http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5715904/1/The_Hood

Official Description: Bella’s crush on quiet Edward Cullen seems to be one sided. But when they start hanging out will things change or does it all stay in The Hood? My entry for the Twi-High Contest – now continued!

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Vican says: So, I was asked to guest review The Hood and I obviously said yes straight away. I was told to just explain to the readers why they should read this story. So I asked myself “Why should you read this story?” and my brain immediately said “Uhm, because it’s awesome, duh,” (it also totes said “duh” like Rob says it on the Twilight commentary, which just made everything better).

I realised that “because it’s awesome, duh,” might not be the best review ever, so for your sake I will elaborate.

The Hood is one of those stories I always end up rec’ing to people who want light, fun stories to counteract the angsty ones they’re reading, because it is fun and it is light, but it is also so much more than that. The Hood was originally written for the Twi-High contest and when I first read it, I thought it was just a one-shot. However, as I was leisurely perusing my Favourites list a few weeks later, colour me surprised when I saw that this fic had updated.

I am not ashamed to say that I squealed, because it is just That. Fucking. Good.

“The Hood” is the garage behind Aro’s house, where he, Marcus, Jasper and, of course, Edward hang out. They watch movies, play Uno, smoke pot and suffer from munchies. Sounds pretty good, right? Jasper is the one to introduce Bella to The Hood, and she immediately dazzles the boys with her Kevin Smith knowledge and general awesomeness.

Of course, Bella has a crush on Edward, and what an Edward he is. He smokes pot (Twi-High contest, remember?), he’s totally gorgeous and just all-around amazing. Also, he’s adorkable, in a cool, pot-smoking way. Intrigued yet?

And then is just gets better. Know why?

Because the UST is fuck-awesome. It’s one of my favourite things about this story; the UST is hot and realistic, and you’re just dying for Bella and Edward to grab each other and have hot monkey-sex, but at the same time you just want more and more moments similar to when Yogagal makes getting high really fucking hot.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, and before I can figure out what’s going on, Edward’s hands cup my face and pull me towards him. His cool hands feel rough against my skin, and my mouth opens up, letting out a quiet gasp. Edward takes the opportunity and closes the gap between us, his lips mere inches from mine. Leaning forward he presses his lips firmly against mine before opening his mouth slowly, exhaling the smoke into my mouth. It’s a heady mixture of minty chapstick and skunky weed, and I’m startled for a second. I just sit there, not breathing, not blinking, not thinking.

“Breathe,” Edward mumbles against my lips, so I do, inhaling the sweet smoke that just came from him.

I urge you to please, please, for your sake – give this story a try. None of the characters created by Yogagal can be accused of being superficial; they are all skilfully developed, with their own distinctive personality that you’ll instantly love. I adore this Bella. She’s funny and smart, and most importantly, she is realistic. You recognise the thoughts she has, you understand what she feels when Edward accidentally grazes her boob as he makes a grab for her munchies-snack, you cringe with her as she, seconds too late, realises that the bra she is wearing the first time Edward sees her topless is the lamest one she owns. You feel her nervousness and giddy excitement every time she sees Edward, you’ll laugh in sympathy as she, unknowingly, turns Edward on while wrapping her lips around a Twinkie and then tells him “I really like the cream filling. It’s delicious!” and you’ll adore the way she handles their new relationship, because it is so easy to relate.

I find it difficult to sufficiently explain how much I love this story, because it feels like there aren’t even words that are awesome enough to be worthy of describing the depths of my love. Just trust me on this (and I do realise that since you probably don’t know me you won’t have a lot of reasons to actually trust me, but bear with me here) – read this story. I find it hard to believe that you will regret this decision. Read this story and fall in love with the “The Hood” gang, and then (because it makes the world go ‘round) leave Yogagal some love, too, because she deserves it for creating a story so full of pure epic win.

MF’er says: Bella is infatuated with quiet, unassuming—fuckhot—Edward Cullen. After an invitation that leads her into what the boys call ‘The Hood,’ she begins to get to know him better as she infiltrates their group as the lone female allowed in their ‘lair.’ The UST is… fucking hell, it’s just buzzing and I want to know so badly what’s going on inside Edward’s mind and then finally finally he gives us a hint…

After an afternoon alone in the hideout, Edward and Bella share a maybe-sorta-almost-kiss that is the fucking hottest shotgun scene I’ve ever read, it leads to his proclamation of her as ‘his girl.’ But is she? He’s so quit. And Neither Bella (or the readers) are really sure what he’s thinking/feeling/wanting. The mystery is completely what drew me in and I’m dying to find out just what is hiding in that pretty little head of his.

This story is chock full of fuckawesome movie references and humor. There is one kick-ass Jasper, a blushing Edward and a whole lot of marijuana…

Wait.

Did I mention the epic dry hump? No, I don’t think I did. *flails*

Come closer then… *whispers* There is an epic dry hump.

The writing is clean and fun and keeps you engaged, and you’re missing out if you’re not already reading this fun little story!

WindyCityWonder says: Do you know what the first chapter of The Hood is called? I’ll tell you. It’s called “Smith and Nutella.” And yeah, that’s Kevin Smith. And yeah, delicious chocolate hazelnut spread. And yeah, that’s about where my love affair with this story begins. The title of Chapter One.

I’ve made an official agreement with YogaGal to not make a hairdoll of her and keep my creepster girlcrush to a minimum. It’s going to be difficult, seeing as she’s created the coolest damn high school hangout since The Max at Bayside. Except with more drugs. And better conversation.

I’m trying to snag my invite to The Hood.

This Bella is a certain brand of badass able to kick it with the boys and dish on why “Dogma” reigns supreme in the world of K.Smith, chain-smoke with the best, and supply the Hood members with delicious munchies. All the while, she maintains a balance of high school vulnerability and innocence that are not only endearing but just…relatable; regardless of your age.

Aro, Marcus and Jasper round out the Hood regulars, and tackle everything from Tarantino to Heckerling in a quick and quirky fashion.

And then… there’s Stonerward.

Exhibit A:

The hiss of Edward’s lighter breaks me from my thoughts, an
d I watch as he lights up, pulling a slow, long hit. He holds the smoke in his lungs for a moment before putting the pipe down on the table. I go to take it, but he fiercely shakes his head.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, and before I can figure out what’s going on, Edward’s hands cup my face and pull me towards him. His cool hands feel rough against my skin, and my mouth opens up, letting out a quiet gasp. Edwards takes the opportunity and closes the gap between us, his lips mere inches from mine. Leaning forward he presses his lips firmly against mine before opening his mouth slowly, exhaling the smoke into my mouth. It’s a heady mixture of minty chapstick and skunky weed, and I’m startled for a second. I just sit there, not breathing, not blinking, not thinking.

“Breathe,” Edward mumbles against my lips, so I do, inhaling the sweet smoke that just came from him. I hold it in my lungs long enough so that my chest tightens slight before I begrudgingly move slightly away from him, needing to exhale. The smoke billows out of my mouth and I watch it swirl past his face, only inches from mine.

I…cannot with the hot and the shotgunning. And sure, I don’t recommend smoking although I am indeed a smoker. But you guys: he rolls his own cigarettes. He may as well have just rolled my panties up with them. Windy Kryptonite. He only gets better, trust me. And he may or may not, but definitely does, in my opinion, have THE best Halloween costume in Fic-story.

YogaGal freezes the best parts of high school and the feelings and frustrations of first love in a unique, witty, and wonderful way. So if you’re looking for a fun and heart fluttery read, head on over to The Hood and hit Frosty while you movie marathon it with Bella, Stonerward and the gang.

Kassiah says: I was lucky enough to be a judge for the Twi-Hi Contest, and that’s where I discovered this little gem. It was the judges’ pick, and I have to say I was beyond thrilled that Yogagal decided to continue it.

Here’s some of what I had to say when they polled the judges:
The Hood is full of high-schooly tension and deals with situations and feelings that are appropriate without being over-the-top or unrealistic. I love how Bella crushes on Edward so hard that she can barely form a coherent thought around him, let alone a sentence. I love how Edward seems like the typical unattainable guy for her: mysterious, aloof, and just beyond her reach.

This story has Bella going to meet up with a few friends in a “secret” location. Unbeknownst to her, Edward is present when Bella comes out of her shell and speaks her mind. Though they begin a tentative friendship while in “The Hood,” it doesn’t progress outside its confines. Of course, being a hs-fic, Bella wonders what his intentions are, what it all means, if Edward feels any connection to her at all.

“He gets up from his seat and slowly walks over, plopping himself down on the couch next to me. He pulls his leg up under him so his knee brushes against my thigh. My skin tingles at the contact between us, despite the layers of jean separating our bodies.

I try not to stare at the space where we’re touching and instead do my best to look at his face. Of course, the moment I take in the piercing green eyes, his full, pouty lips and the smattering of lickable stubble across his cheeks and jaw, I turn into a pile of mush.”

Sigh. The way Yogagal conveys Bella’s thoughts and feelings is simply superb. As the story has progressed, I love how this story is so realistic. The characters are deep without seeming contrived. Bella is teetering on the edge of confusion and Edward just…goes with it.

While our lips are busy, I vaguely notice that Edward’s hands are moving. One is still threaded with my own, while the other moves up from my waist to my chest. I thank the gods of fashion for whoever invented the v-neck because Edward trails one of his fingers against the neckline of my t-shirt, starting up near my neck and dipping lower into my almost non-existent cleavage. His fingers stay there for a bit, toying with the edge of the shirt, before they plunge a bit lower, tracing the curves they find there. The feel of Edward’s rough fingers against my skin causes a shiver to run up my spine, and I want him to do it again. Edward stills momentarily and looks up at me.

“Is this…” His eyes dart towards his fingers which are diving even lower. “…okay?”

I nod furiously, hoping he continues what he’s doing. A wry grin appears on his face before he pulls his hand out. I frown, wondering why he bothered to ask if he was just going to stop. I find out why a second later when his hands move to my waist and, ever so slowly, push the fabric of my shirt up. I get the hint and lift my arms up, eternally grateful that I shaved my pits last night. My relief lasts for a brief second, until I realize that I’m wearing the dorkiest bra in existence. I glance down at the white triangle-shaped bra with a tiny pink bow in the middle. My arms spring to life, crossing them across my chest. This should not be the introduction my boyfriend has to “the girls”.

No.

They should make a grand debut trussed up in lace or silk or leather, for fuck’s sake. Instead, they’re clad in white cotton courtesy of the Junior department at Target. My embarrassment skyrockets, flooding my cheeks and making them burn. I let out a huff of air, as I try to imagine a way to salvage this situation. I peek at Edward, but he’s just staring at my chest, wide eyed. He feels my eyes staring at him, and he glances up.

“Are you…are you cold?” he asks, his voice somewhat shaky.

“What?” I shake me head. “No, I’m not, I’m just…” I trail off, not sure how to explain to my boyfriend that I’m simply embarrassed.

“Oh. Then, can I?”

This story is one that should not be missed. Definitely check it out!