Laura

my first truely complete short story.

  Her phone rang again and she’d only been home for an hour.  This was the fifth phone call and the second since she got home. Laura half expected it to be her mother calling on her lunch break as she often would. She poured the rest of her glass of water in her German shepherd’s bowl as she grabbed her phone.  She glanced at the caller ID.

God- she thought to herself, it was Henry, again. He probably was calling for the same reason as the last four calls, or maybe he needed help with homework this time. She answered the phone hoping that he needed help with biology.

“What is it Henry?”  

“Come on Laura! For just one night try to have a little fun.”  Her newest friend pleaded for the fifth time that day over the phone.

“I told you Henry, I have to study.” She responded impatiently.

“Your A&P test isn’t for another week, you can spare one night. Don’t even give me those family excuses. Your mother has tried to get you to go have fun for weeks.” He said stopping any further excuses.  She sighed on the other end of the line. “One party won’t kill you Laura, besides you may even find you enjoy being around new people.”

After an entire day of phone calls and trying to find a way out of social interaction Laura caved. She sighed and agreed to go to the party.

“Great! I’ll see you 7 O’clock sharp.” Henry said full of content. 

Laura wasn’t excited to be going she was happy with her few friends and her dog Sinjin. She just had to make the most of the evening and try to enjoy the party. Worst case scenario  she leaves a little early, no big deal. 

She arrived at Henry’s at 6:45pm she had always been taught that early is on time and on time is late.  She rang the door bell and within seconds the door opened.

“Your early! Great, come on in and grab something to drink and do me a favor would you?”

“What do you need now Henry?”

“Okay sassy, make that two favors. First, lighten up and my original favor how about you pick a Pandora station?” 

“Sure I can pick a station, is country okay?” she asked.

“Anything is fine. It’s your party after all.” He replied casually. 

The music started playing and his sentence sunk it. “Wait, my party? What do you…” she was cut off. 

Her few old friends and several classmates stepped into the room.

“Happy Birthday Laura!” they shouted in unison.  

“Thank you everyone! I’m surprised that all of you came together to do this for me.” She said happily and full of excitement. 

“That’s what friends are for.” Herny said. “You’re welcome. Now enjoy your 21st

Kasey Miraim 2015