#until I started spending more time with my state thanks to covid

[ramayantika]

God there was a time when I took pride in not looking Odia, and cringing over my own culture

[eddieschains]

//Not So Quiet Night In//

Joseph Quinn X Fem!Reader

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Last part of my little “series” thank you to everyone who read, reblogged, and enjoyed it!! 🥹

TW: Time jump from part 3, RPF (don’t like it, don’t read it), brief mentions of pandemic, language, fingering, hand jobs (kinda), cunnilingus, p in v sex, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it), consent checks, pull out method?? if i missed anything let me know!!

It had been a few months since your first date with Joe. You two were officially in a relationship, although you made it pretty clear to Joe that you wanted to take things slow considering your past history with relationships. He was fully supportive and understanding with your decision, and also thought it might be a good idea considering he had just got casted in Stranger Things and would start filming soon, and you were following one of your clients on their world tour.

Joe was in Georgia for filming and you had a few weeks of a break from tour, so you decided to fly down to Georgia to spend some time with him. Although, everything came to a screeching halt when Covid hit the states. Joes filming had been put on hold, and so had your job. No one really knew when things would start back up again, so you made the decision to stay with Joe in Georgia and keep him company considering he didn’t have any family and not many friends here.

The two of you grew closer and closer everyday, practically spending every waking moment together. It was nice, but strange at the same time, since you had basically moved in together in a matter of months and you were supposed to be taking things slow. But, neither of you were complaining. It was good for you two to bond and get to know each other even better.

You had spent all day cleaning the house you two rented, and you had just finished dinner that Joe had insisted on cooking for you. Of course he missed taking you out for a nice meal, and taking a walk in the city watching the sunset, but he loved your quiet nights in even more.

You two were cuddling on the couch together watching whatever movie you had randomly picked on netflix, when your eyes started to feel a bit heavy. You curled up closer to his chest, bringing the blanket you had laid on yourself up to your chin.

“You getting tired baby?” He asks softly. In the time you’ve been spending together, he could read the signs of your tiredness approaching.

“It was the blanket wasn’t it?” You giggled into him. He smiled in agreement, grabbing the remote to turn the TV off. He lifted you off of him, and stood up. Placing one arm underneath your legs and once arm around your back, carrying you into the bedroom.

He placed you on the bed and grabbed one of his oversized t-shirts for you to wear. You loved sleeping in his clothes because they smelt like him. Even though he laid next to you every night, you couldn’t have enough of his scent and warmth.

You changed out of your day clothes and into his shirt as he put on a pair of grey sweatpants. His body ran hot, so he always slept with no shirt on which was something you weren’t going to complain about.

Despite having been together for months now, you two have yet to move past the heavy makeout sessions sometimes with a cheeky grab over the clothes. You even made him turn around when you were changing with him in the room. When you told him you wanted to go slow, you meant it, and he never pushed you to go any further than you did.

You were already situated in the bed, cozied up underneath the covers as you watch and waited for him to do the same. He jumped into the bed, immediately wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into his chest. He closed his eyes, lulling himself to sleep as you focused your eyes and hands on his torso.

You dragged your fingers along his chest and stomach, examining every spot. Tracing over his chest hair, down to his waist where a scar from a skateboarding accident lay. Until you reached right above his pelvis. Twirling your fingers around the trail of hair leading into his pants.

There was a fire burning in you tonight. It could’ve been the fact that you’ve gone through nearly a year-long dry spell, but one thing was for sure. You wanted him. You craved him. You needed him.

“Joe?” You ask softly, hoping he’s still awake and you’re not waking him from his slumber.

“Mm.” He mumbles, just barely awake.

“I-I want you.” You stumble over your words. It’s been so long you don’t quite remember how to do this.

“I’m right here baby.” He responds, completely oblivious to what you’re saying.

“No… i need you. Right now. I need you so bad it hurts.” You’re looking up at him and see his eyes open. He’s looking down at you, trying to figure out if you’re saying what he thinks you’re saying.

“Y/N i don’t understand what you’re saying.” He responds. You know that he’s understanding, but he wants you to just say it bluntly.

“Does this make more sense?” You ask as you put your hand over the crotch of his sweatpants, slowly but firmly palming him through them.

“Fuck.” He whispers. “Yeah-yeah that makes more sense. But… are you sure? Right now? I don’t want you to feel like you have to.”

God there’s nothing more sexy than him asking for your consent.

“I’m sure. It’s criminal how bad i want you right now. But, if you’re not in the mood we can wait.” You respond, still rubbing his half hard dick through his pants.

“Oh, baby i definitely want this.” He rolls onto his side, cupping your face in his hand as he presses his lips to yours. The kiss is soft, but desperate at the same time.

He slowly glides his other hand down your waist, reaching the place you’re craving him most. He cups your pussy through your underwear, rubbing you softly, feeling a small wet patch form on the outside.

“God you’re already so wet.” He groans into your mouth. You’re already moaning profanities, feeling like a virgin reborn with the way he’s touching you.

“All for you Joe. God please touch me. I’m begging.” Your voice is exasperated, so breathy it almost comes out as a whisper.

“No need to beg, honey. At least not tonight. We’ll save that for another time.” His words alone make you grow wetter, desperate to get even a small touch.

He continues kissing you, and rubbing over your panties as his hand slides under them.

“Oh my god.” You moan out, looking at the smirk forming on his face. He knows exactly what to do and where to touch you.

He takes his middle finger and starts sliding it up and down your wet folds, gathering your slick before focusing his attention on your clit. Rubbing small circles, and catching your moans in his mouth.

“This okay?” He asks, and the only response you can give him is a head nod and deep groan.

He continues his assault on your clit as he brings the hand holding your cheek, down to slide your underwear off. His elbow taps the inside of your thigh, motioning for you to open them wider. His finger drags down to your soaking entrance, circling and prodding, as he looks at you waiting for you to tell him to keep going.

“please.” You whisper as he sinks his finger in. You cry out, the feeling of his thick finger is enough to send you over the edge. He attacks your lips once again as he pushes another finger inside of you. You gasp into his mouth and you can feel his forming into a smile. Cheeky bastard.

“Can i taste you baby?” He asks as if you were in any position to stop him from doing whatever he wanted to you. You nod, shaking your head vigorously as he throws the duvet off of you so quickly it falls on the floor.

He brings his body down to the end of the bed, spreading your legs open in front of him.

“You smell so good.” He definitely is a talker in bed, but your senses are so overwhelmed you can barely make out any words that aren’t just noises from your mouth.

He’s kissing up and down the insides of your thighs, pushing your shirt up at the same time. You take it as an opportunity to rip his shirt off of yourself and throw it across the room.

He looks up from in between your legs, mouth agape, enjoying the view you’ve just given him access to.

“Holy fuck. Your body is so beautiful.” His hands reach up to grab your tits, alternating from kneading them and playing with your nipples in between his fingers.

His hands don’t leave your chest when he dips in between your legs, licking a long stripe from the bottom of your pussy up to your clit. Your back immediately arches as you scream out.

“Hmm so sweet. How long has it been since you’ve been touched like this?” He asks, knowing the answer, and loving that he’s the first man you’re letting back in.

“Too long.” You respond. He continues licking up and down, squeezing your boobs in his hands until his mouth attaches itself to your little clit.

“Oh my god- Joe- fuck Joe.” Your back is arching up and down with every pull from his mouth. Your legs start to close around his head, and he removes his hands from your tits to hold them open.

“Stay there.” He says, looking up at you as he continues his assault on your pussy. He had just started, but you could already feel the knot in your belly about to burst. He keeps his mouth on your clit as he shoves two fingers inside your hole, pumping them in and out, desperate for you find a release.

“Joe- please don’t stop. Oh my god im gonna cum, IM GONNA CUM.” You scream out, involuntary trying to squirm out of his grip on your thighs.

“Go ahead baby, cum on my face. Cum for me. I want to taste all of it.” That was enough for you. Your back arched to what felt like the ceiling, screaming out as you pushed his head as deep as it could go, holding him there as he continued licking and sucking you through it.

As your breathing starts to regulate, he pulls his fingers out of you and places them in his mouth. He dives back down, licking one more stripe before he hovers over you.

“You want a taste?” He asks, smirking as you nod. He grabs the back of your head, pulling you closer to him as he locks his lips around yours, pushing his tongue into your mouth for you to taste.

You moan in pleasure as you reach your hand into his pants, stroking his hard cock and feeling it twitching in between your fingers. You pull his pants off and throw them on the floor, along with your own shirt and the duvet. Removing yourself from his mouth, you start to lower your head as he cups the bottom of your chin bringing you back up to him.

“No no no baby, tonight is about you. I just want to make you feel good.” He pecks your lips softly.

“But i want to. I want to make you feel good too.” You frown.

“Well, to be honest, i don’t know if i’ll last much longer if you do that.” He smiles. “You can suck me off in the morning when you come crawling back for more.” He kisses you once again before he starts lining himself up with your entrance.

“Oh fuck… i don’t have any condoms.” He sighs as he starts rummaging through his bedside drawer to see if maybe he forgot he had some.

“How good is your pull out game?” You smirk, raising an eyebrow. He cocks his head, trying to figure out if you’re being serious or not. “I’m on birth control babe it’s okay. But if you could still try to pull out i’d appreciate it.” He nods his head, smiling and pressing one last kiss to your lips before slowly sliding inside of you.

He pushes himself inside your walls, inch by inch, never breaking eye contact, making sure you’re okay. You nod, telling him to keep going until he’s bottomed out in your dripping cunt. He throws his head back, hands gripping your waist, as he lets out a guttural groan.

He looks at you, stilling his movements, waiting for the go ahead to start moving. You look up at him whispering a go ahead, it’s okay, and before you know it he’s pulling himself almost fully out and pushing all the way back in.

“Oh! Fuck!” You throw your head back in pleasure as he repeats his movements over and over again.

“Shit, im not gonna last long.” He confesses as he keeps moving slowly in and out of you.

“It’s okay, neither am i.” You admit, still sensitive from your last orgasm.

You wrap your legs around his waist as he brings himself closer to you, practically laying his entire body weight on top of you. He grabs your face and kisses you, deeply, passionately. Your lips are dancing with each other as he continues pounding in and out of you. It’s the most sensual and loving sexual experience you’ve had to date.

You feel his fingers approach your clit again, rubbing small fast circles around it.

“I’m close. Can you cum again for me?” He asks as he continues pushing in and out of you, his fingers moving faster on your button.

You nod your head, clenching your pussy around him as a wave of pleasure hits you for the second time tonight. You arch your chest into him as he attaches his lips to your neck, letting you ride your orgasm out.

He’s moving faster, chasing his own release when he lets out a loud moan.

“I’m gonna cum. Where do you want it sweetheart?” He asks, and before he knows it you’re pushing him off of you and onto his back.

You climb over to him, wrapping your hand around his cock, tugging him fast and hard. You feel him start to twitch and you attach your mouth to his pretty, stiff dick. He moans your name as you feel his warm liquid spurt to the back of your throat. Bobbing your head up and down through his release, you swallow every bit until his legs are shaking beneath you.

You give him one last stroke, before climbing on top of him, resting your head on his chest as you both try to catch your breathing.

“Jesus christ. You’re perfect.” He places a kiss to the top of your head. You laugh at him, looking up to see his eyes closed as he tries to regain his strength.

He pulls you off of him as he stands up to grab a towel. He cleans you up and you head to the bathroom while he fixes the bed. When you return to the bedroom, he’s already snuggled underneath the covers as you pick up your shirt and put it back on.

You climb into your side of the bed, draping an arm around his stomach and burying your head in his chest as his arm is wrapped around your back, holding you close to him.

He places a kiss to the top of your head, as you close your eyes preparing to fall asleep. You hear his heartbeat still beating quite fast when he breaks the silence occupying the room.

“I love you.” He blurts out. Your eyes shoot open and you sit up on the bed, looking him in the eyes.

“…What did you just say?” He giggles, kissing you and repeating himself.

“I love you Y/N. I love you so much and i can’t picture myself with anyone but you. I love you.” He kisses you deep, as you feel liquid forming in your eyes. “Baby, don’t cry.”

“Are you just saying this because i finally let you fuck me or do you really mean it?” You ask him and he laughs at your stupidity.

“Jesus, Y/N. I mean it. I really do. I’m sorry you’ve been treated like second class in the past, but you’re a gold medal in my mind. I love you i love you i love you.” He responds as he assaults your entire face with soft kisses, making you giggle.

“I love you too, Joe. Thank you for showing me what true love is supposed to feel like. I love you.” You kiss him back before returning to your spot on his chest. “Your dick isn’t half bad either.”

[invincible-selfxmade-punk]

Teacher Life Update April 2023

It takes months and sometimes yours for things to occur to me that I should have understood way before.

I am finally changing doctors which I needed to years ago but like any good autistic, change is a horrible thing and I'm only doing it because I'm pretty much forced to & I'm so fed up with the awful service I get from the doctor I've been going to for 6 years.

The new doctor is not entirely new to me, I have gone to her before and I am now kicking myself for not making her my primary care physician about 3 years ago when I had the chance. I won't be able to get an appointment with her until next month but I am already composing in my head what I am going to talk to her about.

And that's when it occurred to me that so much of what I go through on a daily basis with my mobility issues has nothing to do with my physicality, even though I am a lot weaker than I used to be. It is all due to the unbelievable amount of anxiety I feel every minute of every day.

I came to the previous doctor with this issue. I had plateaued out on Zoloft and asked him to be put on something else. He put me on a Paxil and initially it did okay but I knew he was starting me off on pretty much a baby dose and I needed a higher dose. When I asked for that higher dose he put me right back on Zoloft which was pretty much like just giving me a placebo.

Add that added to the amount of stress I'm under everyday teaching the covid generation and it is like I exist in a state of anxiety that is so elevated, by the time I'm off work and go home I am completely deflated and can't do anything.

This means my house is a wreck and my husband thinks I'm some kind of lazy, awful wife who just doesn't want to take care of things. And I cannot make him understand it is not a matter of not wanting to it is a matter of being so physically drained because of the stress and anxiety that I cannot move.

Add to this the everyday stresslately of the death of my surrogate godmother, the death of my great nephew, having to try and file assault charges on one of my students (which did not work because I did not get to and I did not even get to get kick that student out of my class so that student is still there), and then all of that stress manifesting in kidney stones for which my doctor that I'm getting rid of forgot to call me in pain meds for 4 days for. Which was the last straw in causing me to get rid of him.

On top of all of that it is mid April, which is the anniversary of my sister's death, and the anniversary from last year of the single worst employee evaluation I ever had in my life.

I have spoken about this last year but if anyone is on here and is new here is what happened in a nutshell.

I had had the same principal for 5 years and I thought we had a very good relationship

. In the beginning I actually felt very close to her. I do not know what happened last year. Something changed. And she made my life a living hell the entire year. She said she had an open door policy but when I came to her and took advantage of it she completely dismissed anything I had to say and worse after I had told her everything I needed to and was crying, she looked at me very coldly and said" Mrs. _____, do you feel better now !?"in a voice that said I had completely wasted her time and my own.

Because I refused to spend any more time than I had to working with someone out of my apartment who screamed at me and was hateful to me every time we were engaged, I was told I was being a baby and unprofessional.

I was told I had not grown any in 6 years. I was told I was too stupid to go back and teach in the English Department even though when I was in The English Department for 3 years we had the highest test scores we had since.

Even though we had gone through several teachers in the social studies Department that year and I was the one who stayed and did all the work, I was told that she did not tell people thank you for things like that. It was not her leadership style to tell people thank you. Her version of letting you know how thankful she was for you was giving you a donut once every quarter and cooking for you once a year. And this was literally word for word.

This came totally out of left field because the entire year every single walkthrough, and every single observation I had gotten by the two asst pribcipals was unbelievably positive.

I had the mother of all panic attacks after that---- or actually during but as soon as I got out of her room I just completely broke down and could not even walk over to my room I just kind of froze.

The head of this bed Department saw me I knew immediately something was wrong, came and walked me over to my room because I just could not move an inch.

that's what my panic attacks are, it's not fight or flight for me it is always freeze or pass out.

I left that room never wanting to teach again, not in our district or any other,. If I hadn't been on medication I would have thought very seriously of killing myself.

It has been one year and because of that I am still completely terrified of that woman even though she is no longer my principal but has been moved to a higher position as assistant superintendent.

And this is going to be TMI but I just want to demonstrate how scared I am of her. It is so bad that even though I have minor incontinence problems, if I see her in the hallway when I have it off. I would rather urinate on myself then have to pass her in the hall to get to the bathroom.

I have had nightmares about her for the last year including last night. I had a dream that even though I was so sick I was in the hospital she forced me into a wheelchair and made me come to work anyway.

I have only had to be in the same room with her one time since that encounter and that was for a parent conference that she set in on without me being told in advance that she was going to be there. And I literally thought I was going to pass out during it. After she left I could not get up or leave my room for the next 30 minutes I just sat in place shaking.

This year we have a new principal but he is a little mouse of a man who has no Authority whatsoever and pretty much answers to her, I'm assuming. I don't think he makes any big decisions on his own. And he will be evaluating me or he already has I'm just waiting to find out what he thinks.

So I am just waiting to find out if I'm going to be taking into a room with another person and mentally and emotionally annihilated and tortured for an hour like I was last year.

I have to give myself a lot of credit for going through this all the time.

I'm really hoping that this new doctor will get my medication right so that I don't have to do this next year.

[dollycas]

Special Guest Holly S. Roberts - Author of Breach: A Terrifying Summer Adventure @hollysrobertsauthor - Great Escapes Book Tour #AuthorInterview #Giveaway

Breach: A Terrifying Summer Adventure by Holly S. Roberts I am delighted to welcome Holly S. Roberts to Escape With Dollycas today! Hi Holly, Please tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born dyslexic and read my first complete book at twelve. I turned my love of reading into a career and purchased an independent bookstore in my twenties. I owned the store for twenty years but there was something caused by an experience in my childhood that I needed to do and I was running out of time. At age 45, I went to the police academy and lived my dream a few years later as a homicide and sex crimes detective. I became one of the leading experts in the state on predator behavior. On the advice of a very good therapist, I began writing and I haven’t stopped. I retired from law enforcement in 2014 and turned writing into a fulltime career. What are three things most people don’t know about you? I’ve been hiding my newfound love of Taylor Swift. No embarrassment but its special so I’ve been keeping it to myself. The only other secret I can think of is I haven’t missed a season of Survivor since the first episode. I’m running out of time to apply for the show but I can’t stop thinking about it. Maybe. What books/authors have most inspired you? There are so many but back in my bookstore days I was lucky enough to have a parttime gig for some major publishing houses and drive authors around the Phoenix area. Amazingly they paid me to do this. Three authors I spent time with inspired me to write: Lee Child, Jeffery Deaver, and Iris Johansen. I can’t thank them enough and I learned so much. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? Research is one of the best parts of being a writer and I like to challenge myself by learning more than I could possibly ever write in a book. My research can start as far back as a year before I write a word but it always continues through the first draft. Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block? I really don’t. There are so many stories floating in my head if one isn’t working I can switch to something that does. What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer? Write until you become great at it. I’m still working on that part and I will until I write my last word. Study the best, find your own techniques. Listen to other authors but throw away what doesn’t work for you and grab what does. Write bad stuff, write silly stuff, write good stuff. Just write! When you are not writing what do you like to do? I’ve been involved in martial arts for many years and I love Sinawali sticks and practice religiously. I also love gardening which keeps me busy during the spring, summer, and fall. Then there are my two big goofy dogs who keep me company and give me slobber kisses when I’m down. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why? We own 100 acres off grid and it’s where I go to recharge. No phone service or internet but incredibly silent in its beauty. Oh and I hunt for rocks there, a small obsession of mine. What is next on the horizon for you? Before Covid, I owned a martial arts gym and taught self-defense to women. Sadly the gym didn’t survive. I’m looking forward to teaching again in someone else’s gym. I’m at a point in my writing career that I’m working on books I’ve wanted to write for years. That will continue and there’s a special book that may take a decade to finish but I won’t know until I put the first word on paper. Thank you Holly for visiting today. __________ Keep reading for more information about Holly's new book Breach. I read the book earlier this week and I can't wait to share my review with you. Be sure to come back Tuesday for it. I will tell you the story has stuck with me and I have pushed my husband to read the book too so we can discuss it.  About Breach Breach: A Terrifying Summer Adventure Psychological Thriller Setting - Off the coast of California Publisher ‏ : ‎Independently Published (March 22, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 202 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8320606989 Digital: Wicked Story Telling (June 20, 2024) ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CQYXJ3T1 Craving the vastness of the open sea, Kate and her family set out on a journey of forgiveness and healing aboard Ryan's Gift, their newly remodeled yacht. After a tragic accident, it’s imperative that Kate returns to the ocean, the place she once called home, in an attempt to restore her spirit. In the middle of their idyllic voyage, the nightmare begins. With no power or communication, a monster lurks below the surface and the family must find a way to defeat the darkness before it destroys them. Experience this gripping story of a family's fight for survival and a terrifying reckoning from the deep. Excerpt "Eighteen months had passed since the accident that left Kate with an incomplete spinal cord injury, taking away the use of her legs. The rehabilitation center staff had believed her fortunate for retaining some sensation below the waist, but Kate had never felt unluckier" . "Kate examined the water looking for a dorsal fin. Slight waves from the Sea Doo rocked the yacht. She wheeled herself frantically toward the stern, her pulse hammering as the real threat lurked unseen below"​​. "Kate's voice was a whisper, her hands tense on the wheels of her chair. 'Ryan, hold on,' she breathed as the shark's massive silhouette darted beneath the yacht toward her daughter"​​. "With every ounce of her being, Kate focused on the rolling waves. 'This ends today,' she declared, determination lining her features as she prepared to defend her family from a terrifying nightmare"​​. About Holly S. Roberts Holly S Roberts is the USA TODAY bestselling author of thrillers, mysteries, and romance. Her Detective Eve Bennet crime series is a #1 Amazon bestseller. She’s a retired homicide detective who worked high-profile cases in Arizona. Holly lives high in the mountains with her husband and two spoiled dogs. Author Links Website     Facebook     Instagram   TikTok   YouTube    Goodreads Purchase Links Amazon/Kindle Unlimited Also written by Holly S. Roberts TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please visit all the stops. June 20 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT June 20 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT June 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT June 21 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT June 21 – Novels Alive – REVIEW June 21 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT June 22 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT June 22 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT June 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW June 23 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT June 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT June 24 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW June 24 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT June 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW June 25 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT June 25 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW June 26 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT June 26 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT June 26 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT CLICK HERE TO ENTER A GIVEAWAY FOR A SHARK PLUSHIE! Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas. Read the full article

[loveisnotovertae]

Love is Not Over

Love Is Not Over

✏️Taehyung x OFC ✏️Friends to Lover AU 🛑 Rated 18+ 📖WC: 2018 ⚠️Mentally abusive and controlling ex, stalking, mention of anxiety cheating, COVID, drinking, drunk hookup, masturbation, oral, accidental marriage, accidental pregnancy⚠️

Mae always wanted to go to South Korea and visit all the places her Aunt and Uncle used to tell her stories about. So after catching her fiancè cheating, she did just that. Her two month trip turned into a permanent stay thanks to covid lockdown. A friendly neighbor turned best friend, who just so happened to be part of the biggest music group in the world. A drunken night that changed her life forever.

Chapter 9

“What time did Jin say dinner was?” D asked.

“In a couple of hours. He has the passcode to get to my apartment, I told him to just head over whenever he needed to,” Mae answered while the women walked around the gift shop.

It was Mae’s last night having her three best friends by her side. Tomorrow morning they’d be traveling back to the States. She already missed them. The past two weeks of them being in Seoul filled a hole in her heart that she didn’t realize was there.

“Mae, are you coming?” Kimberleigh cocked an eyebrow at her friend who was still standing outside the elevator.

The four of them were at the Seoul Tower. They’d spent the past few days exploring in and around the big city. Their days were packed, but it didn’t bother them. They wanted to do as many things as possible.

“Come on, I’ll hold your hand the whole time.” Veronica grabbed Mae’s hand once she’d finally snapped out of her daze and joined them.

“I don’t need you to hold my hand, Ronnie,” Mae chuckled.

“You hate elevators, which we are currently in. You also hate heights and we are about to be really high up,” Veronica pointed out. “You’re going to be grabbing for someone's hand, so you might as well start holding mine now,”

“What am I going to do without the three of you? I’ve gotten so used to having you by my side again.”

“The same thing you’ve been doing the past three years, Giant.” Veronica turned to look at Mae. “No, wait I take that back. Because the only companion you've had these past three years are the toys in your nightstand. You, my friend, are going to finally put yourself out there into the world. No more fear, no more self doubt. There’s plenty of gorgeous men here and you need to find someone who will love and cherish you like the goddess you are.”

“Veronica, you’re making her cry.” Kimberleigh sighed and got a package of Kleenex out of her bag.

“It’s not her fault I’m an emotional mess right now.” Mae said, taking a tissue to dry her tears. “Ugh, stupid PMS.”

“Let’s go before we all start crying.” D said once the door opened.

The four women exited the elevator and walked onto the viewing platform that was at the top of the tower. The view of Seoul shining brightly in the night was breathtaking.

The women spend the better part of an hour enjoying the view and chatting. Mae didn’t let go of Veronica’s hand until they were back on the ground floor and her anxiety settled as they visited the shops one last time.

“Ah, I can finally feel my fingers again.” Veronica said, flexing her right hand as the women walked outside.

“I wasn’t holding it that hard, Ronnie.” Mae rolled her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic.”

“Yes you were. Look!” Veronica stopped in front of the group and pointed at her hand. “I’ve already got a bruise forming.”

The three women laughed and walked past her to start the long trek down the hill to the parking lot.

“Do you think Jin will be offended if we grab some snacks before we get there?” D asked Mae as they waited for the other two to finish up in the restroom.

“Not if we bring him some,” Mae answered, stretching her sore body. “I could go for a hotteok or two.”

The both of them turned toward the sound of the other two women laughing.

“What could you two possibly find so funny in a bathroom?” Mae asked.

“There are two women in there yelling at each other,” Kimberleigh laughed.

“I think they might actually start throwing punches soon,” a laughing Veronica added.

“Come on,” Mae said, hooking her arm though Kimberleigh’s, “We are grabbing snacks. You two can tell us while we walk.”

With their arms linked, the four women exited the parking lot and entered the busy street.

“So,” Kimberleigh said while they waited in line for Sotteok Sotteok. “There we were washing our hands when these two women walked in yelling at each other. They stopped long enough to look at Ronnie and I. Evidently, they didn’t know we spoke Korean, because they just started back up.”

“They were arguing about an idol.” Veronica laughed, recalling what happened in the bathroom. “There’s a rumor going around that a male idol ran off to Jeju last week with a mystery woman and got married at one of those ‘drive-thru chapels’ like in Vegas.”

“There’s rumors like that going around all the time,” Mae said before telling the vendor ‘thank you’ and taking the box of food. “You learn to just ignore them after a while.”

“The funniest thing was these two women were arguing with each other even in the stalls.” Kimberleigh said as they walked to their last stop. “One kept yelling ‘YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO IT’S ABOUT YET! STOP FREAKING OUT!’ and the other one would just ramble on about how she knows who it is because she ‘can feel it in her bones’.”

“Who does she think it is?” D asked.

“She never said his name, just kept calling him ‘my love’. We hurried and left when we heard the stalls unlock. But heard the other one yell at her to get her shit together and to get out of her delusional brain!”

Mae rolled her eyes as she listened to what they heard in the bathroom. Everyday there seemed to be a new rumor about either an idol or actor. She never understood why people were so concerned with what they did in their personal time. As long as it wasn’t illegal or dangerous, she didn’t think it was anyone's business. They might be in the public eye but they deserved a private life too.

┗━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┛

“Honey, we’re home!” Mae yelled, opening her apartment door.

The four women shared a concerned look while taking off their shoes when nobody answered. Mae had texted Seokjin before they left the parking lot thirty minutes prior. He told her that the food was ready and they’d all be waiting for them.

Mae’s apartment was quiet except for the sounds the women were making. If it wasn’t for the fact that their shoes were in the entryway no one would ever know that there were seven other people there.

“Guys?” Mae’s concerned voice echoed around the silent apartment as they walked into the living room. “Hello?”

The four women jumped when a concerned looking Taehyung exited the kitchen with his phone pressed to the side of his ear. Mae couldn’t read his eyes when he quickly glanced her way before greeting the person on the other end and closing Mae’s bedroom door for some privacy.

“Guys, what's wrong?” Mae asked when she and the other three women entered the kitchen.

“Oh, hello ladies.” Seokjin said with a smile, looking up from the phone that he and the other five men were huddled around, next to the sink. “Sorry, we didn’t hear you come in. Are those the snacks you picked up?” he asked, handing the phone to Namjoon before making his way around the island.

“No, Sir.” Kimberleigh said, swatting at his hand and placing the food further away from him on the table. “Not until one of you tells us what’s going on.”

“We just didn’t hear you come in.”

“Something very interesting must be on that phone. With as loud as Mae yelled when we came in, there’s no way you didn’t hear her.”

Mae’s eyes flickered between Kimberleigh and Seokjin. Seokjin was having an internal war on whether or not he should tell them what was on the phone, and Kimberleigh’s eyes were letting him know that if he didn’t tell them, she wasn’t going to let him anywhere near the food they’d brought back.

“Why don’t we eat and talk about it afterwards?” Namjoon said calmly.

“You guys are acting strange.” Mae said, watching Jungkook smile sweetly at Kimberleigh as he took the bags of food away.

“It’s just work stuff. No need to worry.”

“I TOLD YOU TO FUCK HIM, NOT MARRY HIM!!” Everyone turned toward Veronica who’d just interrupted Jimin.

“Who are you talking to?” D asked the woman standing in the entryway, looking at her phone.

“Mae!” Veronica screeched and pointed to her taller friend.

“Me?” Mae pointed at herself and asked in confusion. “I didn’t marry anyone. What the fuck are you talking about?”

“It’s right here on the cover of Dispatch, “V of BTS runs off to Jeju and marries a mystery woman””.

“Veronica, it's just a rumor,” Hoseok said as he helped set the table. “We were just looking at the email from the company. They have no proof. Tae is on the phone now with them to see if they should release a statement or not.”

“They do have proof!” Veronica said standing beside him. “Look at the pictures they released. You can’t see her face because her phone is blocking it, but that’s the outfit I picked out for her to wear and they are coming out of a chapel!”

Mae sat down as the world around her began to spin. Although she could remember some of the things that happened the night she and Taehyung went out to the Jazz club, there were still chunks missing.

As the voices of her friends faded into the background she racked her brain and tried to force herself to remember. There’s no way the two of them would’ve gotten married. There’s no way they would’ve been so careless.

Veronica said her phone was in her face, so that meant there were pictures. She needed to get the SD card from her old phone. She didn’t take it with her when she went to get her new phone so it was still in her bag.

The room fell silent when the loud sound of Mae’s chair sliding across the floor echoed throughout the kitchen. She needed to find her phone and get the card out of it. Hopefully it still worked and she’d be able to prove them wrong, for her sake and Taehyung’s.

Mae’s friends yelled her name while she hurried out of the kitchen and down the hall. She flung open the door to her room, just as Taehyung was ending his phone call.

“Mae, what are you doing?” he asked, watching her.

“I need my old phone,” she said while tossing her bag on the bed next to him. “I need to see if the SD card still works. Veronica said I had my phone and that means I was taking pictures. Hopefully it still works and there’s something on there that can prove it all wrong.”

“Mae, how much do you remember from that night?” Taehyung asked as she threw clothes from her bag. He’d seen the pictures while on the phone.

“Only what I’ve told you. Most of it is just a giant black hole.” Mae stopped her search and looked at him. “What do you remember?”

“I remember the club, then we took a taxi back to the house. I also remember going to lay down on the couch but missing it.”

“Well at least we were careful getting home.” Mae’s eyes widened when she stuck her hand in one of the pockets and pulled out her phone.

“Where are you going now?” Taehyung asked, following her out of the room.

“My computer is in the living room,” she yelled over her shoulder.

Taehyung took her phone from her and sat on the couch while she set her computer on the coffee table and turned it on. The group that was in the kitchen were now laying out a blanket on the floor and bringing in food, while they watched the two of them argue as they tried to get the memory card out.

This wasn’t how they planned to eat their group dinner or spend their night, but considering the new circumstances it would be better this way.