#texanhusker

[partytwinjess]

Reminding Me [MC x Chris] Also (MC x Zig) and (Becca x Chris)

Prompt: Round 16 of ChoicesCreates –

“Don’t ask me to say I don’t love you.”

Thanks to @hollyashton and @texanhusker for hosting this prompt that encouraged me to write for this wonderful fandom.

Summary: Chris writes a letter to MC after he tells her he isn’t ready for a serious relationship. Incidentally, MC does the same after they break up months later. In the end, there’s nothing but the memory of each other as they both try to move on.

*Author’s Note* This is my very first submission for ChoicesCreates, and this fandom, so please go easy on me. Side note, I blasted Reminding Me by Shawn Hook ft. Vanessa Hudgens, (hence the title), while writing this piece, and I highly recommend listening to it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

 Chris can’t believe his luck.

 He was assigned to five other roommates in his suite and so far none of them seemed like complete psychopaths. In fact, quite the opposite. They’re all actually really cool.

 It doesn’t hurt that the one named MC is insanely hot.

 He can’t take his eyes off her all night. It’s was the very first night that they were all getting to know each other as suitemates while playing Truth or Truth. MC and Chris had run into each other on campus before they even knew that they would be roommates. Then, next thing he knows, he’s staring at this beautiful girl across from him on the rooftop of their new suite. Could the day get any better for him?

 As the night wears on and the questions become more risqué, Kaitlyn turns to MC and asks her, “MC, Truth or Truth?”

 A bubbly laugh escapes her lips followed by a snort. While laughing, she almost falls into Kaitlyn. She’s clearly buzzed. They all are thanks to the boxed wine Kaitlyn bought.

 “Truth!”

 Kaitlyn gives her a sly smile as MC takes another sip from her plastic cup. “If you had to kiss someone on this roof…who would it be?”

 Chris’s mouth goes dry at the question.

 He internally scolds himself for thinking about kissing her as he’s just gotten over a long term relationship this past summer. He shouldn’t be so quick to just move on like that. However, there’s something about MC that attracts him. Her perfect pout. Her piercing eyes. Her smile. Her laugh.

 He chalks it up to the alcohol.

 MC pauses and peers at him from over the top of her red solo cup that she is still drinking. Chris can feel his heart hammering in his chest. Was she really going to say him? He thought it over while glancing at his other roommates. Zach was gay, no question. Tyler clearly seemed interested in Abbie and vice versa. The only other two people it came down to were him and Kaitlyn.

 She sets the cup back down and giggles. She’s killing him with the anticipation.

 “Hmm,” MC looks at everyone up and down playfully until her eyes once again land on his. “Chris.”

 It took everything in him not to shout from the rooftops: ‘Everyone! My roommate chose to kiss me! And did I mention she’s hot? Suck on that!’ However, the smile that spreads across his face can’t be masked.

 Everyone goes silent around them at her answer. The sexual tension between the two of them could be cut with a knife, it was so thick. Tyler and Abbie awkwardly made it clear they were uncomfortable by immediately drinking their drinks and acting like they didn’t hear what they just heard. Zach let’s out a high pitched laugh like he wants to be anywhere else than see his two new roommates eye fucking in front of him. Chis wouldn’t blame him. Kaitlyn seems just a tad bummed out, but otherwise encouraging of her two new friend’s behavior to see how far they’ll take it.

 “My turn,” MC smirks. “Chris. Truth or Truth? Would you want to kiss me back?”

 Chris cannot believe his luck.

 Later, they’re in MC’s room, and clothes are flying everywhere. Her tongue tastes like boxed wine alcohol, and he swears he could get drunk off this girl for the rest of his life.

It’s not until the morning after the seed of doubt is planted in his head. How could they even have a stable relationship when he just got out of one? What about the fact they live together? How could they just have sex after knowing each other less than 24 hours? He hardly knows her!

 As soon as everyone is back in the suite after their first day of classes, he begins to avoid MC. After a day or so of avoiding her, MC clearly has enough, and she corners him on the rooftop of their suite.

 “Do you regret it?” She ends up blurting out. She looks up at him, and he can see how much he’s hurting this girl.

 He looks at the floor. Anywhere but those eyes. “Of course not,” he sighs.

 That was true. He may have been tipsy, borderline drunk, but he remembers how right it felt with her underneath him. How he could picture her under him for the rest of his life. That thought scared him to death, though. This girl is beautiful, smart, and level-headed. How did he even try to match up to that when he was nothing more than a football jock?

 “Then why are you acting like I’m nothing more than a-a,” she pauses, seeming to search for the word. “A one night stand!?” She yells this to him while running a hand through her locks.

 “Just because I don’t regret it, doesn’t mean it should have happened,” he bites back. He can see the tears well up in her eyes at his response and he immediately starts to back pedal. Sighing and squaring up his shoulders, he says, “I just mean…I just got out of a relationship and I really didn’t expect to jump into another.”

 “I’m not asking for your hand in marriage, Chris,” MC scoffs. “Just to get to know each other.”

 He swallows the lump he feels forming in his throat. “I’m not ready,” he repeats.

 “If you keep telling yourself you’re not ready for something, the next thing you know it’s gone, and you’ve missed your chance,” MC whispers and turns around to run back down to the suite.

He meets Becca about a week later at a party. She seems like a pretty cool sorority girl. She’s easy on the eyes too, which doesn’t hurt. She’s super nice to him and invites him to all sorts of crazy sorority parties, leaving him with little time for his suitemates. He doesn’t quite understand why they’re upset over this. It’s a good thing to have other friends in his opinion.

 However, Becca has moved from friends to friends with benefits extremely fast. He can tell it kills MC whenever she sees them together and maybe that’s the real reason he hardly hangs out with his suitemates? The guilt he feels over what happened between them has pushed him away. He doesn’t like thinking too much into things, however.

 “Hey, Becca,” He smiles while setting down some boxed wined and two red solo cups in front of her. It’s been a month now since the events that transpired on the rooftop between him and MC.

 “What is this?” She laughs at him. Her laugh doesn’t quite compare to MC’s but it was cute in its own right, he guessed. Though, this time her laugh took on more of a mocking tone with him.

 “I say we could use a night of fun and maybe a game of Truth or Truth?” He smiles at her.

 She scrunches her nose up at the boxed wine on the counter beside them. “Chris…Sweetie…boxed wine is so not cool!” She takes the boxed wine and throws it out. “Now if you want something really good I have this wine that cost over $200. Also, it’s Truth or Dare and you need a group of people for that.” Chris’s eyebrows shoot up in shock as he watches her toss it in the trash.  “Don’t worry, I can pay you back for that,” Becca says seductively as she goes over to stand in front of him. She pushes her pelvis into his and pulls him down to her level with the collar of his shirt so she can suck on his neck.

 His eyes don’t leave the boxed wine in the trash. He doesn’t know why he bothered. MC and Becca are two completely different people. Why isn’t Becca enough for him?

 His body happily responds to Becca’s advances, but his heart seems to wander back to a certain roommate who had an appetite for boxed wine in solo cups.

Dear MC,

 She keeps reminding me of you.

 The night on the rooftop, and then what happened after that in your room, was one of the best nights of my life.

 I keep trying to recreate it with her. I tried giving her some boxed wine and she threw it out. She thinks Truth or Truth is stupid. I don’t feel anything when I’m with her. All I can think about is your smile and laugh when I’m around her. Call me oblivious, but something is clearly wrong when I try doing that night over again.

 I think we both know what, or rather who, that is.

 What I’m trying to say is…I’m ready, MC. I want to take the plunge with you. I want to be with you.

 You were right. I was scared of screwing things up with you, so I pushed you away. But if you’ll still have me, I’ll do my best to make you the happiest person in this whole universe.

 Yours Truly,

 Chris

 Chris almost let fear win out again, but ends up giving his letter to her at their formal. He and Becca were over. They weren’t ever really together to begin with, but Chris is nothing if not a gentleman. So, he told Becca that it was done between them, in which case Becca became suddenly way less cool towards him. He started understanding where all his suitemates were coming from when they were complaining about Becca.

 MC looks up at him in shock after her eyes scan over the letter. She gives him the smile he’s missed so much and nods her head. He doesn’t give her the chance to even say ‘yes,’ because his lips are on hers the next moment.

 MC was the craziest and most fun relationship he ever had. They jet setted to LA, had sex on a 50-yard line of an empty football stadium, weathered literal snowstorms together, and drank plenty of boxed wine. MC pushed him to be the best possible version of himself. She encouraged him to campaign for student body president and join their friend, James’s, play. He was incredibly happy with her.

 However, all good things must come to an end and he could tell his new workload was killing their relationship. So it ends. Just like that. Leaving him confused, heartbroken, and angry.

The new barista, named Zig, who defended MC’s honor against Sebastian starts to come around a lot more. Popping up at Kaitlyn’s concerts, Madison’s parties, and then before he knows it…he’s hanging around their suite.

 Jealousy burns through his veins because he knows. He can see the looks the two of them share. The gentle caresses that pass between them. How they always go off and disappear together.

  Dear Chris,

 I try every day to forget you. You have no idea how many times I blocked your number, your social media accounts, and even you from my life.

 But…

 He keeps reminding me of how good it was between us.

 I miss all our drunken nights in together. I miss staying up all night with you and having breakfast in bed the next day. I miss the easy conversations between us. I miss dreaming about our future together. I miss the way you used to kiss me.

 I miss you.

 He’s asleep in my bed right now.

 It should be you instead.

 Sincerely,

 MC

It’s Abbie who gives him MC’s letter.

 “Kaitlyn and I encouraged her to write out all her feelings about a month ago,” Abbie explains. “I just- I’m uncomfortable with Zig and I think she was happier with you.”

 When he’s alone in his room he pours over the letter. He doesn’t realize he’s cried until the tears hit the paper.

He finds her the next day reading a book on the rooftop alone. She has a small smile playing on her lips and he can smell her perfume wafting through the air. She smells like coconuts. He’s missed it. More importantly, he’s missed her.

 He walks towards her and clears his throat, keeping her letter hidden behind his back.

 “Chris,” she jumps, setting her book down on her lap. “You scared me. What’s up?”

In Chris’s imagination, he can see himself showing MC’s letter to her and saying, “I read your letter.”

 MC’s brows furrow. “I wrote that a month ago, Chris…I’ve-.”

 “I still have feelings for you and this letter shows you still have feelings for me!”

 “Chris, I’m happier now,” she shouts while standing up to face him. “I’m with someone who actually has time for me. Who doesn’t desert me and make me question if I should still be with him every single day! He’s never disappointed me. Just, please…move on. Stop this,” she says, sounding frustrated.

 Her words sting, but he gathers the strength within himself to tell her what he says next.

 “MC, before you give up on us altogether, I want to remind you of the first time I saw you. You had just run into me on campus and you were wearing a Guns ‘n’ Roses t-shirt. You were so beautiful. I remember thinking that I had to find you later and get to know you better. And then you ended up being my roommate and I thought how lucky could I actually be?…After that, you told me you loved me the night of the formal and I felt so honored to have earned even a shred of your love. Especially considering how I had been treating you and our friends. I knew I had to make sure that I was the absolute best possible man I could be for you. I got too absorbed in trying to do as many things to make myself be more than just some football jock and I forgot all about my main priority. You,” he takes a step toward her in which case she takes a step back. He thinks he can hear his heart break.

 “Please, don’t-,” she cries, tears falling from her face, but he interrupts her.

 “Please don’t make me say I don’t love you, because I do, MC. I’m crazy in love with you and I’m here begging for you back.” Her tears are still falling down her face and she gives a slight shake of her head to mean ‘no.’ She takes another step back. His own tears well up in his eyes knowing that he just lost the love of his life. He lost her. It was over for him. “But I guess…I guess if I love you, I should let you move on.”

 He imagines himself placing the letter on the table next to her and going back downstairs to the suite. The whole time he’s walking away from her he thinks how naive he was to actually believe that he could even keep a girl like her to begin with.

He’s jolted back to the present when MC speaks. “Chris?”

 MC is still sitting down before him with the book in her lap. “What is it, Chris?” She repeats while eyeing him quizzically.

 “Uhhh…” He looks down to brace himself, and then, with a straight face, says, “I know our break up was tough.” She frowns but he continues on. “But I wanted to say I’m really happy that you’re happy now, and I hope we can still be friends.”

On the word “friends” he crumples up the letter behind his back.

 She gives him a bright smile, sets the book down beside herself, stands up, and then hugs him.

 “Of course,” she whispers.

 “Of course,” he whispers in response, rubbing her back up and down.

 He wonders if he’ll spend the rest of his life trying to decide if he made the right choice about not showing her the letter.

[catsrtheboss-blog]

A Love That Should Be

Rating: For Everyone!

World: The Royal Romance

Characters: MC, Maxwell, Drake, Hana

Pairing: MC/Maxwell; MC/Drake; MC/Hana

Summary: We both wish this, so it should be. So I cannot lie to all those close to me.

AN: A poem for ChoicesCreates Round 16! Prompt is “Don’t ask me to say I don’t love you.” Hosts are @hollyashton and @texanhusker. This poem actually part two of “A Love That Cannot Be”. Check that out if you haven’t! This is the MC’s reply to the LI’s sad, tearful poem. If you do a comparison, you’ll see that the poems are styled the same way! Kinda cool, huh? Anyways, enjoy the poem!

Falling in love with you wasn't part of the plan. But I don't care, I don't have eyes for the Prince.

You have something special. Can't you see it? You don't need anything, only your undying love.

You think so little of yourself. You deserve everything. The moments between us is something you can want.

Do you want me to suffer? Do you want me to go away? Do you ever think of me? Do you?

Don't ask me the impossible. Don't ask me what I don't want. Don't ask me to say I don't love you.

You know I cannot lie I cannot deceive. I must speak the truth.

I need say what I really feel. The truth that I know. And that truth is I love you.

We're meant to be. I don't need a Prince. Why should I ignore what I feel? The feeling that I know is true?

There's no shame in our love. I don't care what people say. People can keep their looks to themselves. We'll face our problems together.

You force me to say a lie. Something that goes against all that I know. I care about you with all my heart.

I hope you know how much I long for you. I want to embrace you when you fall. I want to kiss you wherever we are. I want to have you forever as mine.

But you prevent it. We need to think of only those who matter. That includes you, my dear.

In the end, we might hurt someone. But I'll be safer and happier with you rather with someone I don't love. That is the most you can give me.

Please, look my way. Don't look at anyone else. You're the person who can make me happy and give me everything.

Help me not lie to those who deserve truth. Help me do what's right to the ones we care.

Do not let me go, to not hurt our souls. But if you must think some more, I have one more thing to say.

I'll be here, but not for long.

[choicesconfessions]

@queen-kenna-rys:

i'm scrEAMING TEDDY YOU'RE SO GAY ANd it's so entertaining

um we’re married did you just realized i am, in fact, Maximum Gay ? and i’m delighted that my ridiculous thirst over girls is amusing

@texanhusker:

You have been playing mass effect....I think I like you even more. 🤔

you play me ?? it’s one of my fave games, omg !! garrus vakarian ruined my life and it’s a problem

[playchoicesficidea]

Can someone please write a Hana fic where IS able to have a baby and is NOT barren and she and Mc cry when they hold the baby in their arms for the first time? - Anonymous

Tag a Hana x MC writer! 

@bstvst @strangerofbraidwood @texanhusker @rocket-scientist07 @tinypenguincheesemachine

[ivyschoice]

When you get this, answer with five things that make you happy then send it to the last ten people on your recent activity!

thank you ♥

1. my bed (i like sleep and it’s soft and comfy)

2. cats

3. books

4. writing

5. days when the sun is shining and there’s a light breeze, so it’s warm but not too warm

[successionsuccs]

Sweet, caring and hella strong 💕Quinn for #ChoicesCreates37 @dopecatcollins @texanhusker

[priyas-tiddies]

do you know any good Hana x MC fics? :)

Hey Anon! I’ve actually written a couple here if you want to check them out

Youth

It’s Her, Isn’t it (More Hana and Liams friendship, Hana coming out type thing)

There are some really great ones out there i’ll list a few by some other cool people

@gaychoices-stories-you-pay​  

Lets run away together

@abisexualprincess​

Secret Kiss

@texanhusker​

Has quite a few so i’ll link her master list

@kennadavenportgayle​

Piano

@hana-lee-protection-squad​

Angelic

One Love, One Lifetime

There are plenty more, if anyone else has some Hana fics that I missed feel free to link them!

[kaitloyalist]

Get to Know Me Better

Got tagged by @kaitlynliaofan. Thanks, love! ^^

Name: Call me by my nickname 🙃

Nickname: Zee/Izzy

Gender: Female

Zodiac sign: Cancer

Height: 5’/153 cm crying every time the height or age question comes up

Sexuality: I guess the term to describe me irl is heteroromantic bi? But I’d rather not put a label on myself when it comes to this tbh :)

Hogwarts house: Hufflepuff and partly Gryffindor

Dream trip: Europe especially Iceland. And South Korea. Plus I wanna go to Japan again!

Average amount of sleep: 5-7 hours

Why I made a tumblr: I figured it was time to join the Choices Tumblr fandom after weeks of lurking around

Dogs or cats: Cats

When I made a tumblr: March 2017

Followers: It’s more than I expected really. Thank you for showing some love for this little blog of mine 💘

Reason for URL: Uhhh initially, my URL was what I wanted the Kaitlyn fans to be called but since no one brought up the topic, I thought I’ll just use it for myself lel. Besides, I am loyal to Kaitlyn? 😂 She was my favorite character then, and she’s still my favorite character now so~

Tagging @miss-twombly @angstymarshmallow @angie73183 @sizzlingcloudkitten @your-poetrysucker @texanhusker @oliviasnevrakis @beaumontbash @choices-ily @stephschoices :)

[everythingchoices]

Creator 2017 Tag

Thank you so much for tagging me @toglidethroughlife. I haven’t created much but still thank you! Sorry I’m so late for responding but that’s nothing unusual. 

Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 5 favorite works you’ve created this year (fics, art, edits, etc) and link them below (say why if you want) to reflect on the amazing things you’ve brought to the world in 2017. Tag as many artists/writers etc you can think of to spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

*End of the Road Part One (ChrisxMC) - Zig, Zack, MC, and Chris arrive in Maine and spend the night at Chris’s house before they leave him until fall semester.

*End of the Road Part Two (ChrisxMC) - Continuation of part one with Zig, Zack, MC, and Chris

*Those Who Have Built and Broken Us Part One (JakexMC) - Five years after LaHuerta, Jake and Marissa(MC) live together in Costa Rica. After the passing of Quinn, the gang wants to come and see them, but Jake is worried

*Those Who Have Built and Broken Us Part Two (JakexMC) - Continuation of part one with Jake and Marissa (MC)

I’m tagging @manca-la-sostanza @firefly-hwufanficwriter @texanhusker @jbzxls @stephschoices @lanapowellblog @uhh-the-green-thing @mechaspirit@punexpectedly @snowwritings @not-so-freshman @blazerina @mrswalkerwrites @awkwardsgames @mayasbananapuddin

[trulygrey]

Get to know me better

I was tagged by @your-poetrysucker who always keeps me updated and always has that good vibe whenever her posts pops in my notifs 💕 that has a very cute pic too

Name: Irene

Nickname: Renren…. back when I was younger, whenever my family calls me I don’t go immediately to them so they end up calling me over and over xD

Gender: Female

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius 🐠

Height: 5'3 I think? 😃

Sexuality: Demisexual but for some reason I’m only gay for my oblivious bestfriend 😑

Hogwarts House: I always wanted to be in griffindor but in this short quiz, I got ravenclaw haha.

Dream Trip: I have motion sickness so I’m not really fond of travelling but probably at Baker street?

Average Amount of sleep: hmmm depends on the situation… if it’s a regular day it would be around 5 hours. 😴 😴 😴

Why I made a tumblr: can’t really remember why or which fandom but before I use tumblr for fanfics and the idea of me posting my own but never had the courage to. 😂

Dogs or Cats: I used to think both but I came to a realization that cats seem to have this hypnotizing gaze on me hahahaha 😍

When I made a tumblr: uhhh months ago? or a year ago? haha

Followers: 72 which is I have no idea when that happened hahah thank youuuuuuu!!! 😭

Reason for URL: I don’t think I have one? haha

Now, it’s my turn to tag people I like and appreciate: @texanhusker @kaitloyalist @arisa-social @yurifreak15 @your-poetrysucker

Just tagging everyone who keeps my feed welcoming everyday :)

[2indecisive4this-blog]

After the Ball

Collab with @texanhusker​  ❤️

The Day After the Coronation Ball

Hana x MC

Angst and fluff

Word count 3425

***

“Hana, you need to go home” I swallowed slowly “Honestly, we both do. I’ll be on my way as soon as I find the funds for a ticket”

“Please, don’t do this” Hana took a step toward me, halving the distance between us.

The odds were stacked against us.

My eyes fell suddenly to the floor, an ache spread painfully through my throat as I willed my mouth to form words.

“I’m sorry Hana, I have no choice”

Guilt welled heavily in my chest; the pain in my voice betraying the false confidence I had intended to convey.

I’ve already caused her so much trouble..

Hana smiled weakly “I’ll pay for your ticket.”

Driven her from her parents..

My lips parted reflexively to argue, sputtering pathetically, in vain as Hana interrupts me.

"It's the least I could do, really" Her features softened as she stepped forward, offering the flight clerk her credit card. “You’ve taught me so much.”

Like what? Political self-sabotage?

“Thank you, really” I murmured uneasily, tears glimmering in my eyes Hana slipped the pass between my outstretched fingers “You’re the best”

"Are you certain I can't provide any other..assistance?" Hana reached tentatively for one of my, albeit lightly packed, bags, but her fingers grasp at empty air as I pulled the bag from her reach.

A clean break.. It's for the best.

"I need to do this on my own"

But fuck all if I didn’t have to.

Her eyes locked on mine, and I found myself unable to look away; in part because of her spell binding stare, in other part because I was memorizing each aspect of her beautiful face. Awkward tension builds as a minute passes in silence.

Is this really goodbye?

Hana broke the tension, spreading her arms, tentatively leaning in for an unsure hug. I hesitated, flinching.

Clean break, Riley, clean break..

Instead, I extended a hand to her; interrupting her attempted hug. Hana, albeit flustered, adjusted and accepted my hand in her own, kneading her fingertips rhythmically into my palm.

If only you knew how much self-restraint this took...

I cleared my throat; becoming painfully aware of the soreness that came partnered with holding back tears. My hand returned uncomfortably to my side, I rolled the hem of my blouse compulsively between my thumb and forefinger.

“Can you believe it’s only been a couple of months?”

“I feel like I’ve known you my whole life” Hana responded, scarcely missing a beat.

“Maybe it’s good that we met” Biggest understatement of the century. “You’ve changed me for the better”

Hana shook her head ruefully, her eyebrows creased in a manner so...assertive that I had never previously witnessed from her “No, you’re the one that’s helped me to grow” She took a step toward me, fondly retaking my hands in her own.

We shouldn’t..

I gazed into her deep, dark eyes. If this was the last moment I would be setting my own upon them, I was going to watch the world in them.

Maybe just for a second..

“You taught me how to believe in myself” She took another step forward, our bodies almost brushing against each other.

If things were different...

Hana takes another step toward me, our bodies close enough that I could feel the air shifting as her chest rose and fell with breath less than a finger width from mine.

Her voice lowered to a scarcely a whispered, her warm breath dampening the crease separating my cheek and earlobe.

“You’ve given me confidence I never would’ve thought possible..”

I hate to leave you.

I swallowed hard. I could never prepare myself for this.

"I...suppose this is farewell"

"I...suppose you're right," Hana returned, her lip quivering slightly.

Were you going to say something else?

Her eyes glimmered a little more noticeably than before.

What were you going to tell me?

Hana lifted to her tiptoes, placing her hands on my shoulders for support “Thank you” she gently brushed her lips, all too lightly, against my cheek “For everything”

My face reddening, I sputtered, struggling for words “Hana, I..” ..love you “..have to go.”

Without another word, I turned on my heel and paced away, musing scornfully, muttering, under my breath "If you truly love someone, you'll set them free, right?"

What’s the point of love if it can’t last?

I shake my head, forcing the idea away, and press on.

This is for the best..

A choked breath escapes my lips as a sharp pang stabs through my chest.

Even if it’s hard.

My tears, unforgiving little bastards, begin running clumsily down my throbbing cheeks.

Am I making a mistake?

I press forward; my plane boarding in only a few minutes; my heels thud painfully against the ground as I round a blind corner.

She would stop me if I was...

Fighting the urge to turn back, if only to know she was still there.

...Right?

In my fervor, I tripped over an abandoned suitcase, sending me and my carry-on to scattering in all directions across the floor.

Fuck.

I reached out, reflexively, for my nearby bag, but instead collapsed to the ground in a sobbing heap. “Ughh..”

I'm such a fucking mess

I dragged my sniveling nose against my bare arm, leaving pale streaks, while roughly rubbing my eyes with the knuckles of my other hand.

Is she crying too?

A security guard approached me, hugging my cargo tightly to his chest with his arms.

Why can't we have that?

He squatted down to nearer my level, still towing over me, casting a shadow that made me look as comparably small as I then felt.

Why can’t she just grab me and hold me and never let go?

His features softened to pizza dough, “Are you okay?”

No

“Yes” Though my words came out with surprising confidence, the reddened and dampened qualities of my eyes and cheeks likely informed him otherwise.

He offered me a hand. I accepted it graciously, and he slowly lifted me to my feet. I swallowed heavily as final boarding call sounded over the intercom.

“Your time to shine, Ma’am”

I paused, if only for a moment, glancing back to search for Hana. I couldn’t see her amongst the bustling sea of the tourists, their glistening sweat reflecting the harsh industrial lights blindingly, and my last ditch hope proves as fleeting as the moment that passes.

Accepting my luggage from the guard, I hustled to my gate; eyes red, cheeks wet, knuckles white as my fingers painfully grip a boarding pass in a clenched fist.

My mind wandered, reminiscing back to the events of the previous night.

***

“Do you remember how we met?”

“I don’t think I could ever forget the color of your underwear”

She was so cute..so sweet..

But she’s so much more than that.

Cheetah cakes, champagne, and sex on the beach.

My, how she’s grown..

“It’s my last night here”

“It doesn’t have to be”

So why was it?

***

"Come on Hana.." my teeth knead against my lower lip, biting back tears "Stop me"

"Let go"

"Huh?" I flashed back to my current surroundings, suddenly aware of the flight attendant tugging at the ticket with growing frustration

"Please, let go, ma'am."

I nodded, my face paling as I manually unwrapped each finger from the ticket, my heart wrenching with each movement.

"You're all set to board to plane, ma'am"

"Have a nice flight."

I mumbled distractedly "..you too..erm.." And nonsensically too.

I dragged my luggage and feet behind me as I boarded the plane.

I found my seat,

A window seat, thank god

I crept over my neighbor, and slumped heavily into the cushioning, thoroughly defeated by the day's, no, the past month's, events.

It was time to leave with whatever slight semblance of pride I could.

"Ugh," I sighed loudly.

As if I could care less about my pride...

The man beside me nudged his elbow uncomfortably against my own, I glanced down to find that I was indeed in his space. I’d irked my neighbor.

...or your comfort.

“Uh, sorry” I mumbled an apology anyway. My head thunked numbly against the double glass window pane.

As the plane begins to move, I gazed out. My stomach churned messily with a whole jungle of conflicting emotions.

Am I going to miss it?

Outside, all of Cordonia spanned before my eyes; the apple orchards, the dazzling city skyline. Beyond all odds, it somehow had become more beautiful upon leaving it.

No, I don’t think I will.

My eyes wandered down, setting upon a lone figure staring up from the pavement. Hana. She looked so small from up here.

Well, maybe a little..

A foul taste pierces my tongue as I watch Hana regretfully. I could vaguely make out the palm of her hand swaying in a wave.

Can she see me?

The plain’s lights dim.

Is she watching me too?

A flight attendant's voice sounds over the intercom. I press a palm to my open ear, willing all of my attention on the ant-sized figure on the ground below.

Are her eyes as wet as mine?

I heard the engine start, the wheels began turning.

Are her cheeks?

As the plane started moving, my eyes remained fixated on the girl. The very same I had flirted dangerously with, the very same who had held my hand through the courting process, the very same I had come to love.

I peered down at her, guiltily wishing to see her clutching her chest as I was, to see the sunlight reflecting from her tear-slicked cheeks, to see the very same anguish in her features that plagued my own.

She was too far away to tell.

The plane lifted off. Hana, unmoving shrinked unceremoniously out of view.

My head flopped heavily into the headrest, my eyes glazing over; the bustling noises melding into a dull drone.

A sudden realization washed over me; 

"I should’ve gotten off the plane"

***

“It’s been six months” I slam my drained glass to the bar, slapping it heavily with the palm of my other hand.

I can’t say much for Drake, but he had the right attitude about whiskey

“That long?!”

I nod.

“Sounds like you need to get under--” Parker winks “--Err, in your case maybe on top of, someone new”

A rough chuckle escapes my lips. 

I should have expected no less.

Parker directs her attention to a customer, mixing him a Manhattan before resuming her attention to me. 

“It’s not that simple” I smile tiredly, getting to my feet “She was...different”

She tops me off, patting the counter “Where are you going?”

“Back to work” I chuckle “Break’s almost over”

“You’ve got to stop feeling bad for yourself. Besides, if Dan catches wind you’re drinking on the job--”

“--then I’ll show a little leg and he’ll forget his entire life up to that point” I tease, winking.

“Okay, okay, I get your point.” She smirks “But I still maintain that you’ve got to get back on the horse sometime”

“You don’t understand, this wasn’t just any girl. I’ve never felt so..”

In love..

“Thirsty?”

I open my mouth to object, but stop myself in time to notice the inquiry had actually been directed to a customer. She shoots me a wink before taking the customer’s drink order.

I make my way to the backdoor; looking to cross the alley to my job at the neighboring restaurant.

Maybe she’s right

A choked sob escapes with my breath.

But then again, maybe not

I make my way to the vanity in the bathroom to touch up before returning to my shift. I place a few contents of my purse along the base of the vanity before examining myself.

Crap, my mascara’s running..

I tear frantically through my purse. It slips from my grip and collapses to the ground, makeup and various clutter I’ve accumulated; namely random receipts, some ticket stubs, and some butterscotch candies (I can never remember putting them in there, but I’ve always been grateful to find them there) scattering across the bathroom floor.

Ugh, why me?

I broadly sweep whatever is within reach into my arms, and shove it clumsily back into my purse. I pause, my heart stopping mid-beat.

Where is it?

I scan the floor, looking for my most prized piece of sentimental clutter; the champagne cork. Nowhere to be seen.

Maybe it rolled under one of the stalls..?

I begin lowering myself to peer under the stall doors when the sound of my name (thankfully) pulls me from my stupor. I sigh, and get back to my feet.

“Coming!”

I rush out, paying one last fleeting glance to the mirror as I exit.

“It’s not like I’m trying to impress anyone anyway”

“Riley!” Dan calls out. Our eyes meet “There you are!”

“You called, sir?”

“Your break ended two minutes ago, I’m deducting that from your pay, you know”

I nod “Yes, sir”

Back to square one.

“Good” he nods thoughtfully, stroking his patchy stubble with cracked fingernails. His stern features soon return in full as he continues “Now, someone requested you by name”

“Me?”

“Believe me, I’m as surprised as you are” he shrugs “But it doesn’t mean shit what I think. Go get your ass out there”

I stammer, struggling for words “Bu-wh-wha--”

“Well spit it out, already” He throws his hands in the air, thoroughly exasperated, pacing off “Jesus fuckin’ christ, you outta towners...”

“Wh-which table?” I finally manage. To no one, unfortunately. I sigh, pushing through the double doors to the main foyer.

I’ve never had a clue what I was doing before…

I step into the room, mostly bare as most Sunday nights tend to be.

Why should I suddenly start knowing now?

Unsure of my next actions, I approach an empty table; set for two. A bottle champagne sits between two tall, paper-thin flutes.

I chuckle to myself.

What a try-hard...must have been an import, we don’t carry champagne.

Upon closer inspection, I see the plates topped with cheetah cakes.

Since when do we..?

I stop in my tracks when I see a pastry box at the center of the table. Within it, two cronuts.

“Hana..”

“Yes?”

My jaw drops as I whirl around to face her. My lip quivers wordlessly as my eyes set upon her, relishing in the the glow of her cheeks, in her deep, dark round eyes. I savor every curve, from the curve of her lips, to ridge above her collarbone, to the angle of her glowing white scoop-neck dress, the very same she wore that night.

My lips, finally regaining feeling and functionality, moved to barely audibly mouth “You came”

Her cheeks flush, the cozy pink glow warming as she smiles "I guess I couldn't stay away"

I can’t help but grin as she seats herself; gesturing for me to join her.

“I..can’t” My smile fades, I shake my head as it dawns on me that I’m back on the clock “Believe me, I really really really wish I could”

“Well actually,” she begins “I’ve talked it over with your manager and he seemed to be agreeable enough to it?”

“Wh- but why would he--”

As though as if on command, his voice interjects from behind me “I’m hoping this will ensure you don’t come to work ‘tired’ anymore”

I smile, chuckling to myself.

So he did notice..

Obligingly, I slip into the seat across from her; smiling, although tiredly, still genuinely.

She pours us each a glass of champagne, and makes a toast to “Being Individuals”.

Oh how I’ve missed champagne…

We clink our glasses together and tip them to our lips, savoring the tangy-tart liquid as it dances around our mouths.

Not quite as effective as whiskey, but the moments it creates..

I take another long sip.

The memories..

A sharp pang stabs my stomach.

The cork.

My eyebrows furrow.

“Is something wrong?” Hana inquires, lowering her glass to rest on the table.

“No, no” I shake my head, offering her my most enthusiastic smile “Everything’s absolutely perfect”

She returns to the expression, then gestures to the remaining entree; cheetah cakes. I roll my eyes, grinning eagerly as we cut our cakes with flimsy aluminum forks and steak knives.

“I can’t say I’ve ever eaten with utensils that had so much character”

“I can’t say I’ve ever had a meal that had so much character” I return playfully.

We chat over our meal, covering what we’ve missed the past six months; I tell her about how I’ve been working two jobs to regain the savings I blew funding my own suitorship (dresses, horses, and intimacy are expensive).

Hana regales me with the details of her past six months. Her parents threatened to disown her if she went “off the road” again. Fortunately, she immediately called their bluff, going on to announce that she would be stuck under their thumb no longer. Hearing this, they softened, feeling that they had to, and instead opted to support her, to keep her within reach.

“It was exhilarating” Hana finishes, slightly out of breath

“Standing up to your parents? Or freedom?”

“Both” she grins “But it wasn’t total freedom, they wanted to keep me close, so they only funded domestic pursuits”

“Huh?”

“Coming here..” she swallows “They wouldn’t support it. Financially.”

“So how did you--”

“I got a job! A couple, actually. Training aspiring piano prodigies” she chuckles “I knew it would come to good use one day”

“Wow, you put all that work in..”

“It would have been easy enough to roam the state, doing as I pleased, pursuing whomever I pleased..”

My eyes fall.

“..But I could never get that night out of my head”

“Me neither”

“--Nor the day after, when you left”

When you didn’t come after me.

“I remember wanting nothing more than to hold you forever, keep you from leaving. I cried the entire time I watched your plane take off”

I remain silent, tears building in my eyes.

She..was?

“I had to respect your wishes. I..I thought you didn’t want to be with me” she smiles weakly “I mean, I couldn’t blame you. I wouldn’t either”

“Hana..”

How could she think that?

“Every day I spent working to come here was filled with hope, but uncertainty”

“Hana, please.”

“Even as I came here, I was unsure. Scared you’d moved on.” she swallows “Scared to find you’d never even cared at all”

I grab her hands, desperately lacing her fingers, but she pulls away, reaching for her purse.

“So I made it here, arranged with your manager. But then it became too real” her eyes lower as she pulls her purse into her arms “I got nervous and hid in the bathroom..”

Oh Hana, honey..

She gets to her feet, rifling through her open purse.

“Hana, please don’t go”

“..Which is where I saw you. That you’d been crying too. That you felt just as lost and broken as I did” She takes a step away from the table.

She saw me?

“And then I saw this” she lifts a champagne cork from her purse, clutched between a thumb and forefinger “On the ledge of the mirror”

The cork..I left it on the mirror’s edge?

“You kept it”

“From our..private viewing party” I admit, blood rushing to my cheeks.

She unzips a pocket of her purse and pulls out a similar cork. “Just like mine”

From...that night?

“Wait, you kept one too?”

“And I knew I’d made the right decision in coming here” She lowers herself to a knee, smiling uneasily through flushed cheeks.

“Hana, what are you--”

She opens a small square box between her fingers, revealing a beautiful rose gold ring encrusted with modestly sized diamonds, leading to a larger one in the center.

Is she..proposing?

“Hana, wait, don’t--”

“Riley, you’ve helped me to grow more than I ever thought possible. I mean, I’m proposing--” she laughs “Oh dear, I’m not supposed to say that during it, am I?”

I smile, crouching down to her level “I’d say dealer’s choice on that one” I close the box with two fingers “But I wouldn’t advise jumping into marriage just yet”

“Oh” the glow of her eyes dwindles “I just thought--”

“--I mean we saw how well formal suitorship turns out” I wink, getting back to my feet.

“Hey,” she returns “I think it worked out pretty well for Lady Madeleine..”

“Alright, fair enough” I offer her a hand. She accepts it and I pull her to her feet.

“What do you propose?”

“That we date” I smirk “You know, New York style”

“New York style?”

I grin, slumping and arm over her shoulders as she wraps one around tightly my waist “I still have so much to teach you”

I reach for the box of cronuts as we stroll out, holding one another.

This time neither of us are letting go.

***

[alwaysanotherooc]

Choices Creates Round 24 Masterlist - Movement of the Stars

The Crown and the Flame

“Consume This Fire” by @hollyashton (Dom/Sei) (NSFW)

“Written in the Stars” by @misha726author (Kenna/Diavolos)

“Can’t Stop” by @violetflipflops (Kenna/Diavolos) (NSFW)

The Royal Romance

“Solar” by @skymagick17 (Drake/MC)

“Signs” by @ladyashtonofcordonia (Drake/MC)

“No Matter How Far” by @kittenmusicals (Drake/MC)

“The Wish I Wish Tonight” by @hhiggs (Liam/MC)

“Drake Walker x MC - A Playlist” by @diamondsaregold (Drake/MC)

“As You Wish” by @gobi04 (Drake/MC)

“When All The Stars Align” by @bethanyplayschoices (Maxwell/MC)

Endless Summer

“Stargazing” by @endlessflame (Jake/MC)

“Just For Tonight” by @livinthefandommlife (Jake/MC)

“When the Night Was Full of Stars” by @sophie-summer (No Pairing)

“The Eagle” by @50shadesofjakemckenzie (Sean/MC)

Hero

“Pareidolia” by @peace-coast-island (No Pairing)

The Freshman

“Without You Near” by @hartfeld (James/MC) (NSFW)

“Following The Sun” by @boring-grayson (Becca/MC and Chris/MC)

“The Roof” by @texanhusker (Kaitlyn/MC)

Rules of Engagement

“Answers in the Sky” by @tooobsessedfan (Leo/MC)

Thank you to everyone who participated, this was so much fun! I love you guys lots and lots. Have fun reading!

[catsrtheboss-blog]

#ChoicesCreates Round 21 Masterlist!

This has been an exciting week! I'm very happy that @hollyashton was able to let me host. It has been an enjoyable experience for me. I found so many new choicers (apparently that’s what we call ourselves now) in this fandom with so many talents. I felt that I was part of a very big family. If you ever consider hosting, let me say one thing: DO IT. It might be a bit scary and crazy at first, but it’s a lot of fun.

I said it before and I’ll say it again. This fandom is really talented! I’ve enjoyed every entry that has been presented, and I can't wait to see more from you guys.

This week, we had a total of 45 entries! I honestly did not expect that many to enter. Thank you everyone for your amazing creations! I'm glad you guys were all inspired by my prompt one way or another!

This week’s prompt was:

Spooky, isn’t it? Now enough talking, here is the list! 

Fanfiction

The Crown & The Flame 👑 🔥

1. What if the characters from The Crown and the Flame formed a power metal band? by @endlessflame

2. The Former Flame (Kenna/Raydan) by @gracetamaras

3. The New Empress by @superpotato824

4. What if? Part one (Tevan/Zenobia) by @endless-vall

5. What If? (Minor Kenna/Dom; Kenna/Raydan; Kenna/Diavolos) by @misha726author

6. There are no happy endings by @lauraotaku2234

7. The Aftermath (Kenna/Annelyse) by @delphinusbae

Endless Summer 🏝☀️

1. Child of the Island by @ivyschoice

2. The Past is Beyond Our Control (Jake/MC; Grace/Aleister; Zahra/Craig; Diego/Varyyn; Sean/Michelle) by @zahranamazis

3. ICE by @choochoochoosy

4. The Last One Standing (Jake/MC) by @princessmckenzie

5. [NSFW!] Fast (Sean/MC) by @hartfeld

6. Pábitel by @peace-coast-island

7. Run Away (Jake/MC) by @angelschoices

The Freshman/The Sophomore 📚

1. What If... (James/MC) by @destinio1

2. What if (James/MC; Zack/MC bromance) by @keltic-moon

3. Aftershock (Becca/MC) by @texanhusker

4. What if... (James/MC) by @hhiggs

5. Date Night (Chris/Zig) by @zayschoices

6. What if it was You and Me? (Becca/MC) by @lacksubstance-productions

7. [NSFW!] Insecurities (James/MC) by @keltic-moon

8. What If... (James/MC) by @angelschoices

9. Three Days For US (Zig/MC) by @kittenmusicals 

10. What If by @niasusanto

11. Summertime Sadness (Becca/MC; Zig/MC) by @rantingchoices

12. [NSFW!] I Close My Eyes (Zig/MC) by @hollyashton

Most Wanted 🔫👮🏽

1. What if... (Sam/Dave) by @samantha-massey

The Royal Romance 👑❤️

1. Nighttime Musings Part 3 (Drake/MC) by @massivelysilentchaos

2. Winter’s Bride (Drake/MC) by @hollyashton 

3. What If? (Prince/MC) by @ladyashtonofcordonia

4. “The sunlight, it scatters” (Maxwell/MC) by @diamondsaregold

5. Shadowed Loyalty pt. 2 by @indiacater 

6. What if you chose wrong? (Drake/MC) by @storiesbehindyoureyes

7. Road Less Travelled (Prince/MC) by @carlotta-the-winters

8. Crossroads (Prince/MC) by @misha726author

9. Ready To Run (Drake/MC) by @jonna811

10. [NSFW!] Second Chances Part 2 (Drake/MC) by @joyfulchoices

11. Fairytale Gone Bad (Drake/MC) by @choicessa

12. May I Have This Dance? (Maxwell/MC) by @zigisbisexual

13. “What if........” (Prince/MC) by @princess-scarletxx

Rules of Engagement 💍

1. Cold Feet by @player-sguide

Edits/Other

Endless Summer 🏝☀️

1. What if Endless Summer was an anime? by @aleister-rourke-is-a-tsundere

The Royal Romance 👑❤️

1. “Why Bertrand Never Listens To Maxwell Anymore” by @firefly-hwufanficwriter

2. Winter’s Bride Playlist (Drake/MC) by @hollyashton

Rules of Engagement 💍

1. What if Jess was actually pregnant? by @lucetteriellabritton

And that’s the list! If there’s seems to be something wrong with the links or your entry isn’t here, please tell me! And make sure you send me the link for a missing entry. Thank you for your help! I hope you enjoy #ChoicesCreates Round 21 as much as I did!

Have a nice day!

Disclaimer: These are works of fan fiction/art using characters from the Choices world, owned by Pixelberry. We do not claim ownership over them or the world of Choices. The stories we tell through our writing and art are our own interpretation and invention. They are not purported to be part of Choices’ story canon. These creative works are for entertainment only and not part of Choices’ official storylines. No copyright infringement is intended.

[allaboutkaitlynliao-blog]

Kaitlyn Liao Fan Fiction Master List

I will sort this by Author’s Name. Work in Progress. 

@2indecisive4this:  Poison Ivy Request 1 (CYOA between Becca and Kaitlyn at the bottom) Request 1 Kaitlyn x MC (Ella) Request 62 Kaitlyn x MC

@angie73183: Choices Fanfic: Face Your Fears (Kaitlyn x MC

@beccas-bangs: Brave (Kaitlyn x MC)

@breezeemetoo: Comfort in Your Arms Distractions The Mirror Does Not Lie Nothing Happened Shooting Star @diamondchoice: Game Day Gym AU Jealousy Natasha Fic Protection Soulmate AU Valentine’s Day @erza-liao: Memories Passion to Love You Three Years    @fairy-hollow: Confessions of Love @freshman-imagine-that: You Just Couldn’t Wait Could You? @gplaychoices: Summer - Part 1 Wedding Day

@hollyashton : Back to the Start Candy Apple Red   Candy Apple Red Part 2 NSFW Touch and Go Wake up where you are

@kaitloyalist: Looking into our Future

@kaitlynsmoshpit A Lover’s Getaway (Kaitlyn/MC)

@kittenmusicals: Kindled Flame My Little Trailblazer  Sparks

@lacksubstance-productions:  Baby You’re No Good NFSW The Calm Before the Freakout Drabble: MC x Kaitlyn with kids of their own sometime in the future It Doesn’t Matter Who I Sing To  Kaitlyn X MC crime Masquerade Take Your Frustrations Out on Me NFSW Wicked Games NFSW

@lauraotaku2234: Kaitlyn x MC (NSFW) Kaitlyn x MC (NSFW) My Fault Revelation. Kaitlyn Fanfic . Wedding Day… Imperfection?

@mayasbananapuddin: Are We There Yet?

@mcnamedstephanie: The Aurora Music Festival: Kaitlyn’s Perspective Breakfast in Bed (MCxKaitlyn) Her Muse (KaitlynxMC) Roomates mrs-reyes:  Love and Care: The Freshman

@niasusanto :  Hello Again Part 1 Hello Again Part 2 Date Night Date Night part 2 Date night part 3 Date Night part 4 When all the drama all settled, I imagine a sweet scene with my dearest Kaitlyn @perpetualchoices: Back to Normal P1 Back to Normal P2 Back to Normal P3 Back to Normal P4 Happy Anniversary The Game

@sidneyrockbell Kaitlyn’s Couples Therapy Session with/for Sidney You were right

@texanhusker: Altar Black Cat - Kaitlyn x MC Blame Campfire Choices Clarity Confrontation Cruising Dance floor First Contact - AU First Day Going Clubbing Good Directions Happier Her Room Holding on to Something Hot in Here Hot in Here Part 2 Jealous - Kaitlyn x MC (NSFW) Kaitlyn’s Girl Markings Math Class - Kaitlyn x MC MC meeting Kaitlyn’s parents a second time Movie Night The One Ride of Life The Roof Slip and Slide - Kaitlyn x MC Solving My Problem Summertime Loving Wanted Wickoff You belong with me

@zakurohatsune  Te odio porque no puedo odiarte (In Spanish)  What I did 

[firefly-hwufanficwriter-blog]

(Fanfic) Drake and Olivia’s Unlikely Conversation (Chapter 02)

August 16, 2017, Wednesday [#288]

My masterlists: [Fanfiction.] [Fan edits.]

Title: Drake and Olivia’s Unlikely Conversation (Chapter 02)

Chapter Two summary: Drake reminisces about Olivia’s early days at the palace during their childhood as, beside him, the woman in question drinks glass after glass of wine.

Story summary: At the Beaumont Bash “table of exiles,” a slightly drunk Drake and a very drunk Olivia discuss Liam and Savannah - and she makes a confession that Drake would have never, ever expected to hear. But drunk people don’t lie…

Link to previous chapter: [01]

Chapter Two: Whiskey And Wine

The requested bottles of alcohol arrived within a couple of minutes, proving that either the service at Ramsford was much better than at Lythikos, or that the mistress of the former was much less vindictive than the latter. Drake nodded his thanks at the server who opened his whiskey bottle and poured him a generous amount in his glass tumbler...

...but Olivia, after the server had uncorked her bottle of wine, silently gestured that the bottle ought to be placed on the table before impatiently waving the server away.

The wine bottle had barely settled on the white tablecloth before Olivia snatched it up, her fingers curling forcefully around the bottleneck before pouring herself a generous glass of white wine, almost filling her crystal goblet to the brim. After it had fulfilled its purpose, Olivia carelessly placed the bottle of wine beside the peony flower centerpiece Drake had arranged earlier before lightly grasping the stem of her fine goblet with her fingertips, closing her eyes as she took her first mouthful of wine.

Drake couldn't actually remember the last time he and Olivia had sat down at the same table. They must have, at some point, when they were children, because Olivia had moved to the royal palace when she was orphaned at five years old, and lived there for several years. He could vaguely remember himself, Liam, and Olivia sometimes having picnics in the royal gardens, during which she clung to Liam like a koala bear on the last remaining branch of a very tall tree.

However, despite her koala-like tendencies, Olivia had a surprising abhorrence for trees.

While she followed Liam everywhere during the first few months of her stay in the palace, the only exception was when Drake and Liam climbed the tree in the middle of the garden maze. She never followed them as they scurried up its branches – instead, she kept her eyes on the ground and wailed for them to come down, covering her eyes in an attempt to hide her tears.

Drake would have happily stayed up there for hours if it meant being free of her company, but Liam was too kindhearted to cause anybody distress, even if it was somebody as annoying as Olivia.

Unfortunately.

A slight tinkling sound drew Drake out of his thoughts. In what seemed like no time at all, Olivia had already emptied her glass and had set it down the table in order to fill it again. He looked at his own drink – it looked almost untouched.

Well, if Olivia's drinking...

He downed his whiskey in one loud gulp.

Stopping in mid-pour, Olivia turned to him and raised an eyebrow. “Somebody's enjoying his drink. Cheap whiskey, no doubt,” she commented scathingly.

Drake shot back, “You're one to talk. That's your second glass of wine in, what, five minutes?”

“That's none of your business,” she growled at him, sharply turning her attention back to pouring, the abrupt motion making a couple of droplets of wine jump up from the glass as she continued. When she was finished pouring, the lightly-colored liquid looking like it would spill itself out of its confinement unless handled carefully.

But ever the proper noble, Olivia handled the filled glass without difficulty, raising it to her lips to take a drink. Surprisingly, she only took a sip before placing it back on the table – but instead of leaving the glass, her delicate fingers stroked the stem of her goblet as she looked carelessly around the room...

...and saw Liam, in his crisp, expensive white suit, beaming at a stunningly beautiful Riley, whose sparkling blue ballgown looked like she would put Cinderella herself to shame.

Drake's breath caught slightly. And all of a sudden...

Why do I feel cold?

Without stopping to think, he poured himself another half-glass of whiskey, and just as Olivia raised her glass to take a deep gulp of expensive white wine, Drake felt his own thumb under his lower lip as the rest of his fingers tipped the contents his filled tumbler into his waiting mouth, feeling the unique sensation that only alcohol could provide spread through him, in his chest and stomach and arms, replacing the unexplained cold from a second ago with a smothering warmth that gave his head a light, pleasant sensation.

From Olivia's slightly contented expression as she gently set her empty glass on the table, it was evident that she enjoyed the same comfort her chosen type of alcohol had been able to give her.

Wait... empty?

After double-checking, Drake gave a small frown when he realized that Olivia had emptied her goblet in a matter of seconds. He didn't care about Olivia; he didn't care about what she did or what she drank...

...but two full glasses of wine in ten minutes? Without eating first?

As if feeling his scrutiny, Olivia turned sharply to look at Drake – or, at least, the motion would have looked sharp had she been sober. Her shoulders swayed slightly – another effect of the wine that Drake would have missed had he not been paying attention.

“What are you looking at?” she scoffed.

Giving a half-smirk with the corner of his mouth, Drake used his empty glass to gesture towards her own. “Aren't you drinking too much? Didn't take you for a lush.”

Narrowing her eyes at him, she defiantly poured herself a third glass and drained half of it, wiping her mouth with a napkin before saying nastily, “Mind your own business, Drake. I'm not your friend. I’m not your family. I'm not Savannah.”

Did she just...?!

Enraged, Drake grabbed the whiskey bottle that was only inches away from his tumbler and filled his own glass to the brim for the first time, unintentionally mimicking Olivia's actions by swallowing half of the burning liquid inside before giving the woman beside him a hateful glare.

“Olivia – don't you dare talk about Savannah to me.”

(End of Chapter Two.) (Word count: 999 words.)

Chapter Two notes: (B01-C16.) (Whiskey: One and a half glasses.) (Wine: Two and a half glasses.). One of the things I wanted to express in this chapter is that the two of them spent a lot of time together in the palace as children, which means that they knew each other before they started making and wearing their public masks. Despite their animosity, and whether they acknowledge it or not, Drake and Olivia share a history - a bond - that none of the other TRR characters can fully understand. (Not even Liam, because Drake and Olivia were outsiders in a way that he never was.)

Prompt: I’m tagging @hollyashton and @texanhusker because this is my first #ChoicesCreates entry for Round 23 (“How Choices changed my life”).

Pixelberry made their announcement about HWU in late March 2017, but I didn’t truly believe it until early April 2017 (see HERE). When I finally realized that it was true, I knew that a big part of that decision was because Pixelberry wanted to spend the majority of their time and effort on Choices.

My... very deep grief, my mourning, about HWU, about losing what felt like one friend and one thousand friends at the same time... made me want to drink alcohol for the first time in almost four years, because, unlike social drinkers, I don’t drink to socialize - I drink to forget.

However, I wasn’t living alone at the time, and drinking the way I wanted to would have only led to questions I wouldn’t have wanted to answer. So my “no alcohol since 2013” record is still intact to this day.

(As Drake would say, “Woo hoo.”)

In this chapter, some of the sensations I described are things I remember from when I used to drink alcohol. (Neither whiskey nor wine were my drink of choice, though.) Olivia is drinking to forget, because, sometimes, the choice to forget can be very, very tempting.

(Waiting for H.W.U. to come back, forever and always; 16/08/17.)

[priyas-tiddies]

am i the only one who's been dating Kaitlyn since book 1?!

Definitely not! There are tons of Kaitlyn fans out there. Personally, my MC never dated her, I was originally dating James before Becca but if you want some Kaitlyn fans check out @kaitloyalist @kaitlynliaofan @kaitlynsgf @texanhusker there’s still lots of Kaitlyn love in the fandom don’t worry! 😊