An Introduction to Swirl and Daisy by m81170

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5642262/1/An_Introduction_to_Swirl_and_Daisy
http://twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=10165

Official Description: A first kiss, a first dance, a first curse word shared between best friends. This is the tale of a boring young geek and the social pariah who thought the world of him. A tale of growing up. A tale of a Non-Romantic Romance.

–
EchoesofTwilight says: When I was first asked if I wanted to do a guest rec of An Introduction to Swirl and Daisy, I squee’d. Not only because I get to talk about this wonderful fic, but because everything about Swirl and Daisy makes me squee and grin and generally act like the thirteen year-old fangirl that lurks within us all, just waiting for a truly excellent fic to bring it out. Luckily, I’m not alone in my embarrassing displays, if the way the fandom twitterverse explodes with happy at news of an update is anything to go by. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who hasn’t read this fic yet, stop reading this review right now and go. I mean it. Here, use my phone.

Swirl and Daisy are, as you might guess, nicknames for our protagonists, in this case Edward and Bella. Somewhat unusually for most fics I’ve read in which B & E are still in school, author m81170 introduces us to a Bella and Edward just starting their teenage years, rather than approaching the end of them. This is a really good thing, as it makes it charming – rather than weird – when, on Bella’s first day of school in Forks, Edward introduces himself by giving her his business card.

He suddenly looked down and scrambled in his pocket before pulling out and handing me a card.

As in, his card.

As in, his business card.

Oh. My. God. How old was he?

“Oh, my God, how old are you?” I internally cringed. I was glad to have some words back in my brain, but why were those the words it decided to conjure up?

Fortunately, he didn’t seem too bothered by my rude question. “My name is Edward Cullen, I’m thirteen years old. My home phone, beeper, and fax number are all on that card.”

And it just gets better from there. We get to watch as Swirl and Daisy navigate the murky route from classmates to friends to more, though what exactly the more actually is contributes to some tension between the two. The usual suspects are all involved, some in unexpected ways given how we normally picture them. That, however, really sums up this fic for me: it’s different. It’s unlike anything else I’ve read and delightful at the same time. A good example of this is the outtake holding the place of chapter 7, which details an encounter of which we previously only got a faint glimpse. It’s Edward asking Charlie’s permission to court Bella, and I defy you to read it without smiling.

I walked over to Chief Swan’s desk as confidently as I could and shook his hand with a firm and steady grip.

Speak with conviction as if you really believe in what you are saying.

“Hello, my name is Edward Anthony Cullen, age thirteen, currently enrolled in Forks Middle School. I am here to speak to you about a matter of great importance, and by the end of our meeting, I am sure that I will have convinced you that I am the best possible candidate for the position I am inquiring about.”

Use audio-visual aids or props for enhancement if appropriate and necessary.

I opened my briefcase and handed him a binder. “This is my portfolio. In there you will find my résumé, past report cards, and a letter of recommendation from my mother.”

What makes Swirl and Daisy work, for me at least, is the way in which these characters retain semblances of canon while still being wholly new – and adorable – reinventions. Bella’s feelings of uncertainty regarding being “good enough” for Edward mimic those of Twilight-Bella’s, but are a lot easier to take from someone a few years younger – and infinitely sweeter. Edward, in turn, is still set apart from everyone around him by his differences, but this time it’s because he’s shy and geeky and maybe just a little obsessed with Lord of the Rings. The LotR theme is a big one here, and every reference will make your inner nerd (the one holding hands with your inner fangirl) want to proclaim this as The One Fic.

Maybe that’s just me. But it is, definitely, the one I get most excited to see an update for right now.

You won’t find heavy angst or over-the-top drama or lemons here. What you will get is a cast of believable yet quirkily endearing characters – not just Swirl and Daisy, but also one of the best Charlies I’ve ever come across and an intriguing woman by the name of Ms. Evans. You’ll want to get to know them all, and thankfully m81170 is doing a fantastic job of letting us do just that.

MF’er says: When I got rec’d this story, I wasn’t sure what to think of the name – but don’t let that stop you because you’ll surely be missing out!!

m81170 has managed to create two lovable, dorky, adorable characters and a wonderful story to surround them. We get to watch as they move from their first meeting through various others ‘firsts’ in their lives and it’s just… sigh… glorious. This has to be one of my top five Edward’s ever – from the very first chapter, I was thrown back into middle school and swooning like a teenager.

Bella’s learned the hard way never to assume that a boy you’re crushing on is returning those sentiments, so she blurts out a question after meeting Edward that leaves you giggling, but his response is just adorable.

COMP520073: BS to EC. How do I no this is rly Edward?

COMP520072: Because the ID on this computer is the number right before yours.

COMP520073: Oh.

COMP520072: I would like to answer your question now.

COMP520073: Wat question?

COMP520072: You asked if I was gay.

Heat flooded my cheeks once again. I had actually managed to forget about that little mishap during my excitement over Edward kind of talking to me.

COMP520072: You look really pretty when you blush like that.

My eyes snapped to Edward’s face and I could see the slightest hue of pink tinting his ears, but his face remained composed and steadfast on the screen as he continued typing.

COMP520072: And no, I am not gay.

I could have sworn I saw him smirk.

These two are experiencing what we all went through during our first love. The confusion, heartbreak, the giddyness, the awkward touches – kisses. Everything. And i
t really does take you back to a time when our biggest concerns were whether or not the cute boy we liked was going to ask us to the school dance.

If you’re not already reading this, you’re missing out on a wonderful fluffy and happy fic that will just leave you smiling when you’re finished. It’s absolutely the healthy dose of happy we need in this fandom sometimes, and m81170 – thank you for bringing it to us.

Kassiah says: What else can I add to the fab reviews given by Echoes and Madame? Just my two cents–I love this story. I love how adorable they are. It’s so, so sweet. I just want to hug m81170 for writing it for us. Then I want to beg her to write the m-rated future version. *giggle* Seriously, check it out, I think you’ll love it!