Sam: Hello? Is this Maxine Redtail?
Max: Yes, who is this?
Sam: This is Samantha Abrams from school.
Max: How did you get my phone number? No one other than my dad and mom has this number.
Sam: You gave it to me for our project. The one in science. We created an entire mini pterodactyl skeleton. We got a 98 for outstanding work remember?
Max: The last science project we had was two years ago. Why are you texting me now?
Sam: I was told to talk to someone that I haven't talked to in a while.
Max: Who told you that? They sound like a quack.
Sam: My therapist told me.
Max: Your therapist told you. So you chose the quiet girl who everyone thinks is strange and creepy?
Sam: Would you rather I talked to someone else? Someone less strange and creepy?
Max: No I'm actually kind of glad you chose me. I needed someone to talk to. I was getting bored. Summer gets me down most of the time. And I have no one to hang out with. So I'm stuck at home listening to my dad drone on about countermeasures and fissures in the parabolic surfaces or whatever.
Sam: Um, okay?
Max: Who actually wastes time typing the word "Um?"
Sam: I'm blind, so I use speech to text, and it reads out loud your texts.
Max: Crap, sorry. I didn't know. Wait, I probably shouldn't curse or else your mom will get upset.
Sam: No it's fine. I'm wearing earphones so she can't hear anything except me talking. She's not home yet either. I didn't expect you to know anyways. I'm home schooled now. It makes things easier.
Max: I don't remember you being blind. The last time I remember seeing you, you were peppier than a cheerleader.
Sam: I was in a car crash last year.
Max: Are you okay? Did anyone die?
Sam: No one died. I'm okay, but it's just so hard to deal with sometimes.
Max: Sorry, just one question about you being blind, can you do that thing where you click with your tongue to see?
Sam: I tried that when the doctors removed the bandages. They laughed and said I had to have been born blind for that to actually happen.
Max: Is it hard?
Sam: What, being blind? Yeah, it is. Especially when I have to explain it or answer questions. You asked two questions by the way.
Max: Sorry. Crap, you're right, that was two questions. I have just one more though. What about surgery? Can't you just get a new pair of eyes and see again?
Sam: I'd rather not talk about that.
Max: Crap, I'm an idiot. Of course you don't like the idea of having someone else's eyes in your skull.
Sam: No, it's fine. That's not it anyways.
Max: You gotta stop doing that.
Sam: Doing what?
Max: Apologizing for everything. Like you shouldn't be here and you're sorry for that. Stop beating yourself up so much.
Sam: Okay.
Max: No, it's fine. Sorry for rambling on about you. Crap, my mom says it's time to sleep. See ya tomorrow, Sam.
Sam: See ya tomorrow, Max.
Tomorrow
Sam: Max? Are you awake yet?
Max: Yeah, I'm awake. Wow, you sure wake up early.
Sam: Do you want to talk another time? So you can sleep?
Max: Nah, it's fine. I couldn't sleep anyways.
Sam: What? Why?
Max: Yesterday my mom took me to McDonald's and the clown kinda freaked me out. I didn't want to say anything about it.
Sam: The clown?
Max: Yeah, he kept staring at my ass like it was a Big Mac. And he wouldn't stop even when he saw me looking at him.
Sam: He's such a pervert! Who looks at girls' asses in public anyway?
Max: Exactly! Girls are always stuck dealing with the perverts.
Sam: I know right?
Max: Anyways, I wanted to invite you to a movie.
Sam: I'm blind, remember?
Max: An audio descriptive movie. A dog's purpose.
Sam: Don't they only let blind people watch those? Like people who are actually blind?
Max: Yeah, but I'm just gonna put on some sunglasses. They won't know.
Sam: When does the movie play?
Max: At 12:30
Sam: It's 11:30
Max: Yeah, I know.
Sam: Okay, I'll go put on some clothes.
Max: I'll come over and pick you up? We can eat at Denny's for breakfast. I'll pay.
Sam: That would be great, thanks.
Max: No problem.
Tomorrow
Max: Sam?
2 hours later
Max: Sam? Are you okay?
One week later. No replies from Sam.
Sam: Max?
Max: What happened?
Sam: I went into surgery
Max: What? When?
Sam: The day after the movie.
Max: Why didn't you tell me?
Sam: I didn't want you to worry about me. There was a 70% chance of me dying.
Max: I worry about you because I care about you.
Sam: I care about you too. After all, what are friends for, right?
Max: Can you see now?
Sam: Yeah. But my eyes are now emerald green.
Max: That's amazing! So what's it like being able to see again?
Sam: Its pretty weird. Every time I look at my mom, she starts crying and looking at the ceiling.
Max: Do you want me to come see you?
Sam: I have to go see my uncle make a speech at a dinner party. Wow. It's pretty weird saying see after being blind.
Max: You're talking to master of all things weird. Well, I hope you enjoy the food at least. I'll see you tomorrow?
Sam: Yeah. See you tomorrow.
Tomorrow
Sam: I was invited to a party, do you want to come with me?
Max: Sure! Who's party?
Sam: Ashley Brenson. She's inviting every girl in the whole school but everyone except me said no.
Max: I'll get ready.
Sam: I'm driving over.
Tomorrow
Max: Sam? Please talk to me.
Tomorrow
Sam: I was drunk when I kissed you.
Max: No it's fine. To be honest, I was going to kiss you.
Sam: What?
Max: I'm gay. I've been gay for a couple of years.
Sam: I liked kissing you. What does that mean?
Max: It means you're gay. Just like me. Well, lesbian is the proper term, but still.
Sam: Are we dating now?
Max: Do you want to date me?
Sam: Yes. If I could date anyone it'd be you.
Max: I was hoping you'd say that.
Sam: I love you.
Max: I <3 You
I know this story was quick paced and I don't expect to win at all because I did this for fun. All I want is for people to enjoy this. So thanks for reading.
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1 comment
I'd love to see this fleshed out a bit. This isn't a story-telling technique I usually enjoy, but I was completely absorbed in this story and stayed with it all the way through. The surgery came out of nowhere and that's where I think the pacing issues came in, but I love how the story begins and the whole idea of two people coming together under relatively unusual circumstances. It's pretty perfect for this moment.
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