Tag: short story

Categories
Fiction

Ready (Furious Fiction) | CGSP Short Story

Furious Fiction is a short story workout for a writer!
I hope you enjoy this CGSP Short Story that was entered in a recent FURIOUS FICTION.

All of my family were out there. I could see them through a small crack that I wedged open in the door. They’re waiting for me. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck as I paced the small back room of the large church. This event wouldn’t get started until I went out in front of all those people.

I know I shouldn’t be afraid of my own family and friends, but this wasn’t just an everyday event. It was an ending. Or a beginning, depending on how you wanted to look at it. All we knew was coming to an end; there wasn’t any way around it.

Of course, I could always leave and not deal with it all. I could Jump over the chairs, and head for the large doors at the back of the room. I shook my head, quickly discarding the idea, and turned back to my earrings on the small table. If I was going out there, I was going to look my best.

My hands shaking, I attempted to poke one through my right ear. The sweat was all over my hands now, and I tried to wipe one hand on my clothes. The earring flipped out of my hand and rolled under the table. Groaning, I shuffled onto my knees and narrowed my eyes as I searched for the small, pearl earring.

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“Aha!” I yelled out loud as I spotted it, wedged between the back, table leg, and the wall. I yanked it free and stood to my feet, slipping it into my ear.
“Susan, are you ready?” My cousin Emily asked through the door. “We’re all waiting for you to start this thing.”
I sighed. “Just a minute Emily,” I said.
Great; it was time now.

How was I going to do this? How was I going to honour the man out there? Nothing I could ever say could portray my feelings about him. I felt for the notes in my pocket, then nodded and sucked in a deep breath. I was going to do this service; no matter what.

As I got myself together, I opened the door and smiled at Emily. She cut the lights to the room behind me, and we walked closer to the doors. I listened quietly for my queue. As I walked towards the front of the church, the butterflies pounded in my chest and stomach. I wasn’t used to being in front of a crowd like this.

As I finally made my last step towards the pastor at the front, he gave me a wink. I turned and stared at the man who I wanted to honour; my groom.

Furious Fiction is a fun story competition to stretch yourself and write less than 500 words in 55 hours. This story was to take place in either a wedding, or a funeral. I wanted to try and get BOTH as a possibility as you were reading; right up until the very end.
If you want to enter Furious Fiction, check out the AWC website for all the details. 

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction

Romantic Gift | Short Story

Julia swept open the door, and as his face peeked around the corner, she slammed it right back into place. What was he doing here?
“Julia? At least open the door so I can talk to your face.”
She moaned quietly and shook her head. What was Phillip doing here?
“I told you that I didn’t want to see you. Why are you here?”

Phillip was quiet on the other side of the door, and Julia rested her forehead on it. It annoyed her, that a small part of her heart was happy to see him. After everything he pulled last summer, she wanted her feelings to completely disappear. But, that wasn’t how feelings worked.
“I have something for you. I’d like to give it to you face to face. Please open the door.”
Another moment of silence passed before Julia relented and slowly creaked open the door. Phillips chiseled face, and flowing black hair was breathtaking as always. She sighed at his sad expression but left the screen door securely closed.
“You look good. Thanks for opening the door.”

Julia rolled her shoulders and stuck out her chin. “What is it, Phillip?”

He kicked his foot, staring at the ground for a moment. When he met her eyes again, he pulled his left hand out from behind his back. “I brought you something for New Year’s Eve.”

She opened her mouth, but words refused to cooperate. A present? That’s why he wanted to come over. Presents wouldn’t solve anything between them. He’d played games with her heart, and stomped on it when another girl came along. She was done with the games.

“Is this another ploy? To get me to feel for you again, then rip the rug out from under me?”

Phillip shook his head, pushing the small box further towards the door. “I promise, it’s not. I just wanted you to know how I feel. How sorry I am for doing all that crap last summer. No strings.”

She unlocked the screen, and reached for the small box, recognising her favourite jewelry store stamp on top. Opening it, a stunning pair of diamond earrings sparkled back at her. She held her breath. “Phillip, I…” she couldn’t get the words to cooperate. She didn’t want to start things again with him unless it was real this time. His gesture was nice – really nice! – but it wasn’t an answer to all the hurt.
“I’m not asking for you to forgive me today, or even next week. I just want you to know how I feel. I care about you, and I’m not giving up.” He smiled at her – that weak at the knees smile he gave – and dropped his hands into his pockets. Before he turned to go, Julia nodded, still holding onto the open box.

Phillip walked to his car and pulled out of her driveway. Out of her street. Maybe he had changed. Maybe they could have a meaningful relationship after all.
Julia held her breath. Only time would tell.

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction

A Winter Train Ride | Short Story

I gripped the frozen steel bar, my fingers ash white in the below zero temperature. 
This train wasn’t going to stop.

The wind whipped through my fur-lined coat; unable to protect my organs from the harsh winter that I wasn’t used to. I watched the countryside pass by – which would have otherwise been beautiful – in a blur.
The icicles that were pooling on the steel frame outside, would also have caught my attention. Swirling inside themselves with water that had frozen into a beautiful point, they hung on each edge. My creative eye would have stared at those icicles for hours, but their beauty was muffled as I watched the mountain getting closer.

This wasn’t a passenger train; it was designated to carry cargo across the country. That’s why when I finagled my way onto it – claiming I had permission from all the authorities – I was curious to see the differences in a passenger line. Before my exploring had begun, frantic yelling at the front had fuelled my curiosity further and I had confirmed it. This train was heading towards a mountain with no tunnel, no tracks, and no working breaks.

Without listening for the WHY, I pumped my legs and headed towards the best vantage point of the potential danger; the car closest to the mountain. After I’d realised that I couldn’t see without leaning out of the door, I obliged and the frozen wind forcefully met me there.

Quickly a hand pulled me back inside and I saw the train driver screaming at me. As the cold wind continued to rip through my ears, his words were deafened. His eyes were frantic as he pointed towards the back of the train cars.
I followed the driver and tears began to form in my eyes. Ignoring them, we ran through the first, then second, then the third car until we reached the final one. With only moments before the impact, the driver leaped out of the train and onto the snow-covered tracks. He thundered onto the ground and rolled.
Before I could see if he was okay; before I could decide if I wanted to risk being injured or killed from the fall, the sound of steel smashing behind me propelled me forward and I closed my eyes for the impact.

I hope you enjoyed this short story. 
What do you think happened to the person in this story? Did they survive? Let me know how YOU see that ending!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace