Laura S. Fox

Yeah, I agree with what you're saying, because if we were honest, we'd all surely have things in our past which we're ashamed of. And we'd be hard-pressed to dwell on them. That fateful night will get its moment on stage. I wouldn't leave you without a big reveal - or more.

Bella is saying as she thinks things stand for Brad and Lyn. She's not hiding anything on purpose. Oh, I assure you the 'rattling' will be more than just about a tutu and Luke wearing it. Lol - that last line! It made me think of the Hercule Poirot movies, for some reasons!

Well, I beg to differ. When characters in books put their trauma up front, it doesn't ring true to me. If something is painful enough, you can 'dance' around it, even in your own head. Like scratching around a wound.

They aren't aware of how they look to the outside world...

We're getting close to that moment - which moment, you guys know what I mean. As for keeping it hidden... who says they're good at it?

Chapter Thirty-Four – [Memory, Junior Year, October] – Where Have You Been? Lyn checked his wristwatch impatiently. While Brad wasn’t the poster boy for punctuality, he had never let him wait for so long. He needed to get to the library and, since Brad had insisted that setting a foot in that place might give him a terrible disease of an unknown origin or name, Lyn had agreed to wait here, in the quad. It was getting cold surprisingly fast and, foolishly, Lyn had thought that the light swea

Yeah, the theme of time is present in this story... and I've always find it fascinating how human beings relate to time. There was this thing I read - a while ago, so I don't recall the source - that said that people can perceive the passing of an hour, but they have more difficulty with perceiving the same (as astutely, that was my understanding) when years are involved.

He-he, thanks, and you're not sensing that for nothing...

Don't worry, don't worry, let me put your mind at ease... Lyn and Alexander aren't siblings, not half, not at all.

Oh, gawd, that would be so terrible, lol! I'm against spoilers, but I can tell you, guys, this: They're not brothers! That would have turned into a true telenovela... and I watched a few in my younger years, lol. I think I cried a little when Milagros discovered that Ivo was her long-forgotten brother (not true, phew) and she couldn't love him the way she loved him. (For anyone interested, they're the main characters in Muñeca Brava, which I watched at the time)

If I could make some special badges... you deserve the one for catching on the correspondence between these alternating chapters. Lyn must have lent his own perceptions to you because you felt for him and just like him! Brad doesn't comment on the house's state, because he's not there for that... And yet, they won't talk. I know, I know, guilty as charged

Yes, Brad started something... then he stopped. He has his reasons, I swear. In the end, yes, they are all victims of expectations... but if we're really honest, aren't we all? Even when we don't think it's the case.

You got dangerously close to something here.... Yes, Brad didn't judge Lyn's house at all, even if he looked around. There will be talks about this moment - in the present - but, I can't stress this enough, it will happen at the right moment. Then you'll look at this scene with different eyes. Brad is testing Lyn here, but maybe, just maybe, not in the way I trick readers into believing... I'm glad that you believe a little more in Brad... he's more than meets the eye. His might be just the biggest reveal... or maybe I shouldn't say this? (as kids say today, might delete later - just joking, of course) And yes, you said it - these are the first signs that will define their breaking apart. I know you don't have enough clues, and there will be more. I can only hope that everything will make sense when the characters will hit everyone with the truth. But so far, oh, boy, you guys make me sweat at times because you get so close!

These chapters, as they alternate, bring past and present closer and closer... we'll see if they eventually... align...

Well, well, well, Maestro, let's see. Yep, Brad's visit was - at least at first - like a dreaded cold shower for Lyn. I know some readers told me they found Brad rude for dropping by announced. He'd never done it before... and he actually had a reason to do that. It will be revealed why at a later date - right moment and all. And, since like Lyn, I tried running a tight ship while writing this story, Brad's visit in this memory chapter will prove providential. Brad almost cracks here... but it is not his moment. No, not yet. Hate me now, I know you'll love me later (or maybe I should curb my confidence!) It was so hard to balance this story at times... struggling not to reveal too much ahead of the right time. You're right to consider Brad and Alexander similar regarding family expectations. But these expectations come from different sources. You'll know what I mean Lyn truly anchors his two friends, and I'm glad you noticed it. On a surface level, theirs is a friendship that might not make sense to the outside world, but both guys need Lyn. And Lyn has been in training to be a 'rock' all his life. Even if he might break and be imperfect, he'll always try to be that. It's defining for his character. This chapter was also a chance for Lyn to see 'clearly' - Brad will grow up, get married, all that jazz. Lyn will only be his friend, and he knows it. He might be 'delulu' but not to that extent. He knows the truth. As for Brad's remark about the glasses... that is essential on more than one level - it's a thing that builds bridges between past and present. Thank you for the analysis, as always!

Thank you, Chris!

Well, my dear readers, that's because they are connected and will converge at some point - on a story level, we won't have some crazy time travel thing happening out of the blue.

I love that someone actually did this! I feel the proudest when what I put in stories echoes stuff from real life! So you pulled a 'Brad' in middle school, Sir...

People keep thinking that... Me in a corner rethinking my choices (for the story). A futile exercise, of course - the story is already written.

Chapter Thirty-Three – Rehearsal As someone who appreciated excellent organization, Lyn had to admit that he was impressed by Bella’s skills. Everything looked fantastic, from the rows of white folding chairs to the placeholders used for the flower arrangements. Although this was only a mockup for the actual reception, Lyn couldn’t help feeling a familiar squeeze in his chest. Although it was no longer as terrible as it had been during his college years when Brad’s display of his latest cru

I never got into his works... Maybe I was young, but I couldn't understand a thing and found it all so boring, lol!

Thanks a lot! The trio must complement each other... so their dynamic also needs to be complex

I believe he is starting to understand some things...

Of course We will get to parts unknown at all from one point onward... I am so happy that you enjoy this retelling from a different POV.