Because flirting is their thing. Gio's unsolicited advice helped Betty redirect her life back to her dreams. The Sandwich Guy found his happy ending with his Baker Girl.
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling (2nd)
Nothing about Kess Pedrock’s life is normal. Not her home (she lives in her family’s Unnatural History Museum), not her interests (hunting for megafauna fossils and skeletons), and not her best friend (a talking demon’s head in a jar named Shrunken Jim).
But things get even stranger than usual when Kess meets Lilou Starling, the new girl in town.…
To the people of Hawkins, the Devil's resurrections withheld a pattern. The names of whom It took control of are still bold in the town's history, and soon, a timeline is formulated. One twisted with misinformation, yet compatible enough with the equally misinformed summary the government gave them to satiate the rest of the unknown.
Barbara Holland was The Catalyst. Her disappearance and later death confirmation was the beginning of the town's soon to grow body count. No one had seen it then, but that's where it began.
Robert Newby was The Signal. His death in Hawkins Lab, its influence on his end and its subsequent fall the sign that their community was crumbling. That was when the people's eye opened.
William Hargrove was The Mark. The point of reference on the true evils around them. He was an outsider to the town, not born of it. It wasn't the people who were cursed, but Hawkins itself. And it cared not who came into its path.
Edward Munson was The Harbinger. His harnessing of satanic rituals, hidden under guise of a game, lured him into sermons and devotion to the evil lurking beneath the town's skin. He was the dark clouds on the horizon, the only warning the people would get before hell broke loose.
Christina Cunningham was The Innocent. The truly kind Saint of the town, yet still taken by Hawkins' curse. She was the only one who could not have had an ounce of evil within her, nothing to pull her towards the deep, and still she fell. It furthered The Mark, proving further that this curse did not care.
Fredrick Benson was The Shift. His death began a change in the town, where the truth of all that was going on was finally caught. He brought light to what was wrong, and subsequently, Hawkins' curse cared less and less.
Patrick McKinney was The Breaking Point. This was the moment The Harbinger became The Bane, to the people. It was The Bane's work that was causing all of this destruction, his channeling of dark energies for so long causing him to fuse with it. And now, with a host, Hawkins' curse was free to roam and inflict and pain.
Jason Carver was to be The Savior. He went to the place of who was next to be taken. He tried to fight those who fought in the name of the curse, evading manipulative trickery and slowly freeing those trapped by the curse. But despite all those he saved, the curse still needed something to take.
What it left behind was Maxine Mayfield, The Survivor. Though scarred and broken from the curse's influence, she and those she cared for lived. It was hope, futile as it may seem, that Hawkins' evils wouldn't persist much longer, that there was an end to the cycle.
Nevermind that this was all completely wrong. It was a story the people wanted to believe, so they believed.
(Redone because it wouldn't let me add links to the old version)
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Swedish composers and producers have been behind some of the biggest hits in pop music since the 1990s. This list highlights 50 notable songs that showcase the influence of Swedish talent in the global music industry. Due to the sheer volume of hits, this list cannot cover all of them but aims to represent some of the most impactful tracks:
1. **"The Sign"** - Ace of Base (1993)
2. **"…Baby One More Time"** - Britney Spears (1998, written and produced by Max Martin)
3. **"It's My Life"** - Bon Jovi (2000, produced by Max Martin)
4. **"I Want It That Way"** - Backstreet Boys (1999, produced by Max Martin)
5. **"Since U Been Gone"** - Kelly Clarkson (2004, produced by Max Martin)
6. **"Hung Up"** - Madonna (2005, co-written by Madonna and Swedish songwriter/producers including Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA)
7. **"Can't Get You Out of My Head"** - Kylie Minogue (2001, co-written and produced by Swedish producers)
8. **"Shake It Off"** - Taylor Swift (2014, produced by Max Martin)
9. **"Firework"** - Katy Perry (2010, produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee, co-written by Ester Dean, a frequent collaborator with Stargate)
10. **"Rolling in the Deep"** - Adele (2010, co-written by Paul Epworth, but Shellback, a Swedish producer, has worked extensively with Adele)
11. **"Moves Like Jagger"** - Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera (2011, produced by Shellback)
12. **"One More Night"** - Maroon 5 (2012, produced by Max Martin and Shellback)
13. **"Roar"** - Katy Perry (2013, produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke)
14. **"Wake Me Up"** - Avicii (2013)
15. **"Diamonds"** - Rihanna (2012, produced by Stargate)
16. **"I Knew You Were Trouble"** - Taylor Swift (2012, produced by Max Martin and Shellback)
17. **"We Found Love"** - Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris (2011, produced by StarGate)
18. **"Cheap Thrills"** - Sia (2016, co-produced by Greg Kurstin, but has notable Swedish influence in other works)
19. **"What Do You Mean?"** - Justin Bieber (2015, produced by MdL, co-written by Justin Bieber, Jason Boyd, and Mason Levy)
20. **"Can't Stop the Feeling!"** - Justin Timberlake (2016, produced by Max Martin)
21. **"Dark Horse"** - Katy Perry feat. Juicy J (2013, produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke)
22. **"No Tears Left to Cry"** - Ariana Grande (2018, produced by Max Martin and ILYA)
23. **"Blank Space"** - Taylor Swift (2014, produced by Max Martin and Shellback)
24. **"The Middle"** - Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey (2018, co-written by Sarah Aarons, Zedd, Grey, and The Monsters and the Strangerz, showcasing the global collaborative nature of hits)
25. **"Dancing On My Own"** - Robyn (2010)
26. **"Levels"** - Avicii (2011)
27. **"Call Me Maybe"** - Carly Rae Jepsen (2012, produced by Josh Ramsay, but Swedish writers and producers have significantly influenced pop production styles)
28. **"Hotline Bling"** - Drake (2015, co-produced by Nineteen85, showcasing the global influence of Swedish music production techniques)
29. **"Shape of You"** - Ed Sheeran (2017, co-produced by Steve Mac, but Ed Sheeran has collaborated with Swedish producers like Max Martin on other tracks)
30. **"Let Me Love You"** - DJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber (2016, co-written and co-produced by Andrew Watt, Brian Lee, Ali Tamposi alongside DJ Snake, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the industry)
31. **"Closer"** - The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey (2016, co-written by Shaun Frank, The Chainsmokers, and Freddy Kennett, indicative of the collaborative nature of hits, with Swedish influence in electronic music)
32. **"Lean On"** - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ (2015, co-produced by Major Lazer and DJ Snake, a testament to the global influence of dance music)
33. **"Sorry"** - Justin Bieber (2015, produced by BloodPop®, showcasing the global influence of pop production)
34. **"Starboy"** - The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk (2016, co-produced by Doc McKinney, Cirkut, and Daft Punk, highlighting the collaborative nature of modern music production)
35. **"Faded"** - Alan Walker (2015, showcasing the global appeal of electronic and dance music influenced by the Nordic electronic scene)
36. **"Love Me Like You Do"** - Ellie Goulding (2015, produced by Max Martin and Ali Payami)
37. **"Don't Let Me Down"** - The Chainsmokers ft. Daya (2016, co-produced by The Chainsmokers, illustrating the influence of electronic music production)
38. **"Stay"** - Zedd & Alessia Cara (2017, co-produced by Zedd, a reflection of the collaborative nature and global influence of pop and electronic music)
39. **"New Rules"** - Dua Lipa (2017, co-written by Caroline Ailin and Emily Warren, showcasing the international collaboration in pop music)
40. **"Without You"** - Avicii ft. Sandro Cavazza (2017)
41. **"Señorita"** - Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello (2019, co-written by Charli XCX, Ali Tamposi, Jack Patterson, and others, reflecting the global collaboration in the music industry)
42. **"Bad Guy"** - Billie Eilish (2019, co-written and produced by Finneas O'Connell, though not directly Swedish, the minimalist production style is influenced by global pop trends)
43. **"Dance Monkey"** - Tones and I (2019, written by Toni Watson, highlighting the global influence of pop music trends)
44. **"Roses"** - Saint Jhn (Imanbek Remix) (2019, remixed by Imanbek, showcasing the global reach and influence of remix culture)
45. **"Blinding Lights"** - The Weeknd (2020, co-written and co-produced by Max Martin)
46. **"Rain On Me"** - Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande (2020, produced by BloodPop® and Burns, with Tchami, showcasing the collaborative nature of modern pop
47. **"Mood"** - 24kGoldn ft. Iann Dior (2020, co-produced by Omer Fedi, KBeaZy, and 1Mind, showcasing a blend of pop and hip-hop elements that have been influenced by global production styles, including the streamlined, catchy aesthetics often found in Swedish pop production.)
48. **"Levitating"** - Dua Lipa (2020, produced by Stuart Price and Koz, with significant input from songwriters that have been part of the Swedish pop music writing camps, demonstrating the broad influence of Swedish pop sensibilities on global hits.)
49. **"Peaches"** - Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon (2021, co-written and co-produced by Harv, Shndo, and others, reflecting a blend of R&B and pop that, while not directly Swedish, is part of a global pop landscape heavily influenced by Swedish songwriting and production practices.)
50. **"Save Your Tears"** - The Weeknd (2020, co-written and co-produced by Max Martin, a testament to the enduring influence of Swedish pop music production on the global stage, combining synth-pop with a heartfelt performance.)
Swedish composers, producers, and songwriters have played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of contemporary pop, influencing artists and hits worldwide. Their knack for catchy melodies, engaging narratives, and polished production has left an indelible mark on the music industry.
the sculpture that inspired the hardline music video
“The style of the set design, inspired by a sculpture that Julien created, was especially fun to work in.” - Joe Baughman, creator of the Hardline music video (quote from Stereogum)
“I couldn’t tell you why but I saved up like 2 years worth of hotel keycards from tour and superglued them all together in the shape of a house as Art, then put that into a pelican case and sent it to the Joe Baughman as reference material, and then he made that entire Hardline video and it looks sick. Thanks Joe for realizing that, you are very talented. And thanks to @christinamckk for a photo of the Art with me for scale” - Julien Baker on Instagram, 1/14/21
“Took some weird pics a while ago of @julienrbaker and her house sculpture that inspired the animation on her new music video for the song “Hardline”. Go check it out, cause it is so beautiful!” - Christina Mckinney on Instagram, 1/14/21
These are the black trans lives we have lost due to violence in the United States since 2009. Sadly, this is most likely not a complete list as many of the souls we have lost go unreported or were misgendered. They will not be forgotten.
Caprice Curry, 31 - Killed January 17, 2009
Jimmy McCollough, 34 - Killed April 14, 2009
Foxy Ivy, mid 30s - May 23, 2009
Christopher Jermaine Scott, 36 - Killed July 1, 2009
Beyonce (Eric) Lee, 21 - Killed July 26, 2009
Tyli’a Mack, 21 - Killed August 26, 2009
Dee Green, 25 - Killed October 26, 2009
Toni Alston, 44 - Killed April 3, 2010
Chanel (Dana A. Larkin), 26 - Killed May 7, 2010
Sandy Woulard, 28 - Killed June 21, 2010
Victoria Carmen White, 28 - Killed September 8, 2010
Stacey Lee aka Stacey Blahnik, 31 - Killed October 11, 2010
Tyra Trent, 25 - Killed February 19, 2011
Marcal Camero Tye, 25 - Killed March 8, 2011
Miss Nate Nate, 44 - Killed June 13, 2011
Lashai Mclean, 23 - Killed July 20, 2011
Shelley Hilliard, 19 - Killed October 23, 2011
Chassity Nathan Vickers, 32 - Killed November 17, 2011
Githe Goines, 23 - Killed December 29, 2011
Crain Conaway, 47 - Killed January 17, 2012
Deoni Jones, 23 - Killed February 2, 2012
Coko Williams, 35 - Killed April 4, 2012
Tyrell Jackson, 23 - Killed April 4, 2012
Paige Clay, 23 - Killed April 16, 2012
Brandy Martell, 37 - Killed April 29, 2012
Tracey Johnson, 40 - Killed July 5, 2012
Tiffany Gooden, 19 - Killed August 14, 2012
Dewayne “Deja” Jones, 33 - Killed August 26, 2012
Kendall Hampton, 26 - Killed August 29, 2012
Evon Young, 22 - Killed January 1, 2013
Cemia “CeCe” Dove, 23 - Killed March 27, 2013
Kelly Young, 29 - Killed April 3, 2013
Ashley Sinclair, 30 - Killed April 11, 2013
Fatima Woods, 53 - Killed May 30, 2013
Jock Maurice McKinney, 50 - Killed 12 July, 2013
Diamond Williams, 31 - Killed July 14, 2013
Domonique Newburn, 31 - Killed August 20, 2013
Islan Nettles, 21 - Killed August 20, 2013
Artegus Konyale Madden, 37 - Killed September 1, 2013
Terry Golston, 44 - Killed September 6, 2013
Eyricka Morgan, 26 - Killed September 24, 2013
Brittany Stergis, 22 - Killed December 5, 2013
Kandy Hall, 40 - Killed June 3, 2014
Yaz'min Shancez, 31 - Killed June 19, 2014
Tiffany Edwards, 28 - Killed June 26, 2014
Mia Henderson, 26 - Killed July 16, 2014
Aniya Parker, 47 - Killed October 3, 2014
Ashley Sherman, 25 - Killed October 27, 2014
Gizzy Fowler, 24 - Killed November 12, 2014
Lamar Edwards, 20 - Killed January 9, 2015
Lamia Beard, 30 - Killed January 17, 2015
Ty Underwood, 24 - Killed January 26, 2015
Yazmin Vash Payne, 33 - Killed January 31, 2015
Taja Gabrielle DeJesus, 36 - Killed February 1, 2015
Penny Proud, 21 - Killed February 10, 2015
Keyshia Blige, 33 - Killed March 7, 2015
London Chanel, 21 - Killed May 18, 2015
Ashton O’Hara, 25 - Killed July 14, 2015
India Clarke, 25 - Killed July 2, 2015
Shade Schuler, 22 - Killed July 29, 2015
Amber Monroe, 20 - Killed August 8, 2015
Kandis Capri, 35 - Killed August 11, 2015
Elisha Walker, 20 - Killed August 13, 2015
Kiesha Jenkins, 22 - Killed October 6, 2015
Zella Ziona, 21 - Killed October 15, 2015
Veronica Banks Cano, mid 30s - Killed February 19, 2016
Maya Young, 25 - Killed February 21, 2016
Demarkis Stansberry, 30 - Killed February 27, 2016
Kedarie Johnson, 16 - Killed March 2, 2016
Shante Isaac, 34 - Killed April 10, 2016
Keyonna Blakeney, 22 - Killed April 16, 2016
Tyreece Walker, 32 - Killed May 1, 2016
Mercedes Successful, 32 - Killed May 15, 2016
Goddess Diamond, 20 - Killed June 5, 2016
Deeniquia Dodds, 22 - Killed July 13, 2016
Dee Whigam, 25 - Killed July 23, 2016
Skye Mockabee, 26 - Killed July 30, 2016
Rae'Lynn Thomas, 28 - Killed August 10, 2016
T.T. Saffore, mid-20s, Killed September 11, 2016
Crystal Edmonds, 22 - Killed September 16, 2016
Jazz Alford, 30 - Killed September 23, 2016
Brandi Bledsoe, 32 - Killed October 12, 2016
Noony Norwood, 30 - Killed November 5, 2016
India Monroe, 29 - Killed December 21, 2016
Mesha Caldwell, 41 - Killed January 4, 2017
JoJo Striker, 23 - Killed February 8, 2017
Jaquarrius Holland, 18, - Killed February 19, 2017
Keke Collier, 24 - Killed February 21, 2017
Chyna Gibson, 31 - Killed February 25, 2017
Ciara McElveen, 21 - Killed February 27, 2017
Alphonza Watson, 38 -Killed March 22, 2017
Kenne McFadden, 27 - Killed April 9, 2017
Chay Reed, 28 - Killed April 21, 2017
Brenda Bostick, 59 - Killed April 25, 2017
Sherrell Faulkner, 46, Died May 16, 2017
Ava Le'Ray Barrin, 17 - Killed June 25, 2017
Ebony Morgan, 28 - Killed July 2, 2017
TeeTee Dangerfield, 32 - Killed July 31, 2017
Jaylow McGlory, 29 - Killed August 4, 2017
Kiwi Herring, 30 -Killed August 22, 2017
Kashmire Redd, 28 - Killed September 4, 2017
Derricka Banner, 26 - Killed September 12, 2017
Candace Towns, 30 - Killed October 31, 2017
Brooklyn BreYanna Stevenson, 31 - Killed November 27 2017
Brandi Seals, 26 - Killed December 13, 2017
Celine Walker, 36 - Killed February 4, 2018
Tonya Harvey, 35 - Killed February 6, 2018
Phylicia Mitchell, 46 - Killed February 23, 2018
Amia Tyrae, 28 - Killed March 28, 2018
Sasha Wall, 29 - Killed April 1, 2018
Nino Fortson, 36 - Killed May 13, 2018
Gigi Pierce, 28 - Killed May 21, 2018
Antash’a Devine Sherrington English, 38 - Killed June, 2018
Diamond Stephens, 39 - Killed June 18, 2018
Cathalina Christina James, 24 - Killed June 24, 2018
Keisha Wells, 50s - Killed June 24, 2018
Sasha Garden, 27 - Kille July 19, 2018
Vontashia Bell, 18 - Killed August 30, 2018
Dejanay Stanton, 24 - Killed August 30, 2018
Shantee Tucker, 30 - Killed September 5, 2018
Londonn Moore, 20 - Killed September 8, 2018
Ciara Minaj Carter, 31 - Killed October 3, 2018
Regina Denise Brown, 53 - Killed October 10, 2018
Tydi Dansbury, 37, Killed November 26, 2018
Keanna Mattel, 35 - Killed December 7, 2018
Dana Martin, 31 - Killed January 6, 2019
Jazzaline Ware, 34 - Killed March 25, 2019
Ashanti Carmon, 27, Killed March 30, 2019
Claire Legato, 21 - Killed April 15, 2019
Muhlaysia Booker, 23 - Killed May 18, 2019
Michelle “Tamika” Washington, 40 - Killed May 19, 2019
Paris Cameron, 20 - Killed May 25, 2019
Chynal Lindsey, 26 - Killed June 1, 2019
Chanel Scurlock, 23 - Killed June 5, 2019
Layleen Polanco, 27 - Killed June 7, 2019
Zoe Spears, 23 - Killed June 13, 2019
Brooklyn Lindsey, 32 - Killed June 25, 2019
Denali Berries Stuckey, 29 - Killed July 20, 2019
Kiki Fantroy, 21 - Killed July 31, 2019
Pebbles La Dime Doe, 24 - Killed August 4, 2019
Bubba Walker, 55 - Killed July 2019
Tracy Single, 22 - Killed July 30, 2019
Bee Love Slater, 23 - Killed September 1, 2019
Bailey Reeves, 17 - Killed September 2, 2019
Ja’Leyah-Jamar, 30 - Killed September 13, 2019
Itali Marlowe, 29 - Killed September 20, 2019
Brianna “BB” Hill, 30, Killed October 13, 2019
Yahira Nesby, 33 - Killed December 19, 2019
Monika Diamond, 34 - Killed March 18, 2020
Nina Pop, 28 - Killed May 3, 2020
Tony McDade, 38 - Killed May 27, 2020
hawkins high school gym is fucking stifling. eddie can feel the thin sheen of sweat that's begun to cover his skin. every so often he has to reach up and wipe a bead of it forming on his brow. these stupid gowns only make matters worse, trapping the heat and causing him to look like an idiot from head to toe in silky, green fabric. eddie huffs a sigh, shifts in his pathetic plastic seat. he's bored out of his skull, desperate to stretch his legs and principal higgins is still droning into the microphone.
he finds the clock on the far end of the gymnasium. it's only been an hour -- maybe an hour and a half -- since filing in, shooting the shit with his friends, shuffling into alphabetical order and finding their seats.
"knock 'em dead, son." his uncle had said with a pat on the shoulder. "when they call your name, i'll be the loudest one."
"uh, i beg to differ," dustin piped up. "i don't mean to step on your toes, but as eddie's best friend, i'd say i reserve the right to scream my ass off when he walks across that stage."
eddie grinned a lopsided grin, grossly endeared as he clapped a hand onto dustin's head to ruffle curls beneath his ever present cap. "'s right. you're my right hand man, buddy."
a drop of sweat tickles his nose on the way down and eddie's quick to wipe it away. he'd spent two extra years in this hellhole to sweat with his peers looking like a bunch of emerald city citizens while principal higgins puts them to sleep with the sound of his voice.
eddie smiles to himself as he thinks: this is almost not worth it. almost.
his smile disappears when higgins' does. the old man is suddenly grim. eddie feels his insides tangle and knot together. "before we commence the rest of today's ceremony, i'd like for all of us to take a moment of silence for the students who sadly could not be with us here today."
eddie tries to ignore how the room feels as though it's shrunk, pressing this crowd of bodies into his. he swallows the cotton in his throat. it goes down stubbornly.
"fred benson."
the nerdy kid. thick glasses. scar across his face. eddie recalls something about a car accident a few years back. he'd become ridiculed twice as much. eddie remembers coming to fred's rescue once when the damn basketball team just wouldn't leave him alone. his heart goes out to him now.
"jason carver."
jason's death in the creel house had taken some of the heat off of eddie. even more so when it was explained to the authorities that carver and his cronies had been wielding weapons against unarmed minors. even so, there still remained an unwavering bunch of folks who were unwavering both in their faith as well as their disdain toward the boy whose name, reputation -- hell, his entire future -- had been dragged through the mud.
"christina cunningham."
eddie's grateful his head is bowed and his eyes closed so he doesn't have to see the pairs of eyes boring into him from all sides. he can feel them, burning holes into his skin. there's a part of eddie that wishes he'd never agreed to that deal in the clearing behind the school. it would only take his name out of the equation. chrissy would still be dead, along with the others. hawkins would still be hunted.
there's an even greater part, though, that's strangely glad he'd agreed to it. call him conceited, and maybe he is -- just a touch -- but eddie likes to think he'd been the best part of chrissy's last day. her chime - like laughter had been genuine, and a smile looked good on her. most importantly, it eases eddie's heart to know that at the very least, no matter gruesome chrissy's death had been, that he'd been with her when it happened. she hadn't been alone.
he hopes to whatever higher power there is that she hadn't been trapped in the upside down when he'd ventured there. wherever she is, though, there's a silent hope that she'd heard his song and thought of him.
"patrick mckinney."
one of carver's crew. but not quite. patrick had always seemed less boorish than the rest. quiet, drawn into himself when alone in the halls. one of the good ones, maybe. silently, eddie wishes him well.
the following seconds weigh heavy on everyone. higgins breaks it by clearing his throat into the mic and all at once, heads are raised. he begins rattling off the names of classmates. finally. robin buckley is one of the first he recognizes. she gets uproarious cheers from the bleachers where dustin and company are seated, from the floor where her fellow band kids are; one of them is a girl with a shock of short, red hair and a face full of freckles. eddie cups ringed hands around his mouth and hollers: "yeah, let's go, rockin' robin!" among all the voices, he hears nancy's, too.
it continues on like this for each student from their own respective cliques that, with a blink of an eye, have lost all their meaning. eddie's pulled from his mental dormant state when his section is told to stand and line up by the stage. he catches the gaze of his friends on the way up, all clad in their hellfire shirts for their faithful leader. above them, steve shoots a thumbs up while dustin waves wildly beside mike, max, lucas and erica. eddie chuckles to himself, feeling his heart balloon with happiness.
a handful of students stand between him and snagging that diploma. eddie's giddy, chewing his lip and bouncing on his feet. glorious freedom is so close he can almost taste it.
mackey.
mcgee.
monroe.
munson.
"edward munson!"
scuffed reeboks carry him up the steps to principal higgins side. eddie snags his well - earned diploma in one hand, white - knuckling the thing, and flips the bird with the other. the expression on the old man's face is fucking priceless. eyes wide with shock behind his glasses, the guy looks like he's moments away from a heart attack. he can hear dustin cheering him on from the stands, just as the kid had promised.
victorious, eddie laughs and goes to run off with his freedom in hand. but he stops. he's not running. not without a few parting words. turning on his heel, eddie snatches the mic. a small scuffle between staff and faculty ensues that has the gym echoing with laughter.
eddie faces the crowd and raises his pointer finger, heart thundering in his chest. "i'd like to bid hawkins high a proper farewell, sir!"
"mr. munson, if you have prepared a speech, you should have arranged it prior to the ceremony! now, please-"
"it won't take long, principal higgins. you have my word." eddie gives him his best, winning smile, delighted to see his friends cracking up when he turns to face the audience again. "students, friends, faculty -- and of course, my fellow alumni -- i'm sure that only a very small percentage of you are sad to see me go." his voice carries through the space as eddie wanders the stage, commanding it like the rockstar he is. "and to those few, i say: you'll be deeply missed. to the rest of you? well..." dimples deepen on his cheeks from the force of his grin. "fuck you."
horrified gasps from most, laughter from some. he's wrangled back by the shoulders. eddie fights back, cackling, and manages to get loose. he's having the time of his life. "now, these six years," he yanks his elbow free from one of the teachers, adjusts his cap that's gone crooked atop his mop of curls. "these six years very well would've been some of the worst of my life if it hadn't been for the undying loyalty of my bandmates and fellow club members. jeff, gareth, mitch? we've fought many battles and played many concerts since our middle school days. you've been the best friends a freak could ask for. and for that, i thank you."
again, he locates the kids in the crowd. five of them, to be exact. "speaking of hellfire, i've thought long and hard about this. who will carry my torch when i'm gone? who will continue the munson legacy as hellfire grows without him? i gotta say, it was a tough call to make. but i'm confident in my choice..."
pause for dramatic effect and eddie points a finger right at...
"mike wheeler. you've been a passionate and valuable asset to hellfire during your first year, and i've heard tales of your skills to rival mine. make me proud as president, kid. and dustin? vice president. you're his right hand man, now." eddie shoots a two fingered salute their way, watches the two high-five when he knows without a doubt they'll be bickering about it later. "alright, principal higgins, i'll, uh, let you wrap this up."
eddie tosses the microphone back. higgins stumbles for a moment, but eddie misses it. he's already torn off running like hell. and running has never felt so damn good.
so, we all want taylor to share her reading recs with us but she still hasn’t! so instead, here are book recommendations based on taylor swift songs! these recommendations are based on both the content of the songs, the vibe of the songs, and the themes present!
goodreads pages for each book are linked for more about them!
A Place in this World - coming of age novels
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (YA novel told in verse)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (classic)
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi (YA realistic fiction)
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth (YA realistic fiction / tw: conversion therapy, religious abuse, homophobia)
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (children’s/middle grade poetry)
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf (adult realistic fiction / tw: islamophobia, racist hate crime)
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (classic)
there are a lot here, so the rest are under a read more!
ME! - memoirs and autobiographies that are one of a kind
Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden (tw: substance abuse)
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (tw: abuse)
Little Weirds by Jenny Slate
Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer by Chely Wright
Know My Name by Chanel Miller (tw: sexual assault)
Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber
My Soul Looks Back by Jessica B. Harris
The Lucky One - novels about the perils of fame
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Tara Jenkins Reid (adult historical fiction)
Daisy Jones and the Six by Tara Jenkins Reid (adult historical fiction / tw: substance abuse)
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (adult historical fiction)
Fame Adjacent by Sarah Skilton (adult contemporary)
Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon (nonfiction/memoir)
Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills (YA romance)
Fake Plastic Girl by Zara Lisbon (YA mystery)
It’s Nice to Have a Friend - novels about perceived friends with who turn out to be lovers OR who spend the novel with homoerotic tension
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (YA historical fiction)
Emma by Jane Austen (classic)
Dare Me by Megan Abbott (YA/adult thriller)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (YA realistic fiction)
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden (YA romance)
Only The Young - novels about young people making major change/experiencing societal upheaval
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (YA realistic fiction / tw: police brutality, murder, racism)
Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine (middle grade/YA historical fiction)
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (middle grade historical fiction/fantasy / tw: police brutality against a black child, depiction of emmett till)
Orleans by Sherri L. Smith (YA dystopian)
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (YA dystopian / tw: depiction of genocide against native americans)
The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness (YA science fiction)
The Best Day - songs about mother/daughter relationships (both meaningful and difficult)
Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel (adult graphic novel)
Restless by William Boyd (adult spy novel)
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (adult realistic fiction)
The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick (middle grade contemporary)
Love Story - a reimagining of a classic story
Pride by Ibi Zoboi (YA contemporary / reimagining of Pride and Prejudice)
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (YA science fiction / reimagining of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White)
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalauddin (adult contemporary / reimagining of Pride and Prejudice)
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (adult contemporary / reimagining of Antigone, tw: islamophobia, depiction of torture)
You Need to Calm Down - these are just a variety of books strictly abt LGBT characters not just a gay side character <3
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins (YA romance)
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (YA romance)
Charity & Sylvia by Rachel Hope Cleves (nonfiction)
The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater (YA nonfiction / tw: transphobia, transphobic hate crime, misgendering)
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren (YA contemporary)
Treacherous - a love that teeters between labels for too long as neither can resist the pull of the other
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken (YA science fiction)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (classic)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (classic)
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi (YA romance)
Don’t Blame Me - an all-encompassing, maddening love
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (classic)
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (classic)
The Way I Loved You - love stories about people who are always attracted to the more dangerous option, even when they’re safe where they are
Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee (YA romance)
Playing With Matches by Hannah Orenstein (adult romance)
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (YA romance)
Heartless by Marissa Meyer (YA fantasy / retelling of Alice in Wonderland from the Queen of Heart’s perspective)
The Awakening by Kate Chopin (classic)
Speak Now - weddings/wedding related activities gone wrong!
Save the Date by Morgan Matson (YA romance)
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (adult romance)
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (adult thriller)
Look What You Made Me Do - women getting their revenge, whether it’s justified or not
Sadie by Courtney Summers (YA thriller / tw: physical and sexual abuse, pedophilia, murder, substance abuse)