Don't Hide What's Inside--Closed; Judging Begins.

[Rotsab M. Hyolf]

Writer Selbe

The Solarised Night

Writer Selbe

bump

hasn't the contest finished?

Not until tomorrow at 11:59 PM.

Which is why I am motoring it on my entry. xD

I had thought this was open until February 14 for some reason, haha.

[Writer Selbe]

Rotsab M. Hyolf

Haha, good luck!

[The Solarised Night]

Writer Selbe

The Solarised Night

Writer Selbe

bump

hasn't the contest finished?

Not until tomorrow at 11:59 PM.

okay smile

[Writer Selbe]

The Solarised Night

Writer Selbe

The Solarised Night

Writer Selbe

bump

hasn't the contest finished?

Not until tomorrow at 11:59 PM.

okay smile

So exciting~! I get to distribute AGWL points~

[The Solarised Night]

Writer Selbe

The Solarised Night

Writer Selbe

The Solarised Night

Writer Selbe

bump

hasn't the contest finished?

Not until tomorrow at 11:59 PM.

okay smile

So exciting~! I get to distribute AGWL points~

Really, I thought wing said no.

[Writer Selbe]

The Solarised Night

That was before when I wasn't an accredited host. Now I am so I can do it. Yays~!

[Rotsab M. Hyolf]

Writer Selbe

Quote here~!

Hello

ninja

[cranberry_kiwi]

Writer Selbe

Quote here~!

It was unfortunate that two best friends had to grow apart. It happens all the time where two people find other friends and just happen to become distant. I was busy with making a life with my boyfriend and doing small jobs here and there. I had no idea that my best friend's world was crumbling under his feet at the time.

I remember Torsten's father lost his job and his mother had long been deceased. His father's girlfriend, Tabby, didn't work or do anything around the house. She was just there, taking advantage of what little money they had around. His father was too nice to her and let things happen this way. When she moved in, she took over Torsten's bedroom, forcing him to sleep next to his father. Tabby's lack of concern and responsibility is why I think she's partially the reason why Torsten and his father lost their home.

Torsten and I kept in touch with a friendly phone call here and there. We didn't talk as long as we used to, but things were busy with both of us. He just got a new job and I was helping my parents keep their house together. While we talked, it never occurred to me that we were acting like strangers toward each other. It wasn't until he broke down over the phone that I knew something was wrong.

The next week, we met for a quick lunch and a walk around the park. It was just me and him, like old times. We joked like we used to and felt real. I had almost forgotten about how serious the nature of us hanging out was supposed to be.

As we ate our picnic food of sandwiches and juice boxes, he revealed that he had been holding in a secret for so long that it's driving him to his breaking point. I tried not to show signs of panic, but my mind was jumping to conclusions too fast. As bad as it was for me to try predicting what news he had, I knew it was worse for him.

Torsten removed his dusty glasses and stared straight into my eyes, an intense gaze I hadn't seen since he told me his mother passed away. Then he blinked and I saw tears forming, his cheeks shaking as he tried holding whatever it was back. I got up to sit next to him, grabbing a handful of napkins. As if it was instinct, I hugged him and he choked out meaningless babble and gasps. I didn't ask him to repeat since I knew there was bound to be more.

"I'm on depression medication," Torsten mumbled, still teary eyed. I said nothing, but my confused look urged him to keep talking. "I haven't been completely honest about my life for these last few months. Tabby keeps asking my dad for money and he gives it to her. My uncle seems unhappy with us living in his house. The people at work only pretend to like me when they need me to cover for them and worst of all..." His voice trailed off as with disappointment and he started shaking again.

I tried talking to him to calm him down. Clearly those things were problems, but they weren't the one that was hurting him most. After a few minutes, he started drinking another juice box and felt well enough to continue.

"What's bothering you, Torsten? Are you upset about your dad not putting you first? Are you that unhappy with work?" With each suggestion, he'd shrug and shake his head a little.

"Alright, I'm going to just come out and say it. I'm gay." He didn't bother trying to look at me.

"And?"

"I'm gay," he repeated. Torsten was waiting for judgement and shock, for me to pack my things and leave him alone in the park, for me to yell and hiss at him and end our friendship. Instead I hugged him and playfully called him my other boyfriend. He smirked a little and sighed heavily. He was relieved, which made me feel better. "So, how do you think my dad is going to take it?"

I thought quickly about how much harder it would be for him to tell family about his sexuality. There's so many jokes and stereotypes, that gays are everywhere and it's common to "come out". Looking at the people walking by, how many of them are comfortable with who they are compared to what everyone expects or wants them to be? Before Torsten could ask his question again, I smiled and said, "He'll take it like a man."

[Rotsab M. Hyolf]

Good luck everyone! <3

[phantomkitsune]

Right. I got my assignment earlier, and will be going over all the stories and then posting them with some individual critique. There are apparently some that are entered in my contest as well as this one, so good news: you can edit your entry in mine after getting feedback.

It looks like I'm grading on a curve for grammar and spelling. We may end up grading on a curve for everything else.

[Rotsab M. Hyolf]

phantomkitsune

Right. I got my assignment earlier, and will be going over all the stories and then posting them with some individual critique. There are apparently some that are entered in my contest as well as this one, so good news: you can edit your entry in mine after getting feedback.

It looks like I'm grading on a curve for grammar and spelling. We may end up grading on a curve for everything else.

Good to hear! (On a personal note this isn't the one I plan to use for yours, though the critique is good in general to know what sort of things to look out for in the other piece.)

Ah... grading curve? How so, if you don't mind my asking? (It's probably really obvious; sorry, it's late here, haha. )

[phantomkitsune]

Rotsab M. Hyolf

Good to hear! (On a personal note this isn't the one I plan to use for yours, though the critique is good in general to know what sort of things to look out for in the other piece.)

Ah... grading curve? How so, if you don't mind my asking? (It's probably really obvious; sorry, it's late here, haha. )

Excellent! New things are fun.

Grammar and spelling is the one I'm almost definitely doing on a curve. I haven't done scores yet, just general impressions on three stories, and noting every time there is a grammar or spelling mistake. I haven't decided yet what each mistake is worth in terms of lost points, and it'll be based on how many I'm finding. If even the one with fewest mistakes has a couple, they'll probably be worth about half a point per mistake, and with people who make mistakes but are readable bottoming out at one and anyone illegible getting 0.

[Rotsab M. Hyolf]

phantomkitsune

Rotsab M. Hyolf

Good to hear! (On a personal note this isn't the one I plan to use for yours, though the critique is good in general to know what sort of things to look out for in the other piece.)

Ah... grading curve? How so, if you don't mind my asking? (It's probably really obvious; sorry, it's late here, haha. )

Excellent! New things are fun.

Grammar and spelling is the one I'm almost definitely doing on a curve. I haven't done scores yet, just general impressions on three stories, and noting every time there is a grammar or spelling mistake. I haven't decided yet what each mistake is worth in terms of lost points, and it'll be based on how many I'm finding. If even the one with fewest mistakes has a couple, they'll probably be worth about half a point per mistake, and with people who make mistakes but are readable bottoming out at one and anyone illegible getting 0.

Ahhh, that makes sense. Sounds fair to me! I assume it's the same with content, grammar and so on as well, then? Sort of... feeling it out, before making any decisions? Sounds good! <3

[The Solarised Night]

Thanks for the effort, PK

[That Is All]

Craap, guess I'm too late to submit my entry. That's what I get for procrastination. emo