#this is for my good friend natalie <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[pocketgalaxies]

WARLOCK: THE UNDEAD – FORM OF DREAD bonus:

[stephaniebrownslover]

OMGGGGGGG I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS ONE EITHER AND I'M SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR THIS

I'm the sweetest girl in town; so why are you so mean? Nina 'the Killer' Hopkins in Creeped PT 2: PURPOSE

PT. 1: K-12 — PT. 3: NEW MESSAGE

General disclaimer: This AU is an amalgamation of headcanons, fanon, canon, and the occasional rewrite. There is an overarching story that HEAVILY strays from their canon stories. TW for toxic relationships, murder, violence and self-harm. Please take care of yourself and only engage in content you can handle.

PURPOSE

❥After Nina attacked Claudia, she was forced back online. Back to her recluse lifestyle, hiding away from everyone she could. She didn’t want to be seen anymore. Having her social life torn away from her once again hurt. Watching her father’s face morph into disappointment in her high school’s office hurt. Receiving hateful messages from peers again hurt. 

❥Her online friends were still there, thankfully. It was interesting, actually, the news they bought her. The same day she attacked Claudia, there was a brand new true crime case. She huddled beneath her blanket and called them for comfort. She stayed up until 5am researching this case, listening to her friends jokingly say that the case could’ve been Nina's crime. It happened the same day, right? 

❥His name was Jeffery Alan Woods. She was 16 now, and he was a year younger than her. New information was still unfolding as the weeks went by, but this 15 year old boy really fought back. She sympathized with him upon learning about his story. He was troubled and bullied like her. He just wanted to be happy too, right? Live a good life with his brother, have fun at school, make friends. But boys at his school bullied him for it. It wasn’t fair at all to him.

❥Nina really could have been him. She watched hours of interviews, scoffing at everyone who implied he was evil. He was defending himself. Why didn’t they help him when they could have? If they stepped in, he wouldn’t have had to go so far in protecting himself. He had to do it. They failed him. Just like everyone failed Nina. 

❥Nina found Facebooks, Instagrams, and even year books. She spent days scouring the internet, compiling every possible photo she could find of Jeff. He was such a cute kid, she thought! He seemed so sweet in his 2009 Christmas photo, sitting politely with Santa. She saw his older brother, Liu, in several photos. She began researching Liu obsessively too, but he was often kept on the backburner. His interviews were few and far between, as he tried to fade into obscurity. His rare public appearances always mentioned forgiveness. Liu seemed to be the only one who saw humanity left in Jeff, just like Nina did. Why did everyone have to turn him into such a monster? 

❥Nina was able to find Liu’s address in a matter of days. Now she wanted to find Jeff. 

❥She was thrilled everytime a new murder happened. Whenever it was traced back to Jeff, she was overjoyed. Criminal sketches began getting released, and Nina hung them all on her wall. God, the smile was cute. And it was fun! He was just as eccentric as her. She began drawing the smile on her face with makeup, sending it to her online friends and posting selfies on the internet. She received a whole slew of hate comments demeaning her for idolizing this killer, but they didn’t understand his story like she did. 

❥Her mental health deteriorated rapidly. She did the bare minimum to scrape by in school. She never left her room, save for a shower once a week. Christopher brought meals to her, even if his little hands had to cook them himself. He didn’t like being in Nina’s room, really. The photos of Jeff littered the walls and the floor was filled with clothes and empty bottles. Regrettably, Christopher stumbled upon some photos of crime scenes which left him with nightmares.

❥Nina wouldn’t even look at him when he brought her dinner. Her bloodshot eyes were glued to her screen, cackling away at forums about Jeff, or curled up sobbing and begging Christopher to get the fuck out of her room. 

❥Nina took one of her weekly showers halfway through her senior year. She was in there for so long, and the shower had long been turned off. Christopher needed to use the bathroom. First, it was a timid little knock, asking if she was almost done. She said to wait, so he did. He asked again, and she said to wait. It happened again and again until he was banging on the door, whining and telling her to get out of the bathroom. She was being so annoying, always doing her makeup for hours at a time.

❥That’s what he figured, at least. He didn’t think anything of grabbing his mom’s card and using it to unlock the door, just like he’d done several times before when Nina was hogging the bathroom.

❥He screamed at the sight. Nina sat on the edge of the bathtub. She was in her underwear, blood smeared all over her figure. Her biceps, stomach, and thighs were littered with hundreds of shallow, messy wounds. Nina threw her head up, big doe eyes widened in horror. Similar to the shallow cuts across her body, there were jagged scars across her cheeks. Blood bubbled and rolled off her chin, mixing with tears and snot. A foul smell came from her before he realized she had repeatedly thrown up into the tub. 

❥"GET THE FUCK OUT" was all she could manage, but Christophers cries brought him to his mother’s room. Nina desperately threw back on her pajamas, rushing to turn on the shower and make up any excuse she could.

❥There wasn’t really a defense for any of this. 

MISSISSIPPI 

❥February 13, 2015 Nina was sent to her grandparents home in Mississippi. It was her 17th birthday, right before her graduation. Her grandparents were retired and strict. Unlike her parents, they had all the time in the world to focus on Nina. They heavily monitored everything she did. Kept track of her location, her card, her friends. Made sure she put vitamin E oil on her scars and concealer before going out. They made her get a job working with their friend’s niece. Nina didn’t connect to anyone. She simply filed in and out of work and school, finishing up whatever had to be done and barely scraping by at graduation.

❥ Her grandparents barely permitted a gap year, but she began working full time. She got better at putting on a clean, sweet persona for them. She’d often come home and ramble to her grandparents about work, receiving firm advice to stay away from anyone causing Nina trouble. 

❥They couldn’t monitor her internet access the same way, though. Nina spent the next year obsessively researching Jeff all the same, but she kept it all contained to her laptop. Hundreds of hours of information compiled into thousands of different files. She had grown quite notorious in true crime communities, with her username being littered about several forums. ‘Nina the Killer’ was a silly but fitting screen name. 

❥She grew incredibly close to new people, all of which just as infatuated with Jeff. They all shared similar stories of being beaten and bruised their entire life, constantly daydreaming to exhibit the strength Jeff did that fatal day. Nina felt seen, for once. 

❥There was an especially interesting guy online. He went by Mark, and would email Nina very often, always asking her about her thoughts on Jeff’s latest move. Asked Nina for advice on how to kill his parents, too. She’d ramble on about several methods, and would completely melt when he praised her creativity. How sweet. He even spent time encouraging Nina’s curiosity on Liu, someone the community often disregarded. But Nina was fixated on him as well, just to a lesser extent. It felt so good to have someone care about her interests like that. Someone who engaged and encouraged her morbid thoughts.

❥A year went by. Her grandparents were so proud of her, genuinely believing she was getting better. They gave her a beautiful 18th birthday party, and quickly began registering her for their local community college. They wanted to keep her on this great path.

❥Before she could even select classes, Mark messaged her with a new rumor. Jeff was allegedly in Alabama. Only a state away from her. 

❥It was crazy, and it was unrealistic, and she should have dropped it. There was no fucking shot she’d meet him, right? But…

❥Nina Hopkins was pathetic. She rummaged through her grandparents' belongings one night, grateful for their poor hearing. She stuffed everything she could into a few massive suitcases, including her grandparents' cash. After withdrawing all her savings, she hopped on a train.

COINS

❥Nina stayed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She began working two jobs, waiting tables at a dingy little restaurant and at a Hot Topic in the local mall. It was difficult for a while, staying in dingy motels before she could finally find a cheap apartment to rent. 

❥She got along with most of the people she worked with now. The year with her grandparents genuinely helped with her rapidly deteriorating social skills, and it seemed everyone liked Nina’s spunk. She was chatty, sweet, and very pretty. Tips always found their way tucked into her back pocket. 

❥Her favorite coworker was a girl named Natalie. Natalie was the opposite of Nina. Tall, lanky, with long straight hair and a mean expression. She knew how to stand up for herself from the start. Natalie didn’t let her anger boil over until she made horrible decisions, not like Nina. The speed at which Natalie would get difficult customers off Nina’s back was startling. She was protective over all the girls in the restaurant, but especially little Nina.

❥Natalie was an odd one, too. Nina could tell. She saw tiny scars littered on Natalie’s cheeks, always covered with foundation, but never fully hiding them away. She usually wore a medical eyepatch over one eye. This only drew Nina to her all the more, until they eventually began getting lunch together every now and again. Nina was 19 by then.

❥Nina would nonsensically ramble about this boy she met online, earning a raised brow from Natalie. 

❥It was the same guy she met on a forum about Jeff the Killer, Mark. The one who always came to Nina for a hypothetical murder method. The one who shared gross, gorey images that he ‘found online.’ The one who told her that Jeff was in Alabama. Recently, Nina had been making plans to meet Mark. She shared this with Natalie.

❥But Nina had no clue Natalie knew Jeff. They were quite close, actually, living in the same damn abandoned farmhouse. Natalie caught lazy glances at Jeff’s phone, and she was quick to connect the dots. 

❥”Don’t fucking meet him. You’re being stupid.” Natalie was blunt, as usual.

❥”You’re so dramatic, oh my god. It’s not like I-”

❥”I said don’t.” Natalie was insistent. Nina never listened to good advice.

PT. 3: NEW MESSAGE

[everythingne]

unbothered - op81

oscar's longtime girlfriend is a ballroom dancer. fans don't like that she has to dance with other people. oscar could not give a shit what people say.

ballroom dancer!reader x oscar piastri // fc: parley and natalie

requested by @starlightdelrey (thank you darling!)

warnings/notes: rumors of cheating (no one is cheating), i know nothing about ballroom dancing other than it looks so fucking cool so take this mwah

liked by oscarpiastri, ronaniliano, hattipiastri, and others...

yourusername: thanks to all who supported us at the US National Dancesport Championships! we may not have gotten a trophy this weekend, but any weekend is good when I'm dancing with my bestie @ ronaniliano <3 (FINALLY!!! now that his ankle is no longer sprained!)

ronaniliano: in the words of my king matthew lillard: "i always come back"

⤷ yourusername: u wanna rewatch that with some post-comp ramen?

⤷ ronaniliano: yes girl lets go

⤷ user: ronan and yn's friendshippp omg

user1: congrats! welcome back to my favorite duo <3

oscarpiastri: ❤️

⤷ yourusername: omg u actually commented?

⤷ oscarpiastri: my mom told me i had to

⤷ yourusername: @ nicolepiastri have i ever said how much i love you?

⤷ nicolepiastri: yes! hundreds of times! but i never mind hearing it again from you !

hattiepiastri: how much to do a txt routine.

⤷ yourusername: i cant perform it but ill bribe ronan into making one for u

⤷ hattiepiastri: as payment, next time ur in aus ill pay for hungry jacks

liked by oscarpiastri, michealchen, ronaniliano, and others...

yourusername: nom nom nom >:) eating some gold this weekend at @ ohiostarball ! shout out to @ michealchen for the dress this weekend, i felt like a little princesss !!

michealchen: thanks for making my designs shine!

ronaniliano: the prettiest princess on the dancefloor

⤷ yourusername: awe u make me blush :)

⤷ user: uhm... flirting?? on main??

hattiepiastri: lets FUCKING GOOO!!!!!

user1: the way ronan looks at yn omg

⤷ user2: how are they not dating

⤷ user3: no they have to be

⤷ user4: but yn literally has a whole ass boyfriend of six years?

⤷ user1: guys chill they're friends ?? yn has said this before.

oscarpiastri: ❤️

⤷ user5: bro STAND UP. USE UR EYES

⤷ user1: stop being a fucking freak dude

liked by hattiepiastri, ronaniliano, oscarpiastri, and others...

yourusername: big hugs for such a big finish! double gold this weekend! thank u @ ronaniliano for everything <3

comments have been disabled for this post!

liked by landonorris, yourusername, logansargeant, and more...

oscarpiastri: she only cheats at chess (by kissing me and switching our pieces)

tagged: yourusername

comments have been limited!

landonorris: okay save some dignity here man

⤷ oscarpiastri: sorry i have the urge to flex my very awesome world champion ballroom dancer girlfriend who wins almost every event and people should respect her more and not be weird

⤷ landonorris: ur a simp

⤷ oscarpiastri: date someone and then talk to me ab being a simp

logansargeant: you can let go of her i promise she isn't going anywhere

ronanilliano: ugh u two are just perfect its unfair

carlossainz: you certainly have a way of shutting down rumors

hattiepiastri: if you guys ever break up true love is NOT real

yourusername: you're a very easy man to distract :)!

⤷ oscarpiastri: you're doing so right now

⤷ yourusername: yeah get off ur phone loser and pay attention to me :) <3

[cheriladycl01]

Ghost - Oscar Piastri x UnknownDriver! Reader Part 3

Plot: Reader is the first female F1 driver of the century, however no-one knows that as you are a ghost on the grid. You started in 2022, coming in P12 in the championship. You get moved to Red Bull Racing in 2023 with the off year for Sergio Perez.

Standing up on the podium, not being able to do anything as you watched Oscar run off was torture. You had to stay there while your national anthem played that should have been amazing considering it was you, Lewis and Lando all up there together.

And of course, there were no breaks for you afterwards. Everyone wanted you, from SkySports, to F1, to Netflix. Everyone was throwing questions at you and asking how different your achievements feel now knowing that your the first woman to have completed many of them.

You were fine answering them, because like they said. All of your previous achievements were now bigger than they were as Ghost. People could tell that you weren't fully with them, you were a little spacey and sometimes struggled with hearing and answering the questions.

Most of them put it down to the post race fuzz of the win and revealing who you were, but upon getting to the Sky Sports Team who consisted of Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Natalie Pinkham and Danica Patrick questions turned sour.

"So Y/N aside from racing we caught light of Oscar Piastri's quick depart after the reveal, any insight on this?" Danica asks, making you look down.

"I don't think these questions are necessary" Jenson says just as the Red Bull PR manager was about to ask for racing related questions only.

"Yes please stick to racing questions only" the Red Bull PR backs up, nodding before taking a step back. You look back up, straight to Nico who had a soft look on his face.

"I'm just interested, you raced for Alpine last year when he was a reserve driver... for Alpine and you've been promoted to Red Bull this year while Piastri's made the move to Mclaren. Can't help but wonder if its underlying sexism that's made him this mad, you all cant deny he was blunt and rude in his interview with us earlier" Danica pushes and you head snaps up. You feel a hand on your shoulder as if to stop you from what your about to say but you go ahead anyway.

"I've hurt a dear friend. So how dare you stand there and try to victimize me, when he is the one that I've hurt. He knew me as Ghost's assistant and media manager... we were close and I've not been truthful to him for obvious reasons. So don't stand there and try to make him out to be a misogynistic twat when he isn't. I don't know what you experienced in NASCAR Danica but in F1 all I've experienced today is love and support. Just because your sport sucks doesn't mean mine does" you snap, and recoil shocked that you'd just said all of that. She looks at you also in shock, Jenson and Nico were trying to stop their laughter.

"Well, some strong opinions there from Y/N Y/L/N" Jenson says as he watches you turn away and walk off. You were done with interviews for the day. You just wanted to find Oscar and talk to him now.

"Lando! Lando" you shout as you see the curly haired boy ahead of you walking into the Mclaren motorhome.

"Hey, Y/N or should i say Ghost" he smiles before pulling you into a hug.

"I was not expecting that bombshell today, and I will admit I'm sorry for assuming you were some ugly guy... your very obviously not" he laughs.

"Where's Oscar" you ask, you didn't want to seem rude but of course he was your priority right now.

"Y/N, I don't think its a good idea to see him right now. I think maybe just wait for him to come to you. He's upset and" he starts but you look him dead in the eye.

"He upset me too, he just ran off... at my first race win" you say as selfish as it was... but he also ruined that experience for you.

"I know, but you did like lie to him for just under 2 years" Lando says softly not wanting to rattle your already unstable cage of self hatred.

"And what was i supposed to do Lando, tell him a secret that Red Bull had me sign an NDA over and break my contract and risk loosing my seat?" you ask, hoping he would start to understand.

"Look Y/N you really should go..." Lando pushes looking around the area you were currently in. He put a hand on your lower back as to guide you back out, but you planted yourself still.

"No, I'm not leaving till i talk to him" you grunt.

"Y/N I'm telling you this as your friend and your co-worker. You need to go" he says, you'd actually never seen his eyes this serious before and it had your head cocking to the side in confusion.

As your about to ask him why the hell he's being so twitchy, two people stumble out of the next room a little disheveled and both laughing. You eyes lock on them.

"O-Oscar?" you ask in shock, the girl looks up at him confused and his face turns red but also a sour expression comes onto his face.

Before any of them can say anything your turning away from them, everything feels slow motion, all the voices around you blur and your heartbeat comes erratic.

You couldn't understand why it hurt so much, the thought of him not even for a moment being happy for you up on a podium that he come here to be with some other girl ... or was it because in the time you'd spent with him you'd fallen for the racer.

You round the corner, stumbling behind the Mclaren motorhome so that you could just breath. You crouch down, your head leaning back against the side.

"Fucks sake" you say to yourself, once you'd calmed yourself from the initial shock you fully sat down on the metal edging outside the Mclaren motorhome.

"Y/N?" you hear a voice ask, your head peaks up and you spot Alex and Logan.

"Oh, hey guys. Great Race today!" you smile.

"Why are you just sat outside the Mclaren motorhome?" Logan asks raising an eyebrow at you.

"Oh, erm no reason. I just got lost on my way back to Red Bull" you smile standing up and walking to the long strip and turning left.

"Your still clearly lost, Red Bull's that way" Alex says pointing to the right hand side, that you weren't facing.

"Right, yeah i knew that" you smile, turning round and scuttering off the other way.

To say that the UK was the start of something spectacular was an understatement. You didn't go out and celebrate that night, you stayed in with your family.

The next race was Hungary where you proceeded to take the win away from Max in the last 3 laps, being on the fresher tires. They asked you to let Max take the win but you begged for them to let you fight it out. You shared the podium with Max and Lando, in Spa you came second, sharing the podium with Max and Charles and in The Netherlands you came 4th.

Throughout all of this Oscar hadn't reached out to you. You'd kept in contact with Lando, asking how he was and what had been going on. However Monza changed things.

An article came out about an interview Oscar had done about you and how you hadn't spoken to him since. He hadn't spoken very nicely about you when all you'd done was stick up for him. You guys got into a massive argument outside the garages that of course people caught on camera.

You had a really bad qualifying, the car just didn't have pace and your mind wasn't in the right place. So you were starting P14 on the grid, after a cry to Christian that you were so overwhelmed and him assuring you that it was today that really mattered.

You had turned off everything when you got in the car on the Sunday. No thoughts in your head just the racing. On the start you managed to get yourself to P12 overtaking Liam and Nico right of the bat.

"Excellent start Y/N lets keep pushing"

Martin Bundle - I have to say that Y/N is incredible with these races where she starts down in the back of the grid, and she gets those amazing starts where she slips in the middle of the two drivers ahead and is able to confidently get herself up too places

"Okay, and Alonso are ahead, you have DRS" your engineer tells you, and you are able to overtake Yuki who doesn't go as aggressively into the chicane as you do. You have a little spin but recover enough to pull up aside Alonso on the straight, going for the overtake.

"Amazing Y/N, that's P10 right now. Keep pushing"

Eventually you were left fighting Carlos, Max clipped a tire and was now down in 4th fighting with Charles.

"Y/N this has been a fantastic race, from P14 up to P2, Carlos is 1.8 second ahead. Lets get him and bring home a double podium. Max is fighting for P3 right now. 5 laps to go" he advises.

"Tell him to speed up, I'll give him DRS we can overtake Sainz together so its a 1.2" you advise looking seeing the Ferrari behind you. You slow down on the hairpin, breaking early, which Charles didn't expect where he was concentrating on defending from Max. You speed up, watching as he spins out a little leaving room for Max on the inside.

"Okay, Sainz has sped up there's now a 2.6 second gap"

"Copy that" you say, Max was using your slip stream, but didn't go for the overtake, you easily defended from Charles together while gaining on the other Ferrari.

"Okay last two laps, Sainz, 0.3 second gap"

"Yeah i can fucking tell I'm riding his rear end" you say, the minute you get onto the straight you and Max both go either side of Sainz, sandwiching him in as your about to go into turn 11. He breaks early falling back leaving you to take the optimal racing line and get ahead of Max.

"Is Max fighting this last lap?" you ask.

"He's been told is free to fight. Mode push and bring us another win" your race engineer advises, you breeze through the final lap, it was a close call but you came first.

"Y/N Y/L/N winner of the 2023 Italian Grand Prix" your race engineer says a big grin coming onto your face as you flip up the visor holding your fist up as you see all the Red Bull crew cheering for you on the fencing.

"Where did Oscar place?" you ask, you hadnt thought about him up until now. Even as you passed the orange 81 car, it was just another car then.

"Not a good race for Piastri, P12 behind Lawson"

"Okay. Thank you for the great drive today. Thank you Christian" you say before preparing yourself for the podium.

Would Oscar be there?

Taglist:

@littlesatanicassholebitch @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @stupidandunnecessary @clayra-g @daemyratwst @honey-belden @moonypixel @lauralarsen @vader-is-hot @ironcowboycopnickel @itsjustkhaos @the-untamed-soul @beebo86 @happylittlereader @ziejustme @lou-larcher5 @thewulf @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @chillyleclerc @chanthereader @annoyingmoonballoon @summissss @evieepepi08 @havaneseoger08 @celesteblack08 @gulphulp @fandom1ruined2me @celebstories @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhh @georgeparisole @dakotatankbig @youcannotcancelquidditch @zzonsbeek @tallbrownhairsarcastic @mellowarcadefun @ourteenagetragedy @otako5811 @countingstacksandpanicattacks @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @hopexcroc @mirrorball-6 @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @bigsimperika @blueberry64857959 @eiraethh @lilypadlover @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @the-fem1n1ne-urge @21stcenturytaegi @dark-night-sky-99 @spideybv28 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle

[letorip]

casual [ii]

"is it casual now? i know what you tell your friends, it's casual, if it's casual now"

===+++===

pairing: natalie scatorccio x reader

summary: you keep telling yourself it's casual, but it still manages to bother you so much when you realise nat is ducking you.

warnings: explicit sexual content, SMUT (nat recieving), drug use, alcohol consumption, mostly set up chapter, 'i love you' but in a sad way :(

word count: 7.7k

A/N: there will ALREADY BE A PART 3 FINALE ON THE WAY. amount of research i did on US schooling, US version of Windolene, and the 1996 US Presidential Election should be criminal.

***also to be clear because i know i was kind of confusing about it last time, Nat’s father is still alive, this is a no crash au, and there’s still about a week left to go to nationals, Lottie’s party is NOT the night before, for the sake of my sanity

===+++===

===+++===

Dinner that night exceeded your expectations by far, or at least in terms of awkwardness. It laced the air in thick wafts that made you shift in your chair from time to time, out of need of something to do.

"So Julie," your mother said. She raised her glass with a distinguished elegance and sipped her wine. "I heard that last year you went to the state science fair." She said it with a glance at you over the lip and dramatic overemphasis, as if she expected you to stand and applaud. “You won first place?”

You took the hint and sent Julie a smile fixed in place, and then one down to her parents at the other end. These sort of set ups went better when you appeared to give them a good try. "Oh really?"

"I did!” The smile she had worn all night widened, veneers a crisp white colour that looked like the blank walls of a dentist’s office. “It was a project on sea turtles. My dad flew us out to Barbados to work with a research team.” If Julie had said any more on her project, you could not hear it.

There was a beautiful oil painting right behind her on the wall, in a thick copper frame that glinted in the dining room light. The portrait had hung there since you were a child, but from that angle it had felt mundane. A random portrait of a random woman your father had bought on a random business trip. Now, it was impossible for you to see the soft, beautiful blues of the woman's eyes and not think of Natalie's.

Perhaps that was karma. The conversation with Nat still hung over your thoughts in an ever-present guilt, and the longer you thought about it, the less you thought you liked yourself. Not that there was much to be done about that, of course.

A silence filled the room and you looked back to Julie, who stared at you with a blank expression. You glanced around the table, only to find everyone else’s eyes on you too. Shit.

“Sorry, what was the question?” you flushed. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Lottie stifle a laugh, and your father’s gaze down at the other end. His disapproval was thick in his eyebrows, and you rubbed the back of your neck, sheepish.

Julie continued to beam at you, and you shifted in your seat. “I was wondering if you also liked science.”

“Oh. I don’t really love—,” before you could finish, your mom took it away, interrupting and reaching over the table to clasp Julie’s hand in her own.

“Of course! (Y/n) here is the president of Science Honours Society at Wiskayok. Don’t let the bruises fool you, (Y/n) is a giant studier and scholar.” Ah, the bruises.

Your mom had freaked the hell out when she saw you, just as you knew she would. Her immediate reaction had been to cover them with concealer, and then she had almost cried when you could still see the purple and red skin underneath.

“(Y/n)’s also a giant nerd,” Bobby said. “Know-it-all, more like,” he corrected with a laugh, leaning towards her as if trying to steal the show. You wouldn’t have stopped him, if he was. He had mentioned finding her pretty, not that she seemed to be interested in him. Your other cousin, Trent, knocked him on the side of the head, before he went back to his food.

“Robert,” your father chided, before turning to Julie and her parents himself. “(Y/n) here will be Valedictorian, at the end of the year. Academics are important to us, and I assure you, science is part of that.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Mrs. Roosevelt said. “Do you know where you’re going to college yet?”

You shrugged, eyes on your plate. “Either Brown or Princeton.”

Your mom clasped her hands together, excited. “Mr. (L/n) and his mother and father, and his mother and father before him and so on, all went to and fell in love at Princeton. We donate money every year. And then, well, there’s Brown or Columbia, as options.”

“I was considering Princeton, too,” Julie said. “Of course, we have ties to Harvard as a family, but Princeton always piqued my interest.” At that, you hid what would’ve been a snort behind a cheeky smile. Nat’s ‘fuckin’ rich people,’ played back in your mind in a memory of the warm afternoon you had just spent in her bed. “We could meet at Princeton, right? Like your grandparents?”

You blinked, unable to compute the rather forward question into your brain along with the warmth you could feel spread out on your cheeks. Lottie watched you again, fork half in her mouth, amused and entertained beyond belief. But Julie Roosevelt, as nice as she was, wouldn’t be the one for you.

You cleared your throat, mustering an apologetic smile. “Um…yeah, it would be great to have other friends there.”

“Right…friends," said Julie, staring at you blankly. You didn’t need to look at her, to feel your mother’s disappointment. Bobby and Trent were staring, too. Lottie had her eyes on her food.

"So, did anyone ask Reginald what dessert tonight will be?" your father asked. He didn't look in your direction. You were grateful for it. He was usually the one to bridge the gap, and you had missed him when he was in Tokyo.

"I do believe he said it would be cheesecake," your mother replied. She turned her fork over in her salad, considerably less vibrant than before.

Trent nodded, sipping his water. "That'll be good." He turned to your father with a chuckle. "Did you hear that Buchanan's stepped down from the bid for president?" At that point you let the conversation go on around you, but were all too content to sit back and just observe.

===+++===

"(Y/N)!" a faint voice came into your bathroom. You blinked.

“Yeah?” But there was no reply. At least, not for a minute.

"(Y/N), GET DOWN HERE, NOW!"

You paused in front of the bathroom mirror. The toothbrush still hung from your mouth, and you furrowed your eyebrows, painfully so with the bruise on your eye, questioning if what you were hearing was real. It was all too early in the morning, for you to be running late.

"(Y/N), I'M NOT KIDDING AROUND, DAMMIT!" Your father yelled, and now you were sure you were awake. You furrowed your eyebrows at the anger in his voice and plugged your electric toothbrush into its holder, before sliding on your slippers and opening your door.

There was a whole bunch of commotion going on in the foyer below, and while your mom had held her tongue about Julie the night before, it didn't make sense for your father to be this angry you had turned her down, right? You ran your hand through your bedhead, in an halfhearted attempt to first xit as you still groggily came down the long set of stairs.

"What?" you asked. Your dad had his back to you, talking with Reginald, and Maribel was crying in the corner with a bottle of windex in her hands, but he spun around the moment he heard your voice.

"Don't 'what' me. Go look outside. Right now." His face was all red when he said it, like a scary tomato, and it somewhat snapped you out of your sleepy daze.

The front door was wide open, and there was a gardener who wasn't usually there until later, walking right on in with a wad of toilet paper in his hand. You blinked, then half-stumbled through your door and out onto the driveway.

Fucking hell.

Even from far away, you could smell the rotted eggs, splattered onto the windows of your house and dripping down the sides in clumps. They were everywhere, coating parts of your driveway and sitting in hedges. What was the worst was the white Rolls Royce your father had just bought, which had egg yolks covering the windshield and all along the fresh paint job from where it sat under the awning. Behind it, right on the garage door in spray-painted red letters was 'fuck you.'

Where there weren't eggs, there were reams and reams of toilet paper, strung from the red oaks and trimmed hedges. One or two rolls had unfurled down the length of your driveway entirely, reaching all the way to the end like some sort of demented breadcrumb trail for Reginald, who had apparently discovered the mess when he pulled into work and up the drive that morning.

Your father followed you out, his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. "Do you, at all, happen to know why my lawn looks like this?" he demanded.

You swallowed. "No, I'm sorry.”

“You’re sorry? What the hell am I going to do with sorry?”

“It must just be someone from the high school pranking me." It wasn't. It didn't take a genius to make a guess, though. Nat had been pissed, but you didn’t think it would be this pissed.

"Well, whoever it was had access to our neighbourhood gate, (Y/n).” Your father pointed an angry finger at you, poking you harshly in the chest. “You didn't give the code to anyone, did you? We told you not to, unless it was approved by me or your mother."

You stared down at the ground. You were still in your slippers and silk pyjamas. "No, I promise dad, I didn't. I don't know how they got in."

His gaze was still heavy for a moment, eyes and eyebrows thick and heavy, as he scanned your face for the traces of a lie. He didn't find one, and when he didn't, he turned to Reginald, who stood in the doorway behind him, with a sigh.

"Can you pull the old Jaguar from the motor court? We'll need this cleaned up by the time I'm back for work."

Reginald nodded. "Right away, sir."

"Good," he said, and then he turned to you. "And you. I'll be changing our gate code as soon as possible. No giving it out. Your friends are lucky nothing was damaged— we'll sue no question."

"Yes sir," you said, keeping your eyes down.

"Good. Go get ready for school. Don't mention this to anyone."

"Yes sir." You couldn't get back inside fast enough, practically jogging in your slippers and up the stairs. You got about halfway up, before your mother called out to you.

"(Y/n), is that you?"

You froze, considering for a moment just going up like you hadn't heard her. You didn't get the chance though.

"Come down here."

"Yes mother." You turned back around, heading down to where she sat in the formal living room. It was closest to the door, and she must've been watching through the front window. In her left hand was a familiar bottle of wine, and she reeked of its contents. She didn't look too pleased, but with her it was more of a morning thing than the egging.

"Are you going to say good morning to me, darling?"

You nodded. "Sorry. Good morning, mother."

"There you go. Your eye still looks dreadful." Ah, the bruises.

Your mom lost her ever-loving mind when she saw you, just as you knew she would. Her immediate reaction had been to cover them with concealer, and then she had almost cried when you could still see the purple and red skin underneath and the Roosevelts would be arriving any minute.

It was a bit funny that your bloody nose was still visible, in a morbid way, but you knew better than to laugh about it in front of her, and moving your face still hurt in places. Lottie— who watched from atop the bathroom counter— laughed for the both of you instead, which earned her a shriek from your mother.

"It's going to, for the next few weeks. That's what Misty said."

She huffed. "Well, Julie was a disappointment, and we need you to get back out there, if you're going to have a date for prom. Your father and I can't have you going alone."

"I might not be going to prom," you replied, messing with the collar of your pyjama shirt. "The Yellowjackets might be going to nationals, remember? I have to go."

"Yes, well, at least get a date just in case. Everyone else in the neighbourhood will, and we can’t have you alone.”

“Lottie would also be alone.”

“Well I’m not Lottie’s parents now am I?”

“No.”

“Right, I’m not. Now, don’t cut my head off for this, but are you sure you like girls?" You glared and she waved you off. "Don't look at me like that, I just mean you're not having very much success with girls, is all. It's 1996, your father and I are very forward-thinking.”

It took all your energy not to laugh. If they wanted to believe they were forward thinking, you'd let them. The same could be said for success with girls. Instead, you shrugged. "All the girls you've picked are just so boring. There isn't a spark."

Your mother rolled her eyes. "There doesn't always have to be one. For me and your father, there wasn't. We met and then slowly worked towards a love. That instant-love stuff is for children who've seen too many Disney movies, and those soppy Democrats."

"Maybe spark was the wrong word, mother— I don't even feel a connection. They’re super ‘meh’ and stuff."

"Don’t say ‘and stuff’ you make yourself sound stupid. These girls are all from great families, (Y/n). I'm sure there are kids at your school who would love a chance to talk to Julie, or Margot or Sloane— god Sloane is in high demand. I think it's the cheerleading."

“Mother.”

“Yes— sorry. Go fix your hair, you look unkempt. And think about it. Julie wasn’t too bad, she made that joke about forks. Funny.” It hadn’t been.

“Yes mother,” you said, and you stalked away and back up the stairs without another word. You were already running late, with the whole egg thing, and you needed to figure out what you would do with your face the way it was.

===+++===

“Can we stop for coffee?” Lottie groaned, tapping her fingers along the sill of your passenger side window. “‘s so fucking early.” She was splayed out in the seat, with a backup blanket you kept in the second row thrown over her legs and cuddling up to her backpack. You scoffed, fingers on the wheel with an extra tightness.

“Hell no. We’re going to be late for the meeting.” But she just groaned again.

“I didn’t even want to be part of it. You were the jerk who made me.”

“You’re literally the treasurer. You’re on the club board.”

“And? I’m shit at french.”

“You’re shit at a lot of things.”

“And you’re shit at catching a ball with anything but your face,” she giggled.

There didn’t end up being anything you could do. Going to bed had only made the bruising worse, and your nose was a bright red while your eye sat at a deep, unnatural black colour with touches of purple on the outside. You were sure to get odd looks by anyone you passed, but you decided to just get it over with and wear it out.

At the light you turned, driving down the familiar street that led to WHS, and as soon as the coffee shop was in sight, Lottie smacked her hand onto the glass, dragging her fingers down and leaving prints.

“I need to tell you something,” you said, frowning. Lottie whipped around in her seat.

“Are you finally going to say what happened with Nat yesterday?”

You rolled your eyes. "I thought you'd never ask."

She laughed. "I mean, I was going to, in the car ride home. You just didn't say a whole word the entire drive. It was freaking me out, actually. I thought you were either brain dead from Carter’s throw-in or didn’t want to talk about it.”

"Sorry," you mumbled. Lottie shook her head.

"It's fine. I'd probably stop talking for a bit too, if I found out Jackie was right about something."

"It was reality breaking," you nodded with a smile. It took until you both stopped at the light for you to muster the ability to speak again. "Nat’s upset about me potentially seeing other girls.”

"That's what I figured," said Lottie. "Soooo…what now?"

“It gets worse,” you said, shaking your head.

“Delightful.”

“I think she egged my house.”

Lottie laughed for a moment in a giant burst, but she stopped when you just held your stare on the road ahead. “Wait— are you serious???”

You nodded. “There were eggs and toilet paper everywhere. My dad was pissed.”

“Nat wouldn’t do that, though. She’s not that kind of person,” she said, shaking her head.

“Who else would it be, Lottie? She wrote a giant ‘fuck you’ on my house. She’s the only one I gave my code to.”

Lottie furrowed her eyebrows. “Why’d you give her your code?”

“…My parents and Reginald were out of town in August. So…”

“Ew,” she scrunched her nose. “Got it.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll bet she’s on your dad’s shit list now.”

You frowned, remembering just how smooth her skin was against you. How she cradled your face in her hands like it was her whole world. “I didn’t tell him it was her.”

She stared at you for a moment, as if you had missed something spelt out in a bright neon sign that floated just above your head in a way you could never read it. Lottie shrugged, turning back to look out the window. “What are you going to say to her? I mean, it’s clear she wants your full attention.”

"Or that it’s over. She told me to ‘go to hell,’ Lot.”

“It’s because she cares about you. Like, a lot.” She gave you a more annoyed look, this time.

"What's the face for?" you whined.

"If Nat’s gonna be super mad at you, practice'll be awkward as hell."

"Probably," you said. "Nat asked me to go with her to your party. So, that too."

She sighed. “You just had to screw a Yellowjacket, huh?”

“Hey! I didn’t mean to.”

“It was an accident?” she said, raising her eyebrows.

“No!— ugh, you know what I mean…”

“I know.” Lottie crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back in the car seat. "Maybe you could explain to her? Why it wouldn't work, and all?"

"Yeah," you huffed. "I'll just tell her she's considered trailer trash, and that my uppity parents want Miss Americana, who works in foreign countries with research teams for the science fair, and is at least four tax brackets above her. That'll go over great."

"Well don't say that," she rolled her eyes. Lottie thought for a moment. "…Do you at least like Nat, though?"

You frowned. "Would it even matter if I did?"

"Maybe," said Lottie. "Maybe it would matter." You pulled your car into your parking space, then pulled your key from the ignition. WHS always looked the same. Even in old photos your parents had shown, it had the same red brick and towering trees.

"Maybe I'll try to pull her aside…" you trailed off.

"That's probably a good idea," she nodded.

“Nat said Carter got detention?” You asked it as you grabbed your backpack from the backseat, tugging it over your shoulders while Lottie did the same.

“Yeah. Suspended from the team too,” she said, and you locked your car behind you both, as you headed through the old doors. French classrooms were on the opposite side of campus, down an older hallway that had yet to be renovated. Despite having two French teachers and a whole honours club, no one knew how to speak it.

The meeting had already started by the time you both slipped in, and Lottie awkwardly snuck along the wall to get up to the front where the leadership board was standing, who were less than pleased to see her late. Jackie waved you over to a seat in the back, and Jeff sat a few roads in front with his friends. Anyone who saw you stared for a second.

“Morning,” you mumbled, sliding into your seat.

“Morning,” she whispered back. “Your face looks terrible.”

“No, really?” you snorted. “I didn’t notice.”

“Stop talking!” came a voice from the front, and you could see Sloane glaring daggers at you from the front. She was the president of the club and she hadn’t liked you much since she dedicated a whole day to a date with you and you promptly refused a second.

“Sorry,” Jackie said, raising her hand to take the blame. Sloane shook her head, but went back to reading off of her notes. The moment her head was turned, Jackie leaned back over to you. “Boy, she needs the stick pulled out from her ass, huh?”

“It’s just ‘cause she’s French,” you whispered back to her with a grin.

“Yeah, well, she’s the only one. Besides, we all know it’s because Mr. Allard watches when she bends over.” You shook your head, stifling a laugh at the thought of the creepy old guy. Jackie nudged you in the shoulder. "Why was Nat pissed off yesterday, for the last bit of practice?"

You blinked. "What?"

"She came out all upset, like she was about to cry and stuff. Did you break her heart or something?"

"I don't know," you said with a frown. "I have no idea what we are at this point. I mean, I thought we were friends—"

Jackie scoffed. "Yeah right. You guys were friends, fucking in the back of your car. Real good friends, there."

"Shut up."

"I'm just saying. You definitely let her run wild with her fantasies of you."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"Maybe if you're Nat. A kid who's top of the class, hot, prom court, varsity, and not a complete asshole? You're like Prince Charming. Or Mother Theresa.”

"You're kidding, right?"

"What, do you have the emotional depth of a kiddie pool? No!"

“Jackie! Stop talking!”

“Yup! Sorry.”

===+++===

Nat didn't show up to school, that day. You knew because you waited for her, right at the door to the cafeteria, down the same hall she always came through. She wasn't there. You waited for her after what would've been her Biology class, leaning on the wall and watching everyone but her file out when the bell rang. She wasn't there either.

You even waited at the back of the school, after the final bell, to see if she would appear, but all you got were weird looks from kids in band tees and a whole waft of what smelled like weed. Nat smelled like that sometimes, but she tried to cover it with perfume. You could still smell it on her, but it blended with the smell to be uniquely Nat. As silly as that was, you liked that you knew that.

From the far wall, you could see Kevyn watching you, surrounded by kids you had seen Natalie with. You didn’t know Kevyn too well, only in passing mention from Nat, or in a story. He was the reason you two couldn’t meet up sometimes, though you tried not to hold that against him.

It wasn’t a thought you were very proud of, but your fingers tightened on the straps of your leather backpack with gold plating. Any one of your friends would laugh at you for being back here, and you stood out like a white sheep in a field of sheep in black leather jackets. You didn’t know any of these kids, but you could tell they knew of you, from the glances and whispers.

It seemed Kevyn couldn’t hold his tongue any longer. He stepped forward and at least attempted to shove his hands into his jean pockets, but they seemed a bit tight on him and he gave up. “The hell are you doing out here?” he grumbled out.

“Have you seen Nat?” you asked with an awkward smile.

Kevyn’s glare sharpened. “She doesn’t want to talk to you. Nice face, by the way.” So she had told him. You winced.

“Look, I really need to speak with her. It’s super important and—”

“—I don’t think you heard me. She doesn’t want to speak to you,” said Kevyn, interrupting and crossing his arms over his chest. You frowned.

“Kevyn, please…”

“I'm not telling you, country club.”

“Don’t call me that.”

Kevyn took another step forward with a challenge. “It’s what you are, isn’t it?” You could feel even more eyes on the both of you.

“I just need to find her.” It was embarrassing, how your voice shook as you said it, but that didn’t make it any less true.

“But you hurt her.”

You looked down. Air did not want to come easy. “I know. I know I did.”

Kevyn stayed silent for a while. It was the both of you just standing there while he seemed to mull over his options. He sighed. “She’s not here today. Didn’t want to come. She’ll be back tomorrow for practice.”

You nodded, raising your hands in appreciation. “Okay, thank you,” you rushed it out, getting ready to jet. The stoners still made you a bit uneasy. But before you could go he spoke up again.

“Nat’s not as tough as she acts, you know.”

You stopped, turning back to him. “What?”

“She wouldn’t shut up about you. It was almost like bragging. She’s— she was actually proud of something hers, for once.”

You didn’t know what to say to that. Your mother would be clutching the pearls of her necklace right now, if she saw where you were. She just might’ve died, the moment she smelled the weed.

Kevyn shook his head. “Don’t hurt her again. I fuckin’ mean it.”

You swallowed, managing to fix a smile to your face. It felt very hot out, then, and you turned around to leave this time. No one stopped you, but there were kids that watched you go.

The way he said it made you feel slimy. This would not be the triumphant lovers coming back together to be as one forever. That stuff was for kids who saw too many Disney movies. Maybe, though, she would let you sit skin to skin again in the warm, even if only for a little while. And that was perfectly normal for being casual, right?

===+++===

The sun was practically beating down on you, absolutely covered in sweat within the first ten minutes of being outside. You had gone to practice early, patiently waiting by the bench and doing up your cleats. It still felt weird. Since you and Nat had started the whole arrangement, you hadn’t gone a single day without hearing from the other. It set you on edge.

By the time the rest of the two teams had filed out onto the pitch, you already were kicking the ball around with Daniel DuPont. He always played with a smile, like Laura Lee, and you wished sometimes that you did too. A kick from you sent the ball towards him, and he booted it back so you caught it with your chest.

Your eye was doing better than the day before, but still looked violet and red, and your nose was still swollen, but you would’ve had to pry soccer practice from your cold, dead hands. On Friday afternoons your mother had her wine-tasting friends over and it was impossible to be less of a fan of the event than you were.

With the ball still bouncing on the grass, you kicked it towards Daniel, and he headed it back to you. "Here," he called it. You appreciated him being extra cautious with your eye injury, but he was playing as if you were a fragile package wrapped in bubble wrap, that needed coddling. You caught the ball with your chest, letting it drop to the ground.

"Pass!" Shauna called from the other side of the field, and you booted it in her direction, waving to everyone out there that you were off to talk to people. You took a singular step towards the benches when you saw her.

Nat stood with her back to you, fiddling with the plastic lid of her cup as if it was broken. Her hair looked especially bright in the sun, like it had in her room, or when you both went to the lake. Casual arrangements went to the lake, right?

You so badly wanted to go up to her and say something. Anything, really. But your feet were rooted to the ground and you were stuck watching her get ready. When she turned around, you weren't sure if it was better or worse than when she hadn't seen you. It was a hard stare to match, when she saw you and your eyes locked, even if it only lasted for a moment. They flew to your bruise right after, and then away. She was looking right through you with practiced indifference.

"Circle up!" Coach Martinez yelled to you all, walking right on the pitch and towards the centre. "Come on , we don't have all day!" Both teams slowly made their way over, but when enough had pooled around Coach Martinez and Coach Scott, Martinez pulled up his clipboard. "We're going to do some stretches, so just kind of space out."

===+++===

You didn't say anything to Nat the entirety of practice, but it was painfully obvious that you wanted to. You knew she could see you, staring at her and spacing out as you struggled to form the words you wanted to say to her. But she made no attempt to actually let you talk to her.

When you were on the drive home, Lottie nudged your arm. “So…Nat.”

“Yeah. Nat.” Your fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “What time are you coming over for the party?”

You shrugged. “No clue, to be honest. It depends when Jackie and Jeff plan on showing up.”

Lottie groaned. “Are they going to be annoying and have a whole drunk argument again?”

“See, that’s while I’ll probably ditch them for you and Shauna,” you laughed. “Last time they tried to get me involved on ‘who was smarter.’”

“But they’re both idiots.”

“Oh, absolutely.”

You dropped Lottie off at her house and then made the small drive up to yours. It was close enough of a distance where you two were technically neighbours, but not anywhere close to one that you’d willingly walk.

The moment you got home, you parked your car under the awning and hopped out, grabbing your backpack and your duffel bag and heading inside.

“Helllooo?” you called, up from the foyer and then making a beeline from the stairs. You had to get clean and dressed for Lottie’s party, and it didn’t help that you smelled from practice and were covered in sweat. Your father had flipped out when he had seen you first sweating on the leather of your car seat, but he had given up on convincing you to put a towel down first.

When you got to the top of the stairs, a voice called back out to you. “Hello, (Y/n).”

You leaned on the bannister, and Reginald appeared at the bottom with a smile. “Hey, Reggie.”

“Your parents are going out of town tonight. I think they aim to be back on Wednesday.” You raised your eyebrows.

“Since when?” you asked. It wasn’t unusual or anything, these trips were how they stayed married. If anything, it filled you with a rush.

“Since around 4. They’ll be in Monaco tomorrow morning.”

“Okay,” you shrugged. “I’m going to a party tonight. Lottie’s.”

“You know I don’t mind,” Reginald said, tipping an imaginary hat and heading back towards the kitchen. “Just make sure you shower. You smell awful.”

“Thanks, Reggie.”

“Mhm.”

It took you about an hour to get ready, in a brand new outfit you had picked up with Lottie the weekend before. You stood by the armoire, sliding your rings onto your fingers and spritzing yourself, when your phone started vibrating in your pocket. You pulled your Motorola from your pocket, flipping it open with a groan when you saw the caller I.D. and realising what this was before you even needed to hear it.

“Yeah?”

“(Y/n),” Jackie said into the phone with the buzz of excitement in her voice. “Could you come and pick me and Jeff up for the party? I’d appreciate it, hubby.”

You laughed. “Sorry, sweetie. I’m literally next to Lottie’s house, that’s a whole bunch of driving I don’t want to do.”

“But Jeff loves your car,” she replied in a sing-song voice. “It’d make his day.”

“Nope,” you said, with a fond eye roll. “I have to help Lottie set up. I promised.”

“Terrible friend, then,” she joked. You shook your head.

“Mhm. See you when you get there, sweetie.”

“You too, hubby.”

===+++===

The party was all too much, for your liking. Rap blasted from Lottie’s speakers all across her backyard. A small fire you had started sat in the centre of it, with people standing around and drinking nearby.

On a truck someone had pulled back there, you could see Shauna leaning back against it in her jacket, and she sent you a quick wave. You wandered over, knocking your solo cups together and leaning with her.

“Not having fun?” you asked with a laugh.

“It’s definitely a party,” she replied, slinging a friendly arm around your shoulders. “Where’s Lottie?”

“This couple was having a giant fight in her kitchen, she’s calling them a ride.”

“Hm,” she hummed, looking out over the bonfire. “What about Jackie?”

“Her and Jeff ran off. I don’t even know where.” Shauna frowned. “Where’s Nat?” you asked, sending her a hopeful glance.

Shauna gave you a look. “You two are still on the outs, huh?”

“Something like that.”

“Well,” she said. You followed her gaze towards the other end of the fire, against a pine tree where an old, marble bench sat. It was somewhat obscured by passing people, but you saw through a gap in the crowd and your heart dropped out of your chest.

Nat was there, in a red plaid dress that hugged her body. Thrown over it was her leather jacket that she always wore. She looked beautiful. The way you had seen her in your dreams the night before. Until you saw that next to her was Bobby Farleigh, that was.

They were talking, leaned in together with alcohol in hand, and laughing. She had asked, when you started sleeping together, who else you had been with. You vividly remembered Bobby Farleigh being on the list, when you asked her the same question. He was a creep, and it made you sick just as it made you sick now. You stood up straighter.

“Yeah,” Shauna said. “Sorry.” You shook your head. Jealousy pooled in the pit of your stomach, but was normal for being ‘casual,’ right? Either way you didn’t like it. It was like a switch flipped in you. It didn’t matter how many people saw you or if they knew your parents. You couldn’t handle this.

“See you, Shauna,” you called back over your shoulder. You stormed towards the two of them on the bench with a glare, and you saw Nat look up at you coming over, watching you intently.

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?” She said. It was loud, and with it came the turning of heads. Next to her Bobby Farleigh hopped up to his feet.

“The fuck are you doing?” it came out harsher than you expected it to, deep from within, and you put your hands on your hips.

“Why the hell do you care, all of a sudden?” She challenged back as she too got to her feet. “I find that really, really funny.”

“We’re not talking about this here,” you said. “Come on.” You grabbed her arm, pulling her along with you.

“As if I’d go anywhere with you,” Nat scoffed, but she didn’t pull her hand from your grasp. She let you lead the way, up through the house. People parted like Moses and the Red Sea, watching you go, and though you knew there would probably be gossip about this on Monday, you were past caring.

You wandered into one of Lottie’s guest bedrooms, slamming the door behind you. You spun to Nat.

“What, do you need me to get you off again?” She asked, tone dripping with anger. “Did you pull me in here because you were bored?”

You had to ignore the question. “The fuck were you doing with Bobby Farleigh?”

“See and I thought you were supposed to be the smart one,” Nat spat back at you. You scowled.

“Why the hell were you going to do that with him. He’s a bully and a creep,” you shot, crossing your arms.

“Y’know what, I don’t have to say anything to you. You made it perfectly fucking clear, we don’t owe each other anything.”

“It’s not even about me!”

Her mouth dropped open. “Oh it’s not, huh? No, you don’t have a problem with it being Bobby Farleigh— you could give a fuck about Bobby!” She was yelling now. “You give a shit because it’s not you, and you’re a jealous asshole.”

“So what if I am?!” You yelled back.

“Then I’d say you have no fucking right to be! You do NOT for one god damn second get to be mad I’m sleeping with other people when I hear you’re playing The Newlywed Game with rich chicks.” You didn’t know what to say to that and Nat took it in stride.

“You can do a lot of fucking things, you rich, entitled asshole,” she continued. “But you can’t pretend for shit that we were just fucking around.” You clenched your jaw. “And to think,” she scoffed and you could see the edges of her eyes water, “that I used to think you were safe and good. Now I see you for what you really are— a fucking child with a silver spoon.”

In your arguing, you both had moved closer together, faces inches apart. Her lips looked so soft in the dim lighting of the bedside lamps. You swallowed. She was so close, and there was again that scent of perfume and weed. But Nat backed up, storming past you and heading for the door.

You didn’t know who closed the distance first, but your hand was on her arm, tugging her back against you, and then your lips were against hers. Her taste was so sweet, the same lip balm as always. Cherries.

You pulled her tight against you, feeling her hands go up to your hair, weaving in. You pulled away for a breath for a moment and then immediately kissed her again, this one more needy and ferocious than before you. She tugged at your scalp and your hands flew to her thighs, pulling her up against you and holding tight.

Everything felt so damn humid in there, and you slowly backed Nat onto the bed, pushing her down and crawling on top of her. You leaned down to reconnect your lips and then immediately went south, moving her blonde hair away gently with your fingers and then covering her neck in soft kisses while you tugged her dress down.

Nat let out a heady breath. “(Y/n),” she said in a huff. Your hands grabbed hers, interlocking the fingers and moving them above her head while your mouth did the work for you, sucking on a spot right under her jaw and then slowly down her neck to the exposed area that only her hair could cover from her father.

Nat’s skin was always a cool pale colour, and you pulled away briefly to see the bruises already forming along her neck. You weren’t exactly being soft, but you knew Nat could take it, and that she wanted it. She was staring at you with heavy-lidded eyes, and you silently tugged off your shirt, throwing it somewhere in the room.

Her hands went to your pants, tugging them down, and you moved to get them out from under your legs before discarding them too. She went for your underwear next, watching you with her blue eyes as she moved, but you stopped her, catching her by the wrist and lifting it up to place a slow, gentle kiss on her open palm. You just wanted it to be Nat beneath you.

You slowly dragged your mouth up her arm while you held her gaze, leaving a trail of where it had been. Your other arm came up to cup her breast through her bra, and she let out a full on moan, face flushing pink.

You moved away from her arm and to her chest instead, nipping at her collarbone and sucking on the skin there. Her hands came up to cup your head, fingers weaving in the hair at your nape and brushing some back from your forehead as she let out another shaky breath. Your mouth trailed lower and lower, and Nat threw her head back as you continued to palm at her breasts through the fabric, her hand leaving your hair and scraping down your back with her nails. It hurt, sure, but not in a bad way. In a way that made you want her even more.

“Can I?” you asked, as she writhed beneath you. Your knee went to the space between her legs, feeling her wet, dripping centre on the outside of her underwear. She rubbed down on it, trying to relieve some of the friction and cried out.

“Need— need,” she struggled to focus with your hand on her breast and hot breath on her neck. “Need you,” she whimpered. Nat usually put up more of a struggle for dominance, and fucking was typically far more playful than the pure desire her face expressed. You didn't need to be told twice, taking your fingers and skirting the waistband to dip even lower. When you felt how soaked she was you sucked in a breath.

You pulled her underwear down in a single fluid motion, thumb swiping right over her clit. Nat shook against you with a moan, hand wrapping around your shoulder to hold you close and keep her stable. You started slowly, gently inserting your middle finger into her entrance, and Nat shuddered, leaning into you and holding you tight.

It was an awkward angle, but you never would've told her to move or let you go. It was the warmth you had been missing, and you watched her face scrunch as you slowly began to move your finger. Nat let out a breathy moan, nails digging into your shoulder, and you took the subtle note, adding a second finger.

She's ground down into your hand, clasping your wrist in encouragement, and soon you were moving quicker inside her entrance. Her legs shook with your movement, head thrown back and no longer able to look at you anymore as you fucked her down to your knuckles. You'd done this before, but you had a fire in your belly.

When her grip on your shoulders faltered and her hands fell to grip at the sheets, you took your other hand and gently rub it on her clit, thumbing the bundle of nerves in a way that has her loud. She sucks in breaths and moans, throwing back her head, and you listen to them with a smirk at how quickly she seems to be approaching release.

Your fingers pumped deep inside of her and she shook, and then she said your name. "(Y/n)," she breathed out.

"Hm?" you asked, adding extra pressure on her clit. She let out a gasp.

"I love you," she said, and though it caught you off guard, you did not slow down. She had said it before while fucking and so had you. "I love you," she repeated, and you could feel her body tensing.

"Uh...I love you," you said it back, continuing to fuck her with your fingers.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you, Nat," you whispered.

"I love you!" she gasped again, and this time, you felt her body tense completely. Cum leaked out onto your fingers, coating them in her slick while she shook. You slow down your pace, watching her with more awe than you'd like to admit. She just looked so beautiful, splayed out like that and still gently shaking from time to time while she regained herself.

When you gently pulled your fingers from her centre, she shakes and whimpers with the lost sensation. You put your fingers to your lips and into your mouth. Nat tasted just as sweet as before, and your gaze softened at the girl in front of you just as her chest slows its heaving.

"Are you alive?" you asked, sitting up and grabbing your shirt from of the floor to tug it over your chest. She nods slowly, then opens her glossy, blown-out eyes. She's not awake for long, and it only takes a few minutes for her to be out like a light. She's still shaky and weak, but she sends you a smile before she falls asleep.

You don't know why you do it, but you gently lift her up and under the sheets of the bed, pulling the duvet over her. You'd probably have to reimburse Lottie for the dry cleaning. You don't know why you do it either, but after heading towards the door with a pile of clothes in hand, you decide to stay. You clamber into the sheets alongside her, resting your head on the pillow and watching her softly sleep until you fall asleep on your own.

You can't place exactly why it hurts you so much, when you wake up the next morning and realise Nat's no longer there.

THERE WILL BE A PART 3 COMING I PROMISE BUT THIS WAS SO LONG ALREADY. ANYWAYS, FINALE NEXT TIMEEEEEE

[before-it-felt-like-a-sin]

Nat would be the type of friend to 'teach you how to kiss' just as an excuse to be ur first kiss tbh

she'd immediately laugh when you gave no idea what you're doing, but she'd keep kissing u anyway

anyways soft!nat is cannon and my mind won't be changed

About You

Ugh anon this is so real 😭😭 my bitch ass has never kissed anyone (who's shocked) and I've been thinking about Nat being r's first kiss for like WEEKS.

Small Nat being your first kiss blurb <3

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

"Dude. No, I'm saying it's embarrassing. How many seniors in high school have never been kissed? Not that many." You're lying on your bed, staring up at the ceiling, as Natalie sits at your desk.

"I'll kiss you. Teach you how to do it so when there's an actual person you want to kiss, you'll know how." You sit up to look at her, and she looks kind of serious about it.

"I can't tell if you're making fun of me or not," you reply, swinging your legs off the bed and walking over to your mirror.

"I'm being serious! People do this all the time. Friends kiss each other for practice." She shrugs, looking over at you.

You contemplate for a moment, not really knowing what to do in this situation. Sure, she was your best friend. But you wanted to kiss her in a not-so-friendly way.

Eventually, your desire to kiss her won out over your want for it to be romantic. You huffed and sat down on the edge of the bed, facing her as she sat on your desk chair.

"Fine. But when I'm inevitably shit at kissing you can't make fun of me."

She nods and moves from the chair to the bed next to you.

"I won't make fun of you to anyone else." She grins, and you roll your eyes.

"Well, I guess that's the best I can ask for with you."

She smiles and leans forward, and you freeze. When she's millimeters away from your lips, she cups your face and whispers "relax" before pressing your lips together.

For a moment, you're still frozen. You don't know what to do, or where to put your hands. Nothing. Natalie laughs against your mouth, and you pull away.

"Sorry, sorry. Seriously, though, dude. You have to relax. It's just me, you know I won't judge you." She looks genuinely apologetic, and she takes one of your hands in hers.

"I just- where do I put my hands? What do I even do?"

"Jesus, you don't have to think about it that much. This is supposed to be fun. Just do what feels right to you, I guess? Again, it's just me."

You sigh, nodding. She's right, it is just her. She leans in again, and this time you try to relax. You still have no idea what to do with your hands, but she takes one of them and moves it to the back of her head.

She's soft with the kiss, more gentle than you'd ever seen her. It was nice honestly, the warm feeling of her lips on yours, the way she kept doing things at your pace. When you parted your lips a bit, she tentatively poked her tongue into your mouth. You didn't hate the feeling, but it was unexpected.

The two of you continue like that for a few moments before she pulls away. She smiles, and you blush.

"Not bad for your first time," she teases, flopping back onto your bed.

"Wow. Thank you so much." You roll your eyes and lie down next to her, turning your head to look at her face.

"We can keep practicing." She shifts to her side, looking at you.

You smile, but she suddenly turns serious.

"I want to keep kissing you." She looks almost nervous, and you've never seen her look so vulnerable before. "I didn't kiss you just because I thought you'd be more comfortable with practice. I wanted to kiss you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

You reach for her hand and intertwine your fingers, trying to fight the fluttering feeling in your stomach.

"Good. I want to keep kissing you too."

[be-missed]

Not Strong Enough (Chap 1)

Jenna Ortega X Fem!Reader

(Pictures not mine)

Summary: Jenna was visiting her mom in the hospital to drop off the food that will be eaten for the hospital party, but she met a resident surgeon and she thought "God forbid I ran into an accident, but I want her to open me and stitch me up." While the surgeon tries her best to keep her fan girling low-key.

Warning: Probably mentions of kniv3s and blad3s or any surgical equipment. A few curse words as of now.

A/N: So plan on making a series, I don't know how long this will take and I don't want to say any promises. Hope you enjoy the story!

Masterlist

_________________________________________________________

Chapter 1

"Mom said I should drop by the hospital and bring the pizza she ordered earlier." Jenna yelled to her family while going down their front door.

"Okay sweetheart, you take care and kiss your mother for me" her dad said while blowing Jenna a kiss.

Starting the car and connecting her bluetooth, now she is ready to drive. As the traffic lights hit red, she remembered that one of her friend recommended her a song to listen to, and she played it as the light turn to green.

Humming to the addicting beat of the song, she now try to find an empty parking lot at the hospital, which is a difficult task to do by the way, a heavy amount of people comes and goes, and some that probably stayed.

Jenna almost passed a white civic that left the spot as she sigh, now this is the hardest part, harder than finding a parking lot, is to park the car itself, she is having a hard time since she is used to her mom beside her and helping her to look at the back. But she needs to be a big girl now and do this.

A minute or so have passed and Jenna congratulated herself by parking her car so good that it follows the line and got the sides an equal space. She picks her phone up and messaged her mom that she's going up to her.

While walking through the lobby of the hospital, she noticed that some people are occupied to not notice her which she is thankful since she doesn't want to have a crowd and some people looked at her and she smiled politely at them. Reaching the elevator, she pressed the close button so fast so that nobody can be with her inside it.

Humming with the elevator music, floors passes by and the doors open with a ding, walking through the same designed hallway makes her remember that scene from her old movie scream. As she reached the reception like part of the floor, she smiled brightly and tried to ask one of the nurse that was standing beside the desk.

"Uhm hey, excuse me.." Jenna started but got cut-off when the nurse got called in the surgery room for extra hands, so what she did next is to ring the table bell to attract some attention that she needs to find her mom.

"Hello, how can I help you?" a woman appeared from the back room with the brightest smile she could ever see.

Stagnant. Freeze. Stop. Pause.

That was what Jenna like for a second, and the person standing opposite to her started to panic "Hey, are you okay? Do you need water?" Y/N stated.

"Oh.. I... I need my mom." Jenna stated while trying to compose herself "Uhm, no, I mean... Yes, yes I need my mom."

The woman in front of her gives her a questionable look... "Miss I don't know who your mom is, may I know her name so I can help you find her?" Y/N stated.

Well, Y/N knows, she definitely knows who is this girl in front of her, holding 3 large pizza boxes, this woman who is slightly smaller than her, has this wonderful freckles that painted her face, who have this deep dimple on her cheek, a wavy black hair and this cute bangs. Oh, definitely she is familiar with the woman in front of her.

"Oh I'm sorry, I'm here for Natalie Ortega, she works here." Jenna stated while smiling. Damn it, did she really just froze there and told this beautiful lady that she needs her mom. She noted to herself that she needs to practice on how to stay cool and not to lose her rizz when she faces a beautiful women.

"Nat? Your mom is Natalie" The woman in front of her looks like a light bulb appeared above her head "I think she's inside the surgery helping Dr. Ava, but let me go to the surgery room, I let her know that you are here." Y/N stated while going to the other side of the desk where Jenna is.

"Oh, you don't need to, I can just wait for her." Jenna said while trying to hold the 3 large pizza boxes.

Y/N shakes her head and said "It's okay, I need to actually do something, I've been sitting there for so long my feet might forget how to walk if I didn't stand." with a little laugh at the end. She know think "Nice what a lame joke."

"Well, thank you, these pizza boxes is getting heavier" Jenna said and Y/N helped her to put it on top of the desk.

Fingers brushed, eyes locked, and lips started to curl.

"Well uhm... may I know your name?" Y/N asked the girl in front of her.

Then Jenna thinks "wow this pretty girl is so into me, she wants to know my freaking name." Jenna was so proud of herself she accidentally said "Why? So you could add me to the blank space on your list?" with a slight wiggle of her brows and a little smirk.

Y/N looked at Jenna and was stunned with what the girl said, Y/N thinks "did she just flirt with me? I mean, can it be? Or am I just delusional?" Y/N composes herself and replied "Well, I need to know your name since I need to tell her that her daughter is here, right?"

"Ground, swallow me please oh please" with that reply Jenna just wants to be swallowed by the ground where she stood way down below where her parked car is. SHE THOUGHT WRONG.

Jenna tried to just laugh it off and answered "I'm Jenna, Jenna Ortega" and offers her hand.

"I'm Dr. Y/L/N, I'm a resident surgeon here. So you can seat by the waiting area and I'll go to your mom and tell her that her daughter needs her." Y/N said and winked at Jenna and started to walk to to the surgery room.

Jenna walked to the row of chairs and started to cringe at herself from the inside. She fished out her phone and texted Aliyah:

To Aliyah:

I met this cute doctor and my mind just went blank. WTF!

Fr Aliyah:

Well having no love life really has a side effect, lol.

To Aliyah:

You know what, you are not helping at all, BYE!

Fr Aliyah:

WELL HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO REACT?

To Aliyah:

IDK maybe comfort me? I'm your sister after all.

Fr Aliyah:

Just deliver the damn pizza and go home so you can tell me all

To Aliyah:

I will, when mom gets out, bye, love you.

Fr Aliyah:

Love you too, stay safe!

Jenna turns her phone off and was surprised with Y/N standing in front of her.

"What the hell, you could have given me a heart attack." Jenna said while holding her chest.

"That's good, you are in a hospital, in front of you is a doctor, we are surrounded by our lovely nurses, you will live if ever that happened" and Y/N gave her a cheeky smile.

"Geez thanks doc" Jenna answered sarcastically with a smile "Where is my mom then?"

"Well your mom said she can't go out of the surgery room and told me to help you instead to bring the pizza boxes in the break room since you need a keycard to go in there." Y/N replied while showing her I.D.

Jenna nod and said "Lead the way then." and smiled.

While walking, Y/N is now holding the pizza boxes while Jenna strolled along beside her.

"Why did you not get my attention earlier when I was sitting and you were standing in front of me?" Jenna asked.

"You were smiling, and I thought may be you are talking to your boyfriend so I waited until you turn off your phone. I don't want to interrupt you know." Y/N answered.

Even if it is hard for her to think that Jenna have a boyfriend, she doesn't have the say when it comes to it.

"Okay. Then why is this the first time that I see you here? You said you were a resident yet I haven't seen you in my past visits?" Jenna asked, again.

Y/N replied "It's my third month here and maybe you just don't visit during my work time that's why we don't see each other."

Jenna nodded and accepted it as a valid reply.

Y/N opened taps her I.D and opened the door for Jenna to come in first "Here is the break room, and thank you for the pizza, I have been craving these for days, thank God Nat bought it for us."

"So, you and my mom are close huh?" Jenna asked again, which Y/N noticed.

"Well yes, she is approachable, sweet, and kind so, what's not to like about your mom." Y/N said with a smirk.

"Woah there, do you like my mom, just to inform you my dad and her is in a healthy relationship and we are a happy family." Jenna answered a bit annoyed. BECAUSE, why would you like her mom if she is literally in front of you. HELLO?! ARE YOU BLIND!?

"Hey, I didn't tell that I like your mom, I'm sorry if that's how you interpret it, she just makes me feel welcomed, okay? And your mom is pretty, but I like someone, yeah?" Y/N replied but inside her head, its is all "IT IS YOU, YOU DUMBASS, I LIKE YOU NOT YOUR MOM."

"Okay, I'm sorry too, I just get defensive when it comes to my family." Jenna smiled .

"Well if that is all that you need, then we finished our task. I also need to go back there, I have a surgery in 30 minutes." Y/N said with a sad smile.

"Sure, I'm sorry for holding you off." Jenna said while they go out of the room.

Walking back, Y/N didn't stopped by the reception and accompanied Jenna to the elevator.

Y/N broke the silence and took Jenna's arm which she was surprised while Y/N scribbled on her skin.

The elevator dinged which indicated that Jenna needs to go.

"See you around Jen!" Y/N stated while she rushed off.

Jenna was so baffled with the action and just waved, as the elevator door close, she lifts her long sleeves and saw a note

"My number, just in case you have more questions."

In Jenna's head "DID SHE JUST GAVE ME HER NUMBER?! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK" and smiled to herself.

She is now determined to go to the hospital more to visit her mom and a side quest to see you.

______________________________________________________________

Chap 2 A/N: Well I think that was a long one. Comments and suggestions are appreciated. Hope you enjoyed the story and hope you wait for the next chapters!

[becausebuckley]

michelle's buddie fic recs: week 43!

in which i read a bunch of newly posted fics and began making my way through my marked for later list. it's been another good reading week for sure!

this is a mix of fics with all ratings, so some include NSFW content. please take a look at both the ratings and the fic tags before reading! note that this list contains some fics set during/after season 8, so there might be some spoilers.

if you come across something you like in this list, remember to show some love to the author by leaving kudos and a comment!

august | Daisies_and_Briars/@cal-daisies-and-briars | 40.2k | T

Buck, Eddie, Natalia, and Marisol go on a beach vacation in August of 2023. It gets angsty and gay. when i say i DEVOURED this fic... wonderful buddie but the natalie and marisol of it all is just stunning beyond words!

chess inside my chest | detectivemeer/@buick118 | 4.4k | T

They go to El Paso to bring back Christopher. And oh my god there was only one bed. only one bed + go get chris fic = absolutely brilliant!! love the buddie dynamic here <3

close friends (that you lowkey want to fuck, but in a totally platonic way) | rowan_wood/@transboybuckley | 2k | T

Instagram rolls out a new feature, and Buck doesn't totally understand how it works. i love a fic that incorporates texting/social media and this is no exception!! also a big fan of the buck and ravi (and lucy) friendship here!

cold and freezing and barely breathing | EiraLloyd/@unlifeira | 3.6k | T

After the well collapse, Buck drives Eddie home and takes care of him. Eddie is too tired to argue — and too tired to keep him at arm's length. perfect fic to read with the potential well callback in the next episode <3 i love buck's "are you cold" excuse more than i can express

connected the dots in reverse (but still completed the picture) | letmetellyouaboutmyfeels/@letmetellyouaboutmyfeels | 51k | T

"Hi everyone and welcome back to our show where we team up to decide if ghosts are real." buck and eddie co-hosting a ghost hunting show <3 i loved the buddie but the supporting cast shines so brightly here as well!! just such a wonderful read <3

cursed | bookinit/@bookinit02 | 2.5k | G

“So you don’t believe in curses,” he says carefully, wrapping his brain around it, “because you think you deserve everything bad that happens to you?” “…Yeah,” Eddie says, after a moment. “That sounds about right.” loveliest episode coda!! buddie phone calls in the middle of the night always hit the spot, and this is a perfect example of that <3

drift past the flowers. | dylaesthetics | 45.9k | T

Buck and Natalia get engaged, and Eddie flees the state about it. A petty email correspondence ensues. the email correspondence here is just perfect. petty and catty and sarcastic but also so full of love and fear and other feelings at times... just beautiful!!

for all the perfect things i doubt | extasiswings/@extasiswings | 5.2k | T

Evan Buckley is really good in bed. Sometimes he wishes he wasn’t. literally no character study will ever hit as hard as those examining buck and his relationship to sex. it's an unmatched combination!! this is introspective and intimate and so so good <3

it only takes a taste (when it's something special) | weewooforever | 7k | E

Eddie shifts slightly and clears his throat again. “But can you answer my original question? What’s it like kissing a guy?” so hot and soft and perfect <3 i love this particular flavour of buckfidelity so so much!!

men made of stone and forged in fire (even you deserve to be so softly loved) | lemonzestywrites/@lemonzestywrites | 5.6k | T

A quiet night in and a hand running through his hair, those two simple things usually don't do much to phase the average person. But Eddie is a different story. i love how this fic sets out eddie's relationship with touch, it's so good!! and buck plaing with eddie's hair <3

no one quite like you | hammersmiths/@henswilsons | 10.1k | T

Buck and Eddie’s progression through texts. text fic!! i love text fic!! this is such a lovely look at their relationship developing through the seasons <3

objects in the mirror | SevenSoulmates/@sevensoulmates | 139.1k | E

The voice had always been around, Eddie remembers it, like a stream of consciousness that babbled incoherently to the point where Eddie just tuned it out. But then the voice started speaking directly to him. Conversing like he was a whole person standing right in front of him. Like he could see what was happening around Eddie. telepathic soulmate bond?? and so long?? i am so glad i dug this out of my marked for later list and read through it, it is so so good!!

the place i call home | kaistinlove/@kaistinlove | 10.2k | T

the 5+1 fic where Buck ends up in many different beds throughout the night before finally back to where he actually belongs. such a wonderful look at not only buddie, but also buck's friendship with the firefam!! so brilliant, i particulary loved the ravi bit!

the worm question | One_Small_Writer/@dinosauring130 | 2.8k | G

Buck can't sleep. As he lies awake, a certain question pops into his mind. A question he knows he needs the answer to before he can rest. the softest sweetest late night conversation <3 and the correct answer to the worm question lol i love them so much

vibrant | blueberrytwoberry/@blueberrytwoberry | 8.3k | T

Buck meets his soulmate, misses them, and tries to deal with that. i am obsessed with both the concept of this au and its brilliant execution!! the colours appearing and then fading away at a certain spoilery moment... it's so so well-written and i love buck here so much <3

you're always home (i've been waiting for you to come in) | sibylsleaves/@sibylsleaves | 34.3k | E

Buck moves in. Eddie comes out. Things get a little messy. THIS FIC. oh my i saw the buck and eddie's summer of domestic bliss tag and i thought i was prepared but i was not. just absolutely lovely all around <3

[jenna0rtega27]

Can you do part 2 for Never to be done again? Like with a little smut and them finding out Y/N is pregnant?

Never to be done again Part 2

Thank you for asking +18 Jenna Ortega x F!Reader Summary: Request Warning: Jenna g!p, some smut, penetration, Reader is pregnant, unprotected sex Number of words : 1848

Masterlist

Part 1

Pov Y/n: I learned my lesson. Never again will I make love to Jenna in her mother's house. The other day, when the lady went to pick up her sister from her friend's house and left me alone with Natalie, she gave me a speech about condoms and the risks of being pregnant if we don't protect ourselves and how we can was irresponsible for having unprotected sex. And Miss Jenna came back around 9 o'clock in the evening. So Natalie was already in bed when she and Aliyah arrived. It’s lucky that I love this girl because I would have taken revenge otherwise.

But in short, have we really learned our lesson? Half. We've never been able to make love at Natalie's house, but we still don't wear condoms. Like today, we are in our house, in our bed. I'm lying on the bed and Jenna is between my legs penetrating me with her cock.

“Fuck, you feel so good” Jenna leans in and kisses me passionately. I moan into her mouth and she takes the opportunity to enter her tongue in my mouth. I pull away when we run out of air and moan into his lips.

I wrap my arms around Jenna's neck and she leans her head to suck on my neck. I continue to moan with pleasure. Jenna licks the spot where she sucked to ease the pain.

Jenna continues to move her hips and I moan in pleasure as I feel myself coming soon.

“I'm going to cum soon” My eyes water from the pleasure Jenna's cock is giving me. The little brunette moves her hips faster and her penis penetrates further into my pussy. I moaned as I felt him hit the best spots.

“Cum for me my love” I scream while saying my girlfriend's name and arch my back as I cum on Jenna's cock. Jenna continues to move her hips so she can cum inside me too. With her arm, she stretches it to put it between our two bodies and jerks off while continuing to penetrate me. After a few seconds, we both moaned as his cum entered my pussy. She slows her hip movements and moves away, lying next to me and pulling me so that my head is on her chest. She caresses my copper hair and my arm which surrounds her stomach. We both fall asleep tired from our 4 laps.

The next morning I feel someone kissing me all over my face. I slowly open my eyes and see the most beautiful face in the world. Jenna looks at me with a loving smile and continues to kiss my face.

“I would like to wake up like that every morning. » I say with my hoarse voice from waking up and screaming yesterday. Jenna looks at me with a sweet smile and places her lips on mine for a sweet kiss.

“Me too” She responds on my lips, caressing my cheek with her thumb. I smile at him, closing my eyes against his gentle caresses.

But suddenly, before I can put my lips back on his, I feel something in my stomach. I frown at this horrible feeling.

“Y/n are you okay?” » I shake my head. I quickly get up and run to the bathroom, vomiting into the bowl. Jenna comes quickly behind me and takes my hair so as not to mess it up and caresses my back. I wipe my mouth with toilet paper and my tears with my hand. I get up and wash my hands. Jenna prepares my toothbrush for me. I brush my teeth.

" I am sorry. » Said once brushing my teeth and avoiding Jenna's look because of shame. Jenna frowns and cups my cheeks with both hands so I look at her.

“Why are you apologizing baby? Everyone can feel bad. » Jenna gives me a kiss on the forehead. “Come on, go back to bed, I’ll join you.” »

I go back to bed and Jenna joins me a few seconds later. I fall asleep from exhaustion, resting my head on my girlfriend's chest and her hand stroking my hair.

It's been 3 days since the time I threw up, and I had the worst three days of my life. I was sick for three days. Jenna has been by my side every time. I am so lucky to have him in my life.

But what's even stranger is that I'm eating foods I never thought I would eat. For example, I hate pickles. I'm not even able to smell it otherwise I'm sick. But for the past 3 days, I've been eating it all the time. I even finished a pickle skin all by myself.

Right now I'm lying on the couch with my head in my girlfriend's lap and she's playing in my hair. We're listening to a Netflix show but honestly I'm closer to falling asleep thanks to Jenna's fingers in my hair.

“Baby, we need to talk.” I quickly sit down and look at my little brunette with concern.

“Did I do something?”

“But no my love you didn’t do anything wrong” Jenna laughs softly and kisses my lips which quickly relieves me. “But we need to talk” I nod for him to continue. “I think I know why you’ve been sick for four days straight. » I don't say anything so Jenna takes the opportunity to continue. "I think you're pregnant" Jenna said softly to me. But I freeze in place. This is not possible. There's no way I'm pregnant.

“It’s impossible, I can’t be pregnant”

“Baby, you’ve been throwing up for 4 days in a row, you’re always tired and you’re eating foods you usually hate to eat”

“But if I’m pregnant, what are we going to do?" I start to panic. We are so young. And with Jenna's career, she's always moving. And I'm writing my next book. We really don't have time for a baby.

“If you ever get pregnant, YOU decide what you want to do. If you want to abort then you do it, but if you want to keep it then you keep it. Whatever you choose I will always be by your side." Jenna cups my cheeks with both hands and caresses them with her thumbs.

“But your career? I don't want to ruin it because I'm pregnant! " I panic. I really don't want to be the cause of his work stoppage.

“Hey baby don’t say that.” You're not going to ruin it. I want a family with you. You will always be more important than my career. » Jenna caresses my cheeks, removing the tears from my eyes. I didn't even know I was crying. She gives me a soft kiss on the lips and walks away, resting her forehead on mine, continuing to caress my cheeks. “I dream of having a family with you baby." Jenna says with a sweet smile which I return. “Do you want to take a pregnancy test?” I have already purchased some tests in case you need them. » I nod and get up with Jenna towards the bathroom. Jenna takes the tests out of the cabinet. I sit on the toilet bowl and pee on three tests. I towel off, get up and leave the bathroom, setting a 3 minute timer.

I pace around the living room. The fear of being pregnant invades me. In fact, it’s not having a baby that scares me, because I dream of starting a family with Jenna. But I'm afraid Jenna isn't ready to have a child. We've only been together for 1 year. And we've never had a discussion about having a family before. What if she doesn't want a child with me? What if I'm pregnant, will she leave me?

“Hey, what’s going on in your little head?" Jenna cups my cheeks to stop me from pacing. “Are you sure you want a family with me? You know you can leave me if you don't want a child with me if I ever get pregnant. » Tears leave my eyes and Jenna moves even closer to me.

“Stop the bad thinking. Y/n I always wanted to have a family with you. I've been dreaming of this moment since I met you. Baby I want children with you okay. So stop with his questions because you will never lose me, understand?" I nod and Jenna continues to try my tears. I sniff and place my lips on his. " I love you "

" I love you too." Before we can continue our little moment, my phone rings. I gasp and start to shake slightly.

“Come on, let’s go watch this together.” I nod and follow Jenna hand in hand into the bathroom. “Let’s start with the first one” Jenna turns the first one and it comes out positive. She turns the second one and comes out positive. I feel new tears prick my eyes. Jenna grips my hand tighter and slowly turns the third and final test. I close my eyes for two seconds and reopen them to see that the test is also positive.

Suddenly I start to have stomach pain. I bend down and vomit into the toilet bowl. Jenna crouches behind me, holds my hair and rubs my back. Once everything is out, I flush the toilet and wipe my mouth. I turn around and see Jenna in tears.

“Baby you’re pregnant” Jenna smiles with tears in her eyes and hugs me.

" I am pregnant. Baby I'm pregnant!"

“Wait do you want to keep the baby?” » Jenna looks at me with a hopeful look.

“Of course I want to keep the baby!” I say with a big smile and Jenna immediately hugs me. I cry in his arms.

“We're going to have a baby. We're going to be parents." Jenna said into my shoulder. We continue to cry with joy in each other's arms. After a few minutes, I step away and brush my teeth and wash my hands. I go to bed with Jenna and we lie under the covers. Jenna's head is on my chest and she caresses my stomach. I play in his hair. Jenna lifts her head and looks at me with nothing but love.

“I love you so much” Jenna whispers and kisses me softly.

" I love you too." I smile as I kiss him again.

“And I already love you so much too” Jenna leans down and gives a kiss to my stomach. Tears of joy flow down my cheeks as I see this scene that melts my heart.

Jenna gets up and wipes my eyes and kisses me again. I feel so happy to live this adventure with this woman who is just magnificent in every way.

But now, how do I tell Natalie knowing that she lectured me on condoms?

That's another problem. Right now I'm focusing on my girlfriend and the human being growing inside me.

Part 3?

[babysukiii]

fallingforyou (4)

(i changed my username, i used to be @fckoffjakegyllenhaal grraaaa🍘🍘)

// lottie matthew’s does not like you. you’re annoying, preppy, and way too nice. lottie doesn’t fail to show you time after time just how much she hates you. you finally get the message and steer clear of her, until senior year, when you both get paired up for a science project. //

warnings: asshole!lottie, sweet!reader, pining, mutual pining, oblivious!reader, lottie is an actual idiot but she’s the cutest idiot <3

DISCLAIMER: english is not my first language, i usually edit my works well but haven’t had time. please excuse any mistakes i made here

don’t you see me?

on monday morning lottie is in a much better mood than she usually is. all of her friends notice right away, especially laura lee. though nobody is really sure why; she wasn’t at becky martin’s bonfire, and she hadn’t gone to the mall with the girls on saturday. though, it didn’t take natalie long to put the pieces together and figure out why lottie was in such a particularly flavorful mood. as soon as the blonde spoke to you, and heard about your friday night with lottie and elise, natalie knows you’re the reason behind everything.

and as soon as soccer practice rolls around, natalie has a shit eating grin on her face. she sees lottie pulling her practice jersey over her head, and doesn’t hesitate to taunt the noirette the moment she sees her. “a little birdy told me you spent the weekend with y/n.” natalie’s smug voice causes lottie’s carefree expression to sour. the taller girl scowls, “was that little birdy y/n?” she questions, and natalie lets out a loud bark of a laugh. “holy shit it’s true! you seriously went out with y/n and elise!” natalie sounds like a child who just discovered something new and crazy. it causes lottie to send a glower natalie’s way, “it was just a stupid party. besides, it’s a good thing i was there; elise practically ditched y/n when they got there! all night!” lottie appears to be genuinely upset by this.

the blonde quirks a brow at the taller girl, “huh, it actually sounds like you gave a shit about y/n’s wellbeing.” natalie mockingly states, earning a dirty look from the raven haired girl. “don’t look at me like that! just two weeks ago you were going on and on about how annoying she was. now you’re at her place every day after school.” natalie casually calls her out as she opens her locker. “i still think she’s annoying.” lottie doesn’t even sound convincing to herself as she says this, and natalie shoots her an “are you serious” look.

“you don’t even believe that!” natalie laughs at the taller girl, and lottie frowns before closing her locker. “what do you want me to say?? that i actually like spending time with her? it doesn’t matter anyways because after the projects over she isn’t going to have a reason to talk to me anymore.” lottie deadpans, and natalie can see how bothered lottie seems by this revelation. “you do realize y/n is like the sweetest person ever, right? she’s not just gonna stop hanging out with you because the projects over.” natalie assures her, and lottie stares at her seriously, “she is after the way i treated her for the last few years.” she lowly murmurs, almost quiet enough for natalie not to hear, but she does.

before the blonde can say anything else, coach is blowing his whistle from outside the locker room, signaling for the girls to get on the field. their conversation is cut short, even though natalie has more to say. the blonde knows you better than to know you’d just stop talking to lottie abruptly, after forming a friendship with her. you talk about lottie nonstop whenever you’re with natalie, and though lottie may be too oblivious to notice, natalie can tell you both are pining for one another.

natalie is well aware that lottie is stubborn; it’s one of the many things they have in common. if natalie actually wants to show her best friend that you’re both obviously interested in each other, she’s going to have to convince you first. the next day at school, natalie finds you at your locker. you’re smiling softly as you rummage around for your the book you’re reading in your english class. “hey y/n/n.” she greets you casually, and your smile only widens at the sound of your friends voice. “hey nat! look what i got!” you shrug your backpack off and natalie watches in amusement as you pull out a new metallica cd.

the taller girls orbs widen at the sight, and she reaches out to take the cd. “holy shit! this thing hit the store yesterday, how did you get this?” natalie inquires and you grin, “i made elise stand in line to get it. she owed me. that one’s for you, i got one too and i got lottie a pixies cd.” you aimlessly go on as you shut your backpack, looking up at natalie as you slink it over your shoulder. once you notice the smirk on your friends face, your smile vacillates as you flash natalie a suspecting look. “what?” you ask question uncertainly.

natalie shrugs, “you and lottie are getting pretty close if you know what kind of music she listens to. she never talks about herself too much; it took me two years just to learn her favorite color.” natalie admits, and your cheeks turn a shade of pink at the statement. “lottie’s just a little prickly on the outside, but she’s a bit nice on the inside.” you admit, and natalie’s complacent grin causes you to grow a bit confused. “w-why does it matter? aren’t you the one who was hoping lottie would warm up to me?” you inquire incredulously.

“well yeah, but i think lottie ended up warming up to you a little too much.” the blonde’s tone is suggestive, and causes your insides to feel hot. “what are you talking about, nat?” you demand, getting more and more embarrassed by the second. judging by how flushed your cheeks are, natalie can see you know exactly what she’s talking about. “oh come on, y/n. you know lottie’s been different since she started hanging out with you; everyone’s noticed!” she declares, doing nothing to ease the ferocious blush on your face. “everyone’s noticed?” your voice is now full of insecurity and natalie rolls her eyes.

“yes. everyone on the team knows. van and tai even have a bet going to see who’ll profess their undying love for each other first; you or lottie.” natalie’s revelation causes your eyes to widen in clear shock. “what!? but— but lottie hates me!” you whisper yell, making natalie flash you a skeptical look. “you seriously still think lottie hates you?” she inquires, a bit unsure. you shrug, “i’m pretty sure she’s only hanging at my house so much cause she doesn’t want to go home. i don’t know why she doesn’t want to go home, but i don’t question it.” you answer, and natalie searches your face for any signs of dishonesty.

“look, i admit lottie hates her house… but i don’t think she’s been at your place every day after school just because of it. you’re not that dense, i know you can see how different she’s been lately. that’s because of you.” natalie sentimentally adds, and you look down at your hands; playing with your fingers nervously. “what if you’re wrong? what if lottie still hates me and after the project is over, she’s never gonna talk to me again? or worse, she’ll go back to being a jerk to me.” natalie notices the timorous silence that follows, and she sighs.

“you guys are both very oblivious. just talk to her about it.” natalie emphasizes the word “talk”, while you gnaw on your bottom lip nervously. throughout the day you think about lottie, and how much has changed between you two. she went from not being able to stand you, to not being able to be away from you. you enjoyed being with lottie; all the time you two spend together, you’re happy. though you’re afraid she might just be acting so differently just because you two are paired up together.

“hey y/n, i know we’re supposed to go to yours after school, but did you wanna stop by that new pretzel place down the street?” lottie asks, sounding nervous as ever. she’s standing alone in the girls restroom, staring at her reflection. she groans, “that was awful.” she murmurs, and she hears a snicker from one of the stalls, causing her to tense up. lottie’s dread turns to annoyance when she sees mari coming out of the handicapped stall.

“you were listening the whole time?” lottie skeptically asks, and mari nods. “yup, i hid when i saw you come in here. you never use the bathroom at school, so i though i’d get to hear you breakdown or something.” mari shrugs, and lottie glares at the shorter girl. “what? got nothing better to do than wait around for some gossip?” lottie retorts with a glower, and mari chuckles. “maybe. it’s my free period, and i have that class with laura lee. if i have to sit next to her again and hear her “babble” to god every time she gets stuck on a difficult question…” mari trails off, and lottie shakes her head in dismay.

“so you’re practicing to ask y/n out? to a pretzel place?” mari questions incredulously, lottie shifts, suddenly remembering her insecurities from a moment ago. “uh, yeah. something like that.” lottie responds, and mari nods. “you should take her to that milkshake place instead. she likes sweet stuff.” the latina points out, and lottie raises a brow. “and how do you know that?” the taller girl inquires skeptically.

“because she’s always making sweet stuff during home ec. her cupcakes come out really good. hey, if she becomes your girlfriend, you should convince her to bake us celebration cupcakes.” mari’s eyes glint with excitement as she loses track of what she was talking about. lottie shakes her head, “i can’t even ask her in a date without sounding like an idiot. so i think her being my girlfriend is clearly out of the question.” she mumbles, and mari rolls her eyes in clear annoyance.

“your self depreciating bull shit is so boring. you’re on the soccer team, you’re popular, you’re rich; y/n is gonna say yes. any girl with half a brain would.” mari points out, and lottie flashes her a look. “y/n isn’t like you or any girl who thinks like that. she’s nice.” lottie says, and the thought of you causes her to get this love struck look in her eyes. mari laughs, “jesus, you’re like so in love with her it’s hilarious. didn’t you say the girl talks way too much, she’s annoying, can’t take a hint—“ lottie cuts mari off with a threatening glare.

“i know what i said.” the yellowjackets sweeper says angrily, and mari has this shit eating grin on her face. “insufferable. that’s what you also said.” the latina declares, causing lottie to shoot daggers at her with her eyes. “what changed? did you guys hookup?” mari asks with a glimmer of mischief in her dark orbs. lottie’s eyes widen, her ears burning at thought of hooking up with you. “no! that’s not— we didn’t—“ lottie begins to fumble over her words, making mari giggle annoyingly. “relax. you can’t even ask her out, i doubt you’d even know how to initiate a hookup.” mari shakes her head.

“like i said, just ask her to the milkshake place.” mari concludes, “later, matthews, we’re hanging out at the mall tomorrow after practice. bring your girlfriend if you want.” the shorter girl sniggers as she makes her way out of the girls restroom. lottie is left alone with her thoughts, and doubts. mari might have a point about the milkshake place, but she also had a point when she reminded lottie about all the stuff she had said about you. suddenly there was this antagonizing feeling of guilt that flooded over her.

when lottie sees you waiting for her in the parking lot after school, with that cute smile of yours, the guilt returns. “hey, wanna get a milkshake before we go to your place?” lottie tries to sound nonchalant, but your eyes light up in the most adorable way. her heart clenches in her chest, “yes! i’ve been craving one of the peanut butter milkshakes with chocolate.” you admit as you both walk towards the car where her driver is already holding the door open. “we’re stopping at the diner down the street.” lottie tells him, as you get into the car.

the entire ride there lottie is quiet, and deep in thought. you try not to worry, considering she’s being nice and offering to take you to get a milkshake. though when you both order and you pay, lottie’s mood shifts entirely. she’s quiet for a minute after sitting down at a booth, “why did you pay?” lottie asks, unable to stop herself from asking. you flash her a look, “cause i wanted to.” you respond simply, and lottie frowns.

you’re about to say something else, but lottie beats you to it. “i was a dick to you.” the jock states in this inscrutable tone, staring at you with those sad brown eyes that always make you weak. you shake your head, about to protest, but lottie continues, “i called you annoying, made fun of you, and if you knew half of the things i said about you—“ you cut lottie off, “i do.” you cut in, “i do know what you said about me. up until we started working together on the project, jackie used to tell me all of the rude things you’d say about me in the locker room…” you start, and lottie clenches her jaw, there’s that self-condemnation again. she’s never been so mean to someone before, and now she’s never regretted anything more.

“… why do you think i practically begged ms. weinstein to switch my partner after i found out it was you?” you ask her pointedly, and she shuts her eyes for a moment. “one peanut butter chocolate milkshake, and one strawberry vanilla milkshake.” the waitress places your milkshakes on the table, before walking off. you look at lottie who still looks like a guilty puppy. you giggle, “lottie, relax. i’m not upset about any of that.” you assure her, and she looks at you with a shocked expression. “you should be!” she declares, and you tilt your head at her, flashing her a soft yet stern look.

“well, i’m not.” you respond, as you take a sip of your milkshake. “if you’re really bothered by me paying, you can pay next time.” you add, flashing her an impish smile. her eyebrows nearly meet her hairline as her eyes widen slightly at the fact that you’re making it clear you want to hang out with her again. “even after the project is over?” she suddenly sounds a bit insecure, and you can’t help but grin. “yes, even after the project is over. as long as that’s okay with you, lot.” you tell her sincerely, and something in her belly flutters.

she can’t stop herself from smiling before she takes a sip of her milkshake. “that’s more than okay with me, y/n.” she admits, a light flush coating her cheeks. you quickly follow suit, your cheeks turning the cutest shake of pink lottie has ever seen. maybe she owes mari a thank you for the milkshake tip, but she won’t give the latina the satisfaction of it.

[chefkids]

Weddings & Babies in The Bear Season 3

In case you missed it, there's going to be a wedding. Could be a joke, could be serious. I think we can safely say it won't actually be Syd and Carmy's, but will likely be Tiff and Frank's wedding.

Honestly that whole relationship is still very up in the air for me, because I'm not entirely convinced she has fully moved on, based on how she told him she said yes so coldly and sad, and then told him she still loves him. So maybe there really is a small chance for Tiff and Richie to rekindle. Maybe he'll pull a "Speak Now", because I would personally love to see that for entertainment purpose. But back to my point...

What is a marriage?

Sounds a lot like...

There is quite a few times restaurants are mentioned as being owned by a married couple on the show, such as Kasama and even The Beef itself at one point was Carmy's parents.

And we also know Natalie and Pete are about to become parents

Which sounds a lot like...

and i'm supposed to just pretend those two won't be thinking about that and what it means to the nature of their relationship to have an emotional, legal, and financial bond with each other plus several living people (employees) they are responsible for taking care of? when they've literally built their lives around each other?

As my good friend Ayo Edebiri once said:

and it's time for Syd and Carmy to start defining what they really are and want to be to one another.

[madame-mortician]

Random Evil Dead Fun Facts!

Because I'm hyperfixated on it :P

Originally, Ash was supposed to lose an eye in Army of Darkness, but this was scrapped.

Currently Evil Dead (2013) has the most fake blood used in a film, with 50,000 gallons being used. This isn't that suprising considering that during the final 10 minutes of the film, it is raining blood non-stop.

Freddy Krueger's glove is in the workshed in Evil Dead 2. This is a reference to how in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Nancy watched The Evil Dead. Ironically, that was a nod to how Wes Craven's "The Hills have Eyes" poster was in The Evil Dead. That in turn was a nod to how in The Hills have Eyes a torn Jaws poster is seen on the walls. Very confusing easter egg.

Ironically, Ash actually does say the correct words during the Necronomicon scene in Army of Darkness, but it's hard to hear due to Bruce Campbell coughing his way through it, which sounds like something Ash would do honestly.

Speaking of that scene in Army of Darkness, it is actually established that Ash isn't good at remembering phrases, shown by the scene in The Evil Dead, where Ash tries to recite a greek quote but fucks it up.

Evil Dead Rise confirms that the original trilogy takes place in the same universe as the remake and Evil Dead Rise. For one, they confirm there are three volumes of the Necronomicon, being the ones seen in Army of Darkness. The first Necronomicon, Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, was found by Prof. Knowby and read by Ash and his friends. The second book, Naturom Demonto, is the one Mia found in her family cabin and the final one, also named Naturom Demonto, is the one locked in the bank vault in Evil Dead Rise.

Each deadite in Evil Dead Rise has different eyes referencing the older ones. Ellie has unique silver eyes, Bridget and the neighbours have golden yellow eyes (like in the 2013 film) and Danny has pupilless white eyes (like in the original trilogy.)

The character names in Evil Dead (2013) start with letters that spell the word "DEMON" (David, Eric, Mia, Olivia and Natalie.)

Similarly, the building in Evil Dead Rise, the Monde, is an anagram for Demon as well.

A reocurring theme in the Evil Dead films, is a sister getting possessed and tormenting their sibling. This is shown with Cheryl and her brother Ash, Mia and her brother David, Ellie and her sister Beth and Bridget and her siblings Danny and Kassie.

All the characters in Evil Dead Rise are named after actors from the Evil Dead films, which I elaborate on here.

Originally Army of Darkness was named "Medieval Dead."

The original ending of Army of Darkness showed Ash waking up in a post-apocolyptic future, but it was changed to the more optimistic ending. Despite both Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell preferring the original ending, the redone ending was used to continue the story with Ash VS Evil Dead.

The original ending was also supposed to lead into Evil Dead 4, where Ash would've fought deadites in the future with robots and other futuristic tropes, but because the ending was changed this never happened. Ironically, the same thing happened to Ash VS Evil Dead, when Season 3 ended on a cliffhanger so that the next season could be in the post-apocalyptic future, but this too was cancelled.

The German version of Army of Darkness incorporates both endings. It starts with the deleted ending, where Ash incorrectly takes 7 drops instead of 6, but as he sleeps it cuts to black and says Ash began dreaming over the centuries. Then it cuts to the regular ending where Ash is in the supermarket and is hailed as a hero before cutting back to him waking up in the post-apocalyptic future. Ironically this is my favourite ending, but it's not-canon.

Evil Dead (2013) had a bunch of different endings before settling on the, supposedly, canon one. One ending had Mia simply leave and the film ends, another had her go to leave before being jumped by a demon (like in The Evil Dead's ending), another had her collapse on the road and get rescued only to reveal she was still possessed and another had her go to leave but start floating before she exploded. The canon one is likely the theatrical ending where she simply walks away, and since we never see Mia again we have nothing to confirm or deny this.

The Abomination from Evil Dead (2013) is inspired by the poster of The Evil Dead, which depicts a woman being dragged into a grave. The Abomination even does the same pose when it rises.

Speaking of The Evil Dead posters, the promo images for The Evil Dead, showed Bruce Campbell and Bridget Hoffman being attacked by a skeleton prop, and defending themselves with a chainsaw. Despite being in all the promotional images and being on the literal cover, Bridget Hoffman was not in the film, though it's likely she is supposed to be a stand-in for Linda. She also played a cameo role as a sword fighter in Army of Darkness, and the voice of the Lori doll in Ash VS Evil Dead.

In The Evil Dead originally it was written that the characters would be smoking weed whilst listening to the tapes, perhaps as a way to explain why they would willingly play the tape, and as a way to rationalise the characters dumb decisions for the rest of the film. This however, was scrapped when the actors did smoke weed for the shot, but got too high and became uncontrollable.

The opening shot of The Evil Dead was filmed by Sam Raimi who stood on a boat, whilst Bruce Campbell pushed him along.

One of the demon passages in The Evil Dead translates to "Sam and Rob are the hikers on the road" a reference to the fact that the two hitchhikers at the start of the film are literally Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert.

During The Evil Dead, a cameraman slipped and dropped his camera onto Bruce Campbell's face, which caused several of his teeth to fall out.

Apparently during filming for Evil Dead 2, after one of the slapstick scenes Bruce Campbell heard somebody making funny noises above him and thought they were making fun of his performance, only for it to turn out that guy got electrocuted. I say apparently because even though Campbell said this himself, he could've been kidding.

Originally the idea with Evil Dead (2013) was that it would get a sequel, similar to Evil Dead 2 but with Mia, and then Ash's story would get a sequel with Army of Darkness 2, and then a third sequel would be made that would have Mia and Ash's stories merge and have the two characters meet, explaining the random after-credits scene in 2013. For some reason they never made the sequel to Evil Dead (2013) and the sequel to Army of Darkness was scrapped for Ash VS Evil Dead instead. The 2013 sequel was replaced with Evil Dead Rise, and Bruce Campbell has since retired as Ash in live-action.

In Japan, Army of Darkness is called "Captain Supermarket" probably being in reference to how Ash works in retail.

So far Evil Dead Rise is the only Evil Dead film without Ash's yellow delta, though apparently the chainsaw used by Beth is the same exact colour as the delta, being a double-reference.

Speaking of the delta, Ash's car appears in Evil Dead (2013), sitting abandoned in front of the cabin. It is most likely just an easter egg and has no lore implications.

Mia and David are half-siblings with different fathers. Originally it was intended for Mia to be Ash's daughter, but this was changed by Raimi. Ironically Ash did end up getting a daughter in the TV show.

Speaking of, Mia was supposed to appear in Ash VS Evil Dead, but it’s likely she wouldn’t have fit since her movie and experience was way darker than Ash’s, and she wouldn’t fit the tone.

The canonical reason Evil Dead (2013) is so similar to The Evil Dead is because the Necronomicon can cause history to repeat itself and likely lured the 5 friends to the cabin (which could also explain why some of the randoms are even here). This is why the 5 characters play very similar roles to the original film, Eric is Scotty, Natalie is Linda, Olivia is Shelly, and David is Ash whilst Mia is Cheryl. The reason Mia survives instead of David, and becomes more like Ash in the finale is likely that when David saved Mia, which Ash failed to do with Cheryl, the Necronomicon decided David should die and Mia should take Ash's role instead. It's also possible that David took the role of Annie in the finale, with him helping before being killed last second, but this is a bit of a stretch.

Bruce Campbell has two cameos in Evil Dead Rise. First is his voice being heard on the first tape Danny plays, where he plays a priest yelling “It’s called the Book of the Dead for a reason!” The second is simply the biting noises when Ellie bites Gabriel’s eye out, being Bruce Campbell furiously biting an apple.

Lee Cronin (Writer/Director of Evil Dead Rise) stated that Bruce Campbell’s cameo was intended to actually be Ash Williams himself. His reasoning was that Ash has found himself in the wrong time period a lot, and it would make sense for a time-displaced Ash to try and get rid of the Necronomicon in the past, before shit hits the fan.

Chet Kaminski was invited by Ash to go with them to the cabin. He chose not to come because Cheryl was also going and he didn’t want Ash to find out he was dating his sister as he feared it would end their friendship. This ultimately ended up saving his life.

In the Evil Dead films, the only characters to be possessed after they died were Scotty, Eric, David, Danny and the neighbours (Evil Dead Rise).

Shelly is never mentioned ever again after The Evil Dead. Scotty is mentioned once, in Ash VS Evil Dead.

Whilst shooting the recap scenes in Evil Dead 2, originally it was intended to have The Evil Dead be more closely followed, with Scotty, Cheryl and Shelly being there with Ash and not just Linda. Sam Raimi himself was going to play Scotty, but it was scrapped in favour of it being only Linda. It’s this recap that led to many fans and viewers being confused and assuming Evil Dead 2 was a retcon or remake when it was not. They couldn’t simply use footage from The Evil Dead due to licensing issues.

[mostly-marvel-musings]

Chapter 3 - An Affair to Remember

A/N: New chapter? Here we are. Let me know your thoughts!!

Pairing: Tony Stark x Reader

Warnings: 18+ smut, fluff, angst?

Word count: 4k ish. It’s long.

An affair to remember

.

“You what?”

That was the third time Izzy had asked the question and your answer hadn’t changed. You knew it would shock her, I mean to an extent it shocked you. But you had to tell your best friend, you couldn’t keep it a secret. So you called her home for dinner and drinks, since it was her last night before she flew off to yet another location for another wildlife photography assignment.

“I slept with him, Izzy. I told you already.” you sighed.

“And how old is this guy again?” Her voice was laced with judgement but you decided to let her have at it since the situation was delicate and much expected; she had been picking at the label stuck on the beer bottle, it now formed a tiny mountain on your dining table as she continued scratching it off the glass.

“I don’t know! Forty something?”

“He’s forty six, Y/N. That’s too old for you!” Her words cut through that little daydream you were in, she could be frustratingly real sometimes.

“You don’t think I know that? Izzy, you’re supposed to be my friend. Not my mom.” You muttered defensively, walking over to get yourself another beer from your fridge.

“I’m just looking out for you, Y/N. I don’t want you to be involved in something that can get really complicated. And this? Has complications written all over it.” Her tone had turned gentler now, eyes full of worry as you sighed, leaning back your chair.

“Okay, I haven’t figured it all out yet but I will. It’s not like I’m dating him, you know? It could be a one time thing.”

It sent a pang of disappointment through you as you said it out loud, not really wanting last night to be a one time thing.

“Well good. I don’t want you getting hurt. Just be careful okay?”

Nodding, you gave her a grateful smile, accepting the hug she gave you.

“And you’re right. I’m not your mom and I don’t plan to be. I’m your best friend, so, how was he?” She smirked, wiggling her eyebrows at you as she sat back.

“Oh God! I’m not gonna tell you.” Heat rushed up to your cheeks at her question, memories of the night before flooded in.

“Come on! Tell me. Did he at least make you come?” Izzy prodded, clearly determined to make you blush like a little girl.

“Twice.” you admitted, giggling when she whistled dramatically, glad that you had her with you even though she wasn’t exactly thrilled about the whole thing with Tony Stark.

.

Your next visit to Stark Tower was in a professional capacity. Well, almost.

It was the day of the photoshoot and you had arrived punctually, a familiar good-nervous energy buzzing in your veins. Happy Hogan greeted you again, this time introducing you to the people involved in the magazine photoshoot.

While you and the creative director had a chat, you were told Tony was getting ready for his first look. They wanted a few shots of him individually and the rest in his research and development lab, one which you were yet to see.

“Miss Y/L/N?” your head snapped up at the source of your name being called, it was Tony’s assistant Natalie, whom you had exchanged emails with in the past few days. She was a tall, beautiful woman and if you had to bet, was your age.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Stark has requested to see you.”

You tried to avoid the raised eyebrows you got as you followed her to the changing room. When she left, Tony pulled you inside, almost making you yelp.

You weren’t the least bit surprised when you saw him but the tailored charcoal suit, blue under shirt and matching tie made him look irresistibly handsome. And of course, he knew it.

“You requested for me.” you murmured, your pulse racing as he sauntered closer, wrapping his arms around you.

“I’m in a bit of a situation, Miss Y/L/N and I was hoping you could help.” he smirked, letting you feel what the ‘situation’ was.

“With a whole crew waiting? Mr. Stark, you're terribly unprofessional.” you tutted, skimming your fingers over his crotch, smirking yourself when his cock reacted to your touch.

You had been texting back and forth over the past few days, most of those conversations had a tendency to take a sexual turn, not that you were complaining. It felt like your little secret that nobody knew, it was thrilling.

Dropping to your knees, you held his gaze while undoing his pants, his coffee brown eyes darkened at the sight as his cock sprung free of its constraints.

“Be a good girl and take me in your mouth.”

Heat pooled between your legs at his words as you complied, desire coursing freely as he watched your hand wrap itself around the base while your warmth coated his tip. You heard him hiss as you took more of him in, his fingers finding purchase in your hair, keeping their grip firm.

“That’s it.”

He reached the back of your throat, now fully erect as you began bringing him pleasure with your mouth, one of your hands finding their way to cup his balls. An ex-boyfriend of yours had complimented your skills for giving head, you knew just what to do to drive them insane. Although you never went all the way with him, you had done some fun stuff.

Tony had to grab onto the back of a chair as you increased momentum, working your hand and mouth in tandem while swirling your tongue around his tip, tasting his salty eagerness.

“Fuck. You’re not as innocent as you play, are you sweetheart?” he was panting, his hold on your hair tighter now as he felt his hips stutter.

Your panties were damp hearing Tony’s little grunts and whines as you brought him closer to the edge, a sense of power taking over you at the sight of this witty businessman completely at your mercy.

With pre-cum leaking, Tony knew it wouldn’t be long now, especially when he saw you press your thighs together, knowing you were enjoying it as much as he was.

“Stop if you don’t want me to come in your mouth, Y/N.” he warned, closing his eyes as his muscles twitched.

You didn’t stop. You wanted it. All of him. As you caressed his balls some more, you felt them tighten before his cock twitched in your mouth, his warm cum shooting at the back of your throat in ropes. Cursing under his breath, Tony pulled you up to crash his lips against yours, tasting himself mixed with your minty breath.

There was a knock on the door that startled you both, making you grin like a couple of naughty kids who had almost been caught.

“I’m returning the favor. Later.” he promised with a final kiss before straightening up and allowing you to step out first, making up some excuse which his poor assistant bought.

Tony was a natural when it came to facing the camera, you figured he had been doing it for years since he was in the public eye almost all his life. Still his presence commanded attention, and your camera captured every bit of his charisma perfectly as he posed for you. He would occasionally come over to look at the computer, under pretense of wanting to get the shot right but his wandering hands had other intentions.

When you moved locations down to his lab, you couldn’t help but look around the space that made him Tony Stark. It was quite evident that spent a lot of his time in the lab. It had a tiny kitchen, a sofa in the far corner, cars and bikes you couldn’t name but were sure cost millions of dollars along with workstations that looked right out of a sci-fi movie.

You saw his demeanor change in the lab, like he was in his natural habitat. This part of the photoshoot included bits of the interview and he went about answering questions while you captured some candid moments.

There was a collective round of applause when it was done, the director was happy with the results and as were you. The pictures had turned out amazing, the creative director even had a couple of offers for you which you were elated about.

“Now about that reward, Miss Y/L/N.” Tony pulled your back against his chest as you put the last of your equipment away, trailing light kisses along your neck. You were thankful the room was deserted as his hands slipped under your skirt, grazing up your thighs slowly.

“Wait, what time is it?” you asked abruptly after your eyes had landed on the calendar that let you know what day it was.

“Six o’clock, why?”

“Shit! It’s my mom’s birthday and I’m supposed to be there for movie night. It’s a family tradition.” you sighed, turning around in his arms as he rubbed your arms comfortingly.

“Let me drive you there.” he offered.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Tony. She’ll get suspicious and it won’t end well.”

Knowing your mother, she would pester you for the rest of the night and you wanted to avoid that at all costs. Besides, you hadn’t had ‘the talk’ with Tony yet, you weren’t sure if you were a couple at all or this was just a casual fling. You leaned your forehead against his chest and let out a groan.

“I guess we could go separately and waste fuel if that’s what you want.”

You frowned up at him, not understanding what he meant before he sent you a knowing look.

“They’ve invited you?”

“I am quite popular with them, you know..”

He was right, your parents and him were quite close, he had been a part of most of the celebrations back home and vice-versa. You were anxious about arriving at the party with him but then Tony’s excuse sounded convincing, you were already at his place for the photoshoot and he just happened to offer you a ride.

You agreed, even approved the bottle of wine he had got for your mother, it was one of her favourites; your present was already at the house, in your studio. You had a ‘then and now’ set of pictures on a digital frame that you finalized as a gift.

It was your Dad who opened the door when you two arrived, crushing you in a hug before doing the same with Tony, not a single question about how and why you had come in together. That was good, you thought. Your mother however, needed the explanation you had prepared for.

“Happy birthday, Jen. Forty one looks great on you.” Tony kissed her cheek, handing her the bottle while you choked into a bout of coughs. Even though you were aware, it just hit you that the man you had slept with was five years older than your Mom.

“You okay, Y/N?” she frowned, accepting the hug you gave her even though she wasn’t satisfied with the quick thumbs-up you gave her.

A few of your mom’s close friends were invited, along with the Chaneys which meant Sebastian was probably here too. He wouldn’t miss an opportunity if he knew you were coming.

As you fixed yourself a glass of wine, you overheard Tony go on about how well the photoshoot went and how impressed he was with your skills, making your father’s chest flare with pride for his favourite child. You heard him ask about someone named Pepper, which made Tony tense for a second, his eyes flitting over yours before he gave your father a brief answer.

“Hey! You made it!” a familiar voice made you turn around, staring back was Sebastian waiting to wrap you in a hug which he did before you had a chance to respond.

“I mean it is my Mom’s birthday, I had to.”

“Heard you came with Tony Stark.”

Of course.

“Uh yeah, I was at Stark tower for a photoshoot.” there was a tone of irritation in your voice, but Sebastian hadn’t caught on. It was like he chose to overlook each time you denied his advances.

“I’ll save you a spot for movie night.” he winked, giving your shoulder a squeeze before leaving you to your thoughts in the kitchen.

After cake and dinner, you grabbed extra pillows and blankets for everyone while Sebastian and your Dad arranged some chairs and beanbags in the living room. Sebastian had secured his spot on one corner of the sofa, already saving the seat next to him for you while you searched for Tony, somehow wanting to sit next to him.

Your phone rang, revealing it was Isabelle who was calling, making you excuse yourself to attend it in the kitchen. Filling her in on the latest updates, you poured yourself another glass of wine while Tony walked in shortly after, to have his refill of whiskey.

“Don’t be late.” he whispered against your ear as he passed, causing Izzy to gasp on the other side before she bombarded you with questions. When the call ended, you stopped in your tracks looking at the arrangement.

Your Mom and Dad sat on chairs laid just ahead of the couch, Sebastian sat on one side of the sofa while Tony sat on the other, both expectantly looking at you, having left a seat for you right in the middle.

This would be very interesting.

Movie nights always started with the first movie your parents saw together, on their first date. As the lights were turned out, you made yourself comfortable between the two men, crossing your legs on the table in front of the couch. There was ample space to accommodate three people on it and yet you had chosen to sit a little closer to Tony than Sebastian.

You stole glances on your left often, draping a blanket across your legs as it got a little colder, not realizing Tony was waiting for you to do just that.

The gasp that almost escaped your lips could have easily blown your cover but thankfully you realized it was only Tony whose hand had innocently made its way over to your thigh, gently grazing your skin there making your skirt ride up.

As it moved to skim across your inner thigh, you shot him a warning look only to be met with a smirk. Adjusting the blanket, you folded your other leg so it wouldn’t reveal what was going underneath as Tony’s fingers brushed over your clothed pussy.

“Told you I would return the favour somehow. Now, you can be quiet for me, can’t you?”

He leaned over to press his lips against your ear, while the others remained blissfully unaware of it. You nodded, keeping your eyes trained on the tv as he slid your underwear aside to feel your moist folds.

The grip you held on the soft blanket tightened as Tony dipped a finger inside your entrance, making your breath hitch. Slowly he dragged it along your walls, massaging them while his thumb toyed with your clit, reveling in your predicament.

If anyone were to turn their heads and look your way, it would mean trouble. But the thrill of it was unparalleled, here you were sitting with your family on movie night while being fingered under the blanket but none other than Tony Stark.

You almost let a moan slip out when he added another finger to the party, pumping it in and out of your drenched pussy. Your breathing was erratic and you prayed to God nobody would notice. But someone did.

Sebastian.

“You alright, Y/N?”

He whispered, placing a hand on your shoulder while Tony’s ministrations didn’t stop.

“Y-yeah I’m okay. Just watch the movie, Seb.” You managed to whisper back, gripping Tony’s right hand under the fabric as you felt yourself nearing the edge.

The movie worked in your favour as a fight ensued on the screen, loud blasts and punches echoed through the speakers, giving you enough cover as you let go, quietly whimpering as your orgasm washed over you, making you clench around Tony’s fingers.

“Such a good girl.” His praise sent tingles down your spine as he pressed a kiss against your hair. Tony retracted his fingers that were glistening with your arousal, adjusted your clothing and went back to focusing on the movie as if nothing had happened.

By the time credits rolled in, your father had already passed out, as had Sebastian, leaving you, Tony and your mother. She had convinced him to stay the night and leave in the morning as it was late & since he was your ride back, you would crash in your room too.

Which only meant one thing. The night wasn’t over yet.

Maybe it was the third glass of wine or the rush of adrenaline but once you were back in your room, you had put on skimpiest lingerie from your wardrobe and laid on your side.

The doorknob twisted and you heard the lock click shut softly, a presence that made your thighs clench stood behind you, taking in your form. Moonlight shone through your open window, casting an ethereal glow as you lay on your side, curves on display for the man who was drinking you in like a parched soul. Delicate lace that barely covered your bits made his pants constrict, you heard the bed dip under his weight before his arms went around you, pulling you back against him.

“Do you sleep like this everyday?”

His whisper made you press your ass against his crotch, looking over his shoulder you shook your head with a sly smile and reached back to palm his cock.

“Only for you, Mr. Stark.”

Tony cursed under his breath, his lips attached to your neck while cupping your breasts, pushing his erection against your hand. He could definitely get used to you calling him ’Mr. Stark’.

“See how hard you make me, sweetheart?”

You had to swallow a needy whimper as Tony’s fingers tweaked your nipples until they hardened and admired the way your body was so responsive to his touch. The effect he had on you was evident, goose pimples on flushed skin as his hands roamed over your flesh, desire pooled between your legs that had already ruined your panties.

Your head fell back as Tony found your wetness, grunting against your ear while gathering it on his fingers.

“So wet for me, princess.”

The act felt so incredibly thrilling, it was like a new kink had been unlocked. Walls were thin and you could get caught any time, and your parents weren’t the heaviest of sleepers.

In the quiet of your room, you could hear wet, squelching noises as Tony’s fingers stretched you open, making it harder and harder for you to not make a sound.

“Please..” you whimpered, the urgency in your voice made him chuckle.

“Please what?”

“Please fuck me, Tony.”

He could come at the sight you like this alone, desperate and writhing under his touch.

“I don’t have a condom with me, sweetheart. You’ll have to take me bare.”

Oh you were more than ready for that.

You didn’t need words as you reached back to undo his zipper, making him nip at your skin playfully. Freeing his cock, Tony gave himself a few pumps, gathering the slick on his tip before lifting your leg slightly so he could take you from behind.

A deep sound reverberated from his chest as he bottomed out, sheathed in your tight warmth while you let out a wanton moan.

“Shh. We don’t want to get caught, do we?”

As he began to move, you gripped the sheets under you, meeting his thrust as it felt different this time around. You felt his cock dragging along your walls, the blunt tip brushing against a spot inside you that had you seeing stars. The bed creaked and settled under the weight and movement as you let out yet another sigh, making Tony stuff your mouth with his fingers. You tasted your arousal on them, sucking on them needily as he impaled you, muffling the sounds you were making.

His muscles tensed and cock twitched, letting him know he was close as your walls fluttered around him, leaving you shuddering in his arms as you came.

“Fuck, Y/N. You did so well for me.” His breath was hot against your ear as you came down from your high, clenching around his length before he pulled out, squeezing the tip of his length right before he spilled his seed across your ass, painting your skin white with his warm cum.

Naughty smiles adorned your faces as you exchanged kisses, like horny teenagers who couldn’t keep their hands off of each other. You hadn’t bothered to clean up while Tony tucked himself back in his pants, standing over you and giving you a little slap on your ass.

“Clean up, dirty girl.” he chided, walking out of your room and shutting the door behind him as sneakily as he had come in.

Your phone had run out of battery by the time Tony dropped you home. After a shower, you plugged it in and it began ringing with a thousand notifications, making you frown and check to see the source.

They were all from Izzy.

Opening the last one you took a seat on the couch, not realizing what a good decision it was to sit down as you read the message.

Y/N, where are you? Tony Stark is engaged to marry Pepper Potts. Call me.

…

It had been two hours since you spoke to Isabelle, processing the information that was dumped on you.

He was engaged. To a woman named Pepper Potts. You recalled your father mentioning her name the other night. A web search about her revealed she had started out as Tony’s assistant, worked very closely with him for years before she became an integral part of Stark Industries. She now worked closely with his business advisor and had apparently been dating her boss for longer than the media was even made aware.

He was engaged. And you had slept with him. Twice. The news was all over the internet after the announcement was made not too long ago. An official statement released to the press that sent the news channels in a frenzy and you into a shock.

Why had Tony kept this from you? Why hadn’t you asked it before getting involved? Why did it never occur to you? Why did he never bring it up? More importantly, what else was he lying about?

As if on cue, your phone rang. It was him. You watched it ring until it stopped, it happened a few more times. As much as you wanted answers, you couldn’t help but feel a little cheated. Angry. Even hurt.

Your phone buzzed again. He had sent you a message.

Let me explain this, Y/N. Please call me.

Reading it over and over, you paced about your living room, unsure of what to do. Izzy had been right. This was way too complicated.

Congratulations on your engagement Mr. Stark.

You hit send and turned your phone off, throwing it on the sofa before storming in your bathroom for a much needed bath. You need time to think. And you knew one thing for certain.

You needed to stay the hell away from Tony Stark.

[ciaomarie]

Part 1: What then?

Some seemingly innocent, but truly mind-altering information is shared in a staff meeting.

Short fan fic. Low-key Sydcarmy/The Bear fluff. Post-season 2. Canon-compliant.

Location: The Bear

Time: 10:05 a.m.

The restaurant had closed lunch service on a Tuesday for a "Development Day". The Bear had been open for 5 months and had a 2 month wait list! After Family and Friends when they had all banded together the Bear crew had gotten tighter than ever. Carmen had been a outsider in his own restaurant for a couple weeks, but soon the dust settled. Even Sydney came around after 3 weeks of his patient groveling. The duo was good and soon The Bear had become one of Chicago Tribune's "Best New Restaurants." However, with success The Bear was changing fast. They had hired more full-time front and kitchen staff, which was great. The downside was that "respectful communication" and "customer complaint management" was waning a little. Things were not terrible, but Richie for whom Ever set the bar in hospitality, The Bear should always be improving, not sliding backwards. Natalie, Carmen and Sydney agreed. They also wanted to discuss new menu changes and a to-go system they would be testing soon.

"Okay, people! Let's get started" Natalie said beckoning everyone to take a seat at the front of house.

Richie stood next her "casually dressed" in a button down blue dress shirt and dark grey slacks.

He began, "As you know The Bear is on track to paying off the loan and we're the freakin' toast of the town right now, but this is not the time to take a nap. We gotta keep our eyes on the prize. So first, up facial regulation as known as RBF awareness."

Natalie tapped his shoulder and whispered, "Richie, I love your enthusiasm, but I thought we might start with an ice breaker?"

He shrugged and continued, "But Nat, has a ice breaker. Take it away".

Natalie resumed.

"So, first we want to thank each of you for being part of this dream and making it fun, rewarding, and successful. As you know The Bear is a family business and since there's new faces here we'd like to get to know you better and vice versa. We'll start with a quick round of "Best and Worst". Just pick a question out of the cup and answer it. Please keep your answers to 2 minutes."

The first question went to Randall, a young man in his early 20's with dark curly hair and thick glasses that frequently fogged in the humid kitchen. He was the new assistant pastry chef.

"What was the best place I ever lived? Hm…Guam. My dad, Army, was stationed on the base and I lived there from age 9-11. I had like 12 friends just on my block and we were always playing soccer, swimming, or riding our bikes. It was awesome."

"Thanks Randall!" Natalie chirped.

The next went to Tina.

"Ok…what is worst advice I've ever been given? Keep your head down and do what you know. That's the advice I used to give myself. Thankfully I didn't listen because now I'm a sous chef!"

Sydney who was sitting near the front between Gary and Carmy, beamed at Tina who returned the smile with a little moisture in her eyes.

The next question went to Marcus.

"Best moment in the last year? It was training at Noma, in Copenhagen. It was my first international trip. I got to stay in a houseboat, explore the city, meet cool people, and figure out that I wanted to do this maybe forever."

The last several months had been really hard due to Marcus's mom's passing. He had returned to work after a week of mourning citing that he knew she wouldn't want him to sit at home now that she was no longer sick. Despite that he was getting better every day and had come up with several new popular dessert specials. Tina was seated next to him and patted his arm.

The next few questions went to new dishwasher, Chris, Fak, and then Gary.

Sydney drew the next question and winced upon reading it. It wouldn't be possible to lie because Marcus already knew the truth.

"What was my best meal ever? Well…it was this pork confit with onions and rhubarb. Then after I had this dish called Milk and Honey."

She kept her eyes plastered on the tiny strip of paper while she spoke. In her peripheral field she could see Carm turning slightly towards her, his cornflower blue eyes boring two holes into the side of her head.

"Sounds grand. Ok, Carmy pick a question" Richie ordered wanting to get down to business by 10:30am.

Carmy didn't seem to hear him. He was on another planet.

"Yo cuz, pick a question!"

He startled and drew a question.

"Uh ok. Best part of my day? Hmmm. Closing up."

It was now Sydney's soul's turn to exit her body. Every night, with few exceptions, she and Carmy ended the night in his office to debrief on the day, perform last checks, and close together.

After a moment she felt his eyes still glancing at her. Without turning she whispered, "Later." The last thing she needed was to look at him, and forget how much time was passing, giving Richie yet another reason to tease them. Not long ago he gave them matching copies of a workplace relationship etiquette tip sheet stapled to an OSHA industrial hygiene handout before leaving them to close.

She sighed, trying to compose herself. It was no big deal. So what that Carm knew he was responsible for the best thing she ever ate? Also, they're partner-friends so it's totally normal that his favorite time of day when is they are together…alone. Right?

UH OH.

[coalswriting]

hair holds memories - natalie scatorccio

summary – bleaching natalie’s hair became routine for (y/n), but things became a bit more complicated the day natalie disappeared. (approx. 1.7k words)

a/n – trigger warning for mentions of weight loss + puking!! i wrote this cos i was feeling a lil down and wanted to vent a little. hope y’all enjoy <3  

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

your (e/c) orbs glossed over the pages of the novel you were reading while you sipped a cup of tea. you were hunched over your crowded desk, notes scattered around as you picked out comparisons between the novel and wuthering heights. you were given as comparative essay as an assignment for english class, and you had chosen to compare the theme of the role of women within society.

your eyelids began to feel heavy, and you swore that you would fall asleep before you could finish the chapter. peering over towards your alarm, your eyes widened when you noticed that it was nearing 1am. sighing, you knew you’d have trouble waking up for school tomorrow if you stayed up much later, so you flicked your bookmark between the worn pages of the book and shut it, sliding it into your backpack.

you stood up with a stretch, grabbing your hairbrush to tidy yourself up before bed. suddenly, you heard a rhythmic clinking against your window. confused, you processed the sound for a moment before peeking an eye out between your curtains. you deflated from your slight shock when you noticed it was only natalie. pulling the curtains open and pushing the window, you called out to her in a whisper-yell.

“it’s 1am nat, what are you doing? and what’s with that hat??”

natalie, in response, grimaced, pulling her beanie tighter over her head. she looked at you with discomfort before whispering back, “i had an accident and i need your help, can i come in?”

you exhaled heavily but smiled, “one sec.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

natalie sat on your toilet as you paced back and forth.

“how the hell did you do that?!”

she looked ashamed of herself, her hair practically ginger. “i don’t know, (y/n)! i was trying to go blonde! stop laughing!”

a towel was thrown at you and you damn-near fell over, gripping the sink to steady yourself from your laughter. “okay, okay, hold on,” you chuckled, crouching down to rummage through the drawer under your sink, “I think my mom still has some spare bleach and purple shampoo from the last time she did her hair.”

“i swear to fuck, (y/n), if my hair falls out, i’ll cut all of yours off in your sleep,” your once-brunette-now-ginger friend threatened to ignorant ears.

“yeah, yeah,” you dismissed.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

natalie’s hair had come out perfectly when you did it that time, and since then, you were primarily responsible for bleaching her hair. it became routine, every month, she would come by and sit on your toilet while you would touch up her roots. you both enjoyed it and talked about life whenever it came to that. the last time you did it was the weekend before nationals.

“thanks again,” natalie smiled at you coyly, checking herself out in the mirror. you hugged her from behind, resting your chin on her shoulder. she looked beautiful, the white lighting of your bathroom mirror illuminating each and every strand.

you were engrossed in her as you admired, murmuring, “you look beautiful.”

you swore you could see natalie’s cheeks gain a rosy hue. she cleared her throat, hiding her face with her fist, and you felt butterflies in your chest, tearing your eyes away from her angelic face.  

“uh, anyways,” you changed the topic quickly, flustered at what you had said, “good luck at nationals. i’ll be waiting for your return with the trophy.”

natalie elbowed you gently, smirking, “i’ll see you at the after-party, yeah?”

you nodded, “for sure.”  

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

processing grief was difficult, you came to learn. upon hearing of the plane crash, you didn’t cry. you didn’t scream, you didn’t react in any way. you just lied in bed for days, shackled down by a huge wave of apathy. you lost a lot of weight, nearly puking every time you touched food.

after a few months, you grew hopeful. you knew natalie – you knew she was alive. she was a fighting spirit, and something told you that things would be okay.

when the first winter passed, you finally accepted that natalie was probably dead. the grief hit you in a delayed wave, and your friends held you as you wept in the bathroom that you had routinely done her hair in the past. you tore the polaroids of you and her off your walls, stuffing them into a box under your bed. you didn’t want to see her. you hated her for leaving you alone in this world, and you hated that you had loved her so much. 

you despised natalie scatorccio. you despised the way she would laugh with you, joke with you, the way the corners of her mouth gently rose when she was trying to hide her giggles in history class, the way she drew on your arm when she was bored, and the way she always hugged you after practice when she was sweaty and covered in mud, much to your disdain.

you began to move on after a year; well, that was a lie – you knew that you would never move on from the impact she had left on your life, but college was around the corner, and you knew that you would have to step into this new chapter without her. you still had the leather jacket that she had left in your house one time, and you couldn’t bare to lose it, so you took it with you, and boy, did you wear it everywhere. it became a part of you; it protected you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

it was the spring of your second year of university, studying (whatever lol). you had come back to new jersey to visit your family and earn some money at your part time job at the cinema. you had tuned out most of the world, listening to music in your walkman, dancing around your family-home bedroom.

the girls had been found and returned home safe and sound – well, most of them. but, when you tried to reach out to natalie, you never received a response. it was difficult to contact any of the girls, really, and you decided that it was probably for the best. she had probably forgotten you; she was probably a different person anyways. you were initially extremely upset, but you pushed it down, focusing on your college assignments.

“you’re out of touch, i’m out of time!”, you sang to yourself as you bopped your head to the music. for once, you felt a little happy in life, things were going smoothly, and your friends were lovely. you imagined what they were doing in this moment – probably studying or out partying. you were excited to return to university.

suddenly, you heard a familiar rhythmic clinking against your window. you stiffened up, tears perking in your eyes. it was probably all in your head, and you stared for a moment, slowly taking your headphones off your ears. the tapping sound didn’t stop. you hesitantly shuffled to your window and, like clockwork, peeked your eye out between the curtains, but this time, you ripped them open almost immediately. your eyes began to pour with a wave of what seemed to be grief and joy as none other than natalie scatorccio stood outside, rain dampening her hair.

you nearly tripped as you sprinted down the stairs in your work uniform, and without a care in the world, you ran outside into the downpour. she caught you as you fell into her arms, holding her tight and hiccuping. she felt so, so warm against the coldness of the stormy air, and you knew in that moment that she was real. she was here with you.

… .. .

natalie wiped her hair with a towel as she sat in your bathroom, your tears still pouring. bringing a hand to your face, she wiped your tears with a thumb, smiling gently. “i’m back, for good,” is all she said.

your hands were shaky as you touched her hair. her roots had grown out, but she still looked like the same girl you had seen every day for years; she still looked like the girl you loved with your whole heart – the girl that had changed your life. she leaned into your touch.

“i thought i’d never see you again, nat,” you whispered, voice shaky, and she pulled you into her, arms wrapping around you. she stroked your hair, and you felt your chest constrict.

“what happened out there,” she began, “was traumatising, and i’m not ready to talk about it yet, but i want you to know that the whole time i was out there, i survived for you. i could’ve died and rid myself of this miserable world, but it was you. you kept me going.”

you dipped your head down a little as she spoke. she was enthralling, and you remembered how difficult processing the grief over her had been.

“i love you, nat,” you suddenly confessed, “and i never stopped. i don’t think i could’ve stopped, even if i tried.”

she looked at you, her mouth open in an o shape before she placed her mouth onto yours. the kiss felt bittersweet, and you could feel your worries evaporate. her lips were soft against your own ones and you tasted undertones of cigarette smoke amongst her cherry flavoured lip gloss. it was liberating. layers of grief began to dissolve, and your chest felt as though it was going to burst.

when natalie pulled away, she smiled at you gentler than you had ever seen. it was like you were porcelain and she was afraid to shatter you.

you both caught up a little longer, her hands lingering on yours with soft, endearing looks of admiration from both sides. your love for each other felt unspoken after the initial confession, and it felt as if nothing had ever split you apart from each other; like you had loved naturally the entire time she was gone.

as you both laid in bed looking at the glow-in-the-dark stars on your ceiling, her ear against your chest, listening to your heartbeat, you finally mentioned the unspoken.

“do you want me to bleach your hair?”

natalie hummed for a moment before shaking her head, “nah, i think i want to cut it all off and grow out my brown again. what do you think?”

your thoughts lingered in the sentence. “yeah, makes sense,” you replied, “hair holds memories and all. it’d be nice to start fresh again.”

“exactly”, she said, sitting up, “wanna do it now?”

you giggled as she pulled you up by the hand, following her to the bathroom.

“alright.”

[before-it-felt-like-a-sin]

Can I request a Natalie x Jackies little sister reader, who is the opposite of Jackie, via personality wise? Like she's quiet, nerdy, not athletic like at all, and is a goody-two-shoes (Jackie makes fun of her for it but also intends to keep it that way,) and the reader ends up getting dragged by Jackie, and the readers awful bf at the time to this party, Jackie goes and gets lost with shauna doing whatever (✂️) ANYWAYS she gets into a really bad argument with her boyfriend because he wants to have sex with her and she refuses. Natalie ends up stepping in and helps her out, defends her, and drives her home. Natalie has also, like, always had a crush on her, too. Natalie and the reader start to get super close and secretly dating, and Jackie ends up finding out about them via the readers' diary, and she's kind of upset at first but ends up allowing it after confronting Natalie after practice, who proves to Jackie that she loves the reader and wants to protect her no matter what. Idk sorry about it being all detailed 😭😭

All My Ghosts

Summary: literally just the prompt

Warning(s): cursing (more than usual), manipulation (from r bf), pressure to have sex, drug usage, smoking, drinking, non-consensual kissing (from bf), not proofread (spelling and grammar mistakes are not my problem actually)

Reader can either be read as a comphet lesbian or bisexual/pansexual, whichever you prefer <3

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"Y/n, let's GO!" your sister, Jackie, yelled from the bottom of the stairs up to your room. Instead of responding to her, you just rolled your eyes and finished lacing up your shoes. You didn't even want to go to this party, but your boyfriend, Brad, wanted you to go. And for some reason, Jackie agreed with him. Something about you being there with her for "moral support". Like she needed that. If anything, you were the one who needed moral support for a party.

When you were finally finished getting ready, you walked out of your bedroom and down the stairs to meet Jackie.

"God, finally. Shauna's going to wonder where we are." She twirls the keys to her car in her hand, and you just roll your eyes again.

"More like wonder where you are."

"She's your friend, too."

"Barely."

The less than a year between you and Jackie meant that the two of you grew up really close, and that her friends became your friends. Since both of you were in the same grade, you didn't have to worry a lot about making your own friends. Jackie was good about including you, and you got along well with Shauna and the other girls from the soccer team.

But sometimes, on days like this, you wished you had friends of your own. Maybe they wouldn't make you go to some stupid party with them.

"Come on." Jackie started walking towards your front door and out to the car. Honestly, you were surprised she was even driving. Normally Jeff or Shauna picked her up.

"Fine, whatever," you replied, walking out after her.

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When the two of you arrived, the party was already in full swing. Where Brad could be, you had no idea. And unfortunately for you, Jackie had no problem finding Shauna.

Soon enough, you were standing alone in the foyer of Lottie's giant house.

Suddenly, you see Brad. Quickly, you start walking towards him.

"Babe! Hey!" He pulls you into his side as soon as you come near him. He smells like weed and cheap beer, and you can't help but wrinkle your nose.

"Hi," you smile at him, trying to ignore the smell. Instead of continuing to talk to you, though, he immediately went back to whatever conversation he'd been having, not even trying to include you. This happened a lot. Brad would immediately assume you weren't interested in anything he'd been talking about, and practically ignore you.

You sat there in silence for a while before you decided it was time to get a drink.

"Hey, I'm going to grab a drink. Do you want anything?" you ask, tapping Brad's shoulder.

"Sure. Let me come with you." When he says that, you try not to let your disappointment show. You had been trying to get away from him for a minute, but there he was, following you around.

The two of you head to the kitchen, and you pour yourself a Diet Coke, while Brad opted for another beer. As you stand at the counter, sipping you drink, he slides up behind you and starts to whisper in your ear.

"You want to get out of here?" He was trying to be seductive, but all you could focus on was how shitty his breath smelled.

"No, sorry. I promised Jackie that I'd DD." It takes a lot not to push him away entirely, but you can't help but turn your head away as he spoke.

"Baby, I'm sure your sister can find another ride home. Come on." He was beginning to sound like a child, but you kept your cool.

"I'm sure she could, but I really don't need a pissed off Jackie in my life right now. Plus, I'd just rather not risk it." By now, you'd pulled away fully, not wanting to deal with whatever was going on.

"Y/n, come on. I need something. We haven't had sex in so long." He was louder now, and you were sure people heard.

"And I said not tonight."

"You're such a-"

"She said no, asshole. Leave her alone." Brad was cut off by a voice that you recognized. Natalie Scatorccio, one of the girls on your sister's soccer team. You didn't know her that well, and Jackie wasn't her biggest fan. But you were extremely grateful for her in this moment.

"This is none of your business, bitch. Who the fuck are you, anyways?" Brad was clearly pissed off, whether it was because he was interrupted or because it was Natalie who interrupted him, you couldn't tell.

"It doesn't matter who I am, and this became my business the minute you started yelling at y/n in the middle of the kitchen. She doesn't want to fuck you. Get over it."

"How does this bitch even know your name?" Brad's wrath was turned towards you now, and you weren't sure how to react.

"She's... uh, a friend. Of my sister's. They play soccer together," you manage to mumble out, embarrassed over the whole situation.

"Oh, so you need one of your sister's friends to fight your battles for you now? Fuck this. We're over. I don't want to be with a prude." With that, Brad finally walked away. Part of you wanted to follow him, but the majority of you didn't. Not after what he just pulled.

"Shit. I didn't mean for him to break up with you. Just leave you alone." Natalie did truly look apologetic, but you weren't upset with her at all.

"No, it's fine. I've been thinking about breaking up with him anyway. I've just been to nervous. So really, I should be thanking you." You tried to make light of the entire situation, wanting to relieve some of the tension.

"Well, he seemed like a dick. Is he always like that?"

You pause for a moment before speaking. "No, not always. When we first got together, he was perfect. But for the past month or so, he's been a lot pushier when it comes to physical stuff."

Natalie nods, taking it in.

"Do you want to get out of here?" You ask suddenly, hoping you don't sound weird.

"Don't you have to take Jackie home?" She looked at you quizzically, and you mentally cursed yourself.

As if on cue, Jackie appeared in the kitchen. "Y/n! I was looking for you. You don't care if I go with Shauna to her place, do you?'

"No, go ahead. Just give me the car keys." You hold out your hand for the keys, and Jackie happily gives them to you. Once she's gone from the kitchen, you turn back to Natalie.

"Well, not anymore."

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The two of you sat in your car, music playing softly through the stereo. You had no idea what you planned on doing, but it was nice to do something spontaneous for once in your life.

"Is there anywhere you want to be going?" You ask, not knowing exactly what Natalie would be into.

"Nah." She sits there in silence for a moment before turning to you, cigarette in hand. "Do you care if I smoke in here?"

"Roll down the window. I'm not sure I want my parents thinking I've been smoking."

She does as she's asked and rolls down the window before lighting up the cigarette, which kind of impresses you with the wind.

"So you're keeping up the "good girl" act even when I'm the only one here, huh?" She asks before taking a drag of the cigarette.

"What "good girl act"? This is just my personality." You take a turn and decide that you want to go to the beach. You've always loved the ocean, and with a night like tonight you deserved to do what you wanted.

"God, not even Jackie's this innocent. Have you ever broken a rule in your life?" She's not being mean, at least you don't think she is.

"I'm not innocent, just careful." You pause for a beat before answering her question, "And yes, I've broken rules. You think Jackie and I were supposed to be at that party?"

"Touché, I guess. Where do your parents think you are?" She looks over at you as she takes a drag from the cigarette, and something about the whole thing makes your heart flutter. Probably from the rebellion of it all.

"Well, they aren't even home, but before they left, Jackie said we were staying with Shauna. Which, I guess is kind of the truth." You maneuver the car into a random parking lot with a beach entrance and gesture for Natalie to get out.

The both of you step out of the car, and you move to the trunk to see if you have a blanket or something else to sit on. You find a towel that you're sure has been there since the last time you were at the beach, but it'll work for now. Nat didn't seem to be the picky type, and you didn't much care what you sat on as long as it wasn't sand.

You shut the trunk and begin walking toward the beach, turning around to make sure that Natalie is following you. She is.

It doesn't take long to find a spot in the sand to settle into. The beach is mostly empty, the occasional couple or group of friends scattered across the beach, but none were close enough to bother you. You set the towel down, smoothing it best you can, trying very hard to not let it get sandy.

"Ladies first," you tease, gesturing for Natalie to sit down before plopping down next to her.

She rolls her eyes, but clearly doesn't mind the teasing.

"The beach, huh? This your happy place or somethin'?"

"Happy place is a stretch. That would be a bookstore. But all of those are closed, so this is my second best option. I've just always loved the water. Not that we could swim right now." The words just kind of spill out, and you're surprised at how easy it was to talk to Natalie. Probably because she saved your ass earlier.

"Nerd." It's her turn to tease you now, but her tone is affectionate. This girl is a far cry from the burnout stoner that Jackie is always talking about.

"Oh, whatever."

"You can't even deny it. You're a rule follower, your good-girl act isn't an act, and your happy place is a goddamned bookstore. Nerd."

"Because you're soooooo much cooler than me, with your smoking and your leather jackets." you lean back on the towel, using your elbows to prop you up.

"I didn't say you weren't cool, I said you were a nerd. Don't twist my words." She takes another drag of her cigarette, blowing smoke into the warm night air. She looks captivating, all sharp angles and edges and lines.

"Those two things do tend to go hand in hand, you know."

"Not for you. You're a total nerd, but you're cool. At least I think you are."

You let out a scoff, not knowing whether to take her statement as a compliment, or an insult, or both.

"Was that supposed to be a compliment..?"

She just laughs, looking up to the sky. It's nice with her, you realize. There's no pressure to do or say anything. Normally it's so difficult for you to talk to people, let alone actually make friends. But with Natalie everything came easily.

"Why'd you save my ass earlier?" you ask, finally getting up the courage to ask the question that's been plaguing you since you got in the car with Natalie.

"Looked like you needed it." She shrugs, like it's no big deal. Like Brad couldn't have beaten her ass if he wanted to.

"Yeah, but you barely know me. Most people wouldn't do that for a stranger."

"You're not a stranger. Not exactly. There's also the fact that I don't deal with assholes well."

"I mean, I'm really grateful, don't get me wrong. It was really good of you to do that. Just... surprising, is all."

She's silent for a moment, and you're worried that you might have said something to offend her. Your mind begins reeling, and you backtrack to figure out what it was that you said.

"Jackie been telling you about me?" she asks, and you realize what it really is, why she was really silent.

Now it's your turn to be quiet. You don't know what to say without saying something that could make the situation worse.

"Not... just Jackie. I've noticed you, you know? You don't exactly give the vibe that you'd save a girl you barely know at a party. I know I shouldn't assume based on rumors, or vibes." You hope your explanation doesn't upset her.

"I know what vibe I give off. I get it, I guess."

"You aren't what I expected, though. In a good way." You smile at her. It's true. She's not what everyone thinks she is. And you like it.

"Thanks."

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Two days later, you sat on your bed with Jackie, explaining the whole situation with Brad. She had spent the weekend at Shauna's, and the news of the breakup had barely reached her. Which meant you got to explain. Yipee.

"Yeah, so he was super pushy, which was honestly a bit unexpected. Maybe because I'm so used to just saying yes. Begging me to sleep with him, telling me he "needed it". It was gross, honestly."

"And he'd never been like that with you before?" Jackie's clearly upset, which honestly makes you feel a little bit better.

"Yeah, never," you assure her.

"So then what?"

"Uh, Natalie actually stepped in." You scan your sister's face for a reaction, not exactly knowing what to expect.

"Natalie? Natalie Scatorccio? The same girl who shows up to practice high, or drunk, or both half the time? That Natalie?" Jackie looks completely perplexed, like she could never understand how Natalie was the one that helped you get away from Brad.

"That's the one. Then she and I just... left. The party. We went to the beach. Talked. It was nice." You shrug, not exactly knowing where to go from here. You wanted to defend Natalie, you really did, but with Jackie it was just so... difficult.

"That's... good of her, I guess?"

"She's not what you think she is, you know." You try to sound nonchalant, like your head hasn't been clouded with thoughts of Natalie since the party. You missed her. Of course you did. She was your first shot at a friend in a while.

"I guess she's not."

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"Jesus Christ." You slam your textbook shut, annoyed. Something's been tapping your window for what feels like hours. You get up and walk over to see what it is. You look down, and who do you see but Natalie Scatorccio, literally throwing pebbles at your window.

You slide your window open and hiss down at her.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting your attention." She smirks up at you, and your annoyance fades, but doesn't disappear.

"It's eleven thirty at night. I'm studying."

"Oh, come on y/n. Live a little. I just want to hang out."

"Natalie."

"Fine, if you really don't want to, I'll go."

"No, fine. Stay there." You quickly close the window and grab your shoes and a jacket. You're grateful that she showed up. You'd been debating talking to her at school, but she had friends. What if your hangout was a one-time thing, and she really didn't like you.

But that was all nullified by the fact that she showed up to your house. That she threw pebbles at your window. That she wanted to talk to you, too.

It was a nice feeling.

As quietly as possible, you snuck out of the house, grateful for both the distance from your parents room to the front door, and their early bedtime. What you were doing could barely be considered sneaking out. It was just leaving the house.

Nat met you in the front of your house, smirk still on her face. Part of you wanted to be annoyed at her, but most of you was excited. You'd never done something like this before.

"You're a bad influence, you know."

"I said you didn't have to come with me." She was right about that. There was no pressure from Natalie for you to leave your house with her.

"Still a bad influence," you say, rolling your eyes. "What are we doing, anyway?"

"Hanging out."

"That's a horrible answer."

"Shut up. I didn't have anything in mind, really. I just wanted to hang out with you again." She shrugs and pulls out a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of her leather jacket. Soon enough, a cigarette is between her lips, and she's working on lighting it. Which she does, effortlessly.

It's kind of attractive.

Wait, what? Attractive? No. Not attractive. It would be attractive if she were a boy. But she's not. It's just... intriguing.

Yeah. Intriguing.

Your mind is working at a thousand miles a minute, and it must be evident on your face, because Nat gives you a concerned look.

"You good? You're not freaking out because you snuck out, are you? Because we're literally still in your front yard. You've barely even snuck out at this point." She genuinely looks a bit concerned, but she keeps her tone light, trying to keep you from freaking out further.

You snap out of whatever trance you were in and give Natalie a little nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."

She nods in acknowledgement, not pressing the issue, which you appreciate. You don't want to lie, but you're not sure you want to tell her that you maybe find her attractive.

But you don't, right?

"Seriously, what are we doing? Nothing's even open right now."

"We could go to a gas station," she says, offhandedly, and you let out a little laugh.

"A gas station? You have me sneak out of my house so we can what? Get midnight Slurpees?"

"Do you have any better ideas?"

She had you there. You didn't have any better ideas. In fact, a midnight Slurpee actually sounded pretty good.

"Fine."

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A ten minute walk later, and the two of you stood within the fluorescent lighting of the local seven-eleven. Natalie was already making the most horrendous Slurpee combination known to man, and you were debating on what to get. As usual.

"Y/n, are you just going to stand there the rest of the night?" She asks, taking a drink of her concoction.

"I'm thinking. Also, that's an abomination." Her drink was truly disgusting. She had mixed every flavor possible, and none of them went together. It honestly almost made you gag.

She just grinned at you, and you couldn't help but smile back. Even if she should never be able to drink a Slurpee again.

Finally, you decided on what you wanted. Plain cherry. Why it took you so long to decide, you had no idea. It was the same flavor you'd been getting practically your entire life.

"You're boring as shit, y/n," She teases, and you shoot her a glare.

"At least I'm not drinking whatever the fuck that is." You finish filling your cup, and nudge her shoulder as you walk to the cash register to pay.

"Here." You turn to Nat and take her cup from her, giving it to the middle-aged woman at the register.

"I can pay for my own, you know." She sounds a little pissed off, and you can't tell why.

Oh, shit. Because she didn't have a lot of money. She must have thought you were pitying her. Which, you weren't. But she had no way of knowing that.

"Yeah, but you're my friend. I'm going to treat you. But if it makes you feel better, you can get it next time," your tone is teasing, and you try to lighten the mood a little bit.

"Fine." Her voice softened, and you mentally patted yourself on the back.

You grab your cups from the cashier, and hand Natalie hers before walking out of the store.

"Where to next?" She asks, following your lead.

"I think there's a park nearby."

She nods, and you begin making your way to the park. You hadn't been there in years, but the thought of going there now exhilarated you.

The two of you walked in a comfortable silence to the playground, which was completely empty due to how late it was. No kids would be there this time.

"Swings?" You ask, looking at Natalie for confirmation. She nods, and you make your way to the old swing set.

"I'm glad you came over. I'm glad we're doing this," you blurt out, not really meaning to. You didn't really want to sound desperate for friends or anything. But it was nice.

"I didn't know if you'd even come outside. Not to mention that I was terrified that I was throwing rocks at your parents window, or worse, Jackie's."

"I normally wouldn't have. But I've been hoping to hang out again since Friday."

"Thinking about me, huh?" she's teasing, you know she doesn't mean it in the way it sounds. But you flush red anyways, and hope she doesn't see.

"All the time," you quip back, matching her energy. She laughs, and butterflies explode in your stomach.

Fuck.

Were you falling for Natalie Scatorccio?

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It's been two weeks of hanging out with Natalie, and it's only solidified your feelings for her. Which was freaking you out. You'd never felt this way about a girl before, and it was even more insane because it was Natalie.

You groaned and buried your head into your pillow. Why were you like this? You'd never felt like this about anyone, not even Brad. Why did she draw you in so quickly and easily?

"Y/n, do you have my-" Jackie suddenly stops talking, seeing your state. You're obviously distressed, and she immediately makes her way over to your bed. She sits down and rests a hand on your leg.

"Are you okay?" She asks, concerned.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just going through a lot." You roll onto your back and stare at the ceiling.

"You upset about Brad?"

You nod, even though you know it's not the truth. You haven't even thought about him since the breakup, but Jackie doesn't need to know that. It's not that Jackie wouldn't be okay with you liking a girl. She probably would be. You'd had suspicions about her and Shauna for a while. It's the fact that you like Natalie that she wouldn't be okay with. She was barely okay with the two of you being friends.

"I get it. Let me know if you want to talk about it, okay?" She genuinely looks like she wants to help, and you smile in return.

"I'm okay, thanks. Just a lot on my mind, you know?"

She hums and pats your leg before standing up and leaving your bedroom, again leaving you alone with your thoughts.

It's times like these when you really wished you had close friends. You couldn't talk to Jackie about it because it's about Natalie, and you couldn't talk to Natalie. For obvious reasons.

So you turn to the only thing that won't judge you. Your journal.

April 9, 1996

Shit. I think I like a girl. Well, I know I like a girl. What does that mean for me? Should I tell her? What if she doesn't like me? What if she tells everyone and thinks I'm a freak? Not that I think Natalie would do that. She seems okay with gay people. But what if?

Not to mention that it's Natalie. No fucking way. My parents would freak. Not even just because of the whole "being with a girl" thing. But because Natalie is the opposite of everything they want for me.

There's just something about her, though. That makes me not care. About my parents, about Jackie, about anyone. She's just so her. She makes me want to be someone different. Someone interesting More myself, honestly.

You finish writing and shut the book, sticking it back in the hiding place under your mattress. Stereotypical, you know, but you weren't worried about anyone reading it. Your parents were decent about privacy, and Jackie just wouldn't do that to you.

"Y/n! Someone's here for you!" Your mom yells up the stairs, and you peek your head out the doorway of your bedroom and look down the stairs. In the doorway stands Natalie, cigarette in hand. You immediately walk down the stairs and practically drag her to your room.

"Jesus, Nat. You could warn a girl." You're not mad, exactly, but you hadn't exactly warned your parents about Natalie's look. Or her smoking habit. You didn't plan on telling them about the smoking at all, actually. Or the drugs. Or the alcohol.

"You mad I showed up to see you?" She genuinely looks hurt, and you backtrack a little.

"No. It's just that my parents..."

"Oh, so you're scared of what your parents would think of their perfect daughter hanging out with a drug addicted burnout like me?" She's clearly angry now, and you curse yourself.

"Nat, come on."

"Fuck off, y/n. You don't have to talk to me, you know."

"I want to talk to you! I like being your friend! My parents just have certain expectations for me, okay? For both of us. I just don't need a lecture or for them to tell me I'm not allowed to see you anymore." You hope your explanation makes Natalie understand.

She softens, and it's clear your words have gotten through to her.

"I don't want to feel like you're ashamed to be friends with me because I'm not what mommy and daddy wanted."

"I'm not, I swear. I really, really like being around you. So I don't need my parents deciding they hate you from the jump."

She smiles when you say that you like being around her, and your heart jumps. God, what was this girl doing to you?

"Alright, I get it. I won't smoke around your parents, 'kay?"

"Thank you."

"I actually came over to ask you if you were going to go to that party on Friday? Lottie's hosting." You're surprised at her words. She came all the way over to your house just to ask if you were going to a party? Odd.

"Uh, yeah, I heard about it. I didn't think about going, though. No reason to, without Brad dragging me there."

"Not a party person?"

"Not particularly, no."

"Would you go if I promised to hang out with you?" She's teasing you and you know it, yet her question somehow sounds genuine.

"I'll think about it," you say, already knowing your answer. She had you wrapped around your finger. You'd do just about anything if Natalie was there with you.

"That's a yes, right?"

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A few days later, and you found yourself in front of your vanity mirror, attempting to get your hair to look right. It's not that it looked bad... it looked normal. But you wanted it to look good.

For Natalie

No, fuck. Not for Natalie. For yourself.

And maybe for Natalie.

You gave up on your hair and went to touch up your makeup. Nothing much, some highlighter. Eyeliner. Mascara. Minimal. You, but different.

Finally, you're ready to go. You don't look perfect, but who cared about that? It was a high school party. No one looked perfect. You were teenagers, for fuck's sake.

"Jackie! Are you ready?" You stepped into the hallway. It was finally your turn to get back at Jackie for all the years she had spent yelling at you to hurry up.

"Christ, y/n. What's your deal?" She walks into the hall, somehow looking better than you could even fathom. How she managed to do that, you had no idea. Honestly, it was impressive.

"Nothing. I just want to leave." You shrug, feigning nonchalance. You don't really want to explain to Jackie why you're so hard pressed to go to this party.

"Whatever. Let's go, then."

With that, she's off down the hall, expecting you to follow her. And of course, you do.

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You couldn't find Natalie anywhere at the party. You'd searched every room, and you were starting to get upset. Why would she ditch you? You thought she was really your friend. Was this some sort of really fucked up prank?

Taking a deep breath, you tried to rationalize it. Natalie could be mean, sure. But never intentionally cruel, not like this. She was probably just running late. Or didn't think you'd get there as early as you did.

You stood at the edge of the kitchen, being a wallflower, as usual. It was kind of interesting to watch the party go on. Everyone talking and laughing and drinking. If nothing else, you were at least entertained.

Suddenly, someone walked up behind you and tapped on your shoulder. You turned around excitedly, assuming it was Natalie.

It wasn't.

Behind you stood Brad. He looked the same, which, why wouldn't he? It had only been a few weeks since the breakup.

"Hey, y/n. I was hoping to talk to you. About us." He looked almost hopeful, and you found it gross.

"There's no us anymore. You tried to pressure me into having sex with you. That isn't good boyfriend behavior," You say, turning away from him again and starting to walk away.

Brad reached out and grabbed your wrist, stopping you from walking away. When you turned around to confront him and tell him to let you go, he leaned in and kissed you. Hard

For a moment, you didn't know what to do. You weren't expecting him to kiss you. But then you came to your senses and pushed him away. Just as hard as he had kissed you.

"Fuck you. That's fucking disgusting." This time, when you turned to walk away, he left you alone. You made your way out of the kitchen and into Lottie's giant living room, where you finally found Nat.

When you saw her, you smiled and started making your way over to her, but she just glared and turned away. Once you walked over to where she was standing with Kevyn, she didn't even glance in your direction.

"Nat, hey," you said, a bit confused. You didn't know why she was acting the way that she was.

She didn't respond and just kept talking to Kevyn, like you weren't even there. Like you didn't exist at all.

"Hey, what's going on right now?"

"Nothing. It just looks like you found better company than me." Her tone is cold, and you start to get a little upset with her.

"What's that supposed to mean, Natalie?"

With this, Kevyn decided it was time for him to walk away. Neither you nor Natalie stopped him.

"It means you found someone you'd rather be here with."

"I've been standing at this godforsaken party alone, waiting for you, and you think I've found someone else to hang out with?" Your voice is rising, and you're sure other people are watching you.

"I think you're more than hanging out with him."

With that, you grab Natalie's wrist and drag her outside of the party, not wanting any more attention on you.

"What the fuck is your problem? You show up late, you don't come find me, and when I do see you you're cryptic as fuck!" You're seething, and all you want is to know what Natalie's issue is.

"Oh, what's my problem? Maybe that you were kissing the guy who practically assaulted you a month ago! Not to mention that you were supposed to be here with me!"

"That's what this is about? I don't like him, Natalie! If you had asked instead of assuming, you'd know that! I am here with you! You're the only fucking person I want to be around, don't you get that?" That last part just slipped out, and you clap your hands over your mouth.

Natalie looks at you for a moment, shocked, but she quickly recovers. Her face is guarded again, and you can't tell how she's going to react to what you just said. You don't even know if she guessed the true meaning of your words.

"Why were you kissing him, then?" Her voice is still hard, but it's lost some of the anger within it from before.

"He kissed me. I didn't want him to. He's not who I want to be with."

"Shit."

"That's all you have to say right now? Shit? I go to a party I didn't even want to be at because you asked me to, I get kissed by my ex and the one person I know would understand gets weirdly jealous and asshole-y about it! And then I all but tell you I want to be with you and you say is shit?" You're fuming now. You've never done anything like this before. You've always been sweet and shy and non-confrontational.

"Jesus Christ, y/n!"

That's when she does it. She walks over to you and more gently than you thought possible from her, she cups your face and kisses you. It's soft, surprisingly, but there's an underlying desperation to it that makes you go insane for her.

You pull away after a moment, and you can't help but stare at her. You can't come up with a single word to say after that kiss. It was everything you'd been wanting, no, craving for weeks.

"Does that give you an answer?"

"I think so. I might need another, just to be sure, though."

She gladly kisses you again, and you practically melt. This time, the desperation is a bit clearer. It's turned from soft lips to tongues and teeth in an instant, and you have to remind yourself that you're in public.

"We should head back to my house."

"Good idea."

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The next afternoon, you're sitting on your bed, journaling. Natalie had left that morning, before both your parents and Jackie had gotten up. You didn't ask her to leave, but she promised to see you at some point this weekend.

April 12, 1996

Holy shit, she kissed me. She kissed me. I didn't even know she liked girls, let alone me. I think we're together now? I mean, we didn't like talk about it. But she promised me she'd see me later.

I don't know how I'm going to tell Jackie. Or my parents. Jackie might be okay with me liking a girl, but she'd hate that I like Natalie of all people. I have no idea how I'm going to tell her.

It's fine, I don't have to tell anyone, right? I'm sure Nat would be okay with it. Maybe she doesn't want it public either.

I'm trying really hard not to worry about this. Really fucking hard. It's just so new. I've never done anything like this before.

With that, you take a deep breath and close the book, putting it away in the usual spot. There was no point in worrying anymore. There was nothing you could do until you talked to Natalie about your plans.

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Monday morning, Natalie stood by your locker, smiling, really smiling at you. You can't help but smile back. She was your girlfriend, like, officially. She called you yesterday, two days after your kiss, and the both of you went out. It wasn't a fancy date, just sitting with her as she smoked. But you talked, and you kissed, and you made everything official.

It wasn't like you were screaming that you were together from the rooftops. Wiskayok was still relatively conservative. And neither of you were out as anything. But Natalie planned on telling Kevyn and Van, while you were working up the courage to tell Jackie.

"Hey. You're going to Calc, right? I'm headed in that direction."

"Yeah, I am." You couldn't help but smile wider. Your girlfriend was walking you to class.

"Cool."

She starts off, and you fall into step next to her. It was such an insignificant moment to most, but it showed she cared about you.

"See you after practice?" She asks, feigning nonchalance.

"Yeah, I'm taking Jackie home. I'll make sure to stop by." You give her a quick smile and make sure to brush her arm before walking into class.

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A month of dates with Natalie had passed, and you were sure you were in love. She was still a snarky mess, but she also had the kindest soul you'd ever seen. Always checking on you, listening to you talk about anything and everything.

The only issue was Jackie. And the fact that you hadn't told her yet. She was acting a little weird to you, and you thought she suspected you were dating someone new. But she was letting you tell her when you were ready, which you appreciated.

You stood at your car, waiting for Jackie to take the both of you home when you heard it. Jackie, and Natalie. Arguing. About something.

Feeling a bit nosy, you walked towards the noise, listening in. It wasn't hard. They were being very, very loud.

"Why wouldn't you tell me that your latest hookup was my sister?" When you heard Jackie, your heart started pounding. How could she know?

"Hookup? You think we're just hooking up?"

"Isn't that all you do? Fuck?"

You wince at that, and almost say something to signal that you're standing there.

"Fuck off, Jackie. What me and y/n do in our spare time is actually none of your concern. And just so you know, she's not just a hookup. I really like her. Like, more than anyone else I've ever been with. And if you had let her tell you that instead of jumping to conclusions, you'd know that." Nat stormed off in your direction, and stopped as soon as she saw you.

"Shit. Did you hear all that?"

"Yeah. Give me a second. I have to talk to Jackie." You walk towards your sister, pissed.

"Jackie, what the hell? How did you know Nat and I were together? And who said we were just hooking up? Why would you assume that? Jesus Christ."

"Y/n, I just thought, because she only does hookups, that you were a casual thing! I didn't want you hurt!" She's trying so hard to make this okay, make you not mad at her. It isn't working.

"How'd you even find out?"

"Your journal." She sounds sheepish, and you only get angrier at this.

"You read my fucking journal?"

"You just seemed off! I wanted to make sure you were okay!" She's defensive, but there's a bit of an apology in her voice.

"Not an excuse, Jackie. I like Natalie, okay? And she made it clear how she feels about me. So fuck off." You knew that you still had to take Jackie home, but you didn't care.

Natalie still stood there, seemingly a bit hurt by what Jackie had said, but she was clearly happy with how you reacted.

"Can you take me home? I don't feel like dealing with Jackie right now," you ask, intertwining your fingers.

"After that shit show? Absolutely." She leads you to where her beat up old car was parked, and you sat yourself in the front seat.

"I'm sorry, about Jackie. She's normally not that insane."

"Not your fault. And I got to hear about how much you love me, so it's a win, honestly." She smirks at you from the drivers seat as she pulls out of the parking lot, and you squeezer her hand.

"Yeah well, I got to hear the same from you."

"It's just the truth."

"It'd better be."