[Report This]Date: May 29 2025 8:07 AM Title: Chapter 17 - Getting Along
This is my favorite chapter if for no other reason that it holds the correct position on Oxford commas! I'm glad Ben and Angie can put up a united front on such an important issue!
You know, my initial predictions about Ben being in deep shit in the immediate aftermath of Angie finding out the truth didn't take something into consideration, and you're using that something now in a way that I think is brilliant. I never considered that Angie would figure out or even just heavily expect Ben of being her favorite tiny masseuse right away. But now that's what's being teased, making the reader question whether or not Angie knows/suspects Ben's secret. And further, I'm wondering whether Angie's newfound niceness toward Ben is her taking the tiny tech's advice or her realizing that Ben is that same person she trusted so much so soon.
And based on the way the back half of this chapter went, I'm slightly leaning toward her actually knowing that Ben is the tiny she's quickly become so fond of. The fact that she told him about her visit to Tiny Treatments shocked me a bit, and her mentioning that there was something "familiar" about the technician seems to be hinting that she knows. Still, it wasn't until she thanked Ben for his "tiny contribution" to the group that the scales tipped for me. She was actually nice and agreeable with Ben throughout the chapter, so why would she take a cheap potshot like that when he's given her no reason to do so? Maybe it's just her falling into old habits and being mean on instinct, but based on everything else, I kind of think this is her way of suggesting that she knows or a sign that she suspects the truth and is trying to rattle him into confirming it.
It makes sense that she would figure it out, too. She's really smart, first off, so it would be dumb for us as readers to underestimate her. Also, Morgan once told Ben that Angie watches him when he's not looking. Surely she could recognize some of his mannerisms if she was paying attention to tiny him at the salon. Then there were his slip ups: all but outing himself as a debater, seemingly knowing Morgan already, and even the fact that he kept steering the conversation back to himself. Not to mention that he suddenly starts being nicer when the tiny tech encouraged her to do the same thing. Yeah, the pieces are there to justify her having figured this out already if the story goes that way.
But we really don't know, and I'm certainly not sure enough to be confident about it. That's part of what makes this trope so fun, though. Well played!
It's funny: Everyone keeps saying how Angie and Ben should get along, but when they start to get along, they do nothing but make a huge deal about how weird it is. Doesn't that seem counterproductive? I mean, Morgan keeps asking if Ben is okay because he's being nice to Angie; why make him so self-conscious about it? Why make him feel weird about it? Why not just sit back and appreciate that this is happening?
I mean, I get that Morgan is the curious type and considers herself Ben's best friend (although I wouldn't be shocked if she felt the same way about Angie at this point), but why question it? That only risks making the mood change. Savannah and Dustin are a little guilty of this too, but not to the extent of Morgan. Her heart is in the right place, but she should just let things play out.
Speaking of Morgan, given how sure Ben is that he won't know his client tomorrow, I'm wondering if it might end up being her. She's surely going to be in that chair at some point, probably before Angie's next session, so why not now? And if it is Morgan, I think she'll zero in on Ben's identity really quickly! She knows him too well. I wonder how she'll take it when she learns the secret her best friend has been keeping from her, the one she really wants to know but he insists doesn't exist.
Then again, it might be cool if you show him treating an actual stranger and seeing what kind of demeanor a regular has when dealing with tinies. I don't know what you have planned, but I'm looking forward to it!
I really enjoyed this chapter! It was pretty fun, and you played with Ben struggling to see Angie as just another person just enough to keep it interesting! I'm eager to see what happens next with this one!
Author's Response:
Haha, the use of the comma is the eternal debate, so that seemed like a good thing for both of them to agree on.
Whether Angie actually knows the truth or not, that's something I'll leave as it is for now. It's very possible that she's unaware, but she might also suspect something. The fact that she decided to tell Ben about where she went, that was more about Angie deciding to trust him and open up now that they're getting along a bit more.
The way she texted him, you can see that as her either knowing, or just slipping back into old habits of pot stirring. It's fun to leave all of that up in the air for the time being.
Also, keep in mind the group has been so used to these two infighting and arguing for years that it's become the norm for them. It's kind of a 'we want you to get along but we don't ever see it happening' kind of thing, but then it actually does. So it's very surprising for them, and it's something that's alien to them. As for Morgan, who knows, maybe she's just worried, or..?
As for the client, all I can say is uh... no comment.
As always, impressed by the theories and the way you look at these chapters!
[Report This]Date: May 29 2025 5:24 AM Title: Chapter 17 - Getting Along
You simply opened up a possibility that never ever occurred to me but was there since the beginning: Angie is no fool, being more than capable of connecting the dots and figuring out that it was Benjamin all along attending her at Tiny Treatments. Genius! And she will try get him to confess, provoke him. After all, not only old habbits die hard, she also wants him to open up to her after what happened.
Like, on a next debate meeting she can take advantage of Dustin absence due to gaming to be bold and propose body image as a theme to ask Ben what he would say if asked about what he thinks about girls feet – and it’s only fun and hijinks from there… for the girls, especially for Angie at the start, but not for Ben who ends up getting aroused in front of everyone by… Morgan’s foot. Yes, not Angie but Morgan. What does that mean? Why hers? It should be mine who… Ben, feeling exposed and humiliated, remembers his sister words from last chapter, fleeing the scene thinking his best friend thinks he is a weirdo now. It’s only regreet from there for Angie and Ben - which creates oportunity for 1. she visiting Ben’s house and learning more about his family and condition first hand; 2. a love triangle and friction between Angie and Morgan (who will not take well what Angie did, especially because Angie realized it was Ben there and she didn’t).
Wait, there? Where? At Tiny Treatments of course! Because something is telling me his next client is none other than Morgan.
Oh yes, how could Ben predict that shrinking would bring about so many changes and learning about others but even more about himself? Let’s go! Thank God I had some time to read and comment on this chapter!
I can’t wait to see how Ben’s story will end. I know I always say, but I will say it again: thank you, thank you! For creating this world and it’s characters and sharing with us! Stay safe!
PS.: Instead of a visit from Angie, this incident I sugested with the debate team could also happen before Angie’s next session and Ben, in need of the money but utterly exhausted, had forgotten it was her day… he wants none of it but Angie grabs him. Ben starts screaming… pressing for Benjamin to listen, Angie inadvertely squeezes the tiny unconscious and, in panic, hides and brings him to her home. Yup, Ben would have to open up to gigantic Angie, more vulnerable than ever before.
Author's Response:
Whether Angie knows or not is something I'll leave up in the air. Maybe she does, maybe she doesn't! She's definitely sharp but she might also just never expect Ben to do that kind of job so who knows!
[Report This]Date: May 28 2025 7:09 PM Title: Chapter 17 - Getting Along
Really enjoying this! I admire the time you're taking to establish the world and the characters. I'm a sucker for a sizey frenemies situation like this. <3
Author's Response:
Thanks so much!
I always worry about my stories having boring moments where there's no shrinking action going on, but I always enjoy adding plenty of character development and interaction to the main characters and surrounding cast along the way. I hope you'll keep enjoying the story! :)