I meandered through the aisles of one of our local shopping malls looking for inspiration for Christmas gifts a couple of weeks before the big day. But the hole in my heart from my wife’s passing two years earlier hadn’t yet mended and wasn’t going to be patched by buying towels for my daughter-in-law.

The sad expression on Linda’s face did not fit how she should feel. Right now she should feel special, like a princess. Nancy and her friends were Linda’s ladies-in-waiting in getting her ready for her big night. That scarlett princess straight sweep train tulle dresses with appliques lace sequined corset should have made her feel regal. The job Linda and her friends, Gemma and Christina, did on Linda’s hair and for her makeup should added to the sense of regality.

“Fire! Fire!” I yelled as I ran through the house. After getting my sister's unconscious body out of the house, and seeing that my parents were beyond hope, I grabbed my two most important belongings: my college paperwork, and Frosty's hat.

Lucas’s makeup skills are challenged, but something very unexpected happens when he puts those skills to work.

Max never truly believed that his dream of becoming a magical girl could become a reality - but he never even imagined that becoming the villainess of the magical girls was a possibility! 

***

Ever since the first Magical Girls appeared, to fight against the Violet Ooze threat, Max has dreamed of joining their ranks. Not that he’s particularly interested in the girl part - no way! - but the magical bit? The being a hero bit? That’s everything he’s ever wanted in life! So when a Magical Crystal offers him an out from the mundanity of college life, he agrees without a second thought! 

Unfortunately, the Magical Crystal gets attacked by Violet Ooze during the formation of their contract! Instead of a purehearted magical girl, ready to face the forces of evil, Max ends up as the Violet Queen - the new leader of those very same monsters!

Of course, the problems don’t end there! She's got magical girls aiming for her head, powers that are fueled by people lusting after her, and - worst of all - a ‘corrupted’ crystal that insists the true threat to the world is actually the (unwitting) magical girls themselves!

Cover by my lovely friend Lulla.

Dinner left Brad wondering if Sara was waving him off and her not being at the café the next morning makes things look bleak. Was it over before it ever got a chance to begin?

The Other Side of Me – Part 33
by Lily Rasputin

After my initial shock of finding myself unceremoniously falling on my butt during cheer practice, I realized that everyone, including Coach, was staring at me with bewilderment. Everybody that didn’t know I was currently leaping back and forth between universes; that is.

“Miller,” Coach said, giving me a look that was part annoyed, part concerned. “You okay?”

Kyle closed the door to the den so he could open up and start to tell his plan to his daughter. Nancy was still fuming about being called a bitch. This was ironic for people who used that word with misogynistic intentions would point out that her immature behavior about still being mad was proof she was one. Linda just wanted to get this talking to over with.

Nancy showed her disapproval of her dad agreeing with her mom “Dad just get this straight, no one, and I mean no one, can call me a bitch.”

I remember.

We'd been in good spirits when we returned to Eclipton that one time. Sure it'd be hard not to miss the country estate but this castle had its own charm. Rugged and sturdy but there were certainly worse places to be in the world.

And it was particularly beautiful that day. The flowers had just begun to bloom with the start of spring. The sky was especially blue that morning and you could hear the faint chirping of birds.

The training team is back with some new challenges and a plot against them.

Author's note: Some plot elements of this story follow up on the events of my story Of Pranks and Finals, which is on the Whateley site but has not been posted on Big Closet. That story was co-written with other authors, so I did not feel it appropriate to post that one here myself.

http://whateleyacademy.net/index.php

Ed makes an accidental discovery at work that challenges his ideology. Should he go to HR and demand that Carl act appropriately, at least while he’s at work?

The bridge crew looked at him, concern radiating from every face. The young woman at comms was first to find her voice. “Captain? Orders?”

“Has he asked you to go to Homecoming with him yet?”

Pete's Vagina
60. Pass Interference
by Erin Halfelven