#college placement preparation

[townpostin]

RVS College Inaugurates 2024-25 Academic Session with Grand Ceremony

Chief Guest Tapas Kumar Sahu encourages students to focus on skill development RVS College of Engineering and Technology kicks off new academic year with inspiring inauguration event. JAMSHEDPUR – The 2024-25 academic session of RVS College of Engineering and Technology was initiated with a magnificent inauguration ceremony in the college auditorium. The event was initiated by the lighting of the…

[starcloud-nova]

We’re in for it now, gang

ID: Bugs Bunny meme reading "I wish all people with upcoming AP Exams a very good luck"

[animemusicbrackets]

Hewwo everybody! first of all: happy Juneteenth to all my African American friends! Second, I have update on the semifinals: i am traveling for a convention (anime ohio) and don’t have access to a computer, so semifinals will go up next weekend, not this weekend. Had a lot of stuff going on including con crunching so I kinda.. forgor to make the next bracket round….. so it will have to wait til I get back. sorry. Please be patient with me 🥲

[lukesunbornn]

not to have a superiority complex but my peers are so so so so so so so so stupid.

[learnatrade]

Dual Credits for High Schoolers is a worthwhile investment

With student loan debt relief looking less likely to happen getting students dual credits while in high is a great way to lower college costs.

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, many students and families are left with the burden of high levels of student debt. In the United States, the average student loan debt for graduates in 2021 was $38,792, and this number is only increasing. However, one potential solution to this problem may lie in expanding Dual Credit Programs for High School Students. Dual Credit Programs are…

[livwritesstuff]

Eddie and Steve and their three daughters are sitting around the kitchen table one evening when four-year-old Hazel asks –

“Now that I’m here, are you gonna get married soon?

Steve blinks.

The question isn’t entirely out of left field – not for Hazel, anyway, whose preschool teacher got married a few weeks ago and came back with all kinds of pictures and stories. Apparently, Hazel’s been eating it all up, and she’s their most romantical kid, so to speak, so that’s not really a shock.

Thing is, Eddie and Steve are already married – have been for six years this past May, so…

“Uh, we are married, Hazy-Jay,” Eddie answers before Steve has a chance to say anything.

Hazel’s face falls, her mouth parting.

“Huh?”

Steve inwardly cringes.

“You got married before?” Hazel asks, her chin quivering like she’s only a few moments away from tears (and she’s their most emotional kid too, so she probably is).

“People get married before they have kids, Hazel,” seven-year-old Robbie points out all matter-of-fact.

“Well,” Steve pauses, because, yeah, Robbie is mostly not wrong, but those pesky gay marriage laws had kept him and Eddie from getting married until Massachusetts finally legalized it in ‘04 (when Moe was three and Robbie six-ish months old and Hazel still two years away). He’s pretty sure that level of nuance might be lost on their four-year-old though.

“Not Dad and Papa,” Moe cuts in, “Me and you were there, Robbie.”

“Moe,” Eddie mutters, “Not helping.”

“What?” Moe shrugs, “It’s true!”

Hazel looks positively devastated by this information.

“Why didn’t you wait for me?”

“Well, hon, we didn’t know you were coming,” Steve tries, “We didn’t know any of you were coming!”

“That’s not true,” Moe points out, “You knew about Robbie.”

“Moe,” Eddie hisses.

Steve reaches behind him to snag a framed photo of him and Eddie and Steve and Moe and Robbie all smiling at the camera on the steps of Boston City Hall off the shelf it perches on.

“You know this picture?” he asks as Hazel climbs into his lap. She nods, “This is from the day Dad and I got married.”

“It doesn’t look like a wedding,” Hazel says skeptically, her nose all scrunched up. 

“‘Cause it wasn’t really a wedding,” Steve tells her, “We got married at a courthouse in Boston – same courthouse where we adopted you and where we adopted Moe and where we adopted Robbie.”

“Why did you adopted us?”

“Well, you know how sometimes we take emergency foster placements every once in a while and we’ll have a new friend for a few days?”

Hazel nods.

“Dad and I used to do that all the time,” he continues, “and that’s how we met Moe, and so for two years it was just me and Daddy and Moe, and then we found out that you guy’s mom was gonna have another baby, and then we met Robbie.”

“And then me?”

“And then you,” Steve nods, “It was me and Dad and Moe and Robbie for three years, and then one day we found out that your mom had another baby, and that was you.”

Hazel wordlessly mulls this over for a bit, and then she lets out a pensive little sigh.

“If you would’a known about me before, would you wait?”

“To get married? Of course we would’ve waited.”

“And then maybe you would’a had a real wedding?”

“Maybe,” Steve affirms, even though…probably not, because that shit is expensive and, seriously, nothing out there could have prepared Steve for the reality of their college savings goal doubling overnight.

“Where is our mom now?” Hazel then asks.

Moe, helpful as always, cuts in with, “She’s dead now.”

“Moe,” Eddie exclaims for the third time, “Jee-eez, read the room please!”

[venusgroove]

chiron in the solar return houses

when reading a solar return chart, i always look at chiron’s placement. chiron can tell you where you’ll be struggling the most that year.

chiron never fails to give you a hard lesson, you cannot go against the lessons chiron has prepared for you. although this seems tough, once the pain and grief is experienced, you’ll be gifted with strength.

chiron in the first house

issues with self-identity. chiron in the first house can experience negative comments towards appearance and/or personality leading low self esteem. there can be an overall negative approach to life, a lack of optimism.

chiron in the second house

issues with material possessions. chiron in the second house can lead to tricky financial situations or just possessions stolen, this can cause a lot of physical and mental stress. there can also be issues in the work environment, things may be stressful.

chiron in the third house

issues with communication. chiron in the third house can cause miscommunication in both parties, the person with the placement and with other people. things said may be taken the wrong way. there can also be conflicts with siblings.

chiron in the fourth house

issues with family. chiron in the fourth house can cause conflicts in the family. family members can be fighting often or the person with the placement is fighting with family members. either way, instability will be found in relationships at home. this can also cause direct issues with the mother.

chiron in the fifth house

issues with finding happiness. chiron in the fifth house can cause a depressing year. it can be hard to enjoy things that are deemed as fun. there can also be a lack of creativity, this can cause a burnout, especially to someone with water placements.

chiron in the sixth house

issues in routine. chiron in the sixth house can cause life to feel somewhat dull. things can feel boring, there may be the feeling that the days are just repeating themselves. this can lead to a negative mindset, a decline in mental health. there can also be issues with physical or mental health.

chiron in the seventh house

issues in relationships. chiron in the seventh house can lead to romantic rejection. asking people out will often lead to getting declined. if one is already in a relationship, this can mean toxicity may arise in the relationship.

chiron in the eighth house

issues with maintaining positive energies. chiron in the eighth house creates a negative energy, not only can this harm the person with the placement, but also those surrounding them. this is happens due to the fact that energy is so contagious. there can also be issues with letting go, holding onto old experiences can contribute to the negative energy that was previously discussed.

chiron in the ninth house

issues in finding meaning/purpose in life. chiron in the ninth house can cause turbulence to philosophic beliefs. there may be many stressful thoughts relating to experiences of death and what happens after death. there can also be issues with higher education, such as college.

chiron in the tenth house

issues with reputation. chiron in the tenth house makes others jealous of ones status, therefore they try to sabotage. friends will often be hidden enemies. there can also be issues with a father figure.

chiron in the eleventh house

issues with friends. chiron in the eleventh house can bring negativity to friendships. either friends backstabbing or struggling to create friendships. this can also cause a negative experience with technology, something such as cyberbullying.

chiron in the twelfth house

issues in spiritually healing. chiron in the twelfth house drains spiritual energy, leading to a blockage in healing. this could lead to a negative mental space. there can also be issues with sleeping, a possibility of getting insomnia or having nightmares and experiencing sleep paralysis.

[gemini-atz]

Seonghwa as your Boyfriend₊˚⊹♡

('Realistic Imagines' + Astrology Based)

Background/Disclaimer: !!This is all my own interpretation based on my personal astrology knowledge and research. I consider myself an amateur!!

✩Gemini Notes✩ IDK what happened but I ended up getting really into writing the NSFW part of this and it got long so I'm making a part 2 for it which I'll post tomorrow night! I'll create a link at the end of this post and in my Astrology Series Pinned post. If you'd like a tag please comment!

SEONGHWA SUN Aries MOON Cancer MERCURY Aries VENUS Aquarius MARS Aries

Dating Seonghwa is pretty much like being with your best friend. He's such a caretaker and protector in your life almost from the moment he enters it. You guys probably had a base of friendship for a bit before you started dating, and it would have probably (definitely) been you crushing on Seonghwa hard first before he even notices his own feelings for you.

Aquarius Venus and really anyone with their Venus in an Air sign tend to seek intellectual or stimulating connections with people before falling romantically. For Seonghwa his partner should be someone he also considers a close friend. He'd be like the guy you'd meet in your second year of college in class because you were put in a group for an assignment and of COURSE you two turned out to be the only two that even gave a shit and tried. Showing a sincere interest in his hobbies or likes would really endear him to you, and he would try to return the favor by getting into yours. For Seonghwa, a comfortable kind of friends to lovers thing is ideal. He loves spending quality time with you but his idea of quality time is very much giving parallel play, where you both do your own thing in the same room, maybe listening to a playlist you made together. With his three Aries placements, he has the potential to have a really explosive temper. It's a little diminished by his Moon in Cancer but he's probably the type of guy who holds in all his annoyances until he can just get them out at the end of the day either through his hobbies or physical activity. Basically, he likes to keep his mind focused and his hands busy. Air Venus signs can come off as aloof occasionally to other passionate signs who literally want to be with you all the time. He's the kind of boyfriend that will give you some space if you need it, because he'll need it too. You'll be soooo tempted to go an interrupt him when he's focused on his Legos because he's just so beautiful and cute when he's focusing but the thing he loves about you is how much understanding you always give him; its all you can do to just kiss his forehead and go to read a book while laying on the couch. Eventually he'd come over to you, bouncy and energized and flop onto the couch, wiggling up to rest his face into your chest and wrapping warm, solid arms around you. "Can I show you the set I just built?" He'd ask, and of course you say yes! His eyes get so sparkly while he shows it off to you, smiling so proudly at your reactions. If you're a person who loves being spontaneous or adventurous with your plans, having Seonghwa as your boyfriend means you two will genuinely have a lot of fun together. He's the boyfriend that wants genuinely does want to go to art museums and fashion archive exhibits with you, and you guys can chat excitably about your opinions of different works, be it games, anime, fashion or music. As a couple, you are always ready to try something new and probably always have weekend plans.

As a Cancer Moon Seonghwa might gravitate toward the caretaker role in your relationship and tends to anticipate your own needs before you do, just doing little actions to look after you, like preparing your coffee or tea in the morning while you rush around getting ready for work. He isn't super big on PDA, maybe holding hands in public is as much as he's comfortable with but once you're alone....he's your personal giant teddy bear. So many hugs, so many cuddle sessions where you both play on your Switches and pause occasionally to show each other something cool or cute in your game.

You'll end up thinking its funny that some people have the impression your boyfriend is quiet or shy; If he's not saying anything, he just might not be interested in the conversation. Once you get him talking about his interests he's a certified YAPPER. And, surprisingly one of the most stubborn people you have ever met. Like, good luck feeling like you can ever "win" an argument. With both a Sun and Mars in Aries, Seonghwa feels like he can give you energy just from being near him. Aries men tend to have a lot of physical stamina and can push themselves pretty far in that aspect.

Which brings me to my next point......

NSFW

I see Seonghwa as someone who eventually gets into orgasm denial on his partner because of just how long he can go for. That Aries stamina feels like he's the type who can cum and be ready to go again faster than you were expecting.

Read More

[icyg4l]

October 2024 Predictions

Hello beautiful people! Today’s pick a card reading is going to be what you can expect from October 2024. If you resonate with this reading, please don’t hesitate to book a reading with me. Refer to my guidelines and my booking site before doing so. Please help a broke college student out, if you can lol! But anyway, let’s get on with the PAC. Without further ado, please select your pile!

Top Left-to-Bottom Right: (1-4)

Pile One: Somebody’s gonna be having a lot of fun. I can tell that you need moments of relaxation, but also to party! You will get invited into a Halloween party, but please do not get shit-faced. You may end up in the hospital. I feel like you’ll be playing around with different methods of manifesting, if you’re actively manifesting something tangible (a car, new clothes/makeup, etc). You should not get too specific with their manifestations. Leave the why’s/how’s up to the Universe or whatever you believe in. Some of you could be wearing a Santa Muerte necklace or worship Santa Muerte. You may have a dream in which she sends you a message, telling you not to worry. She’s got it. This pile needs to practice safe sex!! Some of y’all are celibate but will soon be giving it up, lol. If you have a partner with a penis, you may find yourself being more fertile than usual. If not, then you should still practice safe sex. Be communicative with your partner’s and thoroughly wash yourself and any objects that you may use during the act. And of course, have fun! Also, some of you will have a dream that will spark a new idea. I get major Pisces energy from this pile. Why are y’all so horny lol??? Don’t lose sight of reality this month. Curveballs will be thrown but you just have to stay put. 

Cards Used: Ace of Cups. 2 of Discs. The Hanged Man. 9 of Cups. The High Priestess. The Moon.

Pile Two: I heard the word “glorious” as I was shuffling for this pile. Pile Two, you are free to do whatever you please. After a time of trials, you will finally feel triumphant. You have been waiting for this moment: to feel uninhibited and abundant. You are going to meet someone that will help open doors for you so that you can receive more clientele, if you are looking to start a business. For others of you, you will meet someone who is well-connected to different people and you may find a few friends/a lover. If it’s a lover, it is something that will be short-lived. This connection will help you get more comfortable in a new environment. Some of you could have moved to a different state/city (congratulations!). It feels chaotic right now, but right now you have to remember that help is on the way. Do not try to do everything on your own. If you do, then you will feel overwhelmed. This month, you will get more familiar with traveling in your downtown area/around the city. Be sure to keep something on you (bear spray, a pocket knife, graffiti spray, amulets, Nazars, etc). Be prepared for what is to come but don’t stress out over the small details (especially if you’re working on a project that will benefit you monetarily). It’s easier said than done, I know. Your plans will come into fruition as long as you keep your eyes on the prize. By any means necessary. 

Cards Used: Princess of Swords. Queen of Swords. Wheel of Fortune. 2 of Cups. Death. The Emperor (RX). 

Pile Three: Someone is about to level up! While you are doing better for yourself, some people will not be able to be in your presence anymore. You must cut them loose. If you have a hunch about a friend, specifically if they have any Aquarius placements, then it’s time to cut them loose. You’re too good for them and you know it. I feel like this is a friend outside of your friendship circle. You were warned about them before. Aside from the friendship drama, this month will be a great month to romanticize the little things. Fall may be your favorite season. Being in tune with nature will help you manifest more beauty. Staying grounded = staying beautiful. This month will go by very quickly for you. Some of you will be baking cookies and spending more time with your mother figure. Some of you may have to give advice to an impulsive, younger person to prevent them from making a huge mistake (possibly involving their friends and/or their schoolwork). There is nothing wrong with playing the role of a nurturer. Embrace it. And lastly, if there is anyone or anything that brings you chaos, it is time for you to leave it behind. Starting anew can be scary but this will change your life for the better by making room for what is to come. Out with the old, in with the new!

Cards Used: 3 of Cups. 7 of Swords. 5 of Wands. 6 of Cups. 8 of Wands. The Empress. 

Pile Four: Are you catching a coach flight via Southwest/Spirit Airlines? Are you taking an Amtrak train soon? I can tell you’re really over the bs, lol. I heard “catching flights, not feelings”. But unfortunately for you, you will be catching feelings. Be open to being in a loving relationship. It is safe for you to love. They could be very reminiscent of your loving father figure. You may meet this person as you are traveling. It is possible that you are moving to wherever you plan to travel to. If you are, then you will feel content with your decision. Right now, you are in a waiting period. The momentum is about to pick back up for you. Consider the reality of where you are going and compare it to your head. At this time, you could find yourself being anxious at times, questioning if you are ready, and you in fact are. Things are aligning for you. You could find that people in your position are landing on your for you page on TikTok. You could find that people are wearing/successfully obtaining what it is that you want. A lot of you want a new house/apartment. This will help you gain the confidence to fully pursue your goals and dreams. Don’t put them on hold for anything or anyone. I am channeling the scene where Fiona finally leaves Chicago in Shameless. 

Cards Used: The Lovers, The Emperor, Prince of Cups, The World, 8 of Cups, 4 of Swords.

[alittlebitofloveliness]

hiii idk if ur still taking requests or not but if u are literally any kind of darry angst would be amazing 🤗🤗

Hi anon! This is a bit more Curtis brothers angst but Darry centric exploring what might have happened if the Curtis parents died two years earlier. Please lmk what you think!

***********

“Please” Darry begs, “I’ll be eighteen in a month. A month! I swear I can take care of them. Please don’t do this.”

“I’m sorry,” the social worker says, and to her credit she does sound like she means it, “Since you're almost eighteen and because you’ve provided me with adequate proof you can support yourself I’m going to allow you to remain here at this time, but Sodapop is only fourteen and Ponyboy just turned twelve. They need a real guardian.”

“I can be their guardian,” Darry vows. It’s wrong they’re even having this conversation. His college acceptance letter sits on his desk, his football trophies on the shelf and yet he’d give all of it away in a heartbeat for this crackpot old woman to see sense, to understand that he’s just lost both of his parents and he cannot lose his brothers too. Why doesn’t she understand that? “You said it yourself, I can support myself. I can support them too. The lawyer said Mom and dad left me the house. I can officially claim it in a month, and I can cover bills until then. I already got three offers for another job, and I know how to cook and clean and drive-”

“Darrel,” the social worker cuts him off firmly but kindly, “this has nothing to do with whether or not you are capable. In fact, from what I’ve seen, and the frankly remarkable job you’ve done holding your family together I’d be more than happy to help you petition for guardianship of your brothers at a later time, if it’s still something you feel strongly about doing, but the fact of the matter is that almost eighteen is not the same as eighteen. You are not a legal adult, and you cannot be your brothers’ legal guardian until you are. It doesn’t matter how responsible or adult you are right now. It can’t happen.”

“Please,” Darry implores, “you can’t take them. We just lost mom and dad, I can’t lose them too.”

“I really am sorry,” she says, “and I mean it when I say I will help you try and get guardianship in a month. But I can’t let them stay with you right now, and honestly? Maybe it’s a good thing. I know you love your brothers but guardianship would mean putting your life on hold until Ponyboy turns eighteen- eight years from now. You couldn’t go to college, travel, do much of anything really. This month will give you time to think that over, decide if it’s something you’re truly prepared to do.”

Anger, bright and hot as a supernova bursts in his chest.

“I would do anything to keep them. Anything. I don’t want college or sports or nothing if it means they’d be stuck in some foster home with people who don’t care anything about them.”

“We make sure all our foster parents are vetted very carefully-”

“Yeah, sure,” Darry scoffs, “I know a dozen kids who grew up in the foster system. I’m sure all those bruises were just from kids being kids, especially the handprints. With all due respect, I think you’ve forgotten what part of town you're in. East side kids never end up in the good homes.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“Save your apologies,” Darry chokes, ashamed to feel hot tears start to prick his eyes, “it’s clear your mind is made up and ain’t nothing I can do to change it.”

“I promise you, I will help you try and get them back. As soon as you're eighteen.”

“I’ll call you the minute the clock hits midnight on my birthday,” Darry threatens, “see if I won’t.”

“That’s fair,” the social worker smiles but Darry refuses to smile back. He hates her, for all she is trying to be as kind and helpful as she can. She’s going to take his brothers away. To him, she can only ever be a villain, “you guys can stay together here one more night while I sort out placements for Ponyboy and Sodapop. I’ll be back at ten tomorrow morning. Do you want to tell your brothers or should I?”

Well Darry sure as hell isn’t going to break their hearts, and Ms. Summers has done a good enough job already of shattering what remained of his own.

“You do it,” he spits, “I ain’t gonna ruin their lives.”

Her sympathy has run deep enough that pity now reigns on her face and she ignores his attitude, the way she has ignored all his attitude so far. It’s more than he probably deserves. He still hates her for it.

“No,” Soda says before Ms. Summers has even finished explaining, his brown eyes shining with a primal sort of fear that puts another crack in Darry’s already broken heart. Soda was made to be grinning, not meant to ever look so terrified, “no you ain’t puttin’ me in no foster house. Me’n my brothers are stayin’ right here, together, thank you very much.”

“I’m afraid I wasn’t asking,” Ms. Summers says, still talking in that infuriatingly gentle tone. 

Soda- easygoing, sweet Sodapop, who called ladies ma’am without fail, who everyone adored- glares at her, backing away the way a cornered animal might.

“I ain’t going! I ain’t! And you ain't taking Pony neither! Darry ain’t gonna let you take us, right Dar?”

He looks at him, brown eyes wide and desperate in his face, and Darry knows things will never be the same after this because it’s his job to protect Soda and Pony, always has been and always will be, and yet right now he is failing to do just that and Soda may never forgive him for it.

“Soda…”

“No!” He’s crying now, tears running freely down his face as he clutches Ponyboy close to his side, arm falling protectively around their baby brother’s tiny shoulders because Pony- whose eyes are the same sort of haunted they’ve been since mom and dad died, and whose face shows nothing but terrified resignation- hasn’t hit his growth spurt yet. Because he’s twelve. Only twelve.

“I know this is hard for you” Ms Summers continues, “and I’m going to do my best to make sure you and Ponyboy get placed together, but you can’t stay with Darry right now.”

“Why not? He’s good at bein’ a guardian. Shit, I’ve eaten more vegetables in the last week than I ever did when mom and Dad were alive-

“Because Darry isn’t eighteen.” Ms. Summers cuts him off, “and you need to be at least eighteen for the government to consider granting guardianship.”

“I’m gonna get you back,” Darry promises, ignoring the social worker and instead locking eyes with his brothers, first Soda, then Pony, “I swear it, as soon as I turn eighteen I’m gonna get you back and you can come home and we’ll all be together again. But we gotta behave if I’m gonna have any chance at all, so please stop arguin’. I don’t like this any more than you do but we gotta-” he clears his throat, “we gotta play ball, ok kiddo? We gotta do what we’re told.”

Soda gives the social worker one more murderous glance, but pulls himself together, a mask of eerie calm overtaking his features. “Fine.”

“Ill see you all tomorrow then. I can show myself out.” Ms Summers offers them one last pitying smile as she shuts the door behind her. 

As soon as she’s gone Soda is on top of him, crying so hard he can hardly breathe,. Pony is clutching his other side so hard he might have bruises, and Darry wraps them both in his arms, wishing he could keep them here forever where they would be safe and he could help them relearn how to be happy. It’s somehow the worst and best moment of his life. On the one hand they’re still blissfully here with him. On the other hand, they won’t be for long.

“I’m sorry,” belatedly Darry realizes he’s crying too, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I tried everything, she wouldn't let me keep you, I tried, I tried.”

Pony just hugs him harder, burying his face in his chest and Soda wails.

Eventually they all stop crying, but the mood in the house is somber. The gang comes around, moods dampening one by one as they hear the news, and Darry makes chocolate cake for dinner since there’s no point in making healthy food if the social workers are taking the boys anyway. In the end it doesn’t matter- none of them have much of an appetite, even for cake.

He walks in on Steve and Soda plotting to run away together before the social worker comes. Talks them out of it by reminding them that he’ll never get guardianship if Soda goes truant while still technically in his care. Eventually, the gang leaves and the it’s the three of them once more, crowded together on the living room couch in an unspoken agreement. None of them want to sleep, unwilling to miss even a second that they have left together.

“Darry?” Pony whispers, his head resting on Darry’s shoulder.

“Yeah, bud?”

“I’m scared.”

“I know,” Darry says, heat clenching, “I’m scared too.”

A few minutes later Pony’s weight drops a little more against him and he starts to snore, out cold. Darry pulls him a little closer, plants a kiss on the top of his wild hair. 

“Soda?” Darry says softly a few minutes later, careful not to wake Pony.

“Hmm,” Soda blinks at him sleepily, “yeah Dar?’

“Promise me you’ll take care of him,” he glances down at Ponyboy’s peaceful face. Asleep like this he looks downright childlike, “and yourself too, savvy? I’m sorry- I’m sorry I can’t do it myself, but you gotta be strong for me, alright? Just for a month or two until I get you back.”

“I promise,” Soda vows, “he’ll be safe with me, I’ll make sure of it. No matter where they put us.”

“I know you will, little buddy.”  Darry sighs. 

Soda sniffs. “I’m really gonna miss you, Dar. it ain’t right, takin’ me from my big brother when we just lost our folks. It ain’t right.”

“I’ll get you back,” Darry promises again, because what else is there to say, really? “I’ll talk to the president himself if I have to but I swear I’ll get you back.”

“I know you will,” Soda tells him, eyes shining. 

They don’t talk for the rest of the night.

The morning dawns with a sunrise that mocks them with it’s beauty and a buttery sunshine that illuminates the sorrow on all their faces when Mrs. Summers shows up and they all have to say goodbye. The gangs around, everyone but Dallas who got jailed two days ago, and Pony and Soda take their time with their goodbyes. When Soda reaches Darry, he hugs him tight for a second, and gets chocked up trying to say something three times before he gives up. Pony hugs Darry with a strength he rarely sees from the kid, and Darry tells him over and over that he loves him because when things get tough that’s the sort of thing Ponyboy forgets.

Then they leave, Mrs. Summers' blue Toyota rounding the corner, and a big part of Darry’s heart goes with them.

He goes back inside. Steve and Two-bit both follow him, casting him concerned looks, but he can’t deal with their worry right now. He has twenty eight days before his birthday to compile an airtight case as to why he’s the perfect guardian for a teenager and a preteen boy, and three job offers on his desk that can make that case a lot more airtight than it currently is.

It’s time to get to work.

[ladyiristheenchantress]

Magic for the college witch

In honor of finding out I am set to graduate in December with my associates in science I have decided to celebrate with you all by sharing my tips and tricks I used to help pass some of my classes! Each tip will be sorted into circumstances as to where they may be applicable. Please enjoy, and congrats to all my future grads!

Reminder: In dorms and such you wont have access to many tools, but if your living in an apartment things are less strict. every time you see candles and such if you live in a dorm replace it with either electric candles or even colored stones you can rub together or place in a grid!

Registering for classes

Often times we try to register for classes as soon as possible, especially when you are an incoming freshman. When it comes to getting accepted and starting the process congrats your here.

Set up registering appointments on lucky number days, during the new moon, or on Mondays and Thursdays because those times represent readiness and preparation

Manifest getting good classes and teachers by sending off a prayer out to the universe

Do divination when registering opens to see if a teacher is a good fit or not (Also check out rate my professor)

If you are having trouble establishing classes, or just cant seem to get that *one* class you need, light a blue candle and put mint at the base of it to promote an opening

If your facing a situation where you are trying to get into an exclusive class (this also works if your presenting a thesis) put a sugar packet under your tongue to sweeten your words and make you more convincing

Getting to class on time

The commute anywhere can be a really hard thing to do, whether your commuting from a dorm to a classroom or city to campus it can be hard to be on time or find the motivation to show up to class

To motivate yourself to go to class keep a carnelian under your pillow to help you rise in the morning

Keep a consistent schedule, not only is this helpful psychologically but magically consistency helps build up magical energy towards motivation

enchant your walking shoes (or get heelies) to put pep in your step and always be on time when walking. You can optionally put a sigil in your shoe

enchant cars to avoid red lights by charging your keys in full moon light

Light a green candle before important days to make sure your morning commute runs smoothly

Setting up magical space in the dorms

Most dorms don't allow things like candles or flames, heaters, strip lights, etc. With this in mind people assume it must be hard to create a magical space without some of the key items, but we do have solutions!

Instead of regular candles, use electric ones as votives on deity altars

Instead of incense use MILD essential oil diffusers like lava stones in the corners, or a defuser. Bonus points if you use a dehumidifier

Chances are you wont have a lot of space, so opt for small placements on desks via mini figures and small stones

Set up sachets around your space and put them in clothing areas, not only do they smell good and keep moths away, they act as magical protection

Start working on energy based practices like meditation or enchantments with only your body

Navigating relationships

College can be a hard time, your adjusting to life without the friends you grew up with, most people start their dating life, and friends begin to come and go as you go through classes. Don't restrict what you experience

When you brush your teeth, enchant it to represent you 'speaking your truth' and 'biting back' so your protected from people who have bad intentions or are deceptive

When at parties and such put a sigil of protection on your left thigh, this represents protection from people looking to harm you

blow cinnamon at your door, or use a light cinnamon essential oil wash to invite new people and opportunities

Keep amber under your pillow or by photos to maintain friendships and help you let go of ones that no longer serve you

wear silver to repel energy vampires or people who are looking to use you

Studying success

Studying and how effective it is will depend on you and how you like to study, there are hundreds of posts online that look at how to find your study style, this more focuses on magic you can do for memory retention

Chew mint gum during studying AND during your test for memory recall

Draw sigils on your physical flash cards to make the information easier to retain

On the third of each month save that day to brush up on all information from the class, not only does this prep you for the final but this day is Athenas ritual day

Study the most on Wednesdays as they represent wisdom

Use a shungite worry stone during studying and testing to help keep your mind focused and stress free before tests

Test taking

Test taking can be a really hard part of college, I know it was for me. We do a lot of things to help prepare but what can we do during a test?

Create a sigil of good luck on top of your exam

Wear green on exam days

Eat and drink something enchanted (I swear by a snickers and a red bull) before a test for good luck

Create a superstition like a lucky shirt or pair of socks after your first good exam grade

Wear gold accessories to enhance your test taking skills, and speed up your test (Great when you are being timed)

Mental Health

Your mental health in college is very important, it can be hard being separated from your home town or family and just know that it does get better. College is a mix of emotions, from the loneliest point in your life, to the most social. You will be navigating new challenges, new feats, and its important to take care of yourself. Seek out the college mental health resources available to you like counseling as needed. you matter!

Use words of affirmations when you wake up and before you sleep to remind yourself you matter, my favorite is from the help "You is smart, you is kind, you is important"

Carry rose quartz and carnelian on you for self love and energy

Before bed drink lavander tea for rest and revitalization

Pray over your food to nourish your spirit as you go through college

Write down letters and petition to the universe for stability and how you feel.

I hope you all have enjoyed! Again, congrats to all my future grads, and I hope you all can come with me as I journey to getting my bachelors

Tip Jar

[kakiastro]

Jupiter Gemini: Abundance of Information

Jupiter will enter Gemini on May 25th until June 9, 2025

After being in the earthly sign of Taurus, it moves into air sign.

So what does this mean for the collective?

- we are going to be talking!!!! 🗣️There’s going to be an abundance of idea and everyone is going to want their voices heard. On one hand this is good because new ideas that can further the collective, however, there’s going to be a lot of not so good ideas being brought up. Be prepared to see lots of ignorant statements, people being more vulgar in public.

-we are going to be talking a lot about wanting to find close knit communities, Gemini rules over our local communities. More people talking about moving abroad and getting their passports will be huge themes. We may start seeing lots of people talk about there experiences in their new neighborhoods

-friendships and people trying to find new besties to hang with. There’s going to be an overwhelming need of wanting to find loyal friends. On the other hand, you may lots of public friend feuds. Jupiter rules over law and court, friends suing each other. Gemini rules over rumors and gossip, so people spreading rumors about their friends.

-lots of stories about co-workers and the people you work with. People marrying their co-worker since Jupiter is one of the marriage planets.

-siblings. Working with/for siblings, siblings going to/back to college. Your siblings going through some legal issues. Siblings traveling together, re-connecting and bonding. Siblings feuds such as suing each other. Traveling with our siblings

- Jupiter is one of the father archetypes and it rules over husbands, brothers and grandfathers. Gemini rules over our cousins and uncles and aunts. Pay attention because these people in your life is going to have a lot to say. They may be more vocal about their beliefs and ideals, some may even surprise you in a good or bad way.

-our minds are going to be heavily stimulated from the amount of information that’s going to be thrown at us. I’m not even just talking about the media but just in everyday life lol. With Pluto Aquarius, it’s going to be a lot of stuff being revealed to the public. Some of these things might not be good. so please don’t burn yourself out because it can be too much. Gemini placements, especially you because Jupiter is in your sign.

-Jupiter rules over worldly events, I predict we will hear about more things going on overseas. I’m not just talking about ongoing events such as Palestine-Israel or Ukraine but I imagine we’re going to be hearing or be more self aware about other things going on in the world. Again, it could get overwhelming so don’t burn yourself out yall. This also includes word leaders.

-religion/religious figures. Jupiter rules over religion and churches. I can’t help but wonder if some sort of public scandal comes out about some religious figures. People discussing religion and the impact it’s had on the public. People wanting to find the truth. What’s truth vs what’s fiction will definitely be hot topics. There’s going to some controversial topics so heads up. People in your life may talk about religion such as religious trauma or their personal religious beliefs. People are about to be very outspoken in a way I don’t think we’ve seen before, I’m already seeing it after reading Billie Eilish interview 😅

-writers/authors. As a writer myself, I think this is going to be a good time for aspiring authors to start or publish their projects. The writing community is in an odd space since the rise of Ai and scammers making AI books, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the air. With that being said, the good news is that the general public is still very much interested in books written by real people so if you want to write and publish, do it!

-completely random but legs and running may be topics. People talking about best places to jog or run. Leg exercises may be another topic. Running marathons, people running there first one or winning their first, I predict an inspiring story to come out this summer. You know, I forgot the Olympics is this year so track and field runners will be heavily in the media.

-this is definitely a think before you speck transit and I know so many people are about fail that lesson😭. We’re all going to have to apply the rule thumper mama told him from Bambi “If you don’t have nothing nice to say, don’t say it all” 😅

-Teachers/Education. Possible teacher strikes or more teachers speaking out about their current frustration about the system. I predict the educational system to be completely reviewed and lots of changes are going to be made. I believe people are going to pursue different routes of education for their kids, especially those with disabled children. Teacher strikes wouldn’t surprise me. More College adults seeking education overseas than here. Speaking of college adults, there’s been a lot of protesting on campuses happening and I don’t see that stopping, if anything, it’s going to enhance even further. Perhaps even globally.

-transportations. Now I’m not entirely sure how this going to play out but people who work transportation make speak out about unfair work conditions or their could also be strikes. On the flip side, more people will buying or looking to buy cars. Cars from overseas may be hot topics. Trains stations, bus stops, bike trails may be topics.

These are the main themes of this topics. To see how it affects you personally, look at the house Gemini rules.

[eddiexmunsonlover]

One Step Away From You (Chapter 6)

BSF!Eddie Munson x PlusSize!Fem!Reader

Follow my new blog for future chapters & fics @cherryxhaze

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Chapter Summary: You finally join Hellfire and restart your tradition of horror movie nights with Eddie. Diving into deep talks about the events of the last few years you've been apart. WC: 5.4k Warnings: MDNI. HEAVY spoiler warning for Eddie's Flight of Icarus book. Hurt and fluff, more mutual pining. Explicit language, mentions of toxic family relationships, violence, hurtful past relationships. If anyone is interested in being added to a taglist for each chapter, just comment, message, or send me an ask!

Friday, October 18th, 1985

After over 3 weeks of relentless pressure and questions of when you’d finally join the club from Eddie and the trio of younger boys, you finally cave in. It’s not that you hadn’t wanted to join, quite the opposite in fact. You missed Eddie’s creativity, enthusiasm, and dramatics when it came to campaigns. You always had so much fun when you’d join the younger boys’ campaigns over the years too, their bickering providing you with far more entertainment than the game itself. 

You’d initially been a little apprehensive about joining given the older members, not wanting to feel like you were intruding. That apprehension quickly dissipated once you started joining the Hellfire table at lunch, quickly fitting in and joking around with Gareth, Jeff and Grant. Eddie wouldn’t have tolerated anything different, prepared to step in if the older members didn’t quickly accept you. This is a club for the freaks and outcasts of Hawkins to be fair, the idea that any of them wouldn’t quickly accept you, fellow outcast and long time friend of Eddie’s, would be almost out of question.

The only other issue with officially joining Hellfire was the meeting time on Friday evenings, when you’re scheduled to work at the restaurant. You didn’t think your Aunt Patty would be willing to let you go from working one of the restaurant’s busiest nights, but after much pleading and ensuring it’s for a school club meetings, not forgetting to mention how good it’ll look on college applications while leaving out the fact it’s for playing Dungeons and Dragons, she eventually relents and moves you to working Tuesday nights instead. It’s not an even trade at all for your aunt, switching from working a busy Friday night to a slow weeknight, but you sure as hell won’t mention it.

When you first walk into the theater room, you already wish you had joined sooner. It’s the perfect placement. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the stage lights that cast a glow around the room, the lit candles surrounding the game table, adding to the no doubt intense atmosphere you’d learned to expect from Eddie’s campaigns. Your eyes trail along the table to the throne-like chair placed at the head, Eddie already sitting in it with his face buried in his playbook. You smirk at the sight, typical Eddie going all out. He turns to greet you all with a wide, but sinister smile.

“Welcome, my sheep! Please, gather round so we may begin the grand trek to Mackbar!” he booms, voice deepening as he continues. He looks at you specifically, gesturing dramatically at the empty seat to his right.

“Special seat for our new member, m’lady.”

You giggle at his antics as a giddy excitement fills your belly, quickly walking over to claim your spot.

“So kind of you, Master.” you retort playfully as you take your seat. Eddie tries to hide the way the word falling from your lips makes his stomach do somersaults, on top of the way his red and black guitar pick necklace he gave you looks hanging around your neck, resting against your chest as if it was made for you.

“So, still a gnome cleric if my memory serves me correctly?”

“Nope. I’m a chaotic good wood-elf fighter named Vadania Moonflower.” you state confidently with a smile that Eddie quickly returns, eyebrows shooting up to his bangs.

“Mmm very interesting, I like it. Suits you well.”

The sound of Dustin clearing his throat breaks you both from the trance you’re in as you smile cheekily at each other, Dustin displaying a smirk of his own as he watches. With everyone settled in their seats with their figurines set, drinks and snacks waiting, Eddie begins the campaign. The deep theatrical voice he uses to set the scene and the party’s mission immediately draws and sucks you in. Soon finding yourself completely engulfed in your character and the world set for the game. 

Everytime you’d joined in or watched the younger boys' campaigns over the years in Mike’s basement, you’d often imagined what it would be like to bring the boys and Eddie together for a campaign, two parts of your world combining so to speak. You smile as you look around the table now that it’s finally happening, utterly entertained at the interactions between Dungeon Master Eddie and the boys, the curveballs they throw at Eddie’s expectations for the game. He won’t admit it so easily, but he loves the way the new members keep him on his toes, sparking his creativity in those moments when things don’t go as planned. 

He’s missed a lot of things about you over the years you’ve been gone. Seeing you utterly engrossed in his campaigns, now with more confidence in your character and abilities, is one of those things. Butterflies flutter in his chest as he watches you enact your character’s fierce disposition and fighting abilities, readily at the front lines to defend the party at any inkling of danger. 

It’s a place where time doesn’t exist, not when you’re completely immersed in the elaborate story and gameplay set out by Eddie. Although to be fair you often feel that way when you’re with him in general, so consumed and grounded in his presence that time flies by. 

Tonight is no different. Before you know it you’ve reached the end of tonight’s campaign, on a cliff-hanger at that. The time on your watch reads 8:33pm, 2 and a half hours having passed since you first took your seat at the table.

You decide to stay back and help Eddie clean up and collect his supplies. 

“So what did you think? You have fun?” You smirk at the question as you throw away empty Mountain Dew cans.

“I think that I’ve really missed playing DnD with you,” you admit, letting out a breathy laugh. “Yeah, I had a lot of fun. I’m glad I came.”

“Yeah, me too.” He says, offering you a shy smile as he blows out the last lit candle.

Once everything is all packed up you walk out of the school together side by side, paying Eddie compliments for the campaign, compliments that you can almost swear are causing a blush to adorn his cheeks.

As you approach your cars, Eddie turns to you.

“Hey so uh I was wondering, how do you feel about taking up another one of our old traditions tonight? Horror movie night, what do you say?” He asks, hands tucked into his jeans pocket as he sways back and forth. “That is if you don’t already have plans?”

“No no, I’m free. I’d love that.”

“Perfect” he sings with a bright smile before gesturing to his van parked next to yours. “Just follow me to my castle then, sweetheart.”

Uncle Wayne’s trailer is a place that has always brought you comfort, a safe space in a way for you over the years. That sentiment extended to Uncle Wayne himself too. Anytime things were bad at home, Wayne ensured his door was wide open for you and it always was. Even when Eddie and you would play your guitars’ in his room a little too loud at times, he never said a word. He never had anything but kind words for you as a matter of fact. 

You’ve only been able to see him once since you’ve been back, greeting you with open arms and a smile. Since he’s taken up night shifts he’s usually asleep during the daytime, leaving the trailer to Eddie on nights like tonight where the sounds of screaming victims from the TV won’t wake him from his slumber.

You make yourself comfortable, taking your usual spot on the worn loveseat sofa in the living room as Eddie rummages through the kitchen cabinets.

“What’s on the lineup for tonight?” you ask as Eddie returns to the living room with a bowl of popcorn and 2 cans of Coke. He smirks at you as he sets them down on the coffee table before turning around and sifting through tapes under the TV. “Well I figured, what better movie to mark the recommencement of our movie nights… gotcha” he begins, finally finding the movie he’s looking for before turning back to you, raising the movie for you to see, “than your favorite movie. Still your favorite right?” He asks, VHS tape of Halloween in hand. 

You smile brightly, “Of course, you know me so well.” 

He returns your smile, turning back and inserting the tape into the VHS player, almost giddily jogging over to turn down the lights around the trailer before joining you as the opening credits begin. 

You both lean back into the loveseat, getting comfortable. Feet propped up on the coffee table, bowl of popcorn resting between you, shoulder to shoulder on the small sofa. You can feel the warmth radiating through his Hellfire tshirt to yours, finding yourself resisting the urge to lay your head on his shoulder like you’ve done many times before. All those times had been from sleepiness and comfortability with each other, you don’t want to acknowledge that you now craved the notion from purely wanting to feel more of his touch. Especially now after having him back in your life after years away, knowing he missed you too. But that urge stems from deeper feelings, feelings you have to continue burying if you want to keep him in your life after you’ve just gotten him back.

Neither of you speak for a while as you watch the movie you’ve both seen countless times you could recite it word for word. The very first movie you and Eddie had ever seen together at the theater, begging Wayne to be the adult to accompany you two. 

Eddie reaches down to his lunchbox resting by his feet, flicking open the lid and quickly finding the joint he’s looking for. He hands it over to you with a smile.

“Care to do the honors?”

“My pleasure.” you take the joint and lighter from his hands, quickly lighting it and passing it back after your first hit. It’s a ritual you’ve quickly picked up over the last 3 weeks since your rekindled friendship.

Mid-way through the joint as you watch the high schoolers in the movie, a question you’ve been holding off asking crawls its way to the forefront of your brain. 

“I’ve been meaning to ask… why exactly are you still at Hawkins High?” you question with a slight teasing in your tone as you pass the joint to him, “I mean I know it’s not because you’re not smart.”

When he sighs and a small frown forms on his lips in response, you almost regret asking. 

“It’s a long story, bunch of bullshit.” he takes a drag before looking at you with a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, “And why exactly are you at Hawkins High, hmm? Miss Super Senior herself.”

“Well technically I’m not a super senior, thank you very much.” You roll your eyes at him playfully before sucking in a deep breath, “I’m not repeating my senior year. I failed 10th grade after the move, so…” you finish with a half-hearted shrug, casting your eyes back to the tv as you take another hit. 

Eddie silently watches you as your words weigh on him. It’s not that he doubted you’ve told him the truth about how hard the move was, about how much it hurt. But hearing that it hurt so much that you flunked that year of school made it all really sink in for him. 

He wants nothing more than to wrap his arms around you, pull you in for a hug with whispered wishes that it never happened. He resists though, he just got you back in his life, he can’t take you leaving again. He settles for extending his arm along the back of the loveseat behind your head, and decides to open up to you.

“I… some things happened my first senior year back in ‘84 that uh, pretty much made it impossible for me to graduate. Dad came back.”

Your eyes are quickly back on him, readjusting your body to face him more as you wait for him to continue. You’ve always known Eddie and his Dad never had a great relationship, an almost entirely absent father who cared more about himself than being there for his own son. 

“I was living on my own at the house at that point. Then one day he’s back. I tried so hard to hold on to all that anger I had towards him, but he knew how to weasel his way through me with that ‘Munson charm’, telling me just what I wanted to hear. He had a ‘job’ that he insisted he only wanted me, needed me to help him with. I just so happened to really need the money… I’d met this girl, Paige.”

You were waiting for that part. You’d already heard of it, of her, from your mutual friend Ronnie over the phone at the time, but it didn’t stop your stomach from dropping at the mention of her name from Eddie’s own mouth.

“She happened to be at the Hideout one night when we were playing, visiting back home from LA. She was a junior scout for WR Records, offered to help us record a demo to send to her boss. Except her boss only liked me, got me an audition. We uh started seeing each other, she even offered for me to move in with her in LA. But I needed the money to get out there so… I agreed to do the job with Al. Stealing weed off a truck transporting it cross-country.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief as he thinks back to the memory. Your eyebrows shoot up at the revelation, the bullshit Al Munson dragged Eddie into.

“We did it too. Sold it to Reefer Rick, and I got enough money to fix the van up and make the move out to LA. Except Al lied to me. Used me. He knew who that weed belonged to. An old boss he’d already stolen from. I came home the day before I was supposed to drive out to LA to his henchmen we stole from at the house. He gave them back the money that was left but… they shot off their guns, set the house on fire, shot Officer Moore.”

“Jesus Christ, Eds” you breathe out in shock, a million thoughts running through your head.

“I know. They scurried off but I went to try to help Moore, you know, do the right thing but Al… he did what he always did. Looked me in my eyes, told me I was the one changing the plans. I begged him to stay, for me… but he just left. Again.” 

“Eds I…” Before you can reach your hand out to his shoulder with a consoling touch or mutter how sorry you are, he quickly starts back up.

“I was so stupid for trusting him again. For believing he came back for me, hoping that he’d stay for me.” He shakes his head at himself, quickly crossing his arms over his chest.

“No. Eddie, look at me.” 

After a moment he finally brings his eyes to meet yours, defeat and disappointment displayed in their brown irises. Your hand reaches out to rest on his shoulder.

“You’re not stupid. You’re not. Of course you wanted to believe he’d be a real damn Father for once. It’s not your fault he preyed on that, your vulnerability. ” 

You watch as his face and body slumps slightly with a sigh, offering you a small one-sided smile.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” he mutters softly before his gaze turns to his fidgeting hands. “That’s not even the worst part. I um, I lost Mom’s records in the fire. They were in the living room where the fire started. I-I tried but, I couldn’t save them.” He stammers dejectedly, voice cracking as he relives the painful memory. “I managed to replace one of the Muddy Water’s records but, that’s it…That was all I had left of her.”

You give his shoulder a squeeze, taking a deep breath as pain and anger course through you, a heaviness weighing on your chest. You know how much those records meant to him, his mother’s ‘plane tickets’ as she called them. You cherish the memory of the first time he shared them with you, of every time he’d tell you the early memories he has of her, dancing around the living room as they played.

“Those fucking assholes.” you seethe, shaking your head to stop the angry tears from forming as you hear the pain your best friend went through at the hands of his dad and his old ‘co-workers’. You look at him with his head down and immediately pull him to you, wrapping your arms tightly around him. His arms quickly wrap around your waist, burying his face in your shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Eddie. I know how much they meant to you.” 

You didn’t know it, but feeling your embrace is exactly what he needs. He wished he could’ve had it that night. Convinced it would’ve made that living hell of a night just a little better. Sitting in that jail cell with Officer Moore’s dried blood still under his fingernails, wishing you were there despite the resentment he held for you at the time. 

He holds you a little longer before he collects himself enough to face you again. Squeezing your hand as you part before relaxing back into his seat, turning his body to fully face you.

“That’s not even all of it.” He scoffs out a laugh before sighing, rubbing his hands against his jean-clad thighs. “Spent the night in the slammer. Moore vouched for me after he got out of surgery, that I tried to help him.”

“So they let you go, right?” 

He shakes his head in response before meeting your curious, wide eyes.

“Nope, not unless I made bail. Hop told me they were still investigating the arson of the house.”

“How long were you stuck in there?” You prod further. The image of Eddie traumatized from his house burning down with his mom’s records in it, watching someone get shot in front of him, trying to save him, and watching his Dad leave him again, while stuck in a jail cell is pulling at your heart strings. The regret of not being there, not talking to him is only intensifying in the process. Maybe if you were still in Hawkins, let alone still talking, you could’ve helped, stopped this from happening in some way. The reality of if you actually could’ve is murky, you know, but you can’t stop the thoughts from coming in nonetheless.

“Only till the next morning. Paige. Hop gave me one phone call. Didn’t go well to say the least.” He shakes his head, crossing his arms again before stretching his body out slightly, knee resting against yours. “She was uh, pissed that I let her down. Ruined our chances. You wanna know what she said to me when I told her I was in jail?” He asks, bitterness rising in his tone as his eyes squint. Your head moves forward slightly in response. 

“‘What did you do?’” He scoffs. “Not ‘What happened?’ Not “Are you okay?’ That whole time she fed me this story. ‘Barback turned rock hero’. But in that moment I knew she saw me the way everyone else in this town does. A fuck up. Guilty. Stuck under Al Munson’s shadow. Didn’t take me too long after to realize that that relationship wasn’t built on anything more than what we could do for each other. Making me a rockstar, making her look good for her boss and get a promotion. She did wire the money to bail me out though, so there’s that. Then I never heard from her again.” He finishes with a shrug, silently reading your expression that’s twisted in confusion and annoyance. You shake your head as you take it all in.

“You deserve so much better. All of it. But with that specifically, you deserved a better first relationship than that. One that’s based on genuine connection, not just what you can get out of it.” You pause, hoping you aren’t revealing yourself too much. “I’m glad she helped bail you out though.”

After a moment of pause, your curiosity gets the best of you. 

“So, was she the only girlfriend you’ve had since I’ve been gone?” You ask with a cheeky smile, hoping to play it off as a teasing question from a friend, a question to lighten the mood just a fraction.

“Well, we technically never labeled it but yeah, the only person that ever got close enough to that. She uh- however was not my first.”

Your eyes widen in shock at the same time your heart falls to your stomach.

“Oh really?” you try your best to tease as a slight blush appears on his cheeks.

“There was 2 girls before. Wasn’t anything serious though. Just one night stands with girls that saw me as a conquest, daring themselves to sleep with the freak so they could run back and tell their friends about it.”

You’re tempted to ask who, no doubt you probably knew the girls. Something in you told you it was better that you didn’t know, so you bite back the question lingering on your tongue, only nodding your head in understanding.

“Yeah, I know what that’s like.”

His eyebrows shoot up, looking at you curiously, demanding elaboration.

“Oh?” 

You fidget uncomfortably under his gaze, but you feel it’s only fair to tell him your story after all he’d just laid out for you.

“There was only one guy, Justin. Earlier this year back in Virginia. I thought it was something different, something real, serious.” You sigh, gaze moving to stare off into the trailer as the score of Halloween in the background fills the silence. “When he avoided me at school and in public, I knew on the inside, but I still held onto hope. No one had ever given me attention like that before, showed any interest in me. Well one Friday night he got what he wanted, I let him be my first. When he stood me up the next day, I knew. When I walked into school that Monday to all the whispers, eyes on me, Justin laughing with his friends when I walked by… I knew. I was just a conquest too, the fat girl.” 

“Fuck that guy.” he sneers, drawing your attention back to him. “You know you’re so much more than that, right? That you deserve so much more.”

His look, his eyes, his voice, it’s all so intense and sincere as he stares at you. You gulp under his gaze and force a small smile.

“I know. I just feel like that’s all guys will ever see when they look at me.” You murmur softly.

“Those are just guys that aren’t worth your time, princess. Guys that aren’t even worthy of your presence.” He insists, putting emphasis into the final words.

You offer him a real smile this time at his words, the way they fill your heart and cheeks with warmth.

“Yeah, you’re right.” 

The bright smile he gives in return nearly takes your breath away, like it always does. That ‘Munson magic’ Eddie always insisted he didn’t seem to have, didn’t inherit from his father. The things his smile does to you, his eyes, just a look… you’d be damned that he doesn’t have that magic. 

You just wish he felt the same way about you. You try not to let yourself read too much into his words, delude yourself into hoping he sees you as more than just his best friend. He’s only being a good friend, saying all the things a friend is supposed to.

“So uh, what about you and Steve?” he questions quietly, confidence faltering in his voice.

You give him a confused look, eyebrow cocked.

“What about me and Steve?”

“Well I uh just thought-”

“Steve and I are just friends, Ed.” you laugh out in surprise, Eddie trying his best to act nonchalant as he mouths an ‘Oh’.

“I mean I will say he’s grown a lot over the years but that doesn’t mean he’s all of a sudden into fat girls now.” When Eddie gives you a curious look with his eyebrows pinched together, you quickly add on, “And no, I’m not saying that in a self-depreciating way.”

“Sooo, you do like him?” He asks slowly, accusingly.

“No. Even if he did like me like that, Steve’s not really my type.” you state simply, easing the worry that’s been swimming through Eddie’s head since he first saw you two together. He plays it off well, only nodding his head in response.

The intensified score as Laurie is chased by Michael Myers in the climax of the film draws both of your attention. You let the conversation sit in the air, like heavy smoke slowly drifting through the trailer as you watch the end of the film. Even the electrified but gentle brushing of skin as both your hands fish around the popcorn bowl between you doesn’t bring your eyes back to each other and off the television screen, not yet. 

When the credits start rolling Eddie gets up, taking out the tape and turning the TV channel to Miami Vice. He settles back onto the loveseat with you before lighting another joint. After you take a hit and pass it back to him, you decide to pick up the previous conversation again. Nervously sharing a thought that’s lingered in your head since Ronnie first told you about the LA girl Eddie met and the band’s demo.

“You know, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but, I’m kind of glad the whole moving to L.A. thing didn’t work out.”

His eyebrows shoot up, head tilting as he looks at you curiously and surprised.

“Why is that?”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to chase or live your dreams, to be happy.” You insist as you begin, “It’s just that when I imagine it, I think about you falling into that scene and lifestyle. Turning into someone else. You know, one of those rock stars that only cares about alcohol, drugs, which groupie you’re gonna sleep with that night… it just doesn’t sit right.” 

It turns your stomach is what it really does, making you feel nauseated as you imagine him surrounded by girls who would never give him a passing glance if he wasn’t on a stage. 

He smirks as he takes another hit, taking in your words, your worry. 

“Yeah, as rough as it all was in the moment… I’m glad it didn’t happen either.” He sighs, smirk faltering. “I hadn’t even gotten out to LA yet and it was already changing me. Ronnie saw it, called me out on it but I didn’t want to see it. I let Higgins pressure me into dropping out, take the blame for all the torment the jocks were putting onto us, the club. So I left it all behind; school, the club, the band, my friends, me…” He shakes his head at himself as he passes the joint to you, a small frown creasing his cheeks. “I promised myself I’d never do that again, abandon myself and everyone I care about.”

“I can understand why you wanted to, you know, to chase after it. Given everything you’ve been through, I do. But it’s not worth it, to lose yourself and everyone else.”  

He nods his head softly in agreement before taking a deep breath, dramatically stretching out his entire body with it on the already crowded small couch, knees pushing into you. You roll your eyes and playfully slap his knee, instantly lightening the mood as a giggle escapes his mouth.

“What about you, huh? You don’t wanna be a famous rockstar, singer/songwriter?” he questions teasingly.

“No, thank you. Surrounded by a bunch of big egos, controlled by a label, having no privacy, having a bunch of attention on me? Not for me. I don’t know though, maybe I could find a solid middle ground. Like sell my songs off to labels, maybe run my own independent recording studio and learn how to produce? Still get to play and make my own music. Kind of like still a part of the industry, but not fully immersed in it, you know?”

Eddie nods, a small smile gracing his lips.

“Yeah, that does sound like a pretty good middle.”

“Mmm, just gotta get through graduation first.” you hum, drawing a sharp laugh from Eddie.

“Well needless to say, all of that shit that happened,” he gestures with his hands. “is why I didn’t graduate my first senior year, it’s not like my grades were good enough to graduate anyway but,” he shrugs nonchalantly, eyebrows and head moving with it. “The grades didn’t exactly improve much the second year either…”

“How the hell did you even get Higgins to let you re-enroll, anyway? As much of a hardass as he’s always been for you.” 

Eddie’s back straightens instantly, excitement overtaking him as he leans towards you with a big smile.

“Get a load of this shit. So during one of the many times he was chewing me out in his office, I saw this pill bottle in one of his desk drawers. I didn’t know what the hell it was… until I went to Reefer Rick’s house. When I moved in with Wayne after the fire I decided to start selling for him, help Wayne out with the bills, you know, when I see the same exact pills Higgins had in his desk at Rick’s house. Turns out Mr. Higgins has a little bennie problem.” 

“Holy shit!” You breathe out, eyes widening in shock. Eddie’s energy is contagious, filling you up with the same excited energy as you hang onto his every word.

“He wanted to blackmail me to get me to drop out, so I figured I might as well blackmail him to let me back in. Not only did I get him to let me re-enroll, but he has since been a proud sponsor of Hellfire club.” Eddie leans back as he finishes, a self-satisfied smile stretching across his face.

“Oh my god!” You laugh out incredulously. You raise a hand and Eddie instantly goes in, slapping it in a little celebration. “Nicely done, Munson.”

“Thank you, thank you” He says bashfully as he bends into as much of a bow as he can while sitting on the couch, making you giggle.

“He’s not gonna let you stay a Senior forever though, you know.” You tease as you put out the dead joint in the ashtray.

“Yeah yeah, I know. But this is it. This is gonna be the year, ‘86 graduate. I know it. I just gotta get through the hell that is Ms. O’Donnell’s class.” He groans as he throws his head back against the couch, rubbing his hands over his face.

“Well, you know, I’m not exactly a 4.0 scholar myself but we do have that class together. I can help you study, help us both get to that finish line.” You offer him a sweet smile as he pulls his head back up, opening his fingers over his face to peek at you through them before removing them completely when he sees you’re serious. In a second he’s off the couch and onto the floor on one knee in front of you, bowing his head with a hand over his heart.

“Lady Y/L/N, if you would honor me with the bestowing of your great wisdom and knowledge, I would be forever in your debt.”  

You throw your head back with a cackle at his dramatics and deep, theatrical voice. 

“You may rise, good Sir. It would be my honor to assist you in your mighty quest for the elusive high school diploma.”

He looks up to you with a smile, bowing his head with his hands pressed together in front of him.

“You’re a mess.” You remark with a giggle as he bounces back onto the sofa next to you.

“And you’re the best.” he bumps his shoulder with yours, breath fanning along the sensitive skin of your ears, sending goosebumps throughout your body.

“I know.” You shrug, popping a piece of popcorn into your mouth before turning your attention back to Miami Vice as the sound of his laugh fills your ears.