Narrative Writing: I'm the best at deadlines

SO! I have a narrative writing exam in about 9 hours, and I've only just finished my draft (High five, me!) If any of you have the time, could you read through this and check that it works? Pacing and all that jazz. Thanks guys! Promise that I'll have an actual interesting blog post soon ^_^

Do you ever just stop and think; what am I doing with my life? You probably do, I don’t know anybody who hasn’t asked themselves that question at least once. It’s a fundamental need for human beings to have some kind of direction, to be able to feel sure of the world. To know that we’re doing the right thing. I hadn’t been expecting to ask myself this today, but here I am, once again questioning my life choices. You may be wondering why I’m asking you this, and to get that, we may have to go back a little bit.

My alarm clock let out its howling scream, telling me that it was time to get up. While normally I would have simply smacked it on the ‘snooze’ button and grabbed an extra five minutes, today was different. Today I had a reason to get up.

I sprang out of my bed, slamming my hand on the alarm to silence its infernal shrieking. With my eardrums no longer being assaulted, I allowed myself to take stock of the time. 11:21 AM.
“Good,” I thought to myself. “I’ve got time.” I had specifically set my alarm to ring out earlier than normal for a saturday, as I’d figured I would need the extra time to make sure I was prepared.

With a stretch and a yawn I walked out the hall and into the bathroom, stumbling slightly as my legs tried to adjust to moving again. Still feeling somewhat drowsy, I splashed my face with ice-cold water, relishing in the feel of each droplet. I’ve always loved water. Such a clear, healing thing. Soothing. They say that water is nature’s mirror, it shows you who you truly are. Be that good, or bad.

I glanced up from the sink and into the actual mirror, taking stock of my appearance. My messy auburn hair fell down in front of my eyes, and the dark bags under them gave away all too easily how I’d been sleeping recently. Ever since her. I shuddered.

“No, no you aren’t gonna let this get you down. Not today,” I muttered to myself. I brushed my hair out of my eyes, and forced a smile. The face in the mirror smiled too. For some reason, that comforted me. “This is the first time we’ve been out in a while, so take it easy. Alright? It’ll just be you and Cass, you can trust her.” Just thinking of my friend brought a smile to my face. Cassidy - or Cass as I called her - had been my best friend for years. I hadn’t seen her in awhile though, I hadn’t seen anybody. People in general were just a thing I’d been wanting to avoid.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, I was startled to see that it was already 11:40! Energy suddenly flooded my body, as it tends to do when you have a deadline to meet. I quickly ran back to my room: threw on the first set of clothes I could find, grabbed my keys, and sprinted out the front door.

Ten or so minutes later I found myself panting outside the local pub, my heart thudding from the run.

“Geez, Jace. You’re out of shape!” a pleasant, lilting voice called from a bench to my right. I turned my head to see Cass sitting back, sipping from a glass of water. I felt a smile break its way across my face again. Her gentle, wavy hair was tied back in a ponytail, her fringe covering one eye. My heart skipped a beat.

“H-heh, yeah I guess I am. I’m not late am I?” I asked, slightly worried that I’d been keeping her waiting.

“Nah,” she replied, grinning as she stood up from the bench. “You’ve been very good, five minutes early in fact!” Cass strolled over to me, giving me a friendly jab in the shoulder. “Now would you care to tell me where you’ve been? I’ve been worried sick about you!” I scratched my head awkwardly.

“Would you believe me if I said I’ve been on a trip to the moon, saving the earth from giant space caterpillars?” She gave me a deadpan look which could’ve made a drill-sergeant flinch. “Okay, maybe not,” I chuckled. “I guess I’ve just been a little bit… out of it. Ever since, y’know…” Cass sighed.

“Yeah, yeah I do. Jace, don’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault that it didn’t work out. She wasn’t right for you, you’ll find someone better, okay?” She pulled me into a right hug, and I couldn’t help but notice how nice she smelled. Like lilacs. She gave a squeeze and I squeezed back, inhaling.

“T-thanks, Cass.” I pulled back, smiling at her. Was it just me, or was she blushing a little bit? I couldn’t be sure, but I could’ve sworn that her cheeks were slightly redder than they had been before. Shrugging it off as simply my own imagination, I suggested that we start our walk. Cass nodded, stating that we’d have to make the most of our time since her parents wanted her in for three o’clock.

We wandered for a couple of hours, just talking about whatever came to our minds. Eventually we made our way to Caldwell’s Wood - our local forest - and I began to notice something. I was feeling strange, Not strange in a bad way, mind you. Just… strange. It was as though I was walking on air, with a constant fear of falling. I hadn’t felt this way in a long time, but this time it seemed different. It seemed… real.

I glanced across at Cass, who was animatedly talking about a concert she’d been to recently. Just watching her talk with such passion made me feel as though I could conquer anything. I felt as though maybe… maybe there was more to life than my room. More than just sitting there, wallowing in regret. Perhaps it was time to move on.

“Jace?” I stumbled over a root, grabbing a nearby branch to steady myself.

“Yeah?” I asked, still trying to regain my balance.

“Are you okay? You seem really… thoughtful.” I nodded, smiling to reassure her. She didn’t seem to believe me. Cass walked over, putting a hand on my shoulder, her grey-green eyes staring into mine. It felt as though she was looking into my very soul. “Jace, you can trust me. If there’s something you want to say, I’m listening.”

And this brings us to my question. What am I doing? What do I want? That’s always been the question. My heart is hammering in my chest, and I can’t help but wonder; what if this is a mistake? Do I know what I’m feeling is really what I think it is? Do I even have the ability to feel like that anymore? Time just seems to be standing still as I ask myself; what do I do?

And then the answer hits me. Just one look at her concerned half-smile makes me wonder why I ever had any doubt. This is Cass. Cassidy. My best friend, the one person who has always been here for me. I think back to my past relationships, fear gripping my heart. What if I hurt her? What if it ends up like last time?

You won’t, says a confident voice in my head. And he’s right.

I’d never hurt Cass. Never.

“Cassie?” I ask, taking her hand in my own.

“Yes, Jace?”

“I think… I think I love you.”

DeepShift, the tired.

Comments

[Brohgue]

This is why I love your writing. Just gives you that warm feeling in the pit of your tummy.

[Valen]

2474310 Thanks! I'm glad you liked it