just a girl in the world

[rosaramblesstuff]

Pen's POV

Sometimes I wonder if people see me at all. Not the rumors, not the whispers in the hallways, not the version of me they’ve created in their heads. Just… me. The girl who hums old songs under her breath, who’s trying so hard to keep it together even when the world feels like it’s falling apart. Nate sees me. And that’s terrifying.

[rosaramblesstuff]

April Kerner Has Me in a Chokehold

I swear, every time I pick up an April Kerner book, I tell myself I’ll take it slow and then end up binging the whole thing in one night. Her stories just hit different—they’re emotional, messy, and so real that I feel like I know her characters personally.

After reading Boys with Secrets, I thought, “Okay, there’s no way she can make me feel this much again.” Then I read Boys with Braces, and now I’m just sitting here, fully invested in these fictional people like they’re my actual friends. Lazar? Riley? John? I’d defend them with my life.

I love how Kerner doesn’t shy away from difficult topics but still gives us those heartwarming, swoon-worthy moments that make me believe in love again. Her writing has this effortless way of making you feel everything—the angst, the joy, the absolute devastation (because yes, I did cry).

If you haven’t read her books yet, what are you doing?? Go suffer and fall in love like the rest of us. 😭💕

[lealoveslove]

More Girls with Scars Headcanons I live by

When Pen finally brings Gasket home, Nate helps her set up a cozy corner in her room. The cat immediately takes to Nate, much to Pen’s mock outrage. “Traitor,” she says, but Gasket just purrs louder.

Pen steals Nate’s hoodies so often that he starts hiding them. One day, he finds her wearing one of his jerseys instead. “You’re impossible,” he says, but he can’t stop smiling. They continue with the hoodie wars throughout college, it's become a bit of competition. Who wins? Will it be Nate or Pen?

Pen and Nate argue over what songs to add to their shared playlist. Nate insists on adding “Livin’ on a Prayer,” while Pen vetoes it in favor of “Landslide.” They compromise by adding both.

#Yoga Fails: Nate tries to join Pen for yoga but is hilariously bad at it. He falls over during a simple pose, and Pen laughs so hard she snorts. Nate declares, “I’m never doing this again,” but he shows up the next week anyway.

[rosaramblesstuff]

OOHH I have some more! I'm feeling inspired

Nate creates a playlist for their first road trip together. It's a mix of his favorite workout songs and Pen's indie picks. They argue over the volume but still end up singing along to every single song together (AHHHH)

Pen and Nate (in marvel fashion; think Peter and Ned) create a secret handshake that's way too complicated. They practice it every time they see each other, but they always mess it up and end up laughing.

So I'm thinking this one is before Gasket the Cat is finally brought home. I don't remember if I already did this one. Gasket the Cat becomes a regular at the auto shop, and even Scott starts feeding it (and so does Elia, love that girl to pieces but that's another story). One day, Nate find Pen asleep on the couch with Gasket curled up on her chest. He takes a picture and sets it as his phone background.

Another one I think just fits Pen so much (again before Gasket is official). Pen has a way with animals, especially the stray cat that hangs around the auto shop that she quickly named Gasket. Nate jokes that she's a Disney princess, but he's secretly in awe of how gentle she is with it.

I honestly might just create a new post for the rest of the ideas I have but that's it for now.

[rosaramblesstuff]

So as promised more headcanons that live rent free in my mind

Pen's secret talent is that she can solve a Rubik's Cube in under a minute flat. Nate is convinced she's some genius and tries to make her teach him, but he gives up after five minutes.

Pen is a verified night owl and often stays up late at night either reading or sketching (of course with Gasket the Cat curled up next to her!). Nate calls her at midnight just to hear her voice (man is whipped I'm telling you), and they end up talking for hours.

Nate convinces Pen to join him at the gym, but she spends most of the time laughing at his attempts to lift weights. He's surprisingly good at most everything else which Pen is only slightly annoyed by.

They both pick up each other's weird little language quirks. Pen says "ope!" when bumping into things. Nate pronounces "crayon" as "crown". They tease each other mercilessly but adopt and unironically use each other's phrases within months.

They have reverse sleep habits. But no wait hear me out. Pen falls asleep to the sound of rain apps, while Nate can sleep through fire alarms. When they share a bed, she steals all the blankets but unconsciously cuddles up to him like a koala by morning.

okay so for this one, I picture Pen as someone who takes great pride in like her stationary and organisational systems. Pen keeps a meticulous bullet journal with color-coded notes. Nate "accidentally" draws silly doodles in the margins when she's not looking - until she retaliates by hiding motivational post-its in his basketball gear ("remember to breathe superstar" taped inside his shoes).

[lealoveslove]

Pen Brooks Headcanons I live by

Pen has a sketchbook filled with drawings of people and places that mean something to her. She never shows it to anyone, but Nate accidentally finds it one day and is blown away by her talent. He secretly frames one of her sketches of the auto shop and hangs it in his room.

Pen has been feeding a scrappy little cat that hangs around the auto shop for months. She’s named it “Gasket” and is trying to work up the courage to ask her dad if she can bring it home. Nate surprises her one day by showing up with a cat carrier and saying, “Let’s do this.”

Pen hums when she’s focused, usually old rock songs or whatever’s stuck in her head. Nate loves it because it’s the only time she seems completely at ease. He’s started recognizing the songs and will sometimes hum along just to make her smile.

Pen’s favorite place in town is an old, abandoned drive-in theater. She goes there to think and sometimes drags Nate along to stargaze. One night, they sneak in with blankets and snacks, and Nate accidentally spills popcorn all over her. She laughs so hard she cries.

Pen the Hoodie Thief: Pen has a habit of stealing Nate’s hoodies, especially the ones that smell like his cologne. He pretends to be annoyed but secretly loves it. One time, he catches her wearing his favorite hoodie and says, “You know, if you wanted it, you could’ve just asked.” She replies, “Where’s the fun in that?”

Pen loves comics and has a small collection tucked away in her room. Nate finds out and starts buying her rare issues as gifts. They spend hours debating which superhero would win in a fight. (Pen always argues for Spider-Man; Nate is Team Batman.)

She's a Yoga Queen. Pen does yoga to help with her anxiety. One day, Nate walks in on her mid-pose and tries to join in. He’s hilariously bad at it, but Pen can’t stop laughing, which makes him fall over.

[lealoveslove]

More Girls with Scars Headcanons I live by

When Pen finally brings Gasket home, Nate helps her set up a cozy corner in her room. The cat immediately takes to Nate, much to Pen’s mock outrage. “Traitor,” she says, but Gasket just purrs louder.

Pen steals Nate’s hoodies so often that he starts hiding them. One day, he finds her wearing one of his jerseys instead. “You’re impossible,” he says, but he can’t stop smiling. They continue with the hoodie wars throughout college, it's become a bit of competition. Who wins? Will it be Nate or Pen?

Pen and Nate argue over what songs to add to their shared playlist. Nate insists on adding “Livin’ on a Prayer,” while Pen vetoes it in favor of “Landslide.” They compromise by adding both.

#Yoga Fails: Nate tries to join Pen for yoga but is hilariously bad at it. He falls over during a simple pose, and Pen laughs so hard she snorts. Nate declares, “I’m never doing this again,” but he shows up the next week anyway.

[lealoveslove]

More Girls with Scars Headcanons I live by

When Pen finally brings Gasket home, Nate helps her set up a cozy corner in her room. The cat immediately takes to Nate, much to Pen’s mock outrage. “Traitor,” she says, but Gasket just purrs louder.

Pen steals Nate’s hoodies so often that he starts hiding them. One day, he finds her wearing one of his jerseys instead. “You’re impossible,” he says, but he can’t stop smiling. They continue with the hoodie wars throughout college, it's become a bit of competition. Who wins? Will it be Nate or Pen?

Pen and Nate argue over what songs to add to their shared playlist. Nate insists on adding “Livin’ on a Prayer,” while Pen vetoes it in favor of “Landslide.” They compromise by adding both.

#Yoga Fails: Nate tries to join Pen for yoga but is hilariously bad at it. He falls over during a simple pose, and Pen laughs so hard she snorts. Nate declares, “I’m never doing this again,” but he shows up the next week anyway.

[rosaramblesstuff]

OOHH I have some more! I'm feeling inspired

Nate creates a playlist for their first road trip together. It's a mix of his favorite workout songs and Pen's indie picks. They argue over the volume but still end up singing along to every single song together (AHHHH)

Pen and Nate (in marvel fashion; think Peter and Ned) create a secret handshake that's way too complicated. They practice it every time they see each other, but they always mess it up and end up laughing.

So I'm thinking this one is before Gasket the Cat is finally brought home. I don't remember if I already did this one. Gasket the Cat becomes a regular at the auto shop, and even Scott starts feeding it (and so does Elia, love that girl to pieces but that's another story). One day, Nate find Pen asleep on the couch with Gasket curled up on her chest. He takes a picture and sets it as his phone background.

Another one I think just fits Pen so much (again before Gasket is official). Pen has a way with animals, especially the stray cat that hangs around the auto shop that she quickly named Gasket. Nate jokes that she's a Disney princess, but he's secretly in awe of how gentle she is with it.

I honestly might just create a new post for the rest of the ideas I have but that's it for now.

[lealoveslove]

Pen Brooks Headcanons I live by

Pen has a sketchbook filled with drawings of people and places that mean something to her. She never shows it to anyone, but Nate accidentally finds it one day and is blown away by her talent. He secretly frames one of her sketches of the auto shop and hangs it in his room.

Pen has been feeding a scrappy little cat that hangs around the auto shop for months. She’s named it “Gasket” and is trying to work up the courage to ask her dad if she can bring it home. Nate surprises her one day by showing up with a cat carrier and saying, “Let’s do this.”

Pen hums when she’s focused, usually old rock songs or whatever’s stuck in her head. Nate loves it because it’s the only time she seems completely at ease. He’s started recognizing the songs and will sometimes hum along just to make her smile.

Pen’s favorite place in town is an old, abandoned drive-in theater. She goes there to think and sometimes drags Nate along to stargaze. One night, they sneak in with blankets and snacks, and Nate accidentally spills popcorn all over her. She laughs so hard she cries.

Pen the Hoodie Thief: Pen has a habit of stealing Nate’s hoodies, especially the ones that smell like his cologne. He pretends to be annoyed but secretly loves it. One time, he catches her wearing his favorite hoodie and says, “You know, if you wanted it, you could’ve just asked.” She replies, “Where’s the fun in that?”

Pen loves comics and has a small collection tucked away in her room. Nate finds out and starts buying her rare issues as gifts. They spend hours debating which superhero would win in a fight. (Pen always argues for Spider-Man; Nate is Team Batman.)

She's a Yoga Queen. Pen does yoga to help with her anxiety. One day, Nate walks in on her mid-pose and tries to join in. He’s hilariously bad at it, but Pen can’t stop laughing, which makes him fall over.

[rosaramblesstuff]

Headcanons I'd like to add

The basketball team starts a prank war, and Pen gets dragged into it. Nate is the first victim, finding his locker filled with balloons. But when he retaliates by covering her car in sticky notes, Pen knows she has to step up her game.

Pen and Nate spend hours debating which superhero would win in a fight. Pen always argues for Spider-Man, while Nate is Team Batman. They eventually agree to disagree, but the debate resurfaces every time a new movie comes out.

Nate tries to bake Pen a birthday cake but ends up setting off the smoke alarm. Pen takes over, and the cake turns out perfectly. Nate insists it’s because of his “foundation,” but Pen just rolls her eyes.

Pen and Nate sneak into the abandoned drive-in theater with blankets and snacks. They watch an old rom-com on Nate’s laptop, and Pen falls asleep halfway through. Nate carries her to the car and tucks her in, smiling at how peaceful she looks.

Gasket (I totally love that - that's so the cat's name now!) becomes a regular at the auto shop, and even Scott starts feeding it. One day, Nate finds Pen asleep on the couch with Gasket curled up on her chest. He takes a picture and sets it as his phone background.

[lealoveslove]

freaking love these additions! So GOOD

[lealoveslove]

Maras' Family Headcanons

(I love them so freaking much - I honestly can't get enough of them)

The family lives by the Montenegrin motto "Nema problema" (No problem but don't @ me on this). Car broke down? Nema problema. Lazar stressing over college scouts? Nema problema. They face hardships with stubborn optimism. Except Gjyshja, who says "Problem je!" (It IS a problem!) and then solves it herself. (Cause she's a QUEEN like that).

Matin makes Turkish coffee every morning in a džezva, reading the grounds like a prophecy. He claims to see Lazar's and Milo's basketbal victories in the sludge. Pen tries it once and gags. Nate drinks it black to impress them and regrets it immediately.

[happilyloudtree]

"Senior year’s just begun, but given how quiet things are so far, I’m optimistic I’ll finish the rest of high school unscathed. Then Nate Palmer, gorgeous basketball star, trips over my bag…and asks me if I’m new here. Evidently, he has no idea who I am, or what I’ve been through the last two years. Despite my undeniable attraction to him, I try to keep him at arm’s length." - Girls with Scars

[virtualweirdo]

Oooh such a good POV

Pen has been burned and then Nate has the audacity to ask if she’s new. Like what she went through was inconsequential. He just doesn’t know!

Once he gets the whole story he’s so supportive AHH… need I say more?

[happilyloudtree]

Exactly! She has so much to work through and Nate is there every step of the way!!!!!

[noisynerdwitch]

he's so supportive I wish he was REAL

[virtualweirdo]

POV: You’re Nate Palmer, and the girl you just tripped over in the hallway is about to change your life forever.