Writing Prompt

Selander swallowed thickly. ‘I am...'

Nigella arched an eyebrow. 'An idiot?'

Selander smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. 'In a rather awkward position,' he concluded.

'Then take a seat.' Nigella gestured to the chair before her, twin to the leather wingback chair she was sitting in. Then, in a voice dripping with sarcasm, she added. 'I can't wait to hear you tell me all about it!'

Selander crossed his arms over his chest, reluctant to do her bidding. 'Would it help if I said I was sorry?'

'Was?' Nigella scoffed.

'Am.'

'Hmm.'

'Look,' Selander huffed, 'I am trying.'

'To do what?' Nigella said, her eyes as tough as hard-boiled sweets. 'Because if you're trying to irritate me, you're doing a marvelous job.'

Selander bit back another sharp retort as his gaze fell to where Nigella's hands were knotted in her skirt. Selander knew a thing or two about pretending, about putting up a wall.

Slowly, he sat down opposite Nigella.

She looked up at him with quite the fierce expression - eyebrows bunched and eyes mere slits - and then it dawned on Selander that he had made a potentially fatal mistake.

'I'm trying,' he found himself saying, 'to be a better person.'

Nigella nodded, as if she didn't trust herself to speak solidly, turning her gaze to the fireplace instead. Then she cleared her throat. 'That's still not an apology.'

'Right.' Selander bowed his head. 'I am... s-sorry - Christ, is it hot in here?'

'Saying sorry won't kill you,' Nigella said sternly, but she was smiling. Expectant.

'I am sorry,' Selander repeated, 'I shouldn't have assumed you'd have nothing to bring to the team. You're smart, Nigella. The smartest of us by far and if I'd just listened to you, we wouldn't be-'

'Hiding out in the sewers?' Nigella finished for him.

'I was thinking 'on the run', but that works as well.'

'Yes, well,' Nigella straightened her skirts, 'the smartest team member is working on it.'

“Look, I’ll never get to saying this if I don’t get to it now, so here’s my proposal.” Andy turned around and stared at me with her big eyes. Those vacant eyes that held so much more than I thought they did. “You probably have a lot of issues judging by the way you banished those two into the dark dimension, right?” Still staring. “Well I have-“ “Sorry what were you saying?Spaced out for a bit.” As if this situation couldn’t prolong itself any further. Why must life be so untoward? “Your magic is impressive and you seem kinda messed up.I have just the thing to un- mess you up.” Her eyes finally lose that vacancy. “What is it?”

“Take my hand and pledge yourself to me, and I can turn those ugly feelings into a beautiful piece of a-“ “Can I be a part of your friend group?” Could she not interrupt me? I smile and extend my hand to her “Of coarse! I thought it was a given?” Her focused stare becomes a smile, and I get a new team member. A team member who never stops smiling.

Katelyn liked to believe she was nonjudgmental and unassuming, but who was she kidding. Of corse she judged others, that was what the word was based on, judging others. So naturally, she was put off by the girl with short buzzed hair. Her gothic makeup gave her a sharp expression, and her patched jacket left a punk impression that put Katelyn off.

She hadn’t hesitated to not only avoid the girl, but talk about her. She never said things that she felt were untrue, of course. She wasn’t a liar. But the girl looked like a stoner, and she only outcast herself, always distant in class. Katelyn didn’t even know what her voice sounded like, she had only heard her laugh from a distance with some of the guys she didn’t know all too well.

Katelyn was none too surprised to see her at the party at Issac’s house that weekend when his parents were away with a cup in her hand and singing and dancing amongst the crowd. Katelyn, although, was surprised by someone else there. Her ex. They had ended horribly, of course, and from the look in his eyes, she could tell he was drunk, again. They met eyes. Next thing she knew, his lips were on hers, hands on her body. She pushed him away. Her cursed her out.

So here she was, in the bathroom, crying. The bass coming through the walls was far too loud, even though she covered her ears with her hands. She must’ve forgotten to lock the door because a girl walked in, a black leather mini backpack over one shoulder, but Katelyn didn’t catch her face. The girl gasped and shut the door, approaching Katelyn. She kneeled maybe a foot away.

“Hey, whats wrong darling? You’ll be okay, just take some deep breaths.”

Katelyn nodded and followed instruction, listening to the girl’s voice as she counted gently, but didn’t look up from the floor. Katelyn had only been panicking, not having an anxiety attack, but she still had needed the assistance.

“Th-thank you.”

“No problem sweetie. Here, drink some water.”

Katelyn took the water bottle she was offered and looked up. She was caught so off guard she almost dropped the water. She recognized that hair and that makeup and that jacket.

“It’s you.” She whispered.

“Yes? Who else would I be? Abraham Lincoln?”

“Im sorry.” Katelyn whispered as she brought the water to her lips, though she drank none.

“For what honey?”

“I think.” She gulped. “I think I was wrong about you. I mean, I just, I thought you were scary. And mean. And a bad person.”

She laughed resonantly. “Don’t worry sweetie, I get that all the time. My name is Munira.”

“Katelyn.”

“Well, Katelyn, how about we get out of here, hm? I know a great park we can go to.”

Katelyn smiled at Munira and nodded.

“I’m telling you he’s the imposter.” I had yelled at everyone that morning. They didn’t believe me, now I have seen the real imposter but I begin to doubt if what I said was true I mean there’s not three the first one said “wait until you meet my friend he’ll get you good.” But I can’t tell people I was wrong they might throw me out. No they need to know. As I near the emergency button the real imposter chases me, I hit it just in time everyone came to see why. “He just killed someone.” I screamed. “How do we know you telling the truth.” Said one person. “Y’a you told everyone it was me earlier today.” Said another. “I was wrong ok but he needs to go.” I admit but it’s to late they decided I was the problem. The last thing I saw was the evil grin on the guys face as he killed the one helping him throw me off.

A fun fair is a place where it’s meant to lure kids and their parents into spending a lot of money for so-called fun. Expensive food, rigged prizes and mediocre rides. They’re aimed at kids after all. With the flashy lights and the clanging sounds and the aromatic smells of sweet and savoury, what more simulation could you want.

Being the big brother, I thought it was a great big brother thing to do and take my little brother Tony to the fun fair. He’s quite a shy kid and he doesn’t really get out of the house much. When I grew up, me and my friends would love adventure and going out exploring derelict hills and abandoned estates but Tony preferred quality time with consoles. He needed to get out.

“So what do you think?” I asked him as we walked past the duck hoop game where hundreds of floating ducks wondered listlessly in a circle.

“It’s OK.”

“Do you want to go on anything? The ghost ride? The crocodile?”

“No, it’s OK.”

“Come on! There must be something you want to do.”

“Not really. I don’t like rides.”

I stared at him dumbfounded for a brief moment.

“You want some food?”

We got some hot dogs and a bag of candy floss. The hot dogs tasted like they came straight out of a jar but Tony liked it. As I took a final bite of my hotdog, I saw a friend embark on the bumper cars.

“Ohhh do you want have a go on the bumper cars?”

“No, it’s Ok.”

“Alright bud. Do you mind taking this candy floss and guarding it with your life.

“OK.”

I rush off to jump into a vacant car.

After laughing with my friend and returning to Tony. He offers me the candy floss which has decreased considerably.

“Why did you eat this? I told you to guard it not stuff your face with it?!”

“I didn’t!” Tony begun to cry. “I held it to my chest really tight.”

And so the candy floss was crushed. I looked at the bag and indeed it was not open.

“I’m sorry Tony. I didn’t realise.”

He wipes his eyes and says: “It’s OK.”

“Want another hot dog?”

The dress was blue.

She knew it, Jade knew it, practically everyone in the store knew it. Despite the undisputed evidence Callie just couldn’t surrender her throne.

‘It’s green.’ She swallowed, her voice wavering despite her desperate attempts to sound believable. Her tone was met with several of disapproval with heaves, sighs and tuts across the board.

Jade rolled her eyes, knowing that Callie admitting anything was as likely as sprouting wings overnight.

‘The dress code for tonight is blue.’ Jade reminded, cocking an eyebrow in Callie’s direction.

Callie was unable to meet her eyes, after all, she knew this. She wanted the dress, no other dress in the store complimented her figure like this one did, but to have the dress meant she’d have to admit she was wrong. She scanned the dress once more and audibly gulped.

‘It’s blue.’ Callie whispered. Several heads snapped in her direction.

Jade’s back suddenly felt itchy and heavier, and she gazed in wonder as her legs were now hovering one inch above the floor.

I was livid!! My sweet little brother who was only a freshman, got asked out on a date. I was ecstatic until I found out it was by the biggest bitch in school, Shelby Monroe. She’d had it out for me since I stood up to her in my freshman year. I knew she had malicious intentions and I wasn’t standing for it!

I waited by the door, as my brother came downstairs all dressed up and a single rose in his hand. “Hey Megs!! I’m super stoked. Thanks for driving me.” I tried to hide my worry for his benefit. “Of course. I’m excited to meet her.” We attended a school with 2000 students in Los Angeles and I’m sure I’m not the only Megan, so she probably didn’t know I was his sister, as we don’t share a last name. We scurried to the car, anxious to pull Shelby aside as soon as possible, to confront her.

We arrived at a gorgeous stone house, with what looked like 3 stories. I gritted my teeth in anticipation. The door opened, and I watched her red curls bounce as I seethed in the drivers seat. She smiled, then froze when she noticed it was me. As she opened the door behind me I turned and smiled at her. “Hi! Shelby I didn’t realize you were his date. Such a big school, what are the odds?”

My brother looked confused as she spoke. “Me either Megan, nice to see you. What an uncanny coincidence…!” My brother laughed and said “Awesome, you already know each other. Are you guys friends? We then said “No” at the same time. An awkward silence passed before adding, “Not yet.”

We got to the movie theater and I said, “Hey Shelby, I’m gonna see a different movie while you’re here. Wanna come get some snacks?” She nodded, obviously embarrassed. We got in like and I whisper “Really, Shelby? This is low even for you! Why do you have to mess with my family?” Her face got red and responded, “I’m not that low. I like your brother, this honestly was a coincidence.” I look back at my brother and see him blush when Shelby smiled at him as he looked. I start to ponder I may be wrong. “Well, if that’s true I guess we need to get to know each other. I knew this was going to be hard…

We open on H.M.C.S Napoleon. The ship is under attack. the Jupiral Justice sent out Jupiter’s finest flying fleet in order to bring Captain, Captain and his crew back to Amadeus their main city.

Medic: Captain the Jupiral Justice, Jupiter’s finest flying fleet are on our tail!

Captain: Everyone to their stations, Jolene I need those guns loaded like a potato.

Jolene: Got it, want steak on the side?

Captain: You know I do! Now everyone stay calm and listen for my order to fire.

The silence filled the room, sweat dripped down Medics face, Captain furrowed his brow. Then the cockpit door opened and Lanea walked in.

Lanea: What are you guys doing.

Medic: We have a tail. It’s Jupiral Justice, Jupiter’s finest flying fleet.

Captain: Steady soldier.

Lanea: You know as the Canadian ambassador or this conquest of ours, I have some pretty good relations with the Jupiral Justice.

Captain: And they are about to have relations with our twin cannons brrrrat brrrrat!

Jolene: We got lasers here cap, so it’s more of a Pew, Pew!

Lanea: Or I could talk to them and save us from dying! These guys don’t miss. They are the Jupiral Justice, Jupiter’s

Captain: Finest, flying fleet and they are going to fly right into a barrage of agony. We don’t do peace talking on this ship.

Lanea: Look we all know you are an ass but that doesn’t mean that the rest of us want to die.

Jolene: Wait, you think you can talk us out of Captian stealing blueprints for a thermal nuclear weapon?

Pause:

Lanea: I mean, we just give them back.

Captain: Can’t give them back. I traded them to Jaxon Zephi at the Amadeus flea market for this super cool chain.

Captain pulls out a gold chain attached is a clear orb with saffron coloured smog within.

Captain: See, this is red smoke from the red spot of Jupiter.

Lanea: Well that’s illegal as well dummy.

Medic: So we are screwed?

Lanea: No, that’s a good illegal, that’s a rare illegal.

Cut to Giant screen in the cockpit of H.M.C.S Napoleon, Admiral Latchkey, the leader of Jupiral Justice, Jupiter’s......

Latchkey: Captain, you and your crew are under arrest for stealing blueprints that did not belong to you.

Captain: Well, admiral, I would love to talk but ahh I also would rather let our ambassador handle this.

Lanea: Thank you. Admiral Latchkey, not everyone here has heard of the greatness of your flying fleet, but I have. I know about your conquest of Pluto, the rescue of the Proteus Pope from the Thalassa rebels.

Latchkey: An earth dweller who knows her solar news, impressive.

Jolene: (whispers) Damn girl, get em.

Jolene: Very, almost as impressive as your business on Mercury.

Latchkey: Excuse me?

Lanea: Or you mission on Ishtar Terra. How many Jovian senators does it take to exonerate the war crimes of the Venusian massacre?

Pause

Latchkey: You’ve made your point, you know things. So what do you plan to do with that information?

Jolene: Let em know!

Lanea: My associates took something from your associates. Those blueprints are gone. Traded to a merchant only I know. I can give you the name if you leave us alone. You choose not to and a message will be sent to the United Solar Commune about your activities. So your choice. You get your blueprints, and we get our lives.

Latchkey: Tell is the name.

Lanea: Felix Upsring. He is a Neptunian diplomat living on the Gaspra asteroid cluster.

Latchkey: Copy that!

The feed cuts out.

Medic: So you really just did that!

Lanea: I always do that!

Captain: Why did you lie? You gave him the wrong name, and the wrong planet.

Lanea: That should give us enough time to find your Jaxon Zephi and get those blueprints. We don’t want them in the hands of a Plutonian thief or the Jupiral Justice, Jupiter’s finest, flying fleet.

End scene.

I was playing with fire with the card I played. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings and drive you away. I just don’t know when I go too far. I guess you’re not ready to reveal the stories to your scars.

I know I can be a bit pushy when it comes to stuff like that, But still, I can’t believe he did that to you! And I don’t think it’s a good idea to stay with him neither, But I’ll give you space so you can decide.

More than ever did I want to protect you From the evil shit on your shoe. But I’ll just stay quiet and admit that I was wrong Because you got this and you’re most definitely strong.

It was December when my dad and call-me-Ellen got married. As if I would ever call the wicked step mom “Ellen”. I was beyond furious with Ellen for swooping in and dragging my dad into this farce before my mom was even cold, God bless her. And my dad was disgusting; prancing around like some pimply teenager with his breast puffed out and with those looney looks every time he was around Ellen.

Here I was, twenty-two and just out of college, not a boyfriend on the horizon and my dad hooks up with this gold digging bimbo he met at his bar. I do not understand what he sees in her, other than a perky bosom and her gushy personality. I will say, she certainly knew how to catch a man with that soulful act she puts on. As for my dad? At 56 years old you would think he would pick someone closer to his age and all plump and motherly and smelling like homemade bread and vanilla. But no! Here he is hooked up to this professional type who owned her own nursery and dressed like a floozy.

“You okay, Livvie? Why don’t you come inside and have some food? The caterers did a great job on the whole spread and it’s getting really cold out here.” It was Ellen; always pretending to have my best interests at heart. As if.

I took a big drag on my cigarette and blew the smoke in her general direction. “I’m fine. I needed a smoke and I didn’t want to break your No Smoking In The House Rule. So I’ll just stay out here. The privacy suits me.”

“Oh. Okay. But just to clear up the smoke thing? You may not know the doctor told your dad that after that bad bronchitis scare in October he was not to smoke or even be around any smoke. You know how he hates to impose rules, so I appointed myself gatekeeper and rule enforcer.”

She smiled at me as if I knew all about this stuff, but my dad has spent his life trying to protect me from any bad stuff. I mean, my mom was already on hospice care before he finally called me at school and told me I needed to come home. I only had a couple of days with her before she died and later, in tears, he confessed she had been sick for months but she didn’t want me to know. It was hard to believe that once I realized he was already seeing Ellen.

“Livvie?”

“What?”

“Are you having issues with this marriage? Because I am getting some vibes from you that are pretty strong. I don’t want to be a mother to you, you know. I have a grown daughter of my own and don’t need one who obviously disliked me. But you know what I think would be the kind thing for your dad? Don’t make me out to be your enemy.”

“Since you brought it up, let’s put it out there. I watched how you finagled your way i to my dad’s life and I think you are a sad little woman who saw he was pretty well off and you decided you’d grab him before somebody else did. So there.”

She looked at me, her eyes wide and startled and then started chuckling. “Oh, Livvie. You couldn’t be more wrong. Actually your dad was the one who pursued me mercilessly. Your Mom was so sick, and he used to sit with me after he closed down the bar and just talk about it all and cry. He loved her very, very much and I know I can never replace her. But I found out I could love him because he could love so deeply. And you know what? I most certainly do not need him for his money. I have a very lucrative business and am bringing more money into this marriage than he is by a very wide margin.”

I said nothing because I had no words. It was pretty obvious that I had jumped to conclusions not based on fact and really didn’t know a damn thing about Ellen. I snugged out the cigarette and finally turned to look at her.

“I made some assumptions.”

“Yes. You did.”

We sat quietly for a few long moments, and I knew that if we wanted to move on and at least learn to tolerate each other because my dad loved both of us, I was the one who had to offer the peace. I owed them both at least that.

“I really am cold and hungry. Let’s go in. And Ellen? When you and dad get back from Chicago, can we do lunch? “

She smiled her lovely warm smile. “Of course! I would love that.”

It’s two years later, May 7th, and I watched her open a Mother’s Day Card I had picked out especially for My Other Mother. We both cried and hugged as my dad watched us, just beaming.