Short Stories

Colors

"Alright, class settle down. Today we will be learning how to dance. Ms. Pero's class will be joining us," Mr. Pascal said. His voice was rough from years of yelling commands. Mr. Pascal was the epitome of a man; he had a scruffy beard, stood at 6 feet tall and taught football.

Liam was the only one to perk up. His dull eyes lighting up the slightest. They turned from a dark gray into a lighter gray. Everyone else in the class seemed to slump down, discouraged they weren't playing capture-the-flag like they usually did on Fridays.

"Sir we already did this in middle school, why are we doing it again?" a kid from the back asked, tiredness in his voice.

"Because the school board thinks you guys need to be taught again, too many people... groping at school dances."

The class snickered, some of the boys hitting each other and laughing. Liam rolled his eyes.

"Grab a partner, and we will begin."

Liam was pulled by some girl he didn't know very well. She was a small, child-like girl. She always had her dark gray locks pulled into pigtails. Her framed glasses slightly too big for her face.

Liam knew he had a few classes with her, but he couldn't remember her name. He knew it started with a 'k.' Kat? Katherine?

"H-Hey Liam."

"Hi."

"Are you a good dancer?" She leaned in closer to Liam, and he cringed in disgust. Her breath smelled like tuna. It was a putrid smell, invading Liam's senses. She needed a mint.

"I-"

"Now boys grab the girls right hand, and place your free hand on her side, not too high and not to low."

Liam was already in position. He gently held her hand, not wanting to hurt her. His right hand laid on her waist. The fabric of her shirt was soft.

"Wow you are aren't you? You already knw where to place your hands."

"I guess. I mean I practice sometimes."

"Do you se any color?" The girl's voice was laced with disappointment. It seeped into Liam's mind.

He sighed. "No, and obviously you don't."

"I was hoping it'd be you."

"Look, uh..."

"Katie."

"Look Katie stop liking me. We aren't meant to be, besides you could do better than me." Liam wasn't lying, she really could.

"Bu-"

"Alright switch partners."

Katie let go of Liam's hand, and he bumped into another girl. He caught her before she lost her balance.

"Great, it's you," she sighed. She had long hair that was usually down or in a ponytail. Her eyes were of a lighter gray to Liam. However, he didn't care if they were bright or dark; it all looked the same to him.

"Hi, Cassandra."

"I know you still like me, but I found my soulmate, you need to find your own."

"I don't like you. You aren't interesting, and I've matured. And congrats on finding Brad. I wouldn't want to be stuck with him forever.

Cassandra scowled.

They circled the gym floor, Cassandra stepping on Liam's feet in the process.

"Hey, would you quit that?"

"What?"

"Stepping on my feet."

"I'm not."

"Just stop doing it."

Cassandra stepped on his feet more times before they had to switch. He kept his mouth shut not wanting to start a fight with her. They changed partners, and Liam paired with a girl he knew well.

"Hey Lara how're you?"

"I'm doing good, thanks for asking. How are you, Liam?"

Lara was normal. She wasn't the quiet kid, and she wasn't the popular girl. She was just your average student who did ballet.

"I'm fine."

Lara was a better dancer, and it showed. The pair gracefully moved about the floor. They knew where to put their feet, and how to not step on each other. A few of the students stopped and started at them. They watched in awe.

"Looking good Liam, Lara, keep up the good work," Mr. Pascal said.

Liam stood in the middle of the gym. It seemed like everyone else had a partner except him. It was a sad sight. He was standing alone, surrounded by people dancing together, watching them in black and white.

"I can't wait to see color," Liam whispered to himself.

"What was that?"

Liam jumped and swiveled around. The owner of the voice was Jay. His dark hair and eyes made him intimidating to talk to. In black and white it helped his reputation as a bad boy and 'star' jock.

"Oh, it's just you. Leave me alone and find someone to dance with."

"I did find someone," Jay said smiling.

"Okay, so go dance with them."

"Alright, if you say so." Jay grabbed Liam's hand.

At the touch of their hands, Liam looked upon a world of unknown. A world that was transformed beyond imagination. He turned, meeting Jay's eyes. They were widened just the same. Surprise lighting his features. They were finally unrestricted from the monochromatic scale they were used to.

There was as trace of red in Jay's flushed cheeks. Blues and yellows caught in his glosses brown eyes from the harsh lights of the gym.

They both turned to the other students dancing around the room. There were mismatched colors everywhere. Purples, navy blues, oranges.

The room was vibrant and aglow with diversity they had never known before. In color, their world looked so different, almost unnatural. Liam turned to stare at Jay in wonder. His mind raced, thinking of how impossible this was.

"Y-You're-" Liam started.

"Yeah," Jay breathed.

"It's so... colorful."

So this one was from a prompt I found it was something like when you touch your soulmate you can see color. So I went with it. And I hadn't done anything mlm yet so I was like heyyyyyy why not. Anyways that's it. It's the one I'm most proud of. I'm really proud of it, my peers liked it and I liked it so yeah. I haven't won anything with it yet because I didn't write it in time for any events but I plan on turning it in this year and hope to win something. But that's all for now, I hope you liked it, comment if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

-Liam ;P