the bridge hat was one hundred percent better (and cleaner) that the student residence where I lived.

Nevertheless, Belle come out of the house swiftly with a duffle bag slung over her shoulder, pausing only to turn around and lock the front door. She was in leggings and her infamous oversized grey hoodie, UGG boots covering her feet, much like me. I breathed a tiny sigh of relief when I realised I hadn’t under-dressed.

“My housemate is a bitch.” She said to as soon as she slumped down into the car, without so much as a proper greeting, throwing her bag into the backseat behind her and borderline knocking me out in the process.

“What’s she done now?” I asked with a grimace, knowing that Belle never really called Nancy names without a reason.

“She ate my Ben and Jerry’s,” Belle huffed as I got ready to back out of the driveway. “and when I asked her about it, she completely denied it! Like, there’s only two of us in the house; who the fuck else was it going to be?”

I sniggered to myself as I tried to imagine how that conversation would have done down.

“Maybe you have an ice-cream-eating ghost haunting your house.” I teased and belle rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, his name’s Little Jimmy and his favourite is strawberry cheesecake.”

I cackled with laughter while Belle seemed to lighten up a little and chuckled.

“Actually, Nancy’s pretty superstitious. If I tell her that she might freak and move out.”

“That’s just evil.” I laughed. “But if it works, it wouldn’t be a total loss, would it?”

“Hell no!” Belle cheered. “How was the Showcase?” She changed the subject, still giggling. I grimaced at the memory, not really wanting to talk about it but knowing that I was way past hiding it from my sister.

“That bad, huh?” She asked gently, noticing my lack of response. I nodded, trying not to sigh but not really succeeding.

“It… sucked.” I summarised.

“Did you pass the mural, at least?” Belle’s voice sounded hesitantly hopeful, I guessed to try and find the light in the total fiasco that was yesterday’s Showcase. I shrugged, the familiar feeling of defeat settling back into my stomach.

“I think so.” I hummed, following it up with a scoff. “But it doesn’t matter, anyway. Calum painted Polly.”

Belle paused, brows furrowing in confusion at the sentence I’d just spouted at her.

“Wait, what?” She made a face. “What do you mean he painted Polly?”

“You know how our designed were based off of ballerinas?” I reminded her, glancing at her quickly to see her nod slowly.

“The ones who didn’t have faces?” She asked and I nodded this time, continuing to steal glances at her while I drove, silently begging her to put the pieces together on her own so I wouldn’t have to say the words out loud. My chest ached a little as I remembered how humiliated I’d felt when the curtain had dropped.

“Whoa.” Belle let out a disgruntled huff. “That’s… that’s fucked. Why would he do that?”

I huffed this time, more out of frustration than anything. Truth be told, I was still trying to decide if I was still angry about it. Part of me was furious and betrayed and was convinced that Calum had done it to spite me. I’d told him about the strife between Polly and I and by painting Polly on the piece we’d worked so hard over felt like a huge slap in the face.

But the other part of me, the part that still cared about Calum, understood where he was coming from. And he was right, Polly had inspired the whole idea to start with. And he was just trying to help me – even though I didn’t deserve his help after everything I’d done.

“He didn’t have much of a choice.” I settled for saying, though I couldn’t tell if the words were a lie or not. They didn’t feel like one. “After our fight the day after the date I ghosted. I didn’t want to face him so he had to finish the mural on his own. I think he was one of the only ones talking to Polly at the time, too, so…” I ended my shitty assumption with another shrug, and Isabelle just nodded slowly. I guessed what I said was fair if even she agreed with it.

We were quiet for almost the rest of the drive, except for the low hum of the radio, as I navigated my way through the inner-city suburbs and headed east towards our mother’s place. I could feel the air grow more and more tense as we both pondered what was to come when we arrived.

“Are you ready? To face her?” Belle was the first to break the silence. I grimace and gave a small, one-shouldered shrug.

“I guess.” I mumbled, but then I scoffed and retracted the statement. “Well, no, I’m not. But we’re kind of past being ready for it aren’t we?”

Belle just murmured her agreement, and when I stole a quick glance at her from the corner of my eye, she looked scared. Terrified, even. The car rolled to a stop at a red light and I took the chance to take her hand and squeeze it quickly.

“You’re going to be fine, you know that right?” I told her with a small encouraging smile. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Belle snorted rather unattractively.

“Uh, she’ll probably bludgeon me to death with an antique vase and force you to help bury my body and keep it a secret until she eventually dies of a heart attack which would mean you’d have to come clean years and years later and you’ll get arrested for being an accessory to murder and get taken away from your family to spend the rest of your life in prison and you’ll never get to see your kids so you’ll die in your cell from a broken heart – and that’s just for dropping law school!”

Belle was wailing, but we were both laughing anyway.

“We’re going to be fine!” I told her again as Mum’s street came into view. “She’s our mum. Shehas to love us – no matter what.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Belle huffed, but she’d gotten some colour back in her cheeks so I knew she believed me – even if it was just a little bit.

I wished I could pinpoint the exact moment Belle and I had switched roles in our relationship. It was a weird feeling, being the “level-headed” one for once. I felt kind of useful as opposed to useless for the first time in what felt like an eternity – and while it did feel a quite nice, I was difficult to get used to.

It was dark by the time I shut off the car in Mum’s driveway. Belle and I made no move to get out, either, both of us too scared to even breath. I swallowed, a lump already forming in my throat.  

“We’re, uh. We’re gonna be fine.” I said, though based on the pitch of my voice and how many octaves it jumped I was more so trying to tell myself than my sister. Belle looked at me carefully, fear in her eyes but her face as composed as she could.

“We’re going to get skinned alive, aren’t we?” She asked monotonously and, frankly, it was almost as terrifying as what we were about to walk ourselves into.

“Uh-huh.” Was all I could muster.

I’d never heard my heart beating so loud as it was in my ears in that short walk from the car to the front door of the house. It was pounding in my chest so hard I thought it was about to rip through my ribs and leave a gaping hole for the rest of my organs to fall right out behind it. Belle’s arm brushed up against mine and even though it was just for a second, I could still feel her trembling from the inside out.

“Mum?” I called into the house as my sister and I opened the door and stepped carefully inside. Almost all of the lights were on inside, and despite the lukewarm weather outside, the heater was running, too, with music was trickling through the spaces from somewhere within. This was normal, which was always a good sign with my mother. But the red flag that made my stomach churn even more was that she didn’t respond the second we walked into the house like she usually did.

“Hello?” Belle tried this time. No answer. We shared an incredulous look before we dumped our bags in the front room and started to wander further into the house. The dining room was empty as well as the living room, and she wasn’t in her bedroom – though neither of us expected her to be.

Just when I was about to suggest we check the sun room (where Mum often went to read and pretend she wasn’t journaling while she journaled), Belle stopped in the doorway of the kitchen and shifted on her feet uncomfortably.

“Hey, mum…” She said sheepishly into the room and I sidled up behind her with a tiny, apologetic wave.

“Hi.” I did much the same and, much like vampires – albeit very awkward vampires –  we waited in the doorway until Mum decided to invite us further inside.

She was cooking, which was odd. Not that she never cooked for herself, she just seemed to be very into it tonight. Her long dark hair was swept back into a high ponytail that was somehow both messy and elegant at the same time, and she was actually wearing her black metal framed glasses for once. She was wearing a snug black t-shirt and a pair of red flannel pyjama pants, under a red apron that was splattered with flour and various liquids, but her face was still flawless with a killer red lip and hoop earrings. She was scowling, naturally, paused in the middle of the kitchen with a wooden spoon in one hand and the other resting on her hip.

“I didn’t realise you two remembered where I lived.” She deadpanned and usually this was the moment where her eyes would flash wickedly and her nostrils would flare, but tonight she just looked sad and my heart broke a little bit.

“Mum, don’t.” Belle pleaded in a voice no louder than a whisper. She had all but surrendered already and Mum had only spoken one sentence to us – collectively.

“Don’t, what?” Mum challenged, but her voice wasn’t much better. “Be hurt?”

“Please, Mum.” I stepped forward a little, trying as hard as I could to will the tremble in my bottom lip to go away. “Let us make this right.”

“Why?” Mum still fought. “How do I know you two won’t blow me off again?”

“We won’t.” Belle said, a slow and quiet tear trekking down her cheek already. “Mum… Mum, I need you.”

For a moment I really thought Mum was about to kick us out. She was deadly silent for what felt like an eternity, just staring at us – or maybe she was staring through us. Whichever it was, it was uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Mum scrutinising me with words and disappointment was one thing and I’d endured through that more times than I liked to admit. But her scrutinising me with silence and unreadable eyes was probably going to give me PTSD.

Mum gave a small gesture with her wooden spoon to the barstools on the other side of the island counter, and as if we were seven years old again we obeyed. We sat carefully, Mum taking a minute to turn down whatever was cooking and wipe the bit of flour off of her face before she turned back to us with crossed arms, leaning against the opposite counter.

“Is this the part where you tell me you dropped out of law school?” She asked very matter-of-factly. Belle and I stared at her wide-eyed and stunned. How did she even find out about that? She used to tell us all the time that mothers knew everything, but I thought it was just some ridiculous old wives’ tale mums told their kids to scare them into behaving.

“You knew?” I asked her in a squeaky voice, and her dark eyebrows rose at me.

“You knew?” She threw back. “You knew about your sister and didn’t tell me?”

“I –” I didn’t even know how to respond so I sat there gaping like a fish, desperately looking to Belle with hope that maybe she’d thought this through and knew what to say.

“Don’t be mad!” Isabelle begged, sniffing carefully and it was clear it was taking everything she had to keep herself together. Mum blinked at her a little patronisingly.

“Oh, I’m sorry, you don’t want me to be mad about you quitting school and not telling me about it?” She hissed and Belle shook her head, taking a deep breath. “Or is it that you don’t want me to be mad that you chose to conspire with your sister against me?”

Belle’s head fell and her shoulders shook and I was wondering if this was how she pictured this going or if it wasn’t going the way she planned at all.

“We weren’t conspiring, Mum.” I said, not loudly and not aggressively, but firmly enough that Mum’s new furious glare was directed at me instead of my mess of a sister. “We were just scared.”

For the first time since the day after our dad’s funeral, Belle and I watched as Mum’s bottom lip quivered like she might cry. She looked away from us, her brain clearly running a million miles an hour. But when she looked back, she just looked hurt and it made me feel like I’d just kicked a puppy.

“I don’t know where you two got the idea that I’m so terrifying,” She said so quietly that I almost missed it. “But it’s doing my head in, I hope you know that.”

She wiped a single tear, and even though it didn’t smudge her makeup even in the slightest, I knew for sure that Belle and I had fucked up. Mum had always made a point of not crying in front of us, especially when we were kids – even beforeour Dad had died. The fact that she was now, even just that one tear, that meant we’d reached the point of no return. She would always hold this with her – even if we did somehow manage to fix this.  

“We’re not scared ofyou, Ma!” Belle sobbed in a trembling voice while she dabbed at her eyes with a stray tissue she appeared to have found in her pocket. My eyes prickled with the oncoming tears, my chest tightening as I listened to Belle’s near-hyperventilating. “We were scared of disappointingyou. You invest everything you have into us, you worked your way here for us! Do you know how hard it is for us to try and prove that we’re worth that much?! How hard it is to make sure we don’t fuck this up for you? All we ever want is to make you proud and with Dad gone it’s like we have to work twice as hard.”

I didn’t think Belle intended to bring our father into this conversation, but the second it slipped out it was done and the three of us were all crying. Belle was the only one sobbing hysterically –  Mum and I just let the waterworks happen quietly on our cheeks, but we cried. And the more I thought about it, the more I realised that this was probably one of the first times all three of us had cried all at once.

Slowly Mum made her way over to where we sat, abandoning her wooden spoon in the sink and reaching over the counter to wipe at Belle’s cheeks with her thumbs. She didn’t say much for a while and just offered Belle a clean tissue – which, to be honest, I missed where exactly she pulled it from – and she did her best to clean her face. When Mum’s eyes turned to me I just looked down and did my best to wrangle with the stabbing guilt in my gut.

“You girls…” Mum sniffled, and Belle and I stole a quick glance at her. “You’re all I have left. I took what your father left us and tried to build something great... but you’re it. You’re all that matters. You’re all I need.And… and I never, ever wanted you to feel like you weren’t up to par.”

I wiped at my dripping nose on the back of my sleeve ungracefully as I felt myself fall into a shudder of sobs much like Belle had before. Mum sidled over to stand in front of me and reached over to wipe at my cheeks this time. She pulled my face up so she could look me right in the eyes and although my tears blurred my vision almost completely, I could tell that Mum’s eyes were urgent and purposeful.

“You are enough.” She told me carefully and I really thought I might burst at the words. “You’ve always been enough. Both of you.”

She came out from behind the counter and Belle and I practically jumped off of our chairs so that the three of us could envelope ourselves into the most awkward but warm group hug I’d ever experienced in my life.

Belle was still shaking between Mum and I but somehow, I knew that even though we hadn’t mentioned her biggest secret yet, this moment with Mum was enough for her for now. I could feel it, the same way I could feel it was enough for me, too.

Mum kissed us on our faces and temples a million times each before she pulled back to look at us both the way I imagined her looking at us when we were kids. Usually when she looked at me I felt like I wanted to throw up my insides and shrivel up on the pavement, but not this time. This time I just wanted her to squeeze me so hard that I might pop.

“Alright, enough tears.” She said decidedly, wiping her own eyes and walking powerfully back into the kitchen as if this heartfelt moment was just another moment to pass. “Set the table for dinner, will you?”  

#fucking finally #brushwork #writing #fanfiction #fanfic #fic #5sos #5sos fanfiction #5sos fanfic #5sos fic #5 seconds of summer #5 seconds of summer fanfiction #5 seconds of summer fanfic #5 seconds of summer fic #5sos blurb #5sos writing #5sos imagine #5 seconds of summer blurb #5 seconds of summer writing #5 seconds of summer imagine #calum hood #calum hood fanfiction #calum hood fanfic #calum hood fic #calum hood wiriting #calum hood blurb #calum hood imagine #mine #ch au #au

[spiralatlas]

Pax 2017 Panels day 1

Today was an unrivaled success. I didn’t break anything.

Western Dating Sims: Beyond Tsunderdome

Are we having fun: Playing games critically

The State of Queer in games

Western Dating Sims: Beyond Tsunderdome

Barbara Kerr https://ms45.itch.io/ Jack Crnjanin Pritika Sachdev Cassiel Kelner localiser, translates from Japanese to English Shakari former insomniac now indie Jess Zammit games critic Queerly represent me

Not a competition between Western and Japanese dating sims, both are good. But there are trends.(The panel talked a bit about Japanese games too anyway)

Main difference: more established genre in Japan, less accepted in the West.

Basic framework: generic main character. Selection of different kinds of love interests, often very tropey. Situations range from mundane to fantastical.

Kenka Bancho Otome  Dating sim where you are crossdressing as your brother at a fighting school and have to beat the boys to get them to respect. (Not available in English but checking the spelling lead me to an anime adaptation on Crunchyroll, no idea if it’s any good)

Often don't have much family, no mention of that background.

Freshman and Sophomore cute have f/f. (Couldn’t find links for these, sadly)

Saying exactly what somebody wants to hear until they kiss you- is that bad?

Everyone showered DAO characters with gifts.

Desire in the west to mirror the complexity of real relationships.

Examples mentioned: Cute Demon Crashers, Lady Killer In A Bind.

Strategic dating is good:

predictable

choose a character you will definitely like

"Game-Like"

clear differentiation between characters

 learn how to interact with people

Kindness Coins: dating sims are safe. I can't be hurt, if I get scared I can shut it down. Safe space. Explore sex, relationships, communication.

Counterpoint: Strategic dating is bad:

predictable

replicates shitty real life behaviour "I was nice to you, you should date me", like blaming FPS for violence

Not much fun for the developer

Complex games justify complex mechanics

Tusks: gay orc dating sim. Can enable NPC autonomy. harder than he expected.

Queer relationships (Queer and gay used as synonyms a lot this panel :/) Producing your own games allows you to reflect yourself Coming Out On Top: straight dev, lots of consultation. A bit tropey in parts but not too bad. Tusks: complex variables & approval w queer orcs Lady Killer In A Bind BDSM safety warnings in loading screens The Crown and The Flame it's good to be the queen. Pixelberry just lets you bang anybody. Kind of have to pay to follow the f/f path fully in some games.

Further recs:

Astoria Fate's Kiss: greek gods and mythological figures. Equal partnership with Hades. Medusa's story is full of queer characters, often you feel like the only queer character in a game, normalises it. Alex is non binary.

Brooktown High cheesy typical highschool game. Can be a boy or girl but have to be m/f. A bit dated, so bad that it's good. PSP game.

Pixelberry Choices: can date m or f, choose stuff about PC.

Dream Daddy is a very straight gay game but fun.

Date or Die.  

A game about dating Japanese warlords that may or may not be Destiny’s Princess

The Arcana

Paris the City of Love

Fire Emblem: Fates

Great Personality

There was a liveplay of part of Dream Daddy. The audience voted overhwhelmingly to talk to Damien first.

Are we having fun: Playing games critically

Rami Ismail: @tha_rami Alayna Cole: @AlynaMCole Dakoda Barker: @JiroJames David Hollingworth: @CPTHollingworth Jess Zammit: zammitjess

Distinction between playing for work and fun?

We do this because we like games, except for the games we do in fact hate.

Rami: Started making games before he started playing, modding code in simple ways in QBASIC (this is also how I got started).

Alayna: Being paid in neocoins to make people's profiles. Didn't realise until after highschool that coding skills could be used to make games.

(And then I stopped keeping track of who said what)

Took a while to realise it could actually be a job.

Having been a critic changes the experience, doesn't make it less fun just different. Same with reading or watching tv when you're a writer.

Yonder the cloud catcher chronicles: playing to review took away from her enjoyment because she had to get a review done quickly when it's supposed to be played in a slow, relaxing way.

As a creator he’s looking for shortcuts and tricks. Walks back and forth to test out where he thinks a loading point is. "Did you see that cool action scene?" vs "Did you see that cool slow zoom??"

Played intro area of Mario Odyssey. This is so good I’m angry, time to pack up the games industry.

"I wish I could do that"

Used to be a rule never to give 10/10. Now they do it if they just really love a game.

Have to put a game down to play the next one, it’s frustrating.

Criticism doesn't have to be finding flaws but can be figuring out how it works. Creator’s job is to trick the player into believing that the world of the game is real and the plot is important.

What does it mean to you to play games critically?

Looking at the game means looking at the creator. What are they trying to do or say? How do they execute it? Even AAA games have a group of humans behind them.

Rami cheerfully ruined games for everyone eg FIFA goalies perform worst at the end to give more last minute wins. Every game with percentages is lying. If you are told it's 50% accuracy people expect not to lose more than one time in a row. Humans think stuff is "fair" when it's in their favour.

"It's a platformer where you shoot things...about love." How is that mechanic making you feel love?

Bad games can be informative. Earth Defense Force. Defending cities from giant ants. "I want ants. 1000!" "That can't work with the frame rate" "AND LASERS."

Every bit of a game is controlled. Someone chose every detail to be the way it is. Ask why it is the way it is.

Good to question the choices people see as default. "Did you notice every character is a white dude?" Things that are considered important vs things that are just made "the default"

Is there a conflict as both critic and developer? Even the positive feedback made him feel bad, he just focused on any negative aspect. Conscious as a reviewer of not attacking the developer themselves. Still write spiteful humourous reviews, but avoid attacking developer, know there are things they can do better.

Giving feedback is hard. Rather than questioning intent, help them achieve their intent better.

By the time you get most negative feedback, you know about the flaws, have heard about it all before. Let people be angry for three weeks, then fix. Half the time they end up fine with it.

People who play a game a lot will say it's too easy, if you listen to them you’ll make a game that puts off new players.

A player might say "this weapon is too strong" but they mean "the boss is too easy" or "you get the weapon too early". Listen, but not too hard.

Multiplayer game, teams supposed to be balanced, but one team kept winning. Turned out one had louder guns, made them more aggressive so they won.  FEEDBACK IS HARD.

Who you are giving the feedback to makes a big difference. A student, a friend, a developer you want to help, asked to write a snarky review.

Games CAN be fun, but expecting them to be JUST that is reductive. Games can let you feel something, find catharsis.

We are affected by everything we engage with.

Games are part of a wider industry. Pays peoples wages, needs to be looked at critically.

Even if it's just fun for you, someone else might have a different experience from the same game. I won't tell you what games are for you and you don’t tell me what games are for me.

If you're at PAX you spent money to be here, you care.

"just" for fun implies “fun” is not a great value.

Knowing his game helped someone in hospital deal with pain.

If you want to be a good game maker, play lots of games and see how they're made. Keeping a journal of every game he plays.

If you are playing a game and feel something, figure out why.

When giving a student a game, give them a challenge like "explain X to me", so they have guidance, a direction to go in.

Thinking critically in a fun way: fun to write reviews when you're angry. Critical isn't negative, just more active.

You can't force players to engage in any specific way, just make the game and let them do their thing.

Some players will get really angry anyway so just make your game.

Hype can work against you as a reviewer, makes it hard to be objective if the game disappointed you. Can also be hard to say you loved a game if everyone else hated it.

Balance frustration with a sense of achievement. Frustration is a tool, as is a grind. The “random��� drops aren’t entirely random: if you haven't gotten anything good in a while it'll give you something nice, and if you get a good drop too early it gets held back. Testing, see how people feel. If people aren't complaining you're doing something wrong. If everyone complains about all classes it's balanced.

Nanojam 3.0: Wacky Live Game Design

Jason Imms, Rami Ismail, Paul Verhoeven, Leonie Yue, Maize Wallin, Lucy Morris

So a little before this started my body went NOPE NOPE NAP TIME, and while I did manage to drag myself in near the end I wasn’t up to taking notes. I had a great time though, it was hilarious. The panel got given silly ideas for games and brainstormed them together, while an artist drew illustrations.

The State of Queer in games

Ashton McAllen @acegiak Saf Davidson @wanderlustin Charlie Francis kennedy @CharliethGfish Alayna Cole @alynamcole queerly represent me Jess Zammit @zammitjess David Hollingworth @cpthollingworth

What have the panelists played in 2017 that was really good queer rep:

Horizon Zero Dawn subtle, sidequests, feels very natural

Tacoma lesbian couple part of the main cast. Very cute, positive and real.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery has cute background f/f couple.

Life is Strange Before the Storm isn't very gay yet but is going to be.

Mighty Games added queer couple to the background of Charming Rooms, support for marriage equality in update in Shooty Skies. Good place to work, big "Vote Yes" sign on the window.

Dream Daddy: lets you choose your previous partner and how child was born, cool as an adopted person. (Also makes it easier to play trans character)

Pyre: choose pronouns

Lady Killer In A Bind lets you skip sex scenes, has an option in the menu you can change at any time. 

Night in the Woods. Background m/m couple.

Little moments that people enjoyed:

Heartstruck app dating sim (you ate the daughter of a president) LI actually SAYS she is bi. (not sure if the same as Lovestruck?)

Hacknet Labyrinths: Incidental queer content is good, rather than PLOT TWIST THEY'RE TRANS.

Criminal Case Pacific Bay: Background f/f in a hidden object game.

Recs from audience:

Overwatch made Tracer a lesbian, but only in extended content. In that case not so bad because of the nature of the game. All back stories are extended content (compare to harry Potter). She has a line in the game where she mentions her girlfriend.

Tides of Torment Numenara: 2 body types and 3 pronouns.

Stumbling blocks and salt:

Mass Effect Andromeda: had trans character tell you her deadname. At least they fixed it.

Where are the explicitly ace and bi characters??

Lost phone turns out to be owned by trans woman, feels really vouyeuristic, inspiration porn. No agency or voice.

Why isn't there more incidental queerness??? So easy!!

Don't rec stuff to us JUST because it's queer if it's not something we'd enjoy. 

Only representation is aliens and robots.

Even in most games with incidental queerness it's a tiny drop in a sea of heteronormativity.

South Park lets you pick your gender etc and you get attacked for whatever it is. The fact it happens to cis people won't make it less awful for trans characters. Game designers need to talk to people with diverse POVs and have diverse teams.

Why not 3 body types, or sliders? Saints Row is the bar.

Encountered none as a reviewer of AAA games over 2017 (was playing as a dude in Mass Effect Andromeda and got bored before encountering any queer content)

Can make Shelob a sexy woman but not add queerness to Tolkein??

Annoyed that it's SO notable that a character has a gender neutral pronoun option.

As a trans person I am escaping my shitty life as a trans person, I don't need that in a game.

List of demands:

Gender neutral pronoun options if there’s a gender/pronoun choice. Charlie will help you.

Bisexual anything.

Asexual humans.

Robots having sex.

Incidental queers.

Explicitly non binary characters, not necessarily androgynous.

#panels #conventions #pax 2017 #pax #recs #queer