The Kingswood Amelioration - Chapter 16
Added 2025-10-31 17:00:04 +0000 UTCComments
Avery showing Danny's influence felt like such a wonderful milestone for his character. For someone who started off looking like a troublemaker, then appeared to be a problem for Danny and then showed his deep insecurities, seeing him step up like that and stand up for his friend in a very 'Danny' way was wonderful to write. It certainly is looking like Mr Stone was to blame, but is it as obvious as it looks, or is it a double bluff? Maybe I'm making you think it's a double bluff when really it's not, like some sort of triple bluff... or maybe... well, this could go on 😁 If Josh struggled with the maturity needed for a relationship, just imagine how he's going to handle a breakup! But yes, it did seem inevitable and good for Mark for realising it. As for Mr Farrier's offer being related to Mr Cunningham's... maybe it's a double bluff... or maybe... wait, deja vu! David and Tyler will hopefullky be an interesting story as it develops. I hope you enjoy it.
Matthew Smith
2025-11-02 12:41:49 +0000 UTCMr Fitzsimmons on the theatre trip!
Matthew Smith
2025-11-02 12:37:09 +0000 UTCAdult advice can often help. Sadly, young people so often choose not to ask for it, no matter how good the relationships with them are 😔
Matthew Smith
2025-11-02 12:36:52 +0000 UTCSome relationships really do need to end. I personally believe that a lot of people cling to bad relationships because they worry a bad relationship is better than none, or they think the remaining good can outweight the bad, but sometimes you just have to know when to call it quits (and understand that there's no shame in doing so). Mikey and Rob really have become a surprisingly enjoable pair to write together. Definitely an unexpected development that I've enjoyed exploring. It does sound like the two things are connected, so who knows!? As for how Danny will handle it... well, he's Danny, he always figures something out! And I agree, Avery is definitely picking up some of Danny's better traits. It's one of those ways I get to show the mentoring bond through its results, rather than showing them interacting directly, so I'm glad it's noticed/appreciated. As for the future... no comment hehehe
Matthew Smith
2025-11-02 12:31:45 +0000 UTCI have a question. The teachers Danny had sex with are Blane, Levy, Mr. Rudd, Mr. Beecham, Mr. Farrier and who's the sixth one?
Davide
2025-11-02 12:24:39 +0000 UTCGo Avery, that was great. Just like Danny did for Chris a couple years ago, he wasn't afraid to go yell at older guy to help his friend. I like the Danny comparison. But this also brought back Avery's feelings about his father and I hope Danny tells him the truth soon. Nevermind his parents not wanting him to know. Now I'm convinced Mr. Stone really was at least involved with Nicky's breakup with Gray, although it's not yet clear if that was the punishment or him convincing Nicky to do it. Last week, Mr. Stone told Gray he doesn't have a problem with Nicky, but “I just think you can do better” and this week, Nicky told Gray "Find someone… better!” Both of them saying the same thing makes me feel like Mr. Stone said that to Nicky. Mark breaking up with Josh was inevitable, Josh had repeatedly failed on his promise to do better. And I'm disappointed with him because being jealous is one thing, but being jealous at a guy who's grieving his own breakup is so low. The Greg comparison is accurate, but it's going to eat Josh inside. Of course Mark was referring to just one aspect of Greg, but Josh may not fully see that. What Mr Farrier mentioned is presumably the same as Mr. Cunningham's earlier offer. I really hope Danny rejects it because lying to his boyfriend in a prolonged way would be a terrible idea. And I expect he will say no, despite how much he'd enjoy it. First, because of his reply to Mr. Cunningham earlier. Second, because this thought from Danny about Mr. Rudd the chapter he has gotten more mature about this topic: "While he missed the more intimate relationship with the teacher they had shared last year, it actually felt even better having him there as just a caring but engaged authority figure." So Tyler kind of knows what David has been up to with the cameras. But it sounds like he won't do anything, at least for now, considering he said he doesn't want to be sure. It's a scary thing to realise the person you love is doing something so bad to other people, so I get him preferring to not find out if he's right. When he'll eventually know for sure, I hope Tyler's love for David will make him want to figure out how to help them want to stop. I think Rob and Mikey will eventually end up dating, but it doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon. The last couple books both ended with two of the main character starting a relationship, could we go 3 for 3 with a Rob and Mikey ending? And does that mean Nicky and David hookup at the end of book 6 to make it 4 for 4? Just kidding on that last question, but the Rob and Mikey one is an actual guess.
Davide
2025-11-02 12:23:51 +0000 UTCI'm 100% in agreement. I love them together (without the drama).
Rich
2025-11-02 02:33:38 +0000 UTCExcellent point about Josh and control.
Rich
2025-11-02 02:32:25 +0000 UTCAbout Josh: Perhaps it would help when his dad Mr Rudd talks with him seriously about all the relationship issues ? When Mr Rudd put some sense into him he can develop and become a better bf....
Mr Luigi
2025-11-01 17:13:19 +0000 UTCI hope that Josh and Mark can talk with each other one day and fix the problem , so they can continue their relationship.
Mr Luigi
2025-11-01 15:27:33 +0000 UTCThe conversation between Mikey and Rob is so cute 😍
Mr Luigi
2025-11-01 15:07:17 +0000 UTCKind of a downer of a chapter overall. Would be funny if Tyler turned out to be just as much a voyeur as David. Re Josh: I can't hep thinking about Sting's song "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free" in this context. Josh has been through so much trauma, more than any boy his age should have to endure. Much of his life was utterly beyond his control. It is perhaps not surprising that he desperately sought to control one thing that seemingly was under his control -- but that obviously did not turn out well. I predict that Mr. Rudd will have a substantial role in helping Josh to develop a level of maturity that will allow him to function in the world without continual panic about further loss (i.e., losing Mark). Among other things, he needs to develop enough self-esteem and comfort with himself that he will not immediately assume that no one would stay with him if someone superficially better came along. If Danny were to pursue this mysterious "thing" with Neil Farrier, it would have to include Chris, I believe. There is precedent for that in the pair's adventures at the tropical club, although I suspect Danny would be more into it than Chris. I think the boys should enlist David to figure out the next prank.
Rutabaga
2025-11-01 14:27:46 +0000 UTCI meant to comment on the David and Ty situation. This could go in so many directions. Let's just hold out hope it does lead to David getting help. Maybe Ty will be just the person to get him there.
Rich
2025-11-01 12:54:54 +0000 UTCWell, most things go as I expected. But I'm worried about - David, as now Ty knows a bit of his secret video/camera thing. Stop before falling into the cliff again, would you? - Danny, as I don't feel good for Mr. Farrier's offer, which means Danny has to lie and hide things from Chris. It is definitely bad for their relationship! I hope he would turn it down, like he turned down Mr. Cunningham's offer! I'm not that worried about Mark and Josh, though I think it might take a few (or the whole book?) for them to get back together again. (It will happen, right, Matt? Tell me it will happen and as soon as possible.) Avery is hero in this chapter, I agree. The other one I'll vote to Rob, for checking on Mikey.
Johnny Kape
2025-11-01 07:47:55 +0000 UTCSPOILERS ahead - don't read this until you've read the chapter. Okay, as much as I hated it to happen, I think the breakup of Mark and Josh is for the best at the moment. Still hopeful Josh will come to his senses, but I don't expect it to happen soon. I loved the conversation between Mikey and Rob. I'm still calling a future relationship for the two of them. They just communicate so well and support each other - it just has to happen. I have a feeling that Mr. Farrier's conversation with Danny is connected to the secret that Mr. Cunningham mentioned before the student-teacher match a few chapters ago. I have to admit that I hope Danny turns down the offer to be involved. So much lying could put him back in a bad headspace again, and I don't want to see him there again. While I considered giving Mikey and Rob joint hero status this chapter, they are just going to have to share second place. Avery is the definite hero of this chapter for the way he dealt with Nicky about Jorge. So proud of him - and the comparison to Danny was fully justified. I want Avery to learn the truth about his brother Daniel, because I think it holds him back from reaching his full potential. Just imagine how amazing Avery could be! Avery could become a mentor to one of Chris's little brothers (and Milo mentor to the other - I envision Milo and Avery as the Chris and Danny of The Lads). Don't disappoint me, Matt!
Rich
2025-11-01 01:41:56 +0000 UTCI never said it wouldn't get worse before it gets better lol
Matthew Smith
2025-10-31 23:11:53 +0000 UTCI could have sworn you said this book was gonna be happier...😭
Xgene
2025-10-31 22:56:39 +0000 UTC
