#and mostly audrey <333

[swans-chirping-in-the-distance]

No thoughts just Duke Crocker

[xoshepard]

Writing Pattern Tag Game

i was tagged by @stormikins and @nowandthane thank you both <333

Rules: list the first line(s) of your last 10 posted fics and see if there's a pattern!

Stronger: Audrey had been devastated when she’d woken up in that Cerberus space station.

Pride: Kaidan waited for the doors on the ship to open, buzzing with anxiety mixed with other unpleasant feelings.

Sick Day: Evanna Shepard woke up in the middle of the night, mouth bone dry.

Finally Home: “Admiral Zorah,” a messenger addressed Tali, shielding his eyes as he jogged up to her.

A Piece of Me: Hawke sat in the bath pondering. It wasn’t generally a favorite pastime of hers—pondering.

Good Enough: As Kaidan earnestly expressed his desire to rekindle the relationship between Shepard and himself, even despite her infidelity, Shepard found herself feeling conflicted.

The Dream: The spirits were neutral. They manifested in areas of beauty, of power, of strength. They embodied virtues, but they did not interact directly with Turians, unless asked.

Stages: “Come… come back and see me sometimes, alright?” Garrus quietly offered to Commander Shepard.

Shelter: These days, the battlefield was tense. The comms were quiet. Garrus had noticed it almost immediately after being reunited with Shepard on Menae.

To Be Loved: For a variety of reasons, Fenris kept his feelings for Hawke mostly to himself. But in reality, he adored the man.

no pressure tags: @continuous-spec @kaos-kappa @solisaureus

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

OH okay so they ARE doing the wedding then

Good to know xdd

(Like right then tho lol-)

Nah I'm just kidding xDD Way to rub it in Claire's face though lol

Still though mostly joking since it's probably a week or a few weeks later xDD

Lol anyway

Aww y'all!!!

Oop this looks stressful

We got this though :pp

AHHHHHHHHHHHH

OPE ASHER

AGHCK THE T E A R S

Help me I'm going to die :'))

Maybe it's his dad who's gonna code or even die o.o

Anyway!!!

That's it for the final thoughts, now it's time for the. . .

REVIEW

Yes, don't worry, I do plan on doing the others at some point xdd. But, since I haven't been blogging for three hours, I have the energy to do this now lol.

First off! Morgan and Park, y'all xDD. Goodness, lol, I love you, but you're always arguing about something XD. Eh, I suppose it is a drama show, lol. You practically have to be xd. Still, Morgan, I'm glad you compromised, and I'm glad y'all worked things out in the end 🥰🥰🥰.

Asher!!! And Jerome :DDD! Y'all are adorable <333. And I love you, lol. A, hi Jerome :D, we see you just doing your job, B, that surgery scene where Asher was talking about the suits was HILARIOUS like sir lol, C, the fun of Asher at that bachelor party xDD And also him and Park going 👁️👄👁️ when left at the strippers place lol xDD - Wonderful lol, iconic -, D, oh my G O S H y'all are so adorable 🥰🥰🥰. You worked things out really easily, even if those suits were stupid lol, and the we gOT A SECOND K I S S S S S!!! WHOOOOO!!! :DDDDDD!! I love my boys so darn much lol :DD. You guys are so cute <3333. Just- they :'DD. All around, them <333. Lovely :))).

Claire!!!!!

Girl I LOVE YOUUU!!! It was so nice having her back again 😭😭😭😭😭😭. She had to make some difficult decisions and some she may have made wrong but she's still grown so much and is continuing to grow, even right in front of our eyes :')). Also so glad she got to see Audrey again 😭😭😭. They went through some rough patches this episode but I love their friendship so much :')). And yes it's just weird calling her Lim in relation to them being besties idk xdd so I called her Audrey lol. Still kinda weird, but not too bad lol. I went like hUU when Claire said it lol xDD. Anyway, so glad the kid survived :'))). And girl I am S O sosososo so proud of you 😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️😌😌😉😍😍😍🤩🤩🤩🤩🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰.

Her <3

Lim and Villanueva - 😭😭😭😭😭. Guys I was SOBBING!! Not literally but yk lol. I figured she wouldn't actually be gone but I wasn't sure!!! Glad she's not, and I hope everything ends up okay :')). My besties (not literally lol) are living together and I wish them the best 🥰🥰🥰🥰. Continue to support each other!!! Love y'all :'DDD (good tears)!

Lastly, of course: SHAUN AND LEA!! Oh my gosh you guys 😭😭😭😭😭😭. A H H H H H ALL THE FEELS!!!! By the way when I say you guys/guys, these past two times at least lol, I was talking to them xD. But I guess you guys reading this too lol. Anyway!! There was so much pain and miscommunication (well not TOO much but it hurt me okay xdd) throughout the episode but in the end y'all decided to go with being yourselves and honestly I am just so proud of you :')))). And happy for you :'DDDD!!!! I love them ❤️❤️, they are my children 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰.

Overall, I really loved the episode!! We had some really great moments all around, in each storyline, and even if it didn't have a full plot, it was good! Like, the small side storylines. So (as in very) good for them <3.

So yeah! Loved the episode, and I'm really looking forward to the next one! This has been my review of. . .

The Good Doctor, Season 5, Episode 17: The Lea Show

It was such a great episode!! I'm super excited for the next one :D. After it, I'll be doing my review of. . .

The Good Doctor, Season 5, Episode 18: Sons

See you next episode!!!

[offbeatmusicuk]

Albums Of 2019

Here we go again. Another pretty strong year. Full disclosure I haven’t had as much time to listen to these albums this year as usual so my mind may be changed (possibly immediately) but here’s my list as it stands at the mo.

Before that though... an honourable mention of an album which I decided wasn’t eligible for the list because technically it’s a soundtrack album, even though it sounds like a new album from the band, and a strong addition to their discography....

Biffy Clyro  “Balance, Not Symmetry”

And now the bonus 30 albums that didn’t quite make the top 50 but couldn’t go unmentioned.

Lindsay Schoolcraft / Sigrid / Talla 2XLC / Ladytron / The Anix / While She Sleeps / Calva Louise / HANA / Ivy Crown / Lacuna Coil / Hante. / Puppy / Stanton Warriors / Moonlight Haze / Perfect Son

Idiot Pilot / Port Noir / Above & Beyond / Eat Your Heart Out / Potty Mouth / Lupa J / Papa Roach / Starkill / IAMWARFACE / The Anix / MC Lars & Mega Ran / Snow Ghosts / J Majik / Estiva / GIRLI

And now the big five-oh

50.

Dinosaur Pile-Up  “Celebrity Mansions”

Dinosaur Pile-Up have been gaining praise for their 4th album, and it’s not hard to see why. Spikey, catchy rock and punk, about touring the USA, some sounding like Foo Fighters’ heavier moments. Fun stuff.

49. Foals  “Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1″

The experimental indie band released 2 albums in 2019, both parts of the same project, and though Part 2 certainly has merit, and a few cracking tracks, Part 1 is the more consistent, full of varied and surprising music.

48. Forever Still  “Breathe In Colours”

The Danish hard rockers fronted by Maja Shining, deliver their 2nd album of aggressive, melodic rock and alternative metal.

https://foreverstill.bandcamp.com/album/breathe-in-colours

47. Cold Kingdom  “Into The Black Sky”

Debut album from the Minneapolis hard rockers, their first release with new singer Elissa Pearson.

https://coldkingdom.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-black-sky

46. Hatchie  “Keepsake”

Aussie Hatchie brings us her debut album of shoegaze-y, shimmery, dreamy, electronic indie-pop. One to float away with.

https://hatchie.bandcamp.com/album/keepsake

45. UNKLE  “The Road Part II / Lost Highway”

A serious case of double album syndrome with this one. Disc 1, aside from a weak cover of a terrible song as its last track, is absolutely amazing, and if it was released like that it would be top 10 for sure. But the whole thing has to be considered and disc 2, though far from bad, is just a bit dull, especially comparatively.

44. Doll Skin  “Love Is Dead And We Killed Her”

The ladies from Phoenix are back with their new album, once again a great collection of catchy, upbeat, alternative rock and punk. 

43.

Only Shadows  “Brothers”

Epic, catchy indie rock. They are very American sounding but they come from Nuneaton. Good stuff though.

42. Driftmoon  “Remember The Night”

Though it is a live recording of a DJ set, Driftmoon insists that this is his third artist album. Fair enough - it is all his music, though there are many collabs and his remix of John O’Callaghan & Audrey Gallagher’s classic “Big Sky”, but aside from an instrumental version of a track that featured on his last album “Invictus” it’s all previously unreleased. He wanted to switch it up and make the ‘live performance’ the first way these tracks were heard. And like many a DJ set, more often than an album, the biggest and best tracks are in the last third of the album, and there are some mammoth tunes here.

41.

The High Priest  “Dream American”

Formerly of excellent bands Diphonia, Global Police Force and Dark Science, The High Priest continues his solo journey with his new album. And it’s a good ‘un. His website describes it best - “Dark brooding sonic rock music and atmospheric soundscapes”. Class.

40. Feeder  “Tallulah”

Feeder’s tenth album continues their run of quality records. It’s no wild departure, but you’ll like it if you’re a fan. “Fear Of Flying” stands up against many of their classic tunes.

39. Furious Monkey House  “Love, Scum & Dust”

Spanish indie-rock young-uns Furious Monkey House release their 2nd album. And it’s an excellent collection of catchy upbeat tunes, mostly in English but with some native Spanish in there too. Great stuff.

38. Nemesea  “White Flag”

5th album from the Dutch band. They’ve moved through symphonic metal and gothic rock in their career, and this album includes a handful of the best songs they’ve ever done. 

https://nemesea.bandcamp.com/album/white-flag

37. Fever 333  “Strength In Numb333rs”

Agressive rap-metal, with massive riffs and huge melodic choruses. Touches of electronics and Trap are dotted throughout.  Sounds like the middle ground between Rage Against The Machine and early Linkin Park. 

36.

The Dark Element  “Songs The Night Sings”

Former Nightwish vocalist Anette Olzon and her Dark Element partner Jani Liimatainen deliver their second album, and it’s another quality, catchy collection of symphonic metal tunes.

35. New Years Day  “Unbreakable”

Huge, jittery riffage, paired with pop style songwriting and melodies, with powerful vocals. Reminiscent of “Blood” era In This Moment, but less sleazy.

34. Blood Red Shoes  “Get Tragic”

Blood Red Shoes bring a new sound with their 5th album. More electronic, almost synth-pop, but still with a rock band at the core. Some of their most original and catchy tunes yet are included here.

33. Maraton  “Meta”

The Bandcamp page describes this album perfectly - “MARATON pushes the boundaries between pop music and progressive rock, mixing machine like drums and roaring bass groundwork with shimmering guitars, ethereal keys and sacral vocal performance. The band has sought to create a style of music which combines the rhythmic heaviness from bands such as Mars Volta with the pop aesthetics of Muse.”  Check them out.

https://maratonofnorway.bandcamp.com/releases

32. Ankor  “White Dragon”

Accessible metal with a prog sensibility, the melodies are catchy, but musically it will keep you guessing throughout.

31.

Liquid  “Spacemonkey”

Old school hardcore rave stylings from scene legend Liquid on his 3rd artist album. A breakbeat bounty.

30. As December Falls  “As December Falls”

Straight to the point, catchy pop-punk from this Nottingham four-piece on their debut album. Fans of early Paramore, early Tonight Alive or We Are The In Crowd etc would do well to check this lot out.

29. Blink-182  “Nine”

2016′s “California”, the first album to feature Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba replacing original member Tom DeLonge, was a huge return to form for the band, and “Nine” continues the revitalised Blink with another massive collection of pop-punk tunes. They broaden their sound palette here too with sampled drum loops and heavier riffs in places.

28. Rebecca Lou  “Bleed”

There’s a shoegaze-esque vibe to the production on this collection of raw, catchy, rock ‘n’ roll tunes from Denmark, and it gives just the edge of uniqueness that makes this album special.

https://rebeccalou.bandcamp.com/album/bleed

27. Sleep Token  “Sundowning”

On paper Sleep Token, a mysterious, masked unit of unnamed musicians, who worship an ancient deity called “Sleep”, would make you think they made incredibly sinister black or doom metal. But that isn’t the case. There is a metal heaviness and some mountainous riffs, but only in parts - often kicking in as songs build to their climax. For the most part though they are bewitching soundscapes, often minimal, with huge melodic vocals, and electronic touches. Worship.

26. Within Temptation  “Resist”

Less orchestras, more electronic touches and more influence from other styles of modern music, but still unmistakably a Within Temptation album, “Resist” brings the band back from the brink after some serious writers’ block almost ended them. Bombastic and revitalised.

25. Solarstone  “...--”

The final part of Solarstone’s “One” album trilogy is once again an epic journey through his ‘pure trance’ sound.

24. We Are The Catalyst  “Ephemeral”

Third album from the alternative-metal Swedes, full of huge choruses. Fans of accessible metal with melodic female vocals should check this out.

https://watcofficial.bandcamp.com/album/ephemeral

23. Lamb  “The Secret Of Letting Go”

Five years on from their last, Lamb unleash their 7th album. Ethereal, magical, and special, as they do so well.

22. Polynation  “Igneous”

A cinematic, sweeping, atmospheric album, blending many facets of dance music, ambient, techno, IDM. A wordless, groove laden, goosebump inducing journey.

21. Grum  “Deep State”

Grum’s much delayed second album finally lands on Anjunabeats. It’s a kinetic mix of sounds incorporating trance, progressive and deep house elements, and creates some huge anthems. In particular the incredible “Stay”.

20. False Advertising  “Brainfreeze”

Mancunian grunge / noise-pop trio deliver a fizzing album of 90s influenced rock. Cracking, energetic tunes throughout.

https://falseadvertising.bandcamp.com/album/brainfreeze

19. Cold Blue  “Winter”

Slowly but surely building his status and honing his craft over the last decade or so, and in recent years gaining a reputation as one of the best producers in the trance scene, German Tobias Schuh finally unleashes his debut album. It is an epic, progressive journey through uplifting trance, slowly building and revealing its treasures, avoiding being too formulaic and predictable. One to get lost in.

18. R+  “The Last Summer”

Rollo returns, with a little help from his sister Dido, and long time production partner and Faithless teammate Sister Bliss, giving us a blissful, Balearic sounding album. The whole thing sounds like a love letter to Ibiza. Lovely. 

17. Pumarosa  “Devastation”

Pumarosa deliver their moody second album. A bit more electronic (with elements of trip-hop and drum & bass seeping in), a bit darker, still brilliantly adventurous. A very exciting band.

16. Luttrell  “Into Clouds”

I’ve been following Eric Luttrell’s superb, progressive blend of deep house and melodic techno for a couple of years, and now he unleashes his debut album. It doesn’t disappoint. Widescreen, beautiful, upbeat, catchy and excellently produced.

15. The Beautiful Monument  “I’m The Reaper”

The Aussie quartet deliver their second impressive long player. Huge riffs, huge drums, huge melodies, in their blend of post-hardcore, pop-punk and metal.

https://tbmofficial.bandcamp.com/album/im-the-reaper

14. The Thrillseekers present Hydra  “Altered State”

Despite releasing his first music in 1999, and releasing a steady stream of singles since, Steve Helstrip only delivered his debut album as The Thrillseekers in 2016. For this, his 2nd opus, he's decided to release under his Hydra alias. And what a beauty it is. Mostly instrumental, apart from a new reworking of The Thrillseekers classic "The Last Time" with vocals from Fisher, it is a masterclass in sublime, chilled, Balearic trance. Reminiscent of the first couple of Chicane albums, and makes you feel like you are blissed out on a beautiful, sunny beach.

https://thethrillseekers.bandcamp.com/album/altered-state

13. Jimmy Eat World  “Surviving”

"Surviving" is Jimmy Eat World's 10th album. There are little touches of an expansion to their sound, but if you are familiar with their brand of American rock, then you'll know pretty much what to expect. This is undoubtedly a Jimmy Eat World album. It is, however, a very, very good one. One of the strongest they've ever done in my opinion, probably only with "Bleed American" as any kind of competition.

12. Age Of Rampage  “Empire City”

Age Of Rampage deliver a plethora of breakbeat stompers on their debut album. Their love for acts like The Prodigy would be evident even without the first track sampling a Keith Flint interview, but the old school is delivered with relish here. If you love 90s breakbeat acts such as The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, Freestylers etc, this is a very worthy listen. Such a shame Russian breakbeat label Criminal Tribe don't do physical releases.

https://criminaltribeltd.bandcamp.com/album/age-of-rampage-empire-city-ctr035-18032019

11. Hands Off Gretel  “I Want The World”

Hands Off Gretel are an effervescent blend of punk and grunge, led by the fierce Lauren Tate. A love of 90s rock is evident. "I Want The World", their 2nd album, is packed full of killer tunes.

10. Dido  “Still On My Mind”

I’ve loved Dido’s voice since the early days of Faithless, so when she started releasing her own music I’ve always liked it to varying degrees (loved some of it, some of it a bit meh). This is her best album since “No Angel” in my opinion. It’s chilled, ethereal, and rather beautiful, and has been one of my most listened to albums in 2019. The title track is absolutely one of my favourite tracks of the year. I’m surprised it is top 10, but it had to be.

9. Wislov  “Madness From Paradise”

Kniteforce Records and their sister labels have been a driving force in the old-school hardcore (or ‘rave’ as many early 90s compilations would call it) revival. Most of their releases are new music, just done in the old style, with fresh touches. Wislov is one of, if not the, greatest talent in this scene, and after a bunch of EPs and a slew of great tunes, this debut album is unleashed. And it’s a cracker. If you love that old-school sound you will find much to love here.

8. HÆLOS  “Any Random Kindness”

Mesmerising, utterly beautiful, electronic tunes, with lush vocals. Picking up where their 2016 debut album “Full Circle” left off, but stepping up a notch. There is a heavy rave influence, but this is definitely made for the post-party, the comedown, the chill out time, the blissed out euphoria after the full on euphoria. Every time I hear this album I discover something new, and love it more. Wonderful.

7. Yonaka  “Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow”

Yonaka may veer to the poppier end of alternative-rock, but they know how to write a hell of a tune. Many of them in fact. 11 feature here on their debut album, released after a string of quality EPs and singles got them some exposure over the last couple of years. Hooks aplenty, huge choruses, riffs and electronics.

6. Anavae  “45″

Fans of Anavae have been waiting a long time for this. The debut album many thought may never come. 8 years on from their debut single and 7 years after their debut EP “Into The Aether”, and following a bunch of EPs and singles in the interim, it is finally here. And I’m sure very few will be left disappointed. Rebecca Need-Menear and Jamie Finch deliver a typically varied alternative-rock album, veering at times into poppier territory, and others into moody trip-hop-esque tracks. Other times they stick to simple, yet epic, rock tunes like on the massive “High”. If you don’t know this band, check them out.

5. Dream State  “Primrose Path”

Dream State progress in sound and technical ability with each release. From 2015′s debut EP “Consequences”, through last year’s excellent “Recovery” EP to this, their debut album. And it’s a pretty epic affair. Chunky riffs, pounding drumming, powerful vocals (both in aggressive and melodic turns from CJ Gilpin) with a massive, widescreen feel to the production. The Welsh 4-piece are often classed as post-hardcore, but that is far too limiting a description for a band with such obvious ambition. Class.

4. Machineheart  “People Change”

Lush, shimmery, ethereal alt pop from this L.A. quartet fronted by the fabulous vocals of Stevie Scott. A cracking album from start to finish but a particular mention goes to upbeat (almost breakbeat styled) track "Overgrown" which is one of the best tracks I've heard all year. If you like bands like London Grammar or HÆLOS, give this album a spin.

3. Black Futures  “Never Not Nothing”

Black Futures are a genre meshing riot. They've been called "Anarchic Electro Psych Punk Noise", "industrial noise-punk" and label themselves as "Future Punk". They have the sensibilities of a punk band and a dance band simultaneously. There's Bobby Gillespie from Primal Scream guesting, as is rapper P.O.S. More than once have they been described as a mix of Death From Above 1979 & The Chemical Brothers. It's a future party, a post-apocalyptic riot. Give it a listen.

2. Dallas Kalevala  “Dallas Kalevala”

Dallas Kalevala hail from Finland and have been called fierce subarctic pop music. Whether they called themselves this I'm not sure. What it sounds like to me is a brilliant, varied pop album, slightly camp, with fantastic electronic production and some full on pounding dance beats. 9 brilliantly written tracks, that all sound different, but somehow sound like they come from the same band and belong together. There is a feeling Dallas Kalevala would be somewhat polarising.  There's no way they'll be everyone's cup of tea (which suggests they are doing something right), but those that get them will love them a whole lot.

1. The Chemical Brothers  “No Geography”

To make their 9th album The Chemical Brothers returned to the equipment they used to make their first two albums. And though "No Geography" doesn't sound like "Exit Planet Dust" or "Dig Your Own Hole", it feels like them. Consequently it is arguably their best album since them, but it is definitely their best since 2002's "Come With Us". It feels a bit old school, but also fresh and new. Tracks flow into each other seamlessly making the album feel like a complete body of work rather than a collection of tracks, and it is utterly brilliant throughout. Joyous.

Well there you go. I’ll leave you with the following, for your listening pleasure:

Spotify playlist - a countdown of the top 50 (50-1), minus a couple of things that aren’t on Spotify.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05F3PPwKO7NkwpD4eTJBiP?si=O8bO2JYDSqa3Kz-SzQ8D4Q

And a YouTube playlist counting down 50-1, but a completely different tracklist to the Spotify playlist (and different vids for the top 5 than are embedded here).

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSWMYBJKcPo0tJGbPDFw8QAdZlb1BWj3H

[agwitow]

Two Favours and a Kiss

Been having a lot of YA romance, trope-filled, dreams of late, so this is just a short piece to try and get that out of my system

Audrey shifted her over-sized purse/satchel/book bag and glanced at her watch again. Only a minute had passed since she’d last checked, but it felt like an eternity standing in the hallway outside the classroom. A handful of other people also waited--most of them were engrossed in their phones.

She glanced down the cross hallway, hoping she wouldn’t see the sun-bleached blond hair that filled her with such a tumultuous mix of feelings. She knew she should hate Ryan. She did hate Ryan. Mostly. But she also still loved him. Sort of. He’d dumped her, and, though it had taken three months and some unbelievably patient and supportive friends, she knew it was the best thing that could have ever happened to her.

That didn’t stop him from continuing to keep tabs on her, or threatening any guys who even sort of started getting close to her. She’d tried to get the university or police to do something, but he’d never hit her and none of the guys he drove off made any complaints. So she was stuck with him taking classes solely so he’d be in the same ones as her.

She breathed a small sigh of relief and smiled to herself when she was confident that he wasn’t there yet. Anthropology 333 (Ethnographic Research) was her first class of the day, but thankfully not his. He rarely made it before the class started.

Still, she disliked having to wait in the hall for the previous class to finish.

Her eye caught a tall guy with brown hair and a bit of scruff moving toward her. He wore an open button-down shirt over a black t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a faded pair of jeans. He smiled and she glanced around to see if he was looking at anyone else.

The closest person to her was a good five feet away.

“Uh, hi,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “This is going to sound really weird, but could I ask you a favour?”

Audrey blinked in surprise. She’d been sure he’d just walk right past her. When had she ever seen a cute guy and had him actually approach her?

She gave herself a shake and smiled tentatively. “It sort of depends on what the favour is, doesn’t it?”

He grinned and she couldn’t help but notice how his brown eyes sparkled. “Very true. So, it’s like this... My girlfriend broke up with me a couple months back and my friends keep saying I need to get back out there, find another fish, all that sort of stuff.”

“Right...”

“And I just got so frustrated--Billie was my highschool sweetheart. You can’t just get over something like that in a few months, y’know?”

Audrey nodded. “I get it. I was with my ex for a little over two years. It takes time.”

“Right. But they just wouldn’t let up. Kept trying to set me up on blind dates.”

“Ugh,” Audrey laughed. “It should be socially acceptable to punch anyone who suggests a blind date more than twice once you’ve said no.”

He laughed. “Exactly! Which is where you come in.”

“What do you mean?”

He ran his hand through his hair again and sighed. “I told my friends that I met a girl and went on a date with her last week. Now they want to meet her--something about not believing she’s real.”

“Well, to be fair to your friends, she isn’t real.”

He smiled. “Right, but I don’t want them to know that.”

“So you want me to pretend that we went on a date last week and meet your friends?”

“Yeah. I’ll take you out for supper as a thank you, and we can tell them the second date didn’t go too well so we decided to not see each other again,” he said. “Oh, and my name is Shane.”

Audrey shrugged. “Sure. I don’t see why--” She stopped as her eye caught sight of Ryan approaching. He hadn’t seen her yet, but it was only a matter of seconds.

“I’m really sorry about this, but please just go with it,” she told Shane. He only had a moment to look confused before she rose on her tiptoes, wrapped a hand around his neck and kissed him.

Shane froze, then slid a hand around her waist. Warmth spread through her chest and she almost forgot the doom approaching. She broke the kiss just as Ryan stormed up to them.

“What the hell, Audrey!” he shouted.

She flinched away from him and in toward Shane. She’d never seen Ryan so angry before. She wanted to turn and run. But Shane’s arm was still around her waist.

“Babe, who is this?” Shane asked, eyeing Ryan as if he were a bug--annoying, but not really a problem.

“This is Ryan, my ex,” she said, trying to match Shane’s nonchalant tone of voice. She was pretty sure both men heard the tremor in her voice.

“Ah, right. I expected him to be...bigger.”

Audrey couldn’t help the snort of laughter his response elicited. Ryan’s gaping mouth and outraged eyes were too hilarious. They weren’t even that much different in size. Shane was three inches taller than Ryan, though they were of a similar build. Still, Ryan pulled himself up, as if he could somehow stretch three inches right there, and glared at Shane.

“Let me give you some advice there, pal,” Ryan said, venom dripping from his voice. “This bitch ain’t worth the trouble. High maintenance, no pay-off, whiny, and no sense of humour.”

Shane scratched his chin and pursed his lips. “Well, that hasn’t been my experience. Audrey’s sweet, funny, and just a great gal. Sounds like you’re just bitter.”

Audrey smiled up at him, feeling warm from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. He glanced down at her and returned her smile, pulling her a little tighter against his side.

Ryan laughed. “I dumped her frigid ass. I ain’t got nothing to be bitter about.”

“Then maybe you should move along. Sounds like you’ve got no more business with each other.”

Ryan turned his glower to her, fists clenched at his sides. “So what, you some sort of slut now?”

“Listen, man, I tried to be polite, but you can’t talk to her like that,” Shane said, anger creeping into his voice.

“I can talk to her however I please,” Ryan shot back. “She’s mine.”

Shane shook his head. “First of all, she’s a person. You can’t own her. Second of all, you broke up. Give it up, man. This is just pathetic.”

“Fuck you,” Ryan snarled and swung a fist at Shane.

Shane pushed Audrey to the side, taking the hit on his jaw. He ducked under Ryan’s next swing, and then slammed a fist into his nose. Ryan swore, clutching at his face.

“You better leave, and if Audrey or I see you again, we will press charges,” Shane warned.

Ryan muttered something before turning and running through the crowd of gawking people.

Shane turned to Audrey. “Are you okay?”

"Yeah,” she said, a little breathless. “I’m sorry I dragged you into that. And thank you.”

He smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I sort of volunteered when I asked you to be my pretend girlfriend.”

She gave a rueful chuckle. “That shouldn’t involve getting into a fist-fight. Are...are you okay?”

He rubbed his jaw and winced. “It’ll bruise, but he doesn’t throw that hard of a punch. I’ll be fine.”

“So, even if you still want me to get you off the hook with your friends, I think I’m the one who owes you dinner,” Audrey said. Her heart thudded in her chest as she stared up into his eyes.

“Nonsense. I promised you dinner, so I’ll buy you dinner,” he said.

“How can I repay you for saving me, then?”

Shane grinned. “Well seeing as I did just get punched in the face, would you go on a date with me? For real?”

Audrey laughed, her cheeks burning. “Really?”

He nodded, his gaze dropping sheepishly. “Yeah, I really like your smile.”

She reached forward and slid her hand into his. He lifted his gaze to meet hers and they shared a smile. “I’d love to go out with you.”

** If you liked this, you might be interested in my published work. You can also support me by ‘buying me a coffee'