#trendy nail art for moms

[shrimplymoray]

Twisted Wonderland Headcanons Heartslabyul + Che'nya

I finally have the time to do this post. I've wanted to do this one for a while but life and other stuff got in the way. So... Yeah! All character art used is by me, headcanons may have some basis on friends hcs I like, but overall its very much what I think. More under the cut.

Riddle Rosehearts

Mixed Asian and Latino (if in our world);

has eyebags and moles on his face but hides it with makeup as best as he can;

Red undertone skin, very rosy;

Everything about his appearance is kept pristine and proper. His hair is always combed, his nails are manicured, no body or facial hair, etc;

Probably has undiagnosed autism;

So sheltered from the real world, he has trouble keeping real conversations without overanalyzing everything being said or bringing up the Queen of Hearts rules;

Is not allowed to hold hands because his mom thought that would mean he was gonna skip studies to date. (He "accidentally" forgot about that on NRC);

Tries to keep in contact with Che'nya while on NRC but is afraid of messing things up, especially after his overblot;

Cares more for Deuce and Ace than he lets himself show. secretly defends them during housewarden meetings.

Gender Non Conforming, He/they/xe;

Biromantic Asexual.

Has had a tiny crush on Trey before.

Trey Clover

Blasian;

Strongman body type but less intense;

Softest body around, Heratslabyul Sleepover human pillow;

His hands are a bit rough from dealing with cooking and the occasional kitchen accident;

Always smells of pies. Even when he didn't make any. It's his natural scent;

Is farsighted;

He has 3 glasses with different frames, for different occasions, but only uses the same pair because black goes with anything;

Suffers the "M'lady" and "erm actually" jokes from Cater and Ace;

Still keeps in touch with Che'nya, they text sometimes and during summer break Trey sends baked goods for Che'nya to share with his grandpa;

Claims he is a normal dude but can make any recipe if he read how to make it once before;

Knows how to help during panic attacks and sensory crises due to his siblings needing him before;

Cis man, He/him;

Pansexual.

Has received more love letters than any other Heartslabyul dorm member.

Cater Diamond

Token white friend/j

anyway yeah, he is the whitest person from the Heartslabyul cast IMO

a bean of a boy

wakes up way earlier than the others to do skin care routines trending on Magicam

If something is trendy and isn't too expensive, he is buying and wearing it till the trend ends.

barely passing grades, but still passing.

has had an off with your head for almost failing sometimes, but Riddle had to just accept Cater is not the brightest academically.

if he could, he would pay double to get more piercings but Riddle would probably actually chop his head off for that.

Social butterfly, but heavy impostor syndrome.

has hidden eyebags with makeup before from spending hours doom-scrolling on his phone

Has a crush on Trey but is too afraid of rejection to make a move.

Bigender He/they

Bisexual

flirts with people by accident sometimes.

Ace Trappola

mixed asian and white

besides being mixed, he is the token white guy of the group.

basic af, will crumble if u give him spicy food.

way too comfortable with flirting with Deuce for everyone to think they r just friends.

his brother pierced his ears and they both got scolded (Ace was 12)

way richer than he think he is, can buy really nice stuff without batting an eye and doesn't realize it. Not on Kalim's level, though.

Every week Ace has his head offed by Riddle in some form of way. Sometimes will drag Grim with him on these.

is afraid of thunderstorms and will not admit it.

Cater's protected child, they both do chaos together.

Cis man, he/him.

Omnisexual with female preference

even tho his real preference seems to be Deuce.

Deuce Spade

Asian.

probably autistic, but no one notices cuz he hits the not-noticeable aspects of the spectrum.

Asks for tutoring from Trey, since he is low-key very high-key afraid of Riddle's scoldings

Half of the time on Track and Fiel club turns into hype sessions

If Ace wasn't his closest friend at NRC with Yuu and Grim, it would be Epel

His mom sent him his old jackets so he would feel at home in school. Ace uses them and fakes being a delinquent.

While Ace is protected by Cater, Deuce is protected by Trey. The duality of men.

Helps whoever he can during PE classes, he wants to be seen as reliable like Trey.

Trans man, he/him

Bisexual, no preference.

Doesn't get why people think he and Ace are a couple.

BONUS: Che'Nya

Blasian + Vitiligo

Has Discalculy

They were supposed to be a regular white cat beastman, but they dyed their fur for funsies

Loves arts and crafts, and their pants were embroidered by themself.

Their grandpa taught them arts and crafts.

No one knows why they are in RSA and not NRC, Trey says he thinks they got an invitation from NRC first and a RSA after they rejected NRC, but is not sure.

Uses their magic all the time, and find loopholes to say they can use their magic.

Doesn't hang with the popular kids at RSA, but has a little group of friends.

Texts Trey all the time they can, mostly to share Magicam memes.

They have a planner of dates they will try crashing unbirthday parties at NRC. Only started this after Riddle became a housewarden.

No teacher calls them by their name, it is either their nickname Che'nya or Pinka.

Genderfluid They/it/xe/nya

Omnisexual with a preference for masc leaning.

No one knows how they have not been expelled from how much they sneak around and poke and prod at what they shouldn't.

[ryuichirou]

Any hcs on the Genderbent versions of anyone? I know you love fem Idia and got some Fem Azul art, but do feed my girl loving heart

Anon, first of all, thank you for your patience. This ask took a while, because at the very beginning I was like “well I kind of want to draw this, even though I’m not sure when I’ll have time to draw ALL of them”, but then I started writing, and here we are…

I’ll just say that I’ve written more about some of the girls than about the others, because, well, I don’t have much thoughts about some of them. Mostly about the Savanaclaw…

Also I’m still not 100% certain about some stuff that I talk about, so if I ever manage to draw something or write more posts about them, don’t be surprised if we change our minds about how this whole thing goes.

Ace – pretty close to the original both physically and mentally, she’s a sporty gal who likes comfy-sporty street fashion and basketball. She is a tomboy, but she also considers herself quite cute. She often makes jokes about how her future husband is going to be some rich old dude and how she’ll never have to work, because she is such a cutie. She doesn’t really likes guys all that much though, so it’s more of a “yeah I can do that, so what?” type of thing, because she knows this topic pisses Deuce and Riddle off.

Deuce – ex-sukeban, but a soft-spoken neat girlie with a proper ponytail and clean nails. Embarrassed of her previous behavior, so she tries her best not only to become a good student like  the original Deuce, but also to act accordingly to how society perceives “good girls” who would become “wife material”  when they’re older. She doesn’t really want to become a housewife though, so she is quite conflicted about it…. She’ll figure it out eventually. Also, she respects and loves her mom a lot; she is pretty much her role model.

Riddle – your average flat-chested tsundere girl. When it comes to her hairstyle, I’m torn between giving her pigtails (a classic for this type), a bun similar to what the Queen herself is wearing, or something completely different. I addition to all the agonizing rules the original Riddle has to oblige to, she has a whole separate set of rules for a proper lady. A little copy of her mother in the making, but a hopeless romantic at heart.

Trey – a full-bodied short-haired oneesan type, very attentive and sweet. In addition to her love for cooking and baking, she is also quite handy (at fixing things) and strong, so sometimes people joke about her being more of a dad friend than a mom friend. Also, she is scary when angered.

Cater – also pretty close to the original: trendy and stylish, maybe she wears more accessories than the original Cater, but not too much. She jokes about having crushes on male celebrities, but she actually likes girls.

Leona – probably more proactive than the original Leona, since she’s a lioness. Logically that would also imply shorter hair, but who knows.

Jack – another oneesan type, but also quite tsundere-ish. Her hair is long and fluffy, just like her tail.

Ruggie – pretty close to the original, but with a cute short ponytail.

Azul – she prides herself on being the next Great Sea Witch: she is sure that she is going to become one, but she never brags about it, just thinks about it to herself very smugly. She also uses her charms to her advantage, being all sweet and acting like a dainty and fragile little lady around potential business partners, which is funny, because it’s painfully obvious that she is actually super bossy, pushy and aggressive. Maybe even more aggressive than the original Azul…

Jade – an unnervingly polite girl that has the same aura as your average Asian flight attendants do…. Like, almost yamato nadeshiko type?? Very soft-spoken and very attentive, humble, poised, but there is still this feeling that underneath all that hides something truly terrifying… She either has her hair down or wears it in a neat bun. She is extremely tall, which makes her intimidating, and is quite busty.

Floyd – just as tall and busty as Jade (they probably have the biggest breasts out of the entire cast), but definitely different in everything else. She is truly a creature and acts, well, just like the original Floyd. She’s either sluggish or super active depending on her mood, and is actually quite a flirt compared to her sister. It’s super easy for her to make other girls flustered (which is something that Riddle specifically doesn’t like her for). She wears anything that feels comfy and cool for her, although when it comes to shoes she prefers to wear sneakers and men’s shoes. She also wears her hair down more often than Jade.

Kalim – oh I’m having a hard time with this one, but she is kind of like a Disney princess (an active genki one). Her hair is probably braided, but it’s still quite fluffy and soft and looks a bit unkempt but in a stylish way: Jamil braids her hair every morning. She just wants to have fun 24/7, so she is a bit unhinged, but also quite empathetic and nice. But a bit dumb.

Jamil – a woman of my dreams lol but in all seriousness, visually she is quite similar to the original Jamil: her hairstyle is pretty much the same, her outfits still have this “hip-hop”-y vibe, a bit sporty, a bit tomboyish, but I guess with a sexy fleur? A very subtle one though. Personality-wise it’s a 100% match.

Vil – the type of model/actress you would see in a post titled “androgynous celebrities” and go “woah who is she”. Elegant, beautiful, super tall, Vil looks good in both dresses and pants. Just like the original Vil, she hates it when the clothes are described as “manly” or “womanly”: Vil wears what she wants to wear. Oh, and high heels are still a must: she is proud of her long legs and she’ll never let you forget about it. (Also when it comes to fem!Pomefiore, I wrote down “Lobelia but with a twist” lol)

Rook – someone you’ll look at for a second and immediately think “a lesbian”. She looks neat and wears makeup, but she is still quite tomboyish and has this vibe of a woman that could pin you against the wall. She is much better behaved now that she is in Pomefiore though. She definitely wore a plaid shirt when she and Vil first met lol

Epel – another tomboy. She doesn’t like girly things just as much as the original Epel, but I guess she is more justified in her hatred towards it than him lol She complains a lot about being forced to do stuff she doesn’t want to and has heated arguments with Vil, even though Vil doesn’t really force her to wear dresses or paint her face: she just wants Epel to brush her hair and stop swearing like a tractor driver. And wear sunscreen… Although Vil and Rook would like to see Epel dressed in both cute dresses and handsome princely outfits (the latter Epel especially doesn’t get).

Idia – tall otaku girl, the type of girl that would be mistaken for a dude online, because she tends to be a resident of online-spaces where all the men otaku hang out. The fact that she still uses “sessha” as her pronoun doesn’t help with that.  She is a liiiiiitle bit of a fujo, but her main focus is the same as the original Idia’s: animes with cute girls in it, gacha-games with waifus, all that stuff. Visually she is pretty much the same as Idia, well, other than the obvious differences. She also doesn’t own a bra, because she is rather small and wears big hoodies and jackets.

Ortho – well this is a tricky one. I think Ortho is also pretty much the same as the original Ortho, but maybe with cute little pigtails lol gotta think about this one more…

Lilia – pretty much the same as the original, the differences are minimal with this one. A cutie through and through 😔💕 and a war criminal

Malleus – whenever I think about her, I picture quite a mature looking lady, visually in her 20s, but I guess Malleus himself looks quite mature for a college student. Her figure is elegant and she is actually quite lean, but with wider hips. Maybe she has a headpiece similar to Maleficent’s, but she doesn’t wear it all the time.

Silver – I’m not sure if I want her to have longer hair or nah, she is also quite similar to the original Silver. She looks more delicate than she actually is because of her pretty face, but her body is actually full of scars and muscles. 

Sebek – she has much longer hair in a neat bun, she is quite full-bodied, strong and muscular. She is quite romantic in her beliefs that she won’t have a family because she is going to dedicate her life to her Queen.

[the-gone-ton]

The purge at the Westgate Mall is almost done. Hawk Music, More, Westgate Jewelers, Holiday Hair, Fashion Nails, and Amateur Athlete Skateshop have packed their bags and left. Subway will be open until this Friday. After that, at some indeterminate point, demolition will begin on a stretch of the mall that will eventually be replaced with something that the out-of-state owners of the mall think is more "attractive" and "trendy": a strip mall prominently featuring a Starbucks with drive-thru. Nevermind there's a Starbucks 1.4 miles down the same road. Also present will be a Jersey Mike's, because screw the Subway franchise who's done business there for decades - Jersey Mike's is trendier!

I was at the mall the other day with my mom and girlfriend. My mom hadn't been there in a while. We went store for store and she asked me what used to be there. "That was Kay Jewelers." "That was the arcade." "That was the art supply store." And so forth.

It's so sad. I just ask that my locals who have been following me to remember the Westgate Mall how it was, and not whatever sanitized, unremarkable thing they turn it into.

[nothing0fnothing]

I remember how every time I wanted to express my femininity growing up it was trivialised, shamed and punished. The way I'd get this rush of excitement when I'd get a makeup or nail set as a present only to have it crushed days later when I was told I wasn't allowed to play with it. A sleepover party when I was 11. The other girls wanted makeup, I was so, so scared of my mom finding out, I told her beforehand. She told me it was okay as long as I didn't go outside with it on. The walk out of the salon and to the car felt like hot coals. I was desperate to just get back to the safety of the house just in case my mom found out I walked 15 feet up a private driveway with makeup on. It didn't just undermine my confidence in myself. It undermined my relationships with other girls. Especially as I got older, more of my friends were wearing trendy clothes and makeup and nails and perfume. I wasn't even allowed to wear deodorant, of course I was jade green jealous with envy watching them giggle and play and look as beautiful as I desperately wanted to.I had to be careful even watching movies with makeover scenes. Any suggested hint of glee in my features would be read as me "enjoying it too much", the movie banned and tv time ruined for everyone. As I got older sleepovers meant makeovers, and the crippling fear my parents had implanted in me that they would be able to tell just meant that I had no female friends. I just couldn't bond with them the way they bonded with each other. Only I didn't have much in common with the boys either. So I just had no friends. A year or so with no friends is nothing when you're an adult, but when you're a kid that's so much developmental potential wasted. That's months of connecting with and understanding your peers gone, you'll never get it back. I got a makeover bratz doll for Christmas when I was 15. I played with it, but looking back it felt so infantilising too. Like the only way I was allowed to explore innocently femme things was through a toy meant for children half my age. I once painted my nails at a slumber party. My mom took the polish remover away and told me to find a way to get it off before she came back. I used scalding hot water, lemon and salt hoping to get it off before she came back. Then she did and she aggressively rubbed acetone into my red, raw fingers. I guess to teach me a lesson.I was maybe 7. I was playing with a makeup set I'd been gifted weeks before. I wasn't allowed to put it on my face, so I was painting with it on paper. I asked my dad if I could use water, he told me it would ruin it, I explained it wouldn't, it would turn it into watercolour paint. He decided that as I "wanted it to be ruined" he would just stamp on it till it was destroyed. Reasonable. An art project when I was 15. The medium was makeup. I had to have my art teacher explain it to my mom because I was scared to buy it without telling her. She agreed to take me to the dollar store to get supplies. Only to let my dad yell at me in the shop over it 2 days later.

[salongurus]

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[topteny]

55+ Cute Mother's Day Nails Designs That Make Your Mom Happy in 2022

2022 Mother’s Day drew near! Our moms instilled in us the ability to love; it is the best time to show love and appreciation for our precious mom. Usually, we think of organizing a pleasant day trip anywhere or reserving a table at a great restaurant and doing lots of sweet things, but what about … ... Discover More @ https://www.pouted.com/mothers-day-nails-designs-make-mom-happy/

[tabloidtoc]

Star, May 3

You can buy a brand new copy of this issue without the mailing label for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

Page 1: Christina Aguilera at 40 -- she talks about child stardom, learning to love her body, and what she wants her daughter Summer to know

Page 2: Contents, Renee Zellweger, Phoebe Dynevor and James McAvoy at the BAFTAs in London

Page 3: Mariska Hargitay and Law & Order: SVU co-star Ice-T take a selfie during a break from shooting the cop drama in NYC, Heather Graham at the beach in Mexico, stepping into the America's Got Talent studio Sofia Vergara elevated her casual cropped jeans with strappy platform sandals in L.A., Jason Momoa cutting a rug with an unidentified partner ahead of filming a scene for his upcoming fantasy film Slumberland in Toronto

Page 4: Colton Underwood comes out -- saying he's the happiest and healthiest he's ever been, the former Bachelor clarifies his orientation

Page 5: Lena Dunham is no stranger to controversy, so it comes as no surprise that her foray into fashion design has also come under fire as she partnered with a plus-size label to create the capsule collection 11 Honore x Lena Dunham, but the kicky line quickly came under fire as critics are calling it tone-deaf, mediocre and not inclusive at all since its largest size is a 26 and some are even going so far to call Lena a grifter who gained weight in order to make money off the plus-size community but Lena, who underwent a hysterectomy at 31, has pointed to early menopause as the cause of her straight-up gut -- while Lena refuses to be intimidated by bullies, she is listening to the complaints about sizes and is planning to address it

* Once a cautionary tale of the perils of child stardom, at age 40 Macaulay Culkin is a father himself as he and girlfriend Brenda Song welcomed a son, Dakota -- he's finally overcome his demons and Brenda has been a huge influence on his life and helped him get back on the straight and narrow and he's even pursuing acting again, shooting season 10 of American Horror Story; his life has taken such a positive turn

* A year after announcing her split from Jay Cutler, Kristin Cavallari is seeing the upside of divorce, saying it's made her a better mom in some ways because she has her kids half the time now so when she has them for her week, she is so incredibly present with her kids Camden, Jaxon and Saylor and she is not distracted by her phone or anything else; she is with them -- Jay and Kristin each have the kids 182.5 days a year and court papers also revealed that her ex is allowed two phone calls and two FaceTime or Skype calls a week and vice versa so now every moment is precious and if someone is having a temper tantrum or something, she remains calm because she knows that she is losing them in a few days

Page 6: Gwen Stefani is widely thought to have had some help in the nips and tucks department, and as her wedding to Blake Shelton approaches, he is starting to object to her constant tweaking of her face -- she's always messing with it by getting more fillers and Botox and Blake is afraid of what he'll see at the altar and he's freaking out at Gwen's increasingly extreme beauty routine which is becoming increasingly over-the-top; Gwen can barely move her face to smile at him anymore and it looks weird -- while he frets, he's trying to reassure his wife-to-be because Blake thinks she's beautiful just the way she is

* As an executive producer on the long-running Law & Order: SVU, Mariska Hargitay has tasked the writers to come up with more storylines featuring one of her favorite characters: defense attorney Trevor Langan, played by none other than her husband Peter Hermann -- Mariska and Peter originally met and fell in love when Peter guest-starred on the show and she loves to keep that magic alive by bringing him back to play Trevor but the trouble is he is busy with his own gigs as a series regular on Younger and his recurring role on Blue Bloods and Peter loves working with his wife, but he has his own acting career apart from Mariska -- still, he may soon have his day in court because Peter understands how Mariska feels and is trying to work his schedule to allow him some guest spots in the near future

Page 8: Star Shots -- Lenny Kravitz with a guitar flaunted his well-sculpted midsection during a stroll on the beach, Suki Waterhouse with her on-the-go grub on the set in Liverpool

Page 9: Louisa Jacobson and Taissa Farmiga and Denee Benton on the set of The Gilded Age in NYC, Conan O'Brien sipped on a soda at lunch in L.A., Katy Perry in the American Idol bathroom

Page 10: Kate Hudson with mom Goldie Hawn and kids Ryder and Rani, Kate Hudson twirled solo modeling in a pal's swimwear collection, Jude Law's daughter Iris Law who will make her acting debut in Danny Boyle's upcoming Sex Pistols biopic makes a call in London

Page 12: Kelly Osbourne handed out items at a food distribution event as the Islamic Center for Southern California, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the gym, despite a no-social warning a cheeky Nicole Kidman shared a pic from the set of Aaron Sorkin's Being the Ricardos in which she portrays Lucille Ball

Page 13: Anabella Sciorra and Donnie Wahlberg gloved up for a Blue Bloods scene in NYC, Heidi Klum and husband Tom Kaulitz started their morning during a walk on the beach in L.A.

Page 14: Travis Barker showed off his body art stepping off a Hollywood tour bus shirtless after filming a music video, a cheerful Britney Spears gave a fun look into her wardrobe in a pink floral frock, Scott Disick and Amelia Hamlin color-coordinated for a walk near the beach in Miami

Page 16: Lamar Odom and Aaron Carter put up their dukes to promote their Celebrity Boxing Match in Philadelphia, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and husband Nick Jonas at the BAFTAs in London, Ellen DeGeneres on the phone during a stroll in her main hood of Montecito

Page 18: Normal or Not? A denim-on-denim clad Jay Leno scratched an itch while filming a project in Los Angeles -- not normal, dressed in a Siggi sweatshirt Katie Holmes picked up some seasonal blooms on Manhattan's Upper East Side -- normal, Kate Beckinsale multitasked during a car ride by applying undereye patches -- not normal

Page 19: Gavin Rossdale appeared to be pleased with his Kitson purchase by doing a little dance after leaving the popular L.A. store -- not normal

Page 20: Fashion -- stars wow in statement-making capes -- Gisele Bundchen, Charlize Theron, Zoey Deutch

Page 21: Greta Gerwig, Elle Fanning

Page 24: Justin Bieber: How Love Saved Me -- the formerly troubled pop singer gives praise for wife Hailey Bieber

Page 25: Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles' romance has already cooled and the pair are giving each other space -- turns out Olivia and Harry don't actually have much in common -- the two jetted to London after wrapping Don't Worry Darling, but they were soon waylaid by their respective responsibilities as Olivia has been spending time with her kids Otis and Daisy while her ex Jason Sudeikis shoots Ted Lasso while Harry, who was spooked by how quickly intense things got, is gearing up for his role in My Policeman -- for now, the two have decided to reassess things when they're back in L.A., which leaves the window open for Jason, whose strategy was to let her and Harry fizzle out, then see where she is at, and it's going according to plan

* Jennifer Lopez calls off her relationship with Alex Rodriguez

* Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher are better than ever after overcoming a rough patch, one that had their inner circle convinced they were headed for divorce -- Mike had a serious roving eye that made Carrie anxious and she would treat him like he was Mr. Underwood and tensions between the two were at an all-time high when the pandemic hit, forcing the two into extra one-on-one time, but as it turns out, their new routine is just what they needed because they set boundaries, divided up tasks and put time aside for fun things and they prioritized romance, which has made all the difference -- Carrie and Mike are re-committed to their marriage and they've been through so much so much and neither wants to throw it away

Page 26: Cover Story -- Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's model kid -- Shiloh Jolie-Pitt the gorgeous teen is ready for her close up, but Brad and Angie are at odds about Shiloh's new passion -- Shiloh's been experimenting with girlier styles lately, including growing out her hair and she's at the age where she's starting to change things up -- Brad isn't thrilled about Shiloh's modeling dreams and idea of her walking into the lion's den gives him cause for concern -- Angelina began modeling at 16, just one year older than Shiloh and Shiloh knows that's what set her mom on her path to fame and Shiloh is constantly asking Angie about the pros and cons of the modeling world

Page 29: Model Kids -- these celeb offspring also know how to strike a pose -- Hailey Bieber, Sofia Richie, Amelia Hamlin, Lily-Rose Depp, Brooklyn Beckham, Paris Jackson, Kendall Jenner, Corinne Foxx, Ireland Baldwin, Margaret Qualley, Kaia Gerber, Leni Klum, Patrick Schwarzenegger

Page 30: Prince William and Prince Harry: Behind Closed Doors -- the estranged princes are forced to reckon with their rift as the royal family gathers for Prince Philip's funeral

Page 32: High Anxiety -- it's not so simple for celebs who struggle with panic attacks -- Emma Stone, Stephen Colbert, Amanda Seyfried

Page 33: Hugh Grant, Ryan Reynolds, Ariana Grande

Page 36: Beauty -- nail it -- self-care essentials to score the perfect at-home manicure and pedicure -- Kaley Cuoco

Page 38: Style -- cute cases -- step up your tech, and fashion, game this season with a trendy cellphone cover -- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Page 40: Entertainment

Page 48: Parting Shot -- Corey Feldman embraced wife Courtney Anne Mitchell as the two ventured out for a romantic outing in L.A.

[sprnklersplashes]

not beyond repair (16/20)

AO3

As March goes on, the clouds finally give way to the sunshine, painting the pavements golden and staying long enough to make the Westerberg faculty give way and allow their students-senior only, of course-to have their lunch outside, much to the delight of the students. Gone is the crowded, claustrophobic cafeteria, traded for sprawling across green lawns and chasing each other around the parking lot with water bottles in hand. There are outside tables, but they sit abandoned and alone, the sun glinting off their plastic. Even if they weren’t in dire need of a good cleaning, the students avoid them and trip over each other to get to the long stretch of grass out front instead, where four years ago they practised handstands and blushed when their skirts fell down. There’s a degree of freedom here that’s unlike anywhere inside, and certainly wouldn’t be found amongst the cafeteria tables. The social hierarchy isn’t completely invisible, the lines still clear when Heather Chandler perches on the wall and only her select few sit around her, but they blur when the rest of the student body are sprawled around her and walking on the walls and leaning back to share candy with classmates. And even Heather herself is too busy enjoying the change of scenery and fresh air to muster up a damn.

In the middle of the grass, Veronica stifles a laugh at Heather Mac, who frowns down at her legs, her skirt rolled up as much as she can while maintaining her dignity and her socks scrunched down.

“I really want a good tan,” she explains, taking her blazer off as well.

“Yeah, you’re bound to get it,” JD says flatly. Heather, unsure of his intent, as always, chooses to take it as an encouragement and beams at him.

“At least you don’t have that big trench coat anymore,” she points out, gesturing to the blue jacket that he’s using as a sort of tablecloth. “That would have cooked you alive. And it just wasn’t trendy.”

“They were the height of fashion in Indiana,” he says. Heather hums nonchalantly before being distracted by Martha offering her a cookie. She accepts with a grin and, after a look around to make sure no-one’s watching them, a kiss on her cheek.

“Aw, what a beautiful display of friendship,” JD remarks, sarcasm dripping off him like honey off a honeycomb. Heather sticks her tongue out at him, but what little malice there was in the gesture is gone when they start laughing together. Even if Veronica does slap his shoulder.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Veronica asks, nudging Martha lightly with her foot. Her half-eaten lunch caught Veronica’s eye, but her panic was subdued immediately when she saw the reason; her head bent over, focussing on a task that had her hands moving quickly and delicately. Martha looks up with a smile on her face. Veronica leans over a little and it falls into place in a second; it’s what they’ve done every year the minute the flowers started blooming. And it’s probably the reason for the distinct lack of flowers around Martha.

“Daisy chain,” she says proudly, holding up her handiwork, both ends falling over her hands and hanging above the ground. Heather gasps as though she’s held up a chain of pure gold rather than the most common flowers.

“Hey, show me how to do it,” she squeaks, giving Martha her full attention. Laughing, Veronica shares a knowing look with JD while her own hands pick daisies from the ground without ever looking down. She falls into an easy rhythm of opening the flower and threading the stem through it, even if she pokes herself more than a few times.

“Come on, J,” she teases, nudging him. “Don’t tell me you’re too manly to make daisy chains.

“Um, I am very secure in my masculinity thank you very much,” he says, pulling a notebook out of his bag and showing the pages to her. “Look. Glitter pen. Courtesy of MacNamara.”

“Wow you’re the pinnacle of progression,” she replies flatly. Grinning, he puts the notebook back in his bag and begins plucking a bunch of daisies for himself.

“Okay. So how do I do this?” he asks, watching Veronica. “Just rip the stem open and put the other on in there?”

“That was violent,” Martha says, looking up from her work, which Heather is watching with wide eyes.

“I prefer passionate,” he says. “It’s a metaphor for the harsh nature of life and how it tears apart innocence.”

“Calm down there Shakespeare it’s a flower necklace,” Veronica says. “Come here, let the pro show you how it’s done.” He turns to face her and she takes two of the flowers out of his lap, digging her thumbnail into the stem. “Okay, here, so you make a slit in the stem like that… and then you thread the other one through like that. And then you keep going until you make… whatever you want. Crown, necklace, bracelet-”

“Scarf?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

“That’d be an achievement,” she remarks, handing the beginnings of his chain to him. She spends a few minutes just watching him. “Or, you could always make a weird ear thing to dangle from your boyfriend’s ear while he’s distracted.”

He blinks adorably at her for a moment, bewildered, before his hand slowly comes up to his ear and finds the flowers hanging from there. Veronica erupts into giggles behind her hands and even Martha has to chuckle at him.

“Jokes on you losers, I’m keeping it,” he declares with a toss of his head. “I look fabulous.”

“Yeah you do,” Veronica agrees, resting her cheek on his shoulder, daisy stems tickling her face.

“Oh my gosh!” Heather pipes up, sitting back on her heels. As their eyes fall on her with confused expectation, she clears her throat and lowers her voice, subtly gesturing over Veronica’s shoulder. “Look. I think Betty’s college letter might have come in.”

“Not our business,” Veronica says, despite the quick glance over her shoulder. Sure enough, Betty is sitting cross-legged on the grass opposite her friend Amber, a brown envelope in her hand. “She brought it to school?”

“Maybe she was nervous,” JD says softly.

“Or maybe it’s a superstitious thing,” Heather says. “My dad said when he got his letter he brought it to his school to open to the school spirits would bless him.”

“My mom opened hers in a church when she got it,” Martha adds, looking from one friend to the next anxiously. “Has anything come in for you guys yet?”

“Not a thing,” Heather sighs, her shoulders slumping and her whole body deflating in a way that almost makes her look unrecognisable. Martha puts an arm around her and pulls her closer.

“Neither have I, and that doesn’t mean anything yet,” she tells her.

“I haven’t heard anything,” Veronica adds. “Not Harvard, not Duke, not Brown. Not even my reserves.” She hopes she sounds more casual than she feels. Like she doesn’t check the mail twice every morning and isn’t one step away from standing outside and getting it from the mailman herself to make sure he’s not leaving it in his bag.

Breathe. That’s what she tells herself every day.

“How many colleges did you apply to?” JD asks, continuing with his daisy chain.

“Just five,” she says. “I don’t really care about the other two. Just wanted my mom not to worry.”

“Oh well I haven’t heard anything either,” he remarks. “They probably didn’t get the application I never sent.”

“My dad will kill me if I don’t get into college,” Heather says, her words getting faster and faster. “And it means all the work would have been for nothing.”

“Nothing?” Martha echoes, running a hand up her arm. Heather smiles, even if it’s weak.

“Okay, not entirely nothing. I did get to spend a lot of time with my favourite tutor,” she remarks. But she pulls her knees close to her chest. “But my dad’s been telling everyone how good I’ve been at school. How I’m definitely getting into a good college.” She picks at her knee-length white socks and pulls at the yellow ribbon on them. “I think he’s about to buy me one just to get me into one.”

“If he does can we all share it?” JD asks. “Can we have sleepovers.”

“Um, I don’t know,” Heather says, chuckling. “My mom doesn’t let me have sleepovers with boys. She thinks I’m going to do stuff with them.”

“Like what, glitter art?” JD asks, reaching into his bag and pulling out a packet of red liquorice. “Okay, who wants one? Just don’t tell Claire I had them. She’s on my case about my sugar levels again.”

Heather and Martha take one each, the conversation taking an easy turn away from college anxiety and possibly more importantly, takes Heather away from the cliff edge. Veronica doesn’t miss the grateful look Martha shoots JD as she idly rubs Heather’s back.

“Nice save,” Veronica whispers. He pokes her cheek with his liquorice. Without a word, he gently lifts up the daisy crown he made and sets it on her head, his touch so light she can barely feel his fingers in her hair.

“You look pretty,” he says, making her grin. That alone earns him a kiss on the cheek.

Martha walks home with her after school, courtesy of both her parents working late tonight. It’s become such a common occurrence between them that even Martha, who thanks bus drivers twice, has managed to stop thanking Veronica and her parents for letting her stay there. At this point, Martha knows every creak and groan of Veronica’s house as well as she does her own.

“This whole college thing has Heather really shaken up,” she tells her as they walk. “She’s started chewing her nails now.”

“That’s bad?” Veronica looks down at her own nails, two close to non-existent, she’s worn them down so much.

“It is when you’re her. It just hurts, seeing her like this, you know?”

“Yeah, I do,” Veronica sighs, thinking about JD and his terrified eyes and him curled up unmoving in his bed. “Just makes you feel useless.”

“Exactly!” Martha agrees. “All I want to do is help her. But I don’t know how.” Despite the seriousness she feels, Veronica can’t help smiling, one of those proud smiles she hates on her own mom. She hopes to God she’s not turning into her. “What?”

“Nothing,” she squeaks. “Only… you really like her, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. She’s my girlfriend.”

“Yeah but you really, really like her,” Veronica points out. Martha’s cheeks turn pink, her smile growing by the second.

“Yeah,” she admits, her eyes soft. She reaches up and plays with the star charm around her neck, the one Heather got her for Valentine’s day. “I just want her to be happy. Like, really happy. Not just happy when we’re cuddling in her bedroom.”

“Trust me,” Veronica says, turning her key in her front door. “That girl is way happier with you than she would be in any college.” Martha blushes again as they step inside, her face the same colour as her sweater.

“Mom, we’re home!” Veronica calls, heading to the kitchen and tossing Martha a Twix before grabbing one for herself. Her mom’s footsteps can be heard from the top of the stairs and she appears in the kitchen in no time at all, beaming more at Martha than at her.

“Martha, it’s so nice to see you,” she says, as if she doesn’t see her at least twice a month.

“You too, Aunt Ella,” she says.

“We’re going to go do homework upstairs,” Veronica says, even though she’s leaning against the counter and grabbing two mugs and flicking on the kettle, rather than grabbing Martha by the arm and pulling her upstairs before her mom can say anything else. Which is what she had done with the Heathers and only just stopped doing with JD. But being self-conscious in front of Martha would be like being shocked that you failed a test you didn’t study for.

“Oh, Ronnie some mail came for you while you were at school,” her mom says, gesturing to the two brown envelopes on the kitchen table.

The word ‘mail’ comes with its own siren. And a flashing light. Big, red light that blinds her even from behind her eyelids. She only just manages to save the mugs from being dropped. Martha’s eyes meet hers and she finds the same wide-eyed anxiety reflected back at her.

“Ronnie?” her mom asks. “Everything okay? I didn’t open them. They just seem important.”

“I’m fine, Mom,” she says, pushing her hair away from her face with a shaking hand. “I’ll-I’ll get them thanks.” She crosses over to the table as normally as she can and picks them up.

The seals of Duke and Brown are looking back up at her.

“Are you going to open them?” Martha asks, taking a sip from her mug before putting it on the desk. Veronica sits cross-legged on her bed, forgetting about her nails and biting her knuckles instead. “I can wait in the bathroom if you want.”

“No. I don’t know,” she says, not sure which part of Martha’s question she’s answering. She falls back onto her bed, holding the two envelopes above her. They’re thinner than she thought they’d be. Maybe that’s a good thing. Or not. Maybe they’re thin because all they need to say is “you got in”. But if she got in they’d have sent orientation packs and welcome brochures and a schedule. Or maybe they send them later. Or maybe they’re thin because all they need to say is ‘no’.

“Veronica,” Martha says gently. “I don’t know if you know, but it’s been seventy five seconds and you haven’t moved.” She turns onto her side, Martha half-visible behind the Duke envelope. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Sorry,” she sighs, putting them on her table and shaking out her arms. “It’s just… my whole future is in those two envelopes.”

“Whole future?” Martha echoes, pulling her hands over her sleeves. “You really think that?”

“Kind of. A bit. Yeah.” She heaves a sigh, her chest pressing into the mattress. “Completely.” She turns onto her back, holding the letter in slightly-shaking hands. How long would it take to read? A minute? Maybe less. Everything she’s been dreaming about since she set foot in Westerberg high school is in that letter.

“That’s pretty fatalistic,” Martha comments weakly. Veronica hums in agreement, putting the envelopes on her table and sitting back up, facing Martha and her raised eyebrows. “So you’re not opening them?”

“I don’t know,” she sighs. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”

“Hey,” Martha says, coming over to her side and taking her hand. “If you don’t get in… you know it’s not the end of the world, right?”

“Yeah, I know,” she replies. Her mom and even her teachers have said that, in between their lectures about how important getting into a good college is. It’s given her whiplash. She squeezes Martha’s hand tighter. The one thing that’s never changed as she got older, or at least kept changing with her. They used to think they were going to do everything together, go to the same college and work in the same town and marry best friends and their kids would be best friends and they’d live next door to each other. They don’t think that now, of course. They know better. Doesn’t mean she can’t wish they would. Veronica swallows past the lump in her tight throat. “We won’t change right? If-when we go to college?” She squeezes Martha’s hand tighter. “We’ll still be best friends, right?” The question feels stupid, the idea of a world where Martha isn’t her friend alien to her, but it pushed itself out of her, fuelled by a bout of insecurity and the lingering fear of opening the envelope.

“Why wouldn’t we be?” she asks, a slight laugh in her voice. She turns Veronica around so that she faces her head-on, a determined belief shining in her eyes, the kind that makes Veronica remember how much she loves her. How could she ever have traded that unwavering faith for popularity and parties? “Look, I’m always going to love you. Even when you’re off in North Carolina drinking tea with your professors. Always.” She holds up her hand, little finger stuck out. Shoulders shaking with laughter, Veronica wraps her own baby finger around hers.

“And you can never break a pinky promise,” she says.

“Never.” Martha raises her right hand in a three fingered salute. “Girl Scout’s honour for good measure.” Veronica once again mirrors her friend, their friendship solidified in the two most ironclad agreements known to man. “Now that we’ve cleared that, can you please open that envelope so I can stop waiting? You’re giving me heart palpitations over here.” Nodding and half-laughing, Veronica lifts the two envelopes from her table.

Two letters, two minutes, right?

Dear Miss Veronica Sawyer, she reads, the words just underneath the Dule University Seal. We are pleased to offer you a place in our undergraduate program for law-

“OH MY FREAKING GOD!”

Veronica throws her arms around Martha, sagging against her in a combination of relief and… well, shock. Shock that her dreams are now in her hand-literally, in her hand-and she doesn’t have to keep daydreaming about the smoky cafes and leaving Sherwood, Ohio in the dust.

In the back of her mind, she wonders why she isn’t as happy about that as she expected.

Still, she and Martha fall back onto the bed together, all giggles and flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. Every time one calms down, the other is set off, the light, musical sound erupting from both of them until they seem to exhaust themselves and are laying on the backs in a cloud of their own joy. Veronica holds the letter against her chest, panting weakly, and she grabs Martha’s hand with the other.

“Should go without saying,” Martha says breathlessly. “But I’m so proud of you.” She squeezes her hand warmly. “All that studying finally paid off.”

“Yeah,” she breathes, the letter still folded in half and clutched between her hands. She opens it up and smooths out the wrinkles and tries to read it in full, even if her eyes keep snapping back up to the opening sentences. Her brain vaguely registers start dates and dorm rooms and the long proud history of blah blah blah… She can read over all that later. Right now she’s punching the air, drumming her legs on the bed and humming a nonsensical song under her breath, her body squirming like the happiness is going to burst out of her in an explosion of rainbow coloured glitter and cover her walls.

Beside her, Martha lays her head on her cheek on her shoulder. Despite the smile on her face, Veronica feels her stiffen and it brings her right back down to Earth. A cold sensation creeps over her, beginning in her chest, not so much that she panics, but enough to cover up the clouds she was dancing on.

“Hey,” she says, poking Martha’s cheek. “You good?”

“Of course,” she says in false confusion. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because of your face,” she replies, tapping Martha’s nose. “Hey, what is it?” Her hair ruffles as Martha sighs deeply.

“It’s just… now you’ve got yours… it’s making this all real.” She closes her eyes and lets out a sigh. “Reminds me how haven’t got mine yet.” She shakes her head, giving a smile that doesn’t come close to reaching her eyes. “I’ll probably get mine soon anyway.”

“And there will be a big fat yes when you do,” Veronica says. She wraps her hand around Martha’s hand and squeezes tightly. “You’ve been in that library more than me.”

“Mainly because you and JD took quite a few breaks.” She wiggles her eyebrows, one word loaded with implication that’s not entirely untrue. At least she’s past the stage where she blushes at those.

“Oh, and your and Heather’s tutoring sessions were strictly schoolwork-only?” she teases. Unlike herself, Martha’s cheeks flush red, her mouth opening and closing. Veronica giggles into her bedsheets. “Trust me. Colleges are going to be tripping over themselves to let you in. And hand you scholarships.”

“Thank you,” she says, smiling softly and rubbing her thumb against Veronica’s hand. “Can we go back to being happy for you?”

“Just a little bit,” she says. “We’ll be fully happy when you get yours.”

And there’s that feeling again, right in the back of her mind. If nothing else, this is a convenient excuse. She’s not as happy as she should be, only because her best friend is still waiting for hers. Nothing else outside of that she tells herself, the acceptance letter still folded between her fingers and poking slightly at her wrist.

                                                                                            *****

When she wakes up the next morning, that feeling is almost forgotten. The letter sits on her bedside table, placed back inside the envelope, the slight rip and crumpled edge the only giveaway that it was ever opened to begin with.

Her parents’ joy is tangible as she enters the kitchen, her mother’s pride buzzing in her fingers as she squeezes Veronica’s shoulders and her father’s delight evident in the way his eyes light up as he hands her her breakfast. As for Veronica, she fights between the growing pride in herself and her own well-worn and familiar modesty, if she can call it that. Still, she lets herself smiles at the praise and embrace the proud, shining gaze of her parents before leaving. Her dad even puts in a pat in her head before she manages to sneak out the door, something she hasn’t felt since she was single digits. She laughs it off, not bothering to fix any damage done to her hair.

As per usual, JD is sitting on the wall in the front yard when she gets to school, one leg up on either side of it and a book in his hands. She comes up behind him in a similar way, her body pressed against him. Months ago he may have jumped, now her touch is so familiar to him that he shifts forwards to make room for her once he feels it. She presses against his back and reaches forwards to trace the outline of the page he’s on.

Truth be told, she’s unexpectedly anxious, a small flame slowly but steadily building in her chest since she spotted him. Behind him, she grabs the butterfly pendant around her neck, the cool metal calming her. It’s weird; they’ve been through more than she thought they would be as a couple. She spent more time than she would care to admit daydreaming about her future romance one day, especially in the first few months of high school. And she knew from TV and from her own life that it wouldn’t be all butterflies and rainbows and sunshine, and thought herself well-prepared for those days, ready for fights and disagreements. She hadn’t prepared herself for the hard talks in the courtyard that she and JD had had, about therapy and his mom and things she had only read in books. But they had them, and she likes to think she came out of them the better person, however difficult and scary they were in the moment.

And yet she is still nervous about this. Something every other half-of-a-couple in her school has had to deal with or will at some point. She can’t tell if she’s more excited to share or more anxious about… well she’s not quite sure. Of something changing, she guesses  

“Hey,” she whispers, her cold fingers creating circles in the fabric of his shirt. “So… something happened yesterday.”

“Something?” he repeats, sliding his bookmark in and closing the book. “That’s cryptic.”

“It was… fairly big.” He nods and swings his leg around so he can face her. She feels like the butterfly from her necklace is sitting in her heart and flapping its little wings as hard and fast as it possibly can. And despite the mounting nerves, she’s smiling, and he is too.

“What was it?” he asks.

“JD… I got into college.” Her smile grows over her face like an external force is tugging on the corners of her face. JD’s mouth falls open ad he lets out a delighted gasp. “It was Duke. Duke and Brown, but Duke was my first choice.”

“Ronnie,” he says. “That’s amazing.” He takes her with him as he stands and pulls her into a tight hug, a kiss pressed to the side of her temple. Her legs go weak in his embrace and it’s she melts into him, sighing. Stupidly happy, that’s what she feels right now. Kind of an oxymoron, but hey, a lot of great stories are built on contradiction. “I am so proud of you.” He rubs their noses together playfully. “I knew you’d do it.”

“Thank you,” she whispers. “I’m just so glad all this is over. All the stupid waiting around.”

“So a few months from now, can I brag to people that my girlfriend is a super genius who goes to Duke?” he asks as their hands clasp together and start walking into a building.

“Brag to who?” she replies. “You can’t brag to Martha because I already told her, so that only leaves Heather.”

“I can brag to people in the store. And to Claire,” he tells her. “Oh God she’s probably going to be even prouder than I am.”

“I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted by that.”

“Hey, I couldn’t be prouder that you if I tried,” he says, punctuating his point with a kiss to her cheekbone. “But Claire has a lot of proud parent energy she can’t always channel into me.” He swings their hands between them as he bits his lip slightly, an idea springing to life in his head. “I’m going to buy you a victory cupcake at lunch.”

“You don’t need to buy me a cupcake,” she sighs.

“It’s not just a cupcake,” he replies. “It’s a victory cupcake.” Veronica rolls her eyes, but the gesture doesn’t go any deeper than her face. This boy is a contradiction himself, the troubled bad boy/poetry lover who buys her cupcakes when she gets into college. “Or donut. Or cookie. Whatever you want and whatever the cafeteria has in stock.”

“If it’s a donut that shit better have sprinkles,” she tells him seriously. He laughs, plugging in his combination and opening his locker. Before he moves to take anything out or put anything in, he moves in and kisses her forehead with just a little more strength than they normally allow in the middle of the hallway. “Be proud of yourself.”

“I am proud,” she says indignantly. “More relieved than proud, but I’m proud.” He nods, taking her hand and walking her to her homeroom, grin never once leaving his face and his fingers moving minutely as he strokes the back of her hand. He rubs his cheek against her hair and tells her about his English essay and when they run into Heather he rather affectionately calls her ‘buttercup’. He and Veronica share a knowing look when Heather mentions that she was hoping to run into Martha earlier, and she groans at a dumb joke he makes,

It’s only when he opens the door that Veronica realises that one day, not too far away, she’ll be missing mornings like this.

                                                                                               ******

“Hey, JD?” A flash of yellow appears in his peripheral vision as Heather takes her place next to him at the very back of American history. At her arrival, he places his bookmark in between the pages and slips the book into his bag. Despite this being his second reading of, it’s taking him longer to get through it this time around. “Can I ask you a question?”

“You just did,” he says, only for Heather’s face to fall slightly. She’s almost constantly smiling, must be a cheerleader thing, but the way it falls and rises like a puppy’s ears is almost a clearer indication of her feelings than when she isn’t. “What’s up?”

“I just… how are you and Veronica going to do college?”

His first thought is that the question is way too deep for first period. He’s all for a good discussion (especially when it comes to his relationship, since it turns out the only things keeping him from rambling out his thoughts to Claire are self-preservation, a small shred of dignity and some compassion for her) but the question Heather posed is a little too much too soon. And if he’s honest...

“I… we haven’t talk about it,” he decides is the right way to put it. It’s not incorrect and is certainly much better than ‘well I don’t know, we never really thought about it’.

Except now he is.

Thanks, Heather, he thinks.

“Oh…” she says. “Sorry, I was just asking because… see me and Martha don’t know what we’re going to do when she goes away to college and I go wherever I go.”

“Still not convinced you’re getting in?” She shakes her head, lips rolled into a tight line. Despite the B+ quiz tucked in the back of her folder. “I wouldn’t count you out yet, Mac.”

“Thanks. I just want to be ready for whatever,” she says with feigned nonchalance. “And you’re not planning on going anywhere, right?”

“Right,” he says, even if the word feels clumsy and uncomfortable in his mouth. It’s more of a habitual answer than a truthful one.

“Do-do you ever worry about the long distance stuff?” Heather asks him. “I mean, I don’t really worry. I just think about it a lot sometimes.”

“I don’t know,” he says. “I-I guess not. I didn’t really-” He bites his lip, drumming his fingers on the table. He didn’t really think he’d be around post-graduation. That’s what he means. He never expected any of this to last, Claire, Sherwood, Veronica, anything. He assumed he’d be sent off to another placement after his time here was up. This degree of certainty is alien to him, however much it might mean to him. This is the adjustment period. Still, he won’t say that. Too deep for this hour, and, much as he likes her, for Heather. So he shrugs his shoulders instead. “I didn’t really think about it before now.”

“Oh,” Heather says, disappointment evident. She tugs on the sleeve of her jacket as she looks away from him. Rows in front of them her old friends sit on their desks, heads clustered together in conversation.

“I hope we can do it though,” he adds, grabbing her attention again. “The long distance thing. I want to do it. I think we can.” It’s not an empty thought. He’s grown used to communicating by letters and long distance phone calls or even emails, even if it’s just correspondence with old foster siblings or his social workers. He grins to himself as it grows clearer in his mind, the two of them on opposite sides of a phone, drinking in the details of each other’s day, her in a college sweater and him in his pyjamas back in his room.

“You do?” she asks, the corners of her own mouth turning up.

“Of course I do,” he replies.

“Me too,” she says. “Not with Veronica. With Martha. But I still want to do like… long distance friendships too. With you too.” He huffs out a laugh but understands. For the first time, the crap teachers have spewed at every school he’s been to about ‘you’ll miss it when you’re gone’ resonate with him. Even if it’s just about three people. But he’s also grown used to missing people and that’s definitely a habit he wants to break.

                                                                                               *****

The new outside activities aren’t just confined to lunch. The sunshine and dry ground means the after school cheerleading practice is moved outside too. According to her girlfriend, Coach thinks that the jocks, practicing just across the field, will be the happiest kids in the state right about now. And while they certainly do seem to appreciate it, Martha suspects she might just take that title. How can she not be, sitting on in the bleachers with a book in her hands and the sun on her face while she waits for Heather to finish, and sneaking glances at her every now and then, watching her flip perfectly and kick her legs in that little skirt and her golden curls being lit up by the sun and flying behind her like a flag.

Sometimes she’s amazed that she never noticed Heather in that way before.

The girl in question bounds up to her almost the minute the Coach dismisses them, resting her chin on her shoulder, the rest of the student body too wrapped up in each other to notice how Martha’s hand wraps around hers.

“You did great today,” she tells her.

“You think so?” she asks.

“Definitely.” Heather grins and takes a look out over the emptying sports field. Martha used to hate this place and part of her still does, the ghosts of ‘Dumptruck’ echoing in her mind from when she ran laps around the field. But now she can tune those out, even if it takes some effort sometimes, as long as she’s with the right people. Two people to be exact and one of them is lazily rubbing her back.

“Coach likes you,” Heather says. “She likes when you come down to watch practice.”

“She said that?” Martha asks sceptically.

“Yeah,” she says. “Well, no. Well, sort of. She said she likes when people watch us. And she thinks you’re sweet for supporting me.”

“So she knows I’m watching?” she asks. “Guess I’m not as subtle as I thought.” She turns to face her, half-laughing. “Well, I’ll always support my special friend.” They chuckle together; ‘special friends’ is apparently what Heather’s mom refers to gay couples as, and they’ve since turned it into both a cover story and a private joke. The first word, at least, Martha would definitely apply to Heather.

Heather heaves a sigh next to her, the motion on her back drifting away from nonchalant and towards anxious.

“Are you okay?” she asks, running her thumb over her knuckles. She nods quickly, her hair bobbing with her, and it indicates the opposite of what it intends. Still, Martha doesn’t press, instead she presses a quick kiss to her head, thankful the field is deserted, and traces circles on the back of her hand, changing direction every once in a while as Heather’s breathing evens out beside her. Just as she begins to maybe pry a little, it’s Heather who opens her mouth, and what she says nearly knocks her off the bleachers.

“Are we going to do the whole long distance thing?”

“Long distance thing?”

“When you go off to college,” she explains. “And I go… somewhere. Is that what we’re going to do or should we break up before college?”  She winces at the last part. “I-that’s what my cousin did with her high school boyfriend.”

“Is that what you want?” she asks tentatively. Insecurity comes to her like an old friend, a friend she no longer wants around, but whose presence is so familiar she’s already listening to it.

“Oh my God, no!” Heather gasps, eyes going wide. She grasps Martha’s shoulders, tension burning in her fingers. “No I do not want to break up before college. Or after college!”

“O… Okay,” she sighs, a little relieved and a little startled. “Then we won’t. Break up I mean.”

“Really?” she squeaks, biting her lip as a smile takes over her face. “Really?”

“Yeah, really,” she promises. “I mean, if you want to, I want to.”

“I do,” she replies firmly. “I really, really do.”

“Okay.”  Grinning, Heather nuzzles into her shoulder as they look out on the expanse of grass and track in front of them, leading out to the doll-sized houses and stores beyond. Up this high, they’re not just students, they’re giants. Heather’s hand slides into hers and she gives it a gentle squeeze.

“I wonder what would have happened if we’d figured this… us out before now,” Heather remarks.

“Yeah,” she agrees a little sadly. She tries not to dwell on wishes too much anymore, but if she did have a fairy godmother who could grant them, she’d ask for more time with Heather. More time being herself, this version of herself. Maybe if she had known a year ago, maybe if Heather had been different a year ago. Who knows where they’d be now?

They only go inside when the parking lot starts emptying, knowing someone was coming soon enough to lock the gate. While the prospect of having Heather all to herself with a view like this and all this space isn’t unappealing, the heart attack she’d give her mother and the explanations she’d eventually have to give do. They end up sitting on the front steps, not quite the same feeling as being on top of the bleachers. Up there everything looks perfect, picturesque emerald grass and the town looks painted in. Here she can see the trash blowing around in the gentle breeze and knows the graffiti that’s scrawled just around the corner. It’s too real.

Still, Heather is stroking her hair as they talk nonsense and that’s more than enough to make this place work for her.

Her hand brushes against Martha’s just as the door opens and then it drop like a stone in a lake. Two people clad in heels come down the stairs, slowing down as they pass them, the red and the green coming into their vision.

“Heather,” Duke greets coldly. Moments pass without so much as an acknowledgement of Martha. It’s fair, she supposes. All else aside, they were friends, which isn’t a claim Martha has. Not since kindergarten anyway.

“Heather,” she replies, her voice so steady that Martha’s not sure the trembling hand on her leg could belong to the same body.

Behind Duke, Chandler looks down, her arms crossed over her chest. From the neck down, she’s every inch the iron queen of their school, clad in her red blazer, her shadow falling over them and the red scrunchie peeking on her wrist. However, her face is a carefully constructed snarl that’s nearly convincing… except for the way she bites her cheek and how her eyes jump from Heather to Martha to the ground. And how her mouth seems to be on the verge of opening, only to be sealed up again at the last moment. Despite having gone to school with her every day for thirteen years, she doesn’t look familiar at all. Despite her height, despite the way she looms over the two of them, she looks small.

“Come on,” Chandler says, shaking Duke’s shoulder a little. Up until now, Duke’s face had been the opposite of Chandler’s, a hardened mask fixed in one slightly annoyed grimace that’s a staple of their school life at this point. But at Chandler’s command, the cracks appear and she looks as foreign as Heather Chandler did. She obeys and follows at Chandler’s heels down the steps, but not before stalling for a moment, eyes landing on her Heather. Ten years seems to disappear from her for that one moment, and suddenly she’s Heather who clutched a Barbie doll and inched closer to Martha to ask to play.

“Hey,” Chandler snaps, waiting for Duke at the bottom of the steps. “Let’s go. They’re not worth it.”

“Agreed,” Duke replies and she quickens her pace to meet her, neither one of them looking back.

Heather’s looking after them though, her hand fidgeting in her lap. There’s a wistfulness in her gaze that Martha’s making a conscious effort not to be jealous of. Instead she reaches out and takes her restless hand in hers, pulling her back from wherever she is.

“Can I ask you something?” she asks quietly, before she can lose nerve.

“Sure.”

“Do you… do you ever miss them?” she asks, nodding in the direction of their disappearing classmates. Heather blinks, a little unsettled by her question, but despite the apologetic look she gives her, Martha can’t really bring herself to regret asking it. Even if she wishes she’d maybe saved it for later.

“I… don’t know,” she says after a while. “I mean I was friends with them for a really long time. Maybe not friends, okay no. See, I don’t really know.”

“It’s okay,” she says, running her hand through her hair. “I get it. It’s complicated.”

“I think… I don’t like the Heather I was with them,” she admits, turning to Martha. The setting sun bathes her in a delicate golden glow, but even without it, she’d still glow in her own right. Especially now with the way her eyes shine with sincerity and the smile that says so much despite being so small. She cups Martha’s cheek with her hand, her fingertips just meeting her hair. “I like the Heather I am with you. And Veronica. Even JD. That’s what I know.”

Martha hugs Heather tightly, guiding her head to the crook of her neck and squeezing her shoulders carefully. She could tell her that she feels the same, that she knows Heather made her better, that she’s braver and wiser because of her love. She could do that, and she will, one day, hopefully soon. But she doesn’t need to now and it’s beautiful. Now, all she needs and wants to do is hold her girlfriend and silently agree with her; she really likes this Heather.

                                                                                               *****

On Friday evening, Veronica is curled in the biggest chair in the living room, hands gripping the wides and legs poised to jump out. Her body twitches involuntarily each time a car that is even remotely close to silver comes into view, only for them to pass by without a glance. Taking advantage of the good weather, longer days and break in the school work, she and JD plan to take a walk around the park to let off steam.

“What’s this thing he had after school?” her mom asks.

“Just a doctor’s appointment,” she replies, crossing her fingers behind her back. She’s not ashamed, not of anything about him, but it’s also not her story to tell and she notices how he stiffens when Heather or Martha ask what he has planned the occasional Friday. She taps her knuckles against the change in her jacket pocket, she and JD intending to hit the small candy store on the corner before the park.

Another silver car comes around the corner and she slowly unfolds herself as it steadily drives down the road before bursting into a relieved grin when it stop outside her house, the passenger door opening.

“Okay I’m out!” she announces, swinging around the living room door.

“Are you sure he doesn’t want to come in for a minute?” her mom asks, following her out of the living room and leaning against the wall. “I’m making a pot roast.”

“Yep, we’re good,” she replies hastily, opening the front door. Down at the car, JD is probably having a similar conversation, only with far less withheld smothering. The sight of him talking to her so easily makes her slow down a little, a prickle of guilt in her chest, small, but present. She turns around and gives her own mom a smile. “Thanks Mom, but we just want to get out for a bit. I won’t be late, see you later.”

“Okay.” Her mom’s shoulders relax and she nods, smiling back at her. “Have fun, honey.”

Even though she saw him mere hours ago, she gives JD a light hug just as Claire is pulling out away from the kerb, and he responds in kind, adding in a kiss to her hair. She didn’t quite miss him, they’re not like that, but they’re far more free outside school, even with their moderate disregard for the PDA rules.

“Come on,” she says, lacing her fingers through his and pulling him along, making him laugh softly. His lose curls fall forwards over his forehead and dance in the light breeze. He twirls her around under his arm and pulls her closer to wrap his arm around her as they head to the store.

With candy in hand and miniature soda bottles in pockets, they stroll through the park together, Veronica’s arm linking through his and her cheek resting on his shoulder. While the park isn’t quite as full as it would be in the height of summer, they are fairly far from alone too, small kids running past them or wobbling on bikes with parents chasing after them, panic in their eyes despite their fond smiles. The pond glitters golden in the setting sun, families of ducks and ducklings splashing and flapping and creating ripples on the otherwise still water.

They find a spot on a grassy slope where they can looking over everything with the sun at their backs. Ever the gentleman, he even spreads his jacket out for her to sit on. They sit hip to hip, their little candy stash poised carefully between them and their drinks, lemonade for her, cherry Coke for him, cooling their legs.

She leans back on her elbows to stretch out her back tilts her head back, eyes closed, letting the sun warm her face. JD spies an opportunity and sneaks in, dropping a kiss on her lips without warning, not that he would need one, and sneaks an apple flavoured lace from her.

“Jerk,” she says with feigned annoyance, even if she’s giggling. “You owe me.”

“M&M or chocolate?” he asks.

“M&M.” She pulls herself forwards and kneels up to find him on one knee, green candy between his thumb and index finger and face screwed up in concentration. “You will not get that.”

“Want to bet?” he teases. “I bet you a cheek smooch that I can get this in your mouth on the first try.”

“Deal,” she agrees, rolling her eyes. She opens her mouth, only to let out an annoyed squeak when he moves over and lowers her head. “Cheat.”

“I’m making it more fair. Now come on, stay still.”

The candy bounces off her cheekbone and rolls across the grass, the impact just a step above nothing. Still, she laughs, falling back onto the grass and looking at him

“Pay up,” she sings.

“With pleasure,” he says dropping a swift kiss to her cheek. Giggling smugly, she lets him pull her up into a sit, her fingers stroking the inside of his arm, their foreheads close to touching. There’s a warm, slightly breathless feeling in her chest, one that she’s grown slightly used to and would like to get more used to. Butterflies, maybe, but they’re calm now. Like they’re flapping their little wings slowly and serenely in her chest. Breathless, but the good kind.

“You know, I’ve been thinking,” he begins, looking down at his hands. She looks at him, listening and expectant, but his voice just trails off.

“You going to tell me what you were thinking of?” she asks, hoping to bring him back on track. “Or am I just going to have to guess.”

“Sorry,” he says, laughing a little. “Just… still thinking about it, I guess.” She runs her hand down his arm and takes his, lacing their fingers together.

“Want to let me in?” He nods, dimples forming in his cheeks as he grins. His free hand taps on his knee, his fingers moving in an agitated rhythm.

“It’s a little crazy.”

“I’m all for crazy,” she tells him.

“But… you know how I always said I don’t want to go to college? How I don’t see the point in it and all that crap?” She nods and he takes a deep breath in, his eyes lighting up as they meet her. His excitement passes from him to her as she slowly starts to see where he’s going. “Well, just you and your getting in and Martha and Heather, it all got me thinking… what if I actually went? Not this year, I mean I can’t, but next year. Do some volunteering and maybe retake a test or two and start applications and give it a real try.” He bites his lip sheepishly. “Is that dumb?”

“Dumb?” she echoes. “J, that’d be amazing!”

“Really?”

“Really!” she squeaks.

“I was thinking about majoring in English,” he explains, kneeling up, one hand gesturing wildly and the other holding onto her with a tight grip, his hand shaking a little, like his blood is buzzing. The words flow out of him one after the other with no break, almost leaving him panting. “You know? I mean, I’m good at it, according to all my assignments. I don’t think I want to be a writer or anything like that and definitely not a teacher, but maybe like a Professor or something. Or an editor.”

“You’d be amazing at that,” she tells him, cupping the side of his face. She touches her forehead to his, nuzzling into him, his shoulders shaking under him as he laughs. “When did you figure all this out?”

“Well…” He scratches behind his ear. “I sort of… I guess I always knew I wanted it. To go study poetry somewhere. But I never thought I could. I never thought I’d have some sort of permanent place with someone to get me through it.” He sighs, his eyes shining. “But now I do.”

Claire Veronica thinks. The woman who isn’t his mother but is the next best thing. He told her the next day at school with wide, slightly red eyes and an expression that was half-joy, half-disbelief, like he was expecting to wake up from this. All she could do was hug him as tight as she knew how to and tell him how happy she was for him, even if she could never understand how huge this is. And that’s okay with her. All she needs to know is that this means pretty much everything to him.

Veronica doesn’t really like thinking about what would have happened if she hadn’t adopted him, and he doesn’t like talking about it, so it had worked out well. Losing him once was bad enough, and that was when she was a kid and only loved him half as much as she does now. Now all she can do is be grateful she never has to think about that again. And be glad that he has someone forever now.

She leans in and kisses him, tasting cherry Coke and sugar on his lip, his joy infectious and making her dizzy. He pecks at her lips playfully until she tilts her head and slides her hand into his hair, murmuring contended nothings against him.

“Hey, Ronnie?” he asks.

“Mm-hm?”

“About college…” The initial bliss fades a little, not enough to disappear completely, but she feels the change in the air. She delicate touches the dimple on his cheek with her fingertip. “I just… are we going to do that long distance thing?”

“Long distance?” she echoes.

“Yeah,” he says. “I mean… you’re going to be in North Carolina, and much as I’d like to I doubt the Dean would let me come with you. I know some high school couples break up before college, but I don’t-I want to do it long distance. I think we can.” He shrugs, his eyes meeting hers with an unfamiliar insecurity in them. “I’m up for it if you are.”

She shakes her head at him, huffing out a laugh and pushes his hair away from his face, looking right into his eyes and making him do the same. Truthfully, she had thought about them post-high school, and she had worried up until a few days ago, when Martha calmed her fears about them. Now she just looks back in embarrassment, as if she’d ever let 600 miles shake the two things she loves most.

“Jason Dean,” she sighs, enjoying the taste of his name, his real name, on her lips. “I could go to college in Mars and still want to be with you.” His cheek shifts against her hand as he breaks out into a grin. “So yes, dumbass. I want to do the long distance thing with you. I always thought I would. Even if it means staying up to 2am to talk to you and racking up Claire’s phone bill beyond all recognition.”

“You might want to talk to her about that,” he whispers, laughter lacing the edges of his voice. He pulls her into another kiss, longer and deeper than the last one, occasionally interrupted by their contented chuckling. They fall back onto the ground, the soft grass tickling their faces, their hands clasped between them. JD looks at her, his mouth half open and his eyes bright. He pushes her hair back and traces her jaw, his thumb poking at her cheek.

“I’m so glad I met you,” he tells her quietly, his voice shaking a little. She presses a kitten-like kiss to the inside of his wrist.

“First or second time?” she teases.

Grinning, he takes her clasped hand and brings to her fingers to his lips to kiss it. A warm current sweeps through her body and her hands tingle, reminding her of the fairies weaving magic in her old picture books. Like there’s magic in his touch that can make her glimmer and shine.

“First,” he replies with more certainty in his voice than she’s ever heard before.

[purplesurveys]

559

Have you today?

Looked in a mirror? Yeah, I was looking at myself while brushing my teeth earlier.

Watered a plant? I don’t think I’ve done that in the last few years.

Worn denim? Nope, I’m staying in today. And I kinda have to anyway, because it’s a holiday. Washed your hair? Yep, I took a long shower a few minutes ago. Been in pain? Yes, woke up to the same toothache that’s been bothering me for a few weeks now. The pain is on the down low at the moment, but yeah it was there when I woke up.

Had a nap? Not sure if it counts as a nap, but I decided to sleep in today and kept waking up a few times the whole morning until I finally woke up for real at around 11:30. Brushed your teeth? I already mentioned that I did this, yes. Kissed someone? I gave my dog some kisses today, but not a person. Used a cheese grater? I’ve eaten one meal today and it didn’t need any cheese. Eaten something sweet? Nope. Spoken to a stranger? Also no. Like I said, I’m staying in today. My introverted ass is tired from the last few weeks of working and socializing. Dropped something? I don’t remember doing so...I’ve only been in bed all day. Felt upset in some way? I’m feeling a little down, but I wouldn’t call myself upset. Drank coffee? I took two painkillers in one day yesterday, which is bad in itself; I wouldn’t want to mix coffee into my system.

Walked for more than thirty minutes? Nah, the furthest I’ve walked today is to the bathroom to take a shower. Signed up for something? That’s a no. I really should have picked a different day to fill this up, hahaha. Travelled in a car? I didn’t drive today and don’t plan to until like Tuesday, because that’s when I have to go back to school. Opened a can? Here’s a tiny secret: I don’t know how to open cans :c Thought about doing something crazy? Nah, I’m not feeling too crazy today. Listened to a new song? As a matter of fact I am. Spotify will sometimes play you a bunch of new songs it thinks you’d like based on the music you do listen to, and that’s the playlist I have on right now.  Written in a notebook? I have not. Fed an animal? I gave my dog the rest of my lunch when I didn’t feel like eating anymore. Checked your emails? I had to answer a couple of them, yes. Told someone you love them? No, not yet. Made a phone call? Nope.

Have you in the last week?

Travelled on a bus? I haven’t been on a bus since my high school class went on a retreat to Baguio four years ago. Washed your face? Yep, yesterday. My face was feeling oily for some reason so I used some facial wash we had in the bathroom. Used a blender? I don’t think I’ve ever needed to use a blender before. Received a phone call? Yeah, Gab calls me most nights. Talked to someone you dislike? I had to talk to this girl who has a known attitude problem because we’re working on something together in a subject that we’re classmates in. She hasn’t shown me her rotten side just yet but I’ll be more than ready if she does. Consumed alcohol? Yeah, I went to two Halloween parties in the last week :/ Eaten pasta? I don’t think I have this week. Planned for an event? We don’t have any upcoming events so there’s nothing to plan for to begin with. Asked someone for a favour? Yep, I asked my classmate Gia to bring her VGA adapter because I needed one to do my report for history class and I don’t have an adapter of my own. She’s super nice and helped me out. Watched something funny? Yeah I mean I make it a point to watch at least one funny video a day so that my days aren’t completely shitty. Trimmed your nails? I have not, which explains why they’ve grown out so much lately. Browsed Reddit? I haven’t been browsing Reddit as much lately because I’ve been busy, but I did open the app at least once within the last week. Talked to yourself? I often talk to myself while driving alone. Purchased tickets for something? I did not this week. Felt like you were annoying someone? Always. Cleaned a toilet? Nope. Reminisced about the past? I mean, my friends and I always do in one way or another. Used headphones? No, my old headphones have been busted for yeeeeears now. Laughed with a friend? I spent time with several groups of friends this week, yeah. Which is why I’m completely socially exhausted now. I’m using the undas weekend to recharge. Cooked dinner and then didn't feel hungry? I don’t cook, so this is an automatic no. Written a list? It was a to-do list of stuff I had to accomplish before the undas break, if that counts. Played an instrument? Technically I did? I was sleeping over at Rita’s place last weekend and their guest room had a ukulele lying around, so before I fell asleep I do remember strumming the strings for a few minutes, even though I had completely no idea what I was doing. Felt jealous or envious? Always do. It’s my worst deadly sin. Ignored a text message on purpose? Always. Congratulated someone? I always make it a point to congratulate my friends for their leaps, whether big or small.

Have you in the last month?

Made a piece of art? Art is my weakest suit and it’s something I never even try to dabble in, because I know I would be horrible.

Rewatched one of your favourite tv shows or movies? I always rewatch Friends, and I did attempt to do a rewatch of Breaking Bad before El Camino was out on Netflix, but I didn’t get to finish it because uni had kept me very busy.

Called a plumber? There wasn’t any need to.

Been to a see a doctor? No. I definitely should go to the dentist, though. Finished a book? I haven’t been reading. Had a crush on someone? Of course.

Travelled on a train? Nooooooo I hate the public transport system in this country. Worn heels? I haven’t had to in the last month. I wish I owned more pairs to just wear casually to school though; it wouldn’t hurt looking like a bad bitch around the college hahahaha. Been to a friend's house? I’ve been to Gabie’s and Rita’s houses.

Shared a bed with someone? Yes, Gab has slept over a couple of times. Been to see a movie at the cinema? I think it’s been more than a month since my sister and I saw Hello, Love, Goodbye at the movie theater. Paid attention to celebrity drama? Meh, loosely. I know of the issues, but the drama lately hasn’t been too juicy. Felt anxious? AL. WAYS. Taken an elevator? On the days we were too lazy to take escalators. Given someone the cold shoulder? I don’t think I’ve done this recently. Purchased a new book/game/movie? I didn’t purchase it but I downloaded Mario Kart on my phone. Applied for a job? Nope. Used a printer? Yes, I’ve had to print papers and handouts for several classes. Had lunch in a park? We don’t have any parks, and anyway it’s usually too hot to eat outside. Gotten a manicure or pedicure? Not a fan of either, so no. Made an appointment? No. I did ask my mom to schedule a dentist appointment because my 21 year old kiddie ass is still too anxious to do it myself sjdklsdfdfhdkhskdjfsjffskfhkjsfh Had a blood test done? NO. Is this the one where they prick your finger? NO THANKS BYEEEEEE Suffered from a major bruise? It wasn’t major but I did briefly get a nasty bruise on my knee a few weeks ago. It was probably from PE but I never was sure where it came from. Researched a topic in-depth? I kinda have to; I’m working on my thesis for the next year or so.

Have you in the last year?

Been to the beach? Yes, several times. The most recent time was last August in Nasugbu, which was kinda bad timing on our end because we usually get bad typhoons in August haha. But it was the last week of summer and we wanted to do something fun before we had to go back to school, so off we went. Visited someone in the hospital? Thank goodness I haven’t had to. Played pinball? No, but I have played races on Waluigi Pinball courses on Mario Kart if that counts HAHAHAHA Travelled on a plane? Yes, several times. Worn a costume? I have. I went as Dora for Halloween this year. Been thrift shopping? Yesssssss. I got into it a few months ago when I saw a few stalls at a local mall selling really trendy tops for much cheaper. Thought about getting pregnant or got pregnant? Neither. Made a big life decision? I decided on my thesis topic, which is personally a pretty huge decision to make. Changed a lightbulb? Nope. I don’t know how to. Framed something and put it on your wall? I haven’t. My wall has stayed the same for like three years now. Been stargazing? Nah. Haven’t really had the time to. Made a new friend? New people who come into the org. Added to a collection? Obviously I’ve gathered more receipts from my dates with Gab within the year, but I haven’t gotten around to organizing any of them. They’re all just piled up in my wallet. Been to the dentist? No, but I have to UGH this toothache is out to kill me I swear. Broken up with someone? Nope. Held a baby? I don’t think so but I wish I’ve gotten to do it D: Created a budget? I mean I always carefully plan out my weekly allowance, so yeah. Confessed feelings for someone? I already did that three years ago. Had surgery of any kind? Nope. Quit a job? I have not. Been in a car accident? No, thank jeebus. Purchased something worth over a grand? Not yettttt, but I’m planning to for Christmas. Been on vacation at least 500km/300mi from home? Yes, when we went to Batanes and Albay. Applied for an academic course? Does enrolling for a semester count? Had your photo taken by a professional? No not yet, but very soon when I get my graduation photos taken.

[nailzine-blog]

Exclusive Interview With Growing Nail Tech, Ruth Padin

I conducted an interview with my very own nail tech , Ruth Padin, A.K.A, Beba, where she opens up about the busy life that comes with being a technician. I started seeing Beba just a over a year ago this past September. I was drawn to her Instagram feed, @thatssobebasnails, where she posted all her new work. It appeared to me she knew how to achieve that trendy style I was going for. My first appointment with her I asked if she could do pink camo nails. Although she admitted she had never done such a design , she tried and blew my expectations. For once, I felt as if my vision had came to life. Ever since then, me and Beba continue to meet on a once a month basis. To this day , I continue to challenge her with looks she’s never done and she always succeeds. For that reason, Beba will remain not only my nail technician but friend for life.

CJ : What is life like being a nail tech?

Beba : Life being a nail tech is probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s always been a passion of mine, so working doesn’t feel like “work”.  It’s something I’ve always been passionate about for years. It’s sometimes hectic, tiring, and hard work, but so worth it when a client leaves satisfied at the end of their appointment. 

CJ : Do you get tired of doing nails? If so, how do you get reinspired ?

Beba : Sometimes I do get tired of doing nails. At times I feel guilty because my life is so wrapped up in this work that I don’t have time for the more important things in life. I’m constantly working or self promoting on social media because that’s the only way I’ll get recognized. Being a mom and being a nail tech is really hard because I’m so wrapped up in both that there is no in between. My motivation at the end of a hard work day is my son. He gives me inspiration and saving for his future is my main goal

CJ : What is rewarding for you about being a nail tech? 

Beba : The most rewarding thing is the look on my client’s face when they see the final result. I take so much pride in my work and make sure I take my time on each individual set. Seeing how far I’ve come and how my art just gets better by the set is SO rewarding. Nothing better than having a happy client.  

CJ : What is your favorite kind of nails to do?

Beba : My favorite kind of nails to do is ombré acrylic full set. It’s so satisfying to do and they come out perfect every time.

CJ : Could you explain the difference between gel and acrylic nails? Which is better for designs and why?

Beba : The difference between acrylic and gel is one is in powder form and the other is a jelly kind of formula. The acrylic, you have to mix with a liquid which is called monomer to get the product and gel already comes pre-made. Acrylic has more diversity and comes in all types of colors. The gel has less options and more for simple, clean looks. I love working with acrylic because you can do sooo much more. Your options are limitless with acrylic nail design.  

CJ : How often do you buy nail supplies?

Beba : I usually buy in bulk which lasts me every 2-4 months depending on how much I use. As far as nail art such as stones , colors etc that I don’t have to buy too often because that lasts me a while. I find myself buying nail art 3 -4 times a month depending on what the new nail trends are

CJ :Who is one of your favorite nail techs? 

Beba : one of my favorite nail techs would be Tony’s nail. He is literally one of the post talented and gifted nail techs in the industry. He’s a trendsetter and exceptionally talented. 

CJ :What does it mean when a set uses 'no polish'? 

Beba : Doing a full set that is “not polish” is essentially using all acrylic color powder and no polish whatsoever. It’s a new trend and lasts a lot longer than an average set with gel polish. A lot of my clients love this method due to its longevity. It’s one of my favorite methods as well as the set comes out crisp and sharp on the edges

CJ : What advice would you give to someone trying to get into nails? 

Beba : Some great advice that I can give a future nail tech is “patience is KEY” and “practice makes perfect”. If your heart and soul isn’t 100 percent in this then don’t even attempt it. It’s challenging and straining. It takes a lot out of you. Practice makes perfect, and I’ve been practicing for 10 years and have so much to learn still. Be patient with your client, as they won’t always be easy. Be patient with yourself, because there will be days you feel like it’s become too much and giving up is the only option. It’s all worth it at the end when you start seeing the beautiful work you start creating. We all start from the bottom. I still can’t believe I’ve gotten as far as I did and sometimes I blow myself away from my own work. All because of patience and practice.

[suckitsurveys]

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up, usually? Check the time. Do you like to keep a routine or do you prefer spontaneousness? More routine but a little spontaneity is good too. When was the last time you apologized and didn’t mean it? Earlier today to a coworker, haha. Do you prefer to be the “talker” or the “listener” in a conversation? Both. How are you feeling today? Eh. My neck hurts.

Is there any particular reason as to why? ^ What do you think defines beauty? Whatever you want it to be. Do you find these qualities in yourself? fdsfjdsjdkfjd;ldsfdsfds Do you know anyone personally with those qualities? fdsjhfdsjfhjdsfhdsdjghjdgksdghjfgshjkgdjsgjfdks Is there anything you wear everyday? Glasses. Do you actually brush your teeth three times a day? 1-2 times a day. How about floss? No. What’s your first name? Hannah. Is that actually what you go by, or do people call you by something else? It’s what I go by. Do you like to sing for other people? No. What’s a movie that you think everyone should see? Wet Hot American Summer. Do you spend a lot of your time alone? Not really. Mark is always home when I’m home. If so, do you like it that way? Alone time is nice, but I love having Mark around all the time. Do you know anyone personally who has done meth? Yes. Do you usually like bizarre people? Sure. Do you have a best friend? If so, why are they the “best”? I do. She’s been there for me through everything since we were 14 years old. We have very similar interests and she’s very kind and compassionate and I can trust her with everything. Who do you love the most in your life? My nieces. Of course my husband and my family and my friends, but jesus christ I would do anything for those two little girls. Name something that you would never do: Vote Republican.

Have you ever moved to a new country? No. How do you usually wear your hair? In a messy bun. If you could have any hair color, what color would you want? I can have any hair color. It’s currently pink. Name a song that you feel describes you/your life pretty well: Eh. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you want? A bat! What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever personally witnessed? Uh. This is vague af. If you could kiss anyone right now, who would you kiss? Husband. Do you have any piercings? My ears: 3 in my left ear, 1 in my right. And my right nostril. Are there any you would want? Maybe more in my ears, but it’s not a huge want. The nearest object to you (other than your computer/chair/etc), what is it? My Starbucks drink. Do you own a kindle? No. When was the last time you saw your “first love”? This morning. As I explained in a previous survey, my first real, true, honest love is my husband. Name something you really like about yourself: My hair. My personality. My passion.  Name something you really don’t like about yourself: My anxiety . When was the last time you were sick? What did you have? Currently. Still have a lingering cough. What’s your favorite smell(s)? Coconut. Rain. Gardenias. Garlic. Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve been to? Natchez Trace State Park. What are you going to do after this? Maybe another survey. Maybe some work. Lol. Stretch your hand out as far as you can to the left. What are you touching? It stops at the wall a foot away from me. Do you like to wear make up? Once in awhile. Not everyday. Is there anything you’d rather be doing right now? Sleeping. What’s the stupidest song on the radio right now, in your opinion? I hate that “sweet but psycho” song. And that Panic at the Disco song that sounds like that pepperoni commercial. What’s a word you just can’t spell right? I can’t think of one right now. What’s the last book you read? Still working my way through BoJack Horseman: The Art Before the Horse. Did you like it? Yes. What do you keep beside your bed? A picture of my mom, her “prayer” card from her funeral, a stuffed animal I’ve had since I was a kid, a “H” that lights up, some rocks I found at the beach, a glass of water, and my phone. That’s what’s on the night stand. There are drawers in it too that have a bunch of other stuff I don’t feel like listing. Do you pluck/wax/thread your eyebrows? I pluck them. What’s something unique about you? My hair? Who’s the smartest person you know personally? My dad. What makes them so smart? He just is. He seems to know everything, haha. You can’t feel pain for an entire day. What would you do? I mean, physical pain? Probably jump off some stuff. I don’t know. Who inspires you most? Good question. Have you ever won a contest of some sort? Yes. Are you straight? Nope. Are your nails painted? If so, what color? They are silver holographic. You can only eat one food group for the rest of your life. Which one? Sushi. Are there any religions other than your own that you identify with? I don’t identify with any religion. Who makes you the happiest? My husband and my nieces. Do you do any specific exercises to stay in shape? Swim. Are you trendy? I don’t go out of my to be or not to be. What color is your bedroom? Do you like it? It’s light blue. It’s fine. Have you ever seriously thought you were going to die? Yes. What does your shampoo smell like? The one I’m using right now is kiwi scented. What’s your desktop wallpaper? A purple galaxy Have you ever smoked weed? Yes. If so, did you like it? I did. Have you done any other drugs? If so, what are they? No. Do you actually like your smile? Eh. Leave off with a word of advice: Be nice ya fuckers.

[thaneweb]

Marriage Halls in Thane | Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Bridal Lehengas for Your D-day!

Each part of an Indian marriage symbol praises tone, culture, inheritance and zing. Such is the degree of energy and rush in regards to an Indian lady of the hour that consistently component, detail there are 1,000,000 choices accessible to make her gleam on her d-day. Also no conversation about the lady and wedding symbol can be finished without discussing marriage lehengas! The main piece of any wedding look is the marriage lehenga. It establishes the vibe of her look as well as the whole wedding without help from anyone else.

So here we are, with this rundown of beauteous wedding lehengas for you to parade this impending marriage season. Regardless of whether you're a lady of the hour who adores everything conventional or the one whose heart shouts strong, both will discover some motivation in this rundown. You can likewise draw references from your cherished VIP examines this rundown and accumulate a mother lode of thoughts and styling tips and deceives!

Customary Bridal Lehengas

No wedding linen or look can be finished without a conventional marriage lehenga. Regardless of the dream encompassing a 'trendy' wedding look, there will continuously be a spot, that unique corner that will be held for your conventional lehenga. From redoing your mom's or alternately grandma's marriage clothing to wearing the manifestations of rich karigaris of this land, there is no lack of decisions with regards to picking the right conventional lehenga for your wedding celebrations. There can be no greater model than the amazing manifestations of Sabyasachi lehengas that are an energetic blend of legacy, eminence and magnificence. So assuming that you're considering customary wedding lehengas, you're definitely considering Sabyasachi manifestations! Intense reds, profound tones, many-sided work and broad enumerating render Sabyasachi's wedding lehengas ageless. Recall when Deepika Padukone marry Ranveer Singh in a red Sabyasachi lehenga with multifaceted hand-weaving brilliant tilla subtleties matched with a chowki plan aari-taari dupatta with a weighty line and the well established saying 'Sada Saubhagyavati Bhava' composed on it in Devnagri?!

One more commended fashioner couple whose manifestations show rich and dazzling customary plans are Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. Their chikankari manifestations are totally amazing and their utilization of mirror works in lehengas have been instrumental in reboosting this well established plan style. Be it Sonam Kapoor's exquisite ivory mehendi lehenga or Priyanka Chopra who settled on a lively mehendi outfit: a rainbow-tinted lehenga that accompanied a half-sleeved shirt, a surging skirt, and a lightweight dupatta. The set was complemented with botanical themes and stripes in highlighter shades of yellow, green and pink.

Furthermore who can fail to remember Isha Ambani's wedding lehenga that was a tribute to profound individual history and inheritance?! It highlighted a 16-framed ghagra in two shades of grayish. Each board was hand-weaved, and was emphasizd with exchanging Mughal jaalis joined with botanical boards in the best zardozi, vasli, mukaish and nakshi work. Each blossom and jaali was additionally featured with gems and sequins. Completely decorated in gold vasli jaali with little blossoms, the tulle dupatta hung on the head had a 20-meter trail and was completely weaved in sequins and precious stone jaal while for her Mehndi, Antara Motiwala picked a specially crafted Manish Malhotra chikankari lehenga that included botanical fine art and pearls which was cooperated with a water blue dupatta with a great many blossoms!

Be it beauteous brocade lehengas, intensely weaved botanical lehengas or legacy motivated ethnic lehengas, there is a lot of space for you to nail your wedding look. Ladies today are wonderfully finding some kind of harmony by matching their adorned customary lehenga with rare gems and backing off of the cosmetics. Rana Dagubatti's lady, Miheeka Bajaj resembled a dream to see when she strolled the passageway in a complicatedly weaved Anamika Khanna lehenga. Miheeka joined her wedding lehenga with weighty neckpieces, studs and matha patti by her home image, Krsala Jewelry that additional to her custom look. Strangely the lady of the hour offset her outfit with unobtrusive cosmetics by VIP cosmetics craftsman Tamanna Rooz. Rooz made an exceptionally regular and new search for the lady with hearty tints, smoky eyes and coral lip shading shade to adjust her whole look!

Very much like Miheeka, there have been a not insignificant rundown of genuine ladies as of late who have decided to combine their conventional wedding lehenga with negligible cosmetics, and how have they sparkled!

In any event, with regards to nail the hairdo that matches your customary lehenga, there is such a lot of you can do. From intense buns to consistent twists to an entire scope of flower propelled haircuts, sky's the breaking point!

Contemporary Bridal Lehengas

Contemporary wedding lehengas offer a one of a kind mix of imaginative examples, intense plans, mixed shadings and energetic components. While certain ladies like to keep it exemplary, others incline toward it to hush up. Some are dead set on OTT and some look for comfort in not going OTT. A few ladies wish to sparkle in conventional lehengas, while some others wouldn't fret trial and error and embracing clothing types that give them a shaking feeling! So be it the craze of moderate lehengas, lehenga outfits, pastel lehengas, single hued range lehengas or essentially unique lehengas, ladies today are thoroughly killing it and increasing present expectations.

The Indian style plan industry is blasting with capable names that have reclassified and cut a specialty for themselves with their particular lehenga plans. Our VIP ladies throughout the years have told us the very best way to nail a contemporary lehenga. At her wedding party, Neha Kakkar left everybody stunned by wearing a white lehenga. She broke the generalization with her style pick as customarily, ladies are not relied upon to don white at Hindu wedding capacities. She looked ethereal in a wonderful all-white outfit. The quill subtleties on her lehenga are the mark plan of Falguni and Shane Peacock assortments. For some glitz, she combined her sparkling white lehenga with wonderful jewel gems with green stones and conventional chooda. Moreover Priyanka Chopra additionally settled on a champagne-toned Falguni Shane Peacock lehenga with silver embellishments.

Anissa Malhotra dumped the anticipated range for her Sangeet when she ventured out in a Manish Malhotra metallic lehenga which contained a cap-sleeved pullover dribbling with gems, a voluminous skirt, and a matching dupatta. The shimmering outfit was totally soaked in silver frivolity, demonstrating that there's nothing very like a touch of stun with regards to marriage gatherings. Shloka Mehta Ambani's sangeet lehenga was no less. Planned by Kresha Bajaj, the gem romantic tale lehenga specifying her and Akash's whole story was hand adorned with north of 50,000 precious stones, sequins and glass globules! Then again, for her Mehndi, Bipasha Basu picked a blustery flower print lehenga complete with a sheer overlay by Anushree Reddy which was combined with a coat style choli. Antara Motiwala picked a specially crafted Manish Malhotra chikankari lehenga that highlighted flower work of art and pearls which was cooperated with a water blue dupatta.

Very much like big name ladies, trendy genuine ladies are setting more current benchmarks by investigating and embracing various contemporary lehenga plan thoughts. Ladies today, wouldn't fret turning out in moderate lehenga or mathematical print roused lehenga for their wedding merriments. They are additionally progressively checking out other shading beds separated from the typical red to nail their d-day look. Pastel-shaded lehengas are a craze that are digging in for the long haul. Regardless of whether you're searching for marriage lehenga thoughts in shades of blue for contemporary ladies or essentially searching for some, beautiful party wear lehengas for the sister of the lady, you're positively spoilt for decisions here.

Assuming that you're enthused about nailing your contemporary wedding look to the t, you can likewise combine your lehenga with intriguing kinds of accessories like satladas, navratans, chokers, raani haars, gulbandhs, napkin pieces of jewelry, guttapusalus and aadhd neckbands.

On the best way to get the right cosmetics for your wedding celebrations, we have an extensive rundown of tips shared by specialists who suggest choosing digitally embellish cosmetics for your marriage look as it's all the more durable, waterproof, lightweight and appropriate for each climate, particularly summers. That one cosmetics stunt that each lady should know and pro is the means by which to twist their eyelashes! That is one stunt that truly helps lift and extend your lashes and causes your eyes to seem more extensive and more brilliant. Thus, twisting your lashes and putting on your mascara is a stunt that each lady should be an ace at while nailing her marriage look.

Lastly after your princess second in your fantasy marriage lehenga, you actually must know the stunts and tips to store your wedding lehenga forever. You have burned through a colossal measure of cash on it and your wedding lehenga has a great deal of wistful worth to you. The fragile texture and the complicated weaving on your wedding lehenga can get harmed after some time in the event that not put away as expected. You really want to safeguard and keep your wedding lehenga with a ton of devoted consideration.

Well women, we trust this rundown has got you back with force in your wedding prep game! Add daylight to your closet by wearing a charming wedding lehenga and let those praises continue to pour in

To Know More Information About Fashion Trends for Women in thane Visit Thaneweb

[aggresivelyfriendly]

Option C- When in Doubt

I’m not really sure who to blame for this, @harriestyles514, anons, still @the-well-rested-one, my rich fantasy life.... Anyway, always good to keep your options open.

In the month that has passed since I last saw (sucked off) Harry Styles, I haven't thought about him. Nope, not at all, not in the shower, not in my bed late at night or early in the morning, and definitely not in bathroom stalls at the label I work at. Never have I ever had to bite my lip to keep quiet while someone has walked into said bathroom while I had my hand down my so trendy I could barf mom jeans.

It's been a long thirty days.

When my infinitely cooler bestie convinces me we should go to the party we are walking into she does not mention his name. I told her, in detail so explicit she said it stressed her out, how it went down the other night, and I think that is why she made the decision to be a devious little B.

It's as we are walking into another giant house, this one with no suit beclad attorney, that she not so casually lets slip, "I heard Styles is supposed to be here tonight."

I stop dead and turn, figurative tail stuck between my trembling legs. Her hands wrap around my waist and she forcibly drags me back from the threshold. I was so close, I could smell the lantanas, and even those rancid little flower globs smelled as sweet as freedom. "What are you doing Elle, don't you wanna see him?"

"No!" I quickly interrupt whatever diatribe she was about to give me about running away from any situation where I'm not sure of victory.

"Ellie-bellie, you totally want to see him: I can tell by all the little mental vacations you've been taking to his bedroom."

"I never saw his bedroom." I remind.

"Fine, his countertop, whatever, it's a rumor anyway. He's kinda a flake I heard."

That makes sense, I exhale and hope, but I'm not sure which I'm wishing for:his presence or absence.

When he walks in two hours later and I'm two, ok four, drinks deep, I realize it was the former.

He looks really good, a little ridiculous in his Gucci shirt. They often make ugly things .Hehas a knack for the whole being more attractive than the sum of its parts. Just look at his face, his body, the parts are good, maybe slightly above average, but the total is devastating.

Before I can stop myself, avert my gaze, he catches me. His eyes widen, then narrow as a smile overtakes his faces. Holy dimples, Batman. My breath has already shallowed and I take my eyes off of him so violently that I jerk my head. I'm sure I looked like a marionette on strings. I vow to myself that I'm not going to let my eyes wander to the side of the room that I know he is on, but they do. He's watching me when I break my word and he smirks this time. It does funny things to my insides. He nods his head to the side, raising his eyebrows. The silent question is posed and I have to decide whether to actually talk to the man who I've had so many exchanges with in my head, many non verbal, or really tuck that tail up my ass and run. It's at this point that Lanie, who's no longer my favorite person, nudges me. Great, she's watched this exchange.

"Go, talk to him."

I kick my feet at the ground, turning my toes in like a  tantrumming toddler, "I don't want to talk to him."

"Ffft, whatever. You keep staring at him, someone would notice if they weren't all doing it too. The difference is that he is looking at you as well. It's your duty to tap that booty and report back to us pleabs!"

"Stahhhp, he's a person! He may not even be interested in me like that again"

She interrupts before I can go further down the well of that line of thought. "Remember how you chose to give him head, but you wound up laid out in his kitchen anyway?" She must have tried a new eyebrow thing, they look different today, I think while I watch them dance on her forehead. Stop dissociating.

"Yes...."

"Also, he's been tracking you all night. He just tried to catch your eye, again, look up." Against my better judgement, I do it, and his eyes look like jade when mine slide to them. He motions again, and I find myself in his tractor beam. I think maybe he is Borg. Nah, he's too nice. Head in the game El, I watch him turn down a corridor and follow. I get pulled by big hands I've tried to forget into a room. I yelp, but bite my lip to stop the sound from being too loud. My face is at his shoulder and his face is in my neck. It's way more intimate them our assignation warrants. Like we were lovers, not a hook up.

"Hiiiii," he breathes into my ear. He sounds happy. I pull back and know it's a mistake. I let my hands drop, so they won't wander, but he does not. Harry grasps my waist, thumbs tracing the tops is my hip bones and tips of his fingers meeting at my sacrum.

There is not enough oxygen in here.

The breathy hi that slips from my mouth would be inaudible if we were not close enough to share air.

"What's up?" I croak and know that he'd see the bloom in my cheeks he'd teased me bout if the lighting was better. He's smirking kindly and I know that he can feel my nerves. Between that and the arousal I'm basically vibrating.

"Not much, M ready to get out of here. Want to come with me?"

I'm always completely surprised by his directness, how not smooth he is. No finesse at all. He doesn't need it, with the charm and the dimple and the face. I guess we met at a sex party, it's not like I'm gonna be his girl. Oh, but if I was his girl....

"Yeah....I think I'd like  an actual tour of your house. The kitchen was beautiful, by the way, I may have chosen a different countertop," my tongue is firmly in my cheek and he guffaws. It's somewhere between a snort and a sneeze and it makes me laugh too.

He shakes with laughter and then shakes his head to clear it. His fingers are still caressing the small of my back and I'm proud that I'm not a puddle on the floor. My panties, poor things, are not so fortunate as the floor.

"Next time I buy a house I'll send you pictures for approval," he brows quirk, "let's see how you like my bed, hm?"

I nod and he explains the plan. He puts his address, which I've remembered, into my uber app and tells me to head out in 20 minutes. They are the longest of my life and the two nails I'm currently biting are getting shorter by the second, his backs gonna look like he hooked up with a sloth.

Raphael arrives to drive me and receives a 5 star because he tells me a wild story about the last time he picked up at this house, effectively saving my other nails from their compatriots fate.  I'm nervous walking up, my knuckles white after I've rung the bell, holding my own hands. The nerves quiet a bit when he answers the door.

"C'mere," he murmurs and pulls me in. I figure that's word go, but instead, he clasps me close in another octopus hug and kisses my forehead. It's sweet, endearing, and confusing. "Want a glass of wine?"

My face must be made of glass because he chuckles.

"Clearly wasn't much of a gentlemen last time," he's taken my hands apart and dragged me to the kitchen. My face is hot as I look at the counter and he follows my gaze before pulling me into him. His hand finds my hip, the other my hair. "Elle? Are you going to talk tonight cuz..."

"You remember my name?"

I'm not sure what my face looks like, but he his forehead is scrunched and mouth agape. "Of course I remember your name, Jesus, what do you take me for?"

At this I finally chuckle and raise a brow delicately. When he giggles I wiggle my brows around and he sniffles and lays his head against mine.

"Um, if the offer still stands, I'll take that glass," I hear myself say and I'm sad when he detaches. He takes off his blazer as he goes though, and throws it on the counter top, where I lay. I hum the song I'm reminded of under my breath. I see his head shake. "What?"

"Hate to disappoint love, but I don't have a brass bed."

The red wine is warm through the goblet he hands me. I put it on the counter instead of to my lips. "Prove it?"

I must be a comedian, he's laughing again, but he's pulling me passed a living room with minimal furniture, but maximum art, and up stairs.

The bed isn't brass. It's king size, with a padded headboard, footboard too. My head thanks him, but I'm sad there is no place to attach ties. Not that we are going there tonight, or ever.

Harry's pressed up against me and his trousers do less than his jeans did for his modesty. His fingers have found the buttons on my top. I had left it mostly undone, a hint of bra but not so much as to offend my own modesty. Two buttons, three, and his hand, which covered most of my stomach to secure me to the counter when I writhed, is in the lacy cup of my bra. His mouth has found my neck. The tips of his tongue and teeth make indents on the column of skin before him, and I laze my head to the side before I pull my heavy right hand up. It feels like I'm swimming through water, but I'm glad I'm not, cuz the zing when my hand finds his skin would mean electrocution. I tickle under the blade of his jaw and tilt down to catch his busy lips with my own.

The callouses on his fingers are welcome against my nipples and I tell him so.

"Yeah?" He smiles and pushes me forward. I catch myself on my left hand, he's kept my right, pulling my blouse off. He pulls my left arm back without releasing my right, and I'm perched in an agreeable position if his hum of approval is anything. He grips both hands in one of his massive paws and reaches around to undo my bottoms. His fingers slip down to my nub after he's undone them, and he slides my slippery clit between the webbing of his pointer and middle finger. "Can you feel the callouses still?" He says as the rough tips of those fingers massage the muscles around my entrance. I'm squirming and nodding. Yes slips over my lips and seems to have a few extra s's.

He pulls me up then and releases my hands. I'm still bound however. His free hand has snaked across my middle, back into my bra and he's still strumming a tune on my quim. I feel his smile, a true cheshire grin, against my neck. Harry has nudged my hair aside and begins his affections for that piece of anatomy anew. His fingers have not quit and I'm trapped, ensnared between those crisscrossed arms of his. Since I cannot wriggle, though I feel as trapped as a fish on a hook, I'm more vocal than I can ever remember being. Words tumble, praises bubble, and my syntax is undone.

I'm undone, and we've barely begun. I squeeze down on the fingers my body is desperately trying to draw in and his name echoes off the walls of his room. When I'm aware again, the little pecks on my cheek juxtapose the wet fingers entering my mouth. I suck them clean to a chorus of "good girl." And he's on his knees pulling down my pants.

I'm naked, and he's fully clothed, again. I'm not sure how I get myself into these positions.

The position he seems to want me in is below him. My companion reverses my position and gives me one kiss, the first to my mouth this evening, at least in our new venue, and pushes me down. I reach to pull Harry upon me. I think of all my sense memories from last time, the saddest I'm to have missed is his weight on top of mine. But, he stays upright and pulls his shirt over head. I'm excited I may see him naked, and the moonlight washes his skin white so his tattoos look like a puppet show against a blank wall. I watch the siren swim to the ship and have a moments fear for the sailors aboard. The illusion is shattered when he bends and the canvas flexes as he quits his pants.

He juts out from his stomach and runs a hand over himself, once, twice. I miss the feel, the taste of love, against my lips and move to sit up. I'm pushed back to parallel. All his laughter is gone, and the look in his eye renews the clench his fingers just effected. I rub my thighs together.

"Elle, open your legs," his voice is husky and my limbs obey without my mind's control. They seem to have a new master. My knees meet the mattress as far from each other as possible and I wonder what picture he sees against my blank skin.

Harry runs his fingers up between my labia before bringing them to his lips. He watches me watch him lick them between those lips. I think they have been foremost in my mind. What I see when I touch myself. I'm transparent.

"Did you think about me?" He comes down on top of me and I hope the white wash of the lighting hides my blush. I'm wrong, I know, when he smiles and smooths his wet fingers over my cheek. I nod, he smiles. It's so sweet, except his long body is naked against my own, and I can feel him softly rutting against my upper thigh. His lips find their way between mine, and his tongue meets my own.

When my hips lift against his own, he moves on to my neck, down over my collarbones, leaving a nick to remember him by. My nipples are pushed together and share the cavern of his mouth. I assume he intends to continue his journey south, but I'm beyond four and have moved onto five play.

"No, no,no," I murmur and he looks up, slightly stricken.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No, please, c'mere, inside me," I get all the words out and he understands.

"Just a minute," and he's off me, I don't like it, but I hear a drawer open and shut, looking up to see him rolling a skin on. One stroke, two. "Put me in," He says, and once again my body listens.

I line him up, and lift my hips. It's been some time and though the fluted head slips in, the flared lip of his tip, recently exposed, provides resistance. I whine. "Shhh, take it easy," He guides and pushes passed my ring of muscle an  inch. The audible pop is echoed by our matching exhales. He slides in another inch and pulls out. I'm full and on the edge of discomfort, I breathe. Focus on that in and out instead until his hips meet mine after he's worked his way in. Once there, he catches my eye. "Ok?"

"Yeah," I want to ask him to move, the pressure of his presence inside me, against my cervix, requires relief. Instead I flex.

"Ughhh, careful Elle," he warns, but pulls back a bit while continuing his break.

"Are you counting to ten?" I joke now that I'm able.

"European capitals, actually" he explains.

We both chuckle and the clench must be welcome this time, because he pulls my knees off their place on the mattress and wraps them around his hips and flexes his ass. It pushes him deep again and I mewl. That line between pleasure and pain I've been flirting with had become an infatuation as he moves into me over and over. My thighs grip him and i lift myself to wave my hips onto his dick. When that's not enough, I sit and he picks me up. My feet plant on his thick quadriceps and I rise and fall along his length until he catches my hips and shakes his head. He pulls me off and I'm face down on the bed while he pulls my hips back. His tongue circles my hood, and his fingers find their way in, I'm rocking back onto both until I make a sound I've never even made in a solo session. It's good, but brief. I hum my content and pull myself to the head of the bed.

His own impending orgasm postponed, and mine accomplished, he fits himself behind me, pushing my top thigh up until my knee meets my shoulder and we both watch as he wets the head of his cock with saliva and fits himself back in where I'm soaking. His name comes out again while I watch him take me, and he pulls my face back to kiss me while the strokes are calm and sure.

The kissing stops and he secures my knee over his shoulder and his hand to my pelvis to keep me in place. I feel like I need to brace myself based on the look in his eyes as he kisses my forehead.

"Ready? Harder?"He asks

I nod again, and am thankful that he has braced me and that the head board is padded when he pushes in rougher. The power and speed increase until I'm gasping and he's groaning "oh my God!"

It's brutal and beautiful and I'm crying out. He buries his face in my neck and groans, pulsing into the condom between us.

By the time I catch my breath, I realize how sweaty I am, how achy I am. This ride home is going to reek and tomorrow I have no idea how I'll explain the marks, or the limp. I hope Harry is not asleep, as he is still inside me, though that situation should remedy itself, but safe sex rules require some action.

"Harry," I nudge, "Harry," kissing his equally sweaty forehead, "The condom."

At this point I'm wrapped into strong arms, "Sleep," He murmurs and I swear he's already out.

I wriggle out from under him effectively limiting my risk as it unjoins us. "Nope."

He groans and gets up like a 100 year old man to make his way to the bathroom. I follow him in and slide into the enclosed toilet. We dance around each other at the door a few minutes later, until he basically picks me up and sets me out of his way, "Move, woman."

I start to slip on my clothes, and he catches me. "What're you doing?" He's rubbing his eyes like a little boy. Cute, fucker.

"Um, gonna call an uber. Thanks?"

"Thanks?" He looks more awake now, "Are you thanking me for a fuck?"

"Yes?"

"That a question?"

"No." I'm laughing, this is the most awkward, ever.

"Look," He sits on the bed where I've just completed pulling up my pants. "The way I see it you have three options-" He ticks them off on his fingers, "Option-A you can call that uber and we leave this at two perfect nights. Option-B you take a shower," he leans over and dramatically sniffs me,  "You need it, look and smell freshly fucked," I slap his face lightly, "And sneak out later. Option -C, you shower, with me, give me a cuddle, and in the morning we talk. I have a proposition for you.."

"Another one?" I interrupt.

"Rude!" He claps his hand over my giggling mouth. "Now as I was saying, When in doubt, always pick C."

[thiennguyen123-blog]

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12 neat items to do in Miami for the to start with-time customer

There are so quite a few wonderful issues to do in Miami however it’s an enormous metropolis, so the place do you start? I invested simply 48 hours within the Magic Metropolis, however you’ll be amazed at how an important deal you possibly can see and do inside simply two days. For a bit little bit of inspiration, on this article are 12 attention-grabbing points to do in Miami (in my view!) when you’re going to for the preliminary time.

Superior factors to do in Miami: My finest 12

1. Go to the Independence Tower

The Freedom Tower is a single of probably the most treasured Nationwide Historic Landmarks in Miami. So it’s a beautiful location to take a look at if you’re keen to look at the cultural aspect to the town. Dubbed ‘the Ellis Island of the South’, this historic tower was at first developed as an immigration-processing centre for refugees arriving into Florida from Cuba in the middle of the Fidel Castro regime. Seemingly, the architectural structure was influenced by the Giralda Cathedral Bell Tower in Seville and though it later grew to develop into the locations of labor for the Miami Day by day Data, it’s even now generally recognised as an emblem for independence in Miami.

At the moment, it’s a updated art work museum and also you received’t need to miss out on the Tower of Snow sculpture, which stands shut by. It signifies the 14,000 Cuban younger youngsters who had been being despatched to the US in exile in the middle of the 60s and I feel you’ll agree, is one explicit of probably the most putting statues within the metropolis.

2. Seize a basketball match on the American Airways Area

If I’d been organised ample I’d have absolutely acquired myself some tickets for an occasion on the American Airways Area. Web internet hosting something from dwell tunes live performance occasions and kids’s shows to NBA basketball capabilities, it’s with out having a doubt, one explicit of the good issues to do in Miami.

You will uncover the American Airways Area on Biscayne Boulevard, near the Downtown Miami waterfront. It’s easy to get to by means of the MetroRail, MetroMover or MetroBus and you might head to Bayside Marketplace for cocktails or a chew to absorb proper after your cease by as it’s actually shut by (see place 8!) Alternatively, it’s a quick cab journey or stroll away from Brickell, an spot that’s residence to a burgeoning meals scene and is a wonderful substitute to the favored South Seashore. (take a look at out my overview of Miami EAST and the cafe Quinto La Huella for a little bit of inspiration).

Downtown Brickell

3. Cease by the Wolfsonian FIU

Museum, library and investigation centre, you received’t skip the placing Wolfsonian creating if you end up going for walks alongside the decrease component of Washington Avenue in South Seashore. When you purchase an Artwork Deco tour of the metropolis, you would possibly nicely forestall at this historic establishing because it has an thrilling story.

Developed in 1927, it utilized to be the Washington Storage Enterprise and was fantastically ornate, to match in with the rich neighbourhood of the time. Following creator and philanthropist Mitchell ‘Micky’ Wolfson Jr commenced filling it to the brim with treasures he’d picked up from his complete world travels, he decided to lastly purchase the creating and rework it right into a museum. As its determine implies, it’s affiliated with the famed Smithsonian museums and inside you’ll find much more than 100 collections of artwork and structure. It additionally has a extremely attention-grabbing reward store and espresso bar inside.

4. Stroll collectively Ocean Generate

It’s 1 of probably the most iconic locations within the setting and it’s highlighted in numerous tracks and flicks. So, a stroll alongside Ocean Journey is unquestionably among the many attention-grabbing factors to do in Miami. One explicit of the highlights of this palm-fringed avenue, which runs parallel to South Seashore entrance, is of program, the candy-coloured Art work Deco structure which turns all forms of neon shades at night time time.

When you don’t thoughts the marginally bigger value ranges, the cafes on this article are a implausible place to understand some persons-looking at. Think about the legendary Information Café (an earlier favorite of Gianni Versace’s and one explicit of the first cafes that opened right here in 1988) or you might presumably need to ponder Lario’s on the Seashore entrance, a Cuban restaurant owned by Gloria Estefan. Ocean Generate runs parallel to Collins Avenue, which is nice for designer procuring, and Washington Avenue, which performs residence to extra cafes, retailers and Art work Deco properties.

For event animals, Ocean Drive has so much in the best way of pool get-togethers, drag reveals and DJ evenings. Moreover, there’s a highly effective LGBT scene on this article. Regardless of whether or not you’re beneath to occasion or simply love some calming sight-looking at, it’ll make you need to view re-runs of Miami Vice whenever you get dwelling.

5. Maintain out in South Seashore

You would possibly as very nicely make a working day of it whenever you cease by Ocean Drive, specifically if the solar’s out, as you’ll need to strike South Seashore for some sunshine, sea and sand. The solar, regrettably, wasn’t fairly toasty sufficient for sunbathing once I was listed right here, however it is vitally nicely actually value utilizing a stroll alongside this famed seashore.

Miami Seashore entrance operates for miles and is cut up up into numerous parts – every with their have qualities – so you might very simply expend an full vacation getaway coping with all of it. SoBe, acknowledged because the ‘occasion seashore’, has a popularity for turning into the best. It’s the place super-toned conditioning followers flex their muscular tissues, it’s wherever you’ll see these multi-coloured Lifeguard stations and it buzzes with gatherings everywhere in the calendar yr.

6. Think about a going for walks tour of the Artwork Deco Historic District

When you’ve learn by my piece on Artwork Deco Excursions, you’ll see that the Art work Deco district was a single of my favourite issues I did in Miami. A tour of The Artwork Deco Historic District is an individual of the best issues to do in Miami, not only for the Instagram-worthy footage, but in addition just because it has a intriguing story. From Gatsby-style glamour and A-listers to mobsters and murderers, a tour of the Art work Deco Historic District is a background lesson you might be certain to understand.

7. Get a snap of the Versace Mansion

The previous residence of Gianni Versace has been a favorite sight among the many first-time guests on Ocean Generate for years. However it’s even much more most well-liked amid individuals these occasions pursuing the launch of the genuine-crime collection The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Felony offense Story, which retells the tragic story of the homicide of the Italian pattern designer who as soon as lived listed right here.

The easy truth it’s also a brilliant distinctive lodge, recognized because the Villa Casa Casuarina, solely provides to the curiosity issue and it nonetheless boasts the stunning Spanish-motivated structure that architect Alden Freeman when produced (influenced by the Alcazar De Colon within the Dominican Republic).

If you find yourself on Ocean Push, stop for some images of its trendy entrance. However as I acknowledged on this put up, actually don’t go previous the steps, until you have got a reservation as you’ll be firmly shooed away!

8. Stop by Bayside Market and Bayfront Park

Bayside Market is extremely considerably geared within the course of vacationers (and is a most well-liked hangout for the tons of of cruise travellers who cease beneath) however it’s very nicely actually value halting by for lunch by a wander collectively the waterfront.

This outside shopping center is a hub of perfectly-acknowledged garments makes, vacationer retailers and eating locations. And you might be proper by Bayfront Park, house of The Challenger Memorial (in reminiscence of the crew of the Challenger spaceshuttle), the 40ft Mild Tower and the famed statue of ‘Mom of Miami’ Julia Tuttle. There’s even a trapeze college and line-up of yoga programs proper right here. The sights in extra of Biscayne Bay are additionally enticing.

9. Go procuring in Brickell Metropolis Centre

Brickell Metropolis Centre is the shiny new shopping center which is remodeling the financial district of Downtown Miami. And if you’re staying at EAST Miami, or shut by, it’s a beautiful place to get your fill of retail treatment.

You will uncover in extra of 100 retailers listed right here, unfold all through 4 flooring together with Victoria’s Thriller, Lululemon, Sephora and Diptyque, as very nicely as a pair greater avenue favourites like Zara and All Saints. Simply one of many highlights – if you’re emotion flush – is the Saks Fifth Avenue division retailer which additionally has a few eating locations inside.

from buying, you’ll come throughout nail bars, a blow dry bar and a few fab juice bars and consuming locations like Casa Tua Cucina, Luke’s Lobster and the recently-opened La Centrale Italian Meals objects Corridor. There’s additionally a swanky dine-in cinema sophisticated the place you possibly can get pleasure from waiter firm though you take a look at a movie. Neat appropriate? What I get pleasure from about this spot is it has a futuristic construction and inside-outside really feel. Don’t skip the farmers markets on Sundays.

Brickell City Centre, 701 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL, 33131

10. Go to The Wynwood Partitions & the Wynwood arts district

As I described on this write-up, Wynwood Partitions is presumably probably the most instagrammable place in Miami. It’s also an individual of the best. This outdoors gallery of vibrant murals was pioneered by Goldman Properties who’ve assisted rejuvenate areas this form of as Miami’s South Seashore entrance and Soho in New York.

It’s no price to cease by and there are numerous sculptures and gardens to admire as completely as a number of short-term artwork exhibitions within the GGA Gallery.

Set aside a glorious few hrs to look at this choice of vibrant murals, its cool present store and the encircling art-stuffed neighbourhood. You’ll acquire a pair of areas to absorb inside Wynwood Partitions these because the Wynwood Kitchen & Bar. In the meantime, Panther Espresso, Salty Donuts and an entire host of nice cocktails bars and craft beer joints might be acquire among the many unbiased shops and boutiques of the broader Wynwood arts neighbourhood.

Learn: Exploring The Wynwood Partitions, Miami

11. Pay a go to to Calle Ocho in Minimal Havana

A visit to Minor Havana is a must in Miami. There are nods to the highly effective Caribbean and Latin American impression everywhere in the Magic Metropolis, even so Minor Havana enables you to to utterly immerse oneself in Miami’s Cuban tradition. The primary ‘strip’, when you like, is called Calle Ocho, a brilliant prolonged avenue during which you’ll acquire all of the movement. It’s nice for trying out independently, at your very personal tempo. Or if you’re in search of a bit one thing extra structured, Artwork Deco Excursions (who I look at South Seaside with), provide a cultural strolling tour beneath.

Get some snaps of the large rooster statues, that are a robust picture for neighborhood within the Cuban tradition. Stop by Domino Park (additionally considered Máximo Gómez Park proper after the Cuban army hero) to see neatly-dressed locals savoring a aggressive exercise of dominoes.

And fall by for a Cuban espresso or mojito in a single explicit of the quite a few bars and eating institutions that line the avenue. You’ll find a clutch of Cuban cigar retailers together with dwell tunes bars which blast out merengue and salsa beats each of these working day and night. The Calle Ocho Competitors additionally will take space proper right here every March.

12. Eat Cuban meals stuff at Versailles

When you query a close-by about the most effective Cuban restaurant in Miami, fairly just a few will declare it’s Versailles. We actually didn’t know what to expect once we frequented this well-known café. However anticipations ended up excessive once we acquired there, primarily as there was a indicator proudly stating that Versailles is ‘The World’s Most Nicely-known Cuban Restaurant’ (that’s reasonably a declare).

When you’re within the neighbourhood, it’s worthy of a go to – even when you simply to say you’ve been to ‘The World’s Most Famend Cuban Restaurant’! When you don’t have time for lunch or dinner, head to the bakery following doorway for some empanadas, pastries and super-strength Cuban espresso, aka, licensed velocity (!).

Undergo my overview of Versailles cafe beneath.

What do you think about are the best components to do in Miami? Actually really feel no price to go away your suggestions and feedback…

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