#these jalapeños mean freaking business

[hijolehijola]

Almost a little weary of eating the quesadillas I just made because I cut the fresh jalapeños by hand and now my hand is on fire.

[profitinaecho]

So You Wanna Spin Ch9

Max skims a hand up Liz’s exposed thigh where her black nightgown rode up in her sleep, smiling as goosebumps erupt over her skin. “Good morning.” His deep voice rumbles as Liz stretches.

“What time is it? You’re already dressed.” Liz remarks, noticing Max is already in crisp jeans and a blue plaid shirt. Liz’s hands flutter around her wild dark mane trying to tame it without a comb.

“9. I wanted to let you sleep. We’re already checked out, you just have to pack.” He watches her wake up fascinated. They always see each other first thing in the morning but they haven’t ever woken up together before.

Liz quickly sits up, flustered, Max’s wandering hand dropping to the bed. They’re running hours behind. “9! Max, we have to be on the road to get to El Paso to check in.”

Max chuckles and rolls her over under him, pecking her nose. “Nobody is going to be hoarding hotel rooms in El Paso in September. Kids are in school, it will be a ghost town. Just like everywhere else we’ve stayed.” Max goes to give her a proper good morning kiss and Liz wiggles out from under him. She’s running and he lets her, because he knows she will make a move on him when she’s comfortable again.

“I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.” It’s an excuse while she processes what happened the night before and they both know it. Max will let her run away- for now.

——————————

“I’m sorry the hotel breakfast was packed up by the time we got down there, Liz.” Max glances over at his partner contrite. “We can pick up anything you want on the way out of town that you want. Oh! Look, that place with the croissants you like.” Max automatically turns on his blinker and heads for the small bakery. Liz had had their chocolate croissant three days that week.

Max pulls into the bakery parking lot as Liz’s personal cell phone rings and she picks it up with a bubbly “Hola!”. Max pantomimes nibbling a croissant and sipping coffee and Liz nods. He smiles at her rapid fire spanish knowing she is talking to her father and slips out of his seat leaving her to talk to him in peace.

When he returns with her coffee that is more cream than coffee and her chocolate chip croissant a few minutes later, Liz is giggling and talking about some telenova called Rubi. He can hear Arturo on the other line insisting that she needs to catch up on it so they can discuss the latest developments on it together. Apparently, something scandalous happened in the newest episode and he can only discuss it with Liz.

Suddenly, Liz hears a wail of aye caramba and a crash in the background at the Crashdown. “Papi, are you ok?” Max glances over at her concerned before merging onto interstate 10 towards El Paso

“It’s just Fernando. He forgot to use a potholder again.” Liz can practically see her father shaking his head in resignation that his employee will just drop pots every now and then. “Is Max there?”

Max sits up straighter as if Arturo can see him and smiles nervously at Liz. “Yes he is. Why?” Liz asks her father suspiciously.

“He's treating you right? Keeping his hands to himself?” Arturo growls on the other end of the phone. He is a short man, but he protects his family ferociously.

“Of course, Papi.” Liz sing songs back to him, in a well trained way from teenagehood that probably saved her boyfriend in high school’s life.

“Have a good trip, my amore” Arturo ends the call after another crash in the kitchen.

“Your dad is going to kill me if he ever finds out I touched you.” Max gulps, moving over a lane to avoid a tumbleweed on the two lane highway.

“He better not. I’m a grown ass woman.” Liz takes a defiant sip of her coffee and unwraps her croissant. She hates it when her father treats her like a baby.

Soon, Max’s personal cell phone rings. His eyes widen comically when his phone begins playing “Bossy” by Kelis and Liz raises an eyebrow at him in question at the bouncy club song. Max asks Liz to answer it since he’s driving and put it on speaker.

“Hello? Detective Evans’ phone” Liz answers Max’s phone after swallowing her mouthful of breakfast quickly, putting him on speaker phone.

“Oh my god, is this Liz?” Bursts an excited female voice. “Don’t worry, this isn’t a booty call. This is his sister, Isobel. He kept talking and talking about you and swearing you were real.”

Liz giggles nervously and Max growls “Isobel!”

“It’s true little brother!” Isobel chirps back at him cheerfully.

“We’re twins and I’m taller than you. So I’m the older sibling…” Max starts, just as they had argued countless times before.

“If you say so. Anyway, did you finally touch her or still jerking it behind closed doors.” They could hear the smile in her voice but nonetheless, Max sputtered.

“Oh my god.” Max blushed from the collar of his shirt to his ears.

“Oh! I finally mastered that hovercrafting technique you walked in on me practicing with Noah, you’ll be glad to know.”

Max gags in response while Isobel laughs delighted at his discomfort in her sex life. “Did you just call to torture me in front of my partner?”

“Of course not. Mom said to tell you to come to dinner next Sunday if you are back by then. You should bring Liz so we can meet her.”

“I’m sure Liz has better things to…” Max offers Liz an out, unsure if he is hoping she will accept or not. On the one hand, he wants to get serious with this woman. On the other, his family is freaking embarrassing.

“I’m free Sunday.” Liz pipes up, listening to the siblings fondly. It makes her miss her sister, Rosa.

“Traitor.” Max mumbles at her.

Isobel laughs delightedly. “Perfect! Just bring yourself. Mom always overcooks and has too much wine.”

“Is there such a thing?” Liz smiles.

“You read my mind! Love you, BABY brother.” Isobel exclaims then hangs up.

The two sit in silence for a moment, before Max breaks it. “So, you’re coming to family dinner.” He sees the sign for Texas approaching up ahead.

“You met my dad. It’s only fair. It doesn’t have to mean anything. We’re colleagues.” Liz twirls her long black hair nervously.

“Right.” Max smirks at her nonchalance.

“Your sister is a lot. Mine was too.” Liz smiles over at Max then jumps at a sudden loud pop. Max curses as the SUV swerves just as they cross the Texas border and eases it to a stop on the shoulder of the road.

“What was that?” Liz looks around panicked for the culprit of the noise.

“Flat tire. It will be ok. We have a spare.” Max leans across the console to squeeze her hand reassuringly then starts unbuttoning his plaid shirt to go out in the peak Texas sun.

“Max, is this really the time?” Liz flushes, watching his nimble fingers undo the buttons, transfixed.

“It’s hot outside, Liz. You’re lucky I’m not stripping down to my boxers.” Max winks at her then tosses her his shirt playfully. Liz only huffs his rain scented shirt a little.

——————————

Liz bites her lip as she watches Max’s arms flex as he finishes tightening the lugnuts on the spare tire on the back right of the cruiser. Max comes up to her open window drenched in sweat carrying the wrench and shoves his head in her window.

“Ohmygodthatfeelssogood.” Max groans when the cool AC hits his face. He gently hands the wrench to Liz then playfully shakes off his sweaty hair in her direction making her squeal at him. “I got the tire put on. We need to stop at the first safe looking hotel we see to stop for the night. I’m not sure the spare will make it all the way to the hotel we were supposed to stop at.”

He gently takes the bottle of water she hands him and goes around to the driver’s side of the cruiser. He waits until an 18 wheeler passes and there is an opening in traffic before opening his door and hopping in quickly. He whips off his sweat soaked white undershirt and tosses it into the backseat, cranking the AC full blast. Liz traces his tattoos with her eyes before being startled by him clearing his throat.

“Elizabeth, my eyes are up here.” Max gestures at his eyes firmly, before breaking into a grin at her contrite expression. “You're always welcome to look at me, Liz.”

Liz curls into herself at the butterflies that erupt in her stomach at his words, looking out the window for a hotel. “There, Max!” She points one long crimson fingernail at the run down but well lit motel off the side of the road.

“Good eye, Liz.” Max agrees, turning on his blinker. It is Friday night and the small motel is across the street from a busy bar but seems to be relatively empty. Finding a room shouldn’t be a problem.

Max puts his plaid shirt back on and buttons it up smiling lopsidedly over at Liz. “Ready?”

At her nod, he meets her around at the hood of the cruiser, placing his palm gently on her lower back to guide her to the front door of the motel. When they reach the front door, he holds it open for her like his mother always taught him to do then follows her to the front desk.

“Welcome to Motel Del Turo, how can I help you?” A rail thin teenage boy with braces asks from the other side of the counter.

“We need two adjoining rooms, please.” Liz crosses her arms and smiles serenely up at the boy.

“Oh. We only have one room. It has a king size bed.” The boy wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. “It’s the jalapeño room. VERY spicy.”

“Oh. No, we couldn’t possibly… I’ll sleep in the cruiser. ” Max starts, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Don’t be silly! We’re both adults and I will just end up in your room anyway.” Liz argues, placing her hands on her hips.

“You sure?” Max searches her eyes for any hesitation, although she has ended up in his room a lot lately.

“Positive. I don’t want to sleep in this hotel alone, Max.” Liz looks up at him through her long lashes, biting her lip.

“We’ll take it.” Max decides, sliding the teen his company card.

“You guys need condoms, towels or anything?” The boy nods his head suggestively at Max.

“Just the towels, thank you.” Max signs his name on the receipt feeling like he’s having some sort of out of body experience.

[mrs-i-have-too-many-biases]

Stray Kids reaction to their S/O being ashamed of their acne (scars)

Requested by jalapeño anon

Genre: Fluff

Pairing: Stray Kids x Reader

Word count: 3,8K

A/n: (Anwsers to your asks <3) Thank you for the request! And there’s no need to be shy love, I’m really not that scary. Especially if you’ll see me in real life, I’m 162 cm short. Heheheh. And when it comes to me being able to write so much: I give up on my social life so I have more time to write, lol. And I have no anons yet so you’re the first one! YEAAH!

ALSO, I’m still figuring out how asks work, this was actually my first and I noticed that I posted it without anwsering it, so I’m sorry to anonnie that I couldn’t ‘tag’ you... I hope you still like it tho <3

Chan:

Chan is known as a caring and sweet young man and when it came to his significant other, he would top that by showing you love and affection even though he is a busy man.

One day he was ready to take you out on a date, he had found time in his busy schedule and he was ready to spoil you with some good food and his company, which was everything you needed honestly. You were getting ready in your shared apartment, doing your makeup as you sat in front of your mirror. You sighed in frustration when your good foundation had run out. Lately, your acne scars had become more visible due the hot weather and they became darker. You looked at them in disgust as you frantically looked into your makeup bag for another option to hide them.

What you didn’t notice was that your boyfriend had been watching you from the doorway. He usually loved how you got ready. You would put on music and cutely and sometimes sexily dance along. He was hoping to see that today, but sadly he saw how you looked at yourself in disgust, tears on the edge of falling. He quickly made his way towards you, making you jump when you noticed his muscular figure behind you.

“Chan-“ “My love what’s wrong?” He asks worried in a sad tone. “I-“ You tried to come up with the right words, but you just couldn’t find them, leaving the room silent. “Don’t I tell you enough, how beautiful you are?” He whispered sadly. You shot up immediately, knowing he thought it was his fault that you felt like this. “N-no- I mean yes! This isn’t your fault, trust me!” You assured him as you hugged him tight. “I just, really hate my acne scars.” You admitted softly. Chan let out a sigh, pulling you even closer to him.

“Don’t be ashamed of your scars my love, they are a part of you. And it gives me another reason to love you even more. You’re my beautiful baby and I love you. Please don’t kick yourself down.” He whispered back, rubbing your back comfortingly. 

“Thank you Channie, I love you too.” You kissed his lips softly as you melted in his touch.

“You’re welcome my love, now get even prettier, we have dinner reservation.” He winked before letting you go.

Woojin:

You and your boyfriend had a sleepover. Every time he would stay over, you would wait for him to fall asleep so you can put off your makeup. And in the morning, you would wake up early to put on a little makeup to cover your scars. Today was one of those mornings. 

You were glad that Woojin was a little bit of a heavy sleeper and didn’t wake up when you moved his arm off your waist. You took one more look before you got out of bed. Woojin was the cutest when he was asleep. His hair was a mess and his lips were slightly parted. 

Some mornings you couldn’t help but kiss his soft lips, they just looked irresistible. 

You made your way to the walk-in closet where all your makeup products were, cringing when you clinked and dropped some of your stuff. Not knowing you woke up your boyfriend when you dropped everything. He had climbed quietly out of his bed to see what you were doing. “Baby, what are you doing?” Woojin asked, whilst rubbing the sleep out of his eye. You jumped at the sound of his voice.

You didn’t know what to say and just froze in your spot.

“A-are you putting on makeup?” He asked confused. When you didn’t answer he walked closer to you and kneeled down to your level when you avoided his gaze as well.

“My love, why are you putting on makeup on so early in the morning?” You still avoided his gaze, looking into your mirror. Woojin had followed your eyes and he noticed that you kept looking at your acne scars, that were now visible without the layer of makeup.

“Do you hate your scars, baby?” You only nodded, still not daring to look at him. He took your hands in his and made you look at him. He saw your eyes water and it made his heart break a little.

“I love you so much. You don’t have to hide yourself from me. I noticed you waiting for me to fall asleep, I’ve noticed how you’ve been waking up early for some reason. You’re so beautiful, you don’t have to do all of this. I love you for you.” 

You couldn’t help but throw yourself into his arms, making the both fall to the ground. You two giggled as you stayed in a tight embrace, staring into each other’s eyes. “I love you.” “I love you too beautiful.”

Minho:

Minho had taken you with him overseas for their Japan concert. He had taken you to a lot of tourist spots and was having a great time since he had his significant other along with him. Sadly for the two of you, on the day you had a chance to explore the city it was raining. 

Usually this wouldn’t be a problem for the two of you, you would carry around an umbrella and carry on with your date, but you didn’t expected rain today. Your umbrella was still at the hotel room and every store seemed to sold out of freaking umbrellas. 

“I’m sorry baby.” Minho sighed after their search for umbrellas or something else to keep them a little dry. “I-it’s okay honey, let’s just go and get something to eat.” You stuttered, not looking at him. Next your grabbed his hand and dragged him along with you to look for a place to eat.

You really wanted to get out of the rain. It made your make up smeared and thin out your foundation. Your acne had been so bad the past few weeks and you felt like it just wouldn’t get better. 

When you had finally arrived at a cute restaurant, Minho couldn’t help but notice that you weren’t looking at him, putting your hood up so he could only see your eyes.

“…baby what are you doing? How are you going to eat with your mouth covered?” He asked after a while, getting confused and a little annoyed by you. You noticed his change in mood and quickly apologised. “Baby, what’s been on your mind? You seem a little off today.” Minho asked genuinely worried that his significant other wasn’t feeling happy. “I just- my makeup had run out-“ “So? You still look great-“ “You can see my acne scars.” You whispered softly and he finally got what was wrong.

“Is that why you’ve been avoiding my gaze?” He asked a little in disbelief. “I- yes, I just really hate them. They are ugly and-“

“Don’t you dare to call yourself ugly. You’re so beautiful and I love you. Don’t be ashamed of yourself, you are who you are and I fucking love you. Now, what do you want to eat my beautiful baby, I’m paying.” He said with a cheeky wink, making you smile.

Dang it, do you love him.

Changbin:

Changbin doesn’t give a shit that you had scars. He fell in love with you by your charms and fuck, he was whipped for you. You of course knew that he loved you very much, but you just couldn’t help but feel insecure about your face by the dark spots that were stuck on your face.

Changbin was working in your shared apartment on a song. It was pretty late and he was starting to feel tired. He was saving up his stuff, before he walked into the living room where you were playing a game.

“Baby go wash up, it’s pretty late. Let’s go to bed.” Changbin whispered as he buried his face into the crook of your neck. “Did you finish your song genius?” You asked him, not taking your eyes off the screen, still playing your game. “I did, but I want to cuddle with you now.” You giggled at how cute your boyfriend was when he was sleepy. You kissed the top of his head, as you sat up straight. “Go and lay down, I’ll be right there with you.” You said before leaving to the bathroom.

You sighed to yourself as you took of your makeup. The scars were very dark and it felt like they were getting worse every time you looked at them. You applied a lot of cremes and moisturisers before thinking of an idea how you would get into bed with Changbin, without him noticing your scars.

Usually they weren’t that visible and now that it was summer the sun was up longer. This meant that the room wouldn’t be dark enough to not notice. You quickly grabbed a random teddy bear you found outside the door of the bathroom door from the pillow fight you and your boyfriend had earlier that day. You hid your face behind it and acted cutely to distract Changbin. Who only kind of squealed at your cuteness. 

You jumped into bed and covered your face immediately with the sheets. Changbin wanted to cuddle closer to you, but you had your face still covered under the sheets, making a little wall in between the two of you. He whined a little, trying to break the wall down, but you wouldn’t let him. Scared of him seeing the ugly spots on your face.

“Baby, I want to cuddle with my beautiful baby.” He whined in a high-pitched voice. “But I look ugly-“ “WHAT DO YOU MEAN UGLY, MY BABY IS THE PRETTIEST BABY IN THE WORLD AND I DON’T CARE THAT YOU HAVE ACNE SCARS I LOVE THEM AND I LOVE YOU! NOW SNUGGLE WITH ME I’M DESPERATE!” Changbin’s voice made you startled, but you pulled the covers down and snuggled closer to your muscular boyfriend.

“How did you know?”

“I’ve always known my love, but I firstly didn’t know it was that big of a deal for you. If I did, I would’ve made you feel better about them sooner. Secondly, I didn’t care you had them. I love you for you. They are a part of you and they won’t make me love you any less.”

“I love you too Binnie!” You whispered cutely as you were peppered in kisses by your sweet boyfriend.

Hyunjin:

Hyunjin was known as the most handsome or prettiest member of Stray Kids and you couldn’t disagree any less. You knew that your boyfriend was the most good-looking person you knew in your life. It was a little intimidating for you at first, well it still was since you suffered from acne and Hyunjin just seemed perfect.

He had great hair, eyes, lips and skin and it made you feel a little insecure. It also made you feel a little unworthy of being his partner. His ‘fans’ also thought that and didn’t mind rubbing that into your face on social media or when you would attend a concert of your boyfriend and his members.

‘Look at her face, I don’t know why Hyunjin chose her. I mean look at me. Hyunjin and I would be so much better of a couple.’ ‘I know right, I don’t know what he sees in her ugly ass.’ ‘Look at her acne. She should just leave him and do us all a favour and make her ugly ass disappear.’

You didn’t let Hyunjin know that you cried at night because of their words. He would be laying next to you and be asleep. Lucky for you he was a very heavy sleeper, so he never had a clue. You would wake up with puffy eyes, but you could play it off by blaming sleep.

You never wanted to bother Hyunjin with your irrelevant problems and this just seemed like one of them, but to Hyunjin was every problem relevant. He knew something was going on with you as you didn’t feel as affectionate towards him. And it affected him, badly. He was a needy boy when it came to hugs and kisses

One day Hyunjin was practically begging for kisses and attention from you. He noticed how you had changed through time. You didn’t seem as jolly as you used to and it made him sad.

When you admitted that it was because of your scars and his so-called fans’ words to you, he flipped. He was angry a himself for never noticing your suffering. He pulled you into his arms and rested his head on top of yours as you hugged like that.

“I love you. You’re so beautiful. I always thought you were the prettiest little thing and I will never change that. I’m sorry I’ve found out so late, I will definitely talk to them about this, because nobody talks bad about my baby.” He said sassily, making you laugh a little.

“Thank you Hyunjin. I love you.”

“I love you too baby.”

Jisung:

Jisung was at your place after the two of you had a date. You were tired, he was tired, so you decided to hang out at your apartment and just snuggle in the living room with cheesecake flavoured ice cream. 

You were removing your makeup and discussing with yourself if you should redo your makeup. Your acne scars were something that you had always been ashamed of and you never shown them to your boyfriend. What she didn’t know was that Jisung never really noticed her scars, because he didn’t see them as scars. He saw them as something that accessorised your face beautifully. The boy was just blinded with love for you. Anything you would consider a bad thing about yourself, he would just disagree immediately.

“I really hate-“ “No, I love it. I love you.” “But you don’t even know what I was going to-“ “Nope- I love you! Now shh and let me love you.” He would say before drowning you with love. 

As you were removing your makeup, you heard your boyfriend run towards you, making you freeze in your spot. You were terrified of him seeing your bare face, exposing all your ‘imperfections’. 

Jisung was almost skipping around as he was looking around for something comfortable to wear in your closet. He had sweaters of his laying around your place, since he knew you loved them very much. 

Jisung walked into the bathroom, not caring to knock first. He hugged you form behind as you looked at each other through the mirror. You were just blankly staring at him, waiting for his reaction on your scarred face.

“I had so much fun baby. Are you almost ready? I have the movie and the ice cream ready.” He said excited as he swung you from side to side. He then noticed you staring at him and he shot you a small smile as he rested his chin on your shoulder.

“I don’t know exactly what’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours, but I just want to tell you that I really love you and I’m hoping that I will spend many more years with you. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, on the inside and out and I still can’t believe that I can call you mine. I love you.” He whispered, before placing a peck on the nape of your neck. You smiled at him before turning around. You hugged him tight after you kissed his lips.

“I love you too.”

Felix:

You were chilling at home with your boyfriend on your side. He was laying on his back with his head rested on your thighs as he was playing a game on his phone, whilst you were watching a drama on TV. 

You both loved days like this. You didn’t need to go on a date per se, you just needed each other’s company and the two of you would be content. Felix is a relaxed guy, even though he had those moments where he was jumping around as he was thrilled for something. Felix was also a sensitive guy, he cares a lot about your feelings and he always valued your opinions on things.

Like when it came to his style, he always came to you for advice.

You did the same to him, even when it came to your beauty products.

“Baby, look this moisturiser makes your skin glow gold-“ “Felix, do you really believe that?” “I mean the box says it-“ “It’s just advertisement babe-“ “Baby, I love you, but don’t be a hater. We’re trying this.” 

Felix of course wants you to feel good about yourself, so he often reminded you of how beautiful you were to him. One day you were just really down and you felt depressed. You felt a little unwell in the tummy and your face looked a mess to you. Your scars were darker than ever and you hated all of it. 

Felix had been a little clingy, but you didn’t mind. You just wanted to cuddle him quietly and just stay put. Felix looked up to you from his position and noticed how your makeup had faded a little, exposing the true lines of your face. He saw the lines of your creased and you smile line and thought they were beautiful. He saw the little dark spots on your face, but didn’t think too much of them.

You had voiced that you hated them and that saddened him.

“You called my freckles stars on my face because you thought they were beautiful. I think your scars are stars to me. They are so pretty. I love them like you love my freckles when I hated them the most. I love you so much.”

Seungmin:

Seungmin is a sweet guy. And obviously a great boyfriend. He was a little bit of a tease but you loved him for it. He often teased you for having a “bad” taste in clothing.

“You just look funny babe.” He would laugh as you walked out of your bedroom.

“What do you want me to wear then?”

“My clothes.” He would snicker cheekily.

“SEUNGMIN WHAT-?!”

One thing Seungmin would never make fun of though is your appearance, leaving your clothes choices out of this. One day the two of you were getting ready for bed and you were fooling around whilst listening to music.

Seungmin was poking your cheeks and your sides as you were trying to brush your teeth. You would whine and poke him back, receiving cute noises coming out from his mouth, making you giggle. Right after you two would perform your skin routine, one being a little longer than the other. You can guess whose was longer: the idol in the relationship.

“Seems clear, who has the best and clearest skin in this relationship.” He joked, but soon he’d realise his mistake. 

You had always been insecure and ashamed of your skin. It was full with acne and scars and Seungmin knew you hated it.

When he noticed your change in mood, he’d drop literally whatever he was doing and ran to you to hug you.

“No, don’t be sad. I’m sorry. I love you! Your scars are pretty, you’re my beautiful baby and I love you and I’m so sorry. I’m such a fool. Please don’t hate me.” He begs as he kisses every inch of your face. 

“I love you too Minnie.” You whispered back, obviously forgiving him, because who wouldn’t. I mean look at the cutie!

Jeongin: Jeongin is still quite young and might not have a lot of experience when it comes to romantic relationships, but he of course has friends. You were often treated like a friend, since you and Jeongin started off as best friends and became a couple through time. Jeongin never changed the way he treated you, besides adding extra cuddles and kisses. 

Jeongin had always known that you were insecure about showing your bare face in public or to him at times when you felt like down or unwell. Jeongin often didn’t really know what to do when it came to your problems, but he really wanted to help. He’d do research online on the best skincare to treat your acne and your scars. He’d order them online from an international brand and give them to you as a surprise.

You would be quite emotional since he was just so sweet. He cared and thought it through and you appreciated it very much. You would thank him and kiss him sweetly.

Jeongin would also look on the internet at things that could cause acne and he would look out for you to not use or eat those things to prevent the extra outbreak. Once again you were very touched at how helpful Jeongin was and how sweet he was being.

He’s told you sweet words that you are beautiful to him and that you’re special and that he would be a mess without you, which you often respond to with ‘I know’.

“I really hope you know, I’m trying my best and that you know that I love you very much. I’m young and I’m still learning, but aren’t we both? I know I usually treat you like my best friend, but you really are my best friend and I love you.”

“Of course I know. You have been the sweetest boyfriend. You actually helped me with my acne and most of my scars are actually fading. You’re the best really. I love you.” You said softly before hugging him tightly. 

It couldn’t get better than this.

Gifs aren’t mine. I hope you liked it!

[sandwichbully]

Frank from Philly, 28 August 2016

Hey. You want a cheesesteak review? Here.

So, today I was going to go to this art-fair / hotdog thing and buy a couple dogs. Why not? Neighborhood function, cheap, blah blah blah. But I biked up to the event, held in an apartment building basement, and took one look at the folks there - young, very young, looked like MCAD students that had healthy sex lives, dressed like they could talk to you for hours about Die Antwoord and Wolfgang Odd Future Kill Them All. So I said nuts to that and figured I would go to the Wienery, get a couple of Cleveland dogs and that’d be that. Except the Wienery closes at three on Sunday. So does Band Box Diner. So I said alright, let’s see what the cheesesteaks are at this Frank from Philly that Keith has never been to but has been raving about. (Still not sure how that works, Keith.)

OK, so here’s the first problem: Frank from Philly is in Dinkytown and you couldn’t pay me to live, work, or play in Dinkytown. The way Olive Garden is authentic Italian made by your great grandmother, Dinkytown is 1970s Times Square, and the way shop owners in Bowling Green’s “Four Corners” district have to hose the vomit off their sidewalks every Saturday and Sunday morning is a task I imagine Dinkytown businesses have to undertake every day from seven in the evening until seven in the morning JUST TO KEEP UP. Dinkytown is populated by college freshman, hungry for constant stimuli, usually meaning whichever curly-q’d-moustache-and-suspenders version of Mumford & Co is being rammed down their millenial earholes this month that’s playing at the Varsity Theater brought to you by Summit Brewing Company and 89.3 The Current, Great Music Lives Here. And for every reward I was granted in the form of an inch of eighteen and nineteen year old ass hanging out of Daisy Dukes, I was severely punished by the sight of two dozen tie-dye-and-high-top goons with burlap sack colored baseball caps and pinch-an-inch-ish chin hairs that were probably named Josh and could sell me a hit of weak acid. I would’ve taken the art school damaged kids in Whittier any day over these freaks, who looked like the kind of kids who’d never fucked WITHOUT the condom and were constantly poised for their next Instagram selfie, this generation’s version of the Clearisil commercial.

As previously mentioned, Frank from Philly is nestled in the middle of this shit, in a building with all the exterior design sensibilities of an LA Fitness and the interior design aesthetics of a repossessed Jimmy John’s.

Basically, I felt like I was walking into a dentist’s office in a city full of people whose women would never, ever fuck me.

I’m in line behind two typical Dinkytown goons I’ll call Thad and Braden (not Todd and Brandon, mind you; fucking suburban parents) and neither Thad or Braden can seem to make up their mind over what they want on their sandwiches, which is OK because the - oh, shit - stereotypical Asian tourist family at the register can’t decide how they’re going to pay. So it’s not like the line is moving.

Me? I know what I want: A cheesesteak. No, don’t fancy it up. I want the basics. I want the foundation. After all, you have to know how something tastes on its own before you decide to start throwing extra shit on it. (Which is why I always got the Italian Philly Cheesesteak from Caffrey’s, a cheesesteak with pepperoni and marinara added, because the regular one tastes like communion wafers on Wonder Bread.) (And no blood of Christ to wash it down.) They had the option for a Cheesesteak Supreme for a dollar extra which added peppers, mushrooms, and jalapeños or, as I like to call them, basics. But OK, basic at Frank from Philly’s is meat, onion, and my choice of cheese, and I went with cheez whiz, like you’re fucking supposed to.

After the Asian family carts their pizzas by the slices off to a table, Thad and Braden place their orders that sound more like fucking pizzas than the cheesesteak menus they were looking at and I’m beginning to think I don’t like them very much because these two Cillian Murphy looking butt-fingers look like the kind clueless dipshits that call Sbarro authentic. I couldn’t make out what they were saying exactly but it may as well have been a pineapple pizza chicken Philly with sauerkraut and generous dollops of mayo and ranch and of course Sri Racha like a couple of basic bitches - I sincerely hoped they twisted their ankles in a sewer grate on their way to whatever concert passes for Michelle Branch any more.

I get up to the register, the cashier asks me to give him a moment. I say sure, I’m in no hurry. That minute grew uncomfortably long, though, and I had to remind myself to just enjoy the air conditioning, for this is summer’s death rattle, and I’m pretty sure it’s six hundred forty degrees CELSIUS (worse than fucking Fahrenheit, I tell you) in the shade of a goddamned refigerator factory outside.

Eventually the guy takes my order. I want a cheesesteak. What kind of cheese would I like? Cheez whiz. They’ll have that right up for me.

Now, the sandwich is made to order so it’s going to take a minute. Or five. Asian family finishes their pizza slices, Dad comes up to grab a few more slices.

Five minutes turns into ten. Guy comes in and orders a pair of slices. And there goes Thad and Braden’s order. A family of real Eden Prairie pricks comes in and stares at the menu. Asian dad tries squeezing by to get to the pop machine. I scooch over and look back at the grill; three more cheesesteaks go on. Eden Prairie family leaves without ordering anything.

Ten minutes turns to fifteen. Guy with two slices, who was literally the last person to order, right after me, throws his plate away and leaves. Three cheesesteaks leave the grill. Do they have a delivery guy I haven’t seen? I ordered right after Thad and Braden, ten minutes before Mr. Two Slice and there was nobody between me and him aside from Asian dad coming back for seconds, my sandwich was as simple as they get. It stands to reason that I actually had a shot at getting my sandwich before Thad and Braden because of the simplicity. I start looking at Facebook.

Fifteen minutes turns into twenty, I’m actually contemplating asking for my nine dollars back because, at this point, I’ve spent more time waiting on the sandwich than I will eating it and that’s with a string of two - Asian dad and two slice guy - customers behind me who just ordered pizza slices. You know, slices. Of pizza. Already made. Really. How long is the wait on this fucking cheesesteak? And now the cashier asks me, “What kind of cheese did you want? Cheez whiz, right?” Yeah, cheez whiz. “We’ll have that right up for you, OK?” Cool, thanks! “Sorry about the wait.” No problem.

But it is a problem because I’m in Dinkytown. Putting me in Dinkytown is like dropping an unarmed ISIL member in the middle of a Gay Pride Pork Roast: I’m filled with an anxious, nervous hatred stemming from a core of beliefs contrary to my surroundings; I’m lost, adrift in a sea of Connors and Bethanies and music I don’t understand and pussy I’ll never get and I just want to get back to my neighborhood where people work for a living and fuck without condoms and smoke grass when they listen to Sabbath LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE and - “What kind of cheese did he want?” the grill cook asks the cashier even though I’m standing RIGHT THE FUCK HERE. Cashier asks me, “Hey, man, what kind of cheese did you want again? It was cheez whiz, right?” Cheez whiz, yeah. “Cheez whiz,” the cashier tells the grill cook. “Cheez whiz?” the grill cook asks. “Yeah,” the cashier says.

I stare out the window and I wonder if I will ever get home. I am a lost argonaut in the labrynth of the Minotaur and fuck you if you’re about to tell me I’m mixing my mythology there, it’s been a while since I read anything published before the nineteenth century so keep in mind that if you say one fucking thing at this point, I’ll make you kiss my dick and smile, goddamn. “He wanted cheez whiz, right?” the grill cook asks. Before the cashier can ask me again, I turn and say, Cheez whiz, yeah. Grill cook hands me my sandwich and says, “Sorry about the wait, man.” Hey, no problem, thanks.

I find myself a place to sit and try to keep my mind away from the Proactiv Solution commercial that is Dinkytown During Daylight and finally eat my sandwich.

It was big. It was nine dollars big. It was served open-faced and I’d witnessed a family of witless wonders eat their fancy salads disguised as cheesesteaks with forks and knives while I waited for my own. I however found no problem closing my sandwich and eating it like a sandwich. It was good. The meat portion was generous and the onions were soft but with the right amount of snap and sweet the way sautéed onions are supposed to be. I could have used more cheezwhiz, honestly. And the bread was great. Even as the sandwich drained grease out on to the wax paper on my plate, the bread did not get soggy. It was chewy without being rubbery or spongy and it made the perfect vessel for sopping up the grease on the wrapper, which I will probably pay for later.

Was it worth the nine bucks? Yes, absolutely.

Was it worth a half hour bike ride, one way, into the armpit of Tweeville? No. No. No no no. For Christ’s sake, even Lyn-Lake, with its Pabst swilling tattoo-sleeved nineties slacker-chic hipsters posing as cheesecake pinups and quiff-bois from your nose to the horizon has more dignity than fucking Dinkytown.

Was it worth a twenty minute wait on an otherwise dead Sunday afternoon? No but maybe they had deliveries. I really did maintain my cool and thank them and tip them and not bug them and they were really nice even though I have no idea why the grill cook needed two reminders that I’d ordered mine with cheez whiz. Still, though.

Verdict? I’ll go again if they ever open a location in northeast, downtown, midtown, uptown, West Bank or south because fuck me if I ever find myself in Dinkytown again.

[thatninafloblog]

European Adventure + Updates

Hello there blog! I haven’t been here in a minute. Well what can I say? It’s been a crazy amazing past 2 months...

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. Well first things first; Europe was freaking unbelievable... it was a dream come true, it was a whole fairytale and a place I could have stayed for way longer than 2 weeks. But ALAS, here I am back in Chicago. Back in the reality of life. Back here in the daily stresses of life. Europe reminded me of all the beauty there is in the world. Of all the beautiful and incredible places that are just waiting to be discovered, to be admired. And those 2 weeks taught me that these places are out there and these dreams do come true with hard work and with desire. And I met some of the greatest people there, friends I will forever cherish in my heart. And my tour director Elena who called me her “mini me” and “little jalapeño.” That woman was the best tour director in the world, always so positive, always so happy and ready to start yet another adventure. Traveling for 12 years, she’s living the life right there and I hope and pray to God that one day our lives cross paths once again.

In total I got to spend time in 6 different countries. Each so unique and beautiful. Each so different and extraordinary...But Italy was by far my favorite: Florence and Rome and Sorrento and Capri. OH LORDT. How lovely. The sun, the ocean, the colorful houses in Cinque Terre, the adventures I had and the risks I took. NO REGRETS. Jumping off the cliff, getting lost, dancing the night away in Florence and singing my lungs off at the Karaoke place there, eating the best pizza and gelato of my life in Rome, and having my Lizzie McGuire moment at the Trevi Fountain. Singing with new friends on my last nigh in Rome at Castl’ St.Angelo. Taking a plane from Rome to Greece with the 4.5 hour layover in Switzerland and deciding to explore it anyway...

Memories and experiences that will last forever. It was the trip of a lifetime and as I cried on the plane on the way back home I told myself a million times that i’ll be back. That Europe hasn’t seen the last of me. That I will go back to see these places again, and S P A I N, which is of course next on my list. I miss these places and people everyday. Every single day, when I look at pictures. When something random just brings me back to this time. And even as the days pass I miss it all. And now more than ever before because my life revolves around my job. A job I randomly got, and now have to make the best of. A temporary job as a waitress as I apply to the REAL DEAL job. 

I’m a college grad, and I want to be this amazing journalist someday. I want to travel the world, I want to meet amazing and interesting people who have these incredible stories to tell. I want to share those stories in the world and hopefully make a difference with my actions. Those are my dreams, and even though they seem far from my reach I know one day I’ll get there. I’ll get there and I’ll have the time of my life...

More on UPDATES: Currently TRYING to apply to jobs, it’s harder than it seems. Especially with because I’m such a big procrastinator. And barely have any time with almost a full time job. My job is something else...I have my laughs with the crazy people that work with me. And I don’t entirely hate it. I actually think I’m really good at it (sometimes) lol and there are even times when I enjoy going to work. Like today for example because the shift is really short. But then my whole weekend disappears and the whole routine thing can get sooooo boring. Either way, like i said this is only temporary. While I save up for a real job, and travels and whatnot. My summer has almost slipped away entirely so that also sucksssss. But there are many things I’m grateful. Like life, and new opportunities and even the slightest glimpses of “love.”

The boy I’ve talked about in previous posts, came back into my life like a ghost. Just re-appeared and I caved in and ended up seeing him on Sunday. And MAN...it was wild. (To say the least) After not seeing him for 2 + months my heart was beating out of my chest, and he got out of his car to hug me and he was so sweet. I was so so nervous but he calmed me down and made me feel so safe and free. And it was as if the universe was giving me this time to let go of all the stresses in my life. Of all the worries and all the crap. I was SO SO happy that day. And I wanted time to slow down so I could spend more time with him, but because this isn’t a movie things obviously played very differently. And I think he disappeared again, and I have no means or way to question it because we aren’t anything. And that breaks me because I have feelings for someone I can’t ever have, he’s moving, he’s busy 24/7 and he’s not the guy for me. But it’s so hard to let go of this heartbreaker. It’s hard because we connect so well, not only in the chemistry department but also intellectually. He’s easy to talk to, he’s sweet and funny and outgoing and a little crazy and adventurous. And maybe I’m idealizing him, and idealizing what little we do have but it’s hard not to when he makes me feel like nothing else matters with just one kiss. Anyways, it is what it is and pretty soon I’ll have to let go of him forever. And just completely remove him from my thoughts and my life...

 But for now, I’m enjoying the little time I do get with him. I’m enjoying it and hoping to see him again soon. And hoping that when it is time to say goodbye that I can let go peacefully and accept the fact that one day I’ll find true love. And that love will respect me and cherish me, make time for me, make me a priority, and make me feel like no one ever else has before. That love won’t make excuses, won’t lie or make me feel like I don’t matter. That love will come and stay. Someday...

August 10th, 2017 3:24pm