SilentandBroken

Oh and I think I answered my question I posed last chapter 😆

OMG that happened a bit sooner than I expected but I expected it would be Jackson to take the initiative, since he’s the one listening to his impulsive side. But the fact that Luke did it first makes me jump for joy. Plus I am ecstatic Jackson kissed him back. Now they need to take things slow enough to make sure it builds but fast enough to keep their momentum . Undoubtably Jackson is going to go through all the doubts once he’s by himself but I don’t think that will last too long

Hmmm good conversations between Jackson’s mother, who I’m surprised wasn’t abandoned by Luke’s mom, Luke and Henry. All in all a productive day. All this talk about bullies in school had me wondering how Jackson would react if he came across Tooley messing with Luke.

“Remembering the way Luke looked standing in my living room, I knew I had finally gone too far.” Yes you sure did Jackson. You didn’t think ahead. You be being selfish, wanting to prevent Luke from enrolling in your school for the last few months. You forgot his mother is YOUR mother’s “dearest friend” and you didn’t think that she, witnessing you harmless prank won’t get back to your mother. In fact you didn’t even consider that Luke’s extra judgy mother might even end her friendship with your mother now. You really just undid all that work and pleading to get your freedom because you know Luke’s mother is going to severely over exaggerate your little stunt for the full effect she can get. Plus you made Luke so mad he swore twice. Nice going

If you’ve not tracked some of my comments from other stories yet, my perception…is different. I’m the odd one who made the perfect victim and suffered in silence (hence the user name) while I was abused at 13 and survived a lot of trauma of loss well into adulthood. The perception of the world for me is different than most folks. MY humor is a tad dark. A tad twisted (thanks to my time in EMS in my 20’s & yeah that made my trauma waay worse). I confess I’m a complicated person. Warped and jaded but not bitter. Not anymore thankfully. But definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m ok with that.

Interesting mental picture..yes I can kind of see it. Jackson does kind of act like a little petulant little brat at times when he doesn’t get his way 😆

I haven’t read those yet, but but I’m sure I’ll get to them

you succeeded

Well my dirty little secret is by using my iPhone, I highlight chunks of a chapter at a time and use the speaker function with the Siri 5 voice setting which is as close to an American teenage boy’s voice, and I let it read the story to to me through my earbuds. It’s almost real at times with certain phrases and inflections working, other times not so much but I don’t care. I confess this site is my slight addiction once I finish bd a long story much like this one so no worries, I’ll burn through this pretty quickly. Your skill and mastery at capturing the American teenage boy’s attitude is great..

Ok what a great chapter. Interns dynamics between Allison and Luke. The tension between the is palpable. What I REALLY appreciated was the impromptu swimming lesson Jackson gave. It seemed to help Luke immediately. I hope it sparks more interest for Luke. That said, it was short and unfortunately so was the deep conversation that sort of happened poolside before they headed to the locker room. I don’t think Jackson even realized he was asking Luke out of pure genuine interest. Man it’s a slow burn but I hope this dance is worth it.

Oh and I wouldn’t last one day under Luke’s or Jackson’s mother’s thumb! Dad’s need to stand up to this crap.

Exactly! Jackson’s parents at work-aholics and let’s really be honest here, is what Jackson’s pranks really all that bad? No. The fight during ISS wasn’t his fault. The soapy nude slip’nslide actually was genius and probably quite hot given how good shape he’s in to be a swimmer. In fact they’re hilarious…unless you’ve got a stick up your ass and no sense of humor. Now that the tables appear to be turning on Jackson and Luke, Jackson is seeing a different perspective and I think he’s really beginning to feel sorry for Luke and that might help these two opposites attract. 💕💕💕💕💕💕

I laughed at the end of this chapter because Jackson was cute when he pouted not getting his way stomping into the house. I think subconsciously he’s onto Luke’s interest in him a little bit, which is why he’s a little bit. I think Jackson honestly is restless and bored with his friends and girlfriend. He’s 18 right? He’s going to test the boundaries. That’s natural. His parents are late to the game to try to correct Jackson at this point. His against the system mentality is already set. The only way that changes is to changes his influences. Enter Luke. But here’s the problem. Luke is also bored with his toe the line life and Jackson is ever so appealing. I’m waiting for Luke to offer to take Jackson to swimming practice. Perhaps there’s something to happen from that. As for Luke‘s mother, yep. I think Jackson was right about her concerns I bet. All in all, I think both boys will help each other find a nice happy balance and IN that process, maybe their parents will learn to let them test their wings a bit more and they won’t be so quick to push back.

Me thinks Jackson has become a bit a tempting challenge to Luke to correct his behavior and in the process…🤔

Ha! This kid is a hoot for sure. I really enjoyed the clever rearrangement of the old yearbooks. I love witty subtlety in harmless pranks like this that act as sand in shoes.

I will say yes, however Gabe DID make it right with Ridley because Ridley’s mom’s permission vetoed Ridley there a bit and Ridley also finally got his head out of his own ass. I still want to see more growth between the boys. What about college scholarships? Ok ok I’m done I’m done ..maybe. 😆

UGH NOOOOOO! I wasn’t done. Gabe FINALLY got him to open up enough to start healing and growing. But to be honest, both his mom and his sister gave sage advice and testimony on how Ridley has been and how his behavior has affected them for the past two years. I get the task is daunting to come up with enough substance to make a respectable sequel that has its own storyline. I do. But man does this story need one. Even a time jump. Alas, I will accept your decision. Nicely done

Well that was disappointing. Cheer up Cal. Someone will cross your path and you won’t be able to resist. I’m glad you found the sense to listen to your intuition and hit the brakes with that asshole Draven. For that matter, with Kyle too. There’s more boys out there yet and you’re just starting to grow into yourself. Jonah is right about all of it. Listen to him.

Noah’s over the top efforts of compliments to Nick’s mom was a little nauseating.. the whole weekend at Nick’s was …surprisingly uneventful. This patience by Noah was also surprising. It definitely oozed experience to me. It was ..almost too perfect. Now my guard is really up and twitchy. As for Jack, sigh…it feels like he’s given up. I think he knows Bout him and Noah and perhaps the rest of the mealtime table too. He definitely missed Nick over the weekend. I must’ve missed the fact in the beginning Nick’s mom was a doctor. This might be important down the road. I’m really worried about Jack and I don’t think Nick has caught on yet. Jack is teetering on another breakdown.

UGH!! What just happened?! Like I know what I read but…RIDLEY!!!! What are you doing?! Pushing away a boy who obviously cares about you more than you understand. What is so bad so wrong so..too personal to let people know about what happened to your dad and why you were named after your father’s savior? And Gabe!! YOU! Ok yes you did an amazing job in that article but dude…you missed one major opportunity here in the still of the night. What Ridley doesn’t know he needs to hear is how you feel. Yes Ridley told you not to publish the story about his dad, and it’s fair for him to be a bit pissed about that, but ugh! I don’t even have the words at the moment to express what I feel. Gabe, you better make it right with Ridley. Ridley, get your head out of your ass. rant over. It’s clearer now that Ridley has accepted his orientation, I guess wanting to wait until after high school to come out but dammit. Sigh..

Ok HOLY FUCK I didn’t expect Ridley to be so bold so quickly. I mean yeah I knew he was frustrated and was feeling kinda horny ogling all that eye candy in the locker room but damn boy got after it. The way he just snatched his shirt ..I about teared up there more than the phone call scene. I couldn’t determine whether it was an impulsive kiss at first or an emotional one but then as Gabe settled in for it…sigh…. ok I’m drying up getting my shit together.. that last scene in the parking lot, lots in signs here that Gabe is a little Romeo. Held the door out of the gym after waiting for him after the game. He took his bag, and hustled around to get in. The amount of thoughtfulness he put into the gifts he’s giving to Ridley. Hell the amount of patience he’s shown Ridley from the first mtg makes me think he’s had him on his radar for quite a while. Not only is this cute all his doting, but how Ridley almost lost it emotionally when he realized what Gabe had actually done for him… I’m ok I’m ok..breathe…whooo. ok NOW.. looking back to the rest of the day and evening before all that ..all I can think is Jesus what the hell did Gabe write? In the span of basically a school day morning, all of the sudden Ridley is getting respectful looks and smiles from just about everyone who makes eye contact with him. His teammates are giving him the evil eye every chance they get and Matt! OMG Matt acts like they’ve never fought and are back to friends again. What the hell was in that article?! bravo Krista

Yes but Nick put himself in that spot. And well sometimes Jack too.

Ok I’m gonna drop my thoughts and then go back and read everyone’s before I lose mine. First off, this was a very telling chapter. But not just for Ridley. For Gabe too. For starters, Ridley is missing the opportunity given to him to use the article to express his wishes people stop using his given nickname he hates. BUT, since he doesn’t it’s become a bit of a double entendre. Sure it’s a play on his name but he’s keep his personality and life so close to the vest and pushed away everyone, he’s intimidated everyone in a sense because just as Gabe said, they DON’T know him so they make shit up. Ridley just doesn’t care to fix it. Gabe apparently is the only one who’s not intimidated. More on that in a minute. The other part of the double entendre is even more so because as with the true definition of a double entendre one side being sexual, sure it’s obvious to us readers Ridley is gay, I don’t think he is completely at full realization or at least acceptance that he is. So, maybe a double double entendre? Anyway, back to Gabe. He has given more inclination to lead us to believe he’s attracted to Ridley by way of is physical light touches, the respect he’s giving Ridley, the understanding, and patience. What’s more, is that I don’t think Ridley really even sees it. I think Gabe has gotten a true honest look at what Ridley is going through, the hidden pain he’s experiencing without Ridley even realizing it. Yeah Ridley is pretty selfish when it comes to socializing. That’s what he knows that’s safe though. Unfortunately in this instance, it’s doing more harm with the isolation. I think that’s the cusp of the issue between him and Matt. I hope Gabe sees that. I hope Gabe can bring Ridley out of his hiding and get him reconciled with Matt and possibly open to exploring a relationship with Gabe. great chapter.

Awesome start. Ridley comes off as feeling disrespected because people ignore his requests at using his name vs his nickname so why should he care about them either or their small town. I don’t blame him one bit. The students and staff, not all but a good portion seem shallow. Matt seems not but it’s fairly easy to assume why their friendship dissolved. Or maybe not. The way Matt spoke to Ridley seemed almost ..resentful but not why. I’m sure that’ll come up. Both boys seem to be ready to snap. All that’s needed is just a little more prodding from someone who is likely clueless. Gabe’s nudge was…interesting. Almost, affectionate, knowing. I hope something develops there. Others think Mara is the one who Ridley will lean on, my money is on Gabe.

I see it a lot. It’s sad. The primary logic is (using Phil as an example here) they don’t like conflict & it saves fighting just to not cross them. I’m like Oh whatever. It’s just delaying the inevitable and I really want to counter to Phil with “and what have we learned? In my mind he’s just as complicit in destroying the family because he cowed. However there’s another thought.. he might simply be in shock since all this and is starting to come around..