Romance
And then what?
swere strewn about the whole room, a half-empty suite case laid open on the floor revealing carelessly folded female clothing. Laura Halliday zipped up the suitcase and groaned, it was really difficult to pack, you know. Taking her long fingers through her roughly matted hair, she sighed feeling the grease on her scalp, It wasn't easy being conscious about your looks when you spent a whole summer depressed and alone in a town like Cornell but thank God she was leaving today. One more day and she was sure she was going to have a nervous breakdown. Looking at her mirror, her lips slightly turned down at the sight of her hair, it looked like it was really in desperate need of a haircut. The roots were already dull and also greasy from infrequent washing, making her look sick and dirty. Her self-sympathy was cut short when the shrill buzz from her phone rang, the caller ID said Mom. "Hey Mom," Laura said dryly as she slumped o into her bed. "Sweetie, how've you been?" her mom asked feebly. "Waiting for you? "Laura asked. No use beating around. "Laura honey... Things are worse than we thought and we think it's better if you stay at Cornell, away from everything. I hope you understand it wasn't easy to come to this decision?" A moment of awkward silence hung in the air... " Honey?" Her mom's voice repeated in a croaky voice. " Bye Mom," Laura said in a whisper and hung up. She couldn't explain what felt worse; the way her hopes were dashed at the nick of time or the realization that she was going to spend the whole school year in Cornell with no one to blame but herself ...and maybe Greg. She'd come to Cornell for a quick getaway trip from Clovis following a scandal . . .a scandal she still hurt all over from. More than half of summer was spent mooning and sulking, listening to Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodriguez, hating and blaming herself. She'd started seeing life in white and black and felt like half of her was gone. Gone with the knowledge that she wasn't the same and that she'll always remember Greg. . .the name alone sent her eyes damp and misty with tears. Wasn't love supposed to be nice? Why didn't someone tell her it hurt this bad? Everyone was always preaching about how love is this and that. . . No one warned you about its dangers, how you'll become stupid, how you'll get hurt, how you'll keep on hoping. Her parents, Eleanor and John Halliday, God bless their souls had been angels. Though she could sense their disappointments, they didn't rub it in her face but they'd suggested trips and summer camp but Laura didn't want to be around people, she wanted to be alone and that was when the idea of staying with her maternal grandmother in Cornell came. Laura was already missing Clovis, funny how she missed working at " Zed's Diner ", she missed cheerleading, sneaking out of the house for parties, her parents, her younger brother, Rick, and also Janelle . . the thought of Janelle brought a sad smile to her lips. Janelle was her best friend yet they hadn't been in contact since Laura arrived at Cornell. She wasn't ready to speak with Janelle too who would baby her so much that she was probably going to cry. At times she wished she had a time machine, those were moments she spent staring blankly at the ceiling while beads of tears rolled down her cheeks...regret looming over like a dark cloud.
By Jordan Myers2 years ago in Chapters
Bird, tree, snow
I’ve been at the café for an hour or so – I was way early and had already finished my coffee and an egg on toast. I don’t mind waiting…I’ve got my notebook and am busy making lists, thinking about writing, staring out the window into the snowy street and the storefronts beyond that. More snow is on its way, but I’m not too worried. I moved up here specifically for the weather and I enjoy it- the cold, brisk air, the snowflakes like fluff that melt on my hat or gloves. I love hiking through the woods, my boots crunching through crisp snow while I watch for birds hidden in the thickets or up in the denuded trees. And I love the way the white covers and muffles the tawdry evidence of modern life and commerce - gravel parking lots, shabby storefronts, abandoned gas stations; it never ceases to make me smile when I see the way dead grass and pot-holed roads are smoothed and gentled by a shining white blanket of fresh snow.
By Jill Harper-Judd2 years ago in Chapters
Two Words to Fall in Love
“Darling, I’m going to make you fall in love with me,” he says with so much confidence I’m almost falling at his feet. I defiantly place my hands on my hips, pulling myself together. “You don’t stand a chance.” I turn with so much vigour I’m sure my hair swipes across his face.
By Katie Burnside2 years ago in Chapters
Cats Gone Wild
“Benjamin, your life can change unexpectedly, so make the most out of your life.” That’s what my mom would usually say to me. My mom would always give me advice because that’s the caring mother she was. She would usually tell me that I should enjoy my youth while it lasts because my younger years will pass by quickly. Well I’m just 10 years old, but now I feel like my younger years have passed because everything I did with my mom is now just memories.
By Senorfruity2 years ago in Chapters
The Engagement
Port of Venice The cruise ship was the largest sea vessel I had ever seen in my entire thirty-two years of life on this planet. The Norwegian behemoth was docked at Isola Nuova, Venice’s main cruise port. Registering at just over one-thousand feet in length, and peaking at one hundred and thirty-three feet in height, the fifteen deck masterpiece truly took my breath away. In that sublime moment in time, I tried to mentally prepare myself for the twelve day Mediterranean cruise my girlfriend, Emily, and I were about to embark on in celebration of her thirtieth birthday, while simultaneously trying to conceal the engagement ring burning a hole in my backpack. This was also the first cruise ship I had ever been on, so naturally my nerves were rattling out of control. The encroaching storm wasn’t helping my anxiety either.
By Kale Sinclair2 years ago in Chapters
Roses
Ji Miyung scurried down the school corridor, the echoes of her teacher's words still buzzing in her head. Yet, her attention snagged as she passed the grand staircase. There, perched nonchalantly like a king surveying his domain, sat a guy engrossed in his phone. He was Huwan Kai, the enigmatic figure who haunted the halls, neither student nor teacher, but a captivating whisper of a mystery.
By Min Yukyung2 years ago in Chapters
Forge of the Heart
As the fiery sparks flew from the hot forge, Amelia couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. She had always been drawn to the art of blacksmithing, and now, with her father's guidance, she was on the verge of becoming a skilled blacksmith herself.
By Melania J.L.2 years ago in Chapters
The Last Goodbye
It was a beautiful day in the park, and the sun was shining bright. The flowers were in full bloom, and the birds were chirping. Sarah and her husband, Tom, planned a picnic since it was the ideal kind of day. Under the shelter of a giant oak tree, they laid down their patterned blanket and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. Sarah had brought fresh fruit, a bottle of wine, and their favorite sandwiches. Both were so grateful for the small pleasures in life and felt satisfied as they sat there, enjoying each other's company. They had no idea that this picnic would be their last together and that it would always be remembered by Sarah. As the day went by, she bid goodbye for good to the love of her life. Knowing deep down that she would lose him forever, she would always remember the expression in his eyes as he left. It was a painful farewell, but Sarah knew it was necessary for both of them to move on.
By Isabel Martinez2 years ago in Chapters
