Fiction Central

My name is Olivia, or Liv as my friends know me, and I like to write. Nix that, I LOVE to write. Writing is just a way for me to live in the daydreams I so frequently visit, and nothing makes me happier than writing something when I'm supposed to be doing something supposedly more important, like school. I am currently at North Dakota State University for Emergency Management, and when I'm done I plan on moving back to good old Minnesota. My inspiration includes Owl City, nature, and my internet friends. I have participated now five times in National Novel Writing Month and won twice in 2011 and 2014. Thank you for taking the time to visit my writing blog, and happy reading!

[iscairot]

i think the hardest i’ve ever been owned was when my boyfriend and i were talking about our favorite feelings/sensations and he was like “my top 9 out of 10 feelings are sex with you” and i was like “aw baby🥺🥺🥺. what’s the tenth one??” and he didn’t hesitate even a little before saying “sex with your mom”

[platypusinplaid]

Everyone please look at this snapping turtle, walking to the pond outside my house, still groggy from a 6-month nap.

[saint-batrick]

the music made this one of the most hilarious things i have ever seen, thank you so much.

[theinfiknight]

GJJGJRKGNH THE MUSIC GOES UNDERWATER WITH THE TURTLE

[livsstories]

A Year and Decade in Reflection: 2019

Here we sit, on the cusp of a new year and a new decade, and I find myself unable to break from my self-reflection regarding this past year and my first decade as an adult. How I look back and realize the growth that I have experienced, the loss I have endured, and the relationships I have kindled. I have to say that compared to where I was at the beginning of this decade, I am a completely different person; yet underneath lies that same innocence, that same optimism, and that eternal empathy I have for those around me.

At the beginning of this decade, I was in high school. I graduated in 2011, leaving home for the first time to attend a university hours from home. It was there I discovered many things: first and foremost, I discovered the wonderful world of the internet. It wasn’t that I didn’t know of or use the internet before, but I met so many people online who had similar interests as me, I created my own niche of internet closet space, and I discovered new subjects to read, explore, and indulge myself in.

This website, tumblr, was really where all of it began. I discovered groups of fans who shared my ‘10-’13 obsession with BBC’s Merlin. I rediscovered my love for Owl City and made dozens of friends on here through Adam Young’s music. Many of those friends I am still blessed to have today, and we have visited each other and kept in touch after all this time. And then, of course, there was the time I began following people from a livestream for BBC’s Sherlock episode Reichenbach Falls in January of 2012 - one of those who is now my husband and I would have never met outside of tumblr. I also found a love for all things minimalist and tiny - something I still enjoy after learning about tiny living 7 years ago.

This decade was one of love and one of loss. Heaven took a few beautiful souls in my life, most of them this year. My wonderful cousin Ellie passed away in April. A long-time family friend passed away in February. And our family dog passed away also in April. Emotionally, I lost many people as well. Most notable was my friend Kyra, who drifted away at a very difficult time in my life. I did suffer from depression and anxiety this decade as well, but defeated the former relatively quickly. Anxiety may flare up sometimes, but I now know how to recognize when my mind is issuing a nonessential fight or flight feeling. I am grateful to have known the people I’ve known and to have gone through the trials I had in order to become stronger and wiser.

This was an amazing decade. Despite the loss, it was a calm, peaceful time. I had many opportunities to travel, and I visited 23 states and 2 countries outside of North America. I adopted a beautiful cat named Tina Tuna, an absolute unit of a gray tabby calico who has brought nothing but joy to me. I married an amazing person after 7 years of knowing each other and 3 years of dating. I got to spend countless days visiting family and friends. I also rediscovered where I stood on the spiritual front, and I have only been happy since with my choices.

2019 has been a year of knowledge, a year of discovery, and a year of peace. My now 2 jobs have made working life hectic, but outside of this I have discovered what makes me happy. I finally paid off my very first car loan this year, which was an excellent stepping stone towards financial independence (next stop, paying off all the student loans!). I was able to dream and brainstorm and dream again with my husband about how to get to that financially elusive house we keep picturing (in many different ways because of course our ideas are always changing). I was able to sing in a church choir, mentor kids in high school robotics, and visit both grandparents at least once this year.

Looking ahead, 2020 is going to be pretty incredible, too. I have plans to pay off at least one of my looming student loans, vacation throughout my home state, be a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding, spend time with family and friends, and be continually blessed to spend my life with my partner, my equal, my Jeff.

I hope 2020 is a wonderful year for you, too. No matter what you believe, what your opinions are, what your attitude towards life is, or what you do with your life - this is the fresh, clean slate you’ve been looking for. Find your inner self and learn to fly!

[livsstories]

March 2nd, 2015

I don't always stop to take a look back on what has happened to me in the past few years. Ever since I began multitasking my life between school and work, it's been a never-ending stream of one thing to another, without barely a breath in between. There are seldom moments that I can pull aside in my mind and say, "these were the times that I just sat and thought." There has hardly been a chance for me to sit down, stare at the world outside my patio, and wonder about the future, the present, the past. So much happens so quickly, it's difficult to even catch such an occasion as this one.

In that frame of mind, I have caught one such frame of mind. I am alone, blanket around my shoulders, legs crossed, plastic cup full of water at my side. In front of me is the cold, dim shadow of the patio door frame, obscuring part of my view into  my "backyard" of sorts. The world is quiet beyond but for the soft rumble of cars on the busy avenue next door, and the gentle, chilling rustle of wind as it sweeps under the patio and directly onto my skin.

It is quiet, and yet there are signs of life in front of me, many of them. There are nine bedroom lights on in the building parallel to my own, and there are nine patios whose doors show the reflection of kitchen or entry lights being on. Out of the corner of my vision, every once in awhile I will see the brake or headlights of a car passing by on the avenue to my right, or on the more secluded drive to my left. The two trees nearest to my vision are rustling quietly in the wind. I wish there were buds of leaves beginning to grow.

My past in this place is hardly as strange as the apartment before this. My memories are mostly fond, save for a single stain that isn't bad, or wouldn't be if the consequences following that memory weren't so difficult to look at. In fact, this apartment life has been a quiet one. Yes, I snuck a note to the upstairs neighbor once because he was being too loud with his music when Jeff tried to sleep. Yes, we've had the maintenance guys in here no less than five times, which is five times more than my record with the previous apartment. Yes, I am farther from campus and have a garage now and a roommate once more. This apartment isn't the worst thing that has happened to me. There are some very nice memories here.

Perhaps where my issue tends to lie is with the people. It lies with people who make plans and then don't follow through. It shows me the best time I have had in a very long time and then diminishes that time with silence. It argues with me constantly in the form of what to say or what not to say, so as not to offend Jeff. It isn't that I'm worried that he's going to be offended, it's more my concern with retaliation on his behalf on social media later. It isn't his fault nor mine, it's just how we both were built.

Yeah, I have a lot of issues. Maybe not the greatest amount in the world, nor neither on the greatest scale. But the fact remains that my issues are here, and the fact also remains that I have found the strength and courage within me to finally sit down and write it all, in what I'm hoping will be something of eloquence that I can forget once this moment is over.

It's a cold night tonight. The sky is mostly black with a soft purple tinge on the horizon. Stars aren't out, and I believe it's due to the possible clouds that are above. Snow litters the ground like heavy trash, clinging to the sidewalks and the playground and the picnic table down below. It began to melt today, and that made me feel a bit better. I know spring is coming, and it's coming very soon.

Jeff is snoring away on the futon. We were watching Star Trek Into Darkness, and he fell asleep so we put the futon down so he could sleep. He got his air mattress mostly fixed the past day or two, so that will be nice for him to return to his room. The problem with constant cuddling with my roommate and best friend is that I begin to feel way overprotective of him, and jealous, like back when I was in love with him. Thankfully, this is not the case, but either way I don't like sharing even though he isn't mine in the first place. I do enjoy cuddling; it has dropped down my anxiety almost to zero and it saved me from what could have been another return of the worst. While I appreciate all he has done for me, I cannot afford myself the liberty of even anticipating liking him once more in a romantic fashion. Perhaps I am just frustrated by the lack of response he gives me to my best attention seeking methods. I don't know if there is a fault there at all; I need friends here besides Jeff and people who smoke cigarettes or pot or hookah.

I'm hoping everything will change once I get overseas, get to be independent and meet Maisie and Esme, and come back, hopefully to a job. I want to work within this field, I really do, but I'm concerned that I won't get the opportunity first. My first goal is to find an emergency management job in Minnesota, or super duper close. If that doesn't pan out by April, I will look for summer work in Park Rapids. If that doesn't work...I'm screwed. However, I won't stop applying to jobs. I just have to keep on working hard in all aspects of my life until I can find the rewards for the rest of my life. I'm ready to be done with college, I'm ready to explore the world, I'm ready to have my own place and do my own thing, and I'm ready to begin the next part of my life.

That's a huge reason why I want to build my own tiny home. For one, do I really need a lot of space? The answer is no. I need the basic physical necessities, and I also need to feel free of both financial and place burden. I believe that my future tiny house will give me all of these freedoms, being of a minimal cost to me as well as a maximum benefit to having a place to live, a roof over my head and the ability to travel whenever I want to. A lot of people think I'm crazy, and I bet that I'm not the first person to feel like this, to get this kind of backlash from friends and family. The point isn't that they feel good in my tiny house, however; the point is that it will be my independent decision as a person in this world and sometimes people have to make decisions that are best for them, regardless of what others think. My ultimate dream, as cheesy as it may sound, is to have my tiny house with a cat and be content with life. That's what I want most of all: to look out my window in the early mornings and know that I'm in my home, no matter where my window shows I truly am. I could go back to Whidbey Island, I could go to lake country Minnesota, I could go to the tiny house conventions, I could travel through the Rocky Mountains and up into Canada. I could see this entire continent in my tiny house and it wouldn't cost me very much. There are so many good reasons for doing this that I fail to see a downside besides my mom thinking it's a ridiculous idea.

The water is gone now. There are eight patio lights still on and still nine room lights. The wind has halted a bit, which will be nice for the snow that's coming our way tomorrow. As for tonight, the chill on my skin has stopped for the time being. My blanket rests around my shoulders like a weary superhero's cape after a long day of fighting villains. My mind begins to wander and doze, and I know that my moment is passing. Reflection of the past and contemplation for the future is good for the soul, even if it means taking a few moments out of one's day in order to enjoy one's life. I feel like in this industrial aspect of life, we are missing the big picture: the big picture isn't a job with vacations to look forward to, it's finding what one wants to do in life and then doing it to one's heart's content until it's time to do another hobby. What I truly believe is following through with one's heart, and mine has a very peculiar beat with some strange followings but definitely lots of hope for a bright future ahead.

[livsstories]

Things that make me happy:

- my own space - candy - cats - painting - going to sleep knowing I don't have to set an alarm - hearing the bed shift when I am not on it, signifying I am not alone

[livsstories]

That Feeling

You know that feeling you get? Yeah, that one. The one that you remember for a lifetime, even after ages of not feeling it. It isn't a good feeling, not one at all. In fact, this feeling haunts you when it waits in the shadows for a perfect time to emerge again. It preys off of every insecurity and every subtle reaction that comes your way and makes you question everything. You're so used to it randomly reappearing that you barely blink an eye when you feel it again. But it takes over, slowly at first, and then suddenly you're immersed in it and can't shake it.

That feeling.

The feeling where every attempt, every whisper, every breath of hope seeps out in deflation. When you think you finally got it right, that this time, there'll be no feeling like that - that's when it hits. When it makes you stop and think, well maybe this won't work out as well as you had hoped, or maybe what you're doing will all be in vain because something went wrong, again.

That feeling.

You build up walls so tall and so strong and only the very close can penetrate them, and so they do, and so the damage is done. You're left sweating out the details and leaking out the remainder of your hope through your eyes. There's that constricting feeling in your chest, the pit in your stomach, the drop of the expression, as you stop and you think.

That feeling.

It doesn't kill, but it has caused so much damage there hasn't been much left of you for a long time. You carry on, hoping that your cutesy duct tape will make it farther this time without ripping out, that your super glue won't turn out to be a glue stick. But every time, the small cracks that you didn't fix eventually spread as your heart freezes and melts, over and over, like northern roads. You feel the cracks beginning to deepen, and suddenly it's everywhere.

That feeling.

And so you let it go. You let it run its course to keep yourself alive. After all, that's all that can be done when soft, sad songs are drifting through the floorboards into your ears, and widening those cracks every so slightly more.

That. Feeling.

[livsstories]

It’s like a drum.

Another second ticks by, each beating out a pattern in the clock on the wall. At the same time, the blood pumps a similar rhythm back into my heart. I can feel the pumping in the back of my head, and in my right knee. The steady rhythm of counting. One, two, three…

Every few moments I look at the clock. And then I look back to the computer screen and try to concentrate a bit more. Then I glance to the clock in the corner of the screen. The time hasn’t changed. I glance back at my work. Finally, I glance at my phone, dark and unresponsive. No blinking lights, no lighting up. The phone is as silent as I. I look back to my work once more, feeling the knot in my stomach twinge slightly and continue spreading anxiousness throughout the nerves in my fingers, head, legs, toes.

I hate waiting.

[livsstories]

Why Wait?

Now isn’t the time for waiting. Waiting is a time when people are old and gray and have nothing else left to do. Waiting is saying that your time isn’t worth living in every single moment. Waiting is the false belief that if you do nothing now, it’ll be better later. Waiting is the biggest lie that we’ll ever know.

Instead of waiting, we need to live. We need to grasp the lives that we have at this very moment and we need to sit them down and tell them the truth. That we can wait forever if we’d like to believe that the future could be better than it is now, but would it really be better? The future isn’t written in stone, and neither is our happiness. Happiness is something we grasp and we find and we keep for as long as we can, because we know that someday it might not be as happy as today. That’s a double failure – waiting could cause happiness and it could cause sadness.

Then why wait? Why spend our lives dwindling away until we think we are close enough to reaching our destination and we step off the ride? There is no waiting, not really. Instead, what there is, is just living. Going and actually doing things rather than being stuck in the same place, doing the same things, waiting. Waiting is an illusion to a better life. A falsehood. A lie.

So stop waiting. Get out there and find what makes you happy now, not later. Jump off what you know and derail into the most beautiful countryside you’ve ever seen. Put your feet up and your head back an soak in the sunshine, because you should never wait again.

[livsstories]

Writer's Block - My Thoughts

Tuesday, May 27th, 12:00 pm.

How long has it been? Way too long. My creative juices have been evading me lately, especially with the string of events that my life has gone through, and is going through. All I can focus on is snippets of time where the creativity leaks out of worn corners of the shell of adulthood. I'm surprised I've even thought to make this update today. I am not unraveling once more, I am not chasing after  dreams in the open country, away from responsibility. I am simply me, and simply me is but a person trying to pack her belongings into a few spare boxes and suitcase. Simply me is staying up till 4 in the morning, conversing with a wonderful young man whom I soon will meet. Simply me is having the brim of creativity slowly dipped into like a wafer into wine on communion Sunday. Simply me is full of turmoil, still a bit of anxiety, simplicity, and hopefulness. Starting next week, the creative juices will most likely flow again. My hands will need to be as busy as my mind, and this will be the perfect escape. Find something to use as a holder for your brain, and the hands against the keyboard will soon follow.

[livsstories]

With a worse for wear Attitude and love In my eyes that maybe No longer holds My demise Prude knowledge of some Whose large life Comes from none But the strength of my Mindset that dwindles Like some Perchance then for reason Shall life’s form fill My heart form that Beats like the Drum in that hill To attitude, drawing My nature’s despise The knowledge in me Of my network’s Dark spies

[peanutbutter-nutella]

My lips miss the feeling Of others to capture The taste of uncertainty On the tongue of a first timer My lips kiss the ghost Of kisses long since gone The heart palpitations From when I once stood strong A kiss is worth a thousand words Worth more than treasure, gold Worth more than money in closed fists Behind unsuspecting doors If perchance I could find it in me To daringly use again The power of a simple kiss Take me back to where I began

(via peanutbutter-nutella)

[livsstories]

Her head lay in a bed of flowers, sunken between the soft reeds of green grass and rubbery stems. Eyes stared up at the horizon, reaching out to drink in the endless, seamless blue. Fingers felt the soil beneath the greens, the cool damp powder that felt like home. Nose breathed in the smell of sweet nectar and dark clay, an enticing aroma that intoxicated her very being. Ears heard the chipper songs of birds in the distance, of frogs in the pond, of crickets nearby. She held her breath, closed her eyes, drank everything in like it was the last thing she could ever do, and she exhaled once more. With her exhalation she felt the stress, anger, hurt, sadness, all leave her. It seeped from her like it was being gently tugged away, a feeling that made her realize that she was okay. None of those feelings were what mattered; she had lost sight of the important things while searching for her paradise. Another breath, another exhale, and she closed her eyes and slipped into a comfortable slumber.

[peanutbutter-nutella]

I fell in love with a face one day A face that promised safety and peace A face that spoke of truth and light A face my mind could not release. And yet that face wasn’t the one Whose eyes shown with a dream That wasn’t the same as mine to pass My heart once more swam downstream. Once more I thought I found a man So kind, and strong, and true His smile a smirk of knowledge A trap I fell into. Again, he wasn’t the one for me This I found out very fast I moved on faster than before Praying he wasn’t my last. A third time did one catch my eye With words so kind and sweet Online, we met, but then one day He asked for us to meet. We tried for weeks to make it right But something didn’t fit. He’s still my friend but nothing more I moved ahead a bit. The next was eager just to please With promises galore Who came to see me from far places I thought I wanted no more. However, his heart did not understand And I didn’t feel right with him We broke it off and took separate paths My weary heart began again. Another man, much like before Dared once to question my heart’s true strength Begged me again and again To travel the whole length. This one was quiet but very loud His words demanding, strong We tried a week but then it died So once more I moved along. Throughout my broken past I look And see a sad retreat Once lonely, desperate, my heart became The One I longed to meet. Then what should pass but a chance encounter Encouraged by a friend A man with a smile radiant as the sun Could my journey be at an end? His face, so cheerful, inviting, loving Heart as true as Him Embrace warm and safe and real My heart began to let him in. Some time later, I look again At the past that led me here I can’t believe the luck I found A man so true and dear. Many mistakes, many chances I could have had to turn away And yet God’s wisdom keeps me here I think with him I shall stay.

I Fell in Love (peanutbutter-nutella)

[peanutbutter-nutella]

Hi I love you you should write me a small Adam young fluffy fanfic oh look ChexMix bye

*pictures are all my own, so credit me if you take them - real Owatonna pictures from this summer*

It was a blustery winter evening in Owatonna, Minnesota. Snow fell in soft, small flakes, covering everything at its lazy Sunday pace. Downtown Owatonna was quiet, and most of the shops were closing up for the evening. Open signs were flicked off and stores darkened their showcase windows.

The last customer in Tone Music reluctantly stopped thumbing through the old records, turning and leading the way to the door. The employee behind him locked the door after he left the threshold. Shoving his hands deep into his jacket pockets, Adam Young took a deep breath, watching the white cloud of air float away into the snow. He glanced on both sides of him before taking off down the right, towards the park. The bits of his ears sticking out from underneath his beanie were already cold, and he let out an involuntary shudder, hurrying across the empty, snowed-in street and around the corner of the bank - running straight into another person coming from the other way.

It was Adam’s luck that there just happened to be a break in the snow for a slick icy spot in the sidewalk, and as he lost his footing, he slide and fell, right on his backside. He let out a surprised shriek - one almost girlish in proportion - and sat there for a moment, stunned at the cold, wet ice that was seeping into his skin through his jeans.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" the person who was now standing above him exclaimed, and he looked up to wave away the problem, as he always did - only to be stopped in his tracks, mouth open slightly and eyes focused much more than they should be.

The girl he had ran into was younger, and shorter. Eyes that were kind and beautiful, and at the moment concerned for his well-being. Her full, pink lips were pulled into an ‘o’ of shock as she stared at him, sprawled on the ground. Her hair underneath her winter hat was blonde and flowed down her shoulders, neck, and back. Everything about her seemed graceful, even though she herself was braced against the brick building next to her to prevent her from joining him on the ground.

She was beautiful. And always with anybody even remotely pretty, Adam instantly clammed up. He felt his face turning red as he hastily tried to climb to his feet, which proved more difficult than he thought.

The girl, seeing his struggling, reached out a hand to help him up. He blushed even more, but accepted her hand, putting his full weight into getting himself up with her help. This proved to be a problem, however, as he managed to stand up just as she lost her footing - falling right into his chest. Hands jumped to his waist and he almost fell again, too. He threw out both hands to steady them both, and for a moment they were still; her arms were wrapped around him in a surprised manner and he was looking down at her with just as much shock.

Then the girl began to laugh, her smile brightening up the entire area. Adam began to laugh, too, although he still felt his face burning.

They disentangled themselves from each other and shook hands.

"Hi, I’m Kitty!" she said with a beaming grin.

"Adam, he replied with a soft smile of his own. "Kitty is a pretty name."

"It’s a nickname, actually," she replied with a shrug. "A friend of mine decided to call me that when I didn’t like to use my real name."

"And what is that?"

She winked at him.

"Get to know me and maybe I’ll tell you," she flirted. He found himself blushing further.

Twenty minutes and one cold ride in his old, beat-up van later, the two found themselves on the other side of the river in the parking lot for Applebees. It was relatively quiet tonight, for which Adam was grateful. He held the door open as she walked inside, and followed into the warm interior.

Their host sat them in a booth, and took their order for drinks. Adam instantly grabbed the dessert menu, not even interested in real food. Kitty watched him with curious eyes as he scoured every page until he found what he was looking for.

When their server came back with their drinks, Kitty let Adam order first. He ordered his dessert with a grin, and she let out a giggle. When the server turned to her, she pointed at him.

"I’ll just share, thanks," she told him. He nodded and smiled before walking away.

"Who said you could share my dessert?" he asked with mock outrage. She giggled again.

"It’ll be too much for you to eat!" she exclaimed. He rolled his eyes but let it pass, secretly thrilled that she wanted to share food with him.

It was getting warm in there, and so Adam shed his jacket, finally. He adjusted the collar on his red plaid shirt, and looked up to catch Kitty quickly looking away.

"What?" he asked, horrified. "Do I have something on my shirt?"

She shook her head, and he noticed that her face was a bit pink now.

"I like your shirt," she said quickly, blushing even deeper. He blinked a bit, and then let out a grin. He sat up a bit more, feeling more confident. He loved this shirt, after all.

A few minutes of small talk and two mugs of hot cocoa later, Adam felt warm and content. Kitty was a great conversationalist, she was very obviously passionate about life and the things she liked in it, and he felt very attracted to her. He could tell by her secretive glances down at his shirt that she was feeling the same way.

Their dessert arrived on a decorative plate outlined with hot fudge and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. It looked positively mouthwatering, and Adam picked up his spoon without realizing it, anticipating the delicious chocolately goodness that he would be tasting.

They dug in, both eating slowly and quickly at once. Too soon, the delicious dessert was gone, and Adam sat back with a satisfied grin. He heard a giggle come from the other end of the table again and looked up to see Kitty grinning at him teasingly.

"You have chocolate all over your face," she told him with another laugh. He licked his lips and found this to indeed be true, and he looked down at the plate. His finger reached forward and dipped in the liquid part of the ice cream, and he quickly reached across the table and smeared it on Kitty’s nose. She shrieked as he snickered on his side of the table, pulling out cash for the food and the tip and sticking them on the table. She hastily wiped her nose as he took a napkin to his face. Once they were both clean, they decided on their next destination.

The van was horrific for a first date, but Adam knew he had no choice. He blasted the heat as they drove even further from his home, towards his home away from home. Kitty sat in the passenger seat, happily glancing around her and once in awhile glancing at her. Adam, in a strange feeling of boldness, reached over and grabbed her hand. Her hand was slender, and cold. It felt right and perfect in his.

They arrived at their next destination silently and a bit regretfully as they had to leave the warmth of the car and venture once more in the snowy abyss.

The warm interior of Walmart was inviting but did not hold their attention for long. They wandered the aisles, finding themselves hand-in-hand once more. Adam felt happier than he had been in a long time. He could feel the happiness radiating off Kitty, as well. Something about this was just right.

They left once more, and Adam thought of one more place they could venture. His van choked back to life and they drove to their final destination, just off the highway, as the night sky continued to darken.

"I’ve never seen them at night," Kitty said softly in the dark when they reached their destination. Adam stared ahead, smiling. This place was close to town but just far enough away that he felt serene and peaceful. Kitty stared ahead, and then unbuckled her seatbelt, jumping out of the car to see.

Adam joined her, walking next to her and taking her hand once more. She stood there and put her head on his shoulder, sighing.

"This has been the strangest but best night of my life," she told him in a whisper. He looked down at her, just as she tilted her head back to look at him. He saw his chance, and took it.

Their lips met as the cars on the interstate continued to roll by, and the world continued to spin.

[livsstories]

Balearic - Looking for Tomorrow

We're soaring through the night, the wind our accompanying music and the sky our overhead blanket. Windows down, we're on the edges of our seats, eyes peeled to the headlights washed onto the road as the tires spin so fast and everything flashes past us. We're in a whirlwind, hair whipping at our faces, tears welling up in our eyes at the sheer force of air hitting us.

  The stars twinkle above, guiding our way across a lonely midnight interstate. The moon watches with its silvery glow from somewhere behind us. We don't know where we're going, we don't know where we've gone. What only matters is here and now. We are going someplace better. And we are on the ride of our lives in this barren landscape in the middle of the night, looking for our tomorrow.

[livsstories]

Moment.

Look at this moment. Take it in. Realize that a million things are happening right now. This is the moment, this is NOW. And now what you just read is in the past. That moment is already gone. But let's focus on the now.

  Right now you are sitting, or standing, or laying down. You are looking at this, reading, eyes maybe glancing elsewhere. You are seeing your news feed move, or your chat notify, or you are seeing things off in the distance that could be moving, or catch your attention by the glimpse of a light.

  At the same time, you are hearing things that are coming from nearby. You are feeling the surface you are located on or near. You are smelling things that could be pleasant or unpleasant. You are aware of everything, even your nose which is located in your vision at all times but your mind tends to erase. See it? Yes, that is your nose. And that is in this moment.

  Now the moment is gone again, and there is another moment. Another bubble of opportunity. What could happen in this moment? Could somebody start playing a new song nearby? Could your surface become unbearably uncomfortable? Could your nose begin to annoy you? Could somebody be taking chocolate chip cookies out of the oven in your vicinity?

  Each moment is a window of opportunity. There, and then gone in a flash. Look at life as a lifetime of moments. Some moments are important, some moments are worthless. Some moments are wasted, some moments are treasured. Some moments are good, some moments are very bad.

  You could wait your entire life to see whether these moments would be one or the other. Pass through each living moment by simply being, just letting things go on around you. You could smell, and feel, and hear, and see. You could do all of that just simply by being. Each moment is individually what you make it to be. If you decide to be upset in one given moment, then that is what that moment is for. And that moment leads to the next moment, which could be the same thing or could begin to be a recovery stage. Each moment can always get better, even from the point of genuine euphoria without the help of outside products or people.

  Moments are lifetimes. And each moment is what we make of it. Each moment, each beating second, each sentence we read, and each breath we take. So make it a good one.

[livsstories]

I keep a close watch on the stars, because they seem to be the only light that never dies. Something to watch, to admire, to gaze at with wide eyes opened to the heavens. I keep a hand clutched around those I care for, but my eyes are only on them in times of peril - theirs or mine, we shall never know.

And with one last shuddering breath, the gaze tears away to admire the dark world around me. Vast and full of people, and yet empty at the same time. People who speak and love and care and lose, and yet it does not matter unless there is intensity. INTENSIFY every situation.

And with that breath and that glance, I return once more to the stars, the wishes I keep at a distance so as not to ever get my hopes up that I would be so lucky to receive favor.

The hopes and dreams are beating pulses, hearts of power. Strong and steady, the warmth in the darkness. And yet it doesn't take the atmosphere for us to be hidden. Every world, every sky, has any number of people with the same reaching hands clutching those they care for. Every person is reminded of their place and their worth, and whether they choose to hear it is their choice.

Stars, gazing, waking, wondering, curiosity, and love.