#both my friends homeschool and i cant hang out with them on one of the few good days of the year

[sansxfuckyou]

this world exists just to spite me

[skittleghosts]

Helloooo I really really really really loved your luffy SM AU and I was wondering if I could ask one for shanks with ( writing for soulmate ) and I am sucker for angst can it be angst but with a happy ending , like f reader thinks she isnt good enough for shanks so she decides she wouldn't meet him but both end up falling in love through messaging and then they meet one day by accident and-...... I should stop here 😂😂

Thank you so much of u made it 💕💕💕

Also is it ok if I request again cause I love SM AUs so much and i cant find alot of them and i have so many ideas ?

Oh hun you don’t understand how much this made my night hehehe thank you so much for enjoying it, I was really insecure about uploading it (;´༎ຶٹ༎ຶ`). I’m a sucker for angst so I’ll try to absolutely destroy your heart right now with a passion (●’◡’●)ﾉ

And YES, of course you can request again there’s no restriction on how many times you can request hun, the more you do the more I’ll be happy to write for you( ˘ ³˘)♥︎ 

TW: self hate.

WC: 1711

ANGST

PART 2

Shanks x reader

You're in love and a crowd. That sums up the kind of person you are.

As a kid you lived a quiet life with your aunt at the outskirts of town. Your aunt was known as the town ghost simply because she’s a mute and didn’t have any friends or family expect for you to call her own.

Growing up, the house was always quiet. You did homeschooling instead of going to the local school because of the severe verbal and physical bullying you went through at your first year of elementary school. Your aunt noticed quickly and took you out and taught you herself not wishing for you to go through life the same steps as her.

However there was still some lasting affects from all the name calling from both the teachers and students and the fear of being touched again since the boys would kick you and the girls will tear your hair and clothes apart singing that's what you get for living with the ghost.

You didn’t understand why is everyone so hateful towards your aunt, when she has never even hurt a fly but you didn't think too much into it, ignoring them and just happy to be out from that nightmare.

Not having friends wasn't a problem since you learned quick how ruthless people can be, your aunt is all you needed, even if she was mostly at the beach staring endlessly at the sea awaiting for something to happen or someone to come. You still secretly wondered what's her tale.

When she's at home she would cook up the meals for the day and feed you than spent some time teaching you how to read and write, it was difficult at the beginning since she's a mute but everything went by smoothly once you got the hang of it. Once you're done with your studies she would then hand you a book to kill some time. It wasn’t much to some people however for you that’s home and it’s comfortable.

Later as years went by with the same routine, your aunt fell sick. It wasn’t serious at first but soon later she was bedridden. The town’s doctors refused to see her even when you and your aunt had enough money for emergencies, they kept repeating how this is what she deserved and it’s about time she become a real ghost.

It absolutely devastated your heart at the age of 15 not seeing how can someone still stay cruel to a dying woman. You then decided to pick up medical books, willing to learn how to cure your aunt. Hours and hours spent on learning, taking care of her and making medicine yourself for her.

Things started to get better, your aunt never looked more healthy. She even started eating more solid food without puking. You felt like all your hard work has finally payed off, she’ll soon be able to start walking again. You smiled at the thought.

Later that night you cried while you lay in bed grateful the worse didn’t come to pass.

Sniffing and wiping away your tears, you felt your arm’s tingle. Looking down at it, you saw something getting written. At first you thought your eyes were playing tricks on you, using tears to make you see unusual illusions, however once you saw what’s written you freaked out.

“Are you there?”

You scratched your left arm trying to get rid of whatever this is, completely not understanding what’s happening to you. Was it actual ghosts communicating with you? Countless of thoughts horrific than the last one crawled into your mind like bugs.

Seeing as the scratching did not work and all it left was a bloodied arm you hurried over to your aunt’s room just across the hall from yours. “Aunt Han! Aunt Han!” You know disturbing her sleep was rude especially to a women that’s still trying to recover, yet you couldn’t stop panicking.

Tears streamed down your face as you rushed towards your aunt. She woke up with a start, hearing you yell in the middle of the night came the worse to mind and it’s an intruder in the house.

It was proven that wasn’t the case when she saw you shoving your arm to her face. “Look! I don’t know what’s happening to me!” You cried out, hoping that whatever it was it wasn’t something deadly. You can’t die now when you are so close at saving your aunt.

Once your aunt has realized what’s happening fear flashed her eyes but she quickly neutralized her face.

Moving her hand to signal she said. “Don’t ever answer back.” You looked at her confused. That’s not the answer you were looking for and it just made you curious as to why she would say that to you. “Am I gonna die if I do?” You asked.

“No.” She signed. You wanted more answers but there’s an unspoken rule in this house. You don’t question everything she does and say, you just listen because that’s what’s best for you. You nodded your head, letting go of the matter.

After that night your aunt has turned cold.

She would constantly get anger at you for the simplest thing such as not putting enough salt in her soup even if there was enough of it. Throwing anything you gave her like gifts, blankets, plates on the floor. Throwing a tantrum every time you entered the room.

Cursing at you through sign language and calling you all types of heinous words that cut deep into your heart, bringing back that little girl in first grade.

You pushed pass her aggressive attitude to try and still cure her but with all that’s been happening your aunt is putting stress onto her body by all the screaming so she keeps getting worse by the day.

You didn’t understand why this was happening but you know for sure that it all started after you showed her your arm. So you kept it covered, afraid that it will trigger something more from your aunt.

Even when you felt the familiar tingling everyday on your arm. You kept repeating what your aunt said. ‘Don’t ever answer back.’ So you ignored it.

After 4 years of verbal abuse. Your aunt passes away. It happened during a bath you were giving her, you noticed how quiet she'd been and when you looked up it hit you that her time came. The emotions going through you that day was unexpected. You felt sad, relieved, and angry.

Angry at what? You weren’t sure it was a first for you but you knew you were so angry it overpowered your grief for losing your only family.

A year later you decided to finally unwrap your clothe around your arm. It was empty. Nothing new written today on your arms.

You went to the towns bookshop to get a book that could explain what's happening to your arm. On your way there, nothing changed, the town people still treated you like dirt. Because of this you started feeling disgusted by yourself.

You didn't like how people looked at you it was disgusting. You didn't like how they talked to you it was disgusting. How they tried to touch you or pass by you it was disgusting. Everything felt gross, you felt gross about your own skin.

Walking down the streets you heard the usual insults people throw at you and the looks they glare your way.

Nothing new.

Once you reached the bookshop there was a new worker that day. She was the first person to ever be nice to you, so you tried your luck and asked her if she knew anything about the writing on your arm.

She looked shocked, “You don’t know about soulmates?” Confused you told her no you never heard of that term before. She explained it briefly to you on how people around the world are born with soulmates and they communicate with each other through writing anywhere around their body.

You were astonished.

Such a blissful thing exist and you didn’t know about it.

No.

Your aunt didn’t want you to know.

You went home with two books that further explains the concept of soulmates. Before starting on the books, you went to shower, aggressively scrubbing your skin to the point where it's so sensitive to touch. You then washed your hair with the same roughness causing hair loss.

After dressing up neatly for bed, you took one of the books and started reading late at night with only a single candle lighting up. You felt the same tingling sensation on your arms.

You immediately lifted your arm up to see what’s written there.

‘We’re having another bonfire party tonight, got tons of drinks and lots of meat :)’

A party? You thought. You’ve never been to one since no one bothered to invite you but your so called soulmate seems to be going to ones a lot since it was his second party.

You took your pen from your stand and wrote back on your arm. ‘That sounds lovely.'

You expected an immediate response but nothing came in. Confused, you wondered if how you did it was wrong.

Then there it is, another writing appearing. ‘So you finally answered.' Somehow that statement got you blushing in embarrassment. ‘Sorry’ you replied truly guilty for not answering back all those years and also for answering when your aunt has told you not to.

You two spent the night getting to know one another. You learned his name which is shanks and how he’s a captain of the Red Hair pirates. Knowing he’s a pirate send a thrilling chill through your whole body making you feel for the first time an unknown emotion.

Years pass and now you're a 25 year old woman.

You still refuse to meet shanks even when he kept asking about your island or suggest a meet up you always changed the topic to something completely unrelated.

Meeting Shanks is not a good idea. You are sure if he knew who you are in real life he wouldn't want to be called your fated, he'll be disgusted just like everyone else.

So now you are wondering how the hell did he find you.

(Don’t get mad at me🧍🏾‍♀️I promise there’s a part 2, I wanted to write more about shanks meeting you and thought another part would be much better, hope you don’t mind (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞ )

[blissfulparker]

I Really Like You Too→Peter.p

Parings→peter Parker x avenger!reader

Summary→when you have a rough night on patrol, you decide to end it at peters house. Expect when you just think peter is going to help you get cleaned up, things turn into more.

Warnings→fluff, slight angst I guess?

A/n→this moodboard could be used for something more and I am thinking about that. But anyway this is for @icyhollands thank you for donating to help with the blm movement! I hope you enjoy💗💗

The crisp new york breeze caressed your cheek as you took off your mask. The wind making the tip of your nose slightly colder and goosebumps rise on your skin.

You sat on Peter's fire escape, not wanting to face the rest of the avengers quite yet. having them question the swollen ankle and all the cuts on your body. Peter sits at his desk, you laugh a little as he would normally do homework on a friday night but instead he has assembled some legos you heard him and Ned talking about earlier this week.

You always had a small crush on Peter, ever since he first came into the tower as tony's new project you knew there was something special. Maybe it was how smart he was, the way he looked out for you on missions, or maybe it was how awkward he was around you at first. How his cheeks would go so red when almost any woman avenger touched him. He was sweet, smart, respectful, a bit nerdy but everything you could ask for.

You softly knock on his window causing him to jump but take out a headphone to pay attention to you. He is quick to get up and unlock the window for you to come in. helping you softly as you step in, one hand around your waist and the other holding your hand.

“W-What happened? Are you alright?” he asked, trying to keep his eyes off of the skintight suit. His hand reaches up to touch the bruised skin just under your cheek.

“I didnt mean to intrude, im sorry i just cant let them see me like this just yet. You know how bucky gets i mean hes basically my—“ he cuts you off by bringing you over to his bathroom. You two quietly leave the room and he sits you on his bathroom counter. His whole first aid kit was made by May when she found this whole second life out about him. He now uses it mostly for you since when he gets hurt he stops by your place to get treated.

“T-this might sting a little.” he comes down on his knees and brings the ointment to your leg. You tense up at the feeling, but also the sight of seeing him on his knees for you makes you slightly weak.

You two sit in comfortable silence as he tends to your wounds, his hand wrapped around your leg as he tends to the swollen ankle.

“Hows Ned?” you ask trying to make light conversation while also trying not to wake his aunt. Even though you hung out with the friend group nearly daily, you didnt attend midtown. Tony didn't want any chances of you being seen and exposed so he kept you homeschooled at the tower.

“He's good, we were going to hang out tonight but he got stuck babysitting.” Peter answers honestly. You smile softly before the next question makes you lose it quickly.

“How's MJ?” you ask with more of a wander in your voice. You didn't hate MJ, no. You liked her alot, she was smart and you two had alot in common but she was gorgeous, slightly sadistic but absolutely gorgeous.

“Good as well. Friday night and she got a new book over the week so dont expect to hear from her anytime soon.” peter chuckles a little and you do too. He gets up from the floor, washing his hands and then proceeds to move to the smaller cuts on your arms and face.

“Do you ever think about MJ...more than just a friend?” you ask him and he stops. His mouth slightly opened and you can practically hear his heartbeat racing. Your body sinks deeper into the counter and you grow cold, you wished you didn't ask the question anymore.

“D-did MJ set you up to this?” he swallows hard and you shake your head.

“N-no. it just...as a friend you can tell me about your crushes pete.” you try and play it off cool but he does keep eye contact as he tends the forehead wound.

“She's a friend. Nothing more.” it's like what you asked almost offended him. His jaw clenched as he moved faster to patch you up. You reach to hold his arm for comfort but he moves it back as a sign for you not to hold him.

“I-i'm sorry did i offend you or something?” your voice is confused and broken. His hands are being washed once again. Your blood washes down the drain as he cleans himself.

He does say anything again. You hop down from the counter and follow him into his room again. The hall dark and May’s room light is shut off, shes sound asleep and you would hate to wake her.

Peter digs through his drawer and holds out sweatpants and an old shirt for you to sleep in. he hands them to you for you to change and you now feel his tension and dont even want to go to the bathroom to change. You drop the suit right in front of him. He stares as you put on the shirt and pants. His face so red and his mouth wide as youve never been so bold to do that.

“Thank you, peter.” you tell him and right before you turn around he grabs your arm.

“Can i tell you something? Promise it wont change us.” his eyes scan your face. Your lips chapped but still look so soft and kissable.

“Anything.” you go soft again and he takes a deep breath. His hands are sweaty and his eyes close before he opens them again and speaks.

“I don't like MJ because i like you.” his voice in a whisper but you can still hear. Your eyes go wide and your body goes numb.

“Peter i-” you start and he shakes his head.

“Dont. i dont need to hear it. I've been rejected by girls almost my whole life and i-” what happens next is your move that takes him by surprise. Your hands rest on his face, his cheeks soft and warm, eyes careful as they look into yours. A soft kiss on his lips. One that doesn't even last five seconds on his lips as you are quick and nervous.

You both stare at each other, so close and both wanting to say something but nothing comes out.

His hands come to your face as well, grazing the cheeks and feeling how soft the skin is. He leans in for the second kiss, kissing so lightly and longer than before. His lips move on yours with more confidence and your hands go to his waist pulling him into you.

Right before anything else can happen, a soft knock on the door causes both of you to tense up.

“Peter?” Aunt May's soft, tired voice comes through the door. “Are you still awake? I thought i heard something.” she asks and Peter grows red again.

“Uh, yeah! Just getting into bed now!” he tells her in a more worried voice. Fearing that she’ll open up the door and see the two of you.

You let out a soft laugh as you rest your forehead on Peter's shoulder. Kissing the clothed area before lifting your head back up.

“Thank you, for everything.” you smile softly and he nods. He wants to kiss you one more time but he doesn't want to screw up what has just started.

“You should probably get some sleep.” he breathes out and you nod. He sets the bed up for you and as hes about to take pillows and throw them on the floor you grab his arm.

“We can make it work for two right?” you press your lips together and he gives a lopsided smile. He falls into the bed with you and pulls you into his side.

This was one of the nights where you came into his room that he would never forget.

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[lady-charinette]

Adrien Agreste =/= Sociopath - About Adrien Salt

I've seen a lot of posts going around about Adrien being a sociopath or the other (harasser, abuser...etc.)

What I find most of those posts lacking is looking at the big picture, or just zeroing in on certain moments of the show and even disregarding the context of those selected moments to unfairly rule judgement on a child (in canon) no less.

Definition of sociopath: A sociopath is a term used to describe someone who has antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). People with ASPD can’t understand others’ feelings. They’ll often break rules or make impulsive decisions without feeling guilty for the harm they cause.

People with ASPD may also use “mind games” to control friends, family members, co-workers, and even strangers. They may also be perceived as charismatic or charming.

We have to analyze the context and the surroundings Adrien is in.

Family, social life, relationships (platonic and romantic), personality, age, environment...etc.

Family:

We know Adrien has a father who is controlling, preferring to micro-manage every aspect of his son's life to continue to have a semblance of control at all times. We assume (heavily implied in the show), that his mother was kind, warm and emotional (whether that emotional is the "out-there" kind her twin sister has, it remains to be seen.)

According to a snippet from "Simon Says", Adrien also has "Quite a temper, you remind me of someone" according to Gabriel's own words, we can assume the "someone" is Emilie, Gabriel says this when Chat Noir refused to follow his orders and told him to basically "get off his high horse". In this context, anyone who defies Gabriel in such a way would either be branded as "disobedient" or to "have quite a temper".

According to Adrien himself in "Adrien's Double Life" (from Miraculous Secrets) he describes being Chat Noir as "...I can finally do whatever I want to do, say whatever comes to mind." He doesnt feel as restricted and controlled since that's the one aspect of his life his father has no knowledge of.

Social life:

Adrien has had no or very little interaction with peers.

Evidence: Chloe being his childhood friend. Felix commenting on Chloe's appearance in the video she sent for Adrien's birthday, saying "Chloe. Just as annoying as usual." suggests he knows her from before, maybe even as early on as their childhood days.

This makes Felix and Chloe the only kids, of spoiled and rich background, with whom Adrien interacted.

Felix is shown to be good at manipulating people and keeping up appearances (potentially connected to insecurities within the family? Not confirmed), Chloe is openly mean and bullies others (with underlying insecurities also connected to her parents).

The only positive adult (if Gorilla isn't as involved and Nathalie had been solely Gabriel's secretary and not Adrien's caretaker since there was Emilie) in Adrien's life would be his mother, who also fell into a coma during Adrien's formative years (and still during a time where he's figuring himself and his emotions out: puberty), leaving him with his father.

Moving on, even if the writer's sometimes may not always successfully show Adrien being awkward in social interactions, it doesnt mean they dont exist.

This interaction between him and Marinette, asking for her autograph, very formal in his question, awkward in posture:

He's picked up on some speech patterns from his frequent interactions with Nino ("dude", "Hey man." "Totally dude.") showing he's, like many people, mimicking his friend's behavior and speech to grow more favorably in their eyes.

The same pattern can be observed with Gabriel and Adrien: Adrien adopts his father's formal speech whenever talking to him, since that appeases him.

Adrien has had very limited friendly interactions with his peers, romantic interactions are basically non-existent. The scenes where Adrien is being chased by his fans, who obsessively adore him, cant be linked to Adrien experiencing healthy romantic contact (Lila doesn't count since she only uses Adrien to further her goals). Marinette doesn't count since Adrien's isn't even aware of her romantic feelings for him. (Again, difficulties picking up social cues due to only ever being homeschooled > limited social contact with peers)

So no, in my humble opinion, Adrien sometimes doesn't understand other people's feelings not because he's a sociopath, but because he's an awkward kid with very little experience about making friends and having healthy relationships with them.

Relationships:

Let's be direct here: Gabriel is an abusive as*hole.

If the writer's wanted to show Gabriel struggling or having remorse for his actions being Hawkmoth and putting his son through danger, well... They blew it. "Gorizilla" was a 5 second reaction of Hawkmoth showing concern after letting Adrien fall from a skyscraper. Applause. After that? Not much.

Nathalie: Adrien likes, she takes care of him, his schedule, was the one to convince Gabriel to let him attend public school. There are moments in the show where she softens up towards Adrien, but always carries that air of professionalism on her to (possibly, assumption) not grow too close. Gorilla is...Gorilla, but at least the man tries with his nonverbal support and affectionate grunts. Lol.

Gabriel: He loves his father. It's his parent, after all. However, Adrien's reactions to him are vastly different than to how he reacts when thinking of his mother. He shows signs of fear (tensing up, growing obedient...etc.), he excuses his father's excessive controlling tendencies to just be "he's just worried about me", "that's the way he always was", "father cares and protects me". Adrien shows to be frequently disappointed with Gabriel, one of the first scenes being that Gabriel couldn't attend parent's day at school, Adrien was talking on the phone alone in the school hallway. He was genuinely surprised by the blue scarf his father gifted him (not knowing it was Marinette), since all he used to get were pens (again, not even from Gabriel, but Nathalie). This is my assumption but: Adrien has previously begged his father to go outside more or attend public school, but this time it worked only because Nathalie managed to convince him.

Friends from school: Nino is his best friend, Adrien seems to be good friends with Alya too, basically everyone in class, with varying degrees of closeness. Chloe is a childhood friend whom Adrien is fond of but also grows exasperated with and corrects her behavior if she's too harsh.

Marinette: likes and respects her, but can't read her well or at least when he thinks he's got her figured out, she claims the opposite. Marinette has been sending mixed signals, on one hand even making Adrien believe (and fear) they weren't friends. "Chat Blanc" contrary to popular belief, showed that Adrien is delighted at the prospect of Marinette being Ladybug (he'd severe doubts when Chloe or anyone else was brought up as a possible option).

Kagami: likes her, respects her, admires her fencing skills, learned to have fun hanging out with her and playing as kids usually do since she also has a controlling parent and they both know some ways/tricks around their boundaries to sneak off and meet their friends. Adrien and Kagami have similarities in that respect, Gabriel pushing Adrien to be a model, Mrs. Tsurugi pushing Kagami to be a master fencer.

Lila: At first defended her, was friendly towards her since she was a new student from overseas he sympathized because surely it would be lonely? The new girl would need a friend who supported her through all this things that were new for him too. However, as soon as he caught wind of Lila's schemes, he changes his tune. He feels uncomfortable around her overstepping his boundaries, expresses anger when Lila accused Marinette of crimes she didn't commit and even makes a deal with her to not bother Marinette again (but use him instead, doing photoshoots together...etc.) to keep her safe.

Age:

A 14-15 year old, having lost his mother, the only positive, healthy relationship in his life. Surrounded by a controlling father, not much free time, many extracurricular activities and being a superhero alongside Ladybug.

Some of the signs of being a sociopath include: Breaking rules and being impulsive.... Didn't Ladybug do those too?

Breaking the rules: (since LB and Marinette are the same) stealing phones, sneaking into places where she shouldn't, using the miraculous for personal gain (latest example: getting Kagami away from Adrien), giving Adrien the snake miraculous due to personal preference instead of drawing logical conclusions. Sneaked into the Agreste mansion.

Impulsiveness: Marinette's daily fantasies (sharing a future life with Adrien and their hamster-who-must-not-be-named), when Lila's "precious family heirloom necklace" was "stolen", Marinette was quick to include her classmates in the list of potential perpetrators for it (without ill intent, but still..)

You know who the real potential sociopath in the show is?

Gabriel

Some of you might include Lila too (since she fits all the criteria for being a sociopath), but the key difference is: Lila is still just a kid.

We don't know much about her family life. Just that her mother is busy with work, we don't know where her father is, who her friends were/if she even had them. She might be lying and manipulating people to follow her own agenda, but she thrives in attention, when people notice and praise her. In some aspects, that could've been Adrien. With one neglectful parent, a missing parent, no friends (prior to going to school)...etc. There is also a lot we don't know about her.

[ace-in-a-shopping-cart]

High School Rejects

Version 1

NOTE: I have been homeschooled my whole life and thus only have movies to go off for high school dynamics. I wrote two versions of this and couldn’t decide which was better. 

Word Count:  2,149

Main Taglist: (Send an ask to be added or removed!) @starlocked01​​​ @spoopy-turtle​​​ @lizluvscupcakes​​ @more-fandon-than-friends​, @i-cant-find-a-good-username, @vindicatedvirgil, @star-crossed-shipper, @justaqueercactus, @gayboopnoodle, @sanderssidesweirdo

Virgil ignored the shove he received as the jock walked past. Turning his music up, he opened his locker and grabbed his books. A hand nudged his shoulder and he looked up to see his best friend standing there. Not bothering to turn off his music, he simply signed at him. “What?” His expression conveying mild annoyance at being interrupted. 

Logan smiled, signing back. “Are you free next period?”

“It is a free period.” He smirked, exaggerating the sign for ‘free’ to stress it.

Logan’s mouth opened in a laugh that Virgil knew would be silent even if his music wasn’t at the volume of a jet engine. Logan shook his head and pulled on his sleeve to get his mind back to the present. “Meet me in our spot, okay?”

Virgil nodded and turned back to his locker. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the cheerleaders sneer as they walked past, taking a wide berth around Logan. Virgil snarled at them, taking a protective step in Logan’s direction, even as he turned the corner. The cheerleaders passed and Virgil turned back to his locker, counting down the days until graduation on the calendar hanging on the locker door. 

Logan didn’t deserve their scorn. Sure, he was mute, but that wasn’t his fault. He was born that way, and he was thriving. It shouldn’t matter that he couldn’t speak, he was the smartest person in class and everyone knew it. His report card more than proved that. Logan shouldn’t have to be shunned for the majority of his time in school, only getting attention when there was a group project that needed to be done. Even then, he got saddled with all of the work while the rest of the group went off and partied. Virgil smiled as he thought of Logan refusing to put the others’ name on a project they didn’t help on.

He slammed his locker, getting a similar wide berth as he made his way out the doors and onto the lawn. He smiled as Logan waved him over to their usual tree. Turning his music off, he slipped his headphones off and put them in his bag. He plopped down next to Logan, giggling. “How was your day?” He asked verbally.

Logan shrugged, leaning into him. “It was fine, I guess.” He signed. Virgil had to look down at him to make sure his face wasn’t scrunched up in the way that said he was being sarcastic. 

“You wanna talk about it or just focus on this?” He pulled out a notebook with different star charts and things on it. 

Logan grabbed the book and flipped to a familiar page: the list of horror movies Virgil had been working on in class. Virgil laughed. “I didn’t realize you’d seen me do that.”

Logan pointed at a title, leaning up to look at Virgil, eyes pleading. “Take my mind off school?” His hands said.

Virgil nodded, holding his arm out for a pillow as he described the plot line of the movie. He didn’t give away any spoilers, just told enough to give him a trailer. When that was done, Logan pointed to another title and Virgil did the same for that. This went on for another few titles before Logan finally sat up again. Virgil gave him his full attention.

“I want to ask you something but I’m nervous.” He signed. 

Virgil smiled, wondering if this was what he thought it was. “If you’re asking if I wanna go back to your house to watch some of these, you don’t even have to ask.” He joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Logan shoved his shoulder, causing the boy in black to go sprawling. He laughed again, his head tilting back as the sunlight caressed his curls and bounced off his glasses frames. “No, silly.” 

Virgil laughed. “Take your time, I’m here when you’re ready.”

Logan nodded, his hands twisting in his lap. After a few minutes of sitting there, he took a deep breath and raised his hands, starting to shakily sign. “Will you go to prom with me?”

Virgil’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I thought we agreed to go together if neither of us got a date for it.”

Logan shook his head, frustration evident on his expressive face. “No!” The sign was sharp, clearly a yell. He took a few breaths as Virgil sat up.

“Hey, no, I’m sorry. Take your time, I won’t interrupt again.”

Logan nodded and took yet another deep breath. When he was steady again, he signed the same thing again with a crucial difference. “Will you be my date to prom?”

Virgil blinked, having to let that set in for a few minutes. When it finally hit him that this was real and Logan wasn’t just securing his presence at the dance but rather asking him out on an actual date, a smile spread across his face. He surged forward, tackling Logan into a hug. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Version 2 

Virgil hefted his backpack just a bit higher on his back, his playlist starting to wind down as it came to an end. He heard the distinctive slam of a person being shoved against a locker. Looking up, he found the familiar figure of his best friend with his back to the lockers, hands rising in a feeble attempt to block the blows coming his way. 

Virgil rushed forward, dropping his backpack in the process. He squeezed between Logan and Felix, his back to Logan. He pushed his hands up, shoving Felix back. This didn’t do much against the quarterback but it did manage to get him to back up just a bit. 

Felix just laughed and swung at Virgil instead. Virgil took the punch to the gut, doing his best to sign behind his back. “Go.”

Logan didn’t leave, instead he fisted his hand into the back of Virgil’s shirt, hanging onto the taller boy. Virgil tried to back out of the situation, tried to shuffle around so he and Logan could run, or at least get Logan to run. It didn’t work as they were just boxed in by another member of the football team.

Virgil made sure to cover Logan as much as he could, taking the blows on his back and head and arms. A few more hits landed, many of them glancing off but some still hitting in ways Virgil knew was going to bruise later, before a teacher came and broke it up.

“Hey, break it up!” A hand reached in between them and pulled Felix and the other players off Virgil before trying to pry Virgil off Logan. He cried out and held on tighter, crying to shield his friend as much as he could. The voice turned soft. “Hey, I’m not trying to hurt you, I’m trying to make sure you’re not hurt.”

Virgil finally uncurled from around Logan, still keeping a hand on him. Looking up, he found himself face to face with Roman Knightly, the gym teacher and football coach. “Then what are you trying to do?”

Coach Knightly sighed before he stood back just a bit. Behind him, Virgil could see the biology teacher, Remus Knightly, wrangling the football players down the hall. “I’m trying to take you to the nurse's office in a timely manner so I can stop my brother from giving the other students a taste of their own medicine.”

Virgil nodded, slowly getting up. He turned to look at Logan. “Are you alright?”

Logan must have noticed more concern on his face than he meant to have because he briefly put a hand on Virgil’s arm before signing back. “I’m fine. How are you?”

Virgil smiled. “I’ll be alright.”

Coach Knightly put his hands on his hips. “I think we’ll let the nurse be the judge of that.”

Virgil nodded, helping Logan up and grabbing their backpacks before the three set off down the hall. They were dropped off at the door before Coach sprinted down the hall. Virgil just shrugged and opened the door. The nurse turned around and smiled. “What can I help you with, kiddos?”

Logan took the initiative and started signing. “Coach Knightly dropped us off here.”

The nurse’s smile turned sad. “I’m sorry, kiddo. I don’t know any sign language.”

Logan looked at Virgil, who nodded and translated. “He said Coach Knightly dropped us off here.”

The nurse nodded. “Then why don’t you go ahead and hop on up on this stool so I can take a look at you, alright?”

Virgil blinked. “You’re not even going to ask what’s wrong?”

The nurse smiled again. It seemed the smile was almost always on his face, no matter the situation. “If Coach Knightly dropped you off, it’s probably another instance of the football players acting out. That’s all I need to know right now. So,” he clapped his hands, “who wants to go first.”

Logan immediately pointed at Virgil, who hissed, “Traitor,” under his breath. Still, he sat on the stool as requested. 

The nurse stood in front of him, hands raised but not touching him. “Is there anywhere that hurts the worst?”

Virgil shrugged. “I guess my back.”

So, they stayed in the nurse’s office, getting fixed up. Coach came back after a few minutes, panting slightly. “Patton, so glad you know what to do.” He said when he caught his breath. 

Patton laughed as he put a butterfly on a cut over Logan’s cheek. “Of course I do.” Like a switch being flipped, his voice changed from the warm and comforting tone he’d been using the whole time to a dark and dangerous one. “Now, what did I say about letting this happen again?”

Coach took a visible step back, fear evident in his eyes. “You said that you’d ruff me up worse than the student.”

Patton nodded, smiling as he handed both boys lollipops. “You two run along now. I need to have a word with Coach in private.”

Virgil took Logan’s hand and they left, walking out of the school entirely and going to their favorite tree. They sat down, Virgil propped against the tree and Logan laying next to him, head on his leg. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Virgil broke it.

“You wanna talk about it or just focus on this?” He pulled out a notebook with different star charts and things on it. 

Logan grabbed the book and flipped to a familiar page: the list of horror movies Virgil had been working on in class. Virgil laughed. “I didn’t realize you’d seen me do that.”

Logan pointed at a title, leaning up to look at Virgil, eyes pleading. “Take my mind off life?” His hands said.

Virgil nodded, scooting down to lie next to Logan and holding his arm out for a pillow as he described the plot line of the movie. He didn’t give away any spoilers, just told enough to give him a trailer. When that was done, Logan pointed to another title and Virgil did the same for that. This went on for another few titles before Logan finally sat up again. Virgil went up on his elbows to give him his full attention.

“I want to ask you something but I’m nervous.” He signed. 

Virgil smiled, wondering if this was what he thought it was. “If you’re asking if I wanna go back to your house to watch some of these, you don’t even have to ask.” He joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Logan shoved his shoulder, causing the boy in black to go sprawling. He laughed again, his head tilting back as the sunlight caressed his curls and bounced off his glasses frames. “No, silly.” 

Virgil laughed. “Take your time, I’m here when you’re ready.”

Logan nodded, his hands twisting in his lap. After a few minutes of sitting there, he took a deep breath and raised his hands, starting to shakily sign. “Will you go to prom with me?”

Virgil’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I thought we agreed to go together if neither of us got a date for it.”

Logan shook his head, frustration evident on his expressive face. “No!” The sign was sharp, clearly a yell. He took a few breaths as Virgil sat up.

“Hey, no, I’m sorry. Take your time, I won’t interrupt again.”

Logan nodded and took yet another deep breath. When he was steady again, he signed the same thing again with a crucial difference. “Will you be my date to prom?”

Virgil blinked, having to let that set in for a few minutes. When it finally hit him that this was real and Logan wasn’t just securing his presence at the dance but rather asking him out on an actual date, a smile spread across his face. He surged forward, tackling Logan into a hug. “I thought you’d never ask.”

[soopysoap]

Uh, I read your post about having an 80's au for the foreigen kids. And since I'm a Foreigen kids stan, can you tell me more about it?

HI. ANON? ILY.

They're really just random n messy ideas and i forget how many there are but i'm throwing them all here

so the whole thing takes place in highschool and mainly surrounds the cockswolds cotswolds (mainly mark but rebecca is usually there too)

most of them are seniors, rebecca's a junior

mark is an unpopular nerd, therefore the main character because it's the 80s. so is rebecca but she's not the main character

uhh everyone else is kinda just there

like there are no side characters all the foreign kids are kinda equal focus- wise but the main one is mark i guess

like the leader of their group idk idk

estella is the stereotypical rich popular girl, but she's also a closeted lesbian they're all closeted tbh so she's trying to hide that from her mom. Her mom, instead of being all 'Blah blah blah brrak hearts to fuel my life' or something she's just obsessed with status and how popular Estella is. She's always pleased when Estella has a boyfriend, but it's not often. Basically Estella is more smiley and happy than she usually is, but she's stil usually indifferent. Smiles either when she's genuinely happy or wants something. Most of the time she's deadpan or rolling her eyes

Gaydamien is the rich popular jock, his ego is huge. His dad (since he cant be the son of satan in this one) is the principal of their school. He usually gets what he wants, no matter what. Instead of "You dare [insert something here] to the Prince of Hell????" its that but with "Damien Thorn???" yknow because of his last name. He's been dating Estella to boost his ego, mainly. Doesn't realize he likes guys yet. Estella and Damien hate each other, but everyone believes they're dating because they're too scared to say otherwise. They complain about each other to each other AND to people in private.

Pip is just- he's less of a nerd but more of a kid that's just. There. He isn't nerdy but he definitely isn't popular. At all. He's just a pushover man idk what to tell you. He's usually being bullied. He has a huge crush on Damien, because he got him out of trouble with some other jock like. Once. Always gets giggly around him, it's funny to watch. Also very passive aggressive @ Estella because she's dating him. They have very few classes together, but whenever they do he's always like "hey :) so hows damien" and she responds with "why would i know" and he's like "because??? youre dating him???" and she looks really confused for a second and then is like "OH- Oh yeah okay uh. I don't know. So." and then she starts complaining about him or something and pip is all ":) why not just break up?"

Pip also hates Christophe

Which, speaking of, Christophe is also an annoying egotistical jock who plays football with Damien. Damien and Christophe are best friends. Christophe and Gregory are dating in secret

Gregory is the stereotypical gay kid. No other way to put this. If Ryan Evans from High School Musical had a superiority complex. He's a theatre kid, and takes pride in tha- OH MY GOD. Rachel??? Maybe he's Rachel Berry from Glee??? it would kind of work idk,, ok uh anyway yeah he's always bullied for being openly gay and it sucks but he took defense classes in Yardale (yes he's still a transfer from Yardale, yes he constantly mentions it) so he's able to hold his own. But Christophe usually steps in to get Gregory out of there and tend to his wounds.

Rebeccaaaaaa she's the unpopular girl, just started school and doesnt know shit about it after being homeschooled almost her whole life. Has a little crush on Estella, but Estella "Doesn't" notice her. (Estella just thinks of her as some pretty girl who isnt worth her time) Rebecca usually keeps to herself, is usually gossiped about. Estella never gets involved, but whenever she'd get asked about it, instead of defending Rebecca she just says "I hardly believe any of the rumors. She was homeschooled, not taught in witchcraft or satanisim. Or whatever else everyone's saying. Everyone should really calm themselves, if they were so worried about what people thought of them when Rebecca started going here then they should get that in order first before ruining Rebecca's social life. God. You all have to grow up." So, not necessarily a defense but also not an insult. Rebecca still finds it sweet.

Mark is a neerrrrrrd 80s main character. Minus the popular love interest and yearning 😩 And also if the main character had a god/superiority complex.. he's bullied the most other than Gregory, mostly by Damien n Christophe. Girls don't like him, guys don't like him, he really only had Pip and Rebecca for a while. Pip because he's overly nice to almost everyone and wanted to befriend Mark immediately. Usually during lunch Mark sits with Pip and Rebecca. Mark has to hear about Damien all the time from Pip though, so that's annoying.

Uh I know that Pocket is TECHNICALLY a foreign kid but idk shit about him and dont really think about him but he's Estella's cousin and often hangs out with her since he doesn't really have a friend group. He's also really good friends with Pip. BUT since this is a horror au he dies off early

After theyre all friends some stuff happens yada yada yada Gaymien realizes he's pan and has a crush on Pip, Estella takes Rebecca out for a makeover , Christophe gets severely injured because this is a horror au as well, Damien and Pip make out at some point-

Estella and Rebecca both know that theyre Lesbians but they refuse to admit that they like each other

Kinda thinking of this as if it was stranger things or something so i definitely want there to be like... a series of bad events. everyone thinks everythings cool and fine and whatever and there are moments where our group kinda just get to chill n' be kids. idk i just want there to be a falling out in the group and then they all realize they need each other or something dumb like that

also for some fun chill moments we can have estella and rebecca walking around holding hands and laughing n' stuff bc they love each other idk idk

and after the falling out when they all join together again estella is the first to see some scary stuff but she was also the first to drop everyone except damien and christophe (because of her mother) and so she blames herself and doesnt think she can go to them and just has to deal with it on her own

eventually she tells damien who immediately tells pip who immediately wants to get the group together again

everyone's (the cockswolds) are reluctant to hang out again because of the way they were just forgotten so easily, but they go anyway. because of the horror stuff. they both are pissed at estella though

at some point estella gets badly hurt and rebecca saves her and starts nursing her back to health

estella: why are you... why are you doing this. dont you hate me?

rebecca: i'm doing it because i actually care for you, idiot.

estella: i care for you i just... couldnt...

rebecca: what? spend time with a lowlife like me?

estella: you know thats not what i meant-

they go on like that for a little while longer until they wind up confessing to each other "Because I love you! Is that so fucking hard to believe?!" Would be rebecca's and Estella's would probably be "I don't hate you! You're my favorite person, and I hated having to stop hanging out with you! I love you, okay?!" it would be :) fun

damien and estella come out to each other first. well- damien doesnt really come out he just tells her how confused he is and they hug it out and estella tells him she's a lesbian and they both talk a little while longer and decide that breaking up would be the best idea

thats all i've really figured out for sure,, i have some more ideas but this is. a lot already so. i'm just gonna stop before i write too much 👉👉 anyway, anon ily ty for this. also sidenote: the horror stuff has to do with weird sacrificial cults. i know i have nothing for that and really only talked about how everything starts and drama instead of the interesting stuff but 🥴 i have no defense i just love my kids ok drama is fun

[mothmansrevolt]

LU Girl Scout AU (and subsequent PTA AU)

LU au where they have to pretend to be girl scouts because Time has to prove a point to the pta board and to the Karen Squad Its basically a bunch of highschoolers and singular college student pretending to be girl scouts because of both friendship and Time just shoved some sashes in their hands and said Y'all are all now girlscouts and offered to get them Chipotle as payment.

Twilight is in college(online). Warriors in a senior. Legend and Sky are juniors. Hyrule and Wild are sophmores. Four and wind are freshmen. Four is homeschooled by his grandfather though.   All are in a specila branch called hylia scouts (creative i know). This means they get set uniforms and competitions with other troops over cookie selling boundaries since hylia scout troops are usually very close to eachother. There are two troops in their area including them. Troop 4296 (the Links) and 6669 (the Karen Squad) They are troop 4296 because Time wouldnt let them have either 420 or 6969

Time--a pta mom--rivals with the Karens--tired as all hell but will not hesitate to prank the karens--troop leader and/or chaperone depending on the situation--He has a million bumper stickers supporting his "girls"--honestly he's just here for the cookies--someone get this man a coffee--has two sons according to the law, but has eight in spirit--you mess with his children he will not hesitate to murder you--all his sons are arsonists and he doesn't understand why--will call the links his "daughters". half the town can't tell what children he actually has--loves coupons and discounts "Malon said I'm not allowed to start fights at the pta meetings but I will not hesitate drag her here if you insult my beautiful brats again." Twilight­--Time's eldest son--only in this because he doesn't want his friends to get hurt and he loves his parents--a good boy--loves animals and will not hesitate to educate you on them--he wears overalls and if forced will wear a skirt over the overalls--he cant sell cookies for shit because nobody believes that he is a girlscout--sometimes has to duck down behind Four if certain people are around because they'll get suspicious--it does not work--He pretends to be everyone's big brother and they love him for it--perpetually confused by Wolfie "I have command over an army of teenagers and goats, nothing can stop me but gas money and my gpa." Wild--Time's second son--can pass as a girl pretty well--he destroys stuff during craft time--hot glues patches to sash--He has every one of the cooking patches and than some--Often seen with the camera photographing everything--Will help create new badges--give this boy a scavenger hunt and he will find you just about anything--has a tendency to ride on wild animals--isn't legally allowed to drive a car nor own a license. nobody knows why--second most convincing for this whole thing "This is just a glorified gang and honestly I am living for it." Four--from the neighboring farm but Twilight and Malon babysits him sometimes. he is a staple--the karens keeps trying to steal him because he is 'innocent' and 'a little lady'--this leads to ridiculous hijinks--he is small, quiet, not very mentally sound but he tries his best and is brave as all hell--owns the most badges--will rock the skirt always--fashionista or fashion disaster, there is no in-between--he's the most committed besides legend and warriors but is the most convincing--best cookie seller--Often seen handling sharp tools and knives for some reason, who gave this child a weapon?!--tends to befriend bad people--the only one with the fire safety badge even though, he to, is an arsonist--wears a vest because the sash is too big, Malon made it for him--has a bird named Ezlo who sits on his head "Sorry Miss Karen but I've been bribed with my first born child so kindly fuck off." Legend--salty and sassy--will always rock the skirt--also a fashionista and knows accessories--he's really only in this because of a running bet with warriors--he has a soft on the inside sometimes--he will get into cat fights--The other girlscouts from a rival troop HATE him because they will always lose arguments against him--knows the most about girl scouts, won't say how--Often seen blinged out with the jewelry he wins at the local chuck-se-cheese with his buddy Ravio "I have command over an entire troop of shortstacks and will not hesitate to order a strike against your fucking kneecaps. Do NOT question the authority of this skirt." Warriors--pretty boy--in a bet with Legend--also a fashionista--he is a big brother tho-- protection squad and trying his best--he is on student counsel and is a good leader--stand in when Time is busy--Often seen with a sports bag in one hand and a girl scout sash in the other--all the troops think he is a major lesbian because he keeps flirting with the other scouts--he gets more numbers as a girlscout, not that he could ever admit this "I'm a known lesbian among the girl scouts and honestly that is my crowning achievement." Sky--is here because his friends are here--He is the mom friend--second best at selling cookie because of his sweetness--He often tag teams with Four for selling cookies--is slightly confused but he's here to make sure nobody gets hurt--honestly just naps during meeting-- Often seen with blanket and a comforting hug--rival troops actually have scouts seeking out to befriend him--always forgets his skirt and is often seen borrowing his girlfriend Zelda's "Guys, please stop fighting you are all beautiful young women. Karen, you shut the frick up." Hyrule--the camper and nature boy of the group--he loves and has earned every patch for exploration and camping--tends to get lost--needs navigation patch--its been revoked from him twice--Humble and nice--often sleeps over at other peoples houses--nobody knows where he lives--it confuses the shit out of them--He is buddies with Four because Four knows the backwoods and roads the best--Often not seen due to being lost "Legend duck taped a gps to me arm and I think its lost to :(" Wind--baby boy--not as innocent as the others think--he absolutely loves being a girlscout--will play pranks on the other troops during jamborees and campouts--lives by the sea, slightly far away form everyone else--He helps with the nautical patches--hangs with the resident young delinquents, Tetra's gang. she thinks this is hilarious--he owns the troop wagon that they all use--its named King of the Red Lions or just Dave depending on the hour--only here because Twilight babysits him and his sister--also wears a vest because he thinks its cooler--Often seen with a telescope and covered in sand--someone give this child a bath "My first love may be the sea, but my second is that damned burrito, hand me the fucking skirt!" Wolfie--troop mascot--a giant half wolf half god knows what--has his own vest and patches-- has a tendency to just show up--Nobody knows where he comes from nor where he goes--he is the town cryptid and it isn't uncommon to see him pulling the troop wagon with the boys in it--Four still rides on his back--it counts as the horse back riding patch--Twilight is perpetually confused by him and its become a running gag that Wolfie is his fursona--loves cookies, sadly the cookies do not love him--can vaguely say curse words "arf" Shadow and Dark(I'm not sorry)--in karen's troop 6669 (for fun? for rivalry? who knows. they don't)--brothers--edgy bastards who are in a band together--Shadow is best friends with Four, Dark thinks he's pretty rad--Often seen with Four and the other edgy teens--both sassy, both easily pissed but trying to be kind of nice--Shadow is the only one who has achieved this--no those are not their real names, its Link and Link like everyone else in this goddamned town--HI MY nAME IS ebONY DArknESS DEMENTIA RAveN WAY--Dark is the author of My Immortal--both suck at selling cookies--tag team with Four to try and help their sales--rivals of troop 4296, they despise each other--both wear vests because Shadow wanted to match Four and Dark decided he can trick out the vest "Our mother may be a bitch and a dumbass, but at least we aren't petty white boys." "Wait Dark we are petty white boys" "FUCK" Karen Ganondorf Smith, Kaaren Link Johnson, Carhaen Reese--bitches and pta moms--runs the pta--the karen squad--Reese's daughter named Betghyani who is very nice and likes troop 4296--Johnson is mother of Shadow and Dark--they are fucking nuts y'all--they represent the three evils of the pta: the enforcer, the healthy diet extreme, and the bitch against disabled children (quiet hands!!!)--despite popular belief, Four (Link Smith) is in no way related to Karen Smith (legally at least. Karen thinks they are and it doesn't end pretty sometimes)--they all hate Time with a burning passion because he is not afraid to call them out on their bullshit "I've brought up so many stances and rules into this pta and will not have some farming hooligan upstaging the careful work me and the other heads have created!" Malon--couldn't be on pta because she almost murdered a karen with kindness--sweet and kind but can still kick ass--helped make and fix uniforms--acts as chaperone when needed and finds this all completely hilarious--she makes snacks with Wild for the meetings--has adopted all of these children--actively enforces Wind and Four to eat more because whY ARE ALL YALL SO TINY--can lift a cow "Don't talk to me or my husband or my son or my son or my eight fake sons or my lovely eight fake daughters ever again."

[marvelous-imagines-for-all]

“Are you new?” Ruby x Reader OnMyBlock

Based on: “Hey I would love if you guys do an imagine where the omb squad is being bothered by the prophets gang and they cant defend themselves and then there's this new girl that just comes in and saves them and they all leave and the squad thank her and then meets her and Ruby likes her and try to impress her because she's a senior and pretty and wants to go out and get to know her and then at the end she suprise him with a kiss and he's happy he had his first kiss. I hope you can do it if no that ok :)”

N/A: I am so sorry that this one came out crappy!!

Author: Alana

You were walking down the street with your earbuds in and listening to some music. You hummed along happily, walking across the street.

Through your music, you were able to hear faint shouting coming from behind you.

Curious, you turned around to see what was going on. You sighed softly as your eyes landed on Latrelle, and a few of the other Prophets, harassing three people you didn’t know.

You tucked your earbuds in your pocket as you marched over to where the scene was taking place.

“Hands up, money out!” Latrelle commanded as he stepped closer to the three, causing the other Prophets to surround the people as well.

“How can we take our money out with our hands up?” Reasoned a short, but cute guy who had his hands raised along with his friends.

You let out a soft giggle, causing everyone to turn their heads towards you.

You gently pushed through the semi circle that the Prophets were now forming around the three friends, “Latrelle, are you seriously doing this childish bullying routine again?” You questioned, crossing your arms and raising an eyebrow.

Latrelle gave you a deadly glare, “You need to watch who you’re talking to, girl.” He said, trying to sound tough in front of the other Prophets, who were watching you confused.

You rolled your eyes and smiled sarcastically, “I’ll keep that in mind, Trelle. Now leave them alone.” You ordered in a slightly rough tone.

Latrelle smacked his lips and scoffed loudly, “Whatever, I know other kids who have more money than these chumps.” He chuckled quietly to himself and pushed past you.

He stopped briefly to whisper in your ear, “Don’t you ever embarrass me like that in front of my gang again, (y/n).” He said in a hushed tone, before walking away with the rest of the Prophets.

You pursed your lips a little and rolled your eyes at how hard your step brother was trying to seem hard in front of his gang.

Yes, that’s right, Latrelle was your step brother. You and him were raised together. So he seemed about as scary as a kitten without claws to you.

“Wow... that was ballsy of you..” You heard the girl behind you say.

You turned around and smiled, “I guess you could say that.. I’m (y/n).”

The girl smiled and gave you a small wave, “I’m Monse. This is Ruby,” she said, nodding her head towards the small cutie you noticed earlier.

“I actually go by Ruben!” He interjected cooly, smirking a little.

Monse rolled her eyes at Ruby, “And this is Jamal.” She finished, pointing to the guy on the other side of her.

Jamal, who still had his hands in the air from Latrelle telling them to put their hands up, gave you a warm smile and lowered his hands. “Hey, we’ve never seen you around here, are you new, (y/n)?” Jamal asked curiously.

“Well kinda?” You tilted your head, “I’ve always lived here, I was just homeschooled most of the time. Fortunately for me, my parents decided to let me finish my senior year in a public school.” You giggled softly, starting to walk with them.

Ruby was walking next to you quietly, trying to think of a way to intervene into the conversation. “Uh, thank you for saving us back there..” he said, blushing slightly and watching you.

“It was really no problem, Ruben.” You admitted, gently nudging Ruby.

A blush crept to his cheeks, “How about I take you out somewhere as a thank you?” He offered, smiling up at you eagerly and ignoring the stares of his best friends.

You were shocked at the offer and watched Ruby closely. No guy had ever asked you out before, especially not right after he met you.

“I would love to, but how about a rain check? I’m kinda busy with getting ready for senior year..” you responded, awkwardly rubbing your arm. You didn’t want to let Ruby down or make him feel bad.

“Oh for sure!” Ruby smiled more, hoping that he would really get that date.

——————————

You walked out of the front office with your schedule in hand. Looking down at your paper and walking, you bumped into someone and looked up quickly, “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” You apologized meeting the eyes of, Ruby?

“Hey, (y/n)!” Ruby said surprised, “I-... what are you doing here?” He questioned, smiling huge.

You raised your eyebrow amused, “What am I doing at school..? I’m going to classes perhaps?” You answered, giggling.

Ruby looked down flustered and rubbed the back of his neck, “Well that was a stupid question..”

“You’re fine, Ruby. Hey, what grade are you in? Maybe we have some classes together?” You wondered aloud.

Ruby’s eyes widened a bit, “Pshh... I’m a..” he cleared his throat, “Junior! I’m a junior.” He lied, hoping it was convincing.

You smiled and watched how flustered and nervous Ruby got around you. You could tell that he had a crush on you, it was adorable.

“Well that’s certainly a lie.” Said a guy, swinging his arm over Ruby’s shoulder, “He’s a freshman.” Chuckled the guy.

“Why would you tell her that, Cesar??” Ruby quickly mumbled, shrugging off Cesar’s arm.

“Well you already spent all week talking about how pretty (y/n) was, you may as well tell her the truth.” Cesar joked, smirking at how much Ruby was now blushing.

Ruby looked over at you quickly, scoffing a little, “I may have mentioned how pretty you are like once..” he admitted shyly.

You smiled more and bit your lip, “How about we go on that date after school, Ruby?” You offered, tilting your head slightly.

Ruby and Cesar both stared at you shocked, “Seriously..?” They both said simultaneously.

“I would love that!” Ruby exclaimed, once he came out of his shocked state.

————————————————

Your first day flew by smoothly. You made a couple new friends, but you still preferred to hang out with Ruby, Cesar, Monse, and Jamal. You even ate lunch with them and had a great time.

Now you were walking to a local ice cream parlor with Ruby.

“So are you an only child?” You asked, trying to walk along the edge of the sidewalk curb

Ruby gently grabbed your hand and guided you on the inside of the sidewalk, taking your previous place of walking closer to the street. “A lady should never have to walk close to the street, it’s dangerous.” Ruby stated matter of factly and giving you a charming smile.

You blushed at Ruby holding your hand still, “O-oh.. thank you, Ruby..”

Ruby chuckled and continued talking, “But no, I’m not the only child.” He answered, opening the door for you. “I have twin siblings, a boy and a girl. Who are extremely annoying by the way.” He joked, walking you up to the counter to order.

“I’m sure they aren’t that bad!” You giggled, looking over the menu. “I’ll take vanilla with sprinkles, please.” You asked the cashier politely.

The cashier checked you out, not bothering to hide how attractive he found you. “No problem, beautiful.” He smiled, entering what you wanted into the register. “And for the kid?” He asked, looking at Ruby.

Ruby glared and scoffed, “This “kid” will have the same.”

The cashier raised his eyebrow at Ruby and entered in what he wanted. “Right, that’ll be $6.20.” He said, continuing to send flirty glances your way.

You made a slight disgusted face at the guy and watched Ruby pay. “Aw, that’s sweet of the kid to pay for you.” The cashier remarked, causing Ruby to glare more.

You placed a gentle hand on his arm, “Hey.. let’s just go sit at a booth, Ruby.” You spoke softly before grabbing both of your ice creams.

Ruby nodded and turned to walk to a booth quietly. You frowned a little and sat across from Ruby, “Don’t let that jerk get to you. I don’t see you as a kid, Ruby.”

Ruby looked up so his eyes could meet your own, “But others do. They always have and they probably always will. No one takes me seriously, especially when I’m walking around with a gorgeous girl like you. That’s all I will be seen as, some kid with a girl who is clearly way out of his league.” Ruby frowned, taking a bite of his ice cream.

You gently rested your hand on his, “Who cares what others see? People are always looking to judge others.. it sucks, but it’s true. I think you’re a wonderful and handsome person, inside and out. Please don’t let what others say change how you feel about yourself.” You encouraged, smiling softly at Ruby.

Ruby relaxed and stared into your eyes, “You’re so wonderful, (y/n).. I wish I was more of a man, for you.” He smiled softly.

You giggled softly as Ruby spoke, watching the melted ice cream on his lips.

“What..?” Ruby tilted his head like a lost puppy.

“You just... you have a little-..” you laughed softly, “I’ll get it.” You said as you leaned in to kiss Ruby.

Ruby’s eyes widened and he kissed back shocked. It only took him a moment to relax and kiss back smoothly, holding down his excitement.

You pulled away slowly, tucking a piece of your hair back behind your ear, “You had some ice cream on your lips.. I figured I should help you out..” you winked, smiling more at Ruby’s shocked face.

“Woah... that was my first kiss.” He admitted, smiling at you like a goof ball. “And it was amazing..” he finished, excitedly.

“There’s more where that came from, Ruby.” You flirted, giggling and beginning to eat your ice cream.

This was the beginning of Ruby and your loving relationship.

[a-merman-not-a-guppy]

It will be alright, alright, alright | Carrotflakes

Finn reaches out to Nemo and Tae after an argument with Ariel. The conversation sort of devolves from there. Talk of prom, goats, etc. Group chats man.

@justkeepdancing-nemo​ @moon-yeongtae​

Finn: hi Nemo! hi Tae! I hope it's not weird to put us all together in a chat like this.

Finn: it might be weird Nemo: course its not weird ahah we've group chatted before :heart: Finn: :heart: Finn: I want to ask you guys Finn: well I want to talk Nemo: yeah? whats up!

Finn: i got in a fight with Ariel? Finn: i mean not physically Finn: though she did. got in a physical fight Finn: with ASHLEY A! Nemo: ohhhhh yeah i heard Nemo: at mei's party right??? Nemo: but wait why did u fight ariel then Finn: everyone's heard. Finn: well she just Finn: she's just so Finn: reckless? i mean she told me not to panic Finn: and I know I panic a lot okay. but whenever she says that I swear my heart rate picks up ten times because I know something's happened Finn: and that she's gonna be super casual about it and laugh about it while I have my tenth heart attack of the year Nemo: oh i see Nemo: she's not taking your worry seriously, thats why? Finn: I guess? I mean she never does really. Which I get kind of. Finn: I worry about everything. I know that. Finn: but the ashleys are really awful and I'll cry if they do something awful to her. Finn: I mean it's one thing if it's me, I mean I get it and I'm used to it. but she's my best friend Nemo: :/ ok well she should take your worries seriously Nemo: i get why you'd be upset over that Nemo: and the ashleys arent a joke! they seriously messed with robbie for months under everyone's noses Finn: I've never fought with her before! But this is so... Finn: god and Robbie! Finn: she talked about how you and Robbie were in the burn book too and were 'doing okay' and acting like none of what the Ashleys do is a big deal. Finn: I reminded her of what they did to me and she said it was more reason to stand up and fight them! Finn: I wouldn't ask anyone to do that! Nemo: i mean i think it is important to stand up... i dunno about fight... Nemo: i just mean that we cant let the ashleys rule our lives but yeah purposefully antagonizing them is bad haha why sneak into a falcon's nest you know! Finn: they've ruled my life for years so I guess it's hard for me to even think about that. Finn: i don't want them antagonized and doing awful things to you or to robbie or to ariel. Nemo: :/ Nemo: i mean i get where ariel is coming from Nemo: and you too Nemo: is she really planning to...uh...fight more? what would that even mean? didnt she like punch ashley a or something Finn: I don't know. I think so? Finn: she didn't give me details which made me a little more suspicious but after I reminded her about what the ashleys did she said Finn: ' Youre only giving me more reasons to stand up to them and not let them get away with all of that' Finn: and Finn: 'I cant just stand by anymore and im sorry if that makes you upset and that i didnt do something sooner' Finn: i'd rather be homeschooled again than be the excuse to pick more fights Nemo: aw jingles i hope she isnt gonna involve you Nemo [deleted]: i already feel like i made you a target as it is D: sdlfkajs Nemo: maybe give it a day?? she could calm down! maybe it wont seem so important anymore Nemo: to her, i mean Finn: I asked her not to but there's really no telling with her sometimes. Finn: she really makes rash decisions! Finn: i hope she will but I don't think so. And now we're not talking so I don't know what I'm gonna do Finn: besides maybe idk Finn: do you think Tae would make sure Ariel stays safe? I could make cookies Nemo: course he would but Nemo: ...i dunno if ariel would uh, like that Nemo: i dont know much about her but from everything you're telling me i mean Nemo: though maybe she could eat lunch with us if that would make you feel better! Nemo: except ur fighting Nemo: well after you make up! Nemo: though maybe having three burn book victims in one place is a bad call.... Nemo: hm Nemo: hold on let me think ahah Finn: I just want her to be safe. But I guess you're probably right. she'd hate it Finn: and I feel stupid for not being able to do anything to keep her safe either Nemo: well no matter what we would ALL be there for her if she needs it Finn: I'm so lucky to know you guys. Nemo: im so lucky i know you finn :heart: Nemo: im sorry there's more ashley drama ugh Nemo: if i could go back to new years eve and do it all over again i really would Finn: there's always drama with the ashleys. Finn: next year they're gone though from school! and then it'll be fine! it'll be good. Finn: but I wouldn't change New Years Eve. I did something I'd never do otherwise and I had a lot of fun with my friends before everything Finn: Ashley A can...she can....ugh I can't insult her yet not even like this Finn: but you know what I probably mean Nemo: i can Nemo: she's a wartface who can choke on tree fungus Nemo: and ashleigh q is a literal monster who needs to be exorcised from the planet Finn: I can't believe I giggled at that. Finn: that's a very unique insult Nemo: ii got plenty more where that came from! Nemo: but i  will keep them to myself and this group chat!

Finn: hahaha that's probably smart. No need to cause more fights. Nemo: all i wanna do iis get through school without getting grounded again im really trying not to get into trouble lol Finn: a good goal to have too. Finn: it'll be fine. We've all got each other. It should be. Yeah. Nemo: yeah! Tae: I CANT BELIEVE I WAS WORKING Tae: ARIEL FOUGHT ASHLEY A? Nemo: omg u didnt hear yet?? Tae: no I was in Jun's all work and no play orbit Nemo: lol did he take ur phone again Tae: yes next time I'm gonna axe murder him Tae: THE POINT IS THAT ARIEL KICKED ASHLEYS ASS YAAAAAAAAY Tae: sorry I hate her Nemo: join the club aha Tae: I can't believe he took my phone at such a critical time I'm gonna point to this as an example that u cant just take a teens phone bc their friends might need them Nemo: well the fight happened like a day ago Tae: does he have to know that? Tae: no Nemo: i dont think this is a very convincing argument anyway tae yah Nemo: say someone was dying Tae: right yes also I'm really sorry finn Tae: I'll protect ariel Tae: if I can Nemo: just dont get in trouble yourself Nemo: can we all try not to get in trouble??? Nemo: we gotta go to prom in a couple of months ago we need CLEAN RECORDS Tae: sometimes trouble just finds u neems did John mcclane ask for trouble Nemo: (prom is real right thats not just in movies..........) Tae: prom is a real (stupid) thing yes Nemo: tae yah u r going to prom Nemo: sorry not sorry Tae: I dont have a suit and we are poor I cant go Nemo: i dont have a suit and im even more poor and im still gonna go Nemo: i bet you can wear jun's suit Tae: jun is an oddly proportioned dorito Nemo: and you're not??? Finn: pfft Finn: I'm not going to prom Tae: I am a beefcake with angelic proportions thank you very much Finn: oh god Finn: no Finn: i mean respectfully Finn: no Tae: wow rude

Nemo: what!!! finnyyy you gotta Nemo: we'll all go together Finn: please no Nemo: D: Nemo: but why not? Nemo: its not an ashley party, its school sanctioned Nemo: there will be chaperones right? Finn: yeah but they'll be there Finn: they have to to get their devil horns Finn: i mean crown Nemo: but there will be grown ups! Nemo: also lol Tae: we could carrie them Nemo: no Finn: isn't that the scary thing with blood?

Nemo: we'll just mind our own business ok Tae: :))))))))) Nemo: we'll dance and eat food and look fit in our suits and be home before 10 because thats my curfew it will be so lame and fun! Finn: alternative plan: we could not go and have an anti prom hang out Nemo: but i wanna go to prom :/ Finn: oh. that's not fair Nemo Finn: i can picture your sad face Nemo: :(((((((((((((((((((((((((( Tae: you cant go with us anyway nemo u have to go with rooooooobbbbbbieeeeeee Finn: NEMOOOOO DDDD= Finn: that's true too Tae: finn do u wanna be my date? I'll fight everyone for u Nemo: i wanna go with YOU LOT TOO Nemo: c'mon Nemo: i wanna do the big group thing Finn: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Nemo: we have to go to prom at least once Finn: remember the last party we went to? Finn: it can't be that soon to be forgotten Nemo: if not this year then next year when the ashleys arent at school??? Tae: I cant believe I just put my WHOLE HEART ON THE LINE and finn ignored me ya_bae_nemo [this is a snapchat]: 

Finn: WAIT I'M SORRY Finn: TAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Finn: dgpsodjpgojgspdgjdsg Nemo: i meani really wont make you guys go if you dont want Finn: if i were a prom person i would definitely go with you tae of course Finn: wait Finn: why do i have to feel GUILTY Finn: meanies Tae: nemo I'm asking for a date shut ur mouth Nemo: sorry i just realized i was doing the same thing i did at new years!! Nemo: im the worst lol Finn: omg NO Finn: no you're NOT Nemo: nevermind nevermind we'll do anti prom this year that sounds fun too Finn: stooooop it right there Nemo: seriously you're right anti prom could be cool Finn: Nemo Nemo: i mean it! Finn: Nemo: i could go to prom prom next year! Finn: 

Finn: stop Nemo: WHAT Finn: ugh i don't wanna fight with more than one friend today and Finn: who's to say prom wouldn't be fun if Finn: and ONLY IF Finn: Mr. Hot Date over there doesn't leave for another hot date ever Finn: during the time of this Nemo: we arent fighting Finn: it feels like we could and i don't wanna make you sad Tae: I'll stay by your side the whole time Finn: wow Nemo: no im not sad at all Nemo: you arent making me sad Finn: you sure? Tae: only bc u called me hot ;) Nemo: its too early to be talking about it anyway!! who knows maybe robbie will dump me and i'll be too depressed to go to prom lol Finn: omg. you're both going to kill me Finn: here lies Finn Finn: rip Finn: and if Robbie ever dumps you Finn: he'd be the BIGGEST IDIOT ON THE PLANET Tae: nemo u r literally so dramatic ok robbie is so far up ur ass hes like coming out ur throat Finn: that's gross tae Nemo: im just saying its literally three months away Tae: WHERE IS THE LIE FINN Finn: too vivid a mental picture Tae: what's our color scheme picasso Nemo: the theme hasnt even been announced Nemo: u cant decide that yet tae yah c'mon even i know that Finn: can i make our clothes? Tae: oh hell yes you can Finn: :heart:

Tae: also nemo u can always decide first if ur not a coward cmon Nemo: i think the theme makes it fun Tae: ok fine ur right bc I could be something cool like die hard then I could wear a tank top and no shoes Nemo: id just go shirtless Finn: nooooooo Nemo: rub myself up in blood and oil Tae: hahahaha Finn: sounds like the most terrifying form of prom Nemo: its HOT Finn: blood and oil? Finn: gross Tae: yeah Finn it's for the aesthetic Nemo: its so i can take out the germans Finn: ...... Finn: what Tae: have you never seen die hard either Finn: no? Nemo: omg you dont know my husband john mcclane!!! Tae: do I have to do all the work around here Finn: i guess so Finn: you've never invited me for a movie night this isn't my fault DDD= Tae: nemo we have to make him watch die hard with us Nemo: duh! Finn: is it a scary movie? Nemo: yes Nemo: but cool Tae: no Finn: .... Nemo: there's guns and stuff Nemo: and death Finn: ahhh intense Tae: yeah and a really ineffectual police department Nemo: people die hard lolol Tae: I learned that word today Tae: ineffectual Nemo: i dont even know what that means Nemo: tae yah dont get smarter than me Nemo: its not fair lol Tae: good because I probably used it wrong LMFAO Finn: no Finn: you did fine! Finn: :smile: Nemo: see finn is already smarter than me Tae: jun bought me a word of the day calendar bc I called myself a dumbass last week Finn: wahhhhh Nemo: ahhahaha Tae: so maybe I wont sound like a dumbass while still secretly being the biggest dumbass ever Finn: you are NOT Tae: UNDERCOVER DUMBASS HAHAJAHA Finn: D= Nemo: i'll still sound like a dumbass Finn: DD= Nemo: hopefully i'll be cute enough to make up for it Finn: you guys are making me sadddddddd Nemo: :kissing_heart: Tae: nemo ur the cutest it's ok tell him hes cute finn Nemo: im kidding finn i mean im not super smart or anything but im a fairy so who cares Finn: you're smart and funny and kind and cute? Nemo: oh jingles Nemo: i really wasnt trying Nemo: i didnt mean i mean i really was kidding !! Tae: yeah and I wanna be a cop and if you've seen any movies you dont have to be smart to do that either Nemo: now im blushing Finn: my friends are great! i just wanna hug you guys when you say stuff like that about yourself Finn: and we can talk about pots and kettles but i won't hear it Finn: today at least Nemo: also thats tru tae yah all cops are terrible except for hopefully one day u Nemo: well finny you ARE also smart and funny and kind and cute too Nemo: and kind of a bad ass wow Nemo: i promise i wont call myself a dumbass anymore Finn: i'll try to believe everything but the badass part lol Finn: but good :heart: Finn: YOU TOO TAE Tae: I promise I wont call myself a dumbass out loud anymore Tae: lmfao sorry Finn: -.- Finn: fine i guess Finn: sorry. i just really love you guys a lot Nemo: i love you too :slight_smile: Nemo: tae is just okay :slight_smile: Tae: that's me ok tae Nemo: what we call it Nemo: u Nemo: tae just ok moon Nemo: wow saying it like that was weird Tae: lmfao Finn: tae a great friend moon Finn: moon great friend yeongtae Tae: yeah I hate it too just put moon first white people it's not hard Nemo: omg ok is in tokki Nemo: tOKKi Finn: people should figure out how to say names right though Nemo: mine isnt actually hard im lucky Nemo: people butcher my appa's its awful Tae: tae is easy it's like Taylor's swift Finn: I think they'd butcher mine Nemo: Taelor Swift. Finn: but only my mom and aunt called me it anyway Nemo: tae yah thanks for giving me so many great nicknames for u Finn: taelor swift is good lol Nemo: wait finny u never told me your birth name? Tae: if u call me taelor swift i might kill everyone Nemo: i didnt realize you had one Finn: yeah I don't go by it so most people wouldn't xP Finn: dad said it was 'too hard' to say Finn: and they named me Finn Nemo: yeah i get it i dont go by nammin either Tae: i'm gonna pull a power move and use my goat's name Nemo: omg dont Nemo: tae yahasdfja Finn: isn't the goat just Finn: no wait never mind Nemo: dont get him started Tae: MY GOAT HAS A BEAUTIFUL NAME NEMO Nemo: i know that tae yah Tae: i'll just walk into class one day and pronounce myself Hanuelbyeolimgureumhaennimbodasarangseurouri Nemo: theeeeeeeeeere it is Finn: my eyes Finn: what am i trying to read Nemo: ha nuel byeol im gureum hae nnim bo dae sarang seurouri does that help Finn: i wish it did Tae: HAHAHA it's basically the most genius sibling win ever Tae: i named my goat something that basically means more lovely than the sun sky and stars which are, coincidentally, my sister's names HAHAHAHA Tae: it is my legac Finn: oh my god. i'm a lot slower on trying to read hangul and I got some of it Nemo: it IS pretty hilarious Finn: but not all Finn: wow Nemo: and the goat IS pretty sexy Tae: the sexiest goat Nemo: i want her to call me oppa Tae: HAHAHAHAHA Nemo: >) Finn: oh my god Finn: so is this gonna be Finn: 

Finn: not judging Finn: lol Nemo: whoa is that a movie about a romance between four men and a goat Nemo: humans are wild Finn: i honestly don't know. I just know this movie exists Tae: that's one i've actually never seen so i can't help Nemo: im gonna believe its a romance between four men and a goat Finn: should we find out? watch die hard and then Finn: a goat movie Nemo: i will watch anything so sure!! Tae: that's true he is a slut for movies Nemo: hey Tae: um i've seen more than u so Tae: i'm the biggest movie slut around Nemo [deleted]: well u werent called a whore so Nemo: lol true Finn: we could do a movie night at my place? Finn: or yours if you want Tae buttttt Tae: no yours is fine Nemo: if its yours i can play with pannieeeee Finn: i was about to brag and show a picture again Finn: i guess i don't have to Finn: xP Nemo: were u gonna show a picture of pannie!!! Nemo: you read my mind!!1 Finn: i mean Pannie is a treasure! i will definitely cuddle him for all scary things! Nemo: guess that means i gotta cuddle tae yah Nemo: sorry tae yah ur stuck with me Finn: guess so. we could both cuddle pannie too, i could share i guess Finn: check this out Finn: 

Tae: HIS SHIRT Nemo: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Finn: he gets to be stylish with me Nemo: U DID NOT Nemo: did u make that! Finn: of course! Tae: there is no way nemo will cuddle me now look at him Finn: well if nemo desperately wants to cuddle pannie i gueeeeess i could cuddle you tae if you're sad Tae: it's okay i'm a big strong man who doesn't need cuddles lmfao Neems: I CANT BELIEVE U MADE THAT Finn: oh. so you don't want to cuddle me? D= Finn: so very sad Finn: nemo cuddle me with pannie Neems: i will cuddle anyone who needs it tae yah knows im a big rotten coward Neems: HE LOOKS LIKE A GENTLEMAN Neems: sorry im still not over it Finn: =DDD Neems: u should make him a little tie :((( id cry Finn: ooooo that's a good idea Finn: i'll make him a black tie so he can feel fancy Finn: or black bow tie? Neems: both! Neems: one for the office one for special occasions duh Tae: tie the tie around his head so he looks like a karate master Finn: i think he'd just chew that off Finn: but i like the creativity Tae: thank u i'll be here my whole life Neems: tae the tie master moon Tae: omg that sound cooler than taelor swift i'll take it Finn: a bit wordy though. TTTMM Tae: just call me tm Tae: traDEMARK BITCHESSSSSS Finn: hahaha

[invisiblenotbroken]

A Ghost Story For Halloween

“If we are really witches why cant we just fly.” Clement was not happy about what her mother had assured her would be an adventure. Clement did not see adventure in state after state rolling past her window in corn, plain, and flat long blue skies. To punish her mother she had created a game of seeing how many states she could go without speaking to her. This was the first time she had said anything since Idaho.

Her mother looked at her from under her sunglasses, “She speaks. Even my tarot couldn’t have predicted it.”She waited for Clement to speak again. Her knuckles turning pale on the wheel “I only know how to do so many things but the second you learn the flying thing please teach me.”

Clement found a particularly fascinated piece of skin on her thumb. She swooped on it like an owl gnawing until dots of blood could be seen. “I still don’t think we should have had to move.” Her mother’s body became stiff with every bit of her energy focused away from Clement and on the road. “It was only a little thing and no one got hurt.” She remembered Tom’s face when he had stood back up. “Well not really hurt.”

“It’s a new start, for both of us.” Her mother squeezed her knee. A smile started thin and uncertain dying quickly at Clement’s expression. “We only have another state and a half for you to be silent in, make the most of it.”

Clement glared at her. “I told you to stay out of my head.”

“Then don’t think so loud.” Her mother turned on the radio full blast and as usual her mother’s favorite song just happened to be playing. “What are the chances?” Her mother’s voice carried out the window and over the fields. There was nothing left to do but read the book her aunt had left for her, The Grimoire for the Young and Respectable Lady Witch.

The house was perfect. Miles away from anyone and haunted her mother had promised. All sorts of ghosts all sorts of ages. Surely she would find some friends for the Summer, someone who might have been even more angry about being here than she was. Her mother gave her newspaper clippings of all the unsavory incidents that the house had been a stage for. They were dead Clement felt dead inside, they already had things in common.

“Can I have a pet?”

“You don’t need to ask me.”

“Not a familiar but a pet. A regular cat who hunts mice and stuff.”

“Bastet hunts mice.” Bastet stretched and exited the car looking over the house with quiet feline approval.

“You know what I mean.” Bastet stepped on Clement’s foot staring directly into her eyes while she slowly licked her paws clean. Her mother shrugged

“Maybe a frog?” Her mother smiled picking up Bastet and walking into the house.

“That’s not funny.”

“You’re right, it’s hilarious. Last one in has to make dinner. Boil boil toil and trouble.”

“We don't even have a cauldron anymore.”

“True, never enough space for it. We should get one here. Just for appearances sake.”

“Your such a nerd.”

“A nerd who loves you.” Her mom wrapped her arms around Clement  who let herself enjoy it for exactly five seconds.

Clement’s bedroom was at the top of the north stairs over her mother’s room and under her mother’s workroom. No matter where they had lived the workroom was a place Clement had a standing invitation to come and learn the parts of witchcraft that bored her the most. She never came. She preferred her own try and see approach. To be fair this is why they had to move away for a while, after the biology class mishap.

Clement had only meant to reanimate her own frog. She had no idea how all of them got up from their trays and began hopping. Her teacher knew it was her, who else could it possibly be? Poor Tom had fainted dead away turning green and pale. He got a bump on the head from the table. But what could anyone do? To say Clement was weird and strange was one thing but to be able to reanimate a class full of dead frogs, that would be saying she was a witch, and there hadn’t been real witches for hundreds of years. Instead the principal and a very nervous counselor recommended homeschool or a long trip at least for the rest of the school year.

She didn’t mind, not really. High School had been amusing but she hadn’t made any real friends. Her Mother said she was ridiculous Clement was always invited to slumber parties. It just showed how grown ups, even witch grown ups, never know the right questions to ask.

Every slumber party girls who wouldn’t speak to her for anything would suddenly sidle up to her at lunch. They stopped asking if her thermos contained potions. They wanted her for the Oujai board and for games to find out who liked them. Idiots. They had no idea about magic. Real magic. But Clement did and she found ways to amuse herself at the parties. She told the most popular girl in school that she couldn’t see anyone in her future. She made sure she looked at Chelsea with big sorry eyes. A little wet just to sell it. The way Chelsea went on about it you would just know that alone was her least favorite thing. But then again that was Clement’s point. Chelsea’s mother even made an ill advised phone call to her own mother. It ended with a threat about turning her and her pea brained daughter into a toads. She had never liked her mother so much as in that moment.

Now here she was in a haunted house with an entire horizon between her and the next house, completely alone. She grabbed a book on herbology from her mother’s book box and headed out to explore, her head down to avoid seeing her mom’s smile. She would be entirely too pleased about her magical studies.

Hours later inside a room made by an obliging willow Clement sat making faces out of leaves, animating dead bumble bees who made slow confused circles before falling back to the ground, and occasionally reading under half closed eyes. It was going to be a very long few months.

Chpt.2 The Meeting

It took a week before she was ready to play. It was only a few days before she stopped with make up and another day for her mother to stop looking like she might say something about it. The herb book had disappeared in the forest and made its’ way back to her mother’s room. She swore it wasn’t her. It was the best use of Clements’ time and amusement to search the house for possible fairies but the ghosts answered first.

It started out simple and not too scary but that wasn’t the intention. Certain things were tried to see what would frighten Clement the most. Small things, finger nail scratches and light knocks on the door. Almost a hello. Her shoes would appear on the other side of her room and then later would venture to the ice box and once in a fit of what Clement could only call imagination they were hanging by their laces outside her bedroom window on a straggled oak branch. Clement was biding her time. The full moon was coming and she had a few questions. That and she hadn’t spoken to anyone but her mom for a few days.

She waited past midnight. The sky was black except where it was a riot of stars, only the moon was missing. The circle was made of salt cornered with five different stones and five candles. Clement held the sixth with hematite swirling silver in her palm. She was many things but an idiot she was not. Or, she was not dumb enough to make an incautious mistake that her mother could point to.

The candles flickered and the leaves dented in a circle around her.

“Can we stop with the dramatics?” The words were out of Clement’s mouth before she realized they were her mother’s. “I wouldn’t be out here if I didn’t know what you are. I just want to know who.” The wind sighed. “I could do research but there’s no WiFi here and the library is a really long walk.”

“Can I come in?” The words were in Clement’s ear and no where else. Clement held the hematite hard. Her foot knocked the salt back. Her hair was half up half down and her sleeves reached the outer edges of the circle. She looked angry in a way that reminded Clement very much of herself. “I’m Emma.”

“Like the book?”

“Don’t mention that book. I just wanted her to get crushed by a carriage.”

“Is that what happened to you?”

“We had a motor car. Don’t you know that’s very rude.”

“Sorry. You wanted my attention. You have it.”

“Did you like the trick with your shoes?”

“It made me come out here.”

“You have hematite.”

“How did you know?”

“My mother never would have let me do this without it. They couldn’t be that different, your mother and mine.”

“Does that mean we’re not so different?”

“You are alive.”

“Sorry.” Clement had no idea why she was sorry but all of the sudden she really was. Her pulse embarrassed her. “I’m here. You don’t want to talk about how you died. What do you want?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to it’s just really personal and I don’t know you. I’ve been alone here a long time.”

“You dont have to worry we’re not here for long. Just until the frog thing blows over.”

“Frog?”

“I reanimated a bunch of frogs in my science class.” The leaves rustled in what could almost be a laugh. The circle grew warm and empty the salt was back in line with the stones.

“You can stay.” The candles burned so much more brightly and Clement sat down suddenly very aware of her heartbeat. She had had encounters with ghosts before but this was very different.

Chpt.

“Did you meet Emma?” Clement’s scarf, candles, and stones tumbled to the floor.

“Were you spying?”

“Spying has such negative connotations. I think of it more like there is no TV and an impromptu seance was much more interesting than my tea. How is she? Did she do the shoe thing?”

“I brought hematite.”

“I would expect so but also not necessary. She’s not harmful just…”

“Disappointed.”

“I hadn’t thought of it before but yes. I think she was. You’re both about the same age. She should be some company for you. Unless you would like to get a pet frog.”

“That was unkind.”

“I am your mother unkind is the bargain we make for me being your mother while you’re a teenager.” Clement leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder.

“Did Grandma take you here?”

“Of course. She wanted me to meet her. I think she was hoping she would tell me how she died.”

“It wasn’t be carriage.”

“I wouldn’t expect so they had a car.”

“God. That’s what she said.” Clement started to walk away.

“Goodnight Poppet. You know I was kidding before about the unkind thing.”

“No you weren’t”

“No, but do you forgive me?”

“Always.” Clement could feel her mother sinking into a chair stirring her tea with her newest cat slinking under her wrist.