Strawberries and Cigarettes

BETWEEN THE RAINBOW

I really really love this story

These are the characters from the story I'm currently reading, Brent, Shiloh, Maverick, Rade, Tyler, Mikael, Conrad, Ronan, Bambi, Serene, Reagan, and Rin. It's content isn't just about being in love or being loved, but also how you handle the problems you face in life. The author didn't just focus on romance. The author showed how people grow, make mistakes, and learn to move on.

 The author has written many stories, but i'll start with the first every favorite story that opened my eyes to a real definition of love. Between the rainbow where Shiloh Ching Escarra is the type of person who's pretty, smart, responsible, feminine, loves strawberries, and has a wonderful mindset while Brent Matthew Jarsdel is a man who's womanizer, playboy, handsome, tan skin, dean's lister, gentleman, open minded, bulk, future accountant, singer and dancer, Us citizen, 6'3 tall, and emotionally intelligent. Their story captured my heart and opened my eyes to the truth that love isn't proven through single gestures, because when someone truly loves you, they will show it. The story also highlights the importance of differences and respect, showing that these shouldn't depend on a person's status or identity.

This is one of my favorite line on that book!!! Brent was right, respect is something you earn or give it to those who truly deserve it. We should never allow anyone to disrespect us or even treat us as an animal. Never give them some respect they never earned.

OVER THE HORIZON

The next story is Over The Horizon! one of my favorite story, duh! The main characters here are Maverick Evander and Rade Archiel Tejano. Let me describe first Mav, he has a curly hair, he's cute, and honestly, so handsome! He even has dimples! But... he's also a player. He's friends with brent and the other boys. He has two siblings, one brother and one sister. Being the eldest, he believes that showing emotions is a sign of weakness. He was homophobic at first, probably because he hadn't experienced love yet... Their story isn't just about two people in love. It's also about strength. It shows that being a man doesn't mean you can't cry. Showing emotions doesn't make you wek, you're not a robot to hide everything you feel.

My favorite line from the story is "Come on, Communicate. Demand, I have a lot to give, Maverick. Stop asking for the little things and demand the big ones. It tells us that love isn't just about settling for bare minimum, it highlights the value of communication and being honest about what you feel and what you truly need. This is a reminder that healthy relationship shouldn't shrink youself or your needs just to keep someone. Love should be brave, open, and full of understanding, not just the small gestures, but the big efforts that shows real care.

BEHIND THE BLUE SKY

Starring Reagan Aldric Vallejo and Aldrin Denver Ferrin. Aldrin is a lot like Shiloh, he's also feminine, with long hair and fair skin. His eyes could kill you with just one look because they're that beautiful. He can sing, he has freckles. That's exactly how Reagan described Rin, just a little bit OA, though!

Reagan is the complete opposite of Rin. He's a nice guy, a Political Science student, an Avril Lavigne fan, has a buzz cut, is family oriented, knows how to play electric guitar, and will give you his whole heart. At first, I thought their story was just lighthearted. Reagan was homophobic, and I understood why. He had his reasons. His past was painful, he was deeply hurt by someone close to rin. Neither of them knew the truth until Denver's birthday. Reagan changed for him, but he never expected that the reason behind Reagan's buzz cut was connected to the very person he loved. Their story taught me that no matter how much you love someone, sometimes you have to let them go for both of you to heal and grow. But if you're truly meant for each other, fate will always find a way to bring you back together, no matter how long it takes.

UNDER THE ROARING THUNDERS

My currently favorite story! This is my go-to stroy because it really shows the enemies-to-lovers-trope, but it's not just about that! Let me first introduce the main characters.

First is Mikael Jasver Chua, he's a nursing student, a bit cocky, and since he's the eldest with 2 sisters, he's super protective. He's handsome like super! A siargao boy who knows how to surf, understands boundaries, and will spoil you in every way he can. And there's Tyler Coast Cervando, another one! He's blonde, made in abroad, spoiled, and an only child, though... he was supposed to have a siblings, for personal matter he didn't. He's also friends with Brent, Maverick, Ronan, Reagan, and Conrad, but he's closest to Mav, he's clingy, yes, but despite that, he has dignity. He understands people's differences and knows how to be sensitive to other's feelings.

Their story focuses on showing the value of appreciating what we already have. No matter how high your status in life is, it can never replace what your heart truly desires. The love they show for each other is one of the greatest! not cringe at all, because it's them. But if it were someone else? Yeah, definitely cringe! I also have a favorite line in this story.. well, obviously! 

This line speaks about accountability and emotional awareness. It's not just about saying sorry to someone, it's about understanding that your intentions don't erase the impact of your actions. Someyimes, we mean no harm, but people still get hurt... And that's okay. The lesson here is to accept that you can't control how other's feel, only how you respond after realizing you've hurt them.

It tells us to own our mistakes without expecting forgiveness. Because maturity means apologizing not to be forgiven, but because it's the right thing to do.

Now tell me, why wouldn't love this stroy? If this is one of the reason why I became aware of this chaos world. Plus, their friendship is top tier for me.. they are the best group! like how they help each other in every difficult situation, how they treat each other, especially if one of them is having a hard time, if someone had a financial problem, they are willing to give, they always got each other's back, they have one another to lean on and they become a family, not by blood but by heart. I love them!