#mainly cos my girlfriend and i had such a busy day with a bunch of friends

[silhouettecrow]

365 Days of Writing Prompts: Day 356

Adjective: Recondite

Noun: Shard

Definitions for those who need/want them:

Recondite: (of a subject or knowledge) little known, or abstruse

Shard: a piece of broken ceramic, metal, glass, or rock, typically having sharp edges

[voguescapes]

one day | j. bassett

about. (y/n) gets dared to prank call her mom and say that her and joshua are getting married the next day.

warnings. mentions of a heart attack but as a joke, fake engagement, future engagement, nun really just fluff. lmk if i missed anything <;33

pairings. joshua bassett x actor!reader

based off this ask

"We're here with Teen Vogue and we're going to be playing a little game of 'I Dare You'!" Joshua grinned, as some of his cast mates cheered.

It was around noon and the cast were currently in the middle of their fourth interview of the day. Joshua was enjoying every moment of the press tour, and felt so incredibly grateful to be accompanied by his co-stars who had become some of his best friends, and you, his gorgeous girlfriend throughout these busy months.

Matt, Julia, Dara, Joshua, and Larry sat on a yellow couch in front of a lavender paper backdrop, while Sofia, Frankie, you, and Olivia sat behind them in brown stool chairs.

In front of them were a bunch of assorted candies like Red Vines, M&Ms, Smarties, Sour Patch Kids, and marshmallows, along with two jars labeled truth and dare with small pieces of colorful paper inside.

Matt began the game by picking a slip of paper out of the dare jar. "Let someone in the group post a status on your Instagram story proclaiming your love for someone else."

Everyone burst into laughter when Frankie begged Matt to let him post the story. Joshua proceeded to explain the dare, seeing as you and Olivia didn't fully understand what he was supposed to say in the video.

You and Sofia giggled while Frankie prepared himself to film the video, fixing his hair and adjusting the angle of Matt's phone in his hand. Joshua shifted his body around and placed his hand on your knee, rubbing small circles with his thumb and sweetly smiling up at you.

"Hey guys! it’s Frankie and I'm here with Teen Vogue and, um, Matt just spilled the secret that he's in love with me and I'm his favourite so, I guess that's set in stone." He shrugged, lifting his free hand in the air. He finished recording and the whole set cracked up at the silly video he recorded.

Joshua turned back around, taking his hand off your knee as Matt added a couple tags, eventually posting the video onto his Instagram story, allowing everyone to continue the game.

Julia went next, also choosing a dare.

The game continued on almost in order in which you were all sitting, except Josh insisted everyone went before him. It was your turn after Frankie, who had just revealed how many selfies he took today, which was nearly 100 photos.

You clasped your hands together nervously as you considered picking truth, to save yourself from any embarrassment (and honestly to get the easier way out), but Joshua gave you a reassuring rub up and down your clothed shin, and you decided to choose from the dare jar. Everyone around you clapped and let out small words of encouragement to you. Rolling your eyes jokingly, your mouth dropped open and you covered your mouth as you read the dare.

"What is it, Y/N/N?" Matt questioned, being the first one to notice your reaction to the small slip of colored paper, more so shocked of what was written on it.

"Put your phone on speaker, call your mom or dad, and tell them you're getting married tomorrow." You grumbled, taking your hand off of your mouth and reaching for your phone that was placed in your pocket.

While you searched for your parents contacts, your friends cheered and chuckled as Larry chanted your ship name and nudged Josh, who was looking down at his hand in his lap, covering up the small blush that appeared on his cheeks.

"Agh, okay. Should I call my mom or my dad first?" You inquired aloud, everyone's answers including your publicists in the background mainly being your dad, but you peered down at your boyfriend who was looking up at you with a pouted lip and big, soft, eyes that were practically begging you to choose your mom (for his safety, of course).

"Then it's settled. I'm calling my mom first." You giggled, while everyone else except for Joshua groaned. "Do you think she's going to be mad?" Dara inquired, tilting her head back instead of turning around to look up at you. "Well... maybe? Who knows. My parents adore Josh," you flickered your eyes towards Joshua, "but we're way too young, so there's no telling." You informed her, meanwhile playing with the promise ring on your hand.

You mentioned to everyone that you were going to call and that they had to be silent since you were putting your mother on speaker. After a few rings, your mom answered. The line was a bit glitchy, but it was still clear enough to make out what she was saying.

"Hey, Mom!"

"Hey sunshine, how are you?" Your mom asked sweetly. You hadn't seen your mom since press tour started, but you made sure to stay in contact with your family while you were on the road. That meant calls, texts, skypes, and facetimes whenever you weren't busy.

"I'm really good, where are you?" You inquired, attempting to make the conversation seem less up front and more believable, while being aware of the time.

"I'm at the grocery store now, honey."

"Is dad with you?" You questioned and watched Joshua's body tense while he awaited her answer. "Yes, he's grabbing some tomatoes right now." She recalled.

"Oh, well actually, I kinda have something to tell you guys!" Larry snickered and Joshua lightly slapped his arm to shut him up before looking back up to you, his demeanor changing completely.

"Oh okay, I'm heading towards him right now, sweetheart." You could hear the sounds of refrigerator doors closing and squeaky shopping cart wheels through the phone. "Alright, your dad's listening, what is it, pumpkin?" Olivia smiled warmly at all the pet names you were called by your loving mother and placed her hand over her mouth just in case she needed to stop her laughter in a few seconds.

"Well, uh, me and Josh are getting married tomorrow." You shared quickly, shutting your eyes, imagining your parents faces as the line went completely silent.

Everyone around you threw their heads back, crinkled their eyes, smiled, wiggled their eyebrows, and more, while Joshua pressed his face into one of the decorative pillows on the couch, his styled curls sprawled all over. You gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and he brought his head up from the pillow, maintaining eye contact with you as your mother finally spoke up.

"What?" She inquired, although she had fully heard her daughter's words. You repeated the sentence and you heard something fall. Your eyes widened, immediately assuming the worst.

"Tomorrow!?"

"Y/M/N, you dropped the eggs!"

You let out a breath of relief, but things only became worse as the seconds passed.

"I'm so happy for you, baby! Where are you two getting married?" Your mom squealed. Joshua's mouth fell at your mothers words and a sly grin appeared on his pink, soft lips, which didn't go unnoticed by your friends.

"Why don't I let Joshua tell you?" You smirked and practically shoved the phone into your 'fiancé's' face. He reluctantly took the phone and sent you the biggest glare as he greeted your parents,

"Hi, Mr and Mrs L/N."

"Honey, Your family now, call us Y/M/N and Y/D/N." Your mom urged and continued to speak with Joshua, rambling on about the unexpected news before she was rudely interrupted by your furious father.

"So you're telling me you decided to propose to my daughter without telling her parents or receiving our blessings?" Joshua gulped. "And even worse, convince her to marry you without her family there to support her?" Your Dad maintained a stern tone, although you could tell he was so close to going berserk in the middle of the grocery store.

"Sir I-" Joshua looked up at his cast mates for help, while you looked down at him with apologetic eyes.

Aware of the amount of time that had passed since your mother answered the call, you looked towards your manager and the crew, mouthing an apology. They all ignored you though, evidently eating it all up. You could see the headlines already.

"It's a joke!" You shouted loud enough for your dad to hear you over his excessive ranting. Your mom pried her phone out of your father's hands, "what do you mean it's a joke?" Joshua passed your phone back to you as you facepalmed. "Mom, we're at an interview! We're playing I Dare You with Teen Vogue, I got dared to tell you I'm getting married tomorrow. I'm sorry!" You apologised. Dara held back a laugh as you looked back at her with your hand over your mouth, your eyes giving away your emotions.

"Everyone, say hi!" Joshua cheered, his voice altering and cracking like an adolescent boy as he spoke.

Your cast mates greeted your parents. "Hi, momma L/N!" Frankie hollered into the phone. "Frankie, you were a part of this? Y/D/N almost had a heart attack!" Your mother joked, waving your father off as he mumbled something about the scare you had pulled on them.

"I'm sorry, Mr L/N." Larry snorted at Joshua's apology and contorted face. "It's alright, son. I'm just glad I still have the chance to walk my baby down the aisle." He affirmed, his demeanor a complete 180 from what it was just a few minutes ago.

Joshua smiled brightly at the fact that your dad had called him son. Olivia nudged you a little and you chuckled to cover up your searing cheeks. "Momma L/N," Dara began, "why'd you sound so excited? You weren't mad or scared?"

"I was surprised, yes, but I know Joshua makes Y/N happy, and he loves her more than anything. He's had my approval since the beginning, so I wasn't worried at all." Your friends let out aw's at your mothers heartwarming words.

You nervously smiled and shook your head, fiddling with a loose thread on your pants when you felt Joshua place his hand back on your knee, "Thank you, Y/M/N, I appreciate that."

"Speaking of, Joshua?" Your mother spoke out, grabbing his attention again.

"Yes, Y/M/N?"

"When are you going to put a ring on it?" Your eyes practically popped out of your head while your friends were practically falling out of their chairs, dying with laughter.

Your mother was truly the most supportive, bold person on planet earth. You saw Matt wipe stray tears off his eyes as he continued laughing.

"Mom! You're going to scare him away!" You groaned, visibly cringing and scrunching your eyes up in embarrassment, more aware than ever that this conversation was happening in front of all your friends and everyone behind the camera. Joshua shook his head, grabbing your hand and playing with the promise ring he'd given you.

"It would take a lot to scare me away," Josh smiled and placed a kiss on your knuckles before answering your mom, "I know I'm going to marry her one day."

main masterlist

[cali-holland]

Teenage Love Story, Part Five- S.M.

Pairing: Shawn Mendes X Reader

Prompt: Shawn writes his own version of "Lover” for you, a.k.a an extension of part four mainly from Shawn’s point of view.

Word Count: 2500

Previous Parts: Teaser   One   Two   Three   Four

Warnings: lil bit of sexual jokes if you squint

Based on: Lover (Remix) by Taylor Swift ft. Shawn Mendes

A/N: Here’s the fifth part no one expected six months later...

~~~

August 2019

Shawn couldn’t help himself as he paced nervously in his hotel room. He had just finished his show in Boston, and he should be filled with exhilarating adrenaline; instead, he was overcome by nerves. 

He found himself in a catch 22 of sorts- Taylor had just released a new song, Lover, and he knew that you wrote a good amount of that track, but he missed you and he knew the song would only make the pain in his heart grow. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to listen to it, if he could even bring himself to listen to it. It was supposed to be your song, your love ballad to him; and he knew it must be good if Taylor released it as a single. Who was he kidding- he thought every song you wrote was good.

“It’s just a song.” Shawn whispered to himself as he played with the phone in his hands, “I’ve listened to all of Y/N’s songs. This isn’t any different.” He kept talking to himself, shaking his head as he tried to reach a decision. “That’s it. I’m going to do it.”

Sighing, he laid down on the bed and opened up Spotify. Of course, it was advertised at the top of his phone: “Taylor Swift’s new single, Lover, out now”. He began the song and listened intently.

“We could leave the Christmas lights up ‘til January,

This our place, we make the rules,

And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear,

Have I known you twenty seconds or twenty years?” Shawn let out a heartbroken laugh, remembering back to that day that he first read through your journal. He knew it was private, but he just desperately wanted to know. That was the day he gave you that promise ring and promised to always be yours. 

As the song continued on, Shawn felt his eyes begin to sting with tears. Defeated, he stared up at the ceiling, longing to hold you again.

“And I’m highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you,

I’ve loved your three summers now, honey, but I want ‘em all,” He didn’t need to even think about whether it was you or Taylor who wrote that line; he knew it was you. He saw that in your journal as well, and he had told himself he wanted all of your summers too; yet, here he was, spending his first summer without you in years.

As the song ended, Shawn put it on repeat and just stayed there, crying alone in his hotel room. If anyone were to walk in, he doubted that he could even bring himself to be embarrassed of his current; his head was filled with thoughts of you. He just wanted you and only you.

He wiped away his tears and looked at his phone clearly for the first time since he first heard the song. Spotify had credited you as a co-writer of the song. Shawn smiled fondly, glad that you finally took credit for your song-writing talent. He found himself reading over your past text messages to each other from all those months ago. You were so in love back then. He wanted to reach out, to tell you he loved the song, to say that he was proud of you, to apologize for hurting you.

But he couldn’t. He thought maybe you had moved on, maybe you had found someone better than him. He knew that you deserve the best and he highly doubted that he was the best for you.

Abandoning his hopeless scroll through the text messages, he began to go through his photos. He didn’t think it would make him feel any better, but that bittersweet feeling of reminiscing was all he could get at that moment. Photos of your time together was the closest he could get to you.

He had an album titled “Lover” that he had started while you were still together. While the pictures and videos were all out of order, he still admired it. You found it cheesy but embarrassing as he had some pretty questionable photos of you saved in there. You’d never admit it to him, but you adored it.

The very first picture was the first one of the two of you. It was of you two backstage of the 1989 tour; you were sat in Shawn’s lap and he had his hands over yours as he showed you how to play one of his songs on guitar. Taylor had taken that picture, and she was so proud of her matchmaking work. At that point, you and Shawn had been dating for a little under a month. He loved that photo so much that it was still framed on the wall in his house.

One of his favorite photos was of the two of you dressed as Jack and Rose from The Titanic for Halloween, when Shawn managed to come visit you for the holiday while you were away at college. You had both agreed to do a couple’s costume, and the idea of using The Titanic came from a movie marathon the night before. You watched everything from that to Dirty Dancing to Mamma Mia. Shawn felt himself starting to blush thinking back to that night- you two definitely focused more on each other than the actual movies. 

Next, he found a video from your three year anniversary when he surprised you with a candle lit dinner. As if that wasn’t romantic enough, the two of you danced around in the kitchen all night. Shawn had taken a short video of you singing “Let’s Get It On” to him, “C’mon baby, let your love come out, if you believe in love, let’s get it on”. He dropped his video at the end because you pulled him in for a heated kiss, and in that moment he couldn’t care less about his phone. 

His favorite picture of the two of you came up next. It was a simple photograph of Shawn kissing outside of your college townhouse. Sitting on the top step of the stoop, you were looking down at Shawn, who was sitting between your legs. He remembered it was definitely an awkward angle for a kiss, as his head was practically upside down, but that was one of the moments in which wanting to kiss you outweighed all other discomforts. Connor had taken that picture of the two of you, and Shawn kept it as his phone lock screen until you broke up. 

Following a string of goofy selfies taken between you two, Shawn found a video of you. You had secretly recorded it on his phone before he left for tour, knowing that he’d find it under his special photo album.

“Hey, honey,” You smiled into the camera, “If you’ve found this video, that means you’re going through old pictures of us and you’re missing me. I’m missing you too. I don’t know where you’ll be when you see this, but have a great time on tour. I’m sorry I couldn’t join you, just don’t go getting yourself any groupies,” You teased, “I’m counting down the days until I get to see you again. I love you, Shawn.” You blew a kiss into the camera before the video ended.

He let out a shaky breath and set his phone aside. Sniffling, he went and grabbed his guitar, deciding he should probably take some time to work out his feelings, rather than just wallowing in his self-pity.

No matter what melody he attempted to play, he just came back to the chords of “Lover”. Shawn ran a hand through his hair and began to play the song to himself.

“We could light a bunch of candles,

And dance around the kitchen, baby,

Pictures of when we were young would hang on the wall,

We would sit on the stoop,

I’ll sing love songs to you when we’re eighty,

See, I finally got you now, honey, I won’t let you fall,” He paused, realizing the lyrics weren’t the words you had written. Quickly grabbing his notebook, Shawn wrote down the lyrics, wanting to hold onto them in case some opportunity presented itself to use them later on. He continued playing, using your lyrics for inspiration,

“Look in my eyes, they will tell you the truth,

The girl in my story has always been you

I’d go down with the Titanic, it’s true, for you, lover,”

Shawn added the new lyrics into his journal, his fingers tracing the words. He set aside the guitar and journal, knowing it was probably well past time for him to go to sleep. With an early flight tomorrow morning and the alarm clock informing him that it was now 1 AM, he decided it would be a good idea to get some rest. Lying down in bed, Shawn drifted off to sleep with thoughts of you.

~~~

November 2019

Making his way through the busy airport, Shawn was the happiest he had been in a long while. A large smile grew on his face as he saw you waiting for him by the baggage claim. He ran up to you and engulfed you in a large hug. Holding you tightly, he spun you around as you laughed.

“God, I’ve missed you so much.” Shawn said, setting you down and keeping his arms around your waist.

“I’ve missed you too.” You barely managed to get your words out before he kissed you passionately. You let out a small moan and pulled away from the kiss for a moment, “Shawn, paparazzi.”

“I think I’m completely justified in kissing my girlfriend.” He stated, letting go of your hips to hold your hand.

“You are, but I’d rather not give the paparazzi exactly what they want.” You teased.

“Don��t act like you didn’t enjoy it.” Shawn joked with a wink, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek. Soon enough, the bags began to surface from the plane, and Shawn grabbed his luggage, ready to leave the airport. You held tightly onto Shawn’s hand as you left the airport, escorted by Shawn’s small security team through the swarm of paparazzi. 

Once back in the safety of your townhouse, you and Shawn found yourselves cuddling on your bed as Shawn was exhausted from his day of traveling. With your head resting on his chest, you listened to the sound of his heartbeat; his hands trailed up and down your back soothingly. The serene moment was disrupted by Shawn’s phone ringing.

“Needed already?” You teased as he shuffled slightly underneath you to answer his phone.

“They never let me rest.” Shawn joked, answering the call. You shifted to rest your head on his bicep so it’d be easier for him to speak. “Hello?”

“Hey, Shawn,” Your ears perked up from hearing your sister’s voice on the other line. Shawn looked down at you as you raised your eyebrows questioningly at him.

“Taylor, what’s up?” He asked, trying to inconspicuously turn down the volume. You felt his heartbeat speed up and you knew he was trying to hide something about the phone call from you. You couldn’t make out what your sister told him, but he replied back with a few ‘yeah's' and ‘that’d be incredible’. He hung up the phone and peered over at you, as you watched him expectantly.

“So, what did Taylor want?” You questioned.

“We may or may not have made a collaboration.” Shawn replied.

“Really?” You asked.

“Yep.” He nodded, his fingers finding yours. He was nervous about something, which only made you more curious. You were about to press further, when his stomach let out a large growl.

“Have you not eaten at all today or something?”

“I think I had a bagel mid-flight.” Shawn said. You sat up and pulled him up with you.

“You need to eat, come on.” You stated, now distracted by making sure your boyfriend was fed. As you got him together some leftovers for lunch, he began to play music. You let out a laugh as Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” began to play.

“Remember when I surprised you for our three year?” Shawn asked, his hands on your hips as he swayed softly to the music. He began to press light kisses to your neck.

“Remember how you almost burned your hand with a candle?” You teased.

“Hm, I must’ve blocked that out.” He laughed, giving you a kiss on your lips before going back to focusing on your neck.

“Shawn, why are you being so touchy, right now?” You couldn’t stop yourself from letting out a giggle as his stubble tickled your sensitive neck.

“I just really love you.” He replied.

“I love you too, Shawn.” You lightly pushed him away as the microwave finished. You handed him his plate of food, telling him to eat. He ate the food so quickly, you would have thought that he hadn’t eaten in a week.

“So, what’s this collaboration with Taylor all about? I hope you know that you’re an awful liar.” You said.

“Well, I wanted to surprise you.” Shawn answered, “But I have a feeling you won’t let this drop.” “You know me so well.” You smiled.

“Come here,” Shawn led you to your living room and you sat on the couch while he grabbed one of your guitars. He went into ‘performance mode’, as you liked to call it. He teased, “I’d like to dedicate this next song to my lover.”

You laughed and clapped along in encouragement. You softly smiled as he began to play the beginning of “Lover”. He sang the first verse, and you grew a little confused; he was simply singing your song. As much as you loved it, it felt like a cover. That was until he got to the second verse. You felt overwhelmed with emotions as he adjusted the lyrics to fit with his own memories of your relationship. By the end of the song, you had tears in your eyes, feeling nothing but love for your boyfriend.

“Did you like it?” Shawn asked, putting down the guitar.

“I love it.” You smiled, pulling him in for a kiss. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too. I’m so glad you like it. I was nervous because you already made the song so perfect. I wanted to write you my own love letter through it. You deserve the best, so that’s all I could hope for.” You cut him off with another kiss, effectively stopping his worried rambling.

“That’s the most thoughtful, beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me. And Shawn, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me too.” It was then that Shawn true happiness, in the arms of you, his lover.

[blankdblank]

Anaticula Pt 42

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 - Pt 5 - Pt 6 - Pt 7 - Pt 8 - Pt 9 - Pt 10 - Pt 11 - Pt 12 - Pt 13 - Pt 14 - Pt 15 - Pt 16 - Pt 17 - Pt 18 - Pt 19 - Pt 20 - Pt 21 - Pt 21b - Pt 22 - Pt 23 - Pt 24 - Pt 25 - Pt 26 -  Pt 27 - Pt 28 - Pt 29 - Pt 30 - Pt 31 - Pt 33 - Pt 34 - Pt 35 - Pt 36 - Pt 37 - Pt 38 - Pt 39 - Pt 40 - Pt 41 -

“Hey Bernadette!”

Not two hours after your return home you sat on your bed cradling your seeing stone in your palms, through which you saw the elated red headed friend of your mother’s give a quick squeal, “Jaqi!”

“It’s not too late is it?”

She shook her head, “No, of course not, it’s noon here. What’s going on? I heard all bout your big win! Congratulations!”

With a weak chuckle you flashed her a grin then wet your lips to ask, “I was wondering about that offer of yours. For acting lessons.”

With a gasping squeal she asked, “You’re certain?!”

You nodded and grinned, “I think it’s about time I try to get over my audience problems. Performing for a camera might be easier than a crowd at first perhaps?”

She giggled and wiggled in her seat, “Oh this is such great timing! Oh I haven’t been able to write to you yet, though I am on my way tonight to England for a role.” She rolled her eyes, “Some pompous bitch of a boss, with,” she paused with a grin supposedly to amp you up, “An amazing assistant,” after another giggle she added, “It’s mainly silent but I am certain they would be tickled to give you the part.”

“You’re filming soon? They won’t mind?”

She shook her head, “No, in fact knowing I worked with Jewels they asked if I knew you, and I told them you were on the fence about performing. They usually leave the silent roles to last so with your name and clear natural talents they would be wasting their time choosing anyone but you. Besides, it is a perfect first role for you, to get your feet wet.”

“Ok, I um, I did write out a resume,” her brows inched up, “Well, I wrote down a whole bunch of skills that might possibly be useful for roles. Reads more like a lifetime achievement award, even put my grades on it, not sure why-,”

She giggled again, “Oh I am certain it is wonderful. When I get there I’ll come over and I can give it a once over. The film is in Wales though, so you might want to tell your Dad. It’s just for a couple weeks, at least for your part, the rest is mostly about some solitary painting scenes for my character for depth or something. It’ll all make sense later when it’s all pieced together.”

With a nod your plans were sealed, she came out and as your father had already agreed you were off to Wales. A hope that some acting lessons could help you in this was met approvingly by your relatives, Snape and Minerva. News that after the ordeal in the Tournament had an explosion of glee run rampant through the Pears back in France reading that you were dabbling into acting in a Wizarding film alongside a former co-star of your mother’s.  The family legacy was continuing and after hopefully a short production period they could add your first film to the family vault of projects they had accumulated over the years.

Truly you hadn’t missed much as Neville spent the weeks with his parents on their first vacation they took Nellie to Bath as they had been delving into their old favorite novels and hadn’t been since their honeymoon and wished to share their memories with their children.

Hermione was off with her parents to a convention and concert in Australia for a few weeks until she would return to stay with you for the rest of the summer to keep her busy and up on her reading while they worked.

Fred and George joined Ginny and Ron off with Molly on a mini family reunion to help their sick Great Aunt Tessie to get on her feet after hurting her foot in a fall in a gnome hole.

Leaving just Draco, who gladly kept up with writing to Astoria between days of alternated watches by Remus, Regulus and Sirius, who all caught glimpses of his models and novels he poured through between lessons with the violin and piano tutor Narcissa had employed again for him in the summer in his studio not far from your home.

Harry however was an entirely different dilemma. On the heels of the news that Percy had been promoted as Junior Assistant to Cornelius Fudge and Albus Dumbledore was asked to step down from the Wizengamot the air seemed to chill and the moonlit sky darkened.

…

I don't know about you, it's just too hot today, isn't it? And it's going to get even worse. Temperatures in the mid-30s Celsius...that's the mid-90s Fahrenheit, tomorrow, maybe even hitting 100. So, please, remember to cover up and stay cool... with the hottest hits on your FM dial.

“Come on, guys, time to go home.” A mother was helping her son of the swing set opposite Harry, “Come on, love, off you get.”

“Do we have to?”

“Yes, we do. I'll make you your favorite dinner to compensate.”

Dudley and his gang entered the park, “He squealed like a pig, didn't he?”

“Yeah, brilliant punch, Big D.”

“Did you see his face?”

Harry forced a smile onto his face, “Hey, Big D. Beat up another 10-year-old?”

Dudley, “This one deserved it.”

Harry nodded, “Yeah. Five against one, very brave.”

Dudley fired back, “Well you’re one to talk. Moaning in your sleep every night? At least I’m not afraid of my pillow.”

“Don’t kill Jaqi!” One of the guy’s mocked out making even Dudley dry swallow remembering Petunia’s reaction when he had first had a nightmare about your being attacked.

The other asked “Who’s Jaqi? Your girlfriend?”

Harry, “Shut up.”

The second guy mocked, “He’s going to kill us, Mum.”

The first taunted, “Were is your Mum Potter?”

“She dead?” Dudley’s eyes dropped to the ground unwilling to stop the guys around him. The wind picking up and burst of cold air circling them snapped his eyes up again.

“What’s going on?”

Dudley, “What are you doing?”

Harry shook his head, “I’m not doing anything.”

The guys turned to flee, “We’re getting out of here Dudley.”

Fleeing from what they took as a storm Dudley’s gang took off leaving their leader, who raced the other way, wheezing in the corner of a tunnel on the edge of the park Harry had been sitting alone in on the swings lost in thought about that graveyard.

.

Guiding Dudley back again after using his Patronus to fend off the Dementors Harry paused in the street at the familiar small woman formerly used as his sitter in his time with the Dursleys when work called. “Mrs. Figg.”

“Don't put away your wand, Harry. They might come back. Dementors in Little Whinging, whatever next? Whole world's gone topsy-turvy.” She turned to escort Harry.

“I don't understand. How do you know...?”

“Dumbledore asked me to keep an eye on you.”

“Dumbledore asked you? You know Dumbledore?”

“After You-Know-Who returned and Jaqi Black was attacked last year...did you expect him to let you go wandering on your own? Good Lord, boy. They told me you were intelligent. Now, get inside and stay there. Expect someone will be in touch soon. Whatever happens, don't leave the house.”

Harry nodded and led him up the walk and into the house where Petunia asked, “Diddykins? Is that you?” Standing up she moved from the dining room into a clear view of the pair making her mouth drop open at Dudley in his clammy appearance, “Duddy. Vernon, come quick.”

Vernon came around the corner open mouthed saying, “We’re going to have to take him to a Hospital. Who did this to you boy?”

Harry answered, “It was a Dementor.”

Petunia looked him over, “A what?”

Harry wet his lips as Dudley was moved into the dining room table, “A Dementor, it’s um, he’ll be fine, just needs something to pep him up a bit. The effects will wear off.”

Vernon, “And what in the meantime? Just leave him like this?!”

Harry wet his lips and fumbled his hands in his pockets until he found a duck keychain you had given him, “I’ll call Jaqi, she’ll know what they gave us at school.”

Vernon, “What does your school have to do with this?!”

Petunia watched him squeeze the charm you had given him to call you, “Is that a curse? A Dementor?”

Harry shook his head only to watch an owl fly in through the window with a Howler in his beak he let loose that stated without being opened, “Dear Mr. Potter.” The door under the stairs opened itself dropping Petunia’s mouth only to see you climb out of it through a charm you had left there in one of your earlier trips.

“The Ministry has received intelligence that at 6:23 this evening you performed the Patronus Charm in the presence of a Muggle. As a clear violation of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery...you are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hoping you are well, Mafalda Hopkirk.”

The letter tore itself up and you asked making Vernon jump not realizing you were there, “Patronus?” You looked at Harry, who was choosing to not ask why you were in thick makeup, tall heels and a long sleeved and pocketed green dress over thick tights with your hair set in elegant waves tucked back revealing your scar was being hidden. “What happened?”

“There were two Dementors, out near the park.”

You nodded and looked to Dudley waving your hand to summon a bar of chocolate you carried over to him. Gently you helped him up, “Come on Dudley.” On his feet he whimpered and you led him to the couch then turned to charm the channel to one of his favorite shows stirring a hint of a grin onto his face as you crouched in front of him unwrapping part of the chocolate bar, “Now, you just snack on this and enjoy your show. Much better soon enough.”

He nodded and accepted the chocolate as you stood and moved to Petunia and Vernon in the dining room still wide eyed, Vernon, “Chocolate? That’s all?”

“A Dementor is a creature that feeds on your happy thoughts leaving you with your most frightening and dreaded moments of your life. They’re under the control of the Ministry, how one let alone two got here is puzzling, though I promise you the effects are temporary and should wear off in a half hour or so after the attack. He seems better already. Don’t panic, all they’ll say is he had a panic attack or something when he bounced back in the Hospital.”

Harry looked you over as Petunia asked, “Were, you at a party?”

You shook your head, “No, one of Mum’s friends got me a bit in her film, which, I should get back, they think I’m getting some air.” Looking to Harry you said, “Wait here, just another hour or so on set and I’ll be back we can talk it all out.”

He nodded then you paused at his body shifting at your step back to the door, “A film? I thought you hated performing.”

You rolled your eyes, “Give me an hour, I’ll explain.” Looking to Petunia you said, “Just let him relax. Back in a bit.”

.

You did come back, and in the weeks of silence from Ron and Hermione along with everyone else Harry sat up in his room waiting out until he would be taken back to the Grimmauld  Place entrance. His hope being that it was true when you had said he couldn’t be expelled without a hearing first and that Dumbledore would handle that.

Freshly scrubbed without a trace of makeup and scars fully visible in boots, jeans and a sweater you sat with the family calming them all down until you said you had to go. No explanation as to where or why he couldn’t go off to your home right then, just stating you had somewhere you needed to be, leaving him in some odd silent limbo with Hedwig nowhere in sight.

***

Shakily you inhaled and outside a dilapidated manor you approached the gate alongside Lucius and Regulus. Your film role having ended the day prior, a last minute flight had brought you here. Mustering up your courage you eyed the familiar Death Eaters along the way, Igor, Barty, Snape included.

Straight through the halls with their dilapidated illusion dropping into pristine condition until a wing backed chair in front of a fireplace was in front of you. A crossed leg with a raised bare foot left your view and Riddle was standing in front of you with hand extended welcoming you into the chair across from him. All about the Tournament was shared and intently he stared at you until you got up to the graveyard again.

“I am curious, why join me? With all you have achieved in facing off against Fudge? Proving yourself to be of such impeccable moral fiber.”

A smirk eased onto your lips and you said, “Fudge has it coming, the coward, besides, what better cover than the hardworking youngest member of the prestigious Black family. Think of how useful that cover could be.”

“I have.” Looking over your shoulder he locked eyes with Barty, “It appears you were right Barty.” With a sigh he rose and motioned for you to do the same guiding you through the halls, in which you caught sight of a familiar long pursued criminal, Fenrir Greyback, the man himself who had first infected Remus. Now watching your every move intently with his group of werewolves behind him, “Every one of my followers must be put to the test, no matter their, relation, to me.” Emphasizing the word relation with a glance your way to see your reaction at his using it again.

At the end of the hall you eyed the dining hall with a restraint table in the center with split off sections for your arms coated with bindings of thick enchanted leather straps and uncharmable metal buckles. The very look of the hall making your stomach clench. Leaning in until he felt his lips starting to heat up barely inches from your ear he whispered in Parseltongue, “Let us see if your loyalty to kin is greater than that blood traitorous mother of yours.” Stepping into the room you eyed the table as he said, “Narcissa, prepare her.”

Heels clicked behind you with the door sealing after, hurrying to your side she raised a backless shirt from her bag she helped you into once you removed your sweater and bra. Softly in raising a ice scented leaf to your lips saying, “Chew and swallow this.” In your eyes looking over hers she said, “It severs emotions temporarily and dries out your tear ducts. You’ll need it. Deep breath and climb up.”

With a nod you followed the instructions and laid out on your stomach while she strapped your arms out at your side, your legs together were strapped down as you felt the clear sever of your emotions ceasing your looming panic attack at the filling of the room. No emotions, no tears. A sharp burn landed on your left forearm and the rule was named for you, ‘you cry you die’.

Upon placing the mark on your skin it would bleed and burn for two straight weeks and if a single tear was shed the mark would start to gush blood until you bled out. In failed tries not to scream out the pain was too much to hold off in the first few days. Though each time seemed more and more agitating for Riddle to bear often having him lapping the room to avoid watching it all. 

In and out of consciousness your back was at their mercy with your relatives giving the most convincing attacks on you to ward any others off trying to top them. Every marked Death Eater was welcome to a turn, though a small group only chose to do so under Riddle’s watch. Hours he would monologue missing the leaves your relatives would slip you before you would be left alone in the silent empty room.

***

A week came and went and a knock sounded on the front door on Privet Drive that pulled Harry from helping Petunia with folding the laundry to answer. Opening the door he saw the front entrance to the Black Family Home parting his lips with Remus there, “Hello Harry.”

“Hi. Um, Why didn’t Jaqi come?”

Remus grinned, “She’s not back yet.”

Harry nodded in his confusion, then turned to hurry upstairs, “I’ll get my trunk.”

In his absence Remus introduced himself to Petunia and chatted with her until Harry came back joining him through the door that closed and broke its link with the home Petunia checked by glancing through the mail slot. Inside the main hall Harry asked, “Where is everyone?”

Remus, “Oh, little bit of everywhere. You’ve missed a great deal Harry.”

Harry, “Like what?”

Remus, “Well, we’ve had a great deal of Aurors visiting lately.”

Harry, “Aurors?”

Remus, “From the old order.” Guiding him into the sitting room his bags were floated up to his room while Remus spread out the papers with headlines slandering a great deal of people, Harry, you and Dumbledore included. “Fudge has been busy trying to discredit all he can.”

Harry, “Why is he doing this?”

Remus, “He’s afraid Dumbledore is after his job.”

Harry, “No one in their right mind would believe that.”

Remus, “Fudge isn’t in his right mind. It’s been twisted and warped by fear. Now, fear makes people do terrible things, Harry. The last time Riddle was in power he nearly destroyed all we held dear. And the Ministry will do all in their power to hide from that terrifying truth. Riddle is back and no doubt amassing followers again, meaning we need to recruit as well.”

Harry, “Well if you’re building an army I want to fight!”

Remus sighed, “Let us hope we can avoid your taking part at all. First things first, Dumbledore has been reinstating the old Order.”

Harry, “Order of the Phoenix? That my parents were in?”

Remus chuckled, “We were all in it, but yes. See, Harry, there’s something, we believe, before he would try to come after you, that he would be searching for.”

Harry, “Like a weapon?”

Remus’ head tilted sideways, “In a way. Over all it’s useless, but Riddle put weight in it, so we will have to continue protecting it.”

Harry, “What is it?”

Remus, “A prophecy.”

Harry’s lips parted, “You mean like the one he heard to make him come after my parents?”

Remus, “The very same. He may believe he missed something in it, a way to protect himself again. But, prophecies are tedious and often grey matter. For now, you just relax, Draco should be home soon from the piano to keep you company and the others along in a day or two.”

Harry, “What about my expulsion?”

Remus chuckled, “Your trial will be in front of the entire Wizengamot in a few days. Arthur is going to take you most likely.”

A familiar picture on the table lured Harry to reach out for it, all the Marauders, Lily, Jewels and even you on Sirius’ chest asleep and even Alastor and Snape as well near Remus, “Original Order of the Phoenix. Marlene McKinnon. She was killed two weeks after this was taken. Voldemort wiped out her entire family. Frank and Alice Longbottom. Neville's parents. They suffered a fate worse than death, you ask me. It's been 14 years. And still a day doesn't go by I don't miss your parents. Then Jewels…”

Harry, “Do you really think there's going to be a war?”

Remus, “It feels like it did before. You keep it. Anyway, I suppose you're the young ones now.”

..

Arthur, “Trains. Underground. Ingenious, these Muggles.” Past the gates he got held up in for a moment due to uncertainty on how to pay the fare Arthur led the way through the tunnels and then out to the streets again for a winding path straight to a phone booth he stepped up to. “Here we are.” Harry glanced around then squeezed in with him, “I've never used the visitors' entrance before. Should be fun.”

Through the bustling crowds Harry caught on to a jumble of conversations, “Terrible. Lost a lot of Galleons trading on the potions market.”

“Daily Prophet, ladies and gentlemen. Anybody for Daily Prophet?” A teen selling papers cried out.

Instantly Harry’s eyes dropped to the title reading ‘Dumbledore: Is he daft, or is he dangerous?’

Through a black shining tile lined hallway full of green flashing floo entrances Harry held his pace at Arthur’s side only to peer up at the towers of glass wrapped offices looking over the indoor fountains with golden statues inside under a tall clock. Straight for a lift they walked and Harry raised his eyes to the floating paper airplane memos floating above their heads. Arthur eyed the man entering beside them, “Morning, Arthur.”

Nodding his head he replied, “Morning, Bob.” In a sideways lurch followed by a shot up Arthur caught Harry’s glance at the memos, “Interdepartmental memos. We used to use owls. Mess was unbelievable.” At the next stop of the lift Kingsley entered and passed Arthur a note, “Merlin's beard. Thank you, Kingsley. They've changed the time of your hearing.”

Harry, “When is it?”

Arthur, “In five minutes.”

The voice in the lift announced your next stop, “Department of Mysteries.”

Lucius next to Fudge spoke in a hushed tone, continuously glancing at his watch to ensure he got back to you quickly, “And I'm confident, Minister, that you will do the right thing.”

Fudge, “Yes, but we must be...” The pair stopped talking when they saw the pair passing them by heading for the waiting room Harry was expected in until he was called out.

Arthur, “Remember, during the hearing, speak only when you're spoken to. Keep calm. You've done nothing wrong. As the Muggles say, truth will out. Yes?” Harry nodded confirming the phrase, “I'm not allowed in, I'm afraid. Good luck, Harry.” The doors opened and Harry stood at his name being called leaving Arthur seated on the bench alone in the room.

.

Fudge, “Disciplinary hearing of the 12th of July, into offenses committed by Harry James Potter resident at Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic...Witness for the defense.”

His eyes rose to Dumbledore, who stood from his seat stating his name, “Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.”

Fudge, “You got our message that the time and place of the hearing had been changed, did you?”

Dumbledore broke his joined hands apart in an aloof wave off to his sides, “I must have missed it. But by a happy mistake, I arrived at the Ministry three hours early. The charges?”

Fudge, “The charges against the accused are as follows: "That he did knowingly and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions produce a Patronus Charm in the presence of a Muggle."

Auror, “Do you deny producing said Patronus?”

Harry, “No, but...”

Auror, “And you were aware that you were forbidden to use magic outside school while under the age of 17?”

Harry, “Yes, I was, but...”

Fudge, “Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot...”

Harry, “I was only doing it because of the Dementors.”

Fudge let out a disbelieving chuckle matched by a few around him, “Dementors? In Little Whinging?”

Umbridge, “Highly convenient.”

Harry, “I'm not lying. There were two of them, if I hadn't...”

Fudge, “Enough. I'm sorry to interrupt what I'm sure would be a very well-rehearsed story but since you can produce no witnesses of the event...”

Dumbledore, “Pardon me, minister, but as it happens, we can.”

Fudge’s face dropped and Mrs Figg was shown onto the witness chair Harry emptied to move into the stands behind him. “Please describe the attack. What did they look like?”

Mrs Figg, “Well, one of them was very large and the other rather skinny.”

Fudge, “Not the boys. The Dementors.”

Mrs Figg, “Oh, right, right. Well, big. Cloaked. Then everything went cold...as though all the happiness had gone from the world.”

Fudge, “Now, look here. Dementors don't just wander into a Muggle suburb and happen across a wizard. The odds are astronomical.”

Dumbledore, “I don't think anyone would believe the Dementors were there by coincidence, minister.”

Umbridge cleared her throat then let out a faint giggle, “I'm sure I must have misunderstood you, Professor. Dementors are, after all, under the control of the Ministry of Magic. And it's so silly of me, but it sounded for a moment as though...you were suggesting that the Ministry had ordered the attack on this boy.”

Dumbledore, “That would be disturbing indeed, Madam Undersecretary which is why I'm sure the Ministry will be mounting a full-scale inquiry into why the two Dementors were so very far from Azkaban and why they mounted an attack without authorization. Of course, there is someone who might be behind the attack. Cornelius, I implore you to see reason. The evidence that the Dark Lord has returned is incontrovertible.”

Fudge spat back making Harry’s eyes narrow at the clear fear in his expression, “He is not back.”

Dumbledore, “In the matter of Harry Potter the law clearly states that magic may be used before Muggles in life-threatening situations.”

Fudge, “Laws can be changed if necessary, Dumbledore.”

Dumbledore, “Clearly. Has it become practice to hold a full criminal trial to deal with a simple matter of underage magic?”

Fudge’s eyes narrowed, “Those in favor of conviction?” His, and a few others raised their hands, Lucius not included, who glared across at Umbridge who sent a sneer his way. “Those in favor of clearing the accused of all charges?” The remainder of those who had not voted already raised their hands and Fudge sighed, “Cleared of all charges.” A slam of the gavel and it was all through with Dumbledore storming out as Fudge did the same.

On his feet Harry turned around softly asking to himself, “Professor?”

At the door opening again Arthur entered with a grin saying, “Harry, let’s get you back home, hmm?” Harry nodded and hurried over to him eager to leave this place hoping that his friends would be back soon.

Pt 43

[datingadviceonreddit]

X-post from r/datingoverthirtyThis is gonna be stupid long but I would appreciate any advice. I am also an overthinker, so I might digress on certain details.Backstory: So it's been about 5 years since I had a real relationship. Im 32 now and think I'm ready to start this whole stupid thing called dating lol. My previous relationship.. We dated for about 4 years, were good friends/co-workers for years before that. All in all it was an ok relationship. We hung out alot, did stuff together like go out to dinner alot, watched movies and TV together, had sex here and there, both sides of parents liked the other person, she did convince me to change my college major to something I had more interest into. The bad parts were she was very verbally abusive like never appreciated things I did for her, would look down on me for stupid stuff, and she hated most of my friends for some reason. I'm pretty sure she was just a closeted bipolar introvert 🤣 Near the end of our relationship we would fight on and off about little things. It finally came to an end when she lost her job because the company went out of business, she didn't like living at her parents anymore and wanted to move out of state. Myself at the time had my own apartment and a steady job. It got to the point where she decided to move out of state and tell me literally the day before she was moving. Before I knew of her plans, That night she came over, we had dinner, watched a movie and had sex, then she dropped the bomb on me. I told her if she was absolutely committed to our relationship I would have really considered moving with her. The company I worked for was nationwide so that wouldn't have been an issue. That was met with a "no thanks, I dont see that happening" and she pretty much left my apt after that and we never spoke again except for some happy birthday texts and short small talk texts a year later. Nothing was ever resolved in a closure type way. The only thing that I know now is that she married some guy down where she lives like a year and a half after our breakup. Im thinking she may cheated on me near the end, but never admitted to it. I had severe depression for about 2-3 years after that. I just basically put it in my head that she died and focused on work and hanging out with friends and going out to the bar and just having fun. I Just had a fuck bitches, get money attitude. Work, have fun, get drunk alot, repeat. There's been a couple girls since then that I have hung out with a few times, mainly Friends of Friends, one one night stand from a bar, may be hooked up with them a few times but nothing of substance. They all seem to have issues, I had the foresight to see at least they would be terrible in a relationship. Those interactions ended as soon as they started because they were crazy. Over the years being in sales help me develop a confidence to talk to almost anybody. I think I can start a conversation pretty well, carry a conversation, I think I'm pretty intelligent and have interesting things to talk about, have interest in many many topics. I do joke around but it's usually like sarcasm and topic based humor. I think I can be complimentative and charming when need be. Now my downfall is that I live by the expectation of a false sense that people will always do the right thing and be responsible and being someone who I can count on. Because I overthink sometimes I create a perception of an interest and it doesn't turn out to meet that expectation. I am also brutally honest at times when I shouldn't be. I run my mouth to get my way sometimes. I think it's related to being aggressive in my previous sales job. I've recognized this and I'm still working on it.Current situation:I frequent this bar a few blocks from my house. I've been going there on and off for about the last 6 years. It's the type of place that I usually go to like Friday and Saturday nights, there's people around my age and they play good music have a good food and drink specials. Usually go there with a group of friends as well whenever we feel like going out, any day of the week. I'm friends with the managers and about 80% of the staff, bullshit around with the owner bunch of times. The owner has directly told me that me and my group of friends are like family there and if we need anything to let him know anytime. Soo..There is a new girl (29 yrs old) that's been working there for about 3 months and I think she's pretty damn cute but never worked up the balls to talk to her. One night going there with my group of friends, it turns out my best friend's brother-in-law came with us. He knew her from back in the day and started catching up. To protect their identity, We'll call him umm 'James' and new girl 'Ashley'. Me and James have hung out maybe about 15 times, I really wouldn't consider him to be a good friend but he's an alright dude to hang out with. We all started talking with her and we all become Facebook friends. About a week later, we are all hanging out having a bonfire, drinking, just having fun. After about midnight, everybody went to bed except for James and I. We were just talking and bullshiting, I mentioned that I had a crush on Ashley. He half joked, "let's text her and see if she'll come over". So he did and she responded and said she would come over for awhile. James kept joking with me saying she was coming over so he could bang her. James has a girlfriend, but they have one of those relationships where they fight, breakup and make up like every 3 weeks. Currently on the 'off week's as I put it. He was mostly bullshitting me to make me jealous. She comes over and we all just sat around the fire and We stayed up till 5 a.m. Just talking and having fun. No bullshit involved. Just talking about everything including how her ex cheated on her recently with a couple girls, how her friends flake on her and how she used to have an office job and only works at the bar because it's fun. After she went home, James stayed in the spare bedroom as I was driving him home the next day.Next time I saw her at the bar, I mentioned that we had fun and we should hang out again. She mentioned she had plans on the following Saturday to go to this other bar that was having a couple country bands playing. It used to be a bar that I would go to a lot in the past and liked. I wanted a chance to hang with her so I agreed to go with her. I didn't really look at it like a date because she told me to invite some friends as well.That Saturday rolls around and I'm excited to see her. We text back and forth about meeting up and taking Uber there because we will probably be drinking. We decide to meet at this bar that her roommate works at, 830 pm. She also mentions that she's had a cold and a small fever. She called me about 6 and says she still wants to go but to give her extra time to get ready and take some medicine. So we push meeting up to about 9. I get to our meeting point at 9 and wait for her, she is 15 minutes late. Whatever no big deal. She shows up in a dress and smelling amazing, I compliment her. I pay for the first to Uber to the bar we were going to. We get there around 9:30, just walk around and she occasionally stops and talks to some random people she knew from there a while back. Small Talk catching up but she included me in the conversation. She introduced me as a friend. We check out some of the band's music, grab a couple drinks, dance a little.. she was flirty in the general conversations we had and at one point was talking selfies of us. We alternated paying for rounds of drinks and shots, I was only kind of buzzed. I'm sure she was too, but I don't know her tolerance like I know mine.2am rolls around and we get Uber again on her phone because mine died, she said let's get food and hang out at my house. We pick up taco bell and take a 20 min Uber back to her place (very close to my house as well). We are sitting together in the back and after about 5 minutes, she lays on me and I put my arm around and just caress her arm. We get to her place, We eat and were hanging out and just listening to Pandora on her living room tv. Had maybe another beer there and just talking and occasionally dancing terribly. We got to one point where I was sitting on the couch and she was in the recliner next to it. I get up and pull her over to the couch, we talked for a minute and I felt it was right to try to kiss her. I gently grabbed her face and tried to pull her in for it. She backed away and said she didn't want a relationship and wasn't looking to hookup. I said ok, I'm sorry I just thought it felt right. I held her hand and just told her I wanted to show her a guy can take her out for a fun time and she deserves better.At right around this point, her roommate comes down for food or something and we just start shooting the shit about sports and stuff. Ashley is like I still don't feel good and I'm tired, takes some cold Medicine and tells me I can sleep on the couch. I was like you have a couple dogs and they are probably gonna bug me all night, I might just go home. Her roommate jokes that Ashley has a king size bed and that she should share. I don't think it was a push to hook her up or anything. Ashley says "yeah you can share the bed with me but no funny business". We go in the room and I want to be respectful. She was laying in plain clothes (t-shirt and jeans). I'm laying next to her on my stomach still in my clothes as well but wide awake. It's a dark room and maybe I felt invincible in what I was saying. I started joking with her that she couldn't fall asleep because I was wide awake. Then I said "I meant what I said earlier, you deserve better. Better friends, better relationships, a better job." I dont really know why I said it, but I always fall for broken girls and think I can fix them or make their life better. I still joked around and then asked if she reconsidered that funny business. She was like "what do you mean, we're not having sex". I said "no, nothing like that maybe just making out. I don't know, I'm half joking". She was like "no, I'm about to fall asleep" and did almost instantly. I laid there for about 20 minutes while she fell asleep. I was literally still wide awake and didn't want her to be weirded out with me in the morning. I order an Uber on my phone back to my car. Sober by now. The Uber arrives and I wake her up and tell her I'm just going to let her get sleep because she is sick. She walked me to the door and we hug. I said "I had fun tonight and I'm sorry for being forward earlier". She said "it's okay maybe I lead you on some how".I don't really worry too much about it except for the end of the night being sort of a creeper. Monday rolls around and the bar is having a birthday celebration for one of the older bartenders. I'm friends with her so naturally I go up after work (10pm ish) with my best friend, his wife, his brother I hang with alot ('Mark') and their cousin ('Andrew').We are watching Monday Night Football and having a couple drinks and just celebrating the whole birthday thing. Ashley is there with a friend of hers, I don't really say anything to her for awhile. She said hi to me in passing I took that chance to talk to her for a few minutes. Everything seemed okay. The staff there decided they wanted to close around 1 to go to the casino afterward for the bartenders birthday. They start closing down and Ashley started to help them with some cleaning. All the staff was almost ready to go, but they changed their mind on the casino and said they were going to a strip club that the bar owner had buddies that worked at and and asked if any of our friends wanted to go. I said no I don't have money for that, I'm just going home. The bar owner said "don't worry about that, they are only open for like another hour. Just bring your friends and I'll get you in for free and I'll buy some beer for you guys". My best friend and his wife went home because they were tired and had to work in the morning. I was off the next day so I agreed to go. Me, Mark, and Andrew went in Andrews car and met them there.So when we get in, it's my group I came with, the birthday bartender, 3 other bar staff members, the bar owner, Ashley and her friend. We just hang around at this table, drinking a couple beers, joking around, making paper airplanes out of a stack of dollars and shooting them at the girls there lol. Just good old fun. No one got lap dances or anything. They close like an hour or so after, Ashley offers for people to come to her house to hang out. Not really to party, just hang out or sober up or sleep.Everybody except for the bar owner and birthday girl go over to the house. We are all hanging out in this basement just having another drink, listening to music and talking. I don't really talk to Ashley, because I'm letting her do her host thing and I didn't want to bother her. I was also drunk as hell from doing shots and drinking beer and I didn't want to do or say something stupid. About 45 minutes, Somehow some of the guys that work at the strip club come over and thought it was a party. They showed up with a bunch of weed, cocaine and Hennessy and a stripper chick.At this point, the bar co-workers leave. I do a couple Henny shots with one of the dudes. Ashley asks me to come upstairs and talk real quick. She takes me in her room and asked who those people are and how they got the address. I said I don't know. She said "maybe I'm naive but I've never been in this situation. I don't know them and I don't want them here, will you help me get them out of here?" I said sure, I'll see what I can do. Literally at that moment, everyone is upstairs now in the living room. We hear a loud bang in the bathroom. There is my friend Mark basically blacked out in the bathroom and he pissed himself. I'm pissed off that I have to babysit him and embarrassed that Ashley had to deal with that. Andrew and I agreed that we should probably take Mark home. I'm moving Mark into the living room when I see Ashley hanging around the strip club guys. They had a plate with Coke lines on it. Ashley had the plate in her hand but handed it off to the guy and said I'm good for now. I'm thinking she was offered some and refused. In the process of Andrew and I getting mark out of the door to the car, Ashley starts being really obnoxious and anxious repeating herself and saying that we can all just stay there and it's ok. Andrew and Mark are outside by this point. I said no we're just leaving. She kept being really anxious and I asked her why are you so wound up and anxious. I look into her eyes and they're open really wide and she utters I just did some coke. Me being drunk, I almost over react because it's a jarring situation and she's told me she's only done it like twice in her life. The girl I like and have a crush on is doing drugs after asking me to help get rid of those type of people. I asked her if we could speak in private and she refused. She said she would text me tomorrow. I later found out she said she was feeling overwhelmed with the situation and that's why she did it. I gave her a really sarcastic 'have a good night' and left.We go back to my house and everyone goes to bed. I'm in my room and I'm fucking boiling pissed at this point. I think all the liquor hit me and I overreacted and I couldn't contain myself. I got on my phone and I texted her. I went on this mini rant about how I was disappointed in her and if she was going to do drugs I didn't want to know her. I told her that's not my life or scene, that my friends don't do shit like that. Also saying I was disgusted in her decisions and how I was pissed that she asked for my help and then basically did the opposite. That maybe I built up an image of her in my head and it was wrong. I fall asleep. I woke up around noon the next day to an essay long text with terrible grammar and no punctuation at all. She basically yelled back at me and shamed me for making her out to be a horrible person and that I don't know her or what she's been through. That she's never been in a situation like that and felt overwhelmed and that's why she asked for my help. But then even said I'm probably just overreacting because I was drunk. I text her back and apologize, run some damage control saying it was just coming from a good place. She then almost brushed it off like it wasn't a big deal, blaming it on that I was drunk and probably didn't get good sleep the night before.I don't talk to her for about 3 days and then see her at the bar when I went up there. That night she saw me only said hi and only that. I was going to try to talk to her but she left early and took another female co-worker home.I text her something to the effect of "do you still hate me? I just don't want you to think I'm a complete asshole. I really was only looking out for you..let's talk sometime". The next night I go up there with some friends to hang out. She's working again. She said hi to me, sorry I didn't reply to your text I wanted to but I was busy all day. I just pulled her into me and hugged her and said I'm sorry. We then had random conversations throughout the night for like a few minutes at a time. Not mentioning what happened but just talking about different things. The bar closes at 2 but my friends wanted to leave at 1 to go have a bonfire and drink at the house. I invite two of the bartenders that were off already earlier that I know back and Ashley. They all said yeah we'll come over after everybody gets out of here. Ashley said she was kind of tired but would probably come. 330am rolls around no one shows so I'm like whatever man, I tried. My best friend's wife and one of her friends Uber up to this 24-hour diner nearby while me and besty stay at the house. Guess who's up at the diner? Ashley with some other co-worker. Best friend's wife went up to her and said "I thought you were coming over". Ashley said no I'm tired and just wanted food. Have not seen or talked to her since then. The other two bartenders text me in the morning and apologized for not coming saying they were too drunk and went home. I'm ok with that.So anyways in talking with many of my friends about this. I've gained some perspective on what I want in a relationship. I know I want all the right things, to do the right thing and to have someone that will provide support I can count on. It's just hard not knowing if I should continue pursuing Ashley or to move on. I know I fucked up I overreacting to the situation earlier in the week. I just don't know how she feels about the entire thing. I find myself staring at her picture because she's so damn beautiful. She has cute tendencies and surprisingly is kind of shy. I just don't know if it's really being shy and there's so much more to learn, or if she is truly something like a drug addict and manipulative or or she's just a broken soul and I feel like I have to fix it. That's my overthinking issue. This shit stresses me out.Tl;dr: Ex was a shitty bitch that fucked me up and now I had a decent "date" with a new girl but drunkenly overreacted to a recent drug use. Wat do? via /r/dating_advice

[zouanor]

10

“My dad’s sick.”

It was the first time in just about three weeks that i’ve seen Niall (and for a good reason this time). It’s the first time in three weeks that I wasn’t put under the stress of being someone I wasn’t. It was the the first time that I was able to breathe and just relax, do my own thing without being scrutinized or have weird looks given to me.

It felt nice.

Once Niall’s family had finally left, we both went out to dinner. He both had thanked me and apologized for everything that was either said or looked upon. I understand though, he wanted to make it realistic as possible. But he was also right back weeks ago when he said I would be asking him to do the same thing with my Aunt. But my family didn’t meet Niall, only heard of his name or seen a picture or two on Instagram (even though they still believe he’s not real).

While I went back to work and focusing of Cissy’s wedding with Charlotte and spending time with Liam and Louis, Niall went back to school. From what I gathered, he had to focus on a big test and continue on with his senior thesis. As much as I would’ve liked to see him, I rather him focus on something like that than me. After all, he spent nearly a month trying to play the role of boyfriend, and has probably learned a little too much about me.

Or maybe he hasn’t at all and I just played everything off like he knew he did.

Whatever it was, I think the both of us were thankful it was over.

Hanging out today was actually Niall’s idea. He wanted me to come down to Sheffield and we’d just hang about there. He said that Harry and Alexa might join us, but he didn’t know exactly due to whatever they were planning amongst themselves. I was fine with either, because even if I couldn’t hang out with them now, there were more times that I could.

So there was the two of us walking around Graves park around noon-time. It was colder than normal, so when I say I looked like an eskimo, I really did. I had a parka on with the fur hood covering my face and to say the least, I was bundled up. Niall on the other hand just had a winter jacket and a hat to keep himself warm, like the cold didn’t really affect him much.

Jerk.

While one hand held hot chocolate, the other was wrapped around Niall’s arm and into his hand. It was a new thing of ours, at least I think it was. I don’t know how it started or when it did, but I liked it. Most of the time I didn’t think about it until I felt warmth and realized that I wasn’t holding my own hand.

“He’s sick? Like is it a cold sick or he’s got something wrong with him?”

“Thats the thing, I have no idea. Charlotte and Mum’s keeping quiet about this. It’s like they don’t want me to know, but I’m a big girl, I deserve to know.”

“But what if they’re doing it to protect you?”

“Protect me how?” I asked before bringing the hot chocolate to my lips. I was confused on just about everything, about why they were keeping that from me and why they were, in Nialls words, protecting me.

“Well, what if they’re trying to find a way to tell you? I mean, you’re not always good with news right away. So what if they’re trying to find a good way to tell you, and not cause you to be upset about it?”

He was sort of right. I wasn’t good with news at all. A good example was when my mood dropped the day his family said they were staying for a little bit longer, and we saw how much my mood had dropped then.

“But I’ll be upset because they’re not telling me whats wrong. I mean, I think it has to be something bad if they’re not telling me anything at all.”

“It’s only your mum and Charlotte that knows, right?” He asked, tugging me over with him to throw his empty cup away before continuing on our walk.

“I have a weird feeling Liam knows. But Liam wouldn’t lie to me, ever.” I groaned at the thought of all three of them keeping this from me. What would make it worse was if Louis was told not to tell me either.

“For now, Flower, let’s talk about something different and not worry about this, yeah?”

And while I nodded my head in agreement, I was still going to worry.

~~~

We actually managed to meet up with Harry.

Niall said that when he got off the phone with Harry, he said that Alexa couldn’t join them because she went to be with family. While I was bummed that I wasn’t going to see her, I was actually happy to have at least the boys to keep up with.

“My favorite person is here!” Harry chimed once he had seen us. While Niall had (once again) suspected it was about him, he started beaming.

“Haven’t I told you? It’s always going to be Rosie. You’re my favorite too, just not, the favorite.” Harry smirked after putting emphasis on favorite. Niall went on to mumble a ‘fuck you’ but gave him a hug anyways, then moved to the side so I can get my hug from him.

It was Harry’s suggestion that we went to some hole-in-the-wall restaurant. I didn’t have a problem with that, I could find anything to eat at this rate.

“Why has Niall kept you away from me?” Harry asked minutes later, his arms folding against his chest, a cocky grin forming on his face.

“Because he’s jealous that I’m your favorite and not him?” That gave Harry another laughing fit and Niall muttering under his breath again.

“While yes, thats true, I wanna know whats been going on that you’ve been hidden away from me.”

“Busy I guess. I mean, i’ve been working a whole bunch, but I’ve also been working on wedding stuff with my sister.”

“Wait Charlotte’s getting married?” Harry had looked so confused while Niall started laughing.

When I first met Harry, he asked about me just like Niall had. So I had told him about my sister and my parents. Other stuff had came up, but he was always so intrigued about my sister for some random ass reason. Maybe it was because she was crazier than me, or maybe it was because I always talked about her more than my parents. Whatever the case was, he just… was interested in my life.

“No! Remember i’ve talked about her friend Cissy? I’m helping Charlotte plan Cissy’s wedding because Cissy doesn’t like event planners because they ruin things. Charlotte’s the maid of honor and I’m walking with the ring bearer and flower girl so they won’t kill each other.”

Harry’s expression changed into an understood look, and nodded his head slowly.

“So you’re going to walk with kids? Do you have a date?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

As quickly as he asked that, it was also as quick as I grabbed my drink and took a sip. I looked at him for a split second before moving my eyes in the direction of Niall. Niall, on the other hand, had his arms crossed and looked around every place he could without looking at Harry.

“No fucking way. He’s meeting your whole family at a wedding? Fuck, can you record that for me?”

“No!” I hollered rather loudly, my hands going straight to my mouth as my cheeks with a shade of red. I didn’t need people’s attention on me because of that and I didn’t want it.

“Dammit, that’s going to be a lovely ‘meet the parents’ plan. Have you at least seen her dress, mate?”

For the rest of dinner, Harry droned on and on about the wedding details and Niall’s involvement as being my date because I played his girlfriend. It went to the point of us saying goodbye to each other and Niall pushing Harry off in the direction he was in, saying something along the lines of “shove off” and “good night.”

~~~

“Why can’t you just stay.” Niall whined again.

After dinner with Harry, we went off to do our own thing again. We mainly went walking around the school campus. Once again, my arm was linked around his from earlier in the day, only we had no hot chocolate this time. I opted to hide my other hand in my coat pocket to keep warm instead and worried less on the hand that would be frozen.

“Cos I’ve got to work and you have a senior thesis to write.” I reminded him.

“That’s not fair.” He huffed then, making a frowny face because of it.

“It is fair, because you’ve got a paper to write and I know come december you’ll have to get it all edited by a teacher and have to rewrite it. More slacking means more stressing on it down the line.” I hummed.

“How do you know that?” He made a face at me.

“You’ve mentioned it once or twice.”

“I did?”

“You did.” I confirmed.

“Oh.”

We moved on from the campus down to the main street. It all fell silent again as we walked, and in a way, it was soothing and nice. I mean, I know talking was nice and so was a conversation, but having silence was a good thing too. After all, being in the presence of someone was good enough in the long run.

Niall guided me to the train station, knowing that even if he begged and pleaded all he wanted, I still had to go back home. Not to mention, it would’ve been weird if I had stayed, because it technically would’ve been the first time ever staying there.

As in, fully sleepin there. Staying the night. With him.

As much as the offer was nice, there was no way I was ready for that? Let alone even prepared for something like that.

The sky was turning pretty shades of pinks and oranges just like the morning would, only it was showing the sun was setting. Because of this I held onto Niall a little bit tighter, even though there wasn’t a reason for it. But knowing that once we would get to the train station and get my ticket, the sky would probably be black out.

“When are you coming back North?” I asked randomly, realizing that we were getting closer to the station.

“Dunno, maybe next week? It’s the end of october, everything’s starting to get crazy. Why what’s up?”

“Just wondering if I’ll see ya or not.” I shrugged my shoulders then.

“Why?” He asked again, this time stopping in our tracks to look at me.

“I’ve got plans coming up and I wanted to know if you coming up to Leeds would interfere with them or not. Now can we continue walking?”

Niall rolled his eyes then, leading us to start walking again. Although he had said next week, I was pretty sure he was going to stay down in Sheffield for the next couple of weeks because of school. It would be okay for me, because that way I can get things done with Cissy and probably get my own place decorated for Christmas and whatever else I needed to do.

Upon getting to the train station and paying for my ticket, Niall waited with me there until the train came. We stayed in silence once again, this time appreciating it as we waited. Or well, I waited and Niall stood there to keep an eye out on me.

“So… about that dress.”

“You’re back on that subject?” I turned to look at him, a smirk forming on my face as he sheepishly smiled at me. “No, it’s a surprise. Literally no one has seen it. You’ll just have to wait like everyone else.”

“But how am I going to match?”

“Guess you’re not going to match then.” I started to laugh once Niall made a horrible attempt at a glaring look.

“When is the wedding, seeing as you never brought up a date at all.”

“May 10th down in London. You know where the Royal Exchange is? That’s where we’re going.”

By then the train had arrived and waited for everyone to aboard and get off. I walked over to Niall, hugging him tightly before letting go and made a face.

“I’ll see you soon.” Niall spoke, giving a little wave as turned to walk into the train.

I really hoped I would see him soon.

~~~

The following morning I was up and waiting around for Charlotte.

After I had gotten home last night Charlotte had called me, asking if I wanted to hang out. I told her I had just gotten home, and so today would be better than last night. I had no idea what we were doing, but I all i know was that she wanted to hang out.

“You’re awfully giddy looking today, Rosie? What’s gotten into you?”

“I am?” I asked. I didn’t think I looked giddy today at all.

“You look it. Is it a boy?”

“No?”

She made that infamous face of hers, saying “okay whatever” without being verbal about it. It was a look that she normally gave me when I wanted to play dumb, or that I was confused by her actions. And right now, I was confused by her actions.

“Anyways, we’re going to plan your birthday.”

“My birthday isn’t until December… We’re on November 4th. We don’t need to do anything for my birthday.”

“C’mon Rosie, we went to Amsterdam for my birthday! This time around we get to celebrate yours in a different place. Where’d you wanna go? Paris? Madrid? Rome? Greece? C’mon give me some ideas!”

“It’s the two of us, yeah?”

“Mhm.”

The two of us went walking. I figured we had no exact place to go too because we were wandering. I didn’t mind though, walking around with no destination. It had became my new favorite hobby to do, even if we had someplace to go, just walking was a new thing for me. And since that's what Charlotte and I were doing, I was perfectly happy doing that.

My birthday was on December 10th, and Charlotte wanted to plan my birthday now.

Thinking about it though, it made sense. I had weeks to plan her birthday and now she wanted to have the same amount of time to plan for my birthday. I was glad that she was at least offering different places and ideas.

The first thought in my mind would’ve been Belize to see my dad, but Charlotte and I were going in the summer and that would’ve been a little too much.

“What about Madrid?”

Charlotte turned to look at me with a big smile on her face.

“Madrid it is.”

We continued walking for a little while until we found a restaurant to eat at. Charlotte raved on and on about how good the food was since she had been here a few times with some of her friends. I wasn’t trusting her until I had some for myself.

After what seemed like forever, I had to ask.

“How sick is dad?”

That got Charlotte to choke on her meal, reaching for her water. I sat there quietly, watching her trying to get her thoughts together and to clear her throat. I wanted to know, I had to know.

“He’s fine, Rosie. Just had a minor cold, nothing to worry about.” She made it seem as if it was nothing to worry about. That wasn’t what I heard a few days ago, saying that they were worried and wouldn’t tell me.

“That’s not what you guys made it out to be.” I huffed.

“Rosie, don’t worry about it, alright? Mum and I got it under control.”

I didn’t know what it was, but what she said made my blood boil. I didn’t like the idea of not knowing, and so this was just the icing on the cake. I looked around quickly before making a drastic decision. Grabbing my bag I hopped off my seat, giving her a look.

“Whatever Charlotte.”

And while I heard her protests for me to come back, I didn’t.