#write-a-ton

Just yesterday, a few other LU writers and I, Hot Cheeto Hatred, hosted our first ever monthly (hopefully) Write-a-thon! This event ran on June 4 from 12 am EST to 12 am EST, with one goal in mind---write as many productive words within that day as humanly possible. Words included in the final marathon count ranged from storyboarding, fic writing, editing, answering comments, journalling and homework---basically, any words that furthered yourself, the writing community at large, or your stories. We utilized either the Discord Sprint bot or self-reporting to collect the numbers at the end. Everyone involved gave it their all, with most of them being present for most if not all of the run time as they were able, and I'm so proud of their dedication towards their craft. Anyways, here's the final breakdown of the numbers below, as well as the awards and titles earned by each participant, as decided by the discord server (and myself at random).

Hey guys! So glad to be back, and I thought why not use this writing challenge for my big comeback ;P This gif is cool...hope everyone is loving Teeth as much as I do...

So the deadline was today, and I’m a procrastinator as always but shout out to @geekygoddesss for this #write-a-ton challenge! Hope you like it!!

Prompt: Luke has been living with the same girl for already a year and he is pretty sure he loves her, but the friendship he maintains with his ex girlfriend makes his current girlfriend doubt on if he’s fully in love with her or if he wishes to go back to his last relationship. 

Song: Stomach Tied In Knots by Sleeping With Sirens 

Oh, my stomach's tied in knots, I'm afraid of what I'll find if you want to talk tonight. See the problem isn't you, it's me I know, I can tell, I've seen it time after time, and I'll push you away, I get so afraid...

You opened the door to be welcomed by sounds of laughter. Both laughs you instantly recognized. One belonging to your boyfriend Luke, who’ve you’ve been dating for a little over a year. The other belonging to his “good friend” Olivia, otherwise known as his ex-girlfriend Liv. No matter how many times Luke reassured you they were just friends, no matter how many times he told you they broke up because they worked better as friends, and despite the fact he was completely open about everything, you couldn’t help but feel….doubt. Walking into your kitchen and seeing them laughing and giggling trying to cook what looked like pasta didn’t exactly make that knot of worry in your stomach go away.

Luke looked up from the sauce he was stirring when he heard you walk in, giving you one of those signature smiles. He instantly put the spoon down on the counter and walked over to you with his arms outstretched.

“Y/n! Babe you came just in time, food’s nearly done”

Before he could embrace you, you put your hand out to stop him. “Luke I’m wearing white, with all the sauce on your shirt there is no way you can hug me until you change” You said, smiling and shaking your head.

He drew his eyebrows together in confusion as he looked down at his shirt. Sure enough, it was splattered in red. “The sauce overboiled and started popping up everywhere…I didn’t think it was this bad…Give me a second I’ll go change.” He said, kissing you on the cheek and walking towards the bedroom to change.

“Would you believe that’s not the first time he’s had to change his shirt due to exploding sauce for this one meal we’re making?” Liv laughed.

“Sadly no, Luke isn’t the best cook”

“Why do you think I’m here? He called me in a panic just trying to boil the water for the noodles. He wanted to do something nice for you, and there was no way I was going to let him ruin that” She said, picking up the spoon and finishing the sauce.

It was things like this that made you really hate yourself for despising her so much. Liv was smart, kind, and so pretty. Not only did she seem so perfect, but Luke and her had so much history that sometimes it made you feel like you were the one intruding. They had known each other for years, and no matter how much you cared for Luke you didn’t feel as though you could compete with that. That’s why you couldn’t help but feel jealous…that you couldn’t help to think maybe Luke would rather be with her instead.

When Luke returned with a fresh shirt, he began finalizing the plates, pouring the sauce carefully, at least trying to make a good presentation.

“Done!” Luke exclaimed, throwing his hands up in excitement. Only problem was he was still holding the spoon, thus sauce flicked right on his cheek. Before you could do anything, Liv was right there already with a napkin and wiping the sauce from his face.

“Thanks. I should have thought that through” Luke laughed.

“No problem. I should be going though. Have a nice dinner.” She said giving Luke a hug, then grabbing the to-go plate he made for her.

“Thanks Liv, I owe you a dinner”

“You owe me a lot more than that” She said, finally leaving.

Maybe it was just your imagination, but you could only watch as he smiled at her as she wiped the sauce from his cheek. As he held her tight when she gave him a hug goodbye. As he watched her walk out the door.

Dinner was unusually quiet. Other than a “thank you” you didn’t say very much. Luke kept trying to start a conversation, but you weren’t in the mood to talk. Too many things were on your mind. Eventually he got the hint and continued to eat silently, then got up without a word and started cleaning the kitchen.

It didn’t take him long to clean up, when he was done he went to your bedroom, remaining silent. You realized you were being kind of a bitch, especially after he went to all that trouble to make dinner all for you. You quickly finished the rest of your plate and rinsed your dishes.

You walked over to the bedroom to find him laying on the bed scrolling through his phone. You went to join him, fully intending to apologize and make up for your moodiness. It wasn’t his fault you were jealous. You sat down on the edge of the bed, as he looked up at you with questioning eyes.

“I’m sorry” you said avoiding his gaze.

“Are you finally going to tell me what’s going on?” Luke asked, sitting up and grabbing your hand.

“I just…..it’s nothing”

“It’s something…what’s going on y/n? You know you can tell me anything”

You looked up at him then. His face was so gentle yet full of concern. His eyes, those baby blues that seemed to look right into your heart, begging you. You knew you should tell him how you feel. Tell him about all your worries and doubts so he can wash them away.

“Luke…I-“ you barely opened your mouth when his phone rang.

He barely glanced at the screen before answering it right away. You saw who’s face lighted up his screen before he picked up the call.

“Liv, you OK?...Alright glad you got home safe. Thanks for letting me know. Yeah OK sure thing. See you tomorrow…bye” Luke said, hanging up the phone then looking up to you expectantly.

All you could do is stare at him in disbelief. He knew opening up was hard for you. He knew you hated being brushed off… put on hold because someone else was more important in that moment you had something to say.

“What did I do?” Luke asked, confused.

“Nothing” you said getting up off the bed, leaving before you said something you’d regret.

“Wait don’t go…y/n come on” he said, grabbing your hand pulling on your hand. “What happened? Tell me what going on, what you’re thinking.”

“I don’t know Luke, why don’t you call Liv and ask her instead?’ you said, trying to pull away but he held you tighter, refusing to let you go.

“What is that supposed to mean y/n?”

“Seriously like you don’t know?”

“Know wha-“

“How her constantly being around drives me insane! It would be bad enough if you were just friends, but to know you guys were actually together? Together a lot longer than we’ve been dating…and the way she looks at you, as if she knows you. All of you…your mind, body and soul….and the way you look at her…the way your eyes light up as if she’s…she’s…” you could already feel the tears running down your cheeks.

“Y/n….”

“As if she’s the one you really want to be with!”

There. You finally said it. You felt relieved, but terrified.  Grateful for the weight removed from your chest but scared of what was going to come next.

“Is that what you think? That I don’t want to be with you? That I want to go back with Olivia?”

“I don’t know Luke sometimes I wonder…”

“Y/n…” he said, wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you close to him. “Look at me”

You took a deep breath, finding the courage to look at him and face what came next. When you finally did, you could see the hurt and guilt in his eyes.

“I would never do that to you. I’m sorry I’ve made you feel this way. But that is never going to happen. If you want me to distance myself from her then fine, its done. But y/n…baby I love you. Yeah I said it, I love you and you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And I’m sorry I didn’t realize I made you feel anything less than that”

Hearing Luke say those words, well that was the most serious he’s ever been with you.

“I love you too Luke. So much it scares me, as does this feeling like I’m going to lose you…”

“I’m right here and not going anywhere….”

“Good….because neither am I…” you said before kissing him softly as he pulled you down onto the bed.