#and suddenly i was in 7th grade in my old bedroom on my bed with my old best friend

[sunflowerrboyy]

its weird how music can evoke memories

[reggies-floatie]

Hopper’s Daughter

Request; Could you do an Eddie Munson x reader smut where the reader is hoppers daughter and he catches them having sex

Warnings: oral (male receiving), fingering, breast play (sucking and all that jazz), bottom Eddie, Eddie having a mommy kink.. lmk if I missed anything!!

A/N: I am using She/Her pronouns for this piece.

Summary; Y/N Hopper and Eddie Munson have been friends since they were in middle school, as they moved onto high school though Y/N started gaining more attention as she grew into her “womanly features”. As for Eddie, he was just ignored and pushed into his own little crowd of people who play D&D and like to yell and scream a lot. Through out the years of high school Y/N and Eddie loose touch and split up, that is until she has to tutor him for a chemistry project…

March 7th, 1986…

It was almost the end of the day, approximately 18 minutes until the school day was done and everyone could go home and relax. Y/N looks around to see if anyone has finished their test in the class so she can hand it in without being the first one done, she awkwardly inspects her surrounding classmates in hopes that one is finished. That is until she sees the one and only Eddie Munson march, no strut up to the teacher’s desk and slap his test on it with his million dollar grin. After about 3 minutes though, the teacher calls for your attention.

“Erm, Miss Hopper, please come here” the sweater vest wearing 47 year old says looking at the girl.

“Something wrong sir?” She asks whilst walking over test in hand.

“Nothing at all, well other than Eddie’s grades” our teacher says with a chuckle, “which is why I need you to tutor mr. Munson for our unit final exam coming up next week.”

This small conversation caught Eddie’s attention as he prances over to join, “pardon sir?” He says raising an eyebrow.

“Y/N here is going to help you study for our unit final, it’s a chance to boost both your grades up”…

After a lot of back and fourth bickering somehow Y/N and Eddie agree to her tutoring him every Friday and Tuesday after school.. sadly today was Friday and by the time their conversation was over, it was now after school.

-time skip-

The two are sat in Y/N’s bedroom binders open on the floor looking at the roof, “you know this is a study session not a hang out one.” Y/N says, a little annoyed that she could be spending her Friday evening doing something else, or someone like Steve Harrington..

“Hey! It’s not my fault I’m distracted” he says looking at his binder, “besides can’t we just talk or something?” He asks closing his binder.

“Hell no, I’m giving up my Friday night for this we are studying” she says standing up and watching him flop on the bed. “What would help you focus, I’ll do anything” she says as he looks her up and down.

“I mean, if you say anything.. why not show me why you’re so popular” he says admiring her figure.

Y/N is stunned at the words that just came out of her former best friend’s mouth “pardon?” She says her cheeks heating up and a slight tingling sensation canes across her body causing her to push her thighs together.

Eddie doesn’t say anything he just grins and pull her towards the bed by the belt loops on her Jean shorts, Y/N doesn’t say anything either but she got a sudden urge of confidence, and so, she kissed him, closing the space between the to old friends in a heated kiss which seconds later caused Eddie to lay down on the bed whilst the girl crawls on top of the boy eloping him in another kiss. Almost 30 seconds later, Y/N and Eddie are suddenly in their underwear, their hands gliding across each others body. Although, Eddie stops when his ring clad hand reaches the back of your black lace bra,

“May I?” He asks, his voice is raspy and low full of lust and the love that he has saved over the years for the girl who he hopped he would end up with.. Y/N doesn’t say anything instead she simply nods, to which he grins and unclasps the back causing your breasts to be free which causes his erection to grow harder and harder. He practically whimpers at the sight of the girl on top of him, and without a second to spare he has one titty in his hand and the other in his mouth, he whimpers and groans as he sucks and kneads the warm skin on the girl’s chest.

She pulls away, grinning at the boys whines of protest. She moves him to the edge of the bed and slowly pulls his underwear down, she throws it somewhere as she slowly gets on her knees and smiles at the boy, “you want this?” She asks biting her lip as she strokes his cock,

“Yes, please mommy” he says mid moan in a small voice, the name he just called her got Y/N practically soaking by now, without another word, her mouth is on his dick and her head is bobbing, causing a string of moans to exit the boys mouth, he didn’t need to be quiet they were home alone.. right?

At this point Eddie is going to have his climax at any second with her head going up and down and the occasional moan and/ or grunt that escaped her mouth, Eddie was so on edge and so he grabbed her head and pushed down so she was deep throating him, at that very moment he let out a cry of pure pleasure as he came in the girls mouth.

She stands up as he slowly guides her to the bed, “I wanna please you mommy” he says making her lay down, her head resting on her pillows. He pulls if her black panties and glides his long ring clad fingers across the girl’s folds earning a moan from both of them, “god, you’re soaking” he says lowering himself so that he has access to one of her boobs as he uses the pad of his thumb to make small but fast circles on her clit. She lets out a moan as he adds in two fingers so he’s finger fucking the girl causing her to grab his hair and pull making him groan and go faster. She’s just about to reacher her climax when she hears her bedroom door open, then suddenly slam shut.

“Y/N Hopper you get your ass down here now!” Your father yells, “bring your little metal-head boyfriend too!” Oh shit.. now we’re in trouble.

A/N: I hope you lot enjoyed this and please send more requests my way! Muah muah -Bailey

[darth-does-stuff]

triggers: divorce mention, divorce implied, divorce, bullying mention and implied, logan having a bit of a sucky day, crying, lying to your kid a bit, chipped tooth/injury, shouting, hiding your emotions a tiny bit

there is some sensitive stuff in here so be careful guys!! if you don’t like any of this stuff please don’t force yourself to read it!! tell me if anything needs to be added to the triggers please

Prologue

Age - 7

The boy clutched the straps of his backpack, looking down at his shoes. He didn’t look up until he heard a voice calling his name.

“-gan! Logan! Bud, over here!”

Logan looked up, a smile slowly spreading over his face as he saw his mother. He started speed-walking towards her.

“Bye, Logan! Have a great day!” he heard his 2nd grade teacher call out behind him.

“Bye, Mr. Keller. You too,” he said absently, already half-running towards his mom.

His mom crouched down to his height, engulfing him in a hug. “Hey, bud. How was your day?” she held him out at arms length to look at him.

“It was, um, really good!” he grinned widely, showing off his chipped tooth. Emillia’s expression instantly transformed into one of concern.

“How did you get it? Are you okay? Are you hurt?” she held his jaw gently and moved his head from side to side, inspecting the chipped tooth.

“I’m fine. It doesn’t-doesn’t, um, hurt,” Logan stuttered slightly, looking back down at his shoes.

“How’d you get it?” she repeated, a worried look in her eyes. Logan stayed silent for a moment before answering.

“I was just--I was like drinking from the water fountain. Cause-cause I was thirsty and then I, uh, I don’t know what really happened. I was just drinking and then suddenly I hit my mouth against the...the um…” Logan struggled to find the word that he was looking for, “The thing that you drink out of,” the 7 year old looked up at his mom, the latter nodding and motioning for him to continue.

“And I look down and I see that part of my--my tooth is just lying there and I-I kinda freaked out a bit,” Logan chewed his lip, rubbing his arm.

“And I’m guessing you told a teacher?” his mother asked gently. Logan nodded furiously, so much that Emillia was worried his head would fall off.

“Okay, then. I’m proud of you for doing that, alright bud?” she smiled, brushing a lock of blonde hair out of his eyes. “How about we go get some lunch to make up for this bad day, yeah?”

“It wasn’t bad,” Logan protested, “It was just...not...good…” he trailed off.

“Lo, buddy. Not good means bad. And you’ve had a bad day. And you know what? That’s okay. We all have bad days and they’re just a part of life. Now how about some lunch, huh?” Emillia grinned.

Age - 11

Logan inspected his chipped tooth, groaning inwardly as he thought of the ridiculing he would face for it. He ran a hand through his hair, letting out an audible sigh.

“Logan, bud, hurry up, please! I don’t want you to be late for your first day!” he heard his mother shout. He glanced one more time at his chipped tooth before walking out of the bathroom.

“I’m not 7 anymore, Mama. You don’t need to call me ‘bud’,” Logan grumbled, green eyes staring directly at the ground.

His mother smiled, a tinge of sadness in it, “Doesn’t matter what age you are, you’ll always be my little bud.”

Emillia ruffled her son’s hair, grinning happily now. “And, c’mon! It’s your first day of middle school! Aren’t you excited?”

Logan mumbled something, rubbing his fingers with his thumb, a nervous habit of his. Emillia noticed it and she frowned slightly.

“What’s wrong, Lo? Are you nervous?” she asked gently. Logan nodded wordlessly. “Why?”

“It’s just, um, my...tooth. I don’t wanna be made fun of,” he mumbled.

“Oh, buddy,” she said softly, eyebrows knitted together. “I’m sure nobody will even notice it. Even then, they won’t care about it. And if anybody makes fun of you for it, tell me, okay?”

“Okay, Mama,” he said quietly. “Okay.”

She kissed his forehead before ruffling his hair, smiling gently.

“Where’s Papa?” Logan asked suddenly, a thought coming to him. Emillia’s smile became slightly strained.

“Oh, he’s still staying at that motel for some important business, mkay?” she tried to keep a cheery expression, hating to lie to her kid.

“Oh...I just thought--” Logan stopped himself suddenly, chewing his lip. “Okay.”

“Now let’s get you to school, alright, bud?”

                                        ⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼⎼

Logan flopped onto his bed, groaning. His first day was a mess. First, he forgot his locker combination for like 5 minutes. Next, he couldn’t get the dang thing open. And then, to top it all off, he had noticed a couple of 7th graders pointing at his tooth! Well, he thinks that they were.

Logan rolled over onto his back, running a hand down his face. He knew he had said that he would tell his mom if anybody makes fun of his tooth, but he didn’t feel like bothering her. Maybe next time he would, but not now.

Across the hall in her bedroom, Emillia looked at the divorce papers and wondered how she was going to tell Logan.

Age - 11 (2 weeks after 6th grade started)

Logan slung his backpack off his shoulder, setting it on the floor. He slipped his shoes off and slumped against the door, sighing. The blonde then looked up curiously as he heard no sound in the house, not his mother greeting him, no noises coming from the kitchen, nada.

Logan walked through the house and saw his mother’s bedroom door closed. He knocked on it tentatively, “Ma, you good?”

He heard a chair scraping against the floor and some clatter before the door opening, showing a slightly disheveled Emillia.

“Oh, hey, Lo. How was school?” she asked, her tired state seeping into her voice.

“It was...fine. Are you--are you alright, Mama?” Logan asked, chewing his lip.

“I--I don’t know, Lolo. Why don’t you wait in the kitchen for me? I’ll be along shortly, alright?” Emillia smiled tiredly.

Logan nodded hesitantly, “Al-alright, Ma.”

The 6th grader glanced one more time at his mom before walking to the kitchen, a thousand questions swirling around in his mind.

Did something bad happen? Was Ma okay? Was Papa okay? Sure, Pa was a little distant at times but Logan still cared about him--

His thoughts were cut short by his mother walking into the kitchen, sitting across from him at the table. She rubbed her eyes, sighing deeply before she began talking.

“Logan, bud, I don’t know how to make this easier for you. But I’m just gonna say it. Me and your father are going to get a divorce.”

Logan recoiled slightly in shock. “Divorce like...you’re not going to be together anymore?” he asked slowly, not wanting it to be true.

Emillia nodded wordlessly.

“But--but you’re soulmates! You’re supposed to-to be together forever, right? Isn’t that what soulmates are?” he asked, a touch of desperation entering his voice.

Emillia winced slightly, intertwining her hands.

“Lo, you know there’s different kinds of soulmates right? Platonic, romantic, etcetera.”

“Aren’t you and Pa romantic ones?” Logan asked, confused.

“Well, yes. We are. But even though soulmates are designated by…by the universe and fate. It’s up to those soulmates to put in the time and work to form a relationship and make it last. And sometimes, it still doesn’t work out, no matter how hard you try.”

“So—so you’re saying that everything I’ve known about soulmates is a lie?” Logan’s voice shook slightly, the glistening of tears shining in his eyes.

“Oh, Lo, buddy. No, no. That’s not what I’m saying at all!”

“You just said that soulmates don’t even work out!” Logan shouted, not wanting to accept what was happening.

“No, that’s not what I’m saying, bud! It’s just that—“ she struggled to find the right words.

“So you and Pa don’t love each other anymore?” Logan asked abruptly, fighting to hold back tears.

“I—it was a mutual thing. We just gradually fell out of love and we both decided that this was best.” Emillia’s shoulders slumped.

Logan stayed silent for a moment. “So what’s going to happen?” he asked in a broken voice, finally accepting the inevitable.

“Your father is gonna be staying at a different apartment. And…we are too,” Emillia said quietly.

The 11 year old frowned slightly, not understanding. “We’re staying in the same apartment as Pa?”

Emillia visibly winced. “No, bud. Me and you are staying in a different apartment from Pa. We decided it would be best if you stayed with me.”

Logan chewed his lip before slowly nodding his head, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Okay,” he said hoarsely, “Okay.”

He sniffled a bit, looking down.

Emillia stood up and walked over to him, kissing Logan on the forehead. “I love you, Lo. And I’m really sorry about this whole situation. I know it’s hard for you. But remember, I’m here for you. I always will be.”

Emillia, not knowing what else to say, went back into her bedroom.

Logan, now having nobody around to hide it from, finally let the tears fall.

[gottlem]

you belong with me (gigi x crystal)

a/n - some of this isnt proofread so im SORRY if it gets messy at the end it is literally 3am. also this is my first fic so pls be kind i dont know what im doing like at all. (also keep a look at for slight jackie x jan) this was inspired by someone wanting a fanfic based off of you belong with me by taylor swift and i loved the idea so here we are and i am sorry.

-----

Gigi and Crystal are best friends. Growing up living so close to each other made them an absolute power-duo, for years on end they have been inseparable at all times. When they were younger, Gigi would sleep over at Crystals every single weekend and neither of them would ever get sick of eachother. They spent their nights giggling at nothing and making pinky promises “to never ever not be friends” and that they would be each other's “favourite person” forever, because they didn’t know that life can get a tad bit more… complicated when you start to get a little older. Living in ignorant bliss of the impending doom of high school, they would spend their time in their own little bubble, making the most of each other's company. In their minds, it wasn’t a question whether or not they loved each other. The answer was there without even having to ask the question, but of course they were too young to fully understand anyway.

In her early teens, Crystal would slowly realise that if young Gigi and Crystal were a boy and a girl, everyone would have joked about them being together with them being so close, but since they had been two little girls, they were just best friends in everyone’s eyes. Crystal would also slowly realise that ‘just best friends’ isn’t really where she wanted to stay with Gigi, but that truth wouldn’t come for another few years. She learned about the term ‘lesbian’ when there was a rumour in the 7th grade that she was one. It hadn’t fully occurred to her that girls could like girls in that way, but when she did google what it meant on a random wednesday night, it seemed so obvious. Natural. Of COURSE girls can like girls, they’re so pretty! Needless to say, it didn’t take her very long to understand that maybe the rumour was actually true- but nobody needed to know that. Not even Gigi. Definitely not Gigi. To be honest, she didn’t know where her friend even stood on topics like this, but they had never even talked about boys, so she absolutely didn’t want to risk bringing up girls. 

In 7th grade, Gigi already knew what a lesbian was. She heard talks about her best friend being into girls, but she paid it no mind. If Crystal was gay, she’d tell her, right? Gigi could be trusted with that kind of stuff. Either way, she wouldn’t bring it up. Maybe Crystal hadn’t even heard about it, maybe she was completely oblivious. Yeah. That must be it. It was around this time Gigi realised she herself might like girls. But it had nothing to do with Crystal. Nothing at all. In fact, the topic of relationships had never even come up between them. In 8th grade, Gigi started to get little crushes, exclusively on girls. This was the year she decided she was a lesbian. By then, the rumours about Crystal were long forgotten, but her friend’s sexuality was almost always in the back of Gigi’s mind. Crystal had never expressed interest in boys (or girls for that matter), but then again neither had Gigi. She knew she would have to come out to Crystal at some point - there was no WAY she was hiding a future girlfriend from her best friend. 

One night in the summer before 9th grade, Gigi slept over at Crystal’s house. Just like old times, except now both girls had quite a big secret they were hiding from each other, completely unbeknownst to the fact that it was the exact same secret. Gigi was going to tell her by the end of the night. She was SURE of it. The hours passed like minutes and before the girls knew it, the sun had completely set outside and the moon shone down into Crystal’s brightly coloured bedroom (some would think it’s decor is all over the place, but Gigi would describe it as being perfectly Crystal). The pair had settled into a slow, but somehow not very sleepy conversation despite the time, by around 1am. If Gigi was going to tell her, it was now or never. Before she could change her mind, Gigi had looked Crystal in the eye and started with “I really need to tell you something”. She had rambled on about how much she trusted Crystal, and how much she wanted her to accept this. Crystal didn’t have any idea what Gigi could possibly be leading up to, but she did absoluetly not expect to hear “I’m gay, Crys” coming from her friend’s mouth at 1 in the morning. 

The confession left Crystal speechless. Of course she didn’t judge Gigi, she was gay too! She was just shocked. How long had Gigi known? How long have they both known and didn’t tell eachother? It took Gigi’s tearful eyes and furrowed brows to tear Crystal out of her overthinking. Shit. She hadn’t even responded. 

“Crystal. Are you mad? Oh my god you’re mad aren’t you? Or like weirded out? I can go if you want. I get if you’re like uncomfortable with me staying over now-”

“Gi”

“-I don’t have to sleep in  your room. I’m sorry I told you. We never talk about this kind of stuff why did I think telling you would be ok? I-”

“Gigi!” Crystal shook Gigi’s shoulders to get her attention. Her eyes were bloodshot and Crystal cursed her brain for short circuiting when it did. She knew she had to tell Gigi now. 

“Me too” her voice came out as a whisper, but it cut through the silence of the room with ease. It was Gigi’s turn to be stunned into silence. Neither of the girls said anything. Crystal just hugged her friend. She didn’t stop until they woke up in the morning. That week, Crystal let her eyes linger on her friend a little longer than normal every time they passed each other at school. She found herself re-typing text messages and doing anything to speak to Gigi. She knew what all this meant, but she would not tell Gigi. It was  just a little crush. Everybody gets little crushes.

10th grade rolls around far too quickly than anyone would like to accept. Gigi and Crystal are as close as ever. Well, as close as ‘just friends’ can be, much to Crystal’s (hidden) dismay. Jan and Jackie, who had become very good friends with the pair in 9th grade, would constantly tease Crystal about her not-so-small-anymore crush on Gigi when the other girl wasn’t looking. Of course, Crystal hadn’t told them, but it wasn’t necessarily difficult for the couple to figure it out when she would stare at Gigi every chance she got. The teasing only got more painful about a month into 10th grade, when Gigi started dating the new student, Nicky. Suddenly, Crystal felt herself become awkward around her best friend - someone she used to feel so free with. It was easier to pretend she wasn’t falling in love with her when she was single. But now, now she had someone to be jealous of. Someone to remind her that clearly she’s just not good enough for Gigi. Every now and again, Gigi wouldn’t show up to their usual lunch table, leaving Crystal to third wheel with Jan and Jackie. On these days, Crystal didn’t bother looking for Gigi, she knew who she was with, and frankly she couldn’t bear to see them together. When she first saw the couple kiss, it made her stomach drop. Gigi was waiting for the bus when her friend sat next to her and made easy conversation. They were smiling and laughing until Nicky’s car (because of course she could drive) came to pick Gigi up. When she got in the car, the couple shared a moment far too intimate for Crystal’s liking. She pried her eyes away until she heard the car leave.

By Winter break, Gigi and Nicky had been dating for three months. Crystal wasn’t very familiar with how their relationship was going - she knew it would only hurt her if she always asked Gigi about it. If Gigi wanted to talk to her about it, she would bring it up, and apparently Gigi really didn’t want to talk to her about it. Crystal was fine with this. Well, Crystal was fine with this until there was a knock on her door at 11:58pm on a December night coming from the one and only Gigi Goode. Who was crying. Like, really crying. Crystal took the girl's hand and rushed her to her room, sitting her on the bed they had shared (platonically!!!!) many times before. She let her cry. Crystal had learned in her 16 years of life that sometimes, you just gotta cry. Still, the sight of her friend sobbing so much wasn’t an easy one to digest, nor was it one she had seen often. 

After god only knows how long, Gigi’s cries had died down, she was in Crystal’s pyjamas (which Crystal thought was too much for her brain to handle right now, but considering the situation she pushed these thoughts the the back of her mind, as if she hadn’t tried that for the past year anyway) and she was holding a glass of ice water between both hands. It was Crystal who broke the silence. 

“What’s up?” She was quiet, scared that speaking too loudly would cause the fragile girl infront of her to break down again. But she didn’t. Her brows furrowed and she had a look on her face that Crystal couldn’t quite place, something she wasn’t used to by any means after being friends for a good ten years now. 

“It’s nothing. Me and Nicky just had an argument”

“And this is why you came to my house in hysterics in the middle of the night in Winter. Ok, sure.” She deadpans. Gigi gave her a look as if to say ‘you bitch’ but there’s a fondness behind it nonetheless. 

“Ok fine. It’s more than nothing. It feels like all we ever do is argue anymore. We do like, two things; we argue or we mess around, yknow? And I’m kind of sick of it! It’s like I’m here for her to make out with and that’s all that we have going for us. That’s the only good thing. And shouldn’t there be more? Shouldn’t there be romance, and dates and shouldn’t we be able to be stupid in front of eachother and-” She started to cry again, though not as intense as before, definitely enough to stop her little rant. Crystal thought it was for the better, if she heard anymore of that she might start crying herself. She could give Gigi all of that. Hell, she already did for the most part.

Crystal was torn. She wanted to tell Gigi she should break up with Nicky. She knew it would be for the better, for both of them, but she still felt like it would be selfish of her to give that advice. She didn’t want to accidentally take advantage of Gigi, with her being in such a vulnerable space. So she tells Gigi the facts - well, she didn’t really have much (or any) experience so they could be completely false, but to her they seemed quite solid.

“Couples have honeymoon phases. They can’t keep their hands off each other because they’re so obsessed with this new person they have all to themselves and people get carried away. It’s human nature. But that dies down, or it should. Eventually. Couples argue. It’s healthy to disagree and make up every now and again but there comes a point where it’s just too much. I think you know where that point is. I can’t make it up for you, it’s not my relationship, babe” Crystal let the pet name slip without thinking too much about it. She was tired and it was a school night, and her friend was upset. She told herself it meant nothing. Gigi hugged her and fell asleep quite quickly, exhausted from her emotions having taken over.

Nicky was beautiful. Drop dead gorgeous. Painfully stunning. This was a fact, this was understood by boys and girls alike, gay straight or bi. Gigi was lucky to have her, or maybe she wasn’t. Crystal didn’t know anymore. She could see why Gigi had clearly fallen so hard for the french girl, with her fashion forward style and her thick accent that Crystal had no option to admit was just plain sexy. Again, this was all fact. Gigi was also beautiful. That’s why everyone loved them together. Aesthetically, their relationship just worked. But Crystal had a tear stained pillow and a broken girl to prove that aesthetics mean nothing unless there’s love there too. And Crystal loves Gigi. She always has, and probably always will. Crystal didn’t like Nicky. She didn’t like the knowing glares she would get as they passed each other in the hall. It was as if the french girl could read her damn mind and she didn’t like it one bit. It wound her up to no end. She also didn’t like how she would argue with Gigi until she would cry and cry and run to Crystal’s house, sobbing into her pillow. It became routine. The pillow was pushed to the side, specifically for when Gigi came to cry her mascara onto it. Nicky would always apologise the next day. Gigi would always accept it. Crystal felt more and more hopeless.

A few months later, the routine continues. Gigi sends Crystal a text one night in February at around midnight, to say she’s coming over (a new-ish development in the all too familiar routine) and Crystal prepares the signature glass of water and the tear-soaked pillow for her friend. When she opens the door after Gigi’s knocking, she is met with no tears. Actually, she is met with a smile. Crystal just stands there. Gigi walks casually up the staircase and into Crystal’s bedroom, taking the glass of water and sitting cross-legged on her bed, hugging the pillow, but not for emotional support - because it's just comfier. Crystal follows her, a million questions on the tip of her tongue. She sits opposite to Gigi.

“I broke up with Nicky”

Oh.

OH.

“Just now? Oh my god, are you ok?” Crystal hears herself replying before she even knows what to say, she’s glad she didn’t say something stupid.

“No actually, I broke up with her this morning. I was talking to Jan and Jackie about it earlier, but you weren’t there. Plus, I wanted to tell you like this anyways. Here. Feels like tradition. Like it’s come full circle.”

“Are you sure you’re ok though?” It’s honestly creepy to see Gigi so calm over Nicky, after all the tears she had spilled before.

“Yeah. I think it truly ended a long time ago.”

“Oh.”

It’s silent. Crystal feels tense. Like there’s something else to be said, like something else is going to happen. And she’s right. Because when she looks up, Gigi is staring at her, pupils wide and ears red. Crystal feels like she’s under a microscope. A breath gets stuck in her throat. Gigi giggles at it. She giggles and she inches forward. She inches forward and lifts her hands. She lifts her hands to Crystal’s face. And they’re kissing. They’re kissing and Crystal is smiling. When they pull away, Gigi has plump lips and a dumb smile on her face. Crystal loves it. They sit there for a minute, just staring at each other. Letting each other give the moment a second to sink in. When it does, they laugh. And then they talk about it. And then they kiss some more. And then they fall asleep. So what if it took Gigi a bad relationship to see what was standing right infront of her? Now they have each other, and that isn’t going to change.

[buffyromanoff]

Misunderstanding

Based on a prompt by @lundqvistisgod

Music was blasting from your Boombox while the two of you danced and laughed at each other all around your bedroom. Your dad, Jim Hopper was working so you had all the house to yourself and what a better way to pass the time that with your girlfriend Robin?. You have been dating her ever since the end of 7th grade and you couldn't get enough of her. There isn't anything you would change about your relationship with her, except for the fact that it’s the 80’s and nobody knows that you two aren't just really good friends, but girlfriends. Well, nobody but Steve Harrington.

Robin dropped her body on your bed and and you did the same thing, the only difference is that while she was on top of the mattress, you were on top of her. As soon as you started making out, Robin pulled out of the kiss.

‘’ y/n your dad, what if he arrives and catches us like this?’’.

‘’He’s not here, also the door is closed so he will have knock’’. You reassured her.’’Don’t worry’’. You started kissing her again.

Robin’s hands were everywhere and your lips were still attached to hers.

‘’ Can i?’’. She asked and you nodded in agreement. Robin started to unbutton your shirt and you started to pull hers up her head.

‘’Wait dingus, i can’t see’’. You both giggled as you finished taking her t-shirt off and you threw both clothing items to the floor.

Her lips were moving against yours nonstop when the worst thing happened.

‘’How many times do i have to say it?! THREE INCH MINIMUM Y/N!’’ Hopper kicked the door open.

You wanted earth to swallow you. You grabbed a cushion and handed one to Robin to cover yourselves. You were speechless.

Hopper looked even more shocked than when he saw a demogorgon for the first time.

‘’i uh- have to go um...keep the door open, will you?’’ . You saw your dad walk away and drive off your house.

Robin was covering her now red face with both her hands and you turned the music off.

‘’Robin im so sorry’’. You started crying ‘’It’s all my fault, I should have known he wouldn't just knock the door, i'm so stupid-’’. Robin stood up and grabbed you by your shoulders.

‘’hey, hey’’ She wiped your tears away. ‘’This is not your fault ,ok? We knew this would happen at some point’’. You wrapped her into a hug and she started caressing your hair to to calm you down.

‘’You should go home Robin’’.

‘’Are you sure?’’. She asked. ‘’i can stay if you want me to’’.

‘’I don't want you to be here when he comes back, you can go’’. You kissed her.

‘’Call me, ok? I'm going to be right next to the phone waiting so you don't have to talk to my parents’’. You nodded. ‘’I love you y/n’’.

‘’i love you too’’. She smiled and started walking towards her house.

You started walking in circles inside your house. You couldn't stop thinking about what just happened. Is he going to kick me out of the house? is he going to tell everyone? is he going to stop loving me?.

You needed to keep yourself busy so you decided to clean up. Time was passing in slow motion and your dad wasn’t home yet. Four hours, five, six. You were nervous as hell.

Suddenly, the front door opened.

‘’Y/n? im home’’. Jim said.

You were lying on your bed when he walked into your bedroom.

‘’El is staying at Max’s so i brought some food for the three of us’’.

Three? What does he mean? He just said Eleven is at Max’s.

‘’Where’s Robin?’’. He asked and checked if the toilet door was closed but it wasn’t.

‘’She went home dad’’. You were still weepy so Hop sat on bed with you. ‘’Well call her, i brought food for her too’’. He said as you sat up.

‘’What? i don't understand dad you saw us and left-’.

‘’Yeah i shouldn't have left like that, im sorry kid, i didn't mean to do that…’’. He pulled out a piece of paper and started to unfold as he cleared his throat. ‘’Joyce helped me uh- turn my feelings into words’’.

‘’There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about. I know this is a difficult conversation, but I care about you very much. And I know that you care about Robin very much, and that's why it's important that we set these boundaries moving forward so we can build an environment where we all feel comfortable, trusted, and open to sharing our feelings.’’ Hopper went on reading the letter Joyce helped him write and you couldn't hold back the tears. The whole thing was so beautiful and emotional but when he ended the thing with ‘’But, please, if you don't mind, for the sake of your poor old dad, keep the door open three inches’’, you bursted out into laughter.

“I love you kid,no matter what, and i'm so happy you found someone who cares about you as much as i do”

“I love you too dad”. He pressed a kiss on the top of your head. “Now, call Robin, the food is getting cold”.

You ran to the phone to invited her over and minutes later after telling her everything that happened, you three were having dinner and chatting.

“Excuse me, i have to go to the bathroom real quick”. You said.

Hopper asks Robin to help him pick up the table and she agrees.

“Sheriff Hopper i wanted to-”.

“Woah woah, since when do you call me sheriff, Robin? I know you since you were a child”. Jim laughs and Robin gives him an awkward smile.

“What i was saying, Jim, is that i love y/n with all my heart, i would never hurt her, not even if she hurts me”. She says trying to sound as serious as she possibly can.

“I know kid, but if she ever hurts you let me know, i’ll ground her for a month”. He joked and they both laughed.

“what’s so funny?”. You ask while taking the Icecream Hop bought out of the freezer.

You were back at the table eating dessert.

“So”. Hopper pointed at the two of you with his spoon. ”how long has this been going on?”.

You and your girlfriend exchanged glances before answering.

“um...five years maybe?”. Robin said and Jim choked on his ice cream.

“FIVE YEARS?! HOLY SHIT”. You two giggled at his reaction. “and i never suspected a thing! Can't believe i think of myself as a detective”.He laughed.

One hour later , you and Robin headed back to your bedroom to sleep.

You lent her one of your pyjamas and got inside your bed.

“Robin?” You asked.

“Yes baby?”

“What on earth are you doing?”.She was lying on the floor right in front of your door, there was a ruler on her hand.

“Making sure the door is 3 inches open, duh”.She said and you got out of bed to walk towards her and force her to stand up.

“God, i love you”. You wrapped your arms around her waist and kissed her.

“I love you too y/n”. She kissed you back. “Wanna continue this in bed?”.She suggested and you agreed.

The next morning you woke up with Robin snuggled against you.

Everything was just like it should be; the love of your life sleeping right by your side and the door was 3 inches open.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope you liked it!! Thank you for reading it :)

[rnistergoodnite]

I’m afraid of ghosts

And it’s the epitome of irony. 

When I was six, my neighbour, who was a year older, invited me to a haunted house for his birthday. October 7th. I still remember this in spite of not speaking with him for years. It was on a farm; hayrides and pumpkin patches on one side, and houses of horror on the other. There were two houses - the kid friendly one, which came down to spooky pumpkins and the ‘real’ one, for adults. He had just turned 7, and decided he was old enough to go into the adult house. I had never been to a haunted house attraction, so I didn’t know what to expect. . though I did know that at 6-7 years old, we were all considered children. Whatever. As I said, I had no frame of reference. Adult house it was.

I don’t remember the specifics aside from it was pitch black inside, and you had to be led in in small groups that stayed together by holding onto a long rope led by a worker dressed as the grim reaper - no face and all. I remember the birthday kid being scared and pretending he wasn’t, and I remember the other neighbour that went with us being scared out of her mind. Aside from that, I don’t remember the house or what was in it. I just remember being completely fine throughout the whole thing and wondering why it affected the other two so much.

Then the nightmares started. About three years of reoccurring nightmares. Same one. I’d be standing in my front doorway, between the door itself and the glass door on the outside. From the side street would come an infinite army of ghosts, walking (drifting?) single file. They’d turn the corner of my street, go around the dead end, and then slowly start making their way up my walk way. I’d be paralyzed with fear and unable to move until they were up the front steps. Just as they tried to open the door I’d finally break from this spell and slam the wooden door in their face, and they’d vanish. This is when I’d wake up. 

I figured out at some point that I had to shut the door or something terrible would happen. Shutting the door was the only thing that’d get rid of them. And in spite of being aware of this, I still had a near impossible time doing it every single time. I’d lose sleep over it. I wasn’t even sure what the ghosts motivation was or anything, it was just the ominous slow advance they made that freaked me out and this terrible sensation of bad omens coming. 

It got so bad that my parents invested in a dream catcher for me, I slept with the lights on, my uncle gave me some crystals and gems to ward them off . . that sort of thing. It didn’t help but it made me feel a lot better about the situation. 

The next year I went to Disney and went on the Haunted Mansion ride. . .didn’t make it in, even, just into the first room with the spooky paintings and I had a full blown panic attack and had to leave. Ghosts, you see.

I didn’t go back to a haunted house until I was in my 20s, which is sad because I adore them terribly and believe I did even that first time. I just didn’t want to risk it triggering the ghost nightmares to start up again.

When I was in 9th grade, I thought I saw a ghost in my grandparents house. Admittedly I never did well in Massachusetts in those days - there was something very isolating about being four hours away from any kind of technology (which was my only connection to people, back then.) . . And the house was old and a bit spooky, so I thought I was imagining things. In fact, I didn’t think much of it until it appeared again. And again. And again, in my own home. I tried having conversations with it, of course. I had seen all those ghost hunting shows, I knew what to ask. (I never claimed to be a smart kid.) What scared me is when I started getting answers back. Not tapping on wood, ‘making a sound’, flickering lights. None of that. Just intrusive thoughts. . and not malicious ones, just ones I wasn’t sure were mine. I legitimately thought I was going crazy. I spoke with an online friend about it. Shared some of the things the ghost “said”. She didn’t seem to think it was so absurd. I just thought I had gotten to a point where I was so lonely I was inventing friends for myself. Who knows, maybe I was. 

I met a close friend in school later that year. He, unprompted, asked about the spirit. I shrugged it off, what spirit? We never really went anywhere with this conversation. I still thought I was crazy. He was a bit of a morbid goth. Just passed it off as being his thing, of course, I was still a bit freaked out by ghosts in the back of my head. 

Then, just as suddenly as it started, nothing. No ghosts. Nothing in my grandparents house. I thought maybe making friends with this guy cleared everything up - turned out I was crazy. Until my grandmother started telling my mother some stories about the house.

My grandparents house has been in family possession for generations. I believe it started with my grandmothers grandparents. It’s old, it has an interesting history - the barn used to be the firehouse back when firetrucks were powered by horses - it has hundreds of antique items from times long since passed, and . . . tons of people have died there. So, my grandmother starts telling my mother about how her sister died there when she was a kid by falling down the stairs. Goes on to explain the official record states “accidental death” and nothing else. Tells my mom about how my cousin is horrified of those stairs in spite of not knowing any of this. Tells us about how she often saw her dad visiting her in one of the bedrooms. Tells me about one day when I was a child, getting my head stuck between crib bars and almost suffocating. . until a wind up baby mobile starts going off over the baby monitor. Coincidentally, this is the room where her dad showed up constantly. My grandfather adds some other stories about standing behind his car which was parked on the street, and having something push him back onto the lawn moments before a car rammed into it. His parents died in the house, too. As did the grandmother I mentioned above. And numerous aunts and uncles and cousins. 

So I was starting to wonder. . maybe I really did see something there. My mom adds a bit about her side of the family, unrelated to this house, but there were two women she was related to who, in the later years of their life, would spend the days in their beds carrying out conversations with people that had passed on. 

When my grandmother died, in that house, under the room I usually sleep in . . I had a dream with her in it. Vivid dream. Lucid. I was able to talk to her, say what I wanted, ask her what I wanted. I remember sobbing in the dream because I was distraught. We were just sitting and talking. She hugged me. It was the only comforting thing that had happened in weeks. In that instance everything felt like it’d be alright. My cousin had a similar experience some days later. 

I’ve had experiences in places like Salem, MA. Walking into certain areas and being overcome with this feeling of suffocating dread. Having to leave places due to panic attacks out of nowhere. Places with strong spiritual energy.

I’m not a medium or anything. I haven’t seen anything personally since the incident with my grandmother. But I am surrounded by relics from these times and people long since passed. My house is about to turn 100 years old. The antiques inside. . well, some of them are easily double that. I just introduced a Victrola VV-X into my dining room - another place I was certain was haunted when I was a kid. (Turns out, as I found out years later, an older woman passed  there - nothing unusual for the era.) We’re surrounded by antique cameras, records, projectors . . The equipment and the music is so out of place these days and it just feels so right. The living room is impractically shaped - but how could those people have predicted television? Of course, we have one in there, but the centerpiece is, as it has always been, the “music” area -- and the nice cut ins with antique books. The books are everywhere ! 

And then there’s me; collector of antique jewelry and letters, photographs, mourning lockets. Items with little monetary but tons of personal value. This, a person afraid of ghosts.

I don’t have nightmares anymore, but I’m hesitant when it comes to supposedly ‘haunted’ places. My friend is friendly with a medium who offers free readings every so often to practice - I’m intrigued but afraid. What I do want to know is about these people whos items I’ve collected. One step at a time, right? I’ve never felt quite like I belong in this time, so, in spite of it all, I think I’d like to be part - at least passively - in these peoples times and eras. I want to know about them. Their motivations. Who they were. What their goals were. Aspirations, and how much of them came to fruition. 

So, in some deep dark corner of my mind, I’m still very much afraid of ghosts. But, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. 

Yours now and for the remainder of this era,

 ghost prince x 

[hamiltonaf]

Jeff Atkins x Reader || Friends with Benefits

A/N: As requested by @mayasmedberg & @asheyl14 . Hope you enjoy it ! I honestly love writing 13rw imagines. Be sure to follow and like this for more. Feedback is always appreciated. Also leave some messages in my ask, I’m willing to do a Q&A or just finding someone to talk to. Btw this is the furthest I’ll ever go with smut I’m not comfortable going in depth so hope you understand. xx

Warning: Language & Some Smut

I think long and hard till this day about my decision I made 3 months ago. It was a simple yes or no question that he had asked me. Who could this possibly be ? You may wonder, it was the all too famous and every ones favourite Jeff Atkins

Jeff and I have been good friends since 7th grade, lately this year he has given me a lot more attention which I would never know why. He started teasing me and throwing harsh remarks; which people say that when guys tease you its because they have a crush on you, could this be true ? Jeff Atkins having a crush on (Y/N) (Y/L/N) ? Well, could us being friends with benefits be considered that Jeff has taken a liking to me ?

It all started 3 weeks ago. Before that my life was the same old coming to school being teased by Jeff and laughed at by his gang. Jessica was a good friend of mine and always told me to never take him seriously because he had grown to be cocky. I tried to brush it off but after a while his words started to hurt more by the day. I’d hoped that life would get better and I would get stronger but I was weak, that too I didn’t want to make my problem an issue for others. I’d cry myself to sleep on certain nights to free the pain but it didn’t help either.

I was sitting in the cafeteria with Jessica and Hannah, we were just talking about arranging times to do our group assignment until we were disrupted by Jeff’s daily remarks. “Oh boys would you look at that lonely fat shit sat between Hannah and Jess. Of course she’d sit with our girls because she can’t make friends of her own. Attention seeking bitch” he spat. I looked down at my lap and dug my nails onto my arm in hopes to not think about Jeff’s words. Does he think teasing me will distract people from finding about our ‘relationship’ ?

I hadn’t realised a tear left my eye until it dropped onto my arm. I looked back up at Jeff to see his face soften when he saw mine. “Jeff why don’t you shut the fuck up and leave her alone” Hannah said. I stood up from my seat “Excuse me” I murmured loud enough for just the girls to hear me and walked right pass the group of jocks with now probably bloodshot eyes. As I pushed pass the double doors of the cafeteria and into the empty hallways I cried out harder. Every time I would wipe a tear, another had dared to fall. I couldn’t control my emotions, today Jeff had crossed the line. I made my way down the hall and into the parking lot, picking up my pace to get to my car.

Heavy footsteps were heard behind me but I hadn’t bothered to see who it was since I was more interested in leaving. I pressed the unlock button on my car key from afar, opening up the car door my hand was stopped. I looked at the face that I last wanted to see. “Leave me the fuck alone Jeff. You’re the last person that should even bother to be here right now. What did you come here for ? To hurt me with your words because it’s almost the same as hurting me with a knife” I left him speechless. He looked back at me and was at a loss for words. “I thought so. Now excuse the fat shit that is about to leave before she runs you over” I said lastly, getting into the car and speeding off home.

My parents ran their own business and since they were always so busy traveling overseas or coming home late, then their was never really time for me to have a proper conversation about what’s going on in my life.

I ran into my house and upstairs to my bedroom as I balled my eyes out. I can’t believe I fell for an asshole like him, what the hell is my problem ? I filled myself up a nice hot bath with a few beautiful scented candles and threw in a bath bomb to soak myself in. As I got into the bath it was as if I forgot about all my worries and pain. I went through my phone and found numerous messages from Hannah, Jessica and Jeff. I froze in the bath when I read Jeff’s message “I’ll be at your house in 10”, that message was sent 8 minutes ago. He’ll easily make his way in if I don’t allow him. I mentally slap myself as I realised I didn’t lock the door. I don’t want to deal with him ever again and right now I don’t want to see him, I’d just like some alone time.

I quickly grabbed myself a towel and wrapped it around my body. I rushed downstairs to our front door and rolled my eyes when I saw Jeff outside our front porch ready to knock on the door. I opened it before he could “Atkins go home. I don’t want to see you here again nor do I ever want to have any dealings with you. Forget about our past because it was all just a joke to you anyway.” I said. His foot held the door when I tried shutting it and comparing his strength to mine, we all knew who won this battle. He came in and locked the door behind him.

He didn’t utter a word but just took small steps towards me. “I’m sorry” was all he blurted out. “Excuse me ?” I asked in shock. This was the first time I ever heard those words come out of his mouth. I never though those words would be existent in his vocabulary as he always expects people to bow down to him, well, not me. “I’m sorry” he said once and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “Apology not accepted. Now go away Jeff, you disrupted my bath” I said and turned on my heel already making my way upstairs to my bathroom. He followed close behind me “Do you not understand me when I ask you to leave ? Do I need to show you the door ?” I asked when I got into the bathroom. I let the towel drop to the floor and got into the tub.

I could feel Jeff’s stare on me, it was as if he was taking in the detail of every inch of my body. I played around with the bubbles in the tub, it was an awkward silence since Jeff was in the bathroom with me but he isn’t saying anything. “I don’t see what was the point in you coming if you aren’t going to say much. Did you expect to apologise for the first time and I’d suddenly be head over heels for you then we’d have sex ?” I asked and turned my attention to him. “Pretty much yeah” he said. He walked from leaning against the door to the edge of the tub and took a seat. “That’s not how it works for me” I rolled my eyes. “Jeff you need to understand that you’ve crossed the line. I don’t think I’d be able to forgive you” I said.

”You will after we have make up sex” he smirked. “Is that the only shit running through your mind ? Our friends with benefits relationship is over. So now you’re free to go mess around with other girls or unless you were already doing that whilst we had a fling ?” I raised a brow. He’s a jock, I should have expected him to be with over 20 other girls because I mean all the girls at school are head over heels for him.”I’ll be honest and say that you’re the only girl I’m with, in secret. All the other girls I just flirt with and lead them wanting for more” I just plainly nod my head trying to show I’m uninterested.

”Would you mind leaving now ? This fat shit has to rinse off in the shower and would like to take a nap after” I said with emphasis on what he called. “Oh I don’t mind, I could stand here and watch you all day babe” he grinned. I sighed and covered myself up with hands, I hopped into the shower and rinsed myself off. When I stepped foot out of the shower, Jeff wasn’t in my bathroom, how did I not notice him leave ? But all the better for me now that I’m all alone. I wrapped the towel around my body and went to my room, I frowned to see him seated on my bed.

“I was so happy thinking you left but you just won’t leave will you ?” I asked and closed my room door behind me. “I want to make it up to you after what happened in the cafeteria so until you forgive me then I’ll leave like you said or unless you want me to stay” he wriggled his eyebrows.

“Okay, I can propose something. How about I punish you and then we can see where we go from there” I requested. “What punishment are we talking here ?” He asked eagerly. “Well, I can have my way with you, you can look at me all you want but only thing is you can’t touch” I whispered in his ear. “If it makes you forgive me then okay” he said. I grabbed the rope from my gown and thought of using that to tie his hands around the head board to keep him from touching me. “Kinky” he smirked when he saw the rope in my hand. I pushed him against the headboard and tied his hands, making sure he had no chance of touching me. He stared at me to try and catch on to what my next move was.

I hadn’t given him much time to think when I placed my lips on his cutting him off short. Our lips moved in sync, his lips were soft and might I say he was a damn good kisser. Just as I started to feel his tongue I broke the kiss and started to leave wet kisses from his jaw down to his collarbone. I kissed his sweet spot and nibbled on it, making sure to leave a mark. I joined our lips again making sure he had craved for more, he moaned when he finally got his way with his tongue in my mouth. I removed my towel and sat myself on his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer if it was possible as I yearned for his touch. I realised I was not only punishing him but myself as well because I was craving for him.

”Baby I think that’s enough punishment I need to touch you” he mumbled between kisses. I ignored what he had said and decided to tease him by rubbing myself in circular motions on his crotch. “Ugh I can’t do this anymore” He was getting annoyed by the minute. “It won’t happen again” he pleaded. I trailed my hand slowly down to my private in hopes to throw him over board by now at the sight. “Don’t you dare” he warned. “Like I’d fucking do it myself, you’re finishing this off” I said and loosened the rope. “About fucking time, you’re all mine now” he pulled me by my waist. “Wait just a second, explain why the heck you insulted me in front of everyone at school ?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Because I have a huge crush on you and I didn’t want people to know about my true feelings but you’re the first to know now, and I’m sorry once again.” he rushed. “Well, why didn’t you say so a long time ago you dweeb, we wouldn’t have to worry about having this conversation” “Enough about that, I’d like to finish what you started” he pointed to his pants.

[1-800-thristy]

Lovely (Stozier)

Warnings: cursing, angst ig not really | Age: 7th grade, Seniors, Adults like 25 I think | So I got ideas for good Stozier prompts and kinda mushed them together |

Stozier

-

“Stan!” Richie watches as Stan’s body gets thrown against the sewer wall. Quickly, Richie runs over to him and gets on his knees.

Stan was unconscious and was clearly not responding to Richie’s cries for him. He lied there unconscious. Rich’s hands shaking as placed Stanley’s head gently back on the ground.

He turned around to see Pennywise smiling at him, even though the losers club was beating it. The clown kept their eyes on Richie almost taunting him.

Richie grabbed a bat from the endless pile of belongings to kids and charged. He hit It relentlessly until It stood up and looked down at him with a grin. In a blink of an eyes, Pennywise had converted into Stanley Uris.

“W-What?” Richie tightened his grip around his bat.

“You’re worthless. I’m friends with you out of pity.” Richie closed his eyes and tried to ignore the monster, “Jesus, you don’t even know how much I really hate you.”

“Shut u-up.” Richie said weakly.

“You’re going to turn out just like your parents.” A gruesome smile spread across fake Stan’s face, his eyes melted from blue to bright yellow.

Richie screamed and whacked it across the face. Before backing away as his other friends continued beating him after leaving their stance from watching Richie.

He ran back over to Stan and grabbed Stan’s face. He said his name several times before Stanley opened his eyes and stared at him before closing them again.

“Fuck..Stanley please.” Richie could feel tears rolling down his cheeks.

Richie felt a hand on his shoulder and heard Bev’s voice. He quit wiped his tears and looked at her.

“What?” Richie looked at her.

“Is Stan alright?” She has a worried look on her face as she looked at Stanley.

The rest of club crowded around him as well before Richie spoke over all of them.

“We need to get out of here.” He stood up and surprisingly picked up Stanley as well.

Everyone agreed and got up. They left for the tunnel they entered from. Richie looked back at the pile of belongings and sighed. Pennywise was gone for now.

Once on the surface, Richie ordered them to all go to the drug store to get supplies for their wounds and an ice pack for Stan most importantly.

Richie stared at Stan and held his hand while he waited for the others. After a few minutes, Stan’s eyes opened widely.

Richie perked up, “Oh my fucking god Stan, you scared me!” Richie hugged him tightly before Stan could process anything.

“Richie...what happened?” Stan sat up and ran his fingers along his bite marks.

“Well we were fucking beating It’s ass then you were thrown against a fucking wall.” Richie laughed slightly, “I’m just glad you’re ok, man.”

Stanley smiled and hugged him, “Where are the others?”

“Getting medical supplies.” Richie shrugged.

Richie suddenly was aware of how close their bodies were, “Mike got this huge fucking cut on his forehead, I just hope it won’t get infected.” He looked down and tried to hide his flushed face.

Stan stared before looking away, “What happened? The whole sewer thing is just a blur to me.”

Riche moved away nervously, “I guess the most memorable thing was Eddie get barfed on.” They both laughed, “He just went fucking nuts.”

Silence fell over them, Richie wondered when their friends would be coming back. Stanley lightly touched the bite marks around his face, knowing they would become scars that would haunt him forever.

“It doesn’t look that bad...the bite marks.” He moved Stan’s hand from the side of his face into his hand.

“I’m probably going to have to wear makeup to cover it up.” Stan laughed sadly at the thought.

“I think you should leave it, I think it looks pretty badass.” Richie smiled softly and Stan looked at him.

Stan licked his lips and grabbed his face. He hesitated and Richie ended leaning in for the kiss. It was definitely wasn’t the most elegant kiss, their teeth banged together and both of their lips were chapped. It only lasted three mere seconds before they spilt apart.

-5 years later boi-

“Hey Richie?” Stan sat up from his bed and turned to the boy on the floor.

“Yes?” Richie was flipping through some of Stan’s old records.

“Remember the day of our first kiss?” Stan moved a pillow under his arm and rested his chin on it.

“Of course..why do you ask?” Richie raised an eyebrow, they hadn’t spoken about that day ever. Not even Bill knew about it, and he knew everything.

Stan bit his lip, “What was your fear? You know with It and shit.”

“Why is that important?” Richie put down the record he was holding.

Stan slid off the bed and next to Rich, “Everyone else had told me their fears and they all seem to know about yours. I’m just trying not to be the odd man out here.”

“Do you really want to know?” Stan nodded and Richie sighed, “My fear…was you.”

“What?”

“Just hear me out. My fear I guess was losing you and finding out that you actually hate me!” Richie laughed a bit, “I’m scared of losing my best friend and finding out our whole friendship was a complete lie.”

Stan stared at ground, unsure of what to do with this new information. Richie nervously fidgeted with hands. He looked up at him to see tears forming in Richie’s eyes.

“I know i-it’s stupid. I shouldn’t have said anything, whatever.” He wiped the tears with his sleeve and rushed out of Stanley’s room.

“Wait-Richie, come back.” Stan ran down the stairs to catch him going out the door.

He grabbed Rich’s wrist and pulled him back. Tears flowed down Richie’s face, his cheeks were bright red from embarrassment.

“You can’t just run away from me.” Stan whispered.

Richie refused to look at him, his eyes fixated on the wall. He didn’t want to talk about this now. They had it buried for years, why can’t it just stay that way?

“Richie.” Stanley placed his pale hand on Richie’s freckled face, “Please look at me.”

Richie shook his head causing Stan to force him to. Richie really loved Stanley. He loved him too much. Rich sighed and grabbed Stan’s hands.

Stanley watched his every movement. He payed attention to every detail, he thought he knew everything about Richie Tozier.

“I’m never going to leave you.” Stan whispered.

“Promise?” Richie whispered back, their fingers intertwined.

“I promise.” He smiled half heartily.

-A year later-

“This is bullshit!” Richie screamed, his was red from anger.

“Oh so now I’m bullshit?” Stan yelled back, “Let me guess, our whole relationship is bullshit too?”

“I never said that!” Richie quickly ran out the room.

“You can’t just run from this Richie.” Richie chased after him.

A door slammed in his face. Richie cried and leaned against the door.

“Fuck off!”

“Maybe I should just leave.” Stan yelled before stomping to the bedroom and slamming the door as well.

Stan stayed in there for a matter for 39 seconds before calming down and going back to room where Richie was hiding.

“Richie..?”

There was a long silence before a muffled “Yeah?” was heard.

“I’m…sorry.” Stan sat down at the other side of the door.

“I’m sorry too.” Richie grabbed a box to tissues and wiped off his tears.

“I just..worry about you.” Stan moved his hand under the little gap between the door and the floor, “I-I just love you so much, it’s fucking driving me crazy.” Stan laugh but there was no humor behind it.

Another long silence filled their small apartment before the door cracked open to where Richie’s face could peek through, “Did you just say you love me?”

Stan blushed slightly and sheepishly said, “Y-Yeah.”

The door opened fully and Richie smiled widely, “Oh my god, I love you too.”

Stan moved closer and kissed him. Richie giggled and leaned back causing Stan to fall on top on him.

“I love you, Richie Tozier.”

“And I love you, Stanley Uris.”

-

End.

I wrote in night and I’m lazy so like don’t come at me for grammar mistakes

Please give me feedback!

[bughead-is-riverdale]

Unplanned (Jughead x Reader)

Requested by anonymous: Could you do an x Reader where Jughead finds out his s/o is pregnant?

Summary: The reader has been in love with Jughead since the 7th grade, but recently he has only seen Betty Cooper. He only confesses his feelings for her after they both discover Betty is pregnant and the reader knows she cannot have him.

Approx. 1120 words

Lying wide awake in bed, you watched absent-mindedly as shadows from the trees outside your window danced across your bedroom wall. It was long past midnight and you knew that tomorrow you would probably be falling asleep in class, but an inescapable sinking feeling in your stomach prevented you from being able to relax. You couldn’t pinpoint the cause of your discomfort but you suspected that it might have something to do with Jughead. You had always been able to sense your best-friend’s moods even when you weren’t together, your friends used to joke that you were soul mates, but that was before he started dating Betty Cooper. You had always thought that you and Jughead would end up together, you had been in love with him since the 7th grade, and you had been waiting for him to realise his feelings ever since. Unfortunately, he had confessed his love to Betty instead. Even though it hurt, it was unsurprising really. Betty was practically perfect, she was a River Vixen, ran the school newspaper, and pretty much radiated beauty in everything she did. On the other hand, you were clumsy, had absolutely no sense of fashion, and radiated sarcasm instead. Initially, you hadn’t thought that Betty was Jughead’s type, but you soon realised that she was everyone’s type.

You were suddenly pulled from your thoughts by the sound of your bedroom window sliding upwards, the frame groaning slightly as it hadn’t been opened in a while. You caught your breath, the only person who had ever sneaked in through your window had been Jughead, but he hadn’t done it since he’d started dating Betty. Heart race quickening, you watched as a shadow appeared on your windowsill, climbing almost silently into your bedroom. You reached out in the darkness and grabbed the first thing on your beside table – which happened to be your hairbrush – and launched it towards the intruder, building up a scream in your throat.

“Ouch! God dammit Y/N! It’s me!” you heard a familiar voice whisper.

“Jughead? What the hell are you doing in my room you weirdo?” you replied, the surprise in your voice evident.

“I need to talk to you!”

“Couldn’t you have called? Or sent me a text? Instead of climbing through my window at 1am and nearly killing me with fright?” Despite your disapproving tone, you were secretly pleased to see him. You heard him chuckle but you could tell that his heart wasn’t in it. You began to fumble around in the darkness and finally switched on your lamp, the light revealing the raven-haired boy standing awkwardly beside your window, his black curls escaping from his grey beanie. You became consciously aware of the thin vest-top that was clinging to your torso, outlining the shape of your breasts, and hastily pulled the duvet around yourself. Jughead, however, didn’t seem to notice. In fact, his gaze seemed miles away. His green eyes were red-rimmed and framed with purple bags, and his mouth was turned down at the edges, his jaw set in an attempt not to cry. “Oh Juggie – ” your old nickname for him escaped your lips before you could stop it and you resisted the urge to throw your arms around him, reminding yourself that it was no longer your place to do so.

“It’s Betty –” he choked out. You hated yourself for the way your heart skipped a beat, had they broken up? Did you have him back?

“Did you guys break up?” you asked, almost hopefully. He shook his head slowly, biting his lip. You drew you eyebrows together in confusion, what could be worse to Jughead than them breaking up? “Oh my god, she didn’t cheat on you did she? Because if she did I swear to God I’m going to kill her!” you hissed.

“What? No! Of course not!” Jughead protested, his alarm was almost comical. After a moment’s hesitation he sat down next to you on the bed and, reaching out slowly, he entwined his fingers with yours.

“Juggie, whatever it is, you can tell me” you crooned reassuringly, gently smoothing down the collar of his jacket and brushing your knuckles of your free hand against his pale cheek, just like you always used to when he was upset. Leaning into your hand, Jughead took a deep breath before peering up at you, his green eyes shining as they met yours.

“Betty’s pregnant” he whispered, almost too quiet for you to hear. Your stomach dropped like a stone. If Betty was pregnant then Jughead and her would be tied together for the rest of their lives. Regardless of your own feelings, you didn’t want that for him. He would never be able to pursue his ambition in writing and move to New York, he would have to remain in Riverdale and live the ordinary life he had always detested. But you already knew that he would do the right thing.

“Does she want to keep the baby?” you asked.

“She doesn’t know yet, but I’ll support her no matter what.” He said, determinedly.

“I know” you tried to hide it, but you just sounded empty.

“That’s it? You’re not going to yell at me for not being careful?”

“I’m your friend Jughead, not your mother” you joked, but your heart wasn’t in it. You could tell he was about to lose his composure and so you shuffled forwards on the bed and wrapped your arms around him, sighing as his face nestled into your shoulder, and he hugged you back like you were the only thing in the world. You only wished that was true. You sat there in silent for a moment, just clutching each other, before Jughead pulled back and held your face in his hands and forced you to look up at him.

“I’m sorry” he whispered, “I’m sorry for ruining what we could have been. I know we have never explicitly spoken about it but I always thought –” You cut him off as you pressed your finger to his lips, you didn’t want to hear that you could have had him all along, it was too cruel.

“You have Betty, and she needs you. What we could have been is irrelevant. You need to go to her and forget about anything that you might think you feel for me, because it can’t happen.” He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable and he moved back towards the window and ducked through the frame. He looked back at you before he disappeared from view and you saw his eyes shining with tears and his lip quivering slightly, and your heart broke. What if?

TAGLIST: @kelly27crickett @cjhorseback @rory-is-in-ravenclaw@littlefearsdoodles @happyyjensen @dr-tardis-who

[ricky-najjar]

Cherry

October 2000

The smell of burnt pizza was almost toxic, combine that with the overuse of cologne and fear and you have high school . Ricky sat with his “clique” as always, Lizzie & Leah with the occasional drifters that would come and go in their friendship circle. This new guy today was named Chad, Brad? Something along those lines. Leah had been tagging him along in hopes they would become an item at some point. The whole time at lunch Ricky just stared at his frosted tips, they were horribly done. It seemed like the whole school was trying them out thanks to Dawson’s Creek and *NSYNC. Self - consciously, he touched his own dark locks. No, I can’t subject myself to that, no matter how cool Pacey Witter looked. He was thankful when Lizzie finally made her appearance, finally someone for him to talk to since Leah was occupied with --- Stephen? No Stephen was last month’s old news. “You’re smiling ear - to - ear again, did it finally happen?” She gave a smirk to her friend as she sat down to join them. Lizzie’s face flushed a bright pink, all she could do was nod to give her answer. They both squealed, causing anyone within five feet of them to cringe. “I’m sorry am I missing something?” Ricky took another bite of his cheese pizza before sitting it back down on his styrofoam plate. “Oh, it’s nothing … except Lizzie finally popped her cherry.” She gave her a hard smack for saying it out loud like that, the grin still not leaving her face. “And it was perfect!”  The room suddenly felt hot, the pizza in front of him looked less appealing than usual. “Now it’s Little Ricky’s turn.” They both giggled, he felt his face turn just as red as Lizzie’s was. “What do you think, Aaron? Maybe you can turn the duckling into a swan? Give him a little makeover.” That’s his name, Aaron. Lizzie leaned over and grabbed his glasses right off his face, tussling his hair to give it a more shaggy appearance. “And just like She’s All That, you instantly look hotter.” He snatched his glasses back and rolled his eyes. “I don’t need you all to help me get laid.”

“Contacts Ricky! Have you ever thought about them?!” Leah was driving about ten over the speed limit, trying to hit the mall and make it home just in time for a new episode of 7th Heaven. Right after the idea of a makeover at lunch, Leah and Lizzie ran with it. “You have so much potential and you’re choosing to dress like your mother helps you every morning!” The comment caused him to run his hands down his burgundy sweater, it was nice, it kept him warm --- and it was bought by his mother. “You both are being ridiculous, I think I look just fine!” Despite the pleas to turn around and head home for the night the trio went on to the mall. After a trip to an optometrist he has seen before and few outfits bought, they were finally in for the night. Lizzie insisted on staying to see him model some of the outfits they got. “So. What was it like, really?” He threw the last shirt he had off and relaxed on his bed, Lizzie sitting on his computer chair with her legs pulled up to her chest. “Honestly? Just when I was getting excited that it was finally happening - it was over.” She shrugged her shoulders a little, relaxing her body to the seat. “Don’t feel pressured by it, really. Forget what Leah says she’s a slut anyways.” Lizzie rolled her eyes and climbed into his bed, curling up underneath his comforter as she let out a yawn. “Can I sleepover? My parents were fighting this morning and I would rather not have to deal with it.” 

“Of course.”

Lizzie fell asleep almost instantly after that. Ricky quietly got out of his bed to check to see if his own parents were still up. Thankfully they always went to bed early. When he returned to his room he noticed that she was taking up the majority of the bed. With a sigh, he laid down on what little bit he could on the edge. She looked so peaceful when she slept, compared to the occasional fits of rage she would have. He couldn’t help but feel jealous, and slightly bad for her at the same time. What she showed to Leah earlier didn’t match up to what she was feeling, maybe it wasn’t that big of a deal at all. He wasn’t sure who the lucky guy was, nor was he sure he wanted to know. Something in his gut was making him wish it was him.

A few weeks later his contacts came in. They were tricky to put on at first, Ricky felt like he stabbed himself in the eyes multiple times when he put them on. When he looked at himself in the mirror, all he could think about was what Leah said about looking like you didn’t care about your appearance. He opted out of brushing his hair, instead he added a little bit of water to it and carried on with his morning. When he arrived at school he was met with a few questionable looks. Was this real life? He was usually invisible, how could a few new articles of clothes and contacts change the way he was perceived in the world? Were they really that vapid? Leah and Lizzie were waiting by his locker for the big reveal, both of their jaws dropping. “Ricky, you’re a babe!” Leah’s hand got a little too close to his ass when she tried to pinch it, his hand immediately hitting it back. “It’s still me! Was I hideous with those glasses on or something?!” Lizzie traced her hand down his new faux leather jacket and gave him a warm smile. “You never were, you just looked more… refined now.” As the three of them walked to their first class, Leah kept track on how many people were looking. It brought her a sick joy that she was able to pull something like this off it seemed like. 

“I counted ten, and that was with just us walking down the hallway. Imagine if we did this all day!” Leah cut herself off when she noticed Bethany Watson coming in the room. She looked down at Ricky, smiling in approval before sitting down in the front row of the classroom. Once again, his cheeks felt hot. “Don’t tell me you are still in love with her?” Lizzie scoffed as she opened her journal. “May I remind you, you turned her down after that Spring Fling in seventh grade. You had your chance, get over it.” Leah gave Lizzie a shove to shut her up, “It’s pathetic, but cute.” Ricky didn’t pay any attention to what they were arguing about afterwards. She was right that he turned her down. After the dance he had cold feet, she was just too perfect for him. After that he did everything in his power to avoid her. It wasn’t exactly easy when she won student body president and was all over the place. Throughout their first period she kept making eye contact, whispering to her friends, looking back. Ricky tried to ignore it but couldn’t, even when the teacher snapped at her to turn around. Lizzie through a wadded up piece of paper at his head, when he opened it up he rolled his eyes. “I do not need a napkin, thank you.” he whispered.

At the end of class, Bethany did her best to catch up with the three of them as they headed towards their lockers. “Ricky, you have a minute?” She asked him, but looked at the other two with a slight glare to know they were not welcomed. “You’re lucky, he has five!” Leah grabbed Lizzie’s arm, despite her best efforts she was forced to follow her away from the two. “So. History is hard.” She stifled a laugh, covering her face to cover the embarrassment she was trying to make it seem she was feeling. “I’m one bad paper away from making a B, and I cannot let that happen. What would Harvard think?!” Concern, her perfect eyebrows pulled together with her lower lip pouting out a tad. “If you want, you can give me your paper… I can edit it tonight for you.” Ricky wasn’t entirely oblivious, only when it came to matters dealing with the opposite sex. Beth gave him a small smile and grabbed his hand into hers. “I couldn’t turn in someone else’s work and call it mine. Why don’t you come over tonight, I can order some pizza?” Butterflies. He didn’t remember how he said it but he knew he gave her a yes.

Against Lizzie’s wishes, Ricky kept his promise and showed up at Bethany’s house that night. He was surprised that nobody else was home, surly her parents knew he was coming to help tutor her. She beat him to the punch answering the door, “You made it! I hope I didn’t steer you off in the wrong direction!” She was wearing silk pajamas, it was like he was going to some sort of slumber party instead. Meanwhile he was still wearing the jeans and light blue shirt from the day. “No no, the bus dropped me off about a couple of blocks from here. It was pretty straight forward after that.” He gave her a small smile as he walked in her house, admiring how nice it was instantly. Beth grabbed his hand and headed upstairs with him to her bedroom. It was perfectly clean, nothing out of place. She sprawled out on her bed and patted a spot for him to join. “Where’s the paper? We should get started before it’s too late.” He let out a nervous laugh as she sat back up and crossed her legs. “Listen. I’m making a 95 in that class, no real fear of failing the semester as of right now.” ohhhhhh…. Lizzie was right.

Their bodies were tangled together, clothes ripped off and thrown on different sides of the queen sized bed. Ricky kept his lips close to the nape of her neck as he softly kissed it. Bethany was getting bored, her eyes glued to the wall as this foreplay was going on for what felt like an eternity for her. “Ricky - Ricky…” She pulled off of him and sat the two of them up. “Is this your first time?” Her hand stroked his cheek as he looked away. “Oh my god - it is.” She grinned as she pushed him back down on the bed. 

Bethany was softly humming to herself as she brushed her hair in the mirror. Ricky reached over to grab his watch that he left on her nightstand. “I find you fascinating.” She broke her own silence and turned back to look at him. “Intelligent, even. I bet if you tried hard enough you could land a spot in Harvard.” She placed her brush down on her vanity and crawled back into bed with him. He wasn’t sure what to say or do, so he opted to just let her cling on to him. “We look good together.” She motioned for him to look back at her mirror at their reflection. What she saw was a couple, soaking in the bliss of spending the night together in the bedroom. Ricky saw himself covered in sweat, blotchy with red spots surrounding his face and chest. He thought it was best to not say that at the moment. “What’s keeping you from me? Is it Little Lizzie Robinson?” she snorted, feeling like she was humoring herself with that assumption. He looked away from their reflection, “Lizzie and I are just friends” he said with a minor annoyance in his tone. Bethany turned her back so she could face him, looking up at him under her long eyelashes “What does that make us then, just friends as well?” 

The next morning as Ricky headed to his locker he was stopped by Bethany, who wrapped herself around him and walked with him. Lizzie and Leah both were shocked when they saw them, Liz more or less upset than anything. As he put his backpack away Beth gave him a quick kiss, “I’ll see you in class.” The other girls stared at him after she left. “Well?” Leah broke the silence but before he could answer, the bell rang. 

Seating arrangements were changed, surprising everyone. Ricky was forced to stay in the back while Lizzie and Leah were forced to sit closer in the front in hopes they would “focus more”. As class went on Ricky was dying to tell them what happened so he scribbled them a note. When the teacher wasn’t looking he threw it and hit Lizzie directly in the head. She unraveled it, Ricky noticing how her body froze as she handed the note to Leah: No Cherry. When she turned back to see him he couldn’t help but gloat.

[deannachu]

First Meeting

Prompt: A 19 year old is meeting their father for the first time.

Challenge:  A Prompt a Day for November: I will be writing one prompt per day for the entirety of November. There aren't really any requirements or limits I've set for myself, but they will be at least 1000 words (I hope) each.

Just two hours prior, Hope thought she had enough problems to last her several lifetimes. Her first semester of her sophomore year of college had just started, and she already had about 100 total pages of reading to do, along with the miscellaneous History assignments and Biology labs thrown in for her last general education courses she was required to take. That, along with working part time waiting tables, had given her the start of what was sure to be the best migraine. She was keeping it managed, however, until she received a phone call from her younger sister, Ellie. When she answered the phone, she was driving back to her apartment, thinking of nothing but dark rooms, cozy blankets, and enough Tylenol to knock out a full-sized horse.

"Hey, sis, now's not really the best time," she answered in lieu of a proper greeting. Just three more minutes, she thought as she made a right turn at a stoplight, almost running over a couple of sorority sisters who decided to stop mid crosswalk to take a selfie. Idiots.

"I'll be quick," Ellie responded quickly, sounding not at all like her usual self. Hope narrowed her eyes at the display screen where it showed the phone call ongoing.

"Ellie, what's wrong?"

"Wrong?" she squeaked. "N-Nothing's wrong," she laughed nervously.

"Then why do you sound like you're about to give me bad news?" she inquired, silently cheering at seeing her apartment complex up ahead. Bed. Darkness. Tylenol. Bed. Darkness. Tylenol.

"It's not bad, per say..." There was a pause. "Dad'sComingToTheHouseThisWeekendWhenYouComeHomeAndHeWantsToMeetUs," she spit out very quickly.

Hope pulled into a parking spot, put the gear in park, and closed her eyes, taking one slow breath. Two. Three. She pinched the bridge of her nose and tried to think happy thoughts above the pounding in her brain. Her stomach twisted, both from nausea and now the anger of processing what her little sister just told her. "Ellie..."

"Just wait," she said suddenly, sounding frantic. "You at least owe it to him to meet him. He wants to see his two girls grown and get to know them, Hope."

"I did meet him, Elle," Hope spat, shocked at how much venom filled her tone. "I "met" him when I was born and, when I was two, he suddenly decided you and I were too much responsibility for him and he left because he's a coward."

"He didn't leave because of us-"

"BULLSHIT," Hope shouted, the throbbing in her head growing worse. "He left two days after you were born. He had given mom two little girls, just what he claimed he had always wanted, and once he finally had them he left. You and I have not had one birthday card, Christmas card, phone call, or visit from him since the day he left and now you're claiming that he's sorry and regrets leaving and finally wants to meet his daughters? Nice try, Ellie, but April Fools has already come and gone."

"Hope-"

"I've got a migraine. I need to go." Hope cut her sister off and ended the call, turning off her car and sitting there in the silence for a few moments. She closed her eyes and put her face in her hands, leaning against the steering wheel. The earliest (and probably only) memory she had of her father was her 2nd birthday party, just a few weeks before Ellie was born. She remembered bright lights and bright colors, the warmth of her mother's smile along with her bloated stomach, which she constantly rubbed absentmindedly. She remembers being in her father's arms as she opened a stuffed unicorn doll from a relative in the family. He had given her a snow globe with her favorite Disney princess inside - Aurora. It still sat on her bookshelf in her room with other Disney princess snow globes. Why do you want back in our lives now? she questioned silently.

A sharp knock on her window jolted her out of her stupor. She looked up quickly to see her roommate, Bailey, staring at her with a concerned look on her face. She opened the door and stepped out, looking up at her roommate. Despite being about 6 inches taller than her, Bailey was her best friend. They had known each other since junior high when Hope befriended her on the first day of 7th grade. They were both a little quirky, loving books and games instead of fashion and celebrities like most girls their age. Bailey's hair was long and fine, the color of dark chocolate with eyes to match, while Hope's bright blonde pixie cut and half shaved head contrasted beautifully. While Hope's mother and sister shared hazel eyes, she had dark green ones that she was told she inherited from her father.

"Are you alright?" Bailey asked, clearly concerned. Hope squinted her eyes and shook her head gently. "Migraine again?" She nodded. "Come on, let's go inside. No, I'll get your bag, just go inside and go to your room. I'll bring you some Tylenol and some tea."

"I don't know why you swear by hot tea," Hope grumbled. "It really doesn't do anything for me."

"That's because you don't drink enough of it," Bailey scoffed, rolling her eyes. She led Hope inside their brightly decorated apartment and steered her around a corner to her bedroom. One thing Hope had planned to do today was clean, as her room looked like a tornado had blown through it. Books were scattered everywhere, clothing draped every available surface, and stacks of games were laid atop her Xbox and her laptop next to her TV. Her sheets were still crumpled from this morning but the bed looked inviting nonetheless. She shook off her shoes, stripped to just a tshirt and her underwear, and slid underneath the covers, relishing the softness they provided her skin and her aching head. Her blinds were already sealed against the sunlight so aside from the light pouring in from the living room it was completely dark. She could feel the throbbing behind her eyes and desperately wished it to go away. She heard Bailey's soft steps towards her and opened her eyes, reaching for the pills she was being handed.

"These aren't regular Tylenol," Hope said quietly, looking at the slightly larger pills in her palm.

"It has a sleep aid in it as well," Bailey said, handing her a steaming cup of tea. She could smell peppermint wafting from the steam. "Sleep usually helps headaches. I don't have classes tomorrow, so I'll wake you up later and bring you dinner. You just sleep and get rid of your headache, okay?"

Hope's heart swelled. This is one of the reasons why they were best friends: they just understood each other. Hope popped the pills in her mouth and swallowed them down with a hot mouthful of tea. The two were quiet for a beat before she spoke, "Ellie called me to tell me that my dad wants to meet met his weekend."

Silence.

"But, your dad-"

"He left right after Ellie was born, when I was around 2 years old. We haven't heard from him since. Now, 17 years later he wants to reconcile things with us. Why?" Hope laid on her back and stared at the dark ceiling. "There has got to be some ulterior motive. No one stays basically missing for 17 years and then suddenly wants to reconnect with the daughters he left." She felt Bailey sit on the edge of her bed near her feet. "I just don't understand."

"I can't imagine what you're going through," she said softly. "But the only advice that I can think to give you is that you'll never figure out what he wants unless you let him speak. I'm not saying forgive him. I'm not saying welcome him back into your life. I'm saying just hear him out. You'll be with your sister and your mom, right? So it's not like you're meeting him by yourself in a public place." She shifted her weight, standing up. "I'm guessing he was the cause of this migraine?"

"Most of it. The other part was just the amount of homework I have," Hope grumbled, feeling her body relax and her eyes getting heavier as the medicine worked its way through her body.

"Is any of it due tomorrow?"

"Mmmm no," she replied. "It's all due next week."

"Then stay home from class tomorrow. You have off from work this weekend, right? Just take an extra day. Use it to mentally prepare yourself. Clean your room, play some games, do your homework."

"Yes mom," Hope replied sarcastically, earning a tinkled laugh from Bailey.

"Go to sleep, I'll wake you up later with food." Bailey closed the door and all was silent. Hope's mind wandered but she refused to think about her father. Maybe Bailey is right, she thought sleepily. Her headache had dulled to only a slight ache and she could feel sleep waiting to take her. I should probably hear him out before making assumptions.

--

The next day she took Bailey's advice and stayed in, e-mailing excuses about migraines and light/sound sensitivity to her professors. They all shot back e-mails wishing her to get better and attached any assignments or notes she would be missing that day. That was what she liked most about her professors: they were willing to help out when they could if students were sick or couldn't make it to class. She ignored her pile of homework, her many missed calls from her sister, and even a few missed calls from her mother. They both texted her back to back, reminding her about meeting their father the next day. Her mom tried to apologize for not calling her directly, as she thought if it came from Ellie it would sting a little less. A couple of times she found herself composing angry messages back to her mother about what she thought about her wanting to meet their father after 17 years, but every time she would backspace until all of the words were deleted. This wasn't something she could talk about through a text message or even a phone call. It had to be in person.

She was going to leave this evening to make the two hour drive home. She cleaned her bedroom and did loads of laundry to keep herself occupied. Cleaning, though not something she enjoyed doing all the time, could definitely be a stress reliever at times. She loaded the dishwasher and lightly cleaned her bathroom, organizing the mess of product bottles that lined her shower and her bathroom counter. Once it seemed like she had done all the cleaning she could do, she loaded up her Xbox and clicked on Netflix, watching more episodes of her favorite show to pass the time.

She had just polished off another season along with a mini frozen pizza and a glass of sweet tea when she noticed the time. She hopped up and hastily gathered the clothes and other things she was going to take home with her just as Bailey walked in the door.

"Shouldn't you already be on the road? It's after 5:00," she questioned, staring at her.

"I got a little too invested in my show and lost track of time," Hope admitted sheepishly. Bailey rolled her eyes and set her books on the counter. There were stress lines and bags under her eyes, perks of majoring in a medical field.

"Are you almost done? Can I help?"

Hope shook her head as she zipped her suitcase. "I'm finished." She grabbed her keys along with her purse, which contained her phone, charger, wallet, and miscellaneous snacks for the road. She hugged Bailey and grabbed her suitcase. "I'll let you know how it goes."

"You better," Bailey jokingly threatened.

--

The two hour drive home was uneventful aside from almost getting rear-ended a few times by people who were in too much of a rush down the highway. She listened to her go-to road trip playlist the entire drive which always gave her peace of mind. She pulled into her driveway a little after 7:30, right as the sun was setting below the horizon, giving the sky a nice pink hue. Her sister's and mother's cars sat in the driveway and she could see the two sitting on the couch watching TV. Well, her sister was looking down, glued to her cell phone, but her mother was focused on the show she was watching. She stepped out of her car and shut the door, opening the trunk to grab her suitcase. She saw her sister pop up from the couch and run to the door, throwing it open.

"HOPE'S HERE!" she yelled, sprinting down the walkway and slamming into her, all 5'8" of her.

"Ellie, that hug is a little tight," she wheezed, patting her sister on the back.

"Oops, sorry," she apologized, letting her go. "I'm just so happy you're here!" Her eyes searched Hope's face, looking for any sign that she was still mad about their conversation the day before. Finding none, she relaxed, taking hold of her suitcase. "Come on, mom's dying to see you."

"Like she didn't see me last weekend, or the weekend before that, or before that," Hope replied sarcastically, following her sister inside. The house was comfortable and small, with enough space for the three of them. Her mother was allergic to dogs so they never had pets growing up. People always said that Ellie resembled their mother more, but Hope inherited her mother's good eyebrows, her small chin, and her button nose. Her mother's face was lined with age but her smile and her eyes were kind. She pulled Hope into a hug and all of a sudden she relaxed into her embrace. She missed her mother, but enjoyed the freedom she had living in an apartment while going to school.

"Have you been eating well? Getting enough sleep?" her mother questioned after she pulled away.

"Yes mom, I am," she laughed. "Bailey makes sure I don't forget to eat."

"I knew I liked her," her mom quipped. She cleared her throat. "Lunch time tomorrow is when your father-"

"You mean your ex-husband," Hope responded, her tone turning cold.

"-is coming by," her mom finished, narrowing her eyes. "I understand you're mad, Hope, but you still need to respect me. I'm your mother."

"Oh, I respect you," Hope replied. "But not him. I will never respect a man who leaves his wife and young daughters." She turned away from her mother and took her suitcase to her old bedroom and closed the door. A few moments later she heard a knock. "Please leave me alone, Ellie. I'm tired."

"I just wanted to say something," came her muffled reply. She opened the door and came inside, standing with it cracked. "I know you're less than thrilled, but at least try. If not for me, then try for mom. Yes, this is going to be hard on you, Hope, but mom is seeing him for the first time in 17 years. The man who walked out on her. Cut her some slack."

Hope sat on the bed and sighed, rubbing her face, exhaustion creeping in. "Yeah, alright. I promise I'll try."

"Thanks, sis."

--

Hope woke up earlier than she wanted to and laid there, contemplating just getting back in her car and going back to campus. She felt anger, dread, and anxiety flow through her body. She could hear her mother in the kitchen and her sister listening to a song on her laptop, probably working on homework. Her sister always was a morning person, whereas Hope hated mornings. She was a night owl, through and through. She pulled herself out of bed and grabbed clothes from her bag along with her toiletries, heading to the shower. The warm water loosened her muscles and calmed her mind, if even for a brief moment. She dressed quickly, pulling on her softest and most worn tshirt and her most comfortable pair of shorts. She ran a bit of gel through her hair and blow dried it. She stared into the mirror swiped on a bit of mascara and lipstick, not caring about much else. She didn't want her father to think she had put effort into making herself look presentable for him.

She walked into the living room and sat on the couch, pulling out her phone.

Bailey: So how's meeting your father going?

Hope: He should be here any minute. I really don't want to be here.

Bailey: You got this, H. Text me after. xo

She put her phone down and flipped on the TV, not really paying attention to the channel it was on. Ellie sat beside her, looking tense and nervous.

"He just pulled into the driveway," she said quietly, squeezing her hand.

"Wonderful," she remarked, not making any effort to move.

"Let's go, mom wants both of us in the kitchen." Ellie got up and held out her hand, waiting for Hope to take it. She took a deep breath and grabbed her hand, standing up.

There was a knock at the door, then the sound of the it opening. "You look amazing, Allie," a man's voice came through the house.

"I could say the same about you, Richard," their mom replied. "Come in, the girls should be here in a second."

Ellie and Hope, hands held, made their way into the kitchen slowly, unsure at what they would find. The made it around the corner and Hope paused, letting go of Ellie's hand. The man standing before her posed a striking resemblance to her own looks. His hair had bits of silver woven through it, almost as if on purpose. He was taller than their mom, but not towering. His eyes were striking green, and there was a warm - but somewhat tense - smile on his face. This was her dad. Ellie's dad. The man who had given them life.

Hope clenched her fists, feeling all of the anger bubble to the surface. Her dad must have sensed this because he opened his mouth to speak. "Hope, I know you're angry-"

"I am not angry," she said calmly, though her body was shaking. "I am pissed off. You don't get to just come around after 17 years with little warning. I don't give a fuck-"

"Hope Elizabeth!" her mom yelled, shocked by her language. She ignored her.

"-if you came by wanting to give us money, to apologize, to make up for lost time. You lost that right when you went this long with no communication. So I'm going to ask you the one thing mom and Ellie won't because they want to be civil. What the hell do you want?"

A stunned silence filled the room. Her mom had her hand over her mouth and her sister looked like she wanted to cry.

Her father stood there a moment before crossing his arms. "Hope is right. I didn't come here simply to reconcile with my daughters. Or you, Allie."

"Then spit it out," Hope said.

He sighed before continuing. "I'm in quite a lot of trouble. Gambling trouble, I mean."

Hope laughed, one angry, bitter sound. "Of course. After 17 years, the only reason you'd come back to us is because of money. You don't miss mom. You don't miss Ellie; hell, I don't know why you would, she was only a baby when you left. But me... you had two whole years with me. Was I not enough to make you stay? Was Ellie? Was mom? You had a wife and two daughters who loved you. Yet you chose to walk out on us."

"Listen, young lady," her father said, his tone changing drastically. "Your mother and I were married. We signed an agreement that what we owned together we would share when we got married."

"Right, but that was null and void once you left," Hope yelled. "You left because you loved money and gambling more than us. I see that now. You didn't leave strictly because of us, but the fact that you had two mouths to feed really put a damper on your addiction, didn't it. So mom gave you a choice: your family or your addiction. And you chose your addiction." She felt tears roll down her cheeks and realized she was crying. But they weren't just tears of anger; there was an underlying pain too. She didn't realize how long she had wanted to say this to her father, how long she had had it pent up inside her.

Her father's mouth was in a thin line and Hope knew she had hit her mark. Her mom had sat down while she yelled and Ellie was rubbing her back, though Hope could feel that she was shaking.

"I want you to leave," Hope said quietly, her tone saturated with venom. She knew it was too good to be true.

"This is your mom's house-"

"I would also like you to leave," her mom finally spoke, glaring at her ex-husband. "I thought 17 years would be enough to make you change your ways. I thought you would have settled down and been a father to somebody's children since you couldn't be a father to your own. But I guess I did always have too high of hopes for you, Richard." She stood up and opened the door. "You will never get a cent from me, nor from your daughters. You can come back when you decide that your family is more important than your need for money and your addiction. But now, I would like to have lunch with my daughters."

Her father stared at her mother with his mouth slightly open before letting out a resigned sigh. He turned towards Ellie and Hope and started to say something, but decided against it when he realized they were both glaring at him with tears rolling down their cheeks. "Fine. I'll leave. But it was good to see you girls again. Ellie, you're the spitting image of your mother. Absolutely beautiful. And Hope..."

"What?" Hope snapped. She just wanted him to leave already so they could have peace and quiet.

"It was nice to see you again. You really turned into a strong and beautiful young woman." He stepped through the open door and left, her mom slamming it behind him. She stood there for a second, her palms pressed against the door, breathing heavily. Ellie pulled Hope into a hug, both sisters silently crying from the emotional encounter.

After a time, Ellie spoke up, "I'm sorry, mom. I thought it would be okay."

Their mom turned around and pulled both girls into a hug. Her face, surprisingly, was not wet with tears or contorted with anger like Hope thought. In fact, she looked happier and more peaceful than she had looked in years. "Your father being here, even for five minutes, just proved that we were better off without him in the end. I raised two strong, independent, beautiful young ladies on my own."

They broke apart, her mom kissing both of their cheeks before starting to make lunch. Hope went into the living room with Ellie and sat on the couch in the same spots as before.

"Are you upset I didn't try?" Hope asked, picking up her phone to call Bailey.

Ellie shook her head. "No; I'm glad one of us had the balls to yell at him. I'm proud of you." She smiled before turning on the television. Hope could smell chicken frying in the kitchen as she clicked to her contacts and dialed Bailey's number. She answered after two rings.

"So? How'd it go?" she asked. Hope could hear typing in the background and assumed she was doing homework.

"About a well as expected," she responded, absentmindedly watching some show about vampires that Ellie had settled on.

"Want to talk about it? I'm all ears."

"Sunday night, when I get home. But right now I'm just going to spend time with my family," she responded, smiling at her sister who mimicked throwing up.

"Sounds good. See you then, Hope."

"Yeah, see you then."

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #54

“girls are not supposed to fight dirty, never look a day past 30.”

have you ever witnessed a birth?   for humans, no, but cats, yes. do you buy eggnog around the holidays?   this was the first year i tried it.  fucking gross. do you know any one who lives in california?   no friends, but i mean i've "met" some people online who live there. have you ever been told you were a good writer?   that's one of the most common compliments i get. have you ever been on a farm?   yes.  ashley had a friend who lived at one. what are you listening to?   "girls" by marina and the diamonds.  i love her voice so much. are you one to take naps?   every day, yeah.  makes me feel lazy occasionally, but then i remind myself naps are good for you. did you ever have braces?   for too long, yes.  i had them so long that my bottom teeth went in too far; we couldn't afford to take them out.  thank god they're gone now. how often do you drink monster?   never.  i don't like it. are you easy to get along with?    if you're understanding, then i honestly think i am.  i'm very tolerant of different people and try to keep my mind open.  i'm just going to be quiet. is there someone you want to let go of?   yes and no.  i feel both emotions towards jason. who was the last person to have to deal with you having an attitude?   my mother, i'm sure. have you ever suspected anyone of cheating on you?   nope. does your bedroom door lock?   yeah. the last time you washed your hair, did you use conditioner?   i never use conditioner.  it adds oil back into your hair. has your partner ever accused you of cheating when you actually didn’t?   no. how old were you when you had your first kiss?   the first time a boy kissed me, i think i was 15?  first time i kissed a boy, i was 16, i think. if I handed you a concert ticket right now, who would you want to be the performer?    metallica, please! would you ever get into a long distance relationship?   i mean i guess if i really liked the person. for your birthday, what kind of cake do you ask for?   doughnut cake from annie's. would you rather carve pumpkins or wrap presents?    carve pumpkins! do you believe in fairies?   nope. if you were given the chance to be immortal, would you take it?   NO. what are you tired of people telling you?   that shit will get better.  you don't know that.  some people don't get happy endings, that's just life. do you have a little sister? what’s her name?    nicole, yes. when you graduate, what color will your gown be?   when i graduated, it was an ugly red. when you were a baby, did you have a favorite blanket?   yes.  it had baby animals all over it. have you ever gotten detention?   yes, for too many tardies. why do you hate your ex?   who says i hate him? do you like the color orange?   yup. whose hoodie did you wear last?   my own.  it has pikachu sleeping on it and says "current mood."  it's super cute. do you think that you’re good enough for the one you like?   if i'm being rational, yes.  if i let my depression and whatnot make the decision, no. what was the last game you won?   probably a replay of a "silent hill" game. what is your favorite thing about concerts?   THE HYPE.  the sheer excitement of everyone enjoying music is otherworldly. what is the last album you listened to all the way through?   ozzy's "black rain" i think. what is an unpopular opinion that you have?   abortion is murder, period. do you prefer space, nude, architecture, or nature photographs?   nature what was the last concert you went to?   one and only concert i've ever been to was alice cooper. describe your wallet:   it's red, black, and white with multiple artworks of harley quinn. describe your tattoos:   my first was a semicolon butterfly.  second was "perfectly flawed" (reference to an otep song).  third was "ohana" and half of a heart. describe your piercings:   two in each earlobe, right tragus, left cartilage, right side of nose. what do you like most about your body?   uhhhh.  i am not fond of my body.  i guess i like my slim wrists and long, slim fingers. how many fillings do you have?   hell if i know. describe your fashion:   if i had the money (and permission from my mother, as she buys my clothes, rip) i would absolutely dress gothic.  it's my aesthetic, big time.  gothic clothes just tend to be very expensive.  i also love graphic tees, and in general tend to look geekish. do you wear a watch?   nope. are you a vegetarian?   no. do you think meat is murder?   i mean, technically, yeah, but at the same time, i don't think it's wrong. your view on drinking:   do it responsibly, and we're fine. your view on pornography:   fucking gross. your view on pre-marital sex:   i really don't know anymore??  i was and i guess i still am abstinent, but i question it.  like the main reason i'm abstinent is because of religious reasons, but after all, half the old testament was forgiven by jesus' coming, yada yada yada, it may not even be "wrong" anymore.  besides that, i just really, really love(d) jason.  now i'm going to regret for the rest of my life the fact i didn't let him fully get to know me in every way possible.  if he, by some god-given miracle, comes back, i'm leaving my abstinence at my feet.  whether it's wrong or right.  because i'll sin for that man. have you ever slept in a water bed?   yeah. how do you feel about having sex during your menstrual period?   i personally wouldn't.  sounds messy. how do you feel about anal sex?   ew. does your ex have a job?    yup. share 3 nice memories you have of the person you fell hardest for.   OH MY GOD, only three?  i'll try to narrow it down to the best, this may take awhile.  1.) dancing in the headlights of his car in my front yard to "stairway to heaven"  2.) me storming into his kitchen to playfully tell him off, only to slide on the floor and land on my ass; we laughed/sobbed for like ten minutes  3.) us lying on his floor, binge-watching "supernatural" while he was moving into his new room, and it ended in him seeing me naked for the first time and still treating me like i was beautiful. tell me about the person you had your first kiss with. how do you feel about that person now?   you want a novel, fam? how old were you when you entered your first relationship?   idk the age, i just know i was in the 7th grade. are there any songs you can’t listen to because they remind you of someone/something?   yup. do you have a tumblr crush?   nah. have you ever found yourself worrying about commitment?   no, and though i don't judge people who do worry about commitment (jason was at the beginning of our relationship when i asked him what his biggest fear was), i don't understand it.  like... it's not a hard concept.  don't commit, ex. get married to a person, if you see any potential issue. has anyone of the opposite sex seen you at your worst?   yep. would you live with someone without marrying them first?   i have before, and i'd do it again. do you believe your most recent ex still thinks about you?   i honestly don't know.  it'd be nice, but i don't know if he truly does. have you ever kissed someone while they were driving?   jesus christ do i want to die? what would you do if your best friend went after your ex the day after you split?   LMAAOOOOOO DON'T. have you ever self harmed?   yup. do you have a birthmark? if so, where?   actually no, i think. were your parents married when you were born?   yeah. when you need to vent, who do you turn to?   mom, usually. do you get a lot of tourists in the area where you live? if so, are there more tourists during a particular time of the year?   i don't think i've EVER seen someone obviously a tourist here, because this part of north carolina ain't shit??? what's the strangest or most interesting compliment you've ever received?   hm, not entirely sure. when you're upset, do you tend to make rash decisions?   YUP. do you prefer to shop online or in an actual store, and why?   online, definitely.  i just tend to find more variety. do you enjoy watching vlogs? if so, are there any specific people or topics you enjoy watching in particular?   yeah, they're all right.  like when pokemon go came out, i particularly got interested in three vlogers of the subject (trainer tips, ali-a, and lachlan).  pretty sure there are other vlogers i watch occasionally, i'm not sure... what was the last new video game you were excited about?   THE LAST GUARDIAN OMG what band/singer do you listen to the most?   i mean it really does depend on my mood and if i've discovered a new artist or not. what’s your favorite quote?   i have SO MANY.  i guess i can pick one that applies most/means most to me, though: "harleen, what did he tell you?" "he said he loved me" from suicide squad.  i nearly broke down in the theater when she said that 'cuz if that ain't me like holy shit.  a very simple quote, but it carries SO MUCH WEIGHT. have you ever dated someone that was a different race than you?   for less than a day, if you even count him. how old is your best friend?   21. do you like writing papers for english classes?   i honestly didn't mind it.  give me a subject, and i can usually write, hunny. don’t edited versions of songs annoy you?   they tend to, yes. if your ex suddenly kissed you right now, what would you do?   without saying a word to me?  i'd either a.) slap him or b.) grab his face and kiss him back.  lmao i know, totally opposite ends of the spectrum, but.  i really don't know which would come first. is your best friend dating anyone?   she's married. do you like lady gaga or does she try too hard?   as a person, she's wildly unique, which i have great respect for.  as an artist, i, surprisingly, like a couple of her songs. where did you last wear a bathing suit?   the beach. have you ever dressed unlike yourself to impress a guy?   i've said this before in another survey: is that not prom?  it's not like i'd go everyday in a big, extravagant dress.  the other day as well, i didn't dress unlike myself, but i seriously did it up because i thought i'd be "running into" jason, so. if you were offered to smoke some weed right now would you accept?   idk, probably not. have you ever done something outrageously dumb?   sure have. have you ever changed clothes in a vehicle?   yep. do you go to the mall on friday nights?   no, because i don't want to get shot. do you listen to country music?   only when i'm with colleen. who is your best guy friend?   my only two guy friends period are really sam and girt, and i don't want to pick between them. have you ever had a boyfriend your parents didn’t like?   no. do you shave your legs?   yeah.  i personally would feel too self-conscious revealing my legs if they weren't shaved. has a boy ever spent the night at your house?   plenty of times. who was the last person to sleep over?   chelsea. do you forward the chain letters in your email?   absolutely not. are you on birth control?   yes, but only for my period cramps. do your parents use social media? if so, which ones?   my mom has a facebook. do you and your last ex hate each other?   after that "yeah, no" the other day, pretty sure he hates me.  there's no way in hell i could ever hate him. have you ever made out for more than a half hour straight?   longer than that. do you collect anything?   meerkat stuff.  silent hill merchandise.  band stuff.  jaybird feathers. do you have any nieces or nephews? describe them.   aubree is very lively, but can be shy.  she loves minnie mouse and dory.  ryder is just a baby, so doesn't have much of a personality, really.  at least that i can detect. when was the last time you were sick?   now, actually.  my throat is killing me. can you handle a lot of drama?   NO NO NO NO NO. when you were a kid, was there a boy/girl that you said you were going to marry?   nope.  i didn't even want to marry as a kid. have you ever had a significant other with a mental disorder?   not to my knowledge.  i mean jason had low self-esteem, but he was not mentally ill. are flea markets trashy?   in general, no.  any store though can be trashy.  but generally, no, they're great.  you can find great deals. when you get nervous, does it show physically (i.e shaky hands)?   yes.  i sweat, i quiver, i play with my hands... tell me one unique quality about your own handwriting.   it's a mix of cursive and print. when was the last time you were pissed beyond belief and why?   when colleen implied i wasn't trying hard enough in regards to my depression, anxiety, etc.  i nearly walked out her door. what qualities of yours do you think could potentially harm a relationship?   well i mean apparently being mentally ill is a fucking issue.  like i can help it. what sort of conditions do you require in order for you to fall asleep?   have the fan on (usually), have the television on but on silent. do you have a favorite punk band?   green day for sure. as far as relationships go, what are your biggest deal-breakers?   having kids already, doing drugs, drinking excessively... i've got a number. what’s your favorite mythical being?   dragons if you’re a girl, what’s your bra size?   d-something will you go to your senior prom?   i already did. do you make fun of people who play magic: the gathering or yu-gi-oh! cards?   i've never understood this shit, like, why ridicule someone for enjoying cards?  are we as humans truly that petty?  besides that, magic is like jason's biggest passion, so i'd be making fun of him if i had an issue with it.  he got me to play it occasionally, too, and it's kinda fun.  just damn, this question's got me irritated.  who the fuck has a problem with cards. got a lot of deep, depressing poetry and artwork stashed?   don't find my dA pls ever attempted suicide or self-mutilated yourself?   yeah. what’s the last movie you rented?   "blaire witch" has anyone ever hacked your accounts before?    i allowed my former best friend megan to hack my old youtube once and she allowed me to hack hers so we could put one of those lovey-dubby letters on each other's pages, ha.  have i ever been seriously hacked, no. what was the last thing you ordered online?   a shirt and flip-flops from hottopic where did your last kiss take place?   at my house, odds are, from jason dropping me off. do you reveal a lot about yourself online? are you careful about not revealing too much? would you say you reveal more about yourself than others seem to do?   i do, and i mean i'm cautious with some things, like i won't share my last name, address, stuff like that.  i'd say i reveal just about as much as the other survey takers i read. if you're interested in fashion, what inspires your style most? do you look to celebrities or other famous people for inspiration?   i'm not interested in fashion at all.  i don't care what's "in" and whatnot, i just wear either what is comfortable or i find aesthetically pleasing. is there anything you feel pressured to do by a certain age (i.e. get married)?   honestly?  yeah.  society and family history makes me think i should either already be married or get so within the next like five years and have kids before 30. have you ever lived in a mobile home?   no. friend asks you to hide drugs, booze etc for them, do you do it?   no, honestly. animal you like to watch but sort of creeps you out?   i like watching large spiders.  emphasis on "watching." have you ever been to an open casket wake or funeral?   yup. scariest driver you’ve ridden with?   my dad that one day he was really pissed off, picking nicole and i up from school.  i legitimately thought i was going to die.  he was running red lights, passing illegally... have you/do you plan to go to college?   i am in college, but i am sincerely contemplating dropping out.  things aren't going well. have you ever dated someone named kyle?   no, but i had a crush on a kyle in high school. do you think greasy hair is a turn off?   it's definitely not a turn on.  in interest of my significant other's health, i'd want you to take a shower if your hair was greasy. your computer crashes, deletes EVERYTHING, can you survive?   lmao pls don't tell me about the last time you had sex?   i've never had sex, just done sexual things.  it's been over a year since i've "done anything" though, so i couldn't tell you about the last time. what is your biggest mistake in life?   letting my depression literally consume me to the point it made the love of my fucking life fall out of love with me. what was the last thing you drank?   some strawberry fruit juice.

[narrownarrative]

Family Is Everything

Section 2

Edward Peverell; 6:13 am; January 4th, 2017; Lincoln City Station

Questioning goes on till the morning sun is high overhead and birds start their day at work.

“Edward”

Snapping back to the officer (I learned their name as officer Whitman around 3 am or so) reflex to my own name.

“ Edward, your mother is here to pick you up”, it feels odd. They called my mother. I've been an adult for a few years now as a twenty-three-year-old. Following down a busy hallway full of bustling police and witnesses like me before stopping at the entrance to the main office. Straight in front of a modern-looking glass doors but lined with old wood paneling you would expect from old distant great-uncle, my mother was waiting. 

My mother with a thick golden halo of curls frames the soft heart shaped face, passed down to me, and rosy cheeks slathered with light freckles. Cupids bow lips, also given to me, surround a soft-spoken voice and a sparkle of life in her lungs. Hands were perfectly manicured (the only thing I've ever seen her do so religiously) in constant pink and white french tips and a marred, golden wedding band. I'm not sure where she had acquired the band and why. I always wondered as mother had never married. Past her was the dark blue, inconspicuous Audi.

“Oh Edward”, she choked out. Mother proceeding to smother me an embrace of family love.

“Hello mother”, my voice muffled by her hair.

“Come Eddie”

I hate when she calls me that. James used to call me that when we were young. James my brother, that is. Ducking my head and further hunching down my shoulders, I lift up my left leg and after, my other. The worn, tan leather seats strained and creaked as I lowered myself upon them.

“They said you were not a suspect”, her tone so matter-of-fact, so unlike her. Was there was something wrong? Did she suspect me involved? She's wearing a weird look and using a delicate tone. Like I am getting picked up from the office, from the nurse in school again, crying my eyes out. As is I would crack with the slightest harshness. As if I was a porcelain doll.

Turning my head Carrie Caldwell is being taken out of a police car, cuffed at the wrist and head hug. I always disliked Mr. Caldwell his watery, clear squinted eyes and sweaty, putty figure has always put me off. (Reminded me of Peter Pettigrew from Harry Potter. Not the kind of person you should trust) His odd twitching only contributed to the downtrodden but, seemingly distrustful impression. A familiar band around his pudgy, short fingers caught my eye. It was identical to the one mother has! How did he possibly have an exact match of my mother's mysterious wedding band? Could just be a coincidence, my have just been mass-produced.

Turning,“Mother Mr.Caldwell has the same ring as you?” she took a sharp breath, shoulders tight and gave a horse smile. In a second it passed and she was once again soft and gentle, rounded and curved with a small almost sad smile.

“How interesting, I wonder why?”

No, you don't. Blue and green trees and cars obstructing my view of the Columbia but, we were by the 7th Fred Meyer already so we could only be 10 minutes away from our house. Sure enough the clock strikes and we are pulling up this short, steep gravel driveway into a small cottage community. The sign of the Blind Onion Pizza restaurant (we went to lunch with James third grade teacher there once) and the honey yellow, cute Sunnyville Market sign visible over our landlords pale, blue rectangle Cottage surrounded by young granny smith apple trees barely bloomed. Like little clouds together protecting and watching, falling gently in the breeze. To the right of our own the Bumblebee yellow cottage was a metal, rusted trailer hooked up to nothing. Our own little home was surrounded by gold and ruby tulips, to the right is our community yard. It could be seen ways away. Millions of tiny stalks of corn and wheat sprouted up. Years ago when were all small Tom, James, and I were to running though, unable to see over the heads. As I turn back, mother is now turning the rusted brass knob on the dark purple door. The grass green walls bring simple, silent sadness rather than the sharp hurt I expected. You see in the past Tom was our neighbor as well as Mr. Caldwell and his son, Hadrian. We had all painted our interior walls the same shades of moss green. Mr. Caldwell had never appreciated this or any other shenanigans we have come up with. My own mother Andy had at first as well but, she liked the fact that Mr. Caldwell did not. Settling down on the lumpy, multi color thread love seat my maternal grandfather was dearly loved I am called.

“Hey Eddie”, his tone teasing. Standing in the doorway was my brother Captain. Well… James Morgan Bay but, we called him Captain. From when we were children, we had made up a game about pirates revolving around a scary story my cousin told  me. (I, of course reiterated said tale to Cap, Tom, and Harry) Looking at a much bigger but still bubbly James, I'm greeted by the 6-foot 200-pound brick wall that was my little 17 year old brother. Or, well,  half-brother. As it's quite obvious. His pin straight, chocolate brown bed head to my wheat coloured, curled catastrophe and his heavy lidded sunken, honey eyes are widely regarded quite lovely while my own pale, moss green eyes don't quite compare. His lips, narrow and cracked, allow for his squared jaw to standout. While mine only soften the heart shaped, dimpled structure, with a prominent Cupid's bow and full but cracked lips, completely washing out the freckled, scarred, angular cheeks my mother had once thought quite cute. My mother still thinks James doughy, clear, pink cheeks the epitome of perfection. The only similarity between us is our height, coloration, and hands. Both of us are 6 foot, but I am much more willowed and gangly than James has ever been. Taking after our fathers rather than our mother we both are more copper than our mothers rosy porcelain but, we do have our mothers elegant, calloused hands. Though mine are ink stained from years of pursuing a career in art, only to join the Air Force. Scarred as well. My brother has one thin miniature knife scar from peeling carrots and being distracted by his our bubbly, booming, animated voice, while mine are blanketed in years of layered clumsiness, fights, accidents, not caring, and a supposedly “bad” habit of trying to raise wild animals. They were hurt though! So that justifies all. Of course James wouldn't agree. Which is probably why his only pet is a rock with googly eyes. He named it “Rocky”. He was 16.

“Have you heard?” Clear and mournful.

“Heard what?” With eyebrows narrowed in confusion, I ask.

Caps lips thinned and eyes hard, making them appear sharp and black.

“Caldwell has been arrested for tom's murder. Rightful so” his fists were balled, tears welled up a self righteous streak of light settled in his eyes, as though he was born for the look. His breathing hitched, making me suddenly realize he was going to cry. Oh god. Of course he's going to cry, toms his best friend. Pushing from my comfort, I brave across the room stiffly, cautiously wrapping my arms around him pulling Jamie close. Despite what Cap said Mr. Caldwell murdering Tom didn't add up. It didn't set right. He had never given sign of hate or even dislike. Any indication of a motive was not present. There was no money or hatred, he even had encouraged his son, Hadrian, and Thomas to date. Why would he do such a horrendous act? How did the police find out?

Gasping, “The footprints!”

“What?”

Oops. Said that out loud. Grimacing, I divert my eyes to Richard, a hanging ivy plant in the hallway.

Wiping away tears, “What do you mean footprints?” James asks.

“When I was there I -”

“You were there!?” He screeched.

Glaring, “Yes, now don’t scream in my ear” rubbing it. Taking a deep breath. Sighing.

“Yes. While I was out I was just passing by -”

“Sure you were”, with a fond smile and sad eyes.

Blushing, just a tad, I continue, “While I was by the Osborn Laboratories”, I start.

Immediately James gives a disappointing, almost hurtful sigh and shake of his head. His hair softly bouncing.

Sharply intaking, “I heard a yell” I continue, “it had been Tom”. Breathing quickly but sporadically hitching, with welled, blurred vision. “I found him, he - there was so much blood”, my voice squeaking, I recalled every detail I had found.“God, there wasn't a mark on him”. Everything is clouded. “I saw footprint in all of it, covering the entire flooring. It went to the door, to the hall but”, eyes on the stained, carpeted floor, “they just stopped”, my brows furrowing. That looked odd, like -

“What?” Confusion evident in Cap’s voice.

“Where did this stain come from?”

“I don't know but. It kinda looks like -”

“Blood” I finish, deep and final.

“C'mon”

Following James, I purposefully stepping over the stain. Entering through the doorway, indented with pencil markings of out heights. From three to when I left home a few years ago.

With a half smile,

“Just as messy as usual” I say with a soft huff of a chuckle.

The yellow light of early morning slates through his broken and bent plastic Crete coloured blinds onto the worn, wooden wicket bed. Covered by hand knitted brown and maroon Blanket throws and ruffled, fluffed feather pillows. Directly to the left, pushed against his golden walls that were covered with posters of planets, blueberries, and a particularly large periodic table was a light brown Douglas Fir writing desk. The one he had left. On the desk, Cap was grabbing his test kit from the same science club he met Tom at.

“So you do this and I'll go and find Mr. Caldwell's shoes?”

“Alright, as long as you bring them back”, He responded immediately.

“ Of course”, I comply softly.

Turning back I rushed out the door, straight to the window of Mr. Caldwell's bedroom. Reaching my fingertips I start slowly placing force onto the sides of the screen. Pop! The screen goes loudly falling off, clashing to the dark hardwood floor. A bout of anxiety hits me as I begin to start up. Embarrassedly, straining I pull myself up and over the molded, antique white window seal. Crouching at my knees and rolling into my heels, allowing me to fall softly. Looking around I immediately find a quite dirty version of the same shoes my mother owns. Chuckling I realize they wear the same size. Pulling them up between my forefingers, i am hit by a small bout of remembrance. Running past his unmade bed and scattered dirted dishes I (attempt to) leap through the window. Stumbling, I regain my balance and run over the gravel path to our own cottage. Taking in the shoes, they were clean. Well, obviously they haven't been in a while but there's no blood. Running past the kitchen to the short hall I burst into our room.

“Why Edward?” was quietly asked as soon as I entered. The door still swinging.

“What is it?” I ask in confusion.

Hunched over the desk, shoulders tense at work (or was he crying?) as words of his own discoveries slip out.

“It’s Tom's blood!” Sweeping his arms across the face causing them to crash into the carpets, swiveling around .

“Edward. What did you do?”

“What you think you think I did this? To Tom!” and just as quickly he strongly states his response.

“I do not know what to believe the only other person who could have possibly... the only person who could have possibly was mom”, he trailed off. His voice losing its edge. (Edgy™)

“Why don't I just go and ask her”, humoring him.

“No!” Only a sliver of panic gleemed.

But I was already out the door.

“Mom!” I call searching the house.

“Sweetie?”She says, appearing behind me.

“I was wondering if you knew anything about what happened to Tom?”

Expecting a cheerful hugs and asking about my feelings instead I got, well not that.

“Honey you shouldn't have asked that”, a cold, metal barrel pressed against my cheek.

“Now darling you can't tell anyone, okay?”

“Promise you won't tell anyone”.

I can't help but stutter, “Al- all r-r-right-t”, what was I to do? Bang!

“Put your hands up!” it was the same blue clad officer who took me as a witness before. “Lower your weapon!”

Later that night I talked to James again...

He called as soon as I left.