Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Counting Stars

   I am engaged to marry Katie, but still there I found myself sitting on the pier with Emily, drinking wine, and laughing about the silliest things.  It was a warm summer night.  The sky was filled with the most brilliant stars I have ever seen in my life before or since.  Emily and I have been the best of friends ever since I could remember having met clear back in kindergarten.  We rode the same school bus and lived in the same neighborhood all our lives.  We grew up right here on this lake, swimming, waterskiing, and having the time of our lives.    Deep down, maybe if I am truly honest I will admit that I have always had a little crush on her but that is as far as it ever went.  She has always been my best friend.

      Still as I watched her laugh at something funny I had said I became completely mesmerized with the way her eyes sparkled, the way her brilliant smile shined brighter than the stars, and the way her laugh carried across the water.   Her perfume on the summer air was intoxicating.  We toasted my upcoming nuptials.   Before I knew how it had happened we were holding hands.  All of I sudden I took her in my arms and kissed her. I simply could not stop myself.   She seemed so surprised but then her arms wrapped around me and her kisses matched mine. We kissed some more, hardly coming up for air.   We embraced our arms and legs intertwining.   There were no words, only the electric passion pulsating between us.  One minute we were counting stars and the next locked in a passionate embrace oblivious to anything else.

     Our clothes melted off as the passion drove us on.  I had never experienced sex like this before!  From the look in her eyes, she never had either.  It was so exciting, and forbidden.  We were simply lost.  In the aftermath we laid in each other’s arms basking in the exquisite afterglow of the pure unbridled ecstasy that overtook us. I became aware that tears were slowly making their way down her face.  I kissed each away until she violently pushed me away.




       “Why NOW?”  She screamed in an anguished sob.  “Katie is my best friend you asshole!”  Reality hit me right between the eyes as I realized in horror what I had done, what we had done.

    “Emily, Oh God…I am so sorry.” Her look of anger, hurt, and outrage stopped me short.   I became angry.  “Hey wait a minute.  It is not like I raped you. You wanted me as badly as I wanted you!  We had some fun and well now, it is over.”  I wanted more than anything to blame her for this, but it was my fault.  I started it.  She simply didn’t refuse and we were both carried away.  My anger quickly dissipated.

    Ashamed we both hurriedly put our clothes back on.  I felt sick.  She looked so broken sitting on the pier staring out at the lake with her arms tightly wrapped around her trembling form.  At this point, the stars didn’t appear as bright.  Hesitating, I stood and glanced at her again.



  
   “Just go!” she screamed.  I hurried away.  No one could ever know what happened here.  It would simply ruin everything and break Katie’s heart.  She didn’t deserve that and we both knew it.  I looked back at Emily one last time.  She was sitting on the pier alone, her back to me now.  Katie could never know.  If she ever found out…well, it would be the end of everything. I wiped a tear from my eye sad that our friendship would never be the same again.



This is my response to the Speakeasy weekly prompt, which is to write a piece in 750 words or less (mine is 621) using (1) “No one could ever know what happened here.” anywhere in the piece AND (2) some reference to the video prompt- One Republic’s song “Counting Stars.”
The challenge is open to anyone who wants to participate.  If you’re curious, click the badge below to view complete guidelines.  Thanks for reading!

56 comments:

  1. If you could write a few more chapters on this story it would really be great. Thanks. Seriously. I'm like, 'did he ever tell his fiancee'? Will he end up with Emily? Did he lose his friendship with her?'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoJo, I think I might have to continue this story. I have never done anything like that before but there is always a first time for everything!! I am so pleased you liked my story. Thank you so much for stopping by to read and for your lovely comments! Thank you so much for the encouragement. It means an awful lot and was uplifting today when I really needed it most! ♥

      Delete
  2. I agree with JoJo. The story is great, and can have more chapters based on the plot. Besides, I'm curious too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle, with so many requests for more I definitely will have to continue this story! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments. I am thrilled you enjoyed it!! ♥

      Delete
  3. This is so good Kathy...pls write more on it...!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nabanita, I am so pleased you liked it!! I have an idea where I want this story to go and after so many requests here I will have to share it with all of you and continue this story where it left off. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  4. While I too am curious to see what happens next, I like it as a stand alone piece too.. it's a 'slice of life' story and well narrated

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roshan, I am so pleased you enjoyed it!! I worked hard at perfecting this one so it is especially gratifying when folks like your work. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  5. Lovely narrative Kathy but I want more...next part pls...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aditi, I am so pleased you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  6. Oh Kathy, that story begs to be continued! Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vidya, I am so happy you liked it!! Absolutely thrilled and agree that I should continue it. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments. I don't believe I have ever written anything that begged to be continued before. This is a real first for me. ♥

      Delete
  7. In "When Harry Met Sally", Harry insisted that men and women can't be friends... this supports his idea. It's sad that they got caught up in the moment and didn't think of the ramifications.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jannatwrites, it is sad that men and women can't be friends. Of course sex tends to change everything. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  8. Wow... Intense... Loved the narration... Beautifully written

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rajlakshmi, I am so pleased you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for stopping by to read and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  9. Great use of the prompt. Thanks for sharing :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mbarkersimpson, I am so pleased you liked it. Thank you so much for stopping by to read and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. Michelle, exactly!! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! I am so pleased you enjoyed my post! ♥

      Delete
  11. A very big lesson in a terrific short story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aishaoasis, I am so pleased you enjoyed my story! Thank you so much for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! ♥

      Delete
  12. So well done! More? I would surely read future installments, but I also love how compartmentalized his memory is. He takes the blame and the guilt and the reader can choose what he does with that.
    Love, love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo, I am so happy that you loved it!!! And I may have to write some more installments for this one. This was fun to write, especially I got the voice right. Thank you for your valuable input on that! Thank you so much for stopping by to read and for your lovely comments! ♥

      Delete
  13. It felt like a plot straight out of the movies, the emotions, the setting...Wonderfully narrated Kathy!! I like that song too, esp the lines "Old, but I'm not that old. Young, but I'm not that bold"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reshma, I am so pleased you liked it! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments!! ♥

      Delete
  14. Replies
    1. Ranu 802, yes because it is obvious that the chemistry is there, just the timing is a bit off. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  15. Are we hearing more of this? Though it seems like a complete story in itself, but are we going to have a happy ending ultimately? Lovely narrative, Kathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. myriadrainbowhues, I think you just might!! I think it would be kind of fun to write more of this story and have it go on. I am getting so much encouragement. How could I refuse!! LOL Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  16. Wonderfully evocative Kathy!Love how you showcased the inherent weaknesses and flaws of human nature-how we sometimes lose control over our basic urges and the resultant regret & the guilt that we have to live with!I felt bad for all the three here-a sad end to one friendship-another betrayed and a rocky start to a new relationship(in case he gets married to Katie)!A thought provoking tale,this- cos it leaves the reader wondering if the lies will come out-they usually do and how these two are going to continue pretending that they are still friends and how they are going to face Katie.A superb piece of writing:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Atreyee, I am so happy you enjoyed my little story!! Thank you so much for your encouraging kind comments and for stopping into read!! You have made my day! ♥

      Delete
  17. You've left a lot of us wanting MORE. But I guess that's the beauty and success of this post. Excellent!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maxims, it is quite amazing to me and I am thinking I may have to give more to this tale. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments. I am so happy you enjoyed my little story! ♥

      Delete
  18. Replies
    1. payal, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  19. Some things change our lives forever. You did a great job capturing one of those moments. Great take on the prompts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suzanne, life turns on a dime. You just never know. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  20. Replies
    1. otherthanlove, isn't it delicious?? Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  21. A very sad story. And one that needs a sequel!

    Richa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richa, I think you are right. It does deserve a sequel! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments! I am so pleased you enjoyed my little story! ♥

      Delete
  22. That's the thing about stars..one minute they are bright celestial bodies, the next they are falling from the sky in a fiery blaze. Nicely told and moving story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. smileawayaday, I am so pleased you enjoyed my story! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  23. Oooo, racey. Sounds like a fun hop.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/02/dogwood-loves-dogs.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joyce, this was a fun one to write although most seemed to go the thriller route. There were some amazing entries!! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

      Delete
  24. Kathy! It's a beautiful story with sadness. Very well written an from the heart. Happy Valentine Day:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. vishalbheeroo, I am so pleased you liked it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  25. Very well written Kathy - it had everything passion, love, friendship. ecstasy, anger, sadness, guilt. Fiction but ever so believable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suzy, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for stopping in and for your sweet comments. Was thinking of writing another installment of this particular story. ♥

      Delete
  26. Super! Glad you decided to rewrite a sequel - looking forward to No.3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Corinne, I am so thrilled you liked it! Thank you so much for stopping by to read and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  27. Okay going back to part two now. Glad I get to read this in one go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tulika, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you stopping in to read and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete
  28. Loved the way you have narrated this, Kathy!! I can see that there are more parts to this story! Hopping over to part 2!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shilpa, I had some serious fun writing this story. Who would have thought I could write a 3 part story of anything?? I guess you just never know. I am so pleased you enjoyed my story. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

      Delete