#drama-tuesdays — Public Fediverse posts

“I, Ian” Full-Length Chapter Preview: Setting the Stage for Act Two

Dearest gentle reader,

If you made it this far into this particular gender-bending, slice-of-life, LGBTQ-based new-adult fiction; then I congratulate you. This author knows that it all feels so complex and complicated with the storyline and all, but things will start picking up steam in the next forty chapters. And I promise you that things will definitely be expanding with all the craziness, campiness, hilarity, sensuality, sexuality, and even some drama in the mix.

As for Ian Levine (formerly known as Ivy) and Patrick Andrews (formerly known as Pilar), there will be several new additions that will pop into their lives- Julian Reyes, Malik Bennett, and Camille Voss in particular because two of them will serve as comic relief and new friends while the female in question will be the old friend who suspects foul play. And of course, you can bet your bottom dollar that Miss Voss is not going to be the nice girl in the story at all.

Even so, Ian and Patrick will be learning more about what it means to be gay men now that they are one and unable to go back to females.

They will have to start being more aware of what they say, how they act, what they think or feel, or even how they approach relationships with families, friends, and possible love interests. And yes, they will stumble and the curse will multiply at times, but they will need to lean on each other while taking in what Tremaine MacLaren teaches them alongside his cousins, Ian and Patrick’s families, and even their former friends.

As for Ian in this story since he is the central character, his main challenge is learning the balance between being mentored by Tremaine and catching feelings for him. The same way will apply to Tremaine himself when the time comes. Because both boys will start seeing each other as more than what’s expected. And while most of the people in their lives (especially Antoine and his coven) will be skeptical (if not cynical) of the fated romantic pairing, some of them will support them. But of course, Camille Voss will not make things easier for them, and neither will Tremaine’s sisters.

Oh, my.

The brew definitely thickens.

And now, gentle reader, I must remind you yet again that act two of this story will be featuring more sensual content, and triggering moments (homophobia, transphobia, racism, mentions of violence, and triggering language) that will not be suitable for people who are underage and the faint at heart. And when it comes to the chapters that will feature sexual activities (especially the chapters that will depict the sexual content in full detail), I’m afraid that this story will be unsafe for reading in public. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised, so govern yourself accordingly and make sure that you continue reading this tale in the privacy of your own home.

So, I give you all the obligatory moments for you to finish your mandatory affairs (school, work, errands, obligations with family/friends, etc.) and for you to replenish your snacks and beverages before turning off any unwanted distractions on your phone or smart tablet and getting your reading-centric musical playlist ready. Once you have done all of that, then proceed to the next chapter (but ONLY if you have reread the first twenty chapters to ensure that you are fully caught up) as I continue to spin the spiderweb of this wondrously and wickedly delicious saga.

Now, are you seated comfortably?

Then let’s continue.

Yours truly,

Sir Jay D. Evers.

You’ll NEVER forget the first time! Catch up with the first 20 chapters of “I, Ian” today, available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Act two begins next week! Don’t miss it!

“The Passion of Sean Gillain” Full-Length Chapter Preview

FLASHBACK (United We Stand, Divided We Fall)…

One would think and hope that the drama regarding my father’s intense confrontation with me and my grandparents’ boycott against any events centering around Jessica and/or Ra’Keem would remain behind closed doors.

Unfortunately, you’d be wrong.

Because in Adams Falls- in Twiggs County where people knew one another, to be exact…gossip tends to run like a raging river. And it wasn’t long before the community had their opinions regarding the boycott against Horace and Maeve as well as two of their star children.

Some of them were supportive for me. “Your mama and papa knew what they were doing when they placed you in your grandparents’ care when you were a baby, Sean,” Deacon Eldridge said to me after Sunday school (the day after Grandpa Emmett and I went fishing instead of attending one of Ra’Keem’s athletic workshops). “And I’m not too surprised on how your family acts all self-righteous with their riches and status. Like the Good Book says, boy, so say I: pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. You keep your mind on the farm and your schooling. God has a plan for you.”

“I really never liked your sister’s fashion line nor her reality-show appearances on TV,” Mrs. Candler, my tenth-grade literature teacher, remarked when she learned that I didn’t watch Jessica on TV on one occasion. “She’s too flashy and arrogant for her own good. Her twin brother’s no better. My daughter went to UGA with him and she heard some things that I shouldn’t tell you. You’re doing good for standing your ground, Sean. Keep your head clear and your feet on the ground, and you can’t go wrong.”

Then you have the ones who…well, they mean well. But they prefer status over sensibility. “Your brother Ra’Keem’s going places, boy,” Coach Waddell said to me at lunch, him being surprised to know that I never preferred college or professional football. “He’s leading the Falcons to a strong season, and he’s making a difference in middle Georgia. You may not like him or anything, but he wants to reach out to you. Put aside those differences and pettiness for once. You’d be surprised on what you can experience when you let winners like him lead you to the right path.”

“Sean, it’s unhealthy for you to spend too much time with your grandparents,” Ms. Taylor (the school counselor) said when she learned that I wasn’t bonding with my parents as I should. “I know that you have your strong opinions about your parents and how they expect so much from you with wanting you to be outgoing and all. And it’s normal because you should have a life of your own outside the farm. Try calling them up sometime and let them arrange a day with you. No matter what, Sean, your parents want what’s best for you.”

Please! If Horace and Maeve Gillain really wanted what’s best for me, they would’ve have supported my dreams for helping out at ValleyStone Farms and the general store.

And as for my parents, Ra’Keem, and Jessica themselves? The invites and carrot-and-stick routines kept coming, yet my grandparents and I stood our ground.

Jessica wanting me to join her and her party-centric friends for a summer in Tybee Island with paid expenses? I was already planning activities for the church’s Vacation Bible School.

Ra’Keem wanted me to join him and Dad in New York for a guys-only weekend for the MLB All-Star Game? Grandpa and I were talking about plans for expanding the land to include cotton crops and we sat down for an interview for GPB.

The guilt-trips (“Come on, Sean. This really has to stop. You owe us this to bond with us.”), not-so-subtle jibes (“You really don’t care about this family, don’t you?”), and emotional blackmail (“Think about Jamal and Monica. They might think you resent them by snubbing all of us.”) never stopped and yet I wasn’t going to kowtow until Mom and Dad started seeing me as an equal.

“Sean, you know that you’re being unfair right now,” Mom said over the phone after refusing to join her and Jessica for dinner in favor of attending a nearby church’s choir anniversary. “Really, do you really think that you can achieve something out of this boycott? Your grandparents have brainwashed you into accepting the hillbilly life when you have so much to offer.”

“Mom, you’re the one who turned your back on Grandma and Grandpa because you weren’t satisfied with your background as if you were ashamed of them,” I replied. “No wonder that Uncle Jace and his family hate you because you think that you’re too good for anyone who didn’t share your vision.”

“That’s different because I knew I was meant for more. I never liked living in Adams Falls, and I don’t like it now. You, on the other hand, have this chip on your shoulder because we prefer your younger and older siblings over you.”

And there it was, the truth as clear as day. “You really think that?”

A pause. Then, “As much as I hate to admit it, it’s the truth. Sean, in life there are three kinds of kids: the ones who are naturally gifted and are willing to show it, the ones who have to work twice as hard in order to be taken seriously, and the ones who just don’t fit the ideal no matter how hard they try. And sadly, you fit the third category. But it’s up to you whether to be tied down to rocks and sink to the deep where you’ll drown or ride the coattails on the ones who want you to come out on top.”

“And your point?”

“End this boycott and start showing up to Ra’Keem and Jessica’s events and gatherings,” Mom answered plainly. “Next school year, you transfer to Southwest or Westside where your father and I can keep a closer eye on you and train you to be a winner. Come on, Sean. Don’t you think that you owe this family some loyalty, or are you really too good for the parents who brought you to this world?”

I inhaled deeply. “If being a hillbilly means being too good for living life in the fast lane, then so be it. And for the record, you and Dad may have brought me into this world but it was Grandma and Grandpa who have raised me to be practical and even-minded,” I replied. And before Mom could even reply, I ended the call.

I turned to my grandparents who heard the whole conversation. “You guys,” I began.

“No need to say another word, Sean,” Grandpa cut me off. “The boycott still stands as long as you say so.”

I nodded. “United we stand, divided we fall.”

“Amen,” Grandma echoed before the three of us hugged, the sounds of country living humming in the summer evening.

You’ll never forget the first time! “The Passion of Sean Gillain,” available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Don’t miss it!

“Edge of Seventeen” Final Sneak Preview and Planning a Sequel

Skylar’s POV

Homecoming week, day three…

As expected, my cousins and I were with Tiana, Israel, Jinyao, and Thierry at their usual Wild-Card table for lunch the following day after I spent it with being involved with setting up the tables in the library for the Chess Club’s intramural championship, getting with the AV Club for the concert band’s November concert, and dealing with the usual pre-midterm preparations. And the topic, of course, was about myself and the ongoing Greenlee/Enrique/Jorge affair. “Skylar, we’ve been meeting with Jason regarding the mess with Jorge and Enrique as well as Greenlee and her gang,” Jinyao said as she finished her bite of beet-green salad. “And we’ve been noticing the students and teachers forming this unwarranted great divide as all eyes will be on you to make your choice.”

Sure enough, half of the lunchroom were all for “Team O’Pinero (with ribbons and wristbands in the colors of gold and green)” and the other half were for “Team O’Fernandez (with the colors of gold and red).” Even a few of the lunch ladies were choosing a side. Those who weren’t were mainly the janitors and the stoners with the latter group being too high to care who’d I pick.

“Of course, you know that you can’t afford to risk failing the year-long school project by announcing to drop out of the Homecoming festivities or making requests to change partners,” Israel added, my attention back on the Afro-Chilean teenager. “Still, we Wild-Cards here know that we don’t get involved in these matters because we’re nonpartisan to the matter or any other faction. The only time we can interfere is when things stat getting more drastic and reckless. And I fear that it’ll happen as soon as either tomorrow or Friday.”

“So what can I do?” I asked.

“Right now, you prepare for all scenarios,” Tiana replied. “Whether you choose to be with Pinero or Fernandez, you know that there’s going to be a major fallout centering around you. Half of the senior-only teachers will turn on you while the other half will rally for your cause. Some of the other jocks won’t be as friendly as they’re strained to be around you because they’re friends with either guy. And the cheerleaders and female students will be ready to throw a lot of dirt on your reputation.”

Thanks for the reminder of a planned apocalypse that’s aimed my way…NOT!

“And regarding your family, we wish we could say that there’s not going to me much drama on that front,” Thierry stated. “But you know that’s not true. And your godparents as well as Enrique’s will be at odds with you and your family.”

“That’s all fine and all, but our cousin needs some advice since Homecoming is not far along,” Andretta said as she sat down her taco. To me, “What’s really on your mind on whom you’re choosing, Sky?”

I sighed. “Not much except that I don’t want to hurt either guy,” I admitted. “And I’m afraid. I’m so afraid of losing everyone’s respect and support because I don’t want to play bad-guy and yet-“

Thierry’s phone started buzzing, as did Jinyao’s, Israel’s, and Tiana’s. “What? What’s going on?” I asked as more phones in the cafeteria began buzzing and the usual chatter began to simmer down.

Jinyao picked up her phone and glanced at the screen, a look of pure shock and horror in her eyes before she began cursing in her native tongue.

“Uh, something tells me that whatever the hell is going on is not good,” Andelle remarked uneasily just as her and her twin’s phone began buzzing while a harried Principal Lewis and his wife raced to our table. “Excuse us, but now is not the time or-“

“Andelle and Andretta, are your parents at work or anything?” Vice-Principal Lewis interrupted.

Andretta frowned. “No, ma’am. They got the day off. Why?”

“We’re going to need you girls to spend time with Skylar for the rest of the day,” the principal muttered as he shot me a sad glance. “Skylar, you’re to take your midterms at home tomorrow and Friday and you’re exempt from the Homecoming festivities. Your parents, grandparents, and the teachers have been notified.”

I didn’t like where this was going. “Principal Lewis, what is going on?”

Then my phone rang, causing everyone to gasp in alarm. “Skylar, you really don’t need to open that text,” Jinyao said, voice laced with sadness. “Please, don’t.”

But curiosity got the better of me as I grabbed my phone and saw that it was from Greenlee. Sorry for this, Sky, the message read, but you should’ve known better.

Attached to the message was a link to an image. And despite the growing dread in my stomach, I knew that I had to open the link. I pressed the “Open Image” link, inhaling sharply as I braced myself for the worst.

But what I got…was worse than the worst. All I remembered was my cousins racing to my side as the room spun around and around.

“Oh, fuck…an ambulance…”

“…did his ass dirty…”

“…not going…away with this…”

And then the blackness consumed me. And this felt worse than being ganged up by Greenlee’s goons.

Because betrayal always feels worse than any form of physical torture.

The last six chapters will be up this week regarding “Edge of Seventeen,” but there will be NO MORE previews after today. You’ll never forget the first time! Available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Don’t miss it! And there WILL be a sequel beginning next year! Details to be announced! 

“Ry’Mir’s Dive” Sneak Preview and the Next Book of the Series

Dr. Tucker’s office, the following day…

Sure enough, my usual teammates (Dioncel, Tre’Von, and Andre), Coach Langley, Chi’Anna & Ra’Nada (representing the Vogues with the former’s dad also in tow), Enrique (representing the Denzels),and I were in the good therapist’s office. Colton was also there with me, knowing that the final stage of this confessional was going to be mandatory if I was to not only gain closure with my past but also prepare me with the football and cheerleading teams, Dean DeGrawue, and “The Devil of the Pool.”

And despite the waves of nerves threatening to crash me out, I had to see this through to the end.

“Ry’Mir, last night was a long night for you and Colton,” Dr. Tucker stated after a bit of small talk. “It wasn’t easy for you boys to go beyond your comfort zone despite the consequences if you didn’t attend those gridiron boys’ party. How are you feeling at the moment?”

I inhaled deeply. “Honestly? I’m a mixed bag of emotions,” I admitted. “Mad because I was far from prepared despite all that we could do. Scared because ‘The Devil of the Pool’ could be watching and listening in on this without warning. And yet, I’m also feeling tired of having to run away from the past and ready because I want to be able to control my story from my point of view without being threatened with exiled or seen in a bad way. I just want this over and done, you know?”

“Including this session about Costello?” Tre’Von asked.

“Especially that.”

Dr. Tucker went into therapist mode as she grabbed her notes and pen. “Then let’s get started,” she said. “The days leading up to the eventual arrest of Costello, how was your mindset and headspace?”

With a nod from Coach, I dove right in. “Me having to play the games of survival with a man who can ruin your reputation if you didn’t warm his bed was like…it was like I was diving into the deeper parts of an inactive volcano,” I began. “I didn’t want to let him taint my body any more than he already had, but I also didn’t want to be sent to one of the state-run group run homes where kids like me were either beaten or left for themselves. So, I had to play the role of his young lover, let him take me into his pool house after coaching me on my diving techniques or when I had a meet for my school’s team or that in the YMCA.”

“Did your foster parents have any clue on what was going on?” Coach asked gently.

“If they did, I didn’t notice anything and I was wise enough to not let it show how I was hurting when I sat down. The man meant every word- if I didn’t comply or thought about telling Joel or Lois, he’d spin it to make them think that I came on to him and send me away without a fair chance,” I answered. “But on that fateful day, you can pretty much guess that things were about to go down south. Not for me, but for him…”

*********

FLASHBACK (The Day of Reckoning)…

The good news was that Joel and Lois had themselves an off day from their restaurant, allowing themselves time to step back and let loose.

The bad news was that they decided to go to the movies while believing that I needed someone to look after me while they were gone. And that someone, which was the worst news, was Costello because Joel thought that he could use some time away from his home and more time in theirs. “Plus, we know that he’s protective of you and says that you give him no trouble at all,” Lois said as she and her husband were on their way out the door. “So make sure to mind him and give him your undivided attention, Ry’Mir.”

As if I had any choice.

Soon after I came from a relaxing shower after a grueling workout session and a swim at the YMCA, the man was at the door with his shirt removed and his eyes were full of lust. “Such a pretty boy for me,” he said as he climbed on top of my naked body and started kissing my stomach and chest. “My, Lois and Joel are lucky enough to have you in their home.”

“Please stop,” I whimpered. “I’ll tell if you-“

“If you do open your mouth, no one’s going to believe you since you’ll be seen as a jealous liar and a little boy-slut,” he hissed in a seductive yet threatening manner. “You don’t want to make them mad at you, do you?”

I shook my head no, knowing that he was right. If I even dared to tell anyone about him grooming and molesting me, he’d paint me as the bad guy while he would get away with everything.

“Then you’ll play ball with me and I’ll make sure that you’ll be rewarded for your silence,” he said as he reached into his discarded jeans and grabbed some condoms. “Not only that, I’ll make sure that you’ll remember me as your first time. And I can be very generous to little pretty boys like you.“

All I could do was steel my tears from falling down my face as I let him place my legs on his shoulders before sheathing himself with the condom.

“Make this go away, God,” I thought to myself as he entered himself into me. “Let this nightmare end because I-“

“Oh, my Lord! Ry’Mir!”

My stomach dropped low to see a stunned Lois and her furious husband at the doorway, the latter ready to punch his friend in the nose. Only the man didn’t bother slowing down his pace as he ravished me. “J-Joel. Lois,” I whimpered.

It all happened so fast. One moment, Costello was continuously enjoying himself while I had to take it. The next moment, the man was thrown off of me while Lois wrapped me in a towel before sirens filled the air outside. “He liked it, you know?! Your little boy-slut was asking for it,” the disgraced man sneered as he was led away in handcuffs, Joel fighting the urge to knock the man out again as onlookers took in the sight outside.

“Ry’Mir, how long did he take advantage of you like this?” Lois asked while officers were by her side in the living room. “I’m not mad at you, honey. I need to know the truth.”

It was time to come clean as I finally let the waterworks go into overdrive and I told them everything. “I’m so sorry,” I bawled as I was wrapped in a hug. “Please don’t send me away. I had to keep quiet because he could paint me as the bad guy.”

“Son, you have nothing to be sorry for,” one female officer said gently. “We had him on our radar for a while, and your testimony will ensure that he gets what he deserves.”

“I agreed,” Joel grunted as his glare softened when he faced me. “Ry’Mir, I am so sorry I trusted that shithead into your care. If I had known, I would’ve gladly ended him sooner. The worst fact is that Lois and I were blind to the whole thing and the man had his sadistic thrill with other boys before you. So you’ve saved your life as well as those other boys.”

I only let the tears fall as I was gradually led into a whirlwind of testimonies at trials, days spent in solitude thinking, and even a period where I had to take basic therapy sessions with other survivors of child/teen molestation. But the moment the man was convicted and sent to prison, I made a vow: I wanted to bury the past and only move forward by focusing on my diving competitions and academics.

It was time for me to go forward, but in my own way…

***********

PRESENT-DAY

I inhaled deeply, not caring if the tears were cascading from my eyes as I knew everyone else was doing the same. “Some days were better than others,” I finished. “And before coming here, I had a few nightmares that left me sleepless at times for days. But I had to push all my feelings down and lock them away if I wanted to keep my eyes forward.”

“My God, Ry’Mir,” Ra’Nada said, stifling a sob as she accepted a tissue from a stone-faced Andre. “This whole story is…wow.”

“But now, we gotta deal with these people who seem to know about Ry’Mir’s story and are planning to expose him at the next meet,” Dioncel stated, crossing his arms. “And that’s today as we’re facing off against Howard.”

To me, “I hate to suggest this, bro, but you need to sit that meet out for your safety. These football trolls and cheerleaders aren’t playing around, and neither is Dean DeGrawue.”

“Well, the meet’s postponed for today since they had a lockdown scare,” Coach Langley stated. “But they’re going to meet with us the week after next. And I disagree, Dioncel. Ry’Mir said that he wants to tell this story for himself and keep control of the matter by his own terms.”

“But what happens if Ry’Mir gets jumped?” Andre asked. “Or worse? And we still have no idea on who this ‘Devil of the Pool’ is. Incredible!”

“Then that’s the chance I’ll have to make,” I stated. To my coach, “Can you get me that appointment with the school’s president?”

“Already done,” Enrique interjected. “He actually wants to see you for some reason, Ry’Mir. And I warned him that if he turns on you just because of your past, he’ll be answering to me and all the Denzels and Vogues.”

“That goes double for me,” Dr. Tucker said. “And yes, he knows about these therapy settings with you, Tre’Von, Dioncel, and Andre. And I told him that things are getting serious with your situation. So he’ll want to talk to you over tea. When is it?”

“Tomorrow. His private quarters, which isn’t far from the natatorium. You’ll be there after practice tomorrow.”

I nodded. “I don’t know how things will go after tomorrow, you guys, but I’m done running away from the storm. This time, I’m going to go into it.”

And that was the truth.

You’ll never forget the first time! We’re approaching the final ten chapters of ” Ry’Mir’s Dive (book one of “The Aqua Men of Harvick University” series),” available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! This marks the start of the grand-finale extravaganza. Don’t miss it! 

And Coming January 2027… Dioncel’s Story is Told! “Dioncel’s Winter” is Book Two of the Series.

“The Passion of Sean Gillain” Chapter 8 Sneak Preview

“Mr. Gillain, your old designs that you submitted for your application packet are what we call hidden gems,” Ms. Demorest, my drawing teacher and fashion advisor, stated as I was kept back after learning the basics of composition and design. “Still, we think that there could be more vibrance and flair in some of your works.”

“I mainly was inspired by how I was living in a small town, the theme being rustic yet sophisticated nature of it all,” I stated. “Now, I will admit that there could be room for improvement since my artwork mainly came from middle school. But something told me that things are fine as they are.”

“Even so, Mr. Gillain, I can’t help but wonder if your work is a bit…well, distant and dialed down, as if they tell a story of someone who had to hold back and not give away too much.”

I inhaled sharply. “What are you saying?”

Ms. Demorest gave me a pointed stare. “Mr. Gillain, you basically lack passion in your craft,” she intoned gently. “It’s as if you’re trying to hide who you truly are.”

I hated when people call me out on that. “Ms. Demorest,” I began.

“I’m not trying to offend you, dear, but maybe you need to start with the basics of being an artist before going into the world of designing clothes. You need to start showing people who you want to become by looking within yourself. Tell me something, why do you hold back? What is it that you don’t want people to know about you?”

I sat back in my chair, my heart pounding even as I kept a calm facade. “There’s not much to know about me, ma’am,” I replied. “But in all honesty, I’m trying to find out what my ‘passion’ in life is. You and the other teachers know my story by now, how I was sent here after a health scare when I finished senior year in high school. For the most part, I feel like every single day that I wake up is like I have to be in survival mode. Going through the motions is kind of my normalcy back home.”

Ms. Demorest nodded. “And did you feel like you can’t open up to anyone?” she asked.

“Only when it comes to-” I stopped mid-sentence, not wanting to dive into THAT topic. “I can’t fully talk about it yet, ma’am. All I can tell you is that I’m learning what it means to live and not just survive while being a fashion student.”

The older woman nodded twice. “Well, maybe it’s best that you start by channeling what you’re dealing with into your work and classwork,” she suggested. “I want you to not only learn the basics of fashion for your time here at RISD, but also work on a collection that shows the real version of you. Realness comes from within your heart and soul, not just your mind and body. I want you to be authentic with your craft while rebuilding your art from the ground up. Think you can do that?”

I nodded. “I can try, but-“

“Don’t just try, Sean. REALLY go for it and push yourself, but remember to ask for grace and patience while you work.”

I inhaled deeply. “I can work with that, Ms. Demorest. And if it helps, I’m seeing a therapist to help me cope with my past and all.”

“Go for it, Mr. Gillain. And never be afraid to start being a part of the RISD social life. There’s a world of opportunities around the corner. Enjoy yourself, but remember your priorities…”

You’ll never forget the first time! “The Passion of Sean Gillain” has returned with all new chapters starting this weekend, available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Don’t miss it!

New Release! The Promise of Scars

I’m excited to announce the launch of The Promise of Scars, Book Five in the Red Kingdom series.

New Release! The Promise of Scars