J's Stories

Uninvited

2008-08-04T05:30:54Z

“Wanna shot?” I yelled over at her. She still hadn’t budged from her spot. She said something to her friend, all the while keeping her eyes on me. She finally headed over.

“I’m Maria,” she said, extending her hand toward Alan. He took it and introduced himself. When she didn’t let go, he glanced at me, not that I was paying that much attention; I was flipping off some dude on the balcony for something, not sure.

“Good, good, fine,” I said. I tugged on Alan’s hand. “Let’s get a shot with Maria.”

She still had Alan’s hand and the fact finally registered in my brain. “What are you guys doing? Let’s go inside,” I said.

“This is my house, Steve,” Maria said. “You’re inviting me to take shots of my own alcohol.” She finally let go. “Who do you know here?”

“Oh shit!” I said. “When did you move?”

She repeated the question, this time to Alan, who was more coherent, I guess. At this point, I think Maria kicked us out.

Fucking invite only parties. Whatever, the cops busted in right after we left anyway. Fuck her.

This is college <3

2008-08-04T05:18:13Z

I was already trashed by the time we made it to DP but what are ya gonna do? It was the weekend before spring quarter and my senioritis had been itching pretty strong. I couldn’t get work off for spring break and everybody else partied on in Tijuana without me, so the weekend they all got back was a huge relief for me.

Luckily, Alan was already there when I arrived at the party, or else I would’ve been mauled by drunk girls. Well, I was doing my fair share of mauling, I guess, clinging to my boyfriend and all, but even then all the fag hags just couldn’t get enough of it.

I saw Maria a few yards off and yelled for her. The music was too loud, not that I cared, in my condition. Finally, someone nearby nudged her and pointed at me. When she turned, I waved her to come over.

In my drunk mind I thought it’d be a great idea to introduce my ex-girlfriend to Alan.

In retrospect, I don’t think she ever realized I was gay, even after we had broken up. Oops.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Playa_Drive

Couldn't stand the thought of love

2008-08-02T08:47:08Z

He sat in a chair next to her, his head in his hands. What have I done? he thought.

She had trusted him, had even showed him her button, with an innocence that took his breath away. As they lay in bed, kissing, things getting more heated… he had suddenly panicked. Thoughts of getting caught, jailed, fined. Ridiculed. Ostracized.

What real man can’t get a real woman into his bed? they would sneer.

What man would lower himself to such a level? To fall in love with one of them?

It was the latter thought that had made him freeze. Love?

What’s wrong? she had asked. She had pulled back, looking at him curiously.

Love? The word trampled through his brain.

And he had deactivated her.

He glanced at the prone body. She was so beautiful, even as she lay lifeless.

He would leave, he decided. Let someone else find her.

The self-loathing that filled him did not stop, even as he reached his apartment.

She’s not human. Her feelings don’t matter…

He was a real man and he wouldn’t cry.

Avalanche

2007-11-05T21:28:30Z

My boots were filled with sludgy water, seeping in as I trudged through the flooded house. My mind kept wandering. What will I have for dinner? Does Anne want me to pick something up from the store?

I knew I should have bought new boots, I grumbled.

I checked room-to-room. The smell of the mud and mildewy furniture followed me. In one bedroom, I found a bloated hand and the bald head of the man. I used the walkie-talkie. One dead found. Male. Didn’t have a chance.

The hill behind the house had given in from the massive rains. No amount of sandbagging would have saved this house.

I trudged on. I could feel the mud between my toes. Socks soaked. I’ll have to shower at the station, I thought. Anne won’t let me into the house like this.

This club isn't working for me...

2007-04-03T04:17:44Z

Driving me crazy… the stars in my eyes from the bright lights. The ringing in my ears from the pulsing music. Why did I come here?

The girl beckons at me again, swaying her hips. What do you want? I shake my head and grip my drink.

This place is driving me crazy.

Half-naked girls wrapping themselves around me, when all I want is you. You’re probably sitting at home, watching football with the guys. You told me to go meet girls. My heart is broken. I don’t want girls.

I don’t want girls.

Inspiration

2007-03-22T19:22:24Z

The sun had set hours ago, but it was still light, at least in his one little corner of his room. The lamp shown brightly on his desk as he sketched.

The inspiration had hit as he climbed into bed, and he had hurried out of the bedroom and into the studio. The pencil lines spread out onto the paper, as he drew over and over, lines over lines.

Then he stopped.

The paper was dark. He lifted the paper up and graphite dust floated down onto his desk.

He shook his head and set the paper back down, tucking it back into the drawing pad. He glanced up at the clock and sighed. He put away his pencils and the pad into his drawer. He switched off the lamp.

The sun had set hours ago, and in his desk was his love and joy, tucked away, buried in his drawers.

Heavenly Procession

2007-03-22T18:26:30Z

The starry night hangs above me. Trees surround me.

The procession of angels continues, streaking through the stars. The fire engulfs the mountains to the west of me.

From the other side, another procession of angels. They go to meet the first.

They clash.

Millions fall from the sky. Like a million specks of dust. Like a golden shower of rain, and I am engulfed in light.

Prophet?

2007-03-19T22:12:04Z

“A prophet’s job is never done,” my father told me when I was a girl. “You must face sin and corruption everyday, and be the glowing example for all humans to follow.”

I had nodded then, knowing what my purpose was.

Ten years later, I’m not sure. He was right about sin and corruption, but glowing example?

I literally do. The glow-in-the-dark body paint lights up in the dimly lit room as I circle the pole. The men wave their money in the air and I smile at them.

Whenever I approach a man, for a few seconds, I am their savior, I am their own personal angel, until I walk away again to dance.

Decisions

2007-03-19T21:48:02Z

Crenshaw regretted taking it, but knew he had to. If it fell into the wrong hands… but as long as he had it with him, and as long as he wasn’t caught…

Where can he go? He knew the apartment wasn’t safe anymore, and he probably couldn’t use any of his credit cards. Not that I have much credit left, he thought wryly to himself.

He continued down the alley until he found an old warehouse he and his friends used to mess around in when they were still in high school. It was usually abandoned in the day. He climbed through a window and wearily sat down on the ground, glad to have a rest.

He kept the book under his coat. Now what? Destroy the book? Make a bonfire right here? But he knew that the book wouldn’t stay destroyed for long, that somehow it would come back, that someday someone will find it again, long after his death.

This book could destroy the world, and now he was the one responsible for it…

The Pet Store

2007-03-19T05:18:31Z

Jerry woke drearily, like every morning, stuck in a glass tank with five other bunnies. The food bowl was replenished finally, and he hopped over to eat. Everyday the same thing, hoping that one day he could explore past the clear glass that surrounded him and his companions.

The ring-a-ling of a customer coming in made them perk their ears up. Once in a blue moon a customer came in; the only thing rarer was their cage being cleaned.

But the bunnies’ excited mumblings was cut short. “Don’t take them away! I have the certificates, I swear!”

The animal control officer shook his head. A woman started bringing in cardboard carriers.

As much as Jerry and the others longed to see what was outside their tank, they were also terrified. This wasn’t how they wanted to leave! Suddenly, gloved hands grabbed him and just as quickly deposted into a dark box.

What was going to happen? He hopped, pushing the lid frantically, trying to call out to the others, but to no avail.

He gave up, exhausted, and fell asleep.