#i was also worried it would have trash politics that i didn't pick up on a teen like

[smallhatlogan]

my niece kept complaining that she couldn’t find any good non-magical girl fantasy anime for kids and I finally gave in and went “fine I will let this ten year old watch FMA: Brotherhood” because it is the only anime I know even vaguely fitting that description that isn’t painfully misogynistic (I admit I do not know that many animes) 

Anyway when this was first airing I kind of fell off of it partway through (just because of the gap between episode releases I think?) and since then I was like “Was it even that good? Do I really need to ever bother finishing it?” 

Yes actually this anime is extremely fun  

#My niece LOVES IT lol? i was worried it would be too dark and violent lol? #i still haven't finished but i made it past the point i stopped last time #i was also worried it would have trash politics that i didn't pick up on a teen like #it would be snk lite or something? but no it's mostly just kinda liberal stuff which. fine whatever.

[cracked-out-rock]

Jasper x depressed Human reader

Tbh I wrote this just to comfort myself it's almost 1:00am lol kill me /hj

Tw: sh mentions, Ed mentions, smoking,

You felt tired, really really fucking tired. Your entire body felt soar as fuck. You felt like you couldn't move... So you didn't. You just stayed there, on your couch, under a blanket as some weird as show Played in the background. You felt like you couldn't focus.

You just layed there, you looked to your phone and debated if you should call someone, but decided against it. I mean they all have there own stuff to bother with, plus it's not like they would actually pick up anyway.

Your brain brought back some memories, not happy ones. Specifically last week when you were hyperventilating at 1:00am, you couldn't even cry no matter how much you wanted too, you kept dragging the box cutter across your shoulder, not cutting yourself but just keeping the blade there.

You almost completely trashed 3 months. I mean it's not like anyone really knew about your habits, none of them knew that you used to hurt yourself, we'll technically you still do hurt yourself. But not with cutting anymore.

No you didn't do that anymore, no matter how persistent that "itch" became. No now you only smoked, which made you caugh a lot and made it difficult it walk and run long distances because you can never get enough air.

Now you simply don't have anything but a cracker for a week, and that simply just made you clumsy and tired, and also made you pass out while walking to the bathroom but that doesn't matter.

Now you simply punch your wall and bang rocks against your arm and hand. Your knuckles and arm have small dark purple bruises on them but it's fine. It's not self harm. Your still 3 months clean.

Okay no, stop lying to yourself. You aren't 3 months clean from self harm. No just from cutting. Stop lying.

You blinked, attempting to shake your head from your thoughts, you we're starving, your body felt so weak, your mouth felt dry and everything hurt.

You just curled up more into a ball on your couch, which has just become your impromptu bed for now.

Suddenly, your front door slammed open, we're you gonna die? Are you getting robbed? Are you gonna get shot a die. Good. Make it fucking fast jerk off.

"Oi y/n, what the fuck." Jasper said as She eyed your cocoon of blankets and sadness.

You let out a grumble in response as you buried your self under the covers more and more. You didn't want to do anything.

Heavy footsteps coming over to you, and a large hand moving away the blankets, you tried to pull them back but Jasper wouldn't let you.

"Leave me aloneeeeeee" you mumbled out as Jasper looked at you more, her eyes questioning but also a bit concerned.

"Y/n, no one has seen you in fucking weeks. People are getting fucking worried." she said as she stood in front of you.

"Oh cmon I'm fine just let me be-" you we're going to politely tell her to fuck off but she picked you up, she didn't even need both hands, just one.

Here you were, in her hand, she held you for a second before speaking.

"You feel oddly light. Humans arent supposed to feel that light." Jasper said as her voice darkend slightly.

"Jasp I'm fine really-" she cut you off again with rolling up your sleeve, there were your scars, to be put on display for everyone, but also the Skinnieness of your arm. It was fucking concerning.

Jasper sighed before setting you back on the couch, "don't fucking move, just... Wait here okay?" she said as she stalked off to the kitchen.

And so you waited. And as you waited your thoughts began to drift.

While Jasper was normally angry chaos, you and her had a specific dynamic. She would always be a bit more calm and caring around you for whatever reason, and you didn't feel pressured to be the chaotic fool who makes a fool of themselves for other people's happiness. If was a mutual understanding between the two of you.

Jasper came out with a plate, it had a sandwich on it, she placed it in front of you. "Eat it". She said simply. Jeez if only it was that easy.

You stared at the plate in front of you. While he's you we're hungry enough to the point it hurt you just couldn't bring yourself to eat it.

"Jasper... I cant.. -" you said softly hoping she wouldn't be angry at you.

Jasper sighed before turning your head to look at he before she spoke again. "Y/n I know that it's hard but I'm not stupid, humans aren't supposed to be that skinny, and you need food so you can be strong. Please."

So, with the gentle encouragement from jasper you picked up the sandwich in front of you and took a bite. You wanted to vomit it up already.

After about 45 minutes you finally finished it, and you were fucking sobbing hysterically. Jasper held you in her arms, constantly saying the words 'I'm sorry' over and over again. And jasper stayed there comforting you, and holding you.

An hour passed now, and you were finally a bit more calm. You were breathing now and you were still in Jasper's lap but neither of you minded.

Jasper hugged you closer to her body, being careful not to accidentally hurt you. "So..."

"So..." you said in response, neither of you were really sure how to continue this conversation, but one of you had too.

You decided it was going to be you, so you told jasper everything, you told her you fears, you told her your problems, you told her what has been crawling through your head.

And she stayed there, listening to every word. By the time you we're done talking she and you were wrapped in blankets and cuddled into each other on your bed.

She ran her fingers through your hair before speaking again.

"Listen, i know shit is hard for you right now, but itll get better. Everything will. No matter how hard shit is it can always get better. So you just need to keep trying, no matter what. I promise" she said as she pulled your body closer to hers.

You smiled and kisses her gem, a small gesture you did to show intamanicy.

"Thanks jasp."

"No problem hun"

And soon you drifted off to sleep as she kept you cradled and hugged in her arms, safe and loved.

#steven universe #steven universe jasper #jasper #comfort #x reader #y/n #kinda depressing #sh #Ed #steven Universe comfort #Angst #Fluff #She'll protect you #tags are confusing #writerscorner #writerslife #its 2:30 am #lol #help me #jasper su #su comfort

[ineedtotouchgrassrightnow]

"Once you really love someone, all previous lovers disappear,” -Me

Y/n’s pov

Bonfires were dull; all someone could really do is sit and listen to monotonous stories and maybe eat some s'mores. If you were 'lucky' enough, you could be one of those cringey couples that laugh and flirt the whole time. Of course, others would judge you or even get a little jealous. I mean, who wouldn't want a relationship? Well, other than people like me—I hated the idea of being a gross couple and having all that public affection.

The fire grew dull, and the s'mores made me sick. I couldn't finish the one I made and ended up tossing it into a nearby trash can. “These are some of the most boring moments in my life,”

**THUD**

The loud sound scared me, making me jump in surprise. Swiftly, I ran towards the source of the noise, pulling out my weapon.

"Huh-?" Confused, I looked around for a moment before my eyes landed on the ground—a unconscious boy and a satyr. This wasn't something that happened every day. Sighing, I picked up the human boy, obviously struggling a bit.

"Oh my gods..." Barely managing to drag the boy to the infirmary, I placed him on a bed and called over one of the nurses to help. When Mr. Chiron walked in, he seemed uneasy seeing the black-haired boy in the bed. "Is everything alrigh-?" "Y/n, can I trust you to nurse him back to health?" "Why me?" "Y/N," his voice had a strict stern tone. "Fine." "Thank you, Y/n. I assume you know what to do, no?" "Yes, sir..." He walked off, leaving an unwanted boy in your hands.

???? Pov

The once unconscious boy's head was a throbbing mess; every inch of him seemed to hurt. Slowly regaining consciousness, he found himself confused of his surroundings.

"My eyes scanned around the room, and they landed on a H/C girl. Her hair resembled that of a princess, and when our eyes met, she gave me a polite smile."

"Are you up? Don't answer; you'll tire yourself out." She walked over and gently placed a pudding in my mouth. The taste was too good, but a hint of embarrassment lingered as I realized a girl was feeding me.

"Are you the one from the-" She cut herself off. "Actually, don't worry about that; it's not my business to tell." She continued to feed you more pudding. "Hu-" "Sh! They are coming!" In a rush, she quickly shoved more into my mouth, and I couldn't even feel when I passed out again.

Y/n’s POV

The boy passed out again, and a satyr walked in, appearing embarrassed as he avoided eye contact. "Is he yours?" "Mhm..." The satyr never broke eye contact with the floor, nervously picking at his horns. "Are you worried?" "N-No!? I, uh, am I, uh, just..." The satyr was a terrible liar. "Not a very good liar, are you?" "No, not really..." He started to grab nectar for the kid. "Hey, is it fine with you if I head out? I did my job." "Yeah, that's fine..." The satyr was still a mess; he most likely failed his job, but that wasn't my business. "I'll, uh, leave now," I said quickly, picking up a notebook I brought along.

Tired, I returned to my cabin. Sleep weighed heavily on my eyelids, and I rushed to my bed. The moment my cheek hit the cold pillow, something felt different from last night. An odd sensation lingered, but I couldn't quite figure out what was off. Before I could unravel what, exhaustion took over, and I fell asleep.

The following morning came like normal and I got ready normally too but yet again something felt off I didn’t feel this way before what was causing it now…? Confused I decided to just go do some training theres nothing better than training to get your mind off of things after all

My stomach then growled I should get breakfast first…

I made my way to the dining hall and saw a black-haired boy next to a blonde-haired one—Luke and the other kid. I waved at them before grabbing my plate. The camp food was okay, I guess? Not my favorite, but I didn't dislike it. I quickly finished my usual meal within five minutes and got up to go training. Surprisingly, Luke and the other kid also made their way to the arena.

Ignoring them, I grabbed my weapon and started practicing moves with a dummy, being careful not to break it again. After training for a while, my eyes went back to Luke and the black-haired kid; he was getting beaten by Luke. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle, knowing that we've all been there before. Amused by the scene, I continued my practice, occasionally glancing over at their sparring match. The black-haired kid was putting up a good fight, despite the odds against him.

As I was about to try a new move I had seen another person doing, a loud amount of shocked noises caught my attention. Quickly turning around, I saw Luke completely shocked with his sword on the ground, and the black-haired, now wet, boy had his sword on his chest. The unexpected turn of events left the training arena filled with an air of surprise.

I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. A new kid managing to outmaneuver Luke of all people? It felt like a scene from some main character's story. The unexpected twist added a touch of excitement to the routine training day at camp.

I decided to end my training there and watched the two spar. "Come on, Percy, do it again," Luke urged him on. Percy looked confident but failed miserably. He tried again, but luck seemed to escape him. Whether it was beginner's luck or stage fright, I found myself getting bored and decided to leave the arena.

I went back to my cabin when I heard panting behind me. "W-Wait!!!" I turned around to face an out-of-breath boy, now identified as Percy. "Hm?" "I, uh..." He looked down, embarrassed, before looking up again. "I, uh, want your help with training!" "Me? Why me?" "I-I look, can you just train me?" I thought it over for a second before sighing, "Alright."

We headed back to the training arena together, and Percy seemed eager to learn. As we practiced various moves, I could see the determination in his eyes. Despite his initial struggles, there was a spark of potential that caught my attention. It turned out, helping Percy train wasn't as boring as I initially thought, and the camaraderie built during the session made it a worthwhile.

"You're doing better than most people already, but we really need to find you a balanced sword."

"Yeah..." Percy chuckled nervously.

"Well, that's it for today. We should get going to the campfire before we're late."

"But I was having so much fun!" Percy whined.

"Yeah, yeah, come on. Let's go," I sighed, rolling my eyes.

As we walked towards the campfire, Percy continued to express his enthusiasm for the training. He seemed genuinely excited about learning and improving his skills. Despite my initial reluctance, I found myself appreciating the newfound bonding time. Perhaps helping Percy was a break from the routine I needed, and the anticipation of future training sessions brought an unexpected sense of enjoyment.

As we sat down near the fire, we ended up sharing stories about our lives before we discovered we were demigods. Our tales flowed until I was interrupted by a girl—it was Annabeth. She walked over and sat down next to me, her beautiful gray eyes shining due to the fire. The unexpected interruption added a new dynamic to our storytelling, and Annabeth's presence brought a certain warmth to me.

Percy looked at me, sensing something was up, but I couldn't stop staring into Annabeth's eyes to notice or care. "Y/n?" He tapped me slightly. "Huh!? Yeah?!" He had an unreadable expression. "Like I was saying, I had a bad stepdad and-" He went back to talking about his life as I tried not to get lost in Annabeth's eyes, attempting to refocus on Percy's story.

We kept talking, but Annabeth left as swiftly as she joined our conversation. Despite my attempts to focus on Percy's words, my eyes would occasionally wander to her. Each time, I'd be met with the annoyed expression of Percy, who seemed determined to keep my attention on our discussion.

As we said our goodbyes and went to our respective cabins, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The weird pit in my stomach persisted, like of the moments when Annabeth walked near me. However, she wasn't nearby, and I couldn't understand why I felt this way, especially since I didn't have similar feelings for anyone else. The mystery of the unsettling sensation lingered as I drifted into an uneasy sleep.

As I woke up again, that peculiar pit in my stomach persisted, a mix of uncertainty and an inexplicable emotion. Nevertheless, I carried on with my usual routine—fixing my hair and heading to the dining hall. When I saw Percy, a genuine smile couldn't help but grace my face. We sat down, engrossed in conversations about games and our favorite things. Eventually, our routine fell into a pattern: waking up, sharing meals, training, and the recurring unsettling feeling before sleep. The cycle repeated, leaving me grappling with the strange emotions that accompanied each day week after week.”

It wasn't until one day, as we sat at the campfire, Percy seemed about to confess something when Annabeth interrupted. "Y/n!?" "Yes, Annabeth?" I looked up at her. "I'm bored, wanna hang out after this!?" "Uh, maybe?" I laughed nervously. "I mean, it sounds like fun?" "Okay, let me grab something first!" She walked off. When I turned back to Percy, he seemed off. "What were you saying?" "Forget it." "What's wrong?" "Nothing, just tired. I'm going to sleep early." "Oh? Uh, okay, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." "Cringe." Percy walked off, and Annabeth came back, smiling. The odd pit in my stomach returned but it seems lesser than before.

The dynamic between Percy and Annabeth created a tug-of-war for my attention. As I spent more time with Annabeth, Percy's frustration grew evident. He'd storm off, only to return later, calmer, and ask to do something together. The constant cycle left me torn between the two, and the struggle to balance their presence in my life was becoming increasingly challenging. The lack of alone time added to the complexity of the situation, making it difficult to navigate my feelings and commitments to both Percy and Annabeth.

"But you promised to train with me today, Y/n!" Percy nagged loudly. "Well, she's going to help me in hand-to-hand combat!" Annabeth replied snarkily. The constant bickering between them had become unbearable. They both wanted me by their side 24/7, and I was tired of it.

"Enough! I am leaving and going to do something on my own! Leave me alone!" I snapped back before storming off into the forest, seeking some much-needed solitude.

The rustling leaves and distant sounds of the forest provided a momentary escape. As I walked deeper into the woods, the weight of the conflicting demands from Percy and Annabeth lifted, replaced by a sense of freedom. It was a much-needed respite from the incessant tug-of-war for my attention.

In the quiet of the forest, I reflected on the complexity of the situation. The constant struggle to balance my time between two friends, each with their own expectations, had become overwhelming. The solitude allowed me to gather my thoughts and decide what I truly wanted, away from the pressures of their competing desires.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I heard rustling and turned to the noise. "Hey, Y/n..." It was Percy again, offering a small, shy smile. "Can I sit down?" Sighing, I nodded, staring at the sky. "I'm sorry, but I just really like you. I like spending time with you." "Mhm," I replied, not wanting this conversation.

"I think there's something I should tell you," Percy said. I turned to look at him. "Hm?" "I-I think I like you!" He blurted out loud, his face turning a light pink. The revelation added a new layer to the already complicated situation, leaving me at a loss for words.

The revelation hit me like a tidal wave, the pit in my stomach now a tangled mess of confusion. "Huh!?" I stammered. "I'm sorry, but I just do!" Percy's admission left me reeling. It made sense, but the realization was unexpected. I wasn't a mess because of Annabeth well not right now; I was a mess because I liked Percy. He was the reason for the strange emotions that plagued my days and nights. The tangled web of feelings unfolded, and I found myself navigating uncharted territory.

"I'm sorry, we can still be frien-" Without thinking, I quickly pulled him into a kiss, shocking him. He relaxed right away and kissed back. In that moment, I had never felt so... good? The unexpected turn of events left us both caught in the intensity of the kiss, a cascade of emotions and newfound clarity washing over me.

We both pulled away, a blushing mess. "D-Do you like me, then...?" Percy asked nervously. "Are you dumb?" I teased. "Very..." We laughed, and I helped him stand up. "Let's go to the campfire before we're late." "Yes, Ma'am!" he replied playfully. "Dork."

We walked back to the campfire, holding hands, and sat down in our usual seat. I laid my head on his shoulder, laughing quietly to myself. "What's so funny, Y/n?" Percy asked. "I hate cringy couples, yet here we are..." He rolled his eyes and laughed. Maybe cringy couples can have a few good moments.

I SHOULD GO TO SLEEP NOW I HAVE A BIG DAY TOMORROW ITS FINNA BE MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

#annabeth chase #percy and annabeth #percy jackon and the olympians #percy jackson #pjo #pjo fandom #reader insert #x reader #fluff #cute #not sad

[yuji-and-you]

Passengers (Itadori Yuji x Fem!Reader AU)

AU: Itadori Yuji and You as young professionals dealing with shitty commuting conditions. Reader has mild social anxiety and also works in a shitty city full of pollution with a job she hates.

Note: Second person perspective with she/her pronouns, fluff, a bit of flirting. Might do a Part 2

It's 10 PM but the city never sleeps. Who knew that even at this time, the queue for the bus to your destination will still be so long? The smell of smoke and trash around her made her want to gag.

Honestly though, she should be used to this by now. She moved to the city a few months ago, and she can still remember how excited she was to finally live independently.

If she was younger, she would have moved back in with her family. But she's a young adult now, and her contract for the apartment is not due until next year.

Yeah I'm a young adult now. Doesn't mean I'm any smarter...she mumbled under her breath.

"What?" Someone spoke from behind her.

She turned around and mumbled sorry.

"It's alright. It's the smell, isn't it? It's getting to you?" The man kept speaking. It annoyed her that he still kept going, so she pretended not to hear her.

She felt a finger tap her shoulder and she turned around begrudgingly. The voice came from some other young adult like her, with admittedly cute pink hair and cute smile. It was kind of disarming.

He lifted a bottle of something to her line of sight. It looks like perfume or alcohol, but she wasn't really sure. She raised her eyebrow and as if reading her mind, he said, "don't worry, it's just some scented alcohol. Try it!"

Only to get him off her back, she indulged him as she lifted her sleeve to show her wrist. He sprayed a little bit of the alcohol on her skin. She lifted it to her nose and breathed in the smell of strawberries with a trace of alcohol. She sighed, finally being able to breathe properly.

"Smells so good, doesn't it?" He grinned. "I always bring this with me when I have to line up in this area."

"I probably need to get one of those," She finally admitted.

Since the line was not moving, she was in the mood to make small talk with a stranger. She didn't have to think much about topics though; the person just didn't shut up. He talked about his work, his chaotic friends, his troublesome but well-intentioned mentors, his salary and how he's doing odd jobs to save up for a motorcycle.

At some point, she started zoning out because the conversation was giving her anxiety at this point. When am I supposed to butt in? How long are we going to be in this queue? It's barely moving...

"What about you?" His question caught her off-guard.

She wanted to end the conversation and go back to idly scrolling through social media apps. But to be polite, once again, she decided to indulge him.

She told him she works for a start-up company, that she just moved to the city and she's yet to find friends around to hang out with. She wanted to keep her answers short and sweet, because she was not about to share her life story with a stranger, but he was apparently also good at holding a conversation. He asked a lot of questions, picked up on the ones she didn't feel comfortable answering, picked up on the ones she felt like answering. It's been a while since someone actually listened as much as talked to her.

And wasn't he funny? He kept making stupid jokes that were corny but she couldn't help but laugh. Every now and then, he'd spray his and her wrists of the strawberry-scented alcohol. Sometimes the smell would be so bad that they'd bring their wrists to their nose and since they look so miserable and funny, they can't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

"You look so much cuter when you laugh," he quipped, all of a sudden.

"Oh please, spare me," she rolled her eyes playfully. "You look so much cuter with your mouth shut."

He blushed and for some reason, she blushed as well. She turned to face the line and realized that they were about to board the bus.

She tried to calm her beating heart and turned to smile at him. "Wanna sit next to each other?"

"Of course! I'll behave!" He grinned, walking in front of her and offering his hand for her to grab.

She rolled her eyes in pretend annoyance as she held his hand. His strong grip surprised her, and made something inside her warm and fuzzy.

Maybe this time, commuting won't be such a pain.

#itadori yuji x reader #itadori x reader #itadori yuji #itadori fluff #yuji #itadori yuuji #jjk fanfic #jjk itadori #itadori yūji #itadori scenarios

[throughthenotes]

Bowling w/ @AMindfulChaos @ALoverOfDreams & @InspiredAdams

Jaiden:

Just one or do you want a pitcher? <Beer. Talking about your traditions, it was nothing for Rainey and I to put a large pizza, nachos and a few pitchers of beer away while bowling in our day. It was the one thing she had insisted on once we found ourselves aged out of the system. She called it our one day of the week that we could look forward to for years and the old pastime had quickly became a favorite to us both. The problem was ever since my run in with gallery guru as she had come to call him, I had been laying low when it came to my partaking in any substance. Drinking mostly. Apparently, my issues tended to turn into a variety of problems that only people with policing authority could handle and wasn't that just the bitch of it all. "Actually, how about a Pepsi."> Rainey.. <That earned her a look. "What? I just don't feel like drinking any tonight." Right. Shaking my head, I took a turn towards the concession and headed there while Rainey set up our game. The half hearted glare she had given me in return, earned herself a chuckle of recognition. I knew why she wasn't drinking. Not that my sister was a lush or anything but beer and bowling, normally went hand in hand. Shrugging it off though and having to grab a bowling ball on the way back, I finally made it up there to look over the menu, even though it didn't take me long to figure out what I would be ordering. It was almost always the same. However, my thoughts were suddenly stolen from me because of the lovely brunette directly in front of me in line. You would have to be blind not to notice her but even with that, it would still be a poor excuse. That's when it hit me. What was I thinking? She has be here with someone. Another friend maybe. Seeing not another soul around on half price Wednesday night, I finally spoke up when you seemed to be lost in menu land.> Do you normally bowl by yourself? <So it wasn't the greatest ice breaker but my first impression wasn't a total loss I hoped when I flashed her that crooked grin.>

Camryn:

{I had fully intended to lock myself in my room and binge trash TV with a boatload of munchies. But @InspiredAdams wasn’t having any of that. He was insistent that we do something “outside of the house.” I held out for a long time. But then he promised me one of those ooey gooey cheese pizzas they had down at the bowling alley. And that sounded way better than the stuff laying around the house. Especially since we were down to slim pickings as we approached grocery day. As soon as we were inside, I left him to figure out all the technicalities while I made a beeline for the snack bar. The question was just pizza? Or did I want some wings too? Nachos? Oh, they had sliders too… Suddenly I was pulled from my decision making from a voice behind me. I spun around, intending to lie and say I was here with my boyfriend. It wouldn’t be the first time I had forced Chris to play the boyfriend role to save me from some random. Then he offered me that crooked grin, and my heart did a little flip} Oh, I’m not alone. {the look on your face told me you were assuming, and my eyes flew open a little wider} Brother! {jerks my thumb over my shoulder in the direction that I had left him} I’m here with my brother. {smiles, glancing around now for anyone that looked like they were with you} What about you? Are you here alone? {cringes internally at how hopeful that sounded}

Jaiden:

I'm not alone. I mean if you count us both, we're here together. [Chuckling low, I glanced in the direction you looked before turning my gaze back to yours. My grin only growing wider at the mention of a sibling because what were the chances of you believing me when I told you it was the same for me.> That was a joke. I'm here with my sister. <Not a joke. It couldn't be if it were true and we very much were not alone. Those kind eyes of mine, won you over then when you smiled my way, letting me off the hook only to have it falter when the clearing of throats could be heard. "You ordering, hun?" Arching a playful brow, I point up at the menu you had been looking at only moments ago.> They are waiting on you. The pizza is good and so are the nachos. My sister likes them.

Camryn:

{I wasn’t ready to stop talking to you. And I had just opened my mouth to ask if it was an older sister or younger when I heard the cashier asking for my order. My cheeks instantly flushing as I let out a laugh at myself and turned to her} Oh, geez. I’m so sorry. {flashes her a bright smile before beginning} Um, a pepperoni pizza, please? And a pitcher of Pepsi? {glances over my shoulder at you, taking that nacho recommendation to heart} Oh, and some nachos too please? {I quickly paid her, and stepped out of your way, off to the side where she told me to wait for my order to be ready.}

Jaiden:

<"Same for you?" I actually laughed, shaking my head out of my thoughts at the order you had already placed.> The Thomas special. <I knew you were watching on. The fact that we spent that much time here wasn't lost on me or you for that matter when asked for my own order. It was our usual and I paid accordingly once she rang me up. Receipt now in hand, I casually slipped it into my pocket and walked over to wait beside you when our pitchers of Pepsi were set down in front of us.] They will put the rest on a tray and bring it out.

Can I walk you back to your lane? <I didn't want to part ways just yet. Besides, I still needed to get your number and when you offered me that smile again with a touch of a soft nod, I held my arm out for you to hook your arm around. Leading the way, carrying your soda for you, we reached our fork in the road so to speak, and I cleared my throat before addressing the situation we found ourselves in. Again.] I guess the question now is are you seeking out lust or looking for love? [Can't help but smirk when I look you way now.]

Camryn:

{pops my brows at mention of the Thomas Special. Wondering if Thomas was the first or the last name. Then it dawned on me that it meant you came here a lot if you had them knowing your order so well. And I smirked to myself. Suddenly I was very interested in bowling more often. Chris was going to be either really pleased, or wishing he had never made me come out tonight. Then you were standing next to me again. I didn’t even have the ability to care how lost I seemed because all I could think about was how good you smelled. If Ed or Chris were here they would be rolling their eyes and accusing me of already mentally doodling our names in a notebook. That’s…if I knew your name at least. Thomas though! I knew Thomas! Then you asked to walk me to the lane and I probably agreed way too easily. But it was such a cute offer. And you were hot so…} Umm…? {Your question had caught me off guard. Both is a bad answer right? I laughed nervously because I had half a mind to be really honest and tell you that it was both. But I also knew that was going to only get me in trouble. So I said what I hoped wasn’t going to scare you off} Honestly? I would love to be in love. I write a lot of songs about it. But, yeah, actually experiencing it would be…cool. {cringe number two of the night. I needed a better vocabulary}

Jaiden:

Love it is then. <With a soft tug of my arm and a wink, I began the short walk with you down to the LOVE side of the lanes, pointing it out on the wall with a kick of my chin in that direction.> Does this look familiar now? <I knew in asking that you could have taken it literal, and began looking for your brother, or you could have taken it all the way back to my original question itself. For whatever the reason, I chose to stay in that space and ask the question that had been dancing to get out since you said you had never experienced being in love before. My desire to know more about these songs was fueled by your same statement as well.> Never. Not even a guy in high school? <You have to at least be in college, right? There was no way around it and you really hadn't offered that up yet either. So I took the plunge and spoke up with a grin.> What name could I find these songs under if you don't mind me asking. You already know my last name is Thomas.

Camryn:

{I had to stop myself from facepalming when I saw the big letters written on the wall. But before I could turn too red with embarrassment at my awkwardness, you redirected my mind with your next question} No. Most of the boys in high school were too scared of my brother. {CRINGE! Why would I say that? Now you were really gonna run. But rather than make things better, I did what I always do and just kept talking. Making it worse, I’m sure.} He had a little bit of a temper and… {Trails off as I finally manage to stop myself from rambling, and clears my throat} Nothing has been released, released. I mean, I have a Youtube. Camryn Adams. {smiles} But you can call me Cammy.

Jaiden:

Ah, an older brother. <With a temper no less. This was getting better by the second. Was it possible I was walking towards that sense of impending doom? Or would I be spared of your brother's wrath upon his first impression of me. Fuck... Glancing back over my shoulder, I look Jaiden Thomas. Trust me when I say, I'm still going to check out that Youtube. <Flashing that crooked grin again, I pulled you closer to me by that hook of my arm you had.> You want to head back the other way?

Camryn:

{my eyes had scanned all the lanes close to LOVE, and I hadn’t spotted Chris. I guess I should’ve waited long enough to figure out where he was going before I went to the snack bar. But then, if I had done that, I might have missed you. Giving one last scan, I nodded my head} Hmm…yeah, I don’t see Chris anywhere. Maybe I should’ve known he wouldn’t have gone this far. {laughs more to myself than anything, relief flooding my body that you hadn’t dropped my arm the second you heard about my brother} Oh! There he is! {lifting a finger, I pointed to him before pulling you to stop for a second} But if you contact me through my Youtube…I might mistake you for a weirdo that wants pictures of my feet and not answer…

Jaiden:

Do you want me to contact you again, Cammy? <It was only a quick glance in the direction you pointed, your brother not that far from where @ALoverOfDreams was before I turned my attention back to you and that death grip you were suddenly imposing on my arm. Smirking at first, I welcomed how forward you appeared to be, going for gold as it were only to be cut short with the rest of that final thought. Yeah, the second you said feet, I knew I pulled a face. It would have been smart of me to pause when you held me back by that arm of mine but I couldn't stop the chuckle if I wanted to. You laughed at the expression on my face, and nervous or not, I leaned in to whisper against your ear, unbeknownst to me that @InspiredAdams was about to make his presence known just in time to see you cozying up to yours truly.> How about you give me your number and I'll text you. That way you have my cell too.

Camryn:

{Flushes instantly at your first question. I was making a ton of assumptions, and I knew it. But I really liked you already and it just happened. Then you leaned in and whispered and my stomach filled with butterflies, causing me to completely forget about the proximity of @InspiredAdams, already reaching for my phone in my back pocket to hold it out to you} Here, text yourself with my phone.

Jaiden:

Sure thing, beautiful. <And just like in the movies, it really was that simple. You had been getting your phone out when I heard a shuffling of feet and yours of course, came to a full stop when I heard the clearing of a throat next. "Cammy, this guy bothering you?"> Who, me? <It was your brother. There was no way it was anyone else and from the way you had spoken, I believed this wasn't a normal thing for you. Bowling that was.> She's fine. Just giving her my number. You mind holding this? <I didn't give @InspiredAdams a chance to really reply. Instead I simply handed the pitcher of Pepsi over so I could take your phone from you. All the while your other arm was still hooked around mine as I plugged my number in, quick to snap a pic of us together while your brother watched on and waited for you to introduce us.>

Chris:

What the hell is taking her so long? [I glanced toward the snack bar and didn’t see @ThroughTheNotes over there anymore. Then I finally saw her coming toward me. But she wasn’t alone. Immediately I was on my feet and making my way over to her. She was way too fucking nice for her own good. And I was fully prepared to pull out whatever card I needed to make him get lost] Cammy, this guy bothering you? [He barely looked at me when he answered with that, “Who, me?” And my brow shot up as I was handed a pitcher of soda, looking between @ThroughTheNotes and @AMindfulChaos.] Camryn, who is this? Do you know him?

Rainey:

(I must have entered @AMindfulChaos's name three times before the electric scorecard saved it. The final time, I changed the spelling to L O S E R and would you look at that, it set up the sheet no problem. Laughing quietly to myself, I hadn't heard the gentleman walk up until he asked me if I needed assistance. Politely declining his invitation to join him when I explained I wasn't alone, he didn't seem to take the hint until I held up my hand, sporting a gold band. The fact that it was found inside the bowling bag of one "Fred from Kentucky" and after many, many failed attempts to locate its previous owner, Fred from Kentucky had been born. Thinking back to the day that I found it, I remembered the crap Jaiden had given me over the name. "Fred the blue ball. Do you hear yourself, Rainey?" We had a good laugh about it but it worked seeing how Fred always came through for me from that day forward. Smiling now too, I waited to look up until the guy had made his exit to return to his own lane, taking a gander around the bowling alley in search of my brother. It wasn't like Jaiden to take a stroll, always one to come right back anytime we were here, I furrowed my brows when the snack bar attendant showed up with our food. It was only after further inspection though I realized it wasn't ours and I got up to go in search of you, heading back up to the bar to let them know our order was wrong in the process when I spot you with a girl. And a guy... Feeling that pit in my stomach already, I started to head towards you all instead. Our food long forgotten as worry started to set in.)

Camryn:

{squints my eyes at @InspiredAdams in warning. He was NOT going to scare this one away. And I hoped he was picking up on my unspoken message as we stared at each other. Until you held up the phone and I smiled for the picture before finally speaking} I do now. Chris, this is Jaiden. Jaiden, this is my totally going to not be a jerk brother, Chris.

Jaiden:

<Chuckling, I waited until I handed the cell back to you before I extended my hand.> Nice to meet you ... <Not a jerk Chris almost flew out of my mouth when I happen to see Rainey heading our way on a mission. Her purpose plain as day the closer she got and I mumbled "Shit.." under my breath. The last thing I needed was this guy on my ass about you but to do it in front of Rainey, well I wouldn't live it down if I got us kicked out of our favorite home away from home. Not to mention, it was your brother.> ... Chris. She was alone so I offered to escort her back to her lane. I plan on asking her out soon too. <What the hell was I saying? This was suppose to make it better, right? Laying out my intentions. Rainey always said it was the best policy to be honest so why stop now.> I was just on my way back. <Looking to @ALoverOfDreams as I spoke, that last part was meant for her when I finally cleared my throat, only taking the moment to introduce my sister to @ThroughTheNotes, purposely.> Cammy, this is Rainey.

Chris:

[I kept my eyes on Cammy as she gave me her damn looks. And continued to stare at her when she introduced me as her “not gonna be a jerk brother, Chris.” Then @AMindfulChaos said that bit about asking her out that had my eyes finally flicking over to him, really assessing him now as I firmly shook his hand. He looked like he could be another clown in the business Cammy played around in} Are you an artist too? {I smirked because I was out of slapping range of Cammy. But then we were joined by another person which left my question unanswered. But one look at her and I wasn’t too bothered to hear the answer anymore. If this was his sister, maybe I could keep an eye on him if it meant she stuck around…]

Rainey:

It's nice to meet you, Cammy. (My gaze darted between @ThroughTheNotes and Jaiden, seeing her arm still wrapped around my brother's like her life depended on it until I saw him shaking hands with the other guy privy to our little gathering here. The gesture between the two was older than dirt and more so added to complement the giving of your word on something. I could read body language pretty well though. The guy didn't seem to thrilled about Jaiden escorting her back but all that changed the second he looked back over his shoulder at me.) He boxes. I mean, boxing. Like bowling. I mean it's not like bowling per say but it'ssss a sport. (Damn it. Not now... My smile was small as I gave Jaiden a look of my own. If he wasn't going to tell him, I was.) That is if you consider kicking ass an art form.. (Maybe I wasn't so good at ice breakers either. Being met with utter silence was clue number one. Not even crickets as the four of us stood there as if we were in a stalemate. Only I wasn't going to allow that.) Would you guys like to join us for a game? Or maybe you two would like to play your own? Oh I know, teams!

Camryn:

{smiles brightly at Rainey when she addresses me. Then squeezes Jaiden’s arm at the mention of his being a boxer. Should I point out the obvious to Chris that they had something in common? That could be good? Or maybe very bad… Before I made up my mind, the silence was broken again, and I jumped on it} Yes! Chris! We would love to. {nods}

Jaiden:

<Fantastic. Can't wait. Those were just a couple of options for answers to that ever popular question my sister asked and as I felt you give my arm a second squeeze, your brother's gaze sizing me up once again caught my attention after Rainey had let the cat out of the bag.> I do good for being fairly new to the sport. I get by. <Giving another nod of my head, I wink and start to walk with you as Rainey leads the way, speaking loud enough for Chris to hear me.> So you want to play against me, Cammy or with me? I could show you a few things too.

Chris:

[Boxing. So, he wasn’t a clown in her business. He was one that dabbled in mine. Now I was assessing him in a whole new light. Cammy was in for an earful on the way home. I’d seen how fucking cocky some of those guys could be… “I do good for being fairly new to the sport.” Cue my brows shooting up again. Maybe not too cocky… “I could show you a few things too.” Nope. There it was. I opened my mouth to bite back on that bullshit only to have Cammy fucking kick me. I let out a grunt and glared at her as she shook her head at me. It was clear I wasn’t getting her away from him tonight. So now, I needed to make the best of it. With a smirk, I spoke up again, bruised shin be damned] Cammy doesn’t need to learn anything new. And the Adams are better as a team.

Rainey:

Family first always. You guys like pepperoni pizza? We have plenty! (Yep. Making lemonade shouldn't be too hard with the lemons this bunch was carrying. Trying to make light of the tension that seemed to shift into second gear and right on into third when I reached our lane, I didn't even look in the direction of the guy from earlier as we passed him. Opting to stop at our scorecard to enter in your names instead as I see Jaiden assist Cammy with finding her ball.) Chris (Lifting my gaze to yours, I smile, before continuing on.) With a "C" or "K"?

Chris:

[Clearly I was speaking French. And this guy wasn’t the least bit deterred by me. As I watched the two of them picking out balls, I was redirected by my name being called. My gaze catching with @ALoverOfDreams’ and grinning crookedly at that smile. disappointment, but did my best to hide it]

Rainey:

That's right. Like the rain but with an EY at the end. (Don't ramble. Don't you do it! Telling myself that should have worked but I wasn't so sure it was going to. Not when I saw that crooked grin of yours.) It's okay, they seem distracted. (Taking your hand when you offered it right away, I gave it a light squeeze, my smile growing kinder by the second. That was until I followed your slight change in direction with your eyes down to our clasped hands. Oh no! How was I going to explain this? And even better, the follow up question to that, was were you going to believe me?) Fred from Kentucky.. (That questioning brow lift you gave had me laughing nervously as I started to explain it, still holding your hand until I realized it and I let your hand slip free suddenly. The game hot potato had nothing on me.) My fake husband. I use the ring to keep creepers away. Like the guy we walked by? (Fighting the internal groan won out over hiding the heat that seemed to rise on my cheeks at how close you were and I broke my gaze away from yours so I could finish putting your names in.) Do you guys bowl a lot? I don't think I've seen you here before.

Chris:

[Fred. From Kentucky. At first, I thought you were trying to tell me you were in a long distance marriage. But then the pieces of the puzzle started to fall together. And oddly enough, when you mentioned a creeper, I felt that same protective instinct I had a few minutes ago bubbling up again. But this time it was about you and not her. Apparently he had felt the weight of my stare. Because he looked over just in time to lock eyes with me in a stare down I wasn’t going to lose. And I smirked when he were out of my mouth] I wonder if I could convince Cammy to get a Fred from Kentucky… [just as quickly as I said it, I realized that was probably offensive to you seeing as how the current dude was your brother. And I mumbled out.] Sorry… [looks up at the screen where our names finally popped up, welcoming the chance to ignore my little outburst] We used to bowl a lot with our pops. He was on a league. But after ma passed, he became a bit of a hermit. [jerks my thumb over my shoulder in Cammy’s direction] She’s been in a funk lately. So I thought I’d pull her away from the Netflix and out into society again that doesn’t involve the shitheads that she dances with.

Rainey:

Oh, I don't know about that. Fred is a good man, he works hard for his family. A very upstanding and loyal guy too. I wouldn't have married him if he was a cheater. (Teasing a little, I gave your arm a soft nudge but only after spying your stare down that bounced between Jaiden and Mr. Creepy, himself. Waiting until your gaze finally met mine again and I nodded softly as I spoke.) You two have more in common than you think. Jaiden is just as protective of me as you are of her. (My voice took on a softer tone then but didn't lack in conviction as I spoke about my brother. He was the only family I had left. I loved him.) I know you just met me...us really but Jaiden is a good guy, he just has some issues sometimes controlling himself when people are assholes too. (Taking a moment, I looked behind you to see them standing there a ways back, bowling balls in hand and lost in their own conversation. My smile widening further when they start to make their way back over to us and I'm quick with my own curiosity taking center stage for a second as I added to the "story". Only this time, it included you..) So was your wife busy tonight too?

Chris:

[I wanted to take you at your word about Jaiden. But it wasn’t that simple for me. I’d seen her go through too much shit with her overly trusting heart. What if he had a hidden shitty guy side that you weren’t privy to as his sister? Still, I didn’t hate the protective side you hinted at. As long as his aggressions didn’t ever turn toward Cammy. The thought alone causing me to tense up for a second before blowing out a calming breath. Your question causing my eyes to snap back to you in utter shock] Me? Wife? [shakes my head with a chuckle] No. There is no Francesca from Kentucky. Real or fabricated.

Jaiden:

<There's a first time for everything right? As sayings went that one there was a great indication that I was pulling double duty, while trying to appear cool about it, and was failing miserably at that. It was the first time I not only had tried to keep my eyes on Rainey but then there was you, and that pull to let my gaze linger on your beautiful face was just too great.> I apologize. I don't normally leave her for this long. <And therein lies the dilemma. There was the asshole that was in here every time we were that constantly hit on my sister too that was a factor. So the protective streak kept hopping the rails like a train would, the direction it sought suddenly flipped like a switch and damn if that didn't make me feel exposed for all of 60 seconds too long. In fact, it put me downright on edge. I had a feeling you could sense it too because suddenly I was met with a pair of the kindest eyes I had ever seen and I braved that grin for you. Having found the right size ball, our trip back over to our lane was met with one last pitstop and that was to ask for a fresh pie and pitcher to be brought over, the clerk letting me know it would be on the house for the mix up anyway.> Be honest, are you any good? <Chuckling, I take the ball from you to carry as we head back that way. The sight of your brother sitting so close to Rainey causing me to pop my neck and grin over at you.> At the game. Any family secrets I should know about?

Camryn:

{I could sense the anxious energy rolling off of you. And after a few seconds of watching your eyes flick back over to your sister, I recognized that same brotherly protectiveness that Chris sported most of the time. Which honestly, made me like you even to her, but I knew if I were talking to Chris, that wouldn’t have comforted him either. So I stopped myself, instead just following your lead first to the snack bar and then back toward the lane} I used to be decent. {glances over at you with a smile} Our papa was on a league and he used to take us bowling a lot. But I haven’t been for a long time. So I might be a little rusty.

Jaiden:

Rusty or not, it's cool that your family use to bring you. Rainey and I went once before when we were kids but it wasn't until we left the system that our love for it really took off.<Too much, too soon? I didn't think so. The way I looked at it if you weren't interested after that then I knew where you stood. Something told me though that wouldn't be the case as I gazed into your eyes.> Does your Dad not bowl anymore? You said was.. <Which led me to believe something happened or he would have been here today. Still holding your gaze, I stopped just a few feet away from the lane. Close enough to hear your brother start to clear his throat and I motioned for you to go on.> He can wait.

Camryn:

{my curiosity was piqued by your statement. But then you were asking me about papa. And I didn’t know which way to go. With a laugh, I decided to tell you just that} First, I want you to know I’m very curious about your past now. {smiles} I hope you’ll share with me whenever you feel comfortable? And papa is still around. He just… {makes a face} I don’t know how to explain it. He’s different. After mama passed, he stopped leaving the house. We go over there a lot to make sure he’s okay. But he doesn’t like to come out, he stopped working on cars with Chris… It’s almost like he died in a way too. {sighs} I’m sorry. That’s super depressing.

Jaiden:

No, I'm sorry that happened with him. Sometimes things happen to people and they just don't come back the same. <My eyes flickered briefly over to Rainey as I said it, hearing her laugh at something your brother said and I offered you an apologetic look when I turned back, adding a crooked grin into the mix.> I am glad you told me for what it's worth. As for me, I'm an open book. You can ask me anything.

Camryn:

{laughs with a shake of my head} Oh, Jaiden. You shouldn’t have said that to me. Watch this… {pulls you over to where Chris and Rainey are sitting and taps Chris on the shoulder} Hey, Chris? What would you do if… {laughs hard and looks at you again when he groans instantly} See? I ask TOO many questions. And it annoys some people. {sticks my tongue out at Chris}

Jaiden:

Yeah but I'm not some people. I'm Jaiden. <Taking a moment to watch the exchange between you two, I chuckle and shake my head. There was no question you were siblings and as I looked over to Rainey, I kicked my chin up next, our secret signal as if to ask if everything was okay. When she gave me that kind smile of hers in return, I felt the tension leave my shoulders a bit and took a glance up at the scorecard, ready to start our game. As I looked up to see who was going first I see the name LOSER in the spot where mine normally went and my eyes narrowed playfully in my sister's direction.> Cute, Rainey. I'm on your team, remember?

Chris:

[“What would you do if…” Those words meant Cammy was about to unleash a million hypothetical questions on you. And I couldn’t help but groan the second I heard them. I didn’t even care that she was setting me up to prove something to Jaiden if it meant I didn’t actually have to go down that path. But it was my turn to laugh when I realized Rainey had put his name down as loser] I like the odds already. [shoots Rainey a wink]

Rainey:

(There was no Francesca. At least not from Kentucky and not real either. That meant no girlfriend and no wife. Suddenly, I found myself smiling wider at that little known fact now and started to say something moronic like, "That's really great!" when it hit me out of nowhere. Just because there was no Francesca didn't mean there wasn't the possibility of a Fred for you too. I felt silly then for my assumption at first, thinking I read your body language all wrong and was about to ask if there was a Fred instead when both of our teammates showed up. Our conversation cut short.) There you guys are! (It was then that I moved to sit on my knees and address them both, only to be reminded that it was moments ago that it had been just us planning to play, and not teams with new friends.) It was before I asked them. Give me a break. (My tone was teasing even when you give me that wink and I mouthed a quick "Sorry." to my brother. Our fresh pizza and Pepsi arriving then too.) I'm up first! (Gathering up my ball, I took to our lane after thanking the server for bringing our food, making sure Jaiden tipped before I moved to the middle diamond, marking my spot with the tip of my shoe, seeing my shot right as I take it and I come back after rolling a spare. Not bad! Now, it was game on.)

Camryn:

{rolls my eyes at my brother’s cheesy remark, grabbing a piece of pizza instantly. It was, after all, the thing that had convinced me to come in the first place, and taking a seat on one of the chairs off to the side of the lane as I watch Rainey take her for my overprotective brother}

Jaiden:

<I probably sat there and watched the whole thing unfold before me for a good ten minutes. Long enough for your brother to damn near trip over his tongue with the way it rolled out like some damn cartoon with wolf eyes. Only my sister wasn't Jessica Fucking Rabbit. It was payback for the way I had handed the pitcher over and seeing the both of them interact as they were, Rainey all smiles more so than normal, I had to wonder just exactly what your brother's story was, and yours too.> Is it good? The pizza? Best in all the state as far as bowling alley food goes. Not to mention, they serve Pepsi. Speaking of which, do you want? <Chuckling, I got up while you took a bite of pizza to grab us both a cup. The soft nod you gave me as you brought your hand up to cover your mouth was adorable and I poured us some of the tasty beverage, handing you the cup as our siblings became lost in their own conversation, with your brother finally getting up to take his shot when I clear my throat loudly as if to say some time today..> So I'm curious about something. What are you going to tell your boyfriend about me taking you out? <Sitting down beside you now, I ran my arm along the back of your chair, the action causing you to scoot in closer to my side and I take a drink, grinning over at you.>

Camryn:

{Mama always told me to take my time when I’m eating. Especially around boys. It’s not lady like to stuff your face like you haven’t eaten for a week. I never listened to mama. And this pizza was exactly what I wanted. So when you asked me if I wanted some Pepsi, all I could do was nod. Luckily I had managed to swallow and hadn’t taken a sip of my soda yet when you asked that. My eyes automatically darting to my brother because of how he’s covered for me in the past before returning to yours} There is no boyfriend to speak of. {smiles} What about your girlfriend. Will she be mad at me for sitting this close?

Jaiden:

No girlfriend. <I chuckled at your comeback. The assumption on both our parts turning up to be false and yeah, I was happy to hear that.> You know I had to ask with you being so beautiful and all. So what is it that you do? You working anywhere or go to school? <Taking another drink, I watched as you did the same, this unspoken conversation we were having with our eyes was just an added bonus when I bring my free hand up to tuck a loose strand of your hair behind your ear.> Your brother have a job? <I didn't see anything wrong with asking that. Doing a bit of recon work myself, I wanted to know what I had to look forward to in the likes of your brother suddenly hanging around too. I wasn't about to let anyone hurt Rainey.> He got a girl?

Camryn:

{takes my time with my next sip, only popping my brows in response first. If you spent any time around me, you would quickly recognize the tells that I was about to tease you} Hmm…were you thinking about asking him out too? {smiles wide at you. I knew what you were doing. And I didn’t blame you. But I had to tease. Had to. Finally letting a laugh out, I answered you} I am a Laker Girl. {smiles proudly} I’ve worked for it all my life. And my ex ALMOST screwed it up for me. But I made it. I also do a lot of acting and singing. I’m a born entertainer. I’m also in school. It’s one of the requirements actually. {nods seriously} As for Chris, he’s a photographer and does web design to pay the bills. So he lives on his computer. {leans to the side, placing my hand beside my mouth as I whisper} And he’s single. So you’re safe to make your move. {nudges you before busting into a fit of laughter}

Jaiden:

I don't know though.. What if I'm not his type? <Laughing this time, I had been busted before but not quite like that. You were smart, funny and hot. Did I really meet a Laker girl at the bowling alley? Could I be that lucky? You were definitely beautiful enough, that was a given but as I let my eyes wander down along your body, checking you out, even with you sitting I suddenly had visions of you in your uniform. Those routines at half time coming to mind then too and I quickly snap my gaze back up to yours before looking back at the scorecard, coming face to face with a shooting glare when I see that it was officially my turn.> Looks like I'm up. Hold that thought. I want to know more about this singing career of yours and your channel. <I hadn't forgotten about that part either. Grabbing up my ball, I killed what was left of my drink and set the cup down. Moving to take my position to serve you with a strike first thing. Setting the bar pretty high where my competitive nature was concerned.>

Camryn:

{I watched as a series of emotions seemed to play out across your face, relishing in the fact that you seemed to be just as animated as me without meaning too. Then follows your eyes to the scoreboard, nearly humphing that you had to leave, and watching maybe a little too closely as you took your turn. Jumping up and cheering for you when you roll that strike, causing Chris to remind me that you’re the opposition} What? It’s in my nature to cheer. Kind of. {offers him a shrug and laughs before turning back to you as you return to the sitting area}

Jaiden:

<And that's how it went. Every few minutes we would take our turns, keeping up with our separate conversations for the most part outside of the occasional trash talk we seemed to throw one another's way. It was all in good fun even as I moved to help you with your next turn. Not really caring to win one way or the other anymore, the more we chatted, my curiosity piqued.> When are you off? Or maybe I should ask when a good time is to take you out on this date of ours? <grins and grabs up another piece of pizza, offering it to you first.>

Camryn:

{mama’s words were playing out in my head again. “Don’t overeat. That’s not lady like either.” Reaching for the piece, I smiled at you} We practice a couple times a week. And, of course, I dance at all the home games. Other than that it’s kind of up in the air with my other projects. {laughs} But if you give me a date, I’ll make it work. {winks at you as I take a bite of that piece of pizza now}

Jaiden:

We will make it work. <I put emphasis on the "we" part and grinned, picking up another slice and digging into it. Thinking over the evening and what you said while I chewed, I waited until I finished my slice to ask my next question.> You think it would be okay if I came and checked out a home game? See you in action. <Grinning wider at the thought, I shrugged a shoulder as I got up to take my last turn, Rainey calling my attention to the scores. Yeah you didn't have the final say on who could attend but we both knew I would be going to see Then maybe I could escort you home. Unless you have other arrangements made? <Glancing your brother's way when I said that last part, I was waiting for my ball to come back to me on the return.> Does that sound like a plan?

Camryn:

{sits up straighter in my chair, the excitement clear on my face at your question as those butterflies filled my stomach. The idea of you watching me while I was out there would make my night. And I was ready to say yes before you jumped up and went to take your turn. You probably knew my answer anyway as I bobble headed along while you talked} I can get you really good seats too! One of the perks. {my smile dropping slightly} Sometimes I don’t get out of there until a little later though. Will that mess with your work? {tilts my head curiously} What do you do anyway?

Jaiden:

I take a couple of courses then I drive the delivery van for Rainey. Wherever she has a catering gig, I normally will hang out but the last one didn't go so well. <It wasn't really my story to tell, it was Rainey's and while I was okay with sharing anything and everything about myself, there were some things still private for her. Offering a small grin, I nodded impressed, the excitement clear as day on your face and I have a seat next to you to start changing back into my shoes so we can turn our bowling ones in.> I think congratulations are in order. You guys won. <I wasn't even sore about it. Granted, I wasn't sure how well I liked your brother getting all cozy with Rainey but I didn't have much room to talk, did I?> She's going to have her own commercial kitchen one day. That's her dream.

Camryn:

{I could feel the weight of Chris’ stare as we made our plans. But I ignored him. He was NOT going to have any say in this. I did shoot him a smirk though when you came and sat back down next to me so he couldn’t fully eavesdrop on what it was you did} I’m smile} And that you help support her dream. Maybe I could put a good word in with the team next time we need an event catered.

Jaiden:

You would do that for her? <My brows popped at the gesture, my grin widening further when you nod once again and I couldn't help but chuckle. The offer to put in a good word could do wonders for Rainey's business, really getting it off the ground more. The Lakers were nothing to snub your nose at either and the more I thought about it the more I realized just how life changing that could be for her. For us.> Only if you're sure but you know don't have to. I'm still taking you out regardless. <Winking, I gathered up my bowling shoes when you do, walking with you up to the front slowly on purpose to drag the night out, I didn't want it to end even though I knew it had to. It wasn't until we were all outside though, our siblings walking ahead that I slowed even more, turning to face you.> I'm going to call you tomorrow.

Camryn:

{If you were walking slowly on purpose I couldn’t tell. But I sure was. Thank goodness I let Chris talk me into coming tonight. This was way better than the promised pizza. My last thought causing me to let out a soft laugh at myself that probably confused you} Please do. {steps a little closer, leveling my gaze with yours} And like actually call tomorrow, yeah? None of that macho guy stuff where they make you wait a day to not seem too eager. Trust me, I’ve dated those guys and I’m not interested in more of that.

Jaiden:

<Keeping my gaze locked with yours, I let you finish, thinking there was no possible way I was waiting two days to call. Not after the night we had and as I reached out to stroke your reddened cheek, seeing that smile, I shook my head and leaned in, whispering against your ear when we reached your car, your brother having walked Rainey to ours across the parking lot.> You’ll be lucky if I’m not texting you before then. I’m not like other guys, Cammy. <Leaning up against your car with you now, I can’t help but grin then too, seeing that blush deepen across your face..> You’ll see first hand that I’m not. That’s a promise.

Camryn:

{I know I had just met you. But I already trusted you. I’m sure Chris wouldn’t be happy to hear that. But it was the truth. And I found myself chanting in my head, please don’t be too good to be true. Please don’t be too good to be true} I believe you. {playfully glares at you, the effect being lost as my blush betrays me} Don’t make me regret it. {That crooked grin had those butterflies kicking up again as I let out a shy laugh} And you can text me any time you want. I might even assign you your own special tone.

Jaiden:

No regrets. Not even a single letter. <Laughing, I cracked that joke, hoping like hell you've seen that movie when I stopped short, brows furrowing at first before I gave you that crooked grin again. That shy laugh I was sure was going to be my downfall but I was finding I didn't mind the more we spoke. I thoroughly enjoyed the night out bowling with you and went as far to tell you so before opening your car door and waiting for you to step inside. At that last minute however, I took hold of your hand and brought it to my lips, kissing across each knuckle as words left my lips, that grin still firmly in place.> I really had a great time. Text when you get home? <Even that was a date in itself if we thought about, a date I was looking forward to once I were settled for the night.>

Camryn:

{With that kiss to my hand, I was a goner. However this turned out, good or bad, I was in for the ride. Giving your hand a light squeeze as I finally settled into the seat, I smiled up at you} I will. I’ll pick out your special tone on the ride home. {offers you an exaggerated wink and a laugh}

Rainey:

I’m thinking beginner’s luck maybe? (How is it this easy to joke with you? I had been asking myself that all night and almost let the words slip out once or twice when the ice breaker effectively did its job. We had found ourselves in a rather comfortable position. Some mild jabs when it came to our turns during the game but the night had actually turned pleasant which I was grateful for with the addition of yourself and your sister to our little bowling league mix we had going on.) So no Francesca, huh. How is that possible? (A very bold or forward question coming from me. It was so unlike me to even... Oh. Realization hit like a ton of bricks then. Was it considered flirting? If it was, it was so apparent that I was bad at it and BOOM, hi there anxiety.) I'm glad I... mmmet you tonight. (Oh yeah. Yep. Still horrible at it. In fact, my nerves got the best of me and I had to pause so not to stumble over my words. And only when we reached my van, did I take a chance glance your sister’s way with Jaiden, making sure they were okay before I continued on around to the passenger side of my van with you, feeling completely safe in your presence while out of sight of Jaiden’s. Which was another first for me too.)

Chris:

[I didn’t know where the hell you came from. But I was thanking all the stars and gods that I had the idea to bring Cammy here today. Had I not, I wouldn’t have met you. Which is funny because before tonight, I was completely closed off to the idea of a relationship again after the dumpster fire that was my last. A few minutes with you and I was rethinking the whole thing. You were a total package from what I could tell. Funny, beautiful, a good sport. Hell, you even caused me to lay off of Cammy for the time being while she was clearly getting close to your brother. I couldn’t help the goofy grin that graced my face when you stumbled over your words for a second. Damn if that didn’t just make me like you even more} Honestly? {stops so that I’m standing directly in front of you as you lean back against that van door} I almost had a Francesca. And that was a mess. {rubs the back of my neck before giving a shrug} Kind of turned me off to relationships for a while. {smirks, the fact that I was being so quick to say certain things the exact way I always tell Cammy not to not lost on me as I reach to tuck a piece of hair behind your ear} I’m feeling a little more open to them again now though…

Rainey:

Now? As in right now... (I had zoned in on those eyes of yours first but then that goofy grin was next which only made me smile wider, effectively leaving my gaze to linger on your mouth. You were right there.. That strand of hair you tucked behind my ear fueled my desire to reach out but I stayed right there pressed up against the van. Reminding myself that this wasn't some steamy romance novel. At least not yet.) That's good.. I mean wait no, it's not good. I didn't mean it was good that Francesca hurt you. I would never. (Cue my blush again then, silly me making this more awkward for us both and oh hi anxiety thanks for rearing your ugly head again. Sighing softly, almost embarrassingly so, I give you a kind smile, trying to rein it all in when it felt like you stepped closer. And suddenly it felt really hot..)

Chris:

[Somehow you managed to get more desirable with every minute. And when you made that slip saying you wouldn’t? I grinned probably the most embarrassingly dumb grin I’ve ever grinned in my life. Figuring I might as well go for broke, I stepped a little closer, carefully assessing your face and body language for any resistance as I brought my hand up one more time, this time cupping your cheek as I shook my head} I wouldn’t either. {lets the words hang between us for a few seconds, carefully gauging your reaction for a couple more seconds before whispering] Please don’t slap me. [With that, I took the plunge, leaning in and placing a light kiss to your lips]

Jaiden:

Make it a good one. <That crooked grin wasn't leaving my lips anytime soon. Not when I kept seeing that excited smile grace yours and I reluctantly let your hand slip from my fingers when you finally had a seat in your car. Shutting your door for you, I waited until you rolled your window, giving you a wink first before I dipped my head inside and brushed my lips against your cheek.> Be safe, beautiful. <Righting myself and the world for that matter, I started walking backwards towards the direction of our van, keeping you in my sights for as long I groaned and waited for my sister to get inside. Knowing the drive home was going to met with an awkward as hell conversation.>

Rainey:

(Oh my God.. He was going to do it. One second, I was convincing myself I was never hearing from you again and the next, I was throwing all caution to the wind when your words grand slammed into my brain, finally registering. "Please don't slap me." I melted into a puddle right then and there, legs wobbling, the whole shebang! For that split second in time, I was the heroine of all my books. All those worlds I got lost in and even if it was the smallest of kisses, it meant everything in that moment. Only it wasn't a book I was reading, it was my life. It was ME you were kissing. Very lightly, I returned that kiss, lips slow dancing against yours and I brought my hand up to coax you closer by that soft grasp of your jaw. Completely lost in you until I heard the van door slam and I was catapulted back to my very real reality.) Call me.. (It was a simple request and when you nodded against my lips, ignoring my brother completely, I gave you one last kiss to remember me by.) Night.. (I tried opening my door from behind me, fumbling for the door handle before I finally got it open and I turned to hop inside, coming face to face with my own brother. Mouthing "Not a word!" as he started the van and put it in gear, his groan of disapproval, was laughable and I did just that quietly as we made our way home.) #Kismet #WFW #ForKeeps

[xtruss]

Defund the BBC Now!

— By Jon Gaunt | 07.10.2020 | Sputnik

I’m disgusted with their failure to make real cuts to their bloated budget and as a result to means test pensioners, the most vulnerable members of society, to see who can have a free TV licence.

Meanwhile, Gary Lineker still needs a reinforced wheelbarrow to pick up hundreds of thousands of our hard-earned cash.

Last week the BBC committed to spend £100 MILLION to be "diverse and inclusive" but clearly, in their myopic world view, pensioners do NOT fall into the diverse or inclusive bracket? Well, there's a surprise! Not.

No Taxation Without Representation

Like the American Revolution, I firmly believe in the statement above. And let's be honest the Biased Broadcasting Corporation doesn't represent me or you anymore.

It certainly didn't respect, let alone represent my views on Brexit, Donald Trump, the election of Boris and Black Lives Matter.

I don't want them to pursue my agenda. I just want the equal opportunity to put my point across or someone else to do it for me and for the presenter to drop the sneers, the raised eyebrow and the outright contempt for any opinion to the right of Karl Marx.

BBC logo © Flicker / Tim Loudon

I am sick to the back teeth with their bias and metropolitan woke view of the world and so I have come to the decision that they can stick their compulsory poll tax where the sun don't shine.

To be frank they don't need to worry about giving out a few free TV licences to some OAPs because soon no one will be paying it.

Broadcast Revolution

I can live without the BBC as easy as I can live without a hole in the head and so can millions of others, who just like me are cancelling their direct debits and not watching the biased bilge they pump out.

Who watches live TV these days anyway? The word has moved on but the BBC refuses to wake up and smell the real coffee whilst they sip their skinny soya lattes.

Forget the American Revolution, there is a broadcast revolution going on and it is not going to be televised by the Brussels Broadcasting Corporation.

I've got Netflix and Amazon Prime for all my movies and box sets and I've got the internet for my news and radio from around the globe. I just simply do not need the BBC's FAKE news anymore.

I'm not alone either as according to the Times, 860 THOUSAND licences were cancelled in 2017/18 and that figure must be well into the millions by now. Everybody I speak too says that not only is the fee too much, it's also an insult to our intelligence to have pay for something even if we don't watch it.

In the multi-platform digital age, you pay for what you watch, not what Auntie wants to serve up and let's be honest if you’re cute you don't have to pay for anything, not that I would encourage piracy of course.

A Kick in the Teeth

I worked for the BBC on a freelance basis for years and worked with many very talented people but to be frank I don’t recognise this biased anti-British, anti-working class, woke, lefty, politically correct institution anymore.

They've even given up pretending that they are balanced or impartial as their arrogance knows no bounds.

Why has the brilliant political interviewer, Andrew Neil been sent to the "news gulag" whilst biased Emily Maitlis shares her bile and woke anti-Trump agenda with her dwindling number of viewers on Newsnight?

Why did they bin Andrew Neil's and Michael Portillo's brilliant This Week show, how much dosh did they save with that decision?

Why have they decided to cut local radio and regional TV instead of focusing on the middle management pen pushers that infest the BBC?

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, left, and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during a head to head live Election Debate at the BBC TV studios © AP PHOTO / JEFF OVERS

Local radio is the only part of the BBC that should be funded by the public purse the rest could be scrapped, sold off or slashed.

And by that, I mean privatise Radio 2 and Radio 1. Scrap the dreadful Five Live, we've got TalkSport and LBC who can do their job much better and cheaper.

As for the nobs who say they can't live without the Today programme or the Archers well they earn enough to flipping pay for it.

With the advent of Times radio and app-based transmission, there is no excuse to not privatise these services.

Why didn't they cut their diversity programmes instead of giving pensioners a kick in the teeth as Age UK so eloquently put it yesterday?

Diversity – What Diversity?

Talking of real diversity, how come the commentators they get on as guests and newspaper reviewers (who buys a bloody paper now anyway?) are the same goons who got the Brexit result wrong and the Boris landslide spectacularly incorrect?

But these same muppets are back on the same sofas, in the same studios saying the same stuff. Who are they meant to represent because it certainly isn't me?

It's not just the News programmes that are infested with woke lefty bias either; just look at the only dramas that get commissioned or filmed. Thin plots are bulked out with the same biased metropolitan view of the world. Who's the script editor on these shows, Jeremy Corbyn or is it Owen Jones?

Britain's main opposition Labour Party Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, centre, holds up his hand to applause after he delivered a speech on stage, with party leader Jeremy Corbyn, right, and General Secretary Jennie Formby, during the Labour Party Conference at the Brighton Centre in Brighton, England, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) © AP PHOTO / KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH

Meanwhile, EastEnders is so busy pushing an agenda it makes the left-wing playwright Bertolt Brecht look like Noel Coward.

Ever since Doctor Who was revived every plot has to have a message and hammer home the woke inclusive agenda. What was wrong with the Cybermen, Daleks, the Brigadier and long flowing scarves and the Doctors assistant screaming as she ran down the same corridor every week?! I'm kind of joking.

Sport? Well the BBC hasn't got any, have they? In fact, they have had more during Covid-19 with the football being free to air!!

Comedy? Have you ever seen a right of centre comedian on one of those formulaic comedy quiz shows, instead of its wall to wall anti-British, left-wing, didactic sub-Marxist trash from the likes of that Nish guy? He's as funny as a dose of the proverbial. But that style of comedy infests and has infected all of the BBC comedy output.

Look, if you like this kind of stuff that is your choice but I just don’t want to have to pay for it and I certainly don’t see why a lonely old pensioner should either.

Defund the BBC now!

— The views and opinions expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.

[sweetsandsin]

What happens when the cards see a Joker in your future?

After losing the only man that made sense in a world of confusion, Forensic Psychologist, Ember's cards align to tell her one thing and one thing only.

Joker is coming and he'll make sure she is too.

"It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone"

- John Steinback.

♤♡The Oxymoron Of Gotham◇♧

In the crippled city of Gotham lay an oxymoron at every corner; Batman, the Dark Knight who lived in the shadows but brought criminals to light, Riddler, the man who claimed to be an enigma but who had already been worked out and last, but never least, was Penguin, the man who provided twentysomething Ember with perhaps the biggest paradox of her life- loss, the word that had stolen the one and only person she had left only to present her with a soul shattering emptiness to fill the holes her Uncle and his brass cane had left behind.

Found amongst the trash in a dirtied t-shirt for warmth, he'd lifted her from the seedy underbelly of her unwanted origins and given her a home. His shaky hand would brush through the tangles in her honey tresses to wipe away the remnants of grime that even years after her escape never seemed to fully leave, each morning would begin with a story of his adventures and the wars he'd always win, the night ended with a brush of his lips on the tip of her nose and the lullaby he'd sing out of tune to will her into sleep:

"Burning Ember,

Named after the flame,

Burning Ember,

That's my pretty girl's name".

It had already been a few months, yet still, she spent every night sat on baby pink bedding with his top hat to her chest and his rhyme in her head. Tears would fall and her heart would break a little more.

It took her a while, but in the end, it was all okay, because she welcomed the pain, he deserved someone to mourn for him, he deserved the ache she felt, afterall how lucky was she to have something that made saying goodbye so hard?

Well, she was very lucky indeed.

A blaring car horn pulled her away from her thoughts, stopping in a hurry to follow the sound, her right ankle rolled to the side causing a jolt of pain to spiral its way up to her knee in a gentle throb. Keeling forward, Ember squeezed her slim fingers around her foot, bent it inwards and pushed it back into her knee-length boot.

Turning her head, her nails traced the brown bags so prudent beneath her lashes in the reflection of the smashed glass window, inhaling sharply at the sight, her soft pink lips released a breath of fog that quickly succumbed to the sombre tone that had long ago wrapped itself around her hometown, she only wished she too could evaporate into the air like the carbon dioxide that filled her lungs. Continuing her walk, a breathy laugh warmed her chest when she limped in a manner that could only be called ironical- Uncle Penguin was still with her even if only in hobble rather than spirit.

Tapping the butt of her cigarette, white-haired Aurora looked over her green-tinted glasses at the bell on the door "That you, Flamey?"

"It's me" she shouted back. Sliding past the many googly-eyed ornaments and baby doll figurines, she waved a hand around the curve of the wall.

"Did you get me what I asked for?" Her fingers clenched and unclenched in impatience till the square box touched her palm.

"I really wish you'd buy condoms yourself" she whisper hissed, mahogany brown eyes lightening as she looked around uncomfortably and rocked on the balls of her feet. It was one thing to know that someone old enough to be her gran had frequent sex, it was another thing to be the person indirectly supporting her aim to bed each and every male in Gotham that took her fancy.

"And I really wish those punks in the pharmacy wouldn't call me a hot mama and spank my ass" taking a puff, she blew out loudly, "I hate having to break their wrists, makes my arthritis play up, but what ya gonna do?" Shuffling the card deck in her other hand, she intricately flicked them so they twirled between her disjointed fingers.

"Aw, no" her shoulders slumped, "Not again, I told you I don't believe in any of this" everytime was the same, she'd drop something off only to get pulled into unproven spirituality that was far off reality even for a place like Gotham.

"And I told you, I don't give a shit" standing, she pushed the opposing woman down by her shoulder."Now shut up and pay attention, you never know when it could come in handy".

Rolling her eyes, her bottom lip jutted out "Yeah" she scoffed, "When pigs fly".

"What was that?" Aurora tugged her glasses off, an icy glare yanking the usual temperature down a few notches.

"Uh" she blushed, pulling a face. It seemed feigning innocence was her only real option here, "I said, I can't wait" biting her tongue to hide her laugh, she looked to the side.

"Better have been what you said" she warned under her breath, finger waggling at her. "You ain't too old for me to put you over my knee, yanno?" Not that she ever would, of course, the girl was the apple of her eye, but she didn't half wind her up some days.

Drumming her hands on the table, Ember looked on in awe at the speed the cards moved from one hand to another, the flick of the shuffle ending pierced her ears in warning that Aurora's favourite three-card set up would soon be upon them.

"King'a diamonds, ya know what that means?"

"No" she smiled kindly, "But I know you're going to tell me".

Ignoring her jibe, she rolled her sleeves up so the tattooed snake on her right arm led beside it. "Means you're going to meet a man who does a dangerous job, maybe a nice officer?" She hoped. "But uh" she scratched behind her ear, "Could also mean you meet a man who'll run circles round ya, someone worth being scared of". Swiping her hand as if wiping away her words, she chuckled a hoarse laugh "But isn't that just about every man here?"

She wasn't wrong there. Humming quietly, she gazed over at the cards, only then noticing the pale hue to her powdered skin. Frowning, she placed a hand over hers "Is, is everything alright?"

"It's the nine'a spades" downing her tumbler of whiskey, she shook her head, "But that can't be correct, can it?" She looked up sorrowfully.

Even though Ember wasn't exactly one to indulge in the fantasy, she'd never seen Aurora look so shaken and that particular in a blue moon occurrence made her tremble too. "What does it mean?" Her eyes widened in curiosity.

"It means death, next to this card it could be taken to just mean really bad news, but it's the worst card you can get" her fingers itched for a smoke, her throat was dry and she knew if nicotine didn't reach her lips in the next few seconds she'd get all shaky again. Lighting one up, she leant back and sighed, "That's the stuff".

"Well, what is the next card?"

"Ace'a clubs, uh means you shall have protection from a powerful man?" Her words were spoken slow, confused, almost careful. "That's uh great, I suppose, also means that the death card is the death of an enemy, so all is tickety boo". Poor girl had already been through so much, she didn't want to see her go through more.

"So what you're saying is" she paused, hands spread on the table, "That you're not going to spend the next few weeks losing sleep worrying about me?" It happened before, a bad card spread and all she ever got was a million and one phone calls and a grouchy woman to deal with every Saturday, she didn't think she'd survive going through it again.

"That's what I'm saying, sweet cheeks" kicking her legs up, she pulled a hand over her facial features. "Now, did I ever tell you about floppy Jim?"

"Do I want to know?"

"Course ya do, but I'm feeling nice soo I'll spare you the details, just remember, always have a cucumber spare in the fridge, when the age goes up, the dick don't" she cackled loudly, hand smacking her thigh.

Wretching, Ember hit her forehead "I think I'm going to vomit".

♤♡◇♧

Snow White was the fairest of them all and what a prize it was to have skin the colour of snow and lips as red as a rose. White was purity and anything darker was nothing but corrupted skin.

In laymen terms, Ember being brown had always been a sin when she didn't look it and it would forever be a crime if she did.

Work was hard to come by for a Forensic Psychologist who fit into the crowd until she opened her mouth and out came a hint of back home. With each tell-tale sign of her culture came the stereotypes ground from the ashes of her ancestors; awful looks of sympathy for being a South Asian woman who must've been oppressed by masculinity simply because she was born in a place where the sun spent the majority of its time. Afterall, everyone loved a good tan unless it was permanent. Her personal favourite had to be that there was just something 'exotic' about her begging to be released, the typical 'polite in the streets, freak in the sheets' assumption that glued to her form holding her up to socially-expected standards depicting quiet women as individuals with a crazy side that had yet to be seen.

Race wasn't an issue if you were running in it, race was an issue when you got lost in the crowd of the media's definition of majority.

For years she'd calmed herself with lies that placed her in a position of blame; she hadn't worked hard enough, she wasn't ready, she was too young, but what it all really came down to was that she wasn't white enough to be noticed, couldn't pass for ebony, couldn't pass for ivory either and that meant she would forever remain where she was, an immovable object with no chance of ever moving forward.

But then like young Charlie and his golden ticket, she got her chance, a way forward if she picked the dark path, a way out if she went within the depths of no return.

Into cell 666.

Would really appreciate your thoughts!

#heath ledger #joker x oc #the dark knight #joker fanfiction #joker fandom

[aslaton8-blog]

@taylorswift

I'll be honest, I was afraid to watch this documentary. I have a shit family and I believe in spiritual connection and was worried if I watch this I'll be too close to her emotionally and spiritually. Then I realized I can't have any control of that and I don't want to miss out on something just because of fear. Be #fearless Ashley.

Anyway, I've been getting to know this artist for the past seven years and I fell madly in love with her mission. Watching this documentary not only connected me to the personality I created in my head of her music and revealed how right I was about her, but also revealed a lot of real personal connections for me. I feel like her.

Except the difference between me and her is that she held on to her love. I lost some of mine along the way. It's been replaced with hatred. My family is horrible. I spent a long time trying to connect with them and I finally gave up. I realized I don't want to and that they just want to die and wither away. Two of them are on heroin I just found out.

Anyway I cried at the scene where her mother was talking about having cancer. I wish it was my mom that had cancer. After everything she put me through... She left me with her pedophile boyfriend who molested me. He was my dad. Looks like Taylor's parents raised a wonderful person. Why would you want to get rid of her parents? Get rid of mine! My dad is dead, you only have one more to go! Her name is Ann Elizabeth Stockton. Don't believe her lies. She's a con artist. She weaseled 13 grand out of her last dude she was with. She's very good at looking innocent.

Speaking of which as I was watching this documentary, I wanted to punch Kanye West and his anti-Taylor train in the face. Though violence is not the way. God that brought back memories. I actually remember when that happened. I was watching the awards as soon as it happened which is weird because I don't normally watch awards so I think somebody else had it on the TV. I didn't even know her or listen to her music at the time. I had zero opinion of her. He literally met her for the first time and he already had something that against her. The bullshit that people make up in their heads and then project onto you right? I've projecting things onto her too but I was right about them. I didn't project anything negative just opinions about who I think she is based on her music.

I kept shouting and chanting the whole documentary "why would you let those narcissists and sociopaths even affect you?" They don't care anyway! Here's a good song for that "No fucks given" by Hopsin. It's brilliant. It's an Ouroboros and makes people think. Like hey we can go in this cycle forever or you can just #closetherevovingdoor but Kanye would never face his own demons. He basks in them as if he has some excuse. I'm sorry but I'm no fan of anyone who plays devil's advocate like that.

How weak can somebody be to pick on a young sweet woman? I mean I call that weak as hell. Stand up to yourself Kanye. Stop being a piece of shit. I only reserve my hatred for my family so I can't say I hate you but I definitely don't like you. I hate your actions I hate how you're hurting your fellow black man by teaching him to be like this. You are no leader at all. You're actually keeping your people down by teaching them to be belligerent morons like you.

I'm sick of people tearing her down. I'm sick of watching women struggle to maintain their love. The amount of hatred and energy that people put into trying to take her off her platform should be going into the sex trafficking industry and to pedophiles. I don't see what the hell you have against her so bad. For Kanye I think it was just a publicity stunt. Narcissists love attention whether it's positive or negative. And I'm proud of Taylor for how hard she bounced back against it. Because of your influence Taylor, you are encouraging so many youth to empower themselves. I can't be happier with such a wonderful person in existence.

That adversary is working hard. But so are we.

I work with leftists a lot. They complain about rich people all the time including Taylor. A lot of them think they can just yell and scream and get what they want but it doesn't work like that. We aren't babies anymore. An explanation is not an excuse. You may be able to explain where all your pain and hatred comes from but it's not an excuse for it. If you continue the damage that was done to you then I can't feel sorry for you. You aren't breaking the cycle nor are you trying; you're just playing victim like they claim Taylor was doing.

A little while ago there was a post going around on my Facebook trashing Taylor Swift. It was a huge list of things they didn't like about her. It was going around in a leftist circle treating her like the bourgeois power class that is holding us back. Well that may be true she's a member of the bourgeois class, she's also a member of the human family. I think you would do better to attack our politicians. You people act like she's the sociopath or the pedophile creating all the problems in this country when her mission is to heal not to hinder. I'm sick of this circle. According to the political scale I lean pretty hard left what doesnt mean that I completely agree with all of my leftist friends. I get where they're coming from but I hate their approach. They know nothing about human psychology. We need a better education system. We need better everything really. But we can only have that at one step at a time. Quit trying to jump the track, you fall really hard every time you do.

#MurdaGang #youknowwethedumbest #38baby