And quickly throwing in chapter 12 for those who cannot wait (Mostly people on my simblr, but I want to offload some of these chapters that I wrote forever ago, just to lessen the amount of backlog)
A CW for adult content in a way that adult content hasn't been explored yet. Nothing crazy, but specific content warnings will be at the top of the chapter.
I love love love love the way the dream scene was written (I was already in love with the creepy screenshot when I saw it on your Tumblr!). And when Jude spoke to Evie for the first time, I realized I had nearly been holding my breath the whole time! The anticipation to the meeting is really well done. I was too nervous to even complain about Marnie and Fiona haha
Wait I'm confused, didn't he sound somewhat "like an American" before? It probably just got stronger?
The striking contrast between the cute Evie/Jude banter and Marnie suddenly showing up like “Evie, come over here quick you silly b--, we found your cake!” was comedy gold
Has anybody ever tried to sing "Happy Birthday" in tune when everybody else is just normally "happy birthdaying"? No? Just me? Trust me it is the awkwardest of experiences hahaha
OF COURSE Marnie's going to try something. Such a Marnie thing to do. And what does she mean "Ferdia is fine with it??"
I don't know how I managed to forget that Dean was supposed to show up, but I did forget. (analytical mode: wayyyy off) And now I'm rediscovering it and I'm nervous.
Oooh this is awkwardd he's all coked up
Shane is winning back all the points again, GO SHANE! I forgive you for throwing stones at Evie from the driveway once when you were like... ten! I had already forgiven him since his behavior after the bar fight with Kelly. I don't hate Dean but he is acting more and more horribly.
I know I said I couldn't make a choice yet but Dean has literally just thrown me in the team Jude camp . Okay maybe Jude is the one who did that when he showed up, being all sweet and kind and respectful, cause we don't see that a lot around Evie lately.
Well, now that I have the full context of that Dean/Marnie picture I'm still thinking that therapy might not be such a bad idea for Dean!
Today I learned that everyone in Dublin is on coke. Good to know, thanks Jude!
Seriously though, I know Evie is kind of spiralling with alcohol but I hope she never ever goes past this point.
“Well, whatever you do, make sure it’s because you want to do it. Not because they want you to.” I love how reasonable that sentence sounds when we forget that he's talking about doing drugs lmao.
Alrighttt! Sorry Dean. Team Jude. Undeniably. All the way.
I can feel how much Evie still loves (or is deeply infatuated with) Jude. Poor Evie! She can't control it and she's almost physically sick because of the anxiety... But he, Shane, and Claire seem like much better friends for Evie than Marnie and Dean. I wish Evie would spend more time with Claire.
I don't have much to say yet, but I'm glad Evie has her biggest crush with her on her birthday. I also love how casually Jude can dispatch Marnie (if only Evie could do the same). I just don't know if this relationship has any future, but at least it seems like good memories are being made. I worry about how Evie will do when she's back with Marnie and Dean. She's clearly better off without them, but I imagine she'll be hanging out with them again soon because they're convenient and she seems to stick with them no matter what.
I love the detail about Jude's accent. I've had friends whose accents have changed in a similar fashion (they put on an American accent, we separated for a year or two, and their American accent is gone when they're seen again and something more authentic? is there instead--seems to happen more often than people would think ).
thank you!! The first stories I ever wrote when I was a child were ALWAYS scary. I was a very weird, spooky child who was obsessed with ghosts and horror movies so it was fun to incorporate a little bit of that into a very non-supernatural story. Aw that's so good - I was trying to really make her nerves the central feeling of the chapter. It's a big moment for her! She's not only facing Jude but she's facing the story of him too, all the mixed up things she's been feeling.
Ah so way back in part 1 I think i described his accent as "odd", like something that was trying to be Irish but sounded American on the vowels. Not living in Ireland anymore, he's lost all of that Irishness he used to have.
Haha of course our Marnie was going to ruin it for them, she always will. Destructive queen. And yes, she will try to make a move because it's her natural state to be like that. Marnie's relationships are always open, she never wants to be held back by the confines of a monogamous relationship. She'll make sure Ferdia is fine with it.
Yep - there's Dean, showing up at his absolute worst to ruin the night for Evie... It's very awkward indeed, but I love Shane for being protective of Evie here again. I wish I could write Shane into the story more, I like him a lot.
Unfortunately true! I lived in Dublin for years and the coke-vibe was totally inescapable. It's just everywhere. Also everyone who works in restaurants is on it, so a double whammy for Dean there. I was trying to hint at that in the scene where Evie watches the guys working in Primo and she's like "oh wow how do they have so much energy!" haha.
lmao! Well at least he's being realistic about it, if she really wants to do it (she doesn't) then it should be because it's her choice and not a pressure from other people.
Yes! Poor Evie. Sometimes anxiety can manifest itself in the strangest ways. I was going for the "emotional vomit" angle here, like she has so many unresolved feelings and things she wishes she could say to him that her body is kind of physically trying to get it all up. I agree - Claire isn't perfect but she's infinitely better than the others.
I think it was a good thing for Evie to watch how easily Marnie is brushed off by Jude, as it demonstrates that she really doesn't have a lot of power over her after all. I think this meeting with Jude, if anything, will help Evie to reevaluate things and consider what she really wants in her life, even if there's no future for her and Jude romantically.
Yeah! I wouldn't have thought this was a thing unless I experienced it, but I had a friend who moved to Sydney about 10 years ago and when he came back for a wedding his Irish accent was completely gone. It's amazing how some people seem to assimilate like that, whereas others will maintain the same accent forever, regardless of where they've lived.
that she was too nervous to eat because of Jude, until they actually met and had a conversation, and then she is ready to be hungry again that's one sign that maybe good things can happen here.
Hello everyone! I'm back with another chapter on this rainy St. Patrick's day. I feel like I've been throwing them at you this week, but I'm also kind of eager to get through them as I've gotten so far ahead of myself. (I'm currently writing chapter 18) I might do another double at some point, if that's not too much to handle.
It's time for Evie to ask some hard questions! Er... If she can find the courage to ask them... and if Jude will be honest enough to answer them, that is.
@hellohannah2 I've been so busy lately but I'm getting caught up a little at a time. On to chapter eleven.
Marnie wastes no time passive-aggressively tearing Evie down. I don't think it's the face that salespeople flock to. I feel like they can smell our people pleaser pheromones and they know we'll have a hard time being rude or forceful enough to get away. I had to look up white coffee. I'm a coffee addict and I have to admit I'd never heard of it but now I have to seek it out and try it. There is a roaster where I get all of my coffee from that every year for St. Patrick's Day releases a limited run of coffee beans that have been aged in used whisky barrels from a distiller called Sons of Erin. Absolutely scrumptious, especially with a splash of heavy cream. I should get a bottle of Bailey's and try them together. I'm getting off topic here, pull it together girl.
Evie has developed a bad habit of latching unto a subject and not letting it go. First Dean's block and now she couldn't just accept that Claire and Shane had other plans. And it all comes back to Jude. Maybe it's for the best. So much of her destructive behavior is because she's never truly closed that chapter in her life. Oh, in her mind she thinks she has, but has she really?
I wasn't entirely sure about Claire in the beginning. Sure she's the most stable person Evie has had in her life that we've seen so far. I think it was her having grown up in a comfortable bubble and not known the struggles that people like Evie deal with or have dealt with. As the story has progressed she's showing herself to be the best friend and best influence Evie has in her life. She needs to embrace that. That would go a long way in curbing this destructive pattern she's developed.
@DaniRose2143 I know how it is! Life starts to get so busy around this time of year - I hope you're not overloaded!
Haha yes this is true! I always wondered why it was that I got approached constantly by strangers whereas nobody dared speak to my boyfriend. I think I have an intensely welcoming energy (Or i used to before i figured out I could just wear headphones and nobody would talk to me)
I also just looked up white coffee to see what you saw, and I have never heard of some of those drinks! In Ireland, white coffee is simply an americano style black coffee with milk. It's not a very common order anymore, usually people just say "americano with milk" but back when I was a waitress I'd get the odd order for a "white coffee" and I'd have to know what it was. It was always people of a certain age who called it that. Oh darn that sounds so delicious! I always feel like Americans and Australians know how to do coffee right!
Agreed - she's so insecure and terrified to be left out of things that she just lets it get the better of her. I felt I needed to bring Jude back just to rebalance her a little bit and remind her of who she used to be. She's spiraling down an.. interesting path at the moment and I needed to give her the chance to reevaluate. Whether she'll actually change her behavior after meeting with him remains to be seen!
Absolutely - Claire isn't perfect and they don't relate to one another on a few levels, but she has a good heart. She still cares about Evie and that much is clear. I'm currently writing the final scene between Evie and Claire in part 2 and I'm very curious to see how people will feel about the way things go...
Ooh, Jude's back. I can see why Evie likes him, he is handsome There were a couple of shots where I thought he was slightly feminine-looking, like that screenshot of him hugging her after the party, I don't know what it is though
I remember there were two girls in my year at school who were Welsh, sometimes they'd speak in Welsh to each other. I didn't really notice it myself as I wasn't really friends with them, but I remember people saying that, after the holidays when they'd presumably been to Wales, their accents sounded a lot stronger. Although I guess that's natural, spending time with your Welsh relatives in Wales
And oh dear, Dean being totally out of it on cocaine... maybe she'll think twice about him. I'm not trying to say people who take drugs are awful people, just that it's difficult to be friends with/have a relationship with someone like that, as it completely changes their behaviour.
he is!! But actually I had this thought recently too - I tried very hard to make him look like a teenage boy in part 1, so it's probably why his face is still a little feminine. I think I'm going to tweak his face a little more as he continues to get older - maybe add in a little stubble!
I think accents are pretty amazing, as well as our adaptability. I had a friend whose mother was welsh, and every time she spoke to her on the phone she'd switch accents. It was always really cool to me. I think it's a lovely accent tbh
Yikes! Yes he's not showing his best side here. I think he's entitled to do whatever he wants to his own body, but there's a distinct incompatibility here, with Evie who has never had an interest in drugs. I think a compromise is in order if any relationship is to work out
Hi everyone - this will be the last early release chapter. I know I've been publishing super quickly and many of you have not caught up, but I'm just really anxious to get through some of these chapters.
No worries at all if you don't want to comment for these next few, as they were really hard and emotionally draining to write. I had to access a lot of weird stuff from my own past to do it, and I'm going to be honest about the fact that some of the decisions that Evie makes in the upcoming chapters are very much... not great. Obviously, there will be content warnings if there's anything particularly heavy, but I don't think it's going to be majorly trigger-y, just a kind of a jumble of emotions.
We're winding down towards the end of part 2 here, so get ready...
I'm here, I'm catching upppp! Just a heads up: my reactions are in a bunch of separate little points because I react to what I'm reading as I go
Chapter 14:
→ I still love Shane, and I love the hat and I love when he enters protective mode when Dean texts Evie
It's one of these moments where I wish I could shake Evie, she obviously doesn't want to hang out and right now she's successfully ignoring him but I have the feeling that if he keeps pushing she'll cave. The way she reacts to Dean's texts VS Jude's is like night and day! But then so are their respective senders.
→ The name "flat white" reminds me of white hot chocolate (which I loveee) for some reason
→ I don't understand what's going on with Jude. It's very strange. Like there's obviously something going on here, if he just wanted to be friends he would've laid it all on the table and, I don't know, made it clear that nothing was going to happen and that they are just friends now but there are still so many things unsaid, and that reaction to Evie's uh... savage burn, for lack of a better term, is telling and confusing all at once!
→ Oh nooo poor Liam... I'm really hoping that Jude wasn't mean to him in that moment, but I don't think he would even as a bratty teen, that would downright be cruel.
→ Dean is the arch nemesis of "getting the hint" apparently I am a little apprehensive of the conversation they're about to have. And I find myself quite glad to be reading this late because the answers are just a click away!
Chapter 15:
→ Artbooks are a good present idea! I'm glad it isn't something inappropriate again
→ Finally she acknowledges the fact that Marnie and Fiona are toxic! I hope she never hangs out with them again.
→ Oh gosh I don't like where this whole conversation is going... But it's interesting how Evie is once again going against what she really wants because she thinks it'll make her get away from who she really is, and into a "cooler version" of herself, however blurry that concept is to her. Not to mention the fact that she'll have to hide it from everyone she cares about... I'm bracing for the drama and the spiralling!
Just when I start to think Marnie could not be more obnoxious, or she could make me like her less than I already do she sets the bar even lower. That gag gift, ugh. And that bit with talking about the club in Berlin like she had just discovered it. I'm not surprised that Dean would show up in that condition. All the more reason for Evie to stay away from him. She already has her own worrying habits with her early stage alcoholism. And that brings me back to Marnie and so many people bringing wine as gifts for Evie knowing where it could easily go. See, I didn't even finish my comments about the chapter and Marnie found another way to make me dislike her more.😠 As always, thank god for Claire and Shane. I'm reserving my judgment on Jude until I get through a couple more chapters.🙂
@Velvet_Lilies Haha no problem! I love the way you format your comments
I looove Shane too, he's my hero, but he can't protect her from everything. You're dead right on this - Evie knows what she wants, but she's easy to push, so a person like Dean is a bit of a risky character to have around, seeing as he likes to (Gently or not so gently) push her boundaries. It will never take much to get her to cave.
It should be a hot chocolate! It's much better suited
Hmm yes - his interlude in part 2 is a bit confusing, like, what is this about? Does he think he can just insert himself back into her life without addressing everything that came before? Jude is a very avoidant character and he enjoys sweeping things under the rug a little bit, so he and Evie are an interesting combo. We'll see how this one plays out later in part 2, but for now just keep enjoying their phone calls.
Naaah, in my head Jude would have left Liam alone for this, the bullying stuff happened when they were younger, and by the time Jude met Evie he would have already been feeling a bit bad about it. Again, this storyline will come back again, so watch this space!
Artbooks are a good present! He's on the money with this one, our Dean.
Hmmm do you really think she's not going to hang out with them again? hahaha
I wonder how Dean comes across here to people who don't know what's going to happen (Everyone but me lol). Does he seem genuine and apologetic or a bit smarmy? It's always hard for me to tell. I wanted him to be clear and honest about what he wants, and I think he's done that by expressing that he's not in the market for a relationship, but I wonder is this the right thing for Evie..... brace yourself indeed, I've made myself feel sick with anxiety over some of the things that are about to go down
The hatred for Marnie is real, she's so irredeemable that I wonder if I made her too awful, but then again, her behavior is borrowed from real life, so I guess there really are Marnies out there walking around. It would make you shudder. Yeah! Dean is a mess here, we'll revisit this scene in a later chapter, but I would say that him being interested in the things he is is so contrasting with what Evie wants that it's sure to be a tumultuous combo. Claire and Shane are the angels as always - and yes! Take your time deciding what purpose Jude has in this part of the story. More will unravel.
I feel like you foreshadowed this Dean situation well with
the conversations in previous chapters about casual hookups, and Evie's ideas about it being important to lose one's virginity before or apart from a serious relationship/emotional intimacy.
In general the more I read this story the more I like it, and I liked it to begin with
It's such a great portrait of the main character, for one thing, and then the ways you play with the reader's expectations/worries/judgments, that's awesome too.
@mightysprite thank you so much I always try to foreshadow events if I can, I always thinks it packs more punch when you can look back and think "Oh! this came up before!"
Comments like this make my day!! I think you've also been here since close to the very start - I really appreciate your words
→ I am not happy to see Marnie, but I really really like her hair and outfit. So I'm slightly less annoyed than I usually am. And I was expecting Evie to avoid her at lunchtime, guess I was too optimistic . Marnie's reaction to Evie and Dean reminds me of Kelly's reaction to Evie and Liam. It makes me uncomfortable. Maybe she's just reassured because it means Evie isn't messing around with Jude? Cause THAT would've made Marnie feel inadequate.
→ Everything she says sounds like a threat. Evie. Run.
→ Oh no, I hope Evie isn't falling into the "I can fix him" trap. Because that's bad. That's really really bad.
→ All I see when I read "Bones" is a big Star Trek reference
→ Unfortunately, I like Dean less and less. I wanted to wait and get to know him before making a judgement, and I am slowly learning to dislike him haha
→ "It's not like you have no experience" I felt that one bothering Evie even if she said nothing about it haha, I think I heard a little "ouch" coming from somewhere on the screen lmao
→ "Distantly, I hear my phone buzz from inside the pocket of my coat that’s draped over the chair behind me. I ignore it." Is that Jude? Probably He would probably have that type of timing.
→ It is! I love how every single time he intervenes it's like a breath of fresh air meanwhile the scenes with Dean are dark and edgy and anxiety-inducing
@Velvet_Lilies Hello! and I am not on time replying haha
Her outfits are cute! I think she always looks good, she's one of the characters that has a very distinctive style, and it's full to do up all of her looks. Doesn't prevent her from being awful, but at least if she's going to be mean she can look good doing it.
Nothing she says sounds right even, every time she speaks her cruelty is so thinly veiled!
Agreed - that's really bad! Not like she'd be inclined to follow in her mother's footsteps and cope with a man who has significant issues.. that never happens, right?
So is everyone, I think, even people who previously adored him are turning around. I've finished writing part 2 now so it's all set in stone, I'm very interested to hear about people's thoughts about him once we're all done and dusted. I'm also excited to finally be able to talk about what I think, and what my intention was for him the entire time!!
Ugh, yes, once again she's lied. She really wants to lie a LOT in part 2, it stresses me out.
You know it's Jude!! Have to have a little bit of relief after Dean was awful
I love Evie’s hat. A double pom pom hat isn’t normally my kind of thing, but I like it on her. Maybe it’s partly because it’s red and red is my favourite colour…
I’m not sure what to think about Dean. I know most people dislike him, but I’m more on the fence. I just don’t have any strong feelings one way or another.
The scene in the library/computer room did make me go “ohhh dear” though. Probably Evie is just swept up in a guy giving her positive attention, and even though she’s had doubts (with the whole drugs thing) about him, she’s just happy to get that kind of attention from a guy, because of her low self-esteem and past experience (or not) with Jude. She’s not the first person to fall for that kind of thing.
I'm the minority, again , and don't dislike Dean. I don't so much like what Evie is doing to him, if im honest. Like in the ending there its obvious she thinks only Jude. Dean should just give up and go, they end up hurting both with this speed.
And maybe it indeed cause of my own past , experiences I had at age of Evie, I am NOT a fan of Jude
My love, my love, my fearless love, I will not say goodbye..
Sea may rise, sky may fall, My love will never die..
My heart, my heart, My drowning heart, Oh all the tears I've cried
Oh I may weep forevermore, My love will never die..
I actually love it too! I think it's a conversion from TS3, but as always I'm not a fan of the way the hats just kind of sit on their heads in TS4 - I wish there was a way to remedy this. Red is also my favourite colour!
I think it's fair to feel that way about Dean - I don't think I've ever written a character that has been this complicated, and I'm not sure how I'd be feeling if I knew him in real life. Opinions from readers are ever changing too, so as always I'm very curious about where people are at, even if it is uncertainty or ambiguity.
Evie certainly does enjoy the attention from him, and I think that's normal. She hasn't really had any romance since Jude, and Dean's interest in her is likely fairly nice. I do wish her self esteem was higher though and that she was able to be really clear about the things she wants.
This is an interesting point, and actually, I do agree that Evie shouldn't be keeping contact with Jude if she has feelings for him and Dean at the same time. She craves the friendship she used to have with Jude, and wants back some of those old, more innocent feelings, and perhaps feels it's causing no harm if she can say they are only friends. Maybe she should focus all of her attention on Dean instead - maybe she will! These next few chapters will round up part 2 and we'll see what she decides to do.
Haha that's totally fine, I've found he's either appealing to people or very much not. He's a guy with flaws and doesn't always make good decisions, and perhaps here he's guilty of messing with Evie's head unnecessarily. I think it's funny how our teenage experiences colour our opinions of stories and characters. I do the same thing - Everyone always has very interesting things to share
Comments
A CW for adult content in a way that adult content hasn't been explored yet. Nothing crazy, but specific content warnings will be at the top of the chapter.
https://luckygirlstory.wordpress.com/2023/03/13/chapter-twelve-2/
Wait I'm confused, didn't he sound somewhat "like an American" before? It probably just got stronger?
The striking contrast between the cute Evie/Jude banter and Marnie suddenly showing up like “Evie, come over here quick you silly b--, we found your cake!” was comedy gold
Has anybody ever tried to sing "Happy Birthday" in tune when everybody else is just normally "happy birthdaying"? No? Just me? Trust me it is the awkwardest of experiences hahaha
OF COURSE Marnie's going to try something. Such a Marnie thing to do. And what does she mean "Ferdia is fine with it??"
I don't know how I managed to forget that Dean was supposed to show up, but I did forget. (analytical mode: wayyyy off) And now I'm rediscovering it and I'm nervous.
Oooh this is awkwardd he's all coked up
Shane is winning back all the points again, GO SHANE! I forgive you for throwing stones at Evie from the driveway once when you were like... ten! I had already forgiven him since his behavior after the bar fight with Kelly. I don't hate Dean but he is acting more and more horribly.
I know I said I couldn't make a choice yet but Dean has literally just thrown me in the team Jude camp
Well, now that I have the full context of that Dean/Marnie picture I'm still thinking that therapy might not be such a bad idea for Dean!
Today I learned that everyone in Dublin is on coke. Good to know, thanks Jude!
Seriously though, I know Evie is kind of spiralling with alcohol but I hope she never ever goes past this point.
“Well, whatever you do, make sure it’s because you want to do it. Not because they want you to.” I love how reasonable that sentence sounds when we forget that he's talking about doing drugs lmao.
Alrighttt! Sorry Dean. Team Jude. Undeniably. All the way.
I don't have much to say yet, but I'm glad Evie has her biggest crush with her on her birthday. I also love how casually Jude can dispatch Marnie (if only Evie could do the same). I just don't know if this relationship has any future, but at least it seems like good memories are being made. I worry about how Evie will do when she's back with Marnie and Dean. She's clearly better off without them, but I imagine she'll be hanging out with them again soon because they're convenient and she seems to stick with them no matter what.
I love the detail about Jude's accent. I've had friends whose accents have changed in a similar fashion (they put on an American accent, we separated for a year or two, and their American accent is gone when they're seen again and something more authentic? is there instead--seems to happen more often than people would think
Ah so way back in part 1 I think i described his accent as "odd", like something that was trying to be Irish but sounded American on the vowels. Not living in Ireland anymore, he's lost all of that Irishness he used to have.
Haha of course our Marnie was going to ruin it for them, she always will. Destructive queen. And yes, she will try to make a move because it's her natural state to be like that. Marnie's relationships are always open, she never wants to be held back by the confines of a monogamous relationship. She'll make sure Ferdia is fine with it.
Yep - there's Dean, showing up at his absolute worst to ruin the night for Evie... It's very awkward indeed, but I love Shane for being protective of Evie here again. I wish I could write Shane into the story more, I like him a lot.
Unfortunately true! I lived in Dublin for years and the coke-vibe was totally inescapable. It's just everywhere. Also everyone who works in restaurants is on it, so a double whammy for Dean there. I was trying to hint at that in the scene where Evie watches the guys working in Primo and she's like "oh wow how do they have so much energy!" haha.
lmao! Well at least he's being realistic about it, if she really wants to do it (she doesn't) then it should be because it's her choice and not a pressure from other people.
Hahah woo! Team Jude!!
Thanks for commenting as always
@haneul thanks for your comment as always
I think it was a good thing for Evie to watch how easily Marnie is brushed off by Jude, as it demonstrates that she really doesn't have a lot of power over her after all. I think this meeting with Jude, if anything, will help Evie to reevaluate things and consider what she really wants in her life, even if there's no future for her and Jude romantically.
Yeah! I wouldn't have thought this was a thing unless I experienced it, but I had a friend who moved to Sydney about 10 years ago and when he came back for a wedding his Irish accent was completely gone. It's amazing how some people seem to assimilate like that, whereas others will maintain the same accent forever, regardless of where they've lived.
Read Sim 66 here:https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/978195/sim-66/p1
https://kelloggjkellogg.blogspot.com/2020/10/sim-66-prologue.html
It's time for Evie to ask some hard questions! Er... If she can find the courage to ask them... and if Jude will be honest enough to answer them, that is.
Chapter 2.13 https://luckygirlstory.wordpress.com/2023/03/17/chapter-thirteen-2/
Evie has developed a bad habit of latching unto a subject and not letting it go. First Dean's block and now she couldn't just accept that Claire and Shane had other plans. And it all comes back to Jude. Maybe it's for the best. So much of her destructive behavior is because she's never truly closed that chapter in her life. Oh, in her mind she thinks she has, but has she really?
I wasn't entirely sure about Claire in the beginning. Sure she's the most stable person Evie has had in her life that we've seen so far. I think it was her having grown up in a comfortable bubble and not known the struggles that people like Evie deal with or have dealt with. As the story has progressed she's showing herself to be the best friend and best influence Evie has in her life. She needs to embrace that. That would go a long way in curbing this destructive pattern she's developed.
Under The Tartosan Sun
Schemes and Dreams
I also just looked up white coffee to see what you saw, and I have never heard of some of those drinks! In Ireland, white coffee is simply an americano style black coffee with milk. It's not a very common order anymore, usually people just say "americano with milk" but back when I was a waitress I'd get the odd order for a "white coffee" and I'd have to know what it was. It was always people of a certain age who called it that. Oh darn that sounds so delicious! I always feel like Americans and Australians know how to do coffee right!
Agreed - she's so insecure and terrified to be left out of things that she just lets it get the better of her. I felt I needed to bring Jude back just to rebalance her a little bit and remind her of who she used to be. She's spiraling down an.. interesting path at the moment and I needed to give her the chance to reevaluate. Whether she'll actually change her behavior after meeting with him remains to be seen!
Absolutely - Claire isn't perfect and they don't relate to one another on a few levels, but she has a good heart. She still cares about Evie and that much is clear. I'm currently writing the final scene between Evie and Claire in part 2 and I'm very curious to see how people will feel about the way things go...
Thanks as always for your comment
I remember there were two girls in my year at school who were Welsh, sometimes they'd speak in Welsh to each other. I didn't really notice it myself as I wasn't really friends with them, but I remember people saying that, after the holidays when they'd presumably been to Wales, their accents sounded a lot stronger. Although I guess that's natural, spending time with your Welsh relatives in Wales
And oh dear, Dean being totally out of it on cocaine... maybe she'll think twice about him. I'm not trying to say people who take drugs are awful people, just that it's difficult to be friends with/have a relationship with someone like that, as it completely changes their behaviour.
I think accents are pretty amazing, as well as our adaptability. I had a friend whose mother was welsh, and every time she spoke to her on the phone she'd switch accents. It was always really cool to me. I think it's a lovely accent tbh
Yikes! Yes he's not showing his best side here. I think he's entitled to do whatever he wants to his own body, but there's a distinct incompatibility here, with Evie who has never had an interest in drugs. I think a compromise is in order if any relationship is to work out
Thanks for commenting!
Here's chapter 14! No drama today, keeping it relaxed and casual.
Enjoy
https://luckygirlstory.wordpress.com/2023/03/24/chapter-fourteen-2/
No worries at all if you don't want to comment for these next few, as they were really hard and emotionally draining to write. I had to access a lot of weird stuff from my own past to do it, and I'm going to be honest about the fact that some of the decisions that Evie makes in the upcoming chapters are very much... not great. Obviously, there will be content warnings if there's anything particularly heavy, but I don't think it's going to be majorly trigger-y, just a kind of a jumble of emotions.
We're winding down towards the end of part 2 here, so get ready...
https://luckygirlstory.wordpress.com/2023/03/27/chapter-fifteen-2/
→ I still love Shane, and I love the hat and I love when he enters protective mode when Dean texts Evie
It's one of these moments where I wish I could shake Evie, she obviously doesn't want to hang out and right now she's successfully ignoring him but I have the feeling that if he keeps pushing she'll cave. The way she reacts to Dean's texts VS Jude's is like night and day! But then so are their respective senders.
→ The name "flat white" reminds me of white hot chocolate (which I loveee) for some reason
→ I don't understand what's going on with Jude. It's very strange. Like there's obviously something going on here, if he just wanted to be friends he would've laid it all on the table and, I don't know, made it clear that nothing was going to happen and that they are just friends now but there are still so many things unsaid, and that reaction to Evie's uh... savage burn, for lack of a better term, is telling and confusing all at once!
→ Oh nooo poor Liam... I'm really hoping that Jude wasn't mean to him in that moment, but I don't think he would even as a bratty teen, that would downright be cruel.
→ Dean is the arch nemesis of "getting the hint" apparently
Chapter 15:
→ Artbooks are a good present idea! I'm glad it isn't something inappropriate again
→ Finally she acknowledges the fact that Marnie and Fiona are toxic! I hope she never hangs out with them again.
→ Oh gosh I don't like where this whole conversation is going... But it's interesting how Evie is once again going against what she really wants because she thinks it'll make her get away from who she really is, and into a "cooler version" of herself, however blurry that concept is to her. Not to mention the fact that she'll have to hide it from everyone she cares about... I'm bracing for the drama and the spiralling!
Under The Tartosan Sun
Schemes and Dreams
It should be a hot chocolate! It's much better suited
Hmm yes - his interlude in part 2 is a bit confusing, like, what is this about? Does he think he can just insert himself back into her life without addressing everything that came before? Jude is a very avoidant character and he enjoys sweeping things under the rug a little bit, so he and Evie are an interesting combo. We'll see how this one plays out later in part 2, but for now just keep enjoying their phone calls.
Naaah, in my head Jude would have left Liam alone for this, the bullying stuff happened when they were younger, and by the time Jude met Evie he would have already been feeling a bit bad about it. Again, this storyline will come back again, so watch this space!
Artbooks are a good present! He's on the money with this one, our Dean.
Hmmm do you really think she's not going to hang out with them again? hahaha
I wonder how Dean comes across here to people who don't know what's going to happen (Everyone but me lol). Does he seem genuine and apologetic or a bit smarmy? It's always hard for me to tell. I wanted him to be clear and honest about what he wants, and I think he's done that by expressing that he's not in the market for a relationship, but I wonder is this the right thing for Evie..... brace yourself indeed, I've made myself feel sick with anxiety over some of the things that are about to go down
@DaniRose2143 Thanks for commenting as always!
In general the more I read this story the more I like it, and I liked it to begin with
It's such a great portrait of the main character, for one thing, and then the ways you play with the reader's expectations/worries/judgments, that's awesome too.
Comments like this make my day!! I think you've also been here since close to the very start - I really appreciate your words
https://luckygirlstory.wordpress.com/2023/03/31/chapter-sixteen-2/
→ Everything she says sounds like a threat. Evie. Run.
→ Oh no, I hope Evie isn't falling into the "I can fix him" trap. Because that's bad. That's really really bad.
→ All I see when I read "Bones" is a big Star Trek reference
→ Unfortunately, I like Dean less and less. I wanted to wait and get to know him before making a judgement, and I am slowly learning to dislike him haha
→ "It's not like you have no experience" I felt that one bothering Evie even if she said nothing about it haha, I think I heard a little "ouch" coming from somewhere on the screen lmao
→ "Distantly, I hear my phone buzz from inside the pocket of my coat that’s draped over the chair behind me. I ignore it." Is that Jude? Probably
→ It is! I love how every single time he intervenes it's like a breath of fresh air meanwhile the scenes with Dean are dark and edgy and anxiety-inducing
Nothing she says sounds right even, every time she speaks her cruelty is so thinly veiled!
Agreed - that's really bad! Not like she'd be inclined to follow in her mother's footsteps and cope with a man who has significant issues.. that never happens, right?
So is everyone, I think, even people who previously adored him are turning around. I've finished writing part 2 now so it's all set in stone, I'm very interested to hear about people's thoughts about him once we're all done and dusted. I'm also excited to finally be able to talk about what I think, and what my intention was for him the entire time!!
Ugh, yes, once again she's lied. She really wants to lie a LOT in part 2, it stresses me out.
You know it's Jude!! Have to have a little bit of relief after Dean was awful
Thanks for your comment
I’m not sure what to think about Dean. I know most people dislike him, but I’m more on the fence. I just don’t have any strong feelings one way or another.
The scene in the library/computer room did make me go “ohhh dear” though. Probably Evie is just swept up in a guy giving her positive attention, and even though she’s had doubts (with the whole drugs thing) about him, she’s just happy to get that kind of attention from a guy, because of her low self-esteem and past experience (or not) with Jude. She’s not the first person to fall for that kind of thing.
And maybe it indeed cause of my own past , experiences I had at age of Evie, I am NOT a fan of Jude
Sea may rise, sky may fall, My love will never die..
My heart, my heart, My drowning heart, Oh all the tears I've cried
Oh I may weep forevermore, My love will never die..
I think it's fair to feel that way about Dean - I don't think I've ever written a character that has been this complicated, and I'm not sure how I'd be feeling if I knew him in real life. Opinions from readers are ever changing too, so as always I'm very curious about where people are at, even if it is uncertainty or ambiguity.
Evie certainly does enjoy the attention from him, and I think that's normal. She hasn't really had any romance since Jude, and Dean's interest in her is likely fairly nice. I do wish her self esteem was higher though and that she was able to be really clear about the things she wants.
Thanks for your comment!
@Ellupelluellu Thank you for sharing!
Haha that's totally fine, I've found he's either appealing to people or very much not. He's a guy with flaws and doesn't always make good decisions, and perhaps here he's guilty of messing with Evie's head unnecessarily. I think it's funny how our teenage experiences colour our opinions of stories and characters. I do the same thing - Everyone always has very interesting things to share