#when we first met another teacher saw us chat n how animated we were walked upto us heard we were talking abt f1 and basically just said

[princemick]

one of my teachers whos extremely alike to me just walked past in her max cap (she is a known max fan I have argued w her before) w a big ol grin n to which I obviously had to go 'the fuck do u have on ur head' to which she laughed and said she had to.

anyway I need out of this country I think.

[youarejesting]

BTS365 Prompts.week 29

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        July 16th - 22nd

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Kim Seokjin - lonely

You and Kim Seokjin were neighbours and best friends since you could remember. He was nerdy, laughed a little too loudly and made lame jokes. No one really wanted to be friends with him. But you spent hours with him playing in each other’s back yards and giggling over his dumb puns. 

Middle school you were both kind of in each other's company and you had to admit not only were his jokes getting better they were seriously growing on you. 

You went into high school and people liked Seokjin. He often was swept away by you at lunch by yourself. You got a scholarship to study two years abroad and learnt so much while away. By the time you came back from the break you were going into your senior year of high school. Seokjin has been at a party the night you returned home so he didn’t get to see you. You were trying to spot him as you entered the classroom and stood at the front. 

“Class we have a new student” the teacher gestured “would you like to introduce yourself?”

“Ah I am Y/n” you smiled 

“Damn she is hot” you didn’t see him in the class but that didn’t stop you from looking. 

“Sorry I am late, I got caught sneaking bread from the cafeteria” Seokjin laughed and you knew it was him. 

You looked at him shocked, after class you went to approach him but you were stopped by a group of girls. 

“Listen, we are the Seokjin fan club, he doesn’t talk to girls and if he did get in line” you pushed past them and grinned. 

“Hey Jin I think you are living in a bubble” you called out and he stopped turning around looking you up and down. 

“Unbeliebubble!”

Min Yoongi - simplicity

“This is too complicated, we need something simple, something easy to sing at a concert after all the others I can’t take another dance number, my poor heart will give out,” Yoongi complained from the floor the others were stretching between songs and you searched the song on your phone and hit play dimming the lights. 

“Alright?” You smiled and the small music box style song played through the room. It was a ten hour loop of music box ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star’, you rolled up your clean towel and placed it under Yoongi's head. 

“You got an half an hour to sleep, use it wisely” you spoke but his soft breathing had already taken over. He was out like a light. 

Jung Hoseok - Embrace

Embarrassment didn’t even come close to how you felt. It was an easy mistake, you walked into the wrong room. But you must be thinking, well that’s not exactly embarrassing. Did I forget to mention you walked into the wrong room of a hotel. If that wasn’t enough you got into bed without even turning on the light too exhausted from your late flight. It wasn’t until in your days you tried to hug one of the warm pillows, it smelt amazing. But that pillow squealed, flailing and you were hit in the face repeatedly. Retreating from the bed you were blinded by the light.

“What are you doing in my room?” You hissed, grabbing the phone and called the front desk and he was frozen shaking, pulling on his shirt, trying to wake up fast enough to translate what you were saying. He started laughing and sat on the bed running a hand through his hair as the security came in, his and yours.

“It’s okay, it was a misunderstanding, the man at the front desk must have given you the wrong key, we are truly ashamed of our service and this mix up.

“Hoseok?” Namjoon asked “Sir, what is going on?”

“They gave us the same key, I climbed in bed with your friend. A simple mistake, I apologize for making a fuss” Your head was swimming, feeling lethargic from your flights and business.

“I have called the front desk, they are going to bring you another key ma’am truly we are sorry?”

The phone rang and you could barely stand on your feet. “What do you mean there are no more rooms available?”

“I don’t care where I sleep, I am just tired please, I will sleep in the hall if I have to. I am dead on my feet?”

“We can share a room?” Namjoon said, “She is tired, we will give her this room for the evening.”

“I don’t care anymore…” You fell, not even conscious to feel if you had hit the ground honestly it felt like you were floating in mid air. The sunlight woke you with its warmth, you were on the bed alone. It felt like maybe it was all an elaborate dream, you stepped out and saw everything as it should be not a trace of any intruders.

Except a note on the hall table by the door, “I am so sorry, I wacked you in the face. If you are awake, I would like to buy you some coffee as an apology?” You looked up at the mirror and saw a small swollen bump on your cheek and laughed hysterically.

Kim Namjoon - Pandemonium [Full story] Mature themes warnings on post but SFW. 

If you search the word Pandemonium it literally translates to ‘abode of all demons (or hell)’. Which in basic terms meant home of demons, a name quite fitting for the place of residence for Kim Namjoon as he was in fact a demon. He appeared human of course and very handsome a man must attract his food.

Tonight's meal was you. Unbeknownst to this fact you danced to the music feeling the music pulsing through your body, each heavy bass note shook your heart in such a way it felt dangerous. You had only been to the club a handful of times but you loved it. Sipping your lemonade and dancing to the music. 

It was always a wonderful experience. Even the nights where things didn’t exactly go as planned were still enjoyable. You could ignore other people's decisions, you were here for one thing and one thing alone and that was to dance. You saw him every night and watched him dance with all the girls and guys until he took someone home.

You remember the first time you saw him dancing, his hands on another man's waist, and a sinful feeling passed through you, but you pushed the thoughts away, as you pushed your way through the crowd. Splashing your face with cold water in the bathroom listening to a gaggle of women chatting through the door to their friend who was vomiting.

For weeks whenever you closed your eyes you could see his gazing across the dance floor. You were scared to go back. His first and only attempt to dance ended quickly and when you had turned to face him, he almost seemed disgusted pulling his hands from your body and apologizing before leaving.

Were you not his type, did he not like what he saw when he came close to you. You were confused and a little hurt but that feeling passed and you soon got used to the odd man, he would sometimes catch your gaze and you grew braver and braver to look him in the eyes. Taking a break from your dancing to order a lemonade, you noticed him dancing with a woman very intimately his hands wandering over her curves.

As if he could feel your gaze he looked up and gave you a sly grin, in the multi colored strobe lights he looked horrific. Teeth appearing sharp and his eyes reflected light strangely like you might see an animal's eyes reflect. You coughed up your drink and turned away a hand on your chest trying to clear the liquids you had inhaled.

You saw him in the reflection of the bar as he walked the woman out, you felt a sort of longing, what would happen if you followed him out. Again you reprimanded yourself for such thoughts, you knew he wouldn’t even be interested in you, it was obvious because you saw him almost every night and he never approached you.

“Stay away from that Namjoon?” the bartender said softly “Those who go with him never return”

Things started to get weird when the paper published an article about people turning up dead. You didn’t know what possessed you to look, perhaps just morbid curiosity. But you looked. It struck you through the chest, each of them were faces you recognized because of him. 

You shivered and stayed away from the club for a while too scared to find out if it was true. Did the bartender know. It was a month or two later and a friend's birthday and you were in the club once more. There was no sign of him so perhaps everything was going to be okay, everyone drank and danced, you sat and minded drinks and purses with your lemonade. 

You saw him dancing and sat up, how did you not notice him walk in. This wasn’t important, what was important was he was dancing with your best friend Yoonji. She was smiling while he whispered in her ear and his eyes met yours and you could see the surprise in his eyes. He froze and you contemplated taking your friends home. You picked up the bags and raced over, “Hey guys, Yoonji I think we should all head home” You said turning from your friends group to look over your best friends shoulder at him.

Park Jimin - gummy worm

You left the boss’ office and stormed to your desk pulling open the top draw and diving your hand into a bag of extremely sour gummy worms. Your friend Seokjin laughed, “What did the boss say now?”

“Eunji is on maternity leave, so we have a new team member, she left us in the biggest time of the year, how selfish can she be?”

“She was the size of an actual house, the biggest time of her year, it’s not like she could help it.” Seokjin laughed “but I understand a new person is stressful, so who is she?”

“He.” You scoffed

“I’m sorry what?”

“Yeah the new team member is a he, the boss’ nephew?” You sighed 

“The one he boasts about at the christmas party, the really bro gym rat hetero one”

“I hope he knows makeup, or I am livid?”

“No the other nephew is the bro gym rat, I wouldn’t exactly call myself hetero, I like to keep my options open and as for makeup well…” You turned looking him up and down, he was a snack, freakishly sexy long legs that seemed to move smooth and slow like he was walking around a stripper pole. He looked at you with his sharp grey eyes adorning a beautiful orange eyeshadow. He looked you up and down and saw the bag of sour gummy worms.

Without words you extended the bag and he took one popping it in his mouth, his tongue poking out and swiping some of the powder from his plump strawberry glossed lips. “I’d like to think I have some knowledge of make up, I use products daily”

“I am Jin.” Seokjin laughed watching you “And my drooling friend is Y/n”

“An absolute pleasure” He gently cupped your chin helping you to close your mouth and wiping the powder from the corner of your mouth. “I enjoy sour things too”

Kim Taehyung - Customers

Taehyung was standing at the check out, it was his first day and he grinned at you readjusting the ‘Trainee’ pin on his shirt with a grin. He was proud and you took him through the ropes trying to teach him how to work the till and touch screen and searching overriding items. You also taught him how to use the PA machine and effective bagging techniques. It took awhile but he was actually getting really good, everyday he called for you less and made less mistakes. 

Your opinion of him changed from annoying and incompetent to a kind of cute with eccentric thoughts floating around his head coleague. It was your day off but you had to run to the store, you were dressed horribly hair a mess, no make up. The trip was unplanned but when you got your period with absolutely no supplies you decided to rush to the store hoping to grab some things and leave.

What you didn’t expect was to get him. Where were all the female staff. “Hey, Y/n!” He waved to you and finished serving the customer bowing his head as they left. You placed your things on the counter and he smiled at you. 

“Look” He called for your attention, reluctantly you looked up. He was grinning a huge square smile and pointing at the finely polished badge. “It has my name on it in both Korean and Chinese, see Steel Kim, Big Tae and Be successful hyung”

You smiled at how happy he was with his new badge, how much he loved working in such a mundane job. 

“Taehyung your shift is complete once you finish, shut down your till and you are free to go. I will count it for you and take over.” The supervisor smiled as he walked past.

“Ah you are a customer” Taehyung seemed to realize he was still working, giving you an apologetic smile, “Good morning, how are you?”

“I am okay” You said, shuffling your feet, your stomach cramping. He noticed the items and frowned you paid wordlessly and went to the staff room to use the bathroom.

When you stepped out, Taehyung stood there with a bag in his hands. “I got you these, I thought they might help and was wondering if you wanted a ride home?”

“I am okay, Taehyung,” You said, wincing at the sharp pain in your side.

“Listen, I want to drive you home, you look like you are in pain” He said and pulled you over to the bench that sat outside the toilets and he opened a pack of disposable heat packs and smiled, “Lift your shirt I will put them on for you”

You blushed but complied with his request as he put two on your tummy and smiled “Anywhere else?” You lifted your shirt and he placed them on your lower back. Relaxing with the warmth you looked at Taehyung, features softening. “You look more comfortable, let me drive you home?” 

He walked you to your door carrying your groceries and he smiled “I brought you some snacks and medicine hoping it would help”

“Do you want to watch a movie with me?”

“Sure” he beamed

Jeon Jungkook - yellow 

Jungkook's first university party and it was a traffic light party, the rules were if your single wear green if you were taken wear red if you were complicated or unsure wear yellow. He  dressed in yellow unsure if he was looking for someone or not. 

He saw you dressed in yellow, standing in the backyard trying to get away from the loud noise and stench of alcohol. You were funny and sweet, Jungkook found himself completely taken by you. The way you spoke and danced the way you giggled the way you squeezed his bicep and made a declaration that you were sure he works out. 

He was modest, not wanting to appear full of himself, and he felt his heart flutter. The night was ruined however when a man dressed in yellow appeared slinging his arm around you. “Hey man, what’s your name?”

“Jungkook?”

“Cool, I am Taehyung?” He smiled, dropping the words he didn’t want to hear. “y/n’s boyfriend”

“Oh I am sorry to bother you?”

“No dude, you are cute and we are in an open relationship so like if you are interested maybe the three of us could grab some coffee” he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and Jungkook raises an eyebrow. There was something about this handsome blonde man that kept jungkook intrigued. 

Soon he was dancing with you, with Taehyung with both of you, and honestly he loved it, he loved the attention of both you and your boyfriend. “Okay sure, let’s get coffee”

You looked up and giggled, his eyes were wide with wonder and his grin was adorable. Taehyung matched him with his own adorable grin and you threw your arms around the two makes shoulders making them crouch from the height difference “let’s go boys I can go something to drink”

[nazariolahela]

Something Domestic: Chapter 6

A/N: Hey y'all! This is a new TRR AU I’ve been working on. This story is told in first-person narrative, from Riley’s (MC) POV. There will likely be smidges of canon in this, but not too much. Thanks for reading, and please leave feedback, and/or if you would like to be tagged.

Catch up here

Series Tags: @burnsoslow @aworldoffandoms @dcbbw @ladyangel70 @texaskitten30 @sunandlemons @jlynn12273 @indiacater @jared2612 @rainbowsinthestorm @drakesensworld @badchoicesposts @msjr0119 @katurrade @blackcoffee85 @cynicalworlds

Synopsis: When Riley Brooks takes a new job as a nanny for the affluent Rhys family in New York’s Upper East Side, she assumes she’s just going to care for the children of the couple who hired her. But instead of just school pick-ups and afternoon snacks, she also finds herself spending time with Liam, the handsome divorced dad. Can Riley control her feelings for Liam while still performing the job she was hired for?

All characters are the property of Pixelberry Studios. Thanks for allowing me to borrow them.

Chapter Summary: Riley gets to know the other important people in Liam’s life and learns about his past.

“Okay, tell me everything!”

Hana and I sit in our usual booth at the Double Tappe, discussing the events of our first day at our new jobs. She tells me about her schedule and the other teachers she’ll be working with this school year. I then tell her about the literal “run-in” with Liam in the kitchen, and the incident with the paparazzi in the park. She listens intently, pausing every few moments to take a sip of her Whiskey Sour. When I finish, she sits back and exhales.

“Whew. That’s intense. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to make sure we have someone with us every time we leave the house. I’m not worried about being attacked, but if they get too close, I’m worried they might frighten the kids.”

“That’s not what I was referring to.”

Of course, she wasn’t. I know what she’s hinting at and I’m not taking the bait. She was the one who told me to be cautious when it came to Liam. And as much as I want to throw caution to the wind, my job is more important than some mild flirtation with my boss.

“Hana,” I warn.

She throws up her hands defensively. “Look, I saw how you two were the other night. You can’t tell me there’s nothing there. I’m just trying to get you to realize the gravity of the situation. Getting involved with your boss is one thing. Him being a prominent figure is a whole different animal. Especially given his current marital status.”

I sigh and take a long pull of my drink. She’s absolutely right. As much as I want to argue with her, I can’t. Especially after what happened in the park this morning. The last thing I need is the tabloids catching wind of my little crush. I drag my hands down my face, wishing I could just disappear into the floor. “I hate that he’s a celebrity in this city. This would be so much easier if he was a nobody. Why does this have to be so messy?”

“You poor, stupid fool.”

“Excuse me?” I jerk my head around and come face to face with a woman with fiery red hair and emerald green eyes. She’s wearing a black blazer over a grey skirt and top. She stands next to me; one hand on her hip, and a look that would incinerate me.

“Scoot your ass,” she says, motioning for me to move over. She smirks and takes a seat in the booth next to me. “So, you’re the new nanny.”

“I am. And you are?”

“Olivia Vanderwall Nevrakis.”

She holds out her hand to me and I shake it nervously. She then reaches over and shakes Hana’s hand. Hana and I slink back in our seats, eyeing each other. Who is this woman? And what the hells does she want with us?

“I couldn’t help but overhear your little ‘predicament.’”

“Yeah? What’s it to you anyway?” I ask suspiciously.

“Let’s just say I’m an old friend. And I’m very interested in this new person in my friend’s life.”

“You’re a friend of Liam’s?”

She takes a sip of her wine, examining the glass. “You’d think this halfwit bartender would know how to properly clean a glass before serving drinks to his customers,” she states loud enough for the entire room to hear.

From behind the bar, I see Drake shoot her a death glare. “Because gods forbid her Highness has to drink out of a glass with water spots,” he grumbles, then retreats back to the kitchen. Hoo boy, that was awkward.

She rolls her eyes. “Now, where were we? Yes, I’m a friend of Liam’s. Our fathers were business partners a million years ago, so we grew up together. We even dated for a hot minute in college, but we realized we were better off as friends. Then, he married that she-witch.” She chuckles, taking another sip of her wine. “You know, the day he told me he was going to ask her to marry him, I told him he was the dumbest motherfucker alive. You’d think he would have listened to me.”

Hana cocks her eyebrow. “That seems harsh. Even if you didn’t agree with it, a good friend would guide him toward the right path, but support his decision no matter how stupid you thought it was.”

Olivia eyes Hana, smirking. “Oh, sure. If it were anyone else. But that man was so blinded by love and pussy, he completely missed all the signs about her. He wasn’t even her first choice. She had eyes for his brother, but Leo hit it and quit it faster than you can say, ‘Here’s cab money. Now get out.’”

Hana glares at Olivia, then turns to me. “Excuse me. I need to use the ladies' room.” She slides out of her seat and stalks off towards the back of the bar.

“I’m sorry, but why are you telling me this? I don’t even know you.” This all feels weird. This woman I just met is suddenly so interested in my non-existent relationship with my boss, who just happens to be her friend. This entire conversation is completely out of left field.

Olivia shakes her head. “You don’t think I don’t know about his little infatuation over you? We talk every day and he’s told me about you. And now seeing you in person, I get it. You’re young. You’re hot. You’re his kids’ nanny, so the whole idea of pursuing you is taboo. He’s pussywhipped and you haven’t even given up the pussy yet. To be honest, I don’t give a shit about you. I’m just looking out for my friend. He’s still legally married, and I don’t want this to blow up in his face.”

I already knew he talked about me to his friends, but to admit to them he has a thing for me? My head is spinning as I take in the information she’s slinging at me. Before, it was just a stupid crush. Now that I know he reciprocates my feelings for him, I’m not sure what to think.

“Wait a minute. Are you in love with him?”

She laughs. ”Good gods, you're as ignorant as my ex-husband.”

”You were married?”

”Ugh, yes don't remind me. My parents basically forced us into it because it was ’good for business’” she says, making air quotes with her fingers. “The day I married Anton Severus was the day a part of my soul died.”

”Wait...The Anton Severus? Majority Owner of the Lykos Kings?”

She sighs. ”One and the same. The only good thing I got out of that marriage was part-ownership of that damn baseball team. Except I hate baseball. I only keep it to piss him off.”

Hana returns a moment later. She scowls at Olivia as she slides back into her seat. “So, what did I miss?” she asks sarcastically.

“Well, your friend here has the hots for her boss, which I’m sure you already know. I also gather she’s told you about his situation. And to top it off, he’s like a horny teenager over here waiting for his divorce to be finalized so he can make a move on her.”

Hana sighs. “I’m not going to lecture you any more about it. I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.” She stands to leave and picks up her drink. “Olivia, pleasure to meet your acquaintance,” she says and moves to the bar to chat up a tall brunette in a blue mini dress who’s been eyeing her all night.

Olivia cocks an eyebrow at me. “You should listen to your friend. She’s obviously the smart one.” She polishes off her glass of wine and slides out of the booth. “Word of advice; keep your hormones in check until the ink is dry. If Madeleine finds out he’s got heart eyes for you, she’ll drag this bitch out until the kids are in retirement homes. Until next time, Riley Brooks.” Then, she saunters away.

“Don’t worry about her. She might seem vicious, but she’s harmless,” I look over to see Drake wiping down the table in the booth next to me. He eyes my empty glass. “Want another one?”

“Actually, do you have Skullcracker Ale on tap?”

“16 or 20 ounce?”

“After the day I’ve had, make it a 20.”

He nods and makes his way to the bar to pour my beer. He returns a few minutes later, beer in hand. He sets it in front of me and takes a seat across the booth from me. “So, you and Liam, huh?”

I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “First of all: there is no ‘Liam and I.’ Second: How many people know about this?”

Drake chuckles. “Not as many as you think. Just Max, Liv, and myself. We’re his three closest confidants, and he trusts us with his life. Even more than his family or that bitch of a wife.”

“Wow. I take it you’re not a member of the Madeleine Karlington Fan Club either.”

“That woman is the devil incarnate. Even before they got married, she was always chasing the ‘next big thing'. He told you why they’re splitting up, right?”

“Yeah, he said she cheated on him with one of her co-workers,” I reply.

He holds his finger up and walks over to the bar. Grabbing a tumbler, he pours himself two fingers of whiskey, then returns to the table. He sits down and sighs deeply. “Sorry, I need a drink for this. So anyway. Yes, she slept with one of her co-workers, but what Liam didn’t know is that it wasn’t the first time.”

“Olivia said she also slept with his brother.”

Drake nods. “Leo and Madeleine ‘dated’ for a few months the summer after we graduated college. Leo was only interested in a fling, but Madeleine was madly in love with him. After he dumped her, she started dating Liam to get back at him. The problem was, Liam fell in love with her. They dated for three months before he moved her into his penthouse, and they were engaged six months after that. They married less than a year later, and she got pregnant with Charlotte shortly after. Come to find out that she was messing around almost the entirety of their seven-year marriage.”

I gasp. “Oh, my gods. Are the kids his?”

“Yes, thankfully. One look at Philip, and there’s no question he’s Liam’s. He’s the spitting image of him as a child. Charlotte looks more like Madeleine, but he had a paternity test to be sure. Especially since she’s asking for full custody and child support in the divorce.”

I shake my head. Good gods, I can’t even begin to wrap my brain around how dysfunctional their relationship is. What’s worse is there are kids involved. Thank goodness they’re too young to comprehend what is going on with their parents. I take a pull of my beer. “So how long have you and Liam known each other.

“Liam, Max, Liv, and I have all been friends since high school. He and I played lacrosse together sophomore year. He and Liv dated for a few months in college. They fought all the time because she’s stubborn as hell.”

“Was it serious? Liam and Olivia?”

He grins. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?”

“N-no. I’m just...curious. Do I need to worry about a crazy ex stalking me?”

“I’d be more worried about Madeleine firing your ass and ruining your chances of getting another nanny job than I would be about Olivia harboring feelings for Liam. Deep down they love each other, but it’s not romantic.”

I nod and take a sip of my beer. Why am I jealous? Liam isn’t mine, so I have no right to be envious of Olivia or their relationship. Besides, if she was really after him, I’m sure she’d crush me with her bare hands for trying to step in and take “her man.” OMG, listen to yourself, Riley. He’s your boss, not your boyfriend. That means he’s technically off-limits.

“So, what does Liam’s family think of all this?” I ask.

Drake chuckles, but there is no humor in his voice. “Constantine is the one who encouraged Liam to marry Madeline. He said marrying a girl like her would convince investors to do business with the company because it would paint Liam as a ‘family man.’ He knew about her and Leo but said that it wouldn’t matter because Leo wasn’t the settling down type. Leo was actually supposed to take over the family business after college, but he gave that up to travel the world. To be honest, the company is in better hands under Liam. Their revenue went up like 25% last year.”

“Is that a good thing?”

He shrugs. “I guess. At least that’s what everyone tells me. I don’t know jack about multinational investment companies. Hells, I barely know the ins and outs of running a business.”

I cock an eyebrow at him. “But you’re a business owner. Don’t you think you should at least know the basics of running your own business?”

“Yeah, probably.” He notices Hana and her new lady friend flagging him down and gets up from the booth to move back behind the bar. I leave my booth and take a seat a few stools away from Hana. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her lean in and whisper into the woman’s ear, the two of them touching each other’s arms and giggling. Get it, girl!

“So, what made you want to open your own bar?”

He finishes making their drinks, then moves down the bar. “It’s always been my dream to own my own bar. There was this place called The Laughing Seal where we used to drink when we were in college. It burned down about five years ago. Most of the place was destroyed, but the bartop managed to survive. Liam’s dad knew the owner and convinced him to let me buy the bar when I opened the Double Tappe.” Drake says, running his hands along a charred spot on the bar.

“I’m glad you found your passion. And I’m glad you give us a place to unwind. You’re like a modern-day Sam Malone.”

He snorts. “Except I suck at baseball and the ladies don’t fawn over me like that.”

I smirk and glance up at the clock on the wall. Holy shit, how is it already 9 p.m.? I reach in my purse and slap two $20s on the bar top for my tab. “Thanks for the chat, Drake. I’ll talk to you later this week.” 

He nods. “No problem. And for what it’s worth, don’t let the whole Madeleine thing bother you. If you and Liam are meant to be, it will all work itself out.”

I shake my head and turn to Hana, who is currently exchanging phone numbers with the brunette. “You ready to head out, girl?” I ask her.

She leans in and whispers into her companion’s ear before standing up. “Yep, let’s go. I have to finish putting my lesson plan together for the year. See ya, Drake.”

He waves to us as we exit the bar. It’s late August, so the weather is still warm. We decide against hailing a cab and trek the 10 blocks back to our apartment. As we walk arm-in-arm, Hana tells me about her new lady friend. Her name is Meghan and they’re going out this weekend. She grins from ear to ear as she talks, and I can’t help but feel joy for her. All the pressure she gets from her parents to find a man, it’s about time she lives for herself. If my best friend can find happiness, maybe there’s hope for me as well.

Right?

[theboyz-engup]

New Kids

pairing: student!hwall x reader

word count: 2k

requested: yes

---

Settling into class was the usual. Your friends and you were separated early on in the semester, your teacher clearly thinking you the problem group. It wasn’t that you didn’t do any work, you just talked a lot and that wasn’t a crime. Sometimes, you just really had something to say. Other times, gossip overtook your ears and mouths. Though, you supposed that was also something to say, even if it’s not very constructive. 

Still, nothing had changed. Your uniform was pressed new, hoodie overtaking your arms and waist. Now that school had begun bleeding into the colder months, you’d taken to the thick material and used it as a way to shield yourself from everyone around you. On days like today, you rather be left alone with your headphones in and class never starting. 

It sure did seem like the world was working against you when your teacher, Mrs. Kwon, strode into class, someone on her heels. 

With her presence, it was hard for people not to quiet down when she walked into a room. There was something hardened about her, though it wasn’t mean or unfriendly. You wouldn’t want to start a fight with her, stocky build and witty tongue to match no fair opponent for anyone; but that didn’t mean unfriendly. Sometimes, you would find yourself lingering after class just to chat with her about dumb things, glad she didn’t dislike you. 

She gave the room a look over and then proceeded to point to the empty desk beside you. “That’s your assigned seat, Mr. Heo. I trust it’s to your liking.”

You gave the boy next to her a long hard stare. It didn’t matter that you were staring much, he was coming to sit in your empty desk- the one reserved for anyone but a real person- and everyone knew how you felt about that. Slowly, you shifted your books and large binder back over to your own desk, unhappy with the task but happy to see a new face.

At least one that was as pretty as his. 

Mrs. Kwon made her little comment about the seat being to his liking and, instead of some sort of reply back, the boy gave a small smile and nodded. His eyes were small and shaped like thin almonds, with a long nose between them. A small shadow cupped his bottom eyelashes, as if fatigue was something that permanently plagued him but he worked it. You, for one, loved it. There was something about racoon eyes that made you feel like there was more to someone’s story. His face was small, something you knew people seemed to like, with soft cheekbones.

Cat, you decided, giving yourself a nod as he slid into the seat beside you. It was a habit of yours to assign animals to people. Your best friend was a penguin and the other resembled an owl and the other a turtle. From the way the boy beside you smiled though, you could definitely see cat. There was no mistaking it. 

As he sat, he gave you a small smile and a nod. You supposed you didn’t look all too inviting, with your hood still on and a line across your lips. Without knowing it, you pressed a little grin back and faced the front. He was beautiful, yes. Slender and tall, with proportions for the gods, but now wasn’t the time to assess him. You were in class and had some English to learn. 

----

Mrs. Kwon spoke briefly before break started, giving announcements about in class president elections and a few other things. The boy, who’s name was Hyunjoon, seemed to be very attentive at first but then, slowly, his energy dropped. He was awake, yes, but present in the room? You doubted it. 

The moment Mrs. Kwon slipped away, you found yourself turning to him. 

“Hi.” Embarrassingly enough, it was the only opener you could think of. Trying to save yourself from the look on his face, you extended your hand and said, “I’m y/n.”

Politely, Hyunjoon took your hand and shook it once, his grip soft. “Hyunjoon.”

“Is this your first day here? Or did you just transfer from another class?” The answer to the question was one you already knew but you wanted to make him comfortable. Sure, beginner questions weren’t always the best but you supposed they might help break the ice bit by bit. 

“No, I’m a new student,” he murmured, voice low but not meek, “I moved here about a week ago so after getting settled, I started going to school again.”

Funny how a pretty boy could make your mood start to slip away.

“Oh,” you perked up, hoodie slipping a bit from your head as you propped your elbows up on the desk, palms facing up so you could rest your chin in the cradle they made. “Where’d you move from? I was also a transfer student way back when.”

“South Hamlet. My feeder school was LPS Academy, if you know it?”

You blinked a bit before smiling. “Y-yeah, I do. That was also mine, I used to live there.”

This made Hyunjoon perk up. Instantly, he became more open, glad to meet someone who knew where that was. You couldn’t lie, you wished you knew someone who knew of your hometown as well. It was far and completely different to everywhere else. Each Friday, there were mini festivals depending on the season. Summer and fall always had farmer’s markets and street food, whereas spring had your annual lantern lighting. Winter was your favourite though. Your hometown was in a little pocket where very little snow fell but, when it did, it felt like a wonderland. Plus, winter held your best memory. Thinking about it now, compared to where you currently lived, a pang in your heart came along. You never realized how much you missed it there. 

“We still do that,” he mused, sighing a bit as you mentioned the fireworks that are set off every independence day, “recently though, they aimed one of the fireworks wrong and it shot into Oaky and almost cracked one of its branches off.”

The tension that was previously in his shoulders seemed to melt away as he turned more to face you. Seeing him so open like this, glimmer in his previously guarded eyes, you found yourself feeling much better. Familiarity was your favourite feeling and, somehow, he felt like home. He held South Hamlet in his soul and carried it around with him. 

You snickered, shaking your head. “Oaky is so old, I don’t know how they didn’t do that before.”

Joon opened his mouth to say more but the bell took the sound away. Seemingly disappointed at the next teacher waltzing in, Mr. Burns looking especially cross today, Hyunjoon settled back into his seat and faced forward. Despite yourself, you leaned towards him and whispered, “let’s have lunch together, yeah? I want to know more about how home’s doing.”

The smile he gave you then was genuine, short nod the only confirmation you needed.

---

You showed him the ropes of the cafeteria, telling him which ones would give more food if you asked politely. Making sure to acquaint him with Jisoo and the rest of your friend group, you sat across from each other and began your little conversation.

“You know so many people here,” he mentioned lightly, looking around as he took his seat. 

A shrug fell from your shoulders, hands tugging at the sleeves of your hoodie to pull them forwards. “I’ve been here since grade nine so it came naturally, I guess. But I get what it feels like to be you, I was new to my elementary school.”

He looked a bit shy, giving a nod. “There was also a new kid in my school but we ended up being close friends. His name is Bomin, maybe you know about him?”

Feeling a bit disappointed in not knowing every kid from your town, you shook your head. The hopefulness in Hyunjoon’s eyes faded a bit but none of the happiness did. Secretly, you wished he felt just as comfortable with you as you did him. He seemed eager to open up though and you continued to press about multiple things, wondering how everything was doing. You hadn’t been to visit family in such a long time that updates felt necessary- or maybe you just wanted to hear him talk more.

“My favourite is also the winter festival,” he said, looking extraordinarily excited. “Not a lot of people really love it but I always remember it the most.”

This piqued your interest, leaning forwards on your arm as you listened to him speak when asking why. It seemed second nature to forget your surroundings when you spoke to him, everything else consumed by the thin framed boy and the way his eyes disappeared when he giggled. 

“It’s going to sound dumb since it happened a really long time ago but both elementary schools had this field trip on Friday to the centre square and we were meant to explore. All the kids had decided on doing this snowball fight and it was fun at first.” He trailed off here, giving pause. It was enough for you to start losing his smile, wondering if- could he be-?

Jisoo and Hana sat on either side of you in bed, your sleepover going well. In your hand, you held the little green hat and smiled, finishing your story lightly. “He led me home. He didn’t have to but he did.”

“Would be kinda romantic if you met each other years later, don’t you think?” Hana crooned, getting a far-off and misty look in her eyes. You smiled lightly, not wanting to meet her eyes as you ran your thumb across the rim of the hat. 

“I doubt that’ll happen,” you decided, not wanting to get your hopes up. You didn’t want to seem overly enthusiastic about it. “I don’t live there anymore and people hardly move.”

“You did,” Jisoo pointed out, arching up her eyebrows. All you gave her in return was a smile before you got up and softly placed the hat back on your desk. 

Hyunjoon’s voice ripped you from your memory, story continuing lightly. “All the boys kind of ganged up on this one group of friends and all of them scattered except one. They just stopped and tried to hide their face from the snowballs until they decided to run and they just kept running.

“I had to yell for the boys to stop chasing them until I caught up to them. This kid was just there, sitting on a staircase and crying their eyes out. I guess I looked familiar because, when they saw me, they tried to take a step forward.”

Something about his little chuckle here seemed bashful, but it was enough to make your heart stop. “I think I was scared so I just started to run away, back towards the square. They yelled, asked me to wait up. They were lost. So, every few steps I would run and then wait, looked back to make sure they were following and then kept going.

“I took them all the way home,” he said lightly. It was hard to stop your heart from beating and you hoped- prayed the surprise wasn’t clear on your face. When you gave a look to the side, you saw Jisoo bearing her eyes deep into you. She was also listening. She also knew.

“And when I got there, paused outside of their apartment, I-”

“Gave me your hat,” you finished, watching him get caught off guard, “it wasn’t a winter hat, just a green baseball cap with black writing on the band. It says ‘happiness’ on it.”

Both you and him paused. You wondered if he also had his heart in his throat, barely able to breathe but trying your best to. 

“That was you,” he murmured. You couldn’t help but repeat his words, meaning it a completely different way. Hana’s words dripped through your memory once more and you found yourself smiling. 

Fate was a funny thing.

[wanna1studio]

REQUESTED: “friend A” // your lie in april!AU // lee daehwi 

genre: ANGST 

ficstyle: bulletpoints // LONG

requested: an anime fic with daehwi (by many anons) & daehwi fic with “your lie in april” by playfuldisaster 

summary: SPOILER FOR IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE ANIME OR READ THE MANGA // I know that Daehwi’s mom is an angel but for the fic we are gonna change a couple of things and it’s going to be a high school-themed scenario instead of a middle school on 

notes: even if you already seen the anime... I hope you will feel the urge to grab some tissues from this piece // includes theories of what happened in the anime

Daehwi was a piano-playing prodigy

he started when he was little, he grew an interest in playing the piano 

his mother registered him for his first competition at the age of 5 and he won! 

imagine little 5 year old Daehwi with his little penguin tailed tuxedo

Daehwi’s mother fell into a greed after seeing her son on the front cover of a music magazine 

his mother used to be a well-known pianist but she retired to be a piano teacher after giving birth to Daehwi

she gave up being a piano teacher to personally coach her son to play every single musical sheet note by note

perfect to the T

when he didn’t play correctly, his mother would abuse him; physically and mentally

if he wasn’t at school, he was at home, practicing

his friends, Jihoon and Somi, were concerned on why his mother wouldn’t let him play outside

you could say his childhood was stripped away from him as it was filled with note after note played on the monochrome keys 

he never defied his mother and all of these feelings were bottled up inside of him

he won many district competitions but only because he played them note by note and on tempo, like his mother taught him

he was known as a “the human metronome” who was controlled by his mother

Daehwi was in 5th grade when his mother fell ill and was bedridden on the hospital bed

she request to be in a room with a piano so that she could still coach Daehwi 

there came an incident

on the day of Under 12 Nationals, Daehwi rushed to the hospital where his mother was collecting her last breaths

she turned to him and said,”you just have to play like I taught you”

how could a mother worry about something like that before her death

with rage he threw his musical sheets at his mother

all his bottled up words and feelings were all caught in his throat and he ended up not saying anything and ran out the doors

at the competition, he lost his ability to hear his own music

the keys he played sounded like someone that was submerged in water frantically pleading for help

from the back of the audience seats’, he saw the shadow of his mother haunting him

it was the first competition where he lost

& it was his last competition 

he got PTSD from playing the piano 

the sound of submerged notes and the lurking shadow of his deceased mother was what he was reminded of every time he played

he made himself a promise to never get involved with music again

until he met you

it was the first day of high school and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom

Daehwi was trying to catch up to Jihoon and Somi, his neighbors and best friends

when he heard a sweet little melody as he slowly passing by the park

he saw you playing a melodica, there was a little crowd of elementary school kids sitting around you

“AH! THAT GUY IS STARING AT YOU NOONA!!”

you looked over to see a lankly guy who was clearly flustered and trying to find somewhere to hide

“go on now kids, you gotta get to school now”

you shoo’ed them away and walked towards the guy

“hello, my name is y/n. from the looks of your uniform, we go to the same school. let’s walk together!”

Daehwi usually doesn’t talk to anyone other than Jihoon and Somi so he didn’t know what to do when he was approached by such a beautiful girl like yourself

“YA DAEHWI WHO’S THIS?”

you turn to see a pretty good-looking guy and a pretty girl walk up to him

little does anyone know, you know of Daehwi

you were such a big fan of his when you were little

you went to his first competition and it made you interested in music

after that competition you yelled in excitement to your parents

“I WANT TO PLAY THE VIOLIN!”

they were confused because you all just went to a piano competition

“why not the piano?” your mom asked

“because if I play the violin, I’ll be able to accompany Daehwi on the piano!”

you made it your life goal

you were never professionally taught but your parents told you were naturally talented

you played the violin as if you were painting a vivid mural filled with emotions 

though you were diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia, which causes muscle weakness through the arms and legs and loss of coordination, it also causes heart disorders

your parents wanted to home-school you, knowing that you only had at least 2 decades to live

you wanted to spend your high school years in a public school

it hurt your parents to see you so open-minded about life 

“I’m Park Jihoon! This is Somi” 

you came back to the current situation with Daehwi and his friends

“Hi! I’m y/n!”

he seems like a fun guy so you continued to talk to him as you both walked to school

“heeyyy Earth to Daehwi.. do you know her?” Somi waved her hand in front of Daehwi as he saw you laughing at what Jihoon said

“she seems really musically talented...” he muttered, still staring at your backside until you catch him and wave at him

poor boy is flustered and Somi is a little jealous

days past 

you were surprised by how close you got to the three of them

“hey Daehwi.. I think I like Jihoon..”

within a week, you were dating Jihoon

at first you thought, by spending more time with Jihoon, you would find out a lot more about Daehwi

one thing led to another and here you are with Jihoon

from the get-go, you saw that Somi liked Daehwi.. you couldn’t neglect her feelings, and she probably liked him for a long time

so you pursued with Jihoon

you heard Daehwi talking to Somi, “I guess to her.. I’m just Friend A. I don’t mind it though... if she talks to me about Jihoon and stuff.. she comes to me with stuff like that...”

you wanted to have more of a connection with Daehwi 

there was a district competition for young violinist coming up

you thought maybe you could bring Daehwi back into the music world

Daehwi agreed at first.. thinking that after years it would be okay to play again

he struggled, he slam the keys, he was a mess

but you weren’t going to give up, you were there by his side

a few days before the competition, you fell into fatigue and you lost feeling in your arms and legs, you bumped your head onto the wall causing you to lose consciousness 

you were greeted by Daehwi crying on your hospital bed

Jihoon and Somi were going to enter the room but saw you and Daehwi

Somi pulled Jihoon away

“let’s come back again later”

“OWOWOWOW WAIT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE MY GIRLFRIEND” Jihoon had no luck getting away from Somi pulling him by the ear

you ruffled Daehwi’s hair

“I’ll be good to go for the competition don’t worry! they just need a few more testing before I can get released” you smiled at him

tbh Daehwi has never seen you sad or talk about feeling sad or hurt

he stood up and yelled

“IT’S ALL MY FAULT. YOU PAID SO MUCH ATTENTION TO ME AND MY FEELINGS ABOUT PLAYING THE PIANO THAT I NEGLECTED ABOUT YOUR CONDITION AND AND..and...” he sat back down and stared at the ground

“ I wasn’t a good enough Friend A” 

you held his hand, you wanted to cry but you didn’t want to seem sorry for him, that’s the last thing he would want

“you’re the best Friend A, I could ever ask for”

BAM

“Y/N! I AM HERE”

Jihoon rushes to you side and is continuously asking if you are okay

you see Daehwi walking out the door and Somi chasing after him from the corner of your eye

days later

you show up to the competition

as you walked through the corridors, you heard people talking about the human metronome” making a comeback  

you walk into the make-up room and see Daehwi with his eyes tightly closed

Daehwi felt someone put their hand over his

he opens his eyes to see you clad in a beautiful white dress, your hair is flowing over your shoulders with your bangs pushed back 

“you got this, remember music isn’t just suppose to be played note by note, music is suppose to be healing to the heart, soul and ears” 

it was your guys’ turn

everyone was in awe, you never liked to play by the note, you played freely and it was beautiful

it masked over Daehwi’s muffled notes

he was panicking, why can’t he hear the notes

you wanted to make eye contact with him

Daehwi Daehwi DAEHWI

as if it was telepathy, Daehwi looked up from the keys and saw you nod at him

with that.. the water that drowned his keys were drained and the shadow of his mother was only a reflection of himself

once he let that go, the room was filled with such a beautiful harmony 

it was crazy, it was bizarre, it was different and it was colorful

I never knew that music could be so vivid, Daehwi thought as he sweated through the last string of notes

you and Daehwi played with such strength that when you both finished, you both were out of breathe

after a moment of silence, you guys saw people give a standing ovation and cheering (even the judges)

you grabbed Daehwi’s hand and bowed

he was so flustered, he only bowed because he didn’t want you to see his blushing face

Jihoon gave you flowers backstage and Somi hugged you tightly

“my girlfriend did so well~”

Daehwi turned from the scene

so before you left you turn to run to Daehwi

you basically jumped into his arms

“WE DID IT! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU”

Daehwi met your parents that night, as you went to go collect your things, they chatted with him

“Daehwi... you know.. you’re the best thing that ever happened to y/n,”

he didn’t know what to say and just bowed as they walked out to warm up the car

Jihoon walked you out after the competition

that was when you lost consciousness again and was rushed to the hospital

Daehwi was mad that you lied about being okay; he didn’t want to see your face

he wanted to recollect his thoughts

it came to the point where Jihoon even told him to visit you

“you’re her boyfriend... it’s not my job to visit her” Daehwi began to walk away 

Jihoon grabbed his shoulder and slammed him into the wall

“but it is your job as her friend!!”

Daehwi scoffed

“hah.. a friend, huh?” he shrugged off 

after a few days of not talking to Jihoon or even Somi, Daehwi saw Jihoon after his cleaning duties after school

“hey Daehwi...”

Daehwi wanted to walk past him

“look you don’t have to talk to me.. but at least... take this letter. it’s from y/n”

Jihoon shoved the letter into Daehwi’s pocket and walks away

Daehwi opens the letter

“if you’ve received this letter, it’s because my surgery wasn’t successful..”

Daehwi felt tears welt up, making his vision blurry

this can’t be true

“I first saw you when I was 5, at your very first steps into your piano career. I gave up wanted to play the piano so that I might get the chance to be accompanied with you on stage. I’ve only told one lie in my whole life, that I liked Park Jihoon. I just wanted to get to know you more.. and I hurt Jihoon in the process. I already hurt so many people in the process, so please treat Somi with lots of care. She cares for you a lot and so does Jihoon. Daehwi.. you are the greatest thing that happened in my life and I was able to have my dreams come true. I hope you don’t forget me. I hope you don’t forget your mother. I hope you don’t forget how amazing it feels to produce a beautiful piece on the piano. Lee Daehwi, I think I loved you. I think I love you. I think I still love you, from wherever I am that is.”

after you wrote that letter, you laid on the operation table 

you could still hear the harmony you and Daehwi displayed at the competiton

and you closed your eyes, but they never opened

this wasn’t fair, Daehwi thought

he was selfish

he was childish

at least what he could’ve done was to visit you when Somi and Jihoon went 

he wanted to play the piano with you again

he wanted to see you again

he wanted to tell you how he really felt

and now he won’t ever get the chance to tell you

you made his monochrome life colorful 

you changed him

but he couldn’t disappoint anyone else anymore

he wiped his tears and looked into the sky

you taught him how to move on, life is too short to dwell in the past

THE END

[yuki-d-raizel-blog]

Hero

Chapter 35/??

Relationship: Todoroki Shouto x Reader (Your/Name), (Full/Name)

Summit: It all begin at the Sports Festival when Shouto’s other half met Endevour by mistake. The student never thought to see his partner fight against his father just to show him that he is wrong. It started from that instant, Shouto’s new path started exactly from that moment thanks to his friends and his beloved one.

---

<<Answer to my call, Pride.>> almost immediately, you fall unconsciously in Khrome's arms.

The woman lays the girl on the tatami and looks at Shouto and Izuku.

<<Now that she doesn't hear us, I need to say this. (Y/N) is the first one in our family that managed to be loved by the beasts, Kafka and Seatiel submitted them to obtain their powers. And this feeling is for you all too, mates. Since they can't always help (Y/N) because they could kill her, they choose a mate to do it, that's why only the closest ones are chosen.>>

"I see... Me and (Y/N)-chan are like best friends, but why Astraroth?" thinks Izuku, "Then, why Ash Crow picked Todoroki-kun? And why the Pride beast chose Kacchan? (Y/N) and Kacchan always fight, is he close to her? How this thing works is the first place?"

<<To protect their master, the beasts show to their mates a dream, hoping that they will get their hint hidden in that. Recently, one of your beasts showed to you something like that?>>

Everyone shakes their heads, but Shouto responds affirmatively, he had a couple of those dreams. The priestess asks if he could say what he saw, their dreams are helpful to understand the future. Against Seatiel, they can't do any mistakes.

<<The first one was a warning from (Y/N)'s mom and Yamato-san. I was watching fireworks with (Y/N), but all turned into an apocalypse scenario, the city was burning, my friends were all dead, and the villain alliance was marching in the town with Noumus, which one of them was holding (Y/N)'s body. Ash Crow protected me, but before I could take (Y/N) somewhere else, her mother and Yamato warned me about Seatiel, saying that during a fight, (Y/N) would go in berserk and die.>>

<<I see... I reassure you though, your beloved one will not die. The new earring erases the effects of the beasts during a fight, if she uses Astraroth, her body wouldn't feel that kind of pain she had yesterday, if she uses Ash Crow, her soul is safe from him. Especially, if she fights with Kikoku. Our treasures guide the huge power of the beasts outside the owner's body, and help him/her to use it better.>>

"Glad to hear that." after a little pause, Shouto tells the other dream he had a few days ago, <<I was older and I was the strongest hero together with Midoriya, (Y/N) and Bakugou. I was married, living in (Y/N)'s house, everything was so nice and real... I came back from work and I found (Y/N) sleeping on the floor with our children while her beasts were guarding them.>>

<<Did you see another beast other than the ones you saw?>> asks the woman, while Izuku is amazed by that dream, he really was one of the strongest hero? Cool...

<<Mh...>> Todoroki closes his eyes to remember, <<Yes, there was a golden lion. When I approached (Y/N), all her beasts said, "This is what you achieved when you saved her. We all thank you, and we will always protect you and your family, you are the one who holds the stars, this is what you deserve." I was talking with them like they were real persons, I wasn't scared by them at all, I was unbelievably happy.>>

"If they showed that dream, we will win." the woman pats Shouto's hair and he feels that her hands are like (Y/N)'s, warm with that special touch, <<I must stay as heir of the family, until someone will success me, (Y/N) is not gonna do it, so we will see each other again in the future. Both of you, be stronger and stronger, always look forward and never give up, okay?>>

<<T-Todoroki-kun... I was really one of the strongest heroes?>> asks Izuku to chat, they must wait that (Y/N) wakes up, Shuu and the others are keeping company to Khrome with some alcoholic drinks, <<Can I ask how were your children too? I'm a bit curious.>>

<<You were the number one along us. I think it's because you’ve Astraroth and your quirk. Using both, you could have a power that can be undefeatable, so I think that's the reason behind it, but yes, you were one of the strongest.>> Shouto replies to him, he's glad that someone as Midoriya is always with him and (Y/N), it's a nice feeling having him around, <<My children were twins I think... One had white hair, and the other one had red hair.>>

<<Hahaha, really? So, I'll be their uncle? I'm looking forward to play with them already!>>

<<As the number one hero, I don't think you would have much time to play. I and (Y/N) barely had time to go outside all together...>>

<<Then with who were the children when both of you worked?>>

<<Shuu-san and the others.>>

<<Mh...>> Shouto and Izuku help you to sit up, and look at you worried, Khrome and Shuu come as well.

<<How went your meeting with the Pride beast?>> asks Joel.

<<Abraxas.>> powerful waves destroy the room, and a beautiful golden fiery lion, sits next to you. He rubs his big snout on your legs and you calm him with just patting his head, <<I went better than I thought, this guy is a sweetheart, right Abraxas?>> you ruffle his mane with both hands and the beast actually enjoys it moving his tail.

He is a big dog, not a lion...

"Well, (Y/N) has a sweet spot for animals, but this is over my imagination..." thinks Shouto, that lion is huge and you are treating him as it is a pet. Did you do that with all your beasts?

<<I should stop to ask to show your beasts. You always destroy something, last time you burned the estate.>> Khrome kneels in front of the animal and smiles at it, <<Please, have a good care of your master, okay?>> the lion moves his big paw to her to show her that he understood her words and he will do his best to protect you.

---

The days keep going, and the meeting keep sliding because a few guests are too busy with their schedule that they can't participate, but Ran found a day that suit to everyone's demands. The location will be the Yuuei, it's the safest out there, it was a wise decision. Meanwhile, the students kept studying for exams, you and Shouto didn't need something, you top the rank of the highest grades of the class with Yaoyorozu, and your boyfriend is good at his duties. A few friends asked to help them to study, but you declined since you should train yourself to control your new pet. Nobody knows about it yet, only Midoriya, Shouto and Bakugou. You explained what happened that day, but he rejected with all his might to be helped by you and your stupid animals. Well, it was pretty predictable, but you know that he can't run away from it... A day or an another, he will use that power without wanting it.

The writing tests are over, it remains only the practice one.

Everyone waits outside the school with their hero costumes, Aizawa explains the test, and you notice that you aren't assigned to any of the teachers. Why?

<<Since (Y/N) has literally no defects, you are able to collaborate with everyone without complaining about it, you can beat a teacher easily with your quirk, we thought a suitable test for you.>> says the principal, <<You must defeat all of us. You don't need to get through the gate, just beat us and you cleared the test.>>

<<HAH?!>> you exclaim shocked, <<Hold on, I can't do that! All Might-sensei is too much for->>

<<Today is the day of the meeting.>> a woman walks accompanied by a man... what about a fan-fucking-tastic, <<We will use you as a demonstration of the power of the enemy, since no one believed me. Only Endevour accepted right away.>>

<<I'm not a freakshow! You can't do this to me!>> you argue back disappointed and angrily, <<You suggested this bullshit, right? It's an abuse of your powers!>>

<<These people must understand with who they're going to fight.>> responds the woman coldly, <<I am sorry, but you will help us in a way or another. Good luck on your test, Belial.>> she leaves with Ran that looks at you sadly.

<<I’ll use my full power only against Seatiel, not against my friends!>> you walk out the que and stare at that back which is fading in the distance, <<Khrome-sama!>>

While everyone is getting ready, you stay outside alone. You didn't want Shouto near you, it's something that you must deal by yourself. It is true that you are the only one who can show how strong Seatiel is, you are the only who can make everyone believes at this absurd story, but using your teachers as guinea pigs? Khrome definitely went over this time, you don't mind being used, but when someone else is involved too... You know that you're being stupid and childish right now, but hurting people that doesn't have nothing to do with it, it's something that it's more painful than a torture for you.

"I don't want to become a monster in front of my friends and Shouto... I don't want to look scary..." you hug your knees and keep them against your chest to comfort yourself, while the first siren announces that the first exam is over.

---Continue...

Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, Last Chapter

[winwiniswinning]

Clumsy Feet | Taeyong

Requested by @kookiexdae: Hi I was wondering if I could request a Taeyong scenario in which you two meet as trainees and you have difficulty dancing and he helps you out and then bc he likes you asks you out or something like that? fluffy plz thank u <3

Genre: Fluff | honestly think there’s like little bit of angst at the beginning?

Word Count: 1969

Warnings: None (unless you’re counting my crappy writing that will possibly make all of you go blind from reading it)

Creds to @megan1tuan for reading this and giving me the confidence to post this haha

Beads of sweat ran down the back of your neck and drenched your t-shirt as you tried and failed once again to complete the set of fast foot steps. You blocked out your dance teacher’s screaming, making it muffled like you were underwater. You already knew everything she was saying anyways. How you should be working harder, you weren't improving whatsoever, and you'd end up being kicked out if you performed like that at the monthly evaluation that was coming up. You knew. She had screamed that in your ear at least a hundred times by now.

You didn't even have to look up to know that all your fellow trainees were looking at you with pity. You hated that. Being looked down upon or with pity made you feel horrible. But you knew they only did that because they knew how hard you worked, and how little all your work did.

                                                      -   -   -

12:00, midnight. You were exhausted and frustrated with yourself. You've been staying behind after everyone else to put in extra practice every night. And every night, you felt like you were getting worse instead of improving.

Right now, you were trying to do the entire dance routine perfectly. The monthly evaluation was at 7:00 in the morning and you were not going to allow yourself to get kicked out of SM because you couldn't perfect one dance routine.

Taeyong passed by the practice room you're using and peeked in through the window in curiosity when he heard loud music playing. He thought he was the only who practiced late and the idea of someone else being so dedicated as to practice to midnight like him made Taeyong excited.

Seeing you dancing hard in front of the mirror, he admired your determination to get the routine down. But he really couldn't deny the fact that your dancing was rather messy. Taeyong remembered to a time about a week ago when Jaehyun and Yuta talked about how bad of a dancer you were and laughed at a video that one of the girl trainees had taken during practice. Taeyong had felt horrible when he saw Jaehyun and Yuta, two close friends of his, making fun of another trainee. But he knew that you weren't as bad of a trainee as people made you out to be. Taeyong had heard plenty of other things about you too. How you were always complimented for amazing vocal and rapping abilities. And how you wrote great lyrics for songs that you made yourself. Taeyong hated to think that all of your talent could end up wasted just because you were a slower learner when it came to dance.

He opened the door quietly and slipped into the practice room. You paid no attention and continued dancing.

Your steps were muddled and messy but it wasn't too terrible. Taeyong figured that if the teacher had spent a bit of extra time on doing the steps, you would have it down. Now the main problem was your coordination. Your arms and legs seemed like they didn't even belong to you. Flopping and not strong and graceful.

While focusing hard on dancing, you feel as though you were being watched. Like someone was burning a hole through your back. You lifted your head up and spotted Taeyong standing behind you. You could feel your mouth opening in surprise. Taeyong was an extremely popular trainee, what with his rapping, vocals, dancing, and amazing visuals. Girls would always giggle about him and other cute boy trainees during break.

You had seen him dance before and was amazed by his skills. Every move of his was sharp and powerful. Not wanting to look weak, you straightened your back and turned off the music. “Why are you here?”

Naturally, Taeyong put on his cold exterior in response. Without missing a beat, he coldly replied with seemingly no emotion, “Your arms are a flailing mess, you keep on skipping over the same footsteps, and you're off beat.”

Without warning, your eyebrows furrowed and tears formed in your eyes. In seconds, the waterworks started and you were quietly sobbing to yourself. You knew that everything Taeyong was saying was right. The entire time, you had been trying to keep up to the music and control your movements. Hearing him say what you had already known with such a straight, cold face made you break.

Taeyong was startled by your sudden tears. Having no experience with girls, especially crying ones, he stood silently, frantically wondering what he should do. Deciding that a crying girl was no different from a crying boy, Taeyong approached you the same way he did with his younger trainee friends. Quietly, he stepped forward and gently pulled your head towards his chest. Keeping one hand on the back of your head, he wrapped the other around your waist. As Taeyong gently stroked your hair, he whispered, “I’m sorry for being so cold. Please stop crying.”

Having not been held by someone for so long, you started crying harder. Although you had just met him, you couldn’t help feeling like his hug had a nice, familiar feeling. The two of you stood there for five minutes. Even after you stopped crying, Taeyong continued to hold you to his chest. Your arms had found their way to wrap around his waist tightly, burying yourself in his soft sweatshirt stained with your tears.

“Are you feeling okay now? I’m so sorry, I was too harsh with you. I know that we’re having the monthly evaluation tomorrow so would you like me to help you with the dance routine?” Taeyong asked as you withdrew yourself from him.

Smiling through your tear stained face, “That would be great. Thanks,”

You were surprised by how different Taeyong was acting now from before. Although still skeptical about how you felt towards him, you gladly accepted his offer. He was considered one of the best dancers out of the trainees for a reason.

After that, Taeyong was much gentler to you and showed his real side; a soft, cuddly, little teddy bear that was willing to do anything to help. The two of you spent hours going over the entire routine and he was extremely patient in helping you with parts that you found difficult. The way he taught you was so much better than the dance teacher. Part of it was because he had you do the moves slowly at first and then build up your speed, but another part was that he made the atmosphere light and comfortable. Even though he knew that you only had a limited amount of time before the evaluation, he made jokes and gave you breaks. You were so grateful towards him. You knew that Taeyong could have easily passed by you and gone back to catch some sleep. But instead he took time (lots of time) to help you out. It was one of the sweetest, if not the sweetest thing that someone had done for you since you’d become a trainee.

                                                      -   -   -

“Yes, Y/N! You did it!” Taeyong swooped you up in his arms, a move that caught you off guard for a moment. Once getting used to his warm arms around you, you laughed as he twirled you around. After working together on the dance routine for 5 hours, the sun was rising and you had finally been able to complete the entire routine without any mistakes.

High-fiving one another, you were both grinning ear to ear and standing there looking at each other. Realizing that the moment was getting rather awkward, Taeyong looked past you to see the sunrise. He couldn’t help but think that you looked so beautiful with the sun’s warm rays glowing behind you; it made you look like an angel.

“Hey Taeyong, you okay there?” You waved your hand in front of his face. He had been staring at you with a faraway gaze for a bit now and it was starting to creep you out. Although you really couldn’t deny the heat rising in you, heading straight for your face. Shaking his head a bit to get rid of those seemingly unnecessary thoughts about you, Taeyong gave a small smile back.

“Sorry, seems I sort of drifted off a bit from staying up so much.”

You felt a pang in your chest at his words. You knew that you were the reason he was so tired and out of it. Noting the small fall in your smile, Taeyong grabbed you by the shoulder and shook you gently. “It’s alright. It’s not your fault that I’m tired. I wanted to help you, didn’t I?” He reassured. “Hey, let’s go to McDonalds! We have some time before the testing and you need some good ol’ food in that tummy.” Taeyong followed by poking you gently in the stomach, eliciting a giggle from you.

Over an extremely unhealthy meal that a trainee definitely should not be eating, Taeyong and you spoke about the most random of topics. From your pets, favorite colors, funny trainee stories, to what words rhymed as you guys tried to form a rap together. You found yourself having much more fun that you’d experienced in a long time. Taeyong was very enjoyable company and had many interesting facts that he eagerly shared with you. And in the course of a simple short hour, you found out more about him than you ever thought you would.

Despite wanting to spend the entirety of the day with him, you knew that it was time to return to the SM building. The hands on the clock were quickly approaching six o’clock, the time when trainees were supposed to gather to prepare for the evaluation. Taeyong and you walked briskly back to the entertainment building as you chatted about your life back home. Taeyong almost wanted to burst out laughing at the animated expressions and hand movements you made to accompany your enthusiastic voice while you gushed about funny experiences, your friends, and how you became a trainee. He found them extremely endearing and unique to you.

Stopping in front of the sliding glass door of SM, Taeyong held your wrist to keep you from entering the building. His joyful expression had turned into one of nervousness. He fiddled a bit with his fingers.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” You laughed gently at his sudden change in personality.

Taeyong gave himself a small, You can do it! in his head before clasping his hands together. “Okay, so I know we haven’t known each other for that long,” He started slowly.

“Only like…” Pausing for a second, he counted on his fingers slowly. “Six hours.” He grinned at you. “But I really like your personality. You’re funny, sweet, energetic and so much more. And I admire the way you’re so driven with all of training. And honestly, I think I’m getting ahead of myself, but would you consider going on a date or two with me? Because I really want to know you more and spend more time too cause you-”

You interrupted his cute ramble and your heart seemed to pump faster as you spoke. “Of course.”

“What?”

“I said, I’d love to go on a date or two with you.” And more to yourself than him, you mumbled, “And maybe be your girlfriend later.”

His face lit up like a little kid on Christmas day, not only from you agreeing, but also because he managed to catch what you said to yourself. You guys smiled goofily at each other for a minute before you remembered that the clock was ticking and you really did need to get into the building. Quickly, you squished his cute little cheeks and gave a small peck on his nose before hurrying into the building.

“Wish me good luck on my evaluation!”

[cafesandlatenights]

Chapter One [Beyond the Sunrise, LMMxReader]

Summary: The stranger from the diner is more familiar with your family than you realized.

Word Count: 2,377

Warnings: Slow burn, mentions of drinking?

Authors notes:  Sab - Guys. Dreams are coming true (specifically, mine). This is the first chapter and we are so excited to share with you guys! Mostly because pre-ITH Lin is my spirit animal.

Ren - You guys have no idea how excited we are for you to finally dive in with us into this story! Sab and I have a ~thing~ for pre-ITH Lin and the way this story flows when we write kinda speaks for itself. We really hope you guys enjoy it as much as we do!

askbox | masterlist | prologue | next chapter

“Mom, slow down- What do you need me to do?” You thanked the universe for having a slow day at your job when your mom called. Those phone calls were never calm or short, but today she sounded especially nervous. “Ava? Is she okay?”

“I got a call from school, hon, they asked to pick her up earlier, something about a stomach or a headache, I don’t remember.” You rolled your eyes at your mom’s neglect and how it never changed, even after having three daughters. “Since your job is closer to Hunter and I’m on the other side of the city I was wondering if-”

“If I can pick her up? Sure, I’ll have to talk to my boss but we’re having a slow day anyway.” You took a deep breath after listening to your mother giving you instructions on how to find your way inside Hunter like you have never been there, hanging up on her after a quick goodbye.

Getting the time off wasn’t a problem. Your manager was truly considerate when it came to family instances, and this hadn’t been the first time your mother dropped the ball with your freshman sister: your role as big sister doubled as a psychologist, driver, nurse and more often than it should, mother.

You checked yourself in the bathroom’s mirror at work, straightened the pencil skirt you hated so much and putt a few strands of hair back in place. Hunter was no place for you, you knew that the first time you stepped into the prestigious high school in jeans and a t-shirt during your little sister’s tour, earning a few side looks from other family members that were accompanying the kids as well.

You dreaded walking on the campus. Snooty teachers and teenagers that were already much smarter than you’d ever be put you on edge. If your sister was sick, however, you had no choice. Leaving a note for your co-worker by the desk telling them you’d be back soon and stepping out of the Natural History Museum, you made your way quickly to the parking lot, quickly finding your car: used and with way more mileage than it should, the old thing did the job just fine for now. You took some pride on having it, since it was one of your first purchases with your own salary, but the car was old.

At least that’s what your mother said. You liked the word vintage much more.

You had to admit it was a bit embarrassing rolling up to your sister’s prestigious school in the beater, but it was not like you had another option.

You knew the layout of the campus fairly well, and was able to navigate to the front office with little trouble. A quick conversation with a woman at the front desk had you stuck in a waiting room before being allowed access to the nurse’s office. Waiting was one of the few things that you utterly hated.

Waiting gives you time to think, thinking leads to overthinking, which was something that you already did too often without the spare time sitting in a room with nothing to do gave you. Your eyes wandered through the walls, all full of old pictures, almost historical ones, of classes that graduated before you were even born. The place was a museum almost as much as it was a school, and you noticed how different it was from the school you attended as a teenager.

Your school wasn’t the most funded or filled to the brim with the highest test scores in New York, but it was home for four years. So were the places nearby, your mind shifting your thoughts to the Salt & Pepper diner almost immediately. It was a place that had been up and running for decades - even when your mother was in high school.

You pictured how different the dynamics were back in her time, and how there was almost a zero percent chance she’d have had the night you had with Lin. Lin. You didn’t see him again ever since, nor had you asked Sonya about him, it wasn’t like you two were friends or anything.

Lin hadn’t had the time to return to the diner in the past week, the unscheduled early morning chat putting a dent in the time he set aside to grade papers.

It seemed like his week had been clouded with you, so much so that his students had begun to notice a certain off-ness to his attitude: he was distracted and would often lose his line of thought, which was really uncommon to Lin. He noticed some kids whispering to each other as he took a deep breath to collect himself to what looked like the millionth time that morning. Thankfully, a middle of the day prep period meant he could busy himself with making copies and catching up with his co-workers after the weekend.

The office was always his first stop, the copy machines promised to be flooded with other teachers with just as many stacks of papers as he had. To kill the time, he would listen in on the gossip the women at the front desk would dish - always taking their remarks with a grain of salt.

Usually it was what teachers they thought were hooking up (they had quite the idea that him and Mr. Martinez, the band teacher, would make a lovely couple). Today, they pouted over one of his favorite students.

“Poor girl, sick to her stomach and her mother can’t even come pick her up. The sister has to leave work.”

“Well, when was the last time we’ve even seen Ava’s mother? Orientation, maybe?”

Craning his neck to see if the line was moving along at all - it wasn’t - Lin abandoned his place and made a beeline for the nurse’s office. The fastest route was a straight shot, but Lin liked to avoid a certain section of the office where yard duties would squabble about the appropriate length of girls’ skirts.

A sudden left turn had him in the attendance office, only a few doors down from the nurse’s office. He stopped walking once he passed by the waiting room and saw someone. You. He walked back, catching your attention.

“[Y/N]?” The happiness in his voice matched the sparkle in his eyes, it was adorable. “What are you doing here?”

“Lin, hey!” You got up, wrapping your arms around his neck for a quick hug that lasted a few seconds too long. You felt your heart beating fast once he let go of you. “I’m picking up my sister, she got sick and my mom couldn’t come...” Your eyebrows raised in a silent question.

“Oh! I’m working.” His hand found his teacher badge, dangling from a lanyard around his neck.

“Mr. Miranda. English department.” You read aloud. “Substitute teacher?”

“Yep, I have to pay the bills somehow,” he shrugged. “I feel bad about the other night. Venting to you until the sun came up and I didn’t even ask for your number.”

“Oh, right! I felt like it was my fault, I just left after I- I’m sorry,” you replied, with an apologetic smile. “Here,” you shuffled through your bag for a scrap of paper as he fished for a pen from his pants pocket.

You hurriedly scribbled down the digits, passing him the crinkled note.

“The Natural History Museum?” He asked, squinting at the faded watermark above your number.

“You’re not the only one that has bills to pay,” you shrugged. “Front desk, half-time job. Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History, how can I help you today?” Your ‘customer service’ voice had Lin giggling, recalling a similar tone he used when he served strangers one dollar burgers.

“Hey sis I- Mr. Miranda, hi!” Your little sister broke into the waiting room with her backpack hanging on one shoulder, a small smile showing up on her face when she noticed who you were talking to.

“Hey, how’re you feeling?” Your arms went over her shoulder as you pressed a light kiss to her forehead.

“Nauseous. Tired. Hungry.” She listed.

“Did you go out drinking last night?” He teased, knowing your angel of a little sister wouldn’t even consider it.

“Totally wasted.” She answered, “Don’t tell my sister, she’s lame.”

“And with that,” a glare in her direction silenced any more of her teasing, “we should get you home. Lin, it was great to see you again.”

“Likewise,” he nodded. “Maybe next time we have coffee you’ll at least try not to peel the crust off your grilled cheese?”

“We’ll have to find that out,” you joked. “You have my number now, so…”

“I’ll text you.” He announced, making you giggle while you left with your little sister, who looked at the both of you with curiosity.

Once Ava and you got in the car, you bit your lip, turning on the radio to avoid any conversation about what just happened, but at the same time you knew that never stopped Ava before. Just as you expected, after a few songs, she started asking questions.

“So, how do you know Mr. Miranda?” You little sister asked while turning the radio’s volume down a few numbers.

“We met at a diner a few nights ago.” You simply commented, not taking your eyes from the streets. “Had to get some work done and we were the only people there.”

“He is awesome, you know?” You knew. “And he totally asked you out there.” The certain girlish giggle that escaped your sister reminded you that she was only fourteen.

“What? No!” You turned to her once he car stopped at a red light. “He knows it was just as friends… Right? I mean it’s coffee not dinner.”

“I don’t think so, sis.” Ava was typing on her phone while talking. “You should consider it as a date, though.”

“Ava, I have a boyfriend, remember? Stephen?”

“Stephen is a bore, [Y/N].”

“I thought you liked him!”

“I do, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is really boring. Mr. Miranda is one of my favorite people in the world, you can’t expect me to be on Stephen’s side on this one.”

“This is so none of your business,” you commented, right before arriving at your mother’s street, finding a parking spot right away. “Okay, you’re home.”

“You’re not coming in?” Ava’s eyes widened.

“I’m avoiding any chance to face mom, Ava.” You took a deep breath, placing a strand of hair behind her ear. “If you need anything, just call okay?”

She mumbled a reply, swinging her bag on and closing the car door behind her. You sat and watched her safely disappear into the house, firing up the car and pulling out of the spot.

You hated to just leave your little sister by herself at home, but if you lingered too long your mother may corner you into a conversation. And the conversation would be considered a passive-aggressive attack on every single aspect of your life: your mom loved you, you knew that, but she also had an abnormal amount of high expectations about your personal, professional and academic life.

She could drone on for hours about Stephen. How he was perfect for you. How he had a career and aspirations and money. Stephen was the only aspect of your life that your mother happily approved of and ironically, the only aspect of your life you couldn’t care less about.

Work was always a nice escape from thinking about these things. Forcing smiles and directing tourists distracted you from the man you had dedicated over two years of your life to. He wasn’t horrible.

He was nice, and sometimes he made you laugh and he definitely had money, something that came in handy when you decided to move out and he promptly invited you to move in with him. No matter how nice he was, however, you had to agree with your sister. He was a bit boring.

Work only lasted so long, you conceded, enjoying the final moments of solitude as you drove home from the museum. After dropping your bag by the door, you noticed the sun setting, giving the whole place a golden glow. As you walked towards Stephen’s home office, you found the guy typing while listening to someone on the phone, which was stuck between his shoulder and his ear.

You watched him for a few moments until he ended the call, going to him and pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Hey.”

“Hey, I didn’t even hear you coming.”

“I noticed,” you replied with a smile. “Busy day?”

“As always. Yours?”

“Had to pick up Ava at school, mom called last minute.” You sat on his desk by his laptop while he finished typing. “What do you want for dinner?”

“Anything you want,” he smiled.

And that was that. He would hold himself in his office until dinner, where he would make a quick appearance and press the same kiss on your cheek as he had the night before. He’d return to his office until bedtime, where you would sit up, watch a single late night show, and be tucked in by eleven.

It was while you were setting up the table for you and Stephen when your phone buzzed on your back pocket, the confusion on your face when seeing the unknown number being replaced with a smile after seeing the message.

From: Unknown number

To: [Y/N]

Hello! Hope your sister is feeling better (she does have a very very important essay due at the end of the week!) and that you weren’t kidding about getting coffee again?

Your thumbs hovered over the phone before starting to type a reply.

From: [Y/N]

To: Lin Miranda

Yes and yes. Ava is already annoying me with texts again so she’s probably fine. And nope, not kidding! Coffee sounds great.

That didn’t sound flirtatious, right? Stephen shifted in the other room. No, definitely not flirtatious. Still, you hesitated before hitting ‘send’.

From: Lin Miranda

To: [Y/N]

I’m sure your schedule is a little crazier than mine. School and work and all that? Pick a date and time and I’ll be there.

tags:  @smileystumph - @justanotherhamiltrash - @always-blame-jefferson - @itsjaynebird - @angerybisexual - @l-nmanuel - @voldecrux - @phangirldil2022 - @jzzyjones

[curiouskarenscapers2017]

Vol.10 May 2005

 The earth shook and my clothes swayed on the hangers. I’m sure it was just to say goodbye to April and the calm two months with no earth movement we enjoyed .…just reminding us that it’s still here under us, moving, breathing and changing. It started at 10:50 pm and it lasted about 5 min. I didn’t realize it was an earthquake until I saw my clothes swaying from side to side. The building takes a while to calm down though, so a lot of the additional swaying is the building coming to a stand still. It’s like taking a rubber column and moving the bottom and seeing the top go moggy for a while, like jelly until it is back where it started…pretty much like that.

And so a new month dawned with at least two things to look forward to….payday and the weekend away to Green Island “Liudau”. Can’t wait, need a break desperately and fresh air!!!! You can not believe how dirty air affects you! We are still very lucky in SA that our air is good….I have this vision of people wearing masks one day soon..oh wait they already do here!!!, everyone on a scooter has a mask. I bought one for my bike but couldn’t wear it, it was suffocating me. Even the smallest kids have. All kinds and designs…quite cute..sad but cute!! We need to appreciate it and try to hang on to it for as long as possible!! You only miss it when it’s gone! Trust me it’s gone here!

We had a photo session at the school for the kindergarten’s graduation etc. So they are making photo albums to give to the kids when they leave for BIG school…cool idea. I managed to steal the CD and copy the photo’s. The first photo is of the foreign teachers at the school. From left to right. Melissa( Canada), David(Canada),Teri(S.A), Abby(Canada), Karen(S.A), Ryno(S.A) and Kim(Canada). Photo 2 is our Zoolander poses in case you think we were serious!!!  The boys on the other hand obviously weren’t into taking photo’s as we were!! Photo 3 was my mom’s mother’s day gift. I need before and after photo’s, do you see the grey hair???? Photo 5 are all the teachers with the graduating class in Kindergarten called K3. With the owner Judy in the centre back next to Melissa. Great fun..as usual!!!

  So on Friday night I got a meal to remember! I was hungry and the Chinese teachers got me something for dinner..so nice of them. I opened the little square box, which all take always come in…someone makes them in their garage…..anyway, I opened it to see a pork knuckle. Skin and toes…lovely sight, I first thought it was a pork knuckle but kind of put it to one side thinking of eisbein or any other pork dishes we usually eat. The meat was sooo tender and fatty and homely that I licked it’s fingers off and enjoyed the meal. It was more difficult as I got fuller. But the paw or claw or foot was amazingly put together. Amazing what you learn about the anatomy of a pig if you eat all parts of it!!! It had fingers and nails like our feet…weird, with all the little bones you have in each finger as well, the end bone is slightly different and formed like a little hoof on it’s own…wow!!!!!! Anyway, so that was that, don’t know if I would like to do it again soon, but it was delicious, we are just way too spoilt for choice meat! To add to my day of experimenting with food, at lunch at the kindergarten I had some of the food they serve the kids. We had miniature squid as our meat source. About the size of a hair clip or a medium sized eraser. Tentacles, eyes and body……..I had to try two, each kid was given two, I saw a few on the side of the bowls after lunch….obviously not everybody’s cup of tea! Tasted like nothing much, chewy calamari, I think the eyes and the tentacles got me a bit….it looks very alive!!!! Don’t like to eat things that look like the original animal …you know? Anyway, been there and done that…bring on Fear Factor!!!! Obviously fear is not a factor for me!!!!!!

Samsung came to fetch my little camera all the way to Taipei for a service…yes people, I do take on average about 100 photo’s a day!!!!! Not really but I make up for it when we travel. I will have a full length 3hour movie when I get home, it might actually be more of a Lord of the Rings 1, 2 and 3…the more I think about it. How’s that for service. If anything goes wrong they fetch it where ever you are in the country…which is only the whole 360km of it from point to point…but that’s not the point. They come fetch it and fix it and return it within 7 to 14 working days which is within 7 to 14 days…teeeheee..these poor people!!!!

Anyway, it was 14 days on Wednesday and I got Monica, a friend of mine to phone to check where it is. So when she phoned they knew it was me “the English teacher from Changhua”. I’m famous…the whole Samsung Help Desk of Taiwan, knew me as the English teacher!!! They would try to get everything done a.s.a.p. I wanted it for my trip to Green Island next weekend, they assured me of priority treatment!! I suppose I was the only English name on their database…my name…Karen…no other details!!!!! Cell phone and address to pick it up and that’s it!!! They better hurry because my shooting/clicking finger needs exercise!

Mother’s day is coming and I’m getting all depressed about it! My mother is 14 hours flying in that direction to the west!!!! All the kids are writing our mother’s day wishes in their school mother’s day cards…too cute!!!

I’m going to explore Chiayi county with Melissa as she finalises her contract and paperwork with the new school. She resigned a week ago to the schools horror but they replaced her and me probably with two new people that arrived yesterday. We’ll still have to chat to them at some stage and warn them what they’re getting into. Just so that they don’t walk into this school blindly.

Kingdom of Heaven started this weekend as well so Saturday is movie day. Melissa wants me to go see the Boogeyman and House of Wax with her…I respectfully and politely tried to decline!! She’s a horror movie fanatic…also lives on a graveyard in Ontario…hmmmmmm…the friends I make!!! Anyway, Star Wars III is more my style and I promised to go with but watching another movie!! We’ll see if it works! Can’t wait!! Need to get some DVD’s before coming home…all the legal type, but much cheaper than home!!

I organised my mother’s day gift and package for sending and then you get stuck in what to send with, this is your chance of communication with the outside world, what can you send??? So many things!!! Food stuffs? No it’s mother’s day and besides it must be small enough to go express airmail to get to her by Tuesday or so. Anyway, so the gift with two cool photo’s and butterfly stickers she would love was carefully packaged as well as a school mother’s day card and a proper one….after bawling my eyes out writing the real one I ended it off with a silly one…all about balance!! I need my mom!!!!!!!!!

Anyway only two more months, missing her birthday as well! And don’t get me started on father’s day soon!!!!! At …how old am I now?……thirty something, your priorities change in life and family becomes the centre of your existence! Life is precious and way to short!

And so the rainy season also started with showers nearly everyday or every other day. My camera arrived on Tuesday to my relief and immediately I started clicking away…to check and see whether it works of course. My Q class at school graduated on Tuesday night and we had a bit of a ceremony for them. Pizza, biscuits, sweets and Milk tea. It’s amazing how you get attached to the kids and they to you. We exchanged email addresses to send photo’s. We’ll another two hours a week gone…my hours are dropping quickly as the stages graduate and move to other classes. In total I have lost 20 hours a month with this class ending this week.

Anyway, enough of that, let’s explore Taiwan rather and see what we can discover in the last few weeks. Well the heavens opened and we got washed away for a few days!! The poor dead river running next to our complex, suddenly got a life of it’s own and flowed merrily through the canal washing away all the sewerage that gets pumped into it daily from the factories along the canal. Soap, oil etc, etc. Can’t believe I hear the frogs chorusing at night. I think they are more in the actual rice paddies than in the river. Even small yellow and white butterflies flutter over the rice fields between the buildings and factories. To beautiful!

Well the weekend has dawned and I was getting very excited about our Green Island trip starting tomorrow night at 11pm on a bus in Taichung. Packed my three pieces of clothing, which included my cozzy (2 pieces) and my towel. No, a few things more, but light, minimum and mix ’n match style. I’m ready, camera charged!

After school on Friday night at about 9:00 Melissa and I walked to the station to meet up with Kim, Abby and Teri. We got our tickets and saw Kim already waiting…..big surprise as she is usually late…just shows you how desperate we were to go on holiday, even if this is actually only a weekend. Anyway, Abby and Teri pitched and we went for our train. We were on two different trains as we bought our tickets at the express machine but luckily there were two trains bound for Taichung within 15 min of each other. We arrived at Taichung and found the rest of the group in a pub nearby. We toasted our new adventure and met Eddie at the train station at 10:55pm.

He was on a scooter and we only had quick introductions. little did we then suspect what would happen over the weekend… So we got into a taxi and followed him on his scooter to the bus stop where we get our bus to Taitung. We chatted a bit and got some background on the his business etc. The bus was about 20min late but at 11:30pm we were in our seats and ready to roll. We explored the bus a bit and found a lounge on the bottom deck, which was basically just two rows of seats facing each other so that you could chat without disturbing the rest of the passengers sleeping up stairs. It was situated just behind the driver, between an extremely small bathroom and a semi bedroom section right behind the driver. We later discovered Kim had annexed the “bedroom” and made the crew stay up the whole night because she was in their bed!!! Just joking but she did sleep in their bed…..a bit of a Goldilocks ring to it, doesn’t it? I slept soon after we got on the bus and Melissa joined me upstairs soon after while the rest had a few drinks in the lounge and stayed there overnight. Anyway, after a fitful sleep I slowly awoke to see the sun rise over the flat mirror of the sea. Too beautiful. It reminded me sooo much of Toti sunrises maybe also because it was on the East coast of the country, that I have grown up with. The fishing boats were bobbing and swaying like floats on fishing rods in the calm grey early water. We arrived soon after in Taitung at about 6:15am. We got out, and caught the next means of transport to the harbour. The taxi’s dropped us off and we awaited our third means of transport in one day, a ferry, that was to depart at 7am for Green Island. We met up with Alicia and her two Chinese friends, I-han and Cleo.

It arrived on time and we boarded. A space age looking vehicle with all the space inside looking like an airplane and a small outside area on the top floor. Reminded me of a typical American style mode of transport, all engine and no packing space!

I took a space in a corner section of the railing and felt like Kate Winslet in Titanic, also wanted to burst into song…..but I didn’t. The small deck soon became crowded as the ferry rocked slowly toward Green Island that was visible from Taiwan soil. It was only 33km off the coast but took us about an hour to cross. Wonderful to have the wind in your hair, blue skies and fresh air. Aaah yes, fresh air! Blue seas!

Next minute a dog poked his head through the railing and looked out too sea with his nose to the wind and his eyes closed, so I wasn’t the only one. I patted him and looked around behind me on deck, it was a golden retriever convention! About 13 of them lay on the deck, it looked like a carpet! They were stunning.

We arrived at about 8:00.

The skies were clear as we thought we would have bad weather due to the storms and rain on the main island for the last few days. We were helped by Henry, a partner with Eddie to pack our bags in the combi while we were taken to get scooters. They were all 125cc and we chose number 18 to be our steed for our time here. We rode off like a biker gang to drop of our baggage at the hotel. It wasn’t even 5 min from the habour when we stopped at the Sunny Waters Hotel.

It was bit early and we left our bags to go and have some breakfast at the Green Summer Coffee – Tea. Our breakfast had real bacon!!!!Amazing how you miss the little things in life. Squires breakfasts at Harties or Cappuccino’s breakfasts at Menlyn. Anyway, it was fresh juice and a good breakfast.

We finished at about 9:30 and Eddie came in to tell us that we can go snorkelling at 10 if we want before it gets too hot. He said it was going to get about 40 degrees today. Lovely! So we all agreed and went off to the place where we get the wetsuits, snorkels and goggles and booties. I was wondering why on earth in warm water and a hot day do we have to wear wetsuits. I think we lost about 5kg’s just getting to the snorkelling site! It was damn hot!!!! On scooters we all left the shop and travelled to the snorkelling site, me with my helmet and my goggles and snorkel in the wind!!! I was told by Teri that it was quite a site!! I aim to please!

We arrived and took to the waters.

This island was known as Burning Island or Fire island by the locals who lived on this volcanic island. So many of the beaches have coral and volcanic rock you need to cross to get to the deeper water. So we walked ankle deep into the warm water for a few meters before being able to swim. It was beautiful, sea life worthy of the Maldives and many other diving sites in the world. The parrot fish, angel fish and many more darted in and out of the coral and crevices. They fed the fish with some bait and hundreds came to snap it up. Henry, our diving guide as well, caught a puffer fish and showed it to us, this little thing that was now a ball of spikes the size of a large apple, hissing as air escaped and he tried to make himself bigger, was not too impressed with this capture and unwilling demonstration of what a puffer fish looks like puffed up!!! When he was freed he deflated and disappeared among the crowds underwater. We saw a yellow and black, sea snake or eel type. Stunning! The people were not equipped with fins, to protect the reefs and plant life. The few times I tried to dive down, the buoyant wetsuit and lungs full of air popped me back up, feet first like a blow up doll. I gave up the battle after a few attempts. We were being stung like hell by small strands of jellyfish type things, that were mostly invisible to the naked eye but looking carefully, you could see them. They drifted about a ruler’s length thick on top of the water. Small specks of glowing neon red plankton was visible every now and then and darted away as you tried to touch it. Too cool, no pain no gain! It was great. After we returned to the shop and thanked them we went exploring, agreeing to meet each other at the beach called Dabaisha, “white sands” beach.

So off we went. I wanted to see as much as possible before the weather changes or we don’t get the opportunity later, you know how it goes on holidays, do it while you can and the opportunity presents itself. So off we went stopping at all kind of spots to get some stunning photo’s of the rock formations and clear water. There is a Sleeping Beauty rock with a small Pekinese dog rock near her head. We didn’t know this was the sleeping beauty rock until we looked at our photo’s later! Too beautiful.(last photo). This is the old harbour at high tide…remember this one.

The wind came up on the one side of the island and we found the beach. Kim and them were there already and we waited for Abby and Teri. They eventually came and we had a beach day for the rest of the afternoon.

We had our usual Zoolander shot that we used for our T-shirt of Green Island.

The Chinese people are a fascinating race, or rather the Taiwanese. For a nation that lives on an island: no one swims (or very few), they don’t go to the beach other than to take photo’s of themselves on it but clothed from head to toe because they don’t want to be tanned as this is a sign of being inferior or of a lower class and they work themselves to death. Why live on an island??? Go live in the UK. Oh wait, that’s also an island. Amazing the contrast to any other nation living anywhere near the sea or on an island. They always have a laid back attitude, lazy days, brown bodies and carefree life styles. Weird!

We were asked to pose with strangers we have never seen or don’t know from a bar of soap, we were taken photo’s of unawares by passers by and young boys with cellphone camera’s….we were over night celebrities! They could probably not believe that we would be lying in the sun tanning on the beach…what a ridiculous notion!!! Who does that? On our way off the beach we met up with a family from New Zealand. They were parents coming to visit their son who teaches in Taipei. The dad and I were talking rugby when he heard I was from South Africa. The mother was quite cool as well and the son told us of his 6months in Taiwan.

It was about 5pm when we got back to the hotel and went for dinner at the Fisherman’s. Eddie got us at about 6:00pm and we walked down the street to where the Fisherman was looking out over the ocean. Too beautiful to watch the sunset from there! We were organised at a table upstairs on the deck. We met Jackie another contact who apparently, we didn’t know this at the time, owned the ferry service and half the island. The godfather! Good to know him! We also got to know Ted, another Canadian, who joined us from then on. Everybody was in a festive mood and we took the restaurant by the horns.

We had delicious seafood dishes presented to us and the wine flowed. We thought that this was where the evening would end as everybody was drained by the sun and being awake for so long and not really sleeping on the bus. But then the second wind came for all and the party started!

And on it went! At about 11:00pm we ended up going to where Eddie and his crew hanged out, behind their shop. Stunning Japenese garden style layout of white pebbles and two sets of dark green granite tables and granite rocks for chairs. We all gathered and sat back and relaxed over a few whiskies. Then the thought came of all going for a dip in the old harbour which is used as a swimming pool. Off we went all on our bikes again heading north, past the lighthouse and there we were. The bikes were parked and we all skinny dipped, probably about 10 to 12 grown up people, screaming and splashing around like kids every time something brushed past our legs! (It was seaweed) Isn’t it cool to be alive!!!(This is where the harbour photo comes in)

That lasted about an hour and by this time it was nearly 2:00 in the morning. Then Eddie suggested we gate crash the hot springs! Okay!!! We were on the bikes and off again. The group had diminished somewhat to about 5 of us going to scale the fence of the famous, volcanic hot springs! We got there and parked our bikes in a dark undetectable section in the road…..all very 007, climbed over the fence and walked down to the three pools as if we were royalty! Eddie assured us that he ALWAYS does this, the people knew him by now! The hot springs are natural and heated by the active volcanic currents. One pool is hot, the second cooler and the third even cooler. Eddie educated us on the use of the pebbles at the bottom of the pool to rub on your skin or feet by pulling Melissa off her feet to perform the demonstration. It was fantastic. Therapeutic and calming. Everybody was in a pool somewhere and new customers kept coming and going at 2 in the morning!!!! At about 3am I couldn’t keep my eyes open and went home leaving the rest to percolate! I think at about 5am all the birds were in the nest. What a day!

The next morning at about 10:00 am we got up and went for breakfast. Various levels of hangovers were appreciated and shared and treated. After breakfast we were told Eddie managed to organise us the 5pm ferry instead of the 12 o’clock one! I think we impressed Jackie!! It’s who you know!  We were extremely grateful. We went exploring a bit on the way to the beach again at about 11:00 and swam and tanned until about 14:30.

Then things got a bit rushed as we were told that we had to get the 4pm ferry due to fully booked ferries. We went to the T-shirt shop, downloaded our Zoolander picture for the woman at the shop to put on out T-shirts and went for lunch. We came back and it was nearly 4pm. We raced to the harbour, parked our bikes on the side of the road and ran to the ferry as it hooted!! The whole ferry was waiting just for us!!! We let rip down the harbour side, bags, bobbing and foreigners flying. We made it! And the people on deck cheered!!! We apologised to all in general and explained we didn’t want to leave Green Island, they understood! We waved goodbye to the best holiday in ages and this photo shows a boy who depicted what we were feeling at that stage.

  But we reminisced as we sailed of into the sunset. Off to Taitung and a 6 hour wait for the bus back to Taichung.

Lucky for us the sea was calm but some still felt a bit under the weather with the motion of the ocean. We arrived at 5pm and went walking around. Dropping our bags off at the bus station saying goodbye to Eddie and going for a snack at Young’s a restaurant in Taitung. We had something to eat and drink and wandered the streets aimlessly after Alicia, I-han and Cleo got their train to Tainan. Email addresses were exchanged and photo’s promised. Good friends departed and the wait continued. We probably walked past the same people in the streets 4 or 5 times in our wanderings, and images of them asking us if we were lost flashed by. Oh look dad, those foreigners again…. Oh look dad, those foreigners again!!!!! At about 10pm after sitting outside KFC for nearly an hour I went back to the bus station to read my book while the other three went shopping for pillows at the Working House, a bit like Boardman’s in SA. The bus finally arrived after we surfed the channels on a TV in the waiting room and competed with a guy that probably works there or knows the guy who does. This bus had individual seats in a row, so you had a huge lazy boy all to yourself with no one next to you. We all passed out pretty quickly and I was only awaken by the wild bus driver’s maneuvering skills through the mountains and narrow mountain roads at an amazing speed for such a big bus, that moved me from side to side in my chair! I woke up again at about 5:00 as we entered Taichung. We said goodbye to Teri and Abby and caught a taxi to Changhua, I was back in bed by 6:00 and woke up at 12:00. The day was bright with an unusually bright blue sky. We then heard that they have had downpour after downpour the whole weekend…..isn’t it amazing how the good weather just sticks to me on my trips to places! That’s why the air was so clear. Amazing the difference the blue air makes to the look of the city. Anyway, back to work but in a much better mood than usual. Everybody commented on our stunning red tans and broad smiles. Let’s see how long we can run on this regenerated energy.

Monday 16 May, I now officially have 2 months to go before my contract ends!

The time flew by and suddenly it was the next weekend. We wore our T-shirts to school to the great delight of the kids. “Teacher I see you!” was most of the comments jabbing you in the back as they scrutinize the photo. Melissa had packed her bags and we had our last breakfast together at our breakfast shop, where the owner was fascinated by my silver bracelets I always wear. I promised her I’ll have a look around to see if she can get it here in Changhua. Very few people here wear bracelets or much jewelry, not even many rings. So of course, me with all my silver, always attracted attention with the kids. “I want this!”

So the depressing action of saying goodbye and seeing Melissa off to Chiayi began on Saturday afternoon at about 1:00 She packed, and boy did she have luggage. Two big bags and two smaller bags with one on the side. I suppose I haven’t even started to see what mine will accumulate to. Anyway, we got a taxi and Eddie, our initial taxi guy rocked up to take us to the train station. We got our tickets, got on the train and off we went. One hour later we arrived in Chiayi and was helped by the passengers to off load the luggage, amazing how helpful people are here!! Anyway, Harris, her new boss, was waiting for us to take us to her flat. We got dropped off and met with Gloria, a Philippines lady that has been at the school for about 4 years and about 60 years old. Too cool. We got Melissa settled in and went for lunch. As we left the building gate the 3R3H was winking at us from across the road….how lucky s that and how weird. Our favourite place just outside her door as well. We had the usual chicken salad and a stunning Melon ice smoothie, must get the recipe! We met up with her third roommate Michelle who was busy on her laptop in the restaurant. A proper coo girl, but in a very good way. Aerobics, dancing and shopping!!!! We unpacked all her things out of my suitcase and it was nearly 6 o’clock already when we started walking to the train station to see me off. Me with my big green empty suitcase and Melissa. Said our goodbyes and she’ll visit within the next three weeks for the dragon boat festival on the 11 June in Lukang, a must see! So there I was on my own, back to Changhua, got off and walked home with my empty suitcase.

Life carries on regardless. It’s a blessing in disguise, don’t you think? No matter what happens to you, it moves on and goes by whether you grab and hang on to it with all your might, it slowly slips from your grasp and suddenly it’s the next day!!!

We have had hot and humid days, nothing like Durban in Feb but close in heat. Your laundry dries in half an hour! No tumble dryer needed! (Unlike Durbs!) The school’s reading competition is on Saturday when we dedicate our well earned free time of 5+ hours to listening to kids read on a Saturday from 12:30 to about 5:40pm.  Lovely, that’s why we’re here!!!!

Anyway, we’re planning some relaxing after it. Apparently a new started and will be starting on Monday next week. She has been kept under lock and barrel from us, probably trying to get her to stay at least a week before deciding to go! Shame!! Anyway, no matter, they need people as David is leaving in 5 weeks, me in 7 and the rest each month after! Trying to get things organised for Draco with the vet that Teri and Abby use for their dogs. I’ll have to sort him out by next weekend because he can’t fly if the vaccinations are done within a month of travelling, must be more than a month.

Things are happening fast and furious in my last few weeks. Feels like I’m running out of time to do the things I’ve wanted to. In two weeks or so is the Dragon boat festival….can’t wait!

I pulled all my strength from my various reserves and went to go and see Star Wars III, for the first time without my brother………big move for me!!!! This is a tradition that has lasted all of his 26years. We do big movies together….no questions asked!!! Definitely loses some of it’s appeal without him. I nearly poked a Chinese couple in the ribs sitting next to me to show him my excitement when going to see a long awaited movie!!! You can’t discus things and say “cool hey?” you know?, those important little interactions when watching a cool movie. Anyway, the movie soon gripped me and I lost track of all the 10 people in the cinema. I waited a while before going to see it because of the usual rush and I went to see it at 1:00pm on a Sunday! Much better! Next movie “Batman begins” starting 19 June!!! Can’t wait!!!

Got as sick as a dog on Saturday, had a nagging dry cough that’s lasted for about a week or so and suddenly at the internet café on Saturday evening, I nearly lost them all their clientele with my coughing…..just joking, it’s so noisy in there with each computer playing full blast through their speakers and each guy playing a different game! But my eyes were streaming and I had to leopard crawl to the fridge for a water!!! It calmed down a bit after that. I don’t know who’s battery ran out first, mine or the laptop’s. Went home and Sunday morning I had a cold! Amazing how it works here. It hits over the head in a matter of approximately 2 to 3 hours flat. This place and the air is no good! There is a vicious child sickness sweeping Taiwan and three kids have died already. It looks like a rash on the inside of the lip and on the hands and legs. Looks like irritated mozzie bites. Immediately the alcohol sprays come out, although it was said this doesn’t help. Some kids will show different parts of the disease although not all is fatal, a certain combination or level is though. So any sign and they’re whisked off to the doctor. A few of the kindergarten kids have displayed some symptoms and were treated as best they can. The problem with this one is that the adults become the carriers because our immune system is strong enough to fight it…….hope this is not a repeat of my chicken pox episode at 30 years old!!!!!!!! A childhood with a record breaking 0 typical childhood sicknesses and I get it from a baby at over 30 years old!!!! Go figure!!!! Anyway, I’ll watch the cold as this would probably affect my immune system a bit….gimme meds!!!!!!

  Taiwan Times vol 10 Vol.10 May 2005  The earth shook and my clothes swayed on the hangers. I’m sure it was just to say goodbye to April and the calm two months with no earth movement we enjoyed .…just reminding us that it’s still here under us, moving, breathing and changing.