@
Meeting Invitation
Meeting Invitation

28 results for love -

    Joshua Michael joshua
    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.

    But here’s the real challenge: with so many chatbot platforms out there, how do you know which one fits your business?

    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.





    What Makes a Great AI Chatbot Builder?
    Before diving into the list, let’s set some standards. A solid chatbot builder should offer:

    Ease of use – No-code or low-code platforms are best for beginners.
    AI capabilities – Natural Language Processing (NLP) for smarter conversations.
    Integrations – Works seamlessly with CRMs, websites, or apps.
    Scalability – Can grow with your business.
    Analytics – Helps you measure performance and customer interactions.

    If a chatbot builder ticks most of these boxes, it’s worth considering.

    1. ManyChat – Best for Marketing Automation
    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.

    Key Features:

    Visual drag-and-drop builder
    Automated workflows for lead generation
    Supports SMS, WhatsApp, and email campaigns
    Integrates with Shopify and HubSpot

    Best For: E-commerce stores and social media marketers who want to convert followers into paying customers.

    2. Intercom – Best for Customer Support
    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.

    Key Features:

    AI-powered resolution bot
    Proactive customer engagement
    Powerful integrations with Slack, Salesforce, and Zapier
    Real-time analytics

    Best For: SaaS companies and customer support teams needing advanced automation.

    3. Tidio – Best for Small Businesses
    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.

    Key Features:

    Easy to install on WordPress, Shopify, and Wix
    AI bot trained to answer FAQs
    Mobile app for on-the-go support
    Affordable plans

    Best For: Small businesses that want a budget-friendly AI chatbot solution.

    4. Drift – Best for B2B Sales Conversations
    Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform, and for good reason. It focuses on creating real-time, personalized chat experiences that drive sales.

    Key Features:

    AI bots qualify leads automatically
    Custom playbooks for B2B sales
    Integration with major CRMs like Salesforce and Marketo
    Personalized chat based on visitor data

    Best For: B2B businesses that rely heavily on lead generation and relationship building.

    5. HubSpot Chatbot Builder – Best All-in-One CRM Integration
    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.

    Key Features:

    No-code chatbot builder
    Automated lead qualification
    Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM
    Free plan with premium upgrades

    Best For: Businesses already in the HubSpot ecosystem who want a cost-effective chatbot solution.

    Final Thoughts
    The right AI chatbot builder depends on your business goals:

    Use ManyChat if you’re focused on social media and e-commerce.
    Choose Intercom for powerful customer support automation.
    Try Tidio if you’re a small business on a budget.
    Go with Drift for B2B lead generation.
    Pick HubSpot for all-in-one CRM integration.

    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.

    Have you tried any of these chatbot builders before? Share your experience I’d love to hear which one worked best for you!



    3 0

    Jacob Holt writelyso
    With a nation surrounded by bodies of water and made up of over 700 individual islands, the Bahamas make up the vast majority of the Caribbean. Plus, with a vast array of attractive beaches and crystal clear shorelines, you will surely be able to soak in the sun. Besides the splendor of the beaches, there are many other sights that are only available in the Bahamas. You will also love that the locals have some level of English so asking for directions will be no problem.

    What's more is that you will find an array of activities available to enjoy. The activities available make the Bahamas a perfect vacation spot for couples, families, or individuals looking to get away for a while. For the adventurer, seeking an adventure in the Bahamas will provide more than what you expect. Plus, with reasonable prices, a Bahamian vacation won't break the bank. As far as prices are concerned, let's take a look at how much it would cost to go on a family vacation to the Bahamas.

    Price for a Family Vacation to the Bahamas

    Just like any other vacation, a trip to the Bahamas involves many things that affect the overall price such as the amount of time being spent in the Bahamas, hotel accommodations, where you are flying from, number of family members, and entertainment expenses. It is also important that you have a bit more spending money for unexpected expenses.

    As you search around online, you may come across several travel sites offering different prices for a Bahama vacation. On average, the price could range from $900 to $950 for a single person. This is not bad when you are staying for at least 3 nights. The price may include your plane tickets, complimentary breakfasts, and hotel charges. You need to keep in mind that a low price such as this may require the departing flight to be from Florida since the route will be shorter than any other state.

    Essentially, all of the costs you experience will be determined by where you fly out from and your length of stay.

    If you plan to be traveling as a family or a group of friends, you may experience an even lower price, which could be based on a group rate. All you have to do is choose which group rate will provide the most benefits. You may also want to keep an eye on the prices as they may often change.

    Cost for a Flight

    Booking a flight to the Bahamas is not necessarily expensive. Of course, the price may depend on the month you plan to go. For fall flights, you may pay hundreds less than a flight in the summer, which is normal when many are traveling.

    Bahama Activities To Enjoy

    The good part about having activities to do is that they all may not cost much or may even be free, such as being on the beach sunbathing. Besides the beach, other fun activities include tours and even snorkeling or parasailing.

    You need to be aware that the price for activities may increase, which may be caused by their ability to provide some great excitement. Below are a few of the activities you can expect to enjoy while vacationing in the Bahamas.

    Taking a Dive in the Lucayan National Park Caves

    With more than 40 acres of caves, the Lucayan National Park provides cave swimming for those who enjoy underwater exploration. Located on Grand Bahama Island, the Lucayan National Park is a prized location for those who love ecology. Prior to your dive, you can enjoy a nice horseback ride or hike among the hardwood forest, the coppice landscaping, and even the mangroves.

    Visit the Straw Market for Souvenir Shopping

    If you are good at bartering, then the Straw Market is a good place to get some souvenirs at a low price. The Straw Market can be found on Bay Street. While there you will come across different vendors selling various items to take back home and enjoy.

    Not only is it acceptable to barter and haggle, but the locals encourage it. No matter what day you feel like going to Straw Market, it will always be open until 8pm.

    Tackle the Atlantis Paradise Island Waterpark

    As you enter the waterpark, you will be amazed at what Aquaventure has to offer. As part of the fun, there are over 140 acres of slides, pools, and rivers that are set among a landscape of Atlantis ruins. If you are a resort guest, then you will have free access to the park. If you want to enjoy a day at Aquaventure, then a day pass is easily obtainable.

    Enjoy Cabbage Beach

    As you continue to explore Paradise Island, you should make your way to the east side to enjoy the clear waters of Cabbage Beach. With two miles worth of beach Cabbage Beach is able to provide nice swimming in clear water.

    While you're walking the beach, check out the huts along the beach. You will see a masseuse waiting to provide a relaxing massage as the waves crash nearby.

    Explore the Pink Sand of Pink Sands Beach

    That's right, the sand of Pink Sand Beach is truly pink in color. This pink is due to the insects containing the pink color in their shells.

    The sand remains pink because of the crushing waves that hit the shells. The waves then mix the sand with the remains, which creates the pink sand. Your feet will also love the sand, which is nice and cool and is perfect for beach walks or soaking up the sun.

    Order a Chilly Daq Shack Beverage

    While taking in the sun and beach, nothing else is better than enjoying a nice chilly beverage while doing it. At the Daq Shack, you will enjoy a wooden hut with open-air that will provide you with the best rum and freshest fruits to create your favorite drinks.

    With many trying to be as authentic as the original Daq Shack, you will be at the original when you goto Cable Beach. The original Daq Shack can be pinpointed by the huge amount of business cards strung throughout the establishment.

    Enjoy a Bite to Eat at Graycliff Hotel

    Who knew you would be among pirates as you dine at Graycliff Hotel. With its rich history, Graycliff has managed to cater many for more than 250 years in the Bahamas.

    Although Graycliff is popular for the cigars, the hotel mansion also boasts a tremendous cellar for various wines and of course, a restaurant worthy of five stars. The food is beyond rich but with a traditional Bahamian flair. With that, you will need to make reservations early, sometimes months in advance, so if you plan a future vacation to the Bahamas, it is best to reserve now.

    Enjoy a Fish Fry Conch

    Once you have enjoyed a nice frozen beverage at the Daq Shack, head over to Fish Fry for a nice conch. Although this dish is the unofficial island favorite, its popularity is beyond proportion. A multitude of vendors are lined up to provide their take on conch as well as rice and plantains.

    Although you can enjoy the Fish Fry any day of the week, Friday and Saturday boast the most fun with an atmosphere filled with rum and music lasting throughout the night.

    Enjoy Spectating Cricket Matches

    Head over to the Cricket Club to enjoy some tasty food and beverages while watching some cricket matches. For the best views, you are best to sit above in the balcony and enjoy the pitch from above. The seating above is great for enjoying a cold beverage as the cool breeze helps you to relax and enjoy the tropical surroundings.

    Head Over to John Watling for some Rum Sampling

    By adding some rum, you´ll enjoy a true Bahama experience that John Watling can provide. With over 20 years of rum production, the distillery filters the rum with coconut and does a good job at it. John Watling sits comfortably on the Buena Vista Estate and boasts two acres of lushness. Access to John Watling distillery is 7 days a week and tastings and tours are also available. Before you leave, make sure to grab their estate cocktails, which are available in half gallon size.

    Test the Stacks at Baha Mar Casino

    With a lot of naturalness surrounding your family vacation, it is nice to escape the family to enjoy some gambling with other adults. With some extra glitz available in Nassau, you can try a hand of cards at the Baha Mar Casino. With a few resorts to spend the night, the Baha Mar Casino connects each property to the others and is highly known as the Caribbean's biggest casino. Make sure to have a drink ready to calm the nerves before hitting the casino floor to face the 110+ tables and more than enough slots that will keep you occupied for the entire night.

    Go Diving in Thunderball Grotto

    Going for a dive just got better as you explore Thunderball Grotto. While in the cave, you will recognize it from a James Bond movie. You will find it near Staniel Cay, and enjoying the pool is a great way to relax and explore while also transporting yurself back to the days of espionage.

    Head to Sandy Toes for some Snorkeling

    Located 30 minutes by boat, you can head to Rose Island to relax at Sandy Toes and enjoy a fresh beverage at its beach bar. At the shoreline of the island, it provides great seclusion that only a tropical island can offer. While you are there yu can head out for some snorkreling or go out running with the pigs that inhabit the island.

    When you are finished with that, enjoy a nice beverage in a hammock to relax the rest of the day.

    Head to Andros for some Barrier Reef Snorkeling

    If you have fins and mask, then you will love getting to use them at Andros along the barrier reef. As one of the largest islands in the world, you will enjoy seeing what marine life await you in the Caribbean. Often referred to as the Big Yard, you will find it mostly uninhabited. This allows the island to remain quiet and tranquil.

    Besides the reef, you will enjoy the vast amount of shipwrecks, blue tangs, scorpionfish, and parrotfish.

    Bahama Seasons

    The seasons in the Bahamas have a high season that starts in December and ends in April and the “winter” is a tropical warm climate. Regardless, many continue to visit regardless of the season and hurricane season does not seem to deter the visitors. To get the most out of your vacation, it is best to avoid the season of Spring Break, which begins in March and ends in April. By avoiding the Spring Break, your family can enjoy what the island has to offer without worrying about drunk college kids.

    Extra Expenses You Can Expect

    Besides the prices for all of the activities you enjoy, you will need to account for the expenses that will be added on top. We are sure that you do not want to just stay in your hotel for the entire time your family is vacationing.

    Knowing that, you also need to know about some other expenses that you may see every day that you remain in the Bahamas. While some may be on top of what you will be paying, some may be added to the overall price you pay. Keep in mind that the prices for each are considered average.

    Your Accommodations

    Many of your accommodations will be covered after you book your family vacation. But you may want to stay in other hotels as you explore the Bahamas. On average, you can expect to pay a daily rate of $65 for a night. Of course, if you need more space, then you will be paying more so do some research prior to booking.

    Dining Expenses

    Having a hotel that serves a free breakfast will save you some money each day you stay there. Luckily, most of the sites that will book your stay include hotels that provide a free continental breakfast. This will provide you with some extras spending money to enjoy other food outside of the hotel.

    When you have a daily budget of around $40, you will easily enjoy the variety of food options available to you. This is great when the majority of the cuisine will be seafood-based. You should be ready for any dish, but in case you need some pointers on what to try, we've listed a few of the most popular that you will enjoy for less than your budget amount.

    Conch - This dish is nationally known and favored by many in the Bahamas. As a mollusk, the seafood is breaded and fried and served along with lemons. No matter where you adventure off to, you will likely see it in every restaurant you visit. A lot of times it is listed as an appetizer, however you may combine it as a main dish.

    Boiled Fish with Grits - This Bahamian dish is served frequently during breakfast. The fish is cooked in a spice broth made up of peppers and onions along with lime juice. A nice serving of grits is then served alongside it.

    Fish Stew - This healthy stew will be found throughout every restaurant regardless of where you are in the country. It combines celery, tomatoes, onions, spices, and of course fish.

    Getting Around

    Getting around by taxi or bus may cost around $20 each day. With water taxis, you could be paying as much as $35 per day.

    Separate Entertainment

    Enjoying a nightlife without the kids can offer nice alone time with your spouse. If you are a night person then going to various bars can put you back $25 for a night of fun. You may also be tipping so throw in a few more dollars for that.

    Ocean Excitement

    Being surrounded by the ocean means you have many opportunities to enjoy the activities that go along with it. You can enjoy kayaking for 4 hours for $65, pay $70 for snorkeling trips, or pay $45 to enjoy a jet ski. For a parasailing adventure, you can expect to pay close to $245 for a group of three.

    Don´t Forget your Souvenirs

    With photos and videos making up the majority of your souvenirs, it is also good to have an item that you purchase from within the Bahamas. With a souvenir being displayed in the house, others can easily ask about it and you can recall the moment you purchased it. On average, the amount you spend may be less than $3.

    So What is the Total Cost

    Taking everything into consideration and including the extras after your ticket and accommodations, you may be easily spending between $1,500 and $2,000 for your families entire vacation. This is not bad considering all that the Bahamas has to offer its visitors.
    44 0

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Enhancing a once-in-a-lifetime event, such as a wedding proposal or ceremony, with the right song takes the experience to a whole new level. It adds a personal touch that makes for ongoing memories, as couples have the opportunity to play the song at anniversaries or other special events through the years.

    Just in time for anyone planning to propose on Valentine's Day (or any day), an original song called "The First Time," by Del Henry, makes its debut February 1, 2019, on multiple channels, including iTunes, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, Google Music Store, Shazam, and many more.

    The release of the song coincides with a release of a video. The video version of "The First Time" being released is, in fact, the first time the song was performed live, at a wedding as a gift from the groom to the bride, and her reaction says it all.

    "How can I say, in a most simple way/My living started when you came that day/ How can I tell you when all's said and done/ My Heaven started with you as the one."

    Many couples can relate to these lyrics. The song stands out as an example of the power of music to capture a moment and move an audience, so it is both a personal and a shared experience.

    Many of the guests seen in the video of the song's debut are as emotional as the bride, because the lyrics evoke memories of their own shared lives and ongoing love stories.

    "It's truly a story about how and why couples come to the moment when they want to be together … 'eternally,' says David Shewmaker, the Minister conducting the ceremony.

    "As a Groomsman, I could see Brandon's live performance and saw the audience's response, which was electric and moving. I was hearing the song for the first time too," says Tim Delany, a 23-year-old college graduate.

    Lyrics such as "The first time I felt your eyes touch mine/The first time I felt your smile" can be part of the setting of a proposal on Valentine's Day or any day, but they are equally appropriate for an anniversary, whether a first or a fiftieth, or simply to thank someone for bringing joy to your life.

    Use the song to show your affection for someone who matters to you, share the heartwarming video, and appreciate the skill of 18-year-old musician Brandon D. Henry, who performed "The First Time" for its first time at the recent wedding shown in the video, accompanied by master guitarist Dave Murdy.

    Ref: Concerts - in Blogs
    82 0

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - In 1967, one of today's most iconic runners made her mark in history.

    Despite an angry official who tried to push her off the course of the Boston Marathon, Kathrine Switzer defiantly ran on, broke barriers and became the first woman to officially complete the legendary race.

    Today, at the age of 70, Switzer continues to defy the odds.

    This year, she ran the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon again to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her historic milestone and continued to inspire others to break new ground. She also announced a partnership with the health and well-being company, Humana, to help celebrate seniors, encourage them to take an optimistic view of aging, and live healthy, active lifestyles.

    "When the Boston Marathon race director tried to shove me off the course in 1967, my life's purpose was crystalized. I knew I wanted to be a champion for others committed to blazing their own path," Switzer says.

    "I'm working with Humana to inspire seniors to achieve their best health, so they can experience all that life has to offer."

    Switzer shared tips on how she maintains an optimistic outlook on aging, and why she believes that great things are ahead when your health is ready -- no matter what age you are!

    Don't let your age define you.

    The biggest tip is to realize that you're never too old, too slow or too out-of-shape to begin living an active lifestyle. Whether it's walking the dog a bit further than usual, or taking a swim at the local health club -; finding ways to get active can help you live healthier and be more optimistic.

    Take it one step at a time. Allow time to adjust to a new routine. Start small and build on your efforts in small intervals. Listen to your body and be proud of your progress.

    Two is better than one. To help you stay motivated, get a buddy who has similar fitness goals. If a buddy is waiting for you, you won't worry about being embarrassed or feeling slow; it'll just be the two of you. There are few things greater than sharing victories and accomplishments with someone close.

    Make time for rest. Equally as important as staying active is ensuring that your body recovers from the stress endured from physical activity. Not only will your body thank you, but you will grow to love your active lifestyle more without aches and pains holding you back.

    Switzer recently took her message to the National Senior Games presented by Humana, one example of how the company is committed to championing seniors and breaking barriers -- namely, the stereotypes associated with seniors in today's society -- and proving that with a healthy body and mind, age is truly just a number. While at the Games, she participated in the 10K Road Race in a celebratory role and presented an inspiring and encouraging speech at the Celebration of Athletes.

    In addition to being a fierce advocate for seniors and optimistic aging, Switzer has been a lifelong advocate for women runners in general.

    In 1972, she co-founded the first women's-only road race; in 1984, she led the drive to get the women's marathon into the Olympic Games; and in 2015, she founded 261 Fearless, a global non-profit that empowers and connects women through the transformative action of running, and encouraging them to overcome life obstacles and embrace healthy living.

    "I think optimism is everything and you don't have to be a marathon runner to possess it," Switzer says.

    "The more you do, the more you can do!"

    Ref: Competitions - in Blogs
    90 0

    Jason Wilson jason
    1.Nihari,

    Nihari is a delicious meat stew loved by people all over the world,

    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.

    It was originally invented in the 1800s to be consumed as a high energy, rich in nutrition and heavy on stomach dish

    to keep the working-class citizens full all day long and to provide required energy.

    However, in today's era it is eaten for its magical flavor which gives your tongue the flavor it craves!

    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.

    It is traditionally served with naan (a fermented bread baked in a clay oven)



    2. Namkeen rosh,

    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.

    The ingredients only include;

    . Diced Ginger & Garlic

    . Meat (small pieces preferably fatty cuts)

    . And most important Salt which gives this dish its signature taste.

    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.



    3. Chicken tikka,

    Tikka (BBQ chicken generally well charred, spicy and tangy in flavor) is the dream of every meat loving person.

    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.

    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.

    20 0

    GlacierPeak GlacierPeak
    Welcome to GlacierPeak. We're a one-stop shop for everything snowboarding. We love winter just like you, but especially those heavy snow storms. When we see them, we become extremely happy instantly!

    What we need

    We're looking for influencers for the launch of our new product line. We need you to post invitations to invite followers to visit our website via a 15 second video or a permanent story, to see our new product line. We'll send you $500.00, or 50,000 gift-points once the post is done. If you're interested, simply say you're Interested in a comment below this post.

    CONDITIONS

    Audience
    United-States, UK, Australia

    Language
    English

    Channels
    Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Travel

    Minimum Followers
    1000

    Age Group
    18-65

    Genders
    Any

    Post Type
    15 Second Video or Story With Images

    Pay Per Post Amount in Money
    $500.00

    Pay Per Post in Points. 100 Points = $1.00
    50,000

    Commission Per Sale
    $0

    Item Shipped For Review
    None

    Must Create a New Creative From Scratch
    Yes

    Must Use The Images And Video Supplied
    No

    Must Follow Some Specific Guidelines
    No

    Must Avoid Saying or Showing Specific Things
    No

    Content Must Be Approved Before Posting
    No

    Delivery Delay in Days
    5 Business day

    Delivery Exact Date
    None

    Our Website URL
    GlacierPeak


    100 6

    Alesha Bradigan momoftwo24
    I sit here
    all alone
    Empty rooms
    Quietness
    Other than the whirring of a fan
    No screaming of a young child playing
    No cooing of a happy baby
    Whirr whirr whirr
    Which once was a house full of love and joy
    Now feels like a nightmare I cant escape
    Wishing
    Hoping
    Dreaming
    That one day ill have that back again
    The coos
    The screams
    The noises that irritate most parents are the ones I long for the most
    The endless cuddles
    The mommy mommy mommy
    I just want it all back
    I want a reason to get out of bed and do something
    The darkness with them gone keeps closing in and I feel like it will never end
    I feel like those coos
    Those screams
    Those giggles
    Those cuddles
    Those cries
    Will never come back
    I feel like the life im living now
    Visiting my own kids like theyre my niece and nephew will never end
    I've thought of burning cutting smoking drinking anything to concrete that pain and maybe just maybe take it all away
    but I know if I do the pain will never go away because it may be the thing that takes it away forever
    Those cries
    Those coos
    Those screams
    Those giggles
    Would never come back
    So I sit here listening to the whirr of the fan hoping that one of these days that whirr isn't the only thing to fill these rooms



    9 0

    Millie Zemlak Millie_Zemlak
    (NewsUSA) - Well, actually, it's both … the charm of hummingbirds is most certainly apropos and "a charm" of hummingbirds is actually factual! Yep, that's right, the collective noun for these unique creatures - just like a gaggle of geese or a flock of birds, is a charm of hummingbirds. Since the definition of the noun 'charm' is "the power of giving delight or arousing admiration," one doesn't need to be a wordsmith to see how right that is.

    Hummingbirds are charming.

    And there are over 330 varieties of the species, Trochilidae, which is their biological family name and they're found in the Western Hemisphere. When one sees a hummingbird, it's a stunning, stop-in-your-tracks sight. Their brilliant throat color is actually a result of the iridescence in the arrangement of their feathers, not color pigment. Light level, moisture, angle of viewing and other factors all influence just how bright and colorful their throats may appear. Perhaps you've heard them, too - the name hummingbird comes from the buzzing sound of their fast-flapping wings.

    Hummers are migrant birds, so although many stay close to the Equator, lots of varieties travel this time of year, so there may be a 'charm' coming to your backyard soon. If you have the desire to see one up close or are curious about how to attract them to your yard, the folks at Cole's Wild Bird Feed Co have got you covered. First, they figured out the engineering of an elegant, deceptively simple, easy-to-use (and easy-to-clean!) feeder. The patented Hummer High Rise has a clever design that offers a stress-free position for your charming guests to get their fill, a fantastic 360-degree vista, all the while keeping other unwanted creatures at bay.

    For example there's an ant moat that stops the armies of industrious workers who'd love to get some sweet nectar, from beating a path to the liquid food. The genius is, it's an actual moat, with nothing but H2O keeping the ants at bay, so while it does its job, it doesn't do harm. Nice!

    A charm magnet.

    The second definition for the noun 'charm' is a small ornament worn on a necklace or bracelet. Hummingbirds weigh on average the same as a nickel, so while you'll want to wear a replica from the jewelers, Hummers can be your own garden's jewelry all season long.

    And in return for their arousing your admiration, they'll feed on those annoying garden insects and pests. For their small size, hummers eat a lot. They are voracious eaters, feeding on mosquitos, gnats, spiders, aphids and other six-legged creepy crawlers. But, besides pests for protein, their primary 'food group' is nectar, which they get in by flitting from flower to flower and using their long beaks and equally long tongues to get their fill. All that flitting is exhausting!

    Since hummingbirds drink up to half their body weight a day of nectar you can help them out by keeping your High Rise fully stocked, for a one-stop fill of their favorite nectar treat.

    Let's not leave out the definition of the verb, "charm," which is to "delight greatly." If you want these Disney-esque caricatures to delight you on a regular basis with their wonder - and bring their distinctive song to your yard - there is something you can buy: the creme-de la creme of what these charmers crave: Nature's Garden from Cole's.

    By identifying and harnessing the nutrients of the hummer's favorite wildflowers, and tapping their vast store of wild bird knowhow, Cole's has created the next-best-thing to actual flower nectar - a proprietary formula that's far and away a cut above your 'garden-variety' sugar water. Nature's Garden is a healthy, all-natural alternative to homemade syrup, no mixing and no boiling required. It comes in an eco-friendly soft pouch; just shake and pour. You'll be delighted with how easy it is to keep your hummer feeder filled and overjoyed at seeing hummers frequent your yard. Your neighborhood hummingbirds will love it, so they'll keep coming back.

    A brief postscript: a natural predator to the hummingbird is the praying mantis. Despite their equally small size and saintly appearance, they feed on our fascinating feathered friends and are a real threat (and a protected species), so if you find a mantis hanging around your High Rise, take care to evict it gently, to a lower piece of real estate and keep hummers safe.

    Ref: Camping - in Blogs
    60 0

    Tabbie wismer tabb111e
    posting a short story on here... go easy on me!
    ---
    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.
    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.
    I could not share in his enthusiasm. I simply nodded and replied, “Hey,” before turning my attention back to the window.
    “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.
    I force myself to look over at him again, shaking my head as if that would convince him. “Nothing, nothing… really.”
    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.
    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.

    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.
    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.
    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.
    “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.
    “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.
    “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.
    “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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    “Hello, Valencia,” but before she could continue, I pointed towards the public display. “Hello… uh… there’s a situation.”
    Her brown eyes followed my finger to the couple kissing passionately against the locker, and her jaw genuinely dropped.
    “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.

    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.
    It was Brandon. My eyes widened, and I wondered if he knew I was behind the makeout incident.
    All I could do was try to be cool. “Hey man,” I greeted him, my disposition nonchalant and almost bored.
    He looked ******, and it almost freaked me out. “I ******’ hate that place, Val,” he answered.
    “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?
    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.”
    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.”
    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.
    “Bro, you probably shouldn’t smoke on my porch. Not after last time. You almost burned my house down,” I smirked, my tone teasing.
    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.
    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.
    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.”
    Brandon laughed again. “Yeah, I know you’re into that. But I meant, like, a real person. Like someone from school or whatever.”
    Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “Uh, how about nobody? I hate that place and all the people in it.”
    “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?”
    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.
    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.”
    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.”
    His eyebrows raised, probably in surprise at my somewhat bitter tone. “Oh, uh, she had to go home for dinner or whatever.”
    I nodded, accepting this information begrudgingly. “Good to know. So, will you be heading out soon to see her?”
    He nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty shaken up about this whole incident, so I guess I should go… comfort her and all that.”
    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.
    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.
    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.

    Inside the house, a voicemail awaited me from Mom.
    ‘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!’
    I picked up the phone, but I didn't call Mom. Instead, I called the only girl I could count on.
    “Hello? Val, is that you?” her voice echoed through the receiver.
    “Aysel, you should come over,” I replied. “My mom isn’t here. Also I kinda need to, like, not be alone right now.”
    “Is this about Brandon?” Aysel sighed. “But yeah. I’ll be there in a minute.”
    “Cool, see you soon…” I trailed off a bit before hanging up the phone.
    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.
    “Yo, Val. So, is this about Brandon or what?” She raised an eyebrow at me, but she had a barely there smile.
    “Yeah… it’s been… a weird day,” I stuttered out.
    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.
    “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.”
    Aysel shared my amusement and laughed loudly. “He deserved it!”
    “Right?! And then he had the audacity to show up here and complain to me after abandoning me for her for days.”
    “He’s an idiot. If I was a man, I’d be terrified of ever losing you.”
    “I really don’t know what I’d do without you. Probably kill myself.”
    Aysel chuckled again. “You cannot kill yourself over this. Don’t let that lanky idiot or that psycho mathlete win.”
    “I wish you were still at Golden Valley. It ****** at least slightly less **** when you were there.”
    “Yeah, well, my dad was pretty ****** after the Mark Johnston incident, so…,” she smirks. “Alternative school for me…”
    “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.”
    “Maybe we could hit him with my brother’s car,” she grins.
    “Maybe we could put cyanide in all of his cigarettes.”
    “Maybe we could slash his tires.”
    “Or maybe… we could brainstorm while I order takeout?”

    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.
    Aysel followed my gaze, then scoffed. “Oh look, Miss Congeniality has graced us with her presence,” she rolls her eyes.
    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.’
    “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.
    “Fighting over a guy is ****** usually. Except for this. I think I’m totally valid.”
    “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?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, he told me he wasn’t gonna go up until maybe three weeks ago. Maybe he is being paid,” I snickered.
    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.”
    I chuckled at the thought. “Yeah, right. A girl can dream, I guess.”

    Hours later, against the warm April sun, my mom confronted me as I sprawled across the couch.
    “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?”
    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?”
    Mom grimaces slightly at my harsh words. “Because maybe it’ll still be fun…?”
    I simply shook my head.
    “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?”
    “I dunno,” I shrugged again, feeling completely apathetic to the idea. “I think after Brandon chose Carli, I just don’t care anymore.”
    “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.”
    I let out a small laugh of disbelief. “I think that’s exactly what it means.”
    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?”
    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.”
    She raised her brows as if surprised her negotiations worked, and a grin crossed her face. “I’ll get my keys.”

    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.
    “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.
    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.
    “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.
    “I- uh… yeah, I guess you’re right…” I huffed out defeatedly, my eyes still glued to the dress.
    “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.
    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.
    Her face lit up, and from the looks of it, I think she was happier than I was. “Oh, Valencia… you look so beaut—”
    “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.
    I cursed internally– this must’ve been the time he and Carli rescheduled their prom shopping to.
    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?”
    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.
    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.
    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.
    “So… guess you’re coming to prom after all, hm?” His smile morphed into a teasing smirk.
    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.”
    “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.”
    “Yeah, I know you did… but now you have Carli,” I sighed.
    “Well, fair enough. She’s the one who convinced me to change my mind.”
    “I’m guessing she’s here somewhere?” I gestured vaguely towards the racks of dresses.
    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.”
    “Cool, cool… I’m sure you’ll look… nice,” I force myself to give him a supportive grin.
    “Thanks, Val. I’m glad you changed your mind about going. It’ll be fun.”
    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.”
    “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.
    “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.
    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.”

    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.
    I jumped when the phone began to ring, and without even really thinking to check, I picked up the receiver.
    “H-hello?” my voice was shaky as I mumbled into the phone, trying to sound as put-together as possible.
    “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.”
    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.”
    Aysel snickered on the other end. “Clearly. I can tell you’re… displeased.”
    “What gave it away? The sniffling? The shake in my voice?”
    “No, that you didn’t totally fly off the handle and start talking five miles a minute at the mention of his name.”
    “Okay, you got me there.”
    “So, you’re being forced to go to prom?”
    “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.
    “That *****. Want me to be your makeshit date?”
    “Don’t you mean ‘makeshift?’”
    “No, makeshit. I want to cause problems. I have some unfinished business with Mark Johnston.”
    “Sounds fun. Guess you’re my plus one.”
    “Hey, that rhymed!”
    “Maybe I should start a rap career.”
    “That Carli diss track is going to be legendary.”
    “More like Brandon diss track at this rate. Or both. Something about two birds, one stone.”
    “Should we pull a Carrie and pour pig blood on both of them?”
    “Nah, pigs are too good for that. Maybe just food coloring? Or used tampons.”
    Aysel cackled on the other end. “Yeah, the tampons. Perfect.”
    “Yeah, it’d be satisfying.”
    “When’s the prom, anyway?”
    “Day after tomorrow. Saturday.”
    “And all three of you waited this long to find outfits?”
    “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.”
    “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.”
    I snorted a bit with laughter. “You’d think. Sorry for the short notice… but it’ll be sick now that you’re going.”

    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.
    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.
    “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.
    “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.
    “Y’know, I’m really not gonna miss these people. At all.”
    “No ****. They’re idiots.”
    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…”
    And, despite my words, Aysel turned around to look over at them. “Ha! They look… fashionably challenged.”
    “You think we should go take pictures too? We’d outfashion them for sure.”
    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.
    “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.
    “Ewww, lesbians! Disgusting freaks!” a voice called from the line.
    “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.
    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.
    “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.”
    “I think we’ve made the most of it,” Aysel nodded.
    “Yo, Val! Aysel!” Brandon’s familiar voice called to us from behind.
    “Wow, he knows *********** a moment,” Aysel scoffed, low enough that only I could hear.
    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.”
    I shook my head. “Nope. I was a big girl and showed up,” I responded with a nice helping of sarcasm.
    Brandon chuckled. “That’s the Val we all love.”
    Even if it was innocuous to him, it stung inside. Love? Then why Carli and not me?
    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.”
    “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.
    “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.
    “So… where’s that Carli, Brandon?” Aysel raised an eyebrow, ever the instigator.
    “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.
    “Hm. How’s she working for you as a date?” she pushed.
    “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?
    “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…
    “…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.
    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?
    “That’s cool,” Aysel responded with a lack of amusement, and I could pick up that she was about as displeased as me.
    Naturally, he had no idea that we were not thrilled for him. “Thanks, guys. I think I really like her, y’know?”
    “Oh, yeah, I feel ya,” Aysel nods, her voice almost mocking.
    “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.
    I normally would’ve cried, but I think by then I was out of tears. I was just… numb. Dull. Void.
    “What a ****,” Aysel huffed. “You good, Val?”
    I looked up from my spaced-out state. “Hm? Oh, yeah… I guess. As good as I can be, I think.”
    “Honestly, Val? I thought you were gonna crack and confess.”
    I shook my head a bunch. “Nope, that’s a secret I’m taking to the grave.”

    16 0
Load More