TLS Special SNEAK PEEK Feature

The Lemonade Stand has spent years bringing you the best the fandom has to offer, and we are very excited to have the chance to offer you MORE. We've watched stories grow and develop from first post through COMPLETE in The Nursery, and now we're sharing previews of the stories that will soon be your new addiction.

This week, the lovely AlliZ shares a little detail on her upcoming story (and very first WIP - way to go, Alli!) Back to Life with us.

I’ve loved to write since I was an angsty teen needing an outlet for my emotions. When I stumbled upon fanfic in 2010, the idea of writing my own just didn't compute. I've loved everyone else's words for so long that I never fed any of the plot bunnies my mind created. The idea for this fic comes from my real life, and this bunny wouldn't run away like the others. It demanded to be fleshed out, so I put fingers to keys and a story evolved. I grew up and live in the town it takes place, and these characters are built from my family and friends. Everything I love and hate most, I’ve incorporated into this fic.

I’m the biggest fangirl, and I’m pretty sure Nic and I bonded over a shared love of The Give Away Girl by MrsSpaceCowboy. I’d had most of the first chapter written when I saw a post on Facebook from Nic. She’d had a bad day, and I thought maybe I could cheer her up with words. At the very least, she’d laugh at how bad it was. After sending it to her, she messaged me and said she liked it and would pre-read for me! Pre-read. For me. I’m pretty sure there was some ugly dancing that commenced afterward. I was beyond shocked she thought it was worth her time, but I couldn’t be more grateful. From there, it snowballed. Iris agreed to beta, Ceci made a banner, and MrsSpaceCowboy volunteered to pre-read, as well! Little fangirl me has two freaking pre-readers, a beta, and a banner! These ridiculously talented women think my words are worth their time. Every time I sit down at my laptop to bang out some words, I can’t help but smile. It's still a little surreal!

Summary: After a broken engagement, Bella finds herself back in her hometown working for her sister and brother-in-law. Her past and present come full circle when she realizes her high school boyfriend, Edward, will be working with her. Their ending was explosive, causing Bella to keep a secret from him all these years. Is it better to know you’re alive by living, or to keep yourself closed off and emotionless to avoid the pain life sometimes brings?

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He parks a little ways away from me, but I can see his hands clenched around the steering wheel and his eyes closed with his head tilted forward. I watch as his lips move, like he’s in prayer. I feel a little voyeuristic but am enjoying getting this minute to ogle his profile. He’s still the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. More than his looks, though, I miss his friendship and our relationship. Once we were over, it felt like a part of me was missing, one I still haven’t found. I’m lost in him, and startle when his eyes open and he turns to catch me gazing.  His features harden, and I can actually see him steel himself, getting ready to deal with me. Oh, this is going to hurt. He looks like he’s ready for battle. He keeps eye contact with me as he opens his door and steps out.  

I follow his lead, taking a deep breath and trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever happens next. He has to walk past my car to get to the gate, so I wait for him to cross the distance. He doesn’t stop walking once he gets to me, and I practically have to jog to keep pace with him.

“Edward, hey! Wait up!” Nope, he isn’t waiting. He keeps his forward progress until he reaches the locked gate. “Edward, can we talk for a minute?” Ignoring me, he takes his keys out of his pocket, proceeds to unlock the gate, and pushes it open. I know he’s mad, and I understand that. I’m mad, too. Resorting to grade school tactics isn’t going to get us anywhere, though. “Really? This is how it’s going to be?” I growl out.     

That gets his attention. He whips his body around, and his eyes are on fire. I can feel wrath emanating from his every pore. His eyes narrow, and his mouth twists into a snarl. “You fucking made it this way, Bella. You chose this, not me.” He punctuates the end of his sentence with a finger pointed in my face, and it feels like a punch to the chest.

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Don't forget to pop Alli on alert so you don't miss out!

♥ Kim