Starlight

This is the first story I've written in a long while. It's been a tough couple of months for me creative-wise. But hey, not bad.

This story kinda came out of nowhere, I just found some quiet and thought of a story and setting came to me first. The characters just took on forms of their own. I initially planned it to be a harsher darker encounter, with the female lead considering suicide and such, but when it didn't really write itself out that way initially, I didn't try to make it and I just went along with it.

This actually took me about slightly less than 3 days to write(as opposed to my usual 20 min story, don't judge! They call it flash fiction for a reason, not just cause of the length), partly cause I'm distracted, partly cause I didn't really know where it was going and got stuck at several points.

I guess that means its slightly disjointed and if some parts don't totally make sense then sorry!

Still, I hope you enjoy it.

It's a story about understanding, struggle and that little ray of hope that sometimes just manages to shine its way through I guess.

Enjoy.

*****************************************************

Victoria ran out of her front door, leaving it open, the swirling maelstrom of emotion following her out, leaving its twisted trail behind as she slammed open the door to the stairwell and pounded her way up blind. Never, again, she told herself. Never.

7th floor, 8th floor, 9th, 10th, circling, thrashing her way upwards through the sea of red until she finally burst through the door at the 20th storey, the sounds of the eternal city instantly washing over her as the night sky opened up above. She ran out of momentum a few steps away from the door, gasping for breath as the cool air hit her lungs, and stumbled over to the edge, staring at the blaring noise from the traffic below her.

"So what brings you up here young lady"

The casual drawl startled her; vulnerable and raw, she spun around tensely. It was a man, his face full of stubble, on a plastic deck chair, gleaming white in the dim brown that was the roof. He leaned back into his chair and after drawing a deep breath from his pipe, unleashed a foul smelling cloud of smoke from his pipe.

She didn't know what to say,

"Stuff...I guess"

"Always is," he said sighing, "nobody just ends up here. Unless cos you're me of course."

Victoria stood there in silence as he sank into a silent depression, the quiet surface giving no hint of the turmoil that must have been within. Quietly he intoned, "Look up into the sky."

She looked up, above the city lights and light haze, and saw stars. Stars upon stars upon stars, twinkling, dazzling, winking stars. She looked away for a moment and saw the man had gotten up, his face now pale in the moonlight.

"Beautiful ain't it." he whispered, not pausing from his look into the heavens.

His eyes took on a faraway look, and she turned her gaze back to the depths of the galaxies as he softly breathed,

"Star light, Star bright

The first star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight"

Suddenly she felt dumb. What was she doing there anyway. Guilt and confusion washed through her as she backed away instinctively.

"I'm sorry." she said, realising who the real intruder was.

He broke and regarded the girl gently once more, and as Victoria stared into his eyes she saw an understanding there; the sense that the soul considering hers had known, had been and had moved on. Feeling self-conscious she looked away and saw him smile.

"You're alright kiddo," he chuckled to himself; seeing her confused face, he stilled his laughter. "Just realise you ain't alone, and find your own space you know what I mean?"

She sighed for the first time that night, his words sounding hollow to her; it wasn't that she didn't know, but realising that fact didn't make her problems any easier to deal with.

He smiled knowingly.

"Oh but Victoria, I do know."

"How did you know...."

He slipped off his trench coat as he unfolded his six foot wings, and shook them free as they shone, gleaming white under the light of the moon, taking on a ethereal glow, brilliance unlike anything she'd ever seen.

"Even angels have their problems, just remember; you ain't as alone as you think."

Weariness all gone, he tilted his head upwards, looking out into the sky.

"Someone's thinking of you, don't forget that."

And with that he was gone.

******************************************************

*While writing this song I thought of the Drifters song Up on the Roof. It was a song that featured somewhat frequently throughout my childhood. (1962 oh gosh) It might've partly helped to inspire this story, the mood is kinda different, but hey I think its a pretty good song. Give it a listen I guess.

If not then thats enough drivel for now!

:/

-Ian

Fail of Epic Proportions

She walks over and takes the seat opposite him. "H-hey."

He nods barely perceptibly, and flips a page of his novel.

"The, uh, weather's pretty hot recently, right?" She mentally slaps herself as the words leave her mouth. Yeah, way to strike up a conversation, Jean. She can feel the cold sweat trickling down the back of her neck, and decides that this, perhaps, is not such a good idea.

Another nod. This time, her eyes rove from the floor to his own eyes, observing them as they follow the words on the page. Perhaps too obviously, but he never once looks up from his book.

"..."

"..."

"By the way, you don't like anyone, do you?" she asks nervously, attempting to sound light-hearted, merry, and more joking than serious, but failing miserably.

He flips the page. "Like as in how?"

She bites her lip. "Um, you know, like like? Like, uh... romantically?"

He finally closes the book and turns to face her, the hint of a smirk showing faint amusement. "Why, do you?"

"No! No, of course not. How could I possibly like anyone, right? Haha, ridiculous, ridiculous!" she replies, in too high-pitched a tone and far too quickly for her liking. This time, she mentally kicks herself in the butt. Idiot. This was definitely a bad idea.

He says nothing again, smiles a vacant and polite smile and opens his book again.

But this time, he looks up at her, and he seems to look right into her. The smile changes from a blank one to a enigmatic and knowing one, and she gulps.

"Uh, I should be going now," she says, half-jumping straight out of her chair and dashing off.

He watches her leave out of the corner of his eye. She is too fun to mess with.

Isn't that a shame

And for some reason this sounds oddly familiar...

---

He looked up from his phone at the deep groan that interrupted his game of Solitaire. After a brief second of observing her, he looked back down and grinned.

"What's up?" he asked, knowing what the answer would be.

She remained slumped face-down on the table. "I didn't get to see him today."

"...Well, isn't that a shame," he said, not bothering to hide his sunny grin.

The Cute One

She studied him from the back as they stepped on the bus not quite together. He wasn't exactly tall, or built like an athlete but he sure acted like it anyway. Her heels clicked hollowly against the floor as she spied a seat ahead. A seat.

He smiled wryly as he saw her head towards it and then stop, not willing to sit and let him play the macho tower of strength.

"Its alright, you can sit. I'm sure you must be quite tired," he quipped, knowing that it would make her feel like doing the opposite.

She shot a look at him over her shoulder. As if she was made out of glass, she thought, she could hold her own thank you very much. But she was wearing heels, and the temptation was too great so she sat down.

"Thank you, yes I am." she said, smiling sweetly back at him, sliding not so effortlessly into the seat, her heels clattering awkwardly against the floor. Oh she hated those things.

He looked at her for a while, that perfect smile still on his face, and looked away. She was sure he was laughing ever so slightly in his head.

They made small talk as the bus journeyed on its way forward, dancing and probing each other through their conversation, not once did he miss a beat, and he seemed unfazed and unconcerned by any stumble she made.

Just then an old lady got onto the bus, spotting her immediately she rose to give her seat away.

"You'll lose your balance," he told her, his eyes sparkling as he did. "someone else would've given up a seat, you needn't have."

Before she could retort the bus started up quickly again, and she found herself falling backwards. As everyone else on the bus except him swayed and grabbed the hand-grips tightly, he seized her hand smoothly and pulled her back onto her feet before she could fall.

Instead of issuing another effortlessly hopefully charming remark, as she regained her composure she instead saw him withdraw his hand quickly and look down to one side sheepishly, the picture of the suave, strong smooth-talker oddly incomplete.

Interesting, she thought.

***********************************

I usually base my characters off people and a few random ideas in my head. Interestingly I based both the characters in this story in part off myself.

I'm sorry if you found the characters attractive cause I definitely killed it off now.

Haha.

Leila: Part 5

Clio is sorry this has been so long in coming. School just started and she has had little to no time to write.

“She hasn’t spoken to me in forever! It’s like she’s still mad at me for that… incident.” Seth grumbled.

“Oh… Maybe she’s busy. School is pretty hectic now.” Crystal explored the possibilities. She knew Seth wasn’t thinking straight.

“No. She’s online and not responding to me. She’s not even responding to my test messages!” Seth was annoyed. Why was Leila being so incredibly evasive?

“Well, maybe she’s on, but not on. I’ve done that before.” Why am I protecting her?

“For six days?” Seth couldn’t believe what Crystal was doing. When did she, of all people, become so defensive over Leila?

“It’s possible… I don’t know.” Crystal trailed off uncertainly. She didn’t know what Seth wanted to hear from her anymore. He didn’t get her either nowadays… What do you want from me?

All of a sudden, Seth’s phone buzzed. Crystal raised her eyebrows.

“Speak of the devil…” Seth hit the red cancel button angrily.

“Call her back. You're never going to get anywhere if you guys don’t talk.” Crystal wondered why she was giving love advice. She had never been in a relationship before…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several days later…

“Go talk to her. You’ve been waiting for her for hours, days even.” Sounds familiar…

“You don’t mind?” Seth gave Crystal a puzzled look.

“No, of course not.” Crystal paused, “well, yeah I do, but when has that ever made a difference…” She mumbled under her breath. It’s not as if your mind is around anymore now that she’s here…

“Oh, okay. Bye!” Seth scampered off as fast as he could. “Leila! Wait up!”

“Bye…” Crystal looked across at them dejectedly. She didn’t like Seth, not that way, but she loved him. She couldn’t stand seeing him be with… her. The “witch” as some of her friends called Leila. Many were wondering why they were still together, especially Crystal. Seth could do so much better.

Diary of Remember Allerton, daughter of Isaac Allerton

This is a story Clio wrote for homework. It is an entry into a diary written by a little girl aboard the Mayflower when it landed in 1620. She was not sure whether she should post it as it uses a radically different style from her usual writing. But she thought she would prove that she can branch out to different genres.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

November 11, 1620.

After weeks (or what felt like forever) of sailing aboard the Mayflower, we finally landed on dry land today. Well, maybe it was not dry, but it sure was good to see land again. We landed on the beaches of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Mother, during that awful voyage, always said to be grateful we can go to the New World, but I really want to get off this boat! Unfortunately, we cannot. I have no idea why, but everyone seems really worried about some patent. I have no idea what a patent is; mother told me it tells us where we can live. That confused me, because I thought we came over here so that we did not have to be told where to live. But apparently this patent is a big deal.

I felt the worst today when we were on the Hudson River. I overheard the crew talking about how dangerous it was to be traveling there. I guess that is why we turned around. I really hope I can get off this shop tomorrow because after this many people shared the ship for that long it smells here real bad.

I am still feeling a little seasick although we have been docked for several hours. And everyone is looking a little poorly. I really hope no one gets sick. Mother, who is never ill, is feeling so. But father blames it on the new baby that will be coming.

The New World looks amazing! It is so unlike crowded Leiden back home. The first thing I noticed was the greenness. Every shade of green imaginable, it is here. I stood by the side of the boat for hours just staring over the side of the boat. I saw hundreds of fish in the waters, and sometimes, I would catch of glimpse of an animal running through the forest. How I long to go run out there after being cooped up on this vessel for such a long time.

Remember When

This is an unfinished work by Clio. Hope you like it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember when I stayed up all night to talk?

Remember when I listened to all the problems you had?

Remember when I helped you through all you were going through?

Remember how many times that happened?

Remember when I was always there?

Remember all the times you disappointed me?

Remember when you used to care about me?

Remember when you promised you’d always be there for me?

Remember when you said you loved me?

And now I need you, but you're never there. When did you become so inconsiderate? When did you become this person I don’t know. You were always oblivious, but never so much. I never had to tell you that you hurt me, until now. And even then, what was your reply? “It’s the truth.” You never really understood, but this is worse than ever. It pains me to see you like this.

What happened to you? What happened to me? What happened to us?

It’s almost like I never existed.

Don't Forget

When I say I'm bad at beginnings and endings I really mean it.

The following is kinda an example of a terrible starting.

Honestly, I have no idea how to improve it.

I'll title it later.

Get ready for a blast of emotion.

No more than the usual.

(;

Another night, another day of agony he thought. He stepped off the bus aimlessly, catching his foot on the sidewalk and nearly falling, almost comically to the floor beside the street lamp. It was late, he thought, under the glow of the light, very late.

Regaining his balance, he looked up and stumbled out of the bus stop. The days had been bad as of late, it was almost as if he was in a permanent stupor, like he was drunk, except he hated alcohol.

A figure loomed out of the gloom in front of him, coming suddenly yet not quite unexpectedly, like a dream creature materialising in a nightmare. The shape seemed startlingly familiar, and he paused. She stepped into the light and he stopped. She stopped too.

They both stood there for a while, in the silence. It all came back to them immediately, expectations, dreams, hopes, disappointment, anger, bitterness, all catching them in their powerful force, it was as if, as if no time had passed. But yet, things were different.

"Hey..." She offered uncertainly, her voice faltering as her brain failed to find something else to say.

"Go away." He said, almost mumbling and muttering it, he turned away, hurt on his face.

She took a half step forward and reached her arm out to him, searching for words for the moment, there were only two.

"I'm sorry..."

The words came hesitantly, but they came nonetheless. He struggled with the powerful emotions they triggered at him, unsure of how to proceed. He wanted to turn, hold her and never let go, but he wouldn't let himself, he couldn't.

She could see what he wanted, but also saw him fighting against it, and felt a tinge of regret spread within her.

"You didn't have to go."

He spoke slowly, but they hit her like bullets, so hard, so hurting, so true. It had been her, and he had borne more than anyone should have had to bear. She had her reasons, he had to see that. It had been hard on her too.

She watched as he stood there, hurting and angry in his conviction, she realized she couldn't hold herself back anymore, and flung her arms around him as he faced away from her. He stiffened momentarily and then felt his body instinctively relax. Right then, they remembered the happier times, the whispered ambitions, the forever they once had. Right then, they were them again, and once again, they managed to share forever.

Then he tore himself away from her, and looked at her in the face for the last time.

He was crying, she thought. She had never seen him do that before, not even when he thought she had gone forever. He was gone forever she realized, the wound had cut too deep. Too deep for her to heal, one that perhaps would only be fixed by another forever. A different one.

An icy chill gripped her heart as he said the words that she knew he would say. Don't say it, she silently begged, but as much as he didn't want to, he would.

"Goodbye." He said, finality in his voice. He managed to stride past her with all the willpower in his being before he choked up, and began to run, from her, from the past, to the future with no hope.

And it was her turn to feel that strange wetness on her face, blurring her vision, sticking to her glasses, ruining her make-up. She fumbled for a tissue, she had always been the stronger one, and dabbed at her eyes as she walked ahead to the bus stop and stared out at the night sky and the endless cars, endless possibilities that passed her by.

As they made their way away from each other, they both knew that the regrets would remain with them for a long time, that many other nights would be spent in despondency, pointless dreaming over what might have become. There was no going back for them they realized, and in a beautiful sad way, that was the last thought they ever shared.

All We Have Left

This is another interesting story of mine. I was supposedly heading somewhere, a very odd somewhere but I figured it was going to take me at least five pages to get there, and that it pretty okay enough on its own*. The last four paragraphs are newly written, so if there's any disjoint, then you know why.

I guess in some ways it's better off in it's original form. It's an open ending and all mysterious.

On another day I guess I would've just left it.

But heck.

Here it is anyway.

*****************************************************

He coughed hard as he stumbled in the desert sun, brushing the mini sand storm brewing at his feet out of his eyes, shielding them at the same time from the blasting heat. Blasted heat, he corrected himself. He looked over to his left to see how she was doing, as usual, she was striding just a little ahead with no problem, he had no idea how she did it.

They had been at it for days. Days of trekking, looking to find a piece of civilization in the wasteland. The prospect of solitude was always daunting, but he took solace in the fact that he wasn't alone. There had still been people in the city, but at the thought of the city he felt a chill despite the scorching fireball above him.

A bird cry broke the sound of their rhythmic and his not so rhythmic trudging and snapping out of his reverie he brought his rifle to bear, scanning the horizon for danger but there was nothing. No people, no buildings, trees, or signs of life save the unidentifiable bird in the distance.

"Relax Joe, there's nothing around, I doubt it spread this far." She said casually, returning her own pistol to her holster as she did.

He grunted in reply, it didn't matter, it paid to be careful, but she knew that, and he knew that when danger came she was always the more cautious one. He cleared the sand out of his gun before slinging it back over his back and following after her. The pistol was probably a better option or even no gun at all, the sand got everywhere in the desert it did. It got into eyelids, nostrils, phones, bags and guns. His clothes had sand on them, in them, and when he licked his lips he could taste sand. Everywhere he looked he saw sand. He was sick to death of it, but there was nothing to be done about it. He spat a mouthful of sand out onto the sizzling floor and felt for his knife on his belt, a little something that wouldn't stop working cause of sand.

As the noon sun changed to evening sun, and the sky took on the softer hues of purple and orange, he spotted something in the distance.

"You see that Sheila? We aren't supposed to hit anything for another week."

She struggled with her parka as another gust of sand-filled wind started up, the white grains obscuring the screen of her hand-held device as she tried to read from it.

"We might've gone off course, let's head for it anyway."

She was at it again, making decisions for him, but he let her, it didn't matter as long as she didn't do anything stupid. But she wouldn't. So he followed as they neared the structure.

It was an old building, an imposing stone structure, the type that hadn't been built for a few centuries now. As they poked about it in sunset light the ground beneath their feet crumbled and they landed harmlessly in a pile of sand. Sloppy. His mind whispered, you're gonna get yourself killed if you keep this up.

He leapt to his feet as soon as he could and swept his flashlight across the dark. There was nothing. He looked behind and met her gaze, they both nodded silently. All clear.

Ruins, in the middle of the desert. He mused to himself as walked through the cavernous hallway slowly, rifle at the ready. Yes this building must have been a few centuries old at least. Before the meltdown, before everything changed.

"Sat nav shows that we didn't go off course, the maps say there's nothing here." She remarked, the blue glow of that confangled Apple construct reflecting off her face.

"There's more to this world than the maps, how far back do they go? I'd say this place has been gone for more than a century."

It was her turn to fall silent as she mused about the fall of technology. They had been forced to revert to the antique firearms since the melt-down, almost everything had stopped working in the same way. And so they had lived with it, and had done their best to cope. It wasn't as if things a hundred years back were primitive, just inferior in a few ways.

They rounded a corner to find yet another corridor. At the same time they both paused and noiselessly dove behind a fallen pillar. They looked at each other, did you hear that. Suddenly he heard the by now all-too familiar otherworldly cry as the first misshapen figure ran out into the dim light, taking five steps before it fell, it’s head violently exploded by a slug.

Sheila muttered a curse underneath her breath as she reloaded her pistol, placing another bullet in the magazine. Impossible…how did they get here.

He didn’t bother with a reply, his heart pounding furiously he fumbled with his goggles, clicking them on as his world turned to green. He saw first ten, then twenty, then hundreds of jerky figures running towards them. He grabbed her arm.

“Let’s go.”

{finish}

*the questionable ending I was heading to was of them spending the night in the complex, somehow, they would wake up and find a really old violin, and play it. Yeah. That was the original ending, no the supposed ending. Cool right. I gave it up.

"Your best suggests another kind of guest"

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He was standing in front of the mirror, eyes nervously darting up and down his reflection, hands occasionally rising to adjust his hair or angle his collar just right.

"Someone looks awfully excited to get to class this morning," she remarked.

Without once taking his eyes off the mirror, he replied, "I've just decided to be a better student, of course."

A sliver of teasing intent crept into her voice. "Yes, I'm sure that's all there is to it."

Hands off his clothes. Finally. He turned to look sideways at her.

"What's your point?"

The faintest hint of a smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, nothing..."

Consideration

Hello everyone once again. This is a very odd story of mine that I wrote on a whim. It's set on a bus, like many of my other stories, though it's subtle you actually realise that's the reason the protagonist doesn't get up and entertain himself.

Yeah.

Its odd, as I said, very experimental and might not be very easy to read.

Still I hope it's entertaining enough for you to want to finish it. (;

Here it goes.

********************************************************

Hanzo was annoyed. He was tired, after a long dumb day. And now he was annoyed. Why was she taking such a long time to respond.

That was it. 5 minutes. No one neglected to reply to his smses for five minutes, and no one wanted to mess with him when he was tired and annoyed. He began planning the snarky sms he was about to send when someone who looked exactly like him shimmered into existence into the understandably empty seat beside him.

"Perhaps you shouldn't do it." He, or it said.

"Who the heck are you, I've never seen you before." Hanzo shot back.

"I am Consideration, I am here to advise you to perhaps think a little more about others."

"Thats nonsense, I don't need someone to come here and tell me to be a little nicer to other people."

"I am asking you to reconsider some of your actions nevertheless, or to actually consider some of them. "

Suddenly realization dawned upon Hanzo's face. He was fire, and this thing was...

"You, I recognize you now. You're not Consideration, you are Self-doubt. I see you all the time in him. You make him weak, I'm not going to submit to you."

"I am not, you have exceeded the bounds of normality and confidence. You have transcended into recklessness. It is only natural that Common Sense, has dictated that I be here to curb you."

"That is absolute rubbish. I can think for myself. I am not reckless!"

Consideration raised an eyebrow and crossed his legs.

"Well, that was rather impulsive and fiery response wasn't it? Come lets take a look for ourselves shall we, just today."

*Flashback*

*********************************************************

Hanzo was angry. But cool as ice this time. Still. He was angry. He spat venom, not fire.

"And what exactly are you trying to achieve by saying that Archie? Can you tell me?"

"Well I'm making fun of you."

"Well I don't like it, and I don't see anyone around you laughing."

Archie, as usual shifted to immediate self-justification and wrote himself into eternal Hanzo damnation.

"Everyone does it."

Those three words would be remembered for a long time to come indeed by both of them. Hanzo made sure of that.

"So that makes it right huh Archie? You're such a great role model, after all I'm worthless, I don't matter. You know what we should all applaud you for that."

He looked vaguely sorry, but only vaguely. He didn't say anything and looked away, there was nothing to say. But it wasn't enough.

"We should build a monument, a statue of you somewhere, so that we can remember you Archie. Perhaps. " Hanzo paused for a second before continuing with a vengeance, only the table between them preventing him from grabbing his shirt and pulling him close.

"How tall do you want it to be? 30 meters? 100 meters? You know what? Maybe we should engrave your figure into the moon. "

He stopped then and let the acid of his words hang in the air.

*************************************************************

"Not too far huh?" Consideration asked.

"Nonsense," Hanzo snorted, " You have to see the context. He's been ribbing at us for forever, if I hadn't done anything he would have continued to trample over the poor boy over and over again. He deserved every word."

He looked straight into Consideration's eyes and said slowly with venom. "My only regret was not continuing on. "

Consideration sighed and looked away.

"You're right I guess, but perhaps you could take a softer approach and work out an agreement with the boy, instead of stepping in and balkanizing all the massive scrapes he gets into. Prevention is better than cure."

"That's solely up to him, he doesn't like me. But I assure you I think about others as well. I do have consideration already. "

"Oh really?"

Hanzo smiled and pulled out a little figurine of his pocket.

"This is retrospection," he said, placing it on his palm.

"Why on earth is he so small!" said Consideration, notably outraged.

"Silence. Retrospection, speak!"

The figurine drew a tiny breath and spoke :

It is clear that the dealings with Archie were slightly overwrought and indeed venomous. However for the larger continuity of the survival of the self, it was imperative there and then to render the adversary incapable of providing any future harm. Any alternatives such as absolute kindness and gentle turn of opinion would prove to cause too much potential harm. Thus it was important to deal maximum damage there and then to decrease chances of self hurt in the future. Main Ruling 2 in the Respect And Considerations Act also states that one should treat individuals as with as much consideration as they treat you, Section 4 pertaining to Main Ruling 2 also clearly states that when no consideration is given, then no consideration is required to be given. It is clear that there has been no violation of the rules on this part and that the being Hanzo has been absolved of all guilt.

Hanzo smirked and shoved Retrospection back into his pocket.

"I told you so." He never lost an argument.

Consideration turned up his nose.

"Fine, but you should still reconsider your actions and not act on impulse. Like that text message. Learn Patience. " and with that he vanished before Hanzo could reply.

He never lost an argument either.

Celene, The Moon

Celene stared out to the night sky, but her gaze caught absolutely nothing. Her thoughts were elsewhere.

For once, just once, I’d like to feel loved. Celene mused to herself. She was mentally and especially emotionally exhausted, sick and tired of being used, then pushed aside. Okay, maybe she hadn’t been used, but she sure felt like it. Why did she spend so much, investing her time, effort, and even herself, into something that didn’t matter in the end?

Celene shook her head; trying to clear her mind, get a fresh perspective.

Maybe I’m just being ridiculous, it’ll all be better tomorrow. Celene brightened up and put a smile on her face. For a brief instant, she was herself again. But was that really her? Or was it the mask she wore so often it was mistaken for her. With those recurring thoughts, Celene’s bright moment was gone.

As she sat at her desk, Celene wondered just how many people were going through the same thing at that exact time. Someone must also have felt this at some point or another in their life, right?

So much hurt… A quote materialized in Celene’s mind, “Love means exposing yourself to the pain of being hurt, deeply hurt by someone you trust.” She rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the pain, yes pain, she felt. Celene had always tried to be impersonal; it seemed easier. But someone always promised something; someone always swore they’d always be there, whenever you needed them. However every time she let someone in, she was eventually let down, some a lot quicker than others.

Her eyes were suddenly drawn to a little + shape.

There’s only one who will never let you down, am I right? Yes, she could repeat all the textbook answers mindlessly, but nothing felt real anymore. Pain, it’s nothing compared to the joy that comes in the end, right?

She sat, just sat, and did nothing else for a few minutes.

Just listen, that’s all I’m asking for. How hard could that possibly be? Just a few minutes of your time, that’s all she was looking for, just an assertion that you really care about me, just… something. Every time she looked around her, Celene could see people’s wonderful lives. Even hers looked wonderful from the outside. No one knew just how much pain she went through every time this happened.

She sighed audibly. Just then, her mother walked into her room.

“Celene, dinner’s ready.” Her mother called out brightly, completely unaware of the turmoil going on inside Celene.

“I’ll be out in a minute.” Celene answered in an equally cheerful tone.

I wish I could believe you miss me. I really do. Unfortunately, Celene had been battle hardened from previous experiences. She didn’t know what to believe anymore. So many people, so many bad experiences. So many acquaintances, so few friends.

All of a sudden, she felt… nothing. The pain had left, but so had the joy. What a price to pay. An unexpected wave of tiredness washed over her. Remembering her mother, Celene rose out of her seat. She stepped outside the boundaries of her room, put on a confident smile, and sat down to dinner. She was ready.

“Celene, how long did you expect us to wait for you?”

Untitled

Standing alone

In a crowded room

Too many people

"I'm so alone"she says

"Whydo I feel

So isolated

These areall my friends

I don'tknow what's going on"

But don'tforget me when I say

I'll alwaysbe here for you

I'll neverforsake you,

Even whenyou think you're all alone.

The partystarts;

She looksaround.

She noticeseveryone,

But no onenotices her.

She fakes asmile,

Strollsover to her friends.

She'shurting inside

But no onecares.

But don'tforget me when I say

I'll alwaysbe here for you

I'll neverforsake you,

Even whenyou think you're all alone.

I'mreaching for you.

Justholding out my hand.

I'm reaching for you.

But don'tforget me when I say

I'll alwaysbe here for you

I'll neverforsake you,

Even whenyou think you're all alone.

This is Clio's first successful attempt at writing song lyrics (meaning she actually finished one). She would really appreciate your help in picking a title for this song. She has run out of ideas and isn't very creative in the first place. Do comment or tag on the tagboard. Thank you.

Leila: Part Three

“She broke up with me…”

“Again?” Probably not the right thing to say… Crystal cringed. “I’m sorry, what happened this time?”

“Yeah, for about the... fifth time this week?” Seth’s sarcasm wasn’t lost despite the fact that Leila had… done it again. “She went on a date with Nate while I’m out of town, and conveniently forgot to tell me.”

“Wait, hold up. Nathaniel – Nate?” Crystal, completely taken aback, gives Seth a quizzical look.

“Yeah, that Nate. They were out past dark. I’m not the jealous type, but that concerns me – ”

“And rightly it should!” Crystal interrupted. Ashamed, she drew back. “Sorry…”

“It’s alright.” Seth sighed, clearly upset. “They went out for coffee and stayed out quite late doing stuff… I don’t even know what stuff!”

Silence. Not knowing what to say, Crystal didn’t respond. They both were thinking hard, that much was clear. After a moment, Crystal asked, “What happened next?”

“She said she wanted to talk, and I told her I was in a public place and so I couldn’t.” Seth paused. He seemed to be looking for the right words to say. “She got mad.” Surprise there… Crystal suppressed a smile while Seth continued, “She basically said she’s sick of waiting and so we’re over. To top it all off, she did this over text.”

“Seriously? Over text?” Crystal was shocked. Even for Leila, that was low.

Seth nodded. He was numb, and he wasn’t sure if it was with anger or pain. How could Leila do this to him… again? It’s not as if this was the first time. This was the third, fourth maybe. He wasn’t sure. He still loved her; that much was for sure. But now he wasn’t so sure how she felt about him either…

“Seth?”

Seth snapped out of his deep thought quickly. “What were you saying?”

“And so what happened?”

“Well she told me she’s now with Nate. When I asked how that happened, she said that he asked her out.” Well that was quick… Crystal didn’t know how to respond. When these things happened, she rarely did.

“Oh… So are you guys still together?”

“I don’t know; she hasn’t spoken to me since or informed me otherwise.” Seth was thoroughly confused. And while talking to Crystal usually made things clearer or made him feel better, it wasn’t working this time.

“Go call her.” Crystal suggested mildly but firmly.

“You think it’s a good idea?” Seth was unconvinced. He wanted to call her, but maybe they should just let things cool off a little first…

“Definitely. You guys need to clear things up. I’ll be here if you need to talk later. If not, just text me.” I’m always here, aren’t I? Crystal mused for a moment, then smiled at Seth.

“Alright. I might not be able to come back later, I’ll tell you what happens though.” Seth walked off into the distance, fumbling with his phone.

So you guys are supposedly still together although she broke up with you. Crystal shook her head, wondering how that works. Seth, such a complicated child, though not really a child at all, was he? And Leila, oh Leila, she’s two-faced. That’s the only good way to put it. Crystal wondered what others said about her, and she hoped it was good things. God knows how much she hoped it was good. 

Leila: Part Two

“Hey, what’s up?” Crystal finally got a hold of Seth after a week of no contact. With Leila gone at camp for a fortnight, it was not as if he had a good reason to be unavailable. In fact, that weekend before, he himself had said how he was going to be free to hang out with Leila gone.

“Nothing… Just bored now that the summer’s finally here. Nothing to do, you know…”

“So is that why it so hard to contact you nowadays?” Crystal’s customary and well-known sarcasm kicked in.

“No, I’ve just been busy…” Crystal tried not to get aggravated; Seth was being annoyingly vague. She pressed on.

 “Well, didn’t you just say you’re bored?”

“Yeah, I’m busy being bored.”

“What? That makes no sense!” After a short pause, Crystal continued. “Anyway, what have you been up to?”

She waited a few minutes. After no reply came, she was forced to leave the conversation. 

Leila: Part One

Crystal looked over at Seth and Leila. They were perfect for each other, as so many had already pointed out. Crystal wasn’t sure how she felt about this. In public, they were adorable; doing all the things couples ought to do – holding hands, flirting, and basically behaved like they were in their own little world. However, alone, only Crystal knew what went on behind the scenes. Her mind flitted back to the many times Seth had confided in her about Leila.

“Are you talking to Leila?” The conversation often started this way.

“Yes. She’s mad at me again. She’s being moody…” He often trailed off, unwilling to say much else about the situation.

Crystal’s mind darted back to the present, in which Seth and Leila were walking quickly toward her. She was confused. She knew she didn’t like him, the way everyone was suggesting she ought and did, but…

“Hey Crystal!” Seth smiled and came over to her. Leila followed a little distance behind, pouting just the teeniest little pout. Crystal saw it and pulled back quickly, but not noticeably.

“Hey, how’s it going?” She forced a smile on her face. At this point, Adelia, one of Crystal’s better friends also known as Del, ambled over to the trio.

“Hi guys!” Del made a reference to a popular book series, or something of that matter, and the conversation sprung up from nowhere. Soon, Seth and Del were debating the most arbitrary topics. Crystal allowed her mind to wander back to the past. She remembered the days in which Seth seemed to care more. Nowadays, he barely seemed to notice things. Off course, Seth had never really been observant, but with Leila, things had just gotten worse.

Crystal thought about these things. She cared deeply about Seth. She knew that, but why did her friends always have to alter that into something completely different, romance. She had an absence of romantic feelings toward Seth, but she knew if given the chance, something could develop. As Del often liked to phrase it, “Leila’s sudden kidnapping by ninjas” would work just fine. But it was his life to live; Crystal knew he had thought this through many times. She’d just have to wait and see what happens… 

The Text

For those of you who don't know, I have the propensity for writing stories set in bus-stops or on the bus.

Why? Partly cause I take the bus a lot, and it's a rather interesting place, but that's for another post. The bus-stop serves merely as the setting in this case, and doesn't play too much of a role.

It's a romance story, enjoy.

The Text:

He stared at the phone screen.

Dammit. How should he phrase it.

He quickly typed out the first thing that came to his head as he walked towards the bus stop. It was stupid, simple and plain he thought. Instantly he deleted it and came up with a more carefully considered message.

Too rambling, his mind reminded him. He furrowed his brow, and after 5 minutes came up with yet another message.

Hmmm, nothing seriously wrong with it he thought, sitting down on the bench without looking. But…what if, she read that wrongly. No, it wasn't saying enough. No, it was perfectly fine, if he deleted it he wouldn't be able to come up with anything better. His fingers hovered over the send button, but he found lacked the gumption to press it.

He forced his thumb downwards and mentally cursed himself as his mind practically screamed at him to stop, and was just about to go for a third try when he heard the loud screeching brakes of the bus. He hurriedly got into the back of the queue and when he looked down, he found the screen black, idle.

Irritatedly, he jammed the centre button, bringing the screen back to life, and also to his utmost horror, activating the send option. He jammed the red button on his phone. But it was too late, the message had been sent.

He facepalmed as he got on the bus and pressed his head against the pole, ignoring the mass of people swarming around him and squashing him from all sides, holding his phone closely to his chest. I'm doomed he thought, that’s it, I've messed up. She's not going to say anything to that.

He rued the missed chance, the wasted opportunity, his stupidity. He grieved for his future, once so bright, now as ashen as his face looked to anyone else on the bus who bothered to look at him, which was very forlornly ashen indeed.

The bus jerked and his face was brought briefly away from the pole for an instant, before the force ensured that both face and pole were reunited, violently. He gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to cry out. It would not do to let everyone in the bus think there was something wrong with him too.

Oh this was all your fault he thought, who asked you to take that stupid advice, now you're dead and doomed to eternal misery and solitude. Oh woe is me, I should throw myse-

Just then his phone beeped.

He glanced down and his heart skipped a beat.

Game on buster, game on.

******************************************

If you think it's interestingly real well that's cause it is, in the most part at least, naturally I fell to self parody.

If it isn't it means there's something wrong with the way I read my own stories.

As for who the unlucky girl is, let's just say it shall remain a secret.

This is why I get fat

This one is so lame it'll make your eyes burn. Sorry.

---

He lay awake in the dark, that dull craving deep within him begging to be satiated.

No. I can't do this, I promised myself I'd never let my urges get the better of me.

Another two minutes passed, and he could have sworn it felt like an eternity to him. He sat up abruptly, an intense expression on his face.

Forget it. I'm moving in.

He slipped one foot off the bed, then the other, careful not to wake his still-sleeping wife. In a flash, he was out the door and tip-toeing carefully towards the room straight ahead.

The room of weakness.

The room of temptation.

The room where desires were met.

But also the room where he had fallen. And if he had fallen once, he could fall again.

He was horrified with himself, but his hand reached out involuntarily and slid slowly over the object of his desires.

Suddenly, the light clicked on, and he froze.

Just then, he heard his wife. "What're you doing, James?!"

Unable to form a coherent excuse, he started stammering.

"I thought I told you to stop eating my bloody cookies."