beag_amhain
April 27th, 2011, 05:44 AM
we were given the title ''What a strange meeting''in English class and told to write a short story based on it. my teacher gave me 73%, jus wonderin what you guys think =]
What a strange meeting.
‘Ok Nikki, last time I’m saying this, wear the white dress with black pixie’s and your hair down with smoky eyes and pink lippie, if you’re not ready in 20 minutes I’m going without you’, I half screamed in exasperation. Easy for her too say. She’s not the one being set up with a complete stranger! That was by the way was the third message of the day from my bestest friend in the world, Ali. She and I have been like sisters since she moved in next door to me when I was four. She’s a year older than me but it never seemed to make a difference. Right now we were getting ready to go out to meet up with my boss, who strangely enough is also one of my closest friends. Her name is Sarah and was the first person I met when I walked into my new job as 3rd class teacher in St. Marys National School. She showed me were to go and what students too look out for. I know it’s her job to do that and everything, but I still thought it was really kind of her.
So back to the present. I’m half way under my bed looking for them ‘pixie boots’ while trying to dry my hair at the same time. Did you ever get into one of them situations when you can only find one of everything? Of course it had to happen to me this night. I could only find one boot, one stocking and one earring. I was just about to give up when my door opened and my fairy god mother walked in out of the lashings of rain that was Ireland. Ali found my other shoe in no time and while I got into my dress and finished my hair she did my make-up exactly as she had described and found my stockings. I had them on in seconds and within forty minutes we were in the taxi on the way to ‘P3’. It was a club that had recently just opened and everyone who was anyone apparently was to be seen there on a Saturday night. So of course Sarah suggested we all meet up there.
When we were just about there I took out my phone and texted Sarah telling her too meet us outside. When we pulled up there she was in all her glory, long blonde hair, tight black dress showing off her impeccable body. She came straight over to us and linked us and the three of us walked up the steps and straight past the bouncers and the que with a slight nod of Sarah’s head. I had stopped asking her how she managed this a long time ago and now just accepted it with a laugh. When we got inside Sarah led us straight over to the bar. ‘So is he here yet Sarah?’ I asked, ‘Nope not yet Nikki, trust me you’ll know when he is every young one in here’s eye’s will be on him’ she replied with a laugh, then to the bar men, ‘Three blue WKD’s there love.’ When we got our drinks we moved over to a table to sit and wait.
After about ten minutes Sarah’s phone buzzed. She read the text then turned to us, winked and said ‘Don’t ye two go anywhere I’ll be back n a sec’, and with that she turned on her heal and disappeared into the crowd. Ali was about to stand up to see where she was going but I pulled her back down and practically screamed over the music ‘Look behind me and tell me when they’re coming, Ali do I look ok? Do I need more lippie or anything? Jesus Christ I haven’t even met him yet n I’m flippin out!’ Ali gave me a once over, moved my hair around a bit, pinched my cheeks then said in typical Ali fashion, ‘Your not me but I suppose you may do’ then stuck out her tongue n nodded ‘Here they come.’
I looked behind my shoulder and smiled. There was two of them. The one walking in front of Sarah I could see perfectly and let me tell you I was loving what I was seeing. He was taller than Sarah (even though she was in like four inch heels!), he had short spiked up hair and was wearing tightish fitting jeans, black shoes, short black coat and a deep purple shirt. Then Sarah stepped to the side and I swear I felt like I was about to have a heart attack!
My face dropped but I managed to recover myself quickly. Ali stood up and half dragged me up with her. Sarah came over to the table with a big smile on her face and said ‘Will Nikki what do you think? His name is...’ ‘Anthony Coleman’ I butted in ‘and the other one is Jack Coleman, there brothers and Jack is gay. I haven’t spoken to him since I was fifteen...’ now I turned to Ali, ‘do you remember him?’ She replied with a nod of her head and burst out laughing. Sarah looked at us blankly. Ali explained by pointing at me ‘This lovely girl here was Jacks last known girlfriend before he made the BIG switch’ and then proceeded to fall around laughing. I personally didn’t find it at all funny but I could see that Sarah looked like she wanted to laugh but also kind of shocked. I thumped Ali n said ‘shut up, here they come!’
Sarah stood up and said while pointing at us as she said our name ‘Nikki, Anthony, Jack, Ali.' Jack looked at me and I could see his mouth drop to the floor for just a second while at the same time his brother shook my hand kissed me on the cheek and proceeded to sit beside me. I stood up too quickly and almost fell on top of him but made my way out saying I needed to use the bath room, I knew Jack was following me. I walked straight past the toilets and out into the smoking area.
I stopped and turned to face him. He looked me up and down and I mirrored him. He finally broke the silence and said ‘This is weird but I have to admit ye look geoorrggoouuss!’ I smiled n said ‘God it’s been years! How do you know Sarah?’ He smiled and said ‘She worked in mam’s shop when she was a student and we just became friends, you?’ I smiled and said ‘She’s my boss’ ‘Come on’ he said ‘Anto might think I’m trying to steal ye away, I wonder if he realises who ye are yet?’ I just shrugged and kept thinking WHY ME???????????????
When we got to the table Sarah and Ali had disappeared and Anthony was sitting there minding their handbags looking bored. ‘They got tired of waiting for yez so said they were going to dance..’ ‘Il go join them’ said Jack and darted off. I sat down beside Anthony and smiled. He said ‘So you know my brother?’ I nodded and said ‘ugh yeah...we went out, don’t you remember me?’ His eyes widened in recognition and he said ‘Your not blonde anymore?’ I laughed and said ‘Nope, been gone for about five years now, think black suits me better’ He smiled a little cheeky boy smile and said ‘Yes, I have to agree.’ After that the rest of the night went by smoothly.
At the end of the night we all shared a taxi. Anthony and I talked for most of the night and at the end of it he asked me for my number. I smiled and gave it to him and then helped Ali out of the taxi. When we got up to my apartment I put Ali into bed and got into my pyjamas. I heard my phone go and said ‘Who the hell is ringing me at three am?’ I searched through my bag until I found it and answered it and whispered rather annoyed ‘Hello?’ ‘Just checking you gave me your real number’ came a voice from the other end. I smiled to myself and said ‘Why wouldn’t I have?...’ then before he had time to answer I said ‘well I’m gonna make a cup of tea and go to bed, night’ I heard the word ‘Night’ being said as I hung up. I made my cup of tea and climbed into bed smiling. I drank my tea and fell asleep.
I woke up the next morning, well technically afternoon, to the sound of Ali’s extremely loud snoring. How I manage to sleep through it I have no idea. I turned onto my side and searched for my phone with my hand on the bedside table. When I finally found it and willed myself to open my eyes I was alarmed to see I had six missed calls! All were from Sarah, each attached with a voicemail informing me to wake up and ring her back this instant. I lay there for a while then decided I should wake Ali, she would want to be part of this conversation. Did I mention that along with her extremely loud snoring she is also one of the happiest people in the morning that you’ll ever meet? Eh, NOT. She is like a little grouchy troll! But I explained why I had woke her and she nodded her head and informed me to ‘Ring Sarah now cuz then I can go back asleep quicker!’
‘Ring, ring, ring...Finally! Tell me everything right now Nikki and don’t even think of leaving a single detail out!’ I sighed and said ‘We talked about the past, ‘bout how we’ve changed, ‘bout what we’re doing now...just stuff like that.’ Ali nodded her head in agreement and gave me that look that said ‘Don’t even think ‘bout telling me that B.S missy!’ I sighed as Sarah started out asking me questions about how he looked at me when he asked me this, this and this? Did he put his arm round me? How did he talk, like flirty or business or as she called it ‘catchy uppy’? Had he called me yet? When was I seeing him again? (Even though I said he had not called yet she still asked me this!?). After about twenty minutes of this my stomach rumbled loudly and my phone beeped telling me I got a text so I made my excuses, told Sarah I would see her tomorrow and hung up.
Food and tea was needed. Ali threw on clothes and ran down to the shop while I had a quick shower. When I got out she still wasn’t back so I looked at the text I got. It was from Anthony, it said ’Hey :), its Anto, jus wonderin if you maybe wanna meet up l8r..??.. xxxx’ I smiled and text back ‘Sure :) when and wer? :) xxxxx’ Almost immediately I got a reply ‘Stephens Green, 5pm..??.. :) xxxx’ I looked at the clock, it was already half one. But I still texted back, ‘Sure, c u at shopn centre at 5 :) xxxxx’ I heard Ali opening the door and threw my phone across the bed and started brushing my hair.
She came in and announced I was too make scrambled egg and that she had also got croissants. I threw on jeans, a t-shirt, my black hoodie and my purple converse and stared making the breakfast while Ali had a shower.
We ate our breakfast while talking about the previous night. We still could not get over meeting Jack again and I told her about meeting Anthony later. This seemed to speed her up and suddenly she was in a rush to get home. But as she began putting on her coat there was a knock on the door. I went over and opened it and got a surprise when I saw Jack standing there holding two cups of something and looking nervous.
Ali went and Jack came in. ‘Eh, sorry for just eh turning up like this but eh I think we need to talk? I um brought coffee for myself and tea for you, you still eh drink tea don’t ye?’ I looked at him and said ‘Yeah I do Jack, what’s wrong?’ He sat down and looked like he was trying to find the words to answer, eventually he said ‘It's just strange seeing you again after so many years and listening to my brother going on about you. Your meeting up with him later aren’t you?’ ‘Yes I am’ I said ‘Jack...what happened between us was like over ten years ago, and to be totally honest I’m well over it and you should be too.’ He laughed at this and looked at me ‘Nikki, trust me I am well over you, it’s just weird well weird, your after my brother, and I can see he really likes you but I just hope for yours and his sake’s you’ve changed from what you used to be’ Now that hurt! ‘Jack, I have definitely changed from how I used to be, as I’ve said it has been over ten years, I am now a primary school teacher, I have my own place and I do not appreciate it when people have the nerve to come into my house and insult me, now please leave as I am going out to meet up with a friend and need to get ready.’
He got up, put on his coat and as he was leaving said to me, ‘I am sorry for insulting you, I can see you have changed, look after my brother, he doesn’t know it yet but myself and my boyfriend are moving to Brighton, it’ll be easier to start a life there for us and he’s already been offered a job in the college as a lecturer.’ I smiled, said good bye and gave him a kiss on the cheek and wished him luck.
At half four I walked down to the bus stop and got the bus to Trinity. From there it was about a fifteen minute walk to Stephens Green. He spotted me immediately. We went and got a coffee in this little cafe I never knew existed and just sat there talking. He gave me a lift home and we agreed to meet up the following Friday night.
He then went home and I felt like a teenager again because we spent most of the night texting. It was really cute and sweet. The next morning when I woke up I realised I had slept through my alarm. I had to literally leg it to the bus and just caught it. Sarah was at the school gates waiting for me. Every chance she got through that week she was asking me about Anto (notice how I stopped calling him ‘Anthony’ he informed me that only his mam calls him that now). We went out that weekend and the weekend after that and the following weekend also. Basically every weekend for the next 18 months and still going strong.
Jack moved too England with ‘Eoin’ 15 months ago and moved back. He was too home sick and according to him the accent annoyed him too much.
Ali and I where as close as ever and she started getting very close to one of Anto’s friends. All seems to be going well there.
Now all that leaves is Sarah. She is still principal, my boss and one of my closest friends. She is still single and prefers it that way. She just has yet to find a man who can keep up with her.
But who ever knew that being set up with an old ex’s brother would turn out so well? A strange meeting can really turn into something good.
What a strange meeting.
‘Ok Nikki, last time I’m saying this, wear the white dress with black pixie’s and your hair down with smoky eyes and pink lippie, if you’re not ready in 20 minutes I’m going without you’, I half screamed in exasperation. Easy for her too say. She’s not the one being set up with a complete stranger! That was by the way was the third message of the day from my bestest friend in the world, Ali. She and I have been like sisters since she moved in next door to me when I was four. She’s a year older than me but it never seemed to make a difference. Right now we were getting ready to go out to meet up with my boss, who strangely enough is also one of my closest friends. Her name is Sarah and was the first person I met when I walked into my new job as 3rd class teacher in St. Marys National School. She showed me were to go and what students too look out for. I know it’s her job to do that and everything, but I still thought it was really kind of her.
So back to the present. I’m half way under my bed looking for them ‘pixie boots’ while trying to dry my hair at the same time. Did you ever get into one of them situations when you can only find one of everything? Of course it had to happen to me this night. I could only find one boot, one stocking and one earring. I was just about to give up when my door opened and my fairy god mother walked in out of the lashings of rain that was Ireland. Ali found my other shoe in no time and while I got into my dress and finished my hair she did my make-up exactly as she had described and found my stockings. I had them on in seconds and within forty minutes we were in the taxi on the way to ‘P3’. It was a club that had recently just opened and everyone who was anyone apparently was to be seen there on a Saturday night. So of course Sarah suggested we all meet up there.
When we were just about there I took out my phone and texted Sarah telling her too meet us outside. When we pulled up there she was in all her glory, long blonde hair, tight black dress showing off her impeccable body. She came straight over to us and linked us and the three of us walked up the steps and straight past the bouncers and the que with a slight nod of Sarah’s head. I had stopped asking her how she managed this a long time ago and now just accepted it with a laugh. When we got inside Sarah led us straight over to the bar. ‘So is he here yet Sarah?’ I asked, ‘Nope not yet Nikki, trust me you’ll know when he is every young one in here’s eye’s will be on him’ she replied with a laugh, then to the bar men, ‘Three blue WKD’s there love.’ When we got our drinks we moved over to a table to sit and wait.
After about ten minutes Sarah’s phone buzzed. She read the text then turned to us, winked and said ‘Don’t ye two go anywhere I’ll be back n a sec’, and with that she turned on her heal and disappeared into the crowd. Ali was about to stand up to see where she was going but I pulled her back down and practically screamed over the music ‘Look behind me and tell me when they’re coming, Ali do I look ok? Do I need more lippie or anything? Jesus Christ I haven’t even met him yet n I’m flippin out!’ Ali gave me a once over, moved my hair around a bit, pinched my cheeks then said in typical Ali fashion, ‘Your not me but I suppose you may do’ then stuck out her tongue n nodded ‘Here they come.’
I looked behind my shoulder and smiled. There was two of them. The one walking in front of Sarah I could see perfectly and let me tell you I was loving what I was seeing. He was taller than Sarah (even though she was in like four inch heels!), he had short spiked up hair and was wearing tightish fitting jeans, black shoes, short black coat and a deep purple shirt. Then Sarah stepped to the side and I swear I felt like I was about to have a heart attack!
My face dropped but I managed to recover myself quickly. Ali stood up and half dragged me up with her. Sarah came over to the table with a big smile on her face and said ‘Will Nikki what do you think? His name is...’ ‘Anthony Coleman’ I butted in ‘and the other one is Jack Coleman, there brothers and Jack is gay. I haven’t spoken to him since I was fifteen...’ now I turned to Ali, ‘do you remember him?’ She replied with a nod of her head and burst out laughing. Sarah looked at us blankly. Ali explained by pointing at me ‘This lovely girl here was Jacks last known girlfriend before he made the BIG switch’ and then proceeded to fall around laughing. I personally didn’t find it at all funny but I could see that Sarah looked like she wanted to laugh but also kind of shocked. I thumped Ali n said ‘shut up, here they come!’
Sarah stood up and said while pointing at us as she said our name ‘Nikki, Anthony, Jack, Ali.' Jack looked at me and I could see his mouth drop to the floor for just a second while at the same time his brother shook my hand kissed me on the cheek and proceeded to sit beside me. I stood up too quickly and almost fell on top of him but made my way out saying I needed to use the bath room, I knew Jack was following me. I walked straight past the toilets and out into the smoking area.
I stopped and turned to face him. He looked me up and down and I mirrored him. He finally broke the silence and said ‘This is weird but I have to admit ye look geoorrggoouuss!’ I smiled n said ‘God it’s been years! How do you know Sarah?’ He smiled and said ‘She worked in mam’s shop when she was a student and we just became friends, you?’ I smiled and said ‘She’s my boss’ ‘Come on’ he said ‘Anto might think I’m trying to steal ye away, I wonder if he realises who ye are yet?’ I just shrugged and kept thinking WHY ME???????????????
When we got to the table Sarah and Ali had disappeared and Anthony was sitting there minding their handbags looking bored. ‘They got tired of waiting for yez so said they were going to dance..’ ‘Il go join them’ said Jack and darted off. I sat down beside Anthony and smiled. He said ‘So you know my brother?’ I nodded and said ‘ugh yeah...we went out, don’t you remember me?’ His eyes widened in recognition and he said ‘Your not blonde anymore?’ I laughed and said ‘Nope, been gone for about five years now, think black suits me better’ He smiled a little cheeky boy smile and said ‘Yes, I have to agree.’ After that the rest of the night went by smoothly.
At the end of the night we all shared a taxi. Anthony and I talked for most of the night and at the end of it he asked me for my number. I smiled and gave it to him and then helped Ali out of the taxi. When we got up to my apartment I put Ali into bed and got into my pyjamas. I heard my phone go and said ‘Who the hell is ringing me at three am?’ I searched through my bag until I found it and answered it and whispered rather annoyed ‘Hello?’ ‘Just checking you gave me your real number’ came a voice from the other end. I smiled to myself and said ‘Why wouldn’t I have?...’ then before he had time to answer I said ‘well I’m gonna make a cup of tea and go to bed, night’ I heard the word ‘Night’ being said as I hung up. I made my cup of tea and climbed into bed smiling. I drank my tea and fell asleep.
I woke up the next morning, well technically afternoon, to the sound of Ali’s extremely loud snoring. How I manage to sleep through it I have no idea. I turned onto my side and searched for my phone with my hand on the bedside table. When I finally found it and willed myself to open my eyes I was alarmed to see I had six missed calls! All were from Sarah, each attached with a voicemail informing me to wake up and ring her back this instant. I lay there for a while then decided I should wake Ali, she would want to be part of this conversation. Did I mention that along with her extremely loud snoring she is also one of the happiest people in the morning that you’ll ever meet? Eh, NOT. She is like a little grouchy troll! But I explained why I had woke her and she nodded her head and informed me to ‘Ring Sarah now cuz then I can go back asleep quicker!’
‘Ring, ring, ring...Finally! Tell me everything right now Nikki and don’t even think of leaving a single detail out!’ I sighed and said ‘We talked about the past, ‘bout how we’ve changed, ‘bout what we’re doing now...just stuff like that.’ Ali nodded her head in agreement and gave me that look that said ‘Don’t even think ‘bout telling me that B.S missy!’ I sighed as Sarah started out asking me questions about how he looked at me when he asked me this, this and this? Did he put his arm round me? How did he talk, like flirty or business or as she called it ‘catchy uppy’? Had he called me yet? When was I seeing him again? (Even though I said he had not called yet she still asked me this!?). After about twenty minutes of this my stomach rumbled loudly and my phone beeped telling me I got a text so I made my excuses, told Sarah I would see her tomorrow and hung up.
Food and tea was needed. Ali threw on clothes and ran down to the shop while I had a quick shower. When I got out she still wasn’t back so I looked at the text I got. It was from Anthony, it said ’Hey :), its Anto, jus wonderin if you maybe wanna meet up l8r..??.. xxxx’ I smiled and text back ‘Sure :) when and wer? :) xxxxx’ Almost immediately I got a reply ‘Stephens Green, 5pm..??.. :) xxxx’ I looked at the clock, it was already half one. But I still texted back, ‘Sure, c u at shopn centre at 5 :) xxxxx’ I heard Ali opening the door and threw my phone across the bed and started brushing my hair.
She came in and announced I was too make scrambled egg and that she had also got croissants. I threw on jeans, a t-shirt, my black hoodie and my purple converse and stared making the breakfast while Ali had a shower.
We ate our breakfast while talking about the previous night. We still could not get over meeting Jack again and I told her about meeting Anthony later. This seemed to speed her up and suddenly she was in a rush to get home. But as she began putting on her coat there was a knock on the door. I went over and opened it and got a surprise when I saw Jack standing there holding two cups of something and looking nervous.
Ali went and Jack came in. ‘Eh, sorry for just eh turning up like this but eh I think we need to talk? I um brought coffee for myself and tea for you, you still eh drink tea don’t ye?’ I looked at him and said ‘Yeah I do Jack, what’s wrong?’ He sat down and looked like he was trying to find the words to answer, eventually he said ‘It's just strange seeing you again after so many years and listening to my brother going on about you. Your meeting up with him later aren’t you?’ ‘Yes I am’ I said ‘Jack...what happened between us was like over ten years ago, and to be totally honest I’m well over it and you should be too.’ He laughed at this and looked at me ‘Nikki, trust me I am well over you, it’s just weird well weird, your after my brother, and I can see he really likes you but I just hope for yours and his sake’s you’ve changed from what you used to be’ Now that hurt! ‘Jack, I have definitely changed from how I used to be, as I’ve said it has been over ten years, I am now a primary school teacher, I have my own place and I do not appreciate it when people have the nerve to come into my house and insult me, now please leave as I am going out to meet up with a friend and need to get ready.’
He got up, put on his coat and as he was leaving said to me, ‘I am sorry for insulting you, I can see you have changed, look after my brother, he doesn’t know it yet but myself and my boyfriend are moving to Brighton, it’ll be easier to start a life there for us and he’s already been offered a job in the college as a lecturer.’ I smiled, said good bye and gave him a kiss on the cheek and wished him luck.
At half four I walked down to the bus stop and got the bus to Trinity. From there it was about a fifteen minute walk to Stephens Green. He spotted me immediately. We went and got a coffee in this little cafe I never knew existed and just sat there talking. He gave me a lift home and we agreed to meet up the following Friday night.
He then went home and I felt like a teenager again because we spent most of the night texting. It was really cute and sweet. The next morning when I woke up I realised I had slept through my alarm. I had to literally leg it to the bus and just caught it. Sarah was at the school gates waiting for me. Every chance she got through that week she was asking me about Anto (notice how I stopped calling him ‘Anthony’ he informed me that only his mam calls him that now). We went out that weekend and the weekend after that and the following weekend also. Basically every weekend for the next 18 months and still going strong.
Jack moved too England with ‘Eoin’ 15 months ago and moved back. He was too home sick and according to him the accent annoyed him too much.
Ali and I where as close as ever and she started getting very close to one of Anto’s friends. All seems to be going well there.
Now all that leaves is Sarah. She is still principal, my boss and one of my closest friends. She is still single and prefers it that way. She just has yet to find a man who can keep up with her.
But who ever knew that being set up with an old ex’s brother would turn out so well? A strange meeting can really turn into something good.