Hubert11

Spent years reading this story and now I will miss it. But I am grateful you kept to it. Still think it could be a novel. Thank you for everything and for sharing your writing with us.

“Wouldn’t Tara and Shay still being there tip her off?” I asked, raising my eyebrows, but I couldn’t help thinking that with Cindy stuck and everyone we knew being there. The town would be deserted and ours for the taking if we wanted. “Maybe they’ll leave too,” Mom said and I watched her smile widen and I squinted thinking there was more to what she was saying than she let on. Is Jackson's mom hinting to something about Tara and Shay's relationship? Are they a gay couple too?

This was a thrilling chapter, you really made it feel like we were in the middle of the action. I've said it before, but I will say it again still, this could be a published novel.

Thank you! Thank you! I know you have struggled with this but just know that reading this story inspires so many of us. Thank you for all of your hard work and all of your efforts!

Just reread this chapter. Outstanding writing, wish I could write as well as you do. Not that my opinion matters much, but there are only a handful of stories that I find could actually be publishable, and this is certainly one. And I feel this way without the story even having been completed yet! Keep writing! I eagerly await the next chapter!

But she's also a teacher in a high school! She should know better than to behave the ways she does and the impact of her hateful words towards Jackson could have on his psyche. At this point it's not just trying to discipline Jackson, it's cruel and abusive. One would hope that a teacher understands the power / influence they have over a teenager. Cindy is a monster because in order for her to assert control she finds it necessary to disparage Jackson, to not just criticize but to make him feel worthless.

I think Cindy proved again how unnecessarily cruel she can be and to a teenager! I don't understand these parents who just want to shelter their children. Don't they know that their child will grow-up under prepared for the real world? Cindy just wants Luke to be a stunted and complaint drone. It is selfish and unrealistic!

I really hope you continue with this story. It's by far one of the best things I've read on this site.

"Monday couldn’t come soon enough." Jackson is correct, Monday really can't come soon enough. Must know what happens next!!!

Definitely not dragged out! The insight into Jackson's thinking, all his strategizing, while he was swimming was fascinating. It showed a maturity within him that was refreshing. Not a sports fan (though I do enjoy watching all the swimming during the Olympics, there are hot men in speedos), but I did honestly really enjoy all the swimming parts in this chapter. The tension was so intense and really captivating, I felt it viscerally.

I swear you're trying to give me an ulcer! This chapter was so anxiety inducing, in the best way! I couldn't handle it at times and actually had to pause and switch to something else so I wouldn't freak out! Just incredible writing, I thought this was one of the best chapters yet!

This story is heartbreaking. I love Jackson, he is so much more than what others must see in him, especially Cindy! But he keeps everything so bottled up inside, he doesn't share with his parents, who go the extra mile to support him, or to Emily! If he doesn't open up soon, he will explode. I am so scared for him.

I actually think you left us with a lot left to learn about Enzo. He might make a fascinating main character. Also, the biggest homophobes tend to be the biggest closet cases...

Kevin says about himself, "so he could see me for who I really was: the kind of guy who had no business dating a Senator’s son, and no business at Tulane or drinking pink champagne or talking about a seventeen course dinner on the Las Vegas Strip." This just broke my heart because he does belong at Tulane and he is good enough to be dating a senator's son. He appears to just let all of the awful things that happen to him roll off his back, but they do have an impact on how he views himself, as being unworthy. But he is so intelligent, insightful, and way to aware of the world for his age, he is far brighter and more deserving of being at Tulane than most. It is so disheartening that he doesn't recognize how deserving he is. I also want to add that this chapter was stunning, the insights you offered into this character were examples of truly incredible writing. Thank you for this chapter, it was hard to read but so rewarding.

Well you've given it away I guess. We know now officially that Stephanie is pregnant.