I like Pippa. I like Peter. Their friendship is interesting. And Drew is an idiot. But Pippa seems both dumb and smart, a complete moron and a insightful person. She is very very close to what a real person is, and it's hard to make fictional characters like that. You did well. Thank you for not deleting this, no matter what you think of it - it's good and I liked it.

Awesome. Some deep stuff

This story felt real.

It was like it WAS real, and partway through I was thinking, "is this an autobiography?" But then at the end I saw it was just a story.

It was hard hitting and amazing and I loved it to itty-bitty little pieces.

None of them were flat, every single character felt true and fresh and 3-D.

You are a truly incredible writer.

Sweet :)

I like it because it ends with her happy, and not having to rely on a love interest for support and happiness.

love how you ended it p

Maybe it isn't refined, but it has that spark of reality, of being something more than a story. It's very honest, and I like that. You have a way with the characters that really, really brings them to life. The mom, the dad, Drew, and Peter, none of them were flat or stereotypical. I thought Drew was especially interesting, especially from Pippa's point of view. Her line about him being a real person, someone who cared for all his jealous/violent tendencies...is bittersweet. Because it's so true that you can't define people by a standard, that you can't judge unless you really know someone, and even then...what gives you the right to judge?

"Personally, I thought that was bullshit, because artists are no different from doctors are no different from firefighters, but that's life, I guess. We swallow down the stereotypes to make ourselves feel better, to keep life from tasting too bitter. It's easier to think of mom as a free spirit than to really acknowledge that I wasn't enough for her." I really liked that quote, for all that it was kind of a punch in the stomach.

So yeah, bottom line is I love this story and Pippa. The ending was open but optimistic, which was fitting. Who knows where life will go from the present?

Thank you so much for sharing.

how this doesn't have at least fifty reviews i have no idea. heaven knows it deserves it. maybe it's because it's a life story. people rarely appreciate life stories unless they're tinged with romance.

you succeeded in making the story solemn without being morose. it's honest, and real. so congratulations on a job well done. :)

It's very real though... I love it the way it is because life isn't very smooth or shiny (like tinfoil) it has rough spots. Very good.

gorgeous. i kind of want to visit minnesota now.

:)

I got goosebumps reading this. It was really very, *very* good.

The only problem I had was the end. It seemed kind of rushed.

The part about her dad calling her made me tear up, though. It was so sweet. And I liked Peter, but it makes sense that you left Pippa's relationship hanging. Things don't always work out perfectly, but that she can be friends with him again is important.

I'm definitely glad I got around to reading this. It's going on my favorites. Good job, darling. :)

I've definitly had those teachers (or family members) that decide who you are without ever getting to know you.

And I feel the same way about school. I don't know what I want and everyone's telling me what's good for me and... telling them that its my life so I'll do whatever I want never goes well.

I can relate to the parent part too. I've never met my dad and my mom and I were really close when I was really little. Then we just kind of grew out of each other or something.

"And Mrs. Chalberg? She can suck it." That was a great way to end this piece. All the Mrs. Chalberg's can.

You did a wonderful good on this. I usually have no interest in one-shots, or nonromantic stories in general on this site. But this... was absolutely amazing. And truthful. And hit close to home. I loved it.

And you just take this as a very big compliment because they usually have to be forced out of me. :)

on the one hand, this story is rather sincere, and it reads realistically... lacking, for example, a romance between p&p. but on the other hand, it certainly looks as though you've painted over it with your literary brush. there are the repeated references to anne shirley (the last being the most poetic) and the almost parisian winter-wonderland descriptions of the twin cities metro area, which sound full of nostalgia and love.

so I can see why you called it artless, but i would simply call it subtle.

a skilled piece.

I'm so glad Pippa finally found herself again and was able to leave Drew - in so many stories, girls are portrayed as weak and easily controlled by an abusive guy, and in most of them they never leave (ever read Twilight?). That makes me really sad, and a little disappointed. But I'm very happy that Pippa saw the light, and that in the end she did have friends, and even her father, and that she realized she could start over.

Excellent story. If a bit long. lol. )

Wow Writ! My gosh, it's amazing, seriously and 100% brilliant. Perfectly written, not overly detailed but it seems all the words were so carefully chosen that all the information sprung out without needing to look for it. Pippa sounds great, normal and yet extraordinary at the same time. Human and flawed, she's got self pride in her somewhere but for a moment her need to be loved and wanted overpowered it and you captured it beautifully without her sounding weak or desperate. The drama in her life, and in Peter's was believable and honest. Shit happens and it screws us up on the inside, i like that life went on despite all the issues they got from their parents...it's the reality of life. so many stories I read are over dramatised and it's been a pleasure to read this...well done. and in response to your poll, fantasy is great but whip out some more like this too! Love it. :D

Very interesting.