Own goals

‘Why did you do that?’

‘What?’ Cassie checked her make-up in a compact mirror.

‘Throw yourself at Ryan,’ Lorna said. ‘You know that Sarah likes him. That she was …’

‘Because it’s fun.’

‘To hurt people?’

‘To see how they’ll react. She fled after one dance. Pathetic.’

‘More pathetic to chase attention by being a bitch.’

‘What?’

‘You need to find new friends, Cass,’ Jane said. ‘We’re done.’

‘Seriously? You can’t take a joke?’

‘You’re the joke.’

‘I’m the one going home with Ryan.’

‘You wish. He’s already left to find Sarah. Congratulations on a masterclass in scoring own goals.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
 

Darkness soon returns

‘I served for three years at the front. As a medical assistant. I followed the men into battle and pulled the wounded back to our lines. I witnessed countless deaths. Seen the yellow pallor draw down from the hairline and life leave their eyes. Seen men act inhumanely. There is nothing glorious about war. It is organised savagery. And it never goes away. It scars you for life. There’s no light afterwards, just a dark haunting. We might laugh – suspend our memories for a while – but the darkness soon returns.’ Nina sighs. ‘You lose a much more than friends, comrades.’

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

I need to live my own life

‘You made the final of the World’s last year. You could medal at the Olympics.’

‘We both know that’s not going to happen. There’s a new generation coming through.’

‘Let’s not be hasty, Pip.’

‘I’ve already made my decision, Dad. I want to leave with my head held high.’

‘All the work you’ve put in; your dream.’

‘You mean, your dream. I love the sport, but it’s not my job to fulfil dreams you couldn’t realise.’

‘Pip.’

‘I don’t want to finish hating the sport. Hating you.’

‘But …’

‘You’re not listening, Dad. I need to live my own life.’



A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.

I don’t know if our love can hold back that much hate

‘Not one person supports our relationship. His manager and record company are petrified his career will implode because he’s dating a non-celebrity. His band and family the same. The fans hate the thought of him dating anyone except them. The press think I’m a gold digger. And my family and friends can’t see a future for us.’

‘And are you?’

‘What?’

‘A gold digger?’

‘I hadn’t got a clue who he was when I met him.’

‘What about him?’

‘He wants us to try.’

‘So what’s the problem?’

‘I don’t know if our love can hold back that much hate.’

 

 

A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.