#I played through this game while SO hungover this week so I was worried inspiration wouldn’t strike

[just-a-madrigal]

Listen my child, to this story of dreams, and know that the beginning is more difficult than it seems

Message in a Haunted Mansion

Nancy Drew Embroideries

[lazy-cat-corner]

You Know Her

Inspired by a Valkyrie Blondie aesthetic I did a week back. I just started playing the song and went with it. Not much to it! HAHA. So here’s my brain just shooting out words. Mostly just a cutsey thing and nothing really happens. Enjoy!

Rating: Teen Audience (swearing and alcohol abuse)

Relationship: Valki (Valkyrie X Loki)

Summary: Valki modern AU. Valkyrie can handle her liquor like a champ...sometimes. Other times, she winds up in weird situations and meets weirder people.

Word Count: 2k+ words

A roar of applause erupts when Brun slams the last shot glass on the bar table. Her competitor topples over the table top and tries to settle himself back on the stool. She’s too proud to admit it, but she’s ready to curl up on the billiards table and call it a night. A firm hand slaps her on the back and she could feel the whiskey climbing up her throat. She holds her mouth and swallows the remainder back down.

“I never seen a man or woman take six shots like it was their mornin’ tea.”

“Eight,” Brun corrects.

The large man takes a count of the shot glasses lined up against the bar and frowns.

“I pre-gamed before I came here.” She elaborates.

The man lets out a throaty laugh.

“An’ how are ye’ still standin’, lass?”

Brun punches her chest.

“I’ve had years of practice,” she shrugs.

“I’ll remember to never challenge ye’.” The man leaves her and returns to his crowd.

It’s not too often when Brun needs a drink of water, but those whiskey shots aren’t sitting too comfortably in her. She reaches over the bar and takes a bottle of water. The bartender eyes her and points her way.

“Put it on my tab,” she interrupts. Brun opens the bottle and takes a long drink. It’s hardly midnight and she’d be damned to go home after knocking that brutish ogre in his place. He was getting on everyone’s nerves and made a mistake trying to get in Brun’s pants.

Brun strides through the pub and looks for something of interest. The televisions are displaying a boring game of golf and she knows little about the sport to join in on the bet. The billiards tables and darts are occupied. Even so, she can’t imagine being eight shots in and winning anything. For the time being, she will occupy herself with the jukebox until her blood alcohol content wears down.    

She fumbles in her pocket for a few quarters and searches for the right song. She settles on a song she used to listen to in secondary school. It was her mother’s favorite band when she was a teenager herself, and they used to play the cassette tape over and over for hours on end.

The opening chords bring her back to her trailer back home and she sways to the even beat.

She stands in her place and frowns. She realizes she has been dancing to a different song. She doesn’t recall the song changing and wonders when her song ended.

Perhaps the shots hit her harder than she expected. Brun decides to settle herself down. It’s going to be a rough night sweating off the liquor.

Her shoulder slams into another body. Was it always there? Her vision becomes blurred as she lets out an incoherent apology. The body-the man, as she can now see- holds her steady.

“Are you doing alright there?”  

Brun gives a lazy smile and nods.

“Good music.” She points to the blaring speakers.  

The man nods his head.

“Yeah, an old one but a classic.” He gives a weak laugh. “Can you walk?”

Brun realizes his hands are still holding her up. She shoves him off and grumbles.

“I can walk.”

Brun turns around and feels the floor hit her face.

Her face is throbbing when she cracks her eyes open. She’s laying on her side and wonders how she ended up on this leather couch. She thanks herself that she did end up on her side. Choking on her own vomit would not be a dignifying way to die.

“Aww, shit. I blacked out, again.” She groans.

She yelps when something cold touches her face. Brun swings out her foot and it makes an impact.

“Jesus Christ!”

Brun’s vision refocuses and she sees a man hunched over and clutching his gut.

She stands up on shaky legs and looks around. It doesn’t look like an apartment. It’s a dimly lit office room with the stench of cigarettes that probably polluted the air some decades ago. The man puts a gentle hand on Brun and she snatches it out of his grasp.

“I wouldn’t try walking back to the pub if I were you. You really blacked out.”

Back?

“I’m still in the pub?” Her voice croaks. She notices the thump of the music in the background.  

The man offers her a cold bottle of water and she takes it.

“We’re in the manager’s office. I know the guy and he helped me bring you in.”  

Brun sits on the office chair and lets the cool water soothe her dry throat.

“Do you remember anything?”

Brun tries to think hard.

“There was a drinking game,” she purses her lips, “and I won.”

“Is that all you remember?” He presses.

Brun focuses on the man’s face. It’s a little too dim to tell, but there is something about him that seems familiar. She nods her head, anyway.

The man sits across and rests his elbows on his knees.

“You started dancing by the jukebox for some time and then knocked into me. After that, you face planted on the floor and nearly broke your nose.” The man points to her face and Brun reaches up.

She winces at the stinging sensation on the bridge of her nose. She feels a makeshift bandage taped across.

“Don’t worry, it’s not broken.” He hands her the ice pack she knocked out of him earlier.

“You sure?” She takes the ice and sighs at the cool touch.

The man nods. “I got a friend who took a look. He didn’t see any fractures.”

Brun laughs. “How many mates do you have?”

“I’ve been told I’m quite sociable.” He smirks.

Brun shifts her eyes away. She can see how he would be likable. If he didn’t have to drag her passed out body through the pub and into the office, she might have tried hitting on him.

“Well, I would be flattered if I didn’t witness how much you drank.” He gives a nervous laugh.

“Did I say that aloud?” Her cheeks are burning.

“Looks like you’ve got a long way before you sober up.” He leans back. “You’re welcome to stay here.” He fidgets with his hand and shrugs. “Or I can take you home.”

Brun shakes her head, feeling her cheeks still warming up. “I got my bike here, I don’t want to leave it behind.” After a moment of silence, she continues. “You would trust me, here?” She gives a look of skepticism.

“It’s not my room to trash.”

Brun laughs and stands up. “I think I’ll just take myself home.”

He quickly stands up and puts a hand on her shoulder.

“I can’t let you do that.” He protests.

“Why not?” Brun takes a step back and feels the ground wobbling.

“You’re clearly still very drunk.” He motions. “You were passed out for hours.”

“I can handle myself.” She bats away his hand reaching for her.

“But, you see I’m already involved.”

Brun turns to him and raises an eyebrow. He sighs.

“If I let you leave the pub drunk and you get in an accident or hurt someone, I could get in trouble for not stopping you.” The man holds up both palms. “And my family would kill me if I get tied up with the law, again.”

“Again?” Brun begins to feel unsafe.

The man realizes how unsettling that comment sounds considering they’re alone in the back of a noisy pub.

“I just realized that was a bad joke.” He grimaces.

Brun keeps her guard up but considers his comment. Her judgment is not at its finest, but it’s unlikely he would go through this much trouble to get himself in other kinds of trouble.

“It would be best if you stayed here.” He points to the leather couch. “You can sleep there until you clear up.”

“I’m sure I can order a car over.” Brun pulls up her phone and curses herself. “Of course, it won’t turn on.”

“I’ll charge it for you.” He takes her phone and walks back to the couch.

The man sits on the edge of the couch and leans over for his phone. He removes it from the charger, switches the phones and begins to stand up.

While Brun has never met this man before, it is odd, and admittedly flattering, that someone so attractive is being so kind to her. Brun sits down next to him and puts her hand on his knee.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone at a pub who was so…hospitable.” Brun leans closer and glances up at the man’s blue eyes. “You might be the most interesting one, yet.” She smiles and presses herself up against his thigh.

The man sucks in a breath and gives a weak smile.  

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I would prefer to get to know you better when you’re not as intoxicated.” He gently nudges her off.

Brun huffs and settles herself back down.

Well, if that’s not what he’s after.

“You will feel better, and thank me later if you just turn in, here.” The man stands up and makes his way to the door.

He reaches over the doorknob and turns the lock.

“You can keep this locked if you want.”

This guy is really going out of his way for me.

The longer she remains on the couch, the more comfortable she feels. Slowly, Brun can feel her body make contact with the cushions and falls asleep the second the lights go out. The last thing she hears is the click of the door shutting.

“Thanks for the help, guys. Tonight, was wilder than I thought it would be.” Korg puts the bottles of liquor back on their shelves.

“Anything for free bottles of ale!” Thor pumps his fist in the air.

Loki’s brother finishes clearing up the last table and slaps him on the back.

“Are you sure you want to wait here?”

Loki motions to the closed office door. “It wouldn’t be wise to leave a pub to someone who can handle their liquor.”  

“The things you do for a pretty face.” Thor nudges him.

“She practically passed out in my arms. I couldn’t just drop her and walk away.” He rolls his eyes.

“Sure thing, brother. Remember to give Sleeping Beauty a kiss before she wakes up. Or maybe feed her one of your experimental dishes, that ought to bring her back to life.” He snickers.  

Loki shoves Thor and reminds him not to bite the hand that feeds them both.

While Thor might be jesting, there isn’t anyone else he knows better that can take care of a hungover person. He hopes his brother will fill him in on the details about this mystery woman, later.  

“I’ll come back later in the afternoon.” Korg hands him the key. “If I’m not back, make sure you lock up on your way out.”

“I will.” He nods.

Loki squints his eyes when the pair opens the front door. Morning light quickly flashes in the pub and he realizes how late-or early- it is. He drags his feet to the back of the bar and makes himself a cup of coffee. Hopefully, it won’t be long before she wakes up and he can get a few hours of sleep in when he gets home.

Loki thanks Korg that he took his advice and started putting the pub’s kitchen to use and serve decent food to the patrons. He reasons that his friend won’t miss a few missing eggs and such.

Brun’s head feels like it’s stuffed with rocks. Luckily, she can recall why she’s on the sofa in the pub.

“I’d call that a victory in my book.” She laughs to no one and rubs her head. She notices a tempting glass of water on the desk with two aspirins. It feels strange being taken care of, but she can’t refuse considering the throbbing headache the whiskey left her.

Finishing her glass of water and pocketing her fully charged phone, she decides to step out the office.

“Well good morning.” The familiar face on one of the bar stools smirks and motions a coffee mug.

“Is it really morning?” Brun walks over and grumbles. She presses her temples at the sound coming from the television. Since when was morning news so loud?

The man notices her discomfort and puts the television on mute.  

“Afraid so.” He holds up what looks like a breakfast sandwich. “Luckily, the pub has some eggs, bread rolls and sausages I could put together.”

Brun holds her gaze at the sandwich and feels reluctant to accept. Her bike is just outside and she’s not the one to stick around for the morning after. Even if nothing technically happened.  

“Unless you prefer some stale beans and toast.” The man frowns.

Brun shakes her head and accepts. She recoils when she feels the food hit her empty stomach. Hangover breakfasts are never pleasant for her, no matter what the food is. She feels bad that she can’t enjoy her meal. From what she can taste, it seems like this man has a talent for food.

“If you don’t own this place, where is the owner.”

“He left for a bit.” He offers her a cup of coffee. Brun shakes her head. She’s still having trouble keeping the breakfast sandwich in her hungover stomach.

“He must really trust you to leave you alone, here.” Brun smiles and eyeballs all the tempting liquor beckoning her to take a taste. There’s some top-shelf stuff she’s only had the pleasure of tasting when people with platinum credit cards wanted to gain her favor.

“You can say that. He’s more acquainted with my brother.”

Brun settles herself on the bar stool and continues with her food. Her taste is slowly coming back to her.

“But…”He trails off, “he owes me a favor, anyhow.”

“This is just a favor? Why go through all this trouble?” Brun finishes her sandwich.

“Well, maybe I was hoping to get lucky.” He gives a playful grin.

Brun laughs. “No, you weren’t.”

The man raises his eyebrows. “You’re reasoning?”

Brun hums in thought. “You wouldn’t have admitted it.” A smile cracks, “The faux-chivalrous type of people I know would beg me to thank them. Or start ranting away about how out of their way they went to help me.”

“Maybe I’m different.”

Brun considers and humors him, “Maybe.”

“Or maybe I’ve noticed you for some time and hoped for a reason to talk to you.” Brun can’t tell if he’s being honest or twisting up any clues she has about this man. He continues with his theory, “I can’t think of another story more romantic than that.”

“Hah, some romance! I don’t even know your name.” She laughs.

“It’s Loki,” he smiles.

Brun begins to tell him her name and he cuts her off.

“And you’re Brunnhilde.”

She tilts her head.

“I had to check your I.D. Just in case.” He tosses her wallet back. “Don’t worry, there was nothing worth taking.” He snickers.

Brun takes a quick look to be sure and mutters. “It’s Brun, actually.” She puts her wallet back in her pocket.

“Well, Brun. It was a pleasure to meet you.” He takes a bite out of his sandwich.

Brun nods her head. “Likewise.” She takes one last look in those striking blue eyes and mutters. “And, thank you.”

Loki’s eyes warm up at that and nods.  

Brun zips up her jacket and reaches in her pocket for her keys. She stops when she feels some loose change.

“Before I go.” She smirks. “I might as well leave you something for your troubles.” Brun walks over to the jukebox and puts some coins in.

“You know I could have done that free of charge.”

Brun ignores him and tries not to cry out in frustration.

Too late!

She smiles at the jukebox menu left at her favorite song. As if it was meant to happen.

Loki holds back a laugh at the opening chords of the song. Looks like she forgot she already did this last night. Though, she was dancing between a sea of sweaty men and unaware of his wandering eyes that time.  

Brun makes her way out and sways her hips along. She pauses mid-step, frowns and realizes her choice.

“This was the song I picked when I was drunk dancing, wasn’t it?”

Loki laughs and nods his head.

“I knew it wasn’t a coincidence.” She grumbles to herself.

“It’s a good song.” He shrugs.

“Well, I’m still exiting with the song playing.”

“Oh don’t forget to re-bandage your nose.” A smile peeks over Loki’s mug as he takes a sip.

Brun touches her blood-soaked nose and whines. She must have looked ridiculous this whole time. She picks up her pace and leaves without another word.

The last half of the song is accompanied by the roar of a motorbike.  

Loki finishes his sandwich and smiles to himself. He never thought he would find somebody as theatrical as himself. Hopefully one day he could treat her to a drink for her performance. 

Note: Just noting, that I tried to keep the AU in U.K. but, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert but I do hope the story was close to how things are done, there. Let me know if I missed something! 😊

[abbygkane]

Please tell me we didn’t have sex last night (1/4)

Summary: Waking up with the worst hangover ever Abby, a second-year medical student, has absolutely no recollection of getting home from last night’s party. So imagine her surprise when she wakes up naked in her bed with nobody other than Marcus, third-year law student and general pain in her ass, Kane. Just what the hell happened last night??!

Inspired by the following prompt: How about Kabby at university and they end up together in bed after a party? Bonus if they aren’t really friends but have a lot of unresolved sexual tension :D

Abby wakes up to a pounding head and her mouth feeling as dry as a desert. Groaning, she tries to open her eyes, but the light that’s pouring into the room quickly makes her clench them shut again.

I’m never drinking again

Not only is she experiencing what has the potential to grow into a massive hangover, her pillow also seems to be breathing? Realising that she’s not alone in her bed and that yes, she is naked and so is the body she’s lying on top of, Abby feels a panic attack coming up. Her body tenses as she tries to wrack her brain on how the hell she not only ended up naked with another person in her bed but most importantly with whom.

The last thing she remembers from last night’s party is playing several games of beer pong with Callie before ending up on a couch drinking, she thinks whisky, with, oh no, Marcus stuck-up Kane. Abby’s almost scared to lift her head, but she rationalises, even in her drunken state she wouldn’t have sunk so low as to sleep with Kane. Right?!

Before she can force herself to look up, the body beneath her tenses up before letting out a painful groan. Abby’s lets out a startled gasp when the guy’s hands shift on her body and come to rest on her waist.

“Ugh, my head”, the guy murmurs, his voice coming out rough and still sleep-filled.

Fuck.

Abby most definitely knows that voice. That voice had been getting on her nerves ever since she first heard it almost two years ago.

Guess she did sink that low

Marcus slightly moves beneath her before pressing a soft kiss on the top of her head.

What the hell?

“Abby, you awake?”, he whispers and his voice sounds soft and affectionate? In all of their previous encounters, she can’t recall a single instance where he sounded even remotely pleasant. Rude, obnoxious and arrogant, sure. But affectionate? Never!

Just what the hell happened last night? 

“I am”, she rasps out.

“Does your head also feels like you bashed it against a wall? Repeatedly?”, Marcus asks as he gently trails his fingers across her back, causing a shiver to travel through her body.

“Uhm, yes”, Abby replies, her voice filled with bewilderment, because she has no idea how to handle a Marcus Kane who’s nice to her and tenderly caresses her skin. Especially not while being extremely hungover.

She needs to get out of this bed, and she needs to do so fast.

“Uhm”, she murmurs while sitting up way too quickly because her vision blackens for a second and Abby can swear she can feel the earth move beneath her. 

Marcus sits up as well, gazing at her with a concerned look on his face.

“Abby, are you a-”

She cuts him off with a wave of her hand, “M’fine. I think I’m going to be sick. I’m gonna –”, she babbles as she picks up the first piece of clothing she finds next to the bed, which just happens to be Marcus’ T-shirt.

Without finishing her sentence Abby quickly slips the shirt over her head before stumbling out of bed and towards the bathroom, ignoring his worried cry of her name.

Closing the bathroom door behind her, she promptly drops onto her knees in front of the toilet, while taking deep breaths to ease her nausea. After a couple of seconds though a particularly intense wave of nausea crashes over her and Abby’s barely hunched over the toilet bowl when she starts to vomit.

While vomiting, Abby’s faintly aware of the door opening and Marcus entering. He immediately drops down next to her before pulling her hair from her face with one hand while the other one is rubbing comfortable circles on her lower back.

If she didn’t feel so goddamn awful while being in the middle of puking what felt like all of her internal organs, even though she knew as a medical student that wasn’t possible, the fact that Marcus Kane of all people was sitting next to her on the floor, holding back her hair while making comforting mumbling noises, would have been absolutely hilarious. But as her stomach heaved, Abby realises that she couldn’t care less about who was sitting next to be at the moment.   

Just how much did she drink last night?

 *last night*

“Abby come on. We’re going to be late”, Callie calls out while repeatedly banging on the bathroom door.

Rolling her eyes at her best friend’s whiny voice, Abby pulls her hair into a ponytail and sprays on some perfume before opening the door and nearly crashing into Callie.

“You’re going out wearing that?”, she exclaims incredulously.

Frowning Abby glances down at her outfit, which are her favourite red converses, a pair of black skinny jeans and a grey blouse.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

Callie bites her lower lip, “Nothing if we were going for a cup of coffee, but this is a frat party Abs. With, you know, lots of cute guys”

“Callie the only reason I’m coming along is because you’ve been practically begging me for weeks now. Not to impress some idiotic frat boy.  So either I go wearing this or I’m not going at all”, she states with her arms crossed.

Her best friend raises her hands in surrender, “Alright. But let me at least fix your hair”

“Callie”

“Please ”

“Fine. Do your worst”

They’ve only been at the party for no longer than half an hour and Abby already had to remove some drunk idiot’s hands from her ass and had scarcely managed to avoid getting beer spilt on her blouse,  twice.

Callie had wandered off a couple of minutes ago minutes after spotting some girls from her year. Slowly sipping from her water, Abby lets out a sigh while glancing at her watch. She’d give everything to be back at her place. All she wants to do is put on her pj’s, crawl into bed and watch a movie. But she did promise Callie and for her best friend’s sake, she’ll try to at least pretend to be enjoying herself. 

“You look like you’re having the best time of your life”, a familiar voice drawls to her right.

Turning her head, Abby comes face to face with Thelonius.

“That obvious, huh?”, she smirks

“Just a little bit”, he replies, “Let me guess, Callie forced you to come?”

“Of course she did”

“You want to join me? I’m here with some friends”, Thelonius proposes.

She’s just about to agree when suddenly there’s a giggling and probably already slightly tipsy Callie hanging onto her.

“Hi, Thelonius”, she exclaims.

“Callie”, he replies, an amused smile playing on his lips.

Slipping her arm around her friend’s waist, Abby gives her an exasperated look before returning her attention back on Thelonius.

“I might come and find you later, but for now I think it’s best if I don’t leave this one’s – nodding her head at Callie – side”, she points out, ignoring Callie’s indignant huff and mumbling.

Chuckling, Thelonius raises his bottle of beer in a salute before leaving both of them.

“You know I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself”, Callie mutters under her breath.

“Of course you are”, Abby retorts while patting her hair, only to laugh when her friend gently pinches her waist in response.

“I’m just kidding CC”, she swears, “Now let’s find some tequila because I feel that I’ll need it if I want to survive this party without punching some guy”

Her reply is met with an enthusiastic and sloppy peck on the cheek before Callie drags her through the crowd, “I knew there was a reason why I loved you”, she shouts over her shoulder while tugging on her hand.

To be completely honest, Abby has lost track of the number of tequila shots she had downed. All she knows is that her fingers are sticky from the lime and salt and that she’s currently kicking ass at beer pong.

Nailing another throw and winning the game, she cheerfully puts her fist in the air before drunkenly high-fiving Callie, or better, trying to high-five Callie because they miss each other’s hand, twice. Both girls giggle before wrapping an arm around the other person’s waist and dramatically bowing when the crowd around them starts to cheer.

“I never knew you were this good at beer pong”, Callie laughs, her eyes are alight with amusement and her cheeks are slightly flushed, both from playing the game as from consuming several shots.

“Well, I am a medical student. A steady hand and precise aim are preferable, especially when you’re cutting into someone”, Abby states, inwardly congratulating herself for managing to get the words out with only the bare minimum of slurring.

Callie opens her mouth, probably to give a witty retort, only to close it with an audible snap. Confused at her behaviour, Abby notices the surprised look in her friend’s eyes before a broad and mischievous grin appears on her face. A grin, she knows from experience, means trouble.

“What?”, she asks, albeit hesitantly. She still remembers what happened the last time Callie had that grin on her face. They had scarcely managed to avoid getting arrested.

“Guess who walked into the room and has been unable to keep his eyes off you ever since arriving?”, Callie teases.

“Who?”

“Marcus I’m an ass, but a very attractive one Kane”, her friend exclaims, bursting out in laughter when Abby scrunches up her face in distaste.

“Oh come on Abs. Even you can’t deny that he’s sexy”, she adds with a wink.

Abby huffs while shaking her head, “He isn’t”

“Abs”

“He isn’t”, she vehemently insists, “He’s a smug, arrogant, condescending, haughty jerk and the less I see his face the better.”

 “Wow, okay. Calm down. There’s like steam coming out of your ears. I knew you two don’t see eye to eye, but he’s honestly not as bad as you make him out to be Abby”, Callie calmly points out, ignoring her friend’s sarcastic exhale of sure.

“And even if you refuse to admit it, I know for a fact that you think he’s attractive because last time you came home after running into him you kept muttering about how it’s a crime for someone with arms and a butt like that to have such a ghastly personality. Don’t even think of denying it”, she rushes out when Abby opens her mouth to contradict her.

“And from the way he’s been staring at you, I think it’s safe to say that he finds you attractive too, because I doubt he has even blinked since entering the room”, Callie continues before pulling on the sleeve and motioning for her to turn around, “Have a look for yourself”

Abby really doesn’t want to turn around, but she also knows that Callie is just going to keep on pushing until she does. So as she lets out a deep and displeased sigh, she turns around and it takes only a couple of seconds before Abby finds Marcus leaning against the wall and oh. 

Letting her gaze travel across his body it becomes clear that he had decided to ditch his usual long-sleeved shirts and to replace it with a grey T-shirt, a very tight grey T-shirt. Like, were law students even allowed to be so toned? The next thing that grabs Abby’s attention is his hair. Usually slicked back, it’s now framing his face in loose curls and her gaze is focused on one particular curl against his forehead. 

It’s the ideal length for tangling your hands in her traitorous mind whispers. 

Shaking her head at the turn her thoughts were taking, this was, after all, Marcus Kane, Abby moves her gaze lower and lets out a tiny gasp when their eyes lock. He has never in the two years they’ve known each other looked at her like that and she has no idea how to behave. The only thing she knows is that it makes her skin tingle and a warmth to spread through her stomach. 

It must be all the alcohol she has had. No way that Kane was turning her on by simply looking at her. 

You’d think that he’d blush or at least avert his gaze after getting caught staring, but Marcus merely raises an eyebrow before taking a sip from his bottle of beer. The slight smugness of his smirk breaks whatever spell there was between them and Abby promptly turns around, but not before throwing him an annoyed glare. 

“Fine, he’s hot but he’s still an ass”, Abby concedes, and Callie can’t help but roll her eyes at her statement.  

“It’s a start”, Callie shrugs, “But Kane isn’t the only available man at this party. Why don’t you mingle? Flirt a little bit?”

“I know you mean well CC but I’m not really interested in some meaningless flirtation. But that doesn’t mean you can’t mingle. I’ll just go and find Thelonius. You go and enjoy yourself. Just text me or come find me if you want to leave, okay?”, Abby suggests. 

“You sure? I don’t want to leave you”, Callie replies. 

“Of course I am, besides I won’t be alone. I’ll be bothering Thelonius”, Abby retorts with a smirk before gently nudging her friend towards the door. 

“Go, have fun. I’ll be fine”

Callie pressing her hands against Abby’s cheeks and gives her a quick peck, “You’re the best friend ever! I’ll see you later”

Watching Callie leave with a fond smile, she pulls out her phone, intending on texting Thelonius to ask him where he’s at when a throat clears behind her. Without any second thought, Abby turns around, only to come face to face with Marcus. 

“Hi”

[auburnfamilynews]

Sept. 30 – Mississippi State 

     Mississippi State is coming off of Dan Mullen’s worse season since his first in Starkville and questions still surround the Bulldogs entering 2017. They are yet again replacing a defensive coordinator and expectations for the offense are a bit apprehensive. Nick Fitzgerald, an intriguing talent, has yet to show if he can be a big-time playmaker with his arm in addition to his legs. 

     Dan Mullen has shown the ability to score points consistently. Last year his offense scored on average only 4 points less per game than Dak Prescott’s final season in 2015. If the defense can improve marginally and the offense keeps pace with last season, Mississippi State could be a potential thorn-in-the-side of a f ew SEC West contenders. Though they are picked to finish 6th in division, I think they could potentially jump up a few spots and “steal” a game or two if they catch someone off-guard. 

Best Case: The Auburn defense pressures Nick Fitzgerald early & often and keeps the Mississippi State offense out of rhythm all night long. Chip Lindsey’s offense conducts a passing clinic against a woefully outmatched Mississippi State pass defense. Auburn wins comfortably with Malik Willis getting his first (albeit mop-up duty) SEC experience. 

Worst Case: Nick Fitzgerald extends plays and drives by scrambling for first downs and finding open receivers on the run. The Auburn offense struggles to establish a running game and provides several turnovers for Mississippi State to take advantage of. Auburn still wins, but not without raising many worrying questions entering their SEC schedule. 

Why this game is important: This game opens Auburn’s SEC schedule and may very well be their first “big” win of the season(I’ll address Clemson and Missouri next week). Auburn needs to set the tone for the remainder of their schedule. Offensive issues should be ironed out for the most part and the defense should be clicking and playing with a lot of energy. Mississippi State should see a heavy dose of Kamryn Pettway while a true passing threat is also established to some degree. Teams need to know we’re dangerous through the air and on the ground. This could be just the game to do that. 

Oct. 7 – Ole Miss

     Ole Miss hasn’t had the best offseason. The Rebs have had an impending NCAA case looming for quite a while and that was compounded this summer by a Houston Nutt lawsuit against the school. The drama it its peak when Hugh Freeze resigned after several calls from his phone to an escort service were discovered. Freeze explained them as simply ‘butt dials’ but either way you look at that – they’re booty calls. Not good. 

     Ole Miss now has to figure out a way to actually play and win football games amid this swirling cornucopia of scandal. There is still some talent on this roster, but I have to wonder how much effort will be present in many of the games on their schedule. The Rebels will enter Jordan-Hare on October 7th coming off what is likely to be a sound defeat at the hands of Alabama. This could be a game that inspires Ole Miss or cements their demise in the SEC West. 

Best Case: Ole Miss arrives hungover from a one-sided affair the previous week and lays down for good. Auburn’s defense shines while nearly pitching a shutout. Auburn’s offense has its second week of aerial dominance with Jarrett Stidham inserting himself into early Heisman talk. Auburn wins big and rolls into Baton Rouge the following week for a pivotal SEC West showdown against LSU.

Worst Case: Auburn’s passing game struggles and misses key opportunities to put away Ole Miss over and over. As a result, a lot of energy is expended in a win against a much lesser opponent. Auburn limps into Baton Rouge looking out of sync and vulnerable.  

Why this game is important: This game is all about “handling your business.” The starters need to get in early and take out any chance of a Rebel Renaissance in Jordan-Hare so key backups and young players can enjoy SEC experience. 

Oct. 14 – @ LSU

     Travelling to LSU in mid-October is when we’ll really find out what our Tigers are made of. The second week matchup against Clemson can certainly provide flashes of brilliance but it’s safe to say that after 6 weeks, Auburn will have a strong identity heading into this matchup.

      LSU has Ed Orgeron in command and right at home with the Bayou Bengals. He’s tapped Matt Canada to revive the archaic Les Miles offense and I think he will be very effective at doing so. Quarterback Danny Etling should be in charge of a formidable, efficient offense under Canada’s tutelage. Derrius Guice will give Auburn its biggest test of the season on the ground. Overall, I think LSU will be more than inspired entering this game. Their matchup the previous week against Florida in Gainseville will either inspire them to continue their roll or provide them with an ample chip on their shoulder to return home and secure their first SEC home win of the season. 

Best Case: Auburn starts quickly and doesn’t look back. Kamryn Pettway, Malik Miller, and Kam Martin lead an Auburn rushing attack that keeps the LSU offense off the field and the fans quiet for a majority of the game. By the time the LSU offense has any sort of consistency, it is too late and Auburn ices the game mid-way through the 4th quarter with a 27 yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Stidham to Will Hastings. 

Worst Case: This is easy. Basically, a repeat of 2015. 

Why this game is important: Contenders? Or pretenders? This game figures most of that out for us. Assuming Auburn enters with an unblemished SEC record this game will decide if we go on to bigger and better things or stay a tier below Alabama and LSU for another season. 

Oct. 21 – @ Arkansas

     Arkansas is always a tricky team to predict. Especially so under Bret Bielema. The Razorbacks are installing a new defense and trying to season young receivers on the fly in 2017. Austin Allen was a pleasant surprise for them last year, but his followup campaign could honest go in either direction. They’re certainly no pushover. After all, this is an SEC road game and anything can happen on the road in the nation’s toughest conference.

     The biggest concern here, for me, is execution and health. Arkansas is in the middle of a rigorous three game SEC roadtrip for Auburn. It would be very easy for them to enter this game lacking focus, momentum, health, or all three.

Best Case: Auburn is able to control the line of scrimmage much like it did last year and dominate the Hogs en route to a solid victory. Arkansas makes attempts to get back into the game, but the quick-strike scoring ability of the Auburn offense keeps them at bay all 4 quarters and the Tigers escape Fayetteville without feeling any real danger.

Worst Case: Auburn is forced to slug it out with Arkansas at their own game and supplements it with mental mistakes and turnovers. Auburn loses a head-scratcher and Bielema gets his revenge from last season. 

Why this game is important: Maintaining momentum and handing a loss to a team that is highly motivated to repay a beatdown from the previous season. Arkansas has been a thorn in the side of Auburn on several occasions and a solid victory here usually spells good things for Auburn teams down the road. 

        Nov. 4 – @ Texas A&M

     Kevin Sumlin enters 2017  with a plethora of questions surrounding the Aggies. Inexperience at quarterback and key skill positions could serve to limit Texas A&M this season, but many are looking to Sumlin to provide a much-needed spark for the program. It’s anybody’s guess what the Aggies will actually be able to accomplish on the field this season, but it certainly looks like they will have an uphill battle to navigate and regain serious SEC West success. 

Best Case: Much like 2013, Auburn is able to run the ball almost at will and limit the Aggies’ scoring opportunities. This Auburn team is much more talented on defense than the 2013 squad and will be facing a much less talented offense in Texas A&M. On paper, it appears Auburn should be able to handle the Aggies comfortably.

Worst Case: The 12th man proves to be strong a force to overcome and Auburn falters in the rubber match of its 3-game SEC roadtrip. This could very well be a low point of the season for the Tigers if the offense struggles in this contest. 

Why this game is important: Depending on how the games before this play out, this could serve to bolster Auburn’s increasing momentum or get them back on track entering the Iron Bowl. A win in Baton Rouge likely translates to a win here as well but again, anything can happen. If Auburn survives this contest and remains unbeaten in SEC play, it sets up another blockuster matchup against Alabama at the end of November.

      Nov. 25 – Alabama

     There’s not much I can say about Alabama we all don’t already know. They will show up prepared to play and will likely enter with either one or zero losses. The SEC West has gone through Tuscaloosa most seasons since Nick Saban took over and 2017 won’t be any different. 

Best Case: Auburn keeps a vaunted Alabama defense on its heels all night with timely play-calling and tremendous playmaking by Stidham, our talented young receivers, and Pettway plundering 1st down yardage at will. It’s still a close contest, but Auburn throws a dagger late in the 4th quarter on a Jarrett Stidham to Sal Cannella connection that puts Auburn up by 10 points with just a few minutes left to play.

Worst Case: Alabama shuts down Pettway and the Auburn offense has no counter-attack in their passing game. Likewise, the Alabama offense moves the ball with ease and is never threatened or slowed by the Auburn defense. 

Why this game is important: This is the game we wait for all year. Only the best Auburn teams have challenged Alabama since Saban’s arrival (with 2009 being the lone exception). As much as it hurts to write, Alabama has set the standard in recent seasons. A tight contest here means Auburn is on the right track. Another blowout only confirms our status as a pretender. 

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