living-in-a-parallel-universe

[living-in-a-parallel-universe]

After a brisk  walk to catch the autumn sunrise

@Penarth Pier Pavilion

#short story setting #no1

[living-in-a-parallel-universe]

They hadn’t seen each other in years. She ignored him as if he was a stranger and he wanted to say hi. He walked up to her and smiled. She gave him a fake smile and her eyes read ‘I hate this’ He said he missed her. She was cold “That’s great” He kept pretending they were ‘cool’ like the past didn’t exist and they were just catching up.

She was getting uncomfortable. She said “I gotta go. I’m busy. Nice seeing you.” She seemed rushed but also short and monotone. He was anxious. “Wait” He pulled her close to him and he asked softly “Where have you been? I really missed you and I-“

She interrupted him and pushed him off her angrily. “Where have I been?!” Her eyes looked watery and although her voice was shaky.. She looked menacing. In fact, she was livid “All I hear from you is bullshit!”

He looked confused. His puzzled look pissed her off even more. He grabbed her hand and said “Wait I—“ but before he could finish, she pushed him off her again. He looked hurt, worried, and sad all at once.

She started walking away angrily and with haste. He followed her. He was walking behind her as she was looking back and yelled at him “Stop!” he walked closer “Leave me alone!” and closer “I want nothing to do with you!”

She meant it.

He looked like he was going to cry but he wanted to comfort her and make her feel better. He got in-front of her. “I’m not moving. Please just talk to me.”

“What do you want?” She let out an exasperated sigh.

“I want to talk.” His voice sounded like it was shaking.

She acted as if she was annoyed “Well I don’t.” She sounded sure of herself. she started to walk away until he started speaking again.

“That’s fine, you weren’t good enough for me anyway. Funny how I’m here and now is the time you finally decide to keep your mouth shut” he said with a smirk.

Without hesitating she walked up to him and slapped him. “Fuck you.” She said softly but with anger in her eyes. She hated his smug face she wanted slap him again but he grabbed her forearm before her hand touched his face. His smug smirk disappeared and he looked angry. “Let go of me!” She struggled to get his hands off her. He held onto her tighter and his face began to look frustrated.

“Go away!” she said angrily. “No” he said with a stern voice. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “What are you doing!!” She panicked. “Let go of me!!” She was frantically trying to push and shove him. “I hate you!” She yelled even louder “I fucking hate you!!” She was pushing her hands on his chest and he started to pull her even closer to him. Almost as if she was pressed onto his chest “Let go of me! Let go!” she started to sounded defeated the more and more she fought him “Let go!” Her voice started to sound shaky and desperate.

She started tearing up and her body wasn’t tense anymore “Please. Just let go of me.. Just leave me alone.” She was crying.

“No” he said again but soft and gentle this time. He relaxed his arm and kept her close to his chest. He looked down without saying a word. Trying to focus on her eyes looking up at him. Trying to feel her emotions and to think about how she might be feeling or what she might be thinking. He sighed and his eyes started to tear up. “I’m sorry, for hurting you. I didn’t mean for that to happen. I—“ he hugged her a little tighter. “I love you” he cried silently unable to look at her.

It’s all she ever wanted to hear.

#short story #no1