Veda is a young artist trying to discover her purpose in an overwhelming world. "The Prescribed Burn" is her story.

“Pretend Boyfriend” (Story 11, Excerpt 2)

Posted: April 8th, 2010 | Author: Laryssa | Filed under: Pretend Boyfriend | No Comments »

cherrylozenge

The following excerpt is the second part of “Pretend Boyfriend”. You can read the first part here.

“First, I screw up my chances with that guy,” said Ashley. ” Now I’m going to ruin your night.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. How could she ruin my night with Pretend Boyfriend if I didn’t know what kind of night we were supposed to have? I let Pretend Boyfriend respond.

“You’re not ruining anything. We’re all friends here,” he said. “And you need to be safe.”

Part of me wished that Pretend Boyfriend would tell her to take a cab home or fend for herself, but letting Ashley stay with us was the right thing to do. Pretend Boyfriend was a good guy.

On our way out, Pretend Boyfriend was no longer the stud with a girl on each arm. This time, Pretend Boyfriend and I were holding Ashley, even though all three of us were drunk. She was hysterical and thrashing like a panicked bird.

She would not stop talking about how she had ruined our night, and her words made me more and more uncomfortable each time she said them. But Pretend Boyfriend didn’t seem to take it personally or think anything of it. He just kept looking at me and shaking his head.

Read the rest of this entry »


“Pretend Boyfriend” (Story 11, Excerpt 1)

Posted: April 7th, 2010 | Author: Laryssa | Filed under: Pretend Boyfriend | No Comments »

champagne

The following excerpt is the first part of “Pretend Boyfriend”. You can read the second part here.

Pretend Boyfriend was very handsome, and I felt proud and happy to be with him in public. He was tall, the way I would want a real boyfriend to be. He had dark hair and dark eyes, and he possessed an athletic build. He looked great in a button-down shirt and blazer, and I admired his body.

Pretend Boyfriend and I first met when he arrived as a guest to my 22nd birthday party. Madsy invited him because she thought I might like him. She was right.

The best kind of Pretend Boyfriend shows up to a birthday party, with flowers, even though he barely knows me. At my party, Pretend Boyfriend and I danced the whole night, and I felt like such a lucky girl. We even danced through Theo’s text messages regarding something unrelated to my birthday, signaling to me that Theo had forgotten my special day.

I let myself be sad for just a moment. But how could I be upset when I had Pretend Boyfriend pressed up against my body?

Read the rest of this entry »