FreedomToTheReaders' Exercises for Cat's Writing Bootcamp

Exercise 3

I sat inside a small coffee shop, watching the bus stop across the street. People passed by, coming and going but only the bus stop held my interest. Well, with its peeling green paint and gouged out, graffiti covered, exposed wood it wasn't the shelter specifically that held my attention, rather the two people sitting in it. I knew they couldn't see me, the angle wasn't right on their side, but I recognized them from around campus. It wasn't like we were friends, though he was nice enough. Oh, what was his name! Something with a T, Tucker maybe? We'd been in some of the same classes, but I hadn't ever spoken to him. I tried not to speak to anyone if I could help it. And she well, she was just her. I'd only seen her around the school and almost always with him. She and I had shared no classes, I didn't even know her name. I had thought at times that I'd like to meet her, get to know her, but she was aloof like a tiger and always in motion, while I was just shy like a kitten, frozen until the danger passed. And it would be too intimidating to meet them at the same time. Find some courage in yourself Lucy, do you want to remain cowardly and lonely forever?

~

I couldn't believe my awful luck, I should've known this would happen, of all days this is the day she wouldn't be here? She had no idea that I'd wanted her to be here today, but still, I just couldn't imagine someone would make a week long habit and then so suddenly break it. Yes, it was supposed to storm but, well maybe that was a good reason to stay in for most people. I quite liked being out in rainstorms myself.

"Earth to Rozenn, come in Rozenn."

"Hmm? Sorry Trystan, you were saying something?"

"Nothing vitally important."

"Oh." Catching a sidelong glance of my reflection from the buckle on my bag, I wondered if it was my eyes that turned her off. But, it wasn't as if I had any control over that. Maybe if I tried contacts again? Even if I did hate the way they felt.

"But come to think of it, you are acting odd, like more than usual I mean. In fact, ever since you told me –"

~

The wind picked up as I watched them, rattling the tin roof of the shelter. The forecast had called for rain storm sometime in the day. On my own, storms made me nervous, but with her I imagine they wouldn't. I watched as he tried to get her attention, saw her jump, then lock in on his words. He shook his head a bit and she turned away, so clearly it hadn't been important. But then he reached out and caught her attention again, his hand on her arm. She turned sharply, and his hand fell free from her arm as her hands rose to flutter back and forth. They mirrored the fluttering of the weathered flyers inside the shelter. I wonder what they're saying. Well then go ask them why don't you?

~

"Trystan! When I tell you something in confidence I expect it to stay that way. If I'd wanted the whole world to know I'd have told them!" Some best friend he was, divulging all my secrets and insecurities to the world. And he wonders why I keep sketchbooks that he doesn't get to see.

"Roz, seriously, it's not that big a deal!"

"Maybe not to you it isn't!"

"Oh, I get it, this isn't about you, it's about her."

"Not exactly. Or at least, not completely."

"Okay, well in that case, what is it about?"

"I ... don't know. I just don't know."

~

This silent movie of theirs was an odd one, because she seemed so unlike the person she usually seemed to be. She always appeared so put together, now she seemed to be slowly unraveling before me. It was fascinating, though I didn't know exactly what emotion she was experiencing. He was trying to calm her, either that or deflect but they seemed too close for violence toward each other. It might have worked ever so slightly, but it was clear that by how tightly she had tucked herself up she was still far from calm. Are you angry? Or sad? Scared? Maybe all of them. Again, he tried to calm her, but she still wasn't ready to let go. She seemed as pent up as the energy of the impending storm building around her. I realized then just how much could be learned by only watching a person's body language. A shame this isn't homework, it'd be more fun.