libraryledge

[libraryledge]

The Girl of My Best Friend (A Bikeriders and Harry Styles Story Pt 3)

A/N: Thank you so much for your patience with the next part of this story. (Catch up here.) I hope you enjoy the next chapter about Benny Cross navigating a love triangle.

Benny arrived on campus at a decent time. He didn’t want to arrive late and let the girl of his dreams down, but he also didn’t want to arrive too early because his best friend, Harry, was bound to ask questions. Benny, have you been avoiding me? No. (A lie) Do you have feelings for the student that I’m tutoring? No. (An even bigger lie). Would you mind if I asked her on a date? No. (The biggest lie of all.)

To be fair, Benny was jumping to conclusions because Harry never alluded to having a romantic interest in her. However, wasn’t the smooth banter and a shared passion for music enough for his friend to initiate a strong bond with her? Before, he had a chance to ponder this any further, Benny felt a soft smack on the back of the head. He turned around and came face to face with Harry.

“Benny! Where’ve you been, man?” he asked, with an unwavering grin.

Caught off guard, Benny chuckled nervously, unsure if he should come clean or just avoid telling him the real reason that he’d been distant. He chose the latter.

“Uh… I’ve been busy. It’s getting closer to the summertime, so the bike shop has been getting a lot of out of state travelers with motorcycles needing repairs,” he said.

Technically, this was true, but it wasn’t the reason for his increased distance. Harry nodded, but Benny could tell that he was not entirely convinced. Before his friend had a chance to prod any further, the girl walked up to them.

“Hey, you two!” she said with that grin that never failed to make Benny’s heart skip a beat. He gave her a wave, hoping that she wouldn’t note how awkward it was. She didn’t seem to notice, but Harry certainly did as he gave Benny a strange look.

“Well, now that greetings and formalities are out of the way,” Harry said, with amusement in his voice that made Benny flush, as he was certain that the jab was directed at him, “Let’s begin this music lesson, shall we?”

Harry did a mock bow and gestured towards the empty lecture hall that awaited them.

The girl smiled. “That we shall! I invited Benny to observe today’s lesson. Since you two are friends, I figured you wouldn’t mind. Is that ok?”

Harry grinned. “Of course! Why wouldn’t it be? I’m always curious to see what tricks this guy has up his sleeve. I may be the musician, but he’s a closeted Elvis fan and knows more about the man than anyone I know.” 

The young barmaid chuckled and replied, “Oh yes, I’ve been made aware of that.”

Harry’s eyes grew wide in surprise, and he couldn’t hide his glee at that revelation. She had no idea what vital information she’d provided him. Now, Harry would suspect that Benny felt an intimate connection with her because he never spoke about his love for the King.

“Is that so? Well, this will certainly make for an interesting session because today we’re focusing on pioneers of the rock n’ roll era,” Harry said, observing Benny’s undeniably shocked reaction from the corner of his eye.

“Really?” the girl asked in mutual surprise. “I thought we were going to touch upon my piano skills.”

“Elvis played piano too. Didn't he? We can revise your skills by practicing with one of his songs,” Harry said matter of factly. “It’s a great idea. Don’t you think Benny?”

Benny could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. Harry was testing him. His friend knew how he felt about the barmaid and wanted to provoke a response out of him. Well, if that was the case, he wasn’t going to allow Harry to get a reaction out of him.

“Best idea I’ve heard all day,” he said with a tone that perhaps was too cheery because the girl looked between Benny and Harry, trying to decipher their exchange.

“Great!” Harry exclaimed, opening the door to the lecture hall and flashing the girl a smile, which made her forget her confusion over the exchange.

The trio was greeted by the cool air of the room when they walked in. Harry set down a brief case that he was carrying and turned on the lights. The room was illuminated by a light bulb that was threatening to go out at any second. 

“Well, it looks like we’re going to have to make the most of our time here because that light bulb is bound to go out at any second,” Harry stated as he tried adjusting it without success.

“Good thing I’m one of your best students, so I master things quickly,” the girl said with a teasing chuckle.

“That you are,” Harry said with a grin.

Benny watched the exchange, feeling out of place and unable to find a quippy remark to join in. He never was as good with banter as Harry.

Harry sat at the piano and began to play. The tune was a familiar Elvis piece, and the girl watched him, impressed. As he fiddled his fingers across the keys, Benny had to admit that his friend was a talented musician. Clearly, the girl thought so too because she clapped when he finished.

“Not bad,” she said with a smile. 

“Think you can do better?” he asked with a playful look.

Her eyes twinkled competitively as she responded, “Oh. I know I can.”

Harry nodded, and then, turned to look at his friend. “Take notes, Benny,” he said.

Benny nodded, understanding it was just an idiom, but if he’d known the beautiful scene that was about to unfold before him, he’d have tried to capture it in any way that he could. The minute her fingers gracefully danced across the ivories, a breathtaking melody filled the dimly lit room. Her expression was passionate as she brought to life an intense, yet romantic tune from the King of Rock n’ Roll. Benny didn’t want the moment to end. She truly was a gifted performer, and the music flowed out of her being. She had a gift sent from above.

He was so lost in the moment that he almost missed the smug smirk upon Harry’s face as he stood across the room. Benny pushed the image out of his mind and took a step closer to the piano, so he could focus on the final notes that the girl played before she brought the musical showcase to an impactful conclusion.

When she finished, she looked up and saw Benny staring at her in awe.

“I had no idea that you could play like that,” Benny said, trying to vocalize his emotions. “It’s so beautiful.”

A rosy hue crossed the barmaid’s cheeks as she said, “I’ve been playing since I was a child, and it takes a lot of practice. I’ve really never played that song for anyone else.”

“Really? Love Me Tender is one of my favorite Elvis tunes,” Benny admitted, stepping a bit closer to her as her smile grew wider.

“I prefer Can’t Help Falling in Love,” she said in a teasing tone that was almost a whisper. Benny felt his pulse accelerate over her words. He leaned in a bit closer and then-

“But, Harry suggested that I learn the song I just played first,” she added, which instantly shattered the mood.

Right. Harry. Benny had almost forgotten the entire dilemma with his friend. Benny could have sworn that he and the barmaid had just shared a moment, but how could he be certain when he believed that she may have feelings for his best friend? To make his doubts stronger, Benny suspected that Harry may have feelings for her as well. 

Sensing that he needed to get some air to clear his mind (again). Benny cleared his throat and excused himself.

“Well, that was beautiful, but I feel slightly out of place here, since I’m not a musician and all,” he rambled, trying to diffuse the attention away from his flushed face and divert it towards the music.

Looking slightly surprised and perhaps a bit wounded, the girl nodded, as if trying to understand what set off his unusual urge to bolt.

“Oh, no! Stay! It’s been nice having you around.” she said, with a look of bewilderment.

“Don’t leave, mate!” Harry said, quickly getting to his feet in an attempt to get Benny to stay put. “That’s the best playing I’ve heard from her all month!”

Benny raised an eyebrow at her, and he turned to see her flustered face as she gave him a small nod of confirmation. 

“I believe you. Really, I do, but I also think that staying here would be too much of a distraction, so I better get going,” he said.

He believed what he said, but he knew that he would be the one getting distracted. By her skill. Her beauty. Her charm. By everything. If he stayed, he would not be able to control his heart, and he didn't want to be the reason that came between Harry and the barmaid. Therefore, like he’d done with just about every uncomfortable situation in his life as of late, Benny ran off. More specifically, he got on his bike and rode off, unable to shake the girl’s perplexed expression from his mind. 

A/N: Thank you for reading! The final chapter of this story will be out soon.

[libraryledge]

An Unexpected Treat (A Hiccstrid Story)

A/N: It's been a bit since I've written a Hiccstrid story. In honor of the new HTTYD film and the growing Dragons fandom, here is a new Hiccstrid one shot. Thank you for the request! Enjoy!

Hiccup was hungry. He had not received adequate nourishment for the amount of labor that he put in at the blacksmith shop yesterday. After the long day, he skipped an evening meal and headed straight to bed. The previous morning, his father had cooked a breakfast that he claimed was fit for a king, which was ironically accurate because Hiccup was next in line to serve the island of Berk when he came of age in about five years. As delicious as that meal was, it had been almost a day since the homemade smoked ham and eggs, garnished with yak butter, had satisfied his eager appetite in the early hours of the day. Now, the sun was reawakening as it was about to be morning once again. As he lay in bed, Hiccup’s stomach grumbled at his neglect towards it.

Rap! Rap!

A knock on the door of his hut interrupted his inner thoughts. Hiccup got up and took a peek through the cracks in the wood that made up his door. A girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and an infectious smile stood outside holding a jug and platter of cookies. Unable to contain his excitement, Hiccup opened the door and let her in. 

“Astrid!” he exclaimed, gesturing for her to come inside.

“Hey!” she replied with a smile. “I figured that you’d be hungry after working late last night, so I brought your favorites: Yaknog and cookies!” 

“Thanks Astrid!” Hiccup replied, matching her enthusiasm. Astrid always knew how to keep him in a good mood. Ever since they got to know each other better last summer, they became an amazing team. The young Vikings were always there to support one another’s needs. In this case, it was to comfort Hiccup’s growling stomach. 

“It must have taken you hours to prepare this,” Hiccup remarked.

“Nah! I’ve pretty much mastered the recipe. I’ve been working on perfecting it for Snoggletog later this year," she replied.

Hiccup smiled. Astrid’s determination was something he admired from afar long before they officially became friends. He reached his hand over to the plate and grabbed a cookie. Their gooey hazelnut morsels and buttery dough melted in his mouth. It was as if a piece of Valhalla descended from the sky and transfigured itself into the delicious dessert. 

“Mmmmm!” Hiccup sighed as he savored the treats. “Astrid! These are the best cookies that I’ve ever had in my life!”

Astrid beamed. “Thanks! They’ll taste even better with Yaknog. Here. Try some,” she said as she grabbed a cup off of her tray and filled it to the brim with the foamy drink. 

Now, Hiccup wasn’t a fan of the Viking holiday drink, but how could he say no to Astrid? He took the cup from her with a grin. Thor bless her, he thought. She’d done so much for him already, the least he could do was try the drink that she worked so hard to make. That was the thing with Astrid. She challenged him to take risks that he’d otherwise turn away from, and that warmed his heart, much like this impromptu snack break was.

As he took a sip from the Yaknog, which truthfully, was as disgustingly vile as he remembered, Hiccup realized that with her by his side, even the most unusual scenarios filled him with joy. Someday, he would muster the courage to confess this to her, so that she would always be by his side. He didn’t care if that meant enduring clumpy Yaknog for several more years because unlike his secret distaste for the drink, his love for Astrid was something that he couldn’t keep to himself.

A/N: Thank you for reading! For more stories, feel free to check out my Masterlist.

[libraryledge]

It's HTTYD movie week! I miss your Hiccstrid stories. Can you please write another one?

I know I have a couple of works in progress for other fandoms, which I will be putting out the next chapters for soon (don't worry ;D) but...

YES! I'll ALWAYS write for HTTYD. I am so happy that the recent film is bringing new fans into the world of Dragons as well as filling us with nostalgia. Therefore, please enjoy this Hicctsrid one shot.

[libraryledge]

Spoiler Free Review of Materialists

Last night, I watched Materialists, directed by Celine Song, and it was a pleasant breath of fresh air. If you're going into this movie thinking it's about Dakota Johnson having to chose between Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, know that it's not that simple. It's an exploration of love and how our search for it can lead us to become petty and needy and gloss over the true significance of the sentiment. So many times we chose to put ourselves and others into rigid boundaries because we seek perfection in a partner and ourselves. We date, fall in love, and break up with people in manners that are so engrained in our society that they become second nature. However, when we choose to let our guard down and be vulnerably honest with ourselves, then, we have a higher chance of making meaningful connections.

Materialists is a rollercoaster of emotions that has audiences grinning, blushing, crying, and overall, feeling hopeful to find true love. The film does a good job of exploring romance from the female and male experience and how their insecurities and fears lead them to enter a whirlwind of scenarios in the dating scene. The dialogue is swoon worthy and intelligent as the characters navigate a love triangle and learn about their identities in the process.

Celine Song brings something that has been missing from romantic films in the past few years: genuine heart. It has the endearing charm of films like Notting Hill and headstrong, yet imperfect leads reminiscent of movies like Four Weddings and a Funeral. Song captures the woes and joys of falling in love and demonstrates that like any successful business transaction, achieving true love takes effort.

[libraryledge]

Ed Sheeran and Sabrina Carpenter Dropping Music on the Same Day?

Oh boy! Summer is off to a great start! 😄

[libraryledge]

The Next Part of My Story (A Tale Set in the World of Wonka)

A/N: In honor of my one year anniversary on Tumblr, I wrote a continuation to the first series I ever posted. Thank you to everyone who showed love to this story. You're the reason this is possible! Please enjoy!

The weather outside was beautiful, like it was ripped out of a storybook, which was perfect considering that I was writing for one. I sat behind my desk, which was piled to the brim with ideas for new stories. It was crazy to think that about a year ago, these were still ideas in my head. London seemed so far away and simply a dream. Now, not only was I living in the city I’d fantasized about, but I had a writing deal with one of the best publishers in England. However, the most unexpected part was also the sweetest: I was living in a chocolate factory.

Upon arriving in London, I moved into a tiny room in the local washhouse, where I planned to work in order to make enough money to support my career. However, I was abruptly made aware that I would have a roommate, in the already tight chambers. He was none other than Willy Wonka, an aspiring chocolatier and magician, with a wild imagination. Truthfully, my first impression of him was that he was a bit odd, and I wasn’t keen on the idea of sharing my room. However, we quickly became friends and promised to help one another with our conquests: his dream of selling chocolate and my dream of publishing a book. Along the way, Willy’s joyful spirit melted my heart, and now, my life is more vibrant because of him.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. A young man in a long burgundy coat stood in the doorway of my room, tipped his brown top hat at me, and smiled.

“Good afternoon m’lady,” he said, entering the room and eyeing the papers on my desk. “It seems like today is turning out to be a productive day.”

I smiled and took in the image of the handsome man before me as he leaned in and placed a kiss on my head.

“It has. In fact, I’ve come up with so many potential story ideas that I’m having trouble deciding which one I’ll submit to Mr. Doux-Amer,” I admitted.

“I know what you mean. It’s been a busy day at the factory. Even with Lofty’s help, it’s been hard keeping up with all the new chocolate orders that are coming in,” he said, honestly.

I nodded. Lofty was an Oompa Loompa, whom Willy befriended and assigned as his business partner at the factory, after the little orange man took a secret liking to his chocolate.

“Speaking of chocolate,” Willy said, pulling out a small wrapped item from his pocket. “I want you to be the first to try my latest creation.”

He unwrapped the items and revealed a long yellow treat that was decorated with chocolate icing on the top.

“I call it the hair repair eclair. They're perfect for anyone who wants to regrow their missing hair or simply wants to experiment and make it a bit longer,” Willy explained.

Then, he broke off a piece of the candy and placed it in my palm. 

“These are meant to be eaten in small quantities, eat any more than three, and you’ll end up like a gorilla!” he warned.

I laughed, “Well, we certainly don’t want that, do we?”

I placed the treat in my mouth and allowed the flavors to melt on my tongue. It was spongy and had a taste of vanilla. 

“Mmm! Willy, this is delicious!” I proclaimed.

Willy beamed at me. “And it worked too! Look!” he said, carefully taking a strand of my hair in his hands. I gasped as I realized that it was now a few inches longer.

“Wow! That’s amazing!” I said, admiring the change.

“I was afraid that it wouldn’t work. I ate a piece of one earlier, but I don’t think it had any effect.” he admitted.

I stood up from my chair, and I took his hands in mine.

“I think it did work,” I said, studying Willy with a chuckle.

“Really?” he said, taking off his hat and running his hand through his curls, whose color reminded me of a never ending river of chocolate. “How can you tell?”

I leaned in and kissed him lovingly on the lips, which made him smile against me.

“Because your mustache tickles me when I kiss you,” I replied with a grin.

“Mustache? I don’t have a-” he replied in confusion, bringing his hand to his upper lip.

Willy’s eyes widened at the realization. “I have a mustache! I’ve never had one before!”

I giggled and responded, “No, you haven’t but you do look mighty handsome with one.”

His cheeks turned a sweet strawberry red over my compliment.

“Oh, stop it!” he said as he traded his signature Wonka grin with a shy smile that melted my heart.

“You always ask for my honest opinion during taste testing. Why should today be any different?” I said, matter of factly.

Willy wrapped his arms around my waist and then placed his forehead on mine.

“I love you,” he whispered, and now, it was my face that was aglow as he leaned in to kiss me.

The exchange was delightful because as per usual, his lips tasted like chocolate, a concept that I couldn’t get enough of. Now, his new mustache contributed to the ticklish feeling in my heart when we joined together.

As we pulled apart, he chuckled and said, “I better let you get back to your writing. Hopefully, I didn’t make you lose your train of thought.” 

“No, that’s ok. I can jump back on it at the next station,” I replied, playfully.

Willy laughed. “Good, I better get back too. Lofty’s waiting for me. We have lots of new orders to fulfil! Oh! By the way, how do you feel about elevator rides?” he asked me, eagerly.

“Uh…fine. I guess,” I replied, a bit confused at his sudden inquiry.

“Great! Meet me in the basement of the factory at about 7:30 tonight. There’s something I want to show you.” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

“Ok, then. It’s a date,” I replied.

Willy clapped his hands, showcasing his childlike excitement. “Yay! Dates with you are my favorite ones.” 

“I would hope so. Although, you’ve got a lot of admirers who could give me a run for my money and would jump at the chance to go on a date with the famous Willy Wonka,” I teased him with a wink.

“Never!” he said, clearly so shocked that I would utter such a statement, that he missed the fact that I was only kidding.

“I’m so grateful for all of the guests that visit my factory, but none of them fill my stomach with as many butterflies as you do,” he said sincerely.

I blushed and turned him around towards the door to hide my rosy cheeks and get him on his way back to work. 

“I was only teasing you, Willy. Now, go before your sappy words melt me into a puddle of that sugary syrup you use in your candy,” I said with a giggle.

As he headed out the door frame, he tipped his hat at me in a farewell gesture. 

“Now, that would be a shame,” he said with a grin.

“WONKA!” a voice boomed echoing through the stairwell and up to my room. It was Lofty, who made up for his short stature, with his big temper.

“Now, I really need to go. Don’t forget! Tonight at severn!” he said, as he raced down the stairs towards the impatient Oompa Loompa.

I chuckled as I watched him disappear from view. I returned to my desk with a smile as I continued sorting through the ideas I’d written earlier. Once again, without knowing it, Willy had provided more inspiration for my writing. I spent the rest of the afternoon whittling away at my manuscript, counting down the minutes until I would reunite with Willy and share with him the next part of my story. 

[libraryledge]

Thank YOU!

It's my 1 year anniversary on Tumblr! 🥳

I never intended to post my writing on Tumblr. Up until last year, writing was just a hobby that I filled notebooks with whenever I wanted to further explore the worlds of my favorite characters. Thanks to the encouragement that I found on and off of Tumblr, I channeled my emotions through pieces about my favorite fandoms as well as original characters. I always loved writing, but thanks to the self-exploration that I did this past year, now, I can't imagine a world where writing isn't part of my life. Thank YOU for the kindness, cool requests, and supportive comments. Here's to another year of fun!

[libraryledge]

The Girl of My Best Friend (A Bikeriders and Harry Styles Story) Pt 2

A/N: Thank you for the love you all showed to part one of this story. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

For the next few days, Benny spent all of his free time working at the bike shop. He wanted to drown his feelings in his job because he didn’t want to think about the messy situation that he’d gotten himself into. It was so bizarre to think that not long ago, he was living his life as usual, and now, he was falling for a girl who his best friend, Harry potentially had feelings for as well. To make matters worse, when he realized this, he’d zipped away on his scooter without providing either of them an explanation for his quick departure. 

Benny felt terrible because he’d been avoiding Harry, mainly because he was too embarrassed to discuss his feelings for the girl with him. He figured that he’d give his friend some space, so that the incident would pass them by. Benny was set on forgetting the entire situation. Harry was tutoring the girl after all, so a bit of distance would do them some good as Benny sorted through his emotions. 

However, life had other plans. He’d just finished up the final touches on a motorcycle he was repairing and was heading home for the night when something, or rather, someone, took him by surprise. 

“Benny!” called a voice from behind him, as he walked over to his bike.

Oh no! He thought to himself, as his heart began to race. Even though he’d only heard it a few times, that voice left enough of an impression on him to stop him in his tracks. It was the barmaid.

“Hey,” Benny said, giving her a small smile.

“Hey, yourself! How’ve you been?” she said with a grin, that filled Benny’s stomach with butterflies.

“I’m ok,” replied Benny, trying to sound as believable as possible, despite the fluttering sensation inside of him.

“You ran out on us last week, and Professor Styles says he hasn’t heard from you in a bit. I remember he mentioned you worked at the bike shop, so I thought take my chances and see if you were here,” she replied.

Benny nodded, trying to figure out how to respond. Luckily, or not, for him, the girl spoke up again. 

“Truthfully, I was heading over to the bar, but the bus I was on broke down. However, I guess the odds were still slightly in my favor since I ended up at the bike shop. I thought I’d do some exploring and see if you were here,” she admitted with a chuckle. 

“I guess you got lucky,” Benny said as he walked over to his motorcycle with a chuckle.

She grinned, and the expression radiated across her face.

“Where are you headed?” she asked him, curiously.

Truthfully, Benny was headed home, but now that she was here, he couldn’t just leave, especially after learning that her ride to work had malfunctioned. As much as he knew he was going to regret his decision, Benny knew what he had to do.

“Do you need a ride to work?” he asked her as he started the engine on the bike.

“You mean it?” the girl asked, in surprise.

“Sure,” Benny said, and then, suddenly being hit with a wave of confidence, he added. “If you don’t mind being enveloped in this masculine musk.”

He gestured to himself, as he was covered in grease, and still sweaty from his day at work, much like the state he was in on the day they first met.

The girl chuckled. “Sure. It can’t be much worse that the beer breath of the guys who stop by the bar on the weekends. I can never wrap my mind around how their girlfriends stand to kiss them like that.”

Benny nodded awkwardly at her comment, as he avoided making eye contact with her, for fear of his thoughts shifting from platonic to romantic.

“No clue,” he replied, as he hopped on the bike and gestured for her to get on as well.

She smiled at him, and Benny noticed the slight hesitation before she stepped onto the bike. Amused, he let out a small laugh.

“I don’t bite,” he said with a mischievous grin.

She blushed and rolled her eyes as she replied. “I know that, Mr. Motorhead, but unlike you, I’ve never been on a bike, so forgive me for being a bit apprehensive.”

Benny grinned, glad to see he wasn’t the only one who was nervous, albeit for different reasons, but it was still slightly reassuring nonetheless. 

“It’ll be fine. Just hold on tight,” he said, as she wrapped her arms around him, cautiously. 

As he revved up the engine, Benny’s heart was beating faster. He hoped that she wouldn’t notice that as her body positioned itself against his back, his pulse accelerated, or if she did, that she would mistake it for the rush of the motorcycle ride. One thing was for certain: he did not expect this to be the turn that his evening would take.

Once they were bounding down the road, Benny began to feel more at ease. There was something about being on the back of a bike that made all of his anxieties disappear. She, on the other hand, appeared to grow more apprehensive by the second, which was evident by the way she strengthened her grip on his shirt. 

“You ok back there?” Benny asked her, trying to hide the amusement in his tone.

“Yep! Never better,” she mustered out, as she leaned in closer to him, while he turned onto the road that would take them to the bar.

Benny chuckled to himself as he drove the final stretch to the establishment. After a few more moments of the engine rumbling beneath them, the pair arrived at their destination. Slowly, the girl unwrapped her arms from around his waist, and Benny was secretly sorry that their journey was so short.

As he got off the bike and helped her down, he said cheekily, “That wasn’t so bad now was it?”

The barmaid gave him a pointed look, as she raised an eyebrow at him and bit back a smile.

“What? You made it back in one piece didn’t you?” Benny said, laughing.

“Miraculously, yes, I did,” she said, as he took her hand and helped her down. Their hands remained intertwined for a second too long, and Benny felt a shiver run down his spine.

“You don’t trust my driving skills?” he asked, as they pulled apart.

“It’s not that. I just don’t understand how you do that everyday without feeling queasy.” she said, half-jokingly.

“Years of practice,” Benny said, matter of factly.

“It shows,” she said sincerely, and Benny felt his face flush slightly with pride. “However, no matter how romantic Hollywood paints motorcycle rides to be, I think I'd have to disagree.”

“Oh! So, you thought this would be romantic?” Benny teased, pleased to see a soft, pink hue creeping upon her cheeks.

“That’s not what I meant. I just think that this is another thing that Hollywood got wrong,” she said, quickly trying to get her point across.

“Noted,” Benny replied with a smirk.

“That being said, I’d rather take a motorcycle ride with you any day over being trapped on that smelly bus on the way to work, so thank you,” she said, looking into his eyes.

She lowered her voice and added, “Besides, the view is much better.”

Benny’s heartbeat resumed its restless thumping. “And the smell?” he asked, almost in a whisper.

“It’s not so bad. Nothing that a quick shower, and a bit of cologne can’t fix,” she teased as he playfully rolled his eyes.

Then, breaking the trance they were in, she turned her attention towards the bar, where patrons were beginning to file inside.

“I’ve got to go, but thank you again for the ride. I truly appreciate it,” she said.

“Even if it was a bumpy ride?” Benny joked.

“Because it was a bumpy ride,” she affirmed. Then, she leaned in ever so carefully, and placed a kiss upon his cheek.

Benny blushed and tried to fight the dorky smile that was forming across his face. Taking note of his expression, the barmaid smiled.

“I will be seeing you again soon?” the barmaid asked, and it sounded more like a statement than a question.

“Yeah,” Benny said, dreamily, still drunk on her touch, and not truly aware of what she was saying, which is why what she said next caught him off guard.

“Good. I have a tutoring session with Professor Styles tomorrow evening,” she said. “Meet me there?”

In all of the euphoria of the moment that they shared, Benny had forgotten about his conflict with Harry.

“Well?” she asked him expectantly, and he realized that he’d spaced out for a second.

“Oh! Yeah, I’ll be there," he said, way too quickly, as she gave him an odd, but entertained look.

“Good! Tomorrow it is,” she said, with a one last grin as she waved goodbye to him and hurried into the bar.

Benny sighed both from contentment over how hard he was falling for the girl, and the fact that he was going to see his best friend and quite literally face the music.

[libraryledge]

The Girl of My Best Friend (A Bikeriders and Harry Styles Story) Pt 1

A/N: I got a fun request for a story involving Benny Cross and Harry Styles who seemingly both fall for the same girl. This is my first time writing for two fandoms in one story and had fun writing it. Enjoy!

It had been a long day, and Benny Cross wanted nothing more than to unwind at the bar with a can of beer. He’d spent his time working at his new position at the local auto repair shop, and felt that he deserved a drink to unwind from the day’s stress. Sweaty and smelling of oil, Benny rode his bike to the local bar to end the day on a relaxing note.

He knew the bar inside and out because it was where all the bikers gathered to talk, play pool, and get drunk on alcohol and adrenaline. That’s why it surprised him when he walked in and spotted an unfamiliar young woman serving drinks and chatting it up with the patrons. She was beautiful and the way that she laughed at something one of the bikers said, made his heart flutter. Gosh! He hadn’t been attracted to someone like this since he was a teenager, and he hadn’t even talked to her yet.

As Benny took a seat at the bar, the girl's eyes flicked over in his direction. She waved goodbye to the bikers and went over to him.

“Welcome,” she said cheerily. “What can I get for you today?” 

“Um…” Benny trailed off, clearly forgetting any details of what he was planning to order in the first place.

“Can I interest you in today’s special: sex on the beach?” she asked with a shrug.

Benny felt his face flush. “What?”

“It’s a cocktail. You know with vodka, peach, orange juice, and cranberry juice.”

“Right,” Benny replied with a sheepish smile. “I knew that. I think I’ll just have a beer.”

“Simple and right to the point. I like it,” the girl replied, oblivious to Benny’s nerves. 

“I’ll bring it right out.” she said as she disappeared behind the bar to serve it. 

Benny looked around the room, which was much emptier than usual. Other than the group of bikers, who were conversing amongst themselves, Benny was alone at the bar, which meant that he didn’t have anyone to talk to and distract himself from his newfound jitters. However, he didn’t have much time to dwell on this because the barmaid reappeared and placed a container of beer in front of him.

“Here you go,” she said with a smile, which Benny returned with a lopsided grin.

“Thanks,” he said. Then trying to make conversation because he didn’t want her to leave quite yet, he asked, “So, you’re new around here? I don’t remember seeing you at the bar before.”

The girl smiled, “You’re pretty observant. Yes, I moved here a few weeks ago. I’m studying at the local college, so I took up this job to pay for tuition.”

“Oh, wow! That’s great.” Benny replied. His mind quickly traveled to his friend, Harry Styles, who was an adjunct professor of music at the college. He and Harry had been friends since they were teens and now often met up to catch up on the weekends.

“Well, it pays the bills, and on days when things are slow, my boss lets me pick out what we play on the jukebox, which is a highlight of the job,” she said with a smile. “Today happens to be one of those days.”

“What kind of music do you usually play?” Benny asked, intrigued.

“Oh, this thing has everything. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Beatles. You name it.”

“You got any Elvis tunes on there?” he asked, fascinated by the way her eyes lit up when she talked about music.

“Of course. Let me see what they have cued up in here,” she said as he took a swig of his beer and watched her walk over to the machine. 

“Have you ever heard the Elvis song, “The Girl of My Best Friend?” she asked.

“Sure, it’s a classic isn’t it?” Benny said with a grin.

The barmaid nodded and replied, “It is.”

She played the song on the jukebox. Benny listened as the soft melody filled the room and Elvis crooned, 

The way she walks

The way she talks

How long can I pretend

Oh I can't help it, I'm in love

with the girl of my best friend

Benny chuckled, “Gosh! That’d be some predicament to be in. Imagine falling in love with someone who your best friend also has feelings for?”

The girl chuckled. “I’m willing to bet that it happens more often than you think.”

Benny laughed and continued drinking his beer as he responded, “Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.” 

He paused for a second, suddenly hit with realization. “Hey! I don’t think I got your name.”

The girl smiled and replied, “You never told me yours either.”

Benny smirked and said, “You’re right. I’m Benny.”

He stuck out his hand as a greeting. As her hands wrapped around his, he felt a warmth radiate through his body. Her handshake was firm, but inviting.

“Nice to meet you Benny,” she said as their eyes met.

Suddenly, the bikers across the room called out to her, “Can we get another round of tequila shots?” 

The girl nodded and hollered back, “Coming right up!” She turned her attention back to Benny.

“I got to go tend to them. Will you be ok here for a bit?”

Benny nodded. “Of course.” 

She began to walk away, but before going to prepare the tequila, she stopped and said, “I didn’t tell you my name, did I?”

Benny shook his head and replied, “No.”

She grinned and lowered her voice as she revealed it to him in a whisper. The tenderness in her tone as she told him, made it feel as if they were sharing a secret. 

“That’s a beautiful name,” Benny said, still mesmerized by her. As he watched the girl walk towards the bikers, the flutter in his heart grew more intense. Although he didn’t believe in love at first sight, Benny knew there was something undeniably magnetic between them.

The day after the interaction at the bar, Benny met up with Harry, who had the morning off from his position at the college. The friends decided to meet up at a local park to catch up on the week’s craziness. Benny always admired Harry. While he was rough around the edges and usually covered in grease after a day of repairing motorcycles at the shop, Harry was stylish and put together, which was perfect for someone who aspired to work in higher education. It also didn’t hurt that he had a charming English accent that all the ladies flocked to like bees to honey. 

“So, what’s up with you mate?” Harry asked as he took a bite of a sandwich he’d brought with him, and eyed Benny with amusement.

As always, Harry was observant, and he could tell that there was something on Benny’s mind because he’d been quieter than usual.

Feeling caught, Benny sighed. He knew he could trust Harry, so he said, “I met this girl last night.”

“You don’t say! Really? Where? At the bike shop?” Harry said, as he grinned widely.

“No. At the local bar. She’s a new barmaid, and oh, she’s incredible! She’s witty, loves music, and is so beautiful. I felt like a schoolboy when I was talking to her. I didn’t know what to say,” Benny admitted.

“Man, you do have it bad. Write her a song. That always seems to help me,” Harry said as he savored the turkey and cheese in his lunch.

Benny rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “Not all of us were born with musical talents, Harry,” he replied with a laugh.

“Ok, then invite her to do something fun. You love riding motorcycles, so take her for a scenic drive somewhere,” Harry responded.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Benny replied.

“Am I known for giving bad advice?” Harry teased.

Benny snorted and replied, “Not on purpose.”

Harry laughed.

“So, enough about me. What have you been up to? Has work at the college been keeping you on your toes?” Benny asked him.

“Oh yeah, with the first exam of the semester coming up, a lot of students have been coming in for office hours. Lots of long nights of studying music. I love the job, but I need some sleep,” Harry answered with a perfectly timed yawn.

“Yeah, you need your beauty sleep,” Benny teased. 

Harry nodded, “Oh, it’s no joke. I have a tutoring appointment with a student tomorrow.” He paused for a second, as he was struck with inspiration.

“Benny, you should join me! Maybe you’ll run into your mystery girl while on campus,” Harry said with a mischievous grin.

Benny shook his head sheepishly, “ Oh no, man. The campus is so big. What are the odds that I’d actually see her?”

“Who knows? Stranger things have happened,” Harry said as he finished his sandwich and stood up to toss the wrapper in the garbage bin. Benny got up and followed him.

“Alright. I’ll meet you there. What do I have to lose?” he said with a shrug.

“Atta boy Benny. If this works out, I take full responsibility,” Harry said with a grin.

“And if it doesn’t?” Benny asked.

“In that case, I’ll be the one to blame, but there’s a slim chance that will happen,” Harry said cheekily.

Benny shook his head in amusement as he waved to Harry, got on his bike and headed off with a laugh.

The next day, Benny arrived at the school pretty early, and felt a bit nervous. Was there a chance that he’d actually run into her? He spotted Harry, who was already there and dressed in his work uniform.

“Benny! You made it! The student I’m tutoring should be here in a few minutes, but feel free to explore the campus while I hold office hours,” Harry said with a smile.

“Sure. Thanks man,” replied Benny taking in the view around him. “So who are you tutoring today?”

“I’m mentoring this girl who just transferred into my class. She’s pretty outgoing and really smart. I’m telling you man, the way she picked up the music lessons so quickly is insane. And if I may be so bold to say so, she’s easy on the eyes too,” Harry said matter of factly.

“Well, it sounds like she was blessed with the whole package,” Benny said with a chuckle.

Harry nodded and replied, “One can only hope to be as cool as her.”

Before Benny could respond, a voice called out from behind him.

“Professor Styles!” 

Benny turned around at the familiar sound, only to come face to face with the girl from the bar.

She was just as surprised to see him because she raised her eyebrows and said, “Benny?”

They stared at each other in surprise for a second until Harry interrupted them with an amused smirk as he asked, “You two know each other?”

“I met her at the bar earlier this week,” Benny said, hoping his friend would make the connection.

Harry’s eyes grew wide as he got the hint. “No way!”

He turned towards the girl and added, “Benny’s my best mate. What are the odds?”

Benny was still slightly in shock as the girl replied, “Right?”

“I was just telling Benny that you are one of my top students. You truly have a gift with music,” Harry said with a wink.

She blushed, and waved him off as she said, “Oh, stop it. If that were true, I wouldn’t be here for tutoring would I?”

Benny watched as she and Harry bantered back and forth over her studies, and he suddenly felt a pang in his chest. Out of all the people that Harry could have been tutoring, it had to be the one girl who made his heart flutter like a butterfly. To top it off, it was evident that she and Harry already had a familiar vibe with each other, something that he could only dream of because even being close to her put him at a loss for words. This was painfully evident from the way that Benny hadn't said a word since she arrived. 

“Well, it was nice seeing you,” Benny finally mustered out.

“Are you leaving already?” the girl asked him as he turned to go.

“Yeah, I don’t want to intrude on your study session,” he added, forcing a small smile.

She nodded empathetically as Harry gave him a strange look and questioned, “Weren’t you going to stick around campus?”

“I just remembered that there are a few things I needed to take care of,” Benny said, a little too quickly as his friend looked at him, not entirely convinced.

“Ok, then. See you soon?” Harry asked.

“Yeah. Yeah,” replied Benny with a wave. “Good luck with the tutoring session,”

The girl smiled and said, “Thank you. Hope to see you at the bar again soon.”

Benny nodded, a bit nervously. “Of course.”

Then he waved at the pair and headed to his bike, which he’d parked alongside the road. Benny was a mess. He had the perfect moment to talk to the girl of dreams, and he blew it. However, what was the most confusing was that she was already pretty close to Harry, and by what he could tell, his friend seemed to like her too. He couldn’t believe his luck. 

That night at the bar was perfect, but now, everything was spiraling out of control. Ironically, the first thing that came to Benny’s mind was the Elvis song she played on the jukebox because now he was the one falling for the girl of his best friend. 

A/N: Thank you to the person who requested this. It was a fun challenge to take on. There will be another part to this story soon, so stay tuned.

[libraryledge]

May I please request a fic? Benny Cross and Harry Styles are at odds over Benny's new interest, a young barmaid who's taking music classes at a local college where Harry is an adjunct professor. His interest in her maybe more than professional

Ooo a love triangle? That sounds like a fun concept to explore. Thank you for the request. This is my first time writing for two fandoms at once and really enjoyed the challenge. The story is out now. Please enjoy!

[libraryledge]

It's Still a Rumor, But Rolling Stone is Typically Credible So... 🤭

Honestly, it would be so cool to see him perform Dylan songs live for such a big audience. We've got to take the information with a grain of salt because only time will tell if the rumors are true. :)

https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/timothee-chalamet-rumoured-to-play-secret-bob-dylan-set-at-glastonbury-2025-49987/

[libraryledge]

Sorry, I'm Here for Someone Else (A Bikeriders Story Inspired By Benson Boone's Lyrics)

A/N: It's been a bit since I've posted a Bikeriders story. Thank you for the request for this songfic. This story is about Benny running into you, an ex-lover, leading his old feelings to resurface. Enjoy!

Benny's POV:

I was there on a date. Well, it was supposed to be a date, but honestly, it was beginning to feel more like an obligation. I was seeing this girl that I met on one of my many cross country trips on my motorcycle. She was this pretty little thing who immediately took an interest in me when we met at a local pub. We spent the night chatting and bonding over our dismal love lives. Things seemingly went well as we met up a few more times after that. However, she suddenly became distant, and I quickly picked up that she liked the idea of being with a biker more than she liked the idea of me. 

That’s how I ended up here, in a diner, waiting for her to arrive. She was running late for dinner because she was on the south side of town. Our date clearly wasn’t serious enough for her to come on time. This was just one of the many subtle signs that things between us were off balance. Like when I called her at home, she left the phone a little bitter, and I shrugged it off because it was cool for now. We were far from perfect for each other, but we were working it out. I suppose. 

I looked out the window as I sat slumped over at a booth. The view outside was nostalgic because it reminded me of my hometown and the people I used to know who were now a distant memory, or so I thought.

A girl in a waitress uniform, with her hair up in a bun, picks up a platter from the kitchen and heads in my direction. It was you. Suddenly, I was waiting at the diner looking traumatized because you walked up to my table with an order of fries. 

Your eyebrows raised as you asked, “Benny?”

I didn’t know how to respond because I knew you. In fact, I used to love you. You were my first love in high school, but after we broke up, and I became a freewheeling bike rider, I assumed that we’d never see each other again. Clearly, what they say about assumptions is true because there you were, smiling warmly at me.

“Hi!” I said, perhaps a bit too eagerly, because you chuckled. 

Gosh, I loved that sound! However, I dispelled that thought from my head because I needed to focus my attention towards awaiting my date as I internally reminded myself, “I’m here for someone else!”

Instead, I said the stupidest thing imaginable: “It’s good to see your face!”

That only made your smile grow wider, as you replied, “It’s nice to see that you’re still as unfiltered as ever.”

I felt my cheeks grow warm as I quickly added, “Yeah, well old habits die hard,” 

As I looked at her, I believed that more than ever.

“What I really meant was uh… I hope you’re doing well," I added, quickly.

“It’s nice to see you too. Are you waiting for someone?” you asked with an unwavering smile.

“Um…yeah. I’m sorry. I'm here with someone else.” I replied.

You raised an eyebrow as you studied the obviously empty space in front of me.

“Really?” you asked, leaning in close enough to make my heart race with the scent of your floral perfume. “Do they know that?”

I grinned awkwardly. “She’s on her way. My um...date has the habit of running late.”

“Mmm.” you say, as you place the basket of fries on the table. “Here. They’re on the house. I’m still not convinced that you're on a date, but in case you are, you won’t starve to death until she shows up.”

As you walked off, I felt a pang of sadness and wished that you could stay, so we would talk at the bar all by ourselves. Like old times, when we chatted about our futures without a care in the world, but now things were different because I was there with someone else. 

What happened next was unbelievable. My date finally walked into the restaurant. I had the urge to get up and pretend that I never arrived. I didn’t want to ditch her, and I hated to say it, but I knew it: mentally, I was already gone because my mind was somewhere else. In the diner's kitchen to be specific. With you.

My conscience told me Benny, don’t do it. Benny, don’t do it, but I needed to go. It wasn’t personal, and I knew that she would eventually understand. After all, she didn’t seem too keen on meeting up with me in the first place.

I quickly ducked out of sight, and barely avoided being spotted by her as I made a run for it. My heart was racing because it felt good to see your face after all those years. I always hoped that you were doing well. Even though I was there for someone else, I wanted you to stay. We could talk over a drink at the bar all by ourselves. We could share what we’d been up to for the past few years. We could do anything at all, but all I knew was that I was still in love with you.

I was going out of my mind, and I couldn’t take it anymore. The next thing I knew, I was running for the kitchen doors. The chef shot me a dirty look as I ran past him towards you.

“Benny! What’s the matter?” you asked, staring at me in utter disbelief.

“I need to tell you something,” I said, out of breath.

You studied me with a mixture of surprise and amusement upon your face as you asked, “What? Did your date finally show up?”

I nodded, and took a second to catch my breath. “Yes."

“Oh?” you replied, raising an eyebrow. “I guess all that waiting paid off, but that still doesn’t explain why you barged through the kitchen.”

“Honestly, things between her and I were never going to work out. You were the one I should’ve waited for,” I said, feeling my face grow warm as I admitted it, especially since the entire diner staff was curiously watching the scene unfold.

“Me? Benny, we haven’t seen each other in years!” you said in bewilderment.

“I know, but all this time, I thought that I could move on, and be happy with someone else. It turns out I was wrong. You can’t be replaced. I don’t know if you’re seeing anyone or if I’ve made a fool of myself, but I can’t lose you again," I admitted, as I looked into your eyes, which were as mesmerizing as ever.

“Wow! That’s a lot to process,” you said with a nervous chuckle. “You’re right. That was a foolish thing to do, and it will probably get you banned from this diner for life.”

I squirmed, realizing that the chef was staring angrily at me, which made me want to run in the other direction and forget I’d made that impulsive decision.

“But, I am not seeing anyone at the moment, so if your heart can wait another 30 minutes until I’m done with my shift, then perhaps we can meet up at the bar across the street and discuss the matter further,” you replied with a playful look.

I grinned, not believing how she could still read my mind after all this time.

“I’d love that,” I replied earnestly.

“Good, now get out of here before you get me fired,” you said matter of factly.

I chuckled sheepishly and said, “Sorry.”

As you picked up a tray of milkshakes, I suddenly remembered that there was someone in the dining area that I didn’t want to face at the moment. 

“Uh…just one more question. Is there a door in the back that I can exit through?” I asked, cringing internally.

You rolled your eyes good-naturedly, and pointed to the staff exit. Then, you placed your hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “You’re not going to run off again, are you?”

As I took in your close proximity, my heart skipped a beat, a definite sign that I’d learned from my mistakes of the past and was here to stay.

“No, not again. Not again,” I replied, and I meant it.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear what other songs and characters you want me to write about next. Check out my Masterlist for inspiration.

[libraryledge]

Can you please do another Bikeriders songfic with the song, "I'm Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else" by Benson Boone? Since that song mentions the name Benny, I think it fits so well.

Hi! Thank you for the request. I love Benson Boone and The Bikeriders, so this is perfect! Your story request has been granted.

[libraryledge]

It's (Not) All Over Now Baby Blue (How A Complete Unknown Won After All)

It's incredible that tonight marked the final big event for the film, A Complete Unknown: the Oscars. It has been an incredible past few months watching its cast passionately share this film with the world. While tonight, the movie didn't take home any Academy Awards, it's safe to say that those who worked on it didn't leave the Dolby Theatre disappointed.

Timothee Chalamet made his appearance at the ceremony hand in hand with his mother, who beamed with pride at her son's achievement. Whether he won or lost, he already held the record of being the youngest two-time Oscar nominee since James Dean. More importantly, he accomplished his mission of embodying Bob Dylan, an artist who refused to be categorized and charted his own path by breaking past expectations.

Monica Barbaro was a breakout star this season with her portrayal of Joan Baez. Despite being a fierce member of the film, Top Gun: Maverick, it was her role in A Complete Unknown that truly introduced her to a new audiences. Her dedication to playing the part of a headstrong woman who was devoted to her career, earned Barbaro the admiration of many people, especially women who saw their experiences reflected through her.

Elle Fanning's emotional depiction of a political activist and artist, who realized the difficulties of loving an rising star brought a once overlooked part of Suze Rotolo's story to life. Edward Norton truly captured the pathos of Pete Seeger, who was caught between his love of the folk music of the past and the realization that the times were indeed changing and headed towards a new sound. Boyd Holbrook displayed the rebellious nature of Johnny Cash, who understood Dylan's frustration and encouraged him to let loose and "make some noise". On the other hand, without saying a word, Scoot McNairy delivered one of the most emotional moments in the film as Woody Guthrie, Dylan's hero, who inspired him to become a singer.

Clearly, the film, A Complete Unknown has many stand out performances that are worthy of an Academy Award. Regardless, those who devoted years of work into this project ended the night on a high note because of the global impact their film made. So many young people who didn't know about the folk scene in the 60's now belt out "It Ain't Me Babe" or shed a tear listening to "Song to Woody". This film also opened up the conversation about the importance of staying true to one's identity amidst the chaos of the world. Yes, the movie didn't take home an Oscar, but it earned something even more meaningful: the love and admiration of audiences who were inspired by the story of Dylan, Baez, and their contemporaries, which is as relevant now as it was in the 1960's. While the premieres, Q&A's, and award ceremonies have come and gone, A Complete Unknown's legacy continues to live on like a rolling stone.

[libraryledge]

To Be Great Is To Inspire (A Takeaway From Chalamet's SAG Award Win)

Bright green and black leather was the look that Timothee Chalamet rocked for his appearance at the SAG Awards. After nearly three months of traveling the globe to promote A Complete Unknown, he is back in Los Angeles with the cast of the film to attend one of the final award ceremonies of the season.

From his head-turning red carpet looks, to his unpredictable mode of transportation to premieres, to his roles as the musical guest and host on Saturday Night Live, this press tour has been one for the books. However, what was evident every time that Chalamet discussed the project was how inspired he is by Bob Dylan and how rewarding the project was for him. Perhaps, it was for this reason that when his name was called as the SAG Award winner of the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture, he appeared stunned.

While he received recognitions for the film at festivals and award dinners, this was the first time that Chalamet won an award at a nationally televised ceremony. What made this moment so special was the reaction of everyone close to him. Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning, who play Joan Baez and Sylvie Russo respectively, were seen exchanging looks of elation. Boyd Holbrook who plays Johnny Cash and Scoot McNairy who plays Woody Guthrie could be seen clapping at the next table with large smiles on their faces. Edward Norton, who plays Pete Seeger, congratulated him with proud hug while director, James Mangold cheered from beside him.

However, the stand out moment was the hug that Chalamet exchanged with his mother, Nicole Flender. It can't be emphasized enough how powerful this moment was because one can only imagine the flood of emotions that was going her mind as she watched her son, whom she attended various industry events with in the past, grow from quite literally a complete unknown to one of the most recognized young actors in Hollywood.

Once he made it on stage, the essence of Chalamet's speech can best be described in two words: Bob Dylan. He started off by thanking his mother who worked with the Actor's Equity Fund for 40 years. Then, just like the folk singer was known to do, Chalamet decided to take a unique approach with his words. He admitted that perhaps the more conventional speech would minimize how much work he put into the project, but seeing as this role accompanied him for over half a decade, he believed that it was fitting to shout out his hard work. He's right because five and a half years of guitar and harmonica instruction, vocal lessons, memorizing Dylan lyrics, and transporting oneself into the climate of the 60's is no easy feat.

After thanking his castmates, Chalamet spoke the line that most news outlets will be quoting in their coverage of his win: "I'm really in pursuit of greatness."

Just as Dylan's lyrics offer a deeper meaning below the surface, so does this phrase. Some audience members may have identified with Chalamet's quest for achieving the best and others may have misconstrued it as conceit. However, like Dylan's performance at the Newport Folk Festival, there is more than one way to interpret this moment. Chalamet isn't claiming that he is one of the greats as many people may twist his words to say, but rather he states, "I want to be one of the greats." He is aware that he has a long road ahead as he is still young. (In fact, this win makes him the youngest recipient of SAG-AFTRA's award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture). However, he has a comprehension of this industry that is well beyond his years.

Being an artist is a complex profession. It's something that Chalamet knows and something that Bob Dylan most certainly understands. By shouting out actors in his speech like Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis alongside athletes like Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps, Chalamet makes it clear that an individual's greatness comes from their ability to inspire others, no matter what their devotion may be. He makes it clear that he is truly grateful for the award, but earning the prize doesn't make a person great, rather encouraging others to not give up and to sincerely commit to their passion are what does.

It's bittersweet that the chapter of A Complete Unknown is coming to a close, especially as it evident that this project is a labor of love for Chalamet and the entire cast and crew. With a SAG Award win under his belt, it seems like the perfect way to close out this era of his career, which will no doubt skyrocket from here. The awards night was filled with unexpected surprises and a very moving, but powerful speech. Amidst an industry that can be a whirlwind, it is reassuring to see a young person like Chalamet, who much like Dylan, truly values his craft and has his vision centered on taking his work to new heights. It's a mindset that we all should adopt. We shouldn't be afraid to celebrate our achievements. We should appreciate the people that inspired us to reach our objectives. Most importantly, through our passion, we should strive and encourage others to be great.

[libraryledge]

Direct From Domingo (The Unlikely Duo)

As soon as Martin Short and Molly Shannon began discussing Matt and Kelsey renewing their vows during the anniversary special of Saturday Night Live, audiences knew what was coming. Domingo was about to make an appearance! What wild romantic situation would he get into? What crazy turn would the story take? Most importantly, what song was he going to sing?

In case you have no idea who Domingo is and what I am talking about: let me introduce you to an iconic sketch comedy character that spawned from the most random yet fitting partnership between a rising pop singer and comedian.

It all started in May 2024 when Sabrina Carpenter performed her latest single, "Espresso" on SNL, which at that point released barely a month prior. It was only beginning its journey of becoming the song of the summer and the hit that would propel her career into the mainstream. Before Sabrina performed the song on the late night show, SNL cast members were asked to sing the lyrics to her song as a promo for the upcoming episode. Some succeeded and others, like Marcello Hernandez (more about him later), hummed along to the tune with a giggle because they hadn't memorized the lyrics. Yet...

Apart from it being her debut on the show, Sabrina's appearance on SNL was memorable for many reasons. First of all, it introduced her to a larger audience. Despite her decade long career prior to that, many people hadn't been exposed to her music. However, as proven by her Short n' Sweet tour tickets selling out within minutes of their release, that would change very quickly. The SNL performance also marked the first night that she debuted her signature baby doll nightgown that would become a staple in shaping the vintage style that would be explored during this new era for the singer. Perhaps, something that no one could have planned for was how "Espresso" would tie into one of the most viral sketches of recent SNL history.

This is when we get to Marcello Hernandez. With an eager spirit and authentic humor, he was a great addition to SNL in 2022. As a young Latina, I was fond of his inclusion of Hispanic culture in his sketches and found it refreshing how he found a humorous way of telling stories about our culture to a national audience. His most famous sketch up to that point was "Protective Mom" with Pedro Pascal, where he spoofed on the idea of a Hispanic mother who wants the best for her son. It was so successful that the sketch was revived on a later episode where Bad Bunny played a protective aunt. It was clear that Marcello was going places and audiences were loving it.

Fast forward to August 2024 when Sabrina and Marcello reunited at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood event, where they were honored for their budding careers in the industry. Little did they know how much more their paths would be intertwined in a few months.

By fall, SNL began its fiftieth anniversary season with a bang. In October Ariana Grande hosted the episode where a viral hit was born. It began with a wedding sketch about bridesmaids singing off key to the tune of "Espresso" about how the bride, Kelsey, encountered a mysterious man named Domingo during her bachelorette party. The punchline of the sketch is when Domingo, played by Marcello, interrupts them and sings "Kelsey's a friend. She's like my sis, but we did hook up though". After that, the sketch took off on social media as people began acting out the comedic song.

The fun carried into November when Sabrina was on her legendary Short n' Sweet tour. At each show, she "arrests" an audience member for being too attractive. During one of her final LA shows, who was the lucky culprit? None other than Marcello Domingo, who flew from New York, where he wrapped up a continuation of the iconic sketch on SNL with Charli XCX the night before. The LA crowd went crazy as he was shown on a jumbotron and announced "Sabrina! I'm here!" while playfully singing the famous Domingo song.

Now in 2025, SNL celebrated its golden anniversary, and Sabrina Carpenter was invited to perform. She opened the show with Paul Simon on the same stage where nine months prior she was introduced to new viewers, who can now belt out her songs by heart. It was a full circle moment meaning that of course Domingo couldn't miss the fun. In the latest sketch, Matt and Kelsey renew their vows after less than a year of marriage, which perhaps is a wink to how quickly the Domingo sketch grew in popularity. Sabrina plays Sophie, a bridesmaid who sings off-key to the tune of Defying Gravity and You Belong With Me as she retells Kelsey's escapade with Domingo.

Domingo makes his dramatic appearance, much to the excitement of the crowd, and sings with Sophie to the tune of "Espresso". Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny join the pair and play Domingo's older brothers, Reynaldo and Santiago, bringing the story into full fruition.

It's incredible how much can change in a few months. Marcello modestly credits the sketch's writers for brainstorming the idea of Domingo, which lead to his one of his first iconic personas on SNL. Sabrina credits her fans for the success of "Espresso" as they embraced her playful lyricism. Both performers had an incredible year as Marcello is now a main SNL cast member, and Sabrina is a Grammy winner. (If that wasn't enough, both coincidentally have their first Funko Pop debuting this spring). Who knows what else the future holds for them? One thing that's certain is they'll always share an unexpected connection that came direct from Domingo.

[libraryledge]

Consider The Whole Story (A Commentary On Fandom)

If you tell someone that you are a fangirl or fanboy, they might give you an odd look because of the connotation of being nerdy or obsessive. As a self-proclaimed fangirl of many topics, I can tell you with certainty there is more than meets the eye. I was a shy girl who found comfort in the Wizarding World and can vouch for people who, like myself, use their love for their favorite films, shows, and music to face the mental and physical battles of their own world.

When I stumbled across the Harry Potter books on a rainy day in middle school, what attracted me the most was not the spells and potions, but the camaraderie of the Golden Trio. As someone whose family moved regularly, making friends was difficult, but reading about how Harry, Ron, and Hermione treated each other as equals and supported one another’s ambitions gave me hope to find friends of my own. Truthfully, I spent many lonely lunch hours reading the books and eventually discovered the joy of fanfiction (#romioneforever XD). However, being part of this community was a beautiful experience because I eventually met people who also found joy in the adventures of misfit wizards and pushed me to write original stories that I dream of publishing someday. 

This story isn’t unique to myself however because I know people who have used their involvement in their fandom to build their identity. A childhood friend of mine was obsessed with animation and shows like Phineas and Ferb (something we had in common). Truthfully, for sixth graders who are trying to be cool this might not be the key to being popular. However, he was always drawing and had his mind set on becoming an animator. I am proud to say that now, he has worked as a graphic designer for well known music artists and is striving to share his art with a larger audience, something that he told Swampy Marsh, the co creator of Phineas and Ferb, when he met him in person.

Perhaps the love of fandom is inherited because a story that highly resonates with me is from my aunt who used fandom to help her overcome the darkest period in her life. As a young adult, she was diagnosed with anxiety. There were days when it was difficult to get out of bed, but the one thing that kept her company was the music of her favorite singer. Her lyrics spoke to my aunt and helped her clear her mind when it felt as if it might burst. One day, she heard on the radio that the singer was going to be at an album signing about 20 minutes away from her. Mind you, my aunt hadn’t driven very far in a significant period of time, but she knew she couldn’t let that opportunity pass. To this day, she tells me the story of how she drove on the busy highway and was one of the first in line to get her CD signed, something that she treasures to this day. 

Fandom may be scoffed upon by those who don’t understand that it isn’t solely about cosplay and conventions. While these elements are fantastic, there is more to it. People scoff at the boy who knows Taylor Swift lyrics by heart, but they don’t know that those songs helped him cope with a difficult family life. They laugh at the girl who treasures Pokemon cards, but perhaps those cards were a gift from someone she lost. Others tease adults who watch Steven Universe, but they do not understand that this show helped them feel seen as a queer person. Fandom has the power to impact people’s lives. There are many published authors who started off as fanfiction writers and reporters whose first exposure to media management was running online fan accounts. Everyone’s experience is different, so before judging someone’s passion or dismissing it as nonsense, remember to consider the whole story. After all, fandom is not a weakness. It is our strength.