For my ‘Writing for Young Readers’ course I needed to choose a viewpoint and write a story of 500 words or less based on an event in my own life. So this story is the very beginning of how my husband and I got together. Enjoy!

 

…I was laying across my mother’s bed, because that was where the phone was. Laying on my stomach, I listened as Rick told me a joke. We’d already been talking for about an hour, even though we had seen each other just hours ago at school. I had this dopey smile on my face and was glad that he couldn’t see me.
…He spoke up again, sounding shy all of a sudden. “Am I crazy if I ask -. What I mean is -. Ugh! I think we both know what’s going on between us, right?”
…My heart was hammering in my throat. Was he really suggesting what I thought he was? He was my best friend, if I told him I liked him, but he didn’t feel the same it could ruin everything. “I- What do you mean?”
…He let out a weary sigh. “Never mind. If you don’t know what I’m talking about I’ll-.”
…“No wait!” I interrupted him, dragging the courage to speak up from somewhere deep inside me. “I think-. I know what you mean. I do know.”
…“Yeah?” I could practically hear his grin.
…“Yeah.” I grinned right back.
…There was a silence after that, a bit awkward, but mostly filled with joy. We both started laughing at the same time. Words had never been a problem between us but suddenly everything felt charged, different, but better.
…“The annual carnival is next month. We’re all going. Would you like to come with me?” I asked, nervous even in the revelation of a few minutes ago.
…“Yeah.” He answered. “I’d love to.”