Once Upon a Daydream

Water Moccasin

1,000-word max short story for Twist the Clichés Contest

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This is a story about a country girl who moved to the city and met the love of her life right outside of her new apartment building. What a cute story, right?

PSYCH!

That's the story of how my parents met. They're a really cute Korean-American couple with an equally cute love story.

But me, Susan - wait, Hye-Sun - Lee, as cute? Yeah, right.

First of all, who decided that Susan was a hip and cool nickname to give a little girl? Second of all, why would she be enrolled in tae kwon do if she was intended to be cute?

Because my parents are traditional.

Don't get me wrong - I really do love my parents. But I think they sucked up all the cuteness in the world and there's nothing left for me.

So I bumbled through my young adult romantic life tragically un-cute. And one fateful night, after too many water moccasins, it culminated into what I called the "meet cringe".

- - -

Kassie, Sam, and I were already three water moccasin shots each into trying to forget about midterms at our usual campus bar.

Oh, water moccasins. The heavenly blend of peach, lime, sugar, and alcohol. After befriending Sam and Kassie through our dorm assignments junior year, I was a big fan of them. And an even bigger fan since I turned 21.

Turning to order another round, I bumped into a lanky guy with long, sandy blonde hair. Thankfully, he didn't have any drinks in his hands to spill.

"Oops, sorry!" I cringed and patted his arm. I could see Sam's blonde hair out of the corner of my eye. As the two single ladies of the group, the race was on.

"No worries. What are you having?" He asked, leaning his elbow on the bar while waiting to be served.

I tucked a strand of my long, black hair behind my ear. "Water moccasins."

He nodded and smiled. "Sweet, but with a bite. Nice."

A bartender stepped up to help him and when I looked back at my girls, they were making all sorts of crazy gestures. I motioned for them to cut it out and was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder.

"Here. On me." He handed me a shot, then slid a few down the bar top to Kassie and Sam. "The name's Sean."

"Oh, thanks! I'm Susan," I muttered in embarrassment. He must have seen me and my friends "talking". Lovely.

We took our shots - him included - and I thanked him profusely for buying. I wasn't the kind of girl that had drinks ordered for her often.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked over the music that steadily grew louder.

I took a few more gulps of the very flammable Long Island at my side and nodded. "Yeah, let's do it."

Taking his hand, I followed him through the crowd to the dance floor. As soon as we made it to the center, the energetic dance song died down and a slower one came over the bar speakers.

By then, I was totally feeling up poor Sean. But he settled his hands on both of my hips and we started to sway together. It wasn't just the alcohol - I genuinely thought he was cute. He was familiar somehow.

He leaned into my ear to say something, but I couldn't hear a thing.

"WHAT?!" I yelled over the music and loud chatter.

He took a deep breath and leaned back into my ear. "You're pretty cute...a...sian."

I leaned back, shaking my head that I couldn't hear him. I pushed him even closer to my ear, hearing this: "You're pretty cute...for...an asian girl."

SMACK!

Years of rusty tae kwon do rushed back to my muscles and I slapped his cheek, then punched him in the gut. Sean doubled over and within seconds, the bar's security guys were on us.

I didn't protest as they ushered us out, but I was pissed that Sam and Kassie didn't even see us. Once we were out on the sidewalk, I was pacing like mad, while Sean was trying to get his breath back.

"What...was that...for?" He asked between pained breaths.

I crossed my arms, leaning over him. "You mean, you don't remember telling me I looked 'pretty cute for an asian girl'?!"

"I didn't say that," he refused instantly. "I said you were pretty cute - period, end sentence."

I scoffed. Sure, buddy.

"Some jerk behind you was eyeing your backside and making some crude gestures. I'm betting he said the asian girl stuff."

I rolled my eyes and turned to walk away "Yeah right-"

He reached for my arm and I curled it back to warn him of another punch. He backed away. "I'm sorry, Susan. I didn't say it, but I'm sorry anyway."

I relaxed my arm and started looking down the street towards the array of drunk food ahead of us. "Thanks. I'm sorry for punching you..." I grumbled.

He laughed, leaning against the outside of the bar. "Just don't hit the face next time."

I spun around to face him, swaying slightly in the night air. "What makes you think there will be a next time? You want more where that came from?" I tried to put on my best tough-girl face. I'm sure I was failing.

He shook his head, trying but struggling to suppress his laughter. "I'll take you punching me over ignoring me in biochem lab."

I covered my mouth, both to hide my disappointment, and I'm sure I was super nauseous at that point. Oof, Susan. You could really be mean sometimes. "I'm sorry..." I mumbled behind my hand.

"Peace offering?" He suggested, nodding down the street. "Want some drunk food to soak up that guilt?"

I nodded and reached for his shoulder. "Yes, please. Lead the way." He didn't even flinch when I touched him. We started walking, me slightly behind him. "I won't ignore you now," I vowed softly.

"I know."