Short Stories + Contest Entries

The Autobiography Of A Love Bug

Prologue: In The Beginning, There Was Love

It takes a special person to be gifted with a love bug personality, but an even more special person to deal with someone who is one. In the midst of all things fake and plastic, a girl like me finds it extremely difficult to survive in a world going insane, but that's exactly what makes being a love bug so special!

Now, wait, before I continue rambling on, hear me out. I don't mean an actual "love bug" in its literal form (cause duh this is a book I'm writing, which is the only place deep and meaningful symbolism is allowed.)

Being called a lovebug in simple terms is the ultimate expression of affection, and it's quite a magical thing. A love bug has so much passion that their whole life is centered around it. It's like a battery pack full of admiration fueling their life. Whether that burst of love is for a person, an object, or at random moments of the day, ultimately, it's always present. A love bug is someone you can't help but wonder "where does all that love come from, and how do they even carry that much to begin with?"

Well, I'm here to tell you... I have no idea the answer to those questions!

But I'm getting ahead of myself. This is an autobiography after all. I need to explain who I am and what this is all about.

My name's Michela, and yes my name is spelled right! How old am I? Let's just say I'm old enough to see a scary movie alone, but young enough to ride the mini coasters at my local theme park (or maybe that's because I'm super small....)

What made me want to write an autobiography in the first place? Well, as I sit here worrying about the days when I'm past my prime, I realize there is no better way to relive the joyous moments in life than writing them down for all to see and appreciate! (Which also means I'm bored.)

What exactly is this autobiography about? It actually isn't about my full life, shocking as that sounds. But I am a love bug, after all, so one can assume it's about, well, love! And doesn't every sappy autobiography start with a boy?

Mine is no different!

Or maybe it is....

Only one way to find out!

Now, close your eyes. Picture a cool July afternoon, with the trees rustling in the wind and the clouds bedding the sun's light. A house sits at a corner of a busy road, and a family plans a gathering destined to be. This isn't the beginning of my life, but it is the beginning of something much more than that. This is the day where my life finally had a meaning, a purpose.

And it all started with a glance.

Chapter One: Hello? I'm Cold!

The wind whistles against my skin and I attempt to warm myself yet again by rubbing my hands over my arms. No matter the effort, I fail to rid of the bumps cratering my skin.

Why is it that New Hampshire's summer is equivalent to MY winters back home? Oh that's right, because I live right in Satan's armpit!

"Michela, pass the ball pleeeease!" Jared calls a few feet ahead. Though his age doesn't show through his short legs and chubby cheeks, Jared acts like he's six, when really he's half that.

"Pass it with Kegan, I'm going to get a drink and talk to some old people," I confess wrinkling my nose. This makes him laugh for a second or two, his voice bobbing like a little bell, but only until he realizes I'll be leaving him.

Jared's lip sags. "But..but why?" He peeks up at me with wonder.

"Because buddy, I haven't seen a lot of these people for a very long time. I should say hi." I bend down as he stumbles closer to me, trying not to trip on the grass.