Fading - An original short story

Hey chicas! We love how honest this original short story written by a GL reader about drifting apart from your best friend is. Check it out and tell us what you think in the comments!

 

“Fading” by Adrianna C.

 

I stare at the name.  I want to open a chat.  There is not one thing I want to do more.  I put it off for a while, doing homework and all that.  Finally, I have to.  I can sense the conversation before it happens; opening with a cheerful “hello” on my end and a halfhearted “hi” on yours.  It’s my turn now, so I ask how you are.  You say “fine”, and I know you aren’t but that’s the polite thing to say.  Then you ask me, so I say the same thing.  We are polite, but the gap between us is evident. 

 

Now it’s your turn so you ask about school.  A one word answer, “good”, is all I say.  It’s a lie, but it’s easier.  Then to be nice, I ask you, and you say fine, but I know you’re worried about so many things.  Next I ask about your school play.  I know it was a couple days ago, but I couldn’t go see it.  Would you have cared if I had?  The same answer always applies, and a “fine” is all I get from your end. 

 

Since it really is your turn now, you tell me that your auditions for the next play are tomorrow.  I say “good luck”, and you say “thanks”.  It’s like a little battle, who’s going to break first?  I know how it ends.  It’s how it always ends.  Another unoriginal excuse to leave, and another wall built between us.  I know it’s not true and you know I know it’s not true, but the silence can get so loud.  I don’t want to face it for another second.  We’re miles away, but the miles are slowly being filled with brick. 

 

It shouldn’t have to be this hard.  I shouldn’t have to fight everyday to love you.  Our conversations do not have to be filled with awkward silence and polite small talk.  You are my best friend.  We shouldn’t be lying or hiding.  You were the one who knew who I was crushing on before I did.  You gave me makeovers daily, but told me I was pretty without them. 

 

We shouldn’t have to work this hard.  It should be like before when the door was always open and you always wanted to see me.  It should be like before when I wanted to tell you all my good news and bad news.  It should be like before.  But it’s not.  So I’m going to pretend.  I’m going to pretend that maybe next time when I open the chat, it will be different.  I’ll tell you my secrets and you’ll tell me yours.  We’ll give each other hope.  We’ll make each other laugh.  I’m going to pretend that you’re not fading away and I’m not letting it happen.

Want to showcase your work? Whether you like to dabble in creative writing, swoosh some strokes on a canvas or snap pics, send us your poems, short stories and artwork to youwroteit@girlslife.com OR just click “Submit Your Own” below.

 

Plus! Love to sing, dance, act or play an instrument? Shoot over a video of your star-worthy performances! It could be featured right here!

POSTED IN , ,

by GL reader | 2/1/2016
share