AusGlitterati

I'd normally start from the top and work my way down but the ending here is SO gorgeous and poetic and amazing that I can't think of anything else! Noah finally letting himself feel the moment - it's lovely! The assumption of heterosexuality always applies - not that Noah's done much to avoid it, with the Gina & Cassie chapters. The avoidance of Leo - noted as a need for space - is still sad. Noah's main fear of ruining the bestie status he has with Leo is exactly what could be getting in the way of it, in a cruel irony. Not only that, he's making something up to avoid a hang out with all of his friends, just because Leo's there. That's a little self-destructive - then he reaps what he sows. At least he realises how silly this is and resolves to fix this ASAP! Good development And they're so happy to see each other, even if it's awkward right now! HAHAHA DEADDD That Noah had mentally decided this is what he wanted but the rest of him was just trying to catch up to the revelation is very cute. And the KISS!! Definitely a lovely chapter once again!

OUCH. It's a pattern for Noah I've brought up in my comments earlier, but deflection is his go-to response to anything emotionally uncomfortable. I'd challenge some of the other comments here - my interpretation wasn't that Noah is afraid of being gay, and there isn't anything about it in the chapters. It states the following - I think that's a more poignant, complex feeling for him to be dealing with. His notes indicate that he knows much more about Leo innately than he does about anyone else in the story so far. That's a really good sign. Oh my god, Leo, why can't you just be single? It sounds like Leo's giving Noah some time to process what's happening, because he's not handling it... well haha Fabian's potential witnessing of the kiss has rattled Noah even more and the truth is kept deliberately secret from us - but time will tell, especially since Noah's preferred method of processing things is to just get drunk. Not exceptionally healthy, but the lad is just twenty. This chapter is less fun but more raw than the others - very good!

Noah's complete lack of interest in building a sandcastle changing abruptly when it's the quickest way to prevent Leo from being married off to Luisa is remarkable. Leo's thoughts about everything in the last couple of chapters are kept very close to his chest until he just makes the damn move are interesting too. He really is the smarter of them Unlike the drunk texts, this was stone cold sober and in front of everybody, including poor Luisa. At least Jay looks like he might be eager for her attention instead! Yep, that checks out haha. Bad at math is the excuse he was running with initially when it comes to forgetting important timeframes, but I think it's just consistent with his emotional IQ. Chicken! Ahh, Leo! Pretty perfectionist with a talent in the kitchen and taking charge with his man. Outta my way, Noah. If you're not gonna cook, then get your shit off the stovetop. I can forgive Noah in this instance of course - there's probably a lot of processing going on, or processing he's avoiding, because this is absolutely not on the bingo card he's been playing with. I agree with Noah that it's annoying that his feelings are so obvious but he's not able to do anything with them, despite Leo giving him multiple clean windows to have that conversation. But that's the fun part! Nobody's logging on to read a story where two boys get together and everything works right away and there's no struggle or conflict or character growth! Beautiful chapter once again!

Another sweet chapter! Noah's simple life is actually very enchanting at face value. A chill work day that provides enough for a stable living situation and enough space to bring home the tourist of the night, then beers with the blokes on the beach afterwards! What luxury - no wonder he's not at all excited about his parents forcing a higher target on him. It's really interesting to see Noah's introduction - or eruption - into feelings for someone else. At least he got Cassie's name right after he turfed her from his bed, but she & Gina just seem like passing fancies, even after a six (or seven or eight maybe) month relationship. Our boy has it bad for what seems like the first time, if the story so far is any indication. He doesn't seem to know what to do with this revelation or even what it means yet. He just does not like the idea of Leo dating someone! He notes it, but he hasn't worked out why yet. But that's fine, we've established repeatedly that this is something he's not good at He's a good egg - this elicited a smile from me! Trying to be genuinely kind and thoughtful and making a mess at the same time haha I can't believe I have to click the Next Chapter button to see what happens after Noah drunkenly slanders poor Luisa off in the texts to Leo and goes to sleep on it. That's going to be hard to take back if he doesn't like what he sees! Good chapter! But everyone who made it this far into my comment already knew that.

I'm not sure what reaction this was supposed to elicit but I found it funny haha Can you blame Noah for being distant with his parents? I'm not sure if it's passive-aggressive or just thoughtless, but ooft. Additionally, this one is relatable and stings a bit. I am also the target audience of this one. Noah's lack of emotional intelligence is on full display here, after we saw that in the first two chapters. I'm a bit amused his first thought is to deliberately rebound and get himself inside a tourist but he's twenty and been dumped for the first time, so pop off, king. I also note that he instinctively thinks about Leo when he's trying to look pretty in the mirror. Following the phone call from his mother, it's very easy to see where he got that from. She's hardly setting an example for him. Ironically, he's so charismatic and at ease socially. You definitely feel like you know a Noah in your friend circle, or at least adjacent to it. He's written to be likeable, but not perfect - he's easy to enjoy. (There's a joke to be made here - pretend I did that.) More on this: The chapter had a little less Leo, and I think it's a good thing. Noah's kind of bad at navigating his feelings, and that's where the fun in this story buds from. I'm eager to see them bond further - if he can get Cassie out of his damn bed.

I am 100% the target audience of this. This is a really sweet continuation of Noah's established fascination with other places. He seems to be very content and happy where he is, but still enjoys seeing pieces of other places, such as when he wonders where the tourists all came from and why they're coming to his home. I know it's just a name but the thought of a sandy spoon makes me shudder! Besides the obvious, Ralph, they're like, twenty. Please calm right down. I feel robbed by not knowing specifically what Ralph's issue with seafood paella is at a hot restaurant in a beach town is. It sounds like an instant crowd-pleaser. I'm glad he changed his mind! Noah not noticing the depth of his attachment is peak twenty-year-old! I'm looking so forward to seeing where they go with this. Maybe it's a little too soon from the breakup, but Noah is clearly hanging on to Leo whether he notices this or not. Super gorgeous chapter!

I feel SO bad for Noah in the beginning here! It's a very cold & casual way to end a relationship. Even if a little later - Noah proves how casual it is because two whole months is a really big margin of error when they've been dating for such a short amount of time! This, and the idea that Noah is usually the one who does the breaking up with makes me wonder if he has trouble emotionally investing in his relationships with women. Gina doesn't seem to think it's a big deal, after all. A "yeah cheers thanks a lot" and a peck and that's done forever. What a coincidence there's a guy right there who demonstrates a much more intimate connection right away the romantic/sexual tension coming from Leo is incredible! Noah not noticing that his friend is obviously in love with him makes this line even better: In fact, this line makes Leo immediately loveable - Leo is immediately jumping to Noah's defense - which isn't unreasonable at all, considering they're friends and Gina's goodbye was on the soulless side. But come on, this guy is sooo into Noah. Just happening to be outside his window after his breakup? Puhlease. This is such a fun, beautiful opening chapter!

It's another fun chapter! & @Summerabbacat, I couldn't have said it better myself The witty & fun-loving cast doing their best to act seriously in the roles they've been randomly assigned is just delightful. The best example of this is probably Eric/Father Tabernacle (which is my favourite in-character name!) - he wins my quote MVP for this chapter. That said, there was a lot more in-character interaction this time around, rather than the actors enjoying seeing each other again. I'm pretty sure there are some juicy deets ~ if I can look past the cast's seasoning on them! The "murder" scene kills me hahaha I can't imagine someone laying in wait in the hallway with a ketchup tube & getting the power cut ~ so much could have gone wrong! What if someone sprung them? "Yeah I'm taking this ketchup to my room in the dark, why are you being weird about it?"

I really do try to love all the characters equally ~ but always come running back to Stanson (of Charttoppers renown) and the queen of unintentionally hilarious dialogue, Tiffany! That said, Gloria had my favourite line in this one - she's making an incredible impression & definitely deserves more spotlight! On the flip side, I've forgiven & forgotten Marcus' transgressions from Charttoppers ~ it only took me a few years! This part cracks me up. Super relatable! It's a very interesting & engaging style of writing. The cast maintain their personalities while they're actively trying to play their role at the same time, which is delightfully chaotic & dare I say, fantastically distracting from the details they reveal about themselves! & good for Stanson I suppose the hot stableboy isn't out of his league!

I was so excited for the return of the characters from the previous series, and definitely justified in doing so! Until the sudden "death" of the host, you could almost forget that there were stakes & we aren't just a fly on the wall enjoying the interactions between the cast again ~ though "Murder on the Playground" is kind of a giveaway I'm especially keen to see more from the early boots of the previous game ~ the finalists (plus that moll Kelly) stole the show in the original Playground. This is hands down my favourite exchange!

SLAAAY!!

Haha that's true! I certainly didn't have that wisdom at that age 😂 Thank you Chris! Due to the mystery short story nature of the Oakfields it was unlikely I'd write a date in any follow ups, so I'm glad I did it here 😊 Thank you! I think they're pretty swish so I'm glad you liked it too! No Oakfield story goes without Reggie being a lovable pain in the butt. 😎

"Every time we ordered something else, or if we needed our empty plates taken away, the robot came back and looked at us and smiled on his little screen! And if he got stuck, one of the staff members would give him a smack on the head, and he'd turn around and go back to the kitchen - what a time to be alive!" Elijah's grin widened, listening to the speakerphone as he tried to make his annoying, curly hair behave itself. He'd expected to get a trim over the Summer holidays and get some nice

Thank you both! Definitely an honour! The audacity, the cheek, the nerve, the gall and the impertinence!