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Chapter Forty-Three:
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Roughly a month later
| Dalton |
An unexpected summer rain storm swept over Auburn during the earliest hours of June 25th, somewhere between four and six A.M; Leaving behind a pleasantly cool fog and dewy touch in the air several hours later. An abundance of white cedar trees surrounding the Androscoggin County Superior Court rustled and swayed gently in the calm breeze. Blanketed by hovering clouds, the massive judicial branch was especially frenzied today.
An arrogant Preston Clay, accompanied by his ridiculously wealthy parents, sauntered into their assigned courtroom wearing a dark grey suit worthy of any ‘Daddy’s little rich boy’. His icy blue eyes fell on the opposing side to where they’d be sitting, and he scoffed outwardly at the native Mainer who turned down his father’s millions and for what? To embarrass himself no doubt. At least, that’s where his narrow minded brain had stretched
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Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty-Four:
| Jakob |“Simmer it down, everybody! We don’t want the police raining on our parade.” Evan Richardson joked to his rambunctious, chattering employees at Ringo’s around seven that same evening. It was lightly drizzling outside, a complete night and day difference from the warm atmosphere he’d just walked into not ten minutes ago. ‘Mäkelän Sulon Polkat’ by Floating Sofa Quartet was playing at a comfortable volume, and the quirky Finnish Polka beat only added to Ringo’s already jaunty ambience.Black and white streamers had been tastefully decorated throughout the popular pub, and a few hired caterers and bartenders from a local Mexican place in town were happily serving Ringo’s staff along with the friends and family they brought with them. A large buffet table had been set up in the back, and was loaded with ingredients for build your own nachos, taco shells, separate containers of ground beef, and a neat
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty-Five:
| Kendra |The goodbye party turned celebratory victory lasted for another three and a half hours as everyone continued drinking and helping themselves to various refreshments. Hollis, Whitney, and Kendra had been the first to depart. It’d been an exhausting day, and a very drunk Hollis in particular was begging Kendra to make her famous no-bake strawberry cheesecake non-stop.No, really. Non. Fucking. STOP. The whole time they were making their rounds before leaving, and even in the Uber on the way back to her town home. Drunk and with no plans to relent, Kendra and Whitney both had to sit there and listen to her plead over and over for the tasty, fluffy treat as she made herself comfortable against the smallest girl’s shoulder.Just like always, whiny Hollis got her own way and was groaning with gratitude from where she was draped across Kendra and Whitney’s couch an hour later.“Thank you, Ken Dollllll.&rdq
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Not All Who Wander Are Lost Epilouge:
Two and a half years later, Auburn Maine “It’s been great catching up as always, dad! I’m really looking forward to you and mom coming out for Thanksgiving next month.” Whitney paced slowly around the small deck of her powder blue town home, an enthused grin appearing at James’ next statement.“So are we, honey. We’re celebrating with Benjamin and the grand kids the week after, since they’re spending the holiday in Sicily this year. We don’t want to impose so I’ve already booked a respectable hotel in Auburn, not far from you at all. I figured we should give your mother some more time to get used to the idea that you’re with two women now; You’d think a couple years would’ve been enough, but she still hasn’t fully grasped the concept.”Her father’s amused chuckle made Whitney giggle as she shivered from the chilly mid
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Not All Who Wander Are Lost A Word From The Author:
If you've made it this far, I officially (read that in your best ditzy, Californian accent) LOVE you all! <3 (I'm from San Diego California myself, no shade Golden State :)) What can I say? It's been a journey writing this novel, this entire series really. At first, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to create a sequel for "Not All That Glitters" but I'm so glad I did. I hope you are too, and would be ever so humbled if you let me know what you thought of my little part two. Being able to explore my characters through their own points of view was an eye opening experience, and I hoped you loved tuning into Dalton, Kendra, and Jake's thoughts just as much as the lead's, Hollis and Whitney's. Despite this book taking five months to write, a month less than two of my other novels, "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" is by far my longest book, nearing 600 pages. I couldn't avoid it since there was so much
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Not All Who Wander Are Lost Prologue/Chapter One:
Prologue:Whitney gaped at she and Hollis’ hotel room’s flat screen television in disbelief. She’d heard the Anchor crew mention it in passing before handing the story to their reporter, and couldn’t believe her ears. She’d since stopped packing and forced herself to sit down and pay full attention. Whitney’s fingers itched as she held the remote up to change the channel, but something prevented her from pressing the button. She felt a numbing sensation starting to travel upward from her toes as the Californian news reporter seemed to stare solemnly into her soul with intense amber eyes. The unmistakable flash of cameras went off behind her as she started walking along her sister’s street. A gentle breeze blew the woman’s shoulder length strawberry blonde hair into her face as she started speaking.“...Thank you, George. Hollywood lost one of their brightest stars over the weekend. Actress
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Two:
| Whitney |Humming along to the Zelda soundtrack playing in her left Bluetooth earbud, Whitney finished counting down Pencil Me In’s last register and recorded the numbers with efficient accuracy. She figured it might be a busy night with all the summer specials they had going on, but instead it was unusually quiet. Not that Whitney was complaining; The lack of customers gave her plenty of time to finish the tasks on her to-do list before clocking out and not worrying about the art store for the next two weeks.Oh! Which reminded her. “Hey Jenny, do you need any help pulling the old tags off?” Whitney shouted clear across the isles on her way to the manager’s office with the newly filled out revenue reports. She tucked a strand of black curly hair behind her right ear as she continued walking in search of Pencil Me In’s latest scheduled employee, stocker Jennifer Vaughn.“Naw I’m about done. Thanks thou
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Three:
| Hollis |“Last call!” Hollis shouted across the restaurant in a clear voice as she whipped up a jack on the rocks for Kenneth, one of their regulars. 1:30 A.M always came too soon for everyone, so the bartender wasn’t surprised at all to find Morgana bouncing between tables before rushing to the bar to get those last minute alcohol orders in.“What do ya got for me?” Hollis asked absently, finishing up Kenneth’s drink and eyeing Morgana expectantly as the petite waitress peered at her notepad with tired sky blue eyes.“Uh two Bud-lights and a White Russian.”“Coming up!” Less than two minutes later, Hollis had Morgana’s patron’s drinks lined up neatly so the server could easily carry them over. “Whipped cream for Donna today?” The blonde hitched her chin in the direction of Harold and Donna Cunningham, who frequented Ringo’s at least once a week. While both husband
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Four:
| Hollis |After spending just over an hour re-packing Whitney's three suitcases plus her carry on, the girls were finally heading back to Hollis' with two heaping plates of mashed potatoes, corn, and chicken. As Whitney prepared to lock the door, her lover leaned against the side of the house with a drowsy smile. "You got everything West Coast?" "Yep! Thanks to you, baby." Whitney's thick black bun bounced slightly as she jangled the door, then stooped to grab her newly organized Michael Kors bag. Hollis had already loaded the rest, and their dinner had been stashed underneath the back seat safely."Don't discredit yourself; I watched your cute little butt hustling in there. Oh, can you drive? I'm so fucking tired." The blonde yawned as she stretched in place. That much was true, but it was more of an emotional and mental exhaustion. Hollis had completely forgotten about sending Whitney that text, and refused to bring the mood down by telling
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
Latest chapter
Not All Who Wander Are Lost A Word From The Author:
If you've made it this far, I officially (read that in your best ditzy, Californian accent) LOVE you all! <3 (I'm from San Diego California myself, no shade Golden State :)) What can I say? It's been a journey writing this novel, this entire series really. At first, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to create a sequel for "Not All That Glitters" but I'm so glad I did. I hope you are too, and would be ever so humbled if you let me know what you thought of my little part two. Being able to explore my characters through their own points of view was an eye opening experience, and I hoped you loved tuning into Dalton, Kendra, and Jake's thoughts just as much as the lead's, Hollis and Whitney's. Despite this book taking five months to write, a month less than two of my other novels, "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" is by far my longest book, nearing 600 pages. I couldn't avoid it since there was so much
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Epilouge:
Two and a half years later, Auburn Maine “It’s been great catching up as always, dad! I’m really looking forward to you and mom coming out for Thanksgiving next month.” Whitney paced slowly around the small deck of her powder blue town home, an enthused grin appearing at James’ next statement.“So are we, honey. We’re celebrating with Benjamin and the grand kids the week after, since they’re spending the holiday in Sicily this year. We don’t want to impose so I’ve already booked a respectable hotel in Auburn, not far from you at all. I figured we should give your mother some more time to get used to the idea that you’re with two women now; You’d think a couple years would’ve been enough, but she still hasn’t fully grasped the concept.”Her father’s amused chuckle made Whitney giggle as she shivered from the chilly mid
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty-Five:
| Kendra |The goodbye party turned celebratory victory lasted for another three and a half hours as everyone continued drinking and helping themselves to various refreshments. Hollis, Whitney, and Kendra had been the first to depart. It’d been an exhausting day, and a very drunk Hollis in particular was begging Kendra to make her famous no-bake strawberry cheesecake non-stop.No, really. Non. Fucking. STOP. The whole time they were making their rounds before leaving, and even in the Uber on the way back to her town home. Drunk and with no plans to relent, Kendra and Whitney both had to sit there and listen to her plead over and over for the tasty, fluffy treat as she made herself comfortable against the smallest girl’s shoulder.Just like always, whiny Hollis got her own way and was groaning with gratitude from where she was draped across Kendra and Whitney’s couch an hour later.“Thank you, Ken Dollllll.&rdq
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty-Four:
| Jakob |“Simmer it down, everybody! We don’t want the police raining on our parade.” Evan Richardson joked to his rambunctious, chattering employees at Ringo’s around seven that same evening. It was lightly drizzling outside, a complete night and day difference from the warm atmosphere he’d just walked into not ten minutes ago. ‘Mäkelän Sulon Polkat’ by Floating Sofa Quartet was playing at a comfortable volume, and the quirky Finnish Polka beat only added to Ringo’s already jaunty ambience.Black and white streamers had been tastefully decorated throughout the popular pub, and a few hired caterers and bartenders from a local Mexican place in town were happily serving Ringo’s staff along with the friends and family they brought with them. A large buffet table had been set up in the back, and was loaded with ingredients for build your own nachos, taco shells, separate containers of ground beef, and a neat
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty-Three:
Roughly a month later| Dalton |An unexpected summer rain storm swept over Auburn during the earliest hours of June 25th, somewhere between four and six A.M; Leaving behind a pleasantly cool fog and dewy touch in the air several hours later. An abundance of white cedar trees surrounding the Androscoggin County Superior Court rustled and swayed gently in the calm breeze. Blanketed by hovering clouds, the massive judicial branch was especially frenzied today.An arrogant Preston Clay, accompanied by his ridiculously wealthy parents, sauntered into their assigned courtroom wearing a dark grey suit worthy of any ‘Daddy’s little rich boy’. His icy blue eyes fell on the opposing side to where they’d be sitting, and he scoffed outwardly at the native Mainer who turned down his father’s millions and for what? To embarrass himself no doubt. At least, that’s where his narrow minded brain had stretched
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty-Two:
| Hollis |When it finally became clear as day Chad didn’t intend to up and leave as originally planned, Hollis set her sharp jawline with indignation and shifted her intense gaze to a very quiet Dalton. She’d since let go of Whitney and Kendra’s hands, and was resting her elbows on two shaking ripped jean clad knees. Her tattooed fingers were intertwined, and she kept lightly tapping at her left cheek with both fists. Nervous, and fidgety as hell. She spoke hoarsely, already exhausted from the sudden outburst.“...I’m not ready yet. C-can someone else go first? Please?” Whitney’s widened honey colored eyes were pleading with Kendra as she carefully leaned back in her seat, begging for some sort of direction. The petite blonde nodded silently to let her worried roommate know they needed to let Hollis react organically, and emphasized it by rubbing the back of her best friend’s head briefly before st
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty-One:
Eleven years prior, Auburn Maine | Hollis |“I don’t get why I can’t just stay at our apartment while you’re gone over the weekend. This is wicked stupid. I’m seventeen, not seven." An annoyed Hollis grumbled, turning her back to Dalton so she could peer out of his white Chevy truck’s window with a soft huff. It was a bitter, cold February afternoon in Auburn and the heater was going full blast, making all four glass barriers fog up relentlessly. The windshield wipers were working diligently to keep Dalton’s ability to drive safely consistent. Hollis felt like she was observing her surroundings submerged under water, despite squinting as hard as she could. Still, the familiar outline of their parent’s woodsy street almost made her want to pass out from sheer anxiety.I don’t want to be here...I really DON’T want to be here. “It wa
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Forty:
| Hollis |After sleeping off a wicked painful withdrawal spell, Hollis finally stirred from her repose several hours into the early evening —drenched in sweat—to find a very frightened Whitney seated at the edge of her ultra soft bed wearing one of the most tender expressions she’d ever been met with. The bewildered blonde had no idea how long her concerned lover had been there and felt guilty as hell for being the cause of so much added stress. Whitney tucked a few stray black curls that’d fallen into her line of vision behind an ear before leaning over to cradle Hollis’ warm, fatigued face in two trembling hands. She started to croak as the rich honey shade of her eyes darkened with distress.“...Thank gawd. You kept mumbling to yourself for like, five hours straight and I wasn’t sure what to do. Kendra told me to just let you sleep...I was so worried, babe.”Hollis’ first instin
Not All Who Wander Are Lost Chapter Thirty-Nine:
The following morning | Kendra |“Huh. I guess Holl wound up staying over last night.” Kendra muttered softly with worried moss green eyes fixated on her best friend’s blue corolla, which was parked on the gorgeous property adjacent to Whitney’s black Prius. Having just pulled in following an exhilarating evening at Vivian’s, the small punk rocker was a little put off that Whitney didn’t shoot her a ‘heads up’ text like she normally would when Hollis crashed at their place. Had she known at least a little ahead of time, there’s no way in hell she would’ve spontaneously invited her new girlfriend over for what was supposed to be a romantic brunch. She’d planned an entire day for the two of them too; Eating great home cooked food and settling in to study for a few finals they had coming up.So much for THAT relaxing, drama free day.
