peanut43998

distance
Chapter 1
Ashley

"Mom, I got it." I said, hauling my guitar on my back. 
"Okay, sweety. I'm just nervous for you. You know how I get." Her mom said and kissed her head. "Okay, good luck!" 
"Thanks." I walked out to my car and put my guitar in the back seat. I got in the front and drove off.
In no more than 20 minutes, I parked my car in front of the cafe.
"I'm here," I called to the stage crew. 
"It's about time! Janice has had to stall until you got there; people expected live music and you're supposed to bring it! Hurry and warm up," Richy said in a rushed voice.
"I'm already warmed up." I lied and rushed to get my guitar out of the bag. 
"Okay then get out there!" Richy whisper-yelled.
I hurried and then turned back when I realized she forgot my guitar pick. 
"Forgot this," I said and laughed nervously.
"GO!" Richy said.
I ran out again and finally came on stage.
"Okay, here she is!" Janice said to the crowd of people for the party. "Ashley Hall!" She turned to me and whispered, "Where the hell have you been?!"
I ignored her and adjusted the microphone to my height on the stool. "Hey everyone, I'm going to sing a song I've been practicing called 'The A Team' by Ed Sheeran.'" 
"And I'll be joining her," said a guy walking out onto the stage of the restaurant. 
I looked at Richy and he gave her a thumbs-up. Richy never told me that someone was going to be singing with me. I expected it to be a gig for me and only me. 
"My name is Ryan Jones." He said into his microhpone. He looked at me as a cue to start playing my guitar.
I started and began to sing the beginning and Ryan gradually joined in. I liked the way his voice sounded, but I expected to be by myself and he was doing runs that I wasn't prepared for.
By the end of the song, everyone stood up and clapped. We both bowed and I stormed off of the stage.
"What the hell just happened?!" I yelled at Richy once I was off stage. 
"Sorry, forgot to tell you!" 
"Yeah, and I totally just screwed up that song by trying to match his runs! Thanks for that." I took my guitar and shoved it into my bag and dropped the pick in the side pocket. 
"Where are you going?" Richy asked me. 
"Home. He can finish the night off with his singing."
"You guys sounded great!" Janice said to me when she walked up. 
"Thank you," Ryan said and came up to us. He slung his arm around me and I shrugged it off. "Hey, what's the matter? We sounded amazing." He looked at me with my guitar bag on my shoulder and said, "Where are you going?" 
"Home. It was supposed to be my song and my preformance but you screwed me up with all of your runs and different notes." I turned around and got to the door before someone grabbed my arm. 
"Hey, I really didn't mean to make you upset. I thought they told you that I was coming here." Ryan said and I found myself getting lost in his eyes. I looked away feeling ashamed of getting so mad. 
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to do a good job. You sounded amazing."
"So did you, that's the part that I'm confused about." He said. "We sounded great together but you're so upset." He looked confused when I looked back at him.
"I'm sorry." I said and looked down. 
"Alright, let's start over then. I don't think I properly introduced myself." He said and held out his hand. He flashed a smile that almost took my breath away and said, "I'm Ryan."


*i lost my touch to these stories, this one sucks. 
maybe it'll get better :) 
but favorite it if you like it? :) 
thank you!
p.s. sorry I took so long to update it, it's been a super busy couple of days

distance
Prolouge


"Hold me like this forever," Ashley said to Ryan, tears streaming down her face. She felt his tears landing on her head. Deep down, she knew it was over. But of course, she didn't want it to be.
"I will." Ryan shakily whispered. "I will."
As much as she wanted to believe that, it wasn't possible. In just 10 minutes, she would be going on the plane to travel across the world and she would never see him again.
"I'll write you, okay?" Ryan said. "I'll e-mail you and I'll call you and write you. We can make this work."
"I won't ever see you again." Ashley said after hesitating. 
"Yes you will. I'll visit you and you'll visit me and we can make it work. We can." 
Ashley's shoulders shrunk and she pushed out of his arms. She sat 2 feet away from him with on the floor with her legs pulled to her chest, her face covered by her knees. Ryan crawled towards her and picked her head up with his finger. 
"I have faith in us. I wouldn't regret what happened between us and the love we felt for each other.  I know your parents are keeping us apart and you think that we weren't meant to be. But we were. No matter what, we were meant to be. At some point in our life time, we would fall in love. I can feel it. Can't you?" He asked. He didn't wait for an answer. "We were meant to be together. We were meant to fall in love. I love you like I've never loved anyone else in my whole life. No one will ever be able to compare with you, because you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you. I can't lose you. We will make it through this, okay? We will."
Ashley turned her head and looked out the small window the shack had to offer. Ryan put his finger to her cheek and turned her head to face him. 
"I love you." He whispered and kissed her cheek. He kissed her mouth and he felt her resisting. "Say it back." He said and looked into her eyes. He kissed her lips one more time. "Say it back." He repeated.
"I'll never forget you." Ashley said, instead of saying that she loved him.
The door banged open and Ashley was forced to her feet by her father, tears streaming down her face. 
"I told you never to see him again!" Her father yelled. 
Ashley's world spun around her. Ryan called after her, "Say it back, Ashley. Say it back!" He searched her eyes for some sign of love. It was there; it had to be. 
Their eyes met one last time, and they watched one another's half walk away.
Forever.



*Surprise! I'm back :) 
It took me long enough, right? 
Okay, well I tried going on another account and then thought...what's the point? 
SO I'm back as peanut43998, and yeah
(my other account was yessir that I posted this story on in case you were wondering)
Well. Leave thoughts? 
I forgot how to use this website so you guys might have to walk me through it haha :) 

 

taking chances
part 14
(last chapter)


I read the note over one last time. 

Dear Christopher and family,
Thank you so much for letting me sleep here. Without you, I have no idea what I would have done. I didn't really have anything to offer you in my thanks, so I just left money and my phone number on a post-it note. The dinner last night was to die for. You are a very good cook, Charlotte. I just wanted to thank you, once again, for taking me in your home and for your hospitality. I couldn't thank you enough. I really need to find my sister, though, and I hope you understand. Maybe we could visit sometime!
Much love,
Danielle Brighton
P.S. Thank you so much... did I already say that? 

I left the note on the bed and closed the door silently behind me. I tip-toed down the stairs and into the kitchen. I winced when I saw Christopher drinking coffee at the table. 

"Busted." He said and smiled. "Leaving already?" He stood up and poured out his coffee. "Did you want a coffee?" He asked and smiled.

"I really have to go." I started crying. "I just miss her so much. My family is falling apart and I just need to see her. I really hope you understand." I sniffled offered Christopher a sad smile. He took a step closer and opened his arms. On will, I walked into his arms because it was just the right thing to do. And although I just met this guy less than 24 hours ago, I felt like I'd known him for years.

"It'll be okay. I promise." He whispered and kissed my head. I would have felt creeped out by the act of kindness if I wasn't crying about my missing sister.

"Thanks." I leaned up and kissed his cheek. I don't know what I was saying thanks for, if it was for his reassurance or hospitality. I smiled and walked, without another word, out the door. I squeezed the necklace for one more hint.

"1127." I heard in the whisper. "Hurry. Please."

I quickened my pace to a speed walk. And I knew that I wasn't taking a break until I got in front of the old barn on Boulevard.

---

I stood in front of the barn. This was not what I was expecting. I was expecting the typical barn, that was red and rickety to the point where it looked like it would fall over with the next wind storm. Instead, I looked back at the purple, strongly built barn.

I breathed a sigh of relief, only to be reminded that I hadn't seen my sister yet. I ran to the door, dropping my backpack in the process. I didn't even think to bend down and pick it up.

"Brittany!" I called as I knocked on the door. I tried the doorknob. "Are you in there!?" I called. I heard a muffled noise, almost a cry.

The door wouldn't budge. It had a huge lock on it, and it was an extremely strong lock. I lifted up my foot and stomped it into the door. It didn't work. I backed up a few steps and ran, bumping into the door. Didn't budge. And I'd have a bruise by the time I got home.

I ran around the barn, to the back. I was searching for a window, a door, a hole. Nothing. I squeezed the necklace when I remembered Brian. The key.

I ran back to the front and fit my key into the hole. It didn't work. I tried Brian's key.

The lock clicked open without a struggle.


THE END. 



*I figured that I at least owed you an ending. It was supposed to go on to at least 20 chapters. But, I got bored with it, as you know.  I kind of like the ending. It leaves room for when she first sees Brittany, and you can sort of think of your own ending.

I have an idea for the next story, and I'm hoping that it will be more interesting than this. I figured that I had better luck with romance stories, instead of...well, this. I don't know what genre "this" is. Haha. So, romance next? I think yes. 

 

taking chances

part 13
(I actually wrote this while Witty was down...which was before I talked about ending. After this, I'll be posting one last chapter to show you how it ended.)


I looked at the lady standing in front of me, not knowing what to make of her. I was guessing that she was this boy's mother. I then realized that I hadn't said my name to either of them.

"I'm sorry." I said, turning to the boy standing next to me. What was I supposed to call him? No-name? "I never introduced myself." I looked at no-name and then at no-name's mother. "I'm Danielle." I said in a shy voice. It wasn't like I'd never see these people again that I'd have to present myself in such a high manner. I knew, for a fact, that if Brittany were here, she'd be chatting away at how expensive college would be and how little her job payed. 

"Nice to meet you, Danielle." The mother stepped foward. "You can call me Charlotte." She said and smiled. I shook her hand and turned to no-name.

"And I'm Christopher." He said and smiled. He held his own hand, and I shook it and smiled. 

"Well, I've just made a fresh batch of lemonade. Are you interested?" Charlotte said, looking back and forth from me to Christopher. I imagined for a second that she was asking if I was interested in Christopher, but nodded my head at the offer of lemonade. Christopher and I followed Charlotte into the kitchen and sat down at the counter, where there were stools to sit on. "So, what brings you here?"

"She's headed to Boulevard! And she's walking on foot, Ma." Christopher spoke for me. Normally, I would have told them that I could speak for myself, but I liked the way Christopher's faint accent sounded telling this little part of my life.

"Oh, honey. That's very far away." Charlotte said as she placed a glass of lemonade with ice in front of me. She repeated the process for Christopher. "Where are you planning on staying?" 

"Oh, actually, I was just coming over here to ask for directions. I'm going to head on the road right after this." I took a sip of the lemonade. It was actually really good. "Actually, I'd best be on my way." 

"You can't go out when it's about to get dark! Why don't you stay here for the night?" I felt myself tighten up. Stay at someone's house that I'd just met 10 minutes ago? 

"Yeah, why don't you?" Christopher asked. "Come on, we don't bite. There's a guest room upstairs next to my room. You can stay in there." 

I didn't like the idea of staying in a stranger's house. In spite of my thoughts, I felt myself nodding my head. "Yeah, that would be great. Thank you so much." I said as my stomach growled. My hand flew to my stomach as if trying to make it shut up.

"Oh, it's no problem." Charlotte said with a sweet voice. "I'm just about to make lemon chicken. Does that sound alright to you?" I nodded my head and smiled. 

"Christopher, why don't you show her around? Go for a walk or something?"

"Okay." Christopher said and stood up. I followed him out the door. 

"Wow, you have a nice property." I said, looking out at the cows and horses.

He didn't respond like I thought he would. Instead, he said, "What's the real reason you're going to Boulevard? On foot even?"

I thought long and hard before I'd said the next thing. "My sister. She-she's gone missing." I didn't dare tell him that my boyfriend's dad was kidnapping her, or anything that would lead to thinking about Brian. I was missing him too much. What if I ended up being here for a week? Or 2 weeks? How long until I forgot what his voice sounded? How long until I couldn't hear his voice, even when he wasn't saying anything. How long was it until I could no longer feel what his embrace felt like?

"I'm really sorry to hear that." He said.

After a while of walking around, we went inside because it got dark. Dinner was just being set around the table.

---

After dinner, I went up to the guest room and got ready for bed. A whole day of walking sure made me tired.

As I wrapped myself in the down comforter, I felt thankful that I'd stopped at this place for directions. 

Okay, everyone.I know this quote isn't pretty...at all. But I just want to get something out to you. I have noticed that you aren't interested in my stories much anymore, and I've been trying to pinpoint the reason why. Am I doing something wrong? I'm thinking that it's the plot I've chosen for this story. I'm not into it, and you guys aren't either. So I was thinking of writing a new story. Maybe if it was a good story, I'd be more interested and write more often? I was thinking of ending my writing on Witty after "Taking Chances", but I realized that I might not want to. I could give it one more shot. 
So, here's what I need from you guys. I need new ideas. And what better way is it to hear from the fans? I think that what I'm better off at is writing romance, but there may be too much of that on Witty. I personally love romance stories, but you guys might not. So it would be extremely helpful.
1.) I need your opinion--should I begin a new story?
2.) If I start a new one (which I probably will.), what should it be about?

COMMENT A.S.A.P.(: The sooner I get ideas, the sooner you get a story.
Hugs and kisses,
-Peanut43998 

 

taking chances
part 12


I sighed and stood up, lifting my backpack to rest on my shoulders. I started walking down the quiet road in the direction that I thought I was supposed to go. I felt beads of sweat form on the back of my neck at my hairline. The late July heat was not helping me out. 
---

I continued to walk down the road. It got more and more abandoned-looking. Was I going into the country? I couldn't be. The country was miles away. I shook my head and my hand flew up to the key on my necklace. I squeezed it hard. Nothing.

"Come on, Brittany." I said and squeezed it hard enough that the key doug into my palm, leaving a mark. I shrugged my shoulders and continued my long walk. There had to be one car passing by every half hour. The quiet felt as if it was haunting me. When I thought I heard a whisper, I turned around and nothing was there. 

I was convinced that I was in the country when I smelled the terrible smell of cow manure. There were farms lining the dusty road. I have to say that I've never been in this part of New York. I turned off the road and onto a farm with cows all over the huge field. I heard horses and pigs when I got closer. I noticed that the sun was setting already, and I was exhausted. I saw a shirtless teenager working with wood. He had to be at least my age, if not a year older.

"Excuse me?" I called. The saw he was using was louder than my voice. The saw stopped as he rearranged the wood. "Excuse me." I repeated. He turned around. Let me tell you, he was very good looking.

"Well, hello there, little lady." He had a faint Southern accent, even though we were no where near the South.

"Hi." I said. "I've been looking for a street or road named..." I trailed off when my eyes flew down to his abs, and right back up. Don't let him intimidate you, Danielle. I realized I hadn't said the street name yet. "Boulevard." My voice came out louder than expected.

"Boulevard!?" He exclaimed. "That street is miles and miles away. Where do you come from?" 

"I'm from more in the town area. In Clarence." I said.

"And you walked all this way!?" His accent was actually kind of cute. "You must be exhausted." He said as he took his gloves off. "Do you want to come inside? Maybe have a glass of homemade lemonade?" He asked kindly with a dazzling smile. His bright blue eyes twinkled in the lowering sun. I could almost see the sunset through them.

"Hello?" He asked and waved his hand.

"Uhh. Sure!" Be cool, Danielle. Be cool. I walked closer to him and we started walking side by side.

"So, what brings you out here?" He asked. 

"Just... exploring." I lied. He nodded. I had a feeling that he knew that wasn't the reason I was here.

"Hmm."

We got closer and closer to a very big house. When we walked in the front door, all I saw was a wide-open, beautiful house. A lady came up to us.

"Hello, honey." She said over-nicely.

"Hi." I said nicely.

"Welcome to our home."  

 

taking chances
part 11


I felt my father's heavy footsteps coming up behind me as I walked out the door.

"Where are you going?" He asked in a soft but demanding voice.

"I'm going to say goodbye to Brian." By now, my mother had come in from the living room and started to fill her cup back up with coffee. She placed her mug on the table and turned around at what I'd just said.

"What did you just say?" My dad asked in a no longer soft voice.

"I said that I'm going to say goodbye to my boyfriend." I said, exaggerating the way I'd said 'boyfriend.' My voice came out shy and quiet.

"I thought I told you that you were no longer to see that boy. Was it not clear enough for you?"  

"Dad, I don't care what you say! I love him, and that's that! There's nothing you can do to stop it." My voice was no longer shy and quiet; now it was bold and loud. I turned around and walked out the door and to the woods. I heard my father run after me.

"Stop it, Danielle!" He called. I saw Brian's figure with his hands in his pockets. He turned around when he heard my father's voice, and turned to run away.

"No, Brian. Stop." He turned around when he heard my voice. I stopped in my tracks. "I love you." I said, surprised at what my brain and mouth worked together to say. Tears were running down my cheeks, and I had no idea why I was crying. Brian started crying, too, because he knew what this meant. I was leaving for God knows how long.

"I love you too." I jumped into his arms and kissed him until I ran out of breath. I knew my father and mother were standing there watching, but I didn't care. My face stayed pressed against his, and I felt our tears collide.

I felt my body fold into his as the kiss continued.  "I have to go." I whispered.

"Don't." He commanded.

"I love you." I kissed his cheek and whispered a goodbye in his ear. I walked away from him, knowing that he was watching me walk away. I walked right passed my parents and mumbled a goodbye to them. I picked up my bag that I'd left in the driveway, and walked down it. I'd already said my goodbyes to Dave. He understood the whole key thing and that I had to find her. He offered to go with me, but I'd turned him down politely telling him that it wouldn't work that way. 

---

I stepped onto the bus as the driver looked at me.

"Oh, right. My ticket." I dug around in my bag for what seemed like forever. "I know it's in here." I mumbled to myself.

"Miss, you either have it or you don't. If you don't, it would be a help to all of the people on this bus if you would just kindly step out of the bus." She looked at me with pursed lips. I hung my head and stepped off the bus. Where was the ticket?

I sat down on a bench and blew the hair out of my face. I thought about the ticket. Had it been misplaced?

"You're not alone if you're on a bus." I heard the voice whisper. I rolled my eyes and grasped my necklace.

"Alright, Brittany. Where are you?" I already had one hint: Boulevard.

"Old barn." The voice whispered. I shrugged my shoulders. That gave me nothing. I tried agian. Nothing. 

This was going to be a long journey. 

 

taking chances
part 10


"Is there something up, Danielle? You know you can tell me anything." She gently touched my wrist over the plates scattered on the table after we were done eating. "You always have been able to."

"I'm just full." I lied.  

She tilted her head and rolled her eyes with that sarcastic look. "Oh, please. Tell me."

"You'll think I'm crazy." I hesitated.

"Come on, babe." She said and threw a smile at me, touching my wrist again. "When have I ever thought you were crazy?"

It was true; she never thought I was crazy. One time, I had just broken up with a guy, and then he got a new girlfriend. I don't know what I was thinking, but I went up to that girl and kissed her to make him jealous. He never looked at me the same way again. And until this day, he continues to insist that I am a lesbian.

"Never." I said shyly.

"So tell me."

"Fine." I sighed. "My sister went missing."

"I heard." She touched my wrist for the third time in 10 minutes.

"And, they have no idea where she is." I said, afraid to continue. Despite my fear, I continued anyway. Chloe deserved that much. "Except for me. I feel like I know. Or could know, I should say."

Chloe nodded her head, with a weird look on her face. She looked at me like I was crazy. "Are you sure you're not just like hearing or seeing things?"

"Positive." I said. I didn't want to tell her about the necklace, because then she would be convinced that I was crazy. "You know what? Let's just go." I said out of the blue.

"O-okay." She smiled. We'd already given the restaurant the money. The cost had come to 100 dollars for the two of us. It was an expensive restaurant; what can you do?

When I walked in the door, my mom and brother were playing Scrabble. I rolled my eyes and walked over to them. 

"Is this a party for you guys? My sister and your daughter have gone missing and you're sitting around like it's some kind of celebration?"

My mom stood up. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, please, Mom. You know exactly what I'm talking about. We only play Scrabble at family gatherings or parties. Look at what you're doing right now. Playing Scrabble. This morning, you were just reading the newspaper and drinking tea. Like a tea party. That is absolutely pathetic." I rolled my eyes and went upstairs to see Ava crying in her crib. I picked her up and sat on the rocking chair in her room.

"What's wrong, baby?" I asked and rubbed her back after kissing her forehead. She looked at me. She stopped crying.

"Mommy." 

Things Break.

and although it may not be our fault,

we still have to try
to fix those things

with knowledge that they 

may never be the same again


 ♥