Laura S. Fox

Oh, yes... for the readers at least

Chapter Twenty-Nine – Useless Corrections Brad’s text had been short and simple. And it put Lyn in quite a tizzy because he definitely didn’t have time to run through his entire hair routine or surrender the little time available to the minutiae involved with his personal grooming regimen. The island had many things to offer and apparently Brad was in the mood to hike to the highest peak around. That meant hours of walking, so even the three hours he had promised might not be enough. L

Early days... well said! Although we don't have many days left... they will feel like a lot, because a lot will happen! Lyn does reach the realization that his crush is no longer valid. That's a young person's game, after all. They have marked each other... in deeper ways already. They will continue to do it.

Ah, Maestro, I'm so happy to read the first paragraph of your comment! I know people get frustrated with lack of development - this wouldn't be the first story of mine where this happens - but I am obsessed with having the right pacing. Unlike for other stories, where I don't plan ahead and my notes are basically a string of scene ideas that I know I have to connect coherently, I did a loose plan for this one for the days of this vacation so I can aim at having Lyn realizing things and acting on them at what I consider the right moment. Yes, he realizes he's grown a lot since crushing on Brad in college! He didn't know it until he was here, 'fooling around' with Alexander. That's why the admission is a bit of a mild shock. But it does the trick. Brad is... Brad. The same from the past, or at least on the surface. As we dive deeper in both present and past, there will be layers to unveil there, too, I promise. Lyn is, however, different. Not fundamentally, that's not realistic, but he now knows that having a crush and friendly affection are two different things. Did I ever mention this line from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer that kept circling in my head while writing this story? 'Amy Lawrence had vanished out of his heart and left not even a memory of herself behind.' That's when Tom sees Becky Thatcher for the first time, if my memory still serves me. When I was young - from seven-ish years old (when I read the story the first time) to at least fourth grade - I re-read Tom Sawyer about eleven times. And this line stayed with me forever out of many other great lines in it. You're so right about Brad having to be honest... Will he be? He has to, and that's all I'm going to give you on this front. Alexander doesn't play at seduction, and I think that's what makes him... real. It's the real deal for him, and Alexander from the past did play a role because it was demanded of him, at least to a degree. So Lyn needs to adjust to this new version of the demon... and I think, so far, he's doing well. I really loved your comment - but I always do. Only that now I feel deeply flattered - and rewarded - because while the chapters for this story are shorter than what I usually write, they take me considerably longer to write, just because I'm getting so obsessed over finding the right words and nailing the right meaning for each scene.

Ha-ha, well said!

Lyn has grown over the years at least in some aspects. There are complicated feelings at play. Yet still, at this point, deflecting and taking Alexander's attitude as teasing is easier than exploring the truth.

I'm glad you guys started to notice the change in Lyn's thoughts!

oh, oh, oh

To match!

You guys are getting to know me way too well, lol!

He has... let's see what he says...

He-he, with each comment on this thread... I'm getting worried!

They so are!

They were all packed in this scene together, so I'm happy you noticed

You guys!!!!

oh, damn...

He might... but I will let the man speak for himself in the following chapters.

If you know me by now, when that happens... it will be charged on more than one level. And, of course, it will be meaningful.

Alexander is not infallible! I like to believe that you guys will be as surprised as him when Lyn comes back from seeing Brad alone.

They will talk about it... in a very intense moment.

Chapter Twenty-Eight – [Memory, April, Sophomore Year] – Of Nuts, Bolts, and Wrong Screws Lyn observed the crooked bookshelf with a critical eye. How Alexander could leave things in such disarray despite having the funds to remodel his entire dorm room if he so desired was beyond him. Spreading out his little pouch of tools in front of him, he set himself up to work. This sort of college dorm furniture tended to come with vague instructions and even vaguer screws, but he had lately become a

Thank you!

I've never had kale in my life, but so many people say they hate it... yet it appears to be included in so many smoothie recipes, I reached for it like a low-hanging fruit. Ha-ha- Hung like a wolf sounds just right. Thank you for being here for the story!

Thank you! I'm so happy to hear it!

There will be quite a bit of those! I wanted to write their earlier interactions so that the romance - especially - makes sense.