#it's the same problem she had with ej

[anonymous-spooks]

Hey there, so I had another lore question.

Are there any members in Slenderman's alliance or army that Zalgo or his minions fear? As in they don't like to come into contact with them or fight them?

I'm gonna guess maybe Laughing Jack or Jeff could be someone they fear. Judge Angels could also be one with her sword of judgement.

Also vice versa, does Slenderman's crew fear any of Zalgo's minions like Ann or Candy Pop?

Hello, there! 👋

So, anybody with supernatural abilities are considered ones you should be aware of.

In the Slender Mansion, the only human residents are Nina, Cody, and Helen. Toby and Dina are humans connected to the supernatural that keeps them safe from any demonic harm. Zero could be considered human, but not even she knows given her strength.

Nick (EJ) isn’t as powerful as you would expect a hybrid to be. Sure, he’s fast and uses his claws, but he’s not strong. He relies on stealth, stabbing enemies from behind so nobody could sense him. Jeff is an absolute monster in the battlefield and will leave no survivors if angered, so demons try to stay away. Same with the Puppeteer and BEN, who use their ghost abilities to trap demons in their place. Ghosts can’t physically kill anyone in my AU, meaning they need somebody else to do it for them.

LJ can’t always join missions, since Zalgo is targeting him for his powers. But when he does, he will obliterate everyone.

So, on Slender’s side: Jeff, Nick, BEN, Pup, Zero, Dina, and Toby are the ones to watch out for. LJ and Slender should be avoided at all costs.

Onto Zalgo’s side, very rarely you see his higher-ups leading the demon attacks. Nurse Ann would most of the time, but she’s a problem only Dina and Toby could handle, since they dealt with her for a very long time.

Jill isn’t necessarily a threat, but it can be difficult for anyone to help her join the other side. She’s scared of Zalgo and of Slenderman, plus she doesn’t want to just leave Lazari behind.

Jason and Candy Pop are definitely the upper baddies. They are literal demons. So everyone knows to stay away from those two in case they show up. Mainly Dina is strong enough to hold them back, though sometimes Slender would step in and push them back.

So, on Zalgo’s side: His higher-ups (aside from Jill) should be avoided at all costs. Zalgo is unable to enter the mortal realm, so he never shows up.

[daphnebowen]

@rinacentral event one: favorites!!

this will basically be a mess of things I've found on Pinterest including comparisons, tweets, drawings, etc so bear with me! (bear? bare? idk anymore English is hard)

image 1: I just think it's funny that rina and rini are compared so much when in my humble opinion rina was MADE for each other. everything in the first three seasons was set up. rini walked so rina could fly.

image 2: imo, the rini and rina comparisons are 🙅🏼‍♀️ not valid because two completely different people, completely different times, completely different relationships yet there are similarities but who lasted longer? who's more intentional and more pure and more everything? rina. thank you.

image 3: tangled is one of my absolute favorite Disney movies ever and flynn rider is my dream guy and comparing them to rina just makes my heart happy. both of their love is so pure and so wholesome it just 😍😍

image 4: this image is 😘 because the way Ricky looks at Gina doesn't change. no matter what she's wearing, what circumstances they're in, his love is so big for her nothing can hide it. fake dating, not dating at all, madly in love, doesn't matter; he's so puppy eyed and over the moon for his girl. and I just love that for him.

image 5: okay I love this one because a) rina chemistry is ON POINT like the soulful stares I'm sorry but b) ASHLYN. she is Gina's sister. her best friend, dare I say it? ash has probably heard so much pining and complaining from Gina about Ricky being dumb, being ignorant, not realizing his feelings or how he was ignoring and hurting her at the time. Ashlyn is Gina's number one confidant, in my mind. and so to have her recognize their look and know, immediately, what is going on is so special to me. so shout out to Ashlyn too!! 💕

image 6: forever. FOREVER. FOR FREAKING EVER. I'm sorry, thirty seconds into meeting each other and one walks away with a lasting impression of unremarkable dam that girl was cool and the other walks away with a gut instinct of maybe this is where I find where I belong. and the way they pulled each other closer UNINTENTIONALLY pulls my heartstrings 💗 and also, the way Gina entered the theater program looking for a home. for a family. and got so much more than she bargained for, and while she did find her friends in Ashlyn and Kourtney and Carlos she also found her home (a sacred kind of home 😌) in Ricky. and while Ricky walked into theater for ulterior motives he ended up finding that home and that family too. and to get all that and more from a minute and a half conversation with someone you've never met before is pure romance to me. watch out Romeo and Juliet 😜

image 7: I loved how Ricky and Gina got closer over season three. because while they started out awkward and near strangers because of ej and everything Ricky had/hadn't done over the course of the last semester you could tell. both of them wanted it back, badly. and they fought for it because you can't deny the incredible chemistry and the incredibly feelings and friendship they have for each other. season 3 was so special in the way you can see them grow closer all the while dealing with their own drama. because even in the darkness of each others problems Ricky and Gina have always managed to find their way back to each other - their light. 💡

image 8: for the longest time I didn't understand the point of "say yes to something that scares you." and really, it was Gina all along! Ricky was absolutely terrified of what his feelings for Gina truly meant (doesn't he say this at some point) and also terrified of losing her if she didn't feel the same. he knew it was going to be hard and he knew he was going to have to fight for it and he knew it was going to be the biggest change, the biggest curveball, life was possibly going to throw at him. but he said YES. he said yes to all that, to taking risks, to exploring something unknown and unexplored before, and that is so so special because while Gina didn't scare Ricky, the idea of her - of rina - did. of what they could be. of what they could become. and after their journey of the ups and downs and lefts and rights and all that life had to throw their way, he said yes. Gina said yes. and I love the way they conquered everything in season four together.

anyways, this was really long and the images really don't mean anything, they just give me an excuse to ramble, so thanks for reading! made event one just in time 🤪 RINA FOREVER! ♾️ ❤️🤍

[blues-valentine]

Honestly I think hsmtmts s1 started with very typical idea of Ricky and nini being the boy/girl next door, Childhood friends that date kind of thing. With Gina and ej being the mean, scheming counterparts. It was so obvious from the posters and their costumes. But I guess none of the writers anticipated what a force sofia Wylie would turn out to be. She has a presence that just demands attention. She's the best actress of them all, best Dancer and her chemistry with Joshua is on another level. Plus the character of Gina turned out to have fascinating layers. All this combination outshined nini. Nini and Ricky were originally supposed to be main characters and though Ricky stayed a main character throughout the show, nini, never felt like a main character to me, even in season 1. She was sweet and good and had a straightforward arc that wasn't nearly as interesting as other characters. Plus she had no flaws. Ricky had issues, he had flaws that made him interesting. Same with Gina and ej.

And I feel the same with rini. They were sweet but kinda bland. Portwell were much better, interesting and deserved better treatment from the writers. And rina is rina. Sizzling chemistry. Best ship.

This is no hate to olivia, my problem is with nini. Honestly I completely forgot she was part of this show in season 3 until she showed up in last episode.

I had this in my drafts and I remember responding to it but forgot to post it.

I think the show marketed themselves as very typical Disney in the way that you could kind of tell what narrative archetypes the original core 4 were supposed to be, especially if you relate it to the movies. Nini as the girl next door with so much talent but didn’t believe in herself until she’s suddenly the star of the show. Very girl underdog narrative. Ricky as being her first love and the cute dorky guy that doesn’t put effort but somehow is magically talented, plus the network promoted them as their “Troy and Gabriella” so the audience was supposed to believe they were their rightful successors. Even some of the posters promised that “love triangle” between EJ/Nini/Ricky as a relevant plot and we know that wasn’t the case. And just by the posters and trailer you could’ve guessed Gina and EJ were the “antagonists”. But as I said, it was a marketing tactic because tropes and love triangles sell, and I was also a bit too skeptical but ended up genuinely surprised.

I definitely agree Ricky and Nini’s romance was very bland and I was not rooting for them at all even on Season 1. I found them so cringy, very Disney cooking cutter and they were clearly not right for each other. I was attracted to Gina’s arc from the start so imagine my surprise when she went the opposite direction of what she was marketed as and then developed a way more interesting character arc. However, I do think the show failed Nini because she could’ve been more interesting. I liked her but I agree her arc was too straightforward and a bit too boring at times only saved by Olivia’s voice but there’s a lot of people that still don’t get her arc at all, which is why they still ship her with Ricky even if it was literally against Nini’s character growth.

Funny enough, when I watched 105 I ended up feeling like Ricky and Gina had so much potential and their chemistry was interesting but I wasn’t sure if the show was going to follow that up because it wasn’t very Disney like. Very rare do Disney shows follow the second lead romance pipeline. And I am so glad I was wrong because Ricky and Gina elevated the show by having them develop a very tension filled arc and it did felt very much 00’s coded so I ended Season 1 feeling like they had to go there at one point because it would be a wasted potential. By Season 2, I was sure they were endgame. No questions or doubts. The narrative made it very known and I never doubted that for a moment.

So, PW was just as bland to me, the narrative was forcing them badly with obvious and cringe dialogue. It lacked subtlety, it was very much in your face. As if they wanted you to ship them so hard and were overdoing it. But not even in a good way – there was not care or thought put into their scenes. The music, the implications. It was not done in a way that screamed endgame. And them also being a thing when Ricky and Gina were not speaking was a plot device to keep the endgame in the won’t they/will they situation-ship. I still believe it was a mistake to put them together because it was clear it wasn't going to last and their dynamic worked best as platonic. EJ worked better when he wasn’t put into a situation to be Gina’s plot device. PW was a mid-game ship and was treated as such. The narrative wasn’t hiding it. It was there for Gina to experience her first relationship before she gets with Ricky since their build in narrative has always been about second chances, the right timing and opportunities. I think they deserved a better closure on Season 3, but I am glad they eventually got it on Season 4. However, they were always meant to be a plot device and I didn’t expect anything else from it. The people convinced they were endgame clearly didn't want to see the show for what it was saying.

Rina just had the it factor to me. It was very reminiscent of the old ships in which their story line wasn’t too straightforward and it was told by the parallels and foreshadowing which is a huge factor as to why Ricky and Gina had such compelling arcs individually and together. Ricky being the stability Gina needs and Gina being the person that pushes Ricky forward by taking him out of his comfort zone. They give each other what the other needs and wants. That’s what their storyline has been about since Season 1 and nothing compares to their chemistry. It was undeniable since the start even when some people wanted to deny it.

[imjustavenuxwithaboomerang]

actors that i need to play a villain because it's what i deserve

milo manheim (i have not seen thanksgiving so i don't know what the situation is with the killer in that movie but i feel like he wasn't the killer tbh)

matt cornett (he literally said that he wanted to play a villain, and no i don't count s1 ej as one, at least not for this list, and he was making it into villain territory with his criminal minds character but i want something bigger)

meg donnelly (i feel like she could pull it off, especially since she teetered into being 'evil' in the i scream zoda episode but that was for like 5 minutes if that)

brenna d'amico (the loml sighhh, i just feel like she can embody the energy of like a maleficent (the angelina jolie one) type villain or many even an uma type villain idk idk)

jeremy shada (i wanted to hear him voice a villain, not only would it give us (voltron fans) evil lance content (if anyone wanted that) but i just feel like he would have fun with it. i could also see him being a villain's sidekick)

grant gustin (i know we had savitar but that was for less than one season and it was so long ago. also evil barry's face messed with my texture problems so i can't even just go back and rewatch without preparing myself)

benjamin levy aguilar (the closest that i have to him being a villain was him pretending like he was gonna waterboard that one guy in new life and he was like semi-bluffing so- and i love seeing him as dante fighting people so just make him morally bad and there ya go)

nicola coughlan (same sorta villain type as brenna but maybe like more sultry idk. like tap into that 'penelope giving face as she ruins ppl's lives' energy that i kept seeing on here when s3 dropped)

[27emailsicantsend]

You know what I just realized when Ricky told Gina that she was super busy with the movie filming and barely had no time to make to to rehearsal not with her tight schedule on Halloween episode so you know what Gina did. She took care of issue next day when she told Quinn that she could film all day with Mack as that was most of her filming schedule with him so that she would have all the time to do HSM3 with Ricky. So she did something about it and made sure she would have time for Ricky and the drama club, unlike EJ. When EJ was so overwhelmed last summer with all of tasks and he didn't even ask Val for help or anyone as well to take some of burdens so he would have some time to spend with Gina so this really shows that Gina was truly committed to Ricky and drama club because she actually cared about them and they were very important to her more than anything else and didn't want to put them off or ignore it just because she was too busy. EJ thought the problem would go away itself and everything would be okay and the problems would keep increasing to the point that Gina just had it with him and had to end it. I find it very interesting that when you are truly commit to something, you do everything in your power to make sure you get what you want. If you don't care much about something, why bother to put all the efforts into it. Gina showed her commitment to the drama club and her time with Ricky and she proved it. EJ didn't bother to do all that so that really shows that he wasn't really committed to Gina at all. She wasn't first thing on his mind and not even his first priority and never was. It was all about impressing his father. So if he was really committed to Gina, his actions would have showed differently. This is not that hard. If you care about someone, you show it through your actions. Like he had many jobs and college courses and more and yet he made time to talk to Val on the phone says a lot about who he is truly committed to.

Yes! You expressed this perfectly, anon! I am sort of parroting you here, but truly everything EJ did s3 was self-serving. He wanted to impress his dad because it benefitted him not going to that college. If he didn't go to that college, it benefitted him so he could be with his girlfriend. I always felt so icky the way he twisted the narrative to make it look like he was doing it all for Gina.

I think it was actually crucial we got that scene of Gina apologizing to EJ, because if you were team EJ season 3, then watched that scene you might have went "now wait a minute, why is gina apologizing?" And then you would also wonder why her apologizing caught you off guard in the first place. Because the way gina and ej handled everything was not equal. Maybe the premise was the same, but the reactions were not. And that is all the difference you need in seeing where true intentions were.

Now, I'm going to give EJ some credit here: season 4 I genuinely felt like he was actually doing things for other people. Episode 5 is the biggest proof of that. He dropped everything to help his ex's new boyfriend basically get back with her. He said so himself he was not totally loving hearing ricky talk about gina, but he still pushed ricky to fight for her. Then we also got the scene of ashlyn telling maddox EJ had been rooting for them since the beginning. We see him tell ashlyn that he thinks maddox has feelings for her. Then we see EJ hear Gina out and own up to his behavior season 3, not trying to fight to win her back. His intentions became unselfish again and it was clear in his characterization season 4. You could genuinely see his growth and I found myself liking him again!

Joshua Bassett said it (I'm summarizing): Ricky and Gina represent a healthy relationship and posts like this prove why.

[itsasweater]

I'm honestly not bothered by Portwell's shipping Mack and Gina because they are doing exactly what I expected lol. Portwell's have always been very transparent.

I remember posting on here during season 3 if people ship Gina and EJ because they actually like them or if they just did it because it kept Ricky and Gina apart, it certainly seemed like the latter to me. The reason for making that post was because I got the feeling that many Portwell's were just undercover Rini's shipping Gina and EJ together because of the same fact that it meant keeping Ricky and Gina away from each other. I got some responses to that post denying that was case and that they actually really did like Portwell for legit reasons, which is fair enough. However, after the season 3 finale and the way it ended with Ricky and Gina kissing, my suspicions seemed justified because Portwell's started posting the Rini finale kiss from season 1 comparing the two. Even that hqportwell twitter page was tweeting about Rini and Portwell's liking a bunch of Rini posts, the likes are visible to the public people if your account isn't private lol.

Also, after season 3 all I saw from Portwell's was that the show made Gina totally different from season 2 and that she was not the same. Mind you these comments were only made once she broke up with EJ and kissed Ricky, funny that. If you actually cared about Gina as a character and actually understood her you would realize she was not her actual self in season 2. I mean, Gina had a song called Balance in season 3 where she mentions that the real her is going to shine, not the old her (season 1) or the 2.0 her (season 2) but the combined version. Also Sofia even mentioned in an interview how Gina wasn't herself in season 2, she knows her character better than anyone else. Let's be honest, yall only liked her in 2b once she cut off Ricky because it meant she was no longer a threat to Rini. Even during season 3 I remember people shipping Ricky with Jet and Val but once the show started hinting at him and Gina again it changed, all of a sudden it was Ricky needs therapy before he is with someone else lol. If Ricky needs therapy before getting in another relationship because of his home life, why was it/is it not the same for EJ? Is his relationship with his dad not terrible and strained? He should be in therapy as well according to yall instead of being in a relationship. This way of thinking is also very dumb, to suggest that someone who needs or is in therapy can't also be in a relationship or in love.

So, this was a long way of saying that I'm not surprised that Portwell's/Rini's/Jolivia's are shipping Gina with Mack because they have always been very transparent. They don't care about Gina or her happiness, they care about her not being with Ricky be any means necessary. This was obvious by immediately blaming Gina for everything during and after season 3 while believing EJ handled everything perfectly. Once Gina was not paired with EJ anymore, propping him up or giving him more screen time they went back to hating her. I know it can be annoying for some people to see Gina being shipped with Mack but try not to let it get to you, they refused to see or just didn't understand the story the show was telling with Ricky and Gina since the homecoming episode. This fandom has a big media literacy problem.

While I love Rina, Gina is more than just who she is with. I think she is the best character on the show, she is super talented and a star. I'm excited too see the show finally dive into more detail on her home life with her mom and how that has affected her.

I seem to always go on a tangent and these posts end up being longer then I intended them to be lol My apologies. Thanks for reading all of this if you did.

[weirdestbooks]

CountryGems AU Oneshot

Coral and Pearl (Wattpad | Ao3)

Gems in Oneshot:

Black Coral: Hawaiʻi Star Sapphire: America Philippine Pearl: Philippines (duh) Blue Diamond: Britain Quartz #1/LP: Lower Peninsula Quartz #2/EJ: East Jersey Chlorastrolite: Upper Peninsula Amethyst: Michigan (Fusion of Lower and Upper Peninsula) Garnet: West Jersey Franklinite: New Jersey (Fusion of West and East Jersey) Peridot: Kalahui Rainbow Quartz: Aloha

Black Coral felt like an idiot. She should have seen this coming, seen the signs. Why would a Sapphire take an interest in her if not to acquire her for his collection?

She knew she was rare, a mistake, a seriously defective gem that was meant to be a quartz until something had gone horribly wrong, but her defective nature and strange gem were exotic and fun enough that she wasn’t shattered for it. She knew she was on the same level as a Pearl, but she wasn’t a made-to-order servant and was allowed to be her own gem.

As much as one could be in this society.

But it did explain the appearance of Philippine Pearl, why he was here to. 

Blue Diamond’s favorite Sapphire had acquired them both, new gems to his collection. Black Coral really should have seen this specifically coming. Star Sapphire was known for his habit of collecting gems that were odd or rare and hadn’t bought a pearl yet.

This was an excellent opportunity for him.

Black Coral hated it.

She would have run by now if it hadn’t been for the fact that she was on Homeworld and had nowhere to escape to. She couldn’t leave Philippine Pearl behind either; he was one of her few true friends, and Black Coral would rather be shattered than purposely leave him behind.

“So, did Star send you to ensure we can’t escape?” Black Coral asked, ignoring Philippine Pearl’s wide-eyed gaze of shock at her lack of title and calling Star Sapphire by a name only used by the gems that outranked him. The two quartzes exchanged looks before one smiled.

“Don’t worry, Black Coral, Star’s not like that,” the one Quartz said.

“He’s better than most other gems that are this high up. For obvious reas—ow!” the second quartz cut himself off as the first reached over Black Coral and Philippine Pearl to smack him on the head.

“EJ, we can’t talk about that,” the first quartz said. The second quartz—EJ—rolled his eyes.

“Everyone here is loyal to Star and knows already,” EJ said.

“Yes, but it is up to Star to tell them, not us. How would you feel if someone went behind your back talking about your relationship with Garnet?” the first quartz asked. EJ crossed his arms.

“I get your point, LP. You can stop guilting me. The point I wanted to make is that Star isn’t like the other gems or other sapphires. The only bad thing about living with him is that Blue Diamond comes in now and again and starts ranting about his current problem before demanding that Star see a future where it is fixed,” EJ explained, causing Black Coral and Philippine Pearl to exchange looks. 

Blue Diamond was the easiest to anger of the diamonds and very quick to shatter anyone who made him mad. Black Coral didn’t want to have to spend more time around the Diamonds. She struggled enough with the honorifics and formalities of Homeworld, and if a Diamond saw her insult Star Sapphire, she would be in a world of trouble.

Black Coral was silent for the rest of the trip, taking comfort in Philippine Pearl when he put his hand in her and squeezed it, something that EJ and LP didn’t comment on. Black Coral could be grateful for that, at least.

When they arrived in Star Sapphire’s room, the gem was pacing around, talking rapid fire to a small green gem who was sitting beside him, a Chlorastrolite if Black Coral was right. Another rare gem, usually only working for Diamonds. Then again, Star Sapphire liked collecting rare gems.

Chlorastrolite noticed them first, and the grin that split her face was infectious.

“LP!” she called, rushing over to the quartz, embracing him before…before they fused. Philippine Pearl’s mouth dropped open in horror as his eyes flittered over to Star Sapphire.

“EJ, Garnet is in the other room if you would like to become Franklinite again,” Star Sapphire said. EJ nodded and quickly took his leave, leaving Black Coral and Philippine alone with the illegal fusion, Star Sapphire, and the knowledge that the other Quartz had left the room to create another illegal fusion.

“Your Clarity, I—” Philippine Pearl began, seemingly not thinking, before quickly slamming his mouth shut and lifting his hand into the Diamond salute. Black Coral scowled, glaring up at Star Sapphire.

“He’s a nervous one,” the fusion said. Star Sapphire laughed.

“You were once, too, Amethyst. We aren’t exactly conventional here. It’s okay, Philippine Pearl. There’s no need for titles or salutes around me. You can call me Star, so long as no one from outside my inner circle is here, that is,” Star Sapphire said. Black Coral’s scowl deepened.

“If there’s no need for titles or salutes, then why would you force us to be a part of your collection,” Black Coral spat, tone venomous. Star Sapphire sighed as if he had expected the question but did not like it any less.

“Black Coral, you know how your gem is viewed. Blue Diamond has collected a fair few himself, as well as Yellow Diamond, and with your personality…well…” Star Sapphire trailed off.

“What’s wrong with my personality?” Black Coral snapped, summoning her weapon as Philippine Pearl lept to stop her.

“Forgive her, Your Clar—Star. She’s had a long day. She doesn’t mean it!” Philippine Pearl said, hands pushing down Black Coral, fear in his eyes.

“Sorry, Black Coral, that came out wrong. What I meant to say is that you���re hotheaded and impulsive, and that’s okay, but if you anger the wrong person by mistake, there’s no buffer to stop you from being shattered or…” Star Sapphire trailed off, and the fusion—Amethyst—put a hand on his shoulder. Star Sapphire patted it, and Black Coral scowled.

“I was fine where I was! I never encountered the Diamonds or any high-ranking gem until you! Everyone was fine with me there! I had friends there! Peridot and Rainbow Quartz, and you just—” Black Coral threw her hands in the air, trying to hold back a scream.

“I know this is different from what you’re used to, Black Coral, but I won’t stop you from seeing them. I just…I want to protect as many people as I can, allow them to be themselves without being punished. I’m sure you’ve seen that with Amethyst. Anyone else would have him shattered,” Star Sapphire said, Amethyst nodding in agreement.

“I trusted you before, and you betrayed me,” Black Coral spat.

“I hope you can learn to trust me again, then,” Star Sapphire said. Black Coral scowled.

Fool her once, shame on her, but she refused to be fooled again. She didn’t know what Star Sapphire had planned, but she didn’t trust it. No sapphire would allow an illegal fusion without ulterior movies…right?

[imaginationofomi]

Come Together

Four

"Why? Am I interrupting something?"

Panic began to set in as the men sized each other up. Ezra's face was cool and unmoved while Jalen had his hackles raised. Frowning, Jalen looked to her with expectant eyes.

She managed to keep her cool as she answered, "We were in the middle of a conversation, yes."

"Do you need a minute, Nayeli?" Ezra asked. The vibe was more than tense, and he knew when he was about to cause a problem. It shouldn't have shocked him that she was involved with someone. Alluring, sweet, and ambitious, she likely had a list of suitors, and the man standing next to them was the one to get lucky. Yet he clearly didn't know that he held a diamond in his grasp.

"Yes. I'll be right back." The legs of her chair scraped against the floor loudly as she pushed it back and stood up, pulling Jalen into her office. Danielle sensed the same tension Ezra did and made a quick exit, leaving the couple alone to argue in private.

"You couldn't introduce me?" Jalen demanded, leaning against the front of the desk.

"I don't think an introduction is necessary. What are you doing here? All the years we've been together, you've never shown up here without necessity. And you've hardly acknowledged my presence for the last week."

"That's why I'm here. We need to talk. I need to apologize."

"You thought my bakery was the best place to do that?"

"I thought taking you to lunch would be a nice gesture. A peace offering."

She scoffed in disbelief. There was no sense of urgency in him. He let their issues fester and decided because he was ready that they should talk. The sheer audacity of his actions made her want to scream in frustration. She asked a simple question instead.

"Tell me something, Jalen. Why did it never occur to you to make peace the last seven days we've slept in the same house? You've avoided me, you've ignored me, you've brushed me off, and now you randomly decide to take me to lunch without giving me an explanation, and I'm just supposed to accept this?"

"I had to get my head together. Why are you so mad at me?"

"I'm not mad. I'm disappointed, and I have a business to tend to. If you want to talk, we can talk in the privacy of our home. Go back to work." She attempted to exit the room, but Jalen blocked the door.

"How do you know EJ Jackson?"

"You asked me for an introduction, and you already know who he is?"

"He doesn't know me, your boyfriend, since it seems like you forgot. Don't dance around the question. Why were you talking to him?"

"I'm catering the desserts for his daughter's birthday party."

"That didn't look or sound like a conversation about dessert." They were comfortable with each other, comfortable enough for the man to touch her without her shying away.

"How long were you listening?" she asked and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Long enough. Who is he to you?"

"He's the reason I'm standing in front of you. That's who saved me from getting hit by a car."

"Maybe I should go thank him then." It was Jalen's turn to try to leave. Nayeli grabbed the back of his shirt because she didn't want him to make a scene. In all her years in business, she'd developed a stellar reputation that she wanted to remain untarnished.

"You should go back to work," she said.

"So you can continue your conversation?" His attitude worsened, quiet irritation turning to anger because she was dismissing him. It was a developing habit that he didn't appreciate.

"Don't do that. This is the most you've spoken to me in over a week, and the only reason you're throwing a fit is because you saw me conversing with another man. I told you, I'm catering the desserts for his daughter's birthday. You can take it or leave it. I'm not going to argue with you. Now, please, go back to work."

They were in a stand-off, glaring at each other, but as quickly as Nayeli had grown angry, the emotion deflated. She didn't want to fight with him. She hated being at odds. She wanted to walk in the house to him watching a documentary or reading a book in the garden. She wanted him to smile at her and kiss her, to tell her how much he loved her and missed her.

"Not until we talk."

"This is not the place for the conversation we need to have. You will not reduce me to tears in the establishment that I built." She was firm and unwavering. As kind as she was naturally, allowing someone to walk all over her could not be tolerated. Even by someone she loved more than she loved herself.

"Fine. I'll see you at home." He stormed out, and she momentarily dropped herself into a chair, smoothing her hand over the back of her bun as she exhaled through her lips.

She thought she would be able to hold herself together, but hot tears filled the corners of her eyes and dropped onto her mom jeans when she blinked. For all of them that fell, Jalen could've stayed. He'd reduced her to tears anyway.

Bottom lip trembling, she allowed herself a few minutes to cry quietly, forcing the rest down for a later time. She grabbed two tissues from the box on the desk, wiped her face and nose, and administered some of the eyedrops for her allergies to help with redness. It didn't help much. Her waterline and tightline were both puffy.

She was going to head back to the kitchen and get a jumpstart on the cleaning for the end of the day, but when she walked out of her office, Ezra was still seated at the table she'd vacated. She assumed he'd be gone. She was in the office for well over half an hour. The display cases were close to empty, meaning there would be no leftovers to give away and they would be closing soon because she was done baking. Slowly, she returned to the chair she let go cold.

"I'm sorry about that," she said quietly and sat down, avoiding his gaze so he couldn't see how upset she still was.

"Boyfriend?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"How long you guys been together?"

"Six years." Silence followed her answer, and when she risked looking at him, she didn't like his perplexed expression, "What?"

"Over half a decade and no ring? That seems like a waste of time to me."

"People live on different timelines."

"True, but a man doesn't need six years to know if he wants to marry you."

"How do you know I want to be married?"

"Lucky guess." He started to smile at her, but one good look at her eyes thwarted the action. She was already upset, and he'd unintentionally cut her deeper, "It's really not my business. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry."

"Are you married, Ezra?" Nayeli glanced at the ring finger of his left hand. It was bare and had no tan line, not that that meant much.

"Nope. Never have been."

"Is that something you want?"

"Without a doubt, just haven't found the right woman."

"I imagine it's challenging when you have a child."

"It can be." Though for him, there were other aspects that made it difficult for him to find his forever partner. Coming across a woman that was genuine proved to be the more challenging task. Women flocked to him for a number of reasons; financial security, clout, connections. The last time he wasn't wary of a woman's intentions, his balls hadn't fully dropped.

Until Nayeli anyway. She appeared unassuming, authentic, level headed, and when they met, he was grateful that she had no idea who he was. He didn't know if that was still the case, but any information she might've learned didn't alter the way she treated him.

No attempts to get closer, no invites into her world. She treated him like he was just another customer, just another man. He enjoyed feeling like she wasn't out to gain something from him.

They continued to sit across from each other, her watching patrons while he watched her. She felt slightly uncomfortable with his eyes trained on her face. It felt as though he was trying to read her thoughts, and she didn't want to share what she was thinking; that he was right about her wasting time in her relationship.

She had limited options. She could carry on as they always had, bite her tongue when the topic came up, though that wouldn't be true to her heart. She could leave him, but that didn't guarantee she'd get what she wanted. Relationships were never easy, and she lived in a generation that was losing all the recipes.

So many people struggled. She watched her friends struggle, her sisters struggle, colleagues struggle. Facebook was full of posts filled with relationship problem or another. If Nayeli left Jalen and went back out into the dating world, what hope would there be for her to find what she was looking for? Bile rose to her throat, and her vision blurred once again, "Hey, what's with the tears? You're too beautiful to cry."

Flinching away from Ezra's hand, she dried the moisture on her cheeks with her knuckles, "Sorry. Uhm-I should get back to work."

"Nayeli, wait-"

"I'll be in touch about the party."

☼☼☼

Rocking chairs were soothing, the subtle motion reminiscent of being cared for as a child. It eased Nayeli's discomfort while she sat in her older sister's backyard watching her nephew jump on the trampoline with Maxine grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for their Friday evening dinner a few feet away.

"TiTi Ellie, watch me do a back flip!" Diesel yelled out, loose curls bouncing as he showcased a wide smile with missing top and bottom teeth. He was all limbs, a string bean that could out eat both of his mothers, golden brown skin like Maxine's and the eyes of Stella's Filipino family thanks her brother being their sperm donor.

"Okay, go!" She gave the little boy her undivided attention, expecting to see poor execution, but his back tuck was flawless. He'd obviously been practicing. Something about children being fearless made it possible for them to do things most people thought were impossible. They were hungry for everything and didn't stop until an adult came along to destroy their innocence under the guise of guidance, instilling fear and dated expectations instead of encouraging curiosity and autonomy. She smiled and clapped her hands, "Woooo! You have to teach me how to do that."

"It's easy. You just gotta jump real high, look back and bend your knees like your tummy hurts."

"That's it?"

"Uh huh. Come try it!" Diesel stopped jumping and walked to the edge of the trampoline, attempting to help pull Nayeli up when she tried to climb on herself. Maxine caught her ankle before she made it.

"You want your auntie to break her neck?"

"I won't let her," he promised, though there wasn't much he could actually do to keep her from getting injured. She just wanted to be adventurous. Maybe she'd gotten boring over the years and that was why Jalen seemed wholly disinterested with taking the next step in their relationship. He didn't want to be legally tied to a bore.

He was likely only with her until he found the woman he truly wanted. She would get everything from him that Nayeli never would. The thought sliced her heart into quarters, and suddenly she didn't feel like jumping anymore.

"Maybe a little later, okay?"

"Okay." Diesel resumed his play time, and Nayeli slid back onto the grass, trudging to the rocking chair and resting against the ivy patterned cushion. The sky began to darken, lights around the yard coming on as their timers activated.

"Your hair's getting long," Maxine commented, patting the curls that no longer formed a perfect circle. They hung further down Nayeli's back, the weight of the thick strands making it hard to keep shape. Her hair grew too fast to be so inconsistent with maintenance.

"I know. I haven't found time to make an appointment for a cut yet. A part of me wants to grow it out so I can give middle part bussdown without the lace. I kind of miss my hair touching my butt."

"What you got against a wig, heffa?"

"Nothing, Max. You know my scalp gets irritated if I leave braids in for more than a week no matter how much I wash."

"I was kidding.......Are you good?"

"Yeah, sorry. My mind is super cluttered right now."

"What's going on?"

"I think Jalen and I are going to split soon." Saying it out loud made her heart race. It was the first time she spoke the words, and as she said them, she felt just how true they were. Her best and longest relationship was coming to an end. Maxine remained quiet, using tongs to put the finished meat into a pyrex dish, "Nothing to say?"

"I want to let you get out what you need to get out first. Anything I say right now won't be helpful."

"I don't know what we're doing anymore. For most of our relationship, we always seemed to be on the same page, but lately it's like we're not even reading the same book."

"That happens when you've been with somebody for a long time. Little shit that used to be adorable starts to grind your gears. That's why me and Stella fight all the time."

"It's more than little shit getting on my nerves. There are days we don't speak to each other at all, and I don't want to be with someone I have to fight with constantly." Their relationship had done a complete 180 in such a short amount of time. It scared her and made her wonder when he'd simply started going through the motions and why she hadn't noticed.

"Every couple fights."

"No, every couple disagrees. You don't have to fight because you're having a disagreement."

"Touché. I'm used to tussling, I guess," Maxine laughed. Stella was crazy, but she wasn't much better. Fire and Air signs were either heaven or hell together. There was no in between, "After six years with somebody, you're bound to hit a wall, but I've seen you and Jalen together. I know he loves you. What makes you think you guys are breaking up, Duckie?"

"He doesn't want to marry me."

"He said that?"

"In a manner of speaking."

Nayeli sat in her car and stared at the garage door. If she opened it, Jalen might know she was home, and she wasn't quite ready for him to know. Aimlessly floating through the rest of her afternoon, she couldn't focus on anything except what appeared to be the impending demise of her relationship.

The drive home consisted of her playing out different conversation scenarios in her head; what Jalen would say when she asked him if he was a liar, what questions he would ask about Ezra because she knew he had more, how badly he would react if she asked him to stay somewhere else.

She wasn't ready to face the music, so she sat in her car. Five minutes later, she realized no matter what time she went inside, each conversation would be had. It was just a matter of the order and whether all occurred that day. Taking one long breath, she released her seatbelt and pressed the button on the tiny black remote to let herself into the garage. When it closed, she inhaled deeply, grabbed her purse and climbed out of her car.

Trembling fingers shoved her key into the bottom lock and turned it. Soft music from the TV in the living room traveled down the hallway, growing louder as she passed the laundry room and stepped into mood lighting.

Her furniture was rearranged, charcoal grey ottomans joined with the sectional to create what looked like a big bed. Rose petals sat atop a white comforter arranged to form a heart, decorative pillows neatly placed to resemble the shape of a diamond. Two pecan bourbon candles were burning and filled the room with a comforting aroma, though it was mixed with what smelled like a meal.

She looked around in confusion.

"Hey," Jalen spoke up from behind her while walking into the living room, apologetic expression and holding a plastic wrapped bouquet of daisies.

"Hello," she replied. Biting her lips, she took another look around the room, "What is all of this?" He wasn't much for romance. Flowers occasionally, sure, and he wasn't horrible at gift giving, but grand gestures weren't his forte.

"You were right about what you said earlier. I haven't been treating you right, and I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Though their troubles were still firm in her mind, she softened as he slowly walked toward her. She took the daisies from his hand and sniffed them, smiling and accepting the kiss he planted on her cheek, continuing the action until they were mouth to mouth.

He apologized twice more, pressing their bodies together. She sighed and nodded, temporarily subdued by the physical contact she'd been missing; being held, being loved on. They kissed for a while longer, flowers dropped to the couch so they could touch each other properly. His hands roamed her round backside, squeezing her cheeks tightly and hoisting her up to get his tongue deeper in her mouth.

The oven timer shattered the alternate reality they were beginning to create, and Nayeli pulled away first. Without his mouth on hers, she was able to remember why she was upset with him to begin with, why this grand gesture was even necessary. Everything she thought about that day came back into focus, and she cleared her throat as she backed away from him.

"I made lasagna." Jalen tried to reach for her, and she put more space between them.

"That sounds great. I'm gonna go wash up." Escaping before he had a chance to respond, she locked herself in the bathroom. Back against the door, she dropped her head on the wood and exhaled.

Strength lived within her, but she was struggling to find it. It would be so much easier to go out there and enjoy whatever night he planned. However, she couldn't shake the feelings that nagged at her. She deserved answers. Real answers, not excuses to buy more time.

Ezra was right. Six years was a long time to be with someone and not know if you wanted to marry them. Her time to accept the truth had come.

She washed her hands slowly and methodically, scrubbing every crease and crevice while she planned out her next steps in her head. No matter what, she couldn't allow him to kiss her into submission again.

Dinner would be civil. No sense in letting her favorite meal go to waste, but after, the night was going to get real.

Jalen sat at the edge of their couch, knee bouncing nervously. Something changed. Maybe he did. Maybe Nayeli did. The only thing he was certain about was that their dynamic shifted, and they were beginning to run in opposite directions. He didn't want to run without her.

Nayeli came out of the hallway, hands folded in front of her and watching her feet as she walked. When she looked up, her bright green eyes made his whole body shut down and come back to life like he'd been shocked by the paddles of a defibrillator, the same way they always did when she looked at him.

No woman ever made him feel the way Nayeli did. She changed his life when they met, pulled him out of a dark hole he hadn't meant to fall so deep into. He was a jaded individual, dealt a bad hand at life, and though he tried to make the most of it, he always seemed to fall short.

Unappreciated at work, a last thought when it came to his family, every woman he'd been with stepping out on him, no matter how good he was to them. They all saw something wrong and felt it reason enough to disregard him. So he hid who he was, developed an arrogant and unfeeling persona that no one could crack.

Except Nayeli.

His friend Antonio convinced him to go to a speed dating event in support of his then girlfriend/now wife, Raelynn. A professional matchmaker, she hosted many events for singles in the city throughout the year. Jalen was single at the time, definitely mingling, so he said what the hell. He figured he'd find more women for his roster, but the minute he sat in front of Nayeli, the world stopped.

Her eyes speared him to his seat. If he moved, surely he would bleed out.

Although he could see her mouth moving, he didn't hear anything she said. For the first time in his life, he'd been completely stunned by a woman's natural beauty. She waved her hand in front of his face, snapped in his ear, and he still couldn't stop staring until the timer went off for them to switch tables and another man approached his chair for his seven minutes with the auburn haired angel. He looked at her name tag and committed it to memory, though he'd recognize her anywhere. Who could forget those eyes and that massive halo of curls? He would find her later.

And he did. Once the cycle was complete, speed dating turned into a lively mixer with drinks flowing and hookahs being passed around. He lucked out at the bar. She stood on her toes to give her short stature an extra boost, accentuating her calves in her distressed denim shorts, forearms on the counter as she rambled off a long order to one of the bartenders.

He'd checked his breath and went over a few lines in his head before he approached her, but as soon as she looked at him, he was stunned all over again. She grinned at him, dimples sinking deep into her cheeks, and he was hooked. She radiated light and warmth, and he was like a moth to a flame. He wanted nothing more than to be as close to her as he could be.

Staring at her at the present moment, that light had been dimmed. He dimmed it, and it was ripping him to shreds. She deserved better than the peanuts he'd given her. He wanted to make up for it and was terrified that he wouldn't get the chance.

"Are you ready to eat?" His voice shook, and he had to clear his throat.

"Yes." She stopped walking before she was within arms reach, but she didn't back away when he moved closer and grabbed her hand. A good sign.

Their dining room was small with a square black table that seated four but could be opened to seat eight. He'd done the best he could with decorating, a second bouquet of daisies in a jade green vase in the middle of the table flanked by two more candles in slim pillar glass holders. He set out their best dishes and made her sit while he assembled their plates.

Looking from the dining room into the living room, she tried to remember the last time he'd done something like this. It was so long ago that the memory was vague, more than likely from when they first started dating. She wasn't worthy of nice evenings at home on a regular basis, only when trouble surrounded them and he was trying to fight his way out of the dog house.

When he set a full plate of food in front of her, the smell made her realize that she was starving. Lunch was hours prior, and she'd moved around so much throughout the day that all calories she consumed had long since burned off of her body.

Jalen reached to the right and grabbed her hand. They both bowed their heads as he prayed over their meal. Nayeli fondled the petals of her daisies with delicate fingers, using her fork to cut off a corner of lasagna to pop in her mouth.

"How was the rest of your day?" he asked tentatively.

"Fine."

She normally had more to say, but she wanted to finish her food so they no longer had to pretend like their relationship wasn't hanging by a very precarious thread.

"I made the phone call to SNB Wealth Management," he told her, a poor attempt to carry on a conversation. Nayeli only nodded, too focused on cleaning her plate to offer much more, "I have a meeting next week, so I'll be gone for a couple of days." Good. If he went to LA and got the job, it might make their impending separation easier.

"I hope you get it." The tiny smile she gave him didn't touch her eyes.

"Thanks."

Conversation ceased once again, and Nayeli was the first to get up from the table. She hand washed her dishes and set them in the rack on the counter to dry. Pouring herself a large glass of wine, she took a healthy gulp. Halfway through, Jalen brought his empty plate in, following the same steps as Nayeli and finishing with a glass of Jameson.

Face to face, they eyed each other. He didn't want to speak first, and she didn't know where to start. Should she ease into the conversation or dive in head first? Which would give her the better outcome?

It would be unfortunate either way in the end. Just get on with it.

"Did you lie to me?" she asked.

"About what?"

"Everything. When we started dating, I told you that I wanted marriage and children. You told me you wanted the same thing. We've picked out names, looked at different school districts. We made plans, but mentioning marriage makes you squeamish so I'm going to ask again. Did you lie to me?"

For several minutes, Jalen said nothing at all. He wasn't anticipating the question. But his silence answered for him.

"Why!?" Nayeli burst into tears and dropped her wine glass. It shattered at her feet, "Why would you do that to me!!"

"If I told you the truth, you wouldn't have given me a second look."

"So you lie instead?! That's not fair, Jalen! Six years of my life are now down the drain, and I'm not any closer to having the life that I want! I'm going to be 33 this year! The older I get, the harder it will be for me to have a child, and I'm not popping one out for the first man that looks my way after you. You were willing to take my happiness away from me because you were too selfish to be honest! I would never do that to you!"

"We can still be happy."

"No, we can't! I still want to get married. I still want children. If you don't want that, we'll never be happy together. Were you just going to keep stringing me along? Telling me that you needed more time when really you had no intentions of ever marrying me?"

"Nayeli-"

"Answer me!"

"I want to be with you. For the rest of my life. That's all I planned for."

"If you really wanted to be with me for the rest of your life, you would've been honest with me. Pack your things and get out." Thankful that she was still wearing her shoes, shattered glass crunched under her feet as she walked out of the kitchen. Jalen jumped in front of her with watery eyes.

"I'm sorry that I lied to you. I didn't know what else to do."

"Tell the truth! Let me make the decision for myself!"

"You would've left me."

"And you would've deserved it!" Her eyes turned as fiery as her hair, "You do deserve it! You've wasted my time, years I could've spent building with someone whose values aligned with mine. Now I'm in love with your stupid ass, and I don't want to live without you!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face.

"I don't want to live without you, either." He cried with her, wiping her face before he wiped his own. He knew how serious she was. He could see the pain in her eyes, and he just wanted to make it stop. He wanted to be who she deserved.

"But you won't marry me."

"I can't."

"Why?"

The story was lengthy and disastrous. He'd never fully recovered from the trauma and knew he never wanted to experience it or put anyone else through it, "Because I don't want to be married, ever. I'll give you everything else. We can-"

"No, we can't."

"So it's not that he doesn't want to marry you. It's that he doesn't want to get married at all."

"I don't believe that." And Nayeli told him as much. He claimed that wasn't true, that no matter who he was with, marriage wasn't an option. Anyone would understand why it was hard for her to trust his words.

"You think his mind will change if he meets someone else?"

"I'm certain it will. He wants to be married. He just doesn't want to marry me, and he doesn't want to say it." She spoke so matter-of-factly that Maxine thought there was more to the story.

"What even brought all of this on?"

"Things aren't great for him at work right now. He thinks the company might go under. They've already started laying people off, and he feels like he's next. There was a really good opportunity for him in Los Angeles, but he stayed for me, and I'm sure he resents me for it. It doesn't matter that I told him to go. He put out some feelers to see if there's still a position at the firm out there, but he's worried about the distance. He asked me if I would move there with him if the time ever came. Of course I said-"

"That you wouldn't move without being married." Nothing shocking about it. Her baby sister started planning her wedding before she hit puberty.

"Yes, and it's been rocky between us ever since. He's upset that he stayed for me, but I won't move for him."

"I get where he's coming from. Do I think he's wrong? Absolutely, but I understand why he feels the way that he does. You guys have lived together for, what, four years now? Marriage obviously hasn't been that much of a conversation."

"Because I thought that's where we were headed naturally. He told me that he wanted to be married. He said he wanted everything that I wanted. I thought it would happen for us. Instead I find out he lied about it all, and now I'm left with a choice I don't want to make. Fuck, I feel so naïve. What am I supposed to do?" Nayeli pushed her fingers into her hair and roughly dragged her nails across her scalp.

"I'm not one for ultimatums. They're just a form of manipulation in my eyes, but you do need to make a decision. Either you stay with him and learn to be okay with not being married, or you leave him and find someone that wants what you want."

"I love him, Max. I don't want to start over with someone else."

"That's not a good enough reason to stay, if you ask me. You want what you want, and you shouldn't have to change that for anyone."

"I want to be with him." She wished that she didn't, but her heart wasn't something she could turn on and off. She was a lover through and through, emotional to a fault. A blessing or a curse depending on one's viewpoint.

"More than you want to be married?"

"We've made it this far. What's the rest of our lives?"

"That's a long time to be miserable."

"Who says I'd be miserable?"

"You're my little sister, and I know you. That ring and that license mean everything to you. You've always wanted what Nana and Poppy have. We all do. I don't think you should give that up for a man that wasn't honest with you. It'd be one thing if he was, but he lied for six years hoping you'd be okay with scraps, and you've accepted them. It's time to stand up," Maxine said and squeezed her knee.

Nayeli's eyes watered, and she sniffed, "I don't want to lose him."

"Is he that afraid of losing you?"

[suggahsweet]

Days 63-66 (Friday through Monday!)

I'm going to go ahead and be realistic and say I am not likely to make it on here with the same frequency as summertime to post, but I absolutely had to finish my series!

Friday: the highlight was Greek food at my aunt's house. It was lovely.

Saturday: drove for two hours on the toll highway (NOT looking forward to that bill!!) to go to my cousin's engagement party, which was also lovely.

Sunday: went running again!

Monday: I bought new running shoes because it seems that this might actually be a habit? And also because my big toe on my left foot was literally poking through my shoe, haha.

And, for posterity's sake and also because I just can't resist, this first week back was utterly and completely exhausting, and also, not horrible? Pas mal as they say! My kids are VERY sweet and VERY well behaved. I LOVE my principal (she is so freaking funny) and vice principal (who always speaks to me in his beautiful native French) and even the one student that people...know around the school, is super cute and honestly in my opinion I just think he has a little anxiety around getting the work done so acts avoidant as a result. So yeah. I'm in a great headspace! EJ did really well, although ofc he immediately got a cold, and had a seriously epic meltdown on Thursday after school, mainly because he's holding his pee in ALL DAY. The entire day! Wah! But, I'm super proud of him and I'm sure will look back on that problem one day with fondness...because he will learn to pee at school. Right?! Right. Today I did a 32 minute walk/run, jnils worked most of the day, and I took a nap on the couch at one point by mistake while EJ watched some show about dragons, which almost never happens to me, but dang if I'm not pooped! Pooped but pleased. Lol. Ok BYEEEE

[hsmtmts-fangir1]

So High School Chapter 3

Chapters / MasterList

Vania tried to stay out of the way of all the drama. Mostly with EJ due to him wanting to talk all the time about Nini. Vania has been letting Ashlyn deal with EJ mostly. Ashlyn being so understanding about it and not minding having to be alone with EJ and his problems. 

Vania was in the library getting some books that her teacher suggested to her, when she bumped into EJ. “Hey” EJ gave her a forceful smile. “Hey. Everything good?” Vania questioned, confused. “Not really,” EJ sighed, leaning on the book shelf. Vania knew that she was going to regret asking but she also didn’t want to be rude. “What’s up?” Vania asked, standing next to him. “I don’t know if Ash has told you but I took Nini’s phone” EJ confessed, looking at Vania for her reaction. Vania turns to EJ and whispers.”EJ did you really take it out of her bag?” 

“Technically no, Gina did and she put it in my backpack.” EJ defends. Vania just makes me confused. “Why is Gina Porter helping you?” Vania asked. “I don’t know but she just told me that we both want the same thing, so we’re going to need help to get it” EJ replied. “Still, it’s wrong of her and you to even do that?”  Vania said, 

“I know but now it turns out she wrote Ricky a song telling them she loves him” EJ informed her. “Yeah I remember that, it was for their almost one year anniversary. So what?” Vania asked. “Then Ricky called her and left her this voicemail about how he felt they shared a moment or whatever.” EJ continued. “Which could’ve been just one sided.” Vania comforts, crossing her arms. “He is trying to steal her away,” EJ sighed. “EJ, if he can take her away like you are supposedly saying. Then why would you want a girl that is easily taken away. Now I have to go.” Vania replied walking back to her task. 

Later that night, Vania was at home, doing some homework on the laptop, when the doorbell rang. Vania wasn’t expecting anyone due everyone in the house was working or out. She checked and saw Ashlyn had texted her. 

Ash: Hey ej might go over. He was just here and was pretty upset. Just a heads up. 

Vania got up and looked in the peephole and saw that EJ was indeed at her front door. She opened it up. “Hey, do you mind if I come here?” EJ asked nervously. “Come in” Vania nodded and walked to sit in the living room. EJ closed the door after him and took a seat on the couch. “Where’s everyone?” EJ asked, seeing that it looks like no one was home. “My sister is out with her boyfriend. My mom is working and my grandma was taken to dinner by my aunt. She’s in town for my grandma's chemo appointment.” Vania answered. 

“How is she?” EJ asked guilty. He has been so focused with the Nini thing that he completely forgot that Vania’s grandma was diagnosed with cancer a week before school ended. “Honestly I don’t know. She has been hiding her true emotions. She is still doing things around the house but she looks tired some days. I don’t know what to say to her. Saying the right things has been her thing.” Vania answered, clearly hiding some tears. “That’s not true. You have that too” EJ comfort. “Just not when it comes to her. I’m trying to not let her see me cry but…” Vania stopped. 

EJ and Ashlyn know that Vania is close with her grandma. Her grandma could read Vania so well. Even the cousins have a hard time reading Vania when she puts her walls up. “Hey, it’s going to be fine. She’s going to get through this” EJ grab Vania’s hand and squeeze it. “I really want her to see me graduate from East High. God knows that if anyone deserves it, it’s her. Waking me up isn’t easy.” Vania whimpered but wiped the tears away. “And she will,” EJ tugged her into a hug. 

They stayed like that for a minute before Vania pulled away. “I know that you didn’t come in to see me cry. So what’s up?” Vania turns to EJ, ready to listen. “Oh we don’t have to-” “Please, I need to distract myself” Vania says and EJ sighed. “I feel bad about taking Nini’s phone and I wanted to write a song confessing what I did, but Ashlyn just said that it came out like a boyband sound” EJ said, “Well writing a song is nice I guess” Vania replied. “Trust me, even I know that it was bad,” EJ replied. “Well, you still need to confess. Song or no song.” Vania replied. “Yeah I know” EJ nods. Vania pat EJ on the shoulder. 

“Do you want to explain to me some junior history homework?” Vania asked, EJ looked at her and let out a laugh. “Vania, are you using me to get the answers?” EJ asked amused. “I hate history, it’s hell on earth” Vania said and EJ smiled before getting up . “Come on then, I will give you the history answer” Vania cheered and walked EJ over where her homework was laid out. 

The next day, Vania and Ashlyn didn’t have to stay for practice due to Miss Jenn only wanting EJ and Ricky and a couple of other guys to go through a scene.  Ashlyn had to wait for EJ for a ride and Vania didn’t want to leave Ashlyn. So they were just in their locker, trying to clean it a bit. “School has barely started, how can our lockers be this messy?” Vania said in wonder. Ashlyn was about to reply but she stood still when she turned to look at Vania. Which made Vania turn to look at what got Ashlyn's eye. It was EJ walking by with a bloody lip, looking angry. 

Both girls looked at each other confused. “What in the world happened?” Ashlyn asked, looking towards the direction of where EJ went.  “I don’t know but Carlos just texted saying that Miss Jenn needs us to run Status Quo with the others.” Vania tugs Ashlyn towards the bomb shelter. They managed to get there just in time. “Alright Miss Jenn needs us to run the chorus of Status Quo.” Carlos orders everyone to round around the piano. 

Once Miss Jenn and Carlos were pleased with them, they were sent home. “Oh shoot, I need to go and grab my book from my last class, I forgot there” Vania complained since her last class is all away on the other side of school. “I can wait for you” Ashlyn offered kindly but Vania shook her head. “No, it's fine. You have a bunch of homework. I will see you tomorrow” Vania replied, before running towards her class. 

She managed to get there before a janitor could come and lock the classroom. She quickly went in and swiftly grabbed her book. “Thank goodness” Vania whispered under breath before heading out. She started her way to the front of the school but saw EJ walk out of the bathroom. “Hey Caswell” Vania catches up to him. “Oh hey” was all EJ said. “You know, starting fighting can get you kicked out of waterpolo,” Vania brought up, knowing well that it wasn’t from waterpolo. “Good thing that I didn’t then.” EJ sighed. Vania looked at his hands and saw his white shirt stained with blood. “Once you get home, put some dish soap on that shirt and it will get the blood stain right out.” Vania said, EJ just looked down at his shirt. “Should I be worrying about how you know that?” EJ question, looking over at her. “I'm a girl, I know awfully a lot of creepy but useful tips. Also I have periods remember? I have dealt with pants,bedsheets and more.” Vania nudged him, Ej just blushed and nodded. “I kinda forgot about that,” He confessed. 

“Do you need a ride?” EJ asked once they got outside. “I’m good but thanks anyways” Vania patted his arm before walking home. 

[boyinafandom]

OOOKKK SO I wrote this originally on ✨wattpad✨ and it got like 2k reads? But I deleted it (because I’m an ungrateful brat that doesn’t deserve love or whatever) but anyway here’s some story notes before we start

(Also my dumb ass accidentally posted this when it was unfinished and then had to delete it and start all over so…😔😔)

•y/n is a 25 y/o MALE because we need more male y/n content

•ej,jeff and Toby have a a brother like relationship, Jeff’s the oldest and ej and Toby are around the same age so you can decide for yourself who YOU think is older MMMKAYYY (i say as I bat my pretty little eyelashes at you)

•TW hint at y/n having a past sh problem

•this story is one of those biker sand pit show thingys (i don’t know what there called) but anyway short summary, ej and Toby work there part time (and so does Kate but that’s a minor thing) they find y/n they tell them to leave, they don’t so they tell y/n to get in the cage and if they don’t cry they can stay, and Toby ruffs em up or whatever blah blah blah *blows raspberry*

•also ej and y/n are lowkey in a relationship/Situationship and he gets mad jealous when Toby so much as talks to you, so be ready shawty 😈

______GAY PEOPLE<3______

A story by Me…LN :3

(THATS NOT THE NAME OF THE STORY I SWEAR😭😭😭)

“You’re not going,Y/N. It’s not safe.”

-Jeff a total of 5 hours ago when him and the pastas that could conceal there identities said they were going to a “cool motor party” or somthin I don’t know I heard party and saw my change to finally get out of the house. So I took it and snuck away when Jeff wasn’t paying attention and now I’m at this big ass party- more like event. Jesus have you seen this place???

I roll my eyes at the thought, and take a look around, the first thing I see is Kate selling drinks,and I knew it was Kate because Of that jacket she always wears, with a motorcycle cycle helmet on, I guess the employees have to wear them? I don't fuckin no, so I walk over to the stand, the top of the gazebo is blue, probably one of those cheap ones from Walmart or some shit, anyway | greet her, she recognizes me and hands me a red solo cup of [insert what you want to drink here lolz] and I wave bye and walk off.

I stop at the gate, the motorists are practicing before the show, so everyone here has a chance to roam and stuff, and y' know, get robbed or something, anyway I'm completely focused on these men, just wandering about,engines blare, sand is getting thrown from the weals.

And then I feel it, hands,No knuckles, rubbing up and down my back, I whip around, about to slap the bee-Jesus (ya like jazz 🐝??) out of the person who had the nerve to touch me…and then I paused.

“Oh…hey Jack.”

He had a helmet on, to hide his..demonic..appearance but I knew it was him, from his gloves, he wore them so no one would see his claws

“Hello love, I thought you weren’t aloud to be out here?”

“Because Jeff told me it was “dangerous”? He literally uses me as a “get out of ass beating free” card every time we’re on a mission together, I don’t value a single thing he says.”

He places his hands on my hips, lightly pulling me in

“Well, it’s good to see you.”

He smiles. God why do I fall for the dorks..?

“It’s good to see you to.”

Then Toby comes up behind him, rolling his deep, dark umber eyes (yes I did google “different types of brown” for this,SHUT-)

“Jesus could you be any more gay???? Like seri-seriously. This is just sad.”

He says with a stutter

“Kind of hard to be a dick when you have a chronic stutter problem gay boy”

(GOD I FUCKINH LOVE COLOR CODING.)

He rolles his eyes, his face mask slipping lightly off his nose,so he moves it back up, then his phone rings,he huffs and pulls it out of his pocket and picks it up.

“WHAT.?”

Me and Jack look at each-other

“Jesus fuck Ben are you serious??? You had one job. One fucking job.”

He looks pissed, he wasn’t usually this easy to aggravate.Maybe his bipolar is acting up?I think he might’ve been out of those meds.

“You.”

Toby points at me.

“What.”

“You’re getting in the cage.”

“No the actual fuck he is not.”

Jack says, I can feel his grip on my waist tightening

“Fuck off Toby.”

“No. There not even supposed to be here. You heard Jeff.”

Jack let’s go of my waist, getting in Toby’s face

“Oh yea? And you’re gonna do what. Make them??”

“No. But how about this? They get in the cage, and if they make it out without pissing there pants they can stay. Ok!?”

Jack turns to look at me

“Sure I guess”

I say with a shrug

_____________________________________-_~____

As I get into the cage I feel Toby eyeing me from afar

“Ok so all you have to do is keep your arms up or close to your body, and if me or Toby hands you anything keep it close to your body ok?”

I nod

“Ok great, the show will start soon, so just be ready.”

Then he walks out of the cage and after a few minutes I hear engines blaring, people cheering, so I throw my arms up and wait, the black tank top I was wearing lightly rising up, and in a moment there was a man in the cage with me,the visor on the helmet lifted so I could tell who it was,it was Jack, I’m surprised he could operate a motorcycle with such lack of vision.

He did rings around the cage, as he went his hands layed on my chest, shoulders, waist and back, he loved to touch me, that was evident, his favorite activity when we were alone together was to trace my scars, getting visibly upset when I told him there was more then the ones on my arms, he hated the idea that I wanted to hurt myself, and that I used to.

After about 5 minutes of spinning he exits the cage, it goes silent for a minute, and it stays silent..and it stays silent.. I want to turn around, to see why it was so silent, and then the noise started back up again, thankfully, and Toby entered the cage.

He however was not as fun to be around as Jack, he was going insanely fast around the cage. Batting at me with his nails, leaving red marks and lashes all over my upper body, one on my face to, this went on for what felt like hours.

_________________<—>_______________________

Yet another unsatisfying ending from me :3

[inkbutterflyuniverse]

I'm just in the middle of episode 3 of season 4.

Just some thoughts:

- Ricky is always comparing him and Gina to Troy and Gabriella. He's like 'Troyella is endgame'. Yes, buuuut, after what you will learn about them (what we saw in the beginning of the first episode), you maybe will stop comparing to them, because a couple therapy mean that they have some problems...

- Jet being like 'who didn't I have a crush on this summer?' is so funny. Because I'm sorry if I was blind but I didn't see much of him being into Kourtney, for me he was totally on Ricky.

- I'm wondering what happened to Kourtney's boyfriend, Howie. I remember that she was worried about him, but that's all, right? Maybe they will talk about him after...

- Big Red studying abroad is literally the worst excuse they find to explain why he's not part of the show anymore. He isn't the type to do things out of his comfort zone. It's literally making an excuse of why him and Ashlyn will break up.

I like Ashlyn and Maddox but I'm such a fan of the bi couple. Big Red's big geasture for Ashlyn was very cute in season 2, I loved the musical number. In season 3, he wasn't a big part of it, but he still came to support his friends and his girlfriend. I'm so sad that everything is done to make them break up... I love a good wlw but Ashlyn and Big Red were the couple that I wanted to see lasting.

- Emmy's character is very different from what we saw at camp even though she wasn't a part of the main cast. I like it honestly, it's very refreshing! And I'm impressed at Liamani, she's like fourteen/fifteen (?), it's her first real experience on TV, and she's killing it!

- Same as Big Red's situation, the drama with Seb is not something I like. I don't think Seb would act like that. He was such a nice guy, Carlos was the dramatic one and Seb was more chill. I think that if it was the exact same situation but with a role reverse, it would make more sense? Carlos being dramatic about Seb potentially cheating on him while he was away and not wanting to listen to him, would make sense for me.

But in the situation that we see, I feel like Seb would be the one to say to Carlos things like "if you say you didn't I believe you, I don't know much about TV but I know that they like to make things look like something while it's not. It's exactly why I don't like social medias, it's very fake sometimes. I love you, I believe in you."

- If one of the problems people had with Portwell was that Gina stayed at East High while EJ was graduating, why is not the same with Ricky? He's a senior, he will leave next year, and Gina will still be in East High... Even if Ricky choose a college close, he will still not be in high school anymore...

[daphnebowen]

so I’ve seen a lot of things where people who ship portwell say that ej lost two girls to Ricky/ricky stole two girls from ej. and while yes in the first season Ricky was actively trying to break nini and ej up that is not the case at all in season three. He stepped back because he saw how happy Gina and ej were together in that moment. he knew that that’s what Gina wanted then and did everything he could bear to help that out. he helped Gina with her promposal. He didn’t throw Gina under the bus after rcosl because he wanted them to figure it out for themselves. and again, he didn’t throw Gina under the bus when she was upset about ej missing her basketball thing. He tried his best to stay out of their relationship and let them figure themselves out when they were going thru problems because he had 👏🏼 character 👏🏼 growth 👏🏼 he didn’t want to meddle. it kinda goes back to season two when Ricky’s mom says “if you truly love someone sometimes the best thing you can do is to let them go” (or something like that, I don’t remember the exact wording). Ricky believed that he should let Gina go. And so he did! he didn’t meddle as season one Ricky would have. he could have confessed to Gina about his feelings at the end of prom but didn’t because he saw that she was hurting. and again, later, he had the opportunity to do so again and didn’t because he found out Gina and ej had broken up. he loved Gina even if he didn’t realize it and only kissed her once she made the move first. They had a whole MONTH in between the end of camp and the documentary trailer premiere! And I saw someone say that it’s “lazy writing” and portwell had been built up from season one with everything and rina only had like ten scenes with zero chemistry at all… uh, bffr. Coming from someone who worshipped rini, all I can say is that I never felt any chemistry between ej and Gina. yes I will admit the things they did were borderline cute but as someone who went from not trusting Gina to loving her, I was team Gina, to be quite honest with you. I just wanted her to be happy. And if that’s with ej, if that’s with Ricky, whoever(but not Mack) then there you go. the writers decision not mine. but the people who say that “rina really didn’t have anything in season one or two” don’t understand the point of a mid game ship. They don’t understand that Ricky had given up on Gina. Ricky and nini barely interacted post homecoming! until Gina left. Ricky thought she was gone forever, Gina thought she was gone forever, and so I hate to paint nini as the “only choice left” but the fact remains that Ricky regressed and undid all of the growing he had done with Gina to be with nini. and they were not gonna last, as I said, I loved them dearly, but by the first episode of season two you could tell it wasn’t going to be the same. and then Gina and Ricky barely interacted over the course of season two. why? Because Gina was heartbroken, obviously, and they never got closure over her post finale confession. she wanted something so bad but saw that she couldn’t have it so she found someone who made her feel an inkling of what she felt for Ricky. and people say that ej did this and this and this and constantly supported her but like… he brought her a granola bar to pick her up at the airport. um, okay, skip on to the next please? they had a heart to heart where Gina basically inflated his huge ego (I’m sorry, I love ej but he was a lil cocky in the first couple seasons) and… what else? “Saved” her in the hallway? by pretending to be her boyfriend? and portwells can say all they want but the fact remains is that the confession scene from Gina was filmed in season one, the post homecoming scene in Ricky’s car changed everything for tim and the rest of the show, rina won, and everybody’s happy. because ultimately, that’s all I’ve wanted for anyone on this show. I just wanted them to be happy. and if you truly love this show you’d be wanting that for the characters too.

[crimsonlyinglilly]

Familiar Faces - Calm before the storm Part 2

Summary: Elijah Gilbert has been haunted by dreams of other lives as long as he remembers, but now with the appearance of the Salvatore brother he may finally get some answers.

-----

Stefan loved his brother, even if he knew he couldn't leave him free, but he was also tired of him.

“Do they still wear ties at this thing?” Damon asked as he admired himself in the mirror.

“Why are you even going?” He asked.

“It's only fitting. We were at the very first one, remember?” Damon told him.

Stefan did, going with Katherine, catching the sight of his brothers in the corner of eye, Damon being pulled by an over excited Elijah, watching as Eli tired over the night until they both left, Damon carrying Eli.

“I think it's better if we don't draw attention to ourselves.” he tried.

“So you should stay here.” Damon offered, “I'll see to it Elena has a good time.“ Stefan took a drink before he could say anything to entertain Damon anymore, his brother was apparently wait as he spoke again, “Besides I can't leave Elijah without a date now.”

He swallowed the wrong way, choking on the drink.

“What!?” he managed to choke out,

“Oh yeah, Caroline’s mom wouldn’t approve of me, can’t imagine why” Damon shrugged, “so she asked Elijah to take me.”

“You can’t!” he couldn’t stop the word escaping him as he knew they’d do nothing, but please Damon at his helplessness.

“Why not? it’s fitting, I took him to the first and hundred years later he’s taking me.”

They were cut off by the sound of a phone, Damon pulled a mobile free, letting out a laugh as he read the text.

“Seems he’s meeting me here.”

Stefan stared at his brother’ smug face and wanted to scream

------

He should have asked more questions, he thought as he stood at the front door of the Salvatore's house, dressed in his suit suddenly hyper aware that he hadn’t ever met Damon while he had been trying to deny it, his mind was almost sure Damon was Dam.

He thought meeting him here would give him time to get to know him, so Elijah could separate them in his head so he wouldn’t mess up at the party.

So there he was at the of the Salvatore House, waiting for the door to open to reveal either Zach, Stefan or Damon.

His cousin, or his brothers.

The door opened to show an older man.

“Zach.” he smiled, ignoring the flinch Zach couldn’t quite hide as he looked at him and noticed the white bandages wrapped around his hand to where they vanished under his cuff.

Ah, he would be the one other person to remember that, wasn’t helped by the fact he was only just older than he was as EJ.

He doesn't wonder how much he looks like his body did on the-

“Elijah what are you doing here?” Zach asked, Elijah frowned at the slight panic he could hear in his voice.

“Damon.” he answered, “He’s coming with me to the Founder’s Party.”

“You’re What?” Zach’s voice rose as did the panic.

“That’s not a problem, i thought you-”

“No not that, it’s just Damon he’s-” Zach tried only to be interrupted.

“He’s what? Uncle Zach.” a voice drawled, Zach froze.

‘Not an uncle,’ he thought as he had when Elena had told him Stefan was staying with his uncle ‘Zach’ Elijah knew the family, he was very aware of that, as if they had had more relatives he wouldn’t have felt as guilty about leaving Zach alone.

Instead of letting himself think too much of that guilt, Elijah leaned slightly forward to see the source of the voice. 

He looked the same, suit more modern, but as Damon looked from Zach to him there was a soft fond look in his eyes.

Damon knew him despite the fact they hadn’t met before.

Part of Elijah is nine and wants to throw himself in his older brother’s arms, explain everything because Damon would be able to fix it.

He smothered that feeling, he was seventeen and didn’t know him, throwing yourself at your friend’s boyfriend was also just not done, he reminded himself as he took a breath and smiled at Damon.

“Hello, i thought we could get to know get other on the way,”

“Caroline, already told me.” Damon smiled widely as he stepped around Zach, slipping an arm over his shoulder to start to turn him away.

Elijah let him.

“E-” Zach started,

“It’s alright, Z.” he waved as he allowed himself to be led away, he wondered if he was the only person to notice Zach’s wide eyes. Elijah didn’t let himself wince, he had been so careful before.

He may have written Zach in his letters but Z was what he called his cousin during their phone calls.

Damon was staring at him with interest and glancing back every so often, so one person likely noticed but Damon had similar issues, seeing as Elijah rarely let anyone this close.

“We’re taking my car.” Damon told him as when he noticed Elijah staring back. “Sorry but mine’s better.” he added before Elijah  could say anything.

“I wasn’t going to get anything fancy for my first car, was I?” he shot back, Damon laughed.

—--

Zach swallowed around the lump in his throat as he watched the pair get into Damon’s car.

Damon had to be dealt with, he wasn’t going to let history repeat.

EJ’s body looked too small on the table, white sheet covering him.

“I swear Z, I'm never going to be free of white.” he had been told during one phone call.

Zach had made sure EJ was buried in a black suit with a deep blue shirt, no white there, it was the least he could have done.

Elijah Gilbert’s suit was a deep blue with a lighter blue shirt, no white either. 

“Zach?” Uncle Stefan’s voice called him back to the present.

“Don’t pull Elijah Gilbert into this.”

“I won’t.” Stefan tells him, “after tonight he shouldn’t have to worry about Damon.”

-----

Damon was fighting against his want to stare, Elijah was nearly exactly the same, older, free for the fragility his health had left him with but other than that the same. A haunted maturity and charm, clearly comfortable in his formal suit more than others his age would. 

However the more he learned the more he was sure Elijah remembered far more than he was pretending too, the fact Elijah hadn’t once pulled himself free when Damon rested his arm on him was only part of it.

He was also growing to see that the memories were affecting him more than he wanted to let anyone show.

They met Caroline outside the Lockwood’s house, Damon watches as Caroline tells Elijah that she had left Bonnie inside to meet them here.

Elijah hadn’t had friends in their life, either too ill or their father refusing to allow it, taking Eli’s sickness as a slight to his pride no doubt.

He was right, clearly he couldn’t kill Caroline as he watched Elijah smile at her fondly, he crushed the feeling of relief at the excuse, he didn’t care.

He allowed her to claim his arm, almost disappointed he could place Elijah under the other, it was brilliant to be able to feel him living, breathing in reach, however instead of going too far, Elijah stepped up beside them.

“I thought you brought Bonnie.” the hostess said as she noticed their joined arms

“Oh I did.” Caroline replied, “Damon is Elijah’s plus one.”

Her smile faded as she looked between them, Damon waited for the outburst, he had forgotten the troubles of a small town.

“Hello Mrs Lockwood,” Damon watched as Elijah brought her hand up to kiss it, a greeting as old fashioned that it should be conically yet Elijah pulled it off as the Mayor’s wife blushed ”pleasure as always.”

“Oh you,” she laughed lightly, before finally granting what he had needed, “Come on in.”

He smiled as he stepped over the threshold.

They lost Caroline shortly afterwards, as she left them to go to the woman in uniform

“That her mother?” he asked Elijah.

“Hence, I'm the alibi,” Elijah told him with a slight shrug, “She took us in for some time after our parents died.”

“So she wants you and Caroline together?” he mused looking for information, so far he had gotten nothing on his relationships, Caroline hadn’t known much and he had wondered if it was due to him having feelings for her.

“No,” the boy chuckled at the thought “I'm just the responsible one.”

“Oh?” he hummed “So Caroline is hoping seeing me with you will get her mom to trust me more.”

“Probably, so don’t do too much to stain my reputation.” Elijah warmed him with a crooked smile.

“I’ll try not too,” he said before adding “too much.” delighting in the small surprised laugh he got out of him.

Caroline reappears shortly after to claim him leading Elijah to step away from them.

Damon watched Elijah from a distance as he flickered between people, using his better hearing to caught them asking about his parents.

He could hear his heart speed up in likely anger yet Elijah kept an empty flat smile on his face that Damon remembered always being directed at their father, or hovering over his Aunt who looked as happy as Elijah felt to be there facing the same questions about her sister.

It wasn’t all that different from the first party when little Elijah barley up to his chest but had charmed the adults until his health started to fail and Damon had taken him home to wait for Stefan and Katherine.

It was the life he had wanted for him, and if it wasn’t for the fact he knows from nights outside the Gilbert house that Elijah was still haunted by the dreams he didn’t understand, he might leave him.

But he can’t, not when there was still a risk that this life could be cut short by an episode like the life before his brother had.

-----

It was in the quiet in the aftermath of Salvatore's history, that she asked the thing that she had wondered since seeing Elijah’s name following Damon’s ancestor.

“What about Elijah? You were all named after your ancestors?”

Damon turned his eyes back to the paper.

“It seemed history repeats itself, he died not long after the party, poor health claimed him.” he told her.

She suddenly realised why it had struck her.

Elijah Salvatore, the same name she remembers Elijah writing, when they were much younger normally followed by EJ, and Eli.

[27emailsicantsend]

Gina Porter for the character ask! ❤️

Favorite thing about them: I love her ability to ride with wherever life takes her. She doesn’t seem afraid of standing up for herself or taking big risks because, “as a new kid, you either eat or be eaten”. There are so many scenes I can think of where she said a line and I was like “whoa, that was confident ma’am”. I know this comes a little bit from a trauma response on her end, moving around as much as she has, but as someone who struggles standing up for herself and doing things that require bravery, I really look up to Gina Porter. Both she and I can be stubborn, but hers is to help her “push through” challenges and continue on with life, whereas I can end up getting stuck in my problems. I know I’m using a lot of comparison to myself in this ask, but I do see a lot of myself in Gina Porter, so watching her take traits that I want to improve on and make them her heroic qualities, turns her into an outstanding character for me.

Least favorite thing about them: this didn’t happen often, but especially in season 2, she had a really hard time talking through things if someone else asked if she was ok. She would say she was fine and then when she couldn’t hold it in anymore, she would finally speak her truth. I just wonder if her showing a little bit more vulnerability in the moments where people asked if she was ok, would have helped her put down her walls a little sooner. And even then, this is such a small thing because the ask requires it. I genuinely love Gina as a character, so this was a bit hard to write!

Favorite line(s):

“You’re not a maybe, you’re a yes” (no one is surprised)… actually let’s just do the whole speech with this line standing out the most

“But we’re not dating”

*insert Gina’s entire break up speech with EJ*

EJ: We’ve just got to wait for the fireworks to start Gina: “is that a metaphor or…?”

“Don’t get me started”

“I wouldn’t quit on us if I wasn’t moving away”

“I meant what I said about, at the skate park, about you having your own style. I don’t even think I knew how much I meant it when I said it”. “Good night, Ricky”. “No. Awkward? Could not be us”

“Could I hear that acoustic song idea? It sounded cool” Ricky: You serious? “I mean, we’ve got the time” (Ricky had been told by so many people up to this point, especially Nini, that he was just causing problems and taking up space. Gina created more space for him.)

“Come on, then. Let’s watch”

“You just acted like an old version of yourself, I get it. Or maybe it’s just the real EJ of Shallow Lake”

“Hell yeah, we are” (in response to being an awesome pair of wonderstudies)

“Mr. Bowen, would you like to dance?”

“Chicken”

“Walk on the moon… hilariously grounded, Ricky”

“I-I-have it, like-like if you-“

“Open it.”

“I’m your sister, right?”

“I have my eyes set on one thing this summer and one thing only” Ricky: *head empty, crickets* “And I’m gonna get it”

OTP: Rina 💕🥹 (is anyone shocked, just asking the crowd)

nOTP: P*rtwell

brOTP: S1 EJ and Gina (them getting together was necessary for Gina’s development, but wow they would have been so much better off as friends. I truly loved the “Wonderstudies!”)

Something I expect from them season 4 (if applicable): where do I begin… ricky and gina dating, gina and ricky dating, ricky and gina as a couple, rina, rina, rina… lol :)

Rina related:

-Can I Have this Dance where she leads

-the puppy in her arms in the trailer is hers

-she has to spend a lot of time convincing Ricky Mack is harmless

Gina related:

-she is told she won’t have to move again

-she becomes really big because of being a main in the movie (I’m talking famous Hollywood actress)

-I doubt this will be straightforward, but I do think there will be hints about where Gina is going after she graduates and I think she will go to the same city as Ricky, but I could see them putting her in a different school like Troyella OR Ricky goes to college in LA and Gina acts there for her career (skipping college)

Random Headcanon:

-Because Sofia Wylie is celiac and her character makes gluten free treats, Gina is gluten free in my mind too

-In S1, Ricky and Gina were already seeing each other frequently, that’s how come Gina knew where Ricky lived and thought she could “walk him over” to EJ’s. That is also why she said “there is no point of calling me anymore, do you”, because they had already been hanging out and calling each other on a regular basis. We as an audience didn’t see it though. Along these lines, Gina definitely put in a bit more effort to hanging out with Ricky, so when she pulled away it made him sad because he wasn’t seeing her like he was used too.

-Also Gina definitely helped Ricky move into his new apartment^ because how did she know where he lived after the move (while there were still boxes in his living room, mind you)

Unpopular Opinion: Gina was never a lead before moving to East High. Don’t believe me? Go back and rewatch the part where she talks to Nini about “never being an understudy”. A lot of people say Gina going “this is my first time getting the lead” is a plot hole because she says it s1. She actually never does. She only says she was “never an understudy”, with no dialogue about being a lead too. My personal headcanon is that she omitted that part so she could come off more intimidating, when she knew good and well she hadn’t had either. Maybe she was a background character up until that point too.

Song I associate with them:

(They’re all rina related, ofc)

-Bad for Business, Sabrina Carpenter

-Nonsense, Sabrina Carpenter

-Timeless, Taylor Swift

-I Can See You, Taylor Swift

-All of the Girls You’ve Loved Before, Taylor Swift

-Hits Different, Taylor Swift

-Story of Us, Taylor Swift

-Make You Stay, Girl and the Dreamcatcher

-Not Like I’m in Love with You, Lauren Weintraub

-So Good, Halsey

-Better Man, Taylor Swift (the only one not rina related because the second verse/chorus feel directly aimed at EJ)

-Message in a Bottle, Taylor Swift

-Boys like You, Megan & Liz

-Handsome, Megan & Liz

-Jump then Fall, Taylor Swift

-Just a Friend to You, Megan Trainor

-Before I Let You Go, Colbie Caillat

Favorite picture of them: (I tried to find the photo of her in her yellow SOGAE premiere dress on the balcony, but couldn’t :( that was one of my faves. Also, I genuinely considered just posting her entire insta feed because Sofia Wylie is one of the prettiest humans to exist and I will take that to the grave… but here’s my top 5)

[cousinkooksbackup]

Exchanged Love. || a bellyjere au fic

chapter sixteen

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jeremiah's pov

EJ's back-to-school party is usually always a blur, but last night was different. I remembered every moment so vividly. Last night, Belly and I finally shared a kiss, and it was everything I had hoped for. Sure, it happened in a coat closet in the midst of a wild party shortly after I'd broken up with Lacie, but it eclipsed all those other events.

Her lips were soft and sweet, and I felt like I could have stood in that closet forever, lost in the intoxicating blend of strawberry vodka and her signature citrus scent. We were in our own world, shielded from the cares of the outside. But, of course, I knew that eventually, we'd have to face the consequences of a night driven by alcohol. I just hoped we were on the same page.

Coming home was a bit of a blur, too. EJ didn't live far, so we walked back, but this morning, as I woke up in my own bed, I couldn't remember how we got here. Where was Belly? I couldn't fathom leaving her behind, no matter how inebriated I was.

I was just about to text her when I heard her laughter echoing from downstairs. Relief washed over me; her laughter was like music to my ears. There was something so genuine about it, making her laugh felt like a triumph.

I glanced at myself in the mirror, attempting to hide the hangover that was wreaking havoc on me. Dark circles under my eyes, unruly curls, and the remnants of last night's attire clung to me. How was Belly up and about so early?

I sped through most of my morning routine, making sure to give my teeth a thorough brushing. What if we kissed again? I couldn't risk bad breath.

"Good morning, sweetie," my mom greeted me, rising from her seat at the table to plant a kiss on my temple.

"Morning, Mom," I replied, hugging her quickly, a cheerful mood on full display today. Belly had everything to do with that. Since last night, I hadn't been able to wipe this silly grin off my face. Sleep hadn't helped either.

"Good morning, Bells," I sang, my eyes locked onto hers. But the way she looked at me, the unspoken energy between us, it gave me a gut feeling that I really, really didn't want.

"I was hoping you two could run to the store for me," my mom interjected, oblivious to the silent exchange between Belly and me.

"Sure, Mom. Just text me the list," I replied, finally tearing my eyes away from the brunette sitting across from me.

A little alone time might be what we needed, I thought. Perhaps I'd misinterpreted the way she looked at me. I couldn't be sure until we talked privately, so I grabbed my keys and glanced over at Belly.

"Ready to go?"

The car ride to the store was painfully quiet. Music played softly in the background, but neither of us dared to speak. The pit in my stomach grew, knowing that this conversation wouldn't lead to what I had hoped for.

"So, are we going to talk about it?" I began hesitantly, my voice trailing off as I half-heartedly perused the produce section.

"The kiss?" she asked softly, selecting an apple and placing it in her bag.

"Yeah, the kiss."

And then she sighed, and I knew it was time.

"I think it was a mistake. Not that I regret it, or that it was bad, but I just don't think I should be getting into anything right now. I'm sorry," she confessed.

I felt her brown eyes on the side of my face, and I turned to meet her gaze. There was an expression on her face, one I couldn't quite place. I wanted to ask her about it, but I didn't want to push her.

Maybe she was right; maybe Conrad was right when he warned me not to get involved. She had a whole school year to focus on, and dragging her into my world of problems didn't seem to be what she wanted. It was hard to accept, even though I couldn't stop thinking about her, day and night.

"I get it. I think you're right. We just got caught up in the moment, and the alcohol didn't help. We're all good, Bells," I lied, hiding my true feelings. We were fine, but I hadn't gotten "caught up."

I had imagined what it would be like to kiss Isabel Conklin since the day we picked her up from the airport. It was everything I'd expected and more, but she didn't feel the same way.

"Friends?" she asked quietly, her smile hopeful. Did she not realize that I'd take whatever part of her she offered? If that meant just being friends, I'd accept and cherish it, secretly hoping for more in the future.

"Don't be silly—best friends," I assured her with a heavy heart.

That heaviness lingered throughout the weekend, caught between wanting Belly all to myself and respecting her wishes while pretending to be cool with the rejection.

Sunday night approached faster than I wished it would. With the school year beginning, uninterrupted moments with Belly were coming to an end. Back to homework, Friday night football games, and high school drama. My excitement and anticipation swirled into one.

The night before school, I usually couldn't sleep, but just as my eyes were about to close, I heard Isabel's door creaking open. I contemplated getting up to check on her, but her soft knocks preceded any action on my part.

"Jere... are you awake?" Her voice trembled, and her tear-filled eyes were all I needed to see before I was sitting up, throwing my blankets aside.

"Bells, what's wrong?" I cooed, pulling her close and closing my bedroom door softly. My mom's room was on the other side of the house, and years of testing had proven she couldn't hear anything all the way up here, but I closed the door anyway.

"Talk to me. What's going on?" I whispered softly, but her voice seemed trapped, unable to escape her throat. Her breaths became more erratic, and her trembling frame shook in my arms, causing that same agonizing sensation in my chest as I watched her break down.

This was another panic attack, no doubt. I tried to remember the tips I had read on how to help someone through them, something I had looked up after her first one. I just wanted to be better prepared to support her.

I wrapped my arms around her tightly and focused on keeping my breaths even and steady for her to follow. I wondered if her anxiety was related to the first day of school. Her experiences before coming to Boston, whatever they were, must have left her terrified for her first day. Even though everyone loved her at the party on Friday night, there had to be something deeper.

People were excited to see me at the party, and for the first time, they weren't asking about my brother Conrad. But now, they would likely ask about Belly, and for some reason, that didn't bother me as much. Maybe it was because I really liked her.

"Hey, tell me about the outfit you picked for tomorrow. I know you and my mom spent a lot of time on it," I said, moving us to my bed. I sat on the edge, holding her close

 against my chest, my hand gently making small circles on her back.

"Oh, well, it's like... it's like this sort of... um, it's a blue top, almost like a corset. Just plain white shorts, nothing too fancy," she stammered.

"Good, good. Would you believe me if I told you I haven't picked out an outfit yet?" I chuckled, noticing that she managed a faint smile.

"I haven't even looked at my schedule yet. I like to be surprised," I continued, rambling on about various topics to help divert her focus.

"Sorry if I woke you," she finally croaked softly. I couldn't help but wipe the tears that clung to her cheeks. Those eyes, deep and brown, with tears swirling, tugged at my heartstrings.

"You didn't," I assured her softly. "Do you want to go back to your room?" I didn't want to ask that. I wanted her to stay with me as long as possible.

"Could I just stay in here with you for a little while, if that's okay?"

"More than okay. Come here."

We lay side by side, our faces inches apart. I didn't want the morning to come; I didn't want to go to school. Her hand found mine, and we kept talking about anything and everything until sleep overcame us both.

When I woke up in the morning, she was gone, and a single text message waited for me:

"Thank you, J."