Cane23

It's such a relief to know that!

I really hope this song isn’t foreshadowing the future… because that would be absolutely heartbreaking.

His drinking isn’t just a habit - it’s a coping mechanism. Being drunk is the only state where he feels free enough to let go, even if just for a moment.

@Doha @weinerdog, I’m so glad both of you shared opposite takes on Lyn not peeking under the sheets - and paradoxically, you’re both right. Alex doing something like that is almost unthinkable - it’s completely out of character for him. And yet… it would be so good for his growth (and no, not just that kind of growth) if he actually gave in to something impulsive, even forbidden. That kind of moment could be truly liberating!

If Brad had to "release" himself after just one hug with Lyn, then he’s more messed up than we ever imagined - and we thought he was on drugs!

I’m glad there’s no drug use - that would’ve been a devastating shift from drama to tragedy. I see this story as one of awakening, not destruction.

I guess that’s what Noah really wanted to tell Nick during Shower: I wasn't cheating on you - I just needed a dick! By then, it was probably too late for the classic line: “It’s not what you think!” Or our beloved local version: “So, you trust your eyes more than me?!” 😜

Reunion is a quietly charged story about memory, attraction, and the complicated weight the past can hold. The protagonist and narrator of the story is Jake, whose high school years were overshadowed by his feelings for Derek - a popular boy whose teasing was mild on the surface but cut deeply because it came from someone Jake secretly admired. @Jeff Burton skillfully shows how a single relationship can color an entire chapter of life, blurring the line between fondness and hurt, longing and shame. Through Jake’s reflections, the story explores denial, the way unresolved emotions distort memory, and the fragile hope of rewriting one’s history when old faces resurface. Subtle, emotionally layered, and resonant, Reunion captures the bittersweet truth that the past is never as simple as it seemed at the time.

A heartfelt and compelling story about resilience, truth, and the quiet power of unconditional support. JJ’s journey, from surviving abuse and manipulation to finding a safe emotional harbor, is handled with honesty and nuance. Nanna’s fairness, Dave’s steady loyalty despite his own uncertainties, and the raw tension of confronting a parent’s prejudice create a narrative that feels both deeply human and emotionally satisfying. A moving portrayal of how genuine care can heal where family fails.

Family Secret is the readers’ choice for best use of the ‘Reveal the Truth’ theme in this year’s SA competition. A family photo, a mother’s guarded reaction, and a narrator who can’t let go of the mystery - what begins as curiosity becomes an emotional journey across decades. Layered with relatable characters and a slow-burn uncovering of the past, it’s a heartfelt, compelling read.

What starts as a relatable, witty slice-of-college-life story quickly deepens into something far more intense. The narrator, Kyle, comes across as charmingly self-aware, even a little awkward - the kind of character you think you’ve figured out. But by the end, the ground shifts beneath you, and it’s clear there’s much more going on than meets the eye. A sharply written piece with a killer cliffhanger that makes you want to reread from the start.

Just a gif I found that perfectly fits your idea!

It’s not just toast, it’s roasted to perfection!

Danny might have the superpower hormone toastosterone! 🥪💥

Mystery… what might be hidden in the attic? 🤔

I think that since that famous adventure, JJ has not been the same man. His self-confidence has grown so much that the change of outfit feels like the final step in his transformation - from an insecure boy to a man. My comment was mainly about his thoughts while looking in the mirror. If he’s thinking, Urgh, my outfit was terrible, that’s fine - a normal teenage reaction. What worried me was the possibility that he might believe his style (or lack of it) could be an excuse for the betrayal or bullying he endured for years. He was a victim, and there was no excuse for Dallas’s or anyone else’s rejection, avoidance, or cruelty. That said, I do understand how teenagers function. They want to be accepted, and social status means a lot. Still, Dallas had no excuse - just a shallow jock wanting to be part of the “popular” crowd (plus denial).

I remember finding that line pretty unfair when I first read the story. Emo style or not, I honestly didn’t think that justified Dallas' behavior

Did Rowan die of an overdose?! 🤔 The way you’re building this story @Jeff Burton is truly masterful! At first, I thought there had just been a very bad breakup. Then I suspected Simon had escaped some domestic abuse. Finally, it becomes clear that it was a deeply toxic relationship - not only in terms of communication and the way Rowan treated him, but literally toxic, involving substance and alcohol abuse. Simon’s rehabilitation won’t be an easy process, but at least he has Elijah and a very supportive family by his side.

I thought Elijah might be an angel... Maybe he is, just not the one from the heaven.

I just LOVE this metaphor!!! Amazing writing, @Jeff Burton. This isn’t an easy read, but it’s completely addictive. The last time a book had a similar effect on me was Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (We Children from Zoo Station) - the first book about drug abuse I ever read.

Those second-hand coat his mother gave him is not far from it! 😜

True! Lyn and Scarlett O’Hara couldn’t be more different in personality or background, yet they are bound by the same relentless drive to survive.

You're absolutely right - this is all pure speculation! As for the ending, it's entirely possible that the characters each go their separate ways. In a way, it would be heartbreaking if, after all these years, Alexander ends up giving up on Lyn. I've actually feared the ending might mirror the final scene of Gone With the Wind, where Scarlett finally confesses her love to Rhett - only for him, exhausted from years of watching her pine for Ashley, to say, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

All of that makes Brad very human. He’s not the villain in this story - just a boy trying to find his own happiness. I believe there’s a real authenticity in him, though unfortunately, he chose to bury it deep, believing that wearing a mask would take him to the stars. He played his role in that friendship, and for what it’s worth, I’d say he was the best choice when it came to partying. 😜