WARNING:
EMOTIONAL CONTENT.
Includes emotional distress, feelings of worthlessness and violence.

THE BEARDED DRAGON pub was a staple in Marleyport. Back when Aahan was a teenager, it was called 'The Rabbit', and the current owner's grandparents used to run it. The atmosphere was different to how he remembered it—there used to be a lot more teenagers, which, at the time, used to surprise and confuse the young adult Aahan. He liked that there were mainly adults here, but considering that the older generations in his own household didn't seem to gel with him these days, it was safe to say he felt awkward.

He still felt like that awkward teenager in a crowded place, but this time, he didn't have his friends by his side.

He found himself staring at Paige. He knew he shouldn't—it was unprofessional. They were colleagues, maybe friends at a push. But she had let her curls out of their bun, and there was something about the way they fell perfectly, framing her face. Her very attractive face, Aahan thought.

"Michael and I used to come here all the time when we first started working at the school", explained Paige. "We've been friends for years."

Aahan nodded. "Ah. Right."

That familiar, twisting feeling in the pit of his stomach returned. Not of nerves this time, but of dread. Of doubt. He wouldn't dare call Michael a rival, but something about the Head Teacher reminded him of the stuck up, condescending bullies he used to deal with at college and, to some extent, university.

They were different to the high school bullies, who liked to pick on him for the most silliest of things. His clothes. His thick accent. The fact that he liked collecting funny stickers.

His college bullies mainly just excluded him from events, and ignored any attempt he or his friends made to get Aahan involved in interactions.

His university bullies were very different, often making out that they were far more superior than he was. Some of them couldn't even fathom that someone like Allison was genuinely a friend of his.

"Hey, Michael!", exclaimed Paige, beaming as she went over to hug him.

Aahan noticed that, while he was sitting by the table near the others, he was sat alone. Ruby didn't even register his existence, and Nalini and Jax glanced over nervously at him.

Sitting right next to Michael, Paige turned around to wave at the Reception crew. "Hey! How are you guys doing?"

"Great, thank you", smiled Nalini, with Jax waving back and Ruby giving her a small smile.

Paige had positioned her chair so that she could see everyone, but she pushed right against Michael, their arms pressed together, despite the space they had available.

Aahan had a choice. One of many seats on Michael and Paige's table, or the only available seat with the Reception crew. Before he could even register what he was doing, his feet took him to the Reception crew.

"Aahan, Eloise was telling us about all the plans you have for the football rally!", smiled Nalini. "It sounds like it'll be so much fun!"

"I have to admit, they seem to have really taken to you", said Ruby.

Paige nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I've never seen a class like a substitute teacher this much."

Aahan's face went hot, but the pride in his chest burned ten times hotter. He glanced over at Michael, who actually seemed impressed.

"Mr More never got students involved like that", said Paige.

"Come on now, let's not talk bad about the man", said Michael.

"Why? He literally used to put you down all the time when you were still Deputy Head."

Michael's face dropped. He looked over at Aahan, whose eyes were narrowed in confusion. His eyes found their way to Ruby's, which had softened slightly, but returned to glaring when Michael looked at them.

"Let's change the subject..."

"Story of your life, hey?", muttered Ruby, so quietly that only Nalini and Michael heard, but that was enough.

"You know what?", said Michael, quickly downing the last of his drink. "I actually, uh, I forgot I have to be somewhere else."

"What?", responded a confused Paige. "Where?"

"Enjoy your evening, everyone", said Michael, before paying for his drink and leaving.

"What was that about?", asked Jax.

Paige shrugged, the look of concern still on her face. "No idea..."

"Ooh! Ooh! Karaoke!", cheered Nalini, pointing to some rearranged stools, which had been kitted out for those wanting to sing.

"Oh yeah! Karaoke nights are a regular thing here", said Paige.
"We always bust out a song or two."

"Try five", corrected Ruby. "And it's just you guys, not me."

Paige playfully rolled her eyes. "One of these days, I'll get you to join in."

"Good luck with that."

"Whose singing first?", asked Nalini, turning to look at Aahan. "How about you Aahan?"

Aahan quickly shook his head. "No, no... I sound like a dying cat."

"Oh come on, it's fun!", said Paige. 

"I'll go first!", offered Jax, jumping up from his seat and running to the mic. "I'd like to dedicate this to my daughter!"

"No dedications! This isn't a concert", said one of the barmen. 

"Oh, don't be a bore, Malcolm!", shouted out Paige, earning mutterings of agreement from other pub-goers. 'Slipping Through My Fingers' from Mamma Mia started playing, and Jax's usual bright and happy demeanour was replaced by a more focused, contemplative one. 

"School bag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning..."

His voice was smooth, each word dripping off his tongue like honey. It was so comforting, like a lullaby you'd sing to your baby. He sang to his daughter whenever he could, wanting her to feel connected to music, as if it were another way to communicate. 

"Aww, it's so lovely!" beamed Nalini. 

Paige had now joined Aahan's table, and was slowly resting her head on his shoulder. 

Briefly closing his eyes, letting Jax's voice fill his ears, a distant memory started to resurface.

2011

Raucous laughter and the clinking of beer bottles echoed across the pub. The smell of stale beer and cheese and onion crisps clung  to the air. Allison was in her favourite outfit—dark red cropped top, blue denim jeans, with yellow stars she had stitched herself, and bright red platform heels. Her hair was tied up into a bun, allowing the eyeliner in her waterline to make her blue eyes pop. She had five different necklaces on, layering them so that each could have their moment to shine. 

"Aw, Aahan, I feel bad that we're drinkin' and you're not", said  Allison. 

"Me too. But again, if my mother asks, not one drop of beer has touched my lips, ok?", reminded Kofi, chuckling when Aahan mimed zipping up his lips and passing the 'key' to Allison. 

Kofi had a dark green top and black trousers on, with his favourite black trainers. He had suggested that they all coordinate, but Aahan was criminally disorganised, so he just settled on them all at least dressing nicely. 

"Guys, I'm ok, really. I just feel bad for bringing down the mood. I'm like the only college kid here that's gonna be a bore", said Aahan. 

Allison slapping his shoulder. "Oi! Don't say that. I'd rather hang out with you than any of these other people and you know it."

An awkward half-smile, half-smirk appeared on his face. Kofi nodded in agreement, taking another sip of his beer.

"Plus, you're not a bore!", he reassured, placing a hand on Aahan's shoulder. 

"Ooh guys, look!", gasped Allison, pointing to something ahead of them. "Karaoke! Come on, let's sing a song!"

Groaning, Aahan shook his head. "I don't know... I sound so bad when I sing."

"Like I sound any better", said Kofi. 

"No like, back home in India, my mother begged me to stop singing to my little cousin once, because he was wailing."

Allison pressed her lips together, trying her hardest not to laugh. A soft, warm look of adoration filled her eyes as she watched Aahan chuckle along with Kofi. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kofi had clapped a hand on Aahan's shoulder. 

"If we sound like drowning cats, at least we'll do it together", said Kofi. "If you're really that bad, I'll just sing louder so my bad singing outshines yours."

"And I'll join in so you two aren't the only ones sounding bad", offered Allison. 

Kofi shook his head. "No, no, you need to show off your great singing voice. If all three of us sound awful, I fear ears will bleed."

Allison giggled. "So Aahan, what do you think?"

Aahan pouted, hanging his head low as he contemplated what to do. Lifting his head up, he was met with hopeful yet non-pressuring eyes. "Ok, ok, fine!"

¤¤¤

In the O'Connor household, Spencer was watching a movie while his mother was getting herself something to drink. Zeke had been working a lot more lately, to help provide for the new baby. Spencer didn't really mind though. He liked getting to spend time with his mother, and wanted to cherish these moments before the baby arrives.

"Spencer, honey, can you–"

Suddenly, the lights and TV turned off. Spencer jumped up, making his way over to the nearest light switch. He flicked it twice, frowning when it wouldn't turn on.

"Mum, the electric's out", said Spencer.

"Go and take the key out and put it back in, will you?", asked his mother.

"I did that already", reminded Spencer. "You need to top it up."

His mother paused, remembering she was supposed to do that earlier. Sighing, she rubbed her forehead.
"I completely forgot. Ugh, we just got our water turned back on."

She walked into the living room, flopping down on the sofa. Spencer's brows furrowed as he watched his mother's dejected expression.

"Mum, what's wrong?", he asked, walking over and joining her on the sofa.

She shook her head. "Nothing, love."

Spencer raised his eyebrows.
"Mum, we don't lie to each other, remember?"

His mother held eye contact with him for a few seconds, her face softening and sadness filling her eyes.
"Money is just so tight right now."

"That hasn't mattered before", said Spencer.

Back when his father was still alive, they were doing well financially. They weren't rich, but they could afford to live comfortably. His mother owned a local book shop 'BOOKWORMS UNITE HERE.' It was quite popular, but after her husband died, Spencer's mother lost love for it. Nowadays, they'd get a handful of customers at best.

Things had gotten so expensive, and although his mother and Zeke worked really hard, their money struggles only got worse. But Spencer didn't need a lot. He was happy with his skateboard. Although, a part of him did wish he could go shopping more often, instead of just window shopping with his mother.

"Spencer, I see all the kids in your school wearing fancy trainers and having designer bags", said his mother. "I wish I could get you those things. Something like those cool trainers I've seen you look at when we go into town."

"Mum... I don't need all that stuff."

His mother's face softened. "But I want you to have it, darling."

Spencer reached out and held his mother's hand.
"I'm sixteen now. I can apply for jobs to help out."

His mother smiled, but there was more pain and sadness in her expression. She felt so guilty. Her son shouldn't have to be thinking about this.

"How can I bring up a baby like this?", she asked. "In a perpetually cold house, not knowing how long the lights will stay on for?"

"Stop it", said Spencer. "You're a great mum. And yeah, maybe this baby is gonna have to sacrifice some things it wants, but none of that matters. Not really. You're going to love this baby so much, Mum. You're going to give them the best childhood, just like you've given me."

His mother's face brightened almost immediately, her son's words touching her. She had raised Spencer for sixteen years, supporting him through all of his struggles, cheering at his every success. She was just so immensely proud of the person he was becoming. She reached out and placed a hand on his face, smiling at him.

"Since when did you get so wise, hey?"

Spencer chuckled. He stood up, an idea popping into his head. He held his hand out, waiting for his mother to take it. Curiosity piqued, she did, and Spencer guided her to the middle of the living room. It was still so dark, with just a little bit of light peeking through the windows.

He carefully twirled his mother around, smiling when she laughed. When Spencer was younger, he was terrified of the dark. One day, in an effort to distract him, his mother picked him up and spun him round and round, before dancing with him. Not only did it take his mind off his fears, but it also comforted him. Because he knew his mother would always be there.

Now, the two of them swayed together, holding each other close. Spencer's mother placed a hand on the back of his head, clutching him close to her, cherishing this moment with her son.

¤¤¤

"That dedication to your daughter... it was really sweet", said Aahan, taking a quick sip of his lemonade.
"Oh gosh, I-I'm so sorry, I didn't even ask her name."

"That's ok. Her name is Cheyenne."

"Oh, that's a pretty name."

Jax smiled as he took a sip of his water. "Thank you. Her mum is Native American, so that's why I chose that name."

"Oh, cool. Are you and her mum still...", he said, his words drifting off when he realised show little he knew about the people sat around this table. His life had been consumed with family drama, wedding plans and mission to win the teaching award. It was only now, sat at this table, that he realised how distant he was from his colleagues. 

"Actually, uh, she left a few weeks after Cheyenne was born. Cut off all contact, moved away... she just ran out of our lives."

"Oh, gosh, that must've really hurt."

Jax nodded. "It did. But you know, parenthood isn't for everyone."

"Doesn't make it alright to leave you on your own and not even bother to send her baby a letter or anything to remember her by", said Paige, earning a nod of agreement from Ruby and a more subtle nod from Nalini. 

"Honestly, hats off to you. I don't have kids, but my three brothers do, and as much as I love being their uncle, I couldn't imagine having to look after them all day, every day."

"Thanks. It's definitely a struggle though."

"Do you have a place to unwind? My siblings and their partners have all moved in while preparations for my sister's wedding are underway, and I've spent a lot of time just heading over to my neighbour's or getting out of the house", suggested Aahan. "I know you can't do that with your baby, but maybe the next time you do get time to yourself, try and focus on not doing anything, you know?"

"Like have a break from all other non-baby related tasks?", clarified Nalini. 

"At the risk of sounding like downer, he has more responsibilities than Cheyenne, so he has to factor in time for those too", said Ruby.

Aahan frowned. "Oh, right...

"I appreciate your help though", said Jax. 

"Well, I know it's not much, but if there's anything I can do at the school to take something off your plate, let me know."

He was being sincere, wanting to do something from the goodness of his heart, as opposed to winning potential votes for the award. He didn't really think anything of it. He just wanted to help. But the genuine look of shock, melting into appreciation, on Jax's face, and the warm smiles the others were giving him, made him realise just how important that sincerity was. 

After how he treated the students, he didn't want to risk losing that again. Losing himself.

"Thank you, Aahan", smiled Jax. "I really, really appreciate that."

"Ok, I'm sorry, but I would just like to circle back to something", interjected Ruby. "You've got how many people living at your house?"

"Hold that thought for just a moment, Aahan. The karaoke machine is free! Let's sing Rocket Man!", suggested Nalini, getting nods of agreement from Jax and Paige. 

"Hard pass", said Ruby.

"Guys, uh, you know what I think I'll sit this out, with Ruby."

"Oh please, Aahan!", implored Paige, reaching out and grabbing his arm. Lowering her voice, she lifted her head up and brought her lips to his ear. "I want to let off steam with you."

Aahan would be lying if he said he didn't want the same thing. Trying to be the perfect teacher, in hopes of getting the award, was exhausting. Add to that all of the family stress he was dealing with, it was a miracle he hadn't suffered a breakdown yet.

But singing, potentially making a  fool of himself, in front of his colleagues? He couldn't risk that. Why couldn't things be like they were when he was younger? Why could he never allow himself to just be silly and  have fun?

Everything was so much easier with Kofi and Allison. 

Life was so much easier with them.

"Take on mee!", sang Kofi. 

"Take me hoome...", joined in Aahan.

Wrapping a hand around Aahan's shoulder, Allison leaned into him as she brought the mic to her lips. "I'll be gone."

"In a day or twooo!", they sang together.

Giggling as they waited for the next lyrics to appear, the trio looked around at each other, their eyes bright with joy. Kofi started to do a shoulder shrugging move and, without even realising it, Aahan joined in. Allison took over the next verse, adding in a few perfectly timed shoulder shrugs as well.

Leaning in, Allison whispered in Aahan's ear. "See? You're totally not a bore."

"You and Kofi make me less boring."

Allison shook her head. "When are you going to realise how great you are to be around? You just have to let people in, Aahan."

"Come on, Aahan! It'd be nice for us to all do this together", said Nalini. 

"Yeah man, I mean, I know we haven't really had the chance to hang out, but I think you're really nice, and I'm always looking for more friends", said Jax. 

Aahan looked at all the people surrounding him, people he thought he would only ever see as colleagues, and only ever need to help him win the award. They were a bit of a random bunch, but then again... people said the same about him, Kofi and Allison.

"Ok then, I'm in."

Paige and Jax started cheering, with Nalini clapping her hands. Even though Ruby rolled her eyes, she couldn't fight the small smile that was tugging at her lips. Together, they all hurried to the stage, as if they though Aahan was like Cinderella, and his newfound confidence would vanish after midnight.

As Nalini and Jax powered through the first verse—actually sounding magical together—Aahan watched with a smile. His nerves were most definitely fizzling, popping and rolling around in his body, but he was trying to focus on the positives. He felt a hand slip into his, an electric sensation coarsing through his body when he looked up and saw Paige looking at him with the brightest smile. She raised the mic to her lips, and he knew it was his cue, but part of him just wanted to stay like this, gazing into each other's eyes.

"And I think it's gonna be a long, long night..."

He and Paige belted the words as loud as they could, with Jax and Nalini joining in too. The strangest, but most welcome thing was,  the more he sang, the less he was worried about looking good in front of Paige. He danced and cheered with Jax as Nalini took on a small solo. He was having so much fun that he didn't even notice the impressed and intrigued expression on Paige's face. Where had this Aahan been hiding? 

"Aahan, me and you will take the next line!", suggested Jax.

¤¤¤

Meanwhile, at the O'Connor household, Spencer and his mum were huddled over a game of Ludo, a small torch iluminating the board.

"Ooh, I've rolled a five! Hmm, which one of my little green men should I move?", queried Spencer, a devlish smirk on his face.

"Spencer O'Connor, you wouldn't dare!", gasped his mum.

Spencer looked at the Ludo board in front of them. His fingers pinched at his ludo piece, that was closest to the last remaining yellow piece his mum had on the board.

"Wouldn't I?", he teased, before making his green man hop four spaces—landing on top of his mum's yellow piece. Cackling triumphantly, he plucked the yellow piece from the board.

"Treachery!", screamed his mum, miming plunging a dagger into her heart, before clutching it dramatically. "As the youngsters say... it be your own people."

"Ugh, never do that again."

"What, be cool?"

Spencer nodded. "Yeah, it doesn't suit you."

"Cheeky b*stard", she said, throwing one of his green men at him.

Before he could retaliate, the doorbell rang.

"Ah, that's probably Zeke, back with the electric key", said his mum.

"I'll get it", said Spencer.

He hurried over to the door, eager for the electricity to return. Playing board games in the dark used to be one of the ways Spencer and his mum or dad would pass the time whenever the electricity went out.

"Eloise?", he questioned, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

A grinning Eloise was holding up two large trays of blueberry and raspberry pies. Spencer could tell because, other than the sweet aroma, the aluminium foil Eloise had used to cover them, had lifted slightly, revealing the golden-brown pies.

"I made pies for you!", she beamed. To the untrained eye, she might look fine, but Spencer knew her too well. Her smile was eerily big, and her left eye was twitching ever so slightly.

This also wasn't the first time Eloise had shared homemade baked goods with him. In fact, the only times she shared them was when she was going through a particularly stressful time. Yes, indeed, she was the ultimate stress baker.

Things at home must've been getting to her.

After letting her in, and explaining that they'd eat the pies once the electricity was back on, so they could heat it, the trio sat around the dinner table.

"And this is the Pinterest board I made, with cute baby clothes", said Eloise, clicking on the board.

Spencer craned his neck, positioning the torch better, so they could see the screen. Seeing Spencer repositioning, Eloise leaned into him, her head resting against his shoulder.

Smiling softly, Spencer turned his attention back to the phone. His mum's attention was on him though, a knowing look appearing on her face, after witnessing the happiness Eloise's gesture brought him.

"What do you think, Mi-uh, sorry, Jen?", asked Eloise.

"Of the clothes?", she questioned. Pointing to a mint green matching set, she smiled. "I think they're a good match", she said, nudging Spencer. "Don't you think they make a good match?"

Baffled, Spencer just stared at his mum. Her quick glance from him to Eloise, then back at him again, was supposed to be a telling hint, but the poor boy was more perplexed than ever.

"Nevermind", she said.

Ah. He'll figure it out in time.

"It's so sweet that you made a board to help us brainstorm outfit ideas", said Spencer's mum. "And that you brought round pie too! Zeke will be back soon, and I'll whip us up some pasta. Do you want to stay? Or will Kerry and Callum say it's too late?"

"They won't care", she replied, a small frown appearing on her face. Not even a second later, she plastered on a smile. "I'd love to stay, if you're sure you don't mind?"

"Mind? Oh El, I'd keep you here forever if I could", smiled Spencer's mum.

"Oof, I can't handle seeing her face that much", teased Spencer.

"Oi!", exclaimed Eloise, throwing a stray ludo piece at him.

¤¤¤

"So, you're not that bad of a singer. What other tricks you got up your sleeve?", asked Paige, gently tapping the beer bottle in her hand. 

She and Aahan had found their way back to the table, whilst Nalini decided to ambush Ruby when she went to make a phone call, hoping to get her to join them for one song. Jax had popped outside to quickly video call the babysitter he left Cheyenne with.

Aahan chuckled. "I can peel and cut fruit at a superhuman speed. But that's all I got."

Giggling, Paige shook her head, before taking a small sip of her drink.
"No, I'm not buying that. There's a lot more to you than you're letting on."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but there really isn't."

Paige shrugged. "Oh well, I'm just gonna enjoy pulling back all those layers myself", she said, leaning a little closer and brushing her fingers against his arm.

"You uh... you're very confident, aren't you?", was all he could say.

"I don't believe in mincing my words. Life's too short to not say exactly how I'm feeling, you know?"

"That's uh.. actually really cool. Wish I could be like that."

Paige shrugged. "Then start now. Tell me what you're thinking in that cute little head of yours."

Aahan chuckled. "I'm thinking I have no idea how someone so fun and confident can actually enjoy spending time with someone like me."

"So you don't think you're fun and confident? What was that I saw when we were singing then?"

"That, I... I don't really know where it came from."

Paige reached out and placed a hand on Aahan's chest. "It came from in here", she said, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion."Woah, why is your heart beating so fast? Are you ok?"

She looked up and saw Aahan quickly look down, attempting to hide his embarrassment. Smiling softly, Paige moved her hand away. "Ah."

"Um, a, ahem, uh... wh-where did you learn to sing like  that? You were so good."

"Thanks", she smiled. "Music has always been a passion of mine. I went to a performing arts school and everything."

"What made you want to be a teacher then?"

"Well, the dream is still to be a singer, but I've gotta make ends meet until then, haven't I?", she said, clearing her throat. "Anyway, what about you? Any passions or dreams?"

"Uh, I mean, I used to love skateboarding and photography."

Paige's eyes widened, her drink dangerously close to spraying everywhere. "Wait, what? You skateboard?"

"I used to."

"And you said there's nothing interesting about you!"

Aahan laughed. "I mean it's not that cool. Haven't picked up a board in ages."

"Why not?"

"Uh... just wasn't in the cards", he responded, taking a sip of his drink, hoping that the conversation topic would change.

Paige exhaled softly, looking at the empty bottle in her hand. "I'm going to get another one. Want another lemonade?"

"Sure, thank you."

His eyes lingered on Paige as she walked to the bar, a chuckle of disbelief leaving his lips. There weren't many days where he felt on Cloud 9, and he didn't ever want this feeling to go. 

"Oh, so it's my fault?"

A heavily inebriated Eulan stumbled into the pub, his phone pressed against his ear. Tears welled up in his eyes, but the dark expression in them made it seem like tears of frustration. 

"Just talk to me, Brian!", he hissed. "You're really gonna throw away what we have? I said I was sorry, didn't I?", he continued, turning around to see a now panicked Aahan staring right at him. Anger flashed in his eyes, and he froze, a deer in headlights. "Were you eavesdropping on me?"

Aahan shook his head, standing up with his arms up. "N-No, I-I'm so... I didn't know–"

"You nosy little sh–", he started, before grabbing Aahan by the collar. "Why can't you just get lost, hey? You're always in places you shouldn't be", he spat, raising his clenched fist. 

"Oi", yelled Paige, running to him, Nalini following after. "Get off him!"

Pulling Eulan away, Paige got in between them, gently placing her hands on Aahan's face. "Are you ok? Did he hit you?"

The grabbing, the yelling, the venomous words—it brought back painful memories. Frozen in fear, tears rolling down his face, all he could muster was a shake of his head. Nalini had shoo-ed Eulan away, but the expression on her face was pained, not angry.

"Ok, ok, come on, come with me...", said Paige, guiding Aahan outside, scanning their surroundings to make sure Eulan wasn't waiting outside. The cold, blistering air felt oddly refreshing: pulling him away from his thoughts.

"Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?", asked Paige. 

"Y-Yeah, you came before he could do anything."

Exhaling sharply, Paige shook her head. "I'm so sorry, Aahan. I don't know what's gotten into him."

"He hates me."

"No! No, he doesn't. He's just... I don't know. He's always been a bit more difficult to get along with, but never this bad. Nalini's got this theory that he's going through something, but that doesn't make it ok, does it?"

Her expression softened considerably, and all Aahan could think about was his parents looking at him like he was  a wounded little lamb, any time he'd get picked on at school. That was the last thing he wanted Paige to see him as. 

"I'm uh, I think I'm just going to go home."

"I get it. We should definitely do this again some time though. Minus the almost getting punched bit."

"Wait. You actually want to hang out again?"

Sighing, Paige shook her head, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Aahan, listen: you need to stop thinking so low of yourself. You wanna be liked? Confidence is key. Live your life with confidence and everything else will fall into place."

"I uh... I'll try. Thank you, not just for the uh, words of wisdom, but you know... for everything today. Eulan aside, I had a really great time."

Her dimples poked through as her smile brightened, tiny sparks of light twinkling in her eyes. Her hand gently brushed Aahan's shoulder.
"Me too. I can tell we're going to have a lot of fun together, Aahan."

__________

Hi.

This chapter has been sitting in my drafts for a long time, barely started, because I just really struggled to write scenes that mostly involved the staff. I feel more confident writing the characters that aren't mine, atleast for this particular fic, and I'm not sure why. I hope you think I am doing them justice too!

As difficult as it was initially, when I came back to it after a long time, it was much easier. I feel like I have a better handle on where I wanted to go, and how I wanted the staff to be portrayed. Do you have a favourite staff member character?

Flashbacks will feature heavily with pretty much all of Aahan's storylines, and they are very important. starryeyedturtle has given me great advice on writing them, and I tried my best to implement it here. I've said it before, but she is a phenomenal writer, and person! I can't recommend her work enough. 

When I think of Spencer's relationship with his mum, I think of the music video for Pointless by Lewis Capaldi. They have an unbreakable bond, and they just warm my heart every time I write their scenes.

starryeyedturtle

niallhoranslovebot

LeMystical-Puffle

DoodleYeet

Tornado-Jockey