romance
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Chapter 10: Melting
“Your smile ignites just like a candlelight.” -Melting, Kali Uchis, 2015. Dinner was chaos–classic Noche Buena chaos. Cousins zig-zagging between chairs and counters, snatching slices of pineapple-glazed ham, scooping arroz de coco and arroz con gandules into paper plates, already sagging under the weight of too much food. The uncles barged in from the back Continue reading
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Chapter 10 (Teaser)
“Livie, watch the plate!” she yelped as her niece wobbled dangerously, then Izzie made a dramatic dive for the phone, just as Adamaris reached for it. Snatching it up like it was a live grenade, she pressed speak and tried to pretend she wasn’t slightly out of breath. “Hey Quinn,” she said, trying to sound Continue reading
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Chapter 9: Ghost
“But your ghost, the ghost of you–it keeps me awake.” – Ghost, Ella Henderson, 2014. It was like being plunged into an ice bath. From mild California sunshine to a ruthless 35 degrees, Chicago in December did not play. The wind cut right through her jeans as she stepped out of the airport, and for Continue reading
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Chapter 8.1: Halloween 2009
Halloween 2009 “I thought I was a fool for no one, but oh baby I’m a fool for you.” – Muse, Supermassive Black Hole, 2008. Halloween at Aspen Brook High always had a certain electricity to it. Coming off the heels of Homecoming, it was the next best excuse to dress up, go out, and Continue reading
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Chapter 8: See You Again
“I wonder if you look both ways when you cross my mind” – See You Again, Tyler the Creator featuring Kali Uchis, 2017. The next morning rolled in like the clouds over the area. The December gloom, as they called it. It almost felt like home, if the air didn’t smell so sharply of sea Continue reading
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Chapter 7.1: Early September 2009 (Sophomore Year)
“I’m with the Party Rock Crew, all drinks are free.” – Shots, LMFAO, 2009. Third period was English Honors. Only for the nerds and the kids who had their nose in a book. Unfortunately for Izzie, she had to read all summer for this class. Truthfully, she wanted to re-read New Moon in preparation for Continue reading
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Author’s Note:
If you’ve read this far, you’re officially a quarter of the way through the story, CUH-RAZY! Thank you so much to those who have provided me feedback of the story, whether it was technical, grammatical, laughter, tears, or all of the above. These next upcoming flashbacks within the chapters are officially diving into Izzie’s sophomore Continue reading
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Chapter 6.1: Early June (2009)
“It was never my intention to brag, to steal it all away from you now.” – Misery Business, Paramore, 2007. This was it–that quiet hum in the air. The air of surviving freshman year of high school. Izzie sat outside on the grass, soaking in the warm spring breeze, eyes closed, arms stretched behind her. Continue reading
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Chapter 6: Don’t Smile
“Don’t smile because it happened, baby, cry because it’s over.” – Sabrina Carpenter, Don’t Smile, 2024. “Okay,” Izzie exhaled as she eased into her chair, gesturing for both Maya and Jennie to take the seats in front of her desk. Jennie immediately reached for one of the fidgets on the table. Maya’s hand twitched–like she Continue reading
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Chapter 5.1: February 2009
“It’s much better to face these kinds of things, with a sense of poise and rationality.” -Panic! At The Disco, I Write Sins Not Tragedies, 2005. Izzie sat in the dean’s office, legs swinging mindlessly as her heart thudded hard in her chest. She was known for being a goodie-two-shoes–except for that one fight back Continue reading
Me, You, & The Party Rock Crew 