Fry

@Salander Can we get another chapter soon, please?

It would have been an awwwww moment for Joels first game with the new team and have him seeing his dad and Cody in the seats cheering him along with Davin, and Trace and Celia and friends.

I'm not crying, you're crying!! It can't be over! Too much story left untold. I'm glad Joel and Davin don't have to hide around Gavin anymore. It was good to see Joel's dad tell his wife that he blames her and not Joel, and that he will bring Cody or let Joel see him whenever he wants to, no restrictions. I definitely agree that we need a sequel, and epilogue, or a few more chapters to round out their collective stories. Dad seems to want to reconnect with Joel which is a nice turn.🥰

You made me cry.😭🥰

What can I say? Beautiful. Gratuitous mention of the birthday party makes me think that's coming up next?

Thankfully a fight did not ensue. that would have been repetitive, however I think it's inevitable unless Joel can gain some respect by playing on the baseball team and causing a win. i suspect that that would still not be enough for the dominant gorilla to want to regain his position in the eyes of the others and smooth his bruised ego. I'm still looking forward to Javin or Davel advancing their relationship.

You should watch 13 reasons. You see his naked butt in one scene. 😍. But it is a difficult subject matter. Made me cry a few times.

Are there going to be more chapters? It says to be continued...

i watched Boots! I enjoyed it mostly because I like Miles (saw him in 13 reasons why) and I thought the Drill Sgt was hot! I have several friends in the military, and even a couple that were marines. I can't imagine that what was depicted as boot camp was realistic though. It was after all a dramedey about self discovery.

In the real world, Tommy's revelation, and what it could mean for Nick, would introduce some reevaluating their history and maybe a little longing or uneasiness between them about what might have been or could be. Of course it might just as easily not.

32 years here.

Have to admit I am a bit surprised that Colt let the cat out of the bag so casually in front of Davin, and no mention of him reacting after realizing what he'd done. I wonder if Trace or Celia will chastise him for it? Should I be suspicious and read more into Coles actions than there is?? Does Colt know more than he's letting on, or did you goof? 😉 I think we all knew at the beginning that baseball was in Joels future. Good thing that got sorted out. Wonder when the bullying will begin again from the bullies, and how his first practice with the team will go. If the coach was truthful about the team eager to have Joel play, then maybe they will have his back in any potential fights.

Davin is aggressive and moves fast! He's gone past infatuation to lust. I'm not sure which one needs this relationship more. Trace and Celia must sleep like the dead to not hear the commotion across the hall. Gavin is either blinded by and consumed by his relationship with his girlfriend, or an atypical twin to not suspect something is up. Or maybe he does know and doesn't mind? The future is looking good for DAV-EL or JO-VIN😉. I'm hoping Joel starts making friends, gives Davin a chance and has the talk with the baseball coach.

That is the biggest reason why I refuse to be part of any reunions or social groups from those years. Life there was a living hell, so why would I want to relive it? Society today, like then, pays lip service to anti-bullying policies. School authorities are outnumbered 30 - 1 by students. They haven't the faintest idea of what goes on between students and I really believe they don't want to know.

This was a feel good chapter, and I admit I feel good. I needed to feel good.

Can I ask what your age is Peter? It may help understand your perspective on this.

Jace has the patience of a saint. I would have expected more frank deep conversation during the horse ride. Gavin and Davin both hinted that the baseball team members were all thrilled that he might join the team, which leads me to believe that they could be quite friendly towards Joel if he gave them a chance. The whole thing was obviously overwhelming to Joel bringing back intense feelings of what he missed. I think Davin will be a big influence in getting him to give the team a chance, if for no other reason than they would get to spend more time together as friends and build something stronger. Joel also has to remember that a baseball scholarship would certainly help everylone with any college plans. Having Cody visit on his birthday would be excellent but a double edged sword leaving Joel heartbroken and Cody upset when he would have to go back home. Lacey may take an interest in him as another person to teach to ride. I expect a fight from Joel's mom over Codys visit but Jace, Celia, and Joel's dad may overrule her and make it happen?

Well, that was an unexpected development. Tommy has turned out to be the friend that Nick always needed. It's all too common to not be ready to see what was in front of you the whole time. It's rare to be able to reconnect with old friends and not just pick up from where you left off but start anew. Let's hope that Tommy can be a source of normalcy and strength for Nick and Jack eventually. Nick's mom will be a source of strength for both of them. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Joel made it through the first stressful day at a new school. You could feel the tension rise as he realized he was being sucked back into the same pattern of hiding in plain site, being manipulated into old patterns of behaviour and forced back into that fake world that he didn't want by people he didn't know. Seeing that Roy was the other Tempton transfer student, was unexpected. Joel's opinion of Roy is tinged by association with Jonny. We don't know much about Roy so far, but I get the feeling that he's a bit of a follower. Becoming friends with the only other kid on your street would be normal, and most likely Jonny changed as they grew up but Roy didn't. In a way, he's as lost and lonely as Joel is in this new environment and he's reaching out to Joel as a familiar and possibly friendly face to ease the loneliness and be friends. I hope Joel gives him the benefit of the doubt and isn't too hard on him, they both need to start fresh and Joel needs allies he can trust and rely on. Joel's emotional attachment to Tempton and his history with baseball came rushing back all at once over the issue of his team number, and it overwhelmed him. How long will it take for him to settle down into his new reality?

I guess you could say it's not really clear whether the coach's concerns/offers were at the prospect of losing his star player, or genuine concern for Joel's safety, but I lean towards more concern for his safety. The sense of loss of a star player is certainly there, but the writing still leaves me at concern for his safety being paramount. He should certainly still be confused and concerned, and in the real world he would be on the alert to try and find out what happened because of that concern and confusion. Celia...breaking hearts....I feel a Simon & Garfunkel song coming on....

Reconciliation with Jonah went well; and they survived finals. The emphasis on reconnecting with Nicks old neighbourhood friend leads me to think the forecast is cloudy this summer?

wow - was the only icon that could adequately cover the range for this chapter. I'm kinda surprised that Joel and Davin didn't spend more time at the creek talking and getting to know each other better, and kissing of course. That phone call would have been very difficult on Joel. Coach sounded genuinely concerned for him which is good. Maybe he can help smooth things over with the rest of the team. Wonder what's in store for everyone next?

I think Jonah has been hurting and feeling alone for a long time and has masked it with frivolity and outlandish behaviour thinking that being the class clown will win him friends and belonging. He has been irritating at times. His attraction to Nick was exacerbated by the physical closeness that Nick and Jack allowed/encouraged. His puppy love grew into something stronger and overwhelming. He has definitely gone too far, but the heart wants what the heart wants; overruling logic and sensibilities. Nick may also have gone too far with his rapprochement of Jonah. The sense of foreboding when Jack returned to their room at the end means things are about to get ugly.

Poor Jonah. Heartbreaking and devastating. I don't understand why Nick went down to his room in the first place. There was no setup for that to happen. The dialogue was great though, and the emotions came through loud and clear. This is definitely going to shake the harmony of the group and friendships on a personal level. Cliff-hanger ending as well! We all knew that more drama was going to happen for Jack with his parents. Keep fingers crossed.

They definitely abuse him. That's evil and narcissistic. Yet it was alluded earlier that they would trot him out to display to their society friends, not necessarily as a trophy to be proud of, but as a necessary accoutrement to show to their society friends. His absence from home and social events could be easily explained away to their society friends, his death by suicide wouldn't be seen as by their hand, but a nasty public court battle would make the truth come out about their abuse, and be an embarrassing stain on them. But of course this is fiction and anything could happen.