KayCee K. : September 2014

#1 Weekly Writing Challenge: sentence

It's simple when...

-Draft-

It's simple when its not you. It's simple when you the one looking in, but when it's you. When you become the only people are looking at. It changes, everything.

I could hear the footsteps outside my bedroom door. My heart pounded; not filling understanding why. I could hear the door unlock and the bed slump as someone's body weight sits on to the end.

I hand landed on to my leg. I knew from the heat and size that it was my mother's.

"Darling?" My mothers voice filled the air.

I could easily tell something was wrong.

Regretting it, I pulled the cover off my head. Her eyes shined with tears. Tears daring to fall.

"No." I said.

All she did was nod her head. The tears no dancing down her cheeks.

Edited Version-

It's simple when its not you. It's simple when you are the one looking in, but when it's you. When you become the one people are looking at. It changes; everything. I woke up hours ago from no reason, other than the fact my body told me to. It was 6:45 AM.

My alarm was about to go off at 7:30 AM. I could hear the footsteps outside my bedroom door. My heart pounded; not fully understanding why. I could hear the door click open and the bed slump as someone's body weight sit on to the end.

A hand landed on my leg. I knew from the heat and size that it was my mother's.

"Darling?" My mothers voice filled the air.

I could easily tell something was wrong. The sounds of her voice said it all.

Regretting it, I pulled the cover off my head. Her light brown eyes shined with tears. Tears daring to fall.

"No." I said.

All she did was nod her head. The tears now dancing down her cheeks.

"6:45 this morning." She tried keeping her voice strong. But it quivered with each word.

The only plant in the room was the item I choose to keep my eyes on. I wouldn't let them travel. Not risking meeting someone's eyes. Unsure who long I was staring at the plant, not taking my eyes off of it.

My name entered my thoughts. I turned everyone was looking at me and everything was different.

Elle Klass Bio:

Elle was born into this world in Redwood City, California and spent her childhood growing in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in education. For fun she reads, spends time at the beach, travels, and enjoys time with her favorite friends, and family. She is a night-owl known to be a hermit during rainy days, as she has a love for sun, and is mostly found poolside over the hot, humid summer months.

Book Blurb - Baby Girl Book 3: City By The Bay

Follow Cleo, who has once again changed her identity, this time to Shanna Nu, an orange moppy-headed homely girl, or so she tries to portray, as she travels to San Francisco seeking employment with the La Tige Detective Agency to search for answers. La Tige, a hard, sloppy man, lacking in social graces manages to worm a way right into her heart. Finally entering adulthood, Cleo realizes who she is inside, and through La Tige and a few other friends, she finds that true affection is forcing her to desperately pursue the answers to the mystery surrounding her birth and biological family. She manages to tie up a few loose ends while unraveling a few more.

Excerpts:

Excerpt 1

Moving through Paris undetected as Justine proved incredibly difficult. My hair was rolled into a bun and I placed a floppy dark green hat with a short brim over it. I considered wearing heavy makeup, using bold chunks of color, but feared it would bring too much attention. I wanted to blend, not stand out, so I settled for absolutely no makeup. I had managed to arrive at the airport and board the plane without one paparazzi chasing after me and snapping pictures. Getting through security had been another ordeal when I had to show the security agent my ID, he asked for an autograph. I leaned over quietly and asked him to keep it quiet, then I signed my John Hancock, or rather Justine’s, and moved on. On the second flight into the U.S. a fellow passenger of male persuasion said rather loudly, “Hey, you’re Justine Holmes.” Thank my goodies most passengers were sleeping.

I looked him square in the eye and said, “Nope, but thank you for the comparison.” Obviously baffled he scrunched his brows and pinched his lips. I happily ignored him and he went away. The next forty-eight hours I attempted to stay hidden, with a book in front of my face, in areas of the airports that seemed most vacated.

Excerpt 2

Upon arrival in Dublin, Georgia Allentown was just outside the city limits the sun was setting as dusk settled in. I checked into a motel for the night, and stiff from the bus ride perused the small city. My stomach was giving me words and not very nice ones, so I stopped at a bar and grill and had dinner. As I ate, I reflected on how good it was to be back in the States. During my years in Paris I hadn’t realized how much I loved the U.S. and how vast its borders are, which brought up the perception that I was looking for a needle in a haystack. At that thought, a young man sat down in my booth across from me and introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Bub Richards.” He extended his hand in greeting. I didn’t extend mine back. I was floored that he just plopped down like he was invited. He wasn’t a bad looking man, with soft blue eyes, chestnut wavy hair and baby face, but he had an awful lot of gall.

“I’m leaving, nice to meet you, Bub,” I said as I stood up.

“I’m sorry. I’m a bit forward when I see a dazzling beautiful woman like yourself,” he said, attempting to remediate his failed attempt.

I reiterated, “Like I said, I’m leaving.” I slipped money to the server and walked out the door.

Excerpt 3

No sooner had I walked out the door than I heard footsteps from behind. Fear surfaced inside me as the terrors of my past came rushing back. I slipped around the corner and waited. Soon enough, a form drew closer as I watched its shadow through the street lights glide across the pavement. I positioned myself and brought my leg out in front of me as the shadow person walked past. This caused him to trip and fall flat on his face. Familiar tufts of chestnut hair crashed forward, “Bub? Oh, I’m so sorry. I thought maybe…nevermind. Why are you following me?” I asked as I offered my hand to help him up. His nose was bloody. It seemed my self defense skills had that effect on people, I thought, remembering when I threw Halette over my shoulder in Paris, twice.

He took my hand and sheepishly said, “I just think you’re beautiful and wanted to know you better.” Ay yi yi, what was it with men?

“Alright, look, I feel bad and your nose is bleeding. I’ll buy you a drink,” I offered.

His face lit up and a huge smile creased his lips as blood slowly trickled down his chin. “That’d be nice.”

I bought him a drink while the bartender readied a rag and ice for his nose. “It might be broken,” I said, feeling pangs of guilt.

The bartender, a young dark haired woman with surreal emerald eyes, chuckled as she said, “He’ll be okay. At least once a week he incurs the wrath of one young lady or another.”

“So you’re a lady chaser and I was the menu for tonight?” I asked Bub.

Cleo Unplugged - Interview

Q- What is your name?

A- My name is Cleo, that was Einstein’s name for me. Currently, I go by the name Shanna. In the past, I have also used the name Justine. I hope to go back to Cleo legally. As far as my birth name I have yet to find that out.

Q- What are your hobbies?

A- I enjoy cooking. My mom never did and we lived off hot dogs, grilled cheese and anything out of a can or box, yuck! Then I spent some years on the streets and ate anything that was edible. It was that or starve. Once my life settled down with Einstein I decided to start meddling in our kitchenette and learned to create art out of food.

Q- Out of the various places you’ve lived do you have a favorite?

A- It seems I’ve spent my life running from everything and some unseen but known danger that surrounds me. I enjoyed living in Paris and learning about a new culture. I love San Francisco. It’s a beautiful city. At night, everything sparkles and the hills seem to call my name. Most of all I have met the best people In S.F. that I could ever hope to meet. They say the home is where the heart and my heart belongs to Kacy and La Tige. Fetch is another story.

Q- A question I’m curious about and I know others are as well. It’s personal so I hope you don’t mind giving us some insight. You keep meeting dream men and yet you always leave them, why?

A- That is personal but I’ll answer it. I don’t really know. I’m still heartbroken over Einstein he’s always on my mind but I have accepted our fate so that’s not it. The men I meet just aren’t right or the timing is all wrong. I need to understand my roots first before I go plunging into a relationship that may end up with children. So maybe one day when I’m ready the right man will come along.

Q- You spent your youth homeless; what advice do you have for other kids with similar circumstances?

A- Always observe your surroundings and don’t trust everyone. There are too many people out there who want to use children on the streets. I survived because I learned them quickly. I stuck to myself and my senses were always on alert. I wasn’t afraid to stand up for myself or too ashamed to run when I needed. In fact, I ran a lot, most of the time. I wouldn’t suggest breaking and entering. I feel bad for many of my crimes, even though it was survival.

Q- You encountered a huge change in lifestyle when you went to Paris yet you didn’t let it go to your head. How did you manage that?

A- I spent most my time hiding out. When I had to face the crowds, I was paparazzi shy. I hated their cameras always blinding me. The wealth was great but never was it mine; Didier is a kind and generous man. I never saw any of it as permanent. My life has always been one of transition.

Q- What accomplishment are you most proud of in your life?

A- The fact that I’m still here and thriving.

Q- You are on a quest to find answers to your past and a family you never knew you had. What would you say to them if they were here now?

A- A few very unchoice words.. I’m curious about them but have no plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. I want to know what went through their knuckle heads to bring such a life as mine onto an innocent baby. They will get a piece of my mind when I’m sure who they are. They might as well save face and not use any excuses.

Q- Describe yourself in three words?

A- Determined, scared, persistant

Book soundtrack

1. Dancing Queen by Abba - song she dances to in the bar

http://youtu.be/xFrGuyw1V8s

2. Happy Trails by Van Halen - the song that gave Happy Trails Bar its name

http://youtu.be/PUqcG0uLuN8

3. Hold the Line by Toto- song Fetch sings to her in Karoke bar after game

http://youtu.be/gQNHbwhdZbU