Cynus

“Dude, they all keep looking at you.” I follow Travis’ gaze and see the morning crowd of students whispering in their cliques and pointing at me. It’s happened a lot in the last two weeks, ever since the shower incident. They know who I am now, at least, and what’s better is I’ve been able to shower every day without worrying about it. Having done it once, the other times didn’t take much courage at all. And as an extra bonus, I smell nice. Isn’t that lovely? “Maybe I should ju

Well, this time I didn't take notes throughout. I was too enamored by the story to do any such thing. I keep feeling like Tallen is still hiding something, despite his willingness to go through his past like that. No, it's not just a feeling, I'm sure he's hiding something incredibly important. But, then again, you wanted us to notice that, didn't you? I'm still worried about Frostie, but I'm glad he had a good time on the date. They are good together, at least for now. Whatever that secret Tallen has, it could easily turn things on their head, but hopefully they'll still come out on top. I love it. Thanks again!

Uh-oh, Sophie's getting in the middle of things. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Did I mention last time that I'm a huge sucker for guys with green eyes? My first boyfriend had green eyes, and I've loved them ever since. Oh! Sophie did NOT just do that to Frost! I'd have slipped into the office for sure in this case, just to spite her for meddling. I'm sure it's going to make for a better story that Frost chose the other route. Maybe that's why I never have any adventure in my life? I'm too busy spiting it when it shows up on my doorstep. I'm not sure I like the idea of the date any more than Frost does. . . I see a lot of myself in Frost, even though I do have more luck in talking with people. I'm just as turned off by the idea of relationships, though. I adore Tallen, though. He has a bit of a roguish streak, doesn't he? I love rogues . . . Using Charisma as a weapon, now THAT's attractive. I'm glad Frost eventually accepted the date once everything was said and done. Great ending to a great scene. I love these characters, and I'm grateful you've brought them to life. Hope you don't mind me saying so, but I feel kinship to them, similar to how I feel toward my own characters. Almost like instead of my children (as my characters are), they're my nieces and nephews. Your response to my last review mentioned a fear that you're sometimes too wordy. Well, I can guarantee you that wasn't a problem in this particular section. This flowed beautifully. Thank you for writing this.

I write my reviews as I read the chapter, so earlier notes will refer to earlier points in the chapter and later notes to later points. You have an amazing command of descriptive prose. I'm looking forward to learning from you, especially as that is an area where I am weak in my writing. By a page in, I already know a lot about the protagonist, and I'm excited to see what has made him the way he is. Sophie was much the same way when she appeared in the story. I instantly have an image of her, and can emphasize with her. I see her in a number of people I know well in my life. Your characterization is spot on. Ugh. I'm dreading the moment I meet Chad. Tallen, on the other hand, is positively wonderful. At least what I know of him so far. Okay, finally making another note. I became so wrapped up in the story that I couldn't put it down to comment. You have me hooked. I'm ready to follow wherever this story leads. I'm eager to know who the wolf is, what the sigils, the glyphs, and the aether burns are all about . . . I can't wait! Thank you for writing this.

Email received and will be responded to soon. Thank you for that, and for the review as well. I'm glad you're enjoying the story and the picture. Clint and Angie's dad (Gabriel) is pretty damn awesome. I'd want him in my life, too. Thank you for the review!

Yay! I caught you off guard with something. It's about time. Clint's plans are the stuff of legend. At least he's not responsible for anyone else in his plans, haha! Brent and Sheila's family will be explained eventually, I believe . . . (can't quite remember exactly how much explanation I put in this story, but I am working on a sequel or five. Muse willing) Well, the next chapter is already here by the time I got around to this review. I'll respond to that soon. Thank you for the review!

Me too. My story "Across the Pool" describes why I didn't. He's kind of awesome though, isn't he?

Emi, that's my favorite scene in the entire story. I don't think I've ever written a parent/child scene I've liked more, though there are a few which come close. I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. Clint's one of my favorite characters I've ever created. The fact that everyone agrees with me is not lost on me. In fact, it makes me very happy. The flower sender may or may not be revealed. I honestly don't remember if I did so in this story or not. Thank you for the review!

Clint and Silas Drake would be best friends, I suppose. I honestly wasn't trying to extend all of those qualities to him directly. I determined a personality for him and then put him in situations and let him make his own decisions. This is the result. Clint developed himself. Thank you for the review!

Clint is one of the most forgiving people you'll ever meet. He let's go of things easily, especially if there's no harm done. He showed that here with Donny, and his overall caring attitude puts him in Donny's camp now. Heh. The flowers. I don't remember if I even reveal that in this story, but maybe I do? But yeah, Sheila and Brent . . . fun stuff, eh? And Clint's plan will manifest soon. Thank you for the review!

tim! It's so good to see you here. I hope if you choose to continue the story you'll enjoy it, but I understand your perspective. I have my reasons for both writing and enjoying teen stories, but I understand it's not for everyone. Thanks again for stopping by.

Travis and I sit in my room almost a week after I visited Donny. I haven’t had the chance to visit Donny again, but he did send me a text after he the hospital discharged him. He’s doing better, but he’s nervous about returning to school next week. Hopefully I’ll be able to help him, but only time will tell. There’s a definite spring in Travis’ step as he bounds up the stairs, a pillow in one hand and a bag with a toothbrush and some medication in another. He showed up as my sister, Dad

Thank you. That's great to hear, considering my current doubts. I'm glad you're still enjoying it.

Donny has a lot he'll have to deal with, that's for sure. Too bad it's somewhat justified, because that means he'll have guilt riding him as well. But he does have Clint, whatever that will mean in the end. Would you say that Angie is typical of a teenage girl, then? Or am I way off the mark? Having never been one, I'm not 100% certain of how they work, lol. Clint and plans . . . go together like peanut butter and hot sauce. Thank you for the review!

Are you ready for more character insight? Chapter 8 is here. Angie could definitely learn something from Clint, though he could learn from her, too. Clint's far from perfect, after all. Thank you for the review!

Can't said I've had one of those. I've taken risks, but they've never worked out for the better. I do have some times I wish I had, though. I'm working toward one right now, and it may come sooner rather than later if this itch doesn't go away. I might just walk away from my job someday, though, and sell everything I own before setting out to travel backpacking style. Same Q

Angie doesn't quite grasp all the different layers in the seven layer bestie dip. Don't worry, though, she's working on discerning what life is all about. She's got a good head on her shoulders, even if she doesn't always use it. Travis is scared (irrationally) that if he tells someone about Sheila, he won't be believed, and then he'll be dead for sure. He's been terrorized by this girl for a long time, so he's had a long time to get into his victim complex. And we'll find out more about Donny in the next chapter, which is available now. Thank you for the review!

I'm glad you caught the Sheila connection with Travis telling Clint to stay away. I'm not trying to directly conceal anything (well, maybe ONE thing), but I am trying to misdirect people. It's the game I get to play as a writer, and it's really the reason I enjoy writing. However, I'm happy whenever a reader gets one right ahead of schedule, though I probably wouldn't feel that way if it happened all the time. More on Donny's status in Chapter 8. Thank you for the review!

Well, Donny was hurt in the accident, just didn't die. The details on how severe will be given in chapter 8. Clint's guilt is certainly not justifiable, but in the complicated mess of emotions Clint was feeling, guilt simply sneaked its way in there. Travis and Angie . . . we'll just have to wait and see, eh? Lots of surprises in store. Get ready for a big reveal!

I have a rather complicated relationship with both of my siblings as well. We have a lot of issues in our family, and we skirt around them rather than deal with them more often than not. Some of those issues are actually rather serious, and I wish sometimes we only had such frivolous things as each others' opinions on friendships to worry about. Sorry about the lack of Donny. I didn't remember the chapter sequence as well as I thought. More on Donny in Chapter 8, I promise this time. Travis won't really be there for chapter 8, though. He'll be back in 9. Look forward to your thoughts on the next chapter!

There had to be something about Angie to make her more human, and this seemed to fit at the time. She's this tough martial artist who doesn't take crap from anybody. Making her a bit worldly allowed me to treat her as flawed, putting her in the same place as the rest of us. It's more that in Travis' fear he forgot Clint had ever revealed he was gay, because the immediacy of what Sheila did to him robbed him of his presence of mind. But yeah, complicated he will always be. Just wait, there's more . . . Thank you for the review!

That aspect of Clint's Dad, the quiet admonishment, was modeled after my own father. He never yelled at us, not for anything except to let us know that dinner was ready. There's a lot he did wrong by me in other areas, but that, at least, was something which stuck out to me as a positive. Sounds like both our fathers thought along similar wavelengths. Thank you for the review!

So, now you know there was more to it. How do you feel about it? I guess I'll simply have to find out in your other reviews. Thank you for your comments.

I’ve taken this road several times over the past few days, and though I’m new to the area, it’s starting to look familiar. The curves in the highway are becoming recognizable, and I can judge how far we are from Springville entirely from landmarks. Dad’s quiet and has been since we left the house, giving me a chance to focus on the scenery. Not that I mind. Travis offered me a distraction from worrying about Donny, but now that I’m alone with my thoughts again I need to figure out what

Isn't that the bane of all of us who work in Customer Service? I once had a customer so bad my coworker went out and punched the flagpole to dispel some of his rage. He ended up going to the hospital with a broken hand. The person below me has never broken a bone.