My Response:
Listen to the pounding of the music.
Feel the beat through your body, thumping along with the beat of your
heart. Be absorbed by it. Be entranced by it.
Drink from the glass set out on the bar
beside you. Taste the smooth feel of the liquid burn it's way down
your throat. Embrace the spinning that begins to pull at you. Tell
yourself you want this. Drink some more.
Look into the lights as they flash
through the room, bouncing off of the clothes the others wear. Run a
hand across the sequins that line your own body, catching on your
palm as it passes over.
Remember what happened the last time
you wore that dress.
Close your eyes, shake your head.
Banish the thoughts and take another drink.
Notice the guy next to you, his shirt a
deep red colour that reminds you of blood. Take another drink and
walk away. Don't remember.
Spin around when a hand grabs your arm.
Clench your fists at your side as you get ready to swing at them.
Realize that they're dancing, and so drunk they didn't even notice
your reaction. Take another drink. Finish the glass. Order
another. Start dancing. Don't remember.
Step into the arms of one of the guys
on the dance floor. Press against him when he holds you close. Take
another drink and feel the dizziness make your memory blurry.
Feel his hand slip a little too far
down your back. Don't reach around, enjoy it.
Slid your free hand down his back.
Take another drink.
Turn to welcome another body to the
group. Run your hands over his chest and press against him. Feel
the hands still on you from behind. Don't care.
Drain the glass and put it down.
Continue to dance, close, hot, uncaring.
Feel him press against you from behind.
Remember.
Whirl around and watch his eyes widen
as you push him away. Feel the frantic beating of your heart as you
stumble off of the floor. Listen to the ragged breathing that forces
it's way out of you. Lean against the bar for support. Wave away
the bartender who tries to help you.
Stumble to where you left your coat,
feel the first hint of tears as you realize that it's gone. Push
back the feeling.
Ask those around you if they've seen
your coat. Order another drink when the answer is no. Drink it in
one shot. Forget.
Wrap your arms around yourself as you
head out the door. Feel the bitter cold bite into your skin and
shiver. Promise yourself that you'll never go out again. Know that
you're lying.
Feel the tears slide down your cheek.
Regret crying when the wind freezes them onto your cheek. Smile
gratefully at the taxi that pulls up beside you. Explain that you
don't have money. Slide into the back, grateful to get out of the
cold. Don't think about what's to come.
Let me know how you think I did in the comments below!
If you would like to also take on this challenge, I would love to see what you come up with. Post it in the comments!
All exercises are taken from The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley
I was right, I had a lot of fun writing this one...
ReplyDeleteTHE BEDROOM
Enter.
Look at the bed. See the sheets, rumpled and tangled from the night before, pale cream under the gold and burgundy duvet. Strip them off. Set the duvet aside. Caress the sheets, feel the smooth whisper of Egyptian cotton sliding between finger tips.
Remember and shiver.
Take the sheets to the wicker hamper in the closet. Throw them in. Ignore the spots and stains that are revealed as the sheets tumble in to rest atop the others.
Return to the bed. Strip the cases from the pillows. Breathe deeply of the musky scent left behind from when the pillows supported hips, raising them to sit at the perfect angle.
Banish the images this brings to mind.
Put the pillow cases in the hamper with the sheets. Close the lid. Flinch as it slips from nervous fingers and slams shut too loudly. Pray the sound went unnoticed.
Take fresh sheets from the shelf in the closet. Choose the chocolate brown set with the satin finish. Admire the way they shimmer in the dim light, then bring them to the bed.
Set the top sheet and pillow cases aside with the duvet. Stretch the fitted sheet over the mattress corner by corner. Tug the sides until the sheet lies flat. Unfurl the top sheet and spread it across the bed. Adjust the edge so it lies straight and level with the head of the bed and the sides hang evenly. Gently smooth out the wrinkles and tuck the excess under. Pay close attention to the folds at the corners.
Don’t think about the time the corners were folded wrong.
Put the cases on the pillows. Leave them on the floor for now. Heave the duvet onto the bed and spread it out until it is as perfectly flat as the sheets beneath it. Trace a finger along the curling gold design of the duvet.
Place the pillows on the bed, flush with the heavy oak headboard. Plump them into soft, inviting mounds. Tuck the ends of the pillow cases under.
Reach under the bed. Find the silk rope hidden there. Arrange it on the foot of the bed, its white coils glowing against the rich burgundy of the duvet. Reach under the bed once more and pull out the leather restraints. Fasten one to each of the four bedposts.
Notice the candle on the nightstand and how low it has burned. Take the candlestick into the on-suite and discard the melted nub in the garbage. Find a fresh candle in the drawer of the nightstand and set it in the candlestick. Light it.
Shudder as the wax heats and scalding drops begin to drip down the sides.
Inspect the bed and the nightstand, making certain no detail has been overlooked. Kneel on the floor facing the foot board.
Wait.
That was awesome! And YAY for not being the only one doing these exercised ^.~
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