I'm following the writing prompts in an ebook called 30 Days of Inspiration by Creative Writing Now.
Day 2 prompt: Write a story that includes: a tombstone, a first kiss, and a butterfly collection...
Here's my short story. Constructive comments are welcome.
Enjoy.
Miss L
If only he
hadn’t decided to show her his butterfly collection, then maybe, just maybe
their date would have been magical and not the disaster that it was.
Dylan had
been interested in Maddie for ages. Eons. A life time. What he didn’t know was
that she liked him too. He found this out only when, to his absolute shock and
amazement, she asked him out.
Really. She
asked him: Dylan, the Dork from Dora Creek. Mister No One. The Loony from
Lakeview Lane. Maddie Napeworth asked Dylan out. On a date. Just the two of
them.
It happened
during a school excursion. Their Year 9 history class were spending the day at
an archaeological dig. A building had been torn down and in the process a whole
heap of colonial era remains were found – parts of buildings, old machinery,
household items., even part of a graveyard had been found, buried under layers
of river sand and building rubble.
Dylan’s
history teacher had contacts at the site, so his class go to spend a day there helping
out and getting some hands on history experience.
It was
while Dylan was absorbed in the ruins, trying to make out the words on a
tombstone, that Maddie approached.
“’Sup Dylan”,
she asked.
“Nothing,
just trying to read this tombstone,” Dylan replied, speaking normally, not
realising who he was talking to. If he had realised, thought Dylan later, he
was sure he would have said something really stupid or not spoken at all. He
liked her that much and was far too nervous to talk to her directly.
To Dylan’s
surprise, the two of them chatted easily about the dig. It seems they were both
enjoying the day and both had an interest in history.
Just as
some other students were walking towards them, Maddie blurted out, “Dylan, let’s
walk home from school together one day. Just you and me, OK?”
“Yep, erm,
yes, er, alright”, Dylan stuttered out.
The afternoon
of the date arrived. Was it really a date, thought Dylan, totally unsure of
dating etiquette. Who could he have asked to find out? His friends were as
clueless about girls and dating as Dylan was and there was no way on this earth
he would ask his older sister. Ever.
Again to
Dylan’s great surprise, the afternoon went smoothly. The two of them got off
the bus at the shops then walked across the road to the park. From there they
followed the bike path than runs for several Ks along the lakefront.
They talked
about school and the other kids at school. They talked about the teachers they
liked and didn’t like. They talked history and what YouTube channels they
watched the most.
It was easy
and comfortable and relaxed.
Even their
gentle first kiss was easy and comfortable and relaxed. It seemed the most
natural thing in the world for Dylan – the Dork from Dora Creek, Mister No One,
the Loony from Lakeview Lane – to lean over to Maddie and gently touch her lips
with his.
Her shy
smile and return kiss made Dylan’s heart soar to new, unimagined heights.
Perhaps it
was the kiss, or the walk, or too much sun, but Dylan lost his mind that
afternoon. He completely, utterly, lost it.
In the glow
of Maddie’s regard, Dylan forgot himself completely. Dylan, against previous
experience, took off his school jacket.
So?
Is this
meant to be some big deal, some big event?
It was if
you knew Dylan.
You see,
Dylan never, ever, ever took his jacket off. No matter what the weather, he
always had long sleeves on. Jacket, T-shirt, hoody. If he had to wear a
short-sleeved shirt, then he wore something long over the top. Part of his
reputation for a being a bit odd was based on this habit of his. Even in heat
waves, when all the kids in his class were slouched on the floor and even his
teachers gave up the pretence of working, Dylan would have his school jacket
on.
He covered
his arms at all times, except when he was at home.
At home he
could relax, could be himself, could reveal and revel in what he had covering
his arms.
“Butterflies!”
shrieked Maddie, “You have butterfly tattoos covering your arms! What sort of a
freak are you?”
“A freak
that likes to collect butterflies”, called Dylan to Maddie’s retreating back.
He doubted she heard him.
Maybe it
was time to bring his butterflies out? They’d like the sun, Dylan decided as he
slowly walked home, soon putting Maddie out of his mind, admiring the play of
light on his many and varied, brightly coloured butterfly tattoos.
Dylan, the
Dork of Dora Creek. Mister No One. The Loony of Lakeview Lane. Those kids at
school did not know the half of it.
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