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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Kimmydon Week 25: Revealing


Kimmydon
Wednesday


Picture 1

Picture 2


Kimmydon's Choice: Both


Title:
Revealing

I felt a little nervous stepping out into Peter’s garage. I took off my shoes there, not wanting to drag mud through his house. Then I pulled off my jacket at the door.

“Maybe you should just hose me off outside,” I suggested with a grin.

He laughed. “That sounds like a terrible idea.” He pulled off his jacket and shirt.

I stopped, staring for a moment at his bare chest, then his bare back as he pulled off his shoes. They were ruined, I noticed, bending to them.

He straightened suddenly, nearly clipping my chin with his head. “What are you doing?” he asked, alarmed.

“Your shoes,” I moaned.

He pulled me up, kicking off the remaining shoe. “They’re old. I expected they wouldn’t stay clean. Don’t worry.”

I met his eyes and found truth. He wasn’t saying it to appease me. Then I noticed his chest again and licked my lips, nervous.

“No pressure,” he urged me. “There are two bathrooms. You can have the one down here, if you like.”

It took a moment for me to look up at him, but when I did, I smiled broadly. “That sounds like a terrible idea,” I mimicked.

He chuckled, but not for long, as I continued my imitation of him, removing my own muddy shirt and following with the pants. Standing in my underwear, I felt goosebumps break out all over me.

I gave him at least a full minute to stare. I kept my hands at my sides for the first twenty seconds before crossing them over my pert nipples. They showed dark through the lacy fabric of my bra, but I tried not to be embarrassed; he certainly wasn’t declining the show. Still, it was not warm in the garage. “Shower. Hot. Now.” I got cranky when I got cold.

He snapped up suddenly. “Yes, mistress.”

What? I looked over my shoulder for a minute, wondering if he was talking to someone else.

“Ma’am,” he said, trying to imply that was what he’d said the first time. I was sure it wasn’t, but I still couldn’t understand what he’d meant, so I let it go. Mistress? Who called someone Mistress? That was so... old fashioned. I didn’t get it.

He was still blushing pink as he picked me up. I squeaked, not expecting it. Laughing, I said aloud, “I can manage the stairs.”

He shook his head and put me down on the landing. “Of course. Although, now, I’ve carried you over the threshold.”

I missed the step I’d been aiming for, landing on my ass.

“Are there any other surprises you’d like to spring on me, Peter?” I asked. “Being that I’m on the ground, they can’t hit me any harder.” I looked up at him. I’d kept my tone light, teasing, but I was actually kind of serious. First calling me mistress, whatever that was about, and then implying he’d married me... I was literally as well as figuratively floored.

“Sarah’s my sister,” he blurted. “I’ll get you a robe.”

He disappeared up the stairs. I didn’t move from my rump on the carpet. At least it wasn’t the lino; that crap was cold on my toes and I was chilled enough. I was heating nicely with a bit of ire as I puzzled through that last dump of info.

Sarah was his sister. Was she still around? She didn’t live here. Or if she did, she wasn’t home now. I was pretty sure she wasn’t here, ever. That expression, downtown, that wasn’t the face of a brother who wondered where his wayward sister was. It was one of mourning, of remembrance. She was gone.

I didn’t have time for more before Peter scooped me up again. I was quietly impressed; I wasn’t small or light, but he didn’t grimace, although I could tell he was happy to set me on the couch. He turned on a gas fireplace and pulled a robe of his own on, having left one on my legs.

He lifted my feet and sat with them in his lap. Pulling off my slightly muddy socks, he held my cold toes. His hands were warm, and helped me relax.

“Sarah was three years older than me,” he said, looking at the fire, not at me. “She was wild, untamed. No one could hold her back. No one could stop her.” The gleam in his eye froze and his voice choked a little. “No one but fate, and me.”

It took a lot of control, but I didn’t interrupt, and I didn’t console. I waited. A moment later, his head rose again, looking once more into the flames.

“She would sneak out at night. She’d used that damn tree to get back in, jumping to the roof.”

The roof. Something clicked. It wasn’t his safe place.

“I’d often wait for her up there, when I knew she’d gone out. She’d let me smoke with her,” he said with a snort. “She was a rebel. God, I love her. I wanted to be as wild as her, but I never had the nerve. I was too worried about what other people thought, what Mom and Dad thought.” His lips twisted in a grimace. “Wasted concern there,” he muttered.

I wanted to stop him, to scold him for doing his parents such a disservice after their deaths, but I couldn’t. I was rapt, barely breathing and listening to him.

“One night, I wasn’t there. She slipped off the roof.” His voice broke and he let go of my feet to hold his face. “She... She..” He tried several times, always choking on the words.

I sat up, pulling him to me, resting his head on the terrycloth of the robe. “You told me. She died. She fell... and died?” I confirmed, not wanting him to have to say it.

He sniffled and nodded against my breast. “In the mud.”

I froze in the middle of stroking his hair. The mud. The mud that was in his hair, on my hands, the socks on the floor.

“Oh, God, Peter. I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have.”

He looked up, gripping my shoulders. “No, don’t. It was good.” Tears still streaked his cheeks, but his eyes were clear now, vibrant. I was held by them. “Don’t you see? You’ve moved me past.” He chuckled once. “Well, started to, anyway.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle too; he had a long way to go before catching frogs and making mud pies. “Tell me more?” I asked, taking his hands in mine.

He smiled sadly, lifting me by the hands and leading me up the stairs. He stopped at the pictures I’d only half-noticed my last time here.

“Here we are. I’m five in this one, Sarah eight.” London’s skyline stretched out behind them. It almost seemed whichever parent had taken this was more interested in the architecture than the children. Still it was easy to see the punk style of Sarah, with her short blond hair spiked out, wearing a tie around her forehead. Eight, he’d said. I would have guessed her eleven. He looked five, and happy.

The next was his parents. “This was their twentieth anniversary. There’s Grandma Netty, and that’s Grandpa Dave. He passed a few years ago. And Grandma and Grandpa Strauss. They live in France. I wish I could visit them more often,” he said with a sigh.

He led me up a few more stairs. This photo was taken in Paris. “Visiting Grandma and Grandpa?” I asked, smiling.

He smiled too. “Yep. As usual, Dad was trying to get the tower, but there’s Sarah. Mom was furious she’d colored her hair black.” He laughed suddenly. “It’s only because the green she was trying to dye it didn’t turn out. So she covered it in black. God, what would Mom have done if Sarah had flown to France with green hair?” He sighed, obviously remembering.

I looked at the photo. It was her back. He was right, his father was shooting the tower beyond her. I looked to the next and smiled brightly. “Graduation?” I asked pointing.

He sneered. “I keep meaning to take that down.”

I stopped smiling once squared with the photo. Peter was beautiful, as he always was. I could see the sorrow in his eyes though. “This wasn’t long after...”

He shook his head. “Only eight months. You can tell?” he asked.

I nodded. “It’s not obvious, but I’ve seen you smile. This line,” I pointed, touching the glass, “isn’t in it, and your eyes are... too cold,” I finished. I looked to his parents now and was even more deeply saddened.

Peter’s mother was obviously the source of his good looks. She could have easily graced the cover of a magazine, even in her thirties. His father was good looking, darker than his mother or himself, slightly gray. His father’s eyes were glassy, even in the photo. He had been drinking. Celebrating maybe? It seemed to sad for that. And his mother’s mouth was too tight as well. This was obviously a grieving family.

“Fuck you, Dad. Fuck you and fuck your booze.” Peter stamped up the last of the stairs and opened and closed a door.

I looked back at the photo, wanting to offer their spirits something. “It had to be hard, losing a daughter. I’m sure you didn’t find it easy, staying together and raising a son. But you did a great job.” My voice cracked a little, thinking about the man who might still hear me. “He is a good man. He works hard and treats his friends and coworkers well. It is a shame you aren’t here to see him, but he is. He is a fine man. One you should be proud of."

The door opened again, and Peter’s mud streaked head popped out. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“Thank you,” I said moving to his side, closing the door behind us. “Thank you for letting me in. Thank you for sharing with me. Thank you for being the man you are.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved to my toes to kiss him.

His arms were quick to find my waist, pulling me up even as he bent down, his tongue eager on my mouth. He broke to murmur, “I love you so much, Beth.”

I inhaled, taking the words with the air, holding them, letting them setting in me. Then I exhaled. “I love you, too.” My voice was quiet, but not so that he couldn’t hear.

His hands pulled the tie of my robe, his fingers finding the skin over my panties. Following his lead, I opened his robe, running my hands up over his chest as we continued to kiss.

Only when I felt the damp tip of him on my belly did I start, stepping back. He wasn’t wearing underwear. How had I not noticed that?! I looked down, at myself, then back up at him.

He was looking down. “No pressure.”

“Well, that will make showering difficult,” I teased. “You need water pressure for a good shower.”

He grinned, pulling me by the fabric of the robe. “Can I get you dirtier first?” he whispered in my ear.

“No,” I declared, pushing him back again. This caused him to hit the bed and sit down on it.

He looked up at me, confused but still excited.

“I’m going to clean you up first.” Sinking to my knees before him, my eyes feasted on his length. It was framed in blond curls, darker than those on his head, coarser. I ran the fingers of one hand through them while the other slid up his thigh.

“Beth, you don’t have to-”

“Shhhh,” I hushed him, taking the base of his shaft in my hand, the other still combing his hair and cupping his balls. I rubbed them gently as I stroked.

I watched his reactions. First in his groin, the tendons rising as he tensed, his balls moving against my hand. Then in his face, the way his eyes opened and closed, the way he sucked through his teeth and went slack-jawed. His eyes blazed on mine, passionate fire in them. I didn’t let him take control back though. I had him in the palm of my hand, and I was keeping him there.

When he moved to pull me up, I kissed the tip of him, causing his hands to tighten rather than pull. I settled back a little, licking along him, tasting salt sweat, and clean skin - soft skin over the hardness.

I hadn’t given head often, but I had never wanted to as much as now. I took the head into my mouth, sliding very slightly.

He winced. “Teeth,” he whispered.

I released him instantly from my mouth, still holding him in my hand. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head, cupping my cheek. “Just letting you know. It didn’t hurt.”

I saw no lie on his face and smiled, planning to try again.

“You don’t-” His words cut off as I went down on him. My lips, wetter now, slid more easily, further. I sighed on him, feeling him on my tongue.

He groaned when I sighed; it made me smile. That made him twitch. I thought of how completely I held him, how much he was mine.

How much was he mine?

“Peter?” I asked, stroking his length slowly in my hand. He didn’t answer except to hum. “Are we... What are we?”

“I’m yours,” he said simply, his voice husky and breathless. “All yours.”

I liked that. It was answer enough. I put my mouth around him again, pushing down with my hand as I took him deeper over my tongue. My throat closed as he neared the back, and I felt his hands in my hair, pushing it away to hold my face.

“Shit, Beth, that’s good.” His cussing made me want to try for more, but I knew I would gag soon. I took a breath and tried anyway. His hands on my face guided me, but didn’t push, in fact he stopped me, holding me in place. I sighed, feeling safe with him.

“Crap, Beth.” Apparently the sigh did good things to him. I felt him move in my mouth, which did elicit a slight gag. I pulled back, stroking him again.

“That needs to come off,” he said, reaching into my robe and unfastening my bra. Lifting his hands, the robe fell from my shoulders, and I dropped him long enough to slip it from my arms. He pulled my bra away at the same time. “Damn, you’re beautiful,” he told me, pulling me up.

“But... I wasn’t finished,” I complained.

“Neither was I,” he agreed, holding the base of himself to rub lightly on the inside of my thigh. It made me tingle and gasp. His other hand slipped into my shorts style panties and cupped my ass, which tensed at his touch. “So nice,” he said, fondling me gently, his thumb running the crease of my ass.

I swayed a little on my feet, suddenly a lot less stable. “Peter, I...” My voice sounded huskier than usual, deeper.

“Yes, Beth?” he asked, his mouth finding my breast from my collar bone. He was kissing the inside slope as he rubbed my thigh once more.

“Are you... “ I couldn’t think straight. What this man did to me. I knew there was something I need to ask for, but what? “Do you...” Each question was ended in a pant and a tug of his hair. My fingers had gravitated there, of course.

The mud streaked locks were still pliable and I had pulled them in any number of directions. God, he looked good, natural, not putting on any show, no facade, just Peter, naked before me. My mind gave up the fight and I held his face to my chest.

His hand came up to the waist of my panties, the other dropping himself to join it, sliding them down my legs. I hissed at the exposed feeling as they came away. I stepped out of them carefully, holding him to keep my balance. He was looking down at me. I did, too.

Brazilians weren’t normally my thing, but after the stinging subsided, I loved how tender my skin was, how soft. It had been a test, for today, when today came. Up until now, I’d trimmed when I knew someone would be poking down there, doctor or boyfriend, but I wanted to go an extra step this time. I hadn’t regretted it the first night I touched ‘speedy petey’ to myself, and as his fingers touched my lips, brushing them without spreading them, I didn’t regret it now.

“Peter,” I moaned, tugging his hair again.

With a growl, he grabbed me by the waist and swung me onto the bed. He pivoted, coming to rest between my knees. I shook with anticipation. His hands ran up my stomach, over my ribs and chest. “Goddamn beautiful,” he muttered, his fingers brushing my pointed peaks, making me arch slightly.

“You are,” I returned, still not able to think properly.

“I seem to have found another way to shut that wise mouth of yours. Like this?” he asked, blowing across the sensitive skin between my legs.

I shuddered at the sensation. He still hadn’t touched me there, and I was ready to melt. I couldn’t find words, but guttural sounds escaped me as his lips brushed my waxed ones.

“Your smell,” he moaned. I watched his blue eyes close where the peeked over my pubic bone. My eyes closed immediately after as the tip of his tongue parted my lips.

“Oh God!” I half-screamed, hands latching onto his locks.

“Unnngh,” he groaned, his tongue jumping on my skin. His voice was muffled, but I made out, “Pulling, shit.”

He liked me pulling his hair? Well, that was good, because I wasn’t letting go. I didn’t think my fingers would open right now if I tried. They tightened, in fact, as I lifted my hips and thighs, opening myself for more of his kisses and licking.

“Your tongue, fuck, Peter. That’s...” I was usually pretty articulate. I occasionally had difficulty finding the word I needed, but nothing like this. It was like all nouns, all adjectives had flown away, leaving only verbs behind. Lick. Kiss. Touch. Tug. Thrust. Fuck.

I must have been muttering some of these because I heard Peter’s muffled voice again. “You want to fuck?” he asked lightly, teasing. “Are you sure? You don’t want more of this?” His fingers were inside me, and now he rubbed them against the edge, drawing them out slowly. I cried out, tugging his hair again as my legs twitched.

“No... No stop.” I didn’t care if I made sense or not, my hips would tell him what I wanted, they were already thrusting against his hand.

“Yes, Beth,” he murmured, sliding up my side, his lips stopping at my nipple as his thumb took the place of his tongue. He kissed the dark, puckered point, flicking that agile tongue over it. I clenched in response, shuddering on his fingers.

“Damn...” I groaned, feeling the heat swelling as my legs moved of their own accord, twisting and tilting. “God.”

“Come for me,” he whispered, kissing my neck, which was still relatively clean. Most of the mud was on my face and hands.

One second of thought for the mud on his hands struck me, but it couldn’t last. It felt too good.

He noticed my pause though, a question crossing his face just before I pulled his face to mine, kissing him. My tongue fought its way into his mouth as I continued to pin his fingers.

He moaned against my mouth. “I want to feel that,” he mused, moving his fingers very slightly.

“I want to feel that,” I said, taking a hand from his hair and wrapping it around him again. “Shit, how I want to feel it. Will you? Do you?” I couldn’t complete a thought if my life depended on it.

“I’m going to...” he complained, his face tightening, his chest was next, his arms. All of him tensed up and I realized that I’d touched at just the right, or just the wrong time, depending on the goal. I slid my thumb up, encouraging the coming reaction, wanting to see him lose everything on me. I wanted to see Peter.

“Shit,” he cussed as the thick liquid hit my belly, warm. I kissed him again, stroking lightly. He gasped, shaking beside me. “That... that... Don’t...” I held him, grinning at him. He was literally in the palm of my hand. I squeezed just to prove it to myself.

He groaned and closed his eye. “Beth. I...”

I kissed his forehead. “I’m teasing. How about that shower now?”

“Yeah, I seem to have added to the mess.”

“Wasn’t that the idea?” I asked, remembering the threat to make me dirtier.

He laughed, covering his eyes with a hand. “I suppose it was. Come on,” he said, rolling over me. I pursed my lips at the feel of his skin sliding over mine, the warmth of his body so close, the mechanics of sharing a bed. I loved this man more than I realized. I wanted to share this bed. I didn’t want to go home.

I was home.

Monday, November 8, 2010

AJ Silent Voice Week 25: For You, I'll Try

AJ Silent Voice
Monday



Picture 1

Picture 2


AJ Silent Voice’s Choice: Picture 1


Title:
For You, I’ll try


Sara’s week was a countdown to her day off on Thursday. She needed to take a long trip to Edmonds to visit the guys at Magic Photo and pick up her baby. Despite pulling out all the tricks in her book, her Canon DSLR was still refusing to auto focus. She’d cursed and removed the battery, cursed again when it did nothing, then finally disassembled it and placed it in her camera bag. Removing the battery was the extent of her camera fixing abilities. Dan at the photo shop teased her all the time and reminded her that removing the battery would do nothing. Her standard answer was the middle finger.

“Well, it does something for me. Can you fix it?” she’d asked. He’d laughed and told her to let him keep it a week. She’d scoffed. “You know you’re the only one I’d let keep my baby for that long, right, Dan?”

“I hear ya, Sara. I’m honored. I’d be even more honored if you’d take me up on that offer to buy you dinner. My mom hears all about you and she’s dying to meet you.” His face had flushed and he stared at the ground.

Dan was a geeky guy, kinda plump, but really nice. Sara had shaken her head and gathered her things. “You’re too good for me, Dan. You need to hold out for an honest girl. Plus, you know what they say about long distance relationships.”

He’d just grinned and looked back up at her. Giving her a cheesy wink and the yellow copy of her repair receipt, he’d finally let her out the door.

When she arrived to pick it up, she was thankful to see Dan wasn’t working. It had nothing to do with the fact that she had to turn him down every time she came, she really appreciated the sentiment, but today she wasn’t in the best mood. God forbid she take her bitchiness out on someone as sweet as Dan.

Jake had told her he loved her.

Now, in Sara’s mind, normal people had positive reactions to the words “I love you.” But sadly, Sara didn’t consider herself normal. Nine years is a long time to be alone. Sure, she’d spent some of those years with people, but not people who cared about her. She was just his sister’s kid who lived with them. Family dinners made her feel invisible, and asking for something she needed left her feeling guilty. They fed her, clothed her, and gave her a roof over her head, but that was about all they did.

There were nights that Sara cried herself to sleep, silently sending up prayers to her mother to come back and get her. She was a child then, and those prayers made sense. But now, she knew there was nothing to pray to and no one to listen. Most of all, no one was going to come back for her. Sara didn’t know if she knew what love was anymore or how to do it.

“Thanks, Gary,” Sara said as she left. “Tell Dan I missed him!”

She heard Gary laugh as she left, knowing full well Dan would be upset that she came to town and he didn’t get to ask her out for the hundredth time. As she walked along the busy streets back to the ferry, she noticed the people on the streets. A mother with two young children was exasperated trying to keep them from running into every shop. A business like man sat on the bench waiting for the bus. His coffee was hot and Sara could see the steam rising from the cup. He never took his nose out of the paper.

Someone bumped her shoulder and she snapped her head up, ready to unload. “Hey! What the...”

“I’m so sorry, miss. Please excuse me,” he said politely. His face was beautiful and pale, and his eyes were a deep golden brown. They seemed out of place, though. He was young and lean, not at all what she thought he’d be judging by his voice. He turned quickly and kept going on his way, not giving her a backwards glance.

She sighed. “Invisible.”

She whispered the word longingly, as if it were the most comforting word she knew.

She showed the portsman her ferry pass and made her way to her usual seat on the deck. It was still early in the evening, so it wasn’t quite crowded yet. She took her seat quietly and pulled her camera out of the bag, smoothing her fingers over the familiar shape she was glad to have back in her hands. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Dan, she just felt like a limb was missing without her camera. Clicking the 50mm lens into place, she fired it up and aimed for the mountain ridges in the distance. She partially pressed the button down and the camera auto-zoomed perfectly. Satisfied, she took it apart and placed it back into the bag. She hooked her arm through the strap of the bag and through her purse strap, and closed her eyes.

The sun was warm on her face, so when the tears started to fall, they felt cold on her skin. The breeze picked up as the ferry made its way to Kingston. She couldn’t say she didn’t have feelings for Jake. He made her feel safe and cared for; there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t tell her how amazing or beautiful she was. She stopped arguing with him long ago, but she still didn’t believe it. The tightrope she walked was tedious and consuming sometimes. She didn’t trust anyone, never let anyone near her, but Jake always seemed to fly under the radar.

His personality disarmed her. For a long time, she looked for a flaw, a bad habit or an annoying character trait, but she found nothing. She’d pick fights just to see if he’d say hurtful things; he didn’t. She’d pull away when he got too close, and she waited for the day he’d give up on her; he didn’t. She’d even told him flat out that she hated him once. The look in his eyes when those words left her mouth haunted her still. It was if his whole world had ended. The only thing he said was, “You don’t mean that.” And she didn’t.

Sara stood up and walked to the edge of the railing. She inhaled deeply, smelling the salt on the air and the green on the trees. Wiping her eyes with her sleeve, she steadied herself and said the words.

“I love you too, Jake.” They felt good on her lips, just like his kiss, but stronger and more alive.

But loving someone gave them power to hurt you, and Sara didn’t know if she could take that risk.

The ferry docked and the whistle blew. Sara grabbed her things and headed off the boat. The wind was blowing a bit harder this close to the water, so she popped her hood over her head, stuffed her hands in her pockets, and started to walk towards the parking lot. Her coworker, Marge, had family in Port Townsend and offered to give her a ride back to Forks. As she pulled out her cell phone to text Marge, she heard her name being shouted repeatedly.

Looking around, she finally caught sight of two tanned arms flailing above the crowd. Her heart melted as the crowd parted enough for Sara to see Jake bounding towards her. He had the goofiest grin on his face, and his tongue was hanging out the side of his mouth like a dog. When he was finally in front of her, she had to look up to see his face.

“Hey,” he said. He ran his hand through his short hair and huffed out a relieved breath.

“What are you doing here?”

Jake had been waiting for hours, scouring every ferry goer from every ferry, looking for Sara. He knew she wouldn’t run...would she? She couldn’t. There were a few things in life he was certain about, and one of them was that Sara Maddison loved him. She may not know it, but she did. He also knew he’d blown it when he told her so.

“I...uh...I went by your place and you weren’t there, so I stopped in at the store and they said you had the day off and Marge was taking you to the ferry.”

“And?” Jake hated that cold tone in her voice, especially directed at him, but he took comfort because her eyes held a different story. So, he’d have to work through this. No big deal. She was worth it.

“And I wanted to see if you needed a lift home.” He emphasized the word “home,” hoping that she’d understand. When she didn’t respond, he tried again. “Alright, you wanna know the truth? I thought you’d left, Sara. I thought you’d left me. I didn’t know what to do, so I came looking for you.”

She started to respond, but he cut her off. “If you weren’t on the last ferry, I was going to sleep in my car and take the next ferry out in the morning. Then I was going to find you. I don’t know how the hell I was going to do it, but I was.”

“Jake...” Sara’s face looked pained and, stepping close to him, she reached out and touched his face. She wiped the tears from his cheek and he leaned into her hand.

“You scared the shit out of me, Sara. You were so mad last night. I...I didn’t know what to do. Please tell me you’ll never leave me. I..I couldn’t stand it.”

She didn’t know what to say, so she buried herself in his arms. He held onto her tightly, almost too tight, but she let him. She couldn’t say the words he needed to hear right now, but she’d try.

For him, she’d try.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Miss Beckie Louise Week 24: Rebellion

Miss Beckie Louise
Friday



Picture 1

Picture 2


Miss Beckie Louise's Choice: Both


Title:
Rebellion

I was fed up of being the “perfect” girl that everyone expects me to be. Sure, I may have acted like I was from a perfect world and nothing could ever hurt me. But that is the furthest thing from the truth.

Life at home was hard, I was always on my own, I saw my parents, ohhh... three to four times a week. I stay on my own all the time, I don't have friends round because I can't afford the food for more than me. Its a push when the 'rents are home but thankfully they give me just enough for the shopping I do on a Monday after school.

The house is always clean for when the parents decide to pop up for a surprise visit. So I have to keep on top of it when I can.

It was always like this and then one day I just snapped.

If they didn't care about me, why should I care?

I put on the most girlie film we had in the house. I cried in what is deemed as the right places. Once it was finished, I picked up my dad's old guitar, his most 'treasured' possession. I hated the thing. He used it more than he spoke to me. I was meant to be his more treasured possession but instead I'm next in line to a guitar.

I picked it up and threw it across the room. I screamed, yelled and punched everything I could. If they wanted a perfect family then they'd have to be here to be a family.

Instead, they come and go when they please and leave me to look after the place without so much as a 'thank you'.

Once I trashed the place completely, I burst into tears. I sat there for days crying. I missed school, I ignored the calls from my friends. But all this ended mid-week.

The door opened and in came my parents.

They took one look at me and dropped all their things in the doorway before rushing over to me. After that night, where I stayed in their arms and we had a real talk, things have gotten a lot better. I haven't thrown another “hissy fit” since.

Dad's old guitar was repaired and now he's teaching me how to play it. He said he wanted to spend time with his two most treasured possessions, which was great as I now know that I'm included in that statement as well.

Life was getting better, and it was all because I bottled things in.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

NaNoWriMo

Six of us are participating in National Novel Writing Month, burning both ends of the candle to try to write fifty thousand words encompassing a full story before the thirtieth.

Three of us, Burntcore, Destiny Cullen and Romantic Vamp, have asked to skip out on their prompts for the next four weeks, understandably.

I, AJSilentVoice and Snapple Apple 450, on the other hand, are going to do our best to have something for this blog, and continue to update it throughout! Are we crazy?! Are we mad?! Well, maybe. More likely though you'll end up with a drabble or haiku in place of a 1K plus story one or more week this month.

Thank you for frequenting our blog. Hopefully, we will be able to connect you to synopses or excepts to our novels when we are finished. In the meantime, our progress is on the NaNoWriMo website.

Destiny Cullen
SnappleApple450
Burntcore
Kimmydonn
Romantic Vamp
AJ Silent Voice

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Kimmydon Week 24: Mudpies

Kimmydon
Wednesday



Picture 1

Picture 2


Kimmydon's Choice: Picture 2


Title:
Mudpies

The Point was beautifully dressed for the fall. It was hard to believe a month had passed since I climbed Peter’s tree. Half of its leaves had fallen now too. I was glad we weren’t at the lake today. The breeze was chilly.

I stepped out the car, still not quite believing he let me drive it. The vehicle was easily the most expensive thing I’d ever touched. It was fun to put my foot down and know that it would jump to whatever speed I chose. The amount of control I had sitting behind that wheel was invigorating.

“You’re flushed,” Peter commented, brushing my cheek as he rounded the car. “I’d think you’d ran here.”

I raised a hand to my cheek, feeling the heat beneath it. Chuckling nervously, I answered, “I just like your car.”

Peter’s arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. “Good, then you won’t be leaving me soon.”

Smiling up at him, I pressed my lips to his. “Not soon, no.” I kissed him again, pulling him closer, my hands sliding over his back. One of his hands drifted up, under my ponytail, cupping my neck, thumb on my cheek.

It was not a warm day, but I was starting to think I’d worn too heavy a coat. No... wait. I broke the kiss abruptly, stepping back. I giggled a little. “You’ll make me overheat,” I warned him.

His eyes drifted down my throat, which I was pretty sure was pinker than usual, over my coat and back up. “You could just shed a layer,” he suggested with a smirk.

I mock punched him. “We haven’t gone anywhere yet,” I complained. I turned on my heel and started down the path, shoving my hands in my pockets.

The crunch of leaves told me he was following, so I didn’t turn. I did throw out an arm to stop him though, pointing. “That is a chickadee.” It was one of the most common birds, but it was on a low branch, practically watching us.

Peter stopped, examining the tiny songbird. It chirped at him.

“Chick-a-dee-dee,” I sang to it.

It replied, and Peter started. “Apt name,” he murmured.

I giggled. “Yes. It has another call, listen.” The two note call was sounding elsewhere around us. “Phoe-be,” I sang, mimicking. Peter smiled at me. “What?”

“You are adorable,” he answered. “And your voice is lovely.”

I narrowed my eyes, sure he was teasing, but finally let it go, continuing down the path to the marsh.

Once there, I was able to point out six different ducks, as well as geese and one heron. We also saw a muskrat and chipmunks.

“They’re even smaller than squirrels,” Peter complained, watching another stripped tail disappear under the bridge.

“There are a lot of small things around here.” I picked up a tiny red spider mite, no bigger than a grain of sand, but on my skin we could see all eight legs.

Peter brushed it away quickly. “I want to kiss that,” he muttered, putting his lips to my hand, closer to the wrist.

I chuckled. “They aren’t dirty. Not really,” I looked down again feeling his eyes on me. “You’re still hung up on that aren’t you?” I asked. “Getting dirty?”

He shrugged, his nose scrunching in distaste. “So?”

I shook my head. “There is so much fun to be had getting dirty.” I slipped off the edge of the boardwalk. Peter snagged my elbow, and I looked at him, curious. I was standing on soft soggy marsh, but I wasn’t up to my knees. I was only a little wet, more cold. “I’m fine,” I told him, pulling my arm away and searching for something in the reeds.

Peter chuckled the first time I lunged, missing my prey. He landed with a splash the second time. I’d overextended and landed with a smack in the mud, but I had what I was looking for.

“This is disgusting,” he complained helping me to my feet, my hands still cupped around my prize. “Are you okay?”

I was ginning like a madwoman. “Perfect. Look.” I opened my hand very carefully and the frog stuck his nose out the hole. He almost escaped, but I closed my hands again, pushing him back inside.

Peter, startled, had fallen backward and was sitting in the mud now, looking like he might scream, or cry.

I turned and sat beside him. I was so muddy by this point that a little more on my ass wouldn’t hurt anything.

“Ready this time?” I asked, holding out my hands to him.

He grumbled but nodded.

I opened my hands completely. The frog didn’t move right away. Having adjusted to the warmth of my hands, he wasn’t as keen to jump back in the autumnal mud. We got a good look at him before he jumped away.

“Why?” Peter asked looking at me and wiping away a bit of mud from my cheek.

I shrugged, smiling brightly. “Why not? How else will you ever see a frog? They don’t tend to just sit on a branch for you like a bird. You have to get dirty sometimes to get what you want. I’m not about to let a little mud stop me.” I stood and offered him a hand.

He smiled, taking it. “Sarah would have liked you more than I thought.”

I held my breath, hoping this was it. He turned and climbed back on the boardwalk, so I let my breath go and took his hand.

“She never let anything stop her either,” he said with a sigh. “Can we head back? I’d really like to clean up.”

I tried not to let my disappointment show as I turned back down the path.

Peter sighed, taking a few quick strides to catch up to me. “Beth,” he moaned, exasperated. “You’ll understand, okay. When we’re clean, and I tell you the whole thing, you’ll understand why I wanted to get out of the mud.”

I didn’t stop, but linked my arm through his, nodding. “If you say so. Shower at your place?” I asked with a grin.

He missed a step, but kept up with me licking his lips. “Uh, yes. That... Yes.” He ran a hand through his hair, nervous. Then he looked at the mud on it and grimaced.

I couldn’t help but laugh. I ran a little ahead so I could turn and see the sticky matting that had resulted. Then I crooked a finger, before opening my arms to him. Peter grinned and stepped quickly into them, kissing me. I put my hands on either side of his face, sliding them up into his hair.

He broke the kiss, a little breathless, more so than me. He realized this when he met my eyes. His were suddenly curious, then brightened with understanding. “You didn’t.”

I laughed loudly and ran away, hoping he would chase me. I had just rubbed mud on both his cheeks and in the rest of his hair. He looked so natural, so unassuming, so... mine. I wished I could have him like that forever. One day, he’d be that comfortable with me. One day, he wouldn’t first look in the mirror to make sure every thing was in place. One day, he would first look to me, see me in a mess, and not care that he was too. It was there, the beginnings.

He caught me up, swinging me from behind. I laughed as we whirled together. He set me down hard, looking in the direction of the parking lot. “My car,” he murmured.

I laughed loudly. “It’ll clean!” I took off my jacket and reversed it, hoping to keep most of the mud off the seats. He took the driver’s seat this time, after wiping his hands on a tissue. I shook my head and fought off giggles. We were both so filthy. It was great. It was also cold though. The wet mud was now much closer to my skin. I reached for the heat and Peter grabbed it first, using the opportunity to take my hand and rest it with his on the gear shift.

“You’re sure you want to come back to my place? I can drop you at home,” he suggested.

I thought about it. It wasn’t late in the day, barely noon. I’d been looking forward to spending the whole day with him. Jamie was inviting Brian over, and I did not relish the thought of meeting him for the first time looking like this. I’d do it. I mean, might as well let him know what he was getting into as far as Jamie’s friends went, but I wouldn’t enjoy it.

Was Peter asking because he thought I expected more? Showering together? I let my mind follow that thought. I liked that thought. I liked picturing myself curled in his robe drinking hot chocolate while we warmed up. Yes, I was totally in for this.

“I’m sure,” I said with a smile. “Hope you have a big hot water tank. Could take some scrubbing,” I teased, wiping some of the mud from his cheek.

He made another face, squeezed my hand, and pressed a little harder on the gas.

Monday, November 1, 2010

AJ Silent Voice Week 24: Trust

AJ Silent Voice
Monday



Picture 1

Picture 2


AJ Silent Voice’s Choice: Picture 1


Title:
Trust

“Who does this anymore, Sara? How old are you anyways?” Jake whined.

She looked at him, then at the swings, and Jake couldn’t help the way his heart swelled. Somehow she always seemed to make him feel life tenfold. It was in the way her eyes looked so innocent but she acted jaded. It was in the little sounds she made, not the bitter words she spoke. It was those nights they had lay together, sweaty and sleepy, and she told him how she’d never had feelings like she had for him...never. As he held her close and she drifted off to sleep, it was in the way she seemed to curl herself around him. It was like home.

“Come on, Jake! It’ll be fun. Or what, did you have some traumatic childhood incident with a swing? Don’t tell me...wait...do I see feathers on your ass?” She teasingly turned him around and gave his cheeks a thorough inspection and a healthy grope before she pushed him away from her. The wood he sported just by her touch was painful, but it was gone in a second when Sara, hands tucked under her armpits, started clucking and flapping like a chicken.

“Buck-AW! Buck-buck-buck-buck-AW!” she clucked until Jake's sides split from laughter. She kept a straight face, god alone knows how, and even scratched at the ground a bit with the tip of her Chucks. Jake watched her, heaving for breath as his loud guffaws rung through the empty playground. She stopped, popped her head up, and looked at him, giving him one last, “Buck-AW!”

“Okay! Okay...you’ve made your point!” He was tugging at her arms and pulling her to his body, trying to knock the chicken out of her. She laughed as she felt him tickle her ribs and automatically threw her arms down in protection. Within minutes, Sara was laughing loudly right along with Jake. When he pulled her into a proper hug, they held each other until the chuckles died down to sighs, giggling. Sara couldn’t remember a time when she’d laughed that hard.

She laid her head softly on Jake’s shoulder as he tightened his grip around her. They rocked and swayed, letting their hands soothe each other with light touches. Jake was the only person Sara allowed to touch her. She didn’t explain to him that he couldn’t touch her, he just picked up on it from being around her. That’s what Sara loved about Jake. She didn’t need to spell things out for him, even hard things that she didn’t want to talk about, because he just knew. He just knew she took creamer in her coffee and nothing else. She asked him how he knew, and he’d confessed to watching her make coffee once. Once.

He just knew she hated the dark. Once, he said, he watched her scurry out the door of her apartment after she’d turned off all the lights. He said he saw her look back several times in fear, purposely not turning her back on the black hallway. That was how he knew about the touching too. I mean, sure, decking Paul was a dead giveaway, but Jake knew before that. He knew when she flinched as their hands accidentally touched over a receipt one day. Sara had never had someone know her so well.

“So about these swings,” Jake whispered. Sara gave him a lazy acknowledgment but stayed close to his body. “Let’s check them out.” He gently took her hand and removed her from him and towards the swing set.

She made him pull her by one arm, as if she were reluctant, but he knew better. Jake had seen the longing in her eyes when they passed the park. As they got closer, Jake spun Sara around and seated her on one of the swings.

Sara felt the warmth on her bottom and remembered her scorching summers in Atlanta. Some days, the monkey bars, the swings and the see-saw where so hot that they couldn't even play on them. But here in Forks, the only thing that warmed the seat was the faint rays of sun that occasionally peaked through the clouds. It was enough, though.

She locked her legs straight, swinging back into Jake’s chest, and felt his hands caress her hips before grasping the chains on the swing. Sara giggled, feeling like a five year old again, waiting for her boyfriend to swing her high.

“Swing me high, Jake,” she said. And he did.

The sheer force of his upper body strength sent her flying through the air on the first push. As she swung back down to earth, she reveled in the slight queasiness that flip-flopped her stomach. It tickled and made her giggle louder.

Jake couldn’t get enough of it. He pushed her higher and higher just to hear that one sound. When the chains started buckling at the top, signaling that she was too high, he decided to do a run under. He pushed her a few times to make sure she was high enough, and, giving one last push, he ran underneath her feet until he was standing in front of her. Her joy rang through the night as he ran around and did it again. Every time, she’d throw her body back letting her hair dangle and fill the night with her amusement.

Jake never wanted her to stop. When she started leaning too far back, though, he leapt behind her and took hold of the chains, skidding her to a halt.

“Why’d you stop? That was amazing! I don’t remember it being this awesome!” She leaned back into him, obviously not too mad he’d stopped her fun, and giggled a little from the lightheaded feeling. Sara never felt like she had to be careful around Jake. If she stumbled, he’d catch her. If she was sick, he took care of her. And when they were together, she could just be a girl who didn’t have a care in the world. She hadn’t been that girl for a long time.

“Stand up,” Jake said. Sara turned and stared at him.

She stood up and let go of the swing. “Like this?” she asked.

“No! I mean, stand up in the swing. Put one foot up and hold onto me, then put the other one up.” He saw a bit of fear in her eyes. “Don’t worry, I gotcha.”

Sara hesitated only a second before turning around and gripping the chain, hiking one leg up, and planting her foot on the seat. Steadying herself with Jake’s shoulder, she vaulted straight up and put the second foot next to the first. When she could stand without shaking, she let go of Jake and grasped the other chain. She wobbled a bit and shrieked.

“I got you, I got you,” Jake said, bracing his body against hers. When he felt her relax, he continued. “Now, I’m going to push just a little, but when you feel it start swinging, bend your knees a bit and push into it. Then you can make yourself swing.”

He gave her a tentative push and panic flashed in her eyes. “Jake!” she squeaked. But this time, Jake didn’t come. Oh, he could have. He could have stopped the swinging and reassured her or even took her down all together. Instead, he pushed a bit more. She wasn’t steady at first. Her body was rigid and she had trouble relaxing into the back and forth motion. Jake kept swinging her until he saw her bend her knees.

It only took one push with her own legs and she was gone. She pushed herself higher and higher, leaning back into the highs and moving with the momentum of the lows. Sara didn’t know if anything in life was better than this feeling. She was so vulnerable, so unprotected, but yet she still moved with the flow. The lows weren’t scary. They were just a place she could pick up momentum to make the highs higher. All she had to do was push through them. And when she was up in the air, leaning back was like free falling. She could just let go and let the world turn upside down.

She felt her knees wobble on the last push, and before she knew it, Jake had slowed her down, and with arms wrapped tightly across her waits, pulled her down and into his arms.

Jake held her close as she sighed and regained her footing. She was still swaying a bit, so he steadied her until the motion stopped. “Fun?” he asked.

Her childlike expression told him all he needed to know. “Yes. God, it was amazing,” she said.

He laughed and quickly kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear,ready to bolt the second the words left his mouth. “Yup, it was amazing...especially the view up your skirt!”

Destiny Cullen Week 23: Vegas Style

Destiny Cullen
Sunday



Picture 1

Picture 2


Destiny Cullen’s Choice: Both


Title:
Vegas Style

I was sitting on the chair in Bianca’s room watching her try on her Halloween costumes. I threw on the hat she discarded and hid my face.

“I don’t wanna go!” I whined.

“Oh come on you’re a big girl now Cassie! We’re going to party Vegas style!”

I looked up at her puzzled. “Vegas style?”

She jumped on my lap and wrapped her arms around me laughing. “Yeah Vegas style. You know,’” she rolled her eyes. ”What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?"

My eyes widened. I wasn’t a prude or anything but I just don’t offer myself up because I’m drunk and have a slutty outfit on. Bianca saw my reaction and grabbed my shoulders.

“Girl come on! I need a wing woman!”

I groaned. I’ve been her wing woman since we were in high school. Now that we’re 26 doesn’t make a difference.

I sighed as she gave me the puppy dog eyes she always wins me over with. “Whatever. But I’m not going to be Sluttgurl to your Robin.” She whined, “come on! I worked hard on our costumes!” I narrowed my eyes.

“Dude! You bought them at Spencer’s!” Her eyes shifted.

“Well I put a lot of thought into them.” I nodded reluctantly and she got up and smiled.

“You’re the best friend ever!” “Or the stupidest.”

Fast forward five hours and I’m in the Sluttgurl outfit with the big ‘S’ on my chest. Er, cleavage. Bianca was dragging my silly ass in four inch heels across town to a exclusive party in the abandoned apartments. Ooooh, so scary. I rolled my eyes as it came into view. How is the electricity on if its abandoned? Bianca pulled me in too fast for me to think too much about it.

My ear drums were assaulted with hard rock or maybe it was rap. All I could see was people gyrating all over each other and sloshing their drinks everywhere. I groaned walking along behind Bianca. She made a beeline to the drinks and pulled a glass off the table and tried to hand one to me.

“Babe, what are our rules?” I said as I put the cups back down and grabbed two closed beer bottles. She rolled her eyes, grabbed the bottle and tore off the top.

“No drinking from anything but closed containers.” I smiled and patted her head for effect.

About a hour in I lost Bianca and was frustrated. “What good is a wing woman if you don’t stay with her?” My voice was lost in the bass of the speakers. I decided to leave this particular apartment and look around the building. Yeah I might run into some drunk guys but none can be worse than Mike who was slobbering all over me.

I found a open door and saw that there was lights on. “Hello?” I looked around searching for someone. To no avail I leaned against the wall and slid down. I glanced around and saw a chair to my left. I narrowed my eyes at it. “You’re here just to spite me aren’t you?” It would be too much work to get up so I crossed my legs and pulled out my paperback and cell phone from my mini purse.

I glanced at my phone before starting on my book. No texts or missed calls meant I could enjoy the book for a while. I was getting into my romance story; Torin was about to declare his love to Martina when I heard the door burst open and drunk laughter filled the lovely silence. The clicking of heels got louder and louder until I saw a couple with their lips locked. I cleared my throat and the glared at me.

“What are you doing here?” The girl asked with hatred in her eyes. I guess she didn’t like being cockblocked.

“Oh I’m saving this apartment for me and my boyfriend so I’d appreciate it if you left before he comes back.” She gave me a death glare as her guy was still trying to feel her up.

“Where did he go? It seems like its just you and that stupid romance novel.”

I glared at her and I was about to open my mouth when I saw a sexy guy dressed as 007 walk into view. The sunglasses and all.

“I got the beers babe.” He looked right at me as he held up the beers. I saw the girl open her mouth, but all that came out was stuttering and I swear I saw a little bit of drool escape. 007 turned and looked at her through narrowed his eyes.

“Who are you? I’m positive we had this room first. Go find another one to spread your STDs.” I snickered as he came and sat next to me and handed me the beer.

He smiled and winked at me. The girl cussed and stalked out with her guy in tow and slammed the door on the way out. I just starred at him in awe. He took off his glasses and ran his hand through his dark hair.

“Who are you?” I asked amazed. He smirked as he looked down at his beer.

“Just someone who is looking for some peace and quiet.”

I smiled at him and nodded. He looked at me and I saw his dark blue eyes shine in the dim light. I couldn’t help but lean in close to him.

He flashed me that trademark smirk we all hear about that makes your knees go weak and your stomach drop. I bit my lip as I checked out his sexier than thou lips. They were the perfect shape and a pretty pink, I could feel myself lean in a little more and my mouth open slightly.

“My name is Dean.” I shook my head and looked at him confused. He laughed and smiled. “My name is Dean and it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He looked down at my costume and chuckled again. “Sluttgurl?” I looked down and glared at my costume.

“Yeah my friend forced me to wear it.” I saw his face drop a little bit.

“Is Robin your boyfriend you were talking about?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “No, no boyfriend. My friend Bianca forced me to come here in this.” I motioned to the barely there fabric.

“I must thank your friend. She has really good taste.” The grin was back on his face and my eyes traveled down his body. WOW! You could see his muscles move under the suit that was made to fit his sexy body.

“Is there a Pussy Galore to your James Bond?” I could almost hear the anticipation in my voice.

He looked up through his lashes and whispered, “If there is?”

I glared playfully. “I’d go kill her so I could take her place.” I had no idea where this bravery came from but I love it.

He ran his eyes down my face and stopped at my lips. “No need. There is no Pussy Galore out there.” He chuckled and shifted his gaze to my eyes. “Would you like to be my Pussy Galore tonight…” he trailed off for me to finish.

“Cassie. Cassie is my name.” The smirk reappeared and melted my insides.

“What do you say, Cassie?” He grazed the pad of his thumb up my cheek pushing some hair to the side. My eyes met his and I knew the answer.

“Yes.” I whispered as he leaned in and captured my lips with his deliciously soft ones.

***

I lost a few blissful hours with Dean. If I said I regretted it, it would be the biggest lie of the century. I walked home around two am and Bianca greeted me at the door. Okay, more like screamed at me once I walked inside.

“Where the hell have you been?! I’ve been calling you forever!” She waved her cell phone in front of me. I sighed and threw my purse on the floor.

“See anything different about me?”

She looked me over and gasped. “Who’s jacket is that?”

I smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

She glared at me. “You won’t tell your bestest friend in the whole wide world?” Annnnd cue puppy dog eyes.

“Nope. Sorry Bianca. Remember we were doing it Vegas style remember? So that means whatever happened at that party stays at that party.” I giggled I picked up my purse and shimmied to my room.

Once I got into my room my cell went off and I opened the text message:

Meet me for lunch tomorrow?
-D


I smiled so big my face hurt. Okay so maybe what happened at the party won’t stay there but it sounded good.

Mod note: My bad. Halloween got the better of me, this should have been up yesterday.