WG2E All-For-Indies Anthologies: Summer Fling Edition

by Scott, D. D.

  “No.” She pursed her lips.

  “There’s more?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jeez. I don’t know how much more I can take of that brooding girl who can’t decide between a wimpy sparkly vampire dude and that dog guy who never wears a shirt.” I put my hands up.

  “Ted, he’s a werewolf.”

  “Yah.Whatever. I mean, can’t she choose between normal guys, like between a nerd and a jock? Or a dude like me?” I smirked.

  “That would be boring.”

  “I’m boring?”

  “No, but a love triangle between a girl and two unlikely hunks makes for a great flick.”

  “For you maybe. I’d rather catch the superhero movie next door. It starts in ten minutes.”

  “You think they’re better than vampires?” Vicky asked as we entered the lobby.

  “Way better. They can fly, and have incredible special powers and have kick ass fights.” I did a hand swipe thing like a sword and added a kick.

  “It’s like I’m dating a twelve year old.” Vicky smiled.

  I looked into the glass case at the concession stand. “Look! Gummy bears.”

  “Point made.” Vicky hugged me. She handed the employee behind the counter her money. “Medium popcorn, one large Coke and a box of gummies.”

  While we waited on our order, Vicky said, “So is Timothy taking that new girl to prom?”

  “Gabrielle? Yeah, I think he is.” I got two straws and some napkins.

  “I bet he won’t ask her to dress up.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. We are identical.”

  She handed me the drink and box of gummies. She carried the popcorn. “Do you want to double date with them?”

  “Because we’re double?” I made a twin joke whenever I could.

  “Bad. Really bad.” She grinned.

  We found our seats in the air-conditioned darkness of the theater.

  It took less than a few minutes into the movie before I dozed off.

  Vicky nudged my arm. “You’re snoring.”

  “Huh?” The side of my mouth felt wet with drool.

  “You feel asleep.”

  “No surprise, this movie tanks,” I whispered as my brain came out of a fog.

  “You didn’t even see five minutes of it. And if you hate it so bad, go see your stupid movie.”

  “Really? That’d be great.” I felt relieved.

  “Then go.” She scowled.

  We got shushed from the couple behind us.

  “I will.”

  “Okay.” She pitched the box of gummy bears at me.

  I caught them. “I’ll see you in the lobby after?”

  The movie soundtrack became extremely loud, so I didn’t hear her response. This was a great compromise. I could see my movie she could see hers, and we’d both be both happy. Who’d known that falling asleep would get me out of seeing that horrible movie? I mentally patted my back for a job well done.

  * * * *

  The Avengers had everything I loved, action and superheroes. And mostly the smoking hot Black Widow. After it ended I made it to the lobby and saw Vicky leaving.

  I ran after her. “Hey, I thought we were meeting up. Why did you leave?”

  “Well, I also thought we were going to a movie together and we didn’t.” She huffed. “Guess I was wrong.”

  “We did go together but then you told me to go to the other one, and I did.” Did I miss something?

  “I didn’t want you to leave.”

  “But you said go.” My stomach felt like a bowling ball had lodged in it. Something was going on here. My gut said it was not good.

  “You’re a moron.” She looked down at the ground and kicked a small piece of paper.

  “No, I’m just confused.” I put my hands up.

  “Well here it is simple enough for you to understand. I’m leaving now and I’m pissed.” Her back stiffened and her jaw clenched.

  “I don’t get it. Why?” I sighed and my head began to spin. Girls were like twisted coils of emotion. I’d never figured out how to unravel the knots.

  She stiffened her shoulders. “You just don’t get it.”

  “I must not. I’m sorry.” I tried to give her a hug but she pulled away from me.

  “Teddy, let’s just cool it for a while.” She walked outside.

  “Cool it?” I followed after her. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s just not working.”

  “What’s not working? I work. I cut grass.” I tried to lighten the situation. I hated to fight.

  “Not you. Us.” Her eyes filled with tears.

  “Don’t cry. Whatever I did I am so sorry.” Placing my hand on her arm, I tried to lean in to kiss her. She jerked away.

  “See that’s the problem. You don’t get me. You just don’t.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  “No, I do.” My chest felt like it was smashed by a wrecking ball.

  “I bet you don’t. Even after three years.”

  “You’re super smart, and gorgeous. You can’t parallel park to save your life.” After all of these years, I knew so much about her. “And you’re in love with that vampire dude in the movie.”

  “Edward.” A slight grin crept on her face.

  “Yes, Edward. How could I forget?” I smiled. “And you hate palmetto bugs. Math problems and essay questions are super easy for you. You’re a perfectionist in school, but you leave your clothes in piles on your bedroom floor. And you will never eat a ripe banana, and you hate mustard. You love that song from Shrek.

  “I’m a Believer” She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

  “So are we okay now?” I hoped that we could move on.

  “I’m still mad at you. I think I need some time.”

  “How much time?” My whole body tightened, as though turned in a crank. Was she trying to break up?

  “Not sure.”

  “Five minutes?” I offered, trying to joke.

  “It’s late, I’m tired. I’m going home to bed.”

  “I’m wide awake.”

  “That’s because you took a nap in the movie.” She touched my face.

  “At least let me walk you home.” I wanted to make sure she got home safely.

  We walked in silence. The whole time I kept trying to think of what I could say to her that would make her forgive me. I drew a blank.

  When we got to her house, I got a peck on the cheek instead of a kiss on the mouth. I waited outside until I saw her upstairs bedroom light go on. She opened the window and waved me off.

  “See you tomorrow at prom?” I called up to her.

  She closed the curtain.

  Was our relationship over? What happened? Damned if I knew. But I planned on doing anything I could to get her back. On my way home the full moon shone, illuminating leaves on trees. There was so much folk lore about full moons. My favorite was how they turned men into Werewolves.

  The movie.

  Vampires.

  Then it hit me. I needed to show Vicky how much I ‘got her.’ I’d dress up like Edward. She’d think that was so romantic and forgive me a million times over.

  Maybe as Edward I could make us right.

  * * * *

  “Mom, where can I find some sparkly white face paint stuff?” I grabbed a cupcake then pulled a chair next to the kitchen table and plopped in it.

  “What for?” My mom stood at the kitchen sink, up to her elbows in bubbles.

  “Vicky is pissed at me after we saw a movie.” The kitchen smelled like lemons and fresh baked cake.

  “Was it that bad of a movie?” she asked.

  “No, mine was great. I am sure hers was too.”

  “You saw different ones?” Her voice rose.

  So I explained what happened.

  “Honey, you should never have left her, even if she told you to. That is rule number two for dealing with us. Read between the lines.”

  “You remember that I was dyslexic right?”


  Mom laughed. At least one woman understood me. Then I asked her, “What is rule number one?”

  “We are always right.” She finished washing a dish, then wiped her hands on a towel and sat down at the table next to me. “So why do you need the makeup?”

  “I need to turn into that vampire guy she loves, Edward.” I told her about Vicky’s vampire obsession and my ploy to win her back by becoming her leading hero. “Even though I hate the whole idea of it, I need to do it for Vicky. To prove to her that I will do anything for her.”

  “I have a whole box of Halloween costumes and makeup. Maybe something in there will work. I think we can make you a pretty respectable Edward. I’m sure you’ll be much cuter.” She stood and kissed the top of my head.

  * * * *

  It took about a half hour to get my face white and sparkly. When mom finished, I grabbed a flashlight, turned off the overhead light, and then shone the light under my chin to illuminate my face.

  “You absolutely twinkle!” My mom said as she turned on the overhead light.

  “Thanks, wish me luck.” I clicked off the flashlight then shoved it in my back pocket and headed off to Vicky’s house.

  Vicky had said that she loved the scene where Edward had crept into his girlfriend Bella’s bedroom. Heck, why not? She had to forgive me when she saw that I went through all the trouble to reenact a part of her favorite movie, right?

  Approaching Vicky’s house, I noticed her window was still open. The drapes fluttered in the wind. Under her window near vines of jasmine, stood a wooden trellis. I could climb that. Mentally calculating the distance, I moved the trellis under the window, which would allow me to climb up and maneuver myself into Vicky’s window.

  It looked doable. It would be just as sappy romantic as the movie. Vicky would rush into my arms and forgive me.

  It was perfect.

  When I got to the top and entered the open window, my foot gave way knocking the trellis to the ground. A cool breeze blew the branches causing scraping sounds against the house.

  I walked over to Vicky’s bed. The moonlight shone on her face. The smell of jasmine wafted through the window.

  The noise coming from her bed sounded like a cat purring. But I knew she was allergic to cats. Upon closer inspection, I realized she was snoring. She even snored cute.

  Time to perform.

  I got the flashlight out of my back pocket and turned it on. With one hand I held it under my chin. With my other hand I gently shook her. “Vicky, it’s me Edward.”

  Her loud scream caused me to topple backwards, falling over a pile of clothes. The flashlight flew out of my hand.

  Vicki shook and screamed at the top of her lungs, as she held her blanket up to her chin.

  “It’s me, Edward. I mean Ted.” My heart pounded out of my chest and my hands felt clammy. The makeup on my face itched like poison ivy.

  Vicky flicked on her nightstand lamp. She giggled as she grabbed her cell phone and held it up toward me.

  Did she just take a picture of me?

  Suddenly, the door slammed open. Her dad stormed in. “What the hell is going on in here?”

  I could see the veins popping out of his forehead. “Um sir, Vicky and I had a fight. So I was being a vampire like the guy she likes. There is this scene in a movie where he goes into her bedroom, and—”

  “Ted. You need to leave.” Her dad helped me off the ground and led me out the door.

  “I think I dropped my flashlight. Can I go back and get it?” I asked.

  “Goodnight Ted. Next time, use the front door.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “And the trellis is not a ladder.”

  “Trellis not ladder, got it sir.”

  Well that went really well.

  I wasn’t sure if Vicky and I were okay or if I had just made matters worse.

  * * * *

  When I got home later that night I called Vicky and only got her voice mail.

  In the morning, I called and texted her dozens of times. No response. Then I had to cut three lawns and pick up my tux. Heck I’d already paid for it. I might as well wear it. So much for going out with a bang at senior prom.

  An hour before prom started, I got a text from Vicky: “See you at prom.”

  Did that mean she’d be there and I would see her? Or did that mean that she wanted to see me there, like with her?

  I texted her back: “Are we going together?”

  She texted back: “Not really.”

  I texted: “What the heck?”

  She texted: “Bye.”

  Throughout the day I was flooded with texts and messages from friends teasing me about having dressed up like Edward. Friends called me “Sparkle boy,” “Fangs” and “Mr. Glitter.”

  Dozens more forwarded the picture that Vicky posted on Facebook. I felt violated that she did that. I thought that I had only been humiliated in front of Vicky and her dad. Now all of Savannah knew about my visit to her room. Part of me wanted to run away and not have to face anyone tonight at prom. But it was senior prom, I’d already paid for it and Vicki said that she’d be there. I wanted to see her.

  After I showered and shaved, I put on my tux. My brother said he wasn’t going to prom because he was broke and had to work. I wanted to be with Vicky and hang out with my brother at our last prom. This night was turning out to be disaster. Just because I tried to be someone I wasn’t. A vampire. Vampires suck.

  The prom began at eight. When I entered people whispered and moved away from me. Then a group of my friends walked over and all smiled. They had plastic fangs on their teeth.

  Great, more public embarrassment. I felt my face flush.

  I decided to leave. This was a bad idea to come in the first place. Who cares about senior prom anyway?

  Just then, the band announced that they had a special request. They began to play “I’m a Believer.”

  The crowd parted and I saw her.

  My heart jumped in my chest.

  Vicky wore tall black stilettos heels, and a matching skintight outfit.

  My feet stuck like glue to the dance floor. My mouth hung open and my heart raced as my body heated up. She was smoking hot. Even though I was pissed at her for posting the picture of me as Edward, I realized she dressed like Black Widow for me.

  A friend nudged me toward her.

  “What do you think?” Vicky said.

  “I…” the words tumbled like marbles in my mouth and wouldn’t come out.

  “You don’t like?” She ran a finger along the collar of my tux and then gave me a soft kiss that sent shivers down my spine.

  “Yes. But that still doesn’t make up for posting that stupid picture of me.”

  “You looked so cute. I’m the envy of all my girlfriends.”

  “But still, you embarrassed me.” My body was stiff.

  “I am so sorry.” Vicky hugged me then kissed my earlobe as she whispered, “Please forgive me?”

  I felt all my tension leave as she held her body next to mine. “Forgiven.”

  “What you did last night was so romantic.”

  “I thought it was a catastrophe.” I grinned.

  “A romantic one.” We kissed passionately as the crowd cheered.

  “You do look amazing. Thanks for making my night.”

  “Thanks for making mine last night.”

  My brother Timothy and his girlfriend walked over to us. I don’t know how, but they’d made it after all. Maybe it was because of the full moon that this night had completely turned around. Who knew for sure. But it all was right again. Now this was what I called a perfect senior prom.

  THE END

  About Lois Lavrisa

  Bestselling author, Lois Lavrisawrites Mystery with a Twist. Her first mystery, LIQUID LIES, is set in an affluent lake town in Wisconsin, and asks the question “Would you tell the truth, even if it meant losing everything?” In LIQUID LIES, the main character Cecilia “CiCi” Coe has to answer that question, before anyone e
lse is killed.

  HARMONY HILL her women’s fiction, a late summer release, asks the question, “What would you do if your life were a lie?” Her short story “Picture not Perfect” is a part of an April 2012 YA anthology “ETERNAL SPRING.” Lois will have short stories in three additional anthologies in 2012.

  Lois is now working on her cozy mystery series, THE CHUBBY CHICKS CLUB about sassy southern sleuths, set in Savannah, Georgia. The characters are not all chubby nor are they all chicks. THE CHUBBY CHICKS CLUB are a rag tag group of friends who find themselves investigating a friend’s mysterious death, with time running out for them to find the killer before the killer finds them. THE CHUBBY CHICKS CLUB, book one, should be completed by fall 2012.

  She’s been married to her aerospace husband Tom for over 21 years and they have four children- two boys and two girls. She’s a member of several writing organizations including: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Sisters in Crime (SIC). Currently, she’s serving as vice president of the Low Country RWA. For the past six years she’s been a member of the Savannah Pen & Ink writers group. She’s written for a local newspaper, a magazine and several newsletters. Additionally, Lois has worked as an adjunct instructor at several universities as well as a technical writer at a fortune 500 company.

  You can connect with her at www.liquidlies.com or www.loislavrisa.com.

  Tame a Summer Heart

  By: Cynthia Woolf

  CHAPTER 1

  Jenny Cooper stood by the corral and watched her friend Catherine ride away with her new husband Duncan on Duncan’s big black stallion, Jake. They were starting their life together as man and wife. The wedding party was in full swing even with them gone but Jenny didn’t feel like socializing. Happy for her best friend she was also a little jealous wondering when she’d find her Mr. Right.