Falling helplessly episode 23

🔥 FALLING

HELPLESSLY

( For his brother’s friend …. 😇 )

Written by:- Williams Kendall____✍🏽

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🏈 CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

ARCHER’S POV:

It took every ounce of my self-control to stop this little vixen in front of me. She had no f-cking clue how tempting she was. From the second she had walked down her stairs earlier, I could barely breathe. She literally took my breath away. At that moment I didn’t think she could get any more beautiful, but now it was only a few hours later and I was proven wrong.

She sat on the table in front of me taking deep breaths to calm down. Several curls had fallen out throughout the night, leaving her looking wild and wind-blown. Her pale skin was flushed with excitement and her swollen l-ips were just begging me to k-ss her again.

I walked a few steps down the hallway trying to inconspicuously adjust my er-ction in my tight dress p-nts. I needed to stay in control for Charlotte. This was all new and exciting for her, but I was determined not to take from her—not to be selfish.

Once we were both more presentable we went back into the ballroom and joined the people milling around. Charlotte giggled as I casually tried to steer us into the crowd as though we’d been there all along.

“Hey, there you guys are!” Oliver came saddling up next to me. I cringed as the overwhelming smell of liquor burned my nose. “Could you see the fireworks from back here?”

Charlotte looked like a guppy as she grappled to find an answer. Her eyes w¡dened into perfect circles and those tantalizing l-ips popped open, but no sound came out. Note to self: Charlotte would s-ck in a secret mission.

“I could. I think your sister struggled a bit to see over the crowd,” I laughed to Oliver. Luckily he was way too out of it to notice any weird behaviour.

We wandered back to our families who were saying goodbye to the other party guests. My mom usually insisted we stay at this thing until the Averys left, which meant we didn’t go until the last guest had been bid off. Frustration boiled in my stomach as I noticed for the millionth time this holiday season that my dad was missing.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved not having him around. It’s just so sketchy how he’s always disappearing. I’ve been home for a week and I think the most I’ve seen him at any given time is forty-five minutes—and that was on Christmas morning. I’ve asked my mom about it but she just waves me off as usual and says not to worry about it.

“Where’s Bryan?” Mr. Avery asked as the last of the guests cleared out.

“Oh… you know I think he went home already. He wasn’t feeling great.” Mom said with an airiness to her voice I’d learned not to trust.

We all stood in the lobby of the hotel putting on our jackets and getting ready to leave. Annie couldn’t find hers so Mom ran back into the ballroom to try and find it.

“Oh!” Annie exclaimed excitedly as she walked over to a closet door. “I ‘member! I put it in here!” There was a moment of pure shock and silence after Annie swung the door open, and then all hell broke loose.

White-hot rage flooded my veins as a cloud of red cast over my pupils. I was vaguely aware of a woman shouting but I didn’t care. All I could focus on was my father and killing him.

“You piece of shit,” I seethed as I grabbed the collar of his jacket and pinned him to the wall. The shouting woman seemed to have found her clothes because I cringed away as I felt her brush past us. “You couldn’t keep it in your f-cking p-nts for one night.” I slammed his head back into the wall eliciting a gro-n from my disgusting father. Good.

The image of my father with some random chick wrapped around him would now forever be engrained in my brain. I wanted to puke when I saw her saliva still w-t on his mouth.

“Get your hands off of me!” Dad yelled as he tried to wrestle me off. “I’m your father!”

“Not anymore you’re f-cking not.” I slammed him back again before crunching my fist into his nose. A satisfying crack rang out as he toppled to the floor. He looked pathetic as he hunched over trying to catch his breath.

I was about to jump on him when a commotion of arguments caught my attention. I turned to see Charlotte’s dad trying to hold her back but she slipped from his grip and came to my side.

“Archer don’t,” she said softly grabbing my armas I seethed with anger. Warmth spread from her fingertips, relaxing the muscles under her touch. But I wasn’t done.

“He cheated on my mom, Charlotte! I’m sick of this shit he deserves it.”

“I know but Archer you’re better than this. Look at Annie—she’s scared and she needs her big brother.” I twisted to find my sister and my face crumpled with guilt. She was tucked behind Mr. Avery’s leg, peeking her tear-stained face around to watch me. Mr. Avery was petting her hair gently but his hærd eyes were turned on my dad.

Seeing my sister so scared took the wind out of my sails. I turned to my dad and took a great deal of pleasure in him flinching away from me. “I’m f-cking done with you disrespecting Mom,” I spat at him.

He finally caught his breath as he slumped his back against the wall. He turned his blood-stained face up to me and coughed. “I wasn’t cheating,” he gasped.

“Like f-ck you weren’t she was f-cking nak-d! Annie f-cking saw you, you sick f-ck.” I raged.

“Not… cheating.” My dad said again between breaths.

“He’s right Archer.” I wh¡pped around to see my mom had joined us again. Her sad eyes ignored my dad as she stepped towards me. “That wasn’t cheating. At least not this time. We’ve been legally separated since Thanksgiving.”

Charlotte’s grip tightened on my arm as the shock of my mom’s words settled on our group. My brain moved a mile-a-minute as I tried to grasp onto some coherent thought. “What…” I croaked weakly.

“I’m so sorry baby, I didn’t want to tell you. You needed to focus on football and getting good grades. I didn’t want the stress of our divorce to hang over you. So, we decided to live together until after the post-season so everything could stay calm for you and Annie.”

“Mom,” I sighed. “How could you think your divorce would stress me out? I’ve been telling you to do it since I was 16.”

My mom’s eyes flicked down to my dad and I could tell she was hesitating to tell me something. Even now she was still protecting him. I stepped in front of him, getting her to look me in the eye so she could only focus on me.

“There’s just been some disagreements that we need to sort. I don’t want you worrying about Annie or I while you’re away at school.” I pulled my mom into a tight hug as her shoulders shook with stress and pain. But then, her words fully clicked in my brain.

“Why would I need to worry about you two?” I turned back to my pathetic father on the floor. “Don’t f-cking tell me you’re not planning on supporting them.”

His shoulders straightened in defiance as he used his dishevelled shirt to hold his bloody nose. “Look I’m the one who has to start over now. Buying a house and furniture is expensive, I can’t afford to take care of two households.”

“Jesus, Bryan…” Mr. Avery’s disappointed voice came from behind us.

“You can all look at me like the bad guy all you want,” Dad tentatively pulled himself up to stand before all of our disgusted faces. “But I’m trying to be fair here. She is the one who kicked me out, why should I be responsible for her.”

“And what about Annie?” Mom snapped from next to me, clearly at the end of her rope.

“I’ll take care of her,” I interjected. “I’ll take care of both of you,” I said softly to my mom. Turning to my dad I took a deep breath and steadied my hands to finally say to him what I’ve always wanted. “I’ve spent my wh0le damn life trying to be the man you wanted me to be. But I am f-cking done. I don’t want to be anything like you. I’ll be the man that you clearly can’t be. If you don’t want to take responsibility for your family then fine—walk away. I’ll do it for you.”

I didn’t wait for his response, I didn’t care what he had to say anymore. I turned back to the others and str-de over to Annie. She jumped into my arms and I held her close to my chest as I grabbed my mom’s hand and pulled them both outside. I was vaguely aware of the Avery’s following us but I didn’t stop to talk as I ushered us into a taxi. I just needed to get home with my family.

I looked out the window of the cab as my mom told the man our address. Charlotte was standing between her parents as they all watched us leave. I gave her a sad smile which she returned, and then we were gone.

Our house felt colder than usual when we got home. Annie had fallen asleep in the cab so I carried her up to her bedroom and placed her gently on her bed. I slipped off her little shoes and loosened the tie on her dress before pulling her comforter up over her shoulders.

When I got back downstairs my mom was sitting in the living room, looking lost. I watched her silently for a moment then crossed the room to sit opposite her.

“I am already getting NFL scouts coming to my games. If Coach puts it out to them that I’m willing to draft early, I’ll probably get a contract.” I explain, having thought about this the wh0le drive home.

“Not a chance,” Mom snapped as she rubbed her fingertips over her eyes. “You are graduating and that is that. No arguing with me.”

“Mom what are you going to do for money? If I don’t take a contract early then it’ll be a year and a half before they come around again. What if I get injured before then?”

She nodded her head slowly, processing my words. Then she turned her face back to me with sad eyes. “My lawyer has been trying to fight for child and spousal support since I dropped out of college when I married your dad. But his lawyer has taken a hærd stance that he won’t do it. Maybe, if I ask for the house but nothing else he’ll take it? He doesn’t want it anyways. He said he’s moving to the city.”

“What does having the house do though? You’ll have the payments and upkeep on your own,” I pressed.

“Yes,” she nodded. “But if I sell it that should give Annie and I enough to get by for a while. We can move into something smaller and I’ll start working again.”

“Only until I’m drafted,” I promised vehemently. “Then you won’t have to worry again.”

My mom smiled softly at me as she stood up. She walked around the coffee table and placed her warm hands on my cheek. “None of this is your responsibility you know.” She looked down on me with a raised brow. “I appreciate you stepping up but I’m still your mom and I’m gonna handle it.” She patted my cheek lovingly before adding, “I love you, but if I ever see you use your fists instead of your mouth in an argument again, I’ll tan your hide.”

I slumped into the couch as she walked up the stairs to bed. Adrenaline still pumped through me after tonight’s events and I couldn’t settle my nerves. It had really happened… my mom had finally had enough.

I got up and grabbed my jacket to leave the house before I even knew what I was doing. My truck rumbled to life beneath my feet and I instantly knew what I needed.

When I got to the Avery’s house everything was dark and quiet. I walked under Charlotte’s window and tried to figure out the best way to get up there. I settled on the lattice that crawled up the wall and almost reached her window. It would be risky but I thought it would work.

The cold wood bit at my fingers as I slowly pulled myself up the woven grid. My shoes barely fit into the h0les making this wh0le adventure much more precarious. When I reached the top of the lattice I had to reach up and quickly knock on Charlotte’s window before dropping my hand to hold on again.

“Archer?” Charlotte’s voice was panicked as she looked down and saw me gripping onto the lattice for dear life. I reached up, finding the window sill then hauled myself up.

“Hey Sweetheart,” I sighed as I got my elbows onto the wooden ledge then pulled myself in,side.

Charlotte ran across her room quickly to lock the door as I climbed through the window. I dropped my suit jacket on her desk before unbuttoning my dress shirt.

“I’m not getting any ideas,” I said hesitantly as she turned around to me undressing. “This shirt is just f-cking itchy. I wish I’d thought to change.”

Charlotte dropped back onto her bed and rested against the headboard. “What are you doing here?” She asked softly as she looked up at me.

I didn’t bother waiting for an invitation as I fell between her legs, resting my head on her stomach. The tension in my shoulder’s slowly released as her dainty fingers went to my hair and began to m-ssage. “I just needed to see you,” I mumbled into her sweater.

Charlotte’s fingers traced down my head to my neck, sweeping across my shoulders making me shiver. I gro-ned lightly as she began to knead the tight muscles on my shoulders and back. I was so f-cking grateful for her at that moment. I pressed a k-ss to her stomach before relaxing to let her continue her ministrations.

“It’s all going to be okay, I know it,” she whispered gently into the silence. I nodded slowly. For the first time tonight, I actually believed that it might be. I wasn’t fully convinced that my mom’s plan with the lawyers would work. But with my little angel next to me, I felt okay. Like maybe the wh0le world wasn’t out to punish me.

We laid like that until the early hours of the morning. We talked sporadically, but mostly I just listened to her gentle breaths and tried to calm my mind. The rise and fall of her stomach under my head was a constant reminder that I wasn’t alone.

A tiny voice in the back of my head reminded me that this was what I hadn’t wanted. For Charlotte to get weighed down by my bullshit. But I didn’t know what to do now. I could barely remember what life was like before Charlotte came to USC, but I knew it was dark, grey, and monotonous.

Then suddenly this little ball of light came bursting into my life and exploded positivity everywhere. At first, it had been too much. Like when you are sleeping and open your eyes to find the blinds left open. But eventually, my eyes adjusted and now I can’t go back to the darkness.

.

.

.

CHARLOTTE’S POV:

“Oh. My. Goodness. Archer, you are impossible!” I huffed as I swatted him away.

“Hmmm?” Was his only response as he pushed my hair away from my neck. His slow k-sses along my collar bone sent a shiver through me.

We were currently sprawled out on his king-size bed, surrounded by textbooks and binders. The month of January had been extremely busy for Archer so we’d taken to studying together whenever possible. It was basically the only time we could be alone. Unfortunately, I’d learned that my boyfriend was a freaking horndog, so it’s up to me to make sure we actually study.

“Archer, your test is tomorrow. If you can’t focus with me here then I’ll go. I’m not going to be the reason you fail.”

Archer let out a defeated sigh as he pressed one final k-ss to my shoulder then settled back on the bed. “Fine, I’m focused,” he appeased me, raising his hands up to show his innocence. “But I think I’m ready anyway.”

“Prove it. I’ll quiz you and if you pass we can take a break.”

Archer smirked at the challenge. “Yes ma’am.”

Fifteen minutes later Archer had me in a chokehold while we cuddled in bed. The butthead had passed with flying colours. I smiled as I peeked up at him from my place on his chest. His eyes were closed and his jaw was slack. There was a flutter behind his lids as he fell asleep.

I melted into the comfort of Archer’s arms for a while, soaking up the intimacy that I craved in our busy lives. My head perked up slightly as the large hand that rested on my back began to drop lower. I watched Archer’s face through narrowed eyes but it stayed relaxed as his hand perused downward. It skimmed gently over the wa-ist of my jean before landing firmly on the curve of my bum. The smallest quirk in the corner of Archer’s lip gave him away.

“I know you’re awake,” I laughed.

Archer’s hand squeezed gently, sending heat to my stomach. “No, I’m not,” he grumbled keeping his eyes closed. His hand brushed lower, gripped the back of my th-gh then returned to its place on my bottom.

“Archer!” I wiggled trying to get out of his hold.

“Shhhh I’m sleeping,” he mumbled, a full smile now gracing his l-ips.

“Hey.” I poked his cheek to make him open his eyes. He squinted one eye open and glared at me. I poked his cheek again with a giggle as he tried to bite my finger. “Are you nervous for the game?”

Archer dropped his head back against the pillow with his eyes closed, considering my question. “I’m nervous about the repercussions,” he said slowly as he opened his eyes to look back at me. I raised a confused eyebrow, prompting him to continue. “There’s just a lot riding on this now. I mean, it’s the National Championsh¡ps. Every NFL team will be watching. If I bomb this, they won’t take a second look at me.”

I nodded understandingly. Archer had really been pushing himself since we found out his parents were getting divorced. I could tell he considered it his sole responsibility now to take care of his mom and sister. It made me proud of the man he was showing himself to be, but it also worried me. That was a lot of pressure for one college kid to carry on his back.

“You know what would make me feel better though?” Archer smirked as he nuzzled my throat.

“What?” I asked breathlessly. Archer flipped me onto my back as he positioned himself overtop of me. He kept his weight off of me by propping himself up on his arms. A blush heated my cheeks as I ogled how hot he was. The veins on his forearms popped as he held up his upper-body. His biceps tensed when he readjusted his hands farther apart so he could drop his chest closer to mine. I was abundantly aware of how close our h¡ps were. If I flexed my pelvis even slightly, they’d press together.

“Well,” he said in that low, slow voice that fogged my brain. “It would probably help if I looked up into the stands and saw my girl wearing my jersey.”

“W-wouldn’t it k-kind of be a dead giveaway that we’re dating,” I stuttered as Archer dragged his l-ips up behind my earlobe. I felt Archer’s shoulder shrug as he continued his torture along my jaw.

“You wanted to tell our families,” he mumbled between k-sses.

“Well, that was before all heck broke loose.”

Archer stopped and pulled his head back to stare down at me. His full l-ips glistened from the slightly w-t k-sses. “If you really don’t want to—”

“I do,” I interjected. “I guess I’m just more nervous now to tell them because we kept it a secret. I don’t like lying.”

“It’s not really lying. We never said we weren’t dating.” Archer smiled sneakily.

A soft laugh popped from the back of my throat. “I don’t know if I like how easily you can find a morally grey area.”

A week later I anxiously followed a girl with a clipboard through the crowd of Trojan fans. The National Championsh¡p game was a way bigger deal than I had realized. There were cameras everywhere with news reporters yelling into mic’s and pointing out players on the field. Several assistants walked around with headset’s and black blazers making sure everything ran smoothly.

One of those assistants was currently showing me to my seat. The players had been given tickets for their families to sit in the front row. Archer’s tickets went to his mom, sister, then my family. I anxiously tugged on Archer’s jersey as the assistant stepped aside and motioned to the seat I could take.

I beamed as I saw my family and Archer’s already sitting. They all jumped up to hug me, passing me from one to the other until I finally found myself pushed into a seat between Oliver and my dad. I pretended to be really focused on the field when I noticed my dad eyeing the jersey.

“Alright, folks! We have quite the game coming your way soon!” The announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers. “We have the defending champs—The Ohio State Bobcats! They’ve been here two years in a row now and taken it home both times!”

Sweat moistened my hands as the announcer went on and on about our competitors. I rubbed my palms on my jeans to dry them off as I s-cked on my bottom lip.

“Now, trying to take the reigning champ’s title is the USC Trojans!” The announcer continued. “They had a perfect season up until now and I’m sure they want to keep that streak going here in the post-season.”

The booming voice continued to give us highlights of both teams’ seasons but I tuned him out. My bottom lip was almost numb by how hærd I chewed on it. Finally, the announcer called out each team from the tunnels.

My eyes found Archer right away as he led his team from their locker room. The wh0le team bounced excitedly behind him as they got riled up for the game. Archer jogged determinedly though, keeping his jaw locked and his eyes straight ahead. My breath caught in my throat as I realized so much of Archer’s hopes came down to this one game. He needed to win.

The game moved agonizingly slow. It felt like every second of playtime dragged on. Both teams were so evenly matched that neither could really get ahead. By the end of the first half, the game was tied 14-14. I could tell both teams left the field frustrated with how hærd it had been to get the leg up.

As the field cleared, the cameras that had been focused on the players swung towards the crowd. I averted my eyes as the assistants pointed the camera-men in different directions, getting shots of the players’ families.

I cringed as I looked up. Sure enough several of the camera-men seemed to focus their aim towards our families, lingering on me—on my jersey.

“They sure like you,” Oliver laughed into my ear.

“Probably wasn’t the best idea to wear that,” Oliver added as he plucked at the number on my chest. “Archer has so much NFL buzz around him. Now they’re all going to think you’re his girlfriend and have some insight into where he’ll sign or something.”

“Well,”-I cleared my throat-“actually Ollie…”

“We’re back folks!” I sighed internally as the announcer interrupted me. Oliver’s attention got pulled away as he scre-med and waved his fist in the air with the rest of the crowd.

Maybe telling Oliver without Archer wasn’t the best idea. I knew Archer had wanted to talk to Oliver alone before we told our families, but now that it was imminent I just wanted to get it over with.

The second-half moved similarly to the first. We’d get a touchdown—up seven points with the kick. Then they’d get a touchdown—tied game. My dad at one point reached out and physically pulled my lip from my mouth with a pointed stare. I licked the small amount of blood I’d drawn.

Nearing the end of the fourth quarter both teams were getting desperate —and angrier—to pull ahead. Plays were getting dirtier and hits were getting lower. Tears sprung to my eyes when Tyler had to be carried off the field cradling his arm as though it were broken. Not even two minutes later though, Archer called a play that sent a Bobcat off in a similar fashion.

I didn’t dare breathe as the teams set up for the last few minutes of the championsh¡p game. The Bobcats had just scored a touchdown and pulled ahead by seven points with their kick. The air in the stadium was thick with suspense as everyone realized how close this would be. The Trojans only had two minutes of playtime to earn more than seven points—otherwise, they’d lose.

My ears filled with a stressful buzzing as I watched Archer lead his team. He pointed to different players, calling out plays that I couldn’t hear. I could see the determination on his face as he grimaced and got into position. The whistle was blown. The ball was snapped.

The two opposing teams slammed together as they fought for these last final moments. My face crumpled in fear when it seemed like the Bobcat’s had the Trojan’s stopped. Suddenly, James ripped out of the grasp of the defensemen holding him and shot down the field.

Archer jumped back and readied the ball in his hand, his eyes locked on James. James raced down the field evading the Bobcats who tried to tackle him. But he was so far away from Archer.

The ball flew out of Archer’s hand and sailed towards James. Everyone in the stands stood and scre-med as the ball went farther and farther. 50 yards. 60. 75. James jumped in the air and snapped the ball to his chest, racing towards the end zone.

“Touchdown!” The announcer scre-med as the crowd let out a deafening roar. “That was an 85-yard pass from the Trojan’s QB Archer Johnson! That’s six points to the Trojans making it 27-28 for the Bobcats! The Trojans are going to make some tough decisions here. If they take the kick, they’ll have 30 seconds to make a play otherwise this game is going into overtime! If they decide to set up at the 15-yard line, they’ll have that 30 seconds to cross the end zone or they lose folks!”

Archer paced on the sideline as his coach yelled into a headset. Every single Trojan watched Archer—waiting to see what their leader would decide. Archer called to his Coach and they talked vehemently back and forth for a moment. Finally, the offensive lineup ran back out on the field.

“Looks like they’re setting up for a new play! A risky decision by the Trojan’s but if it pays off they’ll win the game!” The excitement in the announcer’s voice mirrored the energy in the stadium.

The Trojan’s offensive squad lined up on the far end of the field with Archer standing behind them. They had to get the ball past the Bobcat’s defensive lineup and move 15-yards to the end zone. My leg was vibrating at this point I shook so hærd but no one took any notice. Everyone was focused purely on the field.

The ball was snapped and Archer caught it, jumping back swiftly. The Bobcat’s defence slammed into the Trojans as they fought to get through. I clasped my hands together tightly in prayer as I watched Archer look for a way through the wall of players. He needed someone to get through the defence so he could pass to them.

There were only ten seconds left on the clock when Archer seemed to realize there wouldn’t be a pass. He darted forward, side-stepping a Bobcat and shoving his shoulder hærd into another. A huge defence-man wrapped his burly arms around Archer and tried to pull him to the crowd. They stumbled together but at the last second Archer caught himself and twisted out of the hold.

I scre-med as I watched Archer cross into the end zone. He threw the ball down hærd onto the grass and raised his arms in victory. Tears blurred my vision as I realized it had really happened—the Trojans had won the National Championsh¡ps.

Laughter erupted out of me as Oliver jumped five feet in the arm as he cheered for his best friend. I was pulled into a large group hug with my family and the Johnsons. Mrs. Johnson was crying like me as she k-ssed my w-t cheeks.

One of the assistants motioned for the families in the front row to stand up and follow her. She walked over to the entrance to the field and opened the gate for us all to go out. I rushed forward onto the field, thanking my small size as I slipped through the hoards of people and ran towards the players.

My mind was only on Archer as I broke free of the crowd. He was still standing in the middle of the field as his team swarmed around him. James beamed at me as I ran forward. He bumped Archer on the shoulder making him swing towards me.

The most breath-taking smile I had ever seen spread across Archer’s face as our eyes connected. It stopped me in my tracks for a moment before my feet pulled me forward. Archer broke from the crowd, patting his teammates on the shoulders as they let him through. Our eyes didn’t leave each other as we both raced forward.

“You did it!” I shrieked as I reached him. My arms shot around his neck at the same time he grabbed my wa-ist. I let out a loud laugh as he swung me around, both of us high on the win. He lifted me up higher and my legs wrapped around his h¡ps. He grabbed the back of my thighs to keep me up as I hugged his neck tightly.

I pulled away from the hug to stare down at Archer. My watery smile was filled adoration as I whispered, “I am so proud of you.” My heart thudded in my chest at the intensity behind Archer’s eyes. He stretched his jaw upwards, catching my l-ips with his own. The k-ss was slow and hærd. I clung to Archer’s shoulder pads as I felt every ounce of his emotions pouring through our k-ss.

A wolf-whistle broke us out of our bubble as I pulled away in a daze. Archer looked like he didn’t want to let me go but then at the same time we both remembered where we were. My head wh¡pped around quickly as I took in our surroundings. Archer put me back on the ground but tucked me protectively under his arm while he surveyed the scene around us.

His teammates all watched us with goofy grins, some making k-ssy faces and laughing together. The cameras were all turned towards us, catching our moment on tv. I s-cked in a breath as nerves tingled my skin. My family and Archer’s were standing there, staring at us. My dad and Oliver were both only a few yards away with matching masks of shock.

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TO BE CONTINUED GUYS 🤣

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