Exposed The whole band seemed to be feeling the lack of Tuesday's practice. They hadn't engaged in their usual conversation beforehand, just jumping in to start playing as soon as everyone was there. Sierra was glad of it. Diving right into the music let her work out a lot of her stress and anxiety about … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Ten
Upended Sierra dragged her feet getting ready the next morning. She waited until she heard the others leave for Mass before getting out of bed, taking her time with her shower and packing. Elia was already in the kitchen, fixing a pot of coffee, when she made her way downstairs. "Are you packed?" she asked … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Nine
Respite "Explain to me again why we're doing this?" "I told you," Sierra sighed, reaching up to adjust the rear view mirror, "Papá won a state education award and mi familia is getting together to celebrate." Elia stopped flipping through the comic book he was reading to shoot her a skeptical look. "I'm not part … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Eight
Happy 2023, dear readers! I hope your year is off to a good start. Mine's going all right so far, but today I want to look back at last year. In particular, I'd like to look back at the stories I consumed last year. I say consumed rather than read, because during the pandemic, I … Continue reading Reading My Way Through 2022
Unsettled Oh this is such a bad idea. She looked at J.D. in the rear view mirror and felt a surge of annoyance at how relaxed he seemed. He leaned against the seat, arms sprawled across the back, watching the lights of the passing buildings. She glanced over at Elia, and he looked as tense … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Seven
Ambushed "Yo, Espina!" Sierra jumped as the earbud was pulled out of her ear, and looked up to find Kyle leaning over her desk. "Dude," she muttered, turning off her music player, "not cool." "Sorry," he at least had the grace to look embarrassed, "but I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes. … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Six
Why, hello there, dear readers! As a home that celebrates Christmas, my family has entered into the liminal week in between that holiday and New Year's Eve. It's a strange time, where we are all on vacation and don't really have much in the way of plans, outside of a few errands or puttering around … Continue reading December Updates
Acceptance Having a roommate after so long living alone was an adjustment. Elia didn't have much in the way of belongings--just a backpack he'd taken when he ran from the group in the city and stashed in Bowieville after he'd decided to hide out there as a cat for a while--so it wasn't that he … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Five
Understanding Sierra spent the next few days at Cammy's, mostly curled up under a blanket on the couch streaming videos. She gave her friend the same story she'd given the police. It felt weird not to tell Cammy the whole truth--she never kept anything from Cammy--but something told her it was best to keep quiet … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Four
Shattered Oh, dios. No, no, no. Sierra tried to push herself up but the weight on her back pressed down, keeping her on the floor. Her bass case dug into her shoulder blades and she fought against the urge to cry. The cat. He wants Pequeño. Where...? She turned her head in a wild scan … Continue reading Never Be the Same: Chapter Three
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