#Entertainment Weekly on Campus

[rockwithbibberly]

Matt Pinfield, in a mini-magazine that was distributed on college campuses in the late 90's (I don't remember which specific year).

[savethedeadboys]

Dead Boy Detectives has been featured on an astonishing 125 best-of lists praising its quality! 🎉

Everyone agrees, this show is one of the best of the best! Check out some recent examples:

Screen Rant's new list of shows that are a must-watch for any fan of the fantasy genre

CBR's new list of one-season Netflix shows that are flawless from beginning to end

Buzzfeed's new list of underrated queer shows that everyone should be watching

Her Campus's list of canceled Netflix shows that are a must-watch

Entertainment Weekly's list of the 20 best supernatural shows to stream for paranormal entertainment

[aleskie]

A THOUSAND MILES SEEMS PRETTY FAR | Quinn Hughes x Reader

SUMMARY: But they have planes and trains and cars. He'd walk to you if he had no other way. aka long distance with quinn.

Word Count: 1k Warnings: none :D pure fluff. no angst, just love. ♫ Listen: Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's ♫

You and Quinn are on your bi-weekly phonecall, catching up on each other’s lives in the strange new reality of being miles apart. He talks about training and games, his neighbors and their quirky antics, the dishes he's trying to cook, and the restaurants he’s found nearby for when his cooking doesn't go as planned. There’s a lightheartedness in his voice as he tells you about getting recognized by fans, but you can hear the fatigue too, the weight of adjusting to a life where so much feels new and foreign.

“Tell me what it’s like over there,” he says, voice warm and familiar.

“Oh, honey,” you say with a laugh, “It’s been a wild few days.”

You update him on all the latest drama from home, from your mutual friends’ lives to the ridiculous gossip circulating on campus. You tell him about your classes, the endless cramming, and how you’re running on caffeine and pure determination. You mention the phone call you had with his mom, how she keeps you updated on his little brothers, Jack and Luke, and their texts to you asking for advice on how to hide things from their parents. 

Quinn chuckles sleepily, clearly entertained by their schemes. He’s already in bed, his face framed by the soft glow of his bedside lamp, while you’re still at your desk, laptop open, notes scattered around you. It’s late for both of you, and you know you’ll both pay for it with early alarms and sleepy eyes tomorrow, but the call feels worth it, like a lifeline between you. It was hard, you’ll admit, with him being in Vancouver and you still in Michigan, but it was better than not having him at all. 

“God, you look beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice thick with sleep. “Your lamp gives you this warm glow—you look like an angel.”

You laugh. “That’s probably just the homesickness talking. You’re either really sleepy or you just miss me. Or both.”

He stifles a yawn, smiling. “I always miss you,” he says, softer this time, the usual joking edge gone. “I never want to be apart from you.”

“Hey.” You lean closer, resting your chin in your hand as if it’ll somehow bring you closer to him. “Just two more years, Quinny. Then I’ll be right there with you.”

He’s silent for a moment, a question hanging in the space between you. Finally, he asks, “Do you wish I hadn’t left?”

You smile, reaching out to the screen as if you could brush his hair back. “I would never do that to you. This is your dream—you’ve wanted this as long as I’ve known you.”

He shifts in bed, tucking himself deeper into the pillows, watching you with that gaze that always made you feel seen, like you were the only one who mattered. The soft sound of your typing fills the quiet, and he’s content to just watch you, taking in the tiny changes in your expression as you work. In moments like this, he wishes he could teleport, even if just for an hour, just to see you, just to touch you. Being drafted to the NHL is everything he’s worked for, and he’d never give it up, but there’s still a quiet ache whenever he remembers you’re not there.

It isn’t the first time he’s asked if you wanted him to stay, and each time you tell him the same thing. You’d never ask that of him, wouldn’t dream of it. And every time, hearing you say those words—knowing you believe them—it reminds him just how much he loves you. It might be the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for him. 

“People say we’re crazy for trying to make this work,” he says, his voice softening. “But I don’t think we are. Is that weird?”

You smile, looking at him through the screen, your eyes full of warmth. “Not weird at all, bub. I feel the same way. They can joke all they want, but we know this is real.”

His gaze softens further, your reassurance the steady anchor he didn’t realize he needed. The corners of his mouth tug into a smile, one that’s vulnerable and hopeful all at once.

“I love you,” he murmurs, his words barely more than a whisper, but somehow carrying a lifetime’s worth of promises. “I promise, when you get here, I’ll take care of you. I’ll give you everything you ever wanted.” Even thick with sleep, his eyes hold a fierce certainty, one that leaves no room for doubt. Maybe it was strange to some, betting so much on a relationship that started in university, but he knows, as surely as he’s known anything, that you’re it for him. He can already see it all so clearly—planning a wedding, finding a home, starting a life together. This is it.

“You already take care of me, Quinny,” you say, the affection in your voice unmistakable. “You’re all I need.”

He chuckles, his exhaustion creeping in with a long yawn. “Flatterer,” he teases, even as his eyes droop a little, his smile growing softer with every passing second.

“Might be time to call it a night,” you say gently, tucking your notebooks away and placing your pens back in their case. “Don’t miss me too much, yeah?”

His smile grows sleepy. “Almost summer,” he mumbles, words slow and relaxed. “I’ll have you all to myself then.” There’s a long pause, one filled with unspoken dreams. “I love you,” he finally says, voice laced with sincerity, each word as warm as a goodnight kiss.

“I love you too,” you reply, feeling the words settle in your heart, grounding you. “Goodnight, Quinn. Sweet dreams.”

“Goodnight.” His voice is soft, eyes fluttering as he murmurs, “I’ll dream of you.”

You smile, your voice tender. “And I’ll dream of you. Let’s meet up again there, alright?”

A sleepy grin spreads across his face, a warmth in his gaze that transcends the screen. “Yeah,” he whispers, his voice filled with a quiet certainty, “Let’s do that.”

You both linger for a moment, unwilling to end the call, sharing a silence so comfortable it feels like being wrapped in each other’s arms. His eyes are on you, tired but happy, and yours on him, both of you letting that last connection sink in before sleep pulls you both under.

“See you soon,” you say softly, a quiet promise in your voice.

“See you in dreams, love.”

[miss-tc-nova]

Not Vil - Vil Schoenheit x Reader

Okay, listen. Listen Linda! I know this isn't great, even though this is kind of the concept you were thinking of. I hope you still find this one silly and somewhat entertaining, but just you wait. I had another idea too.

So stay tuned!

Premise: Vil is taking his character a bit too far

Words: 926

~~~~~

               I feel my lips purse, willing myself to keep my mouth shut. This is important to him. This is for a project—for his career. Plus, it would cause quite a bit of drama.

               But damn if I don’t slap Vil Schoenheit, I better get a Partner-of-the-Year award.

               For the past thirty days, the actor has been testing method acting—the kind people use in TV shows and movies, pretending that they truly are the character both on and off camera. I think part of the excitement comes from the fact that this is a main character role and he wants it to be his best yet. And it wouldn’t be bad, if Vil wasn’t playing such an eccentric, flirtatious, goofy character. It was kind of cute at first, and maybe I even enjoyed the extra flirting a little bit. But then it got old.

               Vil’s excessive monologuing on the beauty of every person he came across bordered on the realm of Rook. Everyone was lovingly compared to some beauty or another, which is very awkward for most of these self-conscious NRC boys. He began willing joining in on the antics of the first years, which was fun for a day, but became overbearing when he quickly began leading the group into even more shenanigans—several of which I became responsible for. And for all the poise and confidence that Vil exuded, this “character” was naïve with such childish notions of relationships. I did not need any more roses or for him to start fawning at the thought of a kiss. I didn’t even get the kiss in the end.

               Now, I’m sitting here, going over my homework, sitting alone in Ramshackle for some peace from that overbearing character.

               The foyer door opens. Ramshackle is still very much bare and under-furnished, leaving me fully exposed to whatever guest let themselves in.

               “There’s my beautiful muse.” The higher tone of his voice actually sends unpleasant shivers down my spine.

               “Oh. Hi sweetheart,” I greet, hoping my tone stays even.

               Hands cupping my face—a big Vil no-no—the young man squishes my face as he presses kisses all across my face. After at least a dozen, I shake him off.

               “I’ve been looking everywhere for you! How was your day, darling?”

               I drag a sleeve across my face. “It’s been alright. Trein gave an essay assignment and I’ve been working on it since class ended.”

               “Hm? Let me see.”

               Before I could say anything, the page disappears. I didn’t need help; I didn’t even ask. But here’s this wacky, flamboyant character waxing poetic about some treaty between humans and fae. Hell, I’m not even sure what he’s talking about and have long since tuned him out when, once again, his attention turns on me.

               Fingers tip my chin higher. With eyes clearly clouded with rose-tinted glasses, he coos at me.

               “What I wouldn’t do to place a tender kiss upon that beautiful face of yours.”

               The answer is obviously leaning in. I can’t even remember the last time Vil gave me an actual kiss or curled up with me for our weekly movie night. Hell, he won’t even hold my hand as we walk across campus anymore—too busy monologuing about some purity or other. I’m sick of this. This is not Vil and I’ve had enough.

               If he wants to be this character, then fine. He’s that character.

               “Mmm, I dunno. That sounds a bit too forward if you ask me.”

               A hand finds his chest. “Forward? I didn’t offend you, did I?”

               “No, by all means you flatter me, but such behavior would be improper, don’t you think?”

               The slightest twitch of his brows seems to say some signal has reached him.

               “Perhaps the impropriety lies with me. I would be honored if you would grace me with a kiss.”

               “Excuse me?”

               With pouting lips, Vil tilts his head. “Kiss me.”

               “Kiss you?”

               “Please?”

               I turn my head away, waving a hand dismissively. “Sorry, but I’m dating Vil Schoenheit.”

               The man freezes. Blinks.

               “But I’m…”

               I watch, waiting for the ball to drop.

               He sighs, shoulders relaxing with a hint of defeat on his face.

               “I’ve gone too far, haven’t I.”

               A smile tugs at my lips. “Maybe a little.”

               His head falls back, arms open to beckon me into his embrace which I gladly step into. Caressing hands rub at my back, his chin resting atop my head.

               “I’m sorry, my gem.”

               Giggling, I hold tightly. “If you don’t take this crappy methodism out of your acting techniques, I’m breaking up with you. I refuse to date all your characters.”

               “That’s a bit harsh.” Even his voice holds some laughter to it. “You could’ve said something sooner.”

               “Yeah right. You would’ve nearly burst into tears and begged me to tell you what you could change…in character.”

               He sighs. “Oh fine. I would have.” Leaning back, Vil gives me a smile—a true, gentle, sultry Vil smile. “So, how should I make it up to you?”

               I walk my fingers along his chest. “I think you owe me an extensive spa day for all the stress you’ve put me through.”

               Amethyst eyes take in my face. “Mmm, you may be right. You might be starting to develop frown lines.”

               I glare.

               “I’m kidding, my gem. I would be happy to spoil you. Are you going to pick the movie tonight?”

               “I’m going to pick the most childish, goofy, outlandish movie I can find.”

               Again, he sighs. “The price of acting is forever a steep one.”

~~~~~

Alternate - The Worst Method

Nova’s Twisted Wonderland Masterlist

[from-izzy]

every day is a lovely day... | tbz lee juyeon

pairing » the boyz lee juyeon x gn!reader (lmk if i missed anything)

trope/au » strangers to lovers, non-idol au!, university au!

genre »​ mostly hurt/comfort(...?), mostly fluff, a pinch of angst (i always say this but i'm kinda confident in this statement this time lmao), deep reflection on life and aspects of the earth, juyeon who basically falls in love with you at first sight, juyeon being kinda confident towards reader, picnic date by the beach after finishing you last exam!, comforting boyfriend chef (not actually his occupation) lee juyeon!

word count, estimated reading time » 2249, ~8 mins

warnings (lmk if i missed anything!) » reader didn't sleep well, reader uses caffeine to battle tiredness, the slightest of academic difficulties (it's just a dash imo), deep thoughts of sea and sky life (not an expert in this field at all), mentions of open water/vast landscapes in the thoughts

navi/masterlist!! 🤍 part of 'especially to you...'

i swear that banner changes colour before my very eyes. because i do understand that it's bright and at first glance, you can barely see the water on the bottom right. but when i change tumblr to a lighter mode, stare at fading wind lines near the top of the image for some time, my eyes adjust and the water becomes very obvious. i think it depends on colour context because on dark mode, it's hard for the 'effects' to kick in. is it just me...? it's messing with me...there has got to be a study about this somewhere...😭 anyway!

(i accidentally released this earlier so for those who saw anything: no you didn't!! 😭)

happy birthday to you @littleroaes !! ngl i was gonna give up on this birthday present but then i was scrolling through and found this little wip and tried to modify it to what you like. i was gonna do f2l like you mentioned you like but my brain stopped making ideas for that as soon as i told myself to write about it 😭 so here's my very first short story on strangers to lovers that thankfully you have appreciation for 🫶 from your profile, i read you like fishes, the colour blue, kimbap, spring rolls and of course, lee juyeon!! 😸 so i tried my best to incorporate these prompts here. i tried something different for the fishes 🐟 topic but i hope this incorporation is fine 💙

here is your boyfriend that will get you through uni! hope you have the happiest birthday!! 🎂🎉 love you!! mwah!!

Everything changed for you when Juyeon walked into your life.

No, literally.

Well, maybe not…literally.

You remember the prominent eyebags you’ve carried for the last month since university started. The new semester has weighed you heavier than the headache that is arising from the lack of sleep and the missed attempt to get your daily caffeine content since you slept through your alarm. At the very least, you’re thankful that everything is now electronic because you are so unprepared to be commuting to campus with a heavy mind, heart, eyelids and straps on your shoulders that would surely give you a very sore back.

That day started horrendously. You really thought that the alarm was the only thing that the universe threw at you for their entertainment but it was the embarrassing fact that you dozed off during class. Your elbows were propped up too comfortably against the desk and the perfect temperature of the lecture room didn't make it any easier for your natural melatonin to kick in. The next thing you knew, your palms cupped your cheek and there was this loud bang that was accompanied by the sharp pain on your cheekbone when you hit the wooden desk.

Everything is going awesome and you just attracted around a hundred students back to you. Thankfully your lecturer didn't take it to offense and shot you an emphatic smile.

You guessed then after that the universe felt bad for the negative attention that you got and they canceled the next class on your filled weekly schedule. Usually, you would be annoyed at the sudden change but this gave you a little hour to bask in the sun, the open green space and your favourite cup of beverage wrapped protectively by your hands.

Only to find out that you left your wallet at home.

“I’m sorry,” you said to the worker who tried her best to reassure you and to take your time as your frantic fingers ran through the items in your bag.

Your knees fell to the ground and sweat started to creep against your forehead and to the side of your head, a silent reminder to be mindful of the long line of students who are mostly probably just as stressed as you are in their university journey. The lighting above you helped with your sight in your receipt-filled bag but suddenly, the long papers with their minuscule printings became hard to read and a deep voice stated his order.

At first, your instinct was to defend yourself, tell the person who cut in line and added an order between you and your caffeine to wait a little bit longer but his choice of words registered into you before you could voice out anytime.

“I'll add an iced Americano with the order, please.” And then the familiar beeping sound of a successful transaction rings.

Your neck cranes up towards the stranger that only made your day easier and you couldn't help but let out a gentle gasp. A sharp pair of eyes yet soft and curious like a cat, his perfectly shaped nose and the slight upturn of the corner of his lips with the smile that beams down on you. 

The chain necklace around his neck dangles above you and you were sure it hypnotised you to say, “It's an angel.” These were your first words to Lee Juyeon.

“Ah,” the recipient of the compliment could only blush first at your words, a hand sneaking up to mindlessly scratch his nape. “We should at least get out of the line.” 

Now it's your turn to have your cheeks heat up at the realisation that you're blocking everyone else’s caffeine intake.

You thought that maybe Juyeon would just walk away and wait for you to join him on the other side of the table with the hanging ‘Pick up orders here' sign hanging from the beige ceiling. Yet, he crouched and helped you sort out your materials, collecting your pencil case and books into one arm, the other swiftly scooping up the straps of your bag along his other forearm.

Your eyes couldn't help but widen at your empty hands, and you were flustered at how he was still holding onto your things even when the customer who stood behind him joined you both after paying. Juyeon’s bangs shook when he refused to give your things back, insisting that you should be the one to carry the coffee instead. 

“Coffee is important.” He convinces you with that warm smile of his. “Don't drop it!”

With the promise to pay him back for another cup, came a few promises to help with common subjects and overlapping knowledge. And with time, came the fluttering feeling in both your hearts that only grew when you comforted each other in the long nights leading to assignments and exam periods that came all too quickly but passed by excruciatingly slow.

Juyeon made it all worth it though. You walked out of the last two-hour prison of the semester to be greeted with your usual reward packed in a paper bag. If it was anyone else but Juyeon, the contents of the bag would be mushed as you hug it close to you but it's the person that you have missed so much that gets your love first.

“You called me last night, bubs,” Hearing his voice not through the help of technology is more refreshing and you couldn't help but tighten your hold around his figure. 

“Every day is missing Juyeon day.” 

“Well for me, every day is a happy day when you're in my life.”

It's a line that he has said to you many times even before he started dating you. Juyeon tried to make the line more interesting each time but one day, mixed with his tiredness and excitedness of finally seeing you, it became the line that revealed his adoration for you.

Hand in hand, Juyeon's thumb caressing the back of your palm, your right arm closely stuck to his left, you both sway and skip to the nearby beach to relish in each other’s company with nature. The light salty breeze scent hits you before you can even see the gigantic natural blue space that seems endless and seamless with the blue sky. As your outfit becomes one with the direction of the wind and the sun is still bright enough for you to know even when your orbs are hidden beneath your eyelids. It’s the little moments like these that the Earth seems to be so rich in beauty and life becomes beautiful although you’ve been studying endlessly for the past three months. 

You couldn’t help but let your mind wander to the body of water that eventually begins to seep into your view as you walk up the small hill. You imagine the school of fish including the friendly dolphins to the misunderstood sharks and all the shapes and sizes of the life forms in there, some dependent on their family whilst some choosing to live alone. 

That’s why you’ve always been so enamoured by the living, along with the sea plants that they harmoniously live with. 

You wonder what kind of thoughts these creatures have as they live in a world much bigger than the land you stand on and if they ever want to explore the whole ocean like most people would love to see the landmarks scattered across the world. If they visit the landmarks of the ocean, would they even remember it? Or would they just swim away, finding it more than satisfactory with the fact that they’re free, especially those who swish through the water with company?

Same with life in the sky, do they ever get tired from flying? Like some people who are scared of a large body of water but are already mid-journey, how do they persevere in their flight and keep going? Do they sometimes look at human transportation and hope that they could bask in that luxury as well? Sleep in the moving vehicle and relax your tense muscles against the cushioned interiors even if it’s just for ten minutes. You want to know the answer to that and maybe, you’ll be able to learn something from the other life form.

You wish sometimes you would be one of them but it’s hard to say so as well because all forms of life experience different hardships and it’s impossible to generalise anything, nor is it truly fair to say one has it better than the other.

That’s when life becomes so complex and beautiful. The fact that you’re so small in the context of the horizon that stretched too far for you to see and comprehend, leaves you appreciating the small things in life.

For you, the arms encircling your middle remind you that no matter what hardships you face, you’ll be able to safely fall back onto someone. That you can freely cry without judgement and that life is lovely whenever he’s in it. Juyeon steals a kiss from your lips before placing another one on your cheek. Your eyelashes flutter open and you swear that Juyeon’s smile is brighter than the sun that smiles down on you both and louder than the crashing waves against the eroding rocks.

And whenever he asks you, “Feeling better?” You know that Lee Juyeon is the one person that you can answer the question truthfully and genuinely.

You both settled with a picnic blanket underneath a substantial amount of coverage from the sun by the park near the beach, the crashing ocean waves still in sight. You observe the tree above you dancing freely in the winds while the birds seem to sing for both of your accomplishments. 

When you look back down by the cue of a single, proud hand clap, you're greeted with numerous small glass containers clinking next to each other. The colours from the neatly presented food only lifted your energy further and your boyfriend’s orbs glimmered more with the help of the sun that still peaks through from the leaves above.

Juyeon complied when you asked him for a bite of his homemade kimbap and spring rolls. The flavours instantly make you nod. “I refuse to believe that your mum didn't make this.” 

Your boyfriend’s smile flattened, dipping further into a frown, “She helped but I did all the cooking and rolling!” 

“Okay, you cute clingy baby.” Leaning in to press a quick kiss against his pouting lips. “I’m just joking around with you.” 

To Juyeon, the peck is way more than just unsatisfactory and his thoughts about it are clearly reflected first from his eyes. Then, his hand landed next to the food box on his far left and made a sweeping motion on the cotton blanket to the right, pushing all of the obstacles between you and him. His knees slide his body closer to you that was once on the other side, and now with your boyfriend only looking at you with the softest, loving gaze between his overgrown bangs, you couldn’t help but purse your lips momentarily. You couldn’t let out a question or comment but that changed in the blink of an eye when leaned in Juyeon, replacing your growing confusion with a muffled chuckle instead.

A soft groan vibrates to your lips, Juyeon complaining about how there was nothing to laugh about—not when his soft lips are between yours. A palm made its way around the back of your neck, pulling your still extensive smile against his more serious ones. Eventually, with the way that Juyeon poured his love into you, you’re determined to do the same to the only person who would only let you claim his lips. A part of his blue and white sweater is now captured in your fist but it did nothing to your heartbeat which starts to pick up whenever Juyeon pulls away to adjust his lip’s position on yours. 

The subtle nose nudges only served your fingers to trail up his arm that held you close, tracing along the vein that started near his elbows and ran his wrist near your pulse on the side of your neck. Now, with the way that your thumb brushes softly on his soft skin, Juyeon could melt further into you, leaning in further to deepen his presence to you. Whenever he pulled back, you would be the one chasing after him pulling on his sweater, wanting to indulge in his loving space even more.

“Who’s the clingy one now?” That lands him a shy hit to his chest that only made him let out a weightless chuckle in the air. “The love of my life and the only one for me,” he whispers sweet nothings as your foreheads kiss each other, a sweet gaze grazing upon your facial features. “I love you, bubs.”

So maybe you weren't hypnotised at all that day. Maybe, the universe didn't hate you after all. Maybe, this was all meant to happen even though you did go through some stress when the sequential events happened.

“I love you more.”

But at least, the universe gave you a free coffee.

Two, you really did meet an angel named Lee Juyeon.

And three, just like how he holds the day when you confess to him that you love him back, you repeat the words that he said to you at the start of all your lovely days, “Every day is a lovely day when you're in my life.”

navi/masterlist!! 🤍 'especially to you...'

tags (send a dm/ask if you would like to be here or removed!): @deoboyznet 📢❤️ @k-labels 💙🤍 @k-films 🤎🎞️ @kflixnet 📺🍿 @sanaxo-o

[knightyoomyoui]

TWICE Sana x M/F Reader - "I Want It That Way"

I'M BACK. After 3 months of no update, your one and only Knight Yoo-Myoui returns to bring you readers more stories in my book. Author's been in a really tough situation especially last month, but that still ain't gonna be enough to take out my passion and motivation to continue writing for both mine and your entertainment. I'm gonna continue this as long as I can. However, from now on; please understand and expect that I won't be updating very often like weekly or everyday as before. Studies is my current priority as of the moment but I promise that I will always update yall. Actually though, this new kind of pacing for both my writing procedure and publishing has somehow lessen the pressure in me. I'm really liking it so far, makes me comfortable. This story is requested by ShaShaSha029 BUT..., sorry Sha because I made some changes on your requested plot hehe. I already made the same concept from my previous works so I used your other request from another member to come up with something new that I haven't done yet. And as for the other member you requested to me, I'll give you a brand new plot for her. I hope you and the readers will like this. Enjoy reading! STREAM "I GOT YOU" and "ONE SPARK" MVs btw!

"I'm going home, guys. I'll leave the office to you all."

YN/LN, a current 4th year student from Cheongnamdong Polytechnic University and the campus' ongoing president of the student council, has just finished your tasks for today and is now about to depart from their office and send your goodbyes to your fellow members kindly to end the day on a positive note.

"Be safe on your way home, Pres!"

"You too."

You continued walking after sending him all the bright greetings, but before passing to your own cubicle and reaching the door, it opened. You then heard some footsteps behind it until a familiar figure made its presence known in front of you.

You watched your classmate, friend, and the secretary of their council, Yoo Janghoon, peeking at the door with a weird smile before you find him standing on your way.

Janghoon then approached YN.

"Seems like you're about to leave."

"Yeah." You nodded. " What's with your smile in your face? You look like you just saw something amusing.", he said in a judgmental look.

"Not with my own eyes, but the words I've heard are enough to picture her on mind." Janghoon smirked and bounced his brows.

"Her? You're into hunting chicks again?"

"Idiot, I have a girlfriend now, ofcourse I'm not." Janghoon mocked YN as he was about to throw a punch. "But seriously though, not even me could deny that it really does interest me."

"Why, what's going on out there?"

"Well, I've heard from my acquaintances from the other courses that there's a newly transferred female student here in the campus earlier after the class break."

"That late?"

"Yeah, I was a bit confused too but they said the professor just let it passed because they said that her documents were finalized at the last minute so that's why." YN hummed to react.

"And would you like to enlighten me what's so interesting with this random transferee student? I mean, no offense. Welcome aboard to the university but... what's special?"

"Dude, I'm telling you, it's not just "random", this girl was a legit bombshell. Based from how they described her, it was like when she stepped on the room, they felt like there was a legit goddess that got manifested into reality."

"And that's it?"

"Y-yeah... but you know and I know, dude. Our university has been missing it's "queen" for quite some time now. And probably the students are making noise about it is because they see a huge potential on her."

"Okay. Well, I do hope she doesn't feel overwhelmed with the attention she's about to receive on the next days of her stay here."

"But we're here as the council officers to take control, right?"

"Exactly." you nodded. "Anyways, gotta go now. I still have a family dinner not to miss."

"Alright, take care pres."

"You too, sec."

You left the office and the campus with a curiosity forming in your heart and mind on the identity of this woman that has been the center of the gossips you were unaware of due to how busy you are on the duties.

Arrived at home, you entered and got welcomed by your mother who is preparing their table for a lovely dinner tonight while your father is busy watching basketball on the living room.

"Good evening, mom."

"Good eve, YN. Tired?", she said while placing the plates on the table.

"Not that much but I would be glad to rest as always.", you spoke with a timid smile.

"Perfect, meal's coming right up real soon. Join your father there, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, mom."

You walked near to your father and greeted him courteously. You sat beside him and laid your back comfortably on the soft cushion of the couch to release all the pent-up exhaustion your body has consumed on today's packed class schedule.

Minutes later, your mother commands both you and your father to position yourselves on the seats. Each grabbing their own meal, all of you started praying first before taking your first bites and swallow on such a delicious food.

"Uhm, dear. We want to talk to you about something." Your mother inserted a topic to be discussed.

"Sure, mom. I'll be listening. What is it about?"

"It's like a business talk but this also concerns about your personal life too, YN which we much rather prioritize." Your father said after swallowing his throat. "We meet up with our partners on the company regarding this and we all come to an agreement."

"Agreement to what?"

"Me and your mother are placing you in an arrangement contract with their child."

"Wait, come again?"

"Arrangement contract. It means we set you up with someone as your age to date and marry one day, and we figured out that to strengthen the connection between us, we decided to-"

"Yes, wait. I know that part, dad but... why need to? Wasn't it too early? I get that you want me to have a wife and a family someday but... it's not one of my priorities so far.", you complained.

"YN, please do understand that your mother and I ain't be getting younger as time goes on. Someday, you'll be alone, and we just wanted to give you another family that you would be glad to remain and... hopefully, to remember us like how we raised you from the beginning."

"But wasn't this too fast? You're making me rush things."

Both sides went silent, as the father felt guilty also for how true your words are.

"It's my life. You may be the one who gave me that but I developed and earned a right to decide what's right for my future."

"We know, son... but we had no choice. It's for the sake also of our business. You know that we have to keep it to the mountain top so that we don't have our efforts of raising it go to waste, especially when this is the main reason how me and your mother were able to give you a better life that you deserve. And some way or another, you will be for sure, the one who will take the mantle and own my properties. You can use it also to raise your family easier."

"We are not forcing you to do this, YN. Please, we just wanted to inform you and talk about this because you also have a side and opinion to be heard. Whatever your answer may be, we will respect it. We are just suggesting, but hopefully you can consider it, honey." Your mother's soft voice effectively kept you at ease more.

Taking deep breaths and a short length of silence to contemplate, you looked at them both as you made your choice. "Fine. This is because I love you both and I owe you two everything. I'm doing it."

They both smiled in relief. "Thank you for this, son/daughter."

"No problem. So... can you tell me more about this contract?"

"Well it's simple, an arranged contract but we requested to have you and the girl we chose to spend 30-days or let's say a month to get to know each other and figure things out if you two would believe that everything will work out as a couple." Your father explained.

"And who's the girl that you guys have prepared for me?"

"They have an only child just like us, and it's an easier idea to place her because as we learned, their daughter is currenly in search of finding somebody to love."

"Sadly, we're unalike."

"But she may be able to change your mind, on whatever that hold your heart back. You accepted the offer, now you just have to see how she really is, but we're certainly sure that she's good just like her parents."

"And what's her name?"

"We haven't been introduced nor asked for her name, but from what we know, her nickname should be "Minatozaki", and is Japanese. She was also studying now at the same campus as yours."

"I'll try to look for her and maybe we can talk there privately."

"Whatever you want, YN. Just keep us updated okay?"

"Noted." You replied before everyone returned on focusing to finish their foods.

The next day, you were a bit irritated from how the discussion last night distracts you in the middle of your duty. You couldn't concentrate at the curiousity that dwells inside of you.

So you decided to to take a break outside. You encountered a vacant spot to breathe some fresh air and drink at the iced coffee you prepared on your tumbler as you roam your eyes around at your surroundings.

That's where you spotted some group of students huddling around at a spot near the bulletin board, as if they're being crazy or attentive at something.

Eager to find out the rucus, you approached the scenario and tried to peek around, and there you noticed a female student entertaining the other fellow students by asking her randomly and even asking for some pictures like she is a celebrity.

As she turned around, her long chestnut colored hair flips around as if it denied the gravity, her side profile appeared, until it all fully rotated to have her face evident at you for the first time.

And my oh my the rumors shared by your secretary were true.

No wonder why she was already popular, she does look magnificent, enough to be mistaken as a famous personality.

Your eyes couldn't leave the sight of her just doing everything even in such bare minimum if movements that still effortlessly made her very attractive. Thankfully, there's your boy distracting you as you snapped back when you felt a shoulder wrapped on your neck.

"You finally met her." Janghoon said, smirking at you. "From what I heard earlier, the exchange student's name's Minatozaki Sana. She's a foreigner, a Japanese to be specific."

"Minatozaki?" Your thoughts murmured. Contemplating if you heard it right, but that was the same surname your father was tasked you to find, and she even has the same nationality.

Having exchange students in your campus are very rare.

You are flabbergasted as you slowly realize that... this woman is going to be the one you'll date and marry.

Unconsciously, you turned around at Janghoon with your forehead crumpled and mouth slightly gaped.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"Oh n-no. Not-thing." You shook your head swiftly. Returning your gaze back at her, you couldn't believe it at all that your parents and her friends does picked a perfect girl for you.

But you wondered if it could be said the same about you.

Hours later, Sana who was about to enjoy her recess, instead went to the council office to meet the president, as per the classmates told her after being tasked to do so.

She stepped in front of the door that says "Student Council Office, knock twice before entering". She followed and slowly pushed the doorknob. A person sitting at the far end of the room, looking busy on his desk greeted her.

As the door closed, it alarmed the president that the person is now here for a scheduled conversation, only that when you raised your head, you looked at her having a shocked reaction.

Sana stares at the reveal of this mysterious person that runs the entire student government of the campus. Flashbacks began to run back into her mind, slowly making her upset.

"Thank you for agreeing to come here and t-"

"Am I looking at this very clearly?" Sana immediately spoke.

"Pardon?"

"You? Out of everyone here... was chosen to become a leader?"

"W-what? Settle down, miss. I think you n-"

"A representative figure for everyone, and I get to be under your orders around here?" Sana chuckled bitterly. "I didn't know that even after years later, we'll still have our paths crossing onto each other despite how I wanted to never meet you in my life again."

"D-do we know each other?"

Sana scoffed as she looked at you ridiculously. "Ofcourse, how could you recognize me. First of all, I was just a complete nothing to you. A plaything of your cruel antics and delinquent actions. And second, I'm not the same girl you used to belittle everyday."

You furrowed your eyebrows as you looked at her intently. "W-what... you..."

"Still doesn't ring a bell? Oh, how about this. The name Minatozaki Sana? That fat nerdy girl back in elementary that you used to bully so hard in our 8th year that forced her to transfer to other school. How about that?"

Your eyes sprung open as you instantly remember the name and that student you used to include in one of your prime victims in your dark past.

That description of her past self brought you back to the times when you remembered looking for her first to rather mock, annoy, or play with her until her feelings broke and look helpless.

You were a bully before in elementary days, and she was your classmate back then. But that was all only the past now as you are now a changed person, with all the better and positive things that came into your life had taught you more valuable and nice things to consider yourself reevaluating your personality.

But it looks like it could tell the opposite for Sana's part.

"I remember you now, Sana. And... please, let me tell you right now that I'm not the same person you used to despise before."

"Do you really think I'll be fooled easily by that?" Sana retorted. "We just met after what... 7 years and you're supposed to have me believing that when in fact, I still look at you as that same horrific figure I never should've want to see again, but yet here you are."

Sana still didn't took a seat. She walked around and observed the room. You were a bit relieved that all of your council members are absent in this tense confrontation. "What a hypocrisy it is to have you getting involved in an organization that focuses on student rights when in fact, you have a record of violating it before. Shouldn't be a student fitting for that must be... clean?"

"Sana, believe me or not, I changed. I wouldn't even dare to take this position if I'm not sincere for it, and I'm not forcing you to believe me."

"Oh, ofcourse you should. Because I really don't buy everything that comes into your mind not until I see it" Sana shook her head and smugged. "Maybe it'll change my mind of me planning to expose you from every-"

"Wait! You can't be serious?"

"Oh indeed I am." Sana clicked her tongue. "You ruined me before, but here I am who helped myself and from people I loved to become this better version of mine to stand here in front of you, I'm going to get you this time, YN. I'm going to make you feel what is it like being... excluded."

She leaned forward on the desk, staring at you sharply and observing your nervous expression. "But...if there's some sort of a miracle that... you did changed. Then you're going to prove it on me. Make me convinced that this YN I hate with every fiber of my being is... gone."

"What if I tell you that you already have a chance to make me?"

"And that is?"

"Have you heard about an arrangement contract from your parents?"

"Y-yeah... but they don't tell me who it is because- WAIT" Sana quickly lunged back away from you. "Please tell me who I'm thinking is correct."

"Sorry to tell you but I was just in denial as you are yesterday."

"Oh God." Sana poured out the biggest disappointment she felt in her entire life so far. "W-why does my fate has to be very unlucky everytime when it's about you? Me being in an arranged contract with you? I think I have to vomit."

"Wait! But you said you want me to prove that I changed?"

"And you really think I want it this way?" Sana looked at you disgusted. "Being as this fabled student council president or just a random student from me would be fine but... YOU AS MY FIANCE? That won't do, mister." Sana swayed her pointing finger. "Unfortunately, the answer would be NO. Now please, I have to go already. I still have a lunch to take before I lose my appetite."

Sana walked away from you and left the room unbotheredly. You sat there, back falling flat on your swivel chair. Your hands caressed your hair as you reacted unbelievably and stunned that this heavily improved Sana that you used to know many years before has returned to actually be your woman, but unfortunately, her hatred for you still lives on her till this day.

Her opposal didn't worked however, as Sana tried to request later during dinner, she was informed by her parents that the contract can only be cancelled after 30-days for the people to finally reassure their decision.

She mentioned that YN and her have a bad history in the past, but instead her parents reasoned out that maybe YN has changed and it will not hurt to give another chance. If only they know what the real reason it is, but Sana was clearly affected by their suggestion because honestly, Sana is a forgiving soft type of person.

Still, confident that she's satisfied with her answer, she became impatient and hated being with YN more.

Meanwhile, you shared to your mother about how the unlikedness of you and Sana's interests about the marriage arrangement in a deatiled manner.

"We met and had a talk, but... it wasn't as proper and civil as I expected because, I was surprised that she confessed something very familiar to me. Something that I've been trying to get it out on my head. Something that I wanted to let go for a long time."

"What was she to you before?"

"A nuisance, even though she wasn't doing even wrong. I look at her before thinking it wasn't right for her to be in this type of high class campus that I study at too, but then I figured out that me ending up bullying and making her emotional and mental state suffer is way worse than she is."

You flinched when your mother slapped you in the head. "What??? How could you bully someone?! Is that how we raised you?"

"Mom, wait ofcourse no... but, I was just made to be like that because of what happened to us, you know that!"

Your mother became speechless and a glimpse of pity became visible to you. "But it's all good now, mom. I'm not like that anymore, I'm telling you.  And that's what I should've just wanted to prove to Sana but... I understand that she won't let me anymore. I broke her too much, I can't let it happen again."

Stepping closer in front of you, she placed her hands gently on your shoulders to massage them and make your ease down. "Even I was mad and disappointed that you once turned into that type of guy you never should be, but I know from the bottom of my heart that you will always be a good kid of mine because that's how I raised you to be. You just got affected too much by our struggles before. And I believe you always, YN. The only thing I can do now for you to support you, and that is for you to keep on moving forward and never stop to make Sana forgive you, alright?"

"I will. Thanks, mom."

She patted you on the cheek. "Goodluck, okay? You have a month to do it."

----------

"Okay, class dismissed. Group 1, remember to prepare your report by next week okay?"

"Yes, prof!", the students who are part of the group that the professor mentioned chanted.

The professor left the room, leaving the students have the freedom to eat lunch during their vacant time.

"Sana, cmon! Did you bring a lunch with you?", one of Sana's classmates asked her while she's clearing her table.

"No, I'm gonna buy for today."

"Nice, let's go!"

Sana brought her wallet and cellphone with her, joins her newfound friends named Miyeon and Sullyoon as they make their way out to the classroom.

However, as they were about to, a figure suddenly pops out of the doorway, stopping their tracks. The two classmates of hers had a visible shock in their faces unlike to Sana, her bright mood quickly shrank down into a gloomy one.

"Hi, sorry if I'm almost late." You straightened your lips. "Good thing I was about to catch you leaving yet, let's go eat lunch together."

Miyeon and Sullyoon's jaw dropped at the student council president's proposal. Sana's eyebrows knitted hardly. "Huh? What nonsense are you saying?"

"Why? I'm just going to invite you to eat with me?"

"With you?" Sana scoffed and chuckled. "You have the guts, I'll give you that... but NO." Sana leaned forward at you to say this.

"Let's go girls."

Sana was just commanding her classmates and taking a step again away from you but in her surprise, she felt her body being pulled by a force. She tried to process what happened, and there she found her skin contacting with yours as she stood by your side...

with your hands wrapped around her waist.

Miyeon and Sullyoon's eyes largened in utter shock at what they're seeing. They couldn't believe that such a new transferee would get to gain closeness and change the behavior of the famously respected and knowned leader of the students around the campus.

Sana's lungs skipped functioning as soon as she felt your fingers dug deeper into her skin. Her face then starts to turn red and her face showing almost hilariously stunned reaction, with no hint of an idea what has turned you to be like this today.

"Pardon me for Sana's antics right now, we just had a fight yesterday and I wanted to come up a solution to fix that." You said in a melodic and apologetic tone to them. Sana was dumbfounded at the ridiculous fake words you are talking about.

"W-wha"

Sana wasn't able to finish her words, when she felt herself getting pulled again, now squeezed against your body which intensified her heartbeat and blushes.

"So, please. Can we eat together today, love?"

Any words that are synonym to what I mentioned earlier can be heavily applied now to all three women witnessing the sudden change of the president's act.

You led the way, bringing Sana with you as both crossed the hallway with the confused and flabbergasted duo following on the back while some of the students can see the two having this kind of contact has began to grab attention.

As they reached the cafeteria, Miyeon and Sullyoon shyly approached the "couple". "Uhm, Sana. I think we can just eat sometime. We'll let you have you two your private time okay?"

"B-but w-"

"Thank you for being considerate on us, girls." You smiled humbly at them and they nodded before they left you and Sana to find their own seat. As the two of you remained, Sana's face crumpled and seethed much air to unleash her full force on escaping to your touch.

She quickly unhooks your arm on her waist, pushed you aside, and punched you in the shoulder. "Oww!"

"Seriously, what the hell did you do to me, YN?!" Sana started to bicker out on you. "How come you just started to spit out and let my friends hear and see you assuming that we have a relationship now, huh?! Did you ate something bad that had you acting like crazy today?"

"Nope. I'm perfectly fine, and what I did there earlier, consider getting used to that." You replied. "Because from now on, I'll be going to do it with you again and again and again a-"

"Woah wait no what?!" Sana paused you. "And why is that, huh? I haven't even agreed yet on the deal-"

"But was the contract got cancelled?"

Sana fell speechless. She remembered yesterday that she swore to dump the contract by requesting to her parents after she gave her disapproval. However, she failed to do so.

You took her silence as yes. "I suppose it didn't. If it does, my parents would've informed me immediately."

"Yeah yeah yeah, you won. So what? You still can't just do it like that to me randomly. I still haven't gave you the consent to touch me or do anything lovey dovey around me. Just because the contract states that we are arranged to be a couple that doesn't mean I can let you easily do everything free around me. Especially when the fact that I still hate you so much." Sana pointed at you as she stares deeply within you.

"Alright, fine. You do have a point. I shouldn't have done it. It's my fault, I made you uncomfortable, and I'm sorry for that." You spoke in a calm tone. Sana got her insides tugged at your sudden softer behavior. "But just know this, I hope you can let me do these with everything I can. No matter how much you deny, we are still stuck in an arranged contract that has a month allowed on us to come up on a decision if we'll take a marriage, and that gives each of us the right to do what couples does.

And I'm going to use it also, for me to prove myself to you that I've changed through all these years, Sana. Consider it me acting or say whatever you want, but when it comes to you, I'll show my improved self and nothing less than that." You said plainly to her. Sana is just listening at you patiently, sticking out important details to her mind while her emotions were a bit being brought by your committed words.

"I can't force you to love me back and have our marriage settled someday after the deadline comes, I wasn't even into love these days but I had no choice but to follow. But, I really do hope that before or when these all ends, I can hear you saying that I am now forgiven."

Sana was struggling to come up for a words to answer, and you took the opportunity to let her have time to remember and process everything as you locate a seat and bought foods for both of you. You left the still pissed off Sana became completely silent and come back to join her in an awkward lunch together.

That went on and on, with you trying to get along with Sana through most of the occasions. You supposed to take it all as a yes coming from Sana that you were being a chance to prove everything to her that you are not this same bad person she used to resist before.

With your frequent actions around Sana led to the campus knowing also about your rumored relationship with her.. Some were supportive that the president finally get to have a girlfriend such perfect as Sana while some were not due to the reason of jealousy most concerning about the fact that they are not the ones standing on the shoes or position of either you or Sana.

That didn't affected both of you, especially Sana who is trying her best to become unbothered with all of these because she is too tired to explain it to many people for some truth that everyone wouldn't accept easily. She knows it all to herself anyway that it's all part of the act, that none of them are interested with each other or has a growing fond being developed.

Not until one day, she accidentally finds you tutoring a female student in the library. She saw how entertained you are on how easily the girl gets to understand quickly with your teaching, thus turning you both looking happy together.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable at the scene, her lips unconsciously forming into a frown. Sana instead leaves the room and went on to return with her friends who noticed her bad mood as she buried her head around her crossed arms on the desk.

It all procceeded until their next subject when the girls tried to approach her about it. "Hey, Sana what's with the grumpy look?" Miyeon said as she peeked at Sana who looks completely out.

"You weren't participating with us lightly, what happened when you left the room earlier?" Sullyoon added.

"Yeah, you seemed in a no good mood."

"Nothing." Sana blabbered.

"Was it YN?"

"I said NOTH-" Sana paused and realized that she just made herself obvious, Miyeon and Sullyoon were just staring at her.

"Welp, that confirms it." Sana sighed. "Care to tell us what's the problem?"

She remained silent. She wasn't sure why she's getting a bit embarassed to reveal it until she also got nervous when her friends began to list down some of the possible things a couple creates problems.

"Was he cold to you today?"

"Hmm maybe you're the one who's not?"

"Or... could it be somebody's jealous-"

"What, no?!" Sana rapidly reacted. Miyeon and Sullyoon exchanged a "gotcha" look.

"Oh unnie, you're too obvious." Miyeon laughed.

"Jealous of what? Or should we say, who?" Sullyoon curiously asked.

"S-stop! I said it's nothing, okay! There's no chance in hell that I am jealous because of him." Sana made a "tch" sound on her mouth. "I don't even like him at all." She rolled her eyes as she whispered it, barely to be heard by her friends who returned focusing on their own. As she was left alone with her trouble, her eyes went staring at the window, she sighed deeply as she felt a strange regret inside her after saying those words while remembering what she saw back in the library.

As if she meant it.

Hours later, Sana bids goodbye to Miyeon and Sullyoon before she walked at the hallway all by herself. She stopped on her steps when she felt this unsettling feeling near her shoulder.

Her head goes turning around, searching for something but was unsuccessfully. Sana sighed and shook her head. "YN isn't coming. That guy/girl is a student council president, Sana. He/she's probably busy." she muttered to herself.

Sana continued to move, with a blank face and a moderate speed. As the afternoon light about to engulf her, she felt her sling bag slowly float, the weight she's carrying quickly became lighter.

Her breath got taken away shortly in surprise until she realized what caught her from that action.

It was you, smiling while standing beside her as you taking off her bag gently from her shoulder.

"May I?"

Sana didn't respond, she just let her arm spread a bit to let the strap fall, easily allowing it to fall from your posession.

"You do look like having a bad day." you peeked at her expression. Sana slightly got shy, and turns her face away as she pouted while rolling her eyes arrogantly.

"You just noticed? I'm always like this whenever you're around me."

"You sure there's nothing more than that? I know it's pretty much of a 'me' problem but... can you be more specific?"

"Oh come on, wasn't that enough for you? Stop triggering me, please. I said what I said, you are an eyesore that's why." Sana crosses her arm. She started to walk down the stairs as you slowly followed her with a faint smile on your lips.

"Okay, if that's what you say. I'll just be here behind you. Too bad, I wanted to lead the way because I want take us somewhere unwinding first." You sighed and tightened your lips. Sana heard it, sensing a weird sensation through her. She must be saying no or even meaner than that, but how come she became more curious?

Sana heaved out a large breath of air before pausing on her walk with a stomp. She turned around to face you as she gestures you to come forward. "It's only because I needed it."

And you grinned thankfully.

The two of you went to a cliff from a road outside of Seoul. Just in time, Sana was about to whine about how dangerous this place you chose until she was distracted of the magnificent sunset in display to the skyview.

Each of you took a picture, with her being first. You clicked the button, instead the shot accidentally captures Sana turning her attention back at you. As she approaches you, you dragged down your phone in embarassment and nervousness that she might found out and suspect that you're secretly spying on her.

"What happened to you?" Sana finds your tensed manner.

"N-nothing. I just... remembered something."

"Weirdo." She teases you. "So what's gotten into you choosing this place. Are you gonna push me there down the cliff to show me your true colors?"

You looked at her exhaustedly, no much in an energy to enlighten or defend yourself. "Say or think of anything suspicious about me, Sana but I wasn't even harming you even in my imaginations anymore." You didn't bother to look at her because all you'll see rather is an irritated, sassy woman whom you had a price to pay for.

"This is my favorite place to chill." You simply answered, leaning at the front of the car and posing your limbs as you supported yourself with your arms pressed on the car. Sana looked at your side-figure.

"I started finding this when me and my mom used to go here when I was young. She was the first one to notice how beautiful the sunset is to watch from here, and I did agree on her... and it turns out to become one of my favorite scenery." Sana just listened to your story as you continue to witness the sun hides from the clouds.

"My mother told me to stay with her longer here because for a moment, she found peace and serenity. She felt like there's nothing to worry about." You paused as you smiled proudly. "She felt like she wasn't going to be alone in this battle she's facing, because I was there by her side. Even though I... wasn't that too much vocal or expressive at what I've gone through in our family, but... my heart knows where I need to stay. Where I can surely find a better outcome for my life someday."

"That's why when the right thing happened one day, I started to listen and follow to my heart first. I kicked out all those delinquent students away from my company and I only remained my wonderful mom and dad... step-dad..." You corrected yourself, Sana shrank her eyes at that intentional pause. "Because it felt like it's the right thing to do, and it did. It helped me to get back up to my feet and reshape myself to become a proper man that my mom always wanted to see in me.

Sana, mind I if ask... am I progressing?"

Sana stares at you as you glanced at her with your glistening eyes full of hope. "I'm not gonna lie this time, but you sure are doing quite an effect on me..." Her voice is slowly decreasing through the words.

"But that won't still change anything about what you did to me before. People can say past is past easily but me? If it wasn't for that, which I don't know... should I say thank you atleast anyway... for motivating me to change my appearance? Lose a massive amount of weight, beautify myself more, get rid of those eyeglasses and braces just so that I can be accepted and liked by many for my features like what you said?" Sana said with a bit of a hatred rising through her again. You remain speechless as you understand why it's driving her mad.

"I achieved a better life too but unlike you, what I did I get? You put me into a trauma that I'm still bringing to myself till this day. Fear and anxious that...  makes me still remember it all."

"I like the passion, YN... but I will never going to forgive you for what you did to me. I will always hate you for that." Sana said it with all honesty. "And that's enough of a reason for me to have no interests on having our deal contract settled."

Heartbroken, you chose to ignore and hide as you have nothing more to do than to accepts her decision. After all, you were the one who already said that you can't force her to make amends with you.

"Understood."

The next week, Sana was about to go downstairs when she found a student sipping lollipop at the corner. The guy looks completely wasted, obviously breaking the proper uniform rules. She decided to ignore him as she continue to go through but insteas, the guy catcalled her before moving on its own, approaching Sana.

"Hi there, hot stuff." The guy said before taking off her lollipop with a slurp. "Where you going at?"

"A-at my class." Sana nervously said.

"Hmmm... okay. Nice and proper, I like it. Ladies like you are easy to be tamed, isn't it?" He smirked menacingly.

Sana stepped back and grabbed her sling bag. "E-excuse me? How dare you-"

"Ohhh, daring. Such a duality we got here huh, I wouldn't mind if you can do switch roles with me, however we can only apply that in the bed."

"Shut up, pervert!"

"Cmon, lady. It's that simply, feel free to take a shot on me, and you can be there to your classroom without a problem."

"And if I don't?!"

"Challenging and fightful, I like that."

"Then you're going to love me."

Sana and the delinquent both became surprised as you made your unexpected emergence from the stairs, hurrying down ss you pushed away the guy and had him bumping his back on the barred metal gate.

"This one's pestering you?" Sana only nodded.

"Ugh shit! Ah, look. It's the bastard of this goddamn student council!" The delinquent said while touching his upper back in pain.

"Choose your words more carefully. I can report you and have you be placed in a sanction that you'll regret."

"Go on, make me. As if I give a shit. This entire university is a complete bullshit anyway. The only reason it got me staying here everyday, is if wasn't for some sexy chicks like here roaming around-" The deliquent didn't had to speak disrespectfully and point at Sana longer as he ate a crunchy right punch from you straight to his face.

"You crazy bitch!"

The guy fights back at you, returning the punch you gave. It agitated you and led yourselves into a brawl that had the groans and growls echoing to the upper floor, catching student's attention. Sana panicked and tasked them to call a guard to seperate the two.

The guy got the advantage during the fight, he continues to give you a barrage of kicks to the waist before he pulled Sana closer to her and inappropriately traced her sides while he chuckles dangerously.

Sana felt disgusted and quickly slaps the guy. "What do you think you're doing, huh? Fucking slut!" He gave Sana a fast backhand slap that had her twirling and crashing next to the metal handles of the stairs.)+•~

You saw what he did, with anger fuming in you, you pulled his leg and sent him down on the ground before you tackled him andgave him multiple punches until the guards and the officials broke up the fight.

"THE TWO OF YOU, PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE. NOW!"

As a result of the fight and from the decision made by the higher ups, the guy was kicked out of the campus for multiple delinquent offenses while you got suspended for your role as the president for a couple of months when they learned that you just did that for self-defense.

Sana was sitting on the bed with the nurse preparing the first aid until you showed up and requested the nurse instead to leave it all on your hands. She hesitated for a minute that you are also bruised but you bargained until she gave up and listened to you as a respect for being a student leader.

Sana in her surprise, watched you sit down and grab the first aid beside you. "W-what are you doing?"

"Treating you."

"Don't make me a baby, YN. The nurse can do it herself."

You just stared at her and Sana felt a bit intimidated. She decided to shut up and forcefully let you do your thing. "Good. Now come closer and lemme see your cheek."

She leaned forward and directed her aching cheek on you. "That idiot." You cursed as you search around the reddening spot. You weren't aware that it was mixed by Sana's blush now to have you staring very closer at her.

You started applying the ice pack around the hurting spot as Sana hissed before she swallowed in her throat and spoke. "T-thank you... for earlier."

"No problem. That's unusual, atleast I got a positive comment from you.

"I- I wasn't expecting you to come to rescue me, okay. And I didn't know how much I needed it."

The awkwardness between each other formed as none dared to speak afterwards when both got lost in their words. However, you started a topic that might break the silence and for Sana to understand more.

"I wasn't always like this."

"I know, you said it. It's just that there's something happened that I don't know-"

"It's my dad." You answered it. Sana looked at you. "I know you've been itching to ask me what exactly happened."

"I just don't want to because I felt like it's not my intention to know more and all I had to do is to understand you because it seemed too personal that I might sound forceful. But I do really wanted to know why." Sana replied. "So... step-dad?"

"No. My biological dad." You revealed. "My original father was abusive to my mom. I learned that he became like that when he started to fell addiction to gambling and other crazy stuffs that risks your money badly. He releases his frustration to my mom until she couldn't take it no more when she heard it loud and clear from my father that he despises her for me not turning out to be the one he's expecting. He always wanted a son/daughter but... nope. That's just all a part of his excuses that made my mom snapped and file a divorce  and report to my dad, and guess what. Her attorney became so interested in my mom and here he is, my mom and my dad broke up and him, who is now my step-dad, saved mom and I." You said as you applied care on her bruises.

Sana looked at you pitifully and for the first time, she frowned for you. "W-why are still helping me or... treating me good, even though I don't return it back at you?"

"Because... I got influenced. At first, I look up to my dad. I thought at first that he was tough, strong... I started becoming like him when him and my mom always gets to have a proble but then I realized that he was a true coward for proving all that by beating up my mom. And she was the one who is actually tough, because despite of all the suffering she took from my dad, she didn't hurt him back physically but that doesn't she has no plans to fight. Because if she does, then I wouldn't be in a better state if it wasn't for her.

So I changed. I took mom as my role model. I remained calm as much as I can. I did it all to reshape myself from the ghost of the past. Now here I am, rather choosing to prove myself and mean it all on my words on you. I don't want to fight anymore to cause trauma, Instead, I'll do in a need to protect the people who are close to me."

Sana tied all the strings together, and it did finally all comes to a clear point that it wasn't really your fault that you turned out to be that reckless bully that she had to go through a hard time before. She would be lying if she won't admit that she is a supporter of a belief that people can change, and it comes through this moment that she decided that she can use that phrase for good.

"There, all done." You said as you tucked all the hair to her ear and patted the bandage firmly on her face. Sana was just staring back at your tender and admirable demeanor. "Does it still h-"

"I forgive you."

"..."

You fell silent. That was very out of nowhere, but suddenly it got so uplifted to hear that successfully.

"Y-you do?"

"And we still have a week remaining ahead of us. We can use it to finally be able get along together."

You smiled widely as you saw how Sana's bright and cute grin shines right in your eyes. She looked so beautiful, and you even felt more guilty and poor for her on vanishing this irresistable kine of joy within her before.

"Yeah we can. T-thank you a lot, Sana."

Sana patted your hand to calm your happiness down. She smiled as she stared down at your hands stacked together. She took a grip on it and even felt the heat crawling through her skin, sending to her overflowing emotions in her heart.

It actually does look... fitting in her opinion. And she even agreed more to herself when she looked back up to see the owner of the hand she would actually love to hold more in many occasions.

That moment, Sana confirmed to herself that she has now began to discover a liking on you, who is also discreetly sharing the same serenade as her too.

Days after you and Sana tried to start this brand new closeness both of you has started for each other, its aftermath had left you ran out to became so overwhelmed about it, now that have reminded you of something that requires to be done more important before the expiration was reached.

You wanted to be happy because you have now made peace with Sana, but today wasn't the right time for you to celebrate fully.

Too much occupied on spending time for each other, that it almost made both forgot that you had to deal with a serious matter when the next day comes.

Your mood disrupted as you got conscious of the date today, not even Sana's bubbly personality can distract you from it or anything. You couldn't even join her as you remained watching her instead for some reason.

"You seem like you're in deep thoughts again, YN." Sana poked you with the tip of the ice cream she bought. "Are you okay?"

You didn't answer right away as it took time for you to snap back into your senses and found yourself being confronted by Sana.

"Y-yeah."

A lie. Sana detected that disturbing twitch of a forced smile on your lips.

"Really, what's going on? I know i've seen this last time on you getting blacked out of nowhere but this one feels different."

"How can you say?" You asked in a dead tone.

She shrugged and opened her ice cream first before she continued speaking. "That something's definitely bothering you. You're so stiff and uneasy. Does it makes you scared?"

"M-maybe it is..."

"Care to share what it is then?"

You were about to respond but Sana introduces you to her cold palm blocking your sight.

"But first, eat your ice cream. It's gonna melt, plus... it's my favorite flavor, okay? I don't want it getting wasted." She pouted adorably.

You chuckled and sighed as you opened your ice cream. "Delicious."

"Who? Me or the ice cream?"

"W-what?" You looked so baffled at her suspicious remark.

She laughed loudly at your embarassed expression. "I'm sorry- it's just... you keep on staring at me while you're licking it and commenting it for me. I thought you're teasing me so... I tried to get back on you."

"S-stupid, you and your pervy thoughts..." You rolled your eyes and blushed intensely at her own silliness. "And what if I say you?" you smirked a little and glared at her.

"Then I don't mind having you grab a taste as much as you like~" Her eyes didn't even had to glare back at you to look flirty and seductive, instead aura changed on its own as Sana ensures that the one who started this kind of fun won't end up getting defeated in the end.

You gulped and looked away from her enticing look as she wheezes. "Sorry, what's gotten over me. Anyways, let's go backto where we left. Oh yeah, what's making you scared?"

You had to compose yourself before replying to her. "Of us. Certainly... for you."

"Why?"

"I can't tell if this luck that I have of making myself had to witness this whole you being... just the way you are is only temporary for me to see, because I fear that... I might lose this... real you, again." You said.

"I appreciate the consideration YN but, risks are inevitable okay? It's fine to take it as long as it won't step or abuse my whole being again." Sana said. "I know you're scared but... face your fears. This is why you seek for another opportunity, right? To make things right."

"But would it be wrong for me if..."

"If...?" Sana waited for your next words to follow up.

Your heartbeat quickened, nerves trembling, emotions rising, as there's no going back once you have revealed this secret you have been keeping from her in weeks. "Would it be wrong for me if I don't just want you as a friend anymore? That I also began to admire you more than that?"

Sana's smile dropped. Her gaze went more focused on you as she couldn't believe what she's hearing. "Y-you like me?"

"I know it's ridiculous of me to say that to you, because I feel like I don't have the right to feel this way because I made you like this... forcefully with my wrongdoings. But, I don't know why my heart is being like this." You said to her.

"Maybe it's due to what I've said to you last time that I started to follow what my heart wants, and it pains because... I feel like this is what I may be missing after all these years when I rather ending up hurting you against my will. And now it makes me worry if I continue this feeling i'm having now that we have buried your hatred, I might lose this... bright side that depicts the real you, Sana. That I mercilessly thrown away when we first met.

I don't want to let it go but... I couldn't  get rid of this feeling in me, even after you told me you have declined our contract, I'm heartbroken but I still keep on loving you." You started tearing up. For the first time, Sana has fully visualized this fragile self of yours and it truly does hurt her deep inside.

"But I don't want you to pity me. I still respect your decision, but... for the last time... a last hope in me, I just want to ask... do you... still want to reconsider it?"

You looked at her with your poor eyes. Sana got her breath taken away by your weakened state. Her heart crumples in pain seeing you like this because you are heavily concerned of something that you don't even had to.

Because she likes you too, and you don't even know yet.

If your heart chooses her, her heart needed you more.

"I'm sorry..." is what came out as a whisper to Sana's shaking tone. Your heart shattered and there's your last hope disappeared like a popped bubble in the air. She was about to speak but you interrupted her.

"I see. I get it, no matter how much a person forgives you for your sin, there's always be time that would grant you the punishment for wasting that moment that you should've been good rather. A karma, in short. And this one, is what I have to bring and suffer for the rest of my life."  You said to her with a bitter smile. Sana was in awe at your guilty pronounce.

"I enjoyed our time but I think I have to go now, Sana. I'm sorry." You excused yourself to Sana as you emptied your ice cream and left her speechless on your spot with her. Her frozen consciousness has what costs her to respond late to unable to catch you as you walked away from her sight.

Sana was left in distraught, as the words she was about to say and the entirety of your confession sinked down to her.

March 31. The day of the proclaimation has come. The month is ending and that means the contract has reached its breaking point. You and Sana met again in the court along with your parents in each of your sides.

Both parties are worried and confused on why you and Sana seemed so dull and devastated that neither couldn't look at each other's eyes anymore. This is what you feared, and the regret is eating you up again so bad.

"Mr/Ms. LN, are you in favor of the contract to be published and hereby signed by you?"

"I do, your honor." You said. You wanted to give it up but you chose to fight for what you have desired more. You wanted to be with Sana longer, and even if it won't grant you the same opportunity, it doesn't matter. Atleast you have become honest to your heart that you would've love to have her as yours.

Sana's lips trembled as she tried to fight the tears about to pour down on her face but was unsuccessful that the judge had to halt the question. It breaks your heart more to see her in an emotional breakdown in front of you.

"Miss Minatozaki, are you okay?"

"I... I'm not..." She sniffed her nose and wiped her tears before proceeding. " I'm not in favor of the contract, your honor."

Your family and Sana's both were in shock and saddened. You weren't surprised, but you are surely devastated that she is really this a hundred percent certain of her decision.

"Are you sure with your answer, Miss Minatozaki? You look hesitant. Perhaps you can provide a clear explaination why you still responded the opposite?"

"I'm really not in favor of the contract, your honor." Sana shook her head. She wiped her tears again before she stepped forward and came closer to you.

"Because I don't want to have it done arranged."

Your eyes widened. The collective gasps of the both sides can be heard from the court.

"I'm rather hesitant because I want to be with you more, YN... but not through this. I want us to build the story of our relationship through our own. I want it that way, not this where others had to dictate and rush us how things should go for us." She apologetically looks back at yours and her family, and gladly they nodded understandably at her point.

She immediately pulls you into a hug so tight that you wouldn't even care also if you got suffocated into her endearing gesture of what finding your home should feel like. "I'm glad that you didn't let go, YN... because I love you too."

She sobbed into your shoulder and you gave up with your emotions as flood of tears fell down on your face, but this time it was all full of joy and relief. You reciprocated her action as you wrapped her body into your own embrace and cuddled her head on your side.

"Thank you... thank you for giving me a chance, Sana. I'll do everything I can not to ruin this. I love you.

She leans away fron your shoulder and holds your shoulders as she traces your face super close between each other. "I'm so proud of you, YN. You deserve it."

"And yes, I would be glad to be your girlfriend... and your future wife soon." She winked before she pulls your head next for a wholesome romantic kiss.

Your families and even the judge clapped and congratulated in support for your newfound stronger relationship with Sana since this is a sight to behold seeing two couples aren't destined to be torn apart from each other... but rather to stay together forever despite all the harsh and crucial situations they had gone through.

Love, in cooperation with time; always finds a way to connect two people's hearts no matter how long it might take, and this... is the way their story had to go.

[saintzweig]

I’m back. are you sick of me yet. anyway!! I’ve been OBSESSED with the idea of patrick studying law, like idk that just makes so much sense and with that I propose to you: patrick on the mock trial team, or speech and debate. all of the guys on the tennis team think he’s a fucking NERD for doing it, art thinks it’s cool tho! tashi is his go to for practicing his debates before tournaments and she purposely plays devils advocate to piss him off majorly. BUTT going back to u saying reader being a like.. journalism major and working for the campus newspaper, imagine her covering a speech and debate thing and seeing patrick and being like, hm fuckin nerd, but then she goes to a tennis match the next week (bc a friend of hers is like. obsessed with art or some other guy on the team) and then she realizes that guy on the speech and debate team is on the tennis team and he’s like, actually really hot. and then that night she’s at a frat party and she’s getting pulled into a bathroom by a hot as hell guy and, surprise surprise, it’s patrick again. he writes his phone number on some university promotional flier for speech and debate in bright blue pen (using art’s back as a table) and she dies right then and there (and every weekend after when his cock is in her mouth for “stress relief”) - 🎾

(I fear I need to come out of fanfic writing retirement.)

SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONGG i thought about this hard with the very little juice left in my brain. not proofread bc its 3am ... might make the smut part a whole fic :")

you walked into the auditorium, a ‘stanford daily’ id hanging from your neck and a DSLR camera in your hands as you made your way through the sparse crowd to your assigned seat. you're in your third year of uni and elected co-editor in chief at the standford daily, so your job is mostly looking over the process and production of the weekly paper– this meant that you haven't been assigned to cover an event in a while given that you were the one assigning them. but the student who was supposed to cover this debate got sick, and no one else was available so you took it upon yourself to do the job. 

you were surprised to see tashi duncan and art donaldson a few rows in front of you, talking amongst themselves. they're well known on campus, being on the tennis team. you haven't seen or read anything about their life outside of the court, but why a debate event on a tuesday morning? were they that bored? or do they genuinely think that these events are entertaining? 

your unspoken questions were answered when the debate team was called to the stage, and there stood patrick zweig with a smug look on his face. you've never seen him in person before but he was a usual subject in the paper– being a reckless and easily agitated but damn good tennis player. now you're finding out that not only is he on the debate team, he is the captain. and a pre-law student? does this guy come from money or is he just a fucking nerd. 

you've always thought debates to be boring, even if you're a liberal arts student. but patrick zweig proved you wrong. it was mesmerizing to watch how smooth he was with his arguments, he knew the right words to say, the right points to make and the right buttons to push. he riled his opponents up but in a way that doesn't cross the line and break the rules. it was mesmerizing to watch him smirk, as if he found joy in proving others that they're wrong. you didn't even notice that you're on the edge of your seat, squeezing your thighs together. 

you brought the camera up to your face, squinting as you focused the lens on the members of the debate team. and as your camera pans over to patrick, he was already looking directly at you. smirking as he watched you falter for a moment before snapping the photo. you left in a rush as soon as the event ended, heart racing against your will. what the fuck was that? 

two weeks later, you find yourself being dragged by your best friend to a tennis game on campus. stanford versus pepperdine. the men's team are playing today and your best friend bribed you with food to get you to come with her and cheer art donaldson on. the first match started and it was a doubles, art and patrick versus two players from the opposing side. if the sight of patrick defeating his opponents in uniform got your heart racing, be prepared to see him do it in shorts. his thighs were godly and you couldn't take your eyes off it. 

you finally saw him play, seeing his personality on court that everyone was talking about. his serves were unusual but his backhands were fucking hypnotizing. the sounds of the ball being hit back and forth vibrating in your ears, your heart almost exploded when you heard how loud his grunts were as he plays. like before, you found yourself at the edge of your seat, squeezing your thighs together. 

during the break, patrick took the time to scan the crowd before his eyes landed on yours. your mouth gapes slightly open as you feel him stare into you, his lips parted and wrapped around the mouth of his water bottle, the liquid dripping down his chin. he wiped it away, sending you a wink. you don't think you've seen anyone this hot before. 

as if dragging you to a tennis game wasn't enough, you found yourself in a party at some random house that you (unwillingly) and your friend crashed. however, as soon as you walked in, she was taken out of your grasp into a bedroom by her situationship, leaving you to your own devices. you decided to grab a cup of the horribly sweet yet bitter punch in the kitchen before making your way through the house, dragging your fingertips against the wall and feeling the vibration of the music. 

you yelp as someone grasped at your arm and pulled you into the bathroom, the punch nearly spilling all over them. it was patrick, smirking down on you as he crossed his arms, flexing his biceps against the fabric of his polo shirt. “you're a journalist, right?” his voice was soft towards you, unlike the tone he used in the debate and unlike the rasp when he yelled victory during the game. 

you nod, a tinge of pink dusting your cheeks. he smiled at your appearance, you look so tiny next to him and the way you looked up at him, jesus. 

he grabbed a pen from his pocket, placing the cap between his lips as he pulled it off. he takes your arm, pants tightening as he took in the size difference of your arm against his. he chuckles lowly, scribbling his number on your arm. you only stared at him, the proximity making your core throb. “call me, yeah?” he smirks, patting your cheek gently with his large hand before exiting the bathroom. leaving you frozen and aching. 

[lboogie1906]

Omar “Biggs” Rashad Tyree (April 15, 1969) was born in Philadelphia and is a novelist.

He enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied to become a pharmacist. He transferred to Howard University. During his senior year, he became the first student in Howard University’s history to have a featured column published in The Hilltop, its award-winning campus newspaper. His column was titled Food for Thought.

He received a BA in Print Journalism from Howard University. He worked as a reporter and an assistant editor at The Capitol Spotlight. He was hired as chief reporter for News Dimensions, another Black-owned weekly newspaper.

He released a hip-hop album titled Rising Up!

He is a New York Times best-selling author, a 2001 NAACP Image Award recipient for Outstanding Literature in Fiction, and a 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award winner for Body of Work in Fiction, and has published 16 books that have sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide. He is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his Equation for Life lecture, he weaves together a foolproof formula for attaining lifelong success in business and everyday living. Ideal for corporate sales and marketing teams. The success of the speeches over the last eight years landed his first non-fiction book deal with John Wiley, the world’s number-one business publisher. The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success.

He signed a two-book arrangement with publishing powerhouse Simon & Schuster. He signed a lucrative long-term fiction contract.

His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early twenties when he started the book publishing company Mar Productions to release his earliest works of fiction. His entrepreneurial ventures have evolved into Hot Lava Entertainment, a synergistic production company for books, music, and film. He released his first movie, The Lure of Young Women.

His articles have been published in The Washington Post, Essence, and Upscale. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[liah-sims]

🌿 Rooted & Rising: A Realistic Sims 4 Legacy Challenge

Ten generations of healing, growing, and thriving through struggle, self-discovery, and soft power.

🌱 Generation One: The Seedling

"From soil and sorrow, something new begins."

Traits: Gloomy | Creative | Loyal | Nature Lover | ♓ Pisces Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire or Freelance Botanist Career: Freelance Artist or Gardener

Goals:

Begin on an empty lot with only §1,800 (no building cheats).

Build a tiny home (Tier 3 or 2) and gradually expand.

Grow at least 10 different plant types; create a thriving garden.

Reach level 10 in Gardening or Painting.

Sell only produce/art to earn income until mid-adulthood.

Keep a daily or weekly journal via the Writing skill or notebook mod.

Adopt a stray animal as a source of companionship.

Fall in love with a Sim who shares a core trait or aspiration.

Don’t get married until reaching Level 10 in career or primary skill.

Have only one child, raised intentionally and with deep emotional bonds.

🌼 Generation Two: The Bloom

"They grew in soil they didn’t choose."

Traits: Overachiever | Neat | Perfectionist | Ambitious | ♍ Virgo Aspiration: Academic Career: Education or Law

Goals:

Enroll in University and graduate with an A in a relevant degree (Education or History).

Work a part-time job throughout university (barista, retail, etc.).

Live in on-campus housing and maintain a GPA above a B average.

Join an organization or club (Debate Guild, Spirit Corps, etc.).

Date one Sim in college, break up after graduation.

Reach level 10 in Logic and Research & Debate.

Move into a mid-size suburban home and decorate it neatly and practically.

Marry young (within 3 days of becoming an adult).

Have 2–3 children and push them academically or skill-wise.

Teach parenting values actively: discipline, conflict resolution, etc.

🔥 Generation Three: The Burnt Branch

"Some trees don’t break—they burn."

Traits: Hot-Headed | Romantic | Self-Destructive | Outgoing | ♈ Aries Aspiration: Serial Romantic Career: Mixologist or Entertainer (Comedian branch)

Goals:

Drop out of university or never attend.

Live in the city and switch apartments at least twice.

Reach level 5 of Charisma and Mischief before adulthood.

Go on 5+ dates before committing to anyone.

Get engaged quickly, then have it called off (cheating is optional).

Struggle with a vice: alcohol (Mixology), woohoo addiction, or fame.

Have a child with someone you’re not in a stable relationship with.

Get into at least 3 public fights or arguments.

Have a near-death experience (fire, drowning, etc.) and reflect/change.

Slowly reconnect with one estranged family member or best friend.

🌊 Generation Four: The Rainmaker

"After the fire, someone has to plant again."

Traits: Green Fiend | Family-Oriented | Proper | Responsible | ♋ Cancer Aspiration: Big Happy Family Career: Civil Designer or Social Worker (mod)

Goals:

Start in a fixer-upper home; gradually renovate with eco-items.

Reach level 10 in Parenting and Gardening.

Host family dinners every week (or game nights).

Use the eco footprint system: make your neighborhood green.

Marry your best friend and stay together for life.

Adopt or foster at least one child.

Never get into a physical fight.

Raise 3–4 children using positive reinforcement and good parenting milestones.

Win a Neighborhood Action Plan vote at least twice.

Master at least one side hobby (knitting, baking, candle making, etc.).

🌪 Generation Five: The Storm

"I am the chaos my ancestors warned you about."

Traits: Erratic | Ambitious | Rebellious | Genius | ♏ Scorpio Aspiration: Public Enemy or Mastermind (mod) Career: Criminal (Boss) or Secret Agent (Villain)

Goals:

Reach level 10 in Logic and Mischief.

Live a double life: professional by day, shady dealings at night.

Join a secret society or club (Renegades, Paragons, Secret Agents).

Start a side hustle: hacking, underground club, illegal gambling, etc.

Sabotage one engagement/marriage (yours or someone else’s).

Get arrested or fined at least once.

Have a child with a romantic partner, then raise the child alone for a while.

Have your arc be redemption-based: either betray your old crew or go clean.

Move into a high-tech or bunker-style house.

Leave behind a mysterious letter or object for your child to discover.

🌫 Generation Six: The Fog

"The world never felt solid beneath my feet."

Traits: Loner | Overthinker | Melancholy | Bookworm | ♓ Pisces Aspiration: Inner Peace or Bestselling Author Career: Writer (Novelist or Poet) or Freelance

Goals:

Live in a tiny, cluttered apartment or cottage alone until at least mid-adulthood.

Write 5+ books of different genres, including poetry or memoir.

Paint or photograph your dreams/emotions at least weekly.

Reach level 10 in Writing and Painting (or Photography).

Meditate, journal, or garden to manage emotions.

Go through one heartbreak that inspires a major creative breakthrough.

Attend therapy or participate in wellness practices regularly.

Fall in love with a fellow artist or gentle soul later in life.

Publish a best-selling book that is an ode to your family or trauma.

Be remembered more for your art than your presence.

🌕 Generation Seven: The Moonlight

"I was raised by shadows, but I shine differently."

Traits: Dreamy | Loyal | Cat Lover | Empath | ♋ Cancer Aspiration: Soulmate or Super Parent Career: Paranormal Investigator or Stay-at-Home Parent

Goals:

Have a cozy cottage-style home with magical, vintage, or whimsical décor.

Own multiple cats and become soulbound to at least one.

Raise 3+ children using gentle parenting and emotional bonding.

Use the Wellness skill, crystals, or spiritual practices regularly.

Reach level 10 in Medium and Wellness (or Parenting).

Fall in love with someone who makes you feel emotionally safe.

Host family dinners, moon rituals, or storytelling nights.

Paint the nursery or build a magical playroom for the kids.

Write letters to your future descendants or keep a grimoire/journal.

Leave behind a family heirloom or spellbook for Gen 10.

🛠 Generation Eight: The Builder

"If it breaks, I build it better."

Traits: Handy | Stoic | Responsible | Perfectionist | ♑ Capricorn Aspiration: Mansion Baron or Nerd Brain Career: Engineer or Tech Guru

Goals:

Build a house from scratch using only your own Sim’s income.

Max Handiness, Logic, and Programming.

Invent 3+ gadgets or robotics if using Discover University.

Delay romance until you’re established in your career.

Avoid emotional vulnerability; be seen as “the reliable one.”

Marry someone who challenges your worldview (opposites attract).

Raise kids with high expectations—explore emotional consequences.

Fix every broken item in your house without calling for help.

Complete at least 1 unique invention or structure (rocket, invention, bunker).

Be the family’s fixer—repair old bonds or homes.

🌻 Generation Nine: The Wildflower

"I am not my roots—I am who I choose to be."

Traits: Free Spirit | Clumsy | Nature Lover | Adventurous | ♐ Sagittarius Aspiration: Outdoor Enthusiast or World-Famous Traveler Career: Conservationist or Freelance/None

Goals:

Travel and live in at least 3 different worlds (Sulani, Selvadorada, Mt. Komorebi, etc.).

Collect items from every place visited (photos, bugs, treasures).

Avoid “traditional” jobs—live off odd gigs, writing, or gardening.

Refuse to settle down or own a home until adulthood.

Have a chosen family of friends from different walks of life.

Experiment with relationships (polyamory, open, single parenting).

Break a family cycle: divorce, emotional distance, perfectionism, etc.

Live in a van, tent, or minimal home at some point.

Adopt a stray animal during your travels.

Reflect on family legacy with a bittersweet mix of pride and detachment.

🌳 Generation Ten: The Tree

"Everything they survived became my soil."

Traits: Wise | Family-Oriented | Empath | Charismatic | ♉ Taurus Aspiration: Renaissance Sim or Custom Legacy Builder Career: Any (must master 3+ careers or skills)

Goals:

Stay on the original legacy lot and restore it to full glory.

Max at least 3 major skills or have a Sim complete 3 careers.

Create a family tree room or ancestral memorial garden.

Interview elders, read old journals, and collect family heirlooms.

Host a final family reunion with as many relatives as possible.

Have 3–5 children and choose an heir based on storytelling, not traits.

Reach level 10 in Parenting, Charisma, and one chosen hobby skill.

Take one final vacation with the entire household before elderhood.

Write a biography or history book about your legacy family.

Die peacefully surrounded by loved ones, knowing your roots held strong.

[thewildseven]

The Homecoming of a Wayward Rock

In the final minutes before we went onstage for my college a cappella group’s massive 25th anniversary concert, I overheard something in the green room that stuck with me.

“It seems like some people need this a lot more than others.”

It came from a fellow alum, about 10 years my junior, talking to one of his former classmates. It felt like a subtle jab at those of us who were diving in full-force—dusting off University of Oregon-branded ties, snapping on suspenders, and rehashing big solos.

I’ve been thinking about that quip all week. And I agree with that guy.

Because I’m one of the people who needs it.

What is “it”? Music. Memories. Belonging. A grab-you-by-the-shoulders reminder of who I was—and still am. Singing again with the guys from my era, and the generations after, brought scores of memories roaring back to life.

When I transferred from Portland State to the University of Oregon, 9/11 had just happened. I had walked away from a full-ride scholarship as a music performance major and an opera track in order to pursue journalism at one of the West’s best J schools. I also left behind a sleepy commuter school in favor of The College Experience™. I had started a surprisingly serious relationship back in Gresham before my relocation, and was embarking upon my first-ever honest-to-god long-distance relationship. I didn’t know many people. I moved into a dorm as a sophomore.

Everything felt unknown—and exciting.

A friend told me I needed to audition for the school’s “boy band”—On The Rocks, the school’s first (and only, at the time) a cappella group. I had just landed a spot on the campus newspaper, the Oregon Daily Emerald, but decided to load up on extra-curriculars.

The audition went well. I remember singing “Soul Tattoo” by Plus One (a Christian boy band, which telegraphed both my spirituality and my pop tendencies), running through scales, and harmonizing with some other guys. Group co-founder Peter Hollens told me, "You're like the best singer I’ve ever heard." I wish I had that in writing.

When I (and fellow auditionee Cooper) showed up for what I thought was a callback, it turned out to be a “chill-and-grill” welcome party. I was in. That night, I learned what it was to be a “rock.” Brotherhood. Shenanigans. Insane dedication to the music and to each other. The existing members sang their cover of “Demons” by Guster that gave me chills—a moment I can re-enter every time I hear that tune.

I felt both a sense of excitement and, honestly, fear—because I realized I was in for more than I’d expected. I knew this wasn’t just a club. It was a lifestyle.

We rehearsed a lot. Performed weekly in the Erb Memorial Student Union amphitheatre, rain or shine. Traveled. Recorded our first album, which hit the top of the campus record shop’s best-seller list. We entertained hundreds every Friday, blending classics like "Brown Eyed Girl" with current hits like Jimmy Eat World’s "Hear You Me." Sororities hired us to serenade them. It was pre-YouTube, pre-TikTok. We were a live, analog phenomenon.

But behind the scenes, I was wrestling. With faith. With time. With loyalty.

My girlfriend, still living hours away, repeatedly said she felt threatened by the group’s culture and worried about my spiritual life. She drove to Eugene nearly every weekend to keep tabs on me. I was battling guilt over these competing commitments, feeling stuck at a fork in the road.

Academically, I stumbled a little. I failed the only class I’ve ever failed—J-202, Info Hell, a journalism school rite of passage—because I procrastinated and tried to write my final on a van ride with the guys to Berkeley. Rookie mistake. The fact that I ever thought I’d be able to get a damn thing done on my laptop in that van full of dudes, despite the roughly 8-hour drive, was naïveté at best, but more than likely sheer avoidant insanity.

But it was all in stride, it was worth it. We were building something incredible, and I loved it.

I learned to grill meat with those guys. Had high highs and low lows. Sang for Phil Knight and Coach Mike Bellotti and our university president, and also dealt with one of our members being hospitalized. We competed in the ICCAs (a cappella championship), winning regionals, getting second place in the semifinals and thanks to BYU Vocal Point not competing on Sundays, we made it to the ICCA finals at the Lincoln Center in NYC and got third in the world.

During that year, we bonded through those successes and trials in a way that, I believe, set the tone for what the next two decades-plus of the group became: brotherhood, commitment, musical excellence, taking the music seriously but not ourselves, and boldness.

When the school year came to a close, we were all understandably exhausted, and were looking forward to the break. But that exhaustion, and my return to Gresham for the summer, had me in a vulnerable spot to make a change.

My girlfriend wanted me to quit the group. She said it was too much of a commitment, and that it wasn’t making me a better Christian. In that moment, I’d agreed with her arguments. I had a big decision to make over the summer, but it was one I avoided until the last possible moment: after fall auditions.

I was leaving OTR.

The guys were stunned. I was never fully comfortable with my decision, and that was evidenced by one of the most bone-headed decisions I made next: I tried to create my own a cappella group, justifying it by saying it would be less of a commitment, less of an eyebrow-raising atmosphere for my pastors, and more of a hobby than a lifestyle. I thought it would make me happy.

My girlfriend thought it was a brilliant idea. My brothers in OTR? It was, accurately, nothing short of betrayal. Just really stupid, arrogant, entitled drama.

I assembled the group using the names and info culled from the group’s fall auditions (another hubris-filled betrayal). We sang haphazardly arranged Top 40 hits in awkward venues like the Carson Hall dorm dining room and the lobby of the student union.

Sure, I had control. But the magic was replaced by the massive guilt I felt, the burden of trying to make this new “hobby” a success, and the loneliness of my social situation. I was Sisyphus, pushing a boulder uphill, only for it to roll back down again and again.

Only a few months later, I got engaged and ultimately abandoned this new group, too. I transferred back to Portland State, bringing an abrupt and inauspicious end to my once-promising era in Eugene. I left UO distracted by the life momentum of getting married, feeling like running away was the only way to not have to deal with all the unnecessary hardship I brought to the people I loved.

I got married just before beginning my senior year. I had a very limited list of people to choose from to be my groomsmen (I even had to ask my dad to fill in a spot, and another spot was filled by a guy I didn’t know very well from my work at a Christian bookstore). All the while, my former OTR bros were all groomsmen at each other’s weddings. They’d carried on, and I lied in the bed I made.

I finished with a somewhat weak degree in Communication Studies but a strong resume that landed me a job at the Oregon Coast for a year, before I returned to the Portland area as Editor of a small-town newspaper. Had my first kid in 2007, and two more by 2011. Built a career in journalism and church ministry. Led worship. But something always felt missing.

When the 10-year OTR reunion came around, I was shocked to be invited as an avowed alumnus. My interactions with the guys were understandably tense at first, thanks to all the history and all the hurt I caused. But one by one, each guy was bigger than I had ever been, and slowly, we began to repair.

Although there was little to no engagement with the group (outside of getting to guest-sing with the current group when they came to the city where I lived), a lot of life happened over the next 10 years.

In the years leading up to the 20-year reunion, I was starting life over. I had divorced the girl from college. It was a long, although ultimately abrupt awakening to the fact that our passions would never align and would always be seen by the other as a threat. I lived in a new place. I no longer identified as an evangelical Christian. I had found new love. And I was yearning to sing again.

Not as many of the guys from my era were there, but for those who were, I finally felt like part of the group again. Together, it felt like almost no time had passed. I walked away from that interaction resolved to connect with my friend Pete, who lived not too far from me in Boise, Idaho.

I started taking voice lessons again, something I hadn’t done since my first year at Portland State. I joined the local opera company and a semi-professional choir to scratch the musical itch. Music was back in my life. On my terms again.

Eventually, I called Pete, saying, “Enough is enough; let’s get a beer.” That first hangout led to a road trip to an Oregon Ducks away game. That led to 10 hours of talking through everything you’ve read so far and then some. I apologized a whole lot for everything—my judgmentalness, my abandoning, my betrayals—and I was met with a hell of a lot of grace, kindness, and that true brotherhood I remembered from so long before.

All of that fed my emotions coming into the OTR 25th Anniversary weekend.

Out of the nine guys from my era, eight of us made it to Eugene, among the 70-or-so total guys in attendance from throughout the generations. Sure, I got to reprise my solos for “For the Longest Time” and “In the End”, but the greatest joy to me came from the surreal feeling of singing alongside these guys in real-time again. From seeing Chris and co-founder Leo sing together on “Demons”. From hearing Pete and Cooper hold it down on bass in the “I Need to Know” breakdown. From Hollens and I making the same goofy faces at each other during our dueling vocal parts on “Romeo & Juliet.”

It was almost too much for me to take. So much life has happened over the past 23 years. So much water under the bridge. So much growth and wisdom and repair. And aside from the well-earned occasional joking jab about that “other group” I started, we all were brothers again. More than the music, more than the albums and the competitions and the fans, the most valuable part of this experience was (and still is) making magic with people you love.

This time, I knew what it meant. I didn’t take it for granted. Never again.

I have had a beautiful opportunity over the past six years to reacquaint myself with the younger me. Sure, that guy had a lot of demons—anxious attachment and its manifestations chief among them.

But that Marcus also had so much energy, so much promise, so much positivity and so much hope. As I get to know this guy all over again, I can feel a deep, almost parental, love for him. And I want to learn from him now.

It was especially powerful seeing my three teenage children in the front row, finally getting to see what the hype is all about. Pete tells me he nearly cried as he watched the look of awe on my kids’ faces as I belted out a solo Saturday night. I’m just so happy they got to meet another version of their dad.

A week after the reunion, I’m still trying to make sense of it all. I know reunions aren’t real life. I know I’m probably never going to be part of an a cappella group like that again.

But there’s something I’m supposed to take from it—something more than nostalgia. That weekend wasn’t just a fun trip down memory lane; it was a wake-up call. A siren reminding me that something’s still missing: brotherhood, joy, belonging, shared history.

This wasn’t just about reliving the past. It was about rediscovering the parts of myself I’ve left behind—and realizing they still matter. I want to nurture the relationships that knew the old me and build new ones that honor who I’ve become. I don’t know exactly how that will look yet. But I do know this: the best parts of my past life can help me live better today.

Last weekend reminded me what it feels like to be fully alive, fully seen and accepted. Maybe I do need that feeling more than most. And honestly? I’m alright with that.

[danceling]

Marching toward spring

After a pretty quiet February, March felt exceedingly busy. In addition to hosting regular, twice-weekly rehearsals, my orchestra played in two concerts this past month: one that was really a choir concert with us as accompanists, and another with a bunch of other campus music ensembles as part of the music department's decennial accreditation process. Aside from orchestra, I've been taking an ASL class (which I started at the end of February), and I just last week started taking a woodworking class (where I think constantly about how all my other hobbies require dextrous use of my left hand, so why did I sign up for this again???). Add to that a few visits with friends who were briefly in town, the first meeting of my new book club, therapy, taxes, regularly exercising out again, volunteering, working on my radio show and the worker's rights podcast I edit, and, y'know, sleeping, and I'm starting to feel like I'm doing too much. (Seriously, how is anyone bored in retirement? I truly don't get it.)

This is, frankly, a great problem to have. My goal now is to figure out what I want to prioritize over the next few months — and also to find a better balance of daytime activities so I have more of my evenings free to do things like hang out with my partner and have people over for dinner. I'd love to keep up with orchestra, though whether I'm able to will be somewhat contingent on how my audition goes for the one community orchestra in the area that runs during the summer. Either way, though, I plan to continue practicing and playing on my own.

Okay, that's the main update. Highlights below, as usual.

Hobbies

I covered most of this in my life update, but I want to reiterate how much I've loved playing with an orchestra again. It's been such a true delight and I don't want it to end, so I reached out to the one community orchestra that runs over the summer to see if I can get an audition slot and maybe, if I'm lucky, join them. I'm not sure I'm good enough to anything that needs an audition right now, but I'm doing my best to prepare because dang it, I don't wanna stop.

Books

My reading was a bit less focused this month, partly because I had a ton of holds come in at the library, and partly because I had deadlines for finishing Border & Rule and Proto. As a result, while I only finished 5 books (three of them quite short), I read 7.

Of these, my favorite was Private Rites by Julia Armfield, which I finished last night. It's Lear, sort of, where Lear is a narcissistic architect who raised three queer daughters, badly, as the UK began sinking into the ocean. That description makes it sound messier than it is — it's remarkably subtle and clever, and I keep having to look up words but in a way that feels like "oh, this really was the only word she could have used here" and not "wow, what a pretentious asshole this author is."

I also really enjoyed An Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris, a sentence that is sure to make me sound like a pretentious asshole. Oh well, I yam what I yam, and I definitely have a bit of an intellectual crush on Georges Perec (but not a crush crush — the man looks way too much like Abbie Hoffman for that).

Other Media

Just to balance out the pretentiousness of my reading habits, this month we got really into The Courtship, which is basically just Bridgerton: the Reality Dating Show — regency-era dress included.

We also started Paradise, which is basically low-budget Silo at the moment when they go underground instead of many generations later. The writing is...mixed...but it's entertaining.

Food

I'm back to eating normally this month, and it's been nice. I've been trying to figure out ways to be more flexible - keeping store-bought pasta sauce in the house along with frozen veggies and quorn pieces, making easy tofu dishes from what we have instead of going to the grocery store to make sure I have all the ingredients a recipe calls for, and keeping pantry staples (like chickpeas, white beans, coconut milk, and pasta) stocked so we're always able to throw *something* together.

Finances

Much to my surprise, we spent about $500 less in March than in February. That's despite spending more on both dining out and groceries than we did the previous month — in part because I was feeling better and wanted to make up for lost time on the food front (SUSHI PLZ), and in part because we had more visitors and overall did less actual planning, food-wise, than we had in February. Much of this is because February had a surprise large, non-essential expense (from our nephew cashing in on his graduation present) and that was gone this month, so March's numbers reflect what feels like a more normal trend for us since I left my job: our spending is going down a little bit every month. That trend will likely continue, with minor blips, for at least a few more months as we establish our new normal.

[he-is-kinda-spacey]

Idea I thought of in a dream and woke up to write down:

What would the study group have a podcast on? Probably narrated by Abed, based on early season characters going around the og table :3

Britta would have a rly over the top “woke” podcast where she is trying to start some movement and is trying to like solve racism and shit but always ends up fumbling. When you listen to it you know she has the best intentions but everything she says is a bit off and something she should probably not say. She would call it “brittad it” cuz she is still trying to own that insult, not realising it fits perfectly with a mess of a podcast.

Jeff would have a podcast where he gives relationship advice and does those like cringe alpha male motivational speech just without the homophobia probably. At first he would claim it’s just a stupid joke but then he would work rly hard to get popular with it and get obsessed with the ego boost. He would call it “wing-her” a play on his last name and “win her.”

Annies podcast would probably be the most realistic and actually something I would listen to, lots of study tips, her talking abt her dreams, giving advice, maybe the occasional gossip. She would probably update you on random stories around campus and it would be entertaining even if you didn’t go there. Sometimes she would vent but it would be rly real and help the audience see her as a person. She would call it “Annie’s journal.”

Shirley would have a Christian podcast where every Sunday afternoon she releases an episode, she would start with some sort of bible study, a bit of reading it and a bit of over all discussing it. Then she would do a bit about taking care of yourself, giving tips on self care and self esteem before going into a bit about her life, similar to Annie’s with the gossip part cuz there is no way Shirley is having a podcast and not bitching. She would do it in the nicest way possible and most of it would probably be positive stories. She would call it “The holy-days” like holidays or something cringe like that.

Pierce would probably have some racist homophobic misogynist podcast and he would call it the klan or something and then ask everyone what’s wrong with it.

Troy and abed would share a podcast obviously, and I don’t even need to make a title for it, they already did that. On their podcast they would do probably bi weekly episodes updating on life around the campus, anything that they find interesting or exciting, abed would probably have a segment for him to inform the viewers about inspector space time, or they would like choose a show for the audience and then every episode discuss a bit of it until they pick a different one. They would do weekly weather updates, and lots of campus drama. It would be mostly their own inside jokes so they would have barely any veiwers. And obviously it would be called “Troy and Abed in the morning.” Did you rly think I was gonna make my own one.

Did I write the most about the people who already had a podcast? Yes.

Did I do that cuz there is two of them? No. I did it cuz I like them more

[reasoningdaily]

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Seldom does a book have the impact of Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow. Since it was first published in 2010, it has been cited in judicial decisions and has been adopted in campus-wide and community-wide reads; it helped inspire the creation of the Marshall Project and the new $100 million Art for Justice Fund; it has been the winner of numerous prizes, including the prestigious NAACP Image Award; and it has spent nearly 250 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Most important of all, it has spawned a whole generation of criminal justice reform activists and organizations motivated by Michelle Alexander’s unforgettable argument that “we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.” As the Birmingham Newsproclaimed, it is “undoubtedly the most important book published in this century about the U.S.”

Now, ten years after it was first published, The New Press is proud to issue a tenth-anniversary edition with a new preface by Michelle Alexander that discusses the impact the book has had and the state of the criminal justice reform movement today.

Named one of the most important nonfiction books of the 21st century by Entertainment Weekly‚Slate‚Chronicle of Higher Education‚ Literary Hub, Book Riot‚ and Zora

A tenth-anniversary edition of the iconic bestseller—“one of the most influential books of the past 20 years,” according to the Chronicle of Higher Education—with a new preface by the author

“It is in no small part thanks to Alexander’s account that civil rights organizations such as Black Lives Matter have focused so much of their energy on the criminal justice system.” —Adam Shatz, London Review of Books

[chermside-vending-machine-hire]

Media Vending Machines: Contactless Digital Distribution

In today's fast-paced digital world, media vending machines are revolutionizing how we access entertainment, education, and information. At Xvend Vending Solutions, we're pioneering this innovative technology across Australia, providing fully managed digital media dispensing solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with unparalleled convenience.

From construction sites to university campuses, our smart vending systems are transforming how people consume media in public spaces.

Why Media Vending Machines Are Going Mainstream

Recent market research from Statista shows:

The global smart vending market will reach $15 billion by 2027

68% of consumers prefer contactless media access points

Digital vending solutions reduce distribution costs by 40%

Locations with media kiosks report 30% longer visitor dwell times

"Media vending isn't just about convenience—it's about creating engaging experiences," says Michael Tran, Xvend's Technology Director. "Our machines deliver content as effortlessly as buying a snack."

Xvend's Media Vending Machine Solutions

1. Digital Entertainment Hubs

Latest movie/TV show downloads

Video game rentals

Music playlist dispensers

Audiobook stations

2. Educational Media Kiosks

University course materials

Language learning packs

Professional development modules

Children's educational content

3. Branded Media Stations

Corporate training materials

Product demonstration reels

Interactive brand stories

Event-specific content

Explore our full range of media vending machines and customization options.

Key Benefits for Venues & Businesses

1. Revenue Generation

Pay-per-download models

Sponsorship opportunities

Advertising space

Data monetization

2. Enhanced Visitor Experience

24/7 access to premium content

Reduced wait times

Multilingual options

Accessibility features

3. Operational Advantages

Fully managed service (no staff needed)

Remote content updates

Usage analytics dashboard

Integrated payment systems

Australian Retailers Association reports venues see 22% higher satisfaction scores with media vending options.

Industry-Specific Applications

1. Education Sector

University lecture downloads

Textbook chapter rentals

Campus event recordings

Student project distribution

2. Healthcare Facilities

Patient education videos

Wellness program materials

Meditation/relaxation content

Staff training modules

3. Transportation Hubs

Travel guides

Local attraction videos

Language translation packs

Kids' entertainment for journeys

4. Corporate Campuses

Compliance training

Company news updates

Skills development courses

Safety procedure videos

How Xvend's Technology Works

1. Cutting-Edge Hardware

High-resolution touchscreens

High-speed connectivity

Expandable storage

Robust security features

2. Intelligent Software

Cloud-based content management

Real-time usage monitoring

Dynamic pricing options

Predictive maintenance alerts

3. Seamless User Experience

Contactless payment options

QR code integration

Mobile app pairing

Download-to-device functionality

Case Study: Melbourne University Installation

Challenge:

Students needed affordable textbook access

Campus wanted to reduce paper waste

Xvend Solution:

Media vending kiosks in libraries

Chapter-by-chapter rentals at $1.99

24/7 availability

Results:

3,200+ weekly downloads

37% reduction in textbook costs

91% student satisfaction

Content Partnership Opportunities

We connect venues with:

Major film studios

Educational publishers

Independent creators

Corporate trainers

"Content providers love our secure distribution platform," notes Tran. "It's piracy-proof and provides usage analytics."

Future Trends in Media Vending

1. AI-Powered Recommendations

Machine learning suggests content

Personalized user profiles

Mood-based selections

2. Augmented Reality Features

Preview content in AR

Interactive advertisements

Gamified experiences

3. Blockchain Integration

Secure digital rights management

Cryptocurrency payments

Transparent royalty distribution

International Vending Association predicts these innovations will dominate by 2026.

Why Choose Xvend's Media Vending Solutions?

Zero Cost to Venues - We handle everything

24/7 Monitoring - Proactive maintenance

Content Curation - Tailored to your audience

Data Security - Enterprise-grade protection

Australian Support - Local technical teams

Installation & Maintenance Process

1. Site Assessment

Foot traffic analysis

Power/network requirements

Optimal placement

2. Custom Configuration

Branding integration

Content selection

Pricing strategy

3. Ongoing Management

Regular content refreshes

Performance reporting

Preventative maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

How is content updated?

Remotely via cloud—no physical visits required.

What about piracy concerns?

Digital rights management protects all content.

Can venues earn commission?

Yes, revenue-sharing models available.

Are downloads time-limited?

Flexible options from 24hr rentals to permanent purchases.

Take the Next Step in Digital Distribution

Ready to bring cutting-edge media access to your venue? Explore Xvend's media vending machines or schedule a consultation with our solutions team.

For industry insights:

Digital Content Next

Interactive Entertainment Australia

Smart Cities Council

[cashlessvendingmachine]

Media Vending Machines: Contactless Digital Distribution

In today's fast-paced digital world, media vending machines are revolutionizing how we access entertainment, education, and information. At Xvend Vending Solutions, we're pioneering this innovative technology across Australia, providing fully managed digital media dispensing solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with unparalleled convenience.

From construction sites to university campuses, our smart vending systems are transforming how people consume media in public spaces.

Why Media Vending Machines Are Going Mainstream

Recent market research from Statista shows:

The global smart vending market will reach $15 billion by 2027

68% of consumers prefer contactless media access points

Digital vending solutions reduce distribution costs by 40%

Locations with media kiosks report 30% longer visitor dwell times

"Media vending isn't just about convenience—it's about creating engaging experiences," says Michael Tran, Xvend's Technology Director. "Our machines deliver content as effortlessly as buying a snack."

Xvend's Media Vending Machine Solutions

1. Digital Entertainment Hubs

Latest movie/TV show downloads

Video game rentals

Music playlist dispensers

Audiobook stations

2. Educational Media Kiosks

University course materials

Language learning packs

Professional development modules

Children's educational content

3. Branded Media Stations

Corporate training materials

Product demonstration reels

Interactive brand stories

Event-specific content

Explore our full range of media vending machines and customization options.

Key Benefits for Venues & Businesses

1. Revenue Generation

Pay-per-download models

Sponsorship opportunities

Advertising space

Data monetization

2. Enhanced Visitor Experience

24/7 access to premium content

Reduced wait times

Multilingual options

Accessibility features

3. Operational Advantages

Fully managed service (no staff needed)

Remote content updates

Usage analytics dashboard

Integrated payment systems

Australian Retailers Association reports venues see 22% higher satisfaction scores with media vending options.

Industry-Specific Applications

1. Education Sector

University lecture downloads

Textbook chapter rentals

Campus event recordings

Student project distribution

2. Healthcare Facilities

Patient education videos

Wellness program materials

Meditation/relaxation content

Staff training modules

3. Transportation Hubs

Travel guides

Local attraction videos

Language translation packs

Kids' entertainment for journeys

4. Corporate Campuses

Compliance training

Company news updates

Skills development courses

Safety procedure videos

How Xvend's Technology Works

1. Cutting-Edge Hardware

High-resolution touchscreens

High-speed connectivity

Expandable storage

Robust security features

2. Intelligent Software

Cloud-based content management

Real-time usage monitoring

Dynamic pricing options

Predictive maintenance alerts

3. Seamless User Experience

Contactless payment options

QR code integration

Mobile app pairing

Download-to-device functionality

Case Study: Melbourne University Installation

Challenge:

Students needed affordable textbook access

Campus wanted to reduce paper waste

Xvend Solution:

Media vending kiosks in libraries

Chapter-by-chapter rentals at $1.99

24/7 availability

Results:

3,200+ weekly downloads

37% reduction in textbook costs

91% student satisfaction

Content Partnership Opportunities

We connect venues with:

Major film studios

Educational publishers

Independent creators

Corporate trainers

"Content providers love our secure distribution platform," notes Tran. "It's piracy-proof and provides usage analytics."

Future Trends in Media Vending

1. AI-Powered Recommendations

Machine learning suggests content

Personalized user profiles

Mood-based selections

2. Augmented Reality Features

Preview content in AR

Interactive advertisements

Gamified experiences

3. Blockchain Integration

Secure digital rights management

Cryptocurrency payments

Transparent royalty distribution

International Vending Association predicts these innovations will dominate by 2026.

Why Choose Xvend's Media Vending Solutions?

Zero Cost to Venues - We handle everything

24/7 Monitoring - Proactive maintenance

Content Curation - Tailored to your audience

Data Security - Enterprise-grade protection

Australian Support - Local technical teams

Installation & Maintenance Process

1. Site Assessment

Foot traffic analysis

Power/network requirements

Optimal placement

2. Custom Configuration

Branding integration

Content selection

Pricing strategy

3. Ongoing Management

Regular content refreshes

Performance reporting

Preventative maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

How is content updated?

Remotely via cloud—no physical visits required.

What about piracy concerns?

Digital rights management protects all content.

Can venues earn commission?

Yes, revenue-sharing models available.

Are downloads time-limited?

Flexible options from 24hr rentals to permanent purchases.

Take the Next Step in Digital Distribution

Ready to bring cutting-edge media access to your venue? Explore Xvend's media vending machines or schedule a consultation with our solutions team.

For industry insights:

Digital Content Next

Interactive Entertainment Australia

Smart Cities Council

[aivendingmachineaustralia]

Media Vending Machines: Contactless Digital Distribution

In today's fast-paced digital world, media vending machines are revolutionizing how we access entertainment, education, and information. At Xvend Vending Solutions, we're pioneering this innovative technology across Australia, providing fully managed digital media dispensing solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with unparalleled convenience.

From construction sites to university campuses, our smart vending systems are transforming how people consume media in public spaces.

Why Media Vending Machines Are Going Mainstream

Recent market research from Statista shows:

The global smart vending market will reach $15 billion by 2027

68% of consumers prefer contactless media access points

Digital vending solutions reduce distribution costs by 40%

Locations with media kiosks report 30% longer visitor dwell times

"Media vending isn't just about convenience—it's about creating engaging experiences," says Michael Tran, Xvend's Technology Director. "Our machines deliver content as effortlessly as buying a snack."

Xvend's Media Vending Machine Solutions

1. Digital Entertainment Hubs

Latest movie/TV show downloads

Video game rentals

Music playlist dispensers

Audiobook stations

2. Educational Media Kiosks

University course materials

Language learning packs

Professional development modules

Children's educational content

3. Branded Media Stations

Corporate training materials

Product demonstration reels

Interactive brand stories

Event-specific content

Explore our full range of media vending machines and customization options.

Key Benefits for Venues & Businesses

1. Revenue Generation

Pay-per-download models

Sponsorship opportunities

Advertising space

Data monetization

2. Enhanced Visitor Experience

24/7 access to premium content

Reduced wait times

Multilingual options

Accessibility features

3. Operational Advantages

Fully managed service (no staff needed)

Remote content updates

Usage analytics dashboard

Integrated payment systems

Australian Retailers Association reports venues see 22% higher satisfaction scores with media vending options.

Industry-Specific Applications

1. Education Sector

University lecture downloads

Textbook chapter rentals

Campus event recordings

Student project distribution

2. Healthcare Facilities

Patient education videos

Wellness program materials

Meditation/relaxation content

Staff training modules

3. Transportation Hubs

Travel guides

Local attraction videos

Language translation packs

Kids' entertainment for journeys

4. Corporate Campuses

Compliance training

Company news updates

Skills development courses

Safety procedure videos

How Xvend's Technology Works

1. Cutting-Edge Hardware

High-resolution touchscreens

High-speed connectivity

Expandable storage

Robust security features

2. Intelligent Software

Cloud-based content management

Real-time usage monitoring

Dynamic pricing options

Predictive maintenance alerts

3. Seamless User Experience

Contactless payment options

QR code integration

Mobile app pairing

Download-to-device functionality

Case Study: Melbourne University Installation

Challenge:

Students needed affordable textbook access

Campus wanted to reduce paper waste

Xvend Solution:

Media vending kiosks in libraries

Chapter-by-chapter rentals at $1.99

24/7 availability

Results:

3,200+ weekly downloads

37% reduction in textbook costs

91% student satisfaction

Content Partnership Opportunities

We connect venues with:

Major film studios

Educational publishers

Independent creators

Corporate trainers

"Content providers love our secure distribution platform," notes Tran. "It's piracy-proof and provides usage analytics."

Future Trends in Media Vending

1. AI-Powered Recommendations

Machine learning suggests content

Personalized user profiles

Mood-based selections

2. Augmented Reality Features

Preview content in AR

Interactive advertisements

Gamified experiences

3. Blockchain Integration

Secure digital rights management

Cryptocurrency payments

Transparent royalty distribution

International Vending Association predicts these innovations will dominate by 2026.

Why Choose Xvend's Media Vending Solutions?

Zero Cost to Venues - We handle everything

24/7 Monitoring - Proactive maintenance

Content Curation - Tailored to your audience

Data Security - Enterprise-grade protection

Australian Support - Local technical teams

Installation & Maintenance Process

1. Site Assessment

Foot traffic analysis

Power/network requirements

Optimal placement

2. Custom Configuration

Branding integration

Content selection

Pricing strategy

3. Ongoing Management

Regular content refreshes

Performance reporting

Preventative maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

How is content updated?

Remotely via cloud—no physical visits required.

What about piracy concerns?

Digital rights management protects all content.

Can venues earn commission?

Yes, revenue-sharing models available.

Are downloads time-limited?

Flexible options from 24hr rentals to permanent purchases.

Take the Next Step in Digital Distribution

Ready to bring cutting-edge media access to your venue? Explore Xvend's media vending machines or schedule a consultation with our solutions team.

For industry insights:

Digital Content Next

Interactive Entertainment Australia

Smart Cities Council