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31 | And so her lips stumbled into mine.
Last Updated:
2024-10-15 16:00:52JAMES
"A terrible idea. This is definitely a terrible idea." Carly, Brianna's talkative friend, keeps repeating the same phrase, shaking her head in despair.
Brianna shoots her a glare. "Mine is a fantastic idea."
Skyler smiles. "I agree with Brianna."
Connor sighs and sits on the armrest of the couch in Brianna's living room. "Would you mind bringing us in on it?" he asks, pointing first to himself and then to me. "Because we have no idea what's going on here."
Sky turns to us. "Brianna suggested we go to Hunter, a club, because there's a party tonight, but Carly doesn’t seem to agree."
"Of course I don’t! This girl here can’t handle alcohol at all! We’ll just end up in trouble!" Carly bursts out, giving her so-called best friend a dirty look, who at the moment seems more like a red cloth waved in front of a bull to Carly.
The girl in question smiles. "I don’t know what you’re talk
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Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 32 | Okay? Okay.
Panic.Panic, panic, panic.Ever since I woke up, so for about two hours now, I’ve been thinking about what happened last night.And especially about why.James and I kissed.Sure, it was just a peck, but it was still a kiss.And I don’t feel excited or happy or anything else; I feel scared.I’m afraid that our friendship is ruined.We’ve known each other for too short a time to feel anything different toward one another, and we don’t even know much about each other.So, yes, I’m incredibly scared.Scared that things might change.Scared of losing him as a friend.Because despite the short time, he has become a constant and one of my best friends.As I ponder how I might get out of this situation, I prepare my second cup of coffee for the day, add sugar, and continue stirring with a spoon, lost in my thoughts.What could I do?Run away to Mexico? No, too pre
Last Updated : 2024-10-16Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 33 | Only another bottle of beer.
My God, things escalate too quickly when it comes to my family.Aunt Sasha and Aunt Wendy are fighting over who should get with Zac Efron, as if they actually could, and it looks like they might start pulling each other's hair out at any moment.Grandpa Carl and Grandpa Sean are completely drunk, which is unusual, and they’re dancing the samba together.My mom and Julie, James's mom, are holding a broom horizontally so Grandma Maria and Grandma Verah can limbo under it.Connor seems to be the only sober one—though with my mom, even without alcohol, she’s completely out of her mind—and he’s playing with Carly and Aisha.Skyler and Jace have disappeared, though I have a pretty good idea of what they’re up to.Aunt Mary is in charge of the music tonight, wearing a hat with the visor turned backward that says, "I'm the best and fuck the rest."What a rebellious aunt.Uncle Mark and Aunt Annie are
Last Updated : 2024-10-17Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 34 | It will be a disaster regardless.
Before the Party...Dad is at work and suspects nothing; Mom and I have already wished him well and given him fake gifts, because we’ll give him the real ones at the party.Mom has already started making the cake, and later Julie will come to help her decorate it since she decided to make a two-tiered cake given the number of people who will be at the party.I’ve already stocked up on alcohol with my cousin, who helped me and then went home to sleep, saying that this way he’ll be ready for dancing.We have crates of beer, wine to stay a little tipsy at first and not get drunk right away, bottles of vodka, and rum.Then for sure the grandparents will bring more wine and beer, so we’re all set.I walk into the kitchen, where I slip on some flour and fall to the ground.My mom peeks over the table and, seeing me on the floor covered in flour while I massage my butt, bursts out laughing."My
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 35 | Eeeeeeeee, macarena!
At home, Skyler and Connor have also arrived, along with Paul and Aisha. Only my family is missing. We’re all in the kitchen chatting when Paul turns to me. “Do your relatives have problems with doors too?”Everyone laughs while I bang my head against the kitchen table. “Are you going to remind me of this for life?”No one has time to respond because the doorbell rings.I lift my head from the table and give a creepy smile, then I get up and go to open the door.“Jace!” I scream, while at the same time my cousin screams my name.I also greet Uncle Mark and Aunt Annie and bring them into the kitchen.My cousin walks over to my mom, holding up the pack of beer in his hand. “Aunt! I brought more alcohol!”Connor looks at us perplexed. “Isn’t there too much?”My cousin and I exchange glances before turning to Connor. “No alcohol, no party!” we shout
Last Updated : 2024-10-19Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 36 | What will you do?
"I swear I will never touch another drop of alcohol again. I swear I will never touch another drop of alcohol again. I swear I will never touch another drop of alcohol again," I continue to mumble while lying on my back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.Yesterday, when I fell asleep, James, Sky, and Connor were here with me, but this morning I woke up alone.I hear my cousin and my best friend's voices coming from downstairs, but I doubt the other three are still here.James left before I woke up. Was he so remorseful that he didn’t even want to talk about it?The thought gives me a tight feeling in my stomach. I don’t want to lose him. But this time, I’m not regretting the kiss. I mean, I’m not saying I’m head over heels in love and dreaming of spending my life with James, but I simply believe that if two people kiss multiple times, even if they were both under the influence of alcohol, there has to be at least some attrac
Last Updated : 2024-10-20Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 37 | Where could I take her for the first date?
JAMESI feel my heart beating faster than usual, my hands trembling, and anxiety rising.This morning, while I was going through the worst hangover of my life and felt like I had been hit by a car, my brother Connor came to wake me up and told me to get a move on, because apparently our parents had forgotten that we had an appointment.So, once I was awake, I had to reluctantly move Brianna's head off my chest; apparently, we had fallen asleep hugging each other.And now I’m terrified that she might think I left of my own accord because of our kiss or, rather, our kisses, and that she thinks I regret it.And right now, I'm feeling so many emotions, but regret isn't one of them.In fact, when I think back to what happened last night, a spontaneous smile spreads across my face.And it’s exactly while having these thoughts that, like a bolt from the blue, one single, burning truth flashes through my
Last Updated : 2024-10-21Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 38 | Do you want to be my magnet for bad luck?
I'm about to have a heart attack.My breathing is quick, my hands are shaking, I feel a trickle of sweat running down my forehead, and I'm sure my face is pale.Paler than usual, that is.James asked me out on a real date, and when I read the message, my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. The date is at his house—thank goodness at least one of us knows how to cook—and I have no idea how it’s going to go.But that's not why I'm anxious. When I got James's message, I was in the kitchen with my parents, and when they saw me smiling at the screen, they asked me what was going on.But now my only question is: why did I tell my mom that the date would be at his house?Now, after calling Julie and discussing our "relationship," she's convinced we’re going to end up rolling around in the sheets since we’ll have the house to ourselves all weekend.But we haven't even rea
Last Updated : 2024-10-22Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 39 | The next time, I will read you like a roast.
JAMESI feel a foot come down on my backside rather unceremoniously.I groan in pain and try to move away, but as I turn, I fall off the bed.I snap my eyes open and sit up, massaging my cheek.I look at Brianna lying diagonally, taking up the entire bed.The passion for sumo hasn't faded.I hate waking up with her nearby because she always pushes me out of bed.Literally.I decide to take revenge.I go to Connor's room and grab one of those stadium horns, then I return to my room.I bring it close to Brianna's face and blow.She screams in fright, and I, not expecting that reaction, scream in fright too, and Mrs. Porter, my neighbor, screams in fright as well.Once we've all calmed down, Brianna looks at me in shock. "Let me get this straight, how many times did you fall off your high chair when you were little?"I give her a dirty look. "Only twice, unlike you."She n
Last Updated : 2024-10-23
Latest chapter
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 04 | Gift
December 4thJamesAs soon as I close the front door behind me, I shove my hands into my pockets to ward off the cold. I left Brianna in bed. We stayed up until dawn finishing the third season of The Walking Dead, so I’m sure she’ll sleep in late.As my breath forms a cloud in front of me, I start walking down the street. I’m meeting Connor and Skyler for breakfast, then I’ll buy Brianna’s gift.The thought alone makes my heartbeat quicken.When I arrive at the café, I see my brother and sister are already there.“So, our dear brother is finally becoming a man,” Connor greets me.I punch him lightly on the arm as I feel my cheeks heat up despite the cold. “Knock it off.”Skyler steps closer and hugs me around the waist. “Oh, come on, James, there’s no need to be embarrassed.”I look up at the
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 03 | Black Out
December 3rdI wake up with James’s arm around my waist and his breath warm on my neck. Facing the windows, I immediately notice the snow falling outside. I smile, feeling the festive joy bubble inside me. Carefully, I move his arm off my waist and slip out from under the covers, instantly shivering. Trying not to make a sound, I grab one of his hoodies for warmth and quietly leave the room, shutting the door behind me. I yawn as I head downstairs to the kitchen, silently praying I don’t trip on the stairs—not this morning, at least.I prepare the pancake batter, and as I start cooking, I set the kettle and the coffee machine going. My plan is to serve breakfast in bed for James, though considering my clumsiness, I decide to take it up in small batches. When everything’s ready, I place a tray on James’s bedside table, followed by the plates of pancakes, and finally, the mugs of hot drinks. Once all is safely in pl
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 02 | Snowman
December 2nd“We need to buy decorations,” I say as I lie down next to James on the bed. “Especially for the yard.”My boyfriend looks at me, skeptical. “I’m a little scared of what you might pick out.”I sit up to grab the pillow behind me and toss it at his face. “Can you stop doubting me? I’m leaving you.”James throws the pillow back at me. “And can you stop breaking up
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 01 | Christmas Miracles
December 1st"Do you really want to host Christmas at our place?" James looks at me, skeptical."Why not? We've just finished furnishing the new house; it seems like a nice way to inaugurate it.""But it's a house with stairs," James protests. "And your grandparents are getting old now. Plus, you're incredibly unlucky."I roll my eyes. The first house we lived in together didn’t have any stairs—not even a single step at the entrance since it was a small apartment. Practically heaven for him. But then we wanted a little house, and now we’ve got porch steps and an internal staircase. Every time he has to go down, he prays. He’s so dramatic. He’s only fallen twice so far... and we’ve been fully moved in for just a week."The old house was too small to host both of our families. Here, everyone fits. And don’t worry about my grandparents; they’ll outlive us all, one after the other." I roll my eyes again. Alcohol hasn’t killed them; stairs certainly won’t."Brianna, aren’t you thinking abo
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you Part 2: An Unlucky Christmas
The next chapters are a Christmas novella set from December 1st to 25th. The events take place years after the conclusion of the main story.PLOT:James Reid never really believed in bad luck, yet he had to change his mind the moment Brianna Lester became part of his life. Everything that can be considered absurd or go wrong is just normal for Brianna. And yet, in December, everyone is a little kinder—but will bad luck follow suit? James and Brianna plan to celebrate Christmas with their families in their new home. He hopes for a Christmas miracle, while she’s already thinking about what to gift her bad luck. Will theirs be a miraculous Christmas or a Christmas of misfortune?
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you Special - I want to live every day and all the days
Five years later...I’m lying diagonally on the bed with my head resting on James's stomach, which keeps making strange noises. "James, honey, just so you know, if you're hungry, you can go down to the kitchen."My boyfriend makes a face. "But your parents are downstairs. It embarrasses me to go down and act like it’s my house."I prop myself up on my elbows and raise my torso to look James in the face. "Are you serious? We’ve been together for over seven years. Seven! You practically have residency here. You even have a group chat with my parents where you exchange embarrassing photos of me, and you still have the nerve to be embarrassed."James puts a hand on my face and pushes me back down onto his stomach. "These are trivial details, Brianna."In response, I lick his hand to make him remove it. "Do you want me to walk you downstairs while holding your hand too?" I tease.James grimaces. "No, be
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you Special - Happy birthday
“Happy Birthday, Love!”“Happy birthday, love!” James yells in my ear.I mumble irritably, turning over in bed and burying my face in the pillow.“Do you remember what day it is today?”I blindly move my left hand until I find his face. “Shh. Go back to sleep.” I then press my hand against his forehead to make him lie down.He stands up and comes to my side of the bed. “You need to get up.”I take the blankets and pull them up over my head. “I need to sleep.”James huffs. “You need to move your ass and get up.”I poke my head out from under the blankets and turn onto my left side to see him better. “I’m sorry for you, but I never learned how to twerk. I’m not as good as my grandmothers.”James stares at me without blinking.I stare back at him, waiting for a reaction.I shouldn’t have done that.
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 40 | Never go to the tattoo artist if bad luck is following you.
A year and a half later.I watch little Jeremy staring at me curiously while he has his fist in his mouth, drooling like a Saint Bernard. He’s lying on the changing table, waiting for me to put a clean diaper on him.How was it done again? The YouTube videos make it seem so easy...“Well, little one, what if I took you to church naked? You’re so small; kids get forgiven for everything.”“Do you really want to let him go around naked?” James leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyebrow raised. “You don’t remember how to put on a diaper, do you?”I give him a dirty look. “Don’t stare at me like that. It’s difficult, okay?”“He’s been home for months, and you still haven’t learned?”I throw a clean diaper at him. “Why don’t you do it?”James catches the diaper in midair and approac
Never go to a tattoo artist if bad luck is following you 39 | The next time, I will read you like a roast.
JAMESI feel a foot come down on my backside rather unceremoniously.I groan in pain and try to move away, but as I turn, I fall off the bed.I snap my eyes open and sit up, massaging my cheek.I look at Brianna lying diagonally, taking up the entire bed.The passion for sumo hasn't faded.I hate waking up with her nearby because she always pushes me out of bed.Literally.I decide to take revenge.I go to Connor's room and grab one of those stadium horns, then I return to my room.I bring it close to Brianna's face and blow.She screams in fright, and I, not expecting that reaction, scream in fright too, and Mrs. Porter, my neighbor, screams in fright as well.Once we've all calmed down, Brianna looks at me in shock. "Let me get this straight, how many times did you fall off your high chair when you were little?"I give her a dirty look. "Only twice, unlike you."She n
