Today I’d like to share a blog exclusive: an older piece of flash fiction by myself that’s never been seen before. It’s written exclusively in dialogue, but I like how it turned out. Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments section.

—

“I spy with my little eye…”

“Do we have to play this?”

“…something beginning with M.”

“You’re just gonna ignore me, then? What if I play the silence game instead of your stupid–”

“It’s a mouse.”

“What?”

“A mouse.”

“Where? No, don’t just shrug at me! Are you serious? Macie, if there is mouse I’m gonna scream, I swear.”

“Relax.”

“Oh, you relax! Were you making that up?”

“Maybe.”

“I can’t believe you! All your stupid games and pranks. Why did you bring me up here, anyway? I’m cold.”

“Here.”

“No, I don’t want your jacket. Take me home.”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I was just trying to lighten the mood. Take the coat, please.”

“Well, okay. But you have to tell me why we’re here. It looks like it’s going to rain, and we’re miles from anywhere.”

“This is where it started.”

“Here we go. Where what started?”

“Us.”

“Mace–”

“Okay, okay, hear me out.”

“Fine. What is it?”

“This, my darling, is the place I was sitting when I first saw your face.”

“Here?”

“Yip.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I’d run away. This is always where I came.”

“But there’s nothing here. It looks like even the usual trash you’d find on a beach has got up and left. How did you even get a WiFi signal?”

“I was tethering.”

“You were sitting on a barren beach, tethering internet from your laptop or whatever, scrolling through photos when you first came across mine? You are a weird fish, Macie.”

“Jen.”

“What?”

“You’re missing the point.”

“Only because you keep beating around the bush. Oh, would you look at that, you actually managed to find a single landmark in this deserted, barren, cold-ass beach. Congratulations, you have a bush to beat around.”

“I’m building up to something here.”

“Fine. Okay. Beat around, build, or do whatever else it is you’re planning, just get to the–”

“Look, I’m trying to propose, but if you don’t quit bitching I’m never gonna be able to–”

“You what?”

“Stop interrupting me!”

“Wait, no. Hang on.”

“You hang on, Jen. This was supposed to be romantic.”

“Say that thing again.”

“What thing? When I called you a bitch?”

“No, you idiot. The other thing.”

“The… Oh, crap. I said it.”

“Mace…”

“Yeah?”

“Is there something you want to ask me?”

“Eh, well… I’ve kind of ruined it now, haven’t I?”

“Nope. Doesn’t matter. I officially don’t care, this is the most romantic place ever.”

“Really? I mean, it is quite bleak.”

“No. It’s perfect, honestly. Do it.”

“Here?”

“Yeah.”

“Now?”

“Yes! Oh my god, get on with it, you’re such a tease!”

“I am, aren’t I?”

“Mace!”

“Right, okay. Here goes.”

“What’s that?”

“My speech.”

“You have a speech?”

“Of course.”

“All written out like that? It seems short.”

“Are you gonna let me do this or not?”

“Sorry. Yes. Wow me.”

“Okay, okay. Right, I can do this. Jen. Uh, Jennifer. You– you’re a nightmare, but I love you. Do you wanna make it official and–”

“You really are shocking at this.”

“Yeah, well, you put me off!”

“Sorry. You forgive me?”

“I guess.”

“Still wanna marry this nightmare?”

“Definitely.”

“Okay then.”

“Really? Just like that?”

“Sure. I mean, you’re a nightmare too. But you’re my nightmare.”

“I’m totally putting that in the vows.”

“If you do, I’m dragging you back here for wedding photographs.”

“Drag me here for wedding photographs, and I’m totally gonna be the one behind the camera. In the car. About a mile down the road where there’s central heating.”

“It is quite nippy, isn’t it?”

“Yes, now come on. We have a disaster to plan.”

“Be still my beating heart.”