Awhile ago I had a dream that I tried to turn into a short story. I started off with a bang, writing a few scenes that I really liked, but I encountered writer’s block when I tried to piece them together into an actual story (I quickly discovered that I’m not so great with dialogue). after a few months of struggling with it, I decided to switch gears and convert it into a fanfiction story instead. I figured blending the characters with ones I already knew would put the fun back into the project. I was right, and I did end up finishing the story, but I was never really satisfied with it. someday I would like to go back to the original idea and try to piece it together in a better way. for now, I’m just going to post a few of my favorite scenes here. to keep them safe, for when I will inevitably end up getting so frustrated with it that I’ll decide to toss the whole thing out (which I do, often.)
Some background:
the story is about 4 colleagues: Felix, a stuffy Englishman who works at a museum in London, while also dabbling in shady artifact deals on the side. his friend and partner, Edward, who was forced to spend too much of his time babysitting Felix’s club-hopping wife, Tanya (with whom he had once had an illicit affair). the main character of the story is Bella, a sweet but lonely American who befriends the 3 Brits while working as Felix’s assistant. Edward has been fighting his romantic interest in Bella in order to keep her safe, but Tanya’s jealousy puts her in the path of danger when one of Felix’s business deals goes horribly wrong.
so here we go…
AIRPORT WINDOW
Bella leaned her forehead against the cool, clear windowpane. She could feel the vibrations from the airplane engines rattling her teeth. The feeling felt good, real; so unlike the past few hours.
The sounds from the noisy airport would swallow her soon if she didn’t acknowledge them. She turned at the sound of a beeping maintenance vehicle, and took in her surroundings.
Travelers in business suits hurriedly talking on cell-phones as they fought with their wheeled luggage, young disheveled adults in their oversized university sweatshirts dozing across several uncomfortable airport chairs, the warm salty smell of soft pretzels mixed with the astringent cleaner used to clean the windows; all so ordinary and expected.
Bella was having a hard time placing herself in reality. Suddenly she felt an overwhelming urge to crawl under the bench she was sitting on and never come out again.
Edward sipped the last of his acidic lemonade through a straw and moved to throw it into the garbage pail. As he passed by Bella on the way back to his seat, he saw the glimmer of tears on her eyelashes; one suddenly let loose and slid down her cheek. Before she could catch it, Edward’s thumb was swiping the tear away.
His hands felt so warm and solid on her cheekbones. Bella was afraid to open her eyes and look into his face. What would she find there?
“Bella,” he whispered.
Her breath caught in her throat, but she refused to open her eyes. Edward was sitting on the bench facing Bella. She leaned forward as his arms gathered her to his chest. Edward gently kissed the top of her head.
“You’re not alone in this. I’m here.”
Bella leaned back and looked at him. She wanted to believe that he was there for her, but the fear told her that he was only part of the group. If Felix and Tanya went their own way, who would Edward follow? He saw the doubt creep into her eyes.
“You don’t believe me.”
Bella turned away.
He grabbed her wrist forcefully to get her attention. She sighed and tried to explain.
“I’m sorry Edward. My mind is just spinning with everything that has happened. I just keep thinking that I’m the one who’s at the heart of this mess. The rest of you will soon be forgotten and I’ll be left to suffer for James and his father’s vengeance.”
Edward slipped his fingers into hers and squeezed tightly, willing her to understand.
“We’re all a part of this, Bella. We agreed that there was safety in numbers, remember?”
“I remember you making the decision that we should travel as a group and forcing Felix to comply, Edward. Tanya will never follow through with this; she and I aren’t exactly best mates.”
Bella pulled her hand from Edward’s as she turned to look out the large window they were sitting in front of. Her voice sounded very vulnerable when she whispered, “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Edward tried to fight the anger in his voice as he exclaimed, “You’re making no sense, Bella! I was there too. I thought we’d worked through all this rubbish.” His words softened when she turned back to face him and he realized how desperately she craved his assurance. “I will not let you face this alone.”
Getting Caught Up In The Mechanism 