Butterfly-free

Author's Note

Dedicated to sommergymnastica

Okay whew! There is a lot to say about this piece of art and the amazing soul who helped create it - even finding the words are proving to be difficult because there are so many!

I am one who absolutely hates group work - let's be real. I despise it because I always find myself having to put in 110% more work to make up for lack. But to be honest, I also always think my way is the best way. @sommergymnastica opened my mind when I didn't even know it could be opened further - I've been so blind sided by trauma and they taught me lovingly that even I make mistakes and that's such an important lesson I needed to learn - even more important is that making those mistakes is okay! Can you imagine learning that in the most beautiful way such as writing?!

Writing this beauty with sommergymnastica has taught me so much about them but also about myself. She is CRAZY talented! It sometimes seems as if she doesn't need to find the words, as if they're already programmed in their soul and she just transfers them to their fingers and onto the canvas of a blank page. Their ideas have LIFE in them... That is terrifying yet so stunning and capturing that I couldn't help myself but be mesmerized.

She has been there for me through so much and I thought "Icy, why don't you share this part of yourself with them?"

And so I did, and I am breathless in awe at our result. It's quite funny actually because I had never been involved in the world of fanfiction. I was scrolling mindlessly through Wattpad when I came across @sommergymnastica 's 'Encore'.

I was captured and invested in the story immediately. It held a flavor of the love I'm always seeking for tirelessly. That sweet and subtle taste of being wanted and wanting; warm days and cozy nights - the comforting and intoxicating smell of a wisteria flower.

And so, I reached out to this anonymous soul on this wonderful platform - I had to tell this author that their story transported me into a world I never wanted to leave. And true to my icy ways - I did. I sent them a DM psycho-gushing over their story and we hit it off immediately!❤️

And from their world of love I took a seedling that grew into my very first fanfiction 'Back To You' that became my most popular book.

All growing from the seedling she gave me.

And here I am again, coming full circle having created yet another fanfiction with this beautiful, caring and talented creator!

There were times my stubbornness presented it's problematic self XD but she handled me like a true friend. I learned so much, not only about their style but also about writing in general when my arrogant self thought I knew it all.

And perhaps, that's the beauty of this piece. Not only did the story and characters grow, but so did I...

I'll forever be grateful and honored to have them as a close friend - and I will cherish these memories forever❤️

Happy holidays!

Love, forever and always
~ Icy