si.mp

Just a witch tryna write her feelings

[writingwithcolor]

Writing with Color: Description Guide - Words for Skin Tone

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

So let’s get to it.

S T A N D A R D  D E S C R I P T I O N

B a s i c  C o l o r s

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

C o m p l e x  C o l o r s

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

M o d i f i e r s 

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

D a r k - D e e p - R i c h - C o o l

W a r m - M e d i u m - T a n

F a i r - L i g h t - P a l e

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

U n d e r t o n e s

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

C R E A T I V E  D E S C R I P T I O N

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

N A T U R AL  S E T T I N G S - S K Y

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

F L O W E R S

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

A S S O R T E D  P L A N T S &  N A T U R E

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone.“ 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

“Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

W O O D

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

M E T A L S

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

G E M S T O N E S - M I N E R A LS

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

P H Y S I C A L  D E S C R I P T I ON

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

G E N E R A L  T I P S

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Things that are Brown (blog)

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics 3 2 1

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

[worldwithinworld]

When you are writing a story and refer to a character by a physical trait, occupation, age, or any other attribute, rather than that character’s name, you are bringing the reader’s attention to that particular attribute. That can be used quite effectively to help your reader to focus on key details with just a few words. However, if the fact that the character is “the blond,” “the magician,” “the older woman,” etc. is not relevant to that moment in the story, this will only distract the reader from the purpose of the scene. 

If your only reason for referring to a character this way is to avoid using his or her name or a pronoun too much, don’t do it. You’re fixing a problem that actually isn’t one. Just go ahead and use the name or pronoun again. It’ll be good.

[roane72]

Someone finally spelled out the REASON for using epithets, and the reasons NOT to.

[futureevilscientist]

In addition to that:

If the character you are referring to in such a way is THE VIEWPOINT CHARACTER, likewise, don’t do it. I.e. if you’re writing in third person but the narration is through their eyes, or what is also called “third person deep POV”. If the narration is filtered through the character’s perception, then a very external, impersonal description will be jarring. It’s the same, and just as bad, as writing “My bright blue eyes returned his gaze” in first person.

[cimness]

Furthermore, 

if the story is actually told through the eyes of one particular viewpoint character even though it’s in the third person, and in their voice, as is very often the case, then you shouldn’t refer to the characters in ways that character wouldn’t.

In other words, if the third-person narrator is Harry Potter, when Dumbledore appears, it says “Dumbledore appears”, not “Albus appears”. Bucky Barnes would think of Steve Rogers as “Steve”, where another character might think of him as “Cap”. Chekov might think of Kirk as “the captain”, but Bones thinks of him as “Jim”. 

Now, there are real situations where you, I, or anybody might think of another person as “the other man”, “the taller man”, or “the doctor”: usually when you don’t know their names, like when there are two tap-dancers and a ballerina in a routine and one of the men lifts the ballerina and then she reaches out and grabs the other man’s hand; or when there was a group of people talking at the hospital and they all worked there, but the doctor was the one who told them what to do. These are all perfectly natural and normal. Similarly, sometimes I think of my GP as “the doctor” even though I know her name, or one of my coworkers as “the taller man” even though I know his. But I definitely never think of my long-term life partner as “the green-eyed woman” or one of my best friends as “the taller person” or anything like that. It’s not a sensible adjective for your brain to choose in that situation - it’s too impersonal for someone you’re so intimately acquainted with. Also, even if someone was having a one night stand or a drunken hookup with a stranger, they probably wouldn’t think of that person as “the other man”: you only think of ‘other’ when you’re distinguishing two things and you don’t have to go to any special effort to distinguish your partner from yourself to yourself.

[undertailsoulsex]

This is something that I pretty consistently have to advise for those I beta edit for.  (It doesn’t help that I relied on epithets a lot in the earlier sections of my main fic because I was getting into the swing of things.)  I am reblogging this so fanfic writers can use this as a reference.

A good rule of thumb: a character’s familiarity with another character decreases the need for an epithet (and most times you really don’t need one at all).

[rehlia]

Good writing advice.

[h-brook-writes]

Writers trying to figure out how to describe a facial expression

[bookishdiplodocus]

Reblog if you don’t write 1,000 words per hour

Don’t be intimidated by posts saying something like “I wrote 7k today!”

I will probably never write 7k in one day. And that’s okay. It really is. On an average day, 1k takes me two or three hours. But I enjoy myself, I like my writing and I know my wip will get finished someday if I keep working.

Shoutout to:

The writers who don’t write 7k per day

The writers who don’t write every day

The writers who actively procrastinate

The writers who love writing nonetheless

[jessicacaseyauthor-deactivated2]

I used to track my writing. Used to count how many words I churned out each day, feel good if it was more than 1000, feel bad if it was less. I had so little time, and was rushing and stressing myself between classes to get as much as I could done, but it just doesn’t work.

I can’t force myself to write, especially when I end up writing tons on one day and 50 words another day. I usually measure myself now in ideas, stories and improvement rather than words.

[justsome-witchybusiness]

Thank you. I needed this

[jessicacaseyauthor-deactivated2]

Quick Poll—Who Reads Prologues?

[cogesque-deactivated20210410]

Usually no–if I really enjoy the book, I’ll go back and read the prologue after I’ve finished it.

[justsome-witchybusiness]

I think prologues are important pieces to the story you’re about to be told

[athenaresource]

CHARACTER FACIAL EXPRESSIONS (WRITING REFERENCE)

EYES/BROWS

his eyes widened

her eyes went round

her eyelids drooped

his eyes narrowed

his eyes lit up

his eyes darted

he squinted

she blinked

her eyes twinkled

his eyes gleamed

her eyes sparkled

his eyes flashed

his eyes glinted

his eyes burned with…

her eyes blazed with…

her eyes sparked with…

her eyes flickered with…

_____ glowed in his eyes

the corners of his eyes crinkled

she rolled her eyes

he looked heavenward

she glanced up to the ceiling

she winked

tears filled her eyes

his eyes welled up

her eyes swam with tears

his eyes flooded with tears

her eyes were wet

his eyes glistened

tears shimmered in her eyes

tears shone in his eyes

her eyes were glossy

he was fighting back tears

tears ran down her cheeks

his eyes closed

she squeezed her eyes shut

he shut his eyes

his lashes fluttered

she batted her lashes

his brows knitted

her forehead creased

his forehead furrowed

her forehead puckered

a line appeared between her brows

his brows drew together

her brows snapped together

his eyebrows rose

she raised a brow

he lifted an eyebrow

his eyebrows waggled

she gave him a once-over

he sized her up

her eyes bored into him

she took in the sight of…

he glared

she peered

he gazed

she glanced

he stared

she scrutinized

he studied

she gaped

he observed

she surveyed

he gawked

he leered

his pupils (were) dilated

her pupils were huge

his pupils flared

NOSE

her nose crinkled

his nose wrinkled

she sneered

his nostrils flared

she stuck her nose in the air

he sniffed

she sniffled

MOUTH

she smiled

he smirked

she grinned

he simpered

she beamed

her mouth curved into a smile

the corners of his mouth turned up

the corner of her mouth quirked up

a corner of his mouth lifted

his mouth twitched

he gave a half-smile

she gave a lopsided grin

his mouth twisted

he plastered a smile on his face

she forced a smile

he faked a smile

her smile faded

his smile slipped

he pursed his lips

she pouted

his mouth snapped shut

her mouth set in a hard line

he pressed his lips together

she bit her lip

he drew his lower lip between his teeth

she nibbled on her bottom lip

he chewed on his bottom lip

his jaw set

her jaw clenched

his jaw tightened

a muscle in her jaw twitched

he ground his jaw

he snarled/his lips drew back in a snarl

her mouth fell open

his jaw dropped

her jaw went slack

he gritted his teeth

she gnashed her teeth

her lower lip trembled

his lower lip quivered

SKIN

she paled

he blanched

she went white

the color drained out of his face

his face reddened

her cheeks turned pink

his face flushed

she blushed

he turned red

she turned scarlet

he turned crimson

a flush crept up her face

WHOLE FACE, ETC.

he screwed up his face

she scrunched up her face

he grimaced

she winced

she gave him a dirty look

he frowned

she scowled

he glowered

her whole face lit up

she brightened

his face went blank

her face contorted

his face twisted

her expression closed up

his expression dulled

her expression hardened

she went poker-faced

a vein popped out in his neck

awe transformed his face

fear crossed her face

sadness clouded his features

terror overtook his face

recognition dawned on her face

SOURCE

[vincent-van-gtg]

[fitnessdesire]

Can’t risk it

[laderdesders1]

The duck of creativity. I waited so long for it.

[smooththegoofyshark]

DUCK

[attention-walmart-shoppers]

Ducc

[justsome-witchybusiness]

“We’re gonna be okay.” He said desperately, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

In that moment, he wasn’t sure why she began to cry.

[justsome-witchybusiness]

Chapter 3 Passage 1

Forbidden Fruit

POV: Kaleb Rush

“Kaleb.”

Kaleb turned to the sound of his name and lifted his hand to shield the oncoming sun from his eyes, his hat doing him no justice.

Squinting, his mom came into view, her hand waving at him as she called out. “Hergekommen sohn!”

Sighing and dropping his hand, Kaleb obeyed her command and walked the couple yards to where his mother stood waiting. “Vat are you doink?” She asked, a little impatiently.

Kaleb managed to stifle the eye roll and help up his hands, showing the fishing gear contained in both. “Goin’ fishing mom.”

His mother peered at him with suspicious eyes and placed her hands on her hips, as if not believing the hard evidence in front of her. “Alone?”

Kaleb nodded, biting his bottom lip.

“Viz two poles?”

Kaleb shrugged his shoulders and broke the gaze between him and his mother. “Never know when you’ll need a spare.”

“Are you okay, Kaleb? You’ve been actink veird lately.”

Kaleb furrowed his brows at her, thankful that his accent wasn’t nearly as bad as his elders, and asked, “What do you mean mom? I’m fine.”

“Goink ovv on your ovn, sendink everyone avay to do chores by yourselv. Vats goink on?”

Kaleb bit his lip, unsure how to proceed. He didn’t want to lie to his mom, but he wasn’t entirely ready to admit to himself where the hippidy-hop in his walk came from, let alone to anyone else.

“Is it Fiona?” His mother asked, not giving him a chance to reply.

Kaleb glanced back at her and frowned. “Uh, no, mom. I actually haven’t heard from her in a week or two.” Actually, he’d lost count of when she’d last contacted him. He furrowed his brows as he realized he’d forgotten to reach out his girlfriend these last couple days. Shaking his head, he smiled. “But it’s alright. I’ll talk to her when she answers.” Eventually. “I’m okay, no need to worry. I’ll be back for dinner.” He then bent and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek before quickly hurrying off to his pickup, hoping to avoid anymore questions.

•

Kaleb pulled up to his favorite fishing hole and chuckled as he spotted the little red mustang already parked. He shook his head in wonder at how Rosalyn managed to get the thing out here and vaguely thought he’d probably have to tow her back out.

Grabbing his fishing gear, he made his way around the bend of the creek to see Rosalyn squatting over the snow, beer in hand and a pole already in the frigid, running water.

“Well,” he said, announcing his arrival. “I guess we won’t be needing this.” He held up the second pole he’d brought, shaking his head as he reprimanded himself. He should’ve known the girl would have her own gear.

Rosalyn turned and smiled as she caught sight of him, the smile sending warm trendles through his veins. “Oh, no, it’s good you brought that, you know, for when I catch my huge fish and my pole snaps. I’ll need it.”

Kaleb couldn’t help but laugh as he followed her to the edge of the water. “Oh, really?”

“And you’re late, so I got the headstart on catching the biggest fish, not that I needed one.”

Kaleb bent down to ready his pole, finding amusement in her contradicting comment about being late, considering she was the one who never seemed to make it to anything on time. The smile never leaving his face, Kaleb continued to tease her as he worked. “I don’t see any fish. Doesn’t look like that headstart did you much good. I could leave for another hour if you need me too.”

“Oh you just stay put. You’ll see.”

“I don’t think you could catch a fly.” He mused, earning a glare from Rosalyn. He had grown used to that glare and considered it a sign of affection, as the smile always gave away her annoyance without her permission. He often found himself always working for that glare and he never failed to receive it.

In truth he didn’t believe either one of them was going to catch any fish. The river may still be flowing at this time of winter, but it was far to cold and once the snow hit the fish usually stopped biting. But Rosalyn insisted and as her excitement grew contagious Kaleb complied without much of a fight.

A couple hours of endless banter and throwing sunflower seeds at one another passed with no bites. Kaleb was about to throw the “I told you so” comment, sure that it would earn him another glare, when Rosalyn jumped up with a squeal, tugging on her pole. He stared in bewilderment for a moment. Well, I’ll be damned, he thought before shaking himself and dropping his pole to offer his help should she need it.

By the time Kaleb reached her side Rosalyn had the pole out of the water and he could see the fish dancing at the end of it. It was a two-inch catfish. Tiny. Trying not to laugh, he frowned and met Rosalyn’s gaze, expecting to find disappointment and was surprised when she beamed with joy. She held her tiny fish in her hand and brought it up to Kaleb’s eye level. She glowed with warmth, her beautiful sea blue eyes sparkling brightly. They reminded Kaleb of a perfect sunny day on the ocean. Her blonde curls blew in her face despite her efforts to keep them tied back.

Rosalyn often reminded Kaleb of a windstorm. She never looked quite put together, winded from always rushing to make it on time, a missing erring or mismatched socks, chipped nail polish because she always forgot to repaint them, pants half tucked into her boots, never having time to do anything but slip them on as she made her way out the door. She was beautiful chaos in his mind and he couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.

Her soft smile tugged at his heart as she practically jumped up and down at her perceived victory.

“Look!” She exclaimed, as if he hadn’t already seen the little fish. “I told you there’d be a catch!”

Kaleb raised a brow and chuckled. “Caught a big one alright.” He teased. Rosalyn threw him is favorite glare and Kaleb could feel his stomach flip inside out, unable to contain the pleased smile that tugged at his lips.

“I don’t see any fish on your pole Mr. Bigshot.” She said with one hand on her hip.

He rolled his eyes and held out his hand, gesturing for her pole. “Okay, you win. Now let me get that 50 pounder off your hook before the poor thing dies.”

Kaleb dodged the punch headed for his arm and laughed when her angry facade was ruined with the grin she couldn’t hold back.

Kaleb never laughed as much as he did when he was around Rosalyn and for a brief moment wondered if she just had that affect on him or if it extended to everyone who was in her presence.

[timbllr]

[qvotable]

“Two souls are sometimes created together and in love before they’re even born.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald // The Beautiful and Damned

[naity-sama]

Some words to use when writing things:

winking

clenching

pulsing

fluttering

contracting

twitching

sucking

quivering

pulsating

throbbing

beating

thumping

thudding

pounding

humming

palpitate

vibrate

grinding

crushing

hammering

lashing

knocking

driving

thrusting

pushing

force

injecting

filling

dilate

stretching

lingering

expanding

bouncing

reaming

elongate

enlarge

unfolding

yielding

sternly

firmly

tightly 

harshly

thoroughly

consistently

precision

accuracy

carefully

demanding

strictly

restriction

meticulously

scrupulously

rigorously

rim

edge

lip

circle

band

encircling

enclosing

surrounding

piercing

curl

lock

twist

coil

spiral

whorl

dip

wet

soak

madly

wildly

noisily

rowdily

rambunctiously

decadent

degenerate

immoral

indulgent

accept

take

invite

nook

indentation

niche

depression

indent

depress

delay

tossing

writhing

flailing

squirming

rolling

wriggling

wiggling

thrashing

struggling

grappling

striving

straining

[littlestsecret]

Appetite -  craving, demand, gluttony, greed, hunger, inclination, insatiable, longing, lust, passion, ravenousness, relish, taste, thirst, urge, voracity, weakness, willingness, yearning, ardor, dedication, desire, devotion, enthusiasm, excitement, fervor, horny, intensity, keenness, wholeheartedness, zeal

Arouse -  agitate, awaken, electrify, enliven, excite, entice, foment, goad, incite, inflame, instigate, kindle, provoke, rally, rouse, spark, stimulate, stir, thrill, waken, warm, whet, attract, charm, coax, fire up, fuel, heat up, lure, produce, stir up, tantalize, tease, tempt, thrum, torment, wind up, work up

Assault -  attack, advancing, aggressive, assailing, charging, incursion, inundated, invasion, offensive, onset, onslaught, overwhelmed, ruinous, tempestuous, strike, violation, ambush, assail, barrage, bombard, bombardment, crackdown, wound Beautiful -  admirable, alluring, angelic, appealing, bewitching, charming, dazzling, delicate, delightful, divine, elegant, enticing, exquisite, fascinating, gorgeous, graceful, grand, magnificent, marvelous, pleasing, radiant, ravishing, resplendent, splendid, stunning, sublime, attractive, beguiling, captivating, enchanting, engaging, enthralling, eye-catching, fetching, fine, fine-looking, good-looking, handsome, inviting, lovely, mesmeric, mesmerizing, pretty, rakish, refined, striking, tantalizing, tempting Brutal -  atrocious, barbarous, bloodthirsty, callous, cruel, feral, ferocious, hard, harsh, heartless, inhuman, merciless, murderous, pitiless, remorseless, rough, rude, ruthless, savage, severe, terrible, unmerciful, vicious, bestial, brute, brutish, cold-blooded, fierce, gory, nasty, rancorous, sadistic, uncompromising, unfeeling, unforgiving, unpitying, violent, wild Burly – able-bodied, athletic, beefy, big, brawny, broad-shouldered, bulky, dense, enormous, great, hard, hardy, hearty, heavily built, heavy, hefty, huge, husky, immense, large, massive, muscular, mighty, outsized, oversized, powerful, powerfully built, prodigious, robust, solid, stalwart, stocky, stout, strapping, strong, strongly built, sturdy, thick, thickset, tough, well-built, well-developed Carnal -  animalistic, bodily, impure, lascivious, lecherous, lewd, libidinous, licentious, lustful, physical, prurient, salacious, sensuous, voluptuous, vulgar, wanton, , coarse, crude, dirty, raunchy, rough, unclean Dangerous -  alarming, critical, fatal, formidable, impending, malignant, menacing, mortal, nasty, perilous, precarious, pressing, serious, terrible, threatening, treacherous, urgent, vulnerable, wicked, acute, damaging, deadly, death-defying, deathly, destructive, detrimental, explosive, grave, harmful, hazardous, injurious, lethal, life-threatening, noxious, poisonous, risky, severe, terrifying, toxic, unsafe, unstable, venomous Dark -  atrocious, corrupt, forbidding, foul, infernal, midnight, morbid, ominous, sinful, sinister, somber, threatening, twilight, vile, wicked, abject, alarming, appalling, baleful, bizarre, bleak, bloodcurdling, boding evil, chilling, cold, condemned, creepy, damned, daunting, demented, desolate, dire, dismal, disturbing, doomed, dour, dread, dreary, dusk, eerie, fear, fearsome, frightening, ghastly, ghostly, ghoulish, gloom, gloomy, grave, grim, grisly, gruesome, hair-raising, haunted, hideous, hopeless, horrendous, horrible, horrid, horrific, horrifying, horror, ill-fated, ill-omened, ill-starred, inauspicious, inhospitable, looming, lost, macabre, malice, malignant, menacing, murky, mysterious, night, panic, pessimistic, petrifying, scary, shadows, shadowy, shade, shady, shocking, soul-destroying, sour, spine-chilling, spine-tingling, strange, terrifying, uncanny, unearthly, unlucky, unnatural, unnerving, weird, wretched Delicious - enticing, exquisite, luscious, lush, rich, savory, sweet, tasty, tempting, appetizing, delectable, flavorsome, full of flavor, juicy, lip-smacking, mouth-watering, piquant, relish, ripe, salty, spicy, scrummy, scrumptious, succulent, tangy, tart, tasty, yummy, zesty Ecstasy -  delectation, delirium, elation, euphoria, fervor, frenzy, joy, rapture, transport, bliss, excitement, happiness, heaven, high, paradise, rhapsody, thrill, blissful, delighted, elated, extremely happy, in raptures (of delight), in seventh heaven, jubilant, on cloud nine, overexcited, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled Ecstatic -  delirious, enraptured, euphoric, fervent, frenzied, joyous, transported, wild Erotic -  amatory, amorous, aphrodisiac, carnal, earthy, erogenous, fervid, filthy, hot, impassioned, lascivious, lecherous, lewd, raw, romantic, rousing, salacious, seductive, sensual, sexual, spicy, steamy, stimulating, suggestive, titillating, voluptuous, tantalizing Gasp -  catch of breath, choke, gulp, heave, inhale, pant, puff, snort, wheeze, huff, rasp, sharp intake of air, short of breath, struggle for breath, swallow, winded  Heated - ardent, avid, excited, fervent, fervid, fierce, fiery, frenzied, furious, impassioned, intense, passionate, raging, scalding, scorched, stormy, tempestuous, vehement, violent, ablaze, aflame, all-consuming, blazing, blistering, burning, crazed, explosive, febrile, feverish, fired up, flaming, flushed, frantic, hot, hot-blooded, impatient, incensed, maddening, obsessed, possessed, randy, searing, sizzling, smoldering, sweltering, torrid, turbulent, volatile, worked up, zealous Hunger -  appetite, ache, craving, gluttony, greed, longing, lust, mania, mouth-watering, ravenous, voracious, want, yearning, thirst Hungry -  avid, carnivorous, covetous, craving, eager, greedy, hungered, rapacious, ravenous, starved, unsatisfied, voracious, avaricious, desirous, famished, grasping, insatiable, keen, longing, predatory, ravening, starving, thirsty, wanting Intense -  forceful, severe, passionate, acute, agonizing, ardent, anxious, biting, bitter, burning, close, consuming, cutting, deep, eager, earnest, excessive, exquisite, extreme, fervent, fervid, fierce, forcible, great, harsh, impassioned, keen, marked, piercing, powerful, profound, severe, sharp, strong, vehement, violent, vivid, vigorous Liquid -  damp, cream, creamy, dripping, ichorous, juicy, moist, luscious, melted, moist, pulpy, sappy, soaking, solvent, sopping, succulent, viscous, wet / aqueous, broth, elixir, extract, flux, juice, liquor, nectar, sap, sauce, secretion, solution, vitae, awash, moisture, boggy, dewy, drenched, drip, drop, droplet, drowning, flood, flooded, flowing, fountain, jewel, leaky, milky, overflowing, saturated, slick, slippery, soaked, sodden, soggy, stream, swamp, tear, teardrop, torrent, waterlogged, watery, weeping Lithe - agile, lean, pliant, slight, spare, sinewy, slender, supple, deft, fit, flexible, lanky, leggy, limber, lissom, lissome, nimble, sinuous, skinny, sleek, slender, slim, svelte, trim, thin, willowy, wiry Moan - beef, cry, gripe, grouse, grumble, lament, lamentation, plaint, sob, wail, whine, bemoan, bewail, carp, deplore, grieve, gripe, grouse, grumble, keen, lament, sigh, sob, wail, whine, mewl Moving -  (exciting,) affecting, effective  arousing, awakening, breathless, dynamic, eloquent, emotional, emotive, expressive, fecund, far-out, felt in gut, grabbed by, gripping, heartbreaking, heartrending, impelling, impressive, inspirational, meaningful, mind-bending, mind-blowing, motivating, persuasive, poignant, propelling, provoking, quickening, rallying, rousing, significant, stimulating, simulative, stirring, stunning, touching, awe-inspiring, energizing, exhilarating, fascinating, heart pounding, heart stopping, inspiring, riveting, thrilling Need -  compulsion, demand, desperate, devoir, extremity, impatient longing, must, urge, urgency / desire, appetite, avid, burn, craving, eagerness, fascination, greed, hunger, insatiable, longing, lust, taste, thirst, voracious, want, yearning, ache, addiction, aspiration, desire, fever, fixation, hankering, hope, impulse, inclination, infatuation, itch, obsession, passion, pining, wish, yen Pain -  ache, afflict, affliction, agony, agonize, anguish, bite, burn, chafe, distress, fever, grief, hurt, inflame, laceration, misery, pang, punish, sting, suffering, tenderness, throb, throe, torment, torture, smart Painful -  aching, agonizing, arduous, awful, biting, burning, caustic, dire, distressing, dreadful, excruciating, extreme, grievous, inflamed, piercing, raw, sensitive, severe, sharp, tender, terrible, throbbing, tormenting, angry, bleeding, bloody, bruised, cutting, hurting, injured, irritated, prickly, skinned, smarting, sore, stinging, unbearable, uncomfortable, upsetting, wounded Perverted -  aberrant, abnormal, corrupt, debased, debauched, defiling, depraved, deviant, monstrous, tainted, twisted, vicious, warped, wicked, abhorrent, base, decadent, degenerate, degrading, dirty, disgusting, dissipated, dissolute, distasteful, hedonistic, immodest, immoral, indecent, indulgent, licentious, nasty, profligate, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, shameful, shameless, sickening, sinful, smutty, sordid, unscrupulous, vile  Pleasurable -  charming, gratifying, luscious, satisfying, savory, agreeable, delicious, delightful, enjoyable, nice, pleasant, pleasing, soothing, succulent Pleasure -  bliss, delight, gluttony, gratification, relish, satisfaction, thrill, adventure, amusement, buzz, contentment, delight, desire, ecstasy, enjoyment, excitement, fun, happiness, harmony, heaven, joy, kick, liking, paradise, seventh heaven  Rapacious-  avaricious, ferocious, furious, greedy, predatory, ravening, ravenous, savage, voracious, aggressive, gluttonous, grasping, insatiable, marauding, plundering Rapture -  bliss, ecstasy, elation, exaltation, glory, gratification, passion, pleasure, floating, unbridled joy Rigid -  adamant, austere, definite, determined, exact, firm, hard, rigorous, solid, stern, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, concrete, fixed, harsh, immovable, inflexible, obstinate, resolute, resolved, severe, steadfast, steady, stiff, strong, strict, stubborn, taut, tense, tight, tough, unbending, unchangeable, unwavering Sudden -  abrupt, accelerated, acute, fast, flashing, fleeting, hasty, headlong, hurried, immediate, impetuous, impulsive, quick, quickening, rapid, rash, rushing, swift, brash, brisk, brusque, instant, instantaneous, out of the blue, reckless, rushed, sharp, spontaneous, urgent, without warning Thrust -  (forward) advance, drive, forge, impetus, impulsion, lunge, momentum, onslaught, poke, pressure, prod, propulsion, punch, push, shove, power, proceed, progress, propel (push hard) assail, assault, attack, bear down, buck, drive, force, heave, impale, impel, jab, lunge, plunge, press, pound, prod, ram, shove, stab, transfix, urge, bang, burrow, cram, gouge, jam, pierce, punch, slam, spear, spike, stick Thunder-struck - amazed, astonished, aghast, astounded, awestruck, confounded, dazed, dazed, dismayed, overwhelmed, shocked, staggered, startled, stunned, gob-smacked, bewildered, dumbfounded, flabbergasted, horrified, incredulous, surprised, taken aback  Torment - agony, anguish, hurt, misery, pain, punishment, suffering, afflict, angst, conflict, distress, grief, heartache, misfortune, nightmare, persecute, plague, sorrow, strife, tease, test, trial, tribulation, torture, turmoil, vex, woe Touch -  (physical) - blow, brush, caress, collide, come together, contact, converge, crash, cuddle, embrace, feel, feel up, finger, fondle, frisk, glance, glide, graze, grope, handle, hit, hug, impact, join, junction, kiss, lick, line, manipulate, march, massage, meet, nudge, palm, partake, pat, paw, peck, pet, pinch, probe, push, reach, rub, scratch, skim, slide, smooth, strike, stroke, suck, sweep, tag, tap, taste, thumb, tickle, tip, touching, toy, bite, bump, burrow, buss, bury, circle, claw, clean, clutch, cover, creep, crush, cup, curl, delve, dig, drag, draw, ease, edge, fiddle with, flick, flit, fumble, grind, grip, grub, hold, huddle, knead, lap, lave, lay a hand on, maneuver, manhandle, mash, mold, muzzle, neck, nestle, nibble, nip, nuzzle, outline, play, polish, press, pull, rasp, ravish, ream, rim, run, scoop, scrabble, scrape, scrub, shave, shift, shunt, skate, slip, slither, smack, snake, snuggle, soothe, spank, splay, spread, squeeze, stretch, swipe, tangle, tease, thump, tongue, trace, trail, tunnel twiddle, twirl, twist, tug, work, wrap  (mental) - communicate, examine, inspect, perception, scrutinize Wet - bathe, bleed, burst, cascade, course, cover, cream, damp, dampen, deluge, dip, douse, drench, dribble, drip, drizzle, drool, drop, drown, dunk, erupt, flood, flow, gush, immerse, issue, jet, leach, leak, moisten, ooze, overflow, permeate, plunge, pour, rain, rinse, run, salivate, saturate, secrete, seep, shower, shoot, slaver, slobber, slop, slosh, sluice, spill, soak, souse, spew, spit, splash, splatter, spout, spray, sprinkle, spurt, squirt, steep, stream, submerge, surge, swab, swamp, swill, swim, trickle, wash, water Wicked -  abominable, amoral, atrocious, awful, base, barbarous, dangerous, debased, depraved, distressing, dreadful, evil, fearful, fiendish, fierce, foul, heartless, hazardous, heinous, immoral, indecent, intense, mean, nasty, naughty, nefarious, offensive, profane, scandalous, severe, shameful, shameless, sinful, terrible, unholy, vicious, vile, villainous, wayward, bad, criminal, cruel, deplorable, despicable, devious, ill-intentioned, impious, impish, iniquitous, irreverent, loathsome, Machiavellian, mad, malevolent, malicious, merciless, mischievous, monstrous, perverse, ruthless, spiteful, uncaring, unkind, unscrupulous, vindictive, virulent, wretched Writhe -  agonize, bend, jerk, recoil, lurch, plunge, slither, squirm, struggle, suffer, thrash, thresh, twist, wiggle, wriggle, angle, arc, bow, buck, coil, contort, convulse, curl, curve, fidget, fight, flex, go into spasm, grind, heave, jiggle, jolt, kick, rear, reel, ripple, resist, roll, lash, lash out, screw up, shake, shift, slide, spasm, stir, strain, stretch, surge, swell, swivel, thrust, turn violently, tussle, twitch, undulate, warp, worm, wrench, wrestle, yank 

[aghostnotaguardian-archive]

//MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS - HERE IS THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF FINDING THAT RIGHT WORD!!!!!

[shades-of-orange]

I’ve reblogged it before, and I’ll reblog it again

[justsome-witchybusiness]

For those of you following my story, coming soon is a peak into Kalebs point of view 🤗

[justsome-witchybusiness]

Chapter Two Passage 3

Forbidden Fruit

Rosalyn hunched over, placing her hands on her knees and giving a breathless laugh. For once the frigid winter air felt nice on her face and she welcomed it as she attempted to catch her breath.

A white truck pulled up beside her, the driver side window down and a half concerned, half amused face looking out of it. “You good?” Kaleb asked, the beginning of a smile tugging his lips.

Rosalyn looked at him and rolled her eyes but she couldn’t help but smile back. Straightening up, she stretched her back and nodded. “Yeah, lets go.”

It was nearing 1:00AM and her and Kaleb had been chasing a cow for nearly 45 minutes. It was calving season for most ranchers, or in this case Hutterites, and they required shiftly checkups. When it was clear one of the heifers was about to give birth they had to be herded to the barn. Not only did they generally require assistance with the birthing but the Montana winter was far to cold for the newborns.

Rosalyn believed this process would be easier with more than two people, but unfortunately for them Kaleb had sent George home for the night, leaving them in this predicament. Although Rosalyn’s feet felt like ice cubes and she was wheezing from running, she didn’t mind the task at hand. She was actually enjoying herself.

Watching a group of cows ahead and spotting the one they were just chasing she pointed, “There.”

Kalebs gaze followed her arm and assessed the situation before turning back to her. “Are you sure you don’t want to trade?”

Rosalyn looked at him and chuckled. She placed a hand on the door and leaned in the window. “As much as I’d love to sit on my ass and watch you do the running, i’d probably run you over, by accident, of course. Or hit a cow.”

Kaleb stared at her for a moment in bewilderment and shook his head, amusement clear on his face. She winked at him and could hear his laugh as she jogged off to once again separate the cow from the herd.

•

Rosalyn leaned against the cold bars of the corral and sighed in relief. Without the adrenaline pumping through her, her body began to ache and her head started to pound. It was now close to two in the morning and they’d finally gotten the mother cow to the barn, something she’d begun to fear was never going to happen.

Kaleb dipped through the gap of the enclosed pen and motioned for Rosalyn to follow him. They entered the barn through a side door and stepped into a small, stinky room where the cow was now tied between two bars. She watched as Kaleb tugged on gloves that reached his shoulders and patted the animal affectionately. “Alright ol’ gurl, you ready for this?”

Rosalyn smiled at the slight Canadian accent that mixed with the German and english, the unique voice now so familiar to her.

The cow let out a loud bellow as Kaleb’s hand reached in and slowly began to work. Soon, small legs began to protrude. Rosalyn frowned and furrowed her brows, something was off. “Wait, isn’t it supposed to be head first?”

Kaleb didn’t look at her, concentrating as he felt around the uterus and for a moment Rosalyn thought he wasn’t going to answer her. “She’s breached. It’s a common complication and often a fatal one.”

The comment made Rosalyn bite her lip, the curiosity that was building inside now mixed with anxiety.

Kaleb swore and began to work fast. He managed to get the calf out and dragged the little body away from his working station. He then inserted his hand back into the cow and met Rosalyn’s eyes. “She’s not breathing and there’s not a huge chance she’s going to survive, but I need you to rub her chest, massage it gently and make your way up the neck. I have to pull out her sibling.”

Rosalyn moved quickly, bending next to the tiny brown calf and placed her hands on the slimy body. The baby radiated heat, instantly warming her cold hands as she began to work. She massaged in a slow, steady pace, contradicting the desperation she felt inside.

Keeping her pace she looked up to see Kaleb doing the same motion to another, identical small calf. She watched as his hands stopped and a wide grin spread across his face. “This ones okay.” Standing, he carefully stepped over the newborn and kneeled across from Rosalyn, beginning to move his hands along side hers.

After a few tense minutes, fear snaking up her spine, Rosalyn felt movement under her hands and realized the calf was now breathing. Her head whipped up, wide eyes meeting Kalebs and a large smile taking over her face.

Kaleb gave a loud whoop and placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s rare for both twins to survive, good job.”

Rosalyn looked down and touched the innocent face of the exhausted calf. “No, good job to Willow.”

“‘Willow’, eh?”

Rosalyn glanced up with narrowed eyes, “Yes, what’s wrong with ‘Willow’?”

Kaleb smirked and shook his head, “Oh, nothing. Just that Willow is a bull.”

Rosalyn gaped at him for a moment before looking down and seeing that the calf was in fact, a male. She lifted her gaze back to Kaleb and rolled off her heels and onto her but, then she began to laugh.

Kaleb watched her for a moment before mimicking her fallen position and joining in with his own laughter.

[jessicacaseyauthor-deactivated2]

500 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

I can’t even believe this, thank you all sm

So, for 500 followers, I felt like I should do a little raffle, so here we go:

Rules: 1) Follow me 2) Reblog this post

PRIZES:

First Prize- (2 winners)

Critique of your writing! I’ll read, chat about, and critique any of your writing (>4000words)

Or we can chat about your work, I’ll give you suggestions from a reader and writer’s perspective :)

Second Prize- (2 winners)

I’ll make you a Moodboard! It could be for your original characters, for a story or novel, a location you’ve written about, anything you like.

giveaway will be drawn January 18th!

[justsome-witchybusiness]

Chapter 2 Passage 2

Forbidden Fruit

Rosalyn stood staring in the mirror a couple hours later feeling slighly nauseous. Her long, naturally wavy blonde hair was now bouncing with curls and smelling of hairspray. The dark eyeliner and the blue blouse she wore made her sea blue eyes stand out. Stepping away from the mirror and into her worn out boots Rosalyn took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

Checking her phone for the time she saw she’d received a message from Kaleb.

KALEB 7:58PM

Hey, you coming over to Lucy’s tonight?

Normally she would’ve messaged him back immediately, but for whatever reason Rosalyn didn’t want him to know what she was doing tonight. Instead, hearing the knock at the door she placed her phone in her back pocket and met Derek on the front steps, ignoring Kaleb.

Sitting on the passenger side in the dark, Rosalyn once again found herself at a loss of words in the deafening silence. Deciding not to embarrass herself she just sat back and watched out the window, allowing Derek to break the silence this time.

“So your dad hunts mountain lions?”

Rosalyn fought back the urge to snort and hid her smirk, feeling slightly satisfied that she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t conversate well. She nodded and more confidently explained her fathers hunting life. Once she was done speaking Derek pulled the truck over. They were now on an empty dirt road. “I have to pee.” He announced with an apologetic smile, opening the door.

Rosalyn nodded, still feeling awkward and looked down at her phone. No service. She began to feel guilty for ignoring Kalebs message.

Derek hopped back into the truck, pulling Rosalyn’s mind from her guiltly conscious. He sat there for a moment without saying anything before finally making up his mind on his inward debate and turned toward her. “Come here.” He whispered softly, holding his hand out to her.

Her stomach flipping upside down Rosalyn hesitantly took his hand and scooted to the middle, her heart beating wildly. For a moment they both sat there, not speaking and not entirely meeting eachother eyes, completely frozen in time. Then his hands were on her face, pulling her closer until his lips clapped over hers.

The sloppy kiss grew more and more passionate as Rosalyn’s lips moved over his, offering little nibbles to his bottom lip. She felt his hand begin to wander up her leg and she could feel her heart skip a beat. She hadn’t planned for this and wasn’t sure what to do, if she should stop his pursuit or continue on.

Rosalyn was never good at saying no and not sure if she even wanted to say no, she continued to kiss him, allowing his hand to roam. She shivered as his fingertips passed over her rib cage and hesitated at her chest, cupping her breast for a moment before moving on. He traced her collarbone and moved lightly over her shoulder, traveling down her arm until he rested on her hand. Once there he slowly gripped her fingers and brought her hand over to his lap, placing it on the buldge of his pants.

•

“Uh, see you later.” Derek said as she got out of his truck, now parked in front of her house.

“Um, yeah.. later.”

Rosalyn rushed inside and went straight to the bathroom, aiming for her toothbrush. She scrubbed her teeth with more power than necessary, making her gums bleed and turning her toothbrush and spit pink. After rinising with mouthwash and feeling satisfied that the taste was out of her mouth, Rosalyn trudged downstairs feeling gross and used, completely disgusted with herself. Vowing to never tell a soul about this she threw her wild curls into a sloppy pony tail and changed into her favorite pajamas. She then crawled into bed, nudging her fat pit bull. The speckled dog licked her face and moved to the other end. Rosalyn reached for her phone and dialed down to Derek’s name, deleting the number with no hesitation. She then sent a message to Kaleb, apologizing for not answering earlier and wishing she had went to Lucy’s instead.

Kaleb gave a quick reply, asking if she wanted to hang out. A little surprised she glanced at the clock, indicating it was growing close to 10:00PM. She shrugged why not and got back out of bed, slipping on her boots and quietly climbed the stairs. She eased out the door as quietly as she could, hoping to not wake her mother and began the twenty minute drive to the colony.

She wrenched open the passenger door of a beat up white truck and was instantly hit by the strong scent of cow and pig. Not even attempting to hide her disgust, Rosalyn coughed and peered at Kaleb. “I hope it’s not you that stinks this bad.” Waving her hand in front of her nose she hopped in, pulling the door shut behind her.

Kaleb laughed and shook his head, “Nice pajamas.”

Rosalyn shot him a mild glare, “Hey, don’t knock them, they’re comfy.” Looking down at her blue and red plaid pants tucked into her boots she gave a soft chuckle. “What are we doing anyways?”

Kaleb gave a slight smirk as he pulled out, showing a glint of white teeth. “We’re going to play in the snow.” Catching the look on Rosalyn’s face, Kaleb gave a deep bellied laugh. “Don’t worry, we’ll be staying in the car.”

She srunched her nose and crossed her arms, “They told you.” She made it more of a statement than a question, already knowing the answer by the cocky grin on his face, not even trying to hide his amusement. “Fine, laugh all you want but just - Hey! What the hell are you doing?” She screeched a little loudly as he took a sudden right turn into an unmarked field full of white covered sage brush.

“Playing in the snow.” He gave a wink and began to spin the truck in a wide circle, creating the doughnut affect and spraying snow everywhere.

Rosalyn began to laugh and couldn’t seem to stop, even after the cramping in her stomach began and joy filled tears sprang to her eyes. She enjoyed Kaleb’s way of playing in the snow better than Kenna’s.

After the doughnut stunt they cruised in the fields dodging the larger sage brushes and chasing the rabbits who were out. They seemed to talk nonstop for hours, sometimes so excited they would end up talking over one another, neither caring to much. When they would finally run out of things to talk about for the time being they’d simply turn up the radio, blasting music and singing along loudly, using their fists as microphones and turning the truck into a karaoke session.

“Shit!” Rosalyn cursed, seeing her mother’s name light up her phone screen. She turned down the radio and bit her lip. “Time to head back.”

Kaleb looked her way and she showed him the the phone. He made a grim expression and turned the vehicle around. Rosalyn was surprised at how fast time flew by and couldn’t help smiling as they drove down the asphalt. Glancing at the clock reading 3:50AM she knew school was going to be hell the next day.

Reaching her car she began to feel the faint sign of fatigue begin to creep up on her and stifled a yawn. Wishing she could stay but ready for bed she opened the truck door and waited by her car for Kaleb to come around the other side.

“Alright, drive safe.” He opened his arms for a goodbye hug. When she stepped into them he held her tight and squeezed a little, not letting go.

Squeezing back and burrowing into his chest Rosalyn enjoyed his strong arms holding her close. From where she was she could tell that the stinky farm smell in fact didn’t come from him, at least not entirely. Instead he smelt like the forest, a mixture of pine trees and fresh spilt rain on the forest floor. She took a deep breath, breathing in the satisfying smell before sighing and reluctantly pulling away. “Alright, goodnight.”

[justsome-witchybusiness]

Chapter Two, Passage 1

Forbidden Fruit

Rosalyn took a moment before opening the large double doors and braced herself. School had started quickly after New Years and even after falling back into routine, Rosalyn dreaded it every morning. It wasn’t that she didn’t like school, she was quite good at it actually, it was just that it had become boring and dull. She’d taken most of the classes required to graduate, plus some in her earlier years, making her senior year filled with electives she didn’t have much interest in. Senioritis was kicking in. On top of that, she still hadn’t made any friends at school.

While it was true her and Kaleb had grown closer over the last week and a half, he was 20 and graduated as well. While they texted on a daily basis, she only saw him when she made it out to the Yellow House and her other Hutterite friends, like John, were homeschooled.

Sighing, Rosalyn pulled open the doors, her lack of interest in going into the building resolved by the cold harsh air of winter.

The indoor school seemed larger on the outside than it actually was. Inside there was only a number of classrooms down the long hall and a large gym square in the middle. Her favorite part of the school was the upstairs common area that held a barlike seating area placed against a large window. It overlooked the parking lot and gave a beautiful view of the small town. Rosalyn often wandered up there to escape the student body and read a book, as it was often abandoned.

A shrill bell rang, indicating the end of lunch and the hall quickly became busy. Letting out her breath Rosalyn jumped into the crowded hall and made her way quickly to her next class.

•

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Rosalyn huffed as she hiked the snow filled mountain in bulky overalls.

Kenna laughed beside her. “It is fun. Sledding is always fun. Lighten up.”

“It’s cold. Sledding is cold. And where’s Lucy? Isn’t sledding supposed to be a group thing?”

Kenna rolled her eyes, “Lucy is working and there are no rules. Anyone can sled at anytime.”

They reached the top of the mountain and Rosalyn dropped her sled and placed her hands on her knees, trying to regain her breath. She glared at Kenna in disdain she knew she didn’t mean, but felt strongly at the moment.

Rosalyn has been friends with Kenna for as long as she could remember. Although most of her family lived in Arizona, Rosalyn had a grandpa and a couple of cousins in Montana. Her grandpa being her mother’s father was the reason they constantly moved back to Wayland. Each time she could at least always count on having her one friend, Kenna. Kenna had practically been a member of the family and remained so, even after the break up between her and Rosalyn’s cousin Jerry, a relationship that lasted almost four years.

Rosalyn finally stood up, catching her first glance atop the mountain. Wow, she thought with awe. The beauty of the snow spread out over the rolling hills and hanging off the ever lasting pine trees made her forget her hatred of it as it glistened beautifully in the sun. For a moment, she loved it.

Then she remembered how cold she was. “Alright, lets do this.” She turned to Kenna and placed her hands on her hips, “But you’re going first.”

Kenna smiled and shrugged her shoulders. She placed her sled at the top of the moutian slant and carefully climbed on. “Give me a push.”

Rosalyn stepped forward and shoved the sled, watching as it tilted first then raced down the slope. Kenna screamed and threw her hands in the air before quickly reaching back down to best steer herself away from a rogue tree.

Rosalyn shook her head, “This is going to be the death of me.” And watched as Kenna huffed her way back up the mountain.

“Your turn.” Kenna said with a wicked smile when she reached the top.

Kenna’s caramel brown hair with streaks of blonde reached down to her shoulders and was stuffed under a beanie. Kenna was taller than Rosalyn and had broader shoulders than most skinny girls. Her bronze skin indicated the Indian in her and set off her green, gold eyes.

Rosalyn grumbled as she climbed onto her sled, feeling nervous as she looked down the steep mountain.

“You know how to steer right?”

“Um, I think so?” She bit her lip, how hard could it be?

“Good!” And with that Kenna gave a hard push, sending Rosalyn flying down the mountain.

Rosalyn’s stomach flipped inside her, throwing her heart into her throat and making her feel like she was on a roller coaster. She began to laugh, enjoying the free feeling it created.

She vaguely could hear Kenna calling out to her but she couldn’t make out what she was saying. As she began to turn to Kenna, the same rouge tree caught her eye, coming straight at her. She grasped the sled and attempted to steer herself away from the tree as Kenna had earlier demonstrated, only to find out that it wasn’t as easy as she’d thought. Her sled hit the tree, spinning her in a complete circle before dumping her in the snow. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop her descend down the steep slope and she began to roll. When she finally reached the bottom she was covered from head to toe in white, and thankfully uninjured.

She struggled to her feet and attempted to brush herself off but quickly gave up when she realized nothing was happening. There was just simply too much snow. Looking up Rosalyn could see Kenna doubled over laughing and she flipped her the middle finger before she too began to laugh.

•

Rosalyn was showered and currently warming herself at the kitchen table with a cup of hot chocolate when Kenna sat across from her. “Okay,” she admitted reluctantly, “it was fun. The snow isn’t that bad.”

Really the only reason she hates the snow so much, other then constantly being cold, was because of her car. She had a red, 1998 mustang that she brought up with her from Arizona. It was a rear wheel drive vehicle and pretty low to the ground, making it almost impossible to drive in the Montana winter. Almost everytime she drove she ended up in a snow bank on the side of the road, requiring rescuing from her cousin Jerry. It was infuriating and quickly caused her hate for the snow.

Rosalyn looked up from her cup as the sliding class door opened and Lucy popped her head in.

“Finally off work.” She muttered as she plopped in the bench next to Kenna.

Kenna began to recall their day to Lucy, elaborating Rosalyn’s failure when her phone buzzed beside her.

Making a face at them she picked up her phone and stared in surprise. It was from Derek.

DEREK 5:42PM

Hey, want to go for a drive tonight?

“What is it?” Lucy asked, peering over Rosalyn’s phone. She handed them the device so they could see and sat, unsure how to respond.

“Derek?” Kenna asked, handing back the phone. “I thought you and Kaleb were getting close?”

Rosalyn waved the comment away and peered at the phone, making sure she had read it correctly. “Kaleb has a girlfriend. But I haven’t heard from Derek in a few weeks now. Close to a month actually.”

“Well, are you gonna go?” Lucy asked excitedly, “I mean, come on, he’s pretty hot.” She wiggled her eyebows at Rosalyn, earning a laugh and an eye roll.

“Probably, yeah. What are you guys doing tonight?” She couldn’t deny the butterflies in her stomach as her excitement began to grow.

“Gonna hang out at Lucy’s with the other hoots.” Kenna replies, using the term “hoots” short for Hutterites, though Rosalyn suspected they didn’t really care for the nick name.