I wrote this short story when I was feeling rather bored after finishing my school certificate. It's rather simple, just two pages long but I thought it's about time I dug it up from the archives and actually let people read it. This after a crappy day of having my school tell me that I have to wait until Thursday to get my iPod back - after eight weeks of them having it in the school safe!! So here it goes, writing challenge short story take one! Snap!
Short Story #1: Unmasked
Today was the worst of the entire week. After dropping my bag by the front door and setting my keys on the smooth marble bench I noticed something small, pink and rectangular in the center of the kitchen table. My name, Carla, was inscribed on the front in elegant script. I picked the card up, half expecting my brother Redav to leap from out of nowhere and joke about me still being single. He was sixteen now with a girlfriend whilst I was twenty and still never been kissed. I sighed.
Inside
the card was a silver bracelet and directions to my favourite
restaurant downtown New York, a stylish place where the drinks were
clean and everyone was nice. It was signed by a secret admirer,
automatically making me fall into a state of disbelief. Nervousness
gnawed at my stomach as I thought of what to do. What if this person
had an ulterior motive? Were they really a secret admirer, or was it
just one of my brother's friends organizing a trick?
I
jumped as the phone buzzed in its holder by the wall. I got up and
answered it, slipping on the bracelet as I went. My best friend Izzie
spoke.
“Hey!
So I was thinking that maybe we could work on our uni project
tonight. Order some Chinese takeout and watch a fail comedy romance
after,” she said. “Trixie, Nelva and Irrida are coming.” I
groaned internally. Her definition of 'uni project night' was not to
study, but to go out and get blind drunk.
“I
think I'll pass,” I said, thinking of the card on the table. “I've
got other plans.”
“Oh.”
There was silence for a moment. “Alright. Some other time then.
Bye!” The phone went dead and I put it down. I checked my watch,
gathered the card in my hand and strode to my bedroom, quickly
changing into my favourite jeans and a nice black shirt. It was
simple but I liked the combination. I didn't want to dress up too
much just because of a note and a secret admirer.
Gathering
my keys later that evening I drove to the restaurant and parked in my
usual spot, away from prying eyes but close enough for easy access.
The streets were dark and deserted as I made my way to the entrance,
the sign hanging out front flickering purple and blue. As I strolled
inside I could feel eyes on me but I chose to ignore it, instead
heading for the bar. A drink could do me some good, calming my
nerves.
“I.D.
please,” the bartender said. I shot him an are-you-kidding look and
reached for my license, sliding across to him. He must be new, I
noted. He smiled sheepishly and slid it across to me, brushing his
black locks from his eerie grey eyes. “Sorry. It's just that you
don't look twenty.” I waved him off with the request of a mild
milk-alcohol combination and fiddled with the bracelet.
As
I sat there and waited a man shuffled onto the stool beside me,
smiling as he looked at the bracelet. I noticed that he was part
nerd, part popular-looking, with his wide glasses and neatly combed
black hair, parted at the side. His features were soft but acne
dotted his chin; his green eyes were alight with intelligence and
humour. Overall I didn't think I liked the guy much, but there was
something about him...
“Did
you like the gift?” he said, gesturing to the bracelet. “I hope
you like silver. I've never had a fancy for women with gold.” I
gaped. “I'm Enrique.”
“You're
the one who sent me that card!” He chuckled and pushed his glasses
a little further up his nose. I noticed that his fingers were long
and graceful, his arms muscular below the taut fabric of his sleeved
shirt. I felt bad for the guy. I didn't feel much for him at all and
yet, that was why I was here. I was meant to meet him and see whether
or not I felt anything for him in return.
He
seemed to notice my disapproval and frowned, creasing his smooth
forehead. I felt bad and rushed to reassure him, unsure of why.
“Would you like a drink?” I said, knowing it was lame but it
seemed to make him feel better. He nodded and ordered a Vodka from
the bartender. My drink came and I stirred it slowly, only taking
sips every now and then. He smiled, flashing his perfect teeth.
“I
guess this is kind of weird,” he said, fiddling with his fingers.
“Such a pretty girl going on a date with such a... nerd.” His
voice was deep and warm, enveloping around me and warding off the
chill in the air. He was sweet. “I shouldn't have come at all, but
I'm sick of admiring you from a distance. I want to know you.”
He
smiled nervously and a pang touched my heart. I smiled.
“Your
courage is admirable,” I said, taking a sip of my drink. “I kind
of... like that. I'm Carla.” His eyes lit with excitement and he
downed the small Vodka the bartender placed in front of him. I was
amazed. No guy I'd ever seen had downed a Vodka like that and seemed
completely unaffected by it. He grinned.
“Now,”
he said, rising from his seat. He gestured to the dining area where
families sat together. “Why don't you come tell me what you'd like
to eat?”
Later
that night as the restaurant shut and we were moved to the streets I
found that I knew a lot more about Enrique. Not only did he go to the
same University as me, but he was also enrolled in the same class and
revealed that he had admired me since the year had started. I told
him about my brother and my family, my favourites and the things I
couldn't stand. By the end I felt as though he knew me more than I
knew myself.
We
strode to my car exchanging small talk until I asked him if he had a
ride. He shook his head and smiled.
“I
needed the exercise and thought cabs would be around.” He shrugged
and looked down the deserted street.
“Let
me drive you,” I said. He smiled and extended his hand, palm up.
“Let
me drive you,” he said, gesturing to my Mazda. I
passed him the keys, letting him drive us across town to a row of
small yet beautiful old houses. He parked by the front of a Victorian
style house, its only illumination coming from the light over the
front door. He smiled and passed me my keys, unclasping his belt. He
paused and smiled at me.
“I'll
see you at uni,” I said quietly. He didn't move though, instead
reaching toward me with his smooth hands. They clasped my face and he
leaned forward, gently kissing me. My heart leaped in my chest and I
smiled. Who knew that I could fall in love with this guy? Now I
understood why stereotypes were ridiculous. This guy was sweet, no
matter what he looked like.
“Carla?”
he said. I nodded, unable to speak. “Do you care that I look this
way?”
“No,”
I said, my response immediate. He grinned and pulled away.
“I'm
glad,” he said. Then he started pulling at the angry red acne,
removing his glasses and tousling his hair. I watched in amazement as
he transformed before my eyes, turning into a model rather than an A+
geek. I gaped but his smile never faded. He took my hand and pressed
it to his cheek, smooth now that he had removed the fake acne.
“What...”
“It
was a test,” he said quietly. “The girls I've dated... They only
loved me for my looks. And so I decided to see how you would react,
dating a complete geek. I am smart. I pretend to be funny, when I
actually fail at it. I do sports and I go to sporting events, but I'm
not mindless. I have feelings and I like that girls like me because
of who I am and not what I look like.” He grinned and winked.
“You're truly beautiful.”
I
couldn't help it. I kissed him and wound my arms tight around him. My
heart leaped and I couldn't help but smile. Single no more, I
thought. My brother would be surprised. But I didn't care what others
thought. I didn't care what Enrique looked like; I loved him.
Today was the best day of my week...
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