Krista

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.

After we got home, the house had just begun to smell of overcooked food. Mom rushed into the house to see Dad fanning the oven with a dishtowel. The casserole sat neglected on the counter, the top of it a very dark brown. I watched, leaning against the wall as Mom inspected the casserole, poking at it with a spoon. From the smell, it was a chicken and broccoli concoction and I was glad I had already eaten. “I think it is still good,” Mom commented as she spooned a couple of globs of the mess

I don't like either. I love the smell of coffee though, freshly brewed. It is a nice smell, but can you even call it coffee anymore if you put a ton of creamer, sugar, and such in it? That 'is' the only way I can drink it.. and decaffeinated. I am not tolerant of caffeine in my system at all.. one mountain dew or a cup of coffee overloads me and I can feel my heart rate quicken and such. So, I stay well away from both of those. As for health benefits of coffee, I do understand those. Soda on the other hand, don't have any, so I'm leaning more towards coffee than any soda drink. There is a lot of sugar and preservatives in those and diet is far worse for you than regular. I am a water drinker. I like water and since I don't do well with caffeine it is my go to drink of choice. Also, Coffee isn't carbonated so no belching and less bloat.

Happy Birthday! Happy 18th! Behave.. lol.

Happy Birthday! :D

Jesse Bradford was a cutie whilst I was growing up as well.

Yeah a King Cobra is one venomous snake that I wouldn't try to wrangle into a garbage bin... they're too agile.. lol. I'm used to the fat rattle snakes and copperheads that move slowly unless they're coiled up to strike out at you... but the king cobra.. and well black mamba can actually run a person down to bite them. I'm thinking the Brown Snake in Australia is known for that aggressiveness as well... I know so much about snakes because of the hunky Jeff Corwin and the fantastic late Steve Irwin though... I could honestly watch them two all day everyday and not get bored. lol.

Snakes have honestly never bothered me, venomous or otherwise. I wouldn't ever own one as a pet, they're a bit too high maintenance and don't show affection. I know they're just a creature that will 'tolerate' you and not 'appreciate' or 'like' you as a dog or cat would. So I've never saw their appeal past the striking markings some of them have. I have wrangled copperheads and timber rattlesnakes into empty large garbage bins and released them farther away from the house before. I typically let non-venomous snakes go wherever they please, as long as they don't begin to nest under the house/porch.. Lizards and frogs on the other hand... completely harmless and they make me a bit repulsed.. lizards more than frogs. Tree frogs and the sort are cute little things.. but lizards they're so zippy and unpredictable.. lol. Spiders don't freak me out either.. I am more repulsed by fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and roaches... blech.

Happy Birthday!