[Report This]Date: June 09 2025 8:35 AM Title: Chapter 28 - Wisdom Comes with Winters
Okay, that session with Sabrina went a lot better than I expected it to go!
I was split on whether Sabrina would give Ben a hard time and be a spoiled brat or if she would surprise us with a softer side we wouldn't expect. I really like the way you portrayed her, kind of splitting between the two possibilities and gradually skewing more toward her softening up as the session progressed.
Because, yeah, that shell she hides behind, the product of her privileged upbringing and a family that apparently is just as set on pushing her in a particular direction in life as Angie's are, was very much present when she walked through the door. I actually feel like Sabrina's parents might be even more hardcore than Angie's are, given that Angie at least has that "messy" appearance (still immaculate but effortlessly so, really) while Sabrina has to look perfect all the time it seems.
But yeah, I really like how comparable Angie and Sabrina's situations are. That helped make Sabrina's disdain for Angie make more sense. She's not really mad about Angie taking her spot at that national debate camp, at least not anymore. Whether she admits it or not, she sees a lot of herself in Angie (and is right more than she knows) and hates the fact that she has actual friends and someone like Ben who likes her. Ironically, I think the fact that neither Angie nor Ben ever realized that they were into each other only made that feeling worse for Sabrina.
But yeah, seeing Sabrina almost leave, only to become concerned when Ben fell and sympathetic about his family situation was a really sweet way to turn things around. And her softening rather than mocking after hearing that Ben needs to work for the sake of his family made her come off as a (both literally and figuratively) huge sweetheart! I half-expected her to feel gross that a poor person was touching her hands, but she had just the opposite reaction, which was awesome!
But we still saw some of that brat shine through but in an innocent way. When she started to ask Ben if it was okay to unmask him, already reaching before she even finished the question, it felt dangerous but not hostile, if that makes sense. Like I think that she would have taken his mask off before he ever answered if Kimberly hadn't come in, but Sabrina's curiosity here felt truly innocent and just, well, curious!
Also, the way that she noticed right away how familiar Ben's mannerisms was interesting. She really does watch her opponents closely. Is that her competitive spirit, or does Sabrina secretly want to make this love triangle (that she knows nothing about) into a love rhombus (I don't know if you read Twin Sizes, but this is a reference to that). Also, if you haven't, I highly recommend it!)?
I loved how Sabrina had some sage-like advice of her own after the conversation drifted away from her. Ben's right that it's surprising that someone without real friends can know so much about trust and respect among those closest to each other. This, to me, sounded like she was longing to be in a situation like this, because, even as much as it would hurt, at least she'd be in a place where she had someone close enough to her to actually hurt her. Right now, I don't think she could be in Angie's position, because she doesn't have someone like that in her life at all!
In other words, Sabrina came off as incredibly lonely here to me.
Oh, and I'm so glad you addressed the recommendation thing. That was going to drive me insane! Also, it sounds like Angie has a legit friend on their rival team! That's interesting!
It's awesome and hilarious that Ben wore that shirt for Angie's birthday. This seems like one of those signs that everybody but them notices about how they feel about each other.
And I was surprised that the phone didn't become a detriment during the treatment. And now we're left with the little cliffhanger of wondering who's calling him. Based on what Ben says at the end, I'm guessing (and hoping) it's Angie!
So yeah, I loved this last two chapters, and they were a great palate cleanser after that rough (for Ben) session with Angie. I'm now eagerly awaiting the next chapter so I can see what happens next!
Author's Response:
Glad you enjoyed this little arc with Sabrina! In my original draft, she was a bit more antagonistic and rude, but I still kept some of that in her personality while also making her a bit more likeable and able to relate to Ben and Angie.
This isn't the last we've seen of her either, she'll be back at some point. :)
I definitely remember reading Twin Sizes quite some time ago, I should really catch up on it sometime!