F is for Flood

I'm doing flash fiction for this year's A to Z challenge, hope you enjoy!


Flood



Oh god, she’s crying. What are you supposed to do when a girl cries? Oh, right, comfort her.
“Um…are you OK?”
She looked up at me, tears streaming in a great flood down her face, black from her make up.
“Um, I guess not.”
She sniffed, and started making those horrible noises people make when they cry. Oh god, what do I do? I tentatively put my arms around her, tensed in case she hit me or something, but apparently this is the right thing to do; she leans into me, still sobbing, and buries her face in my shoulder. All I can think about are the black stains that are no doubt going to be all over my shirt.
OK, hug received. What next? I wonder how long it will take before she’s cried herself out.
It’s a bit awkward, just stood here with my arms around her while she sobs her heart out. Am I supposed to be doing something else? I pat her back a few times, but it feels weird so I stop.
Maybe I should apologise? I mean, it’s not like I’m the one who made her cry, but it couldn’t hurt, right?
“I’m sorry,” I say.
Now she’s laughing! What?
“What for?” She wipes her tears away, smiling. “Thanks.”
She walks away, leaving me standing here, baffled.
I look down at my shirt; black marks everywhere.

Comments

  1. i b arora7 April 2015 at 10:56

    you do leave the reader a bit baffled, no? but i like the writing

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dani7 April 2015 at 12:42

    That girl seems like she may need some meds... or a padded room. Or maybe chocolate?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown7 April 2015 at 12:57

    I agree with Dani--he should have offered her chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tasha Duncan-Drake7 April 2015 at 12:57

    Awww, that was sweet - poor person being so confused like that. At least non-waterproof mascara should come out, right? ;)
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sophie Duncan7 April 2015 at 13:07

    THat is such a cute story :) Trying so hard to do what is right, but being totally clueless and so nervous - lovely!
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
    FB3X
    Wittegen Press

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chrys Fey7 April 2015 at 14:55

    Aw! At least he comforted her even though he felt uncomfortable. On my blog, I'm talking about a different kind of flood. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jackie7 April 2015 at 15:49

    What a great guy!!! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Susan Gourley/Kelley7 April 2015 at 16:18

    I bet so many guys feel exactly the same way. It doesn't seem to come naturally to them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Keith's Ramblings7 April 2015 at 16:35

    Oh dear, how awkward was that? Lovely story Laura. Nice to come across a fellow flash fiction writer! Do drop my blog some time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rob Z Tobor7 April 2015 at 16:40

    Ah yes I tent to say sorry for stuff that has nothing to do with me. I always think better say sorry just in case. Buying ice cream helps too. . . . . . well it helps me. I have no hassle with the black marks as they would blend with the ones already there from the stuff that leaps at me through the day. . . . I have never worked out why stuff leaps at some folk and seems to go round others.

    Rob Z Tobor

    ReplyDelete
  11. Alex J. Cavanaugh7 April 2015 at 17:04

    That's about right! I learned quickly my wife just wants a hug. Fortunately, she doesn't wear much makeup, so I don't become a mess.

    ReplyDelete
  12. jaybird7 April 2015 at 17:04

    I'm a mad ugly, cry baby. Everything makes me cry. And it's never pretty. I could relate to this!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ann Bennett7 April 2015 at 17:11

    The phrase I thought of has slipped my mind, but it's gist is that sometimes our gifts are used and discarded so easily.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sarah Foster7 April 2015 at 22:03

    That's a cute story! Too bad about his shirt, though :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Claire Annette8 April 2015 at 02:28

    Just being there often is the best thing someone can do for another.
    Enjoyed this story. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sara C. Snider9 April 2015 at 17:03

    Aww super cute and I love the awkwardness. That's pretty much how I'd be comforting someone. "What do I do?" :D

    ReplyDelete

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