#cole event 002

[reneebrxndxn]

Redwood Prom - The Clinic

Where Cole comes to Renee after his fight with Isaac, she patches him up and Fleet wins the best son award. @colcreznik & @fleetsummers

cole.

-when he entered the community building, cole asked around for renee. he'd gotten a few weird looks, but finally he found the woman and made a b-line to her- I acquire your assistance, doc. -he forced a smile- If you don't mind.

Renee Brandon

-Renee was resting her feet and sipping on some punch. It had been an interesting night, to say the least. And it was just abou to get more interesting as Cole approached her, looking a lot more worse for wear- Oh my God, what happened?

cole.

That damn mountain troll’s what happened. -cole sighed, giving a nod toward renee- You got a kit or something around here or can we hustle to the clinic? Heard human bites can be fatal - living or dead.

Renee Brandon

-Renee pulls herself to her feet instantly- We'll head to the clinic. -her boys were off with their friends and it wasn't like she was worried about anything happening to them here- Come with me. -she nods towards the door as she leads him to the clinic_

cole.

-without another word, cole follows renee to the clinic. the cool air against the wounds weirdly felt nice; a plus side. when they reached the clinic, he stayed standing and looked around- Where you want me, doc?

Renee Brandon

-Renee unlocked the door to the clinic and let Cole step inside before closing the door.- Sit down on the exam bench and tell me exactly what happened. I don't care if you don't tell me who did this but I need to know what caused all of this so I can treat it properly.

cole.

Yes ma'am. -he taunted with a smirk. cole did what she said, keeping himself sated for the time being since he needed his wounds tended to- Got a chunk of my scalp bitten off and a skewer stabbed in my cheek. My cheek I'm not worried about, but this shit? -cole moves his head for renee to see the head wound clearer- I'm more concerned about.

Renee Brandon

-Renee puts on a pair of gloves while she listens, only to turn and see the missing chunk from his head as Cole turns his head- Jesus... -she carefully cradles his head as she gets a closer look at the wound- There's a lot of bleeding....I don't think I'm gonna be able to stitch this up or even staple it. The area is too big. -she grabs some cleaning supplies and soaks a rag in the disinfectant- This is gonna sting a lot but I need to put pressure to get the bleeding to stop -she gives him a second to prepare before pressing it to his scalp-

cole.

Do what you gotta do, doc. I've been through worse. -cole took in a deep breath, partially putting himself in another area - mentally that is- You think cauterizing it would work better?

Renee Brandon

-Renee applies the pressure but does glance over at Cole, her brow knitting together a bit- Depends on if I can get the bleeding to stop or not. Cauterizing is only needed as a last resort.

cole.

Might be the best way to go. -cole flinched but did his best to stay still-

Renee Brandon

I was unaware you were a doctor. -she presses a bit more firmly before easing off to see whether the bleeding was slowly or stopping- It's slowing, so that's good. Looks like we won't need to cauterize. That's good.

cole.

Ow! -cole let out a rough sigh, his knuckles whitening as he clutched the seat- I'm not. But I've been in a hospital long enough.

Renee Brandon

-Renee throws the rags to the side to clean them before grabbing some gauze and pressing it to his head wound- Oh yeah? What had you in the hospital?

fleet summers

-comes darting in, looking horrified when he sees Cole- Dad? Ohmigod is he all right? There's so much blood! What did Isaac do to you? -looks pleadingly at Renee- It looks worse than it is, right?

cole.

Which time? -he asked. suddenly the door flew open with fleeting storming through- I’m fine.

Renee Brandon

-Before she could ask, the door opens and Renee looks up. She's silent at first as she adjusts to the knowledge that Fleet is Cole's son and that it was Ike who did this. That shouldn't have been as surprising as it was.- He's fine. He's missing a piece of his scalp but the bleeding is under control. Just need to stitch up the hole in his face and he'll be good to go. -she looks back to Cole with a raised eyebrow- Ike did this? Should I even ask why?

fleet summers

Missing a ... piece of his scalp? That's...Daddy, that's horrible. How can someone do this to you and everyone's fine with it?

cole.

It’s how men are sometimes. I’m fine, really Fleet. Don’t worry about me. Your dad’s been through way worse.

Renee Brandon

He didn't tell me it was Ike. -she sighs as she wraps the bandage around his head so the gauze stays in place- Obviously this is not acceptable, Fleet. I can let the other Council members know if you want me to, Cole. -although she would give Ike the benefit of the doubt and ask him about it first - if he would talk to her-

fleet summers

Yes, please, I'd appreciate that so much, Dr. Brandon.

cole.

I’m not going to sit here and say I was a saint. I might have provoked him a bit by asking to go after his precious Mayra. It’s fine. No need to round everyone up.

fleet summers

-puts his hand on his father's knee, stroking it and looking at him in concern- It's still no reason for you to be so viciously attacked. I know Ike Apatow understands how to talk. He didn't need to ... what is that? Did he bite you? That's -- the man is an animal.

Renee Brandon

Fleet, honey, I know you're worried but I need you to back up so I can work, okay? -she grabs her suture kit and sits down in front of Cole- But Fleet is right - he shouldn't be scrapping with you like that. Are you sure you don't want me to call the Council? Or at least try talking to him about this?

cole.

What the man needs is to be let out of these walls. He’s getting stir crazy. I’ll cut ya a deal. He does this again, then I’ll say round up the troops. But for now, let the caged bird free.

fleet summers

-acidly- Um, if he was better at his job he wouldn't be stuck inside the walls. Dad, I know you don't want to make a big deal out of this, and I respect the whole 'sometimes us menfolk fight it out' thing, but ... that's normal fighting. Punching and elbowing. Not whatever this is.

Renee Brandon

Ike is very good at what he does and he's lead raider for a reason. He saved someone, Fleet. Not saying that gives him a pass to do this, but.... -she stops as she starts to clean Cole's cheek- If he doesn't want to bring it to the Council, I can't force him. But I'll recommend that he gets an outlet so that this doesn't happen again, okay? But if he does, Cole, I need you to tell me.

cole.

Yes ma’am. -cole smirks, looking up to renee as she worked- This mean I’m finally off your shit list, doc? -he asked with a stupid grin-

fleet summers

-has backed up, but puts his hand on his father's forearm as Renee works; his voice is a little more chilly when he speaks again- I don't see why we're condoning this sort of thing. You're a member of the Council. You decide what's brought before them if someone in town asks you to, right? I'm asking you to. My dad's trying to not cause trouble because he knows he's on thin ice with you people. -his tone turns disappointed as he pets Cole's arm- I thought Uncle Sol at least would care more. But he didn't seem to at all.

Renee Brandon

I'm not condoning it. -she says it very pointedly at Fleet- I promise you, Fleet, that I will have a word with Ike about this. You can ask me to, but ultimately this is between Ike and Cole and if Cole doesn't want to brought to the Council's attention, then that is his choice. -she looks back at Cole, not liking that shit-eating grin on his face- Yes, Cole, you're off my shit list. I think you're off just about everyone's unless you've done something I don't know about.

fleet summers

-flatly- Really. Dr. Brandon, everyone knows that you and Isaac don't get along. Your talking to him alone is only likely to make things worse for my dad.

Renee Brandon

-she sighs as she holds Cole's face carefully- This is going to hurt. -she carefully threads the needle through his skin and works to tie it off- I understand you're worried about your dad, but if I go to the Council without Cole and tell them about what happened, it's just as likely that things will get worse for him. Ike doesn't have to like me but he is reasonable. -she wanted to add infuriating but she wasn't going to include that- If talking to him doesn't work, then I'll bring it to the Council and I'll try to keep Cole anonymous.

fleet summers

How would things get worse for him? You think Apatow would come after him for it? -his grip on Cole's arm tightens- Are people in Redwood that petty that they'd blame my dad for what happened to him??

cole.

I can take i- OW -cole winced, tightly holding into the chair- Kid, people don’t like those who break the rules. I broke them by breaking in.

Renee Brandon

-Renee sighs inwardly- No one is going to come after him, Fleet. I'll take care of it.

fleet summers

Daddy, you were looking for somewhere safe to live. You've been nothing but an asset to Redwood since then, you haven't broken any rules. This isn't right. I'm not going to sit by and let you get treated like a second-rate citizen when your own brother won't even stand up for you or -- or care that you got hurt.

cole.

Guess I’m lucky I got you then, huh, kid? -he tries to force a smile at fleet but winces instead- Almost done there, doc? Got a killer headache going now. -he meant for his words to be playful but they came out more forceful and aggressive than he anticipated-

Renee Brandon

Almost done. -she ties off the second stitch before dropping her kit and reaching behind her for pain meds- These are for the pain. No alcohol. And I would prefer it if you stayed here for a bit so I can monitor you.

cole.

Oh come on, Ray Ray. You should know better than anyone people recover better in the comfort of their own home.

fleet summers

-nods firmly- I'll take care of him. He'll be fine with me. -tucks his arm into Cole's, patting it with his other hand- Come on, Dad. I'll get you back to your place and get you set up where it's nice and dark and quiet and you can rest.

cole.

Just the way I like it. -cole lifts himself to stand with the help from fleet and takes the medicine from renee- Thanks, doc.

Renee Brandon

-she's not sure she likes the nickname but she's not about to argue against it- Alright, but Fleet, if you notice anything wrong, please come find me. -she stands up and throws away her gloves- Of course, Cole. And I'll keep you updated with everything.

cole.

-he nods at her statement before lowering his head to fleet- She wasn’t serious about the alcohol, by the way. -cole whispers-

fleet summers

-giggles, but tamps it down so Renee doesn't notice, whispering back- The cider doesn't count as real alcohol!

[loveharlow]

SEVEN [SEASON 2] - 002 (PART 1)

PAIRING ‧₊˚ JJ Maybank x Fem!Reader

SYNOPSIS‧₊˚[8.2k] A trip to Charleston leads to a wild chase through Kooksville and an unexpected reunion that turns the pogues worlds upside down, amongst other heartbreaking events...

WARNING(S)‧₊˚ swearing, mentions of death, mentions of firearms, unestablished relationship, poor communication, tw // jiara mentioned, mild angst

NOW PLAYING‧₊˚

A/N‧₊˚ don't shoot me pookies, it's for plot value😬

˗ˏˋ series masterlist ˎˊ˗

IT WAS THE NEXT MORNING AND THE FOUR OF YOU WERE RIGHT BACK IN MR. SUNN’S CLASS. You had a permanent smile on your face from last night and something had shifted between you and JJ in the hours between then and now. While you were driving to school in the car you two had fixed up together, you’d made a joke about him being your passenger princess, the blonde laughing and then absentmindedly planting his hand on your thigh for the rest of the ride.

You were starting to feel like yourself after weeks of walking around like a ghost and you were holding out hope that after this was all over, once the cloud passed fully, that you could give JJ the answer he deserved. 

Right now, you were muffling laughs as Mr. Sunn rambled about the current unit topic, you and JJ sending tiktoks back and forth, phones hidden under the desks. 

“Mr.Sunn,” A man emerged in the open doorway, dressed down in a suit with an envelope between his fingers. Your laughter died as your attention went to him. “Can I borrow Mr. Heyward for a moment?”

The teacher looked dumbfounded between Pope and the man at the door, chalk clutched between his fingers. “Uh, we’re in the middle of a lesson.”

“My apologies, it won't be long. I’m from the Vanderhorst Foundation, Mr.Heyward was previously in the running for our scholarship.” He pressed once more, Mr.Sunn sighing and giving in, motioning for Pope to get up. Pope looked at the three of us before getting and leaving the room. 

Your eyes met JJ’s across the room, both shrugging. Kiara was too engrossed with trying to peek out of the door from her seat. Even though the classroom was fairly quiet, it was still too far to hear any part of the conversation. 

Maybe he was there to offer Pope another chance which would be, for one, great but also impeccably poor timing. You glanced up at your teacher as his attention turned back to the board, slouching in your chair and shooting a text in the group chat the four of you had.

You

think they’re giving him his spot back?

Kie

doubt it, the deadline’s more than dead :/

JJ

maybe they still want him, pope’s a certified genius

Just then, Pope came power walking back into the classroom, turning a few heads as he did so. He practically fell into his seat, turning around to face you, JJ, and Kie, holding the envelope the man from the foundation had in his hand just minutes ago — flipping it to reveal the very same wheat symbol that was branded into the gold bars.

“What the fu-” JJ started, gaining the attention of Mr.Sunn who had very teacher like expression of warning, causing JJ to trip over his words. “Fu-fudge…” He cleaned up. The teacher gave him a look and turned back around in his chair.

“We’ll talk about it after class.” Pope whispered, nodding and turning around his seat. 

THE FOUR OF YOU BOOKED IT TO THE LIBRARY AS SOON AS THE BELL RANG, the middle-aged hag of a librarian shushing you at the door. You found an empty table and crowded it as soon as possible, all ears waiting on Pope.

“That was the guy from the scholarship committee.” He started, putting the envelope in the middle of the table. “But that’s not all. Read it.” He urged, JJ being the first to swipe up the letter but he hesitated to read. You were sat next to him, the both of you across from Kie and Pope, so you leaned over his shoulder.

“What? What’s wrong?” You asked. JJ angled the paper in your direction, eyeing the two people in front of him nervously as you immediately spotted the problem — the letter was written in cursive. JJ couldn’t read cursive. “Oh, it’s fine, I got it.” You reassured, gently taking the letter from the blonde’s hands.

“What?” Kiara asked, brown eyes fleeting between the both of you. JJ shook his head, wiping his palms on the fabric of his cargo shorts.

“Nothin’. I just, I can’t read cursive.” He dismissed cooly but you could tell the subject made him slightly insecure. “What does it say?” He deflected, looking back at you.

You cleared your throat before reading, paper clutched between both of your hands. “Dear Mr.Heyward, I am reaching out because I may have material evidence that can exonerate John Booker Routledge…” You trailed off, shocked eyes meeting those around the table before you continued reading. “...It is of vital importance that you come and meet with me in person at my offices at twenty-seven King Street, Charleston at eight PM sharp, tonight. Please come alone…?” Your face twisted at that. No way in hell was that happening. “Regards, C.Limbrey.”

“Charleston?” JJ exclaimed incredulously, eyeing Pope’s endlessly pacing figure. “That’s like an eight-hour drive.”

“Plus, the ferry.” You added. “If you want any chance of getting there tonight we’d have to leave, like, right now.” 

“I have a free period.” Kie shrugged, sighing. “I gotta tell my mom, though…”

“Alright but guys?” You piped up, meeting each of their eyes before continuing. “If we get it this time, there’s no way in hell we are giving it to Shoupe. It's gotta go to higher ups or some shit.” 

“Agreed.” JJ nodded, standing from his seat and grabbing his backpack, you following his lead before Pope, who was crouched in front of the library computer, spoke up.

“I think whoever this Limbrey person is, they might be related to the captain of the Royal Merchant.” He told the three of you, JJ and you sharing a look before rounding the table to stand behind the boy at the computer, a webpage pulled up — a biography for ‘Captain Herman Limbrey’. 

Well. Charleston it is, then. 

“I AM SO SICK OF THIS SHIT!” Kiara’s mom’s voice traveled through the rolled down windows of Heyward’s truck. You, JJ, and Pope were sat with the music playing lowly as Kiara attempted to reason with her parents about where she was going. 

The family of three was visible from the driveway, but you could no longer hear the conversation as their voices lowered. 

“They’re takin’ it really well.” JJ quipped sarcastically. You were sat in the middle of the two boys, Heyward’s truck not having a backseat made this drive even more dreadful. “How’d you get this rig?” The blonde asked the boy in the driver’s seat, referring to his father’s truck. “I know your old man didn’t let you have it.”

Pope spoke absentmindedly, eyes too focused on the girl arguing with her parents some feet away. “I undid the intake valves on the carburetor, made it start pinging.” 

JJ nodded his head in approval, shifting his weight in the seat. “Mm, and now you’re just gonna 'take it to your cousin Jeff’s house, just gonna get it fixed, and crash overnight’.” He suggested to which Pope agreed. “I think I’m rubbin’ off on you, Pope. Lyin’ to your old man, stealin’ his truck…”

You quickly nudged the blonde in his side, shooting him a look. He held his hands up in mock surrender and bowed his head. “Ma bad. Sore subject.”

Pope simply sighed, tipping the hat on his head. “I’d say we have about eighteen hours before my pops loses his shit. So long as we get it back before then, we should be good.” Just then, Kiara came storming in the direction of the vehicle, yelling at her parents over her shoulder.

“I’m not going to boarding school!” She shouted, JJ opening the door for the both of you to get out and allow her into the car but she paused in her tracks when her dad began shouting.

“Look at your life, right now! Look at your life!” Kiara looked around at the three of you and then back at her father, shrugging carelessly and not sparing a word. Pope then peeked his head out of the driver’s side window. 

“I, um, I promise to have her back at a reasonable hour and safe.” He threw out, holding his hand up as if he was asking permission. Kiara looked at him, shaking her head. 

“Kiara, listen to me,” Her mother started, not exactly yelling but her voice traveled clearly. “You wanna go? Then go. But if you don’t come back at the proper time, then don’t. Come back. At all!”

You turned to Kie from your place next to JJ. “Hey, don't even worry about it. It’s the same threat each time, you know they won’t go through with it.” You told her quietly, in hopes of not offending her parents but offering her some sort of comfort. 

Kiara didn’t say a word as she ducked into the car, you piling in as JJ squished himself in next to you. 

“This shit would be so much easier without parents...” She scoffed, throwing her bag down on the car floor as JJ shut the passenger side door.

You and him both shared a look, knowing Kie probably didn’t fully think about what she was saying or who was around. You both grimaced at one another before looking away.

“God, 's so hot in here.” She complained throwing her head back. “Remind me why we didn’t take your car again?” She directed the question at you. “I mean, isn’t it drive-able now? You and JJ spent like every day working on it…”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t have the willpower to make it to Charleston and back just yet.” You told her with a small shrug. The girl simply groaned, trying to adjust herself in between you and Pope so it wasn’t so tight.

“Okay, could you stop moving like that? It’s making it hard to drive.” Pope inquired, pulling out of her driveway and heading down the road.

“There’s no space dude, there’s twice as many people in here than this car was built for.”

“Okay, JJ and Y/N, can you guys lap up or something?” The suggestion almost made you cough. Sitting on JJ’s lap for the next few hours did not seem like a good idea, considering recent events.

“Why can’t she sit on my lap?” Kiara asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Because she’ll block the rearview.” Pope threw out, annoyance growing in his tone. 

You looked to JJ for some kind of reassurance, he simply nodded and motioned his hands for you to come on. The car was still moving so you tried your best to be careful, the blonde spreading his legs to make a little more room for you to sit between them.

Once you had yourself settled, it was almost like JJ didn’t know where to put his hands. He had them planted on his on thighs beforehand so he accidentally laid a hand on your thigh before quickly removing it.

“My bad.” He muttered nervously. You could see his face faintly in the passenger side mirror.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind. I’m the one kind of in your space, right now.” You shrugged, trying your best to come off nonchalant, as if this whole scenario didn’t make your heart go crazy. 

“You sure? I mean, I got pockets, I can just-”

“It’s cool, JJ.” You cut him off reassuringly, the blonde hesitating before letting his hand make home on your thigh. You didn’t know how to sit, if you should lean back on him, anything. But you figured if you made it awkward, it was going to be awkward. So you took a deep breath and simply leaned back into him, the boy making no protest about the movement. 

The only thing you couldn’t ignore was the growing erection that was pressing against your leg, harder by the minute. Heyward’s truck was no smooth riding vehicle, so the ride was quite bumpy. You could still see JJ’s face in the passenger side mirror and he looked mortified.

Neither of you were stupid — if you could feel it, you knew he definitely could. And if he could feel it, he felt terrible knowing you could too.

“I’m so fucking sorry.” He muttered out, coming out more like a sigh as he ran a hand down his face. You shifted your eyes to the left to see Kie on her phone and Pope was too occupied with driving, probably deep in thought about how much trouble he was going to be in if his pops found out about all this.

“It’s-” You cleared your throat before speaking, shrugging one shoulder. “It’s fine. Shit happens.”

“Nah, it’s not.” He groaned. “I can try and move so you can sit more on the seat-”

You cut him off quickly. “We’ll be at the Ferry dock soon. Honestly, JJ. Don’t sweat it.” You said finally.

The action did make a small well of discomfort bubble in your stomach with your last sexual encounter being non consensual and traumatizing. Just because it was JJ didn't quell any of your anxiety but you were trying not to live life as a victim.

A few deep breaths and you were calming down.

You could understand his humiliation and had your relationship with him been in different place, maybe you two would have laughed it off. But with this newfound depth of your “friendship”, it had you both sitting in silence the rest of the ride.

“MY PARENTS ARE SO PARANOID ABOUT ME BEING A POGUE LIKE IT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN…” Kiara complained leaning against the passenger door of the truck. The four of you had it made it to the ferry just in time to catch the current ride. You and JJ, who was rolling a blunt, were sat in the back of the pick-up truck across from one another, Pope leaning on the side paying the three of you no mind. The awkwardness between you two had alleviated by the time you reached The Ferry, but the situation still lingered in your mind.

Seagulls squawked as the boat sailed the water, the sizable ship making its way slowly but surely. 

“Hey, I hear they got good weed at boarding schools, though.” He replied optimistically. “Y’know, ‘cause all the rich kids got a shit ton of money to blow.”

Kie shrugged, dismissing the blonde’s hopeful piece of information. “I’m not going to boarding school.” She protested firmly. “If they want me to go, they’ll have to kidnap me. I don’t even know what their problem is. I mean, my dad was a pogue, you know that, obviously…” She trailed off, throwing an arm out in your direction. “They’re so hypocritical and overbearing. Why can’t my parents be more like yours?”

You couldn’t contain your expression of offense at Kiara’s words, the statement flowing so freely from her lips. So carelessly. “...You want a dead father and an underlying criminal mother who couldn’t give less of a shit about you?” The question was rhetorical but you wondered how she planned on explaining herself.

“Of course not, I didn’t mean it like that.” She cocked her head as if you were being unreasonable. “It’s just that, you can’t deny that this whole thing has been easier for you without parents watching your every move and breathing down your neck. That’s... all I was saying...”

You drew your lips into a thin line, arms crossing defensively. “Okay, well, my dad was murdered and my mother probably had something to do with it. Not to mention she tried to kill me, so not having two parents hasn't really been a choice for me, Kiara. But hey, ‘can’t deny that this whole thing has been easier’ for it, right?”

“I wasn’t saying-” She tried to defend with half a scowl on her face before Pope jumped in, JJ tapping your shoulder and offering you the blunt he’d been preparing. You took his from between his fingers, taking a long drag as Pope spoke.

“Okay, can we not argue? Please? I’m already mildly seasick enough as is.” He suggested, Kiara muttering a ‘fine’ under her breath as she adjusted her ponytail. “Kie, have you tried to hit JB back on that number?”

“Like, twenty-million times.” She groaned. “Some random lady at a hotel keeps picking up the phone.” 

Pope sighed, shifting his weight. “Well, until they contact us again, we gotta keep trying to clear John B’s name. Right now? This letter is our best bet.” He concluded, rubbing his hands over his head. You turned slightly to be able to see him, offering the joint to the boy.

His eyes fleeted between Kie and the smoking object, contemplating. She simply crossed her legs and arms, offering the boy a mischievous smile. “What Pope are you gonna be today?” She asked.

He seemed to ponder for a few more moments before shaking his head, you retracting the blunt and passing it back to JJ as he spoke to Kiara. “I’m good, gotta stay focused.” 

“I’ll take that.” JJ offered himself up, plucking the rolled object from your fingers with a smile.

Kiara simply nodded, her smile flattening out into a grimace. “Good Pope…” She said. “Boring Pope.” And you didn’t miss the way Pope’s face fell.

“I’VE READ THIS LIKE A THOUSAND TIMES AND IT STILL MAKES NO SENSE.” Kie explained from her place between Pope and JJ, you once again on the blonde’s lap as Pope cruised through Charleston. You’d gotten off the ferry a few hours ago, the sun now lower in the sky. “The Limbrey’s own like half of Charleston. What do some elite Kooks from Charleston known about a murder on Kildare?”

“I’m more concerned about why Pope specifically?” JJ questioned, eyes looking up at the driver. 

“Yeah. ‘Please come alone’? That’s off-putting, to say the least.” You added, sitting almost slanted in JJ’s lap in order to lean on the door. You were both a little hazy from the weed so your nerves were a lot calmer. 

“I had the same thought.” Pope chipped in. “I was thinking it’s probably because-” He cut himself off as a cloud of smoke erupted from the hood of his dad’s truck, blinding the road ahead. “Aw, shit, come on!”

“Pull over.” Kie demanded. “Jesus, that’s a lot of smoke. Even for your dad’s truck…” JJ began cough, you using your hand to cover his mouth as he rolled up the window. When he had it successfully rolled up, he gently removed your hand from his mouth. 

“Pope, I got sensitive lungs, dude.” He coughed out. A filter of smoke filled the car, you trying to wave it from in front of your face as it made your eyes burn. 

“I’m pulling over, okay?” Pope assured, but the car wasn’t slowing down. Pope swerved to the side but instead of pulling over, the car kept going off the curb until it was cruising through a patch of grass next to a quiet farm and you didn’t miss the rim that fell off of one wheel fly by the driver’s side window.

“Every time we let Pope drive, nothing goes right.” You muttered as the car came to an abrupt stop, the hood still smoking. You heard the engine die as Pope put both hands on top of his head. 

“No, no, no…” He whined as he hopped out of the car, JJ following suit and helping you before jumping out himself.

“It’s gonna blow up.” Kie worried, crawling out of the passenger side herself. 

“It’s not gonna blow up.” JJ told her, coughing one last time and rounding the hood as Pope attempted to fan the smoke away with his hat. “You most likely unhooked the radiator, Pope.” JJ suggested, eyeing the state of the vehicle. “Damn, you knocked the entire hubcap off.”

“Yeah, the Limbrey’s might have to take a rain check for tonight.” You added, scratching the back of your neck and eyeing Pope pitifully. The boy had a look on his face — somewhere between terror and disbelief.

“There’s still, uh, public transportation?” Kiara tried to reason, not seeming completely sure about the suggestion herself. You took it upon yourself to life the hood and examine the parts yourself, picking up a little bit about cars here and there from JJ.

“Yeah, it’s definitely the radiator…” You said aloud, sighing. Pope groaned loudly behind you.

“My dad’s gonna kill me!”

“No, he won't. I’m sure-” You were about to reassure the boy before you took one glance back at the car. The smoking, hubcap-less, mess of a car. “Okay, he might. He might…”

“Look, Pope, buddy, I’m sure there’s somethin’ we can do, right?” JJ offered, putting a hand on the solemn boy’s shoulder. You took the time to pull out your phone, you didn’t have many bars out here but enough to open up the ‘Maps’ app on your phone.

“There’s a mechanic garage about fifteen miles south of here.” You announced, looking out at your three friends. “Think your dad’s truck can make it fifteen more miles?”

THE SUN HAD COMPLETELY SET BY THE TIME THE FOUR OF YOU MADE IT TO THE GARAGE. What should’ve been a mere thirty-minute car ride took nearly an hour, Pope being too afraid to drive more than twenty miles an hour and making a pit stop to check under the hood again.

The boy in question was inside, negotiating with the owner of the shop. It was some place called Archie’s Auto Repairs, right next to a gas station and rest stop. You figured you were killing about three birds with one stone – car repair, refuel, and food.

JJ and Kiara were waiting in the truck while Pope spoke to the man in charge and you went inside to relieve yourself and get snacks. You were in the gas station bathroom, finishing up with washing your hands when you looked at yourself in the mirror.

Surprisingly, you didn’t look like complete shit. Your hair was a bit frizzy and you look tired but you looked better than you had in the last month. You felt better than you had in the last month. Ever since that text from John B came through, it felt like everything was returning back to it’s normal state, like your life had hit the refresh button.

And maybe after everything settles and John B is cleared, things could be different but in a good way. This new life you were building, with JJ and Marley, it was starting to make you envision you had never really seen before. A life with JJ as something more than a best friend. You’d thought about him like that a few times throughout your friendship but it was JJ. You needed him and you didn’t want to ruin something so special because you had an on and off crush. But this one stuck. Maybe it was the kiss, or the almost sleeping together, you didn’t know. But something in your head was screaming at you to give it a shot. Something inside of you was reaching for him, calling out for him.

So maybe, once everything was okay again, you could figure that out.

Leaving the restroom, you cruised down the aisles of the shops — candy bars, chip bags, and sugary drinks, the whole selection look appetizing when you hadn’t eaten in over five hours. You grabbed four sodas and two family sized bags of chips and took them up to the register, the older, gross looking man eyeing you up and down as he scanned your items.

“That’ll be nineteen sixty-eight.” He slurred, bagging your goods as you fished for the twenty in your back pocket. “You’re a pretty little thang, aren’t ya? How old are ya, darlin’?” He asked, leaning his arms on the cashier’s counter, bumping the register. You cringed, sliding the bill across the surface.

“Not old enough.” You sassed, snatching the bag from the counter and leaving out the door, the bell ringing above you as you left. “Perv.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes as your rounded the corner of the shop to see the truck come into view.

Just as quickly as you rounded the corner, you hid behind it. Your heart had stopped for a moment as your registered exactly what it was you had just seen. Biting your bottom lip, you slowly peeked your head around the corner to find that your eyes had in fact not deceived you — Kiara and JJ were kissing in the trunk of Heyward’s pick-up. She had both of her hands on his cheeks, pulling his face into hers as his own gripped the side of the truck for stability.

You immediately tore your eyes away when they pulled apart, hiding behind the wall once more. You couldn’t hear them. Maybe you were grateful for that. You were torn between wanting to cry and wanting lash out on them both. But maybe you had no right, maybe you were the fool in this situation.

It was JJ. JJ Maybank. Half of the female pogue population could probably describe in detail what was hidden beneath his pants. And Kiara? Well, who would turn her down? But she was supposed to be “with” Pope and JJ was giving you all types of green lights. But maybe you were blind and couldn’t see them for the red flags that they clearly were.

But you refused to cry. But that didn’t mean you weren’t pissed. You felt a bit played, in all honesty. And by JJ of all people. And how could Kie do that to Pope when he’s less than ten feet away? They weren’t together or anything, sure. But rules of friendship and respect just seemed so thrown out of the window in the past sixty seconds. 

So, shaking it off, you rounded the corner with the bag in hand. JJ was scratching the top of his head while Kie fiddled with her fingers in her lap before his eyes found you, immediately perking up.

“And the potty princess returns!” He threw his hands up in celebration. “Ooh, did she bring snacks? What’s in the bag?” He asked, coming closer. When he reached you, you pressed the bag into his chest, attempting to keep him at a distance. Letting him have the bag and not even sparing the two another glance, you hopped into the passenger side of the vehicle, absentmindedly slamming the door shut in your silent rage. You hadn’t realized that one of your hands was balled into a tight fist. Loosing your hand, you left crescent-shaped marks in your palm.

You didn’t know how you felt or what you wanted to do about. So you just sat there, listening to the night air, the crickets, the cars that passed by. You felt like JJ had just stomped on your heart and you weren’t even sure if you could be mad at him for it. But you should’ve known.

You’re a pogue. There’s always a calm before the storm. Nothing good comes without something bad.

A COUPLE HOURS HAD PASSED. Pope had found an empty field to park the truck in — shaded by a large, thriving willow tree. None of you really had enough money for a hotel and the money spent on one would be a waste, anyway. 

Surprisingly, there was no night chill in Charleston. The four of you opted to sleep in the trunk of the pick-up, using your jackets and flannels as blankets for comfort. You hadn’t spoken since witnessing what happened at the garage, even Pope was taking weird glances at you the entire ride.

At this moment, Pope was knocked out, Kiara right behind him. You felt a snarl of disgust edge your way onto your face when she leaned over to peck the curly-haired boy on his cheek before closing her own eyes and drifting off. What was she doing?

A part of you was angry that she and JJ kissed, of course. JJ had led you on with this ruse of giving yourselves time to figure out what was going between you two — whether is was grief-driven or genuine. And Kiara had been playing tug-o-war with Pope’s feelings for weeks, months almost, and the moment he has his back turned, she locks lips with his best friend.

As a friend group, you all had your moments. But you never went behind each other’s backs. Especially never like this.

So, you slept alone. As alone as you could, anyway. You were curled up in the farthest place in the trunk from the other three, closest to the front of the vehicle itself. The pit in your stomach was finally starting to settle as the beginning of sleep started to overtake you when a warm hand curled itself around your shoulder, startling you.

Your eyes shot open as you whipped your head to the side to find JJ’s face hovering over yours.

“Jesus.” You whisper-yelled, rolling your eyes before looking at the blonde once more. “What do you want?”

At your standoffish tone of voice and straight to the point question, the boy drew his lips into a thin line, letting his hand slide from your shoulder. “Okay, someone’s grumpy.” He tried to joke, a lazy smile on his face.

You stared blankly at him for a few beats, blinking. “Goodnight, JJ-”

“Okay, sorry sorry…” He protested quickly, looking behind him to make sure he didn’t wake the other two when the volume and pitch of his voice raised before looking back at you. You shifted to lay flat on your back, staring up at JJ as he stared down at you, leaning his weight on one of his arms. “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been actin’ weird since we left that sketchy ass gas station.”

You simply cocked your head. “What’s wrong with me?” You whispered in response, an air of frustration surrounding your voice. “What’s wrong with you?”

He reeled his neck back at your reversal, his face twisting in confusion. “Wh-Nothing’s wrong with me. You basically threw a bag full of snacks at me and jumped into the truck. Did I say something? Was it the potty princess thing ‘cause you know I was just messin’ around.” He guessed, taking your lack of reaction and response as a sign that maybe that wasn’t the problem. “Did I do somethin’?”

“I don’t know, JJ. You tell me.” You pressed, eyes never leaving his own. He genuinely seemed to rake his brain for answers before settling on one that made your blood boil.

“No, I don’t think I did.” The statement sounded more like  a question when it tumbled from his lips. You couldn’t do anything but scoff and roll your eyes, prompting the blonde to try and clean up his answer. “Yes? I don’t know what you want me to say here-”

“Nothing.” You snapped. You were so hurt and angry that you could feel your eyes twitching as you looked at him. “I don’t want you to say anything else to me.” You warned, shifting to turn on your side and effectively away from him. “Ever again.”

“...C’mon, Y/N. Are you just fuckin’ with me or somethin’?” When you didn’t reply, he put a hand on your shoulder, attempting to pull you over to face him. You just shook him off. “Can you tell me what I did?”

The sadness in his voice almost made all the anger fall from your bones but you couldn’t allow yourself to be the weak and vulnerable. Especially not for him. Not anymore.

“No. Now, leave me alone.” You mumbled, shifting to get comfortable for the last time, hearing him sigh and lay down himself behind you. You felt one single tear fall across the bridge of your nose before you closed your eyes. Maybe it was a misunderstanding or something, but your brain couldn’t come up with any explanation of excuse that could explain what you saw. You wanted to talk about it but then again you didn’t. But you knew eventually you’d have to, tonight just wasn’t that night. In a million years, you never thought you’d feel this way because of your best friend.

For the first time in your entire life, you didn’t trust JJ.

“THEY’VE RUN CHARLESTON FOR, LIKE, THREE-THOUSAND YEARS.” Pope explained as the truck pulled to a stop in front of a large, three-story, gated property. It was the next morning and the sun had quite literally just set in the sky. Pope had woken the three of you up at the very first crack of dawn so you could make it there ‘on time’. You’d tried to remind him that ‘on time’ would’ve been last night, but you let him hang on to hope.

It didn’t help that the truck was significantly more crowded. You weren’t eager to sit on JJ’s lap this time around and surprisingly, Kiara wasn’t eager to take your place. Thankfully, the house was only a couple hours from where you slept.

“These Kooks make our Kooks look like Pogues.” JJ proclaimed, staring out of the window and up at the large, standing building. “You sure this is the place, Pope?” He asked, in awe of the property.

“Pretty sure.” The boy sighed, opening the driver’s side door and exiting, JJ following right after as you and Kie exited the vehicle as well, closing the doors behind them. The four you walked up the black, wrought iron fence. Pope held the note in his hands, reading off the address in confirmation.

“Talk about home security…” JJ trailed off, looking at the rather sizeable, sharp points at the top of the fence.

“Are those spikes to keep people out?” Kiara inquired.

Taking a good look at the property through the bars, you noticed a couple of things. You shook your head, a look of disappointment on your face. “No.” You spoke for the first time in hours, the three of them turning to you as you pointed to a section of the yard. “The slave quarters are over there.” You explained, looking at the three of them. “The spikes were to keep people in.” Was the last thing you said before heading up the steps to the front door, the three of them following behind you.

You let Pope take the reigns when you reached the door, him knocking three times on the structure before you heard heavy footsteps coming towards it from the other side. Despite the footsteps, almost a whole minute went by before anything happened.

Pope, nervous and jittery, went to knock again — getting two good ones in before someone opened the door. A middle-aged white man with small, beady eyes and short light brown hair. The expression on his face didn’t look like one of someone who was expecting guests.

Leaning against the door frame, he eyed the four you individually before settling on Pope, an odd smile growing on his features as he pointed at you friend. “You must be Pope.” He said almost excitedly, crossing his arms. Pope stumbled for a response. “Ms. Limbrey was expecting you yesterday.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. My car…broke down on the way up here.” Pope explained, trying to mask his  uneasiness. 

“Carburetor blew up in the middle of Nowheresville.” JJ voiced from behind Pope. He didn’t look nervous at all, he looked ready for anything. “Sorry ‘bout that.” He said, little emotion to his voice despite the apology.

“Yeah, she was, uh, real upset when you didn’t show up.” The man told Pope, a southern twang to his voice, almost as strong as Shoupe’s. 

“We tried to call but there’s no number on the invitation.” Kiara piped up smally, looking at the invitation as she spoke. “We got here as fast as we could…”

“She also expected you to come alone.” The male said, eyeing you, Kiara, and JJ as he said it. 

“Well, he didn’t, so…” You added in, crossing your arms and eyeing the man up and down. “Where’s the ‘she’ with all these demands anyway?”

Pope edged in front of you when the man took a threatening step forward, JJ also shuffling forwards. “Look, these are my friends. They helped find the Royal Merchant, too-”

“The instructions were explicit.” He cut Pope off mid-sentence, eyes boring into yours as he leaned forward, his voice lowering to a condescending whisper. “Your friends…can stay outside.” He reprimanded, straightening out and turning back to Pope.

“We’re kind of a package deal, man.” JJ turned his nose up at the man standing between the four of you and the inside of the house. 

Pope turned to the blonde. “JJ, it’s okay. I got this.” He assured, sending a small nod his way. JJ took his words at face value, sending a nod in return and taking a step back. 

“We’ll be right here…” Kiara trailed off in support, sliding a gentle hand down the length of Pope’s arm. You simply rolled your eyes, something JJ didn’t fail to notice. 

“We’ll keep the car running…” You warned, eyes never leaving the suspicious man in the doorframe. 

“Well, c’mon now. Ms.Limbrey can’t wait to see you.” He said, stepping aside to allow a weary Pope into the mansion. The boy in question entered the home, not without a glance back at the three of you out on the front step, the door closing menacingly slow behind him.

“Fucking creep.” You scoffed, turning and heading down the steps swiftly.

“Hey, where are you going?” Kiara asked, running after you, watching as you walked the length of the wrought iron fence, examining the spikes. 

“What does it look like? I’m gonna find a way into this…house of horrors.” You mumbled, shaking each of the poles for a weak spot, failing to find one. You resorted to attempting to climb the fence but didn’t even manage to get both feet up onto the structure at once. 

“And do what exactly? What if you trespass and ruin all our chances at clearing John B’s name?” The girl asked, her face twisting in annoyance as you sighed and hopped down off the fence, turning to face her. Shifting your weight, you shoved your hands into your back pockets before speaking.

“Oh, like you did when you made Pope drop the camera?.” You shrugged, jutting out your bottom lip. “Y’know, the one that had the video of Ward killing someone-”

“That wasn’t even my fault!” She defended.

“I think we all collectively agreed that it was…” You argued nonchalantly, shooting the girl a grimace before walking off in the direction of the parked truck that JJ was leaning against, watching the entire interaction occur.

Before you’d turned away you could’ve swore Kiara opened her mouth to reply, but one warning head shake from JJ and her lips were sealing themselves shut. You were about to open the passenger door when JJ’s hand gripped your upper arm, the blonde staring out in front of him with a stoic yet pointed look on his face.

“Can you let go of me-”

“Does that look voluntary?” He asked, tone deep. You followed his unwavering gaze to find a blonde woman and the man who opened the door leading Pope further into the yard behind the gate. Pope was looking back pitifully at the three of you as the man pushed him forward and the woman, a cane by her side and a limp in her walk, led them both further into the greenery.

“Not at all.” You practically whispered back, attempting to take a step forward when JJ tightened his grip. 

“Hold on, hold on.” You turned to him an impatient and questioning look on your face, throwing a hand out as a way to ask ‘what?’. “They’re goin’ around the back alley.” He said hurriedly, rounding the driver’s side of the truck as you hopped in the passenger side, Kie piling in beside you. “We’ll meet ‘em on the other side.”

JJ started the car, driving it slowly in order to draw too much suspicion — with the Limbreys or surrounding neighbors. You could almost hear all three of your hearts beating in panicked unison with every turn made. You didn’t know what these people wanted with Pope, but if they didn’t drop this whole super secret act, they wouldn’t be getting anything.

Driving and driving, and still no Pope. JJ eyes were focused ahead as you and Kiara looked to the sides of the road for any sign of him. “Where did they go?” Kie asked, peering out of the window. She sounded sad. The trio of you continued driving around, Pope nowhere in sight. You were starting to get worried, extremely worried.

If the Limbreys were like the Camerons of Charleston, there was no telling what they could be doing with your friend right now.

“Okay, stop the car.” You said, putting your hands on the dashboard.

“What?” JJ asked, although he slowed the vehicle down, bringing it to a stop on the side of the road. You reached over key and threw the passenger door open before climbing over the girl. “Where the hell are you going-”

“Ouch, that’s my- Ow!” Kie shouted.

You threw yourself out of the vehicle before standing up and dusting yourself off, looking side to side before deciding to go back in the direction the alley was in. Even if you didn’t see Pope, there was a way in and there was no way in hell you weren’t taking it.

You set off quickly in the direction of the alley, Kiara and JJ calling out for you before two pairs of footsteps were trailing behind you. You passed a few people on the sidewalk, unintentionally shoulder-checking them in your haste.

“Watch it!”

“Hey! Rude…”

Reaching the alley, you made a sharp turn into the greenery. You could hear grunts and groans that stopped you in your tracks — you were no stranger to the sounds of violence. Your power walk turned into a sprint, pushing leaves and branches out of your path before reaching Pope, who was beating on the creep who opened the door.

He had him pinned down to the concrete, both of them reaching for what seemed to be a taser. Your eyes fleeted between the two brawling guys and the weapon before you decided to kick the object behind you in the direction of Kiara and JJ.

Pope delivered one last blow to the man’s face before getting up. “C’mon.” You demanded, being the first to run away, back in the direction of the truck. The four of you took the short way — hopping over a cement wall that guarded a small portion of the yard. 

The car was a few feet away since you ditched the scenic route, the four of you wasting no time in jumping in. JJ in the driver’s seat with the three of you piled in as well.

“Who the hell were those people?” Kiara panicked, out of breath as she slammed the passenger door shut.

“I don’t know but they’re crazy as shit!” Pope’s voice cracked as he settled into the vehicle. “We need to get out of here now.” He warned, wide eyes drifting in JJ’s direction as the blonde started the engine and hit the gas almost all in one motion as the vehicle leaped forward, sending you all down the road.

Near moments after JJ had hit the gas, leaving a smoke trail in his wake, you looked behind you to see a car speeding behind you, the fishbowl windows allowing you to see the driver clearly. “Creepy guy recovers fast.” You panted, looking back ahead of you and prompting JJ to peek in the rearview mirror, pressing the gas a little harder.

“Here we go now!”

Heyward’s truck was going faster than you ever deemed possible, flying down the road. “Hey, JJ, slow down. This is a one-way.” Pope warned, the truck never slowing down. JJ was too focused to hear much of anything, you were gripping the seat for dear life. “This is a one-way!” Pope got louder as JJ started to reach a busier part of the town. A car suddenly appeared in front of you, the headlights blinding.

“Car, JJ! There’s a car!” You warned, grabbing a hold of the steering wheel yourself and making a right turn before the truck could collide with the SUV. Rounding the corner, you almost collided with two pedestrians — the two heads of blonde and light-brown hair looking eerily familiar for the slightest of moments.

“Jesus, look out!” Pope and Kiara said in unison as JJ took back control of the wheel and avoided hitting the two people.

“Get out of the road!” JJ shouted as he redirected the car on the street.

“Those were pedestrians!” Kiara reprimanded, gripping the passenger door for stability. 

“That was evasive driving technique right there, y’all!” JJ patted himself on the back as you turned to look out of the rear window to see the man still hot on your trail.

“You sure about that ‘cause he’s still following us.” You warned, looking at the blonde for the briefest of moments.

“Hang on, I’ll lose him.” JJ assured you all, making a sharp turn that sent the three of you crashing into each other. Just as he turned into an empty alley, a pop sound following a hiss of air and smoke came from the truck. “I thought you said he fixed carburetor!”

“He did!” Pope said as the car came to a stop of its own.

“No, Pope, he clearly did not!” JJ retorted as he opened the door, Kie doing the same on the passenger side. The four of you got out of the truck, fanning the air and coughing.

“Number one rule, never trust mechanics.” JJ spoke mainly to himself as you all grabbed whatever you brought along with you out of the trunk of the car just as the car following you pulled in the alley as well. “Shit. Go, go, go!”

The four of you booked, the smoke hopefully giving you a bit of time as you ran through the alley. You and Kiara looked behind you as you ran, seeing the man get out of his own car and tuck something into his jacket.

“He has a gun.” You muttered, looking back ahead as you ran. “He has a fucking gun!”

Pope and JJ glanced behind themselves, past you and Kie to see the man not far behind. The squad of you picked up the pace, making the first turn available but you swore you heard someone calling your names.

The man was picking up the pace as well, getting closer to you all. “We might have to split up!” JJ suggested from the forefront of the group.

“Are you crazy?” You shouted, being right behind the blonde. “No way!” You continued, almost tripping over an unleveled section of the concrete. JJ, not paying attention, ran into a mailman, sending the packages in his hand flying into the air.

“Sorry ‘bout that!” He apologized over his shoulder. JJ led you all into another alley, this one much narrower causing you all to run in a line. The guy was falling behind, which was a plus.

Coming out of the alley, you all came face to face with a couple on a bike almost getting run over by them. But after taking a longer look at the two people who almost pummeled you all with their bike, your heart dropped farther down in your body than it ever has.

Every single one of your five senses seemed to cease to exist in this moment. You couldn’t hear anything, white noise filling your ears as your vision blurred on the edges, only allowing you to see what you could only logically explain as two ghosts standing in front of you — a very much alive John B Routeledge and Sarah Cameron standing in front of you, covering in mud and dirt and who knows what else.

Whatever breath you had been holding in your lungs released itself, the release of air allowing your senses to return, almost like coming up out of the water.

All of your expressions were somewhere in between a blank stare and a smile. You wanted to reach a hand out to see if they were real.

“...Get in. Get in! Get in!” John B broke the silence. His voice hadn’t changed. It was exactly like you remembered. The four of you did as he said, still partially in shock, piling into the bike. You, Kiara, and Sarah crowded into the cab of the pedicab as JJ and Pope pushed it from the back as John B pedaled as hard as he could. 

You couldn’t take your eyes off of his back as he pedaled, unless of course it was to direct the same blank stare in Sarah’s direction. The Limbrey guy plus two other men were chasing the group of you now, JJ and Pope hopping onto the sides after it gained enough speed to ride smoothly with the six of you on it.

The entire ride to the boat, your friends were whooping and cheering. And on the inside you couldn’t be happier or more relieved at how well the universe seemed to work in your favor but for some reason, your body wasn’t so eager to show it on the outside. 

For a whole month, you’d grieved someone who wasn’t dead.

Once you reached one of Ward’s boats the Sarah knew the location of — My Druthers Too, you all wasted no time jumping into it, sailing in the direction of The Outer Banks. Back home.

next chapter>

feedback is appreciated! thanks for reading.

SVN Taglist; @esquivelbianca @fallingwallsh @calmoistorm @i-love-ptv @liability28 @rivaiken @sophiahristov @rafxcameronss @ldrvinyl @purplerose291 @boo22sstuff @heartsforandrewgarfield @coolgirl458 @sabrina-carpenter-stan-account @jujubeaz @ellobruv-blog @yourmumstoy @belle101200 @libertyybellls @c4ttheart @ihe4rttwd @redhead1180 @ditzyzombiesblog @spideysimpossiblegirl @sex-me-stiles @honeyiti @rafedrewandjjs @highformaybank @broidfk609 @wearemadeofstardust0 @maybankskiss

©loveharlow.

[liliisms]

Welcome to Cole and Lili’s Engagement Party!

@hqcolem @hollywoodland-hqs

The party will start at 6:00 PM PST and last until the final guest leaves the apartment (or until Lili and Cole kick you out). Inside is a bubbly bar with champagne and rosé, as well as a non-alcoholic line up of drinks. There is a dessert table with vanilla sugar wafers, candy sticks, sixlets and gumballs as well as cake pops. There will be a cake. This event is also catered by Creations in Cuisine Catering so the menu includes a taco station, a pasta station, and a vegan station. Don’t forget to try the donuts!

There will be two games played throughout the night (voluntarily) and the first game is How Well Do You Know Sprousehart? There will be twenty questions that Lili and Cole ask and at the end, the guest or team with the most answers right wins an engagement party favor! The second game will be Couple’s Memory Lane and each guest will write out a funny memory they have of the couple together or as individuals and Lili and Cole will read them out loud, the other guests having to guess who it is! Whoever guesses the highest number of correct answers also wins an engagement party favor.

Engagement party favors include: mini champagne bottles with cute straws, individual size bags of candy, wine stoppers, lip balm, notebooks, playing cards, shot glasses, and sunglasses. Apart from the two special game favors, each guest will go home with a party bag.

There will be dancing and a special playlist for the party which includes;

001. best of my love - the emotions.

002. let’s stay together - al green.

003. northern sky - nick drake.

004. craving you - thomas rhett.

005. be my baby - the ronettes.

006. waiting for a girl like you - foreigner.

007. can’t get enough of your love, babe - barry white.

008. oh, pretty woman - roy orbison.

009. i do - colbie caillat.

010. something in the way she moves - james taylor.

011. is this love - bob marley.

012. perfect - ed sheeran.

013. can’t take my eyes off you - frankie valli.

014. who you love - john mayer.

015. still falling for you - ellie goulding.

016. bright - echosmith.

017. feeling good - jennifer hudson.

018. grow old with me - tom odell.

019. symphony - clean bandit.

020. i’ve got love on my mind - natalie cole.

021. in case you didn’t know - brett young.

022. for once in my life - stevie wonder.

023. love me tender - norah jones.

024. say you won’t let go - james arthur.

Again - gifts are NOT required and Lili and Cole would prefer you put your money towards flowers for Luke Perry. Have a wonderful time at the party!

[itstbellisario]

a year in review ; 2018.

look at where you are ; look at where you started. 

001. What is your proudest accomplishment of this year?

Buying my own house and getting settled into it before the year ended.

002. What is the biggest life lesson you learned this year?

Everything happens for a reason.

003. What is one relationship (can be friendship) that has helped you survive this year?

I’m going to break the rule and choose three friendships.

@hqkeegan you know how I feel about you. Thank you for being such a safe place to land all of the time, but mostly towards the end of this year. You brought a smile back to my face and have made me happier than you could even know.

@ohlizzo at this point you’re basically family and I adore you. Thank you for always having my back and for being so protective of me. I love you with my whole heart.

@lucyshq my sweet Goose. I adore you and I am so thankful to you for taking me under your wing and letting me stay in your home. You’re little but you’re big.

004. Who or what do you need to let go of in order to make next year even better than this year?

I need to let go of my past relationship and make peace with it because I’ll be doomed in 2019 if I don’t.

005. What did you do this year that you’ve never done before?

I attended the royal wedding and it was incredible. 

006. What are three resolutions or goals you want to make happen next year?

1. Spend more time with my family. 2. Keep writing and creating.  3. Put myself back out there and do more directing and acting.

007. Where did most of your money go this year?

My new house. 

008. What song will always remind you of this year?

Thank U, Next by @ariagrans because it was such a bop and really resonated with me.

009. How will you be spending the last day of this year?

I’ll be spending the last day of this year with Keegan exploring New York City during the day and then enjoying the Masquerade party at night. I’m really looking forward to ending the year and beginning the new year with him.

010. Who is the best new person you’ve met this year?

The entire Riverdale cast honestly. I see so much of my PLL cast mates and I in them. Some of them are even younger than we were when we started PLL but I just adore them and their show that gives me such nostalgic feels sometimes. Keep being fabulous babes. You’re doing great things and you’re all cute as buttons. 

@liliisms @hqcami @hqnessa @coleffs @kjapayo @hqmads & yes, even you @ulrichisms​

-

001. What relationship (can be friendship) has been the most fun to write for your muse/s this year?

The relationship forming between Keegan and Troian has been so fun, but I’ve also been enjoying the friendship between Lizzie and Troian as well as Cami and Troian and Lili and Troian and just every character that I have some how made be Troian’s friend. FRIENDSHIP IS SO IMPORTANT GUYS.

The relationship between Brett and Haley is a fun one as well, but I’ve also been loving the friendship between Keegan and Haley because I love writing with Becca. Plus Haley’s friendship with Lili and Cole and Cami and Grant and Danielle have also been fun to explore. I LOVE FRIENDSHIP OKAY?

002. In what ways do you connect to your muse/s?

I feel like I connect most with Troian through her sense of humor and the way she cares for her friends and those around her. I also really connected with Spencer Hastings and always felt drawn to her so that too I guess.

I feel like I connect most with Haley’s bubbly and caring personality. I care so deeply for those in my life and I’m just as energetic and crazy as she is. She’s a bit more brave than me but I really feel that we connect well together.

003. What’s your favorite category to write for your muse/s? (angst, fluff, smut, etc.)

Angst/Fluff.

004. If you could give your muse/s one gift, what would you give them?

I would give Troian a hug and some mistletoe so she can finally plant one on Keegan (if I had posted this before Christmas it would have made more sense hehe).

I would give Haley more crocheting stuff and maybe a wedding date (hehe jk).

005. What was your favorite event/moment/memory in HollywoodlandHQ this year?  

The Autumn Retreat was fun and I’ve also just enjoyed learning about new celebrities that I had either never heard about or knew nothing about before coming here.

006. What muse/s have you enjoyed most seeing on this dash this year?

Love me some Lizzie Olsen, Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, Keegan Allen, Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist, Cole Sprouse, Lucy Hale and honestly just everyone. I’m obsessed with all of you. Please never leave.

007. What is your favorite thing your muse/s have done this year in the group? (can be in the real world or what you made up)

MY FAVORITE THING REAL LIFE TROIAN BELLISARIO DID WAS HAVE A FREAKING BABY AND BECOME A BADASS MOM.

MY FAVORITE THING REAL LIFE HALEY LU RICHARDSON DID WAS PROPOSE TO BRETT DIER AND STAR IN FIVE FEET APART.

008. What would you like to see in HollywoodlandHQ in 2019?

More events where you get randomly paired up with someone!

009. What is a plot you would love to do with your muse/s?

Mama!Troian. I need it, but not like tomorrow. Just like in the future.

Maybe something angsty with Haley and Brett or Mama!Haley honestly even though she’s super young lol.

010. Tag somebody in the RP and say something nice about them. It’s the season of giving.

@liliisms​ Becca, you are my RP soulmate and you are the absolute sweetest soul. You care so much for everyone around you and you take your time with each of your characters and write them in such beautiful ways. Thank you for being a wonderful friend and ship partner.

@brettdicr Rose, your love for Brett is inspiring and I am forever indebted to you for bringing Brett here. I can’t imagine playing Haley without Brett so I’m very thankful for you. Can’t wait to see what shenanigans our babies get up to in the new year. Love ya.

@hwlandhqgossip

[hqmads-blog]

001. What is your proudest accomplishment of this year?

My YouTube channel growing the way it has! Although it’s mostly vlogs and behind the scenes of Riverdale somewhat, it’s a way to express myself creatively my own way without constraints (that I can talk about that is) and I’m so excited to be able to take it further into the future with more content.

002. What is the biggest life lesson you learned this year?

Although love does win most of the time, it doesn’t win all of the time and that’s okay. One of these days, love will conquer everything.

003. What is one relationship (can be friendship) that has helped you survive this year?

My whole cast--Lili, Cole, KJ, Cami, Skeet, Nessa, and all of the others--all of whom I can’t live without. They’ve become a second family to me and I can’t imagine where I would be right now if it wasn’t for them.

And also Sophie, the wind beneath my wings, and the other half to the Single Ladies Who Spend the Holidays with Their Moms.

004. Who or what do you need to let go of in order to make next year even better than this year?

My inhibitions! I’m joking, but I think I just need to let go of preconceived notions of things like Fate and Destiny. Of course they exist, but they don’t just exist. You have to turn them on into existence. I don’t make sense, but yeah.

005. What did you do this year that you’ve never done before?

Greece! I would have never thought I’d be able to get a chance to go to Greece, let alone survive an earthquake in the country.

006. What are three resolutions or goals you want to make happen next year?

Grow the channel, Riverdale season 4, and find a partner that’s willing to sacrifice as much of their time as I am willing to sacrifice mine.

007. Where did most of your money go this year?

Clothes, make up, shoes, the usual.

008. What song will always remind you of this year?

Happier, by Marshmello and Bastille

009. How will you be spending the last day of this year?

At the masquerade with some of my closest friends.

010. Who is the best new person you’ve met this year?

@xfharries​ Finn, because he’s a cheeky fellow with a lot of puns and I like that.

001. What relationship (can be friendship) has been the most fun to write for your muse/s this year?

Okay so Madelaine is super new. I’ve only had her for a month, but definitely the friendships I’m living to write with her are the ones between @xfharries​, @liliisms​, and @sophiet-x​. I’m excited to continue on with the ones from @hqcami​ and @hqnessa​ because yas.

002. In what ways do you connect to your muse/s?

I’m catching back up on Riverdale, but I love following Mads on YouTube and Instagram. She just seems like a fun person and I love how light she can be sometimes.

003. What’s your favorite category to write for your muse/s? (angst, fluff, smut, etc.)

So far, all I’ve written for Madelaine is fluff, but I wouldn’t mind getting some angst in there for her somewhat.

004. If you could give your muse/s one gift, what would you give them?

An awesome Vlogging Camera--maybe show Madelaine the booktube or planner videos on YouTube.

005. What was your favorite event/moment/memory in HollywoodlandHQ this year?  

Loved Halloween. Loved Supernatural week.

006. What muse/s have you enjoyed most seeing on this dash this year?

All of them.

007. What is your favorite thing your muse/s have done this year in the group? (can be in the real world or what you made up)

Her Vlogs are hilarious and precious and I loved being able to watch them.

008. What would you like to see in HollywoodlandHQ in 2019?

More events and more memes. More ways for characters to get out and reconnect.

009. What is a plot you would love to do with your muse/s?

Maybe a romance or something on Madelaine would be great. Idk lmfao

010. Tag somebody in the RP and say something nice about them. It’s the season of giving.

@xfharries YO, I love the fact that we’ve written paragraph replies to each other. I know I have to reply to them still, but I look forward to reading every reply we write to each other because of how long they are and how awesome it is to see these two flow into conversation easily.

@hqcentineo you cute

@addvkins you’re cute too

@ everyone, you’re cute the best

[djsace]

(DJ Sace)

THIS MIX SERVES AS A RE-RELEASE OF A MIX I ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 2015.

Last month I kicked off the year by premiering my monthly mix series, FoodForTheSoul, a monthly mix series in which I plan to capture the hearts and cultivate the minds of my listeners while also introducing each and everyone of you to new & different tunes each month. As February serves as the second month of the year, this here is my second show of the mix. Recently (as always), there has been TOO MANY tragic events within the African-American culture as it seems the fight for equality is still present today.. for some reason. Amongst many positive movements that have been created, many peaceful protests started (some which I have participated in), many intelligent people voicing their opinions in this fight, etc. I asked myself, “what can/will I do/create to give my input into this fight?” My answer…. this mix, I’ve decided to dedicate Mix #002 to Black History Month. Still showcasing that conscious records are important while spotlighting few of the MANY artists who continue to fight for and alongside us during these times, while also taking a blast to the past with the Civil Rights Activists (Artists). Enjoy

Tracklist:

1. Merica Distorted - Dalure 2. Say It Loud - James Brown 3. Audubon Ballroom - Lupe Fiasco 4. The People - Common 5. Change Gonna Come - Sam Cooke 6. Changes - Tupac 7. Black President - NaS (feat. Johnny Polygon) 8. Freedom of Speech - Wale 9. Made in America (Instrumental) - Produced by Sak Pase 10. What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye 11. Chime of Freedumb - Stalley (feat. Rashad) 12. New National Anthem - T.I. (feat. Skylar Grey) 13. I Stand Alone - Robert Glasper (feat. Common & Patrick Stump) 14. Keep On Pushing - The Impressions 15. Express Yourself - N.W.A. 16. Black Maybe - Common (feat. Bilal) 17. The Kramer - Wale 18. All Black Everything - Lupe Fiasco 19. Who Will Survive In America - Kanye West 20. Glory - Common & John Legend 21. Malcolm X UC Berkley Debate (Interlude) 22. Fight The Power - Public Enemy 23. Us - Ice Cube 24. Hands Up - Vince Staples 25. You Can’t Stop Us Now - NaS (feat. Eban Thomas of The Stylistics & The Last Poets) 26. James Baldwin’s “Who Is The Nigger?” (Interlude) 27. Mr. Nigga - Mos Def 28. Another Naive Individual Glorifying Greed & Ecouraging Racism - Big K.R.I.T. 29. Inner City Blues - Marvin Gaye 30. Around My Way - Lupe Fiasco 31. Tell The Children - Tink 32. Hands Up - Nikki Jean 33. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” (Interlude) 34. To Be Young, Gifted, & Black - Nina Simone 35. We’re A Winner - The Impressions 36. I Can - NaS 37. Revolution - Nina Simone 38. Be Free (Live) - J. Cole

[itsworn]

Roadkill Nights on Woodward Avenue

If you attend a drag race where the drivers’ meeting includes the sentence, “There will be four more trains coming through, watch for the lights,” you’re probably at a Roadkill Show event. Roadkill put on its third Roadkill Nights race and car show in August 2016 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. There were Dodge thrill rides in Vipers and Hellcats. There was a band competing with the sound of a dyno. Roadkill cars were on display. Freiburger and Finnegan were mingling and signing autographs, and we were drag racing on Woodward Avenue, just inches from a train.

002-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward Freiburger and Finn made it in to Pontiac late the night before the event, and they immediately tore the “Dirt Track” Challenger apart in the parking lot. “Why doesn’t this car have a nickname?” we asked Finn as Freiburger measured U-joints with a calibrated eye. “I wanted to call it the ‘Dirt-E-Body,’” Finn said, “but it hasn’t caught on yet.”

003-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward The M1 Concourse is a huge private racetrack. People who have garages here keep Vipers and Ferraris. We doubt it’s ever seen junk like Roadkill’s cars. The RK display included “Stubby Bob,” “General Mayhem,” the MSD van, and Dirt Every Day’s “Mad Maxxis” Road Runner.

004-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward More than 400 show cars packed the streets around the concourse waiting to get in for the show ’n’ shine. Drivers grumbled about the traffic jam, but for the 11,000 spectators, it just expanded the car show through the neighborhood.

005-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward “Burnouts on the street are for guys whose cars aren’t good at anything else,” Drag Week veteran and Michigan native Tom Bailey told us, and that’s probably true. It’s why we like them so much. Still, it doesn’t really count if the street burnouts are right before street racing (legally, with permits), right? If you were airborne over Woodward Ave. on Friday, August 19, you wouldn’t have seen anything except a very localized storm cloud. That was Finnegan racing Mike Musto’s Dodge Daytona. Sorry.

006-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward The car show was a great mix of shiny, finished cars and in-the-works projects. Roadkill has what some shows would call “low standards for entry,” but we think it just means more people feel comfortable bringing what they built.

007-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward If the car show was good, the racing was great. It took a huge team of people and stacks of paperwork to get permission to race on Woodward Ave., and even during the event, there was a risk it would be canceled. Luckily, that didn’t happen and we were treated to a full day of passes, culminating in two four-car shootouts: the All-Dodge race and the All-Run race.

008-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward All-Run Fast Four Tom Bailey can add “Fastest Pass on Woodward Avenue” to his growing list of racing accomplishments. Bailey’s “Sick Seconds” 1969 Chevy Camaro, which won HOT ROD Drag Week 2013, took on all comers at the Roadkill Nights races held just days after we went cruising with Bailey in the car down Woodward. The racing wasn’t easy for Bailey, who had to defeat 2015 Drag Week runner-up Bryant Goldstone and his Chevy-powered AMC Javelin twice to win the event, and a Gear Vendors overdrive, in a hot-lap format.

“It was great,” he said. “Obviously, my car is on the edge of what you’d call a street car, so it was a lot to ask for three eighth-mile passes back-to-back…That was the truest test on a street car that I’ve ever been under in race conditions.”

009-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward Bryant Goldstone described his first run at Roadkill Nights on Woodward Avenue as “kind of jittery.” The lanes were narrow, the pavement was unprepared, the crown of the road intimidated the right-lane drivers, the shutdown area faded to the left, and if he managed to get down the track, Goldstone would be turning it around to run again almost immediately with his 6-gallon fuel tank probably almost empty after a few runs. Despite the anxiety, Goldstone’s 1973 AMC Javelin—which will be familiar to those who followed HOT ROD Drag Week in 2016—roared down the track on its way to Second Place in the All-Run Fast Four.

010-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward Headed into the Woodward Drags at Roadkill Nights, Adam Hodson knew the junkyard 5.3L LS engine in his 1973 Camaro Z28 was on its way out. He still elected to use up whatever was left of it, and what was left at the August 19 street race, it turns out, was enough speed to reach the All-Run Final Four against Tom Bailey and Bryant Goldstone.

While on paper, Hodson’s combination doesn’t hold a candle to the extreme end of street-car racing that Bailey and Goldstone occupy, the Camaro had a couple of real-world advantages. As a regular NMCA True Street competitor frequently turning the car around in 10 minutes, Hodson knew the engine would take the round-robin hot lapping at the end of the event without issue. The street surface on Woodward also favored Hodson, who had run some no-prep events—again, not something in Bailey’s or Goldstone’s bag of tricks—and had a better idea of the tune he’d need to hook his Camaro on the porous, marked-up asphalt. “That was probably the hardest thing, the road being inconsistent, since it is a regular street,” Hodson said.

011-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward Mike Moore fights dirty. When his 1,400hp Duramax-powered Chevy Silverado leaves the starting line, the stovepipe poking through its bedcover belches out a thundercloud of black soot. If Moore cuts a light, his dark mark obscures the race completely until his opponent either pulls ahead or falls behind the speeding pickup. In most races, Moore very literally leaves his competition in the coal dust, but at Roadkill Nights on Woodward Ave., he had some above-average racers in the lineup. “In 2015 at the Silverdome, we ran the quickest pass,” Moore told us, “but on Woodward, there was some competition.” Moore came in fourth at the end of the night. Not bad for a truck that he and his wife, Karen, originally bought to plow snow in Michigan.

012-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward The All-Dodge Fast Four “Really, that whole event was a tuner’s game—and a nightmare to everyone else,” Mike Moran said when describing what it was like to take a big-horsepower car onto Woodward’s slippery asphalt. “The poor surface worked to my advantage because of how well I knew my own car. It was basically all about wheel speed, not putting too much down low, but also knowing when I could get on it.

“It’s a full steel-body car, and it’s completely stock inside and out,” said Moran, describing the 1969 Dodge Charger that took home the prize for being the fastest Dodge-powered Dodge at the event. “It’s running Garrett turbos through a BigStuff3 EFI system, and it’s shifted through a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. There’s a Dana 60 rear end out back with 3.54 gearing, and at the crank, you’re looking at 2,200 hp.”

Moran took home $10,000 in prize money, thanks to Dodge, but says he’s not planning any tropical vacations. “All that cash kind of already went into the car,” he said. “The development and testing work that we did prior to the event, all those parts and that time, I just gave the check to Don and told him to pay off what he needed to and just keep the rest. For me, the whole thing was a chance to prove what we could accomplish as a shop, in the real world, on the street.”

013-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward

It’s such a mild-mannered little car. A soft powderblue, the color of a Siamese cat’s eyes, the single spear of side molding, Dodge’s oh-so-’60s script on the hood and decklid. Even the license plate is modest—“GregWho?” it asks. Then the Dart rips off a 10-second pass with Charney slamming gears in the Liberty five-speed and you start hearing whispers about an all-aluminum Sprint Car small-block under its Super Stock hoodscoop and you realize “GregWho?” is Greg Charney, former Chrysler engineer, dyno operator during the street Hemi years, and class winner of the 1971 Indy Nationals. No wonder he knows how to make a Dodge fast.

Charney’s 1968 Dodge Dart took Second Place, and Charney took home $5,000. “I’ve driven on the street quite a bit, but never hot lapped the car like that,” he told us. “The car was fine, never over 180 degrees. I was hot, but the car wasn’t.”

014-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward

To make the All-Dodge Final Four at Roadkill Nights, you don’t need to race a fully prepared vintage Mopar. If you’re Tom Drago, you can make it all the way into the featured quartet with just your Sunday driver. Sure, Tom’s Sunday driver is a 2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat and his Sunday drives come a quarter-mile at a time, but he swears his Hellcat is totally stock, aside from some sticky tires. Hellcat racers always say that.

015-Roadkill Nights Pontiac Woodward

Speaking of Hellcat racers, Micahel Cole rounded out the All-Dodge Fast Four in a 707hp Challenger Hellcat. None other than Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis came out to watch the two factory hot rods go up against the homebuilts. We think Dodge should be pretty pleased with its machines. Half the final was Hellcat-powered.

The post Roadkill Nights on Woodward Avenue appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/roadkill-nights-woodward-avenue/ via IFTTT

[liliisms]

👸 2 k 1 8 review 👸

001. What is your proudest accomplishment of this year? - Getting to make a speech about the power of body image at the Glamour Women of the Year Summit. As proud as I am of Riverdale (and I’m extremely proud), I have always wanted to use my voice for something useful. I’ve struggled with body acceptance my whole life, always self-conscious about my skin or thighs or boobs and it was only with the support from my family and friends that I finally learned how to become comfortable in my own body. Society and the media can be very damaging to young women and men’s self-esteem as they grow throughout the years and I wanted to use my platform to promote loving yourself for exactly who you are, imperfections and all. I’ve always tried to be genuine and true to myself and to get to be able to speak to so many people..well, it was truly a honor and I try to set an example everyday of what it means to love your body and your soul.

002. What is the biggest life lesson you learned this year? - I have the power to take control of how people make me feel. I don’t have to read the hateful comments. I don’t have to watch the videos insulting me and my friends just for them to get views. I can block people and turn away from spiteful people who think they have the right to talk about my life. I don’t owe anything anybody and the only person I should be trying to impress is myself. The minute I stopped caring about what people thought of me and started to live for myself, to make myself happy, is the minute a million of worries flitted away and I felt myself relaxing. I only get one life and I intend to live it the way I see fit.

003. What is one relationship (can be friendship) that has helped you survive this year? - I’m going to be predictable with this answer, but how can I say anybody but Cole @coleffs ? He’s truly been my rock. Not only in the sense of being there from day one of stepping into this crazy industry to learn how to handle the pressures that come with fame, but he’s also always been one hundred percent genuine with me. I’ve never had to be anyone but myself with him and to feel that love from him, to see how much he cared about me with no frills, no glitter, no pretending really helped me to also love myself even more. He’s taught me a lot - how to appreciate life a little deeper, how to take not take myself so seriously when I can get caught up in the little things, how to be patient and breathe when I feel myself trembling in fear of not living up to my potential. He sees the best in me, always and for that, he’s helped me to open myself up so many experiences. Falling in love is the scariest thing you can ever do and yet with him, he made is so easy and effortless. Cole’s been there through late nights, early mornings, crazy outings, quiet walks, and wild chaos and I’ve never seen him as anything other than imperfectly perfect. He’s truly my soul mate and the love of my life and I’d be lost without him.

004. Who or what do you need to let go of in order to make next year even better than this year? - I’m definitely going to focus less on social media and getting caught up in the drama that comes with comments and unwanted opinions, and focus more on the support that comes from the people I love. I also think I need to be more reckless - not in a bad way, but stop thinking about so much what will happen if I don’t make a certain decision and start thinking about what I could gain if I do.

005. What did you do this year that you’ve never done before? - Where do I start? Gone to Hawaii. Rode in a hot air balloon. Flew in a helicopter over mountains and had a picnic a thousand feet in the air. Was on a television soundtrack. I’m a very lucky girl.

006. What are three resolutions or goals you want to make happen next year? - 1) Bring Addy out to LA more, 2) Do more little things for Cole to surprise him, and 3) Try to get more product and business deals about ideas I support and care about.

007. Where did most of your money go this year? - Without a doubt, junk food and skin care products.

008. What song will always remind you of this year? - Can’t Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis.

009. How will you be spending the last day of this year? - I think my friend Austyn and I are going on a little trip, but I’m not sure yet! I’ve yet to really set anything in stone.

010. Who is the best new person you’ve met this year? - Haley and Kiernan! They’ve really become two of my newest sisters. @hqhaleyluhoo & @keekshipka

–

001. What relationship (can be friendship) has been the most fun to write for your muse/s this year? - For Lili, writing SH with Vic has been incredibly sweet and I’m grateful she was willing to keep their relationship and that she’s stuck with me this long. I’m always waiting with bated breath for really amazing ship partners to drop me but she’s never made me feel anything less than wanted and appreciated, so it just makes the ship that much more precious to me. As for friendships, I always get a kick out of Lili/Saoirse. @irishxseahorse has such a great sense of humor and never fails to make me laugh.

For Keegan, the Treegan relationship wasn’t really a surprise but I was happy with how naturally it developed. You don’t always have chemistry even if your fc’s do in real life but Emily has been such a perfect Troian. Seeing as how I’ve played Troian for the majority of my RP years, I’m very picky with how people play her and Em fits the bill. ;) I love that it’s not rushed, it’s going at a very easy and natural pace, and how willing Emily always is to talk to me and to keep my muse high with cute muse inspo. And for friendships, Keegan/Lizzie! @ohlizzo Be prepared for 2019, Sadie. Keegan’s gonna worm his way into Lizzie’s heart.

And on Munro, I’ve been lucky enough to sort of ship with Vic again with Munro/Cristine. We decided to give them a shot and I love the messy friends with benefits plot. I can’t wait to focus on them more and hopefully do more with them next year. I also really love Munro and Natalia’s friendship. @itsnataliadyr Eena is the actual sweetest and I adore how immediately playful their interactions became. I always look forward to replying to her and love her Natalia.

002. In what ways do you connect to your muse/s? - Out of all of them, I think I connect to Lili the most not only because she’s the only female muse, but also because we’re both fellow Virgos. I’m a big astrology nerd and I believe your sign impacts your personality so I feel like she’s a kindred spirit to me in a way. She’s definitely as impulsive with her words as I am and we both share the same sense of humor. With Keegan, I relate deeply to his sensitivity and his love for cats because I am the biggest cat lady and would have a million cats if I could. He also wears his heart on his sleeve and I do too. And with Munro..he’s probably the muse I have the least in common with but we do share a love for geekdom so that’s fun!

003. What’s your favorite category to write for your muse/s? (angst, fluff, smut, etc.) - I haven’t been able to write much smut here because not everybody is comfortable writing it (which is totally cool) but smut & angst is probably my favorite to write because I feel like that’s where I shine. I don’t know what that says about me but..Those are my top two categories where I get the most compliments on my writing. Obviously fluff is great and we all know I can wax on forever with mushy and sappy stuff..

004. If you could give your muse/s one gift, what would you give them? - I can’t afford anything for them, but if I could, I’d give her the Chipotle black card because she seems to really want it. Or a sponsorship by Dominos. I’d also love to give her a big hug and tell her how much I admire her, and how much her words mean to me. It’s so nice to be a fan of a woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and who promotes loving yourself and not being ashamed if you’re a little different from everyone else.

For Keegan, I’d give him notebooks and demand he write more songs and scripts and cast Troian in all of them. I’d also give him another kitten friend because who doesn’t want more kittens?

And for Munro, I’d beg him to get Instagram just so I can know what he’s up to! Seriously though, Munro seems like a simple guy but I’d give him Lion King tickets and then make him go with me so I can hide in his arms when Mufasa dies. NOT READY, NEVER READY.

005. What was your favorite event/moment/memory in HollywoodlandHQ this year? - Is it cheesy if I say when we opened? I was really excited and so proud and I felt like I finally crossed something off my bucket list. I wanted a safe place for the people I loved to create and write. I also loved the Halloween event! Anything a little spooky, I love. 

006. What muse/s have you enjoyed most seeing on this dash this year? - Lizzie is one of my favorites simply because I think Sadie writes her perfectly, and I always love seeing my ship partners on the dash because my stomach gets all fuzzy and I know good things are gonna happen.

007. What is your favorite thing your muse/s have done this year in the group? (can be in the real world or what you made up) - For Lili, it’s been the gift of all the pictures she’s released. She’s gorgeous, she’s real, and I love all the content she blesses us with. I’m also so proud of her work on Riverdale this year. She stepped up her game.

Keegan hasn’t done much but Million Miles Away was a jam and his podcast was great! In the group, I obviously was happy when he finally kissed Troian. ;) @itstbellisario

And Munro seems to have booked a lot of new projects so I’m excited for them to come out. His performance in Knuckleball is INCREDIBLE and just proves how good of an actor he is.

008. What would you like to see in HollywoodlandHQ in 2019? - Apart from events that pair up people who don’t interact much (which seems to be the biggest want), I’d love more themed events. I’d love supernatural!week, AU!week, holiday events, even more events like the earthquake that affects the whole group and not a select group of people. I also love when memes are done, even if we still need to improve on everyone playing them fairly. Memes that set up plots and help further IC drama will be worked on too. And obviously, I really want the group to keep growing! 

009. What is a plot you would love to do with your muse/s? - I’d love to do something dramatic with Lili - she’s clearly got a steady head on her shoulders and I don’t want to make her too OOC, but writing her struggle with something whether that be a relationship with somebody or with herself would be great with character development. 

With Keegan, I’m excited to work out his growing relationship with Troian. I can’t wait to write out all the beginnings of a ship and see what comes from it.

And with Munro, I’d really just like him to have more connections. I’d love to see more Degrassi fc’s in the group but also get him involved with more people. He’s a really goofy guy and he’s also loyal af, so he’d be great for friendship plots. Also, him developing something with Cristine and maybe fucking it up a little would be good drama!

010. Tag somebody in the RP and say something nice about them. It’s the season of giving. - To my fellow admins @diannahq, @elizajanetc, @itsgenevievegnt, @ohlizzo, @sebffs and @hcurly - I love you. I appreciate you SO much. You guys do tireless (and sometimes thankless) work to make this place running and an accepting place for everybody. Thanks for the Discord chats, the support for real life and roleplay, and always willing to step up and make this the greatest damn group in the game.

Katie - Even when I’m married, you’ll have my Netflix and Hulu password. Thanks for being the Lucy to my Troian, the Goose to my Shmian, and the Manny to my Emma. I love you. You’re always there for me, and you’re always keeping me honest and inspire me to be a better person.

KJ - I love you too and thank you for always believing in me and loving me more than I do myself. I can’t wait for another year of friendship with you.

Eena - You’re the best advice giver and the best ear to talk to. You always make me smile and nobody’s softer or kinder than you. I love you, you gentle soul.

Sadie - You’re a woman of mystery but we love you anyways. You’re probably our group mama and you keep us in line. You’re also incredibly supportive and talented.

Laura - I hope to get to know you even better in 2019! You’re always a sweetheart.

Nikki - I love your big heart and your willingness to do whatever to make everyone feel comfortable. You’re too pure for us.

Sam @theflashgrant @yochriswood - I’ve known you for so long and each year, my love for you grows stronger. I love the person you are and the person you’re becoming. You truly inspire me with your strength and if there’s anyone worthy of good things happening to them, it’s you. Thanks for always making me laugh and being there for me. I’m ride or die for you, lady.

My ship partners @coleffs @crisprosperi @itstbellisario - you two keep me inspired to log on here every day and I thank you for putting up with me. I love the relationships we’ve created and I love that you love them as much as I do. Thank you for the muse posts, the songs, the memes, and the IMs. Thank you for also being my friends. I’d be lost without you two. I love our babies and I can’t wait to see what we do in 2019.

Ally @hqmaia - <333333333333 is really all I can say. We may not ship here but 2019 is gonna be great for our ships too. I’m so happy you’re in this group as well!

My fellow Riverdale-ians @hqcami @kjapayo @hqmads @coleffs @hqnessa @ulrichisms - You guys are the greatest pretend co-workers ever. Riverdale forever. <3 Thank you for letting me live out the friendships I love and being so amazing at all of your roles.

And to all of the members, who I consider my family - without you, this group wouldn’t work. You all belong here. You all are safe here. And you all are loved here. Thank you for doing this meme and giving us feedback and spreading positivity. I couldn’t be prouder to be your admin and to write with you. I’m the luckiest RPer ever.

@hwlandhqgossip