Hope, A Short Story

Hello! Today I figured I'd share a short story with you guys that I wrote a little bit ago! The picture below is a drawing (not by me) of what I imagined Hope, the main character would look like. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy!

I walk down the hall studying the faces of all the students. It’s fun people watching, especially in school. You can always see how much alike everyone is. All the girls and boys come from perfect molds in the factories, and grow up to be just like their mommies and daddies. But not me; at least that’s what I like to think. Sometimes I feel like I have to be different. Even if people aren’t actually the same in looks, or height, or weight, or whatever, in the end really everyone is the same. We all have insecurities, and we all want to be like one another. That’s why I’m different I suppose. Because I don’t want to be like everyone else. I don’t want to come from the perfect factory mold. I want to be me.

“Hope, wait up!” I hear a voice from behind me and turn to see Cole.

“Hey,” I say, smiling. Cole is one of the only people in this school besides myself that isn’t afraid to be himself. I’m not afraid to be me, and neither is he.

“You look nice today,” He compliments and I nudge him. I didn’t really spend time putting together my outfit so I was happy that it looked alright. I had put on a pair of black, ripped skinny jeans, black doc martins, and a nirvana t-shirt.

“Thanks babe,” I reply winking. And just for clarification, Cole and I are not a ‘thing’, I just call almost everyone babe, mostly my friends.

“Nothing to say about me?” He asks, gesturing to his outfit and hair.

“You look awful,” I say and chuckle. He smacks my shoulder but I know he’s joking and he knows I’m joking so we’re good.

“Why thank you,” He says rolling his eyes.

“You got it!” I exclaim as we round the corner into the language hallway.

“So, what’s up with you and Liam?” He asks and I blush a little.

“I don’t understand the question,” Is the first thing that comes to my mind so that’s what I say.

“Oh shut up, of course you do.” He says. I shake my head and look at the ground.

“There’s nothing going on between us.”

“Oh please!” He exclaims and I elbow him gently.

“Cole, nothing. Absolutely nothing,” I say as we round the corner.

“Fine, fine. I’ll leave it, but everyone knows you like him.”

“Yeah, that’s the problem. He doesn’t like me back.”

“Well, then don’t waste your time,” He says before entering his next class. I keep walking and head towards the science room.

Hope, image courtesy of SkyHDWallpaper

Science is honestly my least favorite, but I have it with Liam. Sometimes, that’s a plus and others it’s awkward. Well, I’m awkward. I walk in and immediately see him but take a seat at my assigned table and look at the floor. Sometimes we talk, but that’s usually when it’s the worst because I get so nervous. It’s stupid and I should stop but every time he looks at me my breath gets caught in my throat and I feel like drowning in my own thoughts. The bell rings and everyone stops talking then takes their seats.

“Class, today we’ll be working in partners on a lab. Please choose someone you will work well with,” the teacher says and I look at Liam and our eyes meet. I quickly look away, blush creeping onto my cheeks.

“Hey, Hope,” he says as he approaches me. I try to smile and nod at him.

“Hi,” I barely choke out, knowing I probably sound like a dying mouse.

“Would you like to be partners?” He asks and I look at him with my eyes wide.

“Uh, sure,” I reply.

He takes a seat next to me and I open my science textbook. We work on the project and talk like we’ve known each other forever until the bell rings and we pack up. He waves with a small smile as I exit the classroom and I can’t help but smile as I walk toward my next class. Cole taps my shoulder and I smile at him but don’t say anything.

“What’s up with you?” He asks while laughing and I look away.

“Nothing, I just talked with Liam,” I reply.

“Oh, how’d that go?” He smiles.

“Good, I guess.”

“Well, I got to go but good luck with him,” He says before walking into his next class and leaving me to walk alone. I still smile though as I think about Liam and science class.

“Hope, wait up!” I hear a voice say and turn around. I see Liam walking toward me quickly and my smile widens.

“Hey, what’s up?” I ask, a bit confused since we just talked a few minutes ago.

“I should’ve asked you earlier but didn’t have the courage. I realized that was stupid, and I was uh— wondering if you wanted to go to the dance with me?” He asks and my cheeks grow red.

“I’d love to.”

What did you think? I hope you liked it, and I'll be back soon with another post. If you like writing here is a great website for writing prompts to help get your story started. See you guys soon in my next post!
~Ariel