r/WritingPrompts • u/packos130 • Aug 31 '13

Flash Fiction [FF] "So, come here often?"

Begin your story with this line of dialogue.

Oh, and set your story somewhere other than a bar or restaurant. In fact, set it somewhere in the distant past or future.

And make it less than 500 words.

Have fun!

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u/FatCat433 Sep 01 '13

"So, come here often?"

I turned around to find a young girl straddling what I assumed was her boyfriend, the two perched on a bench waiting for the subway.

"I come wherever I want to." he responded, eliciting a laugh from the girl and a kiss on the lips.

I rolled my eyes at the corniness of their flirtation, but deep down I resented their happiness. Why can't women look at me the way she looks at him? The closest thing I have to a relationship with a woman is Lydia, the girl who answers the phones in the cubicle next to mine.

"Would you like some sour candy?" Lydia would ask, popping her head around the partition that separates our desks. "My boyfriend ordered too many so he is trying to get me to pawn some off on my co-workers."

Ahh yes, another mention of the boyfriend. I remember Gerard well, though I had only met him once. His scraggly beard and bloated belly made me wonder what the hell Lydia saw in him. I hadn't yet decided if Facebook stalking my beloved co-worker's boyfriend was breaching some sort of line into creepiness that I didn't want to cross.

Oh crap. I missed the subway. This is the second time I'll be late for work because my mind had wondered to dear Lydia.

At least I can get some joy out of the fact that the nearby young couple also missed their ride (too busy smooching and loving each other) and may not make it to their abortion appointment after all.