1
Breathtaking.That was the word, Liv decided, which had convinced her to wear the ludicrous outfit, because no one - not the one, solitary boyfriend she'd had during high school, or the leering frat boys she avoided at college parties - had ever spoken to her with such reverence. And with Xander beaming down at her, she did feel beautiful.Danika Stone
2
She'd just thrown gasoline on the fire. Now it was up to fandom to keep it burning.Danika Stone
3
She was determined to keep her promise of 'no fandom' to her mother. Trouble was, fandom was more than a hobby, it was a support system. Without it, Liv had no one to talk to when she was lonely. She had nothing to look forward to after school, and no outlet for creativity. Liv found herself spiraling back into melancholy. She got up. She went to classes. She came home.. And then did it all over again. Sleep became the escape that fandom had once been. .Danika Stone
4
Xander stood at the end of the bed, hands on hips, the jacket she'd helped him sew thrown open, a gold-threaded waistcoat glimmering underneath. He was the Regency hero today, but she didn't feel like being saved.Danika Stone
5
Liv grabbed the cookie nearest her and broke it open.“ It's up to you to make your happy ending.” Liv stared at it a moment, rereading the words. Did it mean life? Because if it did, then Liv disagreed. Sometimes life was downright unfair. Bad things happened to good people.Danika Stone
6
She scanned the Starveil posts, her mood darkening. Spartan had been a part of her life since elementary school. Losing him felt like having a piece of herself torn away. No amount of fix-it fics or alternate universes could change the fact her one true character had died.Danika Stone
7
That, my dear Liv, was confidence. Talk to someone. Make jokes with them. Seem interested in what they are saying even if they're dull as mud.” He shrugged. “Anyone... anyone at all, can be glamoured if you know how.Danika Stone
8
So she's one of the grande dames of fandom? The Madame de Staël of the Starveil world?Danika Stone
9
If #SpartanSurvived failed in its efforts, no one would be the wiser. There was no risk to her online persona. No backlash from haters. Anonymity’s cloak both protected her and kept the torch of Spartan alive. Because as much as fandom knew a fan had created the post, the faceless message held the faint promise of authenticity. And if people believed it, then the magic was real. They could change Spartan’s fate, because they thought they could, and tonight’s video would cast the first spell. .Danika Stone
10
Hormones, it seemed, we're making a much-delayed appearance in her life. Liv was horrified.Danika Stone
11
Dating' stressful. I'd have to dress up.Danika Stone
12
You can do it now. You can't say you've never dated, because you have. A lot of people, actually.” Xander's gave her a mischievous grin. “You've leveled up, dearest. You're an expert on dating compared to Liv of six months ago.Danika Stone
13
This advice from a college freshman carrying a cane?"" It's a walking stick, I'll have you know."" Same difference."" Hardly. It's fashion.Danika Stone