<br /> <br /> How the National Media Messed Up the Mavs Predictions<br /> by Bob McCullough 6/14/24<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Go into the recent archives of any major sports site, and you'll find a lot of names who should be embarrassed about their predictions for the Mavs-Celtics series. And they're not just the names of those who happened to cover the Mavs. <br /> <br /> <br /> The prediction split was close to 50/50. Maybe 60/40 in favor of the C's, which felt reasonable going into the Finals. Now it seems a little ridiculous. <br /> <br /> <br /> So what went wrong? Let's take a closer look at why the national media especially fell for the Dallas storyline, for it embodies a lot of what's wrong with sportswriting today and NBA coverage in particular. <br /> <br /> <br /> **** Mavs Story Lines<br /> <br /> <br /> This one's at the top of the list. Writers love superstars, and the NBA's entire culture is built around them. The old ebony/ivory combination of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic was irresistable as a result, especially given the story lines. <br /> <br /> <br /> Start with Irving, a fascinating wack job who's been shooting his career in the foot for a long time now. After getting in trouble for spewing anti-Semitic nonsense, breaking up teams, getting coaches fired and conveniently missing games due to his anti-vax rhetoric, Irving somehow managed to resurrect his career and transform himself into a supposedly responsible NBA elder in Dallas. It's the ultimate redemption storyline. <br /> <br /> <br /> If you really believe that I have deeds to several bridges I can sell you, but in a basketball context Doncic may be even worse, which hardly seems possible. He's the most offensively gifted player of his generation, and yet, to use the words of Bob Cousy, he "looks like a truck driver." <br /> <br /> <br /> Which is Cooz-speak for Luka being fat and out of shape, especially for a professional athlete, and the Celtics have relentlessly exploited that flaw. Add in the fact that he goes after the refs on EVERY play, and he's pretty sickening to watch, even with his incredibly skill set. That doesn't stop the writers from relentlessly loving the highlight plays; that's what they do. <br /> <br /> <br /> J's Fatigue<br /> <br /> <br /> This one's right up there, too. NBA writers especially are sick of writing the same old rivalry stories about Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown, i.e., who's better, who gets paid more, who cares more about winning vs endorsements and brand, and so on. <br /> <br /> <br /> Not surprisingly, the rest of us are just as sick of reading them. Even more so now that' they've become largely irrelevant. Whatever their differences were--and there likely were differences, rest assured--they've worked them out to get to within a game of their first title. <br /> <br /> <br /> ** hum. <br /> <br /> <br /> What Matters About the Mavs Previous Opponents<br /> <br /> <br /> This one hasn't been explored as much, but it's relevant. National writers especially saw three glamour teams in the Clippers, the Thunder and the Wolves, which wasn't exactly the case. <br /> <br /> <br /> Start with the Clippers. They were always a shell of a team with lots of older star power--Kahwi, Paul George, the artist formerly known as Westbrick. Without a healthy Leonard, however, that formula was yesterday's news, as the Mavs quickly proved. Simply put, it was a hidden mismatch. <br /> <br /> <br /> On to the Thunder. This one's slightly more interesting. OKC surprised everyone with a first-round sweep over a New Orleans shell team supposedly "led" by the ever injured and absent Zion Williamson, which led to the assumption that they were ahead of the curve when it came to being playoff ready. <br /> <br /> <br /> Dallas exposed them as a bit of a donut team without enough secondary scoring after SGA, giving Sam Presti a solid blueprint for what he needs to fix going forward. The Thunder are one of the few teams where "watch out for them next year" carries a lot of weight. <br /> <br /> <br /> Lastly, the Timberwolves, who have one of the most oddly mismatched rosters in recent memory. They were perfectly constructed to stop the Nuggets, however, with two seven-footers available to get Nicola Jokic off his game. Against the Mavs, though, young Anthony Edwards was exposed as far from Finals-ready, and KAT came off once again as a seven foot scorer who sometimes plays at 6'6" under pressure. <br /> <br /> <br /> What Now For the Mavs? <br /> <br /> <br /> This one's simple, at least on paper--get Luka in shape, and convince him to play a nominal amount of defense. According to reports, though, Dallas has been trying to get him to do this for years, so that's where the "on paper" part comes in. <br /> <br /> <br /> They also need him to grow up. Luka's referee theater routine grew thin when he was exposed to a team with two All-Defense defenders, and at least two more who should be considered for that roster. Whining about fouls is fine when you have inferior defenders, but it doesn't hold water when athletes like Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday are in your grill taking options away. <br /> <br /> <br /> Finally, the Mavs need a third scorer. Badly. They got by with guys like PJ Washington and Derrick Jones this year, but bargain basement options like that almost always wilt like March daffodils when the playoffs roll around in April, May and June. The future's still bright in Cuban Land, but it's going to take some serious attitude and personnel adjustments to get Luka, Kyrie and company over the top.

Social media is a search engine. Learn how to get found. <a onclick="$('#phonebook-category-no-city').val($(this).text());" class="coolinks btn-scroll hashword" href="https://stallios.com/blogs/category/1">Marketing</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Marketing - in Blogs</span><br /><br />If you're on social media but no one's finding you, you're not a ghost—you’re just invisible.<br /><br />Let’s have a little truth fest, shall we?<br /><br />You keep posting. You're dancing. You're showing your iced coffee. You're even dropping wisdom that should get you a book deal. But the only one liking your stuff is your aunt Tammy and that one MLM girl who’s always “cheering you on.”<br /><br />Mama, let me say this with love and a strong shot of espresso (decaf if you're off caffeine like a psycho):<br />Social media is not just for showing up. It's for getting found.<br /><br />That’s right. Instagram. TikTok. Pinterest. Facebook. Even LinkedIn if you’re feeling fancy.<br />They’re not just platforms — they are search engines in glitter and crop tops.<br />Social Media = Search Engine (Yes, Really)<br /><br />Let me break it down like your toddler breaks down when you cut the sandwich the wrong way.<br /><br />All of these platforms have search bars. You know what that means?<br />People are typing things like:<br /><br /> “Mom blog”<br /><br /> “Easy vegan toddler meals”<br /><br /> “Freelance writing tips”<br /><br /> “Jesus and coffee memes” (okay maybe that’s just me)<br /><br />If your profile isn’t optimized, you could be serving up exactly what they need—and still be chilling in the shadow realm of the algorithm. No ma’am. We don’t do invisible over here.<br />1. Your Name Is Prime Real Estate<br /><br />Stop putting “✨Mama of 3✨” in your name field. I love your babies, but that’s not what people are searching.<br /><br />Instead, tell the algorithm what you do.<br />Example:<br />Erica | SEO Copywriter for Moms<br />or<br />Jess | Pinterest Coach for Bloggers<br /><br />Now when someone types “Pinterest coach,” boom. You’re in the game.<br />2. Your Bio Is a Mini Sales Page<br /><br />That little box? It’s not a throwaway. It's not for inspirational quotes. It’s for hooking followers like the savvy mama boss you are.<br /><br />Format cheat code:<br /><br />👋 Who you help<br />💡 What you help them do<br />🔗 Your freebie or offer<br /><br />Example:<br />Helping writer moms grow their blog + make bank online 💸<br />👇 Grab the free SEO checklist<br /><br />Short. Sassy. Searchable. Yes please.<br />3. Keywords. Yep, Even on Instagram.<br /><br />Pinterest mamas already know the power of keywords. But IG? TikTok? Yes girl. They’ve been creeping on your captions this whole time.<br /><br />Use the exact words your dream audience would type. You’re not just posting a reel. You’re posting a searchable piece of content.<br /><br />Instead of:<br />“Loved making this for dinner!”<br />Try:<br />“Easy one-pan vegan meal for busy moms 🍽️ #veganrecipes #quickdinnerideas #momlifehacks”<br /><br />Don’t keyword stuff. We’re not robots. But do give the platform something to latch onto.<br />4. Hashtags Aren’t Dead, They’re Just Boring If You Use ‘#Blessed’<br /><br />Choose hashtags that are specific to your niche and content. Think of them as little roads leading people to your profile.<br /><br /> #MomBloggerTips<br /><br /> #ChristianMomsWhoWrite<br /><br /> #FreelanceWritingLife<br /><br /> #FaithBasedBiz<br /><br />Keep a rotating list. And for the love of viral reach, don’t just copy and paste the same 30 dead hashtags on every post.<br />5. Your Content Needs to Scream “Hey Algorithm, Pick Me!”<br /><br />Here’s the hard truth, boo:<br /><br />If you're just vibing, you're blending in.<br /><br />Your content needs to answer questions, solve problems, or entertain in a way that makes the algorithm go, “Ooh, I know someone who’d love this.”<br /><br />So instead of vague captions like,<br />“Just showing up today 🥰”<br />Try:<br />“Here’s how I built a blog that gets 1,000+ monthly visits—with no tech degree and 3 kids screaming in the background.”<br /><br />Because THAT, my friend, is search engine gold.<br />Final Word from Your Favorite Truth-Teller<br /><br />You’re not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not too small.<br />You’re just not searchable—yet.<br /><br />Social media doesn’t reward mystery. It rewards clarity.<br />So rewrite that bio. Add keywords to your captions. Use that name field like your business depends on it—because it kinda does.<br /><br />And if you're still feeling stuck, don’t worry—I got you.<br />Follow me for more great tips or DM me with questions.<br /><br /><br />Now go make the algorithm your sidekick, Mama.<br />You’re building an empire—and empires don’t hide.

(NewsUSA) - Later this month, the nation's largest-ever celebration of educational opportunity will kick off. During National School Choice Week (Jan 26-Feb 1), 50,000 events and activities around the nation will raise awareness about K-12 education choices.<br /> <br /> The real impact of school choice is what gives the Week such energy. A learning environment can change a life, sometimes unexpectedly. Remember the Dr. Seuss story featuring a character who, until he actually tries it, insists a dish of green eggs and ham is not for him? As President of National School Choice Week, I have the joy each month of hearing students, parents, and educators around the country share their own "green eggs and ham" moments.<br /> <br /> A teacher who was ready to leave the education field - until she overcame her skepticism about teaching in a virtual school. A mom who never dreamed she'd homeschool - until her son's medical needs led her to discover its benefits. A student who felt out of place in his previous school, but is now happy and thriving in a different traditional public school.<br /> <br /> That's the power of school choice. All children learn differently and families' needs vary. In the midst of healthy differences and human change, choice empowers families to access the learning environments that work for them now.<br /> <br /> School choice recognizes that parents are best positioned to know their child's passion for botany, reading struggles, or penchant for drawing quirky cartoons. And those same parents are best qualified to choose their children's learning environments.<br /> <br /> National School Choice Week celebrates traditional public, public charter, magnet, private, online, and home education. We celebrate and support families, too, whichever type of school they choose. That's because when families and schools bring their gifts together, students succeed.<br /> <br /> All children deserve to close their school books at the end of each week inspired and equipped to give back. So, if you love your school, celebrate it during School Choice Week! If you're searching for a school, be willing to try something new to find the right fit. You might have a green-eggs- and-ham moment, when your child's frustration with learning turns into an excited "I do love it!"<br /> <br /> For more information, visit schoolchoiceweek.com.<br /> <br /> Ref: Cultures - in Blogs

Struggling to keep up with endless customer questions? You’re not alone. Businesses are realizing that AI-powered chatbots are no longer just “nice-to-have” tools they’re essential for delivering fast, 24/7 customer support.<br /> <br /> But here’s the real challenge: with so many chatbot platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your business?<br /> <br /> In this guide, I’ll walk you through the 5 best AI chatbot builders in 2025. These tools are not only user-friendly but also designed to help businesses of all sizes automate conversations, save time, and increase customer satisfaction.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> What Makes a Great AI Chatbot Builder?<br /> Before diving into the list, let’s set some standards. A solid chatbot builder should offer:<br /> <br /> Ease of use – No-code or low-code platforms are best for beginners.<br /> AI capabilities – Natural Language Processing (NLP) for smarter conversations.<br /> Integrations – Works seamlessly with CRMs, websites, or apps.<br /> Scalability – Can grow with your business.<br /> Analytics – Helps you measure performance and customer interactions.<br /> <br /> If a chatbot builder ticks most of these boxes, it’s worth considering.<br /> <br /> 1. ManyChat – Best for Marketing Automation<br /> manyChat is a go-to chatbot builder if you’re running an online store or want to automate conversations on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram.<br /> <br /> Key Features:<br /> <br /> Visual drag-and-drop builder<br /> Automated workflows for lead generation<br /> Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email campaigns<br /> Integrates with Shopify and HubSpot<br /> <br /> Best For: E-commerce stores and social media marketers who want to convert followers into paying customers.<br /> <br /> 2. Intercom – Best for Customer Support<br /> Intercom is one of the most popular customer communication platforms, and its AI chatbot functionality is top-notch. According to TechCrunch, Intercom has been a pioneer in scaling customer support with conversational AI.<br /> <br /> Key Features:<br /> <br /> AI-powered resolution bot<br /> Proactive customer engagement<br /> Powerful integrations with Slack, Salesforce, and Zapier<br /> Real-time analytics<br /> <br /> Best For: SaaS companies and customer support teams needing advanced automation.<br /> <br /> 3. Tidio – Best for Small Businesses<br /> If you’re just getting started and want something simple yet effective, Tidio is a fantastic option. It combines live chat with AI automation in one platform.<br /> <br /> Key Features:<br /> <br /> Easy to install on WordPress, Shopify, and Wix<br /> AI bot trained to answer FAQs<br /> Mobile app for on-the-go support<br /> Affordable plans<br /> <br /> Best For: Small businesses that want a budget-friendly AI chatbot solution.<br /> <br /> 4. Drift – Best for B2B Sales Conversations<br /> Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform, and for good reason. It focuses on creating real-time, personalized chat experiences that drive sales.<br /> <br /> Key Features:<br /> <br /> AI bots qualify leads automatically<br /> Custom playbooks for B2B sales<br /> Integration with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo<br /> Personalized chat based on visitor data<br /> <br /> Best For: B2B businesses that rely heavily on lead generation and relationship building.<br /> <br /> 5. HubSpot Chatbot Builder – Best All-in-One CRM Integration<br /> HubSpot offers a free chatbot builder inside its all-in-one CRM. This makes it incredibly useful for businesses already using HubSpot for marketing and sales.<br /> <br /> Key Features:<br /> <br /> No-code chatbot builder<br /> Automated lead qualification<br /> Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM<br /> Free plan with premium upgrades<br /> <br /> Best For: Businesses already in the HubSpot ecosystem who want a cost-effective chatbot solution.<br /> <br /> Final Thoughts<br /> The right AI chatbot builder depends on your business goals:<br /> <br /> Use ManyChat if you’re focused on social media and e-commerce.<br /> Choose Intercom for powerful customer support automation.<br /> Try Tidio if you’re a small business on a budget.<br /> Go with Drift for B2B lead generation.<br /> Pick HubSpot for all-in-one CRM integration.<br /> <br /> At the end of the day, the “best” chatbot is the one that fits your audience, budget, and growth strategy. Start small, experiment, and optimize as you go.<br /> <br /> Have you tried any of these chatbot builders before? Share your experience I’d love to hear which one worked best for you!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Technology - in Blogs</span>

(NewsUSA) - Is your dog bad to the bone? Does your sweet Jack Russel guard all doors from intruders -- friends and family included? Or is it your Boxer puppy that won't stop shredding socks and underwear? Some of the cutest pooches have the worst manners. Whether you're at work or just in another room, their mischievous play may lead to anything from home repairs to staggering vet bills.<br /> <br /> Pooches and owners alike can relate to this common problem, and getting the magical, behavioral transformation you've always fantasized about is closer than you think -- pet care authority Camp Bow Wow held a contest, "Bad to The Bone: Camp Bow Wow's Worst Behaved Dog Contest," to discover North America's most ill-mannered dog. The winning pooch received a full year of free services ($3,000 value) at a local Camp or Home Buddies (an in-home care service offered by Camp Bow Wow) of their choice. Most importantly, the winning dog also received free dog training to correct those bad habits.<br /> <br /> If you are a frustrated pet owner who doesn't have time to wait to win a contest like this, here are five dog-training tips straight from the Behavior Buddies experts at Camp Bow Wow to get you started:<br /> <br /> 1. Proper exercise is key! A majority of behavior issues stem from a lack of proper exercise. At least one 30-minute walk per day is sufficient for most dogs. Playing in the backyard or in the house does not count as exercise.<br /> <br /> 2. Buy a dog backpack for walks. This allows your dog to have a job and adds weight with objects like water bottles or hand weights so the dog expends more energy.<br /> <br /> 3. Challenge your dog with brain puzzles. A mentally tired dog will not spend time thinking about how to get in the garbage or waste breath yipping at neighbors.<br /> <br /> 4. Take a training class. Getting your dog to respect you is critical to having your dog listen to you.<br /> <br /> 5. Send your dog to Camp Bow Wow or hire a Home Buddies Care Giver to take Fido on a walk. A tired dog is a good dog!<br /> <br /> If your beloved Fido is still opening cabinets and devouring furniture, enter him or her in Camp Bow Wow.<br /> <br /> For more information, visit www.campbowwow.com to see the location finder for the nearest Camp Bow Wow or Home Buddies near you.<br /> <br /> Ref: Funny - in Blogs

1.Nihari,<br /> <br /> Nihari is a delicious meat stew loved by people all over the world, <br /> <br /> for its radiant beautiful aroma, rich savory flavor and tender fall of the bone meat which completely dissolves into your mouth giving you an experience of a lifetime. <br /> <br /> It was originally invented in the 1800s to be consumed as a high energy, rich in nutrition and heavy on stomach dish <br /> <br /> to keep the working-class citizens full all day long and to provide required energy. <br /> <br /> However, in today's era it is eaten for its magical flavor which gives your tongue the flavor it craves! <br /> <br /> The word Nihari comes from an Arabic word “Nahar” which means “Morning” as it was usually enjoyed in the daytime/early morning Its mouthwatering flavor attracted the Mughal Emperors (Nawabs) of that time who ate this delicacy to break their morning fasts. <br /> <br /> It is traditionally served with naan (a fermented bread baked in a clay oven) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Namkeen rosh, <br /> <br /> The word “Namkeen” in Urdu means “salty” As the name suggests it is this simple salty tender piece of meat which may not sound delicious to ‘ocean haters’ but, those who have tasted all confirm that it is indeed Delightful. <br /> <br /> The ingredients only include; <br /> <br /> . Diced Ginger & Garlic <br /> <br /> . Meat (small pieces preferably fatty cuts) <br /> <br /> . And most important Salt which gives this dish its signature taste. <br /> <br /> Now begins the time to wait, to make the meat tender and melt in your mouth. After the meat is done garnish it with some green chilies and ginger (preferably; lengthwise). It is traditionally served with its own broth (yakhnee) and naan. It is quite popular and mostly enjoyed in the northern mountainous regions of the country as it helps the locals stay warm and meet body’s salt requirement. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Chicken tikka, <br /> <br /> Tikka (BBQ chicken generally well charred, spicy and tangy in flavor) is the dream of every meat loving person. <br /> <br /> It is enjoyed all over the sub-continent and the name of United Kingdom is also included in this list. Traditionally small boneless chicken pieces are marinated with traditional species and yoghurt (dahi) to tenderize and break down the meat fibers with vertical cuts all over the chicken to let it completely absorb the flavor. the meat is cooked over open fire (angheeti) OR they are grilled over charcoals. <br /> <br /> The word “Tikka” is a Persian word meaning “bits / pieces” but if we listen to the people who have tried it, we can all agree that it should mean “outstanding flavor” because that's all this dish offers. <br /> <br />

(NewsUSA) - Especially in stressful times, curling up with some positive TV programs can be a much-needed relaxing experience for the whole family.<br /> <br /> The UPtv slate of Easter programming, scheduled for April 4 through April 12, is ready to support family togetherness with two weekends of movies to celebrate the Easter season and encourage reflection and positive thinking.<br /> <br /> "As the home for uplifting programming, we can't think of a better time than now to celebrate feel-good films and inspiring biblical stories. In-Lawfully Yours is a perfect way to cap-off Easter Sunday with the entire family," says Hector Campos, vice president of content strategy for UPtv.<br /> <br /> In-Lawfully Yours features a clash of personalities when a fun-loving New Yorker played by Chelsey Crisp (Fresh Off the Boat) moves to a small town to help her recently widowed ex-mother-in-law, played by Marilu Henner (Taxi, L.A. Story). The locals may not approve, but sparks fly when she meets the church pastor.<br /> <br /> Want more love? Tune in on Saturday, April 4, for a marathon of romantic movies in the UPtv tradition. The event kicks off with Love Takes Wing at 3p.m. EST, in which newly minted doctor and new widow Belinda becomes a "Regional Doctor," traveling through small towns in turn-of-the-century America, finding love and discovering the joy of parenthood along the way. The series continues with Love Finds a Home, Love Begins, Love's Everlasting Courage, and Love's Christmas Journey, Parts I and II, airing consecutively. The movies are based on the popular books by Janette Oke.<br /> <br /> The Palm Sunday lineup takes a more faithful tone, with Courageous at 11:30 a.m., which follows the personal and professional lives of four sheriff's deputies in a small town in Georgia. Other Palm Sunday features include God's Not Dead, War Room, The Passion of the Christ, and a late-night Little House on the Prairie movie marathon.<br /> <br /> UPtv's Good Friday programming includes Noah's Ark at 7 p.m., followed by two showings of The Passion of the Christ at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday's schedule includes the inspirational football-themed movie, Facing the Giants, as well as two showings of Heaven is for Real, at noon and at 7 p.m.<br /> <br /> On Easter Sunday, tune in at noon for The Identical, an uplifting story of twin brothers separated at birth who share a love of music, followed by The Healer, the premiere of the UPtv original movie, Undercover Angel, and the premiere of In-Lawfully Yours.<br /> <br /> For more family-friendly Easter programming, tune in to UPtv's sister service, UP Faith and Family, which features Exodus; Pure Country 2: The Gift; The Left Behind Trilogy; Grace Unplugged; and Dial A Prayer during the month of April.<br /> <br /> Visit uptv.com for more information about these and other uplifting movies and series. Find them on DirecTV Channel 338, Dish Channel 188, Fios TV Channel 738, ATT TV NOW, Philo + Local Providers<br /> <br /> You can also visit uptv.com, or find UPtv on Facebook at <a target='_blank' href="https://www.facebook.com/Uptv,">https://www.facebook.com/Uptv,</a> on Twitter on @Uptv and on Instagram at UP_TV.<br /> <br /> Ref: God - in Blogs

posting a short story on here... go easy on me!<br /> ---<br /> It’s a lot easier to get away with listening to music in class when the teacher doesn’t even realize you’re there. Which is most of the time. Sitting in the back, you can have the Diskman on the desk and everything. They don’t see. Maybe in freshman year they’d care. But a senior with such little time left? They don’t even bother to say hi when you walk in the door. Fine with me, though. I have more on my mind than some teacher who wouldn’t know me from Cynthia in their fourth period.<br /> I had just pressed play on my music when Brandon walked into class, taking his normal seat next to me– as much as I wished he’d sit somewhere else today. He settled into the seat, the desk almost comically too small for his long, tall frame. He looked over at me with a smile, his blue eyes as vibrant as ever. “Hey, Val,” he greeted. <br /> I could not share in his enthusiasm. I simply nodded and replied, “Hey,” before turning my attention back to the window.<br /> “Uh… what’s wrong, man? You seem… sad.” I couldn’t see his face, but he sounded confused, and that probably meant he was doing that ******, pathetic, adorable head tilt he did when he didn’t get something.<br /> I force myself to look over at him again, shaking my head as if that would convince him. “Nothing, nothing… really.”<br /> Brandon opened his mouth to reply, but then Carli walked in and that would prove the end of the conversation for now. She took the desk next to him, his eyes lit up as he greeted her, gently pulled the baby pink backpack off of her shoulders and slung an arm around her when she settled in her seat.<br /> I watched out of the corner of my eye. And I told myself I didn’t care. But I cared. A lot. I turned to stare out the window again, hurt but slightly relieved– at least I didn’t have to explain myself, because now he was preoccupied with his girl. I pressed play on my Diskman again, not caring about whatever the teacher was going to yap about.<br /> <br /> Golden Valley High School was already **** as a school, but it was only amplified fifty times over now by the fact that Brandon had essentially abandoned me for Carli. At least before he would come sit behind the stairway with me during lunch… Now I’m just alone, hoping nobody would spot me. I wasn’t even eating, just hiding from the student body of idiots. By now, usually Brandon would’ve made me head out behind the school while he smoked, but… those days were gone, I guess. He was probably sitting with Carli instead now.<br /> Suddenly, the light from the windows was blocked, and there stood Carli herself and some of her girl posse. I forced myself to look up and meet her gaze, which was rather taunting. <br /> And I really couldn’t do much about it. Nobody would believe me. Carli had perfect grades and was up for valedictorian, wore bright clothes, and had the sweet girl act down flat. I didn’t say anything because I simply felt I had nothing to contribute, and I’d just let her do her bragging.<br /> “Hi, Valencia. I had a question… Do you have a date for the prom?” her grin is wicked, and I know she’s just trying to rub it in, or whatever.<br /> “I don’t think I’m even gonna go, so what do you care?” I reply, trying to stay cynical and cold, but knowing she’s got the better of me.<br /> “Oh, that’s a shame. I’m going with Brandon, but you know that already,” followed by Carli’s nerd chic girl gang breaking up into giggles.<br /> “Awesome. Have fun,” I stand up, slinging my bag over my shoulder, trying to give her the coldest shoulder I possibly can as I walk away.<br /> To my surprise, they don’t follow me. They continue to laugh and ridicule me in the stairway, but they don’t trail after me. I cross my arms, staring down at my Doc Martens instead of being responsible and looking where I’m going. I start to wonder why he didn’t choose me. I mean, we were a thousand times closer than him and Carli were. Sure, she helped him do calculus homework, and she would call him at LEAST three times a week– often when we were on the phone together– but I understood him better. We spent more time together. <br /> The bell rang and interrupted my wallowing, and I realized I was supposed to have gone to my history class by now. And I decided that sounded torturous while I was already brooding over my losses, so I decided to go hide. Maybe I’d ditch the rest of the day. It’s not like we had much longer before graduating and getting the **** out of here anyway. <br /> The halls were mostly empty save for the occasional guy or girl scurrying hurriedly to class. I passed by the various classrooms with my head down, still thinking… until I almost slammed myself into a locker from being so spaced out. That managed to snap me back to reality. I recollected my head, reminding myself that this is the last time and place I need to have a grievous injury. <br /> Then I heard someone else slam into a locker, and I had to check myself to make sure I hadn’t accidentally hit my head. Reassuring myself I had no cuts or bruises or missing teeth, I looked over to see if I could find the source of the noise, and my eyes might as well have burst out of the sockets to see Brandon and Carli going at it against the shiny red metal doors. Like, tongues shoved down each others’ throats and everything. I wanted to die. <br /> I concealed myself behind an adjacent wall, but I wasn’t strong enough to resist, and I peeked out at them again. It was cliche, but I had a mix of emotions inside at this– disappointment (because I’m jealous), disgust (because it’s school and they should get a room), exhaustion (because I hadn’t slept more than four hours a night after this entire situation started). I turned back around, becoming one with the wall again as I considered my options. I was ready to walk away until I heard the click-click-clack of heels on the speckled linoleum, and my heart sunk. A teacher.<br /> But as I caught a glimpse of said teacher– it was Mrs. Chamberlain, my creative writing teacher– I realized I could game this to my advantage. As she passed, she smiled and waved to me.<br /> “Hello, Valencia,” but before she could continue, I pointed towards the public display. “Hello… uh… there’s a situation.”<br /> Her brown eyes followed my finger to the couple kissing passionately against the locker, and her jaw genuinely dropped. <br /> “T-thank you for letting me know, Valencia. I’ll see you in class tomorrow,” and she immediately headed towards the pair. I watched with a barely-restrained mischievous grin on my face, feeling rather vindicated as she chewed the couple out and forced them to follow her to the office. They walked off with an air of absolute shame, and it was enough to console me for a while longer, and I finally turned to walk out.<br /> <br /> I had ditched that hellhole for the rest of the day and headed home. I could take advantage of the fact that nobody was home and wouldn’t be for a while. I had probably watched about four hours of South Park reruns until I heard the doorbell ring. I groaned– I was feeling too lazy to get up– but I hoisted myself off the couch and trudged to the door. <br /> It was Brandon. My eyes widened, and I wondered if he knew I was behind the makeout incident.<br /> All I could do was try to be cool. “Hey man,” I greeted him, my disposition nonchalant and almost bored.<br /> He looked ******, and it almost freaked me out. “I ******’ hate that place, Val,” he answered.<br /> “Yeah, nice to see you too. I’m good, what about you?” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. A hello would be nice, y'know?<br /> Normally he would at least crack a smile, but his expression only soured. “I got ******’ detention for a week, dude. ‘Cause that ***** Mrs. Chamberlain caught me and Carli kissing in the hallway during class.”<br /> I wanted to laugh, because the entire situation still thrilled me, but I choked it down and simply nodded. “****, that *****. Hope you didn’t have any plans.”<br /> He scoffed and shook his head in irritation before pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. “I was supposed to help Carli pick out matching outfits for prom tomorrow, but I guess we’ll have to reschedule,” he grumbled while lighting the slender white stick.<br /> “Bro, you probably shouldn’t smoke on my porch. Not after last time. You almost burned my house down,” I smirked, my tone teasing.<br /> Brandon rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” though he did move off onto the driveway. I shut the door and followed, my eyes tracing over his baggy jeans and worn out Offspring T-shirt, the combat boots, the backwards hat of some baseball team that I couldn’t be bothered to keep up with. <br /> He stopped somewhere by the garage and took a drag from the cigarette. “So, Val. I was wondering. If you could take anybody to prom, who would you choose? I feel like I haven’t asked since, like, sophomore year, and I think it would make more sense to ask when prom is, you know, a few weeks away,” he chuckled, the grey smoke filtering out of his nose and mouth as he laughed softly. <br /> I knew my answer, but he couldn’t, so I gave an alternate answer. “Uh, Billy Corgan. But not current, bald Billy… but, like, Gish-era Billy with the long hair. He was super hot,” I grinned. “Or, if it can include fictional characters, Todd, the, like, ****** video store clerk from Dr. Katz.”<br /> Brandon laughed again. “Yeah, I know you’re into that. But I meant, like, a real person. Like someone from school or whatever.”<br /> Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “Uh, how about nobody? I hate that place and all the people in it.”<br /> “Oh, come on, Val, nobody? I knew you were picky, but there’s really not a single dude you’re hoping to score a date with at Golden Valley?”<br /> I shook my head. “Nope, not any of them. They’re all weird. In a bad way.” Technically, I was telling the truth– I wouldn’t go with any of them, but I’d go with him… but that wasn’t an option, I suppose.<br /> He let out yet another huff of laughter. “Fair enough. I just figured maybe you’d find someone you could put up with for at least a night. Like how I found Carli.”<br /> Hearing him mention Carli made my smile drop. Before I could think, I responded. “Hm, yeah, well, why aren't you with Carli now? Since you’ve been inseparable lately.”<br /> His eyebrows raised, probably in surprise at my somewhat bitter tone. “Oh, uh, she had to go home for dinner or whatever.”<br /> I nodded, accepting this information begrudgingly. “Good to know. So, will you be heading out soon to see her?”<br /> He nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty shaken up about this whole incident, so I guess I should go… comfort her and all that.”<br /> Of course he was ditching me to go check on her. I crossed my arms, trying to play it off as a casual movement. “Yeah, yeah, cool. Guess someone like her isn’t used to a thing like that.” There was a moment of tense silence until I spoke up again, ready to get rid of him. “We should probably get out of the driveway, my mom’ll probably be home soon,” though that was a lie as far as I knew.<br /> He nodded, dropped the cigarette and stomped it out. “Yeah, I should probably head over to Carli’s anyway… see you later, Val,” he half-smiled with a wave before walking off just as fast as he’d shown up.<br /> I had taken a few steps toward the front door, but stopped to look back and watch as he walked away, presumably toward Carli’s. I leaned against one of the porch’s columns, my arms crossed as I watched his tall, slender figure grow smaller and smaller into the distance… and I started to feel sort of sad again. I guess the rush of making him and Carli suffer had already worn off. I sighed heavily, walking back inside with a sense of defeat.<br /> <br /> Inside the house, a voicemail awaited me from Mom.<br /> ‘Hi, Valencia. Just calling to let you know that I’m not gonna be home until tomorrow, since your Aunt Maureen asked if I could watch the dogs for her while she goes to some party over in Greenfield. You know how she is about those dogs… so, please, dear, make sure to eat, and please try not to mope around anymore. If you want money to order or anything, feel free to go into the bedside drawer in my room. Love you, sweetie! See you soon!’<br /> I picked up the phone, but I didn't call Mom. Instead, I called the only girl I could count on. <br /> “Hello? Val, is that you?” her voice echoed through the receiver.<br /> “Aysel, you should come over,” I replied. “My mom isn’t here. Also I kinda need to, like, not be alone right now.”<br /> “Is this about Brandon?” Aysel sighed. “But yeah. I’ll be there in a minute.”<br /> “Cool, see you soon…” I trailed off a bit before hanging up the phone.<br /> The cool thing is that Aysel really was there in about a minute, because she only lived a street over. And as she walked in, wearing the winking kitty cat tee I had helped her pick out at the mall a few months ago, her tanned skin darkened by the house’s dim lighting, I felt a wave of relief cross me. When all else failed, I had Aysel.<br /> “Yo, Val. So, is this about Brandon or what?” She raised an eyebrow at me, but she had a barely there smile.<br /> “Yeah… it’s been… a weird day,” I stuttered out.<br /> Aysel sinks down into the couch. “Tell me… let it out,” she pressed, as discussing the Brandon situation had been commonplace these past couple of weeks.<br /> “I’m just… ******, I guess,” I flop onto the couch beside her, staring up at the ceiling. “Like, I’ve been the one that’s there, but he still goes for that Carli *****,” I gritted my teeth a bit, growing more irritated. “And today, oh my god, you should’ve seen it, Aysel. They were straight up making out in the hallway. And nobody else was around, I was the only one seeing it until my creative writing teacher came out of nowhere. I was really mad, right? So I snitched on them and she made them go to the office,” I smirked, chuckling darkly. “It was actually pretty awesome.”<br /> Aysel shared my amusement and laughed loudly. “He deserved it!”<br /> “Right?! And then he had the audacity to show up here and complain to me after abandoning me for her for days.”<br /> “He’s an idiot. If I was a man, I’d be terrified of ever losing you.”<br /> “I really don’t know what I’d do without you. Probably kill myself.”<br /> Aysel chuckled again. “You cannot kill yourself over this. Don’t let that lanky idiot or that psycho mathlete win.”<br /> “I wish you were still at Golden Valley. It ****** at least slightly less **** when you were there.”<br /> “Yeah, well, my dad was pretty ****** after the Mark Johnston incident, so…,” she smirks. “Alternative school for me…”<br /> “But it was Mark’s fault,” I rolled my eyes, ready to rehash the same drama that we’d been discussing for the past year– but I digressed. “Man, senior year has been so *** without you there. Seriously. All I had was ******’ Brandon and he abadoned my *** for Carli.”<br /> “Maybe we could hit him with my brother’s car,” she grins.<br /> “Maybe we could put cyanide in all of his cigarettes.”<br /> “Maybe we could slash his tires.”<br /> “Or maybe… we could brainstorm while I order takeout?”<br /> <br /> It was a good night. Aysel knew how to make things better. I had done it when she broke up with that ****** Eric, and now she was comforting me. She stayed over, and we both ended up ditching our respective classes to get breakfast. And, over shared gossip and chocolate chip pancakes, things felt less gloomy. As we discussed our plans for the day– the record store to search for CDs, sitting in my room and pondering life, and of course, no class– I noticed ****** Carli and her right-hand-woman, Tiffany, walking in. I put my fork down, my eyes narrowing. <br /> Aysel followed my gaze, then scoffed. “Oh look, Miss Congeniality has graced us with her presence,” she rolls her eyes.<br /> I watched as the pair sat down across the cafe and looked down at the menus. Carli looked like she had been crying, and Tiffany made sure to state over and over again– loudly, mind you– ‘It’s not your fault, girl.’<br /> “More like it is your fault, girl,” Aysel whispered to me. I half-smiled, staring at them a bit longer before turning back to my plate.<br /> “Fighting over a guy is ****** usually. Except for this. I think I’m totally valid.”<br /> “I mean, you are. They’d, like, never spoken until they had calculus together this year, right? And you’ve been into him way longer.” She paused as she cut off another piece of French toast. “Actually, I bet his parents paid him to pick her as a date. You said he originally didn’t want to go at all, right?”<br /> I nodded. “Yeah, he told me he wasn’t gonna go up until maybe three weeks ago. Maybe he is being paid,” I snickered.<br /> Aysel shared my laughter. “I mean, it would make sense, considering they never really started hanging out until a few months ago, right? Maybe he’ll use the money to buy you an apology present.”<br /> I chuckled at the thought. “Yeah, right. A girl can dream, I guess.”<br /> <br /> Hours later, against the warm April sun, my mom confronted me as I sprawled across the couch.<br /> “C’mon, Val, you have to go to prom. I get that you’re sad about this Brandon thing, but you only get one chance, and you have to take it. What if you regret it later?”<br /> I shrugged. “I don’t care. I don’t have a date. Plus, why would I really wanna spend more time with these ******** I hate?”<br /> Mom grimaces slightly at my harsh words. “Because maybe it’ll still be fun…?”<br /> I simply shook my head.<br /> “But think about it, sweetheart. You can dress up! And so what if you don’t have a date? Why don’t you bring Aysel?”<br /> “I dunno,” I shrugged again, feeling completely apathetic to the idea. “I think after Brandon chose Carli, I just don’t care anymore.”<br /> “Oh, honey, he didn’t ‘choose’ anyone. Just because he’s going to prom with her doesn’t mean he likes her more than you.”<br /> I let out a small laugh of disbelief. “I think that’s exactly what it means.”<br /> I hear her sigh with defeat, yet she makes one last attempt to convince me. “You know what, Val? I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you dress shopping right now. And if you see a dress that you really, genuinely love, no matter the price, I’ll buy it for you– but you have to go to the prom. Deal?”<br /> Something about this bargain struck a chord, and it’s not like I had anything better to do that night. So, I sat up and looked her in the eye. “Deal.”<br /> She raised her brows as if surprised her negotiations worked, and a grin crossed her face. “I’ll get my keys.”<br /> <br /> The mall was, surprisingly, not particularly busy for a Friday night, but it still had all the classic elements– the irresistible soft pretzel and Cinnabon scents lacing the air, teenage friend groups representing every and all cliques, moms trying to make their small children cooperate while she picked clothes for them. Pop songs echoed through the wide, store-lined corridors. Mom pulled me into that store that has all the pretty, fancy, shimmery formal dresses, and I was honestly a bit overwhelmed at the sheer amount of options.<br /> “Go crazy, girlfriend,” Mom encouraged me, sort of pushing me towards one of the racks. Before I could reply, she walked away, settling onto a bench near the storefront. I sighed softly, turning my head towards the various dresses. Digging through my size section, there was so much variety– satin, tulle, cotton, spandex, pink and yellow and white and red and rainbow… and yet none of it was something I wanted to wear. Initially, I felt sort of relieved, because then I didn’t have to go. That’s when I saw the dress.<br /> It was floor-length, with a red satin material under a black, mesh-type outer layer, adorned with velvet swirl designs and a spaghetti-strapped halter neck.<br /> “Guess you’ll be going after all,” Mom’s voice echoed behind me, and I could hear the ‘told you so’ smirk in her tone. <br /> “I- uh… yeah, I guess you’re right…” I huffed out defeatedly, my eyes still glued to the dress.<br /> “Why don’t you go try it on? Just to make sure it doesn’t need to be altered or anything like that,” Mom smiled softly, taking hold of my arm to lead me towards the small dressing room area. <br /> Like it was some cheesy high school movie, it was a perfect fit. It accentuated… everything… very nicely. I actually felt sort of pretty. I walked out of the room to show Mom, feeling a bit shy but overall pleased.<br /> Her face lit up, and from the looks of it, I think she was happier than I was. “Oh, Valencia… you look so beaut—”<br /> “Woah, Val, you look great!” A deep, familiar voice cut off Mom’s gushing. Imagine my shock to see Brandon standing nearby, carrying what was presumably a tux over his arm. “Seriously, that dress is like… you. In dress form,” he chuckled out awkwardly.<br /> I cursed internally– this must’ve been the time he and Carli rescheduled their prom shopping to. <br /> As if Mom wasn’t aware of the entire prom fiasco, she immediately began bombarding Brandon with her attention. “Oh, Brandon! Hi, dear! I haven’t seen you in a little while, how are you?”<br /> He answered, but I tuned them out. I walked back into the dressing room, and suddenly, despite the dress looking the exact same as it did before, I felt less pretty. If I was pretty, he would’ve asked me to go with him instead of Carli. If I was pretty, he probably would’ve asked me out long before that. If I was pretty, I wouldn’t be here right now.<br /> I unzipped the dress, hanging it back up on the hanger. I started feeling like I should just tell Mom, ‘Thanks, but no,’ and retreat back into the solitude of home, continuing with my plan to skip prom. But just as I walked back out, Mom scooped up the dress into her arms and immediately headed towards the register. My fate was sealed. I was going, whether I liked it or not.<br /> Brandon was still there, much to my chagrin. He smiled, and that smile made irritation bubble up in me. As unreasonable as it was, there was something about the fact that I was hurting and he was grinning innocently like nothing had happened that made me want to scream.<br /> “So… guess you’re coming to prom after all, hm?” His smile morphed into a teasing smirk.<br /> I crossed my arms, looking over at where Mom was paying for the dress. “Yeah, she’s makin’ me go. I guess if the worst comes to worst, I can Irish goodbye everyone and go somewhere else. Or I could fake being sick.”<br /> “Yeah, guess so,” he laughed a bit, a light, almost imperceptible laugh. It was more of a huff of air than anything. “Honestly, I think you should go. I mean, I’m going, and I said I wasn’t for the entirety of high school.”<br /> “Yeah, I know you did… but now you have Carli,” I sighed.<br /> “Well, fair enough. She’s the one who convinced me to change my mind.”<br /> “I’m guessing she’s here somewhere?” I gestured vaguely towards the racks of dresses.<br /> Brandon nodded. “Yeah, she decided on blue for our prom outfits and now she’s freaking out and running around the store to find the right shade of it or whatever.”<br /> “Cool, cool… I’m sure you’ll look… nice,” I force myself to give him a supportive grin. <br /> “Thanks, Val. I’m glad you changed your mind about going. It’ll be fun.”<br /> As the words left his lips, I wondered if he had even listened to anything I had just said. I stared up at him for a minute, and it truly felt like time had paused. I tried to regulate the tension I was feeling before fabricating another fake answer. “…Yeah, it’ll be cool, hopefully.”<br /> “Brandon!” Carli’s voice called loudly from the other side of the store, and I could see she was holding a slinky, royal blue evening gown up, probably wanting his opinion on it.<br /> “Be there in a second, okay, babe?” He yelled back to her before shooting me an apologetic look. “Sorry, Val. Gotta go help Carli. See you later, okay?” And before I could open my mouth, he was rushing off to Carli’s side.<br /> I probably looked ****** standing there, staring after the pair with my mouth agape. It was Mom who finally snapped me back to reality as she walked back towards me, my beautiful prom dress in one of those nice, striped shopping bags. She saw my staring and looked towards Brandon and Carli, then gave me a sympathetic smile. “Oh, honey. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. Let’s go get pizza.”<br /> <br /> The pizza was good. I spilled Pepsi on my pants, but they’re black so it was whatever. I successfully swallowed my tears until we got home, and I finally spilled them into my pillow. I tried to bully my mind; remind myself that crying over a boy was dumb, but it didn’t do the trick like it usually did. After a few minutes of soaking the red silk pillowcase, I looked up to the posters plastered all over the wall, my vision bleary from the tears. Most of them were guys. Guys who were much more accomplished, much more interesting, much more handsome than Brandon. But still I cried. Because, in that moment, what did it matter? He was still my guy, even if that wasn’t factual anymore.<br /> I jumped when the phone began to ring, and without even really thinking to check, I picked up the receiver.<br /> “H-hello?” my voice was shaky as I mumbled into the phone, trying to sound as put-together as possible.<br /> “Hey, Val,” Aysel’s voice spoke up on the other end. “I just got off the phone with Brandon. Said he saw you at the mall,” I could practically hear the smirk on her face. “So I wanted to ask what happened. He didn’t say much about it.”<br /> I swiped at the tear tracks on my cheeks as if she could see them. “Y-yeah, I saw him. My mom is making me go, so I had to get a dress. And he was there with Carli. He saw me trying on the dress and said I looked good or some ****, then he got all buddy-buddy with my mom,” I responded. “It ******. A lot. I kinda wanted to engage in some self-immolation.”<br /> Aysel snickered on the other end. “Clearly. I can tell you’re… displeased.”<br /> “What gave it away? The sniffling? The shake in my voice?”<br /> “No, that you didn’t totally fly off the handle and start talking five miles a minute at the mention of his name.”<br /> “Okay, you got me there.”<br /> “So, you’re being forced to go to prom?”<br /> “Yep. Mom was all like, ‘you’re gonna regret it when you’re my age,’ or whatever,” I sighed, doing a half-assed imitation of her voice.<br /> “That *****. Want me to be your makeshit date?”<br /> “Don’t you mean ‘makeshift?’”<br /> “No, makeshit. I want to cause problems. I have some unfinished business with Mark Johnston.”<br /> “Sounds fun. Guess you’re my plus one.”<br /> “Hey, that rhymed!”<br /> “Maybe I should start a rap career.”<br /> “That Carli diss track is going to be legendary.”<br /> “More like Brandon diss track at this rate. Or both. Something about two birds, one stone.”<br /> “Should we pull a Carrie and pour pig blood on both of them?”<br /> “Nah, pigs are too good for that. Maybe just food coloring? Or used tampons.”<br /> Aysel cackled on the other end. “Yeah, the tampons. Perfect.”<br /> “Yeah, it’d be satisfying.”<br /> “When’s the prom, anyway?”<br /> “Day after tomorrow. Saturday.”<br /> “And all three of you waited this long to find outfits?”<br /> “Yeah, well, I wasn’t going, and Brandon and Carli had the whole detention thing, plus apparently she was being really picky about finding the perfect dress.”<br /> “Guess I’ll just use what I wore to my school’s prom. And that should be indicative of what she’ll be like if he marries her.”<br /> I snorted a bit with laughter. “You’d think. Sorry for the short notice… but it’ll be sick now that you’re going.”<br /> <br /> Prom came quickly. The thought of it was a little less dreadful with Aysel by my side. She came over, we got ready in my room, playing albums and reminiscing on high school as a whole. We almost twinned, her purple dress heavily complimenting mine. Of course, Mom insisted on several pictures that she’ll probably forget about by next Tuesday. We went to dinner beforehand. Mom insisted we go somewhere nice, so we did– and in the dim, red velvet plastered booth, I was actually sort of happy I went. I looked cute, I was with my best friend, and I wasn’t thinking about Brandon for the time being. We got to eat steak and pasta and those chocolate lava cakes. We probably disturbed the other customers with how much and how loud we laughed. It was the best I had felt since Brandon had decided to go with Carli. <br /> Prom was being held at some banquet hall not too far from the school. It was moderately upscale, probably appropriate for a high school prom. Some radio hit R&B song with suggestive lyrics that the teachers obviously did not pick up on pumped through speakers inside. Even the rocks-for-brains jocks were dressed up.<br /> “It’s honestly kinda weird to see everyone looking so… nice,” I mused, trying to make sure Aysel could hear me over the booming music.<br /> “Yeah, usually they dress like wannabe gangbangers or like they rolled out of bed, so… I’ve gotta give them some credit,” Aysel said, her expression showing genuine awe.<br /> “Y’know, I’m really not gonna miss these people. At all.”<br /> “No ****. They’re idiots.”<br /> Then I spotted Brandon and Carli. They were getting their picture taken in front of one of those typical prom moon things. “Don’t look now…”<br /> And, despite my words, Aysel turned around to look over at them. “Ha! They look… fashionably challenged.”<br /> “You think we should go take pictures too? We’d outfashion them for sure.”<br /> Without a word, Aysel was up and heading for the line. I followed suit, but I was unable to tear my gaze from the couple. They held hands as they walked out of the photo area, giggling and sharing ******, sickly sweet smiles. Now, instead of wanting to die on the spot, I wanted them to die on the spot.<br /> “Hey, Val, stop pouting and come take a photo,” Aysel waved me over behind the camera. As we posed together, you could see the mixed reactions on the other peoples’ faces– confusion, shock, judgement, disgust, even amusement. It took me a second to realize that we were apparently the first non-couple to take a picture here, and they thought we were genuinely each others’ dates.<br /> “Ewww, lesbians! Disgusting freaks!” a voice called from the line.<br /> “Is that MARK JOHNSTON?!” Aysel yelled, and I realized **** was about to go down until a chaperone came over to reprimand him– so I seized the opportunity for us to sneak away and outside.<br /> The stone steps served as our seating, and only a few other attendees littered the courtyard– mostly kissing couples. Aysel and I watched and made fun of them– maybe it soothed our singleness.<br /> “Okay, maybe I’m a little glad I went,” I finally admitted. “But not that much. We’d still be having fun somewhere else. But also, I kinda am happy.”<br /> “I think we’ve made the most of it,” Aysel nodded. <br /> “Yo, Val! Aysel!” Brandon’s familiar voice called to us from behind.<br /> “Wow, he knows *********** a moment,” Aysel scoffed, low enough that only I could hear.<br /> We turned to face him, watching as he sat down by me and lit the tip of his cigarette. “Guess you didn’t play sick.”<br /> I shook my head. “Nope. I was a big girl and showed up,” I responded with a nice helping of sarcasm. <br /> Brandon chuckled. “That’s the Val we all love.”<br /> Even if it was innocuous to him, it stung inside. Love? Then why Carli and not me?<br /> His eyes made their way over to Aysel, who was absentmindedly checking out her nails. “And I see you brought Aysel. It’s like the group’s back together.”<br /> “I mean, not quite. There’s no Mark, and I doubt Aysel would ever allow that to happen again,” I smirk, elbowing her arm lightly to emphasise my teasing. She grumbled something about wanting to stab him, which made Brandon giggle.<br /> “Okay, true. No Mark. But close enough, right?” He took a long drag before offering the cigarette to us. I shook my head, but Aysel reached out and took it, bringing it to her burgundy lips.<br /> “So… where’s that Carli, Brandon?” Aysel raised an eyebrow, ever the instigator.<br /> “The bathroom. She went with some of her friends and you know how long that can take,” he grinned before taking the cigarette back from Aysel.<br /> “Hm. How’s she working for you as a date?” she pushed.<br /> “Actually…” Brandon trailed off. His tone was unclear, and his emotions sounded mixed. My heart might as well have stopped in its tracks. Is this it? Is this the moment where he decides Carli isn’t for him? Where he realizes it was me all along?<br /> “Actually…?” Aysel echoed, trying to get him to provide a real answer. I held my breath. I tried to look nonchalant, brushing some hair out of my face, but I could feel my hands shake. I was finally getting my fairytale ending…<br /> “…pretty good. She’s really sweet. I like her a lot. I’m glad I got to go with her. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m happy she convinced me to come! She’s awesome,” he flashes a smile, and it’s the most genuine I’ve ever seen.<br /> My heart dropped into my stomach, then into my pelvic floor, then fell out of me entirely. I hoped my face didn’t show too much of my sheer, unadulterated disappointment. What about that happy ending?<br /> “That’s cool,” Aysel responded with a lack of amusement, and I could pick up that she was about as displeased as me. <br /> Naturally, he had no idea that we were not thrilled for him. “Thanks, guys. I think I really like her, y’know?”<br /> “Oh, yeah, I feel ya,” Aysel nods, her voice almost mocking.<br /> “I should probably go find Carli. I bet she’s out of the bathroom by now, and I don’t want her to miss the slow dance. Catch you two later,” he threw the cigarette into a nearby trashcan like the complete idiot he is, then scurried off like the rat he is back into the banquet hall. <br /> I normally would’ve cried, but I think by then I was out of tears. I was just… numb. Dull. Void.<br /> “What a ****,” Aysel huffed. “You good, Val?”<br /> I looked up from my spaced-out state. “Hm? Oh, yeah… I guess. As good as I can be, I think.”<br /> “Honestly, Val? I thought you were gonna crack and confess.”<br /> I shook my head a bunch. “Nope, that’s a secret I’m taking to the grave.”<br /> <br />

(NewsUSA) - When you combine the acting talent of Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, Spiderman 3, Divorce), Alice Eve (Before We Go, She's Out of My League), and Finn Wittrock (La La Land,The Big Short, Unbroken, American Horror Story) with a twisted tale of deceit, passion, and dark humor, what do you get?<br /> <br /> Deception Road, an upcoming film set for production in the summer of 2019.<br /> <br /> The story gets rolling when the character of Oscar (Wittrock) is traveling through the American Southwest. He hitches a ride with haunted war veteran Hal (Church), but all is not as it seems, and a simple car ride is only the beginning of a complex and mysterious journey. Instead, Oscar finds himself in the middle of a game of cat and mouse with Hal, his lovely, young wife, Jessie, and the situation goes from bizarre to dangerous, but with a dose of dark comedy. The cast is rounded out by newcomer Jack Tynan.<br /> <br /> The film is being produced by Wild Invention Pictures along with George Parra and Michael Goodin. It will be shot on location in Utah, where the stark, stunning landscape serves as an ideal background for the mystery and danger that unfold. The screenplay was written by Dallas Mitchell Brennan and will be directed by Max Mayer, whose credits include Adam and As Cool as I Am.<br /> <br /> "I look forward with great joy to working with such a dynamically gifted team to tell a story I find so darkly funny, compelling, and emotionally truthful," says Mayer.<br /> <br /> The film will be distributed domestically by Smith Global Media, headed by CEO Harry Smith.<br /> <br /> "The Smith Global team is excited to have acquired the domestic distribution rights to Deception Road. This quirky thriller will entertain diverse audiences and the wonderful cast is bound to deliver exceptional performances," says Smith.<br /> <br /> The film is financed by executive producer Neil Shroff and has an excellent shot at artistic and commercial success based on its combination of stellar acting and tight plot. Early analytics suggest that it will be popular with a large range of audiences, which makes the film a great opportunity for investors.<br /> <br /> Investment opportunities are available at deceptionroadmovie.com.<br /> <br /> "We are excited to bring this film from script to screen as it has the potential to become an enduring classic working with Max Mayer and this talented production team and cast," says Brennan.<br /> <br /> Visit deceptionroadmovie.com for more information about the movie, the production team, and investment opportunities.<br /> <br /> Ref: Celebrities - in Blogs