Ok, so I realize I have been gone a while...but I had a push the other week and I am coming back around! My sister's wedding in October, the holidays, my 9-5, and other little life events have kept me distracted and my writing efforts on the back-burner, but I decided I need to make time for what I love to do.
So to kicks things off, my first novetry entry post-hiatus isn't one based off another story. It's based on my own. This novelette and poem were inspired by my sister's wedding. As her maid of honor, the poem was a part of my speech/gift to them. In turn, I felt moved to write an slightly altered version (for respecting privacy's sake) of their love story as a background for the poem's substance and references.
It's important to know that the song referenced in the story is "Wonderwall" by Oasis. So here is the story followed by the poem... I really hope you enjoy them! (I admit, it's a bit nerve-wracking to share my work each and every time)
xo Krista
For I Marry My Best Friend : Novelette and Poem
“And I now introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs.
Westley!!!!”
The music swells and doors swing open to unveil the beaming
couple. The cheers and applause of their loved ones envelop them, reflecting
the excitement that is plain on their faces. They reach the dance floor and he
spins her into his arms as a familiar song starts to play. Once the giggles
subside from the unexpected twirl, the first line reaches her ears and time
spins back as well.
Today is gonna be the day that their gonna throw it back to you…
Jen is 17 years old and standing off to the side of the
dance floor. No one else is around so she allows herself to look dejected. She
has kept up appearances in the sight of her friends (and Eric), but now she is
given a slight reprieve. It’s the last dance so everyone is distracted by his
or her need to end the evening with someone. Another mutual friend has
kidnapped her date so she’s taken the opportunity to reflect on the irony of
the evening. She wasn’t supposed to be here with her friend Scott…she should be
with Eric! He wasn’t supposed to break up with her before the prom, show up
with another date, and act like she doesn’t exist. Six months ago she was his
angel, and now her wings have been clipped. Tears well up in her eyes, but
before they can spill over the shock of movement dry them up.
“Ah!” she
exclaims as a familiar hand sweeps her onto the dance floor.
“May I have
this dance?” Jeff asks with a friendly smile.
“Well since
you kind of stole it already, sure.”
“You were
looking like you could use a pick-me-up…”
She
hesitates, but decides to take the bait anyway. It’s not like they haven’t been
sharing mutual heartbreak misery, but she hoped to spend one night avoiding it.
Plus he hasn’t been so willing to talk about it lately and is the only one who
completely understands. “Well as you know too well, this night has turned out
differently than expected.”
“It’s true.
But since Katie and Eric have become such close friends after they broke up
with us…”
“Best
friends,” she interrupts curtly.
“…I thought
maybe we could try to end the evening on a high note. It’s better than standing
on the sidelines alone and looking pathetic.”
“Oh thanks. I’m glad to know I can
still get a pity dance. Is that why we’ve been hanging out so much lately? Does
it make you feel better just to not be alone?”
“No, actually something else has
made me feel better lately. I’ve been meaning to tell you that I…I decided I’m
okay with the end of my relationship. You and I have both taken all the blame,
but it really was out of our control. We didn’t see the point in giving up so
easily when we had something good, but they did because they saw something
better. And now…I’ve come to understand that.”
She looks at him skeptically,
confused by his newly found wisdom. “How so?”
“Something better was presented to me, too. That
maybe it was there all along and I would have realized it sooner if we both
weren’t so distracted…” At this, he looks at her with an intensity she can’t
deny. Her head begins to spin with questions (even doubtful speculation) but
she decides to start with something simple.
“So… you didn’t just ask me
to dance because we’ve been friends these four years and I looked pathetic
standing all alone?”
“No. I asked you because it’s my
last shot tonight to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room. And I
decided to follow Katie’s footsteps and take a risk for my better opportunity.
Unfortunately the song is about to end, but maybe there’s hope it was just a
beginning…?” He says this calmly and even with a hint of playful charm, but she
can sense how it’s a mask for his nervousness being kept at bay.
She looks at him with a slightly
confused and shocked expression, but then allows a shy smile to surface. Maybe
this end could be the start of a new beginning.
I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now…
Time spins forward and she finds
herself in the same set of arms as if time stood still. “Do you realize it’s
been 10 years since we last danced together to this song?”
He pauses and replies with a
bemused expression “wow, you’re right, I can’t believe it’s been that long. I
feel old.”
She says wryly, “I know, together a
whole decade. A lot has changed, but apparently I am still stuck with you.
Well, you can’t have it all” A playful smile briefly sneaks its way onto her
lips.
He laughs softly, “One thing hasn’t
changed. I am still dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room. Only now
she’s my best friend and I’m lucky enough to call her my wife. So I say
you can have it all.”
She lifts her head from his chest
to look at him with a tearful eye as the song softly plays out, You’re gonna
be the one that saves me…
She quotes the last line that
perfectly mirrors her own heart, “And after all, you’re my wonderwall."
A fortress of security
One to save me assuredly
A protection from life’s all
For I marry my wonderwall
A decade has passed
Since a life changing dance
But that song plays on without an end
For I marry my best friend