What Happens Next?

LadyHarpy · Jul 20, 2011

During my first semester last year I had to write a short story. This was my first draft but I completely changed if after getting a spark of inspiration after watching a bunch of scifi movies. Anyway, while peaking through my old stories I found this one and realized that I and left it pretty open ended for anything happening, or as far as I could tell. The reason I bring this up is because one of the things my teacher did was pair us up and have us go back and forth with a story, each turn the person having complete control of everything. There were some weird stories that came from that lesson but I couldn't help but thinking that it would be a get writers challenge! So here is what you have to do...

Read the scene completely and continue from where it left off, going in whichever direction that you wish it to go. However, you can not complete the whole story, you have to end it on a note where another person can continue. Now it is first come first serve so if someone make a post before you you'll need to either edit you post to follow theirs or delete yours completely, that being a choice for you to make. Now eventually the story will have to come to an end but that won't happen until I say so focus on filling it in for now. Also, feel free to post more than once, just make sure you give others a shot at putting something up. When it does come time for the story to end then it will be just like before, first come first served. However, instead of leaving it at that you guys can feel free to write alternate endings. I will announce when that will happen so for now, just have some fun!

As a side note, the story is a sort of flash back so the beginning starts with the main character in present time. Feel free to skip from past to present, just make sure you make it obvious so others don't get confused.

 I sat on the curb quietly, my head throbbing in pain as I tried to focus on the ground. My wet hair clung to my face as I curled up on myself trying to stay warm; it was rather cold for a June night. I watched the puddle of water at my feet grow as I sat there, the sound of parents yelling at their drunk teens, the steps of cops going about to groups of kids with a breathalyzer in hand, and the buzz of voices on the squad car radios whirled around me. Glancing to the one of the cars, I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me as I saw my dad, one of the policemen at the scene, talking to my long time crush. I curled up even more in hopes of trying to disappear into the concrete; I couldn't bring myself to watch the horrible scene anymore. With another throb of my head I wondered how all this happened, how I ended up sitting soaking wet in a bikini in the middle of one of the wealthier neighborhoods. There had to be something that turned this whole night sour…

"Ann….Ann!...Maryann are you listening to me!?" I faintly heard past the sound of Katy Perry blasting from my IPod.

I glanced over to my friend Martha, all pretty in her pink tube top and daisy dukes. She was staring at me as she waited for the stop light to go green. We were on our way to the mall, though I had no idea why, I was just yanked out of bed against my will and before I realized it I was dressed and out the door.

"What? You expect me to give you the time of day when you shove me in a car? I should be calling the cops on you, you kidnapper." I grumbled to her as I started to put my IPod away into my old leather bag.

"Okay, first of all, you're not a kid. Secondly, I didn't shove you in; you fell in after tripping on a rock. Thirdly, I have permission to be taking you to the mall from your parents, one of them actually being a cop. You're stuck with me." She said with a sly smile as she hit the accelerator of her black convertible and zoomed off down the road, her blond hair flowing in the wind as my curls just became a tangled mess.

I rolled my eyes and continued to mope, even though her smile was contagious. The buildings passed by as blurs as she zoomed off to the mall at top speeds, it was a miracle she wasn't getting pulled over.

"Okay, I'll listen…Just tell me why you're taking me to the mall…and why I'm dressed like this." I said as I motioned to my outfit which matched hers, though instead of pink my tube top was white. I didn't even know I owned a tube top.

"Well its summer, and summer means swimming, and swimming means new swimsuits. I'm going to make sure you get a cute one this year, the one piece you got last year was just…horrific. As for the outfit choice…well, no offense, but you're so pale that you'd blend into a white room. You seriously need a tan." She said, adjusting the sunglasses that sat on top of her head, her gaze shifting between me and the road.

I rolled my eyes again and crossed my arms on my chest.

"If you think I'm going to put on a bikini made of nothing but string I swear Martha I'll-"

"Look, I'm not telling you to dress like a Victoria Secrets model but at least give a two piece a chance, you have the figure to pull it off…besides, we're not going just to buy swimsuits either."

"Oh?"

"David's gonna me there." She said as her smile became kind of shy and her cheeks went pink.

I groaned and slumped in my seat, knowing all too well what that look meant.

"Martha! You promised you wouldn't do this again! Last time David came with us somewhere I had to call a taxi!"

"Look, it's only for lunch, besides you're going to love me for it this time." She said as her shyness disappeared and was replaced by happiness once more.

"I hope you're right." I mumbled as we arrived at the mall.

She parked the car, expertly putting the roof up as she turned off the car and organized her purse. She may be ditzy but she could multitask like no other. We hopped out of the car and wandered inside, Martha leading as I tried to find my wallet in my messy bag. I could hear her giggling at me as she held the door open.

"Okay, I think you'll be getting a new purse too."

"Oh shut up."

We wandered into the air conditioning, my skin quickly getting goose bumps from my lack of covering. Our flip flops slapped against our feet as we walked deeper into the mall, passing by the small stands of perfume, boutiques of overpriced shirts and ripped jeans, and groups of shoppers buying their summer outfits. We window shopped for a bit, Martha pointing out bikini's that I wouldn't ever be caught it, not because I was embarrassed but because my dad would have a heart attack if he found it.

"I think it looks cute, you should at least try it on Maryann."

"And risk making my father die from shock? No thanks, I'll stick to a one piece."

"Oh come on Ann! Live a little!"

"Yeah Ann, Live a little." A smooth voice said from behind Martha.

"Hello David…" I reply, though I'm sure I went unheard as Martha tackled him, giving him the sloppiest kiss I had ever seen.

"David! I'm so glad you found us…I didn't confuse you with my directions right?"

"Not at all babe, I'd never get lost as long as I know I'm going to you."

I rolled my eyes at the rather sickly sweet conversation they were having. I knew they really liked each other but they could at least know when their cuteness made things awkward for other people…

"Anyway, what's up Mary? I haven't seen you since summer started." Davis said, making polite conversation like he always did when I was around.

"It's been good; I've been working as a dog walker and lawn mower to earn a little spending cash. I've got more money now then I know what to do with."

"This is why you're going to get a swimsuit." Martha said as she clung to her boyfriends arm.

"Yeah, Yeah…so where does the part where I love you for this come in?" I ask lazily as I rub my arms, the low temperature making my skin numb.

David and Martha both looked to each other, smiling like they knew something I didn't.

"Don't worry, it'll come around. For now let's head to lunch, I got a bonus for working overtime at my dad's garage." He said as he shooed me off toward the food court, Martha still at his side.

We wandered over to one of the few sit down restaurants and grabbed a table for four. I was curious as to who our forth member would be but the couple sitting in front of me refused to give me answers. We sat there for awhile, getting our drinks and staring at the menu. I already knew what I was going to get but staring at the menu was more socially acceptable than staring into space. I shivered in the corner of the booth, wondering why I was being the third wheel in this situation when I had enough money to hop on a bus and get back home. I heard the squeak of plastic as David moved to get up.

"I'll be right back." She said quickly, most likely trotting off to the bathroom or something.

I set down my menu and put my star on Martha, watching her read the same menu item over and over again as she tried to ignore me.

"What?" She eventually whined, breaking down in my consistent gaze.

"I want to know what I'm doing here if all I'm doing at the moment is freezing in a cold plastic covered booth while you snuggle up to your boy toy."

She sat their nervously, biting her lip as she peaked her head out of the booth in the direction David left. Her nervousness suddenly disappeared as she moved back to her spot, a sly smile on her lips as she pointed silently in that direction. Curiously a moved to the edge of the booth and peaked out so to see what she was so happy about.

It was at that moment that my heart stopped.

Standing at the entrance of the restaurant with his back to me was my long time crush, Conner McCoy. He had graduated the year before with David, me and Martha were juniors going on seniors then. I had seen him many times throughout my senior year when Martha dragged me to the swim meets at their college, David was on the team for kicks but last time I checked Conner was on it because of a scholarship. I felt my face heat up as I looked him over. His dark wavy hair was shaggy; the style looking like it was a former buzz cut. He had khaki shorts, flip flops and his college lettermen jacket; I couldn't tell what shirt he was wearing. His tan was much darker than anyone else that I have seen all summer. He seemed to be laughing and joking around with David at the moment before turning to head this way. I ducked back into my corner quickly, looking at Martha wide eyed and slightly giddy.

"Martha?"

"Yes?" She said slowly, a look that said 'I told you so' on her face.

"I love you."

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What Happens Next?

LadyHarpy

Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread