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| | MicahelN's Short Story Showcase | |
| | Author | Message |
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MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:21 pm | |
| Hey everyone~
As you know, I love to write and I hope to be an author one day. And I know some of you have read a piece I wrote and posted in PWO. Well, today I finally decided that I should dedicate time to writing stories again and so I have decided to open this post for my Short Story Showcase. Every-so-often I will write a short story based on my life, or random ideas I come up while daydreaming in class. My goal is to stay committed to this and post at least a story a month, (maybe 2). So, I will keep the stories in spoilers. I will have the title above it along with the word count incase so you know how long it'll take to read. I know the stories aren't perfect and they may not mesh with your opinions, so with that being said please be open-minded to my interpretations. As for grammar mistakes, yeah I know they are there, but please try not to be a Grammar Nazi, it kind of deflates my enjoyment of sharing these stories with all of you. Anyways, here they are.
Remembrance (2,979 words) - April 4th, 2011 - Spoiler:
Her tears rolled down her soft flushed face. I grabbed a tissue and dabbed them away but it still left tear trails from her eyes. There was nothing I could do but to let her release her pain and sorrow. I didn’t say anything, nor did she want me to say anything at that moment. Life didn’t always have an answer or a solution for everything that happens in this world. Sometimes things were meant to be. Death was part of life. But was it supposed to happen to a mere young man? A man who had just barely started his life of independence, a man looked upon as a man of honor? He didn’t deserve to die, and neither should she be suffering like this. I stood by her side as she clutched my hand and convulsed with every shiver of anger and sadness. She had her eyes closed deep in thought. The only sound surrounding us was the sound of her sniffles. Classes were indefinite the entire day, but kids still attended mostly to keep the thought of what had happened out of their minds for a transitory period of time. Some kids aimlessly walked around campus with looks of confusion and despair. Others were sitting in a circle, holding hands and praying. Even the weather played a part in the somber day. The air was cold for a mid-spring day and the sun barely gave off its radiant heat. Some clouds came and went blocking the sun at times creating a dark moment before the sun shone through them. I didn’t know the man well- and I bet nobody really knew either, yet how death brought people together. People for a moment in time dropped everything that separated them from each other and came together to mourn a person they wouldn’t have considered part of their group. The human heart was a tricky part of the human to decipher, but as much as hate seems evident in the world, love and care would always trump it. The whole school coming together that day was more than enough to prove my point. I held my girlfriend Kristin’s hand the morning we heard the news about our classmate Jeremy’s death the prior night. He and a few of his friends decided to go out partying in the upper part of town. Apparently there was enough beer and whisky to supply a small country and he passed out on the ride home. His friends took him to another friend’s house and laid him on the grass while they waited for the paramedics. By the time they arrived on scene, they declared him dead due to alcohol poisoning. He had turned eighteen a month ago and had lined up a scholarship to Yale; the first in the school’s history to do so. Jeremy was known for running the high school’s academic program which helped college-bound scholars lock on to scholarships. He backed up the right to be in that position with his perfect GPA. Although he didn’t play any sports, he made it up with participating in clubs and running the American Cancer Association club which hosted annual pasta dinners at the community recreation center. Overall, he was the perfect kid that had one flaw, and it turned out to be the one that took his life. Although Kristin didn’t know Jeremy at all, she was one that had the heart of gold. So many things were wonderful about Kristin; she was my role model for excellence and perfection. I met her 4 years prior and let’s just say she came into my life at the right time. I learned through the years that she sought nothing but the best in life and she did everything she could to achieve it. She in fact was the female counterpart of Jeremy who happened to be with a guy like me. Now, I’m not the type that was the total opposite, but one that hadn’t exactly put everything together yet. I played some sports, I was slightly active in some clubs, and I had a decent GPA to get me into a good college. Many could say my life came easy and the experiences such as a death were something I wasn’t use to handling. I was still however, able to keep my composer when I arrived to pick up Kristin. She buried her head to my chest as she held me tight. As I held her close I stroked her hair in complete silence. Kristin whispered why did Jeremy die, and why did he do the things he did. I knew the answers to those questions but held it in with fear that they were rhetorical, not explanatory. After a few minutes passed, she looked up and gave me a wry smile. I gave her a small grin and lead her to my car. We drove in silence with the windows slightly down and the traffic nowhere in sight. The drive was short and within a few minutes we were walking to our first class. As we walked pasted the front entrance, we both saw a huge banner with the words “Rest in Peace Jeremy~ We Love You”. Some kids were kneeling near the sign writing on it, while some brought candles and lit them before placing them beside the fresh bouquet of flowers on the right side of the sign. She told me she wanted to stop by there at lunch and write a message. I smiled and told her we’d both do that together. The first class lasted forever. The teacher tried to lecture for a few minutes but he ultimately decided to concede to a free period after seeing the lack of concentration from everyone in the room. Some didn’t show up to the class, others walked out with sudden burst of tears. I looked towards Kristin a few times to make sure she was alright and it looked like she was ready to lose herself but kept it together for the hour and a half class. We didn’t have the second class together so we hugged and parted ways. Like the first class, we didn’t do anything and most of the class looked blankly around the room trying to focus their attention on anything, maybe in hopes of trying not to think about Jeremy but failing to do so. The room went silent for a split second but a girl burst into tears and was crying hysterically before the teacher was able to calm her down and escort her to the counseling office where the counselors were on grieving duty. Fortunately the second class went by a bit quicker and I met Kristin for lunch. We walked towards the banner and we found a blank spot on it to write. I remember writing something about how he achieved numerous accomplishments and he died being forever remembered in the hearts and souls of his classmates and community. When Kristin finished hers, she took my hand and we walked towards our lunch spot and she laid down on my stomach while I laid against a tree. I asked her how her second class went and she told me the guy who was with Jeremy that night looked absolutely dreadful. He had red semi-circles under his eyes as well as a ghostly complexion; something eerie she never wanted to see again. She than told me she was feeling light headed, so I sat her up and handed her a yogurt from her lunch box. I spoon fed her a bit and then I ate some myself before switching back to her. I dabbed a few tears that rolled down her eyes and I told her it’ll be alright before the bell rang and we had to get to our final class. I watched Kristin breakdown in third period and it was almost enough to break me down and join her, but I knew that I needed to be strong. For everything she provided me not only as a girlfriend but as a friend first. Today doing everything for her was something I wouldn’t hesitate to do every day. As I watched her tears roll down, I couldn’t do anything more than watch her try to make sense of the day. It looked like Kristin wasn’t getting any better as she tried to sniffle and was trying to catch her breath. I whispered for her to walk with me outside. I helped her up and I led her out with the fresh air helping her settle her composer. She had her eyes down casted towards the ground so I lead the way. We didn’t have a particular route so we went with the path that was ahead of us and after a few minutes of a long silent walk, we sat down on a bench overlooking the school. Kristin had a few of her curled hairs in front of her eyes, and I slowly pushed them away. That was the first time I did that, and as I looked at Kristin, I knew that beyond that moment in time, I had grown to love her for everything that she stood for and everything she was to me. Yeah we were just in high school and we only knew each other for four years, but with Kristin, I didn’t worry about the future. I knew both of us were capable of being financially stable and responsible. I knew that every day was something special and more than breathing I wanted to tell her how I was feeling. However I knew the day was wrong, the moment was not right. But as I thought about the first day Kristin and I came together, it was stemmed from another death of a classmate. She was one that struck me the most, having had witnessed my first tragedy of the death of my grandfather and having that girl as someone who I finally believed was a real friend to me. I thought I’d never find someone like that again. That same day Kristin and I met and I knew it was a sign- like my friend left me in good hands, and that was a second chance I wouldn’t let go of. I was done with staying silent and I finally spoke her name. She looked up and met my eyes and although it was tantalizing staring at her for a few seconds, I continued. I asked if she remembered the death of Kayla, the girl who passed away four years ago on the day we had met in which she nodded and said she did. I smiled and told her I never mentioned anything about what Kayla meant to me and that it was something I wanted to share at that moment. She was all ears, and I started by mentioning that I had known Kayla since fourth grade when she had moved from Santa Clarita, California. We didn’t start out as friends, but when sixth grade came around and we had shared five of the six classes, we had spent a lot of the time in class together. And like Kristin, Kayla had a wonderful heart, something that couldn’t be taught. She had a passion to help people and animals, and she loved to participate in the school activities and achieve in class. What Kayla taught me those three years in middle school was that a friend wasn’t someone that just hung around with you day after day. A friend makes sacrifices for their friend and they will go beyond emotional and physical support to make sure they are safe. A friend remembers and cares for their friend and has their best interest in mind. A friend is understanding, kind and loving; even when things go south. Those were the stables of which she believed a true friend was. It was astounding that Kayla was already so wise and knew what a friend was when I didn’t even know literature- the best thing I was good at, to the best of my ability. Then came eight grade when life began to wise me up a bit. It started with the death of my grandfather and I was taken out of class that one unsuspecting Friday in January. That was the roughest weekend of my life. I remembered spending those few days in the hospital watching my grandfather in a coma unable to fully comprehend what was happening and not having my parents explain it to me. All I knew was that death was something I didn’t want to accept. That Monday I returned to school and I remembered spending the day with Kayla. She didn’t sit with her friends and all day she was by my side. We talked a lot, she told me about her grandparents dying and how she was angry and sad. However she believed eventually better moments come along to appreciate and to balance those bad moments. Death brings new beginnings and so she moved forward with an open heart. That was when she and I started to spend time in class. I was too young to be fully thankful of her that day and it was the one regret I have to this day. The rest of the week was cloudy but from that day I knew Kayla was a real friend and someone I counted on. She was performing in the middle school drama production in March and I was part of the band ensemble. Those two days were sold out as everyone wanted to see the play “Grease”. After the last performance, the drama club threw a party for the actors and band. I attended and although it wasn’t something I was very comfortable being in, I felt instantly at ease when Kayla came by to congratulate both of us. I told her she did excellent as part of the choir that accompanied one song. Her solo was just show stopping. Kayla smiled and thanked me before she kissed me on the cheek. Before she left to spend time with her other friends, she thanked me for caring about her performance and then she left. And had I known that would have been the last time I saw her; dolled up and all, I would have told her how I was forever thankful for everything she instilled in me and maybe even save her from that moment. I was looking down for most of the story but as I looked up towards Kristin, I saw fresh tears forming around her eyes, and I wiped them away. She knew what happened that night after the party. Life was cruel at times and it’s easy to blame it for everything that has gone wrong, but if I learned anything from Kayla, it was that I needed to look forward to new beginnings.
It felt like I was the last to know about the death of Kayla. The mood was instantly tense from the first moment I walked into class, and it took a counselor visit to find out what had happened. When I heard the words that she passed away, I felt sick to my stomach. The same Kayla that looked healthy and alive that night and just like that she was gone. I later found out she had a seizure while she was taking a bath. She had a fever when she got home and wasn’t feeling well which prompted her to take the bath. And just like that, she had a seizure attack and she sunk to the bottom of the tube unable to shout or alert her parents. She drowned to death. There was a celebration of Kayla’s life during school and I couldn’t bare to watch. The pain of losing her was immense and nothing was making sense to me. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t think. All day I flushed all the water out of me it seemed but I couldn’t explain how I was feeling to anybody. She was the closet person I had and now that she was gone, I had no body to turn to and that was the distressing part. I went into the last class just wanting the day to be over already. That was when Kristin took her seat next to me. She asked if I was alright, and she was the only person to ask me that all day. I told her I’d be alright and I thanked her for asking. She smiled and asked me if I wanted to help her write a card to her parents in which I said I would. We concentrated on writing the letter that day, but it was the start of something special. I started forming tears as the memories of everything came back. I smiled at Kristin and I told her that I was thankful to Kayla and what she taught me because had she never came in my life and showed me what a friend was, I wouldn’t appreciate what I have now. I told Kristin I loved her and that I have for a while. For everything she inspired me to accomplish, to the untainted and beautiful moments I spend with her. With the death of Jeremy, he made me realize that life is too short and being shy and holding back will only lead to regrets. I have the perfect person with me and she deserved to hear me say I loved her. I slowly moved closer to her and our lips met for a gentle kiss. She held my hand and whispered she loved me too, with all her heart. We kissed again before we walked together to my car and to our short drive home. With memories of Kayla and Jeremy still fresh in our minds, we moved forward with their importance in our hearts and our focus on the un-telling future, together.
~Fin [/color]
Katherin (1518 words) - May 11th, 2011 - Spoiler:
Thumb. Thumb. Thumb. That was the sound of his heart as I clenched his hand laying upon his chest. He felt cold to the touch, yet he always radiated a warmth like the sun. His hazelnut colored eyes connected on mine, a grin crept upon his face. The clouds appeared and darkened the sky, setting the mood and darkening my heart in the process. I knew I was about to lose him. Every second became vital as I didn't have much time with him in my life. My eyes couldn't hold in the tears that were already forming in my eyes. Like rain, one dripped after another onto his checkered colored shirt leaving small wet spots. I told him to focus on me and to hold on to my hand. I tried assuring him everything was going to be alright. I made that promise.
In our moment of distress, the only thing on my mind was admiring the man in front of me. I almost felt lost but at the same time safe with him there. His beauty, his hair, his lips... how perfect he was. He was my everything. It felt like I was living my dream, being with the one I've always imagined... and like a dream, it was all coming to an end. How could I be losing him? Slipping away from me like grains of sand through the cracks of my hands. His eyes started to shake and he was losing his focus on me. I felt his grip slowly weakening, my tears bursting like a frenzy every second.
"Look at me Tim..." I demanded, hoping he'd hear me. "I will never stop looking at you Katherin..." He replied.
The only person I'd ever fell in love with, the sight of my love on the concrete breathing in his last breaths on this earth, everything in my world was spinning out of control. I start to think why he was the one to suffer like this. He was young and handsome, strong and perfect, why was he the one to have received this fate? Why wasn't it me who was lying there. I would give my life for him to live his in a heartbeat. With a struggle, he tried to pull me close and I leaned in. He held on to me and after a while leveled my head as our eyes connected again. "I love you Katherin, and you were the best thing that I was blessed to have in my life." He said.
"I love you too.." I repeated and honestly, I did with all my heart. I have never loved anyone with more passion than I did for him.
His eyes closed and his breath became scarce. The eerie silence filled the air and despite it separating us in life, it would never separate our love to each other. One perfect moment. I needed one more moment that would last a lifetime. I closed in on his lips, despite not seeing me, he sensed the warmth of my lips upon his. Slow, gentle and innocent as if it was our first kiss and as lovely as it would ever be. Our lips were still together and I wasn't ready to seal the end but I could sense it was about to. I opened my eyes and I saw his quirky smile, one I've come to adore. That kiss... for those seconds that felt like long hours, the kiss made the pain of the truth and reality numb. Those last seconds with his lips on mine made me appreciate falling in love, and being in love with a man I was lucky to have met. My love only grew. Finally, our lips separated- not quickly, but mine lingered closely to his. In the last seconds of his life, he spoke in a whisper,
"All I wanted to do in life was to make you happy and I never regretted a moment of it. Even if this is the last time I will ever see you, I'm happy to have had the time to spend with you, and I'll leave with happiness and love in my heart. I love you."
"Tim..." I managed to say, but nothing more.
His body gave in, his hand releasing its grip in my hand. I tried grabbing it and clutching it towards my heart, where he'll always be. Knowing I had already lost him to the sky above, I couldn't do anything more than to hold him and question life and faith and all that was to blame for his death. My thoughts swirled like angry bees in my mind, nothing was making sense only shouts of angry remorse and blame for things that couldn't be controlled. The paramedics arrived, late and unaware the pain I was enduring as they approached us. They lifted him on a stretcher, carefully transferring his body on it. The two men slowly lifted him up, releasing the grip I had on his hand. Try tried to lift me up too, but my body convulsed in utter shivers and I felt I couldn't even move my body. My life... it was incomplete. Empty, alone, and missing the main piece that moved it forward. Tim was gone.
I remembered nothing those two days after Tim's death. I wore his jacket that the paramedics removed off him for those two days; that I remembered. Taking it off was like removing a tattoo: painful to the touch. But after consideration, I knew wearing it wouldn't bringing him back. I slowly removed it but it slipped from my hands and it fell to the floor. When I picked it up, a paper note dropped from a pocket. Curious, I slowly bent down and picked it up carefully. I opened slowly, anxious and filled with wonder if he knew I'd keep the jacket and eventually find it. Small patches of blood covered the sheet of paper, but still it was legible. I walked up to my table lamp and proceeded to read the note.
"My love Katherin, Do you want to know why I bought the apartment room next to yours? I could lie and say it was because it had more rooms than I needed. Or I could say it was the most wonderful view of the sunset and sunrise. Maybe it was because of the pricing. Katherin, I bought the apartment room next to yours because the moment I met your eyes that one October day, I knew nothing in the world would be greater than to spend time getting to know you. I was love stung that day and I knew that buying that apartment would be the closest way of being close to you. Stunning describes your looks as charm and warmth illustrates the happiness you bring to my days. Forever enchanted and forever yours, my life is and has been, since that day, for you. And I never, ever, want to lose you from my life. I want to grow old with you and spend our last days curled in each other’s arms. I never want to go a day without your smile or the soft touch of your lips upon mine. With the last breath I have, I will tell you how much I have loved you, and that no matter what, I'm happy with the outcome of my life. Never jealous, never angry, but content and lucky. You've made me a better and happier person and I just hope I've done the same for you. You're my world and will be in my heaven and in my dreams. I love you Katherin.
Much smitten, and forever hooked, your love,
Tim"
I suddenly clenched the letter, pain and happiness perpectuating in my heart. My face cringed like the letter gripped tightly that I held. I let out an exasperated breath, like a fish out of water, begging for air. I cried, allowing my emotions to run freely. I slipped to the floor, writhering in the memories he vividly described of his profound love. Two days without him. Two days without him in my life was like two days in a world of isolation. I took for granted day after day he'd be right there by my side, and I never fully appreciated of living in the moment. But his words, as much as they stung from the past, they relieved the ache that I felt. I needed his words, I needed his steadyness, something he provided that I couldn't live without. This letter was my rock. He lived within his letter and his voice re-reads the words inked upon them in my mind. I placed the letter in my safe box, one that held my most precious items in the world. Never had one thing, one letter with words have had a more profound meaning to my life like this. My fingers glidded across the letter one last time, and slowly I pressed my lips against it. I repeated the final line of the letter like I had memorized it a thousand times,
"Much Smitten, and forever hooked, your love,
Katherin."
Bitter Like Coffee (3061 words) - June 26th, 2011 - Spoiler:
As I poured the third round of coffee into my mug, I thought how funny it was how I started. I didn't start drinking the stuff at an early age, in fact it was only about a few years ago when I met a girl at a coffee shop. I don't like coffee. I think it's bitter, yet I'm addicted to it. The closest thing I can compare it to, is love. Love is sometimes bitter in the tongue but addictive in the mind. They are two of the same and that was how I felt. She wasn't just an average round of women I saw, she was "the" special person, a specialty brewed for me, and only for me. She was everything that a man could ever want in a wife, and I knew after the first time I saw her there, by God I was going do everything I could to see her again. I needed that second chance.
I had missed my chance the first time. I was mentally punishing myself as I realized I had simply flinched. Alright, I choked badly. You know that saying how a deer loses its instincts and becomes "frozen in the headlights"? Yeah, that was me and more. I felt like a turtle withdrawing into the comforts of his shell, cowardly hiding but exploring what could be a possible future with her. She was paradise in my mind, sunny days and beautiful years of wonderful bliss. Her and I had a golden future, and I yearned to embark with her by my side. Every joyous thought of her and I were interrupted by the devil's advocate on my right hand shoulder. I had a problem. She was gone; vanished and before I could fully comprehend what had happen, I had no chance to run out and find her.
Weeks passed and each felt colder than the rest. Despite going every day at the same exact hour I had seen her that first day, she didn't show up. I became a regular of the ten through eleven hour but she never was. Through my regular visits, the regulars of that hour conversed with me and I became friends with them. I asked if they knew anything about that girl, but they said they didn't know her to my disdain.
To take the pain away from my heartbreak, I decided to paint. It was a hobby of mine I turned to when I needed to escape reality. The paintings I composed were free and expressive of my thoughts and hopes. She was the only one that came up when I painted. Every color I used reminds me of her, light hues reminded me of her warm personality I felt when I first saw her. Dark hues reminded me of the coffee shop I had been so accustomed to, and the sight of her sitting there, sipping her coffee. Even the random images of houses and gardens that I dappled had her right there in the picture; she was the focal point of the mind, and honestly the force that clung to my heart.
I began to question myself. Was I going a bit too far with this? I felt I was stalking her because I got lost constantly in her; everything swirled around her. She was my divine grace, and I couldn't let the thought of losing her in. She was tantalizing, paralyzing, wonderful, I wanted more of her every day, every hour. But this feeling was it getting out of control? I had nothing but perfect intentions of loving her as much as any man can possibly love another. Maybe she wasn't the one of me. Maybe this was just worth a passing glance and my true love was someone else. But how can one man be so sure that there is true love? Marriages aren't like they were back then. True love and the perfect person seem too crazy if I thought about it more. Yet, I already felt she was part of me, like we were already married and we were two bodies within one soul. Oh how could I ever forget her?
A year had passed just like that. It was like I was stuck in time and I was in the same exact spot I was when I first became entranced in her love. Eventually the sadness of never catching her at the coffee shop made me quit going to it altogether. I made some radical changes in my life to switch it up. I switched jobs and I became obsessed with work to eventually pay for a better apartment. The purging of her was difficult to break, but I knew I had to do it.
It was a relief the day I woke up not thinking about that woman in my mind. That was the day I believed I could finally move forward. I stopped painting so I wouldn't paint her by accident. And I took up a new hobby in golf, which I became an avid of. Despite the numerious changes, I wasn't exactly happy. I had all I needed in life except for someone to enjoy it with, but wasn't that usually the last thing? Either way I was sore and bitter and nothing was going to change that. When I saw a couple intimintly holding hands or kissed, it made me rage acold angry glare. I was jealous, but who wouldn't be when two love sickend people put on a show for all the single people in the world to see. It was a tease, but really it was a jab in the stomach at what they had and I couldn't.
My job was boring, I was miserable and I had a deep hankering for a cup of coffee. The smell of it whaffing at the desk next to me didn't help either.I knew that smell brought painful memories and I tried to fight the feeling. I failed. In minutes, I was wandering into the bookstore that I had swarn off. I walked inside insisting to myself that I was only going to grab it and go back to the office. Well, things never turn out perfectly - or did they? Right there and then I saw her. I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Yep, that was her. It was the woman. Then it hit me, this time with force. Standing a few feet from me was the same woman I had been unraveled in for months, cried, and wondering, smiled, and loved. My hopes had come charging back, as if all those months of waiting didn't matter except for the second chance I was getting.
I was nervous of course. I sat in a table by myself but I couldn't clutch my coffee for my hands were prefusly shaking like an alarm clock. I fixed my hair, adjusted my suit and tie and tried to stay calm. It wasn't working. I was getting red in the face and I breathing harder than I thought as people who passed by gave me a look of concern. I was still looking at her through all of this. Unfortunatly she caught my eye and I looked away only to see she had turned back to her book. What a fool she thought I was. She probably thought I was a scared little kid. But this was my chance. I swore that I would capatilize the next time I could see her. Well, I guess it's easier said than done.
She was still sitting by herself sipping her coffee, concentrated on her book; one by Jane Austin. My thoughts screamed in my head every step closer I got to her. They were telling me don't make the same mistake, don't...
"Mind if I sit here?" I heard myself say. I watched as she turned from her book to me. She examined me from the waist up and didn't say anything. I was freaking out in the inside; she probably thought I was just someone looking to flirt with her. If she only could read my mind, she'd find it was far from it. She gave me a smile and I felt my body move towards the seat and sit across from her. I think she was queuing me that I had her attention because her book was on her lap and she was taking another sip of her coffee. My mind began frantically coming up with topics to talk about but I was drawing a blank. Finally I spat out pathetically, "you look nice today..." She smiled again and pushed her hair out of her eyes. She met my eyes and said, "Thanks". When there were a few seconds of silence, she continued. "I actually don't dress up like this all the time. I'm actually getting ready to go to a job interview soon."
"That's cool, I have a job too." I have a job too? Was that what I just said? Stupid! I was so angry at myself but she said,
"Oh, well that's good." Great, she probably thought I was such a child. I couldn't trust my insticts and I flatly sat drinking more coffee, shuffling for perhaps something to save me from this embarrasment.
"Um," I began, putting the coffee back down on the table. "what kind of job are you pursuing?" I said.
"A dental hygienist. This is my first interview out of college." She told me. "I'm pretty excited. I'm nervous because I know how important the interview is for me." She was nervous? Either she was shivering in the inside like I was, or she had no clue what nervous was. I choose the lather.
"Oh. I see." I could only meekly muster. She was out of my league. I worked in a factory assembling PCBs; she could be making twice as much money as me. But I choose to ommit that. I wanted to impress her at least. Show her that I could be the kind hearted partner.
"You're almost out of coffee," I noticed. "Here, let me buy you some more."
"No, don't worry about it -" she said But I turned and began waving towards the cleark behind the counter.
"Hey, can I get -”
Then I heard it. The sound of hope being dashed and it sounded like a paper cup tipping over and spilling the coffee I had barely drank spill endlessly over the table, my pants and the girl's dress. The one she so effortlessly wore, completely ruined with the coffee stains sinking into the freshly white linen.
"I'm... I'm so sorry" I stubbled while searching for napkins to dry up the the hot mess. It was already too late. She grabbed her purse and she was out the door before the bus boy could even reach our table. No words, no looks, she just left. It wasn't even worth running out and appolgizing. I had once again blew my chances but this time in a more embarassing fashion. Do first impressions really matter? Those who say they don't never had coffee spilled on them the day of their important interview. I knew there was no chance to win her over again.
I couldn't get over it. Seeing her, rejuvinated my effort to win her over despite twarting my chances the second time. That one mistake haunted me and would haunt me if I didn't do something to reset my mistake. And so I did the crazy - I went and changed my entire wardrobe; discarding all my clothes and replacing them with ones I would have never wore before. Next, I got a new haircut and dyed my hair from blonde to brown. I chose blue eye contacts to hide the old grayish ones she probably never wanted to see again. I felt ridiculous, but good as I saw my new self in the mirror for the first time. I was determined this time. I was going to win her over one way or another.
"Hello!" I greeted her as I came stolling by her table. I noticed this time she was wearing a gray sweater and jeans.
"Hi," she responded tentively. "Do I know you?"
"No, no. But I would really like you to know me. Can I sit with you?" She nodded and smiled. I noticed she closed her book completly and turned her full attention on me.
"So," I began. "What's your name?"
"Isn't it polite to introduce yourself first?" She asked.
"Oh right. Sure. My name's Scott Hewitt." Since I hadn't told her my name before, I smiled being able to tell her the truthful part of me.
"Okay Scott, well, my name is Elaina Rousseau."
"Rousseau?" Is that French?"
"Yes." She said with a nod.
"I see, that's beautiful. Well Elaina, how would you like to go on a date with me some time? Maybe somewhere with great food and wine?" I thought it was going great, but she didn't answer right away. It made me nervous. She looked over me – exactly like the way she did before.
"Are you sure we haven't met before?" You seem strangely familiar." I was beginning to worry. She was somehow on to me.
"How?" I asked.
"She put her thumb to her chin and said, "Your voice," she told me. "I've heard it somewhere before."
"Oh?" I questioned as I started to panic.
"Are you a radio show host or something?" "Um... why, yes. Yep, you caught me. That's how you know my voice." I lied but was relieved. Just like I was doing with my appearance. It might as well not even be me winning her over.
"Well, I'm sorry but I don't date radio hosts. I'm looking for a man to be my future husband who does more than that."
"I like kids." I pleaded. I felt like I was choking up.
"I'm very sorry Scott. It's just that I need someone who has a college education. It means the world to me to know that he has that same education and is equally successful."
"What are you trying to say?" That I'm stupid if I don't have a college education?"
"No, that's not it." She said. For the first time she was the one that looked uneasy. "Education to me is the key to living a better future and earning a good income. I need a man who can support me and my future kids as well and and pay the bills as often as I do."
"I really didn't think you were that type of person." I was tensing up now. Everything seemed to be caving around me.
"You have it all wrong Scott... I'm not a gold-digger or anything like that."
"You just won't give me a chance because you know who I really am..." I said concluding she had seen past my disguise this entire time.
"What..." She started to say. I stood up and I felt tears ready to cascade from my eyes. I had to fight it in.
"You know me because I was the one who spilled your coffee before your interview. You aren't giving me the chance to win you over because of that." She shook her head in confusion and looked at me puzzled. Finally it clicked and she said,
"That's right, you're that guy." She said in it in a whisper. She shook her head again. "You have it all wrong. I didn't know you were that guy. And even so, why would you pretend to be someone else?"
"Because-" I wanted to tell her because I had loved her since the first day I saw her. Because of the way she looks, because of how I spent a year thinking that she'd be the perfect person only to lose that chance. "Because I knew you'd never forgive me."
She sat more uncomfortable as more people looked towards us. "Scott. Listen. Everything I said was true. I value education and money because I don't want to live a life struggling like my parents did."
I tried to fight the tears but they were dripping. "I'd fight for you Elaina. I would try my best. No I'm not a radio voice, I work for a normal paying job, I live in an apartment, I have everything I need to make me happy except someone to be happy with me."
She closed her eyes like she was concentrating on the words that were to come next. "You seem like a very nice guy Scott, but I don't think-" Don't was the only word I needed to hear and I turned to walk away. "One year Elaina. I wasted one year of my life thinking that you were this perfect angel of a woman. I loved you like love had never seen before. I would die for you but if you can never love me back, it's not worth feeling love like this." I stormed off like she had the day I spilled the coffee on her. I didn't look back. I didn't look back at windows where she probably was watching me walk off into the distance. I overreacted. I caused her to feel just as miserable as I had felt for a year. But I was done. That was the end of what I considered my first and last love. I didn't need her in my life to live.
I'm fine now. A man sitting in his kitchen and drinking a cup of coffee. Funny how the coffee symbolizes the bitterness of the story. Love is like coffee. Bitter and addictive, dark and stale in the end.
Last edited by MicahelN on Sun Jun 26, 2011 2:17 pm; edited 5 times in total | |
| | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:33 pm | |
| Hmm.. the text looks small. If that's the case, let me know and I will make it bigger so that way it'll be easier to read.
Anyways, I wanted to explain the inspiration of Remembrance. The character Kayla was based on a real person, and a dear friend of mine. Her real name was Marieka Douridas and I met her in 6th grade. We had a few classes together, and her personality was that of what I wrote. I never did become that close to her which was a shame because she was a really great person. She died the same exact way in the story and the party was the last time I did see her. Kristin was based on two of my friends. Kristin was a friend of mine that I met two years ago that I didn't really become friends with until the second sememster of senior year. I regretted not getting to know her better. Jeremy was actually a guy named Aiden and he passed away the same way as I described. He died in late March, and Kristin was exactly the way I described in the story. The only thing was that I didn't take her outside, and I didn't comfort her, having not even been her friend. But after that day, we became good friends. As for after Kayla's death, I did meet a friend that day. Her name is Jessica and we'd been friends ever since. And exactly like I wrote, we became friends when she asked how I was feeling that day. I truely appreciate her continued friendship. I always believed that new beginnings come after death. I lost a dear friend in Marieka, but I gained a life long friend in Jessica. I lost a friend in Aiden, but I gained a friend in Kristin. Small things like that make me believe that these are signs and that friendship is a way to help heal the broken heart. And since both Aiden and Marieka passed away in March, it's only fair to remember them this month. So, that's the backstory to it. | |
| | | Littlered Demon in Disguise
Squad : Flame Squad Age : 30 Location : Massachusets, USA Posts : 337 Join date : 2010-11-02
| | | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Tue Apr 05, 2011 12:40 pm | |
| Thanks Ariana, I appreciate the feedback. Yeah, I love to structure the stories present, past, present because mostly I've read a ton of stories that do things like that. I guess having the present told first gives a general idea of where to start and from there it sets up a reader's thoughts, like what happened that lead to this event. Personally I think it helps eliminate the obvious factor but at the same time, I've been told numerous times that past to present to the future would be more clear.
Yeah, this story was something I wrote on a whim yesterday evening; I guess I didn't pay too close attention to the way I structured some details and of course you are right that I should have mentioned the past a bit earlier. I guess I was into the flow of the story that I didn't want to adjust it last night and that it would go well with putting it in the last few paragraphs to provide the reason he was so calm during Jeremy's death. But this is one of my shorter short stories because I usually aim for the 5,000 - 10,000 word mark and I could have added more detail.
And now looking back at it, I could have had a different storyline where the main character wasn't with Kristin, but they had broken up, and then Jeremy's death brought them back together as they both remembered Kayla's death and how they first met. But meh, I'm happy with the outcome of the story and this has helped me snap out of a very annoying writer's block.
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read the story and leave a response. It's always nice to hear opinions of my work and suggestions that can help me become better. | |
| | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:00 pm | |
| Mmm.. I don't think I can make another April story this month. I've actually been working on my first attempt at a novel this month and I've been making good progress which is actually a real shock to me. Anyways, I will work on a short story though in mid-May as to make sure I follow up on my commitment to post a story here every month. Maybe I'll even post a summary or section of the novel sooner or later. | |
| | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Wed May 11, 2011 11:26 pm | |
| Phew.
After being braindead for the last month, I finally was able to crank out another story. Well, it might be strange to you reading the first lines of it. But no, I don't feel that way. I was reading this story and I was editing it, but then I drew inspiration from it and revised the story to what is above. If you read the link below, it's not really copying the story lol.
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1775185-Katie
From that story, I wrote this blending my writing and using that storyline. I admit it was difficult writing from a girl's perspective because, well, they have a different way of showing emotion. I figure I missed the mark because it sounds like one person's style of writing but I thought, hey try something new. As a future author, I feel it's vital for me to try and capture both male and female perspective's in stories to further strenghthen my writing and make it believable. Hope you enjoy it.
Oh yeah, one thing. If you bother to read the story in the link, I changed the names for a reason | |
| | | Mac of All Trades The Forum Clown
Squad : Join ALL the squads! Age : 28 Location : Omnipresent Posts : 616 Join date : 2010-11-01
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Thu May 12, 2011 7:20 pm | |
| I seen this topic before, and even gave you rep, but I confess to neglecting to read the story until about an hour ago due to forgetfullness >.< Sorry about that really. I've only read the first story, I'll read the next one tomorrow because I want to let the message to the first one sink in a little bit. You sorta made me cry, so I believe you could do anything as a writer. Maybe it's just because someone I know wrote it, so I was thinking that maybe you MUSt have based this off an event in your own Life to be able to portray it in 3000 words and I got all empathetic. I see rather than a physically based story like an adventure, this is emotional, watching one's mind as he deals with Death and reflects on how he depends on Love to keep him from feeling bad. Tbh, this seems good enough to be in like my lit textbook, apart from a few awkward sounding sentences. I remember when a kid in a nearby school died early last year from cancer (he was acquainted with most our school too), I think a lot of people did react this same way with breakdowns. Rather than write a whole freaking literary criticism essay here, I'll end with if you want me to [somehow] share a story or two of yours with other people, I'll be glad to, because I was thinking it'd be great if people I know coping with a close Death read this, or it could really a person feel...closer to that special someone. | |
| | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| | | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Sun Jun 26, 2011 2:23 pm | |
| New Story Of course I had to keep my monthly commitment and this month has been a horrible month for me as I was suffering through a terrible case of writer's block. Maybe it had to do with the stress of finals and such, but anyways here's the next story. I try not to make the stories too long that way it's quicker to read and enjoy. This one has no inspiration really. I read a story someone wrote, and I got the idea and basically added 95% of the story. I admit it's not one of my best but in the month of July, my goal is to re-write my first and most inspired piece, Memorable Love. I remember it being my first idea when I was 15, and I've been really trying to fix it but failing. Hopefully I can sit down and get it done. For those of you that have checked out my writing.com profile and read that story, it's going to be radically different lol. | |
| | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:14 am | |
| Loving Lacey (3949 Words) ~ July 31. 2011- Spoiler:
Loving Lacey
I woke up again for the seven hundredth and third day with the woman I love on my mind. Since she walked into my life three years ago, I cannot think of a life without her. Completing our second year together was a whirlwind of emotions, days of highs and days of lows. And in those two years, I have grown to love and appreciate my love for Lacey to a point of dedication. Dedication. Sure that word may scare me a bit but taking that next step with Lacey by my side doesn’t make it the least intimidating. I have become close with this woman and today is the day I am going to ask her to marry me. Why do I feel so compelled by Lacey and love her deeply? Well first you have to know the reasons I love her. Where should I start with Lacey? I could start by describing her appearance from her straight combed almond brown hair, to her slender body and deep midnight blue eyes. However, her appearance doesn’t make her the whole reason I love her. I have learned Lacey is kindhearted, generous and wholesome. I learned that when we were the simply friends. Ten months after we first met, Lacey started volunteering with me at the Pomona Valley Red Cross Center in California. We had signed up to be emergency service volunteers who helped serve food and provide supplies to victims of major forest fires or any other disasters. We as college students both found helping others a common desire and that was how our friendship started. It was the first time I was sharing this experience with another and for it to be Lacey, I thought it would be enjoyable, not only to help people, but to spend time with Lacey. Subsequently a month later, the volunteers were being dispatched at various locations that were hit the hardest during the brush fires that spread throughout Riverside County and the San Bernardino County. Lacey and I were among a few asked to provide food and support for families in San Bernardino County. That same morning we packed up and drove southeast from Pasadena, California to the little town of Rialto which was situated between Fontana and San Bernardino. By the time we had arrived, the Red Cross Relief Team caravans were already starting to set up so Lacey and I set up tables and prepared the food. By ten in the morning, the first family made their way to our caravan. It was a father, a mother and a small girl, no older than four or five. The father’s face was covered in smoke and ashes, the mother’s dress was wrinkled, black rings arched below her eyes and the small child was holding on to her mother’s hand scared and confused by what was transpiring a few blocks down. Though Lacey and I were trained and instructed to only provide one meal per person, Lacey snuck them another plate each. We wrapped it in tin foil and instructed them to benches behind the caravan. They thanked us and though it was only words, it was better hearing those words than being paid for my services. I noticed Lacey watching the family trail off to the tables and I could tell she was thinking about them too. After they had turned the corner, Lacey looked at me crying and fighting back tears forming. She told me we were so fortunate to live safely under a roof with food and shelter each and every day of our lives and that sometimes we take it for granted. We never think of the unexpected because we are always the optimistic, but a reality such as this was sure a way to stay humble. Lacey was passionate about helping that day, it was really the first time I saw Lacey’s fiery compassion which was one of the reason I look up to her. By five in the evening, we were exhausted and decided to call it a day and as I drove Lacey back home, she said helping today wasn’t enough. She said those people now had food, water and temporary housing, but not a real house. Her job wasn’t done, at least not until the people who had lost their housing were able to sleep in a house they could call their own. She then asked if I would join her in signing up for Habitat for Humanity. Sure I wanted to help as much as I could, but I was thinking more about getting to know Lacey better during those days and so I said I would. By the start of the week after we signed up, we were back at Rialto but this time working on building a house. That one week, I will never forget. It started when Lacey and I were shown the site we were going to work on. The image was haunting in the mind as we looked at what was in front of us. The whole area was desolate, filled with charcoal ash on the ground. People’s belongings were burnt to cinders and the smell or burnt wood downplayed the perfect blue sky day. I remembered Lacey walk toward one pile of ash and pulled out a small half burnt teddy bear. It was missing a right ear, a button eye and its right arm. She clutched it tight and started to weep. I walked and stood right next to her. She whispered, “We need to build the best house we could possibly build… for these people and their kids.” I slightly smiled and said, “Then let’s get started.” I stuck out my hand and lifted her to her feet. She smiled as well and we joined the group for our daily briefing. The first day we spent sweeping and discarding the ashes before moving on to measuring out the area we wanted to build on. Lacey and I were in charge with leading a group of volunteers with bringing the wood from the hardware stores to the building site. During the days we scarcely talked socially but during the nights when we would situate into our tent located near the site, we’d talk. I learned a lot about Lacey those few nights, like how she was a neat freak (if that’s what you call it) and she loved to have everything organize. She also mentioned how she loved to daydream and wanted a fairy tale wedding. I told her how I wasn’t a neat person but I wasn’t a messy one either. I also told her I was a dreamer too. The work went on during the week until finally we were done with the exterior of the housing. Lacey and I were sitting on the new swing set we installed in the backyard of the house. She was smiling sweetly at the house in front of us and said, “It’s truly beautiful.” I sat there silently evaluating our weeks work. The task was certainly challenging but in the end, the results were remarkable and well worth the effort. Lacey then turned her attention towards me and said, “Thank you again for accompanying me. None of my friends wanted to go with me and I’m just glad you came along. It wouldn’t have been as fun without you.” I smiled at her and told her that it wasn’t a problem and that it was great spending time with her as well. We returned the next morning and hugged before Lacey walked out of my car and into her house. A few months later, I got a call from Lacey. She asked if I was doing anything over the weekend. I replied that I didn’t. She then asked if I would accompany her to her family reunion. I of course said I would because we hardly spent time together once school started up again. That brings me to the second reason I love Lacey, her love for her family and the importance of being close to them. The next day I dressed casual, a buttoned shirt and blue jeans. She was in a purple tang top and blue shorts cut thigh high and she had let her hair flow behind her. Lacey arrived at my front door five minutes to eight in the morning and asked if I minded going to the beach first. I told her I didn’t mind at all. By the time we reached the beach, the sun was just above the ocean and as Lacey and I walked through the sand and to the edge of the rising tides, she told me about her family. She loved every one of her family members from her parents to her grandparents to her third removed cousin. She said growing up; family was all she had in this world. She was tight with her family and she never really ventured away from them. However just the year before, her father died of a stroke and it just shattered her whole family, of all of them, Lacey was affected the most. She was twenty three at that time. Her eyes wandered toward the sunrise as I stood next to her like I had when she had clutched that teddy bear. I put my arm around her and she gave me a wry smile and told me, “I didn’t think I would lose my father. I always thought he would be there to see me graduate from college, or walk me down the aisle or even be there when I have my first child. But he always told me that family was the most important thing and to never lose sight of that. It was in the best interest that we have the family reunion, because my father would have wanted it to continue. However mom was reluctant to even plan it at all.” I stood beside Lacey and examined the sea with her, thinking about the struggles she prevailed. I knew this year would be more meaningful than the previous and that only made me feel important to Lacey. My hunch was proven to be true when she told me that I was the first person outside her family to ever spend time with her and get to know her as well as I had. She had been in previous relationships before where the guy wouldn’t care about her, he always wanted to go out and party and it took her long enough to realize some men aren’t worth being around. She was done with the party guys and she wanted a serious relationship and a serious boyfriend that would care about what she did. I told her that spending time with her really brought into perspective for me what I wanted in a relationship. Spending time with another person doing activities was allowing me to bond with her. Spending time was one thing, knowing Lacey could take care of herself without my help all the time allowed me to firmly believe she was a strong individual. I told her all that and how I loved her wholesome personality, never fake, what I see is what I would always get, and that for me was nothing less of what I wanted in a woman. She smiled and told me she was glad I was going to the reunion and that we would have fun. After another few minutes, we headed towards her car and drove to the reunion site which was a half an hour inland at a nice park. A few of her relatives were already there and also her mother. When we got out of the car, Lacey looped her arm around mine and led me towards her mother. Lacey introduced me to her mother Molly who was a wonderful woman with so much wisdom and as sharp as a tact. She wasn’t oblivious to what was going on in the world so we sat there for awhile talking about politics and news around the area. It was nice conversation and it eased its way to personal topics like where I was born, what I was trying to pursue. Molly wasn’t the shy type and grilled me a few times but I knew it was just to see that Lacey was with the right person, and I when she was done, I thought I passed. I quickly found she was a very respectful woman, very caring, very protective of her family and in a way reminded me of Lacey. When Lacey left the conversation to catch up with other relatives, Molly told me stories about her husband Alfonso and how charming and clever of a man he was. She knew bringing it up when Lacey was around would make her sad, but she figured I would at least know how her father was. Lacey’s love for her family was fostered from her father who grew up with six other siblings and they all got along well. It was the one thing he always stressed to Lacey, but amongst that, he also thought her to allow others to be brought into the family. “Alfonso would have loved you” she said. I smiled and thanked her and told her Lacey was an amazing woman and that both she and Alfonso should be proud of her. She smiled as well and swiped a tear in fact before laughing. Lacey then joined the conversation again and Molly continued to tell family stories, some were hilarious, some were unbelievable, but nonetheless, all of them allowed me to really understand who Lacey was. Near the end of the evening, Lacey and I managed to sneak away from the rest of her family and headed to a lake on the other side of the park. We sat down on the ground with the ebb of water that barely submerged our feet, peering at the starburst sky beyond us in the horizon. Like the sunrise at the beach, the sunset at the park displayed the colors of red, orange and yellow beautifully meshed together to create this aural of a mosaic painting. This was life in its stellar, raw purity. With Lacey, we got to connect with the world and the great beyond, as if for those few minutes it took for the sun to dip below the hills, the world was ours, just Lacey and I. She took my hand and told me to close my eyes and listen to the sound of nature. I did as she said and at first I only heard the congestion of cars to the west of me, but as I listened deeper, I heard the sounds of nature. Lacey made me more aware of nature and its divine graces for both my mind and spirit. The tranquil sound of the wind blowing, the crickets chirping, the smell of pine; all of it allowed me to be relaxed. I snuck a look at Lacey who sat there hand in my hand, eyes closed, toes in the water. I watched her take in the crisp afternoon breeze and her shoulders drop in complete relaxation. At that moment, she opened her eyes as the gleam reflected from her loving blue eyes I have come to love. “Isn’t nature phenomenal?” She softly asked. “Yes it is…phenomenal.” I said tantalized by her stare. “Truly phenomenal…” I was definitely seeing a new side of Lacey that was exquisitely unique. As I was in my own little bubble for awhile, I didn’t hear Lacey ask a question. “I’m sorry Lacey, what was that?” She laughed and repeated, “Did you have fun tonight?” I smiled and told her, “I sure did, I had the best time ever.” She nodded, but then she sighed. “I was wondering actually, when I’m going to see you again. I mean you’re probably going to be busy, and I really want to hang out with you…” Lacey looked uncomfortable, and she looked away. I knew then that Lacey was worth making time for her and I was falling for her. “Lacey, I would love to be your boyfriend.” Blunt, I know I admit, but I really didn’t know what else I could say. “But how will we make it work?” she asked. I smiled and laughed. “We’ll find a way, but we have to give this a shot.” That experience changed my life from that point forward. I remember laying on my bed that night reliving the day with Lacey, the sunrise, the reunion, the sunset; everything with Lacey was an unscripted perfection. She surely changed the direction of my life. Those were some of our simpler times. It hasn’t been like that since with our touch and go lifestyle for the last two years, we don’t get that time to enjoy the world around us. Occasionally we might go outside once and awhile, or dining on the weekends, but life never stops. However balancing has been our key to success in our relationship. That comes to my third reason I love her. Once we began dating, things were tight like Lacey had predicted. We both were trying to complete our teaching degrees. I was working on becoming a history teacher while Lacey was working towards teaching kindergarten. We both spent untold hours studying or spending hours in the classroom. During that time we seldom talked on the weekdays and by the weekends, we were spent. Lacey however, had the drive and determination to work diligently while making time to spend with me. I was touched, someone who made an effort like that inspired me to equal her. Once we changed our working schedule, we were able to spend more time together which really helped our relationship. She and I often met for lunch, or even sometimes ate a nice romantic dinner at my apartment. By twenty five, both Lacey and I were some of the youngest teachers to earn their degrees. The best part of it was, we stood side by side during graduation. And through it all, we had each other to thank because we were each other’s biggest supporters. It may sound like Lacey is virtually perfect in my eyes, but as I heard before, everyone has a weakness. Lacey doesn’t show her weakness often because she usually counters it with courage. Her courage was able to stride past aversions, but she did have a time where she couldn’t handle. Two months ago, she came to my apartment in disarray. It was her father’s fifty fifth birthday and he wasn’t there to celebrate it. Her mother was gloomy the whole day and Lacey went over to console her, but landed up being affected more than her mother. The loss of Alfonso was still affected her greatly and Lacey didn’t know what to do. She came to my apartment around nine at night. I sat her down at the couch and she began telling me the whole evening. Afterwards I held on to Lacey tightly allowing her to cry upon my chest, heaving and wailing in a shaking uncontrolled way. We stayed like that for about five minutes until she seemed to collect herself, and I looked me. Her eyes were red and still full of tears, her eyes portraying devastation and grief. She shifted her position on the couch now laying her head on my thigh and I wrapped a blanket over her. I gently stroked her soft hair while she told me stories of her father; ones I had heard before, but regardless, I listened to all of them again, for Lacey. She recounted times as a child when her fathers use to find ways to make her happy when she was sad. I asked her what was one of his ways. She told me, “He would take me window shopping and buy ice cream.” “Enough said. Let’s go walking Lacey.” I said as I lifted her up. “I don’t have my coat and its cold outside” She said. I returned from my closet and fitted my heavy coat on her, wrapped a red scarf around her and put a beanie on her head. She looked in the mirror and winked at me. “How do I look?” I walked behind her and wrapped my hands around her, “As beautiful as ever.” We walked around the city looking at the shops, holding hands, talking about work and usually the students we teach. Lucky for us, there was a small ice cream shop on the corner of my street and we walked in and bought two ice cream cones. She had a double scoop cherry vanilla and I had a double scoop banana cherry. We walked out of the ice cream store and started back to my apartment. We were walking and I looked at Lacey who had ice cream on her nose. I laughed at her and she gave me a puzzled look. I touched my nose and she felt hers and she found ice cream on her finger. She looked at me who was still laughing away like a child and she tried punching my arm but hit my wrist. My ice cream fell to the ground and I stared at her. She covered her mouth and she was the one now laughing. Getting in her last laughs, she offered to share her ice cream and I thanked her. I bit off half a scoop and swallowed the ice cream. I thanked her and she gave me one of those stares. I was going to start laughing but suddenly I felt a major brain freeze. It was back and forth until we got back to my apartment and though it was childish, I was able to ease Lacey’s mind and even made her laugh. When we were inside, Lacey asked if she could sleep over that night and I told her she could. She smile and kissed me and we landed up sleeping on the couch together. So for everything Lacey has taught me and has brought into my life, it is my turn to do something special for both of us. She is the woman I know I want to marry. She and I have experienced a long journey thus far and I want her to be the one beside me for the next fifty years. In my hands I hold the case with the ring I hopefully put on Lacey’s finger. My heart pounds relentlessly as I figure out what to say. Finally after I collected my thoughts, I am ready. I reached the front door to Lacey’s apartment and knock on the door. I wait, nervous but yet excited, excited and hopeful Lacey will say yes. She then opens the door, standing in her pink laced pajamas looking sleepy with her hair mangled in different directions. She is shocked to see me in a suit and tie, but she soon figures out what was happening when I began to get down on one knee and open the case with the ring. “Lacey Belle, the journey we have been on from that week at the Habitat for Humanity, to now has changed this boy into a man in love. I have lived and learned from you and it has made me love and adore you with more admiration within the days. You are my angel, my goddess and now, Lacey, will you be my wife?” Her eyes glowed and she screamed in delight. She jumped into my arms and said, “You better believe I will!” You know how I said that life never stops? Well for that one day when Lacey and I kissed and headed into her apartment to celebrate, life did stop. At least for us it did. Just realized I needed to post a monthly story, so this is one of my older ones. It's not as great, but I've been busy with the fanfic and other stuff. August will be down to the wire as well because I will be writing the fanfic, the zombie story, another fiction series involving a survivor like scenario, and other things. I have started the short story version of one of my future stories titled "The Duet" I am nearly 6K done and my hope is to get around 60K. I have a lot away of go lol. But enjoy this story. | |
| | | MicahelN The Peachy One
Squad : TD Forum Administrator Age : 31 Location : Pasadena, California Posts : 1177 Join date : 2010-10-31
| Subject: Re: MicahelN's Short Story Showcase Fri Mar 02, 2012 5:15 pm | |
| After a very lengthy time way from my writing activities; (I would call it a lovely distraction), I'm going to start back up with my stories in hope that I'll be able to extract some of them for my Creative Writing class this semester. In fact I have an assignment coming up this Monday where I need to write a 10 page Creative non-fiction story. Maybe I can post it here by tomorrow night or Sunday and get some feedback in time for class Monday. If anyone wants to give it a read, I'd appreciate it. I'm actually not going to write about my time with Robin. I'm going to create a piece about people (their last names are going to be changed) that I've met in the past who I became good friends with, who were in terrible relationships. (No one in Team Dramander). The reason why I'm writing about this experience in particular is because the ex-boyfriend of one of my closest friends in high school is in this creative writing class and it struck me as weird. I mean the guy I heard all these things about is in the same classroom as me not knowing I had a huge part in breaking up his relationship. It's a serious piece obviously as it does deal with some adult issues (which I will try to limit as best as I can) but it's a part of my past that reminds me of the blessings of a happily, healthy relationship and how too many people take them for granted. Anyways that's my plan so look out for it this weekend and any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks- | |
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