My Writing - Trust Me.

I had fun writing this little tale, for my  homework assignment, for my Mastering Dialogue Writing Class which you can take from this online site, www.creative-writing-now.com. I must say I have really enjoyed taking part in this course and from the 4, including this one, this is the one I have enjoyed the most, by far! I had my final email  for lesson 8 this past Saturday and I was sad to see, we had no homework assignment :( Boohoo. I will miss, cranking out ideas for this class. I think it's time to do another class, or get on with finishing writing my book.

Although, after writing this story, I so want to work on developing it further! I have some wonderful ideas for it. And with great feedback about my story, from my fellow classmates doing the mastering dialogue course -- I absolutely should. But, maybe you my followers can give me your insight and feedback and tell me what you think :)

Stars twinkled in the dark velvet sky and the moon seemed to capture the night with a mysterious glow. Anwen sat on the wooden bench and admired the view from her bedroom window. She recalled how quickly a year had gone by and how much that year had changed both of them. The last time she'd seen Dylan, he was a scrawny spot faced kid and her, a freckle faced, lanky tomboy. When she arrived at Penlan Castle a week ago and stepped out of her carriage, her eyes connected with Dylan's and saw that he no longer resembled that scrawny kid.

He'd changed and changed for the better.

He was tall and broad shouldered with a mop of dark hair, still wavy but longer, which he'd tied back with a strip of leather. His once boyish looks, we're now chiseled, with solemn brows that were offset by his sea glass eyes and his nose was strong, like his fathers.

She inspected her reflection in the window, wishing that somehow she was blessed with her sisters dark hair, skin and beautiful features. She sighed, patted down her unruly red hair and hoped that one day her freckles would disappear from her fair skin. Still immersed in her thoughts, she leaned forward and took a long inhale of the crisp night air, when she heard a crack on her windowpane. Anwen peered out and couldn't see anything, she clutched the window's handle and was about to close it, when she heard a second crack, she opened the window wide and looked down.

Dylan stood with his arms in the air and asked in a hushed tone, “Can I come up?”

Anwen smiled, she put her finger to her lips and nodded. Dylan took no time in scaling the brick wall up to her window and through it.

“Good Evening Anwen.” He said as he straightened his kirtle and cloak.

She stared at him, “What were you thinking, climbing up here?” She threw a cushion, hitting him squarely in his chest.

He bent down, picked it up and tossed it between his hands, “I see you've been practicing?” He chortled.

Anwen rolled her eyes, “You could of hurt yourself, and what if you'd of been seen? She spun on her heels and slumped down on her bed. “Then what?” She picked the tassels on her coverlet and without looking up, she added, “And don't you dare throw that cushion at me.” she giggled.

He huffed and set the cushion down on the bench.

“So what's so important, that you had to climb up the wall and not knock on my door to speak with me?” She asked.

Dylan walked over to her bed. “Because freckles, I have something to show you.” He winked, then sat next to her.

Anwen blushed, “And, pray what may that be, Dylan.” A little smirk crossed her lips.

He scooted a little closer to her, “It shan't take long.” She could feel her heart race, and offered his hand, “you know you want to.”

“Someone may fi –”

“No one shall find us, trust me.” Tugging on her arm, he pleaded, “Let's go.”

Anwen regarded Dylan's cheeky grin, his eyes pleading with hers. She'd wanted to sneak out and spend alone time with him since she arrived at Penlan, now the time had come and her head was telling her to stay, yet her heart pounded revealing she should completely trust him. She'd always trusted him, since they were six years old.

“I'll come.” she said.

Dylan leaped off the edge of the bed, Anwen's hand still in his,“Whoa,” she giggled, “if you're not careful, you'll yank my arm out of its socket.”

He leaned forward, his face inches from hers, “Can you ever forgive me, freckles?”

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, his eyes warm and inviting, “Don't I always?”

He raised his eyebrows, smiled and answered, “Always.” He quickly kissed her cheek and said, “Come, we should go.”

With a couple of big strides, Dylan cracked open the bedroom door and peeked both ways, “All clear.”

Anwen hopped off her bed and sauntered over to Dylan. They headed along the dimly lit hallway, down the narrow spiral stairwell and across the deserted cobbled courtyard, to the stables.

“That was easy,” said Anwen, as she rested her elbows on a wooden ledge next to the horse bay, “Where is everyone? I was sure we'd see someone.”

Dylan began saddling his horse. “Most likely in the great hall,” and with one fluid motion, he was sitting on top of his black stallion, “eating, drinking and becoming quite merry, no doubt.”

Reaching his hand out, Anwen gladly accepted it. She placed her dainty poulaine on the gleaming stirrup. She pushed up and he pulled her in front of him. He reached his strong arms around her slim waist, making her catch her breath. His fingers found the reins and with a gentle tap of his heels, they trotted out from the stables, across the drawbridge and over the lush green hills.

Lately, when she thought of Dylan or said even his name, warm feelings stirred deep within, which took her by surprise. Yet now, being that close to him, she felt the rapid rise and fall of his chest against her back. The closeness of his face next to hers, sent warm flutters throughout her whole body. Unsure if she could keep her emotions in check, she asked, “Are we there?”

Dylan loosened the reins a little and raised his hand, “It's over that rise, just below the grove of trees.”

They reached the trees, Dylan dismounted first, then placed his hands either side of Anwen's waist and helped her down. The moment her shoes touched the grass, she took a couple of quick deep breaths, to calm her racing heart, then surveyed her surroundings.

Dylan tethered his horse to a branch, “Stay.” He said, as pattered the horse's neck, then turned to face Anwen, “It's time.”

They zigzagged between the trees towards the other side of the copse, he pointed, “It's through there. Can you see it?”

Even squinting her eyes, she could barely make out what Dylan pointed at, “We're going through a mountainside?”

Dylan glanced at her and chuckled, “Yes, we are.”

“Bu –”

“You'll see, come on.” He smiled.

They stood at the foot of the jagged opening. Anwen smiled, realizing why she couldn't see what was so obvious to Dylan. The narrow opening in the mountainside was conveniently covered with thick, heavy green vines, “Did you put these here?”

He laughed and said, “No.”

“Then, how did you find this place?”

Moving the vines aside, he allowed Anwen to walk through, then himself, “I found it by chance. I was out hunting and Duke was following a scent, then he disappeared,” he said and let the vines fall back into place, “I whistled and he popped his dirty brown nose out among the vines. So, I followed him back through the vines.”

Anwen's eyes took a second to adjust to the darkness of the narrow crevice, she stuck out her arm to the side, feeling the coarse, uneven rock under her delicate hand, “And you haven't told anyone else about this place?” she asked.

Dylan caught hold of her other hand, “No. You're the only one freckles, other than duke.”

“Oh. I um...”

“Spit it out, what are you trying to say.”

“Don't you think I'm too old to be called freckles, anymore?” She asked.

“You'll always be freckles to me.” He felt for her hand and took it in his.

It made Anwen's stomach flip. She shook the warm fuzzy feelings creeping up inside her aside and cautiously walked forward, Dylan followed by her side. They walked about twenty feet, she spotted a faint light ahead and they walked a little quicker eager to reach its end.

As she did, Dylan tapped on her shoulder, “Wait, let me go first.”

She turned to the side and allowed him to squeeze past her. He stopped just outside the end of the crevice, “You ready for this?” he asked.

Focusing her eyes on Dylan, she knew he was ready. However, standing there with him in that moment, she could feel her cheeks flush and her hands began to tremble. Her head told her no, yet her heart told her... Yes. She whispered, “I don't know, if I am.”

Sensing her apprehensiveness, Dylan took both her hands in his and said, “Anwen, don't be afraid. I'll be with you, you have nothing to fear. I promise you, you are going to love this.”

She took a deep breath and squeezed his hands, “Alright, let's do this.”

“Close your eyes.”

She did.

With his guidance, she took a couple of steps forward, “Stop. Open your eyes.” said Dylan.

She stopped and opened her eyes. And what she saw took her breath away. At the bottom of the valley was a large lake with its blue water that looked like tar as it glistened in the moon's glow and nestled along its bank...

Her eye's wide, Anwen turned and looked at Dylan then whispered, “Dragons!”

Copyright 2014 Freckles. All Rights Reserved.

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My Writing -- Worth it?

This is my homework assignment taken from, my Mastering Dialogue Class - which is part of Creative Writing Now Course that I'm currently taking. For this homework we had to write without using subtext 'what' the issue/problem is etc.

If you can't quite get 'what' Peter & Jenny are talking about, the hint is when Peter turns on the radio :) Can you guess what they are talking about?

WORTH IT?

“So, I've arranged for us to go meet with Gill, at 3pm.”

“Oh." Jessy's grip tightened around the broom handle, "Okay, sounds good."

“Do you want to call the sitter and ask her to pick Jack up from school? Peter kicked off his shoes, and set the pile of paperwork on the table.

Jenny rolled her eyes, “Um, sure, I guess so.” She glanced at his dirty shoes laying on her clean floor. Bending down, she swept the pile of crumbs up.

“You guess so? Peter opened the fridge, grabbed a beer, pulled back the tab and took a long swig. “Ah... Just what I needed. You know we don't have all the time in the world to get this sorted out.” He sat down at the table, and spread the paperwork across it.

“Sorry Hun. I've just been so busy with arranging and cleaning the house. I've been at it all day and I'm a little worn out.” She tipped the full dustpan into the trash. “Give me five, then I give the sitter a call.”

“When you have a minute, come take a look at these, we have to take our top three with us, when we meet with Gill.”

Wrapping the telephone cord around her finger, pulling it a little tighter each time, she answered, “Sure Hun.” She hung up the phone, grabbed her glass of water, walked over to the dinner table and sat next to Peter, “SO... What do we have here?” She scanned the numerous printouts, as a sigh escaped her lips.

“This is so exciting, don't you think.” He looked at his wife. Huh, she did look a little tired, maybe she has been working hard lately, he thought. He smiled, “This will change everything for the better, I'd say, don't you agree?” Then he took another long swig of his beer.

She picked up a couple of pictures, scrunched her eyebrows as she scrutinized them,“These look good, don't you think?”

“Nice, but not quite to my liking. We don't have much time before we need to leave.” He shuffled some pictures around, picked up two, “How about these? They look great, don't you think.”

She glanced at the three pictures in his hands, smiled, "Nice." She tilted her head a little, her eyes watched as a squirrel scurried across the grass and ran up the tree.

“How about these two, Jen? They look good, ticks off everything we're looking for, don't you think? Um...  Should we just take the first three or take all five?”

Her fingers picked and twisted at the hem of her shirt, “They look wonderful, let's take all five, we can make the final decision at Gills.” Her eyes fell upon the flower beds and how her careful planning last spring had paid off this summer, as the vibrant pops of color encircled the whole garden's edge.

Peter slipped his shoes back on, grabbed the paperwork, “Okay, grab your things,” he scooped up his keys and cell, “If we don't leave now, we'll get stuck in school traffic.” No answer, he spoke louder,  "Jenny, are you listening?” He quizzed.

Hearing her name, broke her reverie, “Huh, did you say something?” She glanced in Peter's direction.

“Earth to Mrs. Daydream... Go grab your purse and let's head out.” He chuckled.

Peter looked at Jenny, her eyes did seem a little darker, maybe she should get more sleep he thought. “You go get your shoes on, I'll grab your purse and meet you in the truck.”

Jenny stood up off her chair, put the half empty glass in the sink and gave it a quick swill, leaving it to dry on the side. She then ambled her way down the hallway, glancing at the photographs that hung on the wall. Opening the door to the coat closet, she popped her pumps on and headed outside. Just as she stepped onto the front porch, Peter honked the horn.

“I'ma coming, Geez hold your horses!” She hollered, then followed with a quick smile.

“What took you so long? How long does it take to put a pair of shoes on?” He backed the truck out of the driveway and down the street.

Running her hand across the leather dash, she asked, “Will you miss this?”

With a quick glance at her, he answered, “Nope... I can't wait. This will be amazing, I mean, come on Jen, look at the opportunity were having, no-one get this chance every day.” He grabbed her hand, lifted it to his lips and placed a quick kiss upon it. “You've got to agree, this is a once in a lifetime deal, let's just embrace it.”

Her other hand gripped the side of the seat, her fingernails dug into the leather, “Yeah, you're right. We won't get another chance like this, do you think Jack, will like it?”

“For sure. I mean, who wouldn't like it. This is going to be quite the adventure and well worth it.” Peter turned the radio on then started to sing along with the song that played, “London Calling to the faraway towns...”

Peter was clearly enjoying singing along with the song, so, Jenny turned her head, watched the trees whiz by, as fresh tears quietly trickled down her cheeks.

Copyright 2014 Freckles. All Rights Reserved.

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My Writing -- Life Changes

Here is my next piece of writing - again, this is from my creative writing course on Mastering Dialogue

Click HERE to visit the site

Lori, looked over at the couple who sat across from her, holding hands and making googly eyes at each other, she smiled, “When's the big day?”

The young woman turned and smiled, “Tomorrow. You?”

“Four and half months," Lori rolled her eyes. "But I wish my day was tomorrow too.” She chuckled.

“What fun, isn't it. I mean all the preparations and whatnot, then poof, the day is finally here.”

“Yes, it is....” before she could finish, a door opened and out popped a middle aged lady. “Lori, we're ready for you now.”

Standing up, Lori smiled at the smitten couple, “Best of luck.”

“You too.” The couple replied.

Lori followed the well rounded, silver haired woman down the brightly painted hall and was asked to wait in yet another room. Drumming her fingers on the magazine, she thought, where is he? She knew Zack was a little forgetful, but for this? I'm sure he'll be here, he's just running late, she mused.

The door opened and in strode the most drop dead gorgeous guy she'd ever seen, “Good afternoon Lori,” His hand reached out to shake hers. “I'm Dr. Turner. But please, call me Avery, it's less formal.” He smiled.

Lori was dumbstruck for a second and unsure where to look. Zack was handsome, but, Dr. Turner, was breathtaking and he looked like he'd just stepped off a photo shoot. His rich brown hair was styled just right and his piercing blue eyes seemed to look deep into her soul, then was his smile... Oh his smile! She shook his hand quickly and squeaked out, “Nice to meet you, but where's Dr. Epstein?”

“He's away on vacation and I'm filling in for him. Is that okay with you?” He sat down on the swivel stool and moved closer to Lori.

“Sure.” She smiled as her face blushed.

“Well, let's get on with it, is there anyone joining you today?” He squirted rubbing alcohol onto his hands and rubbed it in.

“My husband Zack, but...” she glanced at her watch. “I think he's running late.”

“No worries, we'll get started. I'm sure he'll turn up.”

Lori laid back on the table and rolled up her top and pushed the top of her jeans down. As Dr. Turner squeezed the cold gel onto her tummy and she remarked at how cold it felt. Picking up the transducer, he moved it over her belly and on the screen next to her, appeared her sweet growing baby. The ultrasound went really well and Lori couldn't be more happier. So, on her way home, she'd decided to stop at the mall to pick up a cute pink outfit for the baby girl.

On her way back to her car, Lori spotted Zack, standing by his car. Just as she was about to call out, a woman walked up to him, leaned against his body, her hands grasped at his hair... Then they kissed! Lori's eyes widened unable to comprehend the scene playing out before her. She felt sick to her stomach as a mountain of questions swirled around in her head. She steadied herself against the wall and waited until Zack and his girl were out of sight. Albeit shakily, Lori made it back to her car, but the drive home was a blur.

“Hey Lor, I'm home.” called out Zack. He stepped into the living room, dressed in his stone washed designer jeans and Ralf Lauren T-shirt and in his hands he was holding a mixed bouquet of flowers. “Hey babe, these are for you.”

She took the flowers, looked at them and sighed, thinking to herself, he can't even buy me flowers, that I actually like. “Where were you today, Zack?” she asked.

“I had a meeting, why?”

“You forgot!”

“Um... Was there something important, I should have remembered? A birthday or something?” He plonked himself down on the sofa and picked up the TV remote.

Lori couldn't believe his 'matter of fact' behavior, “You missed the Ultrasound!” her voice quivered.

His eye scanned the TV screen, “Oh yeah. That was today, my bad.”

Lori's heart beat faster, her hands felt clammy, “You're bad... YOUR BAD! You knew we had that appointment today, I reminded you before you left for work this morning.”

Zack seemed unfazed, he'd finished scanning the TV channels and stopped on the sports channel, “Sorry, babe. You know me and my memory.” He rolled his eyes and pulled a stupid face.

“Your memory, suits you fine when it's got anything to do with you. It's everything and everyone else, you tend to forget. But lately you have been worse and on this matter... I beg to differ.”

He scrunched his eyebrows and pulled a face, “Huh? What are you on about?”

“You know full well what I'm on about!” Her rage bubbled up inside of her. She stood and said,  “You are a liar.”

“What are you on about Lor?”

“Don't Lor' me. I hate when you call me that. My name is Lori. I said... You are a Liar! You didn't have a meeting today. I saw you.”

“I did have a meeting, it ran long.” He shuffled nervously on the sofa and tiny beads of sweat began to form on his brow.

Lori, paced back and forth, “That meeting of yours, did it have long blonde hair, big boobs and wears a size 0 by any chance?” her impatience barley in check.

Panic washed over Zack. She'd seen him! Now he was in trouble. He racked his brain to think of something to say and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “Oh her. Gosh, she's just one of the temps they hired, she missed her bus so I offered to give her a ride home.”

“Liar!” Lori yelled her fists balled at her sides, her face flushed and her belly felt like a rock. She knew feeling like this wasn't good for the baby. Dr. Turner, had told her that her blood pressure was a little high and for her not to get too stressful. She picked up the flowers and threw them at him.

“What did you do that for?”

“You deserve it, And you're blatantly lying to my face? I SAW you, kissing her and I can smell her sickly perfume all over you.”

He picked at his fingernails, “Ah. It was nothing.”

“It didn't look like nothing. How long has this been going on for?”

Zack stood and stepped closer to Lori, his hand outstretched, “Come on babe, please.”

“Don't come near me, you make me feel sick.” She rubbed her tummy, a wave of nausea washed over her. Holding the arm of the chair, she sat back down, her hands shook as she drank a sip of water.

He'd been caught, but as far as she knew it was just that one kiss, so he played it down, “Okay, okay, I admit it. She kissed me, I kissed her. It happens, babe.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and gave a sly grin.

“STOP CALLING ME BABE!' Her face reddened more, and shaking her fists at him said, "It was more than that, how long has this been going on for?”

“A few months.”

“How many?” The realization was beginning to set in, that her husband was a scum bag.

“Since before you got pregnant, I guess. Look, I didn't mean for you to find out this way.”

“And what way, would you have me find out? You jerk.”

She was about to stand up, but Zack motioned for her to stay sitting. He'd had hoped he could buy some time, but looking at Lori now, he'd had enough and in a way he was glad she'd found out. He'd gotten tired of, thinking of ways to get out of doctors appointments, and dinners with her family. It was about time she knew the whole truth, "We'll since all that is out in the open, I may as well tell you everything. "He cleared his throat and said, “I'm leaving you."

A puzzled look crossed her face, "You're leaving me? What? Why?"

"I've never loved you Lori, you were an option that seemed good at the time.”

“An option? What the hell does that mean?” She glared at him.

Zack ignored her stares and walked over to the mini bar, poured himself a large glass of whiskey and answered, “Money. You had money and lots of it and I was in debt. So I married you. " He took a sip from his glass. But gosh Lori, you're such a bore and a miss goody two-shoes, plus your not that good in the sack. So I had no choice... I slept with other girls,” He chuckled. "They were very good distractions too.” And taking a long sip of the whiskey, he licked his lips, pointed his glass at her and with an air of contempt said, “But you had to go and ruin everything. You got pregnant! I told you I never wanted a baby, let alone become a father. What were you thinking?” He turned his back on Lori. “Anyway, don't expect anything from me. I will sign away any right to that kid. So this is what I'm thinking,” he tipped his glass back, allowing the last drop of whiskey to fall into his mouth. “Oh, and I'll keep all the money I already have accumulated, as well as a substantial payment for signing my rights away, then I'll call it good.” He poured another glass of whiskey and downed it one whole swig.

Lori couldn't quite believe what he'd just told her. How didn't she see his lies? Her mind swam with thoughts of disbelief, disgust, anger, hurt and that he'd only married her for her money. She felt ashamed. Ashamed, dirty and he'd slept with other women too! A shiver ran up her spine, as she realized she never really knew the man she thought she loved. Tiny things slowly started to fall into place now, details she'd overlooked before, now hit her full on and he'd  not only charmed her, beguiled her and used her. And after what she heard from his lying lips and she'd do anything to get rid of the vile man that stood before her. Even if that meant paying him off.

Lori kept her gaze on the little pink boutique bag, that sat on the floor next to her feet, she mumbled, “I'll have my lawyer draw up the paperwork.”

“Great. If you don't mind, I'll stay here until the papers are drawn up.”

Lori stood, her jaw clenched, “YOUR LEAVING NOW!” She wagged her finger at him, and don't ever come back.”

Zack stepped back, his hands in the air, “Okay, okay. No need to get all worked up.” He sauntered past her towards the hallway. He picked up the keys to the car and yelled back, “Oh, by the way, I'm taking the Porsche.”

Her whole body trembled from head to toe. She sank back into the rocking chair, her head ached from the whole ordeal. She gently stroked her belly and whimpered, “It's just you and me now.” Then she buried her head in her hands, and sobbed.

Copyright 2014 Freckles. All Rights Reserved.

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