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The rest of the party went on without a hitch, with people laughing and joking, but also keeping a watchful eye on Jack, just in case. As the sun began to set, the neighborhood came together to clean up and say their goodbyes.

As the dust settled, the partygoers breathed a collective sigh of relief. The block party had been saved, but Jack's reputation as "MLSBF" had been solidified. He slunk away, nursing his wounded pride and a hangover that would surely follow.

The crowd gasped, and some people quickly intervened, trying to diffuse the situation. But it was too late. Jack had already crossed the line, and Tom wasn't about to back down. The rest of the party went on without

As the party went on, Jack began to get a little too comfortable with his beer. He started telling stories that were a bit too loud, a bit too boastful, and a bit too opinionated. Some people tried to brush it off, thinking he was just having a good time, but others could sense the storm brewing.

The two men started arguing, their voices rising, and their faces reddening. The partygoers scrambled to get out of the way, fearing things might get physical. Just when it seemed like things were about to escalate into a full-blown brawl, a few of the older, wiser residents stepped in, separating the two men and convincing them to take a break. The block party had been saved, but Jack's

As they parted ways, some people couldn't help but whisper to each other, "Yep, Jack's still got that title: Most Likely to Start a Big Fight." But in a way, it was also a reminder that even the most volatile individuals can change, and that sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of kindness and understanding to diffuse even the most explosive situations.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon at the annual summer block party in the small town of Oakdale. The streets were filled with laughter, music, and the savory smells of grilled burgers and hot dogs. The neighborhood was buzzing with excitement as everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather and great company. But it was too late

Suddenly, Jack started trash-talking the local sports teams, claiming that he could do a better job coaching them than any professional coach. This didn't sit well with Tom, a die-hard fan of the local football team, who happened to be standing nearby.

However, amidst all the joy and camaraderie, there was one person who seemed to be spoiling the mood: Jack "The Ace" Anderson. Jack was a charismatic but hot-headed guy known for his sharp tongue and quick temper. He had a reputation for being "MLSBF" – Most Likely to Start a Big Fight.

The air was charged with tension as Tom and Jack locked eyes. The room fell silent, and everyone held their breath, waiting for the inevitable. Jack, feeling emboldened by his beer and the attention, took a step closer to Tom and said, "Oh, you think you can take me on, Tom? Bring it on, buddy!"

About the Author

Elaine Chiew is a fiction writer and visual arts researcher. She is a two-time winner of The Bridport Prize, amidst other prizes and shortlistings. Her debut short story collection, The Heartsick Diaspora, will be coming out with Myriad Editions (U.K.). She is also the compiler and editor of Cooked Up: Food Fiction From Around the World (New Internationalist, 2015), and has had numerous stories in anthologies and journals. She also writes flash fiction (named Wigleaf Top 50 twice, along other honours). In October 2017, she was the Writer in Residence at Singapore’s premier School of the Arts. She received an M.A. in Asian Art Histories from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2017. In addition to writing freelance on Asian visual arts for magazines like ArtReview Asia, she also blogs about contemporary Asian writers at AsianBooksBlog and the visual arts on her blog, Invisible Flâneuse.

About the Artist

Fanny Cammaert is a digital artist living in Belgium. She adopted the stage name Lizzie Stardust as a member of the electro group Velvet Underwear. Since recording and touring with that group, she began working in visual media. Drawing on the kilim weaving that is part of her Ukrainian heritage, her art explores the interplay of digital patterns and electronic glitches. Thematically, her work brings digital infinity into connection with human emotions.

This story appeared in Issue Sixty-Three of SmokeLong Quarterly.
SmokeLong Quarterly Issue Sixty-Three
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