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This buddy read will start on August 12?? (2019).

The book has 39 chapters (Epilogue included), divided into 3 parts. We'll ambition to do 4 chapters every 2 days.

Participants:
Ilsen
Regsly

What if It Us schedule

August 10-11: Until Chapter 4
August 12-13: Until Chapter 8
August 14-15: Until Chapter 12
August 16-17: Until Chapter 16
August 18-19: Until Chapter 20
August 20-21: Until Chapter 24
August 22-23: Until Chapter 28
August 24-25: Until Chapter 32
August 26-27: Until Chapter 36
August 28-29: Until the end

I changed it to August 10th but again you can go at your own pace!

Until Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[ I already know I’m going to have so much fun with this book! I find Arthur so cute and really believing of the universe. He reminds me of a different Simon (but with obvious differences). I will say that I do relate to Ben a little more. I also will say it’s strange that Arthur would just try to track down Ben with the postage stamp. At least it says it is a bit stalker like XD

I also love Dylan and Ben’s interactions as friends! I definitely ship their bromance. I also love the references whether it will be Disney movies and I know I’m going to see a lot of Hamilton references. I don’t know Ethan and Jessie enough to like him. I think Ethan is going to be dropped. Hudson sounds like a real jerk. He should not crush Ben’s spirit.

I also love that Ben is a little nerd with his writing and he plays Sims and Smash Bros! I’m just super excited to get into it but I’ve been laughing a lot at Dylan’s comments. It’s just making me smile. (hide spoiler)]

Until chapter 4

(view spoiler)[ I don't take a lot of selfies, but New York is not for me geez xD
Although I can appreciate the "f*ing tourists" sentiment. We're full of them here, and they have no regard for how while they're in vacation, everyone else using public transportation and etc is still working and needs them to not be "atrasos de vida" xD

Okay so possible outcomes of coming out as a gay boy: female friends may feel more at ease to express physical affection without misunderstandings; male friends may put some distance between you.

Arthur is killing me, I'm crying and can't read fast enough. Curse you, Arthur! x'D

I had to put on the song while reading the flash mob proposal C'MON

Okay, this started fun.

WHAT HOW COULD HE JUST LEAVE??

"Shout-out to my main man the alphabet for this bromance." - Correction, this book is killing me

plot-twist, the universe wants you to give the HP wand to Arthur, Ben!

I shouldn’t have run out of the post office when I did. no shit

If you hadn't left cough cough run, you could've gotten Arthur's number, Ben! Even if you weren't yet ready to text. Although I think Arthur would be a good distraction as a new fun acquaintance

"Agreed, chimes Ethan, you talked to a cute boy, you get props." - this sounds so awkward

Well, Arthur, New York is sort of like Porto. Walk, walk, walk. Climb, descend. So I can relate, but I'm used to it? Going by car everywhere and having parking space is what I can't even phantom xD

So much cringe with these characters. Photoshopped photos w/ Beyoncé?? Lying to actresses about bdays? Saying every crush is "the one"??

I like how Hudson wasn't a super attractive dude like in every single story, but Ben liked his physical traits anyway.
More normal ppl in love, that we find beautiful the more we know them please!

Becky Albertalli and her Elliott Smith crush, am I right?

School over lovers every time, Ben. Kids, don't drop studying for your bf/gf, you'll just end up with 2 poops, instead of 1.

Hudson, we know you're having a rough time, but you're not a kid to be acting up like this. You're in junior year, so around 16/17?

AND OMFG THE CRAIGSLIST PART HELP (hide spoiler)]

@Ilsen (view spoiler)[ I mean, it is a bit stalkerish, but at the same time, you gotta work with the cards you're handled?? xD

Dylan is unbelievable!! Arthur and Dylan left me deceased x''D *laughter*
Tbh, I love friendships so yay bromance! It reminds me of when I was in High School, dudes were more open about being all touchy-feely with each other. They'd even sit in each other's laps and shit. Some years later, it seems like ppl decided to go back in time, and start being all weird and no homo about stuff. Dudes have created distance between each other again ugh

Arthur - has adhd.
Ben - ends up in summer school

I don't want to judge anyone too soon. But Ethan's behaviour is frustrating. Is he just being a fake binch in front of Jessie?

Ben and Arthur are only gonna meet again at the end of the book, aren't they? Which means.. a lot of Hudson in our lives *sigh* I'm not ready for the drama *dramatic arm thrown over face* (hide spoiler)]

Until chapter 8

(view spoiler)[ Arthur calling Ben Hudson is triggering me.

22 is too many horses

Oh no, more marital drama

mom knows about box boy?

Craigslist is the underbelly of the internet?? Lady *snort*

Some friends in middle school told me I wasn’t really Puerto Rican because I’m so white-passing and only know a dozen basic Spanish phrases, stuff like te amo and cómo estás. okayyyy

Wait. "white-passing"?? Do people imagine everyone who is Hispanic/of Latin descent to be very dark?? That's not how it goes!

I guess someone should use craigslist after all xD ARTHUR
Also, Idk, maybe you could write the add, Ben!

But Ethan doesn’t text back. pain

Am I allowed to say it? Arthur is good at kissing a**

“Well, I’m biromantic ace, which means—� FUCK. YES! (but it's not a mc sooo)

Hudson Robinson - this book is crazy

“Your best friend is a guy?� Dylan asks. So what? xD

Also, the Nancy Drew of social media, gotta love THAT!

Complain all you want, Ben, but at least you have summer school. We don't. You fail, you fail. Repeat a year, next--

Oh boy, Dylan just put his foot in his mouth.

So this is gonna be uma caça aos gambuzinos. Ahm a wild goose chase? xD (hide spoiler)]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[ That sounds like my mom or sister in New York honestly. At least Arthur was trying to be subtle. I'm a more enjoy the view person. Also, it's funny because living in New York is where I want to live in the future. I just feel like it's a better fit for me.

It's funny seeing Arthur saying that the pedestrians are always complaining about tourists because in the other book that I'm reading, the main character is in Marseille in 1961 in the Old Port and he's thinking "You know what ruins it? Stupid tourists". It's interesting to read from two contrasting personalities. I agree with both sides but one thing I do hate are the obnoxious tourists who just don't respect other people's cultures. That gets on my nerves.

That's true with the female friends. I believe that. But I find the males just getting away because their friend is gay is so annoying. Like dude just because they are gay doesn't mean they are suddenly in love with you. Ugh. Also I do not like Ethan at all. He just gives me bad vibes and I just think he's not a real friend to Arthur. Either he fix his attitude or Arthur drops him. Also when he chimed in with that comment, it was so awkward and not genuine at all. Ugh.

THE FLASH MOB! I immediately thought of Glee for some reason but yes Regsly! Play that song!

The quotes here are amazing. This might be the funniest book I've read in 2019! XD

I think Ben left just because he is still sad about Hudson (even though he is an asshole) and he just didn't want to start anything. But yea it is kind of sudden that he leaves but it plays up to the drama. And yea true. Arthur gotta do what he gotta do for them to collide XD

I thought it was a little weird that Dylan was suggesting to give Hudson's gifts to Arthur. I just believe that certain gifts from each relationship should just stay within that particular relationship but I get that they want to be cute with the Harry Potter wands. Which I want a geek out session of Harry Potter between Arthur and Ben.

Going by car everywhere and having parking space is what I can't even fathom xD HAHAHAHAHA that's exactly what Miami is all about and I just got a car recently so now I can really experience it. I do like New York and Europe for the fact that you can walk around everywhere and it's relaxing when it's not crowded. I don't mind walking everywhere.

That part was weird. That's why I'm impartial to Ben's POV rather than Arthur even though we know Arthur is Becky and Ben is Adam XD I just found that part really cringe too. What is the point? Why are you guys so extra? Every crush being the one is not even high school, that sounds like middle school.

I like the normal couples too but Hudson is still so annoying. Like why the heck is he acting up? I feel for Ben. Although can't relate. Never give up school for anyone else. I would never do something like that.

THE CRAIGSLIST PART WAS HILARIOUS THOUGH!! Also I didn't even know Becky had a crush on Elliott Smith but Dylan going after that coffee girl is interesting too. I just love Dylan leave me be. Also yes, I feel like dudes are getting back to being touchy feely again and good for them dudes!

No I think they are going to meet again because it says in the synopsis they go on dates so I really hope their paths cross again. But I'm super excited for the rest of the chapters! (hide spoiler)]

@Ilsen
(view spoiler)[
That's what happens with old cities. We can't just destroy everything to suddenly make 100% car friendly streets and parking spaces. I personally get annoyed that they are allowed in certain really thin streets, because we pedestrians have to squeeze into the wall, because God forbid a driver waits 15 seconds or a minute.
This happens every time we go to the closest supermarket. Imagine me carrying heavy bags full of groceries, + dealing with that. They're selfish.

Not that I have a license xD I don't think I'd be a safe driver meh. Miami! It reminds me of Dexter's books and how he always says how ppl are really murderous while driving hahaha

But it's also sucky to have few buses on my local area. I want more public transportation, less cars xD

I mean, Idk if she has BUT she keeps bringing him up. There's other singers, but Becky brings Elliott into a book once again. I get her bringing Jewish characters again and again, because of her heritage. But Smith? She has to really like him or something xD what's funny is, in Simon, she also mentions tegan and sara. I listen to them, but I still don't listen to Elliott *snort*

cringe Arthur and his cringy friends = Becky
cringe Dylan = Adam
I'm judging both of you xD

I can't relate either. Education is such a privilege! A privilege people fought for. We have the responsibility to try the best we can, even if sometimes it isn't much - we're only humans and have bad days -, for those who can't, who couldn't, who opened it up for us. Since I was kid, I saw school as my job.

I keep imagining Hudson like a whinny girl who was spurned xD
I'm sorry, even before Ben said he was effeminate somewhat, my mind was exploding with a shrilly dumb voice! I can't stop my mind, when it stubbornly decides to attribute characterises to fictional characters

I feel like here, they were, but are going backwards because the internet keeps making slightly homophobic jokes. The jokes aren't super disrespectful, but they start absorbing it from a young age and well.. shit happens

Which reminds me, I always hate (hey Ethan) when straight dudes always go OH NO DON'T HIT ON ME, GAY DUDE!
"i have nothing against them, as long as they don't hit on me" - I may have talked about this w/ you before? I once shut a guy up by saying "Why do you think they'd ever be interested in YOU?!"
but at the same time, I know why they think like that. They know how lots of men think (or act). Lots of men make super dirty comments, harass women of all ages, locker room talks are gross (I've had transcripts of some by male friends - also, some shit they say are just lies. Dude 1 says he did x, and then dude 2 has to show he's super macho too and tell another ludicrous gross tale and so goes the vicious cycle).
My best male friend says that many dudes look at you and they very quickly imagine sexual s* about you. Like you're a random girl at the grocery store and boom! you don't even have to be super attractive. It's gross.

It's sad they are educated like this. Aaanyway, so dudes are scared of having other men do the things they do, or see other men doing, to women. They can't even stand thinking this gay man is sexualizing them in their mind. *snort* sad

oh and disrespectful tourists. oh yeah. Where I worked, we had these old Portuguese tiles. And they would touch them, scratch them, knock on them. I don't know why. I've lived here my whole life and never felt compelled to touch them. I didn't touch s* at the Louvre... why do they think they can come to Portugal and do whatever they please?? Of course, you shouldn't be touching something that's super old, and art too, if you want it to last, you idiots!! They'd scratch the gold leaf! WHY! You're adults, act like it. Look, don't touch! UGH Porto is a world heritage site. Respect the historical centre of the city. And the people. And stop complaining about everything. (hide spoiler)]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[ OMG NO. In Madrid, there was this really narrow street and there was a whole drama with the taxi picking us up because it was blocking traffic and I'm just thinking "Why is there even a street here? Like it's so inconvenient" It's just a mess.

Honestly Dexter is not wrong. There are some crazy things that can happen in Miami's streets and they can be so crazy. Anyone can be a murderer when you drive XD I even experience some road rage. Although everything is calmed down with Taylor Swift. And same with transportation. We suck at that too.

I honestly have no recollection of that. I think I remember it in Simon but I guess she's just like "REPRESENT" I have no clue. I don't really notice those things XD

To be honest, I don't find Dylan cringy rather than silly. I just have such a soft spot for Dylan and Ben. Although Arthur's friends are out there for sure. The coworkers crack me up though XD

Yea I always took school as a huge responsibility. If I threw all of it away for a guy, my parents would kill me. In fact, with my first boyfriend, if I got in the way of his studies, I wasn't allowed to date him. He came from an Indian background so his parents were very dedicated to him focusing on his studies, so yea it wouldn't have worked.

Oh yea the "you are so gay" jokes. I feel like those are dying down or at least we can only hope. I always felt uncomfortable during those jokes. But I don't think it's as common anymore.

Hudson is very whiny XD I just imagined him as a brat and ugh. WHEN ARTHUR IS CALLING BEN HUDSON!! Omg I know he doesn't have much to go on but like NO!!! Hudson is the ex boyfriend. I'm not sure how that is going to go.

Oh yea I remember this but like ugh why do guys have to be so sexual about everything? Is it really necessary? It just makes me sick to my stomach. Do men not have class these days? Apparently not. Fun....Guys like Ethan can go away please. There is something that reminds me of that actually.

So I took a Creative Writing class and we had to read everyone's short story to critique it and there was one guy's story that I just absolutely HATED. It was essentially about a group of guys who go to a brothel and wants one younger brother to get laid. Basically it is locker room talk and they degrade women to calling of whores and there is some crime thrown at the end and it is the worst story ever. Ugh toxic masculinity and it degrades women and it made me so uncomfortable. I just couldn't handle it. But anyways those type of guys make me lose all faith in humanity.

Oh my god that is terrible. In my study abroad group, everyone was fine except sometimes they would talk loudly and be very obnoxious. I know from a tour guide that they had to close off a part of the mosque in Cordoba because people kept littering or putting gum on the wall and just ugh. Why can't people just respect the history? (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 8

(view spoiler)[ RIGHT!!! He figures out later that Hudson is the ex-boyfriend but it's like no please stop.

The marital drama between Arthur's parents is just weird and awkward. Like we don't know what is the extent of their drama and I feel bad for Arthur. And also yea he kinda blurted it out but I don't know. I'm not connecting with Arthur's chapters as well as Ben's chapters. I don't know.

Craigslist being the underbelly of the internet is hilarious like lady I think there are worse places on the internet like Tumblr or something even worse. Omegle is for sure terrible. Yikes.

Yea white-passing is a thing. I'm still called a gringa in my family and I don't feel Hispanic enough so I feel represented in that little section. That chapter was one of my faves especially seeing the contrast of Arthur's family to Ben's and his just feels so supportive and loving. I really like how supportive they are.

I was wondering why Ben is not putting out an ad on Craigslist and I'm like "Someone please put an ad on Craigslist XD" But yes Samantha being the Nancy Drew of social media was so funny. Also how did he not mention the flash mob?? That is a crucial part of the meeting and you could maybe see him!!

Dylan is starting to lose his hype for me. He is still one of my favorites but he is now getting a player vibe for me and I'm like NO PLEASE!

Arthur is a kiss ass. He really tries to make friends. Although the HaMilton reference was so funny. But like ugh Ethan. You know my thoughts. He doesn't deserve that good reference.

This wild goose chase is gonna be something XD Also there's some interesting characters which I'm very excited. I didn't expect to be so invested in the side characters but I am. (hide spoiler)]

Also I was going to read the next chapters but it is 4:30 am and I should really sleep or do something else. So yea...

(view spoiler)[Me: The darkweb
Arthur's mom: Idk her

Yeah, like I'm pretty sure if they type in google, youtube or sns "flash mob proposal bruno mars post-office" a combination of these keywords, if not all will lead to videos where you could possibly see Arthur. Ben not so much, since he skipped away. But Arthur? And that'd make it so much easier, once his own Nancy Drew knows the boy's face!

Yup, it's hard to have a favourite on someone who always thinks someone is the OneTM the moment they see them, and then they just get tired of them??

Arthur being an a** kisser puts some distance between us. I like genuine connections, and butt kissing feels the opposite. Although, he seems like a nice guy x3 so far..
But it's more to add to his cringy nature. Did Becky decide to carry all the cringe for herself??

Ben's family. Loving, supportive, close, simple. Not rich, and working hard, but not letting that mess with their family.
Tbh I wouldn't know what to even do. One things is parents to divorce, but their fights are so awkward and disrespectful, 'cuz they just go off in front of him in the middle of other subjects? In his borrowed room?! Grow the f* up!

The side characters may make this story more than the main ones. Very colourful personalities. Although Arthur was the one who 1st made laugh. A lot.

Also, that white-passing thing sucks. :( I get it that some ppl aren't as involved in their inherited culture, (or are lighter-skinned -- which sounds like wtf to me, because Idk, even whites aren't all the same tone) specially while being born in a country with another dominating culture. Nevertheless, you can be like me, born and raised in my parents' culture and country and STILL don't know (or like) lots of stuff from that culture.

Ugh that story in C.W. is sounding like him writing down his wet dreams and f*ing fetishes. And we still gotta deal with that. I bet he felt like it was all artistic too. Straight up pure literature at its finest. (hide spoiler)]

Until chapter 12

(view spoiler)[@HudsonLikeRiver, it's him!
THEY FOUND HUDSON!! It was him at Panera, wtf NY is suddenly very small.

"Huds in the house. NYC baby." he says 😂😂😂 *chokes*

Harriett is popular on insta, why do I love that??

and a whole series of a guy with a beard and shimmery unicorn eye makeup. if that was Dylan from before, I'd love him more xD OKAY I CAME BACK UP TO SAY THESE WERE MAYBE THE #boyfriendtag photos??

As always, Jessie’s the first to reply. does she not notice that Ethan never answers first? He's right next to her

You know, box boy could've commented on one of the photos. Do private profile comments only show to mutuals on insta? Idk

Would that be unforgivably creepy? Showing his picture to the barista? Yes. I never know if I should trust the ppl looking for other ppl w/ just a printed picture. They could be someone who cares, or someone dangerous to the person pictured. When I was in college, a creepy middle-aged dude walked up to us looking for a girl in a pic... Fortunately I'd never seen her, so I didn't have to hesitate between what was the correct thing to do. But he gave me the creeps, and I got worried if the girl could be in danger.

If I was trying to start my life over away from someone, and ppl just carelessly told them where they could find me, without questioning who they were, what was their purpose (if they could, even check w/ me before doing anything) *shudders*

THEY ARE JUST LEAVING DREAM & BEAN OMG *laughing*

omg Dylan so dramatic *snicker*

Dylan’s phone rings. “It’s Samantha, Big Ben. Ha! I knew Wifey couldn’t get enough of Daddy D.�
“I hate everything you just said. Play it cool.� -> I hate it too xD xD specially the Daddy D., it's a pet peeve of mine

Samantha is wasting her time at that sad excuse of a coffee shop. She can be the Hermione in our trio. Dibs on Harry.�
“But that means I’m Ron.�
“Sucks for you.�
“Ron ends up with Hermione.�
“Okay, but . . . I don’t want to be Ron. No one wants to be Ron. Rupert Grint probably didn’t even want to be Ron.
OH. MY. GOD

“May the Force be with you, Ron Weasley.�
I'M DECEASED, CREMATED, BURIED

I'm really interested, does Adam have straight friends like this? "let's bump butts" x''D *screams*

Oh Pokemon <3 My starter was always a Squirtle <3 and in pokemon yellow, I was always so sad to have to defeat the Eevee. sniff

I completely get Ben's feelings when Dylan gets a gf. Friends who prioritize their lovers over you every single time hurt

Arthur - too enthusiastic; inexperienced
Ben - still recovering from his 1st relationship; unsteady

AND WE'RE AT PART 2

"I guess that’s any relationship. You start with nothing and maybe end with everything." - yup. That's what dating is (hide spoiler)]

Until chapter 16

(view spoiler)[ I have this impression Arthur is going to be disappointed.

I agree with the father. This is a get-to-know-you date, not a we-already-know-each-other-now-look-at-how-good-I-look-when-I-put-in-some-effort date
If he overdresses, he'll make Ben possibly feel bad?

LMAOOOO how did he mistake m&ms for skittles?!

I wouldn't waste my time and money at Madame Tussauds, and I'm not from NY xD

If Ben is so competitive about games, he totally shouldn't have 1st dates in arcades.

Yes, own his butt, Arthur!

Pepé Le Pew... so Arthur really is into cartoon porn? Am I supposed to take this literally?

“Why are we watching the orange guy?�
You mean Trump??

SAVE ME FROM THE SECOND-HAND EMBARRASSMENT!!

two bros eating hot dogs with their arms around each other. I'm singing this to that vine

No, Ben, don't lie!

@ArtSeussical started following you.
Screw homework. No, Ben! That's how you ended up in summer school

Arthur is into politics and I like that xD that eagle clearly felt evil from Trump, good for it

OMG I think that text from Samantha screamed my name

Ooops date 3 also not going well? Ben is like me, apparently. Keeps photos with ppl that are no longer in his life on sns. Not drifted apart ppl, broke your heart ppl xD I'm all about accepting all my history and the good moments that existed, before everything went to s*, as pieces of me (hide spoiler)]

I had reacted to 20 chapters and I lost everything I wrote, thanks Internet -_-

Until chapter 20

(view spoiler)[My first kiss. Followed by the loss of my virginity in some quiet, starlit field.
Arthur, why are you so horny?? Oh wait he's a teenager. Never mind

“But Arthur, don’t listen to Ethan, okay? He is . . . not one to talk, trust me.� Jessie rolls her eyes. Oh?

I’ll start with how you’re an awesome friend and an even better lover. - Dylan is carrying this book on his back. He's the provider of amusement. Arthur hasn't been funny since that great beginning

Arthur: excited about the future
Ben: taking everything as possible elitism, or elisitistic expectations and being hard on himself

“Straight sex is so weird,� I say. 👌👌👌

OMG ARTHUR NO I'LL DIE OF CRINGING FROM THIS BOOK

“It’s from a horror movie. Same title. Literally about a boy befriending a rat.�
Befriending not only a rat, but a murderer rat xD but we don't have to take the song only in the film's context sooo

Real talk, Tarzan's ost is amazing

They're just bffs! Dylan's an open-minded person, who cares not for other's judgement, Arthur! Open your mind! If every male was a bit like Dylan in not caring about all the macho noise...

I watch Ben peek at his phone, smile, roll his eyes, and shove it back in his pocket without responding.
“Dylan?� I ask.
â€Ô¨³Ü±è.â€�
|-> probably something about am eyes and breakfast or pm bump butts in the bathroom xD

I’m the deadest zombie ghost vampire who ever died.
Ok, he's back to making me laugh *smirk*

I haven't watched Hamilton either xD listened to some of the songs, though they don't make up for the absence of acting and stuff

nEWYOURK?? LMAOOO, Arthur churros (and farturas) are originally Iberian! They're loved in Hispanic countries too for obvious historical reasons

Humans ethnicities don't come in one shade, in one tone, or in one undertone - me feeling like I'm preaching

Oh no, 2 young men are napping while cuddling or whatever. It's the end of the world. I mean, he can't even 100% know they're 2 men. But that's probably too much for his homophobic head to process

and now Arthur is traumatized (hide spoiler)]

@Regsly Also I love how we still keep doing this even though we are the only ones in the chat XD

(view spoiler)[ Arthur being an ass kisser to make friends is annoying. Like you can make friends without being so clingy. I still like him just not as much as Ben. And yea his parents are just disrespectful and I am really not sure what vibe I get from his dad. Like they are making him seem that he is super lazy to find a job but he was laid off?? It's not like he just randomly quit and then his mom seems like the not paying attention type. And yes that joke with the dark internet with Arthur's mom. Accurate.

I really hope Becky is not just doing cringy characters now. Like so far, my favorite books by her is basically Simon. I liked The Upside of Unrequited too but not as much. And Leah was just a disappointment. I feel like she isn't my favorite author anymore and that is sad. I don't want the trend to continue.

If Nancy Drew doesn't mention that part, I will sue. You could find Arthur very quickly!! But like I'm interested into how he is going to find Ben through Hudson XD

Listen, I still have some high hopes for Dylan. I hope he goes through a character development and I actually quite like Samantha or maybe he can go solo and they can all be friends. I just want to know about the side characters and Ben. Not that I don't like Arthur, it's just Ben draws me in more.

Oh yea definitely. You can still be part of the culture and hate it, as weird as that sounds? I think that's my boyfriend actually. He's Venezuelan but yet he is nothing like a Venezuelan and he doesn't act like one. Obviously he has some customs that he follow but for the most part, that part of his culture he doesn't really identify with. But if you're like me, born and raised in Miami, when you go to other places, white passing is a thing. I just hate feeling like I'm not Hispanic enough because I never grew up in the country or do most of the customs. Sorry for my big rant.

Oh and the worst part for that class is that we had to give out positives and I'm just like "Ummmm scrap this story entirely. This has no redemption" I couldn't say that. All I said was that this story wasn't for me but I went very ranty in the edits and said I was very uncomfortable. I kinda feel bad not really because it was the worst. Some people in the class tried to be too nice but it was just not good. In other news, I finally started the story that I was thinking about for so long. It's a really personal story and I want to make it like an actual book but I am scared. Maybe I'll actually do NaNoWriMo this year. Who knows? (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 12

(view spoiler)[ Ok so first of all, it was WAY TOO EASY to find Hudson. Like do you realize how many Hudsons there are in the world? And the fact that he just so happen to tweet out that he was craving a panini and that he just happens to have his handle as Hudson Like A River. Like not everyone tweets out their food cravings. Yes, his best friend is social media friendly but that doesn't mean he is. IT IS WAY TOO CONVENIENT AND IT BOTHERS ME! New York is not that small but gotta move the plot first.

On a more comical note though, Nancy Drew did not find him. In fact, Arthur did a lot of the work. Ben just had some loose ends but it's fine. He tried but it goes with his personality, he is hesitant to start a new relationship but he really wants to get to know him anyways.

The Yale thing wasn't bad though and I'm just slightly confused why it just suddenly went south. Yes, Ben kinda made an insensitive comment (not on purpose) and I get why he would be put off but I don't understand why does that suddenly mean he is not gay? Damn I thought it would have been a new friendship at least but I knew it was going to go wrong at some point.

Anyways, on a lighter note I am laughing so much! Ben's mom wanting to take a picture of Ben's first date (even though it wasn't) and Dylan wrapping his arms around Ben prom style. It's just so cute omg and I love them so much. Even though Dylan has his flaws, I am still his number one fan. I just love him so much. I mean he let Harriet put shimmery unicorn makeup and LIKE YES YOU GO DYLAN!

Arthur is already resenting Ethan just a little bit and I understand it's awkward but how does Jessie not realize this?? I just want Arthur to drop him already. It's leading up to that and I understand he still wants to kinda be friends but like he knows he's terrible and it's not the same. It reminds me too much of my ex best friend so maybe that's why I have such a dislike (also the fact I was stuck on the same paragraph for almost 12 hours is kinda telling)

It doesn't matter if your account is private or not, you can still see the comment. I just think that Becky didn't bother to include it because Ben already mentioned that his account was private and even if he commented, his picture would have just been grafitti. He needed to see the guy and therefore go through the thousand photos. That is some dedication.

OMG yes that is really creepy. From your experience, I would not know what to do either. Like oh god...that's just weird. The bulletin board was better even though Ben was like "Damn, is this person a stalker??"

OMG YES I WAS LIKE THEY WERE SO CLOSE And then they went to the Yale thing and he gave up hope.

Dylan and Ben banter give me life. The am and pm comment made me laugh so hard. If it's not my favorite book of 2019, it's definitely one of the funniest books I read in 2019. So many good jokes. "Bumps butts" I AM DECEASED TOO

Ah yes Pokemon fanfiction. The only one I have read is the one my ex boyfriend did. It actually wasn't that bad although he did kinda modeled the love interest after me (first half unintentional and second half kinda intentional but not really). Other than that, Pokemon Go and Pokemon readathon is my experience with Pokemon. Oh and a Pokemon symphony that I gave him for his birthday. That was nice even though I had no recognition of the songs XD

I get Ben's feelings too. It's how I felt with my ex-friend a little. Like she would just completely abandon me for her boyfriend and I hated it. I wanted her to be happy but the guy was an asshole and she just kept going on. Very annoying. It's nothing to feel bad about really.

Finally ending with the part where they meet and they get to go out. Yea Arthur is too hopeful and Ben has been burned before but I want it to go over so well. Just to end on the note that Hispanic time is real and I'm glad I'm being represented in the right way. (hide spoiler)]

Someone please help me! My sleeping schedule is just absolutely horrendous! It's more like insomnia at this point but it's fine. I am fine. Anyways I will try not to read and go to sleep instead. Or eat.

@Ilsen we're just cute like that :3

And my sleeping schedule is crazy as well, right now. I let myself reading until too late without noticing and now I'm a mess (nothing new for me thou)
Hope you're holding on ;__;

(view spoiler)[Like so far, my favorite books by her is basically Simon. I liked The Upside of Unrequited too but not as much. And Leah was just a disappointment.
You've described my feelings exactly. This way, it feels like Simon was a lucky shot, you know? A One Hit Wonder

I live in a small place like a parish? (but with a lot of population so that it is considered a city) and I see lots of strangers everyday. One of my closest friends actually lives close to me and we only met when I was in high school studying in the county through a mutual acquaintance. We have more chances of meeting at the bus when returning from the city of Porto, than in the local streets.
I spend a lot of time without seeing my building neighbours. I hear them thou xD I go to the local supermarket and I can spend hours there without recognizing a single patron. That's how much I relate to what you're saying about it being convenient

I mean, if I live in a small place with lots of population and it's HARD, imagine living a big place with lots of population.

Yale thing: it doesn't mean the dude isn't gay, but Ben couldn't recover after making that comment *shrugs*

We already know Dylan is open-minding and willing to do stuff like pretend he doesn't love other coffee shops for his One xD
Unicorn makeup is nothing in comparison to having secret relationships with other coffee shops *snort*

I just want Arthur to confront Etan. Either they talk and work it out slowly, or they don't work it out and move on

I'm trying to remember where I saw Hispanic time for the 1st time, maybe Aristotle and Dante??

Speaking of, the Hispanic and Latino concepts are complicated. Like, when you talk with ppl or see stuff by US government associations, many times they mix the 2. And in the end, he so-called Hispanic population is very diverse and it would be very hard to distinguish every Hispanic from every WASP. At least according to some ppl's notions.

Wikipedia:
The term Latino is a noun and adjective often used in English and Spanish to refer to people in the United States with cultural ties to Latin America, in particular to those countries which are Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking.

The term Hispanic refers to the people that originate from, or reside on, a former Spanish Empire viceroyalty.

"Hispanic and Latino are often used interchangeably though they actually mean two different things. Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish and/or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations, while Latino refers to people who are from or descended from people from Latin America."

"If we define Latino as someone who belongs to a nation that speaks a Latin derived language (romance) then yes, Spaniards are Latinos. So are the French, Portuguese, Romanian, Italians, most Belgians and quite a few of Swiss.

If your definition of Latino is, instead, someone from southern Europe, then yes, too. Spain is definetely in southern Europe. Although Greece is there too but they speak greek, so this definition is wrong.

If your definition of Latino is someone from Latin america, then no. Spaniards are European."


I wish everyone would come to an agreement, so we can be informed and respectful when talking to ppl. Because ppl need identity, culture and purpose.
At the same time, I wish there wasn't such a need for division, you know?

It's like poc thing. I feel like that started as an American thing, we Europeans didn't look at it like that. Although I can use this language, when I see the so-called poc in my country, I think of their nationality or possible ethnic group, if I have to describe them. It kinda doesn't make sense to say everyone is "of colour", does that make sense? We have 2 stores owned by Chinese here. They're Chinese, they're (Eastern) Asian. Since I was a kid, I never got what's so yellow about their light skin, or so red about Native-Americans. Where's the red. And my skin has a yellowish undertone too, maybe more than some Asians. Soooo... Humans are just nonsense, is the conclusion of this rant.

I want ppl to have a place, an identity and culture. I want them to be respected, heard and accepted. I want them to belong in every space.
But it kinda feels like the WASP created these terms, just to create division. Aaand remember how the Irish still suffer prejudice in the UK, specially gingers who are associated with Irish descent, even though they are all white? And how at the beginning of colonization, there was still separation between Irish immigrants and the rest of the white in America? Ppl just like to create walls, like Trump, and therefore hate.

As someone who isn't from the US, it just gets hard to understand what some ppl when they say another person is this or that. How do they even know, if they're just a stranger passing by? Looks are deceitful. For example, Cameron Diaz is of German and Cuban descent. Lots of ppl won't think of her as Hispanic based on her looks. Ooor.. Keanu Reeves who is of Chinese-Hawaiian, English, Irish and Portuguese descent. Or Madonna, Italian descent, although so many Italians in US films were presented as being really tanned.

I think outsiders should stop putting in their 2 cents and maybe communities should work with scientists (lmaooo omg) to come to an agreement with what terms and definitions they agree and identify. Because in the end, it's outsiders who complicate everything.

and that was another dishcourse by me. The eternally confused by why can't ppl come to an agreement in language me. Because I understand how having a word for yourself can be important, to know yourself, to not be alone. Even if at some point, maybe it isn't as important for yourself as to help others understand.
I speak from experience, as the term asexual and all the spectrums really was important in understanding myself, in knowing I wasn't alone or broken. But I feel like these terms I can use to define myself nowadays are more for the benefit of others - the ones discovering themselves and the ones who needs labels so they can compartmentalize information and putting everyone and everything in nice neat shelves xD
And so, if ppl could be more concise and all agree in terminology, and listen to the ACTUAL individuals behind the words, thanks.

I do wonder, anyway - back to the fun stuff, if Hispanic time is more global xD There's the individuals w/ their particularities, but so many Portuguese never arrive on time *snort* me included, even if I start getting everything ready really early. And when I arrive too early to anything and have to wait I HATE IT. Feels like a waste xD (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 16

We love the internet destroying our work after a while

(view spoiler)[ Arthur is definitely naive and thinking big. He is like a puppy. His nature is very theatrical and because it is his first date ever, he's expecting all these grand things while Ben just wants to take things slow because while he is attracted and like him, things still remind him of Hudson. Which I 100% relate to! Before I was dating my current boyfriend, I would be reminded of my ex boyfriend in certain places and in ways that I just wasn't ready to be in a committed relationship with him for months, even though I really liked him.

To add to another point, I agree with you about keeping pieces of you including the pictures of your ex boyfriend and him together. I am the same way. I just can't part with them and while we didn't work out, I don't regret our relationship. I can't just forget all about him. But just because I still have those memories does not mean that I cannot focus on my current relationship. So I guess that is more of the reason why I connect with Ben more than Arthur.

Well it's ok to go at your best on the date because this has been a thing for me too. I tend to overthink and overdress for occasions especially on first dates. I know it's a different scenario because they barely know each other but I will take Arthur's side on this one.

Damn, yea Ben should not have done the arcade which is weird because I had my first date at an arcade (the parallels just keep coming) but he is so salty. I guess Arthur is not the competitive type and I guess he doesn't like video games but that date could have been better.

Although the second date was just laughably bad. Arthur thinking he met Ansel Elgort and then the guy paying for the drink and Ben playing along. It was comical but poor Arthur, he didn't know about Ben's discomfort of having people pay for him. That dinner would have been nice too if it wasn't for that.

Also not gonna lie, I also thought about the M&Ms for Skittles. To be fair, I always pretended that Skittles didn't exist because I hated them so much.

I think I remember passing by Madame Tussauds when I went to New York but I never went inside. It kinda sounds cool but no if I'm going to live in New York, stay away from tourist traps. But I am getting some major flashbacks to my trip to New York which I went twice this year so it was super fun!

I did not take the cartoon porn seriously. I just thought he liked cartoons *innocence ruined* although the Harry Potter porn I WAS DYING

I kinda want to forget about Trump but I'm glad Arthur is casual about politics. I didn't even know the orange guy was referencing to Trump. I was very oblivious apparently.

Honestly Ben do your homework. Although I should not talk, I procrastinate so much. *Note to self: NEVER take a Summer class* The creative writing wasn't bad. It's that my summer felt very short.

And yes I hope Samantha and Dylan work! They can do it! Dylan please don't go overboard please.... (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 of Ilsen sleeping really late at night. Why do I always do these updates 12 hours after I finished the content? I am catching up though! (It was a miss to not read up to Chapter 16 on August 16 though)

Until Chapter 20

(view spoiler)[ I understand he wants the first kiss but to just have sex right off the bat? God damn Arthur. Yes, he is a teenager and I guess this is how teenage boys think but geez. That's too much. But why did he have to open the Hudson door? I understand the anxiety but if he still liked Hudson, he wouldn't be dating you. You don't need to ask about the ex boyfriend especially since he is irrelevant and Ben is giving me anxiety by not telling Arthur about being in summer school with Hudson!! Tell him!!

Although I do understand not telling him due to Arthur's behavior with Hudson lately and then he side eyed Dylan who is my baby. You're jealous and you barely know him but yet you want to judge every single person that is close to Dylan. Men should aspire to be as cool as Dylan Boggs (I think that's his last name. Don't quote me on that).

If Jessie already being shady with Ethan, why don't they both drop his homophobic ass?? We don't need him. It kinda reminds me of my best friend situation. My best friend and I have been friends for 10 years but her and my ex best friend was friends for 14 years. I was friends with my ex-best friend for 7 years. We had a big falling out with a bunch of drama but the point is that my best friend is still friends with her, even though she knows that she is not the same person and she is problematic. I don't really blame her though. She's not really comfortable with confrontation and I don't want to force her to do anything she doesn't want to do. But if you know they are not the same and that you just don't click as you once did and they are problematic, why are you still friends. Drop his ass. I dropped her and I am so glad I did because I wasn't dealing with her bullshit anymore.

Dylan is the best side character and no one can disprove that. Although in the scene when Ben asked if Arthur and him can get some alone time and Dylan is like "Be careful". Dude, he just wants to live in the moment. Don't ruin his vibe. But I still love Dylan being very protective.

Yea I didn't see anything wrong with what Arthur said. Arthur doesn't know that you're terrible at school. He is just excited. But I do understand why Ben feels that way even though it's not Arthur's fault. I think like that too like I'm not good enough even though they mean no harm.

OMG NO THE KARAOKE. He was just trying to be cute. To be fair, I thought it was a made up song. I didn't know the song XD He tried though.

Also can we please have Dylan doing a Tom Holland style of Umbrella in Karaoke please??? This is all I need in life.

Ben should save that Tarzan karaoke song for 6 months but it is still a cute gesture.

OMG STOP THE AM BREAKFAST VIBE!! I want to see that text. Please give me those screenshots. It's so hilarious.

Arthur has his funny moments. It's mostly when he is in the babbling mood and that is a big mood for me right here XD

I haven't "watched" Hamilton (seeing a show costs a lot of money) but I have listened to the whole soundtrack and I LOVE IT! I am not the biggest fan but I was living for all the Hamilton references and the cute phone call they had. I loved it so much. I feel like The Wicked Wizard War is a reference to something but I don't really know what is it? Maybe it's a start of the first fantasy that Adam Silvera is writing. It would have been cool if he had done a Rainbow Rowell and do a fantasy based on Ben's story. But them showing their interests and fandoms and bonding together was my favorite chapter ever.

Also, the first kiss was so cute even though it is not in the most romantic place. I can definitely relate with Ben and his situation. When you're with someone who is inexperienced, there is pressure to make it a good first kiss and not to mess it up. I was like that with my current boyfriend and I also sorta got a second first kiss even though we kissed multiple times before that. I'm really loving this book for that aspect.

Churros being from New York? HAHAHAHHAHAHAA laughable really. They are loved in Hispanic countries although I didn't know they were originally Iberian.

Arthur making that comment was so bad. Sure, we can make those mistakes but why should we? Like you said, human ethnicities doesn't come in one shade or in one formula. Everyone is different. It also brings another point that you brought up with the division they made.

Like from the Wikipedia definition, I am still hella confused because it's so different than from what I learned. I was always referred to as an Hispanic not Latina. I was born in the USA but my mom is Venezuelan and my dad was born here but his parents are Cuban. But according to Wikipedia, I fit the term of Latina. But with the actual term of Hispanic, you are right. There are way more Hispanics and it covers so many people than I thought.

I do think people do need an identity but the division of cultures is very alarming especially in the country of USA right now. I don't know who created the term POC but I remember that when I first heard it, I didn't feel like I was one of them because yes I am Latina or Hispanic but I am physically white. My skin isn't colored which is why I relate to Ben's discomfort of Arthur's comment. People wouldn't realize I'm Hispanic until they look at my last name but that doesn't make me any less of an Hispanic.

And you can't just look at someone or read someone's name and just tell they are people of color because you don't know their background and it's a habit that everyone seemed to get and it needs to stop. People need their culture and identity but there is no reason for everyone to be so divided. I do agree that people still need labels but I don't think they should be defined by them. People cannot be compartmentalized this easily.

Also it's ok that if you go off tangent XD That's what makes these buddy reads so memorable and as you can see, I love to go off tangent too XD

I hate that those sort of things still happen. Like I bet he goes and says he accepts them but they shouldn't "shove it in their face" about it. Like I hate how people fetishisize LGBTQ people. They are just in a relationship just like other people. If you find it disgusting, then you must find PDA for straight people disgusting too right? "But that is normal! It's not the same! Young kids shouldn't be exposed to that behavior until they are older" It's like saying they should not be exposed to all relationships. It's ridiculous and it's a brand of homophobia that people don't realize. Yea you can accept them and do the bare minimum of not going on a witch hunt and change who they are, but to just refuse for them to be around your children or just cuddling on a train ride to be "too much" is homophobic. If you really don't agree with it, then just shut up and get on the train and grumble in silent but everyone should really just come together and learn to accept and love others. I'm sorry it sounds so cheesy but I just want everyone to have freedom to choose what life they want to live without judgement.

It just reminds me of when there was a Sesame Street scandal (it happened a long time ago but my family was discussing it) when they made Bert and Ernie gay or when Toy Story 4 BRIEFLY showed two moms dropping her kid off at the daycare and people went into an outrage. "This is for children! They should not learn about these sexuality until later! It is disgusting" blah blah blah. Like it's not meant to be a sexual. It's just two people together and why are people making such a big deal about it just because it's slightly different. I sincerely don't get it. Poor Arthur should not be traumatized and I just want to hug him. They should not be ashamed of who they are because of homophobic assholes like them.

Anyways, I really hope that Becky is not just a one hit wonder. I mean I'm loving this book so far. I just love the writing style and I just want to be amazed again :( Is that too much to ask? I still think we should continue the tradition though. I am loving it though but I do like Adam's parts more which is funny because he is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors. So those are my very long winded thoughts. (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 24

(view spoiler)[ Jesus Christ Arthur is just mentioning so much sex with Ben. Like calm down it’s only been two weeks. Ben did think about it too because of course he did but it was only when he showed him his bedroom which is natural.

Oh my god he was going to tell him about Hudson in the summer school and then Arthur interrupts him and he didn’t tell him! NO TELL HIM WHY DID YOU NOT TELL HIM??? Ugh I hate that trope so much.

Kissing while the elevators are closing is just anxiety inducing, not romantic. Maybe that’s just me though.

What the heck is the thing that Jessie and Ethan have to talk about with Arthur? I swear to god if they end up dating I will throw a fit. Just no..

The family dinner was super cute by the way! I really like that chapter and the families are together without any judgement. Even though Ben’s father is wondering what’s going to happen when they go home. I also love the little trinkets in the apartment. It’s just so homey.

I’m sorry but the name coquito is just weird because I had a whole different definition for it when I was a kid and it was not coconut eggnog 😳

Ben shouldn’t be ashamed of Hudson. Just because he is not in his life anymore and things didn’t work out, doesn’t mean you should forget about him so easily. I still have all of my old stuff from my boyfriend. I just put them in a special compartment and it’s fine. I don’t think I should let that part go away because it’s what made me who I am now.

“You get first dibs for hosting us�, Arthur says.
“Kiss-ass,� Mr. Seuss says with a smile. HE ADMITS IT OMG XD

Even though the night went terribly wrong and it’s because of Hispanic time, I can understand why Arthur is upset. For those things so close to heart, he expected everything to be perfect. Arthur is starting to realize that once you have a boyfriend, it doesn’t mean everything is perfect and certain. It’s still life. Ben does care, he’s just terrible at time management but maybe he has to try harder.

While I thought the moment with Ben singing to Arthur is cute, I feel like the problem didn’t really resolve itself and that’s going to come and bite them in the ass soon. I just hope they talk it out... (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 28

(view spoiler)[ Oh god this is probably the most frustrating chapters ever. Chapter 25 is Arthur really being hormonal and sex crazed that it really frustrated me. Although I did relate that the build up to it and the anticipation can hype you up that sometimes you don’t realize that you’re actually ready. I did like that part. I’m Ben in that chapter whose idea of having an alone apartment is just showing Arthur his Sims. And I like it slowly developing. Ben saying he is in love with Arthur in Spanish is just the cutest.

Ok so maybe there was one bright side in these chapters. But passing that it just gets really frustrated.

First, Hudson comes up to him and offers Ben to be friends. Which is just false hope. It’s going to end up badly. Which we can come back to this later.

Then Arthur shows up and he finds out that Hudson is going to summer school with Ben. Which I’m very frustrated that Ben didn’t even try to make the effort again to tell him and then Arthur gets insanely jealous. He goes to this insane conclusion that Ben never cared about him and he was two timing Arthur with Hudson??? And Ben is trying to explain and then they go off about not trusting each other. Arthur basically implies at the end of the conversation that because he never sent the box of things to Hudson that he never cared about him and it was just a summer fling. Ben wasn’t helping by saying that he was leaving in a week anyways and that it doesn’t matter.

I just don’t think I can stand the miscommunication trope anymore. He had plenty of opportunities to talk about it. And Arthur being insanely jealous is just another issue entirely like he has these grand ideas of what love is supposed to be and it’s not like that. Ben pushes everyone away including Dylan and lashes out at him. AND THEN HE GOES TO HUDSON!! For whatever reason I don’t know why.

Oh it gets worse. Ethan and Jessie finally tell them what’s up. They are dating. I KNEW IT BUT UGH!! I really hoped I was wrong. Ethan’s bullshit excuse was that he was scared of how different it was that he was with Jess and it felt so new. Yea I don’t buy it. And they didn’t tell him for two months because it was the same night that he came out and they didn’t want to steal their thunder. If anything, that proves you should tell him! But Arthur was really being extra mad and aggressive about it. He really blows things out of proportion and it’s annoying.

Basically everything goes wrong but the way that it happens just makes me very frustrated. Like I don’t feel bad at all. Like they brought this upon themselves and they could have solved it instead of throwing tantrums. Which yea, it’s high school. I can relate to the dramatics but it’s only so much I can take. I really want your thoughts on this portion when you get to it. (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 32

(view spoiler)[ There is Arthur going again. Assuming things are the worst based on face value. I can believe that they are just fighting and their fights are just really weird. It makes sense.

I’m honestly not sure what Namrata and Juliet’s purpose in the story other than the panini incident. I wouldn’t call them friends. And Ethan and Jessie are not good examples either. Yea, Arthur really needs to up his standards and not be so naive.

Ugh Hudson being a damn asshole. He just wanted to get back together with Ben and ugh ew. Ben didn’t go for it because he likes Arthur and he realizes that Hudson isn’t as great as his mind made him out to be.

NOO DYLAN I WAS ABOUT TO START CRYING. Dylan is ok but the scare I had and with Ben and Dylan after their argument. It was just a lot to take in. He also talked to Samantha and he realized their relationship was developing differently than he thought. Dylan and Ben’s banter just made me happy and I just wanted to hug him.

Now Arthur is meeting Ben after he texted in a fit of panic and he just wanted to talk to him. Now they are going to talk and I want to know what’s happening. Even though for everything to work out so simply after being frustrated in three chapters. It’s just a little too quick but I still want to see what happened. (hide spoiler)]

@Ilsen - reacting until chapter 20

(view spoiler)[ I always find it so ridiculous and immature how in certain stories, in which the characters have obviously moved on and aren't acting in ways that are unhealthy, still get pushed into the old "you're not over your ex/dead partner", "me or them", "you have to get rid of everything connected to them".
DAFUCK WHY. We can still love someone, while loving our current partner. As in, there will always be affection for that person - unless things ended really badly or it was a bad relationship *Lady Gaga: CAUGHT IN A BAD ROMANCE*; in this case, get rid of all the s* -, what are we machines? As well as discouraging friendships w/ exes. What is unhealthy is to act like we must hate, keep a distance 4ever with someone who was once very important. That is the opposite of mature or growth.

I totally get Ben, and you. Idk if it's because Arthur is also more naïve and inexperienced, so he can't put himself in Ben's shoes??

Wait are you Ben? xD Now I need to see if more parallels keep coming up

Since Ben still hasn't told him about summer school w/ Hudson and Arthur is dramatic, I'm waiting for an explosion!!

Idk, the Jessie comment made it feel like mayyyybe she had experience on the subject.. with Ethan. May be reading too much into it?

Yup, you have a local festivity, or a medieval fair, etc etc and you'll find farturas and churros for sale here. My mom used to buy half a dozen farturas for us when I was little during Nossa Senhora do Rosário. Good memories.

I am still super confused about it. In that definition, Brazil was pretty much included. But this video from mtv decoded doesn't:

People should just admit there isn't common ground on the terminology. Also, you know how open-minded I am and if someone wants to use Latinx, go right ahead, but as Portuguese speaking who also knows some Spanish I'm can't help but find it ridiculous. Latin languages use the masculine as neutral many times. When there's both girls and boys in a class, we take the part as whole and call everyone "Meninos!", talking in plural masculine. Latino is already used as neutral, so it doesn't make sense for actual Spanish speaking people to say it. Latin-equis sounds awful. Like so many Spanish ppl say it's gringada, latinx is just a way to Americanize the language and Spanish are very protective of it.

And tbh, Latino and Hispanic divisions are also very American. Because Americans try to make everything about race, colour. They put everyone into this Hispanic category for example, when there's so many different cultures and traditions to embrace.
I don't know if this sounds racist, maybe it does, but some people in these Hispanic ex-colonies are mixed, biracial you could say, though it's more complicated than that, and some people may not be.
I did a work about Patagonia and there's still non-mixed natives, so is it really okay to call all the region Hispanic, just because it is located in Latin America? Ugh. See? Seeee? One wants to be correct and respectful, but people can't be categorized like this. There's top much history, culture, too much "mixing" because ppl love whoever they love and they're not thinking on colour, or what their babies are going to be called.

People are people. Let them be.

I mean, we even use the macho latino expression here. We have men here we'll say is a typical macho latino, we'll say the same about certain males from Spain too... so I feel like, as an Iberian whose beginning of a country, Condado Portucalense, used to be part of what we now call Spain, that maybe the best definition of what a Latino is "If we define Latino as someone who belongs to a nation that speaks a Latin derived language (romance) then yes, Spaniards are Latinos. So are the French, Portuguese, Romanian, Italians, most Belgians and quite a few of Swiss."

What connects us most is the language, Latin, the rest is so diverse. And even if one doesn't speak it, they're still a descendant of one or more of those countries. It feels unfair to put everyone under the same umbrella, with so much cultural diversity, such a diverse genetic pool, such different histories.

But I'll accept whatever the individuals themselves are more comfortable with. It's just scary to use a word in this uncertainty. It's scary to not be sure what each person means, and to have the possibility of hurting someone in your hands. I hate hurting people, and some will get mad at you because the information can be googled, but I've googled so much stuff that is so contradictory. *sigh*


Those ppl are pretty much the same as that anti-gay-propaganda Russian law... If you want your book w/ lgbtq+ characters/relationships, they must be plastic wrapped and be 18+ so you don't expose minors to "not-normal" relationships. Everyone is disgusting.
They want to erase everything they don't like from existence. But they put forth more effort into hateful things. Can I erase rapists? That'd be something I'd be keen in!! That's something to be disgusted about. I don't get it, but I never got prejudice.

I think some straights are jealous. Jealous because they think homosexuals are having crazy amounts of sex. And, well THEY AREN'T. Put some nivea on that.

No, I'm with you. Ppl put too much effort into being hateful, into division, violence, harming, destroying futures, spreading lies. How about spreading, love, light, understanding, respect, equality, peace, helping someone stand, sharing knowledge? And if they are ignorant, put some effort into educating yourselves before going on the path of hate! It's way less tiring and it won't leave your soul tainted.

Children see nothing wrong, adults are the ones sexualizing shit. They don't even know if those lgbtq+ peeps are having sex ffs!! What if one of the women dropping their kid was ace? HUH?! F* them for sexualizing everyone too. For acting like sex is such an obvious part of everyone's life.
Stop acting like kids are going to decide to be gay because of some screen-time. Humans are so disgusting. I'm disgusted at the absurdity.

I have this aunt who's an evil person, but she thinks she already has a place in heaven. Praying and doing religious rituals like always going to church and s*... Nothing against it, but you have to mean it, or it's worthless. You're not God's fave for going to his "house", he's everywhere and if you aren't spreading love, you are going against him. ha.ha.ha.

Obviously I don't get along with her, and I don't meet with her. I don't need that darkness in my life.
But when I was younger and she was trying to make her homophobic pov valid about adoption, lol sure good luck changing my mind on that. She said (I haven't remembered this in ages):
"If a child saw 2 women sharing the same bed, what would it think?"
Me very deadpan staring her down: "That they were going to sleep."
She probably wasn't expecting that. Such a curt answer. And from me (my family doesn't really know me at all, they don't see I'm very much not submissive xD they put no effort into it so *shrugs*)
When she started again, I told her that was an adult's pov. Children didn't connect sex with everything, a bed's purpose is mostly to sleep, and sometimes to play on. If the child is already making such assumptions she was influenced by the wrong adults.
That shut her up.

She is pretty much every single homophobic person, not to mention most nosy ppl, all too concerned about the sex ppl are having, or not having, when it's time to be nosy about ppl like me.

I think the book is being more enjoyable because Adam is a part of it. I mean, we can even make criticism on Simon, because Becky went for the route most straight ciswomen go when they do a book about a gay character: the biggest fear/problem/drama is being found out or a forced coming out. She did a forced coming out, which was a cliché, when gay ppl are much more than their sexuality. They have other problems, mental health issues, personality disorders, etc etc
And you know I absolutely LOVE Simon.

I've mostly lost faith in her (hide spoiler)]

I went down the rabbit hole. I hate my need for knowledge sometimes

Until chap 24

(view spoiler)[

Meeting parents this soon? Yikes.
Although it's summer vaca, so it makes sense? They may have an expiration date, so make the best of it.

Arthur. stop being thirsty

Are his parents putting an act right now??

I can't stand Arthur's mother. I'm sorry, I can't. Starting an argument at any moment was pretty bad. And then she's the type to interrogate ppl. Not just interrogate, but force her views on how she expects they should be behaving.

If asking if Ben's working and if he's taking a class for college credits isn't assuming and pushing expectations, Idk what is. Can't he enjoy summer? And it's not like Arthur is ACTUALLY working. We've seen that. He barelly does anything.

I guess Arthur's mother likes the sound of her voice too much. Anyway, can't she like have a normal conversation? If US parents are always like how they are portrayed in films and books, I pity you guys. Like, is there no more subjects?
At their age, I liked to talk about the news, the environment, the current economy, politics... music, books, shows, silly talks. So much stuff to go for. When you only talk about classes, college and s* with kids, you're basically still infantilizing them.

and she started a fight. in front of Ben. AND IF HER HUSBAND F*ING WROTE A BOOK?! WUT OF IT?! Maybe he'd get a book deal! Ugh I'm done. I am done.

Idk if Arthur's father is trying hard to find a job or nor BUT IT'S HARD, OKAY?! They aren't just landing on your lap!!
I hated when ppl asked me about it, like Ben about school, because I was trying but they made me feel like it was my fault I didn't have one. ugh

I wish Arthur would get out of his f*ing head

Am I just a thirsty dipshit, or am I the literal thirstiest dipshit to end all dipshits yes

and shut up. Shut up, Arthur. You're like your f*ing mom but extra

Now I'm kinda annoyed with Arthur. He can't listen to Ben, he can't listen to his friends. They wanted to have a serious talk AND HE JUST TURNED IT INTO OH NO I'M NOT GIVING YOU GUYS ENOUGH ATTENTION. and then he gets distracted with the bf

Tbh Ben, none of the options for dinner seem all that great for me xD fried chicken? mash potatoes - gross - corn on the cob? ham with pineapple sauce? pass. If you're not offended, I'd eat just the yellow rice, the beans and the salad. *currently eating salad of tomato, tuna, corn, cowpea beans, carrot with cider vinegar and olive oil*

why is it funny that their son, who loves Broadway, was singing and dancing to one? I'm offended. I hate when ppl make fun of things that make others happy

Couldn't Arthur hide the fact that he wanted one of those cookies? bad form

Also, who was the degenerate that thought of buying raisin cookies?!

okay, Arthur is annoying, I feel mean saying it, but all he does is talk and no work

he'll always be late, it's part of who he is, deal with it, Arthur xD

they don't contact the winners? the winners have to check in themselves?! that sounds like bulls*

there arthur goes being dramatic. ben let his parents do a meet the family dinner. I think that shows big caring
I mean, I get it, he's someone who expects the world to be a fairytale somehow, and it's his 1st time experiencing love, dating, being in NY... but if Ben is someone's who's late, he's not gonna change right away just because he likes to bump butts with you (i'm not sorry)

IF YOU GUYS TURN MORE SERIOUS, he might start changing for you

I'm kinda not into them singing to each other in the middle of the street, I'll confess. Specially because it went super extra. like a dozen songs.
at least the phone battery is dying - insert some realism there yoh

Now I want to know what coquito was for chibi-you xD

Mr Seuss knows his son *snort*

I agree that it didn't solve anything. I hate romantic gestures that clean up everything, without proper talk.

I don't even think the book is doing the miscommunication trope justice. I love when miscommunication is the biggest enemy, BUT it has to be done in a realistic way. In a way that leaves even the reader confuse, because ppl are hard to read and we are all different. One of the best fics I've ever read was all about miscommunication. OMG it was so good.

btw, that's one of the biggest problems with BL manga (boys love). They never talk, never know each other well, and so it doesn't solve anything and there's just more drama. There's some really good ones, but man you have to search through the bad (hide spoiler)]

Until chap 28

(view spoiler)[
But I’m not letting myself build this up in my head. No expectations. f*ing finally. you should that more often, Arthur

the beauty store where he and Dylan cut off chunks of their hair with nail scissors so they could hold them up against the boxes of dye and finally know the truth of their own hair colors (Dylan: Chocolate Lava, Ben: Honey Brown). this friendship is everything. I'd rather have a book about these 2 being friends any time

“I can’t believe Alphabet City is a real thing. It sounds like it’s from Sesame Street.�
LOL the joke's on you, Alphabet City used to be super dangerous according to reports

I hate being the one to say this. ... don't you think it's too soon for sex? *sigh*

I kinda wish the intimacy scene was written by Adam

I don’t think I’ll ever not be hard again. so lame xD

You don't have to go immediately there, Arthur *pat pat* jerking each other off is sex all the same.
And this is the difference between thinking you want smtg, fantasising about smtg, and actually being in the situation

I think Ben has to come to terms with the fact he'll have to write these scenes as extra short stories or novellas because damn xD

I won't celebrate JKRowling or Potter's bday and I certainly don't care if she likes my tweet, like many of us who are done with her. But I guess nobody told the writers? xD
Actually, I never care about most writers, I care what they put forth. and some writers I care about because I talk to them a lot now, but that's different.
I actually feel sad, when their books are just okay, even though I really like them, they're sweethearts or super quirky and funny and stuff...

I don't have to take sides so I won't. I'll criticize both.
Ben had this coming.
Arthur has been kinda jealous and mistrustful from the start.
This seems like a cliché Hollywood plot smtg movie

I knew it. I fucking knew it.
So all that's missing is knowing if Ethan didn't know how to talk with Arthur because he was keeping this from him

Although Arthur has made some fair points, this is too much. Just because you know or figure someone's sexuality, doesn't mean you are going to be the 1st to say it. That's not your right.
“We just wanted you to be able to come out when you were ready.� - this is right. Although you don't need to act surprised, you can just say okay, or I know. Maybe some ppl won't like it, never happened to me when I very calmly replied that I knew. But I feel like you knowing ppl were aware of your sexuality and loved you and didn't care normalizes everything.


So now Arthur is having a friendship crisis like Simon. yay

and they both decided to fight with their friends...

although it's true that when you're mad you start saying one thing and then everything you swallowed just comes out

If Ben is wrong about Dylan and Sam, better for them, but it is the pattern

I agree with you that everything was very unnecessary. This is like a ton of films we've seen before. The miscommunication happens because nobody persists. I like well-made miscommunication.
Also everyone is dramatic. And Arthur kinda had a point and then he lost it? Because he made every single thing his friends said about himself once again.

I understand it hurts, but it kinda also feels like they have a right to tell him they're dating when they're ready?
I can understand both sides. But a relationship concerns Ethan and Jess the most in the end, right?

also... he put in a fake sick day? At this point, someone else probably deserves that internship more than he does (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 32

btw I'm answering you on these too

(view spoiler)[Is Arthur not working??

they're not getting a divorce. great. next

I 100% agree with Ben at the end chap 31

My seventeenth birthday. Maybe on some planets, that’s the kind of thing people look forward to. maybe you're just spoiled thou. You don't need to go to another planet to have people who don't even think of celebrating their bdays, their life is so f*d up

I'm bored

See I'm all for exes becoming friends, but depending on how it ends, you need some space before you can be friends comfortably. So they won't try to kiss you like River Guy here

Is Ben ever going to pass summer school? not studying enough bro, and now Dylan is in the hospital

Bless Dylan, I'll keep saying it: he's carrying the book on his back
Still loving Samantha

Idk how I'm going to rate this book -_- (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 36

Okay there's now words here xD

(view spoiler)[

School smart isn't the only type of intelligence in this world, and I'll never stop saying it UGH

and we kiss beneath Uncle Milton’s horses.
that sounds so creepy

Okay, I find it cute that Arthur's father asked for his son's name to be put in the cake he's eating. Is that weird? xD

My mouth falls open. “Jess?�
“And Ethan,� says Ethan.
this sounds out of a sitcom

they just came like it was nothing btw. wow most ppl nowadays aren't like that. They aren't ready to forgive and move on like that, ready to take the 1st step in repairing a friendship

if the cake says "Extrotally" I'm dead - it didn't ;__;

also yup, Ethan seems pretty much the silent type and he seems super okay in Art and Ben's presence right now

I guess now it's shame on us for thinking someone was homophobic, even though we were baited into it? That should teach us not to assume someone's discomfort or hate, huh?
okay, so I'm being sarcastic, but sometimes ppl do assume the worst when it comes to prejudice and the other person isn't even there
fuck it, Adam and Becky!

Do Not Throw Away Your Wish - like not throwing away the shot #hamilton

Yeah, guys. It's like how you had to try and see if there was anything there romantically. Now you gotta try and see if you can salvage your friendship. With all the parties wanting, it's a better shot than most get!!

and everything is going so well, I'm not even there

But if the quiet parts are filler, maybe filler’s underrated.
Arthur, my dude, you've learned something great.

If I’m being honest, the group hug feels a little forced. But maybe that’s not a bad thing. We’re fighting to be close again, and that’s beautiful. Maybe one day it’ll feel easy again.
I FUCKING AGREE

Once again, Dylan was the best part. I like Samantha, Jessie.
The main characters though, can be so immature sometimes and stuff feels forced.. (hide spoiler)]

Until the end

(view spoiler)[

tbh I hate the word "fucking" for sex too. but I can't stand "making love" either. sex is the most neutral world xD

What about US?
I start singing P!nk

was this book sponsored by Craigslist??

THE TWINS ARE THE ROOMMATES BECAUSE HA-HA NY IS SO SMALL AND IT HAS SUCH A SMALL POPULATION HA. Somebody stop these 2 authors, please?

Ok, how is Ben in college, if his family didn't have money?

Also, even though I'm not that invested, the prospect of them not getting a bigger more mature shot at "us" makes me sad. WHY AM I LIKE THIS?!

Although, it's probably the most realistic part of this book. This book was so contemporary, but then it had all this stuff going on that made it over-the-top in a way that didn't seem to fit the context, at least for me.

Idk how to rate the book.

Although I'm sad at the uncertainty, at the possibility of them moving on separate ways, if they ended up together I think I'd just be meh.

They're sweet, and cute together. They're good friends for each other. (It's even good to get some more experience before getting back together) But at some point I just had enough

This review summons up what I feel in most points:
/review/show... (hide spoiler)]

Regsly wrote: "Until Chapter 36

"

I don't know what happen there but nothing shows up here :(

Ilsen wrote: "Regsly wrote: "Until Chapter 36

"

I don't know what happen there but nothing shows up here :("

I'm flipping an imaginary table here

Update to say there's now stuff to read there *throws confetti*

Regsly wrote: "Update to say there's now stuff to read there *throws confetti*"

Yay!! I’ll respond in the morning but we have so much to discuss!