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Bound by a Red Thread
Dear Author,
Do you see this guy? He’s The Worst. Truly. Literally. He’s a hot jock, yeah, but he’s also a bully. A very, very terrible bully. He calls non-jock guys fairies. He kicks students. He yells at teachers. He even beat his ex-girlfriend. He’s about to get expelled. He’s about to get kicked from the football team. He’s a school enemy, hell, even every kid’s enemy. He’s the most useless specimen I’ve ever seen.
His notoriety is widespread. Many bad rumors circulate around him. Mostly bad— the rest just seem like a sick joke gone overboard. The most sickening rumor about him is that he’s actually being sold by his own father as a prostitute. I mean, cliché much, right?
But then one night when I was on my way back from a sneaky yet steamy rendezvous with my friend (with benefits, of course), I saw him in a narrow alley near a red-light district. With some man’s cock in his mouth, no less! And whoa, if he wasn’t skilled. I was glued in my spot until he was done— I even forgot to hide myself. What surprised me was that he got some big money for it! So the rumor that he was a prostitute was true, after all?
But then, after the man was gone, I saw him spit on the ground with clear distaste on his face. And then our eyes met! In that instant I could see his pained, sad anger as clear as an aquarium. And just in that fleeting moment, the red string had tied me.
What do you think I should do? What do you think he would do to me? Should I stay away? Or should I be one of those mainstream heroes, destined to be with him? Oh God, please not the latter. I’m sane, gay, and ordinary enough to be a hero for a problematic school jerk. Well… but maybe a blowjob like that could make me reconsider… if his fist didn’t get me first.
Photo Description:
A young man, around nineteen, leans against a brick wall, wearing a red, sleeveless, half-zip hoodie with the hood up and the zipper pulled down. His arms are crossed, and his arm muscles are large. His face is tilted slightly towards the camera, with an unreadable look in his eyes that goes with the blank set of his face.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Do you see this guy? He’s The Worst. Truly. Literally. He’s a hot jock, yeah, but he’s also a bully. A very, very terrible bully. He calls non-jock guys fairies. He kicks students. He yells at teachers. He even beat his ex-girlfriend. He’s about to get expelled. He’s about to get kicked from the football team. He’s a school enemy, hell, even every kid’s enemy. He’s the most useless specimen I’ve ever seen.
His notoriety is widespread. Many bad rumors circulate around him. Mostly bad— the rest just seem like a sick joke gone overboard. The most sickening rumor about him is that he’s actually being sold by his own father as a prostitute. I mean, cliché much, right?
But then one night when I was on my way back from a sneaky yet steamy rendezvous with my friend (with benefits, of course), I saw him in a narrow alley near a red-light district. With some man’s cock in his mouth, no less! And whoa, if he wasn’t skilled. I was glued in my spot until he was done— I even forgot to hide myself. What surprised me was that he got some big money for it! So the rumor that he was a prostitute was true, after all?
But then, after the man was gone, I saw him spit on the ground with clear distaste on his face. And then our eyes met! In that instant I could see his pained, sad anger as clear as an aquarium. And just in that fleeting moment, the red string had tied me.
What do you think I should do? What do you think he would do to me? Should I stay away? Or should I be one of those mainstream heroes, destined to be with him? Oh God, please not the latter. I’m sane, gay, and ordinary enough to be a hero for a problematic school jerk. Well… but maybe a blowjob like that could make me reconsider… if his fist didn’t get me first.
Photo Description:
A young man, around nineteen, leans against a brick wall, wearing a red, sleeveless, half-zip hoodie with the hood up and the zipper pulled down. His arms are crossed, and his arm muscles are large. His face is tilted slightly towards the camera, with an unreadable look in his eyes that goes with the blank set of his face.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
45 pages, ebook
First published July 31, 2013
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 11, 2015
Owen, an openly gay high school boy, is on his way home one night, when he suddenly looks into a dark alley. Seeing somebody on his knees giving a blowjob to another man raises his interest and he isn’t able to look away. However, when discovering that the boy on his knees is no other than the biggest bully in his school, Owen can’t believe his eyes. After talking with his best friend Kayla, he hears about the terrible rumors surrounding Kurt and they both decide to help him out of his situation. I loved the story idea, but somehow it was a bit too short to feel credible. Some MC’s reactions felt totally rushed or over the top. I would have liked to read a full novel about Owen and Kurt. 3 stars for a nice idea!
July 31, 2013
Are you fucking kidding me!!! How in holy hell could you leave me hanging like that!!! UGH! I really liked this story and wanted them to fall in love and be together. Finish it finish it finish it (I say while stamping my foot like a 5 year old having a tantrum)! Great story. Thank you. :)
August 1, 2013
Tough story, but I do like a good tale of redemption.
Kurt and Owen are thrust together by circumstances and appearances aren't always as they seem. While I enjoyed the concept I wished there was a bit more transformation of Kurt and I really needed more closure for this to be satisfying.
Kurt and Owen are thrust together by circumstances and appearances aren't always as they seem. While I enjoyed the concept I wished there was a bit more transformation of Kurt and I really needed more closure for this to be satisfying.
September 13, 2013
This story reminds me of one of my essays at school - theme "at the dentist" - where I ended up writing 5 pages and only three sentences at the dentist.
It started promising, sometimes funny, sometimes interesting and then...bam, the moment both MCs finally had a hint of chemistry or attraction - it ended. I beg your Pardon? So, I tried through the whole story to maybe like the bully (who was over the top annoying) and then, when maybe...just maybe I might start to think I could like him...end. And what about the issue "prostitution"?
It started promising, sometimes funny, sometimes interesting and then...bam, the moment both MCs finally had a hint of chemistry or attraction - it ended. I beg your Pardon? So, I tried through the whole story to maybe like the bully (who was over the top annoying) and then, when maybe...just maybe I might start to think I could like him...end. And what about the issue "prostitution"?
March 3, 2014
Tone-deaf.
One does not generally 'slam' one's own head against a brick wall in rebuke.
Or swallow when one does not, in fact, wish to swallow.
Or stick a finger down one's throat to ralph-up what one has previously spent unspecified minutes extracting of one's own free will and then, docilely, swallowing.
*irritated*
One does not generally 'slam' one's own head against a brick wall in rebuke.
Or swallow when one does not, in fact, wish to swallow.
Or stick a finger down one's throat to ralph-up what one has previously spent unspecified minutes extracting of one's own free will and then, docilely, swallowing.
*irritated*
October 14, 2013
This is not a story. This is an introduction. The rough draft of an introduction of a story. It might have been good, but there wasn't much to go on. I mean, I get that it's a DRitC story, but it's still rough, even by those standards. Actually, I'm regarding this by "normal" standards.
Ah, well.
Ah, well.
July 31, 2013
I don't really know how to rate this story, it has a great start and would love to read a more fleshed out story. But here is my problem, I understand where the anger and everything comes from but having a MC lashing out and hurting girls and women, to me, that goes to far.
I want to give it 3 to 3.5 stars because it is at heart a great start to a story, but I just have so many issues with the hurting women thing.
I want to give it 3 to 3.5 stars because it is at heart a great start to a story, but I just have so many issues with the hurting women thing.
August 1, 2013
I really enjoyed the writing and characters, so add me to the list of people who wants to know if there will be more of this! I want to know what happens next for Kurt, Owen, and Kayla Thanks for a great story!
May 26, 2015
3.5 stars--That's the end? I wanted to read more about these two. A little OTT but overall an interesting bully/victim themed story. Poor Owen. Poor Kurt, so angry.
Thanks to the author and the team behind this story!
Thanks to the author and the team behind this story!
August 1, 2013
I hope this is continued.
August 6, 2013
Ugh! I neeeedddddd more. Is was over so quickly and I am greedy and need more story!
dnf
October 12, 2016skipping because reviews say it's unfinished...
December 23, 2017
The premise was interesting but this was so rushed and incomplete. The story didn't actually go anywhere.
November 10, 2013
I wanted to like this story, I really did. It just seemed like everything conspired against that. Over the top characters and unbelievable circumstance paired with a VERY short story that doesn’t go anywhere and I was left wanting a lot more.
Owen is openly gay and in high school. It certainly doesn’t make his life easy. Still his best friend Kayla makes life interesting. They can read each other like a book and know if the other is trying to hide something. So when Owen arrives at school having seen the school bully, Kurt, on his knees in an alley with another man, well Kayla sniffs out something’s up pretty darn quick. Still Owen knows he needs to save his own skin he won’t give up the details. In the end it may not matter as a teacher’s project may throw Owen and Kurt together no matter what.
So one of my biggest issues with the story is the fact that Kurt’s character is just so unbelievably over the top. My family has worked in the school system for years, sure you have those bullies in the school, but someone that has the teachers AND the principle this scared would not still be in school. They would have been expelled already, and would probably be in jail if they’re really that physically violent. With that being said, I think if this idea was explored in a full length novel and some of the extreme edge was tapered off here you have a really fascinating character with what Kurt’s family has forced him into. Since we don’t have much of any sort of time here we don’t get enough of an explanation for Kurt’s family to really comprehend his situation.
Owen and Kayla were a little bit more realistic to me, and I liked the added color of Kayla’s relationship with Kurt. I always like a strong female character even if Kayla does end up “bullying’ Kurt and Owen a fair bit in her own right, even if it is for the boys’ own good. All the terror at the big bad bully though got old after awhile, and it wasn’t until almost the last page that you really get to see a change in the relationships. I enjoyed where the story ended up, but I think more development was needed to keep things from being so virulent.
I’m going to round this up to 3 stars from my 2.5 stars because I like the idea of the story and think the characters could be really compelling if a full novel was fleshed out.
Owen is openly gay and in high school. It certainly doesn’t make his life easy. Still his best friend Kayla makes life interesting. They can read each other like a book and know if the other is trying to hide something. So when Owen arrives at school having seen the school bully, Kurt, on his knees in an alley with another man, well Kayla sniffs out something’s up pretty darn quick. Still Owen knows he needs to save his own skin he won’t give up the details. In the end it may not matter as a teacher’s project may throw Owen and Kurt together no matter what.
So one of my biggest issues with the story is the fact that Kurt’s character is just so unbelievably over the top. My family has worked in the school system for years, sure you have those bullies in the school, but someone that has the teachers AND the principle this scared would not still be in school. They would have been expelled already, and would probably be in jail if they’re really that physically violent. With that being said, I think if this idea was explored in a full length novel and some of the extreme edge was tapered off here you have a really fascinating character with what Kurt’s family has forced him into. Since we don’t have much of any sort of time here we don’t get enough of an explanation for Kurt’s family to really comprehend his situation.
Owen and Kayla were a little bit more realistic to me, and I liked the added color of Kayla’s relationship with Kurt. I always like a strong female character even if Kayla does end up “bullying’ Kurt and Owen a fair bit in her own right, even if it is for the boys’ own good. All the terror at the big bad bully though got old after awhile, and it wasn’t until almost the last page that you really get to see a change in the relationships. I enjoyed where the story ended up, but I think more development was needed to keep things from being so virulent.
I’m going to round this up to 3 stars from my 2.5 stars because I like the idea of the story and think the characters could be really compelling if a full novel was fleshed out.
Want to read
August 11, 2016
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 1. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
The description is kinda all over the place, although the author didn't write that...
August 24, 2013
This story didn't really work for me. I felt the issue of prostitution was glossed over and rather than any action being taken everyone just ignored it. I also couldn't see any attract between the narrator and Kurt and Kayla came across and annoying and presumptuous. Also it wasn't really a HFN, it felt like the story ended mid way through.
This might work as part of a longer book, where the prostitution was properly addressed and the characters had more time to grow into their attraction.
This might work as part of a longer book, where the prostitution was properly addressed and the characters had more time to grow into their attraction.
September 4, 2016
Here's hoping this gets finished, I want the whole story.
I do think it's way out there though, that Kurt is such an ass and hasn't been kicked out of school yet. I kept waiting for some kind of explanation on why even the teachers didn't do anything, like maybe his dad had something on the principal or something.
I do think it's way out there though, that Kurt is such an ass and hasn't been kicked out of school yet. I kept waiting for some kind of explanation on why even the teachers didn't do anything, like maybe his dad had something on the principal or something.
August 18, 2013
I really hope Ann Anderson will finish this story, because I liked what I read here. Sure, the plotted story is hard and partly ugly, but I hope for me, because it's definitely incomplete. I want to know what will happen to Kurt and Owen.
RECOMMENDING on and personally hoping for more!!!
RECOMMENDING on and personally hoping for more!!!
October 11, 2013
This read like a very rough first draw with over the top characters without depth, repetitive phrases and lots of open points and question marks in need of fleshing out. A read thread for a story, indeed.
And it just end when the MCs finally connect a little.
And it just end when the MCs finally connect a little.
April 18, 2015
Thank you Ann Anderson for donating your story, your time and your talent.
August 1, 2013
3.5
Wow.
I liked this one.
Wow.
I liked this one.
September 28, 2013
Great start, but ends abruptly.
August 14, 2013
A good beginning...Feels like the first three chapters.
January 22, 2014
I liked what I read, and can sort of maybe understand why it ended when it did. Like others I want more.
January 26, 2014
I really liked this story but it felt like the beginning of a longer story and I really hope the author continues it!
June 16, 2019
This felt more like the beginning of a Story than an actual Story to me. Also, I found that Owen and Kayla acted too mature and heroic for high-school students.
June 5, 2021
One thing I couldn't figure out was why Owen kept saying that Kayla could have been prom queen. Was it her looks and "prom queen" is shorthand for beautiful?
August 1, 2013
LHNB Story released 31.7.13
Just making 3 stars
This is an interesting take on a the closeted school bully/out gay nerd trope in that the bully is himself being bullied by his own family - in this case being pimped out by his own father. When the two MC's are paired together for an English assignment they start to get along, but I couldn't really see that they had any particular attraction towards each other until the very end. Whilst I like strong female characters, I found Kayla, friend of one MC and cousin to the other, to be a bully in her own right, pushing both boys around for their own good.
Just making 3 stars
This is an interesting take on a the closeted school bully/out gay nerd trope in that the bully is himself being bullied by his own family - in this case being pimped out by his own father. When the two MC's are paired together for an English assignment they start to get along, but I couldn't really see that they had any particular attraction towards each other until the very end. Whilst I like strong female characters, I found Kayla, friend of one MC and cousin to the other, to be a bully in her own right, pushing both boys around for their own good.
September 27, 2013
This story left me rather confused. I think I even felt a bit beat up. Maybe bullied. I don't feel like this was complete at all, but I don't know if there was enough for me to want to continue if the story is ever "finished".
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.
January 25, 2014
Oh, wow! That's it??? I need more!!! It's a good story, but I think it has the potential to be an AMAZING story!
So please, Ann Anderson.... make it longer!! Keep writing it!! I need to know what comes next! I need to see how this story develops, PLEASE!!!!!
I'll be the first to buy it if it ever becomes a full length novel :)
So please, Ann Anderson.... make it longer!! Keep writing it!! I need to know what comes next! I need to see how this story develops, PLEASE!!!!!
I'll be the first to buy it if it ever becomes a full length novel :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews