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the-lincyclopedia · 4 years ago

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* adapted from @librajiminn on twitter

A fun game to celebrate 2020 ending! The rules are simple: recommend your favorite OMGCP fics so everyone can enjoy them, while trying to fill in enough slots to get a bingo!

This is going to get long, so I’ll put it under a cut. Also, I’m too orderly to try to shoehorn my favorite fics into these particular prompts, so I’m just going to go right to left, top to bottom, taking the prompts literally, until it’s bedtime.

1. first fic you bookmarked: “Here Comes the Sun” by @doggernaut, 19k, G, no warnings, Zimbits

For the past month, the man with the baby and the sad blue eyes has been stopping in for a cup of coffee an hour before closing. He always sits in an overstuffed chair in the corner and drinks his coffee while his baby sleeps next to him in the stroller. Sometimes he pulls a book out from the diaper bag he carries with him; other times he just stares straight ahead as if in a daze. He never asks for a refill, always respectfully gathers his things and leaves ten minutes before the shop officially closes. Eric desperately wants to ask him what his story is.

My notes: I read Check Please over the course of two days in June of 2019. On the second day, right after catching up, I looked at @peppermintfeminist‘s AO3 bookmarks and found a fic by @doggernaut. Then I read just about everything @doggernaut had ever posted. It was glorious. This fic in particular is so cute.

2. most recent fic you bookmarked: “Flight Check” by @edgarallanrose, 15k, E, no warnings (though there is a creepy/handsy guy at a club to watch out for), primarily Zimbits with most of the other popular pairings in the background

Flight attendant Eric “Bitty” Bittle has been working his way up at Samwell Airlines for the past four years, and his new promotion has provided him the opportunity to work with a brand-new crew. Unfortunately for Bitty, that crew includes an incredibly handsome but equally grumpy pilot, Captain Jack Zimmermann, who seems to want nothing to do with Bitty. Even worse, Jack refuses to eat any of Bitty's baked goods. Will Bitty be able to win the captain over? Or is there another reason Jack has been avoiding Bitty?

My notes: There are a lot of great things about this fic--Jack’s character arc, Lardo’s dialogue, that scene in Seattle--but the reason I bookmarked it is the scene where Bitty’s basically slut-shaming himself and Jack gently but firmly tells Bitty not to do that and that it was the creep’s fault.

3. a fic that made you cry actual tears: “a little bit more” by @ivecarvedawoodenheart, 14k, T, no warnings, Holsom

“I just wanted,” he says, “a perfect day. With you. Because it’s our last day together and our last day being here as undergrads and we’re kissing the ice tonight, and the weather’s supposed to be beautiful, and you’re moving tomorrow and Holtzy I just — I don’t want to be missing you already.” Holster wipes his eyes before he even realizes he’s crying. Behind him, Ransom sighs. “One more day where everything’s the same,” he says, feeling around blindly for Rans’ fingers. He feels Rans nod as he laces their fingers together. “Yeah. Yeah, Rans. I’d like that a lot.” __________________________

Holsom after graduation and throughout the subsequent six months after Holster signs to an expansion team in Oregon, and realizes his feelings for Ransom too late. Holster's POV :) kinda angsty, but there's a happy ending :)

Inspired by shitty-check-please-aus: "Holster moves to Oregon while Ransom stays on the east coast. The time difference makes it difficult to talk and one day they wake up and realize they aren’t best bros anymore."

My notes: I almost never cry at fics. I searched “tears” in my fandom email account and only a handful of my fic comments came up, but Syd is a literal master of Holsom angst, always.

4. longest fic you’ve read: “Like Real People Do” by @xiaq, 153k, M, No Warnings, Kent Parson x OC

Parson gestures with his spoon toward Hawke. “So am I allowed to ask about the service dog or is that not PC?”

“My medical history is more of a 3rd date conversation," Eli says.

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Because. No one sticks around afterward and I like to live in glorious denial for a short period beforehand.”

It comes out more self-deprecating than he intended.

Parson looks…thoughtful. “Well, does this count as one or two?

“Pardon?”

“This. Ice cream. I mean, technically it’s a second location, but still the same night. So is this one date or two?”

“One,” Eli says firmly. “If it’s happening within the same three-hour period.”

“You’re the expert,” Parson says, which, he��s really, really, not, but ok.

“So still two dates to go then?” Parson continues.

“I—what?”

“We’ve got a roadie coming up but then we’re home for almost two weeks. When does your semester start?”

“You want to do this again?” Eli asks.

Parson stops idly twirling his spoon.

“You don’t?”

He does, Eli realizes. He really does. Because apparently he actually likes Kent fucking Parson.

My notes: Okay, this fic has my whole entire heart. I’ve read it multiple times in its entirety, and it’s almost twice as long as the full-length novel I’m querying. Eli is one of my favorite OCs I’ve ever seen in a fic (probably tied with Damian Navarro and Ari Paxton, both brainchildren of @fozmeadows). Anyway, this is probably going to be the next thing @themeaningoflifeischeese and I read out loud to each other.

5. a fic you almost didn’t read: “when all else fails (i’ll still be right here)” by @whoacanada, 6k, T, Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings (and I don’t remember if I think there’s stuff to warn for, sorry), Zimbits

The National Hockey League is resurrecting the Quebec City Nordiques, and the expansion draft hits the Falconers much harder than expected.

My notes: Given that this was for @omgcpheartbreakfest, I was worried this would be all angst--all hurt and no comfort. Which made me sad, because I love @whoacanada‘s writing but I wasn’t up for reading unresolved angst. But @doggernaut reblogged the fic, so I asked if the ending was sad, and it’s NOT! There is quite a bit of angst but the ending isn’t sad.

6. a fic that convinced you on a ship you didn’t ship before: “it drops with the gravity of rain” by @geniusorinsanity, 16k, T, Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings (attempted sexual assault by an OC), Nurseydex

It happens like this:

“I don’t--this is a bad idea,” Dex says, his lips still tingling, his hands shaking on Nursey’s hips where he’s shoved him away. “This is a really bad idea, Nurse. I can’t--We can’t do this.”

And there’s hurt in Nursey’s eyes and his bottom lip is swollen from Dex’s teeth, but he says, “Okay.” And then, “It’s chill, Dex. Just friends, then.”

It happens like this:

“Actually,” Nursey says, talking more to his granola than to them, “I kind of have a date.”

It happens like this:

When Nursey calls, Dex almost doesn’t pick up the phone.

My notes: So I was really confused and a little disturbed when I first found out people shipped Nursey and Dex. Like, Dex just wasn’t someone I trusted. But then I was moving out of the house I’d been living in, and I needed stuff to listen to as I packed and cleaned, and @khashanakalashtar‘s podfics came in clutch. I gave this one a try even though I didn’t like Dex, and @geniusorinsanity blew. My. Mind.

7. a fic from an unusual POV: “Excuse Me While I Kiss This Guy” by @porcupine-girl, 8k, G, no warnings, Zimbits

Jesse Snowden knows all the best restaurants and gourmet food shops in Providence, so when Jack Zimmermann starts bringing in incredible baked goods, he's eager to find out where the new bakery is. When he meets the man behind the pies, he decides that there's no way Jack could really appreciate this guy's talent the way he does, even if they are friends. He starts hiring Jack's chef on the side, in the hopes that maybe once Bitty's done with college he'll come work for Jesse.

Good thing there is absolutely no way whatsoever that Jesse could possibly be misinterpreting this situation.

My notes: Oh my gosh this is so funny. The secondhand embarrassment factor is huge, but like, the hilarity.

8. a comfort fic: “Don’t Need to Compromise” by @khashanakalashtar, 11k, E, no warnings, PB&J

“Hey,” said Kent, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that would change his entire life, “you said that like you know from experience. Have you done this before?”

Jack and Bitty have not done polyamory before, but they do know Ransom and Holster’s polycule, which contains March.

And March?

March is trans.

My notes: I’m in love with @khashanakalashtar‘s entire Directionverse series (and honestly a lot of their other writing), but “Don’t Need to Compromise,” which is the second fic in the series, just makes my heart swell especially much. The gender feels are so good, and all the characters are so good to each other, and when I listen to this on walks I have to actively try not to arm-flap.

9. a fic you wish could be a movie: “Ice Crew Please!” by @petals42, 61k, T, no warnings, Zimbits

Jack Zimmermann was drafted first by the Providence Falconers when he was eighteen years old. He is good at hockey. Very good. His team won the Cup his second year and now, in his third year, they are looking good. Jack should be on top of the world. And some days, he manages to convince himself he is.

He’s not, of course.

Enter the Ice Crew.

AKA: The Ice Crew AU

My notes: This fic has its tender moments, but what I love most about it is the sheer goofiness. Ransom and Holster and Shitty are HILARIOUS in this one. I’d love to see their shenanigans in movie form.

10. a WIP you read as it was updated: “Something Borrowed” by @fozmeadows, 48k, M, no warnings, Kent x OC

All things considered, Ari did his best to prepare himself for the advent of Kent Parson, Potentially Difficult Housemate and New Star Liney. The problem was that his best was an idiot.

My notes: So technically I didn’t start reading this until the first 19 chapters were posted. But there was still plenty of anticipation for the final few chapters. And like, @fozmeadows (as mentioned above) makes EXCELLENT OCs. And I love how their fics consistently convey that having bad things happen to you does not mark the end of your story.

Okay, it’s bedtime, so have 10 excellent fics. I got bingo twice, because I went straight across on the top two rows.

#mine #omgcp #omgcheckplease #check please #fic recs

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saleintothe90s · 6 years ago

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337. 88 Things about 1988, part 9 the last part

(part 8)

71. Koosh Balls

72. USA Today tries a TV Show (9/12)

It only lasted until January of 1990. Wow did they waste a lot of money on it:

Bureaus for the daily half-hour satellite show (there will also be a one- hour weekend edition) are being set up in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., London (where British politician/fiction writer Jeffrey Archer has just been signed as correspondent), and in Roslyn, Va., where USA Today (the newspaper) is headquartered.

It`s costing plenty.

''We`re budgeting $100 million for three years,'' said Steve Friedman. ''You might as well do it right or not at all.'' 1

Wasted 40 million for a show that aired in the middle of the night in some markets:

The magazine-format program, originally titled "USA Today: The Television Show," debuted in September, 1988, on 156 stations, many of them running it in the coveted slot just before prime time. But now, the number of stations has dwindled to 84, with many airing the 30-minute show during hours only insomniacs could appreciate. 2

I found one episode from June 28, 1988.

73. Dale Earnhardt becomes the Intimidator with his black, red and grey #3 car

Before 1988, he drove a blue and yellow #15 Wrangler car.

[I love that apparently there is Dale glitch art gifs on Tumblr]

74. The “Geraldo Fight” (11/3)

This is the only thing I remember about Geraldo’s talk show from the late 80s and early 90s, and seeing the footage always scared me, because to five year old me it was like, “oh no, the man from the TV is hurt.”

Geraldo Rivera's nose was broken and his face cut during a skirmish yesterday midway through the taping of a program entitled ''Teen Hatemongers'' on his television talk show.

The violence broke out after John Metzger, a 20-year-old guest representing the White Aryan Resistance Youth, insulted a black guest, Roy Innis, calling him an ''Uncle Tom.''

''I'm sick and tired of Uncle Tom here, sucking up and trying to be a white man,'' Mr. Metzger said of Mr. Innis, the national chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality. Mr. Innis stood up and began choking the white youth and Mr. Rivera and audience members joined the scuffle, hurling chairs, throwing punches and shouting epithets. 3

The Beastie Boys even referenced it in the song “What Comes Around.”

75. B.D. Wong raps about Driving School in Crash Course (made for TV movie)

I only just learned about this clip from the ThirtyTwentyTen Podcast. I just know for a fact that the lyrics are laughably lame:

“...going to Michigan state to be a football player, we can hardly wait! Make us proud Dr. J.J., we will watch you on TV scoring touchdowns on Saturday, or saying ‘to be or not to be’!”

(and yes that is Mac from Night Court, Charles Robinson!)

( Newsweek, December 26, 1988)

76. Massive 6.8 Earthquake hits Armenia (12/7).

It is unknown how many people died in the quake, some estimates are around 25,000+ people.

77. Governor Bill Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention

Bill was just supposed to speak for 15 minutes and endorse candidate Michael Dukakis. He spoke for 33 minutes! People booed! People cheered when he said “in conclusion”!

78. Duncan Hines Tiara Cakes

A dessert you had to buy a special pan for just to make it. Once they were discontinued, what were you gonna do with that shallow fluted pan?

79. Oprah’s Lil’ Red Wagon of Fat

Oprah regrets it now, but back in 1988 she lost a sloo of weight by starving herself for four months. So on her show she wheeled out 68 pounds of animal fat in a wagon.

80. These amazing carousel stamps

81. Holidays at the World Trade Center

82. The troubled Forest Fair Mall opens in Fairfield, Ohio (7/11)

[this is what the movie theater looked like a year after opening, source]

(Shopping Mall Museum)

As some know, I was the assistant editor at deadmalls.com for years. So I tried my best to find a dead mall that opened 30 years ago--and boy did I find one, one of the most amazing lookin’ ones. (Here’s my ex friends at deadmalls walkin’ though it in 2017)

But yes, this dead mall has flying pigs as decorations! They look like they were added sometime in the late 90s/early 00s? This mall was struggling just two years into operation, and was under redevelopment in 1992. The history of the mall was like, down, up, down, DOWN, nearly abandoned. The Wikipedia is actually pretty good.

83. Michael Dukakis and his tank (9/13)

Okay, so it wasn’t HIS tank, he was just there for a photo op during the presidential election. Boy looked redic!

I’m going to let Josh King, the author of Off Script: An Advance Man’s Guide to White House Stagecraft, Campaign Spectacle, and Political Suicide handle the summary for this, because it's great:

(more info from Josh here)

84. Chevy Chase hosts the Oscars (4/11)

...and it was his second time hosting! I know.

85. “Let the River Run” from Working Girl

Wow, lots to unpack here with this music video.

The Reebok Freestyle Hi-tops with the big white scrunchy socks! I’m so mad that these shoes don’t come in wide width. They’re soo narrow.

This. outfit. I want it. I tried to find a similar one to wear this holiday season but came up with zilch. Couldn’t find a white skirt on time, or a blouse like that.

Nora Dunn looks 20 years older than she was in this movie. Joan Cusack’s hair is my dream big 80s hair.

Melanie Griffith clearly does not want to be there.

The women in the office after the “bony ass” scene.

86. Santa’s Car

Who knew that Santa drove a hatch and lived in Maine.

87. Max Robinson Dies (12/20)

Robinson was the first African American to anchor network news in the United States. He shared hosting duties on the ABC Nighty News with Peter Jennings and Frank Reynolds in the early 1980s. Sadly alcoholism derailed his career, and he passed away from AIDS.

88. 35 Students from Syracuse University die on Pan Am Flight 103

(news coverage 1 , 2)

To this day, Syracuse University has an extensive collection and memorial dedicated to these students. There is also a heartbreaking .pdf titled “On Eagles Wings” that profiles every passenger and Lockerbie resident who died that night.

1. Beck, Marylin, “USA TODAY SET TO MAKE TV NEWS,” Chicago Tribune, une 25, 1988. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-06-25-8801100627-story.html

2. Kaye, Jeff, “Why There's No Tomorrow for 'USA Today' : Television: The cancellation marks another setback for GTG Entertainment, which had three programs dropped last year,” Los Angeles Times, November 24, 1989. http://articles.latimes.com/1989-11-24/entertainment/ca-215_1_usa-today

4. “Geraldo Rivera's Nose Broken In Scuffle on His Talk Show,” New York Times, November 4, 1988. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/04/nyregion/geraldo-rivera-s-nose-broken-in-scuffle-on-his-talk-show.html

#88 things about 1988 #1988 #pan am 103 #max robinson #working girl #carly simon #let the river run #joan cusack #chevy chase #reebok freestyle #santa claus #michael dukakis #forest fair mall #world trade center #stamps #oprah

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mychameleonsix · 6 years ago

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ILY Chapter 8

"Riley someone's calling you!" Soohyun said waking me up from my sleep, handing me my phone. "What time is it?" I said as I yawned and stretched. "It's 12:45! I think it's one of your interns calling." "Hello?" I said into the phone, mouthing a thank you to my sister. "Dr. Kang, you're needed in the hospital asap. The surgery's moved to today!" The voice said in a hurry. "What?" "It's an emergency surgery now, Dr. Wang will explain once you get here. Dr. Choi wants you to hurry." "Oh my God okay, give me 10 minutes." Holy shit! I need to get to the hospital asap. Guess I've no time to shower now. Fuck, the concert's today. I doubt I can make it. Jae's expecting me to be there, oh no. "Soohyun!" I screamed for my sister, while I get changed out of my pajamas. Making myself a tad bit presentable even without a shower. My sister came in running, her mouth full with whatever it is that she's eating. "Call Jae, tell him the surgery's moved today. And I'll try to make it on time." I said tossing her my phone while I made a beeline for my bathroom to pee. I checked myself on the mirror, washed my face and my teeth and I'm good to go. Today's going to be another long day, I can feel it. "Jae's not answering his phone." "Ugh okay, I'll just call him later. I have to go." "Wait wait, here have a sandwich, eat it on your way." "Thank you, I love you." I ran outside and hopped on a cab. *** I reached the hospital in no time, barely making it in time. I ran down towards the surgery wing and saw that Dr. Wang and Patrick and the rest of the doctors involved in this case were huddled in a corner, discussing amongst themselves. “Dr. Kang, good, you’re here.” Dr. Wang said. “Barely made it here, sir, I ran as fast as I could. What happened? Why are we doing the surgery today?” “He had a myocardial infarction this morning, we’re doing the bypass as an emergency surgery now. Get ready to scrub in Dr. Kang.” he said, pausing, turning towards me. “We’re doing this as planned, don’t worry. Good luck everyone, let’s get moving.” Dr. Han said and everyone started to disperse. “Ready, Soobin?” Patrick asked as we walked inside the OR, scrubbing in together, side by side. “It’s just like another walk in the park, don’t worry I got this.” I said washing my hands with soap. “Care for a cup of coffee after this whole thing is done?” “Cut the nonsense, Pat. Let’s just get this over with.” I said going inside ahead of him. An OR nurse gowned and gloved me, my hands held up high. I walked towards my patient and placed a hand on his heart, silently saying a prayer for the both us. I really hope I pull this off and he gets better. “Alright everyone, it’s a beautiful day. Let’s kick ass!” I said to my team. “Let’s kick ass!” They said in unison. “Scalpel.” The surgery was a success! Now all we have to do is wait for the rest of the team to finish and see if he wakes up without complications. The surgery lasted around seven hours because of his bleeding that I had to control; I really thought I was gonna lose him, but he pulled through. Patrick took over after I was done, and did his part. I got out of the OR to do paperwork, the rest of the team congratulating me on my job well done. I looked at the clock and noticed that it's already 8:30pm. Shit, the concert. I got my phone out of my bag and saw that I had five missed calls from Jae, and 14 texts. What time are you coming? Ahhh excited for you to hear us live. Ken has your ticket, just find her before the concert starts. Why aren't you answering your phone? Riley where are you? Pick up please, the show's about to start. I don't know where you are. At least tell me where you are, or say if you can't make it. It's fine if you can't but don't leave me hanging like this. Where are you? No no no! I tried calling him back, but I'm guessing the concert's on-going, he won't be able to answer. If I leave now, I still won't make it, going to the venue will take me at least an hour. Screw it, I should just go. "Dr. Kang, you need to scrub in again. Dr. Jung just went into labor and Dr. Choi needs you to assist." An OR nurse said walking up to me. "What? Is Taehee okay?" "She is, her water broke in the OR, and she's headed up to her room. But hurry, Dr. Choi needs an extra hand." Guess I'm not leaving the hospital. *** Patrick's surgery took us another three hours after I scrubbed in, but it went well. So it's now 12:30 in the morning. God, what a day! "Heading home now, Soobin?" Patrick asked as he walked pass by me on the way out of the hospital. "Nah, I have somewhere to be first. I'll see you tomorrow for post-op." "Alright then, thanks for staying." "I stayed for the patient, not you." "I know, but still, thank you." He said and turned the other way to leave. Hmm well that's new. He's not an annoying ass like his usual self. Either he had a change of heart within the three hours we spent in that OR, or he's just tired. But, I really don't have the time to dwell on Patrick right now. I have to go see Jae, but he's not answering his goddamn phone. I tried calling Brian and Ken too but they're not answering either. I don't even know how I'm supposed to go to the concert hall at this hour, or if it's even a good idea to still go there. But I'll have to try. Or maybe I should just head straight to their apartment, that sounds like a better option. "Pat, wait!" I called for him, running, catching up to where he is. "Yeah?" "Can you give me a ride?" "Where are you going?" "Jae's. Please, I really need you tonight." "What's in it for me?" He said smirking. Okay, scratch that, he didn't have a change of heart. "This is a bad idea, never mind. I'll just take a cab. Good..." "I'm kidding, I'll drop you off. It's too late to ride a cab, come on." We were silent the entire drive going to the boys' apartment, mostly because I'm still trying to contact Jae. He's still not answering his phone. Okay, I deserved this. As we approached their apartment, I can see them unloading their instruments. Jae looked over, squinting, trying to figure out who's car this is. "Jae!" I said as I got out of the car. I looked back at Patrick and told him he could go. "What are you doing here?" Jae said sounding a little pissed. Little might be an understatement, I can see a mix of emotions from his eyes. "You're not answering your phone, I've been trying to call you for hours now!" "Well now you know how I felt the entire day. Where the hell were you?" He said slamming the trunk to their van. The boys pretending to be oblivious to what's happening right now; silently watching Jae and I. "The surgery became an emergency, I had to attend to that. I tried calling you before I went in but you weren't answering either!" "A text could've been nice, Kang Soobin." Oof, Kang Soobin. He's angry. "Just go home, I'm tired. We still have a flight today, I'll see you some other time." He said following the boys into their apartment, leaving me standing outside the gate. "Jae, come on, I'm tired too." I said after him. "Exactly, we're both tired. Save us both the trouble and just go home. Let's talk next time." "You're doing it again!" "I'm doing what again?" Jae said turning back towards me, his voice going slightly higher. I saw the boys flinch at the sound of Jae's voice. "That! Leaving when things get difficult." He didn't answer me this time, just looked straight into my eyes before entering the house. Wonpil and Dowoon followed him in, leaving Brian and Sungjin with me. "He's really upset, Ri." Brian said. "I know, but I tried to make it, I really did." "Why don't you just go? Let him cool down first? Come on, I'll drive you home. Sungjin offered. "No, I'm not leaving. I won't leave until we get to talk. This is exactly how we got separated the last time. He always leaves when we argue, it's unfair." "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Brian asked, leading me inside. "Probably not." I walked in to find Jae lying down on the floor, Wonpil looking down on him, convincing him to go get up and rest. Dowoon was nowhere to be found, probably in his room already. "What are you still doing here?" Jae said looking at me. "Do you seriously mean that?" "Yes, just go home. I don't want to fight you today." "Who says we're going to fight? I just want to talk. Come on, Jae." I said coming closer to where he is. "Talking can lead to fighting, and I don't have the energy for that. I don't want to see you right now." He's still not talking to me properly, and I'm getting more pissed by the second. Fuck, why is this happening today? "Park Jaehyung you get your ass up and face me, I'm really not in the mood to do this right now. But I have to, I am not leaving until you talk to me." That seemed to work the trick because he got up and faced me. I didn't have to look at the boys' faces to know that they're alarmed at how angry Jae looks right now. I am too, but I'm not backing down. I can feel Brian and Sungjin pushing each other, slowly walking to their respective rooms. Exiting from this scene about to unfold in front of them. "Alright you wanna talk? Fine! I'm so tired of always looking out for you. I feel like I'm the only one exerting effort in this relationship. You're always at the hospital, if not, you're at home sleeping your ass off. I mean I get it the first few times, I feel like I really had to make it up to you; that's why I wasn't saying anything about it. But it's getting a bit old, Riley. It's like you don't even want me. Also, what was that? Why were you with Patrick in his car?" "Have you forgotten that between the both of us, I liked you you first? How the hell can you say that I don't want you? Where the fuck did that come from? And I asked Pat to drive me here, nothing else. He's not important, Jae! Can we not dwell on him? He's nothing!" "That's how you're making me feel lately. When we're together, it's always about surgery this, surgery that. I'm always at your beck and call, but what about me? What about when I need you?" "You know I'm always a call away. If you're getting tired of hearing my rants about my surgeries, why didn't you say so?" "How could I when you look so happy every time you talk about it. It's like the hospital is your entire world, Ri. Where do I fit in? And you're a call away, really? Is that why you can't answer your damn phone all day?" He said, sighing, sitting down on the sofa. "I was in the OR! I don't even have my phone on me the entire time, how in the world am I supposed to call you?" "See? That's exactly what I'm saying, Kang Soobin, you don't have time for me! You say you want me but you do things oppositely." "Where is this all coming from? What the fuck, Jae!" I said shouting at him. "You don't have time for me, that's what I'm saying." "Easy for you to say, you're already successful! I'm still making a name for myself here. I don't have the luxury to laze around, I have a competitive field I need to face! I barely have the time to sleep, but I still make sure I see you when I'm free. So don't you dare fucking say I don't have the time for you." I said, dumbfounded at where this conversation is going. I came here to apologize about missing their concert, but he's saying all these things that doesn't make sense to me. I turned away from him, scared that I might cry with frustration. "My God, Ri, I'm not asking you to give up being a doctor. I just want you to give me more of your time. Can't you at least make me your priority?" Jae said as he grabbed my shoulder and turned me around to face him again. I can see the tears brimming his eyes, but he's trying to stop them from falling completely. "You were Jae! In fact, you were my only priority before and look where that got me. But let's face it, my world doesn't revolve around just you anymore okay Jae? And I'm sorry if you feel that way, but really, finishing my residency and becoming a consultant is my top priority right now." "Oh so we're bringing up the past now are we? I thought we're over that?" "We are! I'm just saying as a matter of fact." "Okay whatever you say. But goddamnit Riley, it still doesn't change the fact that you don't have time for me." Jae said "What part of I have a lot of things on my plate right now don't you understand Jae?" I said screaming, crying, finally letting all the frustration and exhaustion out. We fell silent after that. Jae didn't respond, and I didn't know how to continue either. I'm still crying in their living room, not knowing how to stop the tears from falling. It's been minutes and we're still not talking. Jae, still sitting on the sofa, crying as well, fumbling with the edges of the pillow that he's holding; while I stand in the middle of the room trying to recover from that conversation, my legs about to give up. One by one, the boys slowly came out of their rooms; checking on what's happening between us. I heard Wonpil gasp as soon as he stepped foot and saw our distraught state. Judging by how shocked and worried Brian and Sungjin's expression, I'm guessing both our eyes are bloodshot and puffy; and my hair all messy from all the times I ran my hands through it trying to ease my own frustration. "Can I still take you up on your offer Sungjin? I kinda need that ride now." I said while gathering my things on the floor. "Um, sure, just let me get my keys." Sungjin said going back inside his room. "Are you okay, noona?" Dowoon asked. "I don't know." Sungjin's back holding keys in his hands. I turned to look at Jae before leaving, but he was already staring at me. He was about to say something else but he hesitated, opening and closing his mouth. I shook my head at him and rolled my eyes. I'm too tired today already, I'll deal with him some other time.

#day6 #day6 sungjin #day6 jae #day6 youngk #day6 wonpil #day6 dowoon #park sungjin #park jaehyung #kang younghyun #kim wonpil #yoon dowoon #day6 au #fanfic

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ladyhavilliard · 6 years ago

Text

Since Before We Met

Part 1

--> Next Part

My Masterlist

Summary: Feyre Archeron is moving to Velaris to study art at Velaris University. Not only can her dream of becoming an artist come true, but she’s finally meeting her best friend- Rhysand, a boy she met through Tumblr three years ago.

Pairing: Feyre Archeron x Rhysand

If you want to be tagged in this fic or any of my works, send me an ask.

This is the first multichapter I’ve ever written and even though I’ve already posted it on my old blog, I’m still excited to show it to you again. For everyone who’s reading it for the first time, or if by any chance some of you decide to read it again - Thank you. I really hope you like how this turned out. There are 8 parts in total. I’ll upload twice a week.

I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, inhaling the sweet scent of overpriced coffee and butter croissants. The sound of people dragging their suitcases, the loud talking and the flight announcements could be heard from everywhere around, making the airport too noisy for anyone‘s liking. But there was something else, something new, but somehow familiar, that made this place so very wonderful.

Velaris. I had finally made it to Velaris, the city where dreams came true.

The city where he lived.

And just when I thought about him, my phone buzzed from inside my pocket. I smiled, already knowing what I would see.

1 unread message from Rhys

I clicked on the notification, then bit my lip to hide the ever-growing smile.

Hello, darling. Welcome to Velaris.

I rolled my eyes at the name he always called me, but couldn‘t stop the heat that crept its way to my cheeks.

Is that it? I asked. I expected a welcome party. Or at least a wonderful present. Where‘s the fic you promised you‘d write me?

I didn‘t expect him to do anything, if I was being honest. Though I wasn‘t lying for the fanfiction- he promised to write me one months ago. I couldn‘t blaim him, I still hadn‘t shown him the fanart I did for him, either.

It was partly how we met, though I don‘t know if „met“ was the right word. We have never seen each other.

Three years ago, he found my blog on Tumblr. I had made it after I read the „Throne of Glass“ book series and started painting characters and scenes I liked. Rhys had a fandom blog too, but instead of painting, he loved writing. One day he saw my art and was inspired to write a multichapter, which I turned out to be obsessed with. At first, we talked about the books we loved. Later, this thing between us grew into a real friendship, we texted each other every single day ever since and had often talked trough video chat. He helped me trough the worst time of my life and became my closest person. Not even my sisters knew me so well.

And after three years, I was finally going to meet him in person.

Isn‘t seeing me a present good enough? Rhys typed back.

Prick.

Always for you, darling.

Then the three dots, announcing he was writing something, appeared. They stayed for a minute, too long for the few words he ended up sending me.

I‘m sorry I can‘t meet you at the airport.

I rolled my eyes. He had told me the night before, that it was his cousin‘s birthday and he had promised to give her a ride.

It‘s fine, Rhys. I‘m not a damsel in distress and you don‘t need to pretend to be the prince in shiny armor. I‘m perfectly capable of going to the university myself.

I know that. And you have to admit black suits are much more handsome than shiny armor, so I may not be a prince, but you still won‘t be able to take your eyes off of me.

You are impossible, I replied, trying- and obviously failing- not to smile.

It isn’t a bad thing, you know? Because I won’t be able to look at something that’s not you, too.

I blushed once more, happy that he wasn‘t there to see it.

I‘ll see you soon, was the only thing I texted before shoving my phone back into my pocket.

The ride to the college was a fast one. I took a cab from the airport and after around 20 minutes, I was standing in front of Velaris University of Arts.

For years, I dreamt to go here. Even before I knew Rhys or the fact he was living here.

Finding my dorm room was difficult. The building was much bigger than I thought and I got lost in the same corridors at least four times. But at the end, I made it.

I was to share a room with two more girls and it looked like they were already here.

There were three beds next to each other, a window over the one in the middle, a door to what I assumed was the bathroom next to the one on the right. A girl with short black hair and unnatural silver eyes was laying on the bed on the left side, a book in hands.

„You‘re Feyre, I assume,“ she said when I walked trough the door. No one told me my roommates’ names, so how she knew mine, I had no idea. „I‘m Amren. Mor is in the bathroom. The middle bed is yours“

The girl didn‘t even look at me as I started unpacking my things.

Then, a girl stormed out from the bathroom, almost jumping on the bed to take the phone she had left there. Her blond hair was tied in a braid that fell beautifully down her back. Just when I thought she hadn‘t noticed me, she looked at me and before I knew it, she pulled me into a bone-crashing hug.

„Why didn‘t you say you were here! I‘m Morrigan, but you can call me Mor.“ She told me. “I‘d love to get to know you, but I‘m in a hurry, because my stupid cousin was late again“she almost shouted the last words. Confused, I raised an eyebrow in a silent question, but it was answered when I heard a male voice speak from inside the bathroom.

„If you hadn‘t insist I braid your hair, it wouldn‘t have mattered“

I knew that voice. There was something so familiar about it, but Mor interrupted my thoughts before I could figure out what, screaming at the man again.

„Since you were so late anyway, you could‘ve at least brought your girlfriend“

„She‘s not my girlfriend“, he answered.

Mor shook her head, as if to say Sure, I believe you.

I heard steps moving closer, than the bathroom door closing.

„Anyway, what‘s your name?“ Mor turned her attention to me once more.

I opened my mouth to answer, but the man was faster than me.

„Feyre?“ he whispered unbelievingly.

I snapped my head to the direction the voice was coming from. My gaze landed on the most beautiful man I‘ve ever seen.

I wasn‘t prepared for it.

For a second, I didn‘t move. My eyes couldn‘t leave his. Suddenly, without even realizing it, I was moving towards him, then I was wrapping my arms around him, breathing him in.

„Looks like I got to see your pretty face, after all“, he laughed.

My lips twitched into a wide smile, but I didn‘t say anything. Instead, I buried my nose in his chest. He smelled of jasmine and ocean breeze.

I barely heard the sound of Mor‘s phone when she snapped a picture of us. I barely registered Amren‘s quiet murmurs, indicating she had left her book. There was only Rhys in the whole room, the whole world. And I was finally seeing him, finally able to touch him.

„If you don‘t let me go now, I‘m afraid you‘ll never be able to stay away from me“, he teased, though I knew he didn‘t want me to pull away.

„As charming and flattering as always“, I laughed again, then made a step backwards. Somehow, I managed to let go of him, not touching him anymore, though there still wasn’t much space between us.

“Feyre darling”, he whispered, his soft gaze focused on mine. There was a happy light in his eyes and that little smile on his face… I could look at him for hours.

Ever since I saw a picture of him, a month or two after we talked for the first time, I knew he was the most gorgeous person I’ve laid my eyes on. But seeing him with my own eyes, black tattoos swirling underneath his shirt, unbuttoned on the top, midnight dark hair glowing in the sunlight coming from the window, when he looked at me as if there was no one else in the room… It felt as though he came from some other world. Perhaps a world I also belonged to.

Mor cleared her throat behind me and I realized we had been silently staring at each other for over a minute.

Rhys’s eyes left mine and he blinked once, twice, remembering where he was. When we both looked at his cousin, she crossed her arms, a golden eyebrow raised.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you, but it is my birthday and we are already late for our reservation.”

“She’s eager to go, because Andromache is waiting for her. I want us to leave, because if we don’t, Cassian is probably going to burst into this room and I won’t bear the thought of any of you, horrible creatures, being near my books and jewels” said Amren. Now, when she was standing, I realized how much shorter she was. But somehow, she made me feel as though I was the smaller one. She looked young and ancient at the same time and I knew she wasn’t one to mess with. Even so, her eyes were almost soft, making it clear, that she did mean well. For now, at least.

“Your birthday. Right.” Murmured Rhys under his nose. “Do you want to come with us?” he asked me.

Go to a party, get to know my new roommates, meet new people? Get a drink or two?

Spend the whole night with my best friend, who I had never hung out with?

A part of me screamed to agree, to go with them, to have fun. To be with him. From the look the birthday girl gave me, I knew she wouldn’t mind.

“I probably shouldn’t”, my voice felt as if it belonged to someone else. “I have to unpack my things and get ready for my first classes tomorrow. Perhaps being late and falling asleep on the chair on my first day wouldn’t make the best impression.”

“Maybe you are right”, Rhys answered. Still, I could see the disappointment written on his face as clear as day.

When you come, I’ll show you Velaris. I’ll take you stargazing. And when you have savored every detail of the beautiful night sky, you’ll paint it, capturing all the lights and colors on the canvas while I watch you, pouring your love and soul into the painting.

That’s what he had told me the night I said him that I was accepted into Velaris University. That we were not only going to meet, but live in the same town. It had been a promise, one I would make sure he’d keep. Maybe it wouldn’t happen on my first day in town, but I’ve already waited three years. I could wait a few days more, if it meant having this perfect night.

So I just put a light smile on my face, looking at Mor. “Happy Birthday”, I congratulated her, then moved my gaze to Rhys again.

“Will I see you later?”

“I still haven’t left and you already can’t wait to see me. I’ll take you really like what you’re looking at”, his lips formed his legendary grin and I felt the urge to roll my eyes for what felt like the thousandth time today. At last, I decided to go with the usual “Prick”

“Can I come tomorrow? Text you to know when you’re free?” he asked.

I nodded.

I was already looking forward to it.

@hellas-himself @alexisnm95 @rhysand-darling @dreams-of-feysand @official-mort @urbisie @crimson-dusk (sorry, for some reason the tags don’t work for you..)

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yesyunniechan · 7 years ago

Text

Detective Conan File 1001 [Japanese to English Translation]

This is just like the blood ceiling...

Se: Just like the Blood Ceiling...

S: Yeah...

S: What's more, the bloody footprints on the ceiling...

S: Lead to the window...

Se: The criminal wanted to pretend that they’d lifted the victim up and stabbed him...

Se: Before walking on the ceiling...

Se: And disappearing from the 15th floor window...

Se: As if they had both wings capable of flight and the ability to move the human body as they wish...

Se: Like it was done by some monster...

[It was supposed to be a fun school trip...]

K: Tengu...

K: Are you saying that Nishiki-kun was killed by a tengu?

I: T-Tengu?!

K: I mean, if we’re talking about a monster that can fly and possesses supernatural powers...

A: W-what are you saying?! There’s no way they actually exist in real life, right?!

K: Well, what else could it be?

M: Tengus are fictional...

M: They only exist in stuff like that movie we recently shot...

M: So are you saying that some fictional demon killed Nishiki?

S: It does look like the criminal wanted to imitate a tengu at all costs, doesn’t it?

S: Even the victim’s pocket

...

S: Contains an aralia leaf, which tengus usually carry with them...

S: What’s more...

S: There’s a new cipher...

S: Maybe the cipher resembling this one that Nishiki-san received last week...

S: Was a murder notice?..

I: M-murder notice?!

I: Oi-oi, another cipher appeared, so that must mean...

K: That somebody else will be killed as well?

Se: Did the Dekuri guy who created the cipher hold a grudge against Nishiki-san?

I: N-no... Right?

A: Y-yeah...

S: Well, maybe the crime was committed by someone who was discontent with that Crimson Shura-Tengu movie that was meant to premier this weekend...

S: Since its script has been scattered around...

S: By the way...

S: What’s with these slippery pieces of paper stuck onto the paper here and there?

M: Post-it notes! Nishiki has been using these sorts of sticky notes lately, claiming that they are easy to paste and to tear off...

M: Since the film was to be novelized, Nishiki brought the script with him to the Hotel in order to do some tweaking...

K: He was so eager to finish it before the premier...

Se: Hey, you said that you’d all planned to gather in Nishiki-san’s room in ten minutes to go to the bar, so...

Se: Who was the first one who came to this room?

I: M-me and Agata....

A: When we arrived, there was no answer even though we rang the doorbell...

S: If that’s true, then it must mean that the criminal killed Nishiki-san and left those footprints within those 10 minutes...

Se: Right... When we visited this room earlier, there were no foot-prints...

S: So? Have you called the police?

M: Yeah... the bellboy that opened the door with the master key

left to report it... He just contacted us and said that Ayanokoji-keibu of

the Kyoto prefecture is on his way...

Se: Ayanokoji-keibu of the Kyoto prefecture,huh...

S: That person has a chipmunk, so he’s a bit of an unorthodox police inspector... But he’s pretty quick-witted, so no worrie...

S: ..s?!

Se: Hm? Is something wrong?

S: N-no, nothing...

S: Damn... the medicine's effect is wearing out...

S: I-I'll leave the rest to you... Sera...

Se: O-oi...

R: Shinichi...why is your face so pale?

So: Was it that bad?

S: Y-yeah... So you two shouldn't go in there...

S: M-my cold got worse, so...

S: I'll return to my room and sleep...

R: S-Shinichi...

N: What, Kudo?

S: S-sorry, Nakamichi.... I forgot my room key inside...

N: So how was it? Meeting the famous actress Kurachi Keiko....

S: L-let's talk about that tomorrow...

N: What? Everybody's been waiting to hear about it...

N: Though I'm only interested in idols myself...

S: I-I'm tired, I'll sleep... Don't wake me...

N: O-okay...

N: Oi, you OK, Kudo?

M1: Leave him, leave him!

M2: He's excited that he finally go to meet up with his wifey!

S: Phew...

N: Right!

S: Oi, it's about time...

H: Kudo, just so ya know...

H: Ya owe me big time for this...

C: Yeah, yeah... I got it...

C: Don't blow my cover...

H: Have some faith in me here!

N: Right-right, let's ask him about his London confession to Mouri before he falls asleep!

N: Don't be shy, Kudo~ <3 You're not asleep yet, right?

N: Did you kiss?

C: Damn it... the voice changer is under the pillow...

N: If you don't answer, we'll tear off that blanket off you, y'know?

H/S: Yeah! 'Course! Innit obvious that we'd hit it off? Ya idiot!

N: W-why are you speaking kansai-ben?

H: When in Rome, ya do as the Romans do! Ya lot should use kansaiben too!!

N: Ah, okay...

M1: So they kissed...

M2: Cool...

C: Starting from tomorrow, I should carry my voice changer with me at all times...

C: Buut.... it's such a pain to follow Haibara's instructions...

H: There are three key points, got it?

H: After the last one wears off, you need to wait eight hours before taking the next one...

H: Come up with some way to keep people's eyes off of you while you're stuck in your kid body!

H: Once you're back in Kudo Shinichi's body, don't do anything that will bring you too much attention!

H: Also, don't flirt too much!

C: Flirting... wasn't that your fourth point just now...

H: W-well, that fourth one is... trivial... Point is, it's only under these three conditions that I'll give you the APTX 4869 antidote!

C: 8 more hours... how long...

C: Right! I should show this to Hattori for the time being...

H: Hm? An email?

H: A cipher...

A: Ho...

A: So that’s what Kudo Shinichi-kun, highschool detective, said about

me...

Se: Yes... That you’re pretty quick-witted, and that there’s no need to

worry...

A: Thanks a lot... But this is quite strange... I’ve never met Kudo-kun before...

[Ayanokoji Fumimaru 28

Police inspector of first division of Kyoto prefectural police]

Se: He does carry a chipmunk with him...

A: Maybe he asked Conan-kun or the others?

Se: ...wait, so he brought a pet to a crime scene?

A: But that’s just an awful way to kill someone... not only a knife to the heart...

A: But two bumps to the head on top of that...

A: Anyway, we need to investigate the crime scene properly, which might take some time...

A: Please return to your respective rooms and wait...

A: Since both the victim and you, the suspects, are celebrities...

A: I think we might see quite an uproar once dawn breaks...

C: Ouch...

C: Riight... I fell asleep under the bad...

C: Great, eight hours have passed...

C: It's medicine time~

S: Phew...

S: I... will these last me until the end of the school trip?

S: Oi-oi they...

S: Never returned to their rooms?

S: Hm?

S: A message from Keiko-san...

[Shinichi-kun, help! Now there’s trouble with Agata-kun!! Go to room 1504, quickly!]

S: Eh?

S: Oi, Hattori, wake up!!

H: I can’t eat any more...

S: It's a case!!

H: Hah?...

A: Was Agata-san really that loud?

K: Yes... He shouted at the top of his lungs, so much so that I could even hear it from the next room over ...

K: Heelp~ I'm being killed~

I: Really?!

S: Keiko-san!!

K: Shinichi-kun!

A: So you're Kudo Shinichi-kun...

A: Oh? And the one behind you...

A: Hattori Heiji-kun, son of the Osaka prefectural police superintendent, if I’m not mistaken?

H: K-Kudo invited me to visit him at the hotel... I just happened to be around!

H: That aside, what happened?

A: Agata-san shouted strange things while in his room...

A: The bellboy is opening his door for us right now...

A: I bet it’s just because he saw last night’s murder scene...

A: Probably had a nightmare...

[Te,

Tengu?!]

TN: THANK YOU GOSHO

WHEN EVERY LINE IS DIVIDED TO 6-10 DUE TO THE LINEBREAKING GLITCH

A PAGE WITH NO LINE IS EVEN MORE BLESSING THAN USUAL

A: F-forgive me... forgive me....

H: Oi! Do ya have a weapon of some sort?!

A: Ah, no...

S: Shit!

A: Stay away...Stay away...

A: Stay away!

[Eh?]

M: H-he disappeared?!

I: Vanished into flames?!

K: No way?!

A: Awawawawa...

H: Oi, Kudo...

H: There’s no way...We’re still asleep, right?

[Finally appeared... the real tengu?!..]

P.S. This file is cursed. First it came out at my 2 AM when I went to sleep. Then due to misunderstanding we lost the proofread version of case, and we had to copy it from the typeset version, which took a lot of time. AND ON TOP OF THAT, since it was photoshop to notepad transition, there was a linebreak glitch and it looked like THIS:

At all pages.

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ultrahellodear-blog · 5 years ago

Text

Double Attachments

Scene 1

Sunset. Basketball court. There is a basketball ring at the center, bleachers at both sides of the ring, and a tumbler, a towel, and a bag below the ring. In the entrance, footsteps are heard.

VINCENT stands in front of the basketball ring and shoots the ball. LEVI enters on the left side with his girlfriend, NOREEN.

LEVI

(cheerful)

Nice shot, tol! We are on our way home. You can join us if you want. Are you done already?

NOREEN

(worried)

Yeah, it’s getting late. My stepmom will get mad—

VINCENT

(exhaust)

And that’s because of LEVI. Wait for me. I’ll get my things first.

VINCENT gets his tumbler, towel, and bag while carrying the ball. VINCENT walks toward LEVI and NOREEN.

VINCENT

(softly)

Ahm, by the way, have you already told NOREEN about our flight next week?

NOREEN

(angrily)

What? You’re leaving? You never mentioned anything!

NOREEN exits angrily on the right.

LEVI

(loudly)

Babe, wait! VINCENT look what you’ve done!

LEVI follows NOREEN on the right.

VINCENT

(Shouts)

Wait, LEVI!

VINCENT follows LEVI and NOREEN on the right.

Scene 2

Morning. Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There is a crowd scattered on the stage.

VINCENT and LEVI enter on the right holding their luggage and stop at the center facing the audience.

VINCENT

(softly)

Hey, did you already talk to NOREEN? I’m sorry about what happened.

LEVI

(upset)

Don’t worry, I sent her a letter about our flight. Let’s just not talk about it.

ANNOUNCER

(calmly)

The flight from Manila to England will leave in an hour. All passengers, please board your plane.

VINCENT and LEVI exit on the left side of the stage.

Scene 3

Morning. NOREEN’s house. Living room. There are three sofas at the center: one facing the audience and two facing parallel at each other. Moreover, a table rests at the center faced by the three sofas.

LISA, stepmom of NOREEN, stands in front of the sofa and reads the farewell letter from LEVI.

LISA

(annoyed)

“Dear Noreen, I’m sorry” — This man, again! Why can’t he understand that I don’t want him for NOREEN!

LISA tears the letter into pieces then sits on the sofa.

Scene 4

Afternoon. NOREEN’s bedroom. There is a bed at the center, a desk and a lampshade at the right.

NOREEN enters on the right and slams the door.

NOREEN

(angry)

I hate him! Why didn’t he even send me a message?

NOREEN lies on the bed and cries heavily.

Scene 5

Evening. Backyard. Fences are surrounding the stage and a tin trashcan at the center.

LISA enters on the right holding the letters she hid from NOREEN and stops beside the tin trashcan.

LISA

(annoyed)

Sorry, honey. I have to do this for your own sake. You will not have a better future with that bastard. This is the only way.

LISA throws the letters in the tin trashcan. LISA picks a lighter from her pocket, lits the trashcan on fire, and exits on the right.

Scene 6

Morning. The University of London. Football field. There is a net on the right side and bleachers at the center facing the audience.

AVA enters on the left, sits on the bleachers, and reads a book. VINCENT enters on the right side and walks towards AVA.

VINCENT

(softly)

Is that John Green’s?

AVA

(shy and softly)

Oh! Yes, he’s one of my favorites.

VINCENT

(cheerful)

Mind if I sit beside you? By the way, my name’s VINCENT. How ‘bout yours?

AVA

(shy and softly)

AVA.

Scene 7

Morning. The University of London. Hallway. Lockers aligned in the center. There’s a group of students chatting on the right side.

VINCENT stands in front of his locker on the right.

LEVI enters on the left.

LEVI

(cheerful)

Hey, man! Did you miss me?! We have been occupied with school lately, huh?

VINCENT

(shocks)

Hey, man! How you’ve been? You, sure, are right. I did miss you. I have lots to tell you. Come with me to the cafeteria, we have a lot of catching up to do.

VINCENT and LEVI exit on the left.

Scene 8

Cafeteria. There are multiple tables with four chairs each on the stage. On the right side, there is a counter facing the audience.

LEVI and VINCENT enter on the left and sits on the center table.

VINCENT

(excited)

Bro, England was amazing and the school here is stressful. However, I have some good news to tell you.

AVA enters on the left. LEVI stares at AVA as VINCENT continues to speak.

VINCENT

(happy)

I saw this beautiful lady here at the university. Last night, I finally asked her out. I think she likes me too.

LEVI

(happy)

Oh, really? Great!

VINCENT

(cheerful)

There she is!

LEVI and VINCENT both stare at AVA.

AVA walks towards VINCENT and LEVI and stops at their table.

AVA

(cheerful)

Hello, VINCE! Tonight, at 8 P.M. don’t forget!

VINCENT

(softly)

Yes, of course. By the way, this is my friend, LEVI.

AVA

(cheerful)

Oh, hi, LEVI!

AVA and LEVI shake hands.

Scene 9

Evening. Outside the restaurant. The stage is wet with a rainy ambiance.

VINCENT and AVA stands parallel to each other.

AVA

(happy)

Thank you for tonight, I really enjoyed it. Don’t bother accompanying me on my way home. I can handle myself.

VINCENT (worried)

Okay, sure. Just message me as soon as you get home.

AVA exits on the left and VINCENT exits on the right.

Scene 10

Evening. Dark street. One lit lamppost at the center backstage.

AVA enters on the right side and stops in the middle. LEVI followed AVA behind with silent footsteps.

LEVI grabs AVA’s arm.

AVA

(Surprised)

Oh gosh, you surprised me. Are you heading home?

LEVI

(softly)

Yeah, It’s really dark here. Let me accompany you.

AVA and LEVI exit on the left

Scene 11

Midnight. Bedroom. There’s a bed at the center, a desk on its the right, and a lampshade and a phone on the top of the desk.

AVA sits on her bed.

Phone rings are heard.

AVA gets the phone

AVA

(confused)

7 missed calls!? In the middle of the night?

AVA calls LEVI on the phone

AVA

(worried)

Hello, Levi? Is there something wrong? Let’s just talk about it tomorrow, okay? It’s already late, goodnight!

AVA puts down her phone and sleeps.

Scene 12

Morning. Outside the house of AVA. There’s a gate on the right, trees aligned at the center, and light post on the left.

AVA enters on the right.

LEVI enters on the left after AVA.

AVA

(shocked)

Oh? Levi? You’re here, again?

LEVI

(stuttered)

Uhm, I was just passing by. Are you on your way to school? Can I come with you?

AVA

(softly)

Uh, yeah.

Scene 13

Afternoon. School canteen. There are multiple tables and chairs at the center. A counter on the left. Group of people eating on the right.

VINCENT sits on the center-most table, AVA enters on the right side and approach VINCENT.

AVA

(poker face)

Sorry, I’m late. I just finished some stuff.

VINCENT

(smile)

It’s fine, you look unwell. Is there something wrong?

AVA

(frightened)

It’s about LEVI.

LEVI enters on the right and approaches AVA and VINCENT.

LEVI

(happy)

Hey, can I join you?

VINCENT

(cheerful)

Sure, LEVI. Oh, AVA what is it again?

AVA

(uncomfortable)

Um.

VINCENT

(in a hurry)

Wait, excuse me. I have to take this call first.

VINCENT stands and walks to the right.

AVA

(serious)

Hey, LEVI. Don’t get offended but I feel like you’re always following me and I think VINCENT must know this.

LEVI

(softly)

So you found out about it already, huh?

AVA

(angry)

What do you mean?

LEVI

(unhesitant)

I really like you and you know if you like someone, you’ll find ways to make them like you back.

AVA

(mad)

Are you out of your mind? That’s not right LEVI, you’re making me feel uncomfortable. And what kind of best friend are you to VINCENT?

VINCENT enters on the right and gets back to his seat.

VINCENT

(worried)

What’s the matter? Is anything wrong?

AVA

(pissed off)

Ask your so-called best friend?

VINCENT

(angry)

What the hell, LEVI!? What did you do?

LEVI

(proud)

Isn’t it obvious? I want her. You always get everything you wanted, it’s kind of unfair on my behalf. I want something for myself, too.

VINCENT stands from his chair violently.

VINCENT

(pleads)

This isn’t you, LEVI. Are you even aware of what you’re doing? We’ve been friends since we’re young. All these will go to waste if you’ll spend your time on this stuff. You have someone waiting for you in the Philippines—NOREEN. Have you forgotten about her? I’m always focused on my career, never felt love before. This is my first time and maybe the last to find someone to love. Wake up! Work that kindness within you!

AVA stands.

AVA

(Shouts)

Stop! You two, stop this!

LEVI stands as well.

LEVI

(upset)

I’m sorry. My emotions got ahead of me. You two looked perfect together, and I saw AVA as an ideal girlfriend. So when I was given a chance, I took advantage of it. You two can enjoy the rest of the day, I’ll get going. I think, I’ll go back and work things out with NOREEN.

VINCENT

(softly)

I hope this would serve as a lesson to you. I’m sorry, things went rough for you. I failed to be the friend you deserve.

LEVI exits on the right.

Scene 12

Morning. NAIA. People are scattered on stage.

LEVI enters on the right and stops at the center facing the audience.

LEVI

(excited)

Here I come, NOREEN. I’ll fix what is needed to be fixed.

LEVI exits on the left.

Scene 13

Afternoon. NOREEN’s house. Living room. There are three sofas at the center: one facing the audience and two facing parallel at each other. Moreover, a table rests at the center faced by the three sofas. Knocks are heard.

NOREEN opens the door on the right. LEVI enters carrying a bouquet of flowers and chocolates.

LEVI

(cheerful)

Hey, it’s been a while.

NOREEN

(shocked)

What are you doing here!?

LEVI

(upset)

You never replied to my letters.

NOREEN

(confused)

What letters?

LEVI

(confused)

You never saw them?

NOREEN

(disappointed)

No, not even once. I think this has something to do with my stepmom.

LEVI

(cheerful)

If that so, this time I will fight for us. Can we start all over again?

NOREEN hugs LEVI.

LEVI grabs NOREEN’s right hand and exit on the right.

Photo from Medium

#CreativeWriting #10-MinutePlay

0 notes

bootandbradford · 8 years ago

Text

Talking Through It

A/N:

Thank you for all of your kind words on "Redo." I was very nervous to post but, after taking with a now good friend of mine @hurricaneawelia , I gained the confidence to post. And after posting, I realized just how much I missed writing. So, here is another story.

This story is based off of two asks that I found on @omeliafics . The first one was from @bafy-usy which was: after the disappearance of Amelia, Owen is destroyed, deeply hurt and sad... he's immersed in work and gets drunk every night until Meredith, Riggs and Webber help him to get up on his feet again. After many heartbreaking scenes where he cries over Amelia, Owen finally decides to go look for her and with Nathan take a flight to LA. The couple talk and he declares his love in a very sweet manner. And the other from an anonymous ask which was: After Amelia had left Seattle, Owen go to search her when he found Amelia, they talk, and after a night of love and passion he notices that during her leave she made a tattoo the date of their wedding day.

It had been two weeks since Owen read the note that Amelia had left for him. He was still hopeful of her return, but he was becoming more impatient by the minute. Not only does he want to talk to her, but he also wants to know exactly what is going on with her. While she wrote him a note, it didn’t say where she was going or why she left. He vividly remembers the last conversation they had where she had tearfully revealed that she didn’t want to have a baby. Even though, just mere weeks before, she had said that she wanted 5 kids.

Owen tried to forget about the whole situation by burying himself in work, but he just couldn’t focus on his work. Every day that he went into work and went home alone a little more of him died inside. He just couldn’t be himself without her. After almost a week of this, Meredith, Webber, and even Riggs joined together to try to get him out of the slump he was in.

Operation Owen was about to begin.

After careful planning and scheduling, Meredith, Webber, and Riggs gathered in the attendings lounge at the precise moment that Owen would be getting out of a surgery, making it the perfect time for an intervention.

They would wait for another 20 minutes before he arrived. When he came, he took a second and realized what was going on. Just as he was about to leave, however, Richard Webber barricaded the door, making it impossible for him to escape the inevitable.

Meredith was the first to talk. “Owen, we are here as your friends and work colleagues. Something is going on with you, and you need to talk to us about it. You have been distant and moody, and you have worked almost every day these past two weeks. We didn’t want to do this, but you left us with no choice.”

“Choice? The choice about what? Why are you all here?” Owen asked confusedly.

“The choice to talk and tell us what is going on inside of you, and what we can do to help you,” Riggs added.

“No offense, but as you can see, I’m completely fine. I’m working, and have been steadily for the past two weeks. Sure I haven’t been getting a lot of sleep, but who would in my position. None of you know what has happened, so please stay the hell out of it. I have it all handled myself. I’d appreciate it if you would all leave now so I can have some time alone.” Owen replied practically screaming.

Getting the message, Meredith, Richard, and Riggs all backed off not wanting to piss off Owen any further. But, they wouldn’t walk away just yet.

The next action taken by Riggs was BOTH aggressive and bold, but it proved to be monumental. “Owen, mate, you have got to get a hold of yourself. We are all here for you, and we are staying here until you start talking about what is wrong with you. Deny it all you want, we know, more importantly, I have an idea as to what you are going through. Talk me, talk to us.”

“I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU ALL THE LEAVE!!! I SAID THAT I WAS DONE TALKING! DON’T TALK TO ME LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH” Owen shouted at the top of his lungs.

Meredith and Richard took the signal and bolted from the room as fast as possible.

Riggs, being as stubborn as ever, refused to leave even though Meredith and Richard had already vacated the room. “OWEN! YOU KNOW THAT’S UTTER BULLSHIT! YOU DON’T WANT TO ADMIT IT, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, YOU HAVE TO TALK TO ME! YOU ARE JUST GOING TO KEEP BLAMING YOURSELF MORE AND MORE! LET ME IN! LET ME HELP YOU FOR GOD SAKES!” Riggs bellowed back with equal the amount of anger.

Owen stood unmoving for about 15 seconds before doing the unexpected, he started bawling. Out of all of the years that Riggs has known Owen, he has never seen him cry. He knew something was deeply wrong. Seeing his best friend cry unhinged Riggs at his core. Before he could even realize what was happening, Riggs had engulfed Owen into a tight bear hug, hoping it would lessen his tears, but it actually did the opposite. Owen started to sob so hard that his knees gave out on him. Riggs helped him to lay down on the couch just behind him. Seeing his best friend in anguish reminded himself of what he went through just a couple of years ago with Megan. Riggs let Owen continue crying for a considerable amount of time before getting up and leaving him on his own to sleep.

As Owen awoke, he began remembering the events of what happened just hours earlier in this very room. He didn’t want to admit it to himself, but he was spiraling down a dark and scary path. He needed to do something, but he didn’t know where to start. He thought the best way to start was to find Meredith, Richard, and Riggs and apologize to all of them. Afterall, they were right to give him the intervention that he desperately needed.

This proved no easy task. It’s like they all disappeared into thin air. As soon as he found one of them, they were gone. Finally, he got the smart idea to overhead page them all to the attendings lounge, because, surely they would all come, right?

While the overhead page worked, it seemed like hours before they all arrived. When they all finally arrived, Owen gave them a truly heartwarming and sincere apology. They all accepted but wanted to know more about the situation. Owen finally revealed what had been going on the past two weeks and more importantly where Amelia was. They were shocked when he mentioned that he didn’t know then or now where she is, but he was now on a mission to find her and bring her back home.

“I’ll help you find her mate. Whatever you need me for, I’ll be there for you.” Riggs obliged.

“All right, then we’re going to need two tickets to Los Angeles,” Owen replied.

In the early hours of the next day, Owen and Riggs boarded their flight for Los Angeles. Owen was already substantially nervous, so it didn’t help that he and Riggs were on the opposite sides of the plan due to the lateness of their ticket purchase. Owen tried to calm himself down, but it proved difficult until he saw a voicemail pop-up on his phone. It was from Amelia, and it was supposedly left 3 days ago. Why had he just gotten that message now he wondered. But, more importantly, what did she say in this message. After listening to it carefully a good 6 times, Owen realized that he had been right all along. The first place he thought that she would go was Los Angeles the whole time. He had wasted days trying to figure out where she might have gone, and even as far as mapping out possible travel routes. He felt like the biggest idiot in the world right now. Finally getting some closure, Owen was eventually able to get some good sleep.

Hours later, Owen was shaken awake by Riggs signifying that they had landed in Los Angeles. Owen immediately got out of his seat to get off the plane. He was no longer nervous. Now he was excited and happy to go see his wife.

About a half an hour later, Owen and Riggs were right in front of Addison Montgomery’s house, the first spot Owen knew where she would be. He hesitated for a moment before walking up to the door and ringing the doorbell. When he did, he was greet by a pleasantly shocked Addison.

“Well Owen, it’s great to see you! What are you doing in L.A?” Addison questioned.

“Is Amelia here? Please tell me that she is.” Owen asked.

“She has been staying with me, but she’s at work right now. She won’t be done until about 8 o’clock tonight. But, you two are welcome to stay here until then.” Addison replied.

“We’ll wait here, thank you, Addison,” Riggs replied.

When the clock in Addison’s living room hit 8 o’clock, Owen got up from the couch to go near the door to await the arrival of his wife. He was very surprised to learn that she had been working the whole time she has been here, but then again, she can’t live without slicing into a brain for too long.

At precisely 8:10, Amelia Shepherd walked through the front door and was shocked to see who was standing right in front of her. It was Owen.

“Amelia, please don’t be mad. I was driving myself crazy not being with you. I came here to listen. I don’t want to fight anymore. Can we please talk?” Owen asked.

“Owen, I am happy that you are here, but I just spent 13 hours removing a tumor, and I am exhausted. Can we talk tomorrow?” Amelia replied.

“I was hoping to talk to you as soon as possible, but for you, I will wait as long as you need,” Owen replied patiently.

“Owen, I understand, I do. But I really need to get in the shower and then go to bed. I promise that we will talk as soon as I get up tomorrow. Good night Owen.” Amelia responded.

“Okay, good night Amelia,” Owen replied sincerely.

Riggs left that night after Owen assured that he and Amelia would talk and come back to Seattle.

Although Owen wanted to give her some space, there was another part of him that wanted to follow her and join her in the shower like they usually do at home. He knew he was probably going to regret this but, he followed her upstairs and waited outside her room. She left the door open just enough that he could see her undressing through the door. The man inside of him was bursting at the seams. He finally opened the door and continued to the far side of the room to wrap his arms around his wife.

“Owen!? What are you doing?” Amelia asked nervously.

“I just appreciate my wife. Are you headed to the shower? I could also use one too.” Owen replied mischievously.

“Owen, I was completely serious when I said that I was going to take a shower alone and then go to bed alone,” Amelia replied annoyed by his actions. Not that she didn’t want to, it’s that she shouldn’t.

“Please? I haven’t seen you in two weeks, and we haven’t been together for even longer.” Owen said frustratingly.

Amelia was becoming angry at this point. Why couldn’t he just respect her need for boundaries? Sure she would love to take a shower with him, but she just couldn’t do it right now. But, he was right when he said that she has missed them being together. Amelia was ready to get into the shower, and before doing so, she made sure to lock the bathroom door before she got in, because she really did want to shower alone. She thought that Owen would take the clue and go to bed, but he did not.

Upon hearing the bathroom door lock, Owen searched for the key to unlock the door. It took a few seconds, but he easily reached the key from on top of the door. Once he secured the key, he gently opened the door. Once inside, he crept toward the shower. Even though the door was already unlocked, he had to be cautious due to the lack of steam currently in the room. He got all the way to the side of the door before noticing that she was moving around, which halted his progress. A second later he was able to slip around the corner and get his hand on the door and open in. He reached out and grabbed her hips and pulled her into him.

“OWEN! I WAS SERIOUS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET OUT!!” Amelia yelled while trying to push Owen out of the shower.

“And I was serious when I said that I needed a shower. Are you really going to deny me a shower?” Owen replied even though his ears were still ringing from Amelia’s yelling, but he didn’t care.

“God, you don’t have a clue, do you? I came here to get away from you to have some time to myself. As much as I would love to shower with you, I just can’t Owen, why can’t you understand that?” Amelia admitted still trying to force Owen out of the shower.

“If you would talk then I could start to understand. I’m not getting out of this shower until you start talking to me.” Owen replied.

“Why do you have to be so difficult? I mean, I thought I was stubborn, but you take the cake.” Amelia answered with a hint of a laugh.

“Oh, you think I’m stubborn? You’re the one who lured me in here, and you still won’t give me what I want.” Owen answered with sass.

“Oh, now you’re going to sass me? I see how it is. Alright, what do you want?” Amelia responded.

“You,” Owen answered pushing Amelia against the glass shower wall. Amelia tried to fight him not giving into him, but she eventually gave up because she has craved intimacy with him.

About an hour and a half later, Owen and Amelia were tangled up in bed together. After their steamy shower sex, they were both tired and worn out. But Owen wasn’t ready to go to sleep just yet. He moved his gaze down to her face to check if she was still awake, and when he did this, he got caught in her amazingly blue eyes. She stared back at him with the same amount of intensity, a second later she had fallen asleep and Owen a moment after.

The next morning, Amelia wakes up first. She realizes that she was in bed with Owen and they were both naked. She then had a flashback to their time in the shower as well as the multiple times in bed last night. She absentmindedly smiled, and this action caught Owen’s attention. He awoke the same way he fell asleep last night, gazing into Amelia’s eyes.

“Hey sleepyhead, good morning. Do you want some breakfast?” Owen asked.

“I’d love some waffles if you’d care to help me make them,” Amelia replied flirtatiously.

“I’d be happy to assist you any day, ‘Melia,” Owen replied.

“‘Melia? Really? Resorting to old nicknames I see. Come on, I wasn’t kidding when I said that I was genuinely hungry.” Amelia said while getting out of bed.

While she was getting up, Owen did as any ordinary man would and followed her body with his eyes, only he noticed something different from the last time that he saw her. I was subtle but noticeable. It was a tattoo on her left hip.

“What is that?” Owen questioned.

“What is what Owen?” Amelia replied confused.

“That tattoo on your hip? What is it of?” Owen asked curiously.

“Oh that little thing, I got it the day that I came here. It’s a very special date. It’s our wedding date, Owen.” Amelia replied with a sparkle in her eye.

“You got a tattoo of our wedding date?” Owen asked clarifying her statement.

“Of course I did. I don’t know where I’d be without you, Owen. You are my person.” Amelia admitted.

Owen was overcome with happiness and love for the woman in front of him and responded by getting out of bed and going over to her side to envelop her in a passionate kiss. She responded eagerly by taking hold of him and trying to pull him back down on the bed. Owen did the exact opposite, when he let her out of his grasp he bent down to pick up his boxers and a shirt immediately making Amelia angry.

“Owen! What are you doing?” Amelia questioned while following his movements around her bedroom as he continued to get dressed.

“You said that you wanted me to help you make waffles didn’t you? It’s almost 11:30 meaning that breakfast time is almost over.” Owen replied while winking obviously across the room at his wife.

“You very well know that waffles can be made and eaten at any time of the day, right? I’ve told you this how many times by now and you obviously haven’t listened to me once when I’ve said it. Oh Owen, what am I going to do with you?” Amelia said while keeping direct eye contact with her husband across the room.

“But they are the best in the morning, are they not?” Owen replied to her statement making her blush.

Amelia laughed at his comment and followed him out of the room downstairs to make waffles.

After breakfast, Owen and Amelia returned back into her room to talk. Owen had so many questions for Amelia, but he didn’t know where to start. But before he could even try to formulate a question to ask her, she began talking.

“Owen, before I start I want you to promise me that you won’t hate me, resent me, or leave me. I can’t say anything without your promise.” Amelia stated seriously.

“Amelia, I will love and stay with you as long as you’ll have me. I will never voluntarily leave you.” Owen replied with grabbing ahold of her shaking hand.

“Okay, so I know that I have briefly mentioned that I had a baby and it loved for only 43 minutes. But what you don’t know are the heartbreaking details of his diagnosis and his death. When I was in Los Angeles about 4 years ago, I was madly in love with a man named Ryan, and we did drugs and drank together all the time. But one morning, I woke up in bed, and I looked over at him, and he was just laying there with his eyes open. I--I desperately tried to shake him awake but then I noticed that he was covered in his own vomit, which indicated that he had aspirated on his own vomit when he overdosed the night before. I was heartbroken and so messed up that everyone at my own practice brought me to an intervention and made me go to rehab. After those 50 days in rehab, I found out that I was pregnant with Ryan’s baby. I was shocked and scared when I first found out, but what woman isn’t when they find out they are pregnant for the first time, especially when their boyfriend is dead. So, as if it wasn’t bad enough after I told everyone that I was pregnant, Addison insisted that I get an ultrasound to check how far along I was and see the baby. (smiles) I would have never gone through with it if I had known what I would be putting myself through. When Addison first started the scan, everything was fine and healthy, she had the screen towards me, and she told me that I was having a boy. (smiles and chuckles) I was excited for the first time in that pregnancy, but the further Addison looked, the more worried I got, and when she turned the screen away from me, I knew that there was something very wrong. It had seemed like a lifetime before she informed me that my baby, my sweet little boy, has anencephaly. (starts sobbing) ME OUT OF ALL PEOPLE! I am a neurosurgeon, and my little boy ends up with this terrible thing. I never really believed in God before then, but I definitely didn’t believe in him after that. No God would make me have a baby like this, but he did. (stops to catch her breath) He donated all of his organs, so he helped at least 7 or 8 other people (sniffling). And Owen, when I had him, it almost destroyed me. The only thing that kept me sane while I held him as he was dying was hope that sometime in the future I would have a normal baby. But, after his birth and death, I have never been able to think about having another child without feeling the overwhelming guilt and sadness for my unicorn baby. Oh did I forget to mention that I named him a unicorn baby? Yeah, I called him that because he’s in heaven looking over me (sniffles). I thought it was only appropriate. That’s why I left after seeing the negative sign on the stick and yelling at you that I didn’t want a baby. It’s not true, I’m just terrified that it will happen again because I have a 2 to 4 percent chance of it reoccurring in each of my subsequent pregnancies. I came here because Addison and everyone here kept me sane after I lost my unicorn baby. I want you to know that leaving you was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my entire life. I never wanted to leave you, please know that. When I realized that I was falling in love with you, I wanted to back out and disappear because I knew it was going to happen again. But it didn’t, and that’s what scared me the most. No matter what was done or said, you were always by my side through everything. You have helped an insurmountable amount. I just hope that I haven’t really screwed things up this time for us. Okay, I’m done talking for right now. Please talk to me, Owen.” Amelia finished her monolog waiting hesitantly for an answer from Owen.

“Amelia, you are the strongest, bravest, and most resilient woman I have ever come to love and know. I completely understand why it took you so long to tell me anything about this, I truly do. It was the same way with Megan, it was traumatic and devastating that it made me feel what I felt at the exact time I found out that she was missing. I can’t even imagine the emotions that you go through whenever you think about your unicorn baby. You took an incredibly sad and tragic event and made good out of it. That is the reason why we are so good for each other. We have both gone through truly terrible things, but yet here we are. I feel like the biggest jerk ever for yelling at you when you admitted that you didn’t want to have a baby. I should’ve known not to just assume things by what you say. I never want you to feel like you can’t tell me anything because you can. From now on you can talk to me about anything and everything you need to with absolutely no judgment, and you can choose if you want me to respond or just listen. I was heartbroken Cristina left, and honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love again, but I did, and look where we are now. I came here because I know how good we are together. We fight, and that’s what makes us resilient together. Amelia, I love you so much that sometimes it scares me. I can live without you, but I definitely never want to. I will stay with you through the good and bad. You haven’t screwed anything up this time, it was all my fault. I take the blame.” Owen replied full heartedly in support of Amelia.

“Owen, you seriously have no idea how much you mean to me. Coming to Los Angeles in the first place was a huge mistake. I’m so irrational with decisions when I’m hurting that I don’t think of the outcomes. I should’ve stayed in Seattle with you and talked through this with you right after our fight. Honestly coming here tore us further apart. I love you so much. We need to get back home and finish this conversation. What do you say O?” Amelia admitted happily while waiting for his reply.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say that since I got here. I love you too. Let’s go home ‘Melia.” Owen replied lovingly.

Owen and Amelia said their goodbyes to Addison and the rest of the Oceanside Wellness crew. Then they headed to the airport to get home.

Upon arriving back in Seattle, Owen and Amelia were met with their closest family and friends at their house. It was at their home that they realized the best way to solve anything in a marriage is by talking through it.

#omelia #owelia #owen and amelia #owen hunt #amelia shepherd #omeliafics #my writing

38 notes · View notes

iceamericanoventi · 6 years ago

Text

Love Will Find a Way, Well, Eventually : 1. Eventide

A complicated yet very simple slice of life of five different men, and the entire world rotating around them, and all the coincidence colliding among them, and all the shenanigans entailed.

One is a sneakers designer, one is a jazz cafe owner, one is a pediatrician, one is a photographer, one is a writer - and five are free souls finding what we called love.

In the world where Tinder exists, some chose to go vintage. Who said these days meeting people conventionally is out of date? What they thought a simple dinner, turned out to be the first encounter of more nights later.

Coincidence? Universe don’t think so.

cross-posted on my AFF

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

“What?”

“You’re not deaf, don’t pretend to be one.”

“I’m not deaf. I just confirming, whether it’s true or not that my friend gone mad already after spending almost two weeks in Spain.”

“Mad? Try kind.”

Jinki only rolled his eyes and back to his scale and continued to weigh some coffee beans that just arrived to the store. It’s 8 A.M in the morning, the only thing he wanted to picture in his mind is how many new customer today he could gain. Business is not doing well lately, since lots of cute café appeared in the neighborhood, after some rich people found out it’s a very promising area.

It’s not like his café is less great, it’s just young people nowadays prefer to go to some instagramable places. And the rustic Scandinavian style he offered since four years ago is a bit out dated. Of course he got some regular, those people who stick to his coffee choices and live music performance, he just feels the needs to keep up with the market demand.

That’s why, Minho stupid dinner night invitation is not preferable at the moment. Dinner is always good, actually – it is a belief he walked by since he knew how to chew solid meals –, but his friend’s agenda entailed is too tacky for 35 years old Jinki.

“Come on, Jinki. You just need to be present.”

“For what?”

“Moral support?”

“Moral support doesn’t involve selling your friend soul to get what you need.”

“For God’s sake, stop using the term selling. I’m not a pimp!”

“Yet,” he moved to check the espresso machine and snapped his finger to call one of his employees. A young man walked closer, and when he pointed to the machine, he just nodded and started inspecting the machine, “You’re actually worse than my Aunt. She gave up finding a perfect spouse for me a while ago. And here you are trying to drag me to one of your wild hunting season because the other end wouldn’t show up with the prey if you didn’t bring me as the offer.”

“You made it sounds like thousand times worse.”

“It does!”

Minho massages his temples once again, clearly forgot that his friend is too hard-headed sometimes, “I just asked you to go for a dinner with me and my friend who happened to tell me he would bring his friend as well.”

“Who happened to be potentially the new man Choi Minho would take back home at night.”

“Only if everything went well of course!”

“And by well you mean I got matched with your friend then said friend would let you take his friend, am I right?”

“I always thought you’re the smarter one between both of us.”

***

It all started two weeks behind, at one night before Minho took the flight for a shoot in Spain. The editor in chief personally appointed him as the main photographer for the autumn spread for the magazine. He lived in Spain for almost six months for his ‘Iberian Rendezvous’ photobook released on January. Everyone fell in love immediately with the book. Not only because he did very good job on the story line of the book, but also because at some point he used the tripod and captured himself at the roof top of La Muralla Roja, giving all the summer vibe with the pinkish wall, vast ocean, and of course his all tanned sun-kissed skin. That one photo itself got the book on the bestseller shelf for six weeks nonstop.

After the last briefing before the team took off, he went to his favorite bar where he met Taemin, a partner he worked with on one project about street style.

“Spain?”

“Yeah, Barcelona supposed to be the main. But I’m still not sure about that decision.”

“Dude, but you’re flying tomorrow.”

“That’s what brought me here. I couldn’t shake that off of my mind, you know. I mean, they hired me because I’m more familiar with Spain. But then they came up with Barcelona, which couldn’t be more mainstream. If they wanted to do Barcelona shoot since the very beginning, any photographer will do! There’s no need to contact my agent and book me.”

“I would kill to go to Barcelona again.”

“Too crowded, too noisy, too many tourist. Just like you and your friend.”

“Leave me and my friend alone, you tall giant!”

Minho almost fell off his chair laughing his ass hard, “You’re really cute when you’re mad, you know that?”

“And you’re too ugly and nasty when you’re drunk. That’s it,” he took the glass from Minho’s grip which earned him some adult baby whining, “You got yourself a flight tomorrow, young man.”

“The flight is by midnight. And I’m not the one who flies the plane.”

“If you started the flight with headache, you’re going to have headache the whole trip.”

“Where and when did you learn all this stuff?”

“My friend who you’re always mocking is actually much better adult. And you should thank him he made me into quite decent human being.”

“Should I pay my respect, bow to him, or offer my heart to this noble man?”

Minho might still under influence of those bitter aperol, but in Taemin’s ears, his words sound like a perfect jingle of new world advertisement, lured him off just enough.

“You know what? I have an idea.”

“Sure you have an idea, if not, how can you survive in this hella competitive world? Your creativity so far saved your ass from starvation.”

“No, no, listen. My friend is nice and you’re not so bad,” Minho annoyed ‘hey’ halts him for a second, “Why don’t I introduce both of you to each other? I don’t see any harm on it.”

“Surely you never had seen me in bed, Honey.”

“You wish,” Taemin gulped down his rum cola down and asked the bartender to give him any other stuff, apparently, rum is not for him.

“So what are you saying? You’ll introduce me to your dear friend?”

An apparent smirk appeared on Taemin’s face under the dim of light, “Baby, there’s nothing in this cruel world that is free.”

“When people said you are cunning, I didn’t believe it. Your innocent eyes are pretty convincing.”

“I learned from the best.”

“And I am very glad I could teach you whatever I got, truly a diligent apprentice.”

An apparent eyes-rolling scene landed on Taemin’s face, “Let’s say.. We can try this restaurant that I always passed every single time I went to my office.”

“Too fancy. I hate restaurant.”

“You should learn to like it, the man you’re about to meet very fond of night out involving tasty supper.”

“He can get tasty supper back home.”

“You and your squalid mind, intrigue me and disgust me at the same time.”

“My charm indeed, my darling,” Minho’s giggling too much he almost fell the tall bar stool Taemin needs to use his fast reflect to catch him by the shoulders.

“Anyway, I’ll let you touch his pristine skin if you brought some dishes to table as well.”

“You know I don’t coo—oh.”

“Get it?”

“You’re an evil, yet the most brilliant man I’ve ever met.”

“That’s why I don’t date you, Baby.”

“Fair enough.”

“So are we deal?”

“Sold. I’ll return from Spain by the end of the month. Text me whenever you’re available.”

“No, Minho. Text me whenever you’re available.”

So here he is, two days after landed and 24 hours jet lag, begging Jinki to be his sort of plus one. Not the ordinary plus one, because Minho’s coming for hunting. Taemin already at the top of his wits, told him not bother to come if he’s walking to the restaurant by himself.

But Jinki settled his mind only to the matters which gave him benefit. At this moment, taking care of his jazz café before the rustic theme eating up its own existence. Dating is not something he pursued these day, nor live action of Tinder.

“One last time, Jinki. One last time. If this one doesn’t work, I’d stop dragging you with me.”

“You said these at least four times already, Choi. You think I just befriended you yesterday? You don’t need me anyway. I’d be lump of rock there sitting restlessly and by the end of the night, would just embarrassed myself by spilling someone’s food onto their perfect dress shirt.”

“So your answer is no?”

“You heard that already twenty minutes ago.”

“I’m never been this desperate before.”

He is indeed, that’s what crossed Jinki’s mind when he saw the destitute looks on Minho’s face. His best guess, Minho is actually having issues on something else. The way he tried to get out from there though, is to vent everything up on completely different matters to divert his mind.

“True. And I barely know you at this very second. Why are you so distracted? Where is this composure you always talk me into it?”

“I don’t know, I really don’t know. This is the first time I feel helpless. And the idea of someone choosing the perfect option to me is too tempting. As if at the end everything isn’t ended as I expected, I could just blame someone else. Because it wasn’t me who picked them at the first place.”

Jinki hang the apron he had on the side of the tall credenza. He moved to the old piano by the corner and started to clean it, as gently as possible. He doesn’t want to ruin the only love evidence left from his grandfather.

“It’s always easier to blame someone else. But we won’t go anywhere near that way.”

“Too early for some lecture,” Minho parched to Jinki’s side, “If you help me this time, I’ll shoot your café and put it in my blog. How’s that?”

Any deal regarding his café always irked Jinki’s head. He knew what his friend’s talking about, that very blog, at least got 2000 hits every single day. And it’s probably the only way out from the slump catching his business at the rear end. But he’s also a man of his word.

“Don’t tell me we’re negotiating, because I’m not.”

“Your voice says different thing.”

“It’s just because I’m upset you’re ruining what supposed to be a new day for me to keep my business running. With the amount of fame you have, you’d have no idea how some people are struggling to meet every day’s end.”

“That’s why I made you this proposal. It’s a win-win solution. You came to the dinner, it’s on me, no worries, you only need to put some nice and clean pants, you probably meet some handsome faces, and I’ll take care of your marketing.”

“No wonder you have long list of people kissing your feet.”

“Is this a yes?”

“I’m only available on Thursday. No rescheduling because I got some employees to feed.”

“You are the actual best.”

Jinki starts to play some tunes from Tchaikovsky, “Tell me something I don’t know.”

***

“A date? You literally got me a date?”

“What’s with the tone of surprise?”

Kibum removed his notebook from his laps, almost flying he marched to the side of Taemin’s desk, a perfect disbelief expression washed all over his face.

“Tell me this is because you left the part of me being an odd certified day-dreamer who has his head at least ten hours per day on the clouds when you described me to this said person.”

Looking at his friend of seven years Taemin could only serve his trademark flat unimpressed forced smile to Kibum before returned to his Wacom and started to fill his sketches with some colors.

“Judge by your tone, I can tell already that you’re excited.”

“Try terrified,” Kibum scoffed.

“It’s not like your first date after you got rescued from some weird cult bunker.”

“Don’t play Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on me.”

“You sounded you came out of it, though.”

Kibum doesn’t date. He does have several episodes of one night stands but in his life manual, none of those is considered a date. And imagining the scenario where he’s sitting in front of another person sober and without stuffing his own face on the other’s gave him goosebumps. How unreal. He sucks on dating, not because he’s an asshole. He just happened to get bored very easily. And if the company couldn’t excite him with the flow of conversation, there would be only two choices left, call it off or bring it home.

“You know I don’t date.”

“Hmm, you might as well start to. He’s a friend of mine.”

“Doesn’t guarantee he would make a very nice date.”

Taemin lazily looked up to meet Kibum’s gaze.

“What do you need? Face? Checked. Build? Checked. Wallet? Checked. Ass? Double checked, assessed thoroughly, approved and great quality certified.”

Sometimes Kibum wonders what’s inside Taemin’s head besides shoes and men, “Does he know already what I do for a living?”

Kibum is actually very particular with people he would deal with, he’s very proud of what’s he doing even though people sometimes look down on it.

“Besides being my pimp, no, he doesn’t.”

The man before him tossed one of the dinosaur figurines lined up on the desk.

“Ouch! What the heck?!” he stopped his activity and rearranged the dinosaurs back – no one should ever mess with his toy collection –, “Next Thursday, dinner is on the gentleman.”

“Oooh,” Kibum coos, “Fancy.”

He then detached himself from the chair and collected his MacBook Air from the couch where he left it since he arrived.

“He’s just being himself.”

“We’ll see. Gotta check my schedule first.”

“I’ve called your assistant. You have no event on that day.”

“You are a snake.”

“Proud Slytherin over here.”

“Whatever. Smooch you later!”

He walked towards the glass door of Taemin’s workspace, train of thoughts filled his mind for such out of nowhere date night.

“Bum.”

“Yeah?” his hand lingering by the handle of the door, ready to push it, but he cocked his neck in the direction of Taemin.

“I forgot to mention, it’s a double date night.”

“I should have known better that you’re a man with agenda.”

***

Jinki pushed the door of the restaurant after two times rechecking his phone, because, hell, the restaurant is too fancy for his preference. It’s not about what he can or cannot afford, but fancy restaurant tends to be overprice for something he knew he could get it in so much better offer. Plus, he needs to dress up on certain level. Again, it’s not about what he can or he cannot make a fashion statement, but overthinking about his outfit just not something he would use his time up for.

“Table for how many?”

“I have reservation.”

“Oh, which name if I may?”

“Choi Minho.”

“Ah, the gentleman arrived twenty minutes ago, Sir. Very draped, for sure. This way.”

Judging by the look of the usher, he already thought Jinki was Minho’s date. Unnecessary smug and scanning from head to toe over him, told everything. He doesn’t mind at all, he doesn’t care actually. All he needs to know is that friend of him going to pay all of the expense tonight and keep his promise to promote his cafe or he would cut the friendship right away.

“Five minutes ago I wasn’t sure you’re appeared before me. But look at you, killer turtle neck and even put your watch on.”

Minho smirked right away when Jinki dragged the chair in front of him. He gave his coat to the usher who took it diligently and wait for him to leave before flopped his ass down.

“Well, look at you. The symbol of tardiness itself already standby before the show time. I don’t know should I applaud on it or cry over your display of desperation.”

“Would it hurt you if just for once not to be sarcastic?”

“I’m just being honest. Courtesy talk tired me.”

“And being mean turned you on.”

“I’ll take that as compliment.”

“Compliment my ass.”

“Cannot see it unless you’re standing, but I’m pretty sure you prepared your best for whatever your friend will introduce you to.”

“So are you, I guess. Purposely wearing something that drawing some good lines of your pecks. You’re quite desperate as well.”

“Only because I need to save my business. That’s all,” a waiter come to serve him the wine Minho chose a while ago, “And this. If someone buys me drinks or dinner, I should be grateful. That’s how my grandfather told me.”

“Have no idea you gramp should be proud or throw a pity on you.”

“Neither, he would probably just read quietly by the corner of his room and ignored the whole universe happening around him.”

Minho failed to notice some resentment over his buddy’s tone, and Jinki couldn’t be more relieved. Silently he picked up the menu and studied it while Minho’s busy typing something by his phone.

Choi Kermit : where the heck are you?

Choi Kermit : I won’t hesitate to kill if you bailed out

The Taem : chillax dude

The Taem : coming over in ten minutes, fucken traffic

The Taem : you have the goods on your arm?

Choi Kermit : you have the goods on your arm?

The Taem : well played, Choi

Choi Kermit : stop blabbering and get your ass over here

“Can you speed it up?”

“Excuse me?” Kibum dramatically cocked his head to his left, almost losing himself trying to kill Taemin by pushing him far to the window, “You’re the one who still had a meeting until six!”

“In my defense, I had no idea that the artist already agreed to the design proposal and wanted to proceed right away talking about production and operational!”

The restaurant is only two blocks away, and Kibum taps the wheel rapidly, slightly more frantic than before. No, no, not because the traffic is getting worse, it’s because he’s going to meet someone who high potentially hurting him somewhere near the future. Mind the sappiness and angsty vibe, Kim Kibum is a writer after all. He got his bills covered by succumbing into his sadness and made words over it.

“Bum.”

“Yeah?”

“Relax. You’ll be okay.”

“What do you mean? I am completely okay. Just the traffic plus rain plus rush hour, why shitty hell like this had their gut ruining my mood? It starts to get on my nerves.”

“Dude, you’re just meeting my friend. He’s not some investor whatsoever who gonna judge your book poorly before betting his money to make a movie of it.”

“Heck it’s better if he’s an investor.”

“Point is, you have no need to impress some people. I know you did this to me, but if your date tonight makes you uncomfortable, then leave it. Have your meal and bye, no pressure, really.”

“Are you being serious?” Kibum scoffed and wheeled his car to the left, “I can see the front door of the restaurant already from here and you being oh-so-wise lecturing me about how I should behave tonight? Unbelievable.”

Taemin cracks while Kibum makes sure he parked properly. He didn’t say anything after turned off the engine and collecting his bag from the back seat. Those bow lips still perfectly zipped even when he checked himself on the rear mirror.

“Oh, so you give me silent treatment now?!”

“Zip it, Lee Taemin. I’m preparing my show. Who knows I’m going home with both?”

He winked, leaving his black Mini Cooper and loudly laughing Taemin inside.

***

When the usher pointing his hand to the table across the room where two men are casually talking to each other while sipping their wine. What makes him let out silent gasp is the fact that neither of them he could put on his shame-on-you box, an imaginary box he created himself back when he’s still 18 years old to put some people who by the face already looks like mean person. Both are equally gorgeous and seem friendly. He started to swallow all the curse he saved for Taemin.

“Which one you said you’re going to introduce to me, again?”

Taemin smirks, knowing that his friend is not mad anymore, “The one with the turtle neck.”

“You blind? Or stupid? Both of them wearing turtle neck.”

He closed the gap and whispered, “Torturing you gave me more pleasure, Kim Kibum.”

“Masochist.”

“That’s what I like, Baby.”

“You’re disgusting. Stop it before I lose my appetite.”

Both men by the table haven’t caught two people walking their direction yet. They’re still arguing the chance of Minho would deliberately forget their deal. Jinki bet his money on Minho bailed out because the man introduced to him is a moron. Minho on the other hand, still believed, Jinki would fall in love faster to the other man way faster than Minho would be able to land a kiss to the date.

“Am I interrupting?”

Taemin nonchalantly approaching Minho’s right’s side, making the later cocking his head in surprise. Jinki managed to keep his composure and stayed in one of his series of poker face.

“Stop your nonsense and come here.”

Minho wrapped Taemin in casual hug, leaving Kibum standing awkwardly between a warm affection happening on one side and cold dagger stare shooting from the other one.

“Sorry, we’re late. I had unexpected meeting and the traffic was no joke.”

“No worries,” Minho smiles slightly wider when he face Kibum, leaving the later flustered, and ducked his head quickly while taking the chair next to Jinki, who seems still out of place and keep it quite all the time, “This is my friend Jinki.”

The said man only smile, nodding his head a bit, he wanted to ask Kibum if he needs any help with his stuffs but refrain himself to say so for the fear interfering someone’s comfort zone.

“Hi, Jinki. I’m Lee Taemin, and this is Kim Kibum over here.”

“Hi, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

For Jinki, the whole matchmaking shenanigan is a complete bullshit, still. But the smile just greets him, proves him that even if it’s way after the velvety dusk, sometimes you can still catch glimpse of rainbow after the rain.

***

#since i'm able to access tumblr again #here you go #my current obsession #not gonna reveal the pairing yet #because maybe i'd make a twist in the future #but anyway #enjoy for now #let me know what do you think about it #and also #while you're on it #do you think should i make ao3 acc or no?#shinee fiction #aya is writing again people #and hopefully this time works #love will find a way well eventually #LWFAWWE

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spajonas · 7 years ago

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Sunday Update - April 8, 2018

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Sit down and get comfortable. I haven’t done one of these in two weeks so I have plenty to share, y’all! Notice I said y’all. After a week in the South, it comes easy.

The week before Easter went about as well as expected. The weather was still crap, and there were a few things we had to do that made things difficult, but we got everything done before vacation. Easter weekend was nice too. We went to my in-laws on Long Island to have Easter Sunday brunch and dinner and do an Easter egg hunt in the yard. It’s tradition, and we love it. The weather was lovely for the day too! Bright and sunny and warm enough outside to be without a jacket.

Then that night and the very next day, it snowed. OF COURSE IT SNOWED. Because we were to leave on vacation. The snow stopped mid-morning, we dug ourselves out, and then we left to drive to JFK to get our flight. We got really lucky and hit absolutely no traffic on the way there. I don’t think we’ve ever made it to JFK in under an hour but we did. Once we were checked in, we ate sushi at the fancy sushi restaurant in the Jet Blue terminal and then waited for our flight. Our flight was a little delayed but not too bad. We got the kids pizza for dinner on the plane and my husband and I had sandwiches. We made it to my parents later than we would’ve liked but we were on vacation!

Tuesday, we went to the beach after my husband and my dad got back from golfing. Then we had dinner at a great restaurant nearby.

Wednesday, my husband and I went on to see some historic houses in Charleston, and we had lunch in the city then dinner back at home.

On Thursday, my mom and I took the kids to the Children’s Museum in the city, had lunch out, then my husband and I had our traditional yearly date out for dinner and drinks without the kids.

On Friday, we went to the beach in the morning and it was just lovely. The weather was cool and there was no traffic down to the beach! When we were done there, we went out to lunch and I had a huge bucket of crab. Mmmmmm. Then I met up with fellow author, Sarra Cannon, for coffee and we talked for almost 3 hours straight! It was so good to see her and hang out.

On Saturday, we flew home in the morning and were home by 1pm. Vacation was over. 🙁 It always goes by so quickly!!

All in all, I got some writing done and some reading too! Not a bad way to end my vacation. Today, we’re just getting back into the swing of things because school starts back up tomorrow and so does work. Real life continues!

What else happened these past two weeks?

Spring is starting to show its face around here…

The turtles at our park lake are even out!

I made homemade croutons when I ran out. They’re yummy.

Finally decided to try some of these fancy Japanese KitKats. These were the purple yam variety and they were pretty tasty.

I’ve been trying to convince myself to read more lately. Quiet time on the couch with my Kindle is nice.

Scenes from Easter Sunday. My youngest daughter got Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets from the Easter Bunny. We had an Easter Egg Hunt with the family, and my kids got a lot of eggs!

Yep, we got a lot of snow the night before we left on our trip.

But we made it to the airport to have sushi at the fancy restaurant.

Scenes from our first day in South Carolina. I love all these new colorful houses around my parents. The cat loves her perch on the windowsill. My kids love feeding the turtles in the pond in my parents’ neighborhood. And then the beach! It took us a while to get there, but we made it.

I had some tasty drinks on the this vacation. The first was a Limoncello sake that was really good and then Austin Eastcider’s Blood Orange cider! Mmmm.

We spent all day on Wednesday touring historic houses in Charleston and then found this place called Miller’s All Day for tea and coffee before we Ubered a car to our car parked on the other side of the city. Man, Charleston was packed that day!

We started our Friday with an Easter egg hunt and the beach, then a big bucket of crab for lunch!

I dropped off a few of my books in this Little Free Library! If you want to read them, go to the Ocean Neighbors neighborhood on James Island. The Little Free Library is right inside the entrance next to its welcome sign.

And one of the best parts of my trip was meeting up with fellow author, Sarra Cannon. We had coffee together and just talked talked talked for hours. It’s funny how we’ve known each other for years online and had never met in person before Friday, yet, it was like we were old friends. We have a lot of the same thoughts about writing and publishing, so it was like being with a kindred spirit. I hope to see her again next time I’m in town!

And now I’m back home and ready to get back to work!

youtube

Here’s some video of our trip too!

Coming up this week on the blog: Another Top Ten Tuesday, a Writing Update, and a Book Chat! See you back here real soon.

Sunday Update – April 8, 2018 was originally published on S. J. Pajonas

#Instagram #life #Sunday Update #vacation #video #writing

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canaryatlaw · 7 years ago

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So today was all around pretty sweet. Got out of bed at my alarm at 7, like a good girl, and went to work. Work was a bit of a scramble, I did a lot of different things so I may not recount all of them perfectly. I started with more jail phone calls, which I did at other points in the day as well. Nothing super interesting came out today other than the mom like cursing out her 16 year old daughter and saying she didn't want to see her when she gets out of prison, because she's clearly an awful person. But like, mom's not even a party on this case because she never came forward, despite giving birth to the child???? Idk, it's weird. Stupid. So I did that until around 11 when I had the interview scheduled for, so I called the juvenile correctional facility (proper name) and got bounced around a few times until I got the guy I was talking to yesterday who then put the kid on the phone. I know it's like, basically a jail, but it still kind of bugs me that they refer to them as "offenders" or "inmates." We're always very intentional with our language because they're our clients, so we make sure to always refer to them as such. But anyway. I wasn't sure what to expect from him, I want to say he's like 17 or so, and basically I was interviewing him because he's set to get out at the end of the month and there's a CIPP next week for him to try and figure out a placement. He was actually really polite, very "yes m'am" and such, and he seemed to be in a pleasant mood and I'm sure fairly excited at the prospect of getting out. He gave mostly one word questions, which to be fair is all that was really required for a lot of the questions. He was not enrolled at school at the facility (don't know how that works) but when he gets out he wants to get his GED and go on to college to study music, with his future plans being to "inspire people in the same situation I'm in through my music" so hey, good for him. As far as placement he wants to go live with his aunt in Texas, which is somewhat questionable because she used to to be his guardian but he got returned to the system because his behavioral problems were giving her "high blood pressure" (smh). But relative placements are generally a good thing, so that may work. Overall it was pretty short, but I got all the info I needed so I'm counting it as a win. I wrote it up as a narrative afterwards then went back to the phone calls. At one point my boss gave me some stuff to work on, but I ended up going back to the phone calls until I could review them with that lawyer towards the end of the day. I had gone through my notes and highlighted the important stuff, where they talked about evading DCFS or when their relationship was particularly evident (given that they're not supposed to be together, according to his testimony). So that was good. Afterwards I didn't have very much time left, but I started on an assignment my boss had given me regarding a client who essentially went missing, but is supposedly living in a city in Illinois with her mom, so she wanted me to call the caseworker and see if I could find her on Facebook or anything. Caseworker didn't answer, so I moved on to Facebook. Apparently another lawyer had tried a few months ago and didn't get any results. Well, my web sleuthing skills tend to be pretty good, and I was able to locate a potential profile for the mom that was friends with a profile with the same name as the daughter, with other contextual clues pointing to them, so that could be a potential lead, though there's no information posted publicly so we'd have to have the investigation unit message them apparently. I also did a people search on lexis which is apparently something you can do, and it turned up one Illinois address in a town not too far from the one we were told they were living in, so that's a potential lead to probe when I get back. And yeah, then it was 2:30 and I headed out. Got an uber pretty quickly, nice driver if a little quirky, when he heard I was gonna head to O'hare shortly after going home and grabbing my things he asked if he could hang around and do it as one trip and I said sure, so when we got home I just ran in and changed, then through some things in my bag and headed back out, which was all I really needed to do. My downstairs neighbor, the dad, was outside playing with his two adorable children, and when I was walking in the little boy stood in the middle of the sidewalk and tried to like, growl at me, but it was actually the cutest thing I've ever heard and I could not stop laughing lol. Then on my way out a few minutes later he decided he was a puppy and wanted me to pet him, and then his sister decided she was one too and between the two of them it was just so darn cute it made me smile. We hit the road again and hit a little bit of traffic getting to the airport but still got there right on time so no worries there. It's probably my most expensive uber trip, it came out to like $65, but I was in the car for like, 2 hours, so it was a significant amount of distance lol. The airport wasn't very crowded, which is always a relief in this city. Checked my bag quickly, then got through security in just a few minutes. When I stepped out of the scanner machine the guard made a quirk about having to do a field sobriety test because I had two different socks on, and I was like.....really? And he was like no I'm just joking haha then asked if it was intentional and I told him it was. It was a bit of a trek to the gate, all the way at the far end of the terminal, and I thought I was lost at one point but I was actually headed in the right direction. So I got down there and surveyed the scene, saw that they hadn't started boarding yet and probably wouldn't for a little bit, so I walked back and bought a sandwich and some granola since the flight wasn't gonna get in until 8:46 (supposedly, anyway). So I sat at the gate and ate my sandwich, as we waited, and waited, and waited. We were told we were just waiting on the crew and we should be boarding "soon," and it would only set us back 15 minutes. Alright, fair enough. We did eventually board, and there was some confusion with seating and I got bumped up one row from where my ticket said but that wasn't a big deal of course. So then we boarded the plane and waited some more. We were like, set to go, phones on airplane mode and everything, but then ended up sitting for a while longer waiting for our turn to go, and soon enough it was 6:30 when the flight was supposed to take off at 5:30....sigh. So I turned my phone off airplane mode for a second to let the guy who was picking me up know this, and then we took off shortly after that. The flight itself was fine, it took them pretty long to get the drinks out but I didn't really care lol. As has been my tradition for flights lately, I read the fanfiction I had earlier downloaded offline to my phone. Read some short stories and one fairly long one, and enjoyed them all quite a bit. We ended up landing around 9:10, so not too bad from our expected arrival time (note the time difference as well). Got off the plane and headed to baggage claim, the terminal was pretty much deserted, our flight was the only people there. Baggage came soon enough, and then my ride showed up. Since my parents absolutely refuse to go to laguardia airport since they're slightly nuts and hate it (it is a pain in the ass but they're unreasonable about it) they always just have our family friends who own a limo service send somebody out to get me. Tonight it was the dad of the family, who I know pretty well of course. It was a decent length ride back, so we talked about different things, I shared about my job and he wanted to know how I handled the more heartbreaking elements of it and such, and we talked a bit about the current political climate, though I chose my words very carefully since I knew he was a Trump fan (or used to be anyway, I don't know how he feels about him now). We were talking about the poverty problem and I basically just framed it as whether you believe in public or private funding, as Christians we are called to help the poor, and the attitude of simply being apathetic and even demeaning towards them is all too common in Christian circles and simply antithetical to what the bible says, and I think he definitely agreed with that. Overall it was a pleasant ride. Got home around 10:30, but everyone was still up and around (save my younger brother, who's always out doing something with somebody and never really around). So we talked and ate and just hung out for a little while, and made some more plans for tomorrow after the baby shower as well as for our city trip on Sunday, just figuring out the mechanics and all that. I'm excited for the baby shower for sure. They asked that instead of cards everyone bring a children's book and inscribe it, so they could read them all to their child. I had gotten the book Corduroy off amazon and had it shipped to the house since that was my favorite book when I was a little kid, so I wrote a little message in the front entitled "dear little one" and signed "Aunt Rachel" which just made me feel really happy to write because ahhhhh I love children and no matter if I end up in New York or not I am most definitely going to be around for this child's life and be Aunt Rachel, just as she was my cousin growing up and her mom was my aunt (though of course we have no blood relation, I always still refer to her as my cousin and she does the same). So yeah, I'm super excited for that. And then I'll apparently go to the fair that's in town with my sister for a bit and then I'm making sure we go to see Wonder Woman because I need to see this movie and cannot wait any longer. But yeah, good day and I'm happy to be home. Should be lots of fun over the next two weeks and I'm looking forward to it. That's it for now. Goodnight sweethearts. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

#daily journal #June 2017

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fredericksmeg-blog · 8 years ago

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Amsterdam.

This blog is coming to you late. This is so time-consuming and I keep deciding to sleep instead of sitting down and writing. But here it is, no promises on quality, in 3 parts.

Today, you get Part I: Amsterdam.

On Thursday (the 19th), I woke up, made breakfast, and mentally prepared myself for our flight to Amsterdam. I’m a fundamentally stressed individual, so I packed and unpacked and packed again. Around 2:30, we (me, Bri, Natalie, Jasmine, Bridget, and Sarah) took the tube to the Victoria Rail Station to catch a train to Gatwick. The train ride was nice and sunny and we made it to Gatwick in plenty of time. We sat in an EAT while we waited for our gate to open, boarded our plane, and zipped off to the Netherlands. After we landed and went through passport control, we just stood in the beautifully decorated arrivals terminal and stared at the different outbound train platforms because it was all in Dutch and no one knew what to do. In the end we pretty much just ended up winging it and made it on a train to the Central Train station.

Sarah bravely led us to our hostel (sorry Nat, the “H-word”), which was a bit of a shock for all of us initially: it was everyone’s first experience with a hostel and definitely Natalie’s last experience with a hostel. We stayed in a mixed dorm with 20 beds, and some of there were already full when checked in – Amsterdam was dark and kinda shady when we got there at 11, so none of us felt great about that. We went to get food right away, and each of us ate a whole pizza. After that, we met Emily and Kaileen (they flew in later) as they checked in. I made my peace with the hostel and took a shower (honestly, nice showers), put some earplugs in, and passed out. Any anxiety I had about the hostel went away pretty quickly. I would do it again, but I definitely don’t speak for everybody when I say that.

On Friday we woke up in home sweet hostel, got ready, and walked across the city to get brunch at a magical, New Zealand-style café called Bakers and Roasters. I added to my eggs benedict tour of Europe and it was fantastic. A bunch of us got mimosas and Natalie accidentally had 6 shots of espresso. Sarah, Kaileen and I all ordered coffees that were actually espresso, and since Natalie got extra shots in her latte, we thought they were for her. After brunch, Natalie led the herd (punch-dancing all the way there) to the Anne Frank House, which was a completely unreal experience.

I think I read the Diary of Anne Frank in 6th or 7th grade. It is unbelievable to come into the physical space that she lived her life in hiding, having almost 10 years of background on the subject. It feels like it’s not real but you know it is. The rooms in the Annex are all empty, Otto Frank wanted it to reflect the fact that the people who lived in them are gone too. Overall it was a really sobering experience. At the end there was a video of lots of famous people and visitors talking about Anne Frank. Emma Thompson gave a speech there, where she said, “All her would-haves are our opportunities.” That summed up the way the visit left you feeling.

Honestly, I cannot shake that I went to the Anne Frank House on the day that Trump was inaugurated. After this week, that visit feels so important and impactful and also terrifying.

After that visit, we went across the canal to look at the Tulip Museum (gift shop, not the real deal), and visit the Amsterdam Cheese Museum, which was nothing less than a religious experience for me. So many cheese samples, great photo opportunities: 5 stars. Then we wandered for an hour or two. Some of us got some snacks and we camped out along the canal for a bit before we headed back across the city for dinner at a burger restaurant called Geflipt. We were there for a solid few hours, ordering drinks and then an appetizer platter of traditional Dutch snacks. My favorite, aside from the cheese and meats, were bitterballen, which are literally fried balls of gravy. Amazing. Why do we not have that in the United States. After dinner we went back to the hostel, regrouped, and a few of us went to a hostel bar nearby. It was pretty uneventful and we got back before midnight to prep for the next day.

On Saturday we woke up a little earlier than the day before and walked to De Carrousel for breakfast. Most of us got poffertjes, which are Dutch mini pancakes with butter and powdered sugar. They were amazing and now I’m hungry for them while I’m typing this. After breakfast we walked across the street to the Heineken tour, which was a necessity for this visit. Obviously Heineken isn’t my favorite, but it was a fun time and it’s pretty ingrained in the culture there. We spent an hour touring, and about an hour at the rooftop bar, which was awesome and had a great view. Definitely a lot like the Guinness tour. We got two “free” beers at the end and just kinda hung out. Afterwards we headed to the Van Gogh Museum. We walked into their museum campus right as the Women’s March on Amsterdam was wrapping up!! That gave me so much positive energy. So many dogs, such a great show of solidarity across the world. I was blown away.

The Van Gogh Museum was easily one of the highlights of our trip. It was laid out so you could follow his life, floor by floor. I learned so much about him that I hadn’t known before, and it was all very emotionally charged. I stared at “Self Portrait with Gray Hat” for ages. It is amazing that you can look at one of his paintings for a bit, refocus on a piece of color, and then the whole painting looks different. I love the colors and how he sees them and applies them to scenes in real life. Alongside paintings by Monet and Daubigny, that I find really beautiful because of their realism, Van Gogh’s look so similar in setting but so different in form. Who would have thought that millions of people would find them as astonishing as they do. Definitely not him.

After the museum, we took some typical tourist pictures at the I Amsterdam sign, which was absolutely flooded with people. We went into a café for a little rest, and some people had snacks. We sat there for a while and tried to figure out what to do for dinner. Ultimately we ended up going to a restaurant called The Pantry that serves traditional Dutch food. We had some lovely goat cheese croquettes, Hutspot (mashed potatoes with beef, onions, and carrots and a smoked sausage), and a wonderful cheese platter. When we were done eating, we walked through the Jewish Quarter of the city and stopped for hot chocolate; it was really cold in Amsterdam the whole time we were there, so frequent stops were necessary. After that we walked through the red light district, because you know, we were there and we kinda had to. On our way back to the hostel, we stopped for desserts. We got back, went to sleep, and got ready to leave for the airport early the next morning.

Our flight on Sunday was at 10-ish am, so we had to leave for the airport around 7. We took a train there, got breakfast, and hopped on our flight. I passed out on the plane easily. We took off at 10:25 and landed at 10:45 because time zones are fun. After a relatively quick tube home, not too much happened. I unpacked, made some food, touched based with my parents, and facetimed Will for the first time since Wednesday to tell him all about our weekend. :)

Overall, Amsterdam was one of the weirdest and coolest places I’ve ever been. I wish I had done a little more research before I went but it is what it is. I saw what I really wanted to see and got to walk pretty much the whole city. I feel like the Netherlands are so unique, I kept trying to compare it to other places I’ve been but couldn’t really pinpoint it. It had an Eastern European vibe about it, but it had an edgier feel (I don’t even think that’s the right word). I loved all of the bikes, trams, and overall lack of car traffic. The bikes are big and clunky, with bells and baskets and large handlebars. The Dutch are definitely the most aggressive bikers I’ve ever seen and I wish it wasn’t so cold so I could have tried. But yeah, Amsterdam. Very interesting culturally and especially architecturally. I had a great time on that trip despite its hiccups, and would love to go back there when I’m older and have myself a little bit more together.

Traveling with 8 people was a bit of a challenge, and it’s probably not going to happen again for the rest of our time here, because everyone kind of has their own plans. It was nice to do our first trip as a big group though, I’m a big fan of the people I’ve met here and I’m laughing pretty much constantly when we’re together. If any of you are reading this, thx for dealing with me.

There it is! Hopefully tomorrow I can post about the rest of my week. Thanks for reading this mess.

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masstoafrica1-blog · 8 years ago

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Training, Funding, and Inbetweens

Well, friends, I'm at training! It's been a long, bumpy, rut-filled road in several ways, and the journey isn't over. Since I last posted, there's been a lot going on, in almost every area of my life. I was able to spend the holidays with my family (who was in town) and several close friends. Over Thanksgiving, my brother's proposed! I had the opportunity to see my Uncle Chris, and tell my extended family about this trip. Over the last few months, I have been overwhelmingly grateful for my friends, both old and new, who have given me so much encouragement and grace. They have supported, strengthened, and taught me. Not the least of which lessons was one of humility and thankfulness. Then, there's fundraising. After my last post, I had an almost inescapable feeling of discouragement and doubt. It seemed like this trip was an impossible dream I had one night. I doubted whether or not God wanted me to go, and wondered if I had imagined all of the assurances of his will thus far. When I initially applied for the trip, and was waiting for a response and what to do if I was accepted, I asked a couple friends who had been to Africa about their individual trips and experiences there. Both conversations were incredibly illuminating and had a huge impact on my decision to join this team. One of these people asked me, "Is there anything you can think of that would stand in the way of you going?" All I could think of was if my application was not accepted. He was surprised. "Really? Nothing? Not even finances?" I thought for a moment, and replied honestly, "No." In the next few months since receiving a spot on this team in August, I remembered many things about these conversations, but none more clearly than that moment. I couldn't figure out how I had gone from complete confidence, to next to none. I entered a dark time in my faith. On the outside, I remained excited and hopeful, but inside I felt stranded. I stopped pushing towards my goals. I stopped praying and reading the Word not long after. I didn't know what was happening in and around me, and I didn't know what to do. I became apathetic, drained, and exhausted, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I stopped growing closer to God. During all of this, I was rejected twice more for a venue for a spaghetti supper. I ordered T-shirts, which had an awesome reception as an idea, but when they came in, no one bought any. I held a Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A of Chicopee, and a lot of people came, which encouraged me individually and as a whole. As though to say, "yes, it's possible, and it's real this dream." When I learned the total amount raised that night, I felt grateful, knowing well how every little bit counts, but I also felt worthless, that it may be possible to raise enough, but it would take a miracle. By the middle of November, the only options I really thought I had were to contact churches I knew in the area, and to go door-to-door selling T-shirts and asking for donations. At first, I still received very little response. Then one night I made a number of decisions, the first of which was to pull an all nighter. I had a late shift followed by an early shift, and I didn't trust myself to wake up in time. Plus, I had a lot of things I both wanted and needed to get done, so why not be productive if I'm not going to get much sleep either way? When I got home that night, I checked my pockets and realized that I must have left my phone in my friend's car. I decided to leave it be, I would see her tomorrow, and in the mean time I had my laptop for the online stuff. I gather my supplies in a pile on the bed. In the midst of it I see my Bible and my memory verse packet from my last overseas trip in 2014. I immediately challenge myself to see how many I can remember, and start going through them. After the first couple, they all came flooding back, bringing with them the ways that I applied each to my life on a day to day basis. I start praying in between each card. I lamented everything to God, how discouraged and apathetic I had become, my gratefulness for what had been done, and my fear that it wasn't what he had for me right now or ever. Suddenly, in the midst of this, two sentences entered my mind. "Trust in the Lord. How do you know the time is not now when you have given up so easily?" I finished the packet, and picked up my Bible. I read the beginning chapters of Proverbs, and the ending chapters of Revelation. By the end of that half hour in the Word, I knew what I needed to do. I contacted Amanda, the woman doing all the behind the scenes work for us, and asked what my options were if I did not make the deadline less than a week away. By the end of that week, I had new financial deadlines, and a fire I had never had in any of my previous fundraising. I was still struggling with worry, doubt, and discouragement, but I refused to give up. Things were harder, but better after that change. I started a GoFundMe page, and people gave more than $2000 in one week. In one specific door to door period, a friend and I raised almost $300. In the week following Christmas, I had started a Craigslist account and sold my furniture, and had one last spaghetti supper in the works. This one, thankfully, stuck. The response from the owner of Chick-Fil-A of Chicopee was almost instantaneous. I couldn't believe it was actually going to happen this time. There was barely more than a week to plan it out. In that time, Jackie and I walked the length of Memorial Drive (and beyond!) asking businesses for raffle donations and inviting compete strangers to supper Sunday night. An event was created on Facebook, quick updates were announced, plane tickets were purchased, and several friends and family came alongside to make sure that everything ran smoothly. Smoothly may not be the best word for the last 24 hours before the start of the dinner, but the phrase miraculous wonders works perfectly. A friend and coworker (Shannon) offered her car keys so I could run last minute errands. I was able to have some quality time with my second family, and say goodbye to one of them. There was a catering order that Saturday night that ended with a lot of extra food, which was graciously donated as chicken parm to add to the menu the next night. Jackie's pastor asked for a 1 minute video to play during announcements the next morning. I attended 2 church services Sunday morning, the first of which was LifePoints 8:30 service, where I was quickly brought to tears in worship. During the 15 minutes I could stay for College and Careers, I was able to say goodbye to my friend's, and be amazingly blessed as they prayed me out onto the mission field. The second service was at Cornerstone Church, where the pastor had Jackie and I come up and quickly recap the video. By the time we left her church that day, more than $700 had been given, and several had committed to attending that night. At the dinner, the people were amazing, assuring me that I had their prayers and support as I served. The food was just as good, and there was more than enough for everyone. The raffle went very well, and had some great prizes for a wide range of people. By the end of the night, over $1200 was raised, and I was beyond 75% funded (the minimum required to start training). As I said goodbye to friends and loved ones, I knew it was for 6 months, even though I still had almost $2000 to go before being fully funded. Thanks to some great friends, I was not allowed to clean up that night, and instead was sent home to pack. There was no question about whether or not I had started, it wasn't hard to guess. At 3 AM my friends pushed me and my gear into the car, and drove to the airport. I finished packing in the car half and hour after we parked. We went inside, checked my bag, emptied my water, and said goodbye to my beloved friends. Soon they were on their way to home and work, and I was skipping in and out of consciousness and taking pictures out of plane windows. When I landed in Fort Wayne Monday morning, I promptly checked my email. I learned that no one would be there or pick up any team members until 2 that afternoon, almost 5 hours away. I was exhausted, but alert and hungry. So, I bought a couple Pop Tarts and an orange juice and waited. By the time Emily (former Immersion team member, now Experience Mission Intern) came to pick us up, 2 of my team members had landed, and one had missed his flight. We were brought to the Summit, a retreat/training facility. Over the course of the afternoon and evening, we learned that there would be a total of 3 teams training at the same time: 3 Month Holy Land, 3 Month Caribbean (Jamaica, Haiti, and Costa Rica), and 6 Month Africa (Namibia, Lesotho, and South Africa). We spent he day laughing, talking, and asking questions. By the next morning, I felt as though I had known these people for weeks rather than hours, even though I still don't know some of their names on the other teams. We started classes at 9 AM Tuesday morning. They were all held together with all the staff present on one room. I can't imagine the amount of planning it must have taken, as each portion had so much detail and information. A major idea presented throughout the training is that our life has 4 main pictures or relationships: God, others, self, and creation (nature). Each picture is how we see each thing and the kind of relationship we have with each. As we go through life, we paint these pictures. We may start with broad generalized strokes, but as we learn and grow we progress to finer strokes and colors and textures, and the pictures each become clearer. Each day brings a new portion of this to challenge us to learn, ask questions, and make our faith, ours. I spent much of Tuesday afternoon researching what was in the sessions, because I left with a lot of questions. I first learned that I need to take better notes both in and out of class, because even though I had been paying rapt attention to the lessons, and had spent over 2 hours studying afterwards, I could hardly remember any of it the next day. Wednesday though, I feel as though I haven't stopped writing. There is so much to learn and absorb and share. As I continue this journey, and I learn more and apply what I learn, I will share more. At the moment, there is a certain overlapping of information that has yet to be processed. I'd like to thank you for bearing with me through this lengthy post, and for your support on this roller coaster getting here. I hope you will continue to learn and grow with me in this season as I share my experiences, the stories of the people I meet, and my progress in fundraising as I get closer to being 100% funded by February 8. If you have a question about me, my trip, or my team that you'd like answered, comment on this post, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you for your support, prayers, and guidance. God bless! Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

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