LuckyLaurie

Fifth year playing with the Pickles!!!! PFP taken by my mom!! (from the official acc)

[serendippertyy]

unfortunately the best bee and gabe I've ever drawn

[kotse]

LET ME SEE WHAT YOU HAVE!

support me on kofi

[taylorstheorem]

aziraphale and muriel's hell disguises are sending me like. why is that extra-zombified beetlejuice and lydia deetz. muriel is especially sending me like why are they doing their best in-universe beelzebub impression?? also the 'bad' tattoo on their face?? I'm cryingshfskjsj

[akiraaftermidnight]

If the Good Omens season finale ends in a cutaway to Muriel reading a book called Good Omens after Crowley and Aziraphale are dead.

(because they turned human and got like 10 years of romance).

We storm soho

We find the bench.

We take the bench.

We are Good Omens.

[i-see-miwi]

I think I’d be feeling a lot better if it was Muriel who was in the bookshop with Aziraphale in the new universe and not the metatron honestly

[the-maw-consumes]

anyways. muriel

[smudgeandfrank]

⚠️GO S2 SPOILERS⚠️

Fallen Pt 48 [THE END]

Voice of God: Aziraphale and Crowley were once again on their own side… So I thought they deserved shades of gray to reflect that fact. I mean, what’s so bad about knowing the difference between good and evil anyway?

HAPPY GOOD OMENS 3 DAY!!! 💖😇😈✨️ After 3 YEARS Fallen is COMPLETE!!! 💖😭✨️ I am SO beyond grateful to every single of of you darlings who have supported this comic to hell and back!!

Being a part of the Good Omens fandom is an absolute miracle in my life, and you darlings are all INEFFABLE!! 💖🫂✨️

I love you so so much, and THANK YOU for making my art possible!! Keep your eyes peeled for my Fallen comic book updates coming in the near future!! 💖😇😈✨️

[bialejaja]

Trying my best I guess

Also feel free to give some constructive critisism (Actually I beg to give cuz I'm out of straws)

EDIT: Chat I love life I cooked

Help thank you all so much for support what the hell, especially considering im a rollercoaster

EDIT #2: I forgot the star on forehead-

[bialejaja]

My idiots

[faithtrustnsball]

I was thinking about trying to learn how to paint haha!! Idk if I would be any good tho :b

[faithtrustnsball]

WOW HAHA i totally forgot about this account!!

Hi guys!! It’s me lol!!

.

Again!!

[faithtrustnsball]

*Sneaks up behind Laurie at the batting cages and grabs her sides!*

“GOTCHA!”

@heart-of-cardboard

Laurie screams, dropping the bat. She tries to turn around… and falls to the ground.

“Wh— Yuwen!!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Was she serious? Was Yuwen not clear? There was no being subtle about this was there? Should he lay it out on the table? What if she said no?! UGH! Yuwen was getting frustrated. Frustrated with himself, the situation, everything. But despite that, the right corner of his mouth went up, and he chuckled. At the end of the day, Laurie was just so pure, so innocent and clueless. And now he was even more drawn to her.

“L-Laurie… I… I’m asking if… y-you wanna go out with me,” he said, suddenly wondering if that had been a good idea! What if she freaked out?! Well, it was in her court now.

[faithtrustnsball]

Oh. Oh. Aw, man!

Laurie feels like a total dummy. Obviously he’s into her!

She means. You know. She doesn’t think she’s all that and a bag of chips or anything but— but you know, she should have figured that he… she doesn’t even know. It’s whatever.

She presses a hand to her cheek, trying to feel how hot she is. The answer? Very. She feels sweat running down the back of her neck and suddenly she realizes that she can’t look very good at all right now. Aw, man!!

“That, uhm— that’s— I—“

[faithtrustnsball]

*Sneaks up behind Laurie at the batting cages and grabs her sides!*

“GOTCHA!”

@heart-of-cardboard

Laurie screams, dropping the bat. She tries to turn around… and falls to the ground.

“Wh— Yuwen!!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

As Laurie began to laugh, and an awkwardly long laugh at that, Yuwen looked around, as if scouting to see if anyone around, watching or judging them. He chuckled nervously along with her so she didn't feel too embarrassed? Yeah, it was a dumb idea. Having her over? What was he thinking? That was no good!

Then, Laurie confirmed his invitation. Really? Yuwen's eyes went wide in surprise. Now it was his turn to laugh awkwardly. He stood and reached out his hand to help Laurie ti her feet. "Yeah! B-but don't walk too hard, because of... your knee and all...?"

What did that mean?! Don't walk to hard?! Stupid! Yuwen collected his backpack, then motioned to her gear. "Need me to carry your stuff too?" He asked.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie thinks she would straight up rather die than let him carry her stuff. Nothing against him, it’s just, like, she can do that by herself at least. Also, something against him, last time he carried her bag he stole it and she had to wait three days to get it back. She grins and grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulders.

“Nope! I am just— just fantastic! Totally hunky-dory,” she drops her voice on the last word, trying to sound like her dad, but then realizes she sounds silly and clears her throat loudly. “Yeah, I— I’m fine..”

She takes a deep breath in, then lets it out. She looks at Yuwen, smiling crookedly. “So… which way is your house, again?”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen felt a little stupid for even asking. Sure she had it herself! It was only a skinned knee, and Laurie had endured worse punishment. He chuckled nervously and nodded to a particular direction.

"Couple of blocks that way! F-follow me?" He said with a shakey tone. As he walked, Yuwen slapped his chest a couple times, trying to still his rapidly beating heart. He even coughed to try and cover up the sound of the impact.

"N-not too far now," he reassured his friend as they neared his street. He turned 180 and began walking backwards to check on Laurie. "Keeping up okay-YAY?!" He suddenly shrieked as his shoe snagged a section of raised concrete. He began stumbling backward and reached out for something to stabilize himself! The closest thing... was Laurie's hand. Yuwen had pulled her down with him. Now, he was on the ground, looking up at his teammate who was laying atop him!

His face went CRIMSON red.

[faithtrustnsball]

Aw man. Awww man. Aw man man manmanman—

She doesn’t even know what happened!! One second, she was looking at him in front of her, and the next— the next, she’s holding Yuwen’s hand, on top of him, on the ground! She stares for another second before she sort of yelps (way to go Laurie, that’s only the most embarrassing sound you’ve ever made) and pulls away, rolling off of him.

She lays there beside him for a second, staring up at the sky and gasping for air, before she finally sits up. She winces looking down at his face— he looks like a tomato. Did he hit his head or..?

Oh.

Oh no.

He’s embarrassed that someone might’ve seen him like that with her! She feels that sort of shame in her stomach— the type of shame you only feel when someone who’s spent a whole lot of time trying to make you feel awful is suddenly really nice, and then goes back to feeling embarrassed for you to see them. So… a very specific type. She looks away, eyes focused on where the concrete meets the grass.

“Yuwen, I— I am so sorry—!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen, too stunned to move for several seconds, lays there. Silent. Motionless. Totally and utterly embarrassed out of his mind! What if Laurie read too much into that little accident?! What if she thought he was making a move? He and Taylor broke up not that long ago! Besides! Him and Laurie? HA HA! Yeah! Laurie said herself she didn't think of him that way!

Oh... ouch... why did that thought hurt more than the fall?

Yuwen snapped back to reality, shooting uo into a seated stance and he began "laughing." "HA HA HA HAHA! I'M GOOD! IT'S FINE! ACCIDENT RIGHT?!" He said super loud! Then he looked at Laurie and remembered, "shoot! She's still hurt!"

"A-are you okay? Y-you didn't scrape another knee did you?" He asked, leaning toward her to examine her previous wound.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie drags her knee away from him, holding it closer to her chest.

“Uh— No, no, I’m fine,” she grins, thumbing at the edge of the band-aid. “I just— I think I’ll be better when we aren’t… you know,” her voice gets small, “outside? It’s just, uhm, it’s really hot, so—“ She’s not even kidding, it feels sweltering outside. Her face is all hot and… aw, man, she’s blushing. And— and it isn’t even like her rosacea is helping anything, because that’s just on her cheeks, and she knows her whole face must be pink and—

Laurie tugs and the collar of her shirt, chewing on her lip. She’s starting to wonder if she should’ve told Yuwen she was at the batting cages at all, because this has been nothing but a complete disaster.

[heart-of-cardboard]

It was hot... extremely hot. Yuwen hadn't realized it! He needed to get her inside! And soon! Or at least, that was his immediate conviction. "M-my house isn't too much farther! We can..." and thought struck him dumb! Why hadn't he just called his mom to pick them up?! Stupid!

"We're almost there, c'mon," he said, trying so hard to remain his positive, peppy self! He reached his hand to Luarie again by instinct, then hesitated. Would she even take it? Well, it's already out there now! So she either does, or stands on her own. He gulped, waiting anxiously to see which action she'd execute.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie stares at his hand for… maybe longer than she ought to. She just— why’s he doing this? He has literally *never* been this nice to her since elementary school. Did he lose a bet or something? Does she really want to chance that disappointment?

But, on the other hand… if he does mean it, there’s no use being rude. She pulls one of her hands off her knee and wipes it on her shirt, hoping it won’t be super nasty and sweaty and… and stuff. She grabs Yuwen’s hand, letting him hoist her up off the ground. When she’s standing, she hoists the backpack further up on her back.

”Uh— lead the way!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

For what felt like the first time this whole interaction, Yuwen genuinely grinned. A smile that was so different from the mask he wore during games and other interactions. The rest of the wall was mercifully short, and no doubt silent. Upon entry, Yuwen kicked off his cleats at the door, invited Laurie to do the same while he called to his mother.

"Mom! I'm home! Laurie is here!" He shouted. His mother called back something about making a snack for his little softball friend, which prompted Yuwen to react out of embarassment, "MooOOOOooom!" He groaned.

Turning to Laurie, he dropped his backpack against the couch on the floor, "here, you can set your stuff here!" He said, taking a seat on the couch and... not really saying anything else as he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his socials.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie puts her ball down carefully next to his, trying to make sure her bat doesn’t hit his wall. She stands in the doorway for a second, not really sure if she’s meant to come in further.

She means, Yuwen just invited her over to wait out of the Sun, so… maybe she’s meant to stay here? And, she means, he got on his phone, so he’s probably not open to talking right now.

She pulls out her own phone, sending her dad her location. When she realizes he would have no idea whose house she’s at, she clarifies— ‘I’m at Yuwen’s house!! His mom is here too. I fell when I was at the batting cages, but I am O-K now!’ She puts her phone back in her pocket, looking around at his decorations.

[heart-of-cardboard]

Nothing... nothing... nothing... oh! Trailer for the new FPS game he'd been waiting on! Yuwen was ready to click and watch it, but remembered Laurie. He saved it for later and set his phone aside, screen down. He kicked his legs, heels drumming on the side of the couch while he rubbed his thighs nervously.

"So uh... you uh... into video games at all?" He asked, grabbing his gaming pad to show his friend. "We could play a few rounds while we wait for coach?"

Before she could respond, Yuwen's mom brought in a bowl of salty crisps and a couple sodas, commenting on how long it's been since Yuwen has brought a girl over! He went pale and groaned aloud!

"Mooooom! Can you pleeeeease not?!" He covered his face!

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie goes to help Yuwen’s mom carry stuff to the couch. “Uh, thank you, ma’am!” She sits on the couch, putting the bowl between her and Yuwen.

She isn’t actually planning on eating anything— she doesn’t want to eat all their food or anything, you know? She scratches at her jaw, looking away from Yuwen and at her shoes.

“So, um— your house is really nice… I like the carpet.”

[heart-of-cardboard]

For the entire time his mom was present, Yuwen had flipped his ball cap around in order to hide behind the bill. It wasn’t until she left that he turned it back and followed Laurie’s gaze to her… shoes? Huh, she hadn’t taken them off. Was she not comfortable here? Was she not comfortable around him!? Why would she be?! He had never given her a reason to be before! Stupid! Stupid!

“Uh… y-yeah! Carpet! Uh-huh! It’s real soft too!” What the hell was that?! Yuwen took of his hat completely, revealing his wild mess of hair as he covered his face with it and growled in frustration! He slid off the couch and onto that “soft” carpet, never once removing his hat from his face! This wasn’t like him at all! What spell did Laurie have on him?! He hadn’t felt like this since… since…

Oh… no… that can’t be right? Can it?

[faithtrustnsball]

He’s on the floor. Yuwen is on the floor. Why’s he doing that?! Is it… is it a cultural thing?? Should she ask? Is that rude? Should— should she be on the floor, too?

Deciding it the best course of action, Laurie slips off the couch and onto the carpet beside Yuwen. She sits criss-cross applesauce, rocking back and forth slightly. She reaches out and punches his shoulder lightly, smiling stupidly.

”Um… yeah, Yuwen, it really is soft! So, um… yeah!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen slowly lowered his cap as Laurie slid down beside him, confirming in her silly way his off the wall comment about the carpet being soft. His scared, confused eyes darted as if scanning Laurie like a robot that had never seen a human before. What was he going to say? Should he say anything?

"Lor... I..." he said barely above a whisper as his hand began to drift toward hers, and yet his eyes never left that awkward, silly, pretty face of hers.

[faithtrustnsball]

Aw, man, she’s totally messed it up, hasn’t she? Whatever, she’s in the floor now, and he hasn’t told her to get up, so… she must be doing something right. She turns her eyes to look at him, only now realizing how… kinda close they were. Sure, they’ve been closer before— the dugout isn’t exactly roomy, sometimes your shoulders are gonna touch— but… this time feels… she doesn’t know.

”Uhm…” C’mon, Laurie, he’s talking to you! “Yeah, Yuwen? What’s up?”

[heart-of-cardboard]

His eyes continued darting, his mind racing, unable to decide his next action! Was thus just a phase? Did he really have these sorts of feelings for her? Was it just him getting over Taylor. He tried to think about all the reasons not to tell her, to pull the trigger on his feelings. But then, he thought about the ways she made him laugh. How adorable she was when she got awkward. How hard she tried even though it seemed impossible.

"I uh..." Yuwen said, swallowing hard. His trembling hand floated over and gently rested on one of hers. "I was... wondering I-if... uh... th-that... uh... if you... would... i-is that offer to go to Dairy Queen still good?" He finally squeaked out.

[faithtrustnsball]

Oh. Oh! So that’s what this is all about. He wanted Dairy Queen.

”Uh— I mean, yeah! Tell me when you’re coming up and I’ll, you know, tell my mom about it!”

Weird way to ask about Dairy Queen, but whatever. She doesn’t feel any less awkward about being in his house, on his floor, or with him, but at the very least she knows what he wants now!

[faithtrustnsball]

*Sneaks up behind Laurie at the batting cages and grabs her sides!*

“GOTCHA!”

@heart-of-cardboard

Laurie screams, dropping the bat. She tries to turn around… and falls to the ground.

“Wh— Yuwen!!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

As Laurie began to laugh, and an awkwardly long laugh at that, Yuwen looked around, as if scouting to see if anyone around, watching or judging them. He chuckled nervously along with her so she didn't feel too embarrassed? Yeah, it was a dumb idea. Having her over? What was he thinking? That was no good!

Then, Laurie confirmed his invitation. Really? Yuwen's eyes went wide in surprise. Now it was his turn to laugh awkwardly. He stood and reached out his hand to help Laurie ti her feet. "Yeah! B-but don't walk too hard, because of... your knee and all...?"

What did that mean?! Don't walk to hard?! Stupid! Yuwen collected his backpack, then motioned to her gear. "Need me to carry your stuff too?" He asked.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie thinks she would straight up rather die than let him carry her stuff. Nothing against him, it’s just, like, she can do that by herself at least. Also, something against him, last time he carried her bag he stole it and she had to wait three days to get it back. She grins and grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulders.

“Nope! I am just— just fantastic! Totally hunky-dory,” she drops her voice on the last word, trying to sound like her dad, but then realizes she sounds silly and clears her throat loudly. “Yeah, I— I’m fine..”

She takes a deep breath in, then lets it out. She looks at Yuwen, smiling crookedly. “So… which way is your house, again?”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen felt a little stupid for even asking. Sure she had it herself! It was only a skinned knee, and Laurie had endured worse punishment. He chuckled nervously and nodded to a particular direction.

"Couple of blocks that way! F-follow me?" He said with a shakey tone. As he walked, Yuwen slapped his chest a couple times, trying to still his rapidly beating heart. He even coughed to try and cover up the sound of the impact.

"N-not too far now," he reassured his friend as they neared his street. He turned 180 and began walking backwards to check on Laurie. "Keeping up okay-YAY?!" He suddenly shrieked as his shoe snagged a section of raised concrete. He began stumbling backward and reached out for something to stabilize himself! The closest thing... was Laurie's hand. Yuwen had pulled her down with him. Now, he was on the ground, looking up at his teammate who was laying atop him!

His face went CRIMSON red.

[faithtrustnsball]

Aw man. Awww man. Aw man man manmanman—

She doesn’t even know what happened!! One second, she was looking at him in front of her, and the next— the next, she’s holding Yuwen’s hand, on top of him, on the ground! She stares for another second before she sort of yelps (way to go Laurie, that’s only the most embarrassing sound you’ve ever made) and pulls away, rolling off of him.

She lays there beside him for a second, staring up at the sky and gasping for air, before she finally sits up. She winces looking down at his face— he looks like a tomato. Did he hit his head or..?

Oh.

Oh no.

He’s embarrassed that someone might’ve seen him like that with her! She feels that sort of shame in her stomach— the type of shame you only feel when someone who’s spent a whole lot of time trying to make you feel awful is suddenly really nice, and then goes back to feeling embarrassed for you to see them. So… a very specific type. She looks away, eyes focused on where the concrete meets the grass.

“Yuwen, I— I am so sorry—!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen, too stunned to move for several seconds, lays there. Silent. Motionless. Totally and utterly embarrassed out of his mind! What if Laurie read too much into that little accident?! What if she thought he was making a move? He and Taylor broke up not that long ago! Besides! Him and Laurie? HA HA! Yeah! Laurie said herself she didn't think of him that way!

Oh... ouch... why did that thought hurt more than the fall?

Yuwen snapped back to reality, shooting uo into a seated stance and he began "laughing." "HA HA HA HAHA! I'M GOOD! IT'S FINE! ACCIDENT RIGHT?!" He said super loud! Then he looked at Laurie and remembered, "shoot! She's still hurt!"

"A-are you okay? Y-you didn't scrape another knee did you?" He asked, leaning toward her to examine her previous wound.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie drags her knee away from him, holding it closer to her chest.

“Uh— No, no, I’m fine,” she grins, thumbing at the edge of the band-aid. “I just— I think I’ll be better when we aren’t… you know,” her voice gets small, “outside? It’s just, uhm, it’s really hot, so—“ She’s not even kidding, it feels sweltering outside. Her face is all hot and… aw, man, she’s blushing. And— and it isn’t even like her rosacea is helping anything, because that’s just on her cheeks, and she knows her whole face must be pink and—

Laurie tugs and the collar of her shirt, chewing on her lip. She’s starting to wonder if she should’ve told Yuwen she was at the batting cages at all, because this has been nothing but a complete disaster.

[heart-of-cardboard]

It was hot... extremely hot. Yuwen hadn't realized it! He needed to get her inside! And soon! Or at least, that was his immediate conviction. "M-my house isn't too much farther! We can..." and thought struck him dumb! Why hadn't he just called his mom to pick them up?! Stupid!

"We're almost there, c'mon," he said, trying so hard to remain his positive, peppy self! He reached his hand to Luarie again by instinct, then hesitated. Would she even take it? Well, it's already out there now! So she either does, or stands on her own. He gulped, waiting anxiously to see which action she'd execute.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie stares at his hand for… maybe longer than she ought to. She just— why’s he doing this? He has literally *never* been this nice to her since elementary school. Did he lose a bet or something? Does she really want to chance that disappointment?

But, on the other hand… if he does mean it, there’s no use being rude. She pulls one of her hands off her knee and wipes it on her shirt, hoping it won’t be super nasty and sweaty and… and stuff. She grabs Yuwen’s hand, letting him hoist her up off the ground. When she’s standing, she hoists the backpack further up on her back.

”Uh— lead the way!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

For what felt like the first time this whole interaction, Yuwen genuinely grinned. A smile that was so different from the mask he wore during games and other interactions. The rest of the wall was mercifully short, and no doubt silent. Upon entry, Yuwen kicked off his cleats at the door, invited Laurie to do the same while he called to his mother.

"Mom! I'm home! Laurie is here!" He shouted. His mother called back something about making a snack for his little softball friend, which prompted Yuwen to react out of embarassment, "MooOOOOooom!" He groaned.

Turning to Laurie, he dropped his backpack against the couch on the floor, "here, you can set your stuff here!" He said, taking a seat on the couch and... not really saying anything else as he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his socials.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie puts her ball down carefully next to his, trying to make sure her bat doesn’t hit his wall. She stands in the doorway for a second, not really sure if she’s meant to come in further.

She means, Yuwen just invited her over to wait out of the Sun, so… maybe she’s meant to stay here? And, she means, he got on his phone, so he’s probably not open to talking right now.

She pulls out her own phone, sending her dad her location. When she realizes he would have no idea whose house she’s at, she clarifies— ‘I’m at Yuwen’s house!! His mom is here too. I fell when I was at the batting cages, but I am O-K now!’ She puts her phone back in her pocket, looking around at his decorations.

[heart-of-cardboard]

Nothing... nothing... nothing... oh! Trailer for the new FPS game he'd been waiting on! Yuwen was ready to click and watch it, but remembered Laurie. He saved it for later and set his phone aside, screen down. He kicked his legs, heels drumming on the side of the couch while he rubbed his thighs nervously.

"So uh... you uh... into video games at all?" He asked, grabbing his gaming pad to show his friend. "We could play a few rounds while we wait for coach?"

Before she could respond, Yuwen's mom brought in a bowl of salty crisps and a couple sodas, commenting on how long it's been since Yuwen has brought a girl over! He went pale and groaned aloud!

"Mooooom! Can you pleeeeease not?!" He covered his face!

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie goes to help Yuwen’s mom carry stuff to the couch. “Uh, thank you, ma’am!” She sits on the couch, putting the bowl between her and Yuwen.

She isn’t actually planning on eating anything— she doesn’t want to eat all their food or anything, you know? She scratches at her jaw, looking away from Yuwen and at her shoes.

“So, um— your house is really nice… I like the carpet.”

[heart-of-cardboard]

For the entire time his mom was present, Yuwen had flipped his ball cap around in order to hide behind the bill. It wasn’t until she left that he turned it back and followed Laurie’s gaze to her… shoes? Huh, she hadn’t taken them off. Was she not comfortable here? Was she not comfortable around him!? Why would she be?! He had never given her a reason to be before! Stupid! Stupid!

“Uh… y-yeah! Carpet! Uh-huh! It’s real soft too!” What the hell was that?! Yuwen took of his hat completely, revealing his wild mess of hair as he covered his face with it and growled in frustration! He slid off the couch and onto that “soft” carpet, never once removing his hat from his face! This wasn’t like him at all! What spell did Laurie have on him?! He hadn’t felt like this since… since…

Oh… no… that can’t be right? Can it?

[faithtrustnsball]

He’s on the floor. Yuwen is on the floor. Why’s he doing that?! Is it… is it a cultural thing?? Should she ask? Is that rude? Should— should she be on the floor, too?

Deciding it the best course of action, Laurie slips off the couch and onto the carpet beside Yuwen. She sits criss-cross applesauce, rocking back and forth slightly. She reaches out and punches his shoulder lightly, smiling stupidly.

”Um… yeah, Yuwen, it really is soft! So, um… yeah!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen slowly lowered his cap as Laurie slid down beside him, confirming in her silly way his off the wall comment about the carpet being soft. His scared, confused eyes darted as if scanning Laurie like a robot that had never seen a human before. What was he going to say? Should he say anything?

"Lor... I..." he said barely above a whisper as his hand began to drift toward hers, and yet his eyes never left that awkward, silly, pretty face of hers.

[faithtrustnsball]

Aw, man, she’s totally messed it up, hasn’t she? Whatever, she’s in the floor now, and he hasn’t told her to get up, so… she must be doing something right. She turns her eyes to look at him, only now realizing how… kinda close they were. Sure, they’ve been closer before— the dugout isn’t exactly roomy, sometimes your shoulders are gonna touch— but… this time feels… she doesn’t know.

”Uhm…” C’mon, Laurie, he’s talking to you! “Yeah, Yuwen? What’s up?”

[faithtrustnsball]

*Sneaks up behind Laurie at the batting cages and grabs her sides!*

“GOTCHA!”

@heart-of-cardboard

Laurie screams, dropping the bat. She tries to turn around… and falls to the ground.

“Wh— Yuwen!!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

As Laurie began to laugh, and an awkwardly long laugh at that, Yuwen looked around, as if scouting to see if anyone around, watching or judging them. He chuckled nervously along with her so she didn't feel too embarrassed? Yeah, it was a dumb idea. Having her over? What was he thinking? That was no good!

Then, Laurie confirmed his invitation. Really? Yuwen's eyes went wide in surprise. Now it was his turn to laugh awkwardly. He stood and reached out his hand to help Laurie ti her feet. "Yeah! B-but don't walk too hard, because of... your knee and all...?"

What did that mean?! Don't walk to hard?! Stupid! Yuwen collected his backpack, then motioned to her gear. "Need me to carry your stuff too?" He asked.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie thinks she would straight up rather die than let him carry her stuff. Nothing against him, it’s just, like, she can do that by herself at least. Also, something against him, last time he carried her bag he stole it and she had to wait three days to get it back. She grins and grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulders.

“Nope! I am just— just fantastic! Totally hunky-dory,” she drops her voice on the last word, trying to sound like her dad, but then realizes she sounds silly and clears her throat loudly. “Yeah, I— I’m fine..”

She takes a deep breath in, then lets it out. She looks at Yuwen, smiling crookedly. “So… which way is your house, again?”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen felt a little stupid for even asking. Sure she had it herself! It was only a skinned knee, and Laurie had endured worse punishment. He chuckled nervously and nodded to a particular direction.

"Couple of blocks that way! F-follow me?" He said with a shakey tone. As he walked, Yuwen slapped his chest a couple times, trying to still his rapidly beating heart. He even coughed to try and cover up the sound of the impact.

"N-not too far now," he reassured his friend as they neared his street. He turned 180 and began walking backwards to check on Laurie. "Keeping up okay-YAY?!" He suddenly shrieked as his shoe snagged a section of raised concrete. He began stumbling backward and reached out for something to stabilize himself! The closest thing... was Laurie's hand. Yuwen had pulled her down with him. Now, he was on the ground, looking up at his teammate who was laying atop him!

His face went CRIMSON red.

[faithtrustnsball]

Aw man. Awww man. Aw man man manmanman—

She doesn’t even know what happened!! One second, she was looking at him in front of her, and the next— the next, she’s holding Yuwen’s hand, on top of him, on the ground! She stares for another second before she sort of yelps (way to go Laurie, that’s only the most embarrassing sound you’ve ever made) and pulls away, rolling off of him.

She lays there beside him for a second, staring up at the sky and gasping for air, before she finally sits up. She winces looking down at his face— he looks like a tomato. Did he hit his head or..?

Oh.

Oh no.

He’s embarrassed that someone might’ve seen him like that with her! She feels that sort of shame in her stomach— the type of shame you only feel when someone who’s spent a whole lot of time trying to make you feel awful is suddenly really nice, and then goes back to feeling embarrassed for you to see them. So… a very specific type. She looks away, eyes focused on where the concrete meets the grass.

“Yuwen, I— I am so sorry—!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen, too stunned to move for several seconds, lays there. Silent. Motionless. Totally and utterly embarrassed out of his mind! What if Laurie read too much into that little accident?! What if she thought he was making a move? He and Taylor broke up not that long ago! Besides! Him and Laurie? HA HA! Yeah! Laurie said herself she didn't think of him that way!

Oh... ouch... why did that thought hurt more than the fall?

Yuwen snapped back to reality, shooting uo into a seated stance and he began "laughing." "HA HA HA HAHA! I'M GOOD! IT'S FINE! ACCIDENT RIGHT?!" He said super loud! Then he looked at Laurie and remembered, "shoot! She's still hurt!"

"A-are you okay? Y-you didn't scrape another knee did you?" He asked, leaning toward her to examine her previous wound.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie drags her knee away from him, holding it closer to her chest.

“Uh— No, no, I’m fine,” she grins, thumbing at the edge of the band-aid. “I just— I think I’ll be better when we aren’t… you know,” her voice gets small, “outside? It’s just, uhm, it’s really hot, so—“ She’s not even kidding, it feels sweltering outside. Her face is all hot and… aw, man, she’s blushing. And— and it isn’t even like her rosacea is helping anything, because that’s just on her cheeks, and she knows her whole face must be pink and—

Laurie tugs and the collar of her shirt, chewing on her lip. She’s starting to wonder if she should’ve told Yuwen she was at the batting cages at all, because this has been nothing but a complete disaster.

[heart-of-cardboard]

It was hot... extremely hot. Yuwen hadn't realized it! He needed to get her inside! And soon! Or at least, that was his immediate conviction. "M-my house isn't too much farther! We can..." and thought struck him dumb! Why hadn't he just called his mom to pick them up?! Stupid!

"We're almost there, c'mon," he said, trying so hard to remain his positive, peppy self! He reached his hand to Luarie again by instinct, then hesitated. Would she even take it? Well, it's already out there now! So she either does, or stands on her own. He gulped, waiting anxiously to see which action she'd execute.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie stares at his hand for… maybe longer than she ought to. She just— why’s he doing this? He has literally *never* been this nice to her since elementary school. Did he lose a bet or something? Does she really want to chance that disappointment?

But, on the other hand… if he does mean it, there’s no use being rude. She pulls one of her hands off her knee and wipes it on her shirt, hoping it won’t be super nasty and sweaty and… and stuff. She grabs Yuwen’s hand, letting him hoist her up off the ground. When she’s standing, she hoists the backpack further up on her back.

”Uh— lead the way!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

For what felt like the first time this whole interaction, Yuwen genuinely grinned. A smile that was so different from the mask he wore during games and other interactions. The rest of the wall was mercifully short, and no doubt silent. Upon entry, Yuwen kicked off his cleats at the door, invited Laurie to do the same while he called to his mother.

"Mom! I'm home! Laurie is here!" He shouted. His mother called back something about making a snack for his little softball friend, which prompted Yuwen to react out of embarassment, "MooOOOOooom!" He groaned.

Turning to Laurie, he dropped his backpack against the couch on the floor, "here, you can set your stuff here!" He said, taking a seat on the couch and... not really saying anything else as he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his socials.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie puts her ball down carefully next to his, trying to make sure her bat doesn’t hit his wall. She stands in the doorway for a second, not really sure if she’s meant to come in further.

She means, Yuwen just invited her over to wait out of the Sun, so… maybe she’s meant to stay here? And, she means, he got on his phone, so he’s probably not open to talking right now.

She pulls out her own phone, sending her dad her location. When she realizes he would have no idea whose house she’s at, she clarifies— ‘I’m at Yuwen’s house!! His mom is here too. I fell when I was at the batting cages, but I am O-K now!’ She puts her phone back in her pocket, looking around at his decorations.

[heart-of-cardboard]

Nothing... nothing... nothing... oh! Trailer for the new FPS game he'd been waiting on! Yuwen was ready to click and watch it, but remembered Laurie. He saved it for later and set his phone aside, screen down. He kicked his legs, heels drumming on the side of the couch while he rubbed his thighs nervously.

"So uh... you uh... into video games at all?" He asked, grabbing his gaming pad to show his friend. "We could play a few rounds while we wait for coach?"

Before she could respond, Yuwen's mom brought in a bowl of salty crisps and a couple sodas, commenting on how long it's been since Yuwen has brought a girl over! He went pale and groaned aloud!

"Mooooom! Can you pleeeeease not?!" He covered his face!

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie goes to help Yuwen’s mom carry stuff to the couch. “Uh, thank you, ma’am!” She sits on the couch, putting the bowl between her and Yuwen.

She isn’t actually planning on eating anything— she doesn’t want to eat all their food or anything, you know? She scratches at her jaw, looking away from Yuwen and at her shoes.

“So, um— your house is really nice… I like the carpet.”

[heart-of-cardboard]

For the entire time his mom was present, Yuwen had flipped his ball cap around in order to hide behind the bill. It wasn’t until she left that he turned it back and followed Laurie’s gaze to her… shoes? Huh, she hadn’t taken them off. Was she not comfortable here? Was she not comfortable around him!? Why would she be?! He had never given her a reason to be before! Stupid! Stupid!

“Uh… y-yeah! Carpet! Uh-huh! It’s real soft too!” What the hell was that?! Yuwen took of his hat completely, revealing his wild mess of hair as he covered his face with it and growled in frustration! He slid off the couch and onto that “soft” carpet, never once removing his hat from his face! This wasn’t like him at all! What spell did Laurie have on him?! He hadn’t felt like this since… since…

Oh… no… that can’t be right? Can it?

[faithtrustnsball]

He’s on the floor. Yuwen is on the floor. Why’s he doing that?! Is it… is it a cultural thing?? Should she ask? Is that rude? Should— should she be on the floor, too?

Deciding it the best course of action, Laurie slips off the couch and onto the carpet beside Yuwen. She sits criss-cross applesauce, rocking back and forth slightly. She reaches out and punches his shoulder lightly, smiling stupidly.

”Um… yeah, Yuwen, it really is soft! So, um… yeah!”

[faithtrustnsball]

*Sneaks up behind Laurie at the batting cages and grabs her sides!*

“GOTCHA!”

@heart-of-cardboard

Laurie screams, dropping the bat. She tries to turn around… and falls to the ground.

“Wh— Yuwen!!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

As Laurie began to laugh, and an awkwardly long laugh at that, Yuwen looked around, as if scouting to see if anyone around, watching or judging them. He chuckled nervously along with her so she didn't feel too embarrassed? Yeah, it was a dumb idea. Having her over? What was he thinking? That was no good!

Then, Laurie confirmed his invitation. Really? Yuwen's eyes went wide in surprise. Now it was his turn to laugh awkwardly. He stood and reached out his hand to help Laurie ti her feet. "Yeah! B-but don't walk too hard, because of... your knee and all...?"

What did that mean?! Don't walk to hard?! Stupid! Yuwen collected his backpack, then motioned to her gear. "Need me to carry your stuff too?" He asked.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie thinks she would straight up rather die than let him carry her stuff. Nothing against him, it’s just, like, she can do that by herself at least. Also, something against him, last time he carried her bag he stole it and she had to wait three days to get it back. She grins and grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulders.

“Nope! I am just— just fantastic! Totally hunky-dory,” she drops her voice on the last word, trying to sound like her dad, but then realizes she sounds silly and clears her throat loudly. “Yeah, I— I’m fine..”

She takes a deep breath in, then lets it out. She looks at Yuwen, smiling crookedly. “So… which way is your house, again?”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen felt a little stupid for even asking. Sure she had it herself! It was only a skinned knee, and Laurie had endured worse punishment. He chuckled nervously and nodded to a particular direction.

"Couple of blocks that way! F-follow me?" He said with a shakey tone. As he walked, Yuwen slapped his chest a couple times, trying to still his rapidly beating heart. He even coughed to try and cover up the sound of the impact.

"N-not too far now," he reassured his friend as they neared his street. He turned 180 and began walking backwards to check on Laurie. "Keeping up okay-YAY?!" He suddenly shrieked as his shoe snagged a section of raised concrete. He began stumbling backward and reached out for something to stabilize himself! The closest thing... was Laurie's hand. Yuwen had pulled her down with him. Now, he was on the ground, looking up at his teammate who was laying atop him!

His face went CRIMSON red.

[faithtrustnsball]

Aw man. Awww man. Aw man man manmanman—

She doesn’t even know what happened!! One second, she was looking at him in front of her, and the next— the next, she’s holding Yuwen’s hand, on top of him, on the ground! She stares for another second before she sort of yelps (way to go Laurie, that’s only the most embarrassing sound you’ve ever made) and pulls away, rolling off of him.

She lays there beside him for a second, staring up at the sky and gasping for air, before she finally sits up. She winces looking down at his face— he looks like a tomato. Did he hit his head or..?

Oh.

Oh no.

He’s embarrassed that someone might’ve seen him like that with her! She feels that sort of shame in her stomach— the type of shame you only feel when someone who’s spent a whole lot of time trying to make you feel awful is suddenly really nice, and then goes back to feeling embarrassed for you to see them. So… a very specific type. She looks away, eyes focused on where the concrete meets the grass.

“Yuwen, I— I am so sorry—!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

Yuwen, too stunned to move for several seconds, lays there. Silent. Motionless. Totally and utterly embarrassed out of his mind! What if Laurie read too much into that little accident?! What if she thought he was making a move? He and Taylor broke up not that long ago! Besides! Him and Laurie? HA HA! Yeah! Laurie said herself she didn't think of him that way!

Oh... ouch... why did that thought hurt more than the fall?

Yuwen snapped back to reality, shooting uo into a seated stance and he began "laughing." "HA HA HA HAHA! I'M GOOD! IT'S FINE! ACCIDENT RIGHT?!" He said super loud! Then he looked at Laurie and remembered, "shoot! She's still hurt!"

"A-are you okay? Y-you didn't scrape another knee did you?" He asked, leaning toward her to examine her previous wound.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie drags her knee away from him, holding it closer to her chest.

“Uh— No, no, I’m fine,” she grins, thumbing at the edge of the band-aid. “I just— I think I’ll be better when we aren’t… you know,” her voice gets small, “outside? It’s just, uhm, it’s really hot, so—“ She’s not even kidding, it feels sweltering outside. Her face is all hot and… aw, man, she’s blushing. And— and it isn’t even like her rosacea is helping anything, because that’s just on her cheeks, and she knows her whole face must be pink and—

Laurie tugs and the collar of her shirt, chewing on her lip. She’s starting to wonder if she should’ve told Yuwen she was at the batting cages at all, because this has been nothing but a complete disaster.

[heart-of-cardboard]

It was hot... extremely hot. Yuwen hadn't realized it! He needed to get her inside! And soon! Or at least, that was his immediate conviction. "M-my house isn't too much farther! We can..." and thought struck him dumb! Why hadn't he just called his mom to pick them up?! Stupid!

"We're almost there, c'mon," he said, trying so hard to remain his positive, peppy self! He reached his hand to Luarie again by instinct, then hesitated. Would she even take it? Well, it's already out there now! So she either does, or stands on her own. He gulped, waiting anxiously to see which action she'd execute.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie stares at his hand for… maybe longer than she ought to. She just— why’s he doing this? He has literally *never* been this nice to her since elementary school. Did he lose a bet or something? Does she really want to chance that disappointment?

But, on the other hand… if he does mean it, there’s no use being rude. She pulls one of her hands off her knee and wipes it on her shirt, hoping it won’t be super nasty and sweaty and… and stuff. She grabs Yuwen’s hand, letting him hoist her up off the ground. When she’s standing, she hoists the backpack further up on her back.

”Uh— lead the way!”

[heart-of-cardboard]

For what felt like the first time this whole interaction, Yuwen genuinely grinned. A smile that was so different from the mask he wore during games and other interactions. The rest of the wall was mercifully short, and no doubt silent. Upon entry, Yuwen kicked off his cleats at the door, invited Laurie to do the same while he called to his mother.

"Mom! I'm home! Laurie is here!" He shouted. His mother called back something about making a snack for his little softball friend, which prompted Yuwen to react out of embarassment, "MooOOOOooom!" He groaned.

Turning to Laurie, he dropped his backpack against the couch on the floor, "here, you can set your stuff here!" He said, taking a seat on the couch and... not really saying anything else as he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his socials.

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie puts her ball down carefully next to his, trying to make sure her bat doesn’t hit his wall. She stands in the doorway for a second, not really sure if she’s meant to come in further.

She means, Yuwen just invited her over to wait out of the Sun, so… maybe she’s meant to stay here? And, she means, he got on his phone, so he’s probably not open to talking right now.

She pulls out her own phone, sending her dad her location. When she realizes he would have no idea whose house she’s at, she clarifies— ‘I’m at Yuwen’s house!! His mom is here too. I fell when I was at the batting cages, but I am O-K now!’ She puts her phone back in her pocket, looking around at his decorations.

[heart-of-cardboard]

Nothing... nothing... nothing... oh! Trailer for the new FPS game he'd been waiting on! Yuwen was ready to click and watch it, but remembered Laurie. He saved it for later and set his phone aside, screen down. He kicked his legs, heels drumming on the side of the couch while he rubbed his thighs nervously.

"So uh... you uh... into video games at all?" He asked, grabbing his gaming pad to show his friend. "We could play a few rounds while we wait for coach?"

Before she could respond, Yuwen's mom brought in a bowl of salty crisps and a couple sodas, commenting on how long it's been since Yuwen has brought a girl over! He went pale and groaned aloud!

"Mooooom! Can you pleeeeease not?!" He covered his face!

[faithtrustnsball]

Laurie goes to help Yuwen’s mom carry stuff to the couch. “Uh, thank you, ma’am!” She sits on the couch, putting the bowl between her and Yuwen.

She isn’t actually planning on eating anything— she doesn’t want to eat all their food or anything, you know? She scratches at her jaw, looking away from Yuwen and at her shoes.

“So, um— your house is really nice… I like the carpet.”

[heart-of-cardboard]

What do you do if you have a crush on someone... and it's not a person you EVER expected to have a crush on?

Avoid them like the plague

Tell them

Voting ended onJun 4, 2025

[faithtrustnsball]

I think you would have to tell them, right? Unless, you know, they’re mean!! Then maybe you can wait it out?? (O.o*)

Idk tho, js advice ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ,<)~✩‧₊

[heart-of-cardboard]

But what if I tell them... a-and then they get all weird and dont feel the same? Can we still even be friends after that?

[faithtrustnsball]

Omg…. That’s a good question…….. what if it gets awkward (O∆O)

[heart-of-cardboard]

See, that’s what I’m afraid of… wh-what would you do, Laurie?

[faithtrustnsball]

I— I dunno!! I THOUGHT I would tell them but now idk!!!! ( ✿˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )