Krista

Shew, Cycling was a death trap... those winners really earned those. One woman fractured her spine. I saw that accident live and it looked horrendous, I nearly had to change the channel, because I figured the wrecking was just about to begin. On the men's side, one athlete broke both of his collar bones. One broke his pelvis, there were a couple of them that broke bones in their arms and legs.. mercy. I don't remember this many major injuries in the last Olympics.

Oh mercy... poor guy.

Looking forward to, Beach Volleyball, Swimming, Men + Women volleyball, and Men + Women Gymnastics. Cycling and the Track/Field sports are also pretty fun to watch as well. I know I'm not going to be able to catch all of those, but I really love the Olympics. Also, I'll try to be taking notes during the Swimming comps for The Best Year... if I can keep my mind off wet bodies in tight clothes..

Congratulations! Keep up the good work.

Thanks for reading and dropping a review! I've started chapter 15, so I don't want to say too much (nearly 5 pages into it, just need to iron out a few things). I think the story is shaping up a bit more with chapter 15 for sure. There are a lot of changes coming Jackson's way and what he said in Chapter 13 may have jinxed him a wee bit.

Happy Birthday!

Thanks for reading and reviewing! Yep, our boy Jackson is in a bit of a mess. He realizes it to an extent. Feeling guilty about Ally and his attachment to her vs. he obvious feelings for Luke that seem very strong and new... he'll have to decide which he wants to pursue or.. it will undoubtedly blow up in his face.. lol. We'll see which happens.. The Friends, I hope, will become more interesting and worthwhile in the next few chapters and we really start to understand the group as a whole. I've only treated y'all to flashes and you can form only baseline opinions of them so far. Luke being at the school will definitely bring changes, too. Jackson has a lot on his plate for sure... and his house of cards is definitely being built on unstable ground. Jackson and Ally will need to be worked out inside my head before I put it to paper though.. I just hope I can work them two out before I drag y'all on too much.. lol.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! I believe the differences between Ally/Girls vs. Derek/Toby's reaction will become more clear as the story progresses. It is more or less that maybe the girls aren't as comfortable in their group as the boys are. I mean, the guys have all been best friends since, I think I mentioned, birth.. literally. lol. So their bond is very strong and only a 'few' things can test that bond. We'll see in the coming chapters if certain things will or not, for sure. The girls though, might see outsiders as a bit of a knock on their social status of some sort... since it is so easy for them to shuffle between the three guys as far as dates/girlfriends.. maybe the same can be said of just being friends? A theory of mine, of course. lol.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! They are a tight knit group and I agree they do seem very territorial and tribal at the moment. Right now the "Churchers" don't measure up to their already preconceived notion of "cool" vs. "uncool." Only real time will tell if Luke can change their minds on that... Right now though I think Luke and Jack will have to be sneaky... and we mostly know how that works out... yes?

Thanks for reading and dropping a review! This was definitely a build up chapter, I needed to reel everyone together somehow. School is the best shot of getting some of the major themes of this story kicked off. Ally's attitude... gosh I'm still on the fence about her character. I hope I'm tip toeing around her enough for me to really not cement her one way or the other. I don't know what her... role will be as we carry on. I guess you can figure what fence I am on with her character for sure.. lol. I think she needs to be one way, but I don't know if I want to make her that way and hope that maybe I can mix in enough other things for that hole to be filled by something else. Conner literally keeps popping up, because I don't want to go through the pains of creating character after character. Although, I know some more names will need to be dropped aside from his and Bailey Ashton.. lol. I mean, Jackson is supposed to be "big man on campus," so he's going to have to interact more with minor characters than he has been at the moment. Just don't expect Connor to be all that 'big' in the story.. you never know though, I am known to change my mind.

Happy Birthday Mann!

I knew I wouldn’t see Luke until his orientation was over. It didn’t keep me from scanning the halls before school officially started for the morning. I timed my arrival so that I wouldn’t have to wait for the morning dismissal bell in the cafeteria with everyone else. My nerves would have given me away and I didn’t want to have to answer all of their questions, especially Ally’s. After last night, every time I thought about her, I felt guilty. That was something I didn’t really feel, I usually

Happy Birthday!

Thanks for reading! Wrecked casseroles are a sin! lol. I think the characters needed to see one another in a different light. They were doing a bit of dancing around so far, so this second private interaction may have did them in as far as the awkward dancing is concerned. And yes, I wouldn't be an evil entity we called "authors" if I didn't take you guys on a bit of a ride towards the conclusion of the story. Have faith in me a little bit though, I don't foresee anything too too too bad. lol. There actually is a lot that goes on in the next chapter.. and I think Jackson's world is about to be a bit more messed up than what he expected.

Thanks for reading! I think it is safe to say that something has to give or the entire thing will shatter around all the characters. Or maybe I'm seeing it differently, but I think the turning point happened in this chapter... that whatever happens after these scenes determines what the story is.. Shew lots of pressure I just put on myself.. lol. Like I said in a different review, I felt like I fumbled my way through this chapter. Definitely thought the reviews were going to be a wee bit different, not going to lie. lol. I just hope the characters keep their strengths and don't crumble. Jackson is supposed to be willing to dive in head first and be stubborn to a fault.. Luke is supposed to be self-assured and have this calm intelligence about his situations... etc. That's how I see them anyway.

Thanks for reading! I think Jackson is just as scared to have the ball in his court too.. lol. He certainly doesn't have a good record with Luke so far. Maybe that will change some... but it will definitely take a lot of effort on his part. I'm glad you see him in a slightly better light. Maybe he'll keep that light and maybe he won't.

Thanks for reading! I think Luke is more stable at where he is than Jackson... but neither of them expected to be where they are now. I think they're both reeling right now - as a person, I would either fight for normalcy or dive into the change.. I think they're still on the fence where that is concerned... but they definitely are on even ground with this new development between them, I agree.

Thanks for reading! It was my plan to have them rush into a kiss then have distance. I think it is normal for something shocking to put a bit of.. distance between two people. Especially two people scared to death of what happens next... And as the author.. I knew this chapter was coming up next, lol. The forest scene was supposed to be at the end of chapter 12, but chapter 12 ran too long and I didn't want to drag it out with that scene. So I decided towards the middle of chapter twelve to just breathe and let the story flow... and it just happened that forest scene didn't fit anymore. Luke is just as scared, but for now they are willing to be in the same boat at least. Let's hope it doesn't sink.. lol. Ally will become more central in the next few chapters, not going to lie.. I'm confused about what I want from her.. what the story needs her to be... and how central I want her to be. Hopefully I'll get that ironed out..

Hey! What a lovely review. So much optimism for them both in the future made me smile and feel all... mushy inside. Almost makes me not want to be the eeeevil author that I can be.. lol. Change isn't easy though and they have a lot of changing to do... well not changing, just.. shaping the world in which they want to live in. So that is definitely in their future.

Thanks for reading! Starting out I was sincerely worried about this chapter. It was the anticipatory chapter after the cliffhanger in the pool... lol. I felt like I fumbled my way through it too, so it is nice that you like it. I was expecting the worst! This is new territory for the both of them, or it seems new to them both, so I can see why they're both vulnerable. I'm glad you see them more evened out now as well.

Hey! Thanks for reading, I'm glad you found the story and like it so far. Hopefully the next chapter will be out soon.

IRL I don't curse all that much at all, I have a swear jar to break the habit. I was so worried that the Kids' first words were going to be one of those no no words.. I think a lot of them have lost their meaning... although here people are still pretty reserved about expanding their vocabulary. I find it funny and a little endearing for an older guy to say a curse word in front of me, then notice that I was there and then get all red-faced and say, "pardon my language miss.." I'm like... aww.. lol. I'll personally never accept the C word though.. it is just too ugly of a word.. ugly sounding.. used in context is pretty awful too. Even in a jokingly manner.. I wouldn't appreciate it. I just don't like the word so I don't really want to hear it and I definitely don't want to be called one..

I hope to see you in your cowboy "suit," Steven.

But you should consult with your doctors. Any shortness or breath, light headed, dizziness, and the like can be the result of an underlying problem. Especially if it happens consistently. You may just be noticing it after sex, because you're on a heightened level of awareness. But it could be happening on lesser values doing other things that you're just not feeling. It also could be something you're not realizing you're doing. Like you may be tensing up or not breathing deeply/evenly... there are some people that don't relax or breathe correctly while running or exercising and that causes dizziness, trembling/muscle weakness, fainting, and such. Just being aware of those and teaching yourself to relax and breathe could help a lot. But yes, consistent problems like these - should - involve some discussions with your doctor.

Happy 4th! Have fun and be safe.