This was really a pleasure to write. When it was just a blank page one, I was feeling a little intimidated and out of the loop since I haven't written a new chapter for going on three weeks (we all know why!) and Lily was heading back to school so I almost felt unfamiliar for her... But it ended up working out really nicely and I only wrote it in two days. Then the end just got weird but I loved it, and I'm starting to show a Phantom that has always been there but he's... put a mask over it so to speak.

Definitely inspired by Charles... Need to post about how great he is sooner rather than later... It's actually getting easier for me to write the mushier stuff - I think I'm starting to appreciate them as a couple more than I did before, probably because they're an odd one, and... I love making jokes about how they're together but mean to each other "all the time". I want people to feel like they're connecting, and not just talking about why they're googoo-faced for each other, so I hope I did that... If not, I certainly welcome advice on making that happen. I'm perfect by no stretch of the imagination!

25372 / 50000 words. 51% done!

( Chapter 31 - Unfamiliar Air )

Favorite Quote(s)

Suddenly there was someone looming over me. I looked up and it was Meg, who resembled a sleepwalking person, having a wonderful dream.

"Just go to class and act like yourself. And be nice to him," I suggested, a little wearily.

"Nooo," she replied sarcastically.

"Hey, it isn't always the first instinct. Really."

"...I have a plastic... frog collection," he pronounced, squinting at the words. The girl next to me raised her hand, solely, and giggled, albeit a bit modestly. "My word, that's... wonderful. There might come a day when we need those."

"...Hey Mariam? Sometimes my arm likes to be circulated."

"How are you?" When he reached the door, he stopped to look at me with an eerie pause.

"Good, now... ...Thank you for asking."

"I trust you then."

"Are you sure?" I looked up to tilt my head at such a question and noticed he seemed to be getting very cold again.

"Never. I've learned to live that way lately, I guess."