Random Stories

A Prompt A Week- Week One

Mae blinked awake blearily, trying to figure out where she was. Wasn't she just in her room with Tiffany? Where was she?

After a pause to think, Mae remembered— She was in her classroom, from when she was young. She quickly turn her hands over, palm up and looked at them. No callouses, no scars.. Nothing to suggest it was real.

If everything that had happened to her was a dream, she had to write it down, so she wouldn't forget. If anything, it would be a good story idea for Katlyne.

She took a paper from her notebook and started to write everything she recalled on it- Her waking up in a forest in her school uniform, meeting the kindly old farmer couple- was it an old farmer couple?- who took her in, the village burning- was it her village or a neighboring village?- joining the knights- what was their original view on her?- meeting Tiffany, slaying the dragon, becoming Queen- How did that happen again?

Her... dream memories were already fuzzy as it had been years since she appeared in that world, and combined with the fact dreams tended to fade after only five minutes, she wasn't certain if the writing was accurate.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the Tiffany of her class. ... Maybe she should mark out Tiffany's name- After all, it was weird to dream about fantasy land where you just so happened to marry one of your classmates.

As the end of school bell rang, Mae picked up her books and put them in the bag. She hurried out the door, towards Miss Marigold's class- where Katlyn would likely still be.

She rounded the corner and waved to Katlyn, easily spotting her due to the girl's bright red hair. "Katlyn, I know I shouldn't have fallen asleep during class, but guess what? I had a fantasy dream- I wrote it down, wanna see it?"

"Sure, what is it?" She took the paper as Mae handed it to her, reading it a few times. "Mae, this story has been done to death- I can name three popular stories that have this plot." After a moment of thought, she added, "Sorry for being rude. I just- want to do something brand new."

"I know.. But Kat-o, everything's been written already! That's why there's trends!" Mae threw her arms up for emphasis. "Remember the- the uh.."

"The dystopian trend? The 'Main Character is special' trend? The weird love interest trend?" Katlyn gagged slightly at the end. That caused the two to start snickering.

"You couldn't just let the romance stuff go, huh?" Mae took the paper back, putting it in her bag.

"Obviously not. There was no need for that book to have romance when they were fighting to- survive!"

"Katlyn, Mae, as much as I appreciate your.. feelings about book tropes, I recommend you leave for the buses." Miss Marigold said, moving to lock her door.

"Right, bye Katlyn!" Mae waved as she hurried to the front of the school.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Mae put her homework on the table, stretching before sitting down to do her homework. She reached for the pencil and froze. How did she not notice her ring was—

She slipped it off and held it up— A golden half sun ring.. Her old one- the one her mother had bought her for a birthday present- was a plain fake gold one.

"What am I gonna tell mom? How will I explain this? Wait- Is this obviously a wedding ring?" Her voice rose as she spoke. "I-I can hide it! But where?" She looked around before looking at her nightstand. She hurried over to it and hid the ring in a drawer. "Okay, that's taken care of.. But what next? I guess, figuring out what to tell mom."

Mae returned to her desk and sighed. "Maybe I can say... I tripped and it fell off? Maybe she'll believe that." She picked up her pencil and started on her homework.
*_*_*_*_*

Mae slipped her ring on unconsciously, a habit from years of the dream. The previous night she had contemplated what having the ring meant.

Was her dream real? But how was she seventeen again? Where were her scars? Did Tiffany- Was the Tiffany she married really the Tiffany from her class?

She couldn't dwell on that. It was sunny out and she had planned on going to the park. So, she walked down the stairs and went outside.

The park was picturesque; It reminded Mae of the royal gardens. Trees stood along the park's side, sunlight streaming through the leaves. Flowers lined the brick walkway that wound past the trees. Benches sat a few trees apart.

Mae sat down on a bench, letting out a sigh as she closed her eyes. She could hear shuffling next to her, and the wood creaking faintly. She guessed someone had sat down next to her.

"You're... Mae, right? I've heard about you from Mister Woods."

The voice sounded like Tiffany! Mae's eyes snapped open as she looked at her. She hoped Tiffany didn't notice how odd that may have been.

"Mhm- You're Tiffany, one of the best students in his class, right?"

Tiffany's lips pursed for a moment before easing into a smile. Mae knew that expression all to well- disappointment. "Yes, that is me." Tiffany nodded.

"Well, it's nice to meet you. Really." Mae grinned, "Maybe we can chat again someday?"

"I'd love that. Can I get your phone number?" Tiffany blushed, evidently realizing something. "Just for- Just for us to- Just so we can know where and when to meet up is all!" She waved her hands in front of her.

"Of course! And I didn't think it was for anything else." Mae took her phone out of her pocket. She handed it to Tiffany, and sent her a message once her phone was returned.
*_*_*_*_*_*

Mae clutched her phone as she sat on a bench. It was just a few hours after school, and she was waiting for Tiffany to arrive at the park so they could go on a 'picnic'.

"Mae, I'm here!" Tiffany waved as she walked over, basket in hand.

"Hey, Tiffany!" Mae waved, standing up to follow her to the decided picnic location.

*_*_*_*_*_*

I sort of hit a block or something- And to post something today, I'll just say what was planned to happen: Mae and Tiffany see each other's rings, put two and two together and realize the 'dream' may not have been a dream after all. They mourn their kids and kingdom, knowing they may never see either again. The finale was supposed to be them talking to Katlyn about a story idea based on them- as in two rulers awakening from a dream and meeting each other.