Date: 10 Sep 2014 05:06 Title: Stings
I love that this is so relatable. Everyone who was ever a teenager has experienced something like this. I also love that it's focused on something we never see in Trek: Civilian adolescence. It had a very "some things never change" aspect to it; sure it had replicators and PADDs, but it also had that old familiar adolescent behavior. Well done!
Author's Response:
Oh, thank you! I did this for trekfan and with a character named Henry, all I could think of was Herman's Hermits. :) Welcome to Ad Astra!
Date: 05 Aug 2014 22:34 Title: Stings
That was a mean thing for Jolinda to do to Hank, but the end of the story was funny.
Author's Response:
Well, she does get hers in the end. Thanks for reading!
Date: 02 Sep 2013 07:30 Title: Stings
Well, she got her just desserts, albeit many years too late. Although, they say revenge is a dish best served cold ...
Poor Hank. Everyone loves to make him suffer. He's a regular Miles O'Brien!
Nice piece. :)
Author's Response:
Aw, thanks! Hank is the village bicycle for character torture, methinks.
Date: 01 Sep 2013 18:02 Title: Stings
Ah, man. You weren't kidding about torturing Hank! Sadly, this is exactly the kind of thing that happens in high school. It's improving, but it never entirely goes away and the fact that she set him up just to knock him down is far too realistic. Though, I don't know if there can't be a king bee by this time, since I think by then the gender gap would hopefully be bridged.
Even so, it definitely makes one wince on a few levels: Real life, and in empathy for both Bethany and Hank. Well done!
Author's Response:
Ah, thanks! I seem to be able to nail making people cringe.
I vow to use my powers for good. ;)
Date: 01 Sep 2013 11:04 Title: Stings
Oof...poor Hank, poor Bethany, and what a total crazy chic. I'm actually glad I flew under the radar during high school as much as possible.
And for shame...adding to the Hank torture. trekfan has been a bad influence on you, lol.
The character is definitely that typical popular girl in the high school teen dramas, who goes out of her way to do nothing but make others miserable so that she's better by comparison. Never been a fan of those kinds of characters, and I definitely didn't like this one either. Right from the start I knew I wasn't going to like her. And the lengths she goes to - again, extremely embarrassing and crazy and mean and cruel - but they are far lengths to go to to just make someone else feel like less of a person. It's odd, looking at Jolinda and every other character like her, how far out of their way and to what low levels they'll go to to make other people feel like crap.
Jess got sad for Beth and about wanted to hit Hank and Jolinda, so that was fun. Mission accomplished there.
I wanted to pat Hank on the back and say "it's ok, you'll graduate and never have to see these people again." I think that thought is more pressing in my mind now as I see facebook post after facebook post of old high school classmates desperately planning our 10 year reunion in a few months. Glad I can't go.
Man, this story just reminded me how much I just hated high school.
The ending was awesome, and definitely a sentiment that isn't just seen in popular culture, but I'm sure many of us around here even think at times - how much better off we are when compared to these "popular" people nowadays. So good on Hank; he got the command, he got the girl, he got true respect. Jolinda got...forced retirement and shenanigans on a garbage scow. Bravo. Really awesome job, and great way playing the characters out.
And, it's been said before, so I was saving this for last. I am not sure how it can be done, but I am going to try and make sweet tea with vodka before I die.
Which will probably be right after I drink a glass of the stuff. ;)
Author's Response:
Oh noes! Don't hurt yourself!
Of course I have known many Jolindas in my life (I am kind of the nameless friend of Bethany's here, in shock and horror but at least I get him out of there more or less safely).
Given the generational difference, it wasn't until after my 30th reunion that people started to really get onto Facebook. I found I was okay with all but the worst of the Jolindas. The really, really privileged types were still awful, but most of the middle of the road hangers on had been, more or less, just trying to get through the minefield of peer pressure that was High School.
Originally, Jolinda was going to be court martialed, but I decided I wouldn't be quite that mean to her. She's a nasty critter but I didn't exactly think she deserved prison. But yeah, the lowest of the low on a scow, because, of course, she never learned to apply herself. She had gifts and she squandered them. For Hank, and for Bethany, living well is the best revenge.
I'm glad it worked for you. And I thank you for your kind review! Feel free to borrow her and have Jess beat her up (but not in the face!). ;)
Date: 31 Aug 2013 19:24 Title: Stings
I'll add to trekfan well done Jespah, you've caught the feel of a trekfan Hank/Bethany high school story.
Yes we all knew girls like Jolinda back in the day and their tricks. The way she used the team captain to make sure Hank came was so typically.
So a big round of applause for you, as well.
Author's Response:
Oh, thank you! You're very kind.
Alas, I have known a lot of girls like Jolinda. I would probably be the nameless, scolding friend in the story, truth be told.
Date: 31 Aug 2013 18:20 Title: Stings
Wow, what a story. Loved every moment of this but the vodka replacing water bit was classic beyond classic. Jolinda being the BITCH that she was did a number on poor Hank, who was completely and totally gullible enough to fall for this trick. Well done, well done, and bravo. I may have to steal Jolinda for any future Hank/Bethany high school stories.
Author's Response:
Feel free!
I had thought the name was unique but then I found it here and of course then the die was cast.
I have known many girls like her. Glad you liked!