Ox

""Hey, it's Cade. If you're hearing this, I'm probably busy, or I'm avoiding you. Stop bugging me and maybe I'll call you back. No promises!"
          
          Studying her defeated face in her phone's dark screen, Elise ended the call and slid the handset into her bag. Her mind stressed the likelihood that Cadence was busy, or that she had let her phone die once again, yet the tightness in her chest wrenched that possibility beyond her grasp. As the girl's message had stated, Cadence was avoiding her, and Elise struggled to find the will to resent her for it. She only wondered if within this silence lay the sound of their ten lost years catching up with them."
          
          ------
          
          And after that quick jaunt through the Dales, let's check back in with our other favourite coastal couple. I'm sure things are going swell for Cade and Ellie right now!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/345316745

"I'm boring," he says. "I don't like talking about myself," he says. And then he goes and gives *another* interview about his made-up people. This one was with @Rose-Gold_Community as part of their 2023 awards - thanks for having me! Give it an ogle if you like. I tried to make it an intriguing read. 
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/1439794369-rosa-de-parfum-interview-book-pooja-oxviola

"Against the deepening purples and flaring oranges of the painted sky, Milnhome's silhouette rose in their path, a rough sketch awaiting its fine details. Gemma was back on familiar ground, but she was not home.
          
          Not yet."
          
          ------
          
          TWO chapters in ONE update? Well, I thought it'd be a nice way to celebrate. This *is* the end of the story, after all.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/361927635

"Braced and breathless, the pub crowd stayed rooted to their seats in speechless anticipation. Suddenly, a stuttered, startled chuckle cracked through the silence from the heart of the room. "Bravo, Miss Haywood. As something of a thespian myself, I can appreciate such an impassioned, show-stealing entrance," Edgar said. He leaned forward in his seat, the gradual focusing of his features driving nausea right into the back of Gemma's throat. "I'll even be so kind as to overlook the serious and baseless accusation you threw out. Now, listen to your friends and go rest, yes?"
          
          The man's calm, direct tone underlined the manic thump of Gemma's pulse through her ears. "I'm still standing just fine.""
          
          ------
          
          Guess who finished their ONC entry mere moments ago? Okay, that person, but I meant - yes, that person too, but really - it's me. I'm the person. 
          
          I finished THCH offline, so I'll be throwing the remaining few chapters up like there's no tomorrow. Enjoy how your favourite cup of mediocre, hyper-emotional content runs over!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/361927635

"Swallowed in layer after layer of darkness, Gemma gave up on convincing her body to move, only for a light tingle of warmth to cross her dry hand. Her neck cracked as she forced it around to watch as the sensation returned, yet no sight nor sound came with it. As undetectable as it was, its memory resonated with a feeling buried deep within the archives of her past.
          
          A sharp shock stabbed through Gemma's left ankle as she pressed down on it, she shot out an arm to catch the nearest wall. Lightning agony flashed across her vision, yet through the storm, a weak, ghostly glow persisted before her. She reached for it, and the warmth enveloped her hand, its hold firm but comforting, strange yet all too familiar. "Jacob?""
          
          ------
          
          Gem's fine. Gem's grand. Gem's totally with it. Me, on the other hand...
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/361927635

Alright. So I'm on a bit of an awards kick. You can thank my inflated ego. Anyway, this one seems well-organised with some fab books involved and intriguing prizes on offer (did someone say edits? Mentorship? A pony? Okay, there's no pony, but there IS a mentorship in there.)
          
          Check it out, but get a hustle on. I think the deadline to enter is looming large!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/266745725

So. 'Turn of the Tide' just WON the '23 Rose Gold Awards. I remember seeing so many people I know and admire among the entries, so to come first overall from that crowd - it's WILD! I love Flick and Sal's story so much, and it warms my heart to see others still connect with them even a year on.
          
          Check out the other semi-finalists on the list - they all deserve it! And then, if you like, go hang out with Flick, Sal, and the rest of sleepy Porthdruro. They'd love to see you!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/1421045260-2023-rose-gold-awards-completed-%F0%9F%8F%86-overall-winners
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/333949030

""Don't get nervous on me. We need to focus."
          
          Gemma rubbed the perfumed haze from her eyes and saw the farmhouse beyond the windshield. The kitchen-side window stared back at her from behind its panelled barricade, and a wordless worry trickled down her back. "I'm not nervous. I just want to get this over with."
          
          "Good, because that's why I brought you," Nadine said as she slung the rucksack over her shoulders and slammed the van's rear doors shut. "The Coxes will be presenting their plan soon. If we're quick, we can gather enough evidence to build a case and bury them in front of their own audience."
          
          "It won't take long to get what we need, trust me.""
          
          ------
          
          Oh, don't worry, Gem. This'll go *so* smoothly, you could spread it on toast and call it peanut butter. (Though I prefer crunchy personally.)
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/361927635

"A pass of light across the floor revealed nothing in the room but ancient dust and dishevelled floorboards. As a groan brewed in Gemma's gut, her light shone over a lone trail that snaked a clean path by the far wall. "Never thought I'd be glad about people not cleaning up after themselves," she said as she steered their collective attention to the line that passed into the connecting room. "What are the odds that this track leads to whatever caught Jacob's eye?"
          
          "Beats slumming with these busted-up antiques any longer." Swatting away a clump of dust motes, Avery strode to Nathan's side and ushered him along the clear line. "Well, this is your place. It's only fair you show us around, right?""
          
          ------
          
          Stuff happens. I could tell you what happens right now, but that'd be spoiling the fun. 
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/361927635

Ever felt like sitting and having a chat with me about my writing? No? I wouldn't either if I were you, but I'm not you and we're talking now and no phones at the dinner table. You know, like friends!
          
          Anyway, thanks to @NewAdultReads for this thoroughly undeserved appreciation. I feel suitably out of my depth. Check it out below!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/1432249926-author-spotlight-oxviola