#Volvo Tuning

[radracer]

Volvo 850 Wagon

@850.cool.af @dr1ver

[lovelytsunoda]

one night love affair | oscar piastri

summary: a dimly-lit warehouse on the edge of town holds the communities biggest and worst kept secret: a hidden dance hall. or, the footloose au

pairing: oscar piastri x sherriff's daughter! reader

warnings: based on 'footloose' 1984, set in the '80s, dancing is illegal in this fuckass town, very small age gap (oscar is 23, reader is 21), suggestive but no smut

author's notes: divers are by cafekitsune!

The Chrysler Sebring came to a full stop just outside the warehouse. The parking lot was full, but the building was dark and derelict. The driver threw the convertible into reverse, silently backing up between a Dodge Charger and a Volvo station wagon.

"Dude, what are we doing here?"

"You ask what people in this town did for fun." Lando shrugged. "This is it?"

Oscar raised an eyebrow, looking over at the building. Surely there was more to it than that.

"Come inside." Lando grinned. "You'll love it."

Since Oscar Piastri had come to Bomont, Utah from Australia, he had been quite surprised at the morose nature of the town. There was no music, only talk radio, and one of his Quiet Riot tapes had been confiscated from him during his first week in town. Everybody was fiercely religious, and never seemed to have any fun.

Sighing, he got out of the car and followed Lando towards the building. Lando rapped on the heavy door three times, waiting for it to be pulled open by a white guy in chinos and a linen shirt.

"Password."

"For fuck's sake, Charles. You know me."

Charles frowned. "Password."

"Fine. Purple rain."

Charles grinned, opening the door. "Come inside, my friends."

The inside of the warehouse must have been twice as big as the outside, lit up in disco lighting as speakers hung from the rafters thrummed with energy, pumping out the latest Bryan Adams tune. Girls wore tight shorts and short skirts, and boys wore tight shirts, or sometimes no shirt at all.

"Still think Bomont is no fun?" Lando laughed, looking at Oscar's shocked face. "Just because dancin' is illegal doesn't mean we don't find our own damn way."

In the middle of it all was a tall girl in cowboy boots and itty-bitty shorts, her long hair cascading down her back and a can of Bud Light in her hand as she swayed to the music with a group of girls.

"Who is that?" Oscar asked, cocking his head towards her.

"YN YLN." Charles answered, coming to stand with the two young men. "Sherriff's daughter. She's just turned twenty-one and I don't think I've seen her without a beer in her hands since."

"She's beautiful."

Lando shook his head. "She's trouble."

"Trouble don't matter much, Lando. Often, trouble is better."

Rubbing his palms together, Oscar headed for the group, grabbing a beer from the cooler by the door. Charles and Lando hung back, watching as the Aussie went to go talk to YN.

"He's going to get eaten alive." Charles mumbled.

"Damn straight." Lando agreed.

As he got closer, the song changed, albeit to another track from the same album. She was dancing with two other girls, head thrown back with glee. She wore a tight pink baby tee that read DANCE YOUR ASS OFF in big letters.

It seemed to Oscar like the Sherriff's daughter was quite the lawbreaker.

"May I have this dance?" Oscar asked, extending a hand. "I'm new here."

YN stopped , hair tumbling around her shoulders as she looked at him. "You're a long way from home. Australia?"

He nodded. "Melbourne."

"How the fuck did you end up in Utah?"

"Bad luck."

She took a sip from her beer, looking at him appraisingly. "I like you. They dance much in Melbourne?"

"All the time."

"Show me."

Grinning, Oscar took her by the hand, allowing her to pass her beer off to a friend before pulling her in by the belt buckles and starting to sway seductively to the pop rock track. Within a few beats, Oscar had spun her body around, her behind pressed to his groin, no space between her back and his chest as he gently grinded against her.

From across the warehouse, Charles and Lando couldn't believe their eyes.

"That son of a bitch." Charles muttered.

"I've been trying to get in her pants for months and Bon Scott over there does it in one night."

They watched in dismay as Oscar spun her around and dipped her towards the grimy floor, her hair just dusting the tiles before he pulled her back up into a complicated twirl.

Over the music, she shouted so that Oscar could hear her. "You wanna go somewhere private, Melbourne?"

Oscar grinned. "Thought you'd never ask."

Charles face-palmed as he watched the pair slink off towards a staircase in the back corner, and Lando fell to his knees.

"What does he have that we don't?"

"An exotic accent, probably."

YN lead Oscar up the back staircase, to a lofted balcony where they could see the whole dance floor below them. YN took of her boots, sitting on a suede couch covered in a thin layer of dust. She patted a cushion, urging Oscar to come sit next to her.

"For a Sheriff's daughter, you don't seem to like following rules very much."

She laughed in response. "Rules are for squares. You see that Dodge Shelby Charger in the parking lot?"

Oscar nodded.

"That one's mine. Nicest car in town."

Oscar was unsure what the point of this line of questioning was.

"Got caught drag racing it last week. All I had to do to avoid getting charged was tell my Daddy how bored I was. Now Bomont is getting a race track."

"Think you could bat your pretty little eyelashes and get me my Quiet Riot tape back?" Oscar joked, running his fingers through her hair.

She winked at him. "Let me see what I can do. But if I do that for you, what are you going to do for me, Melbourne?"

Oscar didn't immediately answer, choosing instead to lean in for a deep kiss, running his tongue over her lips as he did so, and then gently biting on her lower lip.

"You want a sneak preview tonight?"

"The back seat in a Charger ain't very big. But Daddy Dearest is working late tonight, and I always leave my bedroom window unlocked. It's the big farmhouse on Station Street, you can't miss it."

Oscar grinned. "Lando gave me a ride here, so unless you want me hitchhiking to our little playdate, riding in your Charger is my only option."

"I'll get you to the top of the street. You have to walk the rest of the way, just in case."

"I can do that." Oscar breathed, kissing her again. Her lips were plump, and they tasted like cherries. She smelled like vanilla, and together the two were a dangerous combination.

"Good. Because there's something I want to ride tonight, and it ain't got nothing to do with horses or cars."

She got up from the couch, and Oscar watched slightly dazed as her ass moved underneath her shorts. At the top of the landing, she turned back to look at him.

"You coming, Melbourne? Or is Melbourne Jr. too hard for you to walk right now?"

[daeniradraconis]

The Game We Play - C2.

Author’s Note:

First off, a huge thank you to everyone who’s interacted with my story—liked, commented, or just read along. I appreciate every single one of you!Now, warning… I may or may not have a few more stories in the works with different players and characters. I’ve got a ton of ideas floating around, and after I finish Willy and Odette’s story, I’m definitely planning to build a whole series. Stay tuned for more drama and hockey! I hope you all had an amazing holiday! But if it was more "family drama" than "festive cheer," don’t worry, you're not alone. Good luck with the recovery process—I believe in you. 😅As for the tension between Odette and William, it’s definitely building (slow burn vibes, right?), but get ready for some major plot twists in the next chapter. I may have had a little too much wine during Christmas dinner when I came up with the idea... but honestly? I loved it so much, I just had to include it. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did when I had that slightly tipsy moment of brilliance. 😂

Thanks for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoy this next part of the story! ➵ Chapter 3

Odette's fingers trembled as she rubbed a small lavender sachet between her palms, the calming scent rising to meet her nose. Lavender had always been her anchor. Her grandmother had sworn by herbs and home remedies, and Odette had inherited that belief. Lavender, chamomile, peppermint, sage—these simple, natural remedies were her lifelines in moments of stress. Quinn used to call her “cuckoo bananas” for it, but she didn’t mind. She swore by it. These things worked.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered to herself, tipping her head back against the seat of her old Volvo. The lavender did little to calm the jittery energy buzzing inside her. Her mind raced as she parked outside the Ford Performance Centre.

She ran a hand through her wild blonde hair, the curls sticking out at every angle—a clear sign that she hadn’t had time for her usual morning routine. Luc, her mischievous dog, had managed to tear apart two pillows during the night, leaving a feathery mess in the living room. Not exactly the ideal start to her first day on a new job.

Focus, Odette reminded herself. You’ve done this before. You can handle this.

Grabbing her bag, she slipped the sachet back inside and stepped out into the cold, sharp Toronto air, which bit at her cheeks. Her boots crunched against the frost-covered gravel as she headed toward the entrance. She adjusted her scarf, trying to shake off the nervous energy, and stepped inside.

The lobby buzzed with activity. People rushed in all directions, clipboards and laptops in hand, huddled in small groups or walking briskly toward the elevators. The sound of footsteps on the polished floor echoed, and despite the professional atmosphere, there was a palpable sense of urgency—a buzz of productivity and ambition.

“Odette Beaumont?”

The voice cut through her thoughts, and she turned to see a woman standing in front of her. She had long, dark blonde hair and an effortlessly stylish outfit—flared pants, an oversized cardigan, and big golden earrings that caught the light. The boho-chic look seemed mismatched in a way that worked. She looked about Odette’s age, and her warm smile made Odette feel instantly at ease as she extended her hand.

“Hi, I’m Rebecca,” she said, her voice soft and deep, a surprising contrast to her cheerful appearance. “Social media. Mandy asked me to show you around since she’s tied up with meetings.”

Odette shook her hand, feeling an unexpected warmth from Rebecca’s touch. “Thanks. This is... a lot.”

Rebecca grinned. “Tell me about it. First days are always overwhelming. I’ll keep it easy, though. Don’t worry about it.”

Odette chuckled. “I could use a bit of ‘easy’ today.”

Rebecca’s smile softened in understanding. “I’ve been there.” She motioned for Odette to follow. “Come on, I’ll give you the quick tour.”

The tour was a blur of new faces and names, constant movement. There was Tom, the scruffy guy who clearly didn’t care much about appearances but had a quick wit. When Odette asked how long he had been with the team, he scratched his head, grinning sheepishly.

“Not long,” he said with a wink. “I’m mostly here for comic relief.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s a great writer. The sarcasm just happens to be top-notch.”

As Rebecca led Odette through the office, introducing her to various team members, they passed the marketing team’s desks. Odette’s gaze landed on a woman with sleek black hair, pale skin, and delicate features that made her look almost ethereal. She was striking—like Snow White come to life—but her icy demeanor matched her appearance. When the woman’s eyes flicked over to Odette, it was a cold, disapproving glance that sent a chill down her spine. With a flick of her gaze, she returned to her work, lips curling into a faint frown. The brief interaction left a cool tension in the air, her icy stare lingering long after they’d passed.

Rebecca gave a soft knock on Mandy’s office door before guiding Odette inside.

Mandy’s presence was magnetic—she commanded attention effortlessly. Dark curls framed her face, and her bright brown eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. She immediately pulled Odette into a warm hug, squeezing her tight before releasing her with a beaming smile.

“We’re so excited to have you with us,” Mandy said, her smile wide and genuine. “Let’s get you all settled today, and then we’ll sit down later this week to go over everything in detail.”

“That sounds perfect,” Odette said, finally feeling a bit of the tension in her chest ease.

The afternoon passed in a blur of introductions, trying to get a feel for the new space. By lunchtime, Odette found herself in the cafeteria, eyeing the menu. A protein-packed dessert was the most appealing option, so she piled it onto her tray and reluctantly grabbed a small serving of greens—more for balance than anything else.

As she made her way to the seating area, her phone buzzed. It was Quinn. She slid into an empty seat by the window, answering, eager to hear his calming voice.

“Quinn! I’m surviving, but barely,” she said, letting out a dramatic sigh.

“You’re a tough cookie, Odie,” Quinn replied, his voice soothing. “Just breathe. You’re gonna be fine.”

“Sure,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “That’s what everyone says. I need caffeine to survive this day... and maybe a little tequila later to celebrate.”

“Tequila? Really?” Quinn’s voice was incredulous. “You’ve got to keep it clean. No more sugary stuff. Your body’s a temple, remember?”

Odette snorted. “Your temple diet doesn’t work for me, Quinn. I need my sugar. Besides, you wouldn’t understand. It’s like you live on air and protein powder.”

“Well, protein powder does wonders,” he teased. “But seriously, how’s the first day? How are the people?”

“Let’s just say I’ve already been side-eyed by someone who looks like the reincarnation of Snow White. And there’s a guy who thinks he’s a comedian,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Should be fun, right?”

“You’ll be fine. Just take it easy, Odie.”

Odette was about to say something more when she noticed a group of players entering the cafeteria. William Nylander led the way, with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner following closely behind. Odette’s heart skipped a beat as her eyes locked with William’s. His gaze widened in surprise, clearly not expecting to see her here. The heat in her chest surged as their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

William froze, then quickly glanced back at Auston and Mitch, muttering something under his breath. His teammates exchanged confused glances before returning their attention to him. Odette took a moment to study them, noting the subtle dynamic between the three. William, tall and confident, walked with an easy, assured stride, almost like a leader. Auston, with his more laid-back presence, followed a step behind but was still very much part of the group. Mitch, as usual, was the one to stir the pot, his grin wide and mischievous.

A beat passed, and then, almost as if on cue, the three of them made their way over to Odette’s table, William leading the charge.

She tried to calm the flutter in her stomach, but it was difficult to ignore the growing tension. She continued her conversation with Quinn, but Mitch’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Quinn Hughes?” Mitch asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at her phone. “Is that who you’re talking to?” he asked, catching the tail end of her conversation with Quinn.

Odette scrambled to end the call before they reached her, fumbling as she tried to say goodbye. Her fingers felt clumsy as she struggled to hang up.

Before she could manage, Mitch reached over, snatching the phone out of her hand with a grin. “Hey, Quinn. How’s it going?” he said, holding the phone up like a trophy. “Ohh, boring. You guys just voice-called each other? What, no video? What a bunch of boomers.”

Odette quickly snatched the phone back, cheeks burning. “Bye, Quinn. I’ll talk to you later,” she muttered, hastily ending the call before Mitch could tease her more. Quinn’s laughter echoed in the background as she cut the connection.

William’s voice was low and smooth, his gaze fixed on her with a playful, almost predatory glint. “Well, well, Odette. What are you doing here?” His tone was light, but there was a subtle undercurrent to it that made her heart skip again.

Odette's pulse quickened, her breath catching in her throat for just a second. “Hello, William. I didn’t think I’d see you today.”

Auston and Mitch exchanged surprised glances. “Wait, you two know each other?” Auston asked, his curiosity piqued. Mitch leaned in, raising an eyebrow, a smirk spreading across his face.

Odette gave a casual shrug, trying to stay cool but feeling her cheeks flush. “Yeah, William helped me track down my dog when he decided to run off a few days ago. We’re neighbors.” She turned to William with a teasing smile. “Though, it’s been a little while since... well, we last saw each other.”

William’s grin deepened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Yeah, about five days. But who’s counting?” His voice dropped just a little, as if the space between them had shrunk. “Didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you to the Ford Performance Centre?”

Odette shrugged, doing her best to act nonchalant. “Starting a new gig. Mandy asked me to come in today. I’m the new team photographer.”

Auston’s interest piqued. “Oh, so you’re working with us now? That’s pretty cool. Didn’t realize they were hiring a photographer.”

“Yep,” Odette replied with a grin. “Guess I’m officially part of the behind-the-scenes crew now.”

Mitch gave her a thumbs-up, clearly amused. “Nice! We need someone to keep track of all our shenanigans.”

William’s grin didn’t falter, but his voice had a playful edge. “No pressure, huh? Just don’t mess up those photos of us.”

Odette took a bite of her protein dessert, trying to keep it together. “No promises, but I’ll do my best. I’m here to make you guys look good in those photos.”

William’s smile shifted, clearly enjoying the banter. “You say that like I’m the problem,” he teased, leaning in slightly closer. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll make us look like superstars.”

Odette raised an eyebrow. “I’ll try my best, but no promises. I’m just here to make sure you don’t look too ridiculous.”

Auston chuckled. “Probably for the best. Some of us need all the help we can get.” He nudged Mitch, who pretended to be offended but couldn’t stop grinning.

Odette laughed. “You guys are a mess, huh?”

Mitch’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You have no idea. But that’s why we need someone like you around. We’ll keep you on your toes.”

William, who had been watching her closely, shifted in his seat. There was something about the way he looked at her, like he was trying to read her—maybe even a little too closely. It made Odette squirm, but not in a bad way. There was a certain intensity in his gaze that made her wonder if he was more than just the easygoing player he appeared to be.

“How’s the transition been?” William asked, his voice softer now, but still carrying that smooth, almost teasing quality. “From ‘just a dog owner’ to working with a bunch of hockey players?”

Odette raised an eyebrow. “It’s been interesting so far. But I think I can handle a few hockey players. I’ve worked with Formula 1 drivers before, and I survived that. You guys are just people, right?”

Auston grinned. “That’s what they all think. Wait until you get to know us. We’ve got... quirks.”

“And we’re way cooler than those drivers,” Mitch added with a grin. “But, uh, don’t mention that to Lando.” He quickly regretted it, realizing he’d said too much.

Odette smiled at Mitch’s sudden nervous shift. She could see why Mitch and Lando were probably good friends—both were a menace to society, in the best possible way.

“Quirks, huh?” Odette said with a quiet laugh. “Not sure whether to be excited or terrified.”

William’s smile softened as his gaze lingered on her, his tone suddenly more sincere. “You’ll be fine. We’re not as bad as you think. Though we’ve got a couple of guys who might make you rethink that.”

Mitch winked. “One of them lives off protein bars and weird smoothies. Don’t ask how he does it.”

Auston joined in. “And there’s the guy who eats the same thing every day. He’s either dedicated or insane.”

Odette’s eyes flicked to Mitch, noticing the glance he exchanged with Auston. These guys weren’t as good at hiding their intentions as they thought. She grinned.

“Well, as long as no one’s eating raw fish at 10 a.m., I think I’ll survive,” she joked.

William raised an eyebrow, the playful grin on his face turning more mischievous. “Oh, don’t tempt us. You’ll see for yourself soon enough. But hey, now that you’re part of the crew, you’ll probably get invited to the next team lunch. Full experience.”

Odette’s eyebrows shot up. “Team lunch?”

Mitch grinned. “Oh yeah. Team bonding. Once a month. But fair warning—it usually ends with a heated debate over the best pizza topping.”

William leaned in just a little closer, and for a moment, the air around them seemed to crackle with something unspoken. His cologne—cedarwood and mahogany—wrapped around her senses, and she almost forgot how to breathe. He wasn’t just close; he was intentional.

“You should come,” he said, his voice low and inviting. “It’s a blast. Just be ready for some strong opinions on food.”

Odette smiled, trying to keep her composure despite the warmth spreading through her. “Alright, I’ll take you up on that. But just so we’re clear, I will die on the ‘Hawaiian pizza’ hill. And I’ll bring my own snacks, just in case.”

Auston nodded. “Smart move.” Meanwhile, both William and Mitch made faces of disgust.

Mitch grinned. “We’ll see if we can convince you to abandon that opinion. Give it a few weeks.”

Odette laughed, but then the atmosphere shifted again. She felt William’s gaze on her, more intense than before, as if he were studying her a little too closely. The thought lingered in her mind as the conversation continued, but she couldn’t quite figure out if she liked or disliked the feeling. There was something about William Nylander that made her wonder if there was more to him than just a hockey player. //// One week later, Odette adjusted her new Sony camera, testing the focus on the players gliding across the rink. The sharp click of the shutter blended with the dull hum of skates slicing the ice and the occasional barked instruction from the coach. It had been a week since practice and the chaos with Mitch, and the team dynamics were settling into something more familiar to Odette. She was seated on a folding chair next to Rebecca, whose casual commentary was quickly becoming one of Odette's favorite parts of the day.

“This lens is a dream,” Odette murmured, snapping a candid shot of a player mid-pass.

Rebecca chuckled, leaning back in her seat. “Wait until the guys start noticing you taking pictures. Mitch will probably start posing like a Vogue model.”

Odette snorted, adjusting the settings on her camera. “Sounds like fun. Do I get to charge extra for dealing with that kind of chaos?”

Rebecca tilted her head, a sly grin on her face. “Oh, trust me, if you survive Mitch, you’ll survive anything. The guy’s a human golden retriever with ADHD.”

Odette lowered the camera for a moment, laughing. “I can see that. What about you, though? How’d you end up in all this?”

Rebecca shrugged, resting her elbows on her knees. “Oh, the usual. Grew up in Toronto, played hockey as a kid, loved it but was... let’s say, aggressively mediocre. Eventually figured if I couldn’t be on the ice, I’d work around it. Social media came naturally, and here I am. How about you?”

“Well,” Odette began, “I’ve known Quinn Hughes for a while now—met him during an art event. We kept in touch, and when I mentioned I was looking for a new challenge, he made a few calls. One thing led to another, and here I am.”

Rebecca froze for a second, her expression shifting into something that looked oddly like shyness. “Quinn Hughes? Like... the Quinn Hughes?”

Odette raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at her lips. “Yeah. Why?”

Rebecca flushed slightly, which surprised Odette. Rebecca always seemed so self-assured, like nothing could rattle her. “I mean, I’m just...a fan. He’s incredible. On the ice, I mean. The way he moves, his vision...it’s unreal.”

Odette couldn’t help but smirk. “You sound like you’ve got a bit of a crush there, Rebecca.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened, and she quickly waved a hand. “Oh, no, it’s not like that! I mean, okay, maybe a little, but it’s just...ugh, it’s weird, isn’t it? I can talk to anyone—players, coaches, executives—but when it comes to Quinn Hughes, my brain just...short-circuits.”

Odette laughed, thoroughly enjoying Rebecca’s rare moment of awkwardness. “I think it’s cute. You’re usually so confident—nice to know you’re human.”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” Rebecca muttered, though the corner of her mouth twitched with amusement. “Anyway, back to you. What’s Quinn like as a person?”

“Honestly?” Odette said, lowering her camera for a moment. “He’s great. Down-to-earth, a little quiet, but super funny when he opens up. He’s been a good friend.”

Rebecca sighed. “Of course, he’s perfect. Figures.”

Their conversation shifted naturally after that, flowing into more casual topics until Odette leaned closer, lowering her voice slightly. “Hey, was it just me, or did the office feel a little...tense this morning?”

Rebecca hesitated, then leaned in conspiratorially. “Well, there was a bit of drama. PR’s been working overtime this week because Auston had a...situation.”

Odette raised an eyebrow. “A situation?”

Rebecca nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Apparently, some girl from Germany filed a claim against him for sexual misconduct. It’s not true—total cultural misunderstanding. Auston’s mom is Mexican, and you know how he leans into that whole ‘Papi’ persona. He just flirted a little too hard, and it didn’t translate well. The media caught wind of it, though, and now everyone’s in damage control mode.”

Odette frowned. “Yikes. That sounds like a mess.”

“Yeah, it is,” Rebecca admitted. “But honestly, the claim won’t hold up. The girl’s already walked back most of her statement. Still, you know how these things go—the court of public opinion is brutal.”

Odette nodded thoughtfully. “No wonder everyone looked like they’d had a bad cup of coffee this morning.”

Rebecca chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. Hockey might look all wholesome and apple pie on the outside, but behind the scenes, it’s just like any other workplace. Drama, gossip, and the occasional dumpster fire.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the sharp whistle of the coach signaling the end of practice. Odette’s camera was already up, capturing the players as they began to shuffle off the ice. She couldn’t help but notice William lingering near the boards, his gaze fixed on her.

When their eyes met, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, subtle but unmistakable. Odette felt a faint blush creeping up her neck and quickly turned her attention back to her camera.

“Someone’s watching you,” Rebecca teased, her voice laced with amusement.

“Don’t,” Odette muttered, her tone half-warning, half-pleading.

Rebecca laughed softly. “Relax, I’m just saying. He’s cute, though, right?”

Odette took another photo, trying to ignore the flutter in her stomach. “Doesn’t matter. We’re colleagues. Besides, the Leafs don’t need another PR disaster right now.”

“True,” Rebecca agreed with a grin. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun, does it?”

Odette rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. As the players left the rink, William cast one last glance her way, his smirk widening as if he’d heard every word of their conversation.

Odette sighed, snapping her camera shut. “Trouble,” she muttered under her breath, already bracing herself for whatever came next.

Odette slung her bag over her shoulder and stepped into the crisp evening air. The practice had been exhausting to watch—and photograph—but also strangely exhilarating. She felt like she was beginning to find her place, slowly but surely.

As she walked toward her car in the nearly empty lot, her mind buzzed with thoughts of the day. She threw her bag into the passenger seat, slid into the driver’s side, and turned the key. The engine sputtered, coughed, and then...nothing.

“Great,” she muttered, turning the key again with the same result. She let her forehead rest on the steering wheel, debating her next move.

A light knock on the driver’s side window startled her. She turned her head sharply to see William standing outside, his hair slightly damp from a post-practice shower. He was leaning down just enough for her to catch the hint of a smirk on his lips, the kind that sent an involuntary jolt through her chest.

She rolled down the window, feeling suddenly exposed under his gaze. “Car troubles?” he asked, his voice low and teasing.

“Yeah, seems like it,” Odette replied, trying to sound casual and failing. “It’s probably the battery, but I can’t deal with this right now.”

William leaned on the doorframe, his forearms flexing just enough to be distracting. “Do you want to come home by train? I’m heading that way, and...well, you don’t know the city yet, right?”

Odette hesitated, her mind racing. She wasn’t sure what made her more nervous—the thought of navigating the public transit system on her own or spending the next however-many minutes in close quarters with William Nylander.

But then she sighed. “Yeah, okay. Thanks. Let me just grab my stuff.”

A few minutes later, they were walking toward the train station. The night air was cool, and Odette tried to focus on the sound of their footsteps rather than the magnetic pull she felt every time William walked just a little too close.

The train ride started out light—small talk and easy jokes. But it didn’t take long for the conversation to deepen, the space between them feeling both too wide and too narrow at the same time.

“I miss my family a lot,” William admitted, staring out the window at the passing lights. “They’re back in Sweden. My siblings, my parents—it’s hard being away from them. Sometimes, I feel like I’m missing everything.”

Odette nodded, her heart clenching at the softness in his voice. But she couldn’t offer the same sentiment. “I wouldn’t know what that’s like,” she said quietly, her fingers twisting in her lap. “I don’t really...have a family to miss.”

William turned his gaze to her, his brow furrowing. “What do you mean?”

“It’s complicated,” she said, her voice tight. “But let’s just say my mother isn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type.” She looked away, hoping he wouldn’t press further.

William seemed to sense the weight of her words and let the silence linger for a moment before shifting the conversation. “So what do you do when you’re not taking pictures of hockey players?”

Odette was grateful for the change in subject. Her face brightened as she said, “I’m really into herbs and homemade medicine. Like tinctures, salves, teas—all that stuff.”

William raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “Herbs? Really?”

“Yes! It’s fascinating,” she said, leaning forward a little. “Did you know chamomile can help with anxiety? And lavender is great for burns? Or that thyme has natural antibacterial properties?”

William’s chuckle was deep and warm. “You’re really into this, huh?”

“I am,” she admitted, laughing. “There’s something so grounding about it. It’s like connecting with this ancient knowledge that people used to rely on.”

William’s smile softened. “You’re kind of adorable when you talk about this. Like, your eyes light up, and you get this little crease in your forehead when you’re explaining stuff.”

Odette’s laughter faltered, her cheeks warming. “Don’t make fun of me,” she said, her voice quieter now.

“I’m not,” he said, his tone suddenly serious. “It’s...nice, seeing you like this.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them shifted. His gaze dropped, almost imperceptibly, to her lips before snapping back up to her eyes. The train rocked slightly as it sped along the tracks, but Odette barely noticed. She felt caught in the intensity of his stare, her heart pounding in her chest.

“So,” she said, breaking the tension with an awkward laugh. “Do you have any random hobbies I should know about?”

William leaned back in his seat, the corner of his mouth twitching again. “Hobbies? Not really. Hockey takes up most of my time.” His eyes flicked to her again, this time slower, more deliberate. “But I guess I like figuring people out. What makes them tick.”

Odette swallowed hard, feeling like the target of some unspoken challenge. She looked down, desperate to calm the heat creeping up her neck.

When they finally reached their stop, Odette wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or disappointed. The cool night air hit her as they stepped off the train and walked toward their building.

They paused at the entrance, standing closer than they needed to in the dim light. Odette could feel the tension humming between them, as if the entire evening had been building to this moment.

“Well,” Odette said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thanks for...uh, rescuing me.”

William’s smirk softened into something warmer, his eyes scanning her face. “Anytime.” He shifted slightly closer, his voice dropping. “You’re really something, you know that?”

Odette felt her breath hitch. He was so close now, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. For a moment, she thought he might close the gap completely. She could see it in the way his jaw tightened, the way his eyes dropped to her lips again, lingered there.

But before he could move, Odette stepped back, her pulse racing. “I—I should go,” she stammered, fumbling for her bag.

William held her gaze for a beat longer, his expression unreadable. “Goodnight, Odette,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble.

With a sharp breath, she turned and hurried to her own door, just a few steps away.Each step felt like she was trying to outrun something—not William exactly, but the way he’d made her feel. By the time she reached her door, her hands trembled as she fumbled with the keys, the cool metal slipping through her fingers before she managed to push the door open.

Luc was there instantly, his tail wagging and his paws clicking on the floor as he greeted her. His icy blue eyes locked onto hers, his head tilting slightly, and Odette could swear he was studying her.

“Hey, boy,” she said, crouching down to scratch behind his ears. Her voice wavered as she added, “Don’t give me that look. It’s not what you think.”

Luc huffed, leaning back as his tail slowed. His expression was almost human—half judgment, half concern.

“Oh, come on,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “Nothing happened. Nothing’s going to happen.” Her tone sharpened at the end, as if trying to convince herself more than him.

Luc didn’t buy it. He let out a low grunt and plopped down beside her, staring up with those piercing eyes that always seemed to see right through her.

Odette sighed and flopped onto the couch, dragging a pillow into her lap as she kicked off her shoes. She leaned back, staring at the ceiling, but the evening played out behind her closed eyes in frustrating detail. The train ride. William’s easy laugh. The way his voice dropped when he talked about his family, the vulnerability in his words that made her chest ache.

Then there was the way his eyes had lingered at the door. How the air had grown so thick between them she could hardly breathe. For a moment, she’d thought he might kiss her, and for an even more fleeting moment, she’d wondered what it would feel like.

Her stomach twisted, and her hand clenched around the pillow. No. This wasn’t happening. She couldn’t let it happen.

William was kind and charming and way too good at making her feel safe—an illusion she couldn’t afford to buy into again. She hadn’t let herself go there since...

She sat up abruptly, shaking her head as if to physically dislodge the thought. It wasn’t worth dredging up. Not now.

Luc nudged her knee with his nose, pulling her attention back to him. His gaze was steady, questioning.

“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “Really. It’s just...complicated.”

Luc didn’t move, his eyes sharp and unyielding.

“Okay, fine,” she muttered, slumping back against the couch. “It’s not complicated. It’s impossible. I can’t...” She trailed off, her throat tightening. She couldn’t go there. Not with William. Not with anyone.

Luc let out a soft whine and rested his head on her leg, his warmth grounding her. She stroked his fur absently, her thoughts racing.

Something about William made her want to let her guard down, and that terrified her. She couldn’t afford to feel this way about anyone, not after...

She stopped herself again, exhaling sharply. This wasn’t about the past. It was about keeping the walls up, staying in control.

Because she’d learned the hard way what happened when she didn’t.

➵ Chapter 3

[vimbry-moved]

pre-21st century music comment section

🌎 @ Deborah1052805 1 year ago Very catchy tune. Heard it on the radio in the back of my parent's Volvo in 1989. Very happy times. Loved it ever since! peace.

👍 220 👎 Reply

▴ 16 replies

Ⓜ️ @ markbrambleton1952 3 months ago Yes. a song of innocence ... Memories of long-gone days. killed by woke, no doubt. 👍 👎 Reply

😸 @ snart 2 days ago this stinky music makes me run into walls 👍 I'd let the drummer bury me alive

👍 6 👎 Reply

[rocketbirdie]

i simply love knowing now that you have so many hours in a trucking simulator (if i remember the tag you mentioned it in LMAO) so incredibly charming. delightful human being thank you for the warmth

JKShDGSFG THANKS don't mind me taking the opportunity to reminisce about it. i had a mint green volvo truck that i yanked the limiter out of so i could do twice the speed limit. had a few steam workshop add-ons so i could put some fuzzy dice and a christmas tree in the cabin. turned off the police blasted some heavy metal and played chicken in the wrong lane doing 150 kmh with five figures worth of eggs in the trailer, totalled her a couple of times LOL

but most of the time i actually followed the rules! it was actually super relaxing because the game comes with built-in connection to real life european radio channels!! i would tune into the norwegian orchestra channel and listen to classical music while taking in the unironically beautiful graphically outdated scenery.

i had most of the dlc countries too so i could take a cross-continent trip from scotland all the way to hungary. just turn my brain off and drive. it really helped me through my high school anxiety, and also made me less scared to learn how to drive in real life!

MAN...... i miss my euro truck simulator days but i just don't have time for it anymore now that i'm putting thousands of hours into monster hunter instead LMAOO

[irrevocableloves]

violent delights

twilight rewrite! edward cullen x fem!witch!reader

chapter five: blood type

previous chapter ౨ৎ masterlist ౨ৎ chapter six

summary: edward gives in, no matter the efforts it took to keep himself away from her.

warnings: swearing, fluff, blood, gore

words: 4.9k (unedited)

Throughout the entire night, Edward’s words replayed in my mind. It's better if we're not friends. What did that even mean? That he wanted to? That he felt this pull just as I did, but was too afraid to embrace it? Or was it just me? My stomach twisted. He must’ve noticed how engrossed I was by him and didn’t want to lead me on. Perhaps he was a mind reader. Oh god. The pathetic thoughts I’ve had towards him… I was considering it.

Normally, it was so easy for me to read people. For all my life, I was able to take in someone's thoughts from just their expressions whether it was genuine or forced. I knew someone was so annoyingly obsessed with me or completely hated my guts. Lauren wasn’t even a good example, anyone could see right through her act even though she tried to hide it with fake smiles and interactions. She didn’t like me and even the entire school could catch onto that. My dad always wondered if I could hear his thoughts because of how in tune I was with his emotions. He was closed off, which was part of the reason him and my mother ended things, but for me? I could always see right through him and know exactly what to say to him. But, Edward on the other hand? He drove me absolutely insane.

My thoughts were thankfully interrupted by a buzz on my cell.

jess <3: Mike said YES!!!!

And then an immediate call afterwards.

Jess had me on the phone for almost an hour talking about Mike, the dance, Angela and Ben, and then of course, the so-called ‘tension’ she felt with Edward and I. But, I quickly changed the subject to shopping for dresses which kept her occupied for another hour.

Finally, she hung up and I went onto doing homework and answering emails from my mom before eventually passing out.

Turning into the school lot, I made sure to park even farther than usual from his Volvo for my own sanity. Getting out of my car, I realized I’d left my keys and yanked it out a bit too swiftly, the keys flying into a puddle just outside my car. As I bent down to get it, a white hand swooped in and grabbed it, causing my jerk upright. I looked up, seeing Edward Cullen casually leaning on my car, my keys just dangling in his hands for me to take.

“How the hell do you do that?” I ask with an exasperated huff.

“Do what?” He held out my keys for me and I snatched them. He gave a light-hearted chuckle.

“Appear out of thin air.” I spat out.

“Y/N, it’s not my fault that you’re exceptionally unobservant.” 

I didn’t want to have this conversation again. I was tired of it. Instead, I walked past him. This time not even bothering to serve him a glance towards his way, no matter how much I wanted to.

To my surprise, he jogged towards me.

“So, why the traffic jam yesterday?” I huffed. “Thought you were supposed to be pretending I don’t exist, not deliberately annoying me.”

He gave a light chuckle. “That was for Tyler’s sake, not mine. Seems like he wanted a chance with you.”

That’s when I finally faced him, finding the urge not to hit his perfect face or perfect anything for that matter. “You’re fucking kidding.” He only seemed amused by my response.

“And I’m not pretending you don’t exist.”

“Oh, really? So you’re trying to annoy me to death? What? Since Tyler’s van didn’t do the job?” This anger was new to me. Usually, things didn’t bother me this much. But, Edward was different.

I expected anger from him as usual, but he only looked down at his feet, before muttering, “Y/N, that’s not–”

“I don’t care. Can you just leave me alone? Please? I just can’t keep up. One minute you're angry and the other you're consoling me. Your mood swings are giving me whiplash.” I interrupted him, not daring to look him back in the eye.

Silence followed, which was my que to head off to English.

I hadn’t realized class started by the time I walked in, Mr. Mason gave a huff with a “Thank you for joining us, Miss Y/L/N.” I headed to my seat in a rush. 

The entire class, I spent the majority of the time zoning out, thinking about what Edward had said. It wasn’t until class ended that I realized the seat next to me wasn’t occupied by the usual Mike, who would whisper my ear off for a straight hour. The silence was quite nice, but it worried me a bit. Once we all walked out of class, Mike’s spirits seemed to have lifted somehow as Eric mentioned the beach trip. Even with your sixteen years living here, it amazed you how Jess and the boys enjoyed surfing in this weather. No matter how much you favored Forks, California sure had Forks beaten with beaches. Most of the beach trips at Forks consisted of Angela and I waddled up in blankets at the back of Tyler’s van and watching movies off of one of my old DVD players.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Now, it was lunch. With my shaking nerves, I attempted to keep all my focus on Jessica’s babbling instead of searching for those golden eyes. I could hardly keep up with her pace as she rambled on about the dance plans, even convincing Angela to ask out Ben. I couldn’t help but wander my eyes towards his table. He wasn’t there. His four siblings sat in their usual spots, the only one with eyes on me was the one with a pixie-cut, Alice, with a slight smile curving on her lips.

“Edward is staring at you again,” Jessica said. I broke eye contact with Alice, bringing my attention towards Jessica. “I wonder why he’s sitting alone today.”

I followed her gaze from across the classroom. There he was. Edward. His crooked smile widening once he’d caught my attention. Suddenly, I’d lost my appetite. He waved his fingers towards me, motioning for me to join him, then a wink. Fuck.

“Does he mean you?” Jessica’s voice staggered. I’d forgotten we weren’t the only people in the room for a moment. “Told you he was into you.” she whispered, fighting through her giggles. I swore he heard that asI saw him fight a chuckle.

I shoved Jessica with my shoulder, hesitantly walking towards Edward with Jessica’s giggles in my rear view. When I reached the table, I didn’t sit, instead I stood behind the chair waiting for him to speak.

“Why don’t you sit with me today?” he asked, smiling. I eyed the chair, pulling it opening and sitting on the edge of it. His smile felt unreal, as if it was another ploy to reel me in again and push me away just as hard.

“Thought you didn’t wanna be friends?” I questioned.

“I said it would be better if we weren’t friends, not that I didn’t want to be.”

“What does that even mean?” I couldn’t read him. Why put so much effort into someone he hardly even knew? Why was I doing that?

“It means if you were smart, you’d stay away from me.” I tried.

“Haven’t I tried that already? You’re the one who wanted me here.”

“Well, I’ve decided to hell with it. As long as I’m going, I might as well get to know you better.”

“Hell? Now you’ve just expanded my theories.” I had none. No logical ones at least. I couldn’t even think them, let alone say them out loud, it was too bizarre.

“Oh, really? Won’t you tell me then?” he asked, tilting his head to the side with a tempting smile.

“Nope.” I shook my head, giving him a malicious smile.

“That’s really frustrating, you know?” So was he.

“Well that’s too bad.” I snickered. I decided not to make a scene, I could’ve bursted to him about the many ways he’s frustrated me. For starters, him being absolutely disgusted by me, ignoring me, then suddenly being enamored by me, then saving me, then ignoring me again, then suddenly he wants to get to know me? But, I wasn’t about to let the entire cafeteria know my frustrations with him.

“Fair enough.” He chuckled, then moved his gaze towards my original table. “I think your friends are angry with me for stealing you.”

I looked towards them. Angela and Jessica wore the same attitude: smiles and a fit of giggles. Lauren was angry as always, forcing herself closer to Tyler as he watched Edward and I with careful eyes. Eric pretended he wasn’t looking at all. Mike on the other hand, thankfully Jess hadn’t noticed, was burning holes at the back of Edward's head.

“They’ll survive.”

“Your boyfriend seems to think I’m being unpleasant to you – he’s debating whether or not to come and steal you away from me.” My face fell.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I mumbled.

“He sure acts like he is.”

“Yeah, well that’s not my problem.”

Our table fell silent for a moment, until he spoke, “Aren’t you hungry?” No. I was full of nerves.

“No,” I said plainly. “You?” I knew what the answer was. It was embarrassing how attentively I watched him. He had food and he nibbled at it, but he never once ate. Same with his family. Emmett always carried a large amount of boiled eggs for whatever reason.

“Can you do me a favor?” I breathed out, hesitant to even say anything at all.

“Depends on what you’re asking for.”

“Not much…” He waited for my response. “What is this? What are we doing? Are we friends? Cause I don’t wanna waste my time if you’re just gonna ignore me again.”

“I told you – I got tired of trying to stay away from you. So… I’m giving up.” His smile was almost contagious, but I can see the pained look in his eyes.

“Giving up?”

“Yes, giving up. I’m not good for you, I know that. But, for some reason, I can’t seem to stay away from you.” He said softly. My breath hitched. I can’t seem to stay away from you. So, I wasn’t the only one.

“So…” I breathed in. I could hardly even bring myself to speak. “Friends?”

“Only if you tell me one of your theories.”

“Maybe later. Too many people around.”

He’d gotten up, I assumed that he’d wanted to leave. Instead, he moved his arm in front of himself, gesturing for me to go in front of him. “Lead the way.”

“You can’t be serious.” I laughed. The entire cafeteria’s eyes were on us, even his siblings and the stare they wore seemed unwelcoming, besides Alice, who tried her hardest to not break out into a smile.

All he did was give me another famous smirk. I practically jumped out of my seat, feeling all eyes on me as Edward and I left the cafeteria. We walked until no one was in sight, leading me to the back of the school on a hillside.

“Now, just one theory – I won’t laugh,” he said, plopping himself down in the grass.

“Yes, you will.”

“Please?” he breathed, leaning towards me.

I froze. My mind had gone completely blank. It took me a minute to recuperate before responding, “It’s dumb. I–I don’t know? Bitten by a radioactive spider?” It didn’t even sound better in my head at all.

“Well that’s not creative at all,” he scoffed.

“Well that’s all I’ve got. You haven’t given me much,” I laughed.

“You’re not even close,” he teased.

“No spiders?”

“Nope.”

“And no radioactivity?”

“None.”

“Dammit,” I sighed.

“Kryptonite doesn’t bother me, either.” He chuckled.

“Hey! You’re not supposed to laugh, remember?”

He struggled to compose his laughter.

After a few moments of silence, I started up again, “I just feel like… this doesn’t feel real. I’m here guessing which superpower you have and it sounds ridiculous, it really does…” I was caught up in thought, not even realizing the words I was saying aloud. “But I know what I saw. I just need a little help feeling a little less crazy here.”

“I wish you wouldn’t try.” His tone was serious again.

“Because…?”

“You say superpower, as in superheroes, but what if I’m not a hero? What if I’m the bad guy?” He tried to hide his remorse with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“No.” He seemed surprised by my remark. “I don’t believe that you’re a bad person. Dangerous, maybe? I don’t know. But not bad.”

“You’re wrong.”

Before I could even respond, the bell had rang, not even allowing me to process my thoughts.

I got up, offering my hand to his. “We’re gonna be late.”

He ignored my offer, gracefully standing up on his own.

“I’m not going to class today.”

“Why not?” I said, trying to hide my disappointment.

“It’s healthy to ditch class now and then.” He smiled, but still had a look of uneasiness.

“Not me. I’m gonna go,” I said. I couldn’t miss any more school than I already did, plus, I was a coward.

“I’ll see you later, then.” I wanted to stay with him. I considered it about fifty times in my head, but once I heard the first bell, my feet moved to its own accord.

As I fast-walked to class, I couldn’t help that my mind wandered to Edward. How none of my questions were answered, how I wasn’t afraid of him, how he thought of himself as a bad person. Only one question had been answered: I wasn’t the only one who felt a mental and physical pull towards him.

Lucky for me, Mr. Banner wasn’t in the class yet, so I hurried to my seat, hearing Jessica and Angela plead to come to their table for ‘deets’. Mike on the other hand looked resentful as he stared at me with his dejected eyes. I hushed them before Mr. Banner finally came into the room, juggling a few cardboard boxes in his arms, ordering Mike to pass them around.

“Okay, guys, I want you all to take one piece from each box,” he said, pulling a pair of disposable rubber gloves from his desk onto his hands. “The first should be an indicator card,” he went on, grabbing a white card with four squares marked on it. “The second is a four-pronged applicator –” he held up what looked to be a nearly toothless hair pick “– and the third is a sterile micro-lancet.” He held up a small piece of blue plastic and split it open. The barb was invisible from this distance, but my stomach flipped.

It happened when I was 12. I always saw my dad watching sports, but no matter how hard I tried, I was never engaged. One thing I did love: tossing around a foam football in our backyard. It was something that I could be a part of, rather than being lost in all the rules and regulations, tossing around a ball with my dad was almost effortless, with either no rules at all or ones that I maliciously made up on the spot. One day, my dad’s hand was far too strong, throwing it far into the woods. Normally, there was never an issue. Either one of us would run over and pick it up because what was the harm? It was only our backyard after all. So, I ran to get it. I found myself wandering a bit too far off than usual, hearing my dad’s shuffling and yells to head back. When I turned to head back, on my left there was a foot in the distance. I ran to it, calling out to my dad over and over to help the poor person who laid motionless in the middle of the woods. But when I reached them, they were far from gone. There was blood, a lot of it. I could hardly stand the gory horror movies with the blood even knowing it was fake. But this was something entirely different. Blood was absolutely everywhere, pooling from the neck. I was mortified. I ran back screaming, fully broken out into sobs as I tried to explain to my dad what I’d seen. That was the first animal attack in years. Ever since then, I’ve had what the doctor’s called ‘hemophobia’. It had gotten better over the years, the only exception being television or movies where I mostly closed my eyes, but physically? Needles and blood draws were a different story entirely.

“I’ll be coming around with a dropper of water to prepare your cards, so please don’t start until I get to you.” I felt like all my senses had heightened. At Mike’s table again, he started by carefully putting one drop of water in each of the four squares. “Then I want you to carefully prick your finger with the lancet…” He grabbed Mike’s hand and plunged the spike into the tip of Mike’s middle finger. Fuck. I felt sweat accumulate on my body, my hands leaving marks on the black countertop.

“Put a small drop of blood on each of the prongs.” He demonstrated, squeezing Mike’s finger till the blood flowed. That was it. The entire room spun around me and I couldn’t move a single inch. The words of Mr. Banner turned into a mumble as the ringing in my ears rang at an uncomfortable volume. I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to tune out the entire world. A flash of red floods through my vision, not blood, but hair. A fiery red shade that complimented her pale skin and dark lips. She ran through a forest, impossibly fast, never breaking a sweat. Next to her, a man, just as pale as her, blonde with his hair tucked away in a ponytail. Then a third, one with much darker skin, but they all shared the same quality: red, bloodthirsty eyes. Then there’s water. A dock. A boat. Then, blood. Lots of it.

“Y/N, are you alright?” a voice said. I opened my eyes and I was back in the classroom, Mr. Banner hovering over me. What the fuck.

“I– uh– I already know my blood type,” I said in a weak voice, wiping the sweat from my hands on my pants.

“Are you feeling faint?” I nodded in response. “Can someone take Y/N to the nurse, please?” I didn’t even have to look around to know that it was Mike who volunteered to take me.

I attempted to stand, but Mike had practically ran to my side, putting his arm around my waist and my arm to his shoulder, forcing me to lean on him on the way out of the classroom. While he lugged me across campus, my mind was moving faster than my body, which had almost completely shut down from the shock.

“Can we stop for a minute, please? I– I just need to sit.” I yelped out. He brought me to a bench on the side of the building before I begged, “And p-please, keep your hand in your pocket.” I didn’t know what would happen if I saw blood again. I shivered at the thought.

“Bella?” his voice called from the distance. No, please, no.

“What’s wrong – is she hurt?” His voice was much closer, a voice filled with worry?

I didn’t even bother opening my eyes, instead I rocked my body back and forth, knocking my head on the wall, hoping that by some miracle, I was dreaming.

“I think she fainted. She didn’t even stick her finger, I don’t know what happened.” I could hear the stress in Mike’s voice, also the anger. He wanted more than anything for Edward to go away and so did I.

“Y/N.” Edward was inches away from my face. “Can you hear me?”

“No,” I groaned. “Go away.” A chuckle left his lips.

“I was taking her to the nurse,” Mike explained defensively, “but she wanted to stop.”

“I’ll take her,” Edward said. Please, no. “You can go back to class.”

“No,” Mike protested. Oh god, here we go again. “I’m supposed to do it.” Even with my eyes closed, I could picture Mike attempting to stand his ground against Edward, who was probably three inches taller than him. If I wasn’t so mentally and physically drained, I would’ve giggled at just the mental picture.

Suddenly I didn’t feel the bench anymore. My eyes shot upon. Edward had effortlessly scooped me up in his arms as if I weighed nothing at all.

“Put me down!” Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I could hear Mike yelling in the back, but Edward had already strode quick enough to the point where he was only a mumble.

“You look awful,” he said, grinning.

“Edward. Please put me down.” The rocking felt worse. He wasn’t listening, so I settled my arms around his neck to steady my movements. I couldn’t help but notice how much his body had gone rigid. 

“So you faint at the sight of blood?” he asked. Yes... and apparently have freaky visions too… I didn’t answer. “And not even your own blood,” he continued, obviously amusing himself.

“Oh my,” I heard a female voice gasp.

“She fainted in Biology,” Edward explained.

Opening my eyes, I found myself in the office with Edward already making his way to the nurse’s door, to which a lady opened for him. Edward gently placed me on the cot, moving only just inches away from me.

“She’s just a little faint,” he said to the nurse. “They’re blood typing in Biology.”

“Just lie down for a minute, hon. It’ll pass.” I nodded in response. “Does this happen a lot?”

“Hasn’t happened in a while.” I couldn’t help, but notice Edward from the side of me, barely being able to contain a laugh.

The nurse faced Edward. “You can go back to class now,” she told him.

“I’m supposed to stay with her.” The nurse didn’t seem to argue with him. How did Edward have such a way with people?

The nurse had left the room to get ice, to which I laid down on the cot, groaning, “You were right.”

“I usually am – but about what in particular this time?” I didn’t have the energy to argue.

“Ditching is healthy.”

“You scared me back there.” His tone surprised me. The way his breath hitched, as if he was confessing his deepest darkest secrets; that he was worried about me. “I thought Newton was dragging your dead body off to bury it in the woods.”

I stifled a chuckle. I tried to imagine poor Mike Newton, anxiety and all, trying to cover up my murder.

“How’d you see me? Thought you were ditching?” I sat up, facing him. Finally, the dizzy spell had passed.

“I was in my car, listening to a CD.” For some reason, it surprised me. So, he was normal-ish?

The door opened, revealing the nurse with an ice pack in hand, laying it across my forehead. “You’re looking better,” she chirped.

“Yeah, I think–” I was interrupted by the door opening, the receptionist had her head peeking through, claiming there was a boy waiting at the door for me.

The door fully opened to reveal Mike, awkwardly walking through the door, glancing from me to Edward, a look of loathe stretched across his face.

“You look better.” I nodded in response. He continued, “So, you ready to go back to class?”

The nurse interrupted before I could reply, “I think it would be best if she stayed. What’s your next class, dear?”

“Gym.”

“Oh my, Ms. Cope here will get a note right out to your class, dear, don’t you worry about that!”

Mike left awkwardly, mumbling, “Feel better. See you at the beach.” before heading back to Biology. I didn’t even realize Edward had left too. I took the time alone to lie back down, placing the ice pack back on my forehead, hoping the ice would numb my mind too.

I felt the cot from beneath me disappear and was once again surprised to see Edward scooping me up in his arms. I yelped, “What are you doing?!”

“Taking you home.” As it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Once we were through the doors, I could feel all eyes on me, both the nurse and Ms. Cope looked at me in admiration. I could feel my cheeks burning red from the embarrassment.

“I can walk, you know?”

“Yep.” I didn’t miss the smirk on his lips, especially when we’d passed Mike, who’d become even more red from the sight of us. Edward simply laughed it off.

As soon as we got to the parking lot, he set me on my feet, leaving us both to walk side by side until we reached our cars.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”

“A little, yeah.” That damn smile. 

When I went to walk over to my own car, something caught my jacket, yanking me back.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his eyebrows completely raised.

“Home?”

“I promised I’d safely take you home. You think I’m going to let you drive in your condition?”

He was right, as much as I hated to admit it. Not even twenty minutes ago I was recovering from a dizzy spell, accompanied by whatever the hell I saw when I closed my eyes. I only asked, “What about my car?”

“I’ll have Alice drop it off for you after school.” He loosened his grip on my jacket, placing his hand on my back to guide me to his car, to which he opened and closed for me once I’d gotten in.

He got into his car and settled his keys in, cranking up the heat. I didn’t even realize how freezing I was until he cranked up the heat, which eventually settled down my shivers. Before we set off, I told him my address. Then, a familiar tune flooded my ears.

“Clair de Lune?” I asked, surprised. When he said he was listening to a CD, I didn’t know what I’d expect to blare from his speakers, but it definitely wasn’t the elegance of Claude Debussy.

“You know Debussy?” He sounded just as surprised as I was.

“From my mom.” I nodded. “She plays a lot of classical music – I only know a couple of my favorites.”

“It’s one of my favorites, too.”

I leaned back into the gray leather seat, watching the rain, and letting the music soothe my nerves. The view outside had blurred completely into green and gray streaks, showing just how fast we were going, but the ride had felt as smooth as ever.

“If you don’t mind me asking… Why are you sensitive to blood?”

“Um…” I paused. For some reason, I felt alright with telling him. No one else had known besides my dad, the doctors, and the occasional therapist. “When I was 12, I saw an animal attack. It was in the woods by my house. There was a lot of blood… and since then, I don’t know… I just freak out.”

“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely.

I let silence invade the space, before mumbling, “Your turn.”

“What?” He looked terrified. As if I’d just asked him to reveal one of his deepest and darkest secrets.

“Tell me something about yourself. It doesn’t have to be as deep and traumatic as mine… What about your family?” I deserved to know even a portion about his life at least.

“What do you want to know?”

“The Cullens adopted you?” I confirmed.

“Yes.”

“Can I ask what happened to your parents?” I didn’t expect an answer. Even after all that I’ve told him, it seemed too overbearing.

“They died a long time ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “I don’t remember them much. Carlisle and Esme are all I’ve ever known really. I couldn’t imagine two better people.”

“I’m glad.” I continued on, “And your brother and sister?”

“My brother and sister, and Jasper and Rosalie for that matter… they are going to be quite upset if they have to stand in the rain to wait for me.” He chuckled.

“Oh, shit.” I hadn’t even realized we stopped, let alone in front of my house already. “Sorry, yeah, I’ll um– see you later?” 

I didn’t get out of the car yet. I wanted to ask him something, even if I ended up regretting it later.

“Did you wanna come with us to the beach?” I breathed out.

A smile littered across his face. “Which beach?” Was he considering it?

“La Push.”

His smile lessened. So I asked, “Something wrong?”

“No, sorry.” His eyebrows furrowed intensely. “I just remembered Emmett and I had plans. Hiking in the Goat Rock Wilderness.”

“Oh,” I said. “Well, have fun.” I tried to hide my disappointment, but I don’t think I fooled him too much. A smile was still spread across his face, almost amused by how I reacted.

Just as I was about to open the door, he said, “Maybe another time. Just the two of us. Somewhere more quiet.” I felt shivers down my spine.

“Y-yeah.” I stuttered. “Thanks for the ride.”

Slamming the door shut, I turned to face him, his smile still radiating even after he drove off.

next chapter

a/n: this one is a lot longer than the others and i had to rely on the book a lot for some of the dialogue, but just some little changes here and there! i hope you all like it!

tags: @measure-in-pain @brekkers-whore @rejectedbimbo @leilanileila

[hcppyines]

lizeth selene  .  cisgender female .  they/she  .  *  |  look,  there  goes  inés guzman !  they're  the  twenty six  year  old  i  was  telling  you  about  …  you  know  the  scorpio  ?  it's  their  fifteenth case  with  the  crew  —  not  counting  the  one  where  she thought she caught a ghost breathing in a haunted motel, but it turned out to be a busted, motion-activated tickle me elmo toy vibrating under the bed whenever the floor creaked …  originally  from  chicago,  let's  hope  their  analog voice recorder  is  enough  to  protect  them  from  getting lost alone in a remote and unfamiliar location.  most  people  know  them  as  methodical  and  inquisitive,  but  don't  be  surprised  if  their  avoidant  side  slips  out  when  the  lights  flicker.  this  time  around,  they're  signed  on  as  the  audio tech,  which  makes  sense  considering  they  spend  most  of  their  time writing songs & mixing lofi tunes  like  their  life  depends  on  it.  if  you  ever  need  them,  try  whispering  nes  into  the  walkie  or  picturing  instinctively clutching at heirloom rosary beads, journaling dreams in half-asleep whispers into an old voice recorder, headphones muffling the seen and giving voice to the unseen, & music blasting out of a car speeding down a never-ending road at 3 am.  but  beware  —  if  they  don't  answer,  something  else  might. 

LINKS:

pinterest: xx playlist: xx google doc: wip

BASICS:

name: inés guzman age: 26 birthday: nov 5 zodiac: scorpio gender: gender fluid pronouns: they/she

PERSONAL:

parents: raul guzman (father); marisol reyes (mother - estranged) sibling: mateo guzman hometown: chicago, il career: audio tech - the echo files; waitress; lofi streamer/composer education: hs diploma languages: english (native); spanish (native) health: insomnia

APPEARANCE:

height: 5'7" build: slender hair: long, black - known to wear wigs eyes: dark brown makeup: example 1 / example 2 style: refer to pinterest scars: small one on left corner of bottom lip; long one on right thighpiercings: exampletattoos: example 1 / example 2

PERSONALITY:

positive: methodical, adventurous, empathetic negative: avoidant, blunt, stubborn favorites: nerd clusters, handwritten letters, pancakes, black coffee hates: plastic water bottles, cake frosting, public arguments, isolation perceptions: they aren't the most approachable visually and their bluntness can turn people away, but they will help anybody that needs it without question. they are more on the quiet side unless with those they are comfortable with, preferring to pipe up in all other situations with a well-time snarky remark or thoughtful observations.

HEADCANONS:

always carries their analog recorder, even if they don’t plan on using it

drives a beat-up forest green volvo named saint jude, patron saint of lost causes

smokes occasionally—only when deeply stressed or anxious

has a secret lofi music youtube channel they run anonymously

hoards audio files and ambient recordings; constantly low on phone storage

they keep handwritten letters to the people in their life in her favorite red leather notebook - they don't intend for anybody to ever read them

journals dreams and records thoughts with their recorder and phone

favorite comfort treat is black coffee and pancakes, especially late at night

keeps a shoebox full of old voicemails, cassette tapes, and letters they never sent

has a pool trophy from a local bar tournament they never talk about

has a library card and actually uses it—they always have a book in their bag

always has a bag of nerd clusters in their backpack for long stakeouts

loves swimming and outdoor runs

wears one silver ring that belonged to their dad, never takes it off

has an emotional attachment to rainy nights and the sound of tires on wet pavement

loves roadside diners—the hum of the neon, the clink of dishes, the same tired songs

calls their ghost-hunting work “recording what people ignore” and means it

they grew up heavily involved with the catholic church and though they don't consider themself a christian, some habits and superstitions have stayed with them into adulthood (including keeping their mother's rosary on them for good luck when they are on site for the echo files or their own personal paranormal investigations)

their brother, mateo, is a priest. they're very close despite their differences and he's one of the few people that believes her unconditionally

their dad is still living and working in chicago and they do their best to send him money and gifts when they can - he worries about their work with the echo files

BIOGRAPHY:

inés guzman has lived in chicago their whole life, growing up surrounded by the quiet hum of catholic churches and the constant noise of the city. they were raised in a small apartment with their older brother mateo and their single dad, raul, a hardworking guy who leaned on neighbors and their church community to help raise them. it wasn’t always easy, but there was love there. still, inés often felt a bit out of sync with the world, like they were tuned into something nobody else could hear. some of their earliest memories are full of candlelight and silence: watching dust float through stained-glass windows, hearing whispers that might’ve been prayers or something else entirely. spending so much time around the church is where their super sharp sense of hearing really started to take shape. they could catch the tiniest sounds others missed: the creak of old wood, pages flipping softly, voices folded into silence. when their dad gave them an old analog voice recorder for their ninth birthday, it turned into more than just a gift. inés began recording everything: bits of conversations, ambient noises, the low hum of streetlights. it was a way to catch pieces of the world that felt blurry or hard to hold onto. as they got older, inés found freedom in quiet moments and little bursts of adrenaline. they’d take late-night drives down empty highways, make spontaneous trips to places they’d never been, or just sit by the water where the sounds seemed different. now, working with the echo files team feels like a natural fit; always listening closely, filtering out the noise, and picking up on the things others miss. they've always been intrigued by the mystery and legend of dead air, and being able to follow along their faded footsteps has been a highlight of their life. they don’t always understand what they hear, but inés believes in ghosts, universal blips, and hidden messages—things only meant for certain ears. over time, they’ve stopped sharing most of what they pick up. most people don’t hear it, and even fewer truly want to.

[radracer]

Ok update! It’s a Volvo 142 with Scirocco headlights and Opel Diplomat grill as well as many other mods. Big thanks @ookamicirekun for the link!

Can anyone identify this car?? Possibly a custom Volvo ?

Thanks!

[shelbgrey]

Next to me(Emmett Cullen)

Chapter 20: Testosterone and Truck repairs

Table of contents

Tags: @itsmytimetoodream @f-1-maniac @purplesiren @thekinkpopstandsforkrackheads

“that would never happen” Paul said as he stuffed his face with Doritos, it was Saturday and Paul decided to stay in a watch Bones while Emmett was out hunting. Paul still hated the idea, so we just decided to never discuss it.

“good morning” bella said coming into the living. My head shot up confused, she never really spoke in such a bright tone in the mornings “what's that supposed to mean?”

“nothing...good morning” she repeated as Owen came shuffling into the living room, he plopped on to Charlie's favorite arm chair looking like he just woke up.

“mornin' sunshine” Paul joked, Owen looked at the TV and flipped Paul off while he watched his favorite character Angela do her thing on the show.

I rolled my eyes and continued to watch the TV show. Bella quitely sat down on the arm of the couch with me and took a sip of her drink. She cleared her throat and looked at me and Paul, we ignored her as i tried to finish the episode we were watching. “you look nice today... You too paul”

“I always look nice” Paul smirked, I rolled my eyes and hit his chest.

“What do you want?” I sighed, looking down at the sleep clothes I had yet to change out of, it was one of Emmett's black t-shirts and underwear, his shirts looked like a dress on me so there was no reason to wear pants.

Bella looked shocked. “What? I can't compliment my cousin?” As Bella failed to be suck up I sighed, she was always overly nice when she wanted something.

“suck up” Owen mumbled, Bella shot him a glare as he looked at the TV and not her.

“What do you want?” I said.

“m-my truck won't start... Could you guys look at if for me?” she asked, I signed and nodded. Paul who didn't look up from the TV slightly nodded. “after this, I need to see Booth and Bones catch the killer”

“they always do” I said, smiling.

Bella immediately jumped out of her seat. “t-thanks!” she's stopped and took a double take. “I'll be outside washing it while I wait for you”

The three of us nodded not taking our eyes off the TV. We didn't really notice she left until Owen spoke up and we gave him out undivided attention. “ya know, you certainly have a type sis”

I raised an eyebrow. “what's that mean?”

“you've been in love with David Boreanaz since the show Angel, he was indeed a big buff vampire with dark hair and in Bones he the same way just bigger and goofyer and minus the vampire” Owen explained.

“Buffy the vampire slayer was better... And had good tips” Paul added, I gave him a side eye. “sorry” he mumbled.

“I don't really have a type” I said with a nervous chuckle. “big, goofy buff dude” Owen pushed. “Seeley Booth and Emmett cullen are the basically the same thing, your fictional and real boy friend are very similar”

“why are we even talking about this?” I asked getting up and shutting the TV off. “I'm gonna change and we'll go help little miss. Main character” I said stretching.

After I got and old t-shirt and jeans on, I went out side while Paul and Owen got Uncle Charlie's tools. Paul sighed and droped the metal box on the ground as Owen climed into the bed with one of his my Stephen King books.

“put SpongeBob down and give it a crank” Paul said to Bella as he opened the hood. Bella climed into the squeaky vehicle and tuned the key. The truck made a sickly noise as Paul rummaged around. He sighed and wiped the grease off his hands onto his shorts.

“you got a battery?” he asked. I shook my head no. “we used it on the Impala were working on, remember?”

“let's try and jump start it then” he said as Owen handed him the jumper cables that lived in the bed of the truck.

Paul hooked one side to Charlie's Cruiser, as he hooked it to the truck battery the truck rocked suddenly. I looked up and saw Emmett on the roof.

“can you act human, we have Neighbors” I chuckled, he jumped down as Edward rolled up in his fancy-pants Volvo.

“what's wrong with the truck?” Emmett asked.

“its not starting”

“none of your business” Paul said over me. Emmett's gold eyes looked towrds Paul with hate. I rolled my eyes.

“it might be the spark plug” Emmett said, examining the engine. “I can bring one over later tonight” he said shutting the hood.

“thanks” bella said quickly and turned back to Edward. “there's still a dent though” Emmett said, grabbing the red metel and popping it back into place.

“now, that's hot” I said nudging Paul, He scoffed. “I could do that”

Emmett chuckled while Paul gave him a death glare.

“gald Enzo Ferrari could be of service” Paul said rolling his eyes, Emmett ignored him and turned to me.

“you wanna come over tomorrow?” he smiled leaning against the truck. “Sure, I want Owen to come too. He doesn't like to be left alone anymore”

“Sure, Carlisle and Esme want to meet him” he smiled, our conversation was cut short when Billy and Jacob rolled up in his new truck.

“peace was made, what's the problem?” Emmett asked when he saw my face drop. I shrugged. “I don't know... I just feel like I've been walking on eggshells since the meeting”

“well if they really care about you they wouldn't make you feel that way” Emmett said loud enough for Paul to hear.

Paul and Jacob are the only two that had been acting normal since the meeting. Paul didn't care, I mean he hated the Cullens but he was one of my closest friends and he wasn't gonna ruin it. Jacob just didn't know anything about the supernatural world yet so he was completely clueless.

He actually liked Emmett, Jacob came over to the house the other day to help me and Emmett on my Impala, they got along great. Jacob couldn't figure out what the packs problem was, he even asked and I couldn't give him a real awnser.

“we should go” Edward said coming up to us. Emmett shrugged. “you can... I don't have to”

My best friend rolled his eyes and gave me hug before racing off in his Volvo. “What was that about?” Bella asked.

“I'm sure you'll crack that case too Sherlock” I mumbled as we watched Jacob hop out of the silver truck.

“Hey, Emmett” Jacob smiled as he pulled out Billy's wheelchair. Honestly, Billy got over the whole thing. I think he was just galde Emmett was respectful towards me and and wasn't a killing machine.

Jacob and Emmett did some kinda bro fist bump which was bizzar in itself, I worry what Jake will think when he knows the truth about it all. Would him and Emmett still be friends? Would he look past all the wolf and vampire drama?

“you here for the game?” he asked Emmett, he looked over at me and just prayed he'll say no. I hate sports.

“I'll be upstairs with y/n” he said as Charlie walked outside with a smile. He greeted his best friend and Jacob then turned to Emmett.

“your welcome to join us if you want Emmett”

Emmett nodded with a smile. “I appreciate the offer sir, but I promise y/n we'd watch a couple of movies together”

As we walked towrds the house Billy spoke up. “any luck on the Waylon case?”

“well, I don't think it was an animal that killed him” Charlie awnsered as he pushed Billy's wheelchair up the small stairs.

Jacob and Bella looked at me and Emmett while they spoke about the murder. Emmett gulped and took my hand while we followed the group into the house.

“so spread the word out at the rez, huh? Keep the kids out” Charlie asked. “will do, we don't want anyone eles getting hurt” Billy said looking directly at me and Emmett.

As the sports watcher filed into the living room, I pulled Emmett towrds the stairs. He jokingly stoped and looked at the TV. “ya sure you don't want to watch the game?”

“we can watch it if you really want to” I smiled. I quickly shook his head no. “na, let's go to your room”

As we walked up the stairs Uncle Charlie called out to us. “better keep that bedroom door open!”

“okay!” I said rolling my eyes knowing he couldn't see me.

When we got my room Emmett plopped on to my bed as I looked for a movie to watch. He rolled over onto his stomach and reached for the book that was on my nightstand. It was Christine by Stephen King.

“what do you want to watch?” I asked, Emmett shrugged flipping through the small book. “I don't care, as long as your cuddling me... I don't care”

I chuckled and looked over my shoulder at him. His eye brows were knitted together as he concentrated on the book. “you can read it if you want, it's not like the movie but it's good”

“yeah... I might give it a try” he said as tossed him a padd of red sticky notes, he pealed one off for a book mark. “now... Movie, what are we watching?”

“Pult Fiction or Bill and Ted's excellent adventure?” I asked, Emmett looked up, thinking for a moment. “Bill and Ted” he smiled.

I nodded a put the movie in before crawling into bed with him. He wrapped his arms around me while I rested my head on his chest. I smiled feeling immediate comfort. “your like a big teddy bear” I said wrapping my arm around his waist, scooting closer to him. He chuckled and kissed the top of my head.

The rest of the day we stayed in bed, Owen came in about two hours later and watched Lethal weapon 3 with us. When 6 'o'clock hit Emmett got a call from Alice to come home, He promised to help get supplies for tomorrow. He said his goodbyes and kissed my goodbye before going outside to his jeep.

A/n: man, sorry this took so long, hopefully I'll post more regularly with this story. I'm so happy you all enjoy this story and want to read more.

[ginsengkitten]

༺ Beautiful Dangerous ༻

༺☆༻

Chapter Twelve

A New Life

"Y/N Monologue"

"If I knew the way the world was, what it would really be like- once I left that hospital and walked out into that rainy night in the west parking lot to meet the mystery writer who came to my rescue, had I known, I don't know if I really would have left so quickly.”

-

That night, a plain clothed Sister Graham had come to your rescue. In a heartbeat, you jumped in and the two of you took off. It was a thrill to the both of you, to leave that place. She had explained how she was forcefully retired due to her lack of “passion”. She explained that she would like to go see her sister back west and thought to smuggle you along with her. The two of you prowling the states in her shotty volvo. It was until one night in a motel that the plans had suddenly made a drastic change.

-

You lied on the sheets of the creaky floral bed, the half busted television illuminating the dark motel room. The Saturday night MTV broadcast was running as usual, it had been months since you last watched television. Hoping to catch something of substance before hitting the road again in the early morning. It was around 9pm when a familiar tune echoed out from the Tv that made your ears perk up. Words for a music video titling on the screen. It was a playback recording of a Guns n Roses concert from the week prior! You grappled your way to the edge of the bed, face at full attention to the screen now. Wow this is them just a week ago performing at a venue in LA. This performance began and seemed almost more polished than the ones you were used to. It became apparent that some sort of creative direction was being applied here. Pyrotechnics burst out behind the band. Carefully curated recording angles for dramatic effect- and - a plethora of scantily clad women sprinkled along the stage itself. Intertwining their bodies with the band and the rhythm. It seemed so….strange. Your fight for a glimpse of Slash was apprehended with a sour sight that suddenly turned your blood cold but your face red hot. A beautiful bombshell swayed herself around Slash as he played out in total enjoyment. Her long nails, soothed over his body as he performed on stage. An unfamiliar smile of greedy drunken stupor washed over his face. His enjoyment of this. This- orgy like display. The way he responded to her touch was organic and seemingly so- real? He seemed happy. So happy and so alive. Energy flowing through his fingertips and the strings as the woman lustered her self practically into his body it seemed. Her own devious grin of enjoyment too. You had seen enough. You shut the Tv off and scrambled back onto the edge of the bed in shock and disgust. This was merely a week old. Look at him. Happy, thriving.

The idea that you belonged in his picture became idiotic in this moment. The familiar echo of betrayal made its way back into your heart. Nausea waved over you as you stunned. All of this, all of this love, pain, yearning, sorrow- for what? For him to be the happiest he’s ever been? For him to be crawling with beautiful women? For him to be on MTV? What reason could he have to want you in this perfect new life he has found? His beautiful face flashed into your mind with a sting. Just as quickly, your own reflection blurring into view in the mirror on the wall beside you. Look at yourself, you thought.Tears had gone past welled and altogether escaped your eyes. You wanted to cry, really you did, but they just didn’t fall this time. You were so exhausted. Defeated. Alone.

It was in the same breath that fury engulfed your every cell. Forcing you to hurriedly pack what items you had with you and dart from the motel before Sister Graham could exit her shower. Broken inside, all you wanted now was to escape everything. Every piece of that girl that lived that life. And the life before it. You wanted nothing to do with any of it anymore.

The neon motel sign showered a hazey glow onto the dark street. A familiarity impressed you with the neon lights. As they always had. Just like the glittering signs up and down sunset. After reaching a small Main Street, you left your run now down to a slow waltz in the dark. Unsure of where to turn next exactly. A thumb stuck out along the lonely highway in the late evening hours. An hour stringing by without a single bite until an unsuspecting pickup truck rolled up along side the curb. With a window rolled down, you met your gaze with a beautiful, stunning woman. A glamorous sight, the most well tailored lady with an extravagant updo and glitter lined eyes. She eyed you precariously.

“Honey you better have a death wish standin out here in the night like this. Ain’t your daddy ever teach you stranger danger? You must be out a your damn mind girl.” The woman scorned sweetly. Her voice was deep and warm.

You stared blankly.

“Where you heading anyways baby?” She asked in a motherly and comforting voice, as if she’d raised you herself.

“I’m not really sure honestly….away from here?” You shrug at the ground.

Another figure ducks forward from the passenger seat. An equally beautiful woman pokes her head over examining you through her cigarette. “We got places to be child, you gettin in or what?” She grumbled in a less friendly manner. Her voice also a warm but deep tone. The first woman rolled her eyes at this remark. “Ignore her. Come with us.” She kindly motioned her head to the backseat.

“You damn lucky we was driving here girl, could have got your stupid ass chopped up like liver out here!” The second woman joked in a lighter, less mean, manner as the truck rumbled down the road. The cab smelled of sweet perfume and somehow, a feeling of uncertainty, but safety, befell you, and you knew wherever you went next, you vowed to leave the old you behind. Here in this town, on this curb, on this highway. A grave of who You once were settled to rest as you drove towards your new life.

[automotivealchemy]

Volvo C90 Sports Coupe Concept

What if...Volvo created this sports car and introduced it into their lineup? Based off of the S90 platform, this sports coupe would offer the same engine and transmission as found in the S90. But be slightly tuned for higher performance out of the engine with an upgraded turbocharger.

[motorspexx]

The Volvo 850 was launched in 1992 as a front-wheel-drive family car with a transversely mounted 2.0 to 2.5-liter inline-five engine. It featured a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension and a focus on safety and comfort. But beneath its practical image, the 850 had solid engineering — enough for Volvo to take it racing.

In 1994, Volvo entered the British Touring Car Championship with the 850 Estate — the first time a wagon had competed at this level. Developed in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, or TWR, the BTCC-spec 850 was fully race-prepped.

It ran a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-five engine producing around 280 horsepower at over 8,000 RPM, mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox. It featured front-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential, race-tuned suspension, and AP Racing brakes. The body was stripped and reinforced, weighing in at roughly 975 kilograms.

Aerodynamically, the estate shape wasn’t ideal. Its tall rear created more drag compared to the sedan. But the longer roofline added stability, and the car’s unique profile helped grab media attention.

The car was driven by Rickard Rydell, a Swedish touring car specialist, and Jan Lammers, a former Formula 1 and endurance driver. Despite its unconventional form, the 850 Estate showed competitive pace.

While it didn’t win races, it scored consistent mid-field results — including a best finish of fifth place at Snetterton. It laid the groundwork for future success. In 1995, Volvo switched to the 850 saloon, retaining the same mechanical setup but with better aerodynamics. That year, Rydell won two races and finished third overall in the championship standings.

The estate only ran for one season, but it left a lasting impression.

Volvo 850 Estate BTCC 1994 Technical Specifications

General Model Volvo 850 Estate Year 1994 Series British Touring Car Championship BTCC Team Volvo TWR Tom Walkinshaw Racing Drivers Rickard Rydell Jan Lammers

Engine Type Volvo B5204T based inline 5 Displacement 2 0 liters 1984 cc Configuration Naturally aspirated 5 cylinders Power Output Approximately 280 hp at 8500 rpm Torque Estimated 245 Nm Valvetrain DOHC 20 valves Engine Management Racing spec ECU developed by TWR

Transmission Type Xtrac 6 speed sequential gearbox Drivetrain Front wheel drive Differential Limited slip differential

Chassis and Body Chassis Modified production unibody Body Style 5 door estate station wagon Construction Seam welded reinforced for racing Weight Approx 975 kg per BTCC regulations Roll Cage FIA spec full roll cage Aerodynamics Front splitter minimal rear wing estate roofline provided natural rear stability

Suspension Front MacPherson struts with coil springs and adjustable dampers Rear Delta link rear axle with coil springs and adjustable dampers Setup Fully adjustable racing suspension

Brakes Front AP Racing ventilated discs with 4 piston calipers Rear AP Racing solid discs Brake Bias Adjustable

Wheels and Tires Wheels 18 inch center lock alloy race wheels Tires Dunlop racing slicks BTCC control tire

Interior and Safety Interior Stripped with single racing seat Harness Racing harness Fire System Onboard fire suppression system Dash Digital dash and data acquisition system

Performance Estimates Zero to sixty mph Around 4 point 5 seconds Top Speed Approximately 150 mph depending on gearing and track

Notable Results 1994 Best Finish 5th place at Snetterton Overall Points Consistent mid field performance Public Impact High media attention due to unconventional estate body style.

[aradnouri]

How Much Does a Volvo Penta Diesel Generator Cost in 2025?

Thinking of investing in a Volvo Penta diesel generator? Known for fuel efficiency, reliability and durability, these generators are widely used in industries, hospitals, and data centers. But what about the cost of purchase and maintenance?

🔹 Estimated price range for Volvo Penta generators:

85 kVA: $16,000 – $20,000

165 kVA: $30,000 – $36,000

300 kVA: $50,000 – $60,000

500 kVA: $75,000 – $85,000

700 kVA: $100,000+

💡 Beyond the initial price, consider maintenance costs: ✔ Oil & filter changes every 250-300 hours ✔ Cooling system service every 6 months ✔ Injector and fuel pump tuning annually

🚀 Want to optimize costs? Use high-quality fuel, schedule regular maintenance and avoid overloading the generator.

🔗 Learn more about pricing and cost-saving strategies here.

[beardedmrbean]

Swedish researchers say they have developed a new method of recycling batteries from electric vehicles that allows recovery of 100 percent of the aluminum and 98 percent of the lithium.

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have presented the efficient way to recycle metals from spent batteries, and at the same time minimize the loss of valuable raw materials such as nickel, cobalt and manganese.

Furthermore, no expensive or harmful chemicals are required in the process because the researchers use oxalic acid—an organic acid that can be found in the plant kingdom.

“So far, no one has managed to find exactly the right conditions for separating this much lithium using oxalic acid, whilst also removing all the aluminum,” said Léa Rouquette, PhD student in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. “Since all batteries contain aluminum, we need to be able to remove it without losing the other metals.”

In the Chalmers battery recycling lab, Rouquette and research leader Martina Petranikova showed how the new method works—taking the pulverized components in the form of a finely ground black powder and dissolving it in a transparent liquid – oxalic acid.

Rouquette produces both the powder and the liquid in something reminiscent of a kitchen mixer. Although it looks as easy as brewing coffee, the exact procedure is a unique scientific breakthrough. By fine-tuning temperature, concentration and time, the researchers came up with a new recipe for using oxalic acid, an environmentally friendly ingredient that can be found in plants such as rhubarb and spinach.

“We need alternatives to inorganic chemicals. One of the biggest bottlenecks in today’s processes is removing residual materials like aluminum,” says Martina Petranikova, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers. “This is an innovative method that can offer the recycling industry new alternatives and help solve problems that hinder development.”

The aqueous-based recycling method is called hydrometallurgy. In traditional hydrometallurgy, all the metals in an EV battery cell are dissolved in an inorganic acid. Then, you remove the “impurities” such as aluminum and copper. Lastly, you can separately recover valuable metals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese and lithium. Even though the amount of residual aluminum and copper is small, it requires several purification steps and each step in this process can cause lithium loss.

With the new method, the researchers reverse the order and recover the lithium and aluminum first. Thus, they can reduce the waste of valuable metals needed to make new batteries.

The latter part of the process, in which the black mixture is filtered, is also reminiscent of brewing coffee. While aluminum and lithium end up in the liquid, the other metals are left in the “solids”. The next step in the process is to separate aluminum and lithium.

“Since the metals have very different properties, we don’t think it’ll be hard to separate them. Our method is a promising new route for battery recycling – a route that definitely warrants further exploration,” says Rouquette, who published her results in the journal Separation and Purification Technology.

COOL IDEA: Scientists Power Tesla on 9,400-mile Journey With Rolled-up Printed Solar Panels

Petranikova’s research group is involved in various collaborations with companies to develop electric car battery recycling and is a partner in major research and development projects, such as Volvo Cars’ and Northvolt’s Nybat project.

The research was funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, BASE Batteries Sweden, Vinnova.

[keepingupwiththecullensblog]

🌙✨ Just tuned in to the latest episode of "Keeping Up with the Cullens," and let me tell you, the vampire drama at Forks High School is off the charts! 🧛‍♂️✨

Bella wakes up after her whirlwind night with Edward, and she's still trying to wrap her head around it. But things get real when she sees Edward waiting outside in his shiny Volvo. 🚗💨

Bella's sporting this old, frumpy sweater that Edward finds absolutely unflattering and plain ugly. It's like seeing a supermodel in a potato sack—Edward’s thinking, "Really, Bella?" 😂 And Edward? He’s trying so hard not to get "turned on" by Bella’s every move, it's like watching someone on a strict diet drooling over a chocolate cake. 🍰

Bella hops into the car, and Edward starts his rapid-fire questioning, trying to decode her mysterious thoughts. But Bella's not giving anything away, leaving Edward more frustrated than a cat with a laser pointer.

As Edward walks her to her first class, Edward warns Bella about the impending interrogation from Jessica. Think of Jessica as the FBI of high school gossip. Bella decides to tell Jessica that they are dating. In the hallway, Edward has a moment where he fixes a piece of Bella’s hair. He’s come a long way from feeling jealous when Mike touched her hair. Now, he’s the one casually brushing her hair back, thinking, “Take that, Mike.”

Later in Trigonometry class, Jessica eagerly questions Bella, who admits she likes Edward more than he likes her. Edward, reading Jessica’s mind, finds her internal commentary both amusing and frustrating. Jessica even starts fantasizing about sleeping with Edward, making him even more irritated. 😳 Edward’s thinking, “Really, Jessica? Can you not?”

Then there’s the moment in English class while listening to them in their trigonometry class. Yes, folks, Edward Cullen laughed out loud. The whole class turns to look, thinking, “Did Edward just malfunction?” Meanwhile, Bella’s heart does a little happy dance. 😂

During lunch, Edward and Bella sitting together is the event of the century. Everyone's staring like they've just seen Bigfoot. Bella, ever the brave soul, dares Edward to eat pizza. Spoiler: vampires don't do carbs well. 🍕 His face afterward is priceless, like a toddler trying broccoli for the first time. And let's be real, watching a vampire try to choke down pizza is like watching someone try to swallow cardboard.

Oh, and let's not forget Edward's dazzling effect. He’s shining brighter than a disco ball, and he doesn’t even realize it. Bella’s practically blinded, thinking, “Is this guy aware he's got the sparkle intensity of a Hollywood premiere?” Meanwhile, Rosalie's thoughts are practically on fire with how pissed off she is about Bella knowing everything. She’s ready to destroy his precious Aston Martin. 🥀🔥

As they plan their weekend outing, Edward hints at showing Bella what happens to vampires in the sunlight. He’s thinking, “If I’m going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly.” And Bella, ever the pragmatist, is wondering if she should pack sunglasses and sunscreen. 🌞😎

The conversation takes an interesting turn when Edward casually mentions his and Emmett's favorite hunting activities—bears and mountain lions, like they're discussing weekend plans. Bella, calm as ever, responds with, "Bears? Really?" Edward’s trying to keep it cool, but inside he’s like, “Why is she not freaking out?”

Finally, Bella’s calm demeanor cracks when Edward gets pissed off at her nonchalance and yells, “Absolutely not!” straight in her face when she asks to watch them hunt. It’s the first time he’s genuinely scared her. He’s thinking, “If only she’d react like this more often, my life would be so much easier.” 😆

Stay tuned for more sparkling drama and supernatural shenanigans! 🌟✨