BDANR

Shout out to @Comicality for posting Kool and the Gang and @jamessavik for posting the very funny Chris Farley! RIP. Like @Sam Wyer and @MacGreg I'm very much a newbie myself and have only been here for two months, though it definitely feels longer! I feel a little bit like I'm crashing the party... But I want to thank the staff for creating and monitoring this gem. You all have created something truly extraordinary, though you didn't need me to tell you that :). I LOVE to write and I LOVE to read poetry. Been writing since I was in elementary school. But I stopped writing like I used to because I had no one to share it with. To be able to join a community where I can be encouraged, challenged, related to, and given guidance to be the writer that I want to be (with other gay writers at that!) has been an unexpected blessing, and a very much needed space during this particular time in my life. I'm very thankful for the connections I've made here, having a place to share our lives and our stories. Happy 15th Anniversary GA! I'm happy to be here, and I hope to be here for years to come :).

The answer to your question just might be coming in the next few chapters! Filiberto is definitely being very selfless considering what Jesse and his relationship started off as. And Devan, always being Jesse's safety net, is starting to demand more from him, which is exactly what Jesse needs. Hopefully, the two of them can put him on the right track. But yes! Jesse coming through for Stefan in this moment of the story really shows his humanity. I've been having some days off and have been able to get quite a bit of writing done lately. Unfortunately, I have to go back to work soon . I can't promise that I'll be able to finish a chapter by the end of the week, but possibly the next :D?

Devan is handling that situation very well! Showing a lot of strength as you mentioned. Stefan is definitely in a bad situation. Hopefully, this episode will convince him that it's time to leave.

Yes, Jesse might need to be taken down a notch!

Sorry!! Yeah, Jesse's got a long way to go xD! Thanks for enjoying my pace :)!

Stefan thought he was going crazy. Jumping at sudden movements, mind racing, nowhere was safe. Chris had triggered Stefan greatly, coming at him in a way he had never done so before. Questions kept flooding his mind. What would’ve Chris done to him yesterday after refusing to sleep with him? Did he do something to set Chris off? Should he have called for help? What would’ve happened if he did call for help? Stefan was uncertain if he made the right decisions that day, in addition, concerned abou

First off, I wanted to thank you for your openness in sharing the connection you made with my story. While I did write this piece so anyone and everyone could read it, the audience that I most wanted to reach out to were other survivors. I'm very happy to hear my story has moved you in some way :). I also wanted to mention that I appreciate you bringing up Jordan's role in all this. I cannot express enough how necessary it was to include a character like Jordan in this story at the time that I wrote it. His presence is significant and makes you appreciate the individuals in your life who weather the storm if I can use my story's title. Thank you again for reading and commenting, - Bryant

Thank you for sharing your life with us through poetry. It sounds as though it's been a struggle. I really liked your style and use of repetition. Your voice will be greatly appreciated here :). Hope to read more of your work soon, - Bryant

Thank you for your words mogwhy. I'm so sorry to hear you've experienced this as well and that this piece brought something up in you, as you said, that you'd prefer "not to poke." It's still hard to hear the word sometimes, for what happened to us. You are so right, we are survivors and I wish our minds didn't trick us into believing that we should carry the blame for something that we're not responsible for. It's a reminder I have to tell myself every day: I did nothing wrong. Thank you so much for reading, even though it must've been difficult.

Thank you, JP :). I wish I had someone tell me back then that I didn't need to carry that shame. It would've saved me from a lot of hard times. It's tough to shake it currently due to my recent attack, but as you all have pointed out, courage comes from speaking up. Your words were needed, JP. Thanks again...

I'm really glad you mentioned Jesse! I attempted to try and balance his character out, especially in this chapter. He's a difficult character to empathize with, but I'm hoping my readers will find him somewhat redeemable at least before the story ends. I'll certainly try :P! And yes, Stefan has great support through this, and hopefully, that will make the difference between Stefan staying or going. I am sorry you've had that history with your mom. It's really hard to give someone you care about and rely on for protection forgiveness after that. My heart goes out to you, and thank you for your sharing your story. Thanks again for reading, Bryant

You're welcome, Parker. I appreciate your words :).

Yes! Stefan fighting back is exciting to write about. Awareness is the beginning of the battle... Thanks for commenting :).

Thanks for commenting Parker. Sorry, it's been a difficult read :(. This is definitely one of the more scarier chapters (in terms of Stefan's story), but maybe I can give my perspective on this chapter to see if it changes anything for you? As awful as Stefan's attack was, I think we're coming to a point where Stefan is now envisioning a future outside of Chris. Before, he was in denial of the abuse and truly loved him. But in this chapter, I wanted to suggest that something is clicking in him. He's realizing that what he's going through isn't okay and that leaving is an option for him, especially in the last few sentences of his story. For Devan, he's definitely coming across a real challenge here, "a hard, slog of a battle" as you mentioned. In this chapter, I wanted to hone in on Devan's resilience in the face of all this. He knows it would be hard, and he believes this battle to be worth it. He went through the hurdle of grieving his brother's death, and now I see him using that strength to connect with Jade, even though his family will be an obstacle. I hope you can pull through. I appreciate your comments :).

Thank you, Def :))). I really appreciate you commenting.

Thank you for commenting. I appreciate your support :').

It’s no secret: Leroy hates most physical activity. Going on hikes. Bike rides through the neighborhood. Walking. Leroy has a phobia towards the outdoors and pretty much anything that involves him doing something that will make him sweat. Leroy, Jace, and I have P.E. during first period. Jace used to think Leroy was cute because of his “innocence.” But he would deny his attraction after Leroy said the arts were for sissies. “I’ll show him a sissy,” Jace said as we entered the locker rooms.

I know I made my drink too strong The alcohol was aplenty I made the mistake to trust him I should have watched my back Should I have had someone watch me? Kept my feet on the floor I should have made a plan to go You can’t trust anyone But I’m supposed to trust my friends Should I have not told them? Would they have never left my side? Do they think I’m a lie? I should not have confronted him I only hurt mysel

Today was the day. Chandra’s bag and suitcase were all ready to go, placed next to the door. Stefan returned to the room, coming from outside. Chandra was in the mirror putting on eyeliner and Chris sat on the couch watching TV. “The car is all set,” Stefan said. “I can grab your suitcase for you. Do you have everything?” Chandra put her makeup away. “I do. Let me just put away my things.” Chandra grabbed her peach colored bag from the bar and stuffed it in her luggage. “Are you s

That's right, what he's done has negatively impacted everyone he cares about. It's not going to be easy to rectify what he's done.

Yes, Jesse is just beginning to understand the aftermath of his actions. You'll soon find out what his response is to this drastic change in his life. Nikolai will definitely need some time to heal after this. And yes! Chandra is Stefan's rock. It's nice to write about their relationship.

I really enjoyed the beginning to this. The instrumental went very well with the chapter as well. Thank you for this :)!

I really like this! I loved how you told this story through poetry. The open-endedness of it had me thinking as well. Thoughtful and intriguing :)!

The sun stung Jesse’s eyes as he attempted to pry them open. His arm hung on the edge of a navy blue couch. His mouth still had the aftertaste of liquor in it and his head throbbed viciously. He attempted to sit up, lazily wiping the sleep from his eyes and getting acclimated to his surroundings. “You’re awake.” Jesse blinked and turned his head to the kitchen. His tired eyes attempted to focus as he saw a familiar face with a white tank top and boxer shorts. “I’m making coffee. Want some?”

Very hard to read, Timmy. I could def feel your anguish . Sending hugs !