Memoirs of a Lonely Writer: A Collection of One-Shots

“Get out of my way, Horror.” I grumbled. Ricky shot me a dirty glare as I brushed past him with my dirty breakfast plate. It was if his menacing eyes were boring holes into the back of my shirt and into my heart.

Two years ago, this wouldn’t even resemble the relationship we had started. Ricky was a sweet man, dedicated, and trustworthy. We met at a Barns and Nobles, that book store on the corner. Who would’ve thought you would meet a metal man in the fantasy section, between the books Vampire Diaries and the Harry Potter series? Not me.

It started off pure, basic, and like any first few weeks of a relationship. Those weeks turned into months, and that month turned into a year. What a wonderful year that had been! Ricky took me on tour, I made close friends with the rest of the band, and overall the three hundred and sixty five days was wonderful.

So where had the fighting started?

Summer Riot Fest in Denver, Colorado, to be exact. That was only three months ago I don’t know what sparked it, but he started to act more arrogant, distanced himself, and we began to fight. Little things set us off and we attacked like Rome versus Greece.

We had been at each other’s throats for ninety long, unbearable days. I missed my old Horror, my old nightmare. I missed the man that would cuddle me to sleep, that would watch Nightmare Before Christmas with me. I missed him with every inch of my aching heart.

Then, two months ago, I caught Ricky making out with Jessica, his old girlfriend. He never knew that I saw him. It was a little secret between me, myself, and I. Since I was determined that little fights like ours never lasted, I managed to pull myself together and hold in this little secret until we got worked out. If only I could ignore the image of Jessica kissing Ricky, then I could stay with the guitarist and be in a great relationship.

Right?

Wrong.

I started scrubbing the plate when Ricky came up from behind me. I sighed and set the plate down in the dishwasher with a clatter. He growled as I stalked away, into his living room. I had stayed at his house last night considering mine dark and alone. This also gave me an excuse to try to reconnect.

Of course it didn’t work.

“Are you going to recording today?” He asked with strained happiness in his voice. I shook my head. This was already planned a while ago.

“No, Ricky. Remember when I told you last week I couldn’t make it because I had a lunch with my friend from Colorado?” I responded, trying not to anger him. I hated seeing him angry or mad. His reactions always made me feel small, like I was about to be ripped apart.

“Caylin, I thought you were coming with us.” He frowned deeply. I leaned against the wall, taking a look out the window. A jogger passed by the house.

“Ricky, she rarely comes out anymore with her busy schedule. Arabelle is touring with Of Mice and Men for a photo shoot.” I explained impatiently. It seemed like forever since I had seen her.

“Come on, Cay. Can’t you reschedule? It seems like forever since you’ve actually cared to stay for a record session.” He glared, emphasizing the word cared. I flinched back and spotted my keys on the table by the doorway.

I didn’t want to run away. Not this time.

“Ricky, she’s important to me! She’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember.” I huffed. Ricky stepped forward. I stepped backwards. It was a dangerous dance. His piercings glared angrily in the light.

“I thought I was important to you.” He snarled. I shook away the tears starting to form in my eyes. If Ricky saw them, he would just make fun of me-again.

“Rick, you are, but I see you every day. Arabelle comes out once every few months, maybe! Please, just let me go.” I begged him. He folded his arms, muscles bulging under his light black jacket. I stepped towards the window, close to the exit.

There was so much tension in here, I thought we might all implode.

“Don’t you love me?” He growled. I stared him right in the eye. I was tired of being pushed around, being pressured to staying with him, and I was tired of being the weak one.

“I thought you loved Jessica.” I stated flatly, mimicking his position and holding my eye level even.

“What!? Why the hell would you say that!?” He roared. But in there, I saw him flinch. He knew that I knew. We both were on an even playing field.

Finally.

“Ricky Olson, I saw you making out with her two months ago. Or did you forget Friday night at the mall?” I spat out to him. There was no longer tension between us.

Just pure, fiery anger. And it all came from a certain man who looked pissed.

“That was once-“

“Once can be enough. Ricky, don’t try to guilt me. I thought you said she was long gone! I guess you lied.” I whispered the last part softly. I stared at the floor as I saw his hands flex in rage.

“Well maybe she isn’t some snotty brat like you.” He stated, deadly calm. I looked up, tears starting to drip onto my black shirt and tights.

“Ricky…”

“Save it for the next man whore.” He spat. I whirled around, grabbing my keys and shaking my head. No, my entire body was shaking and my vision was blurring.

“You know I’m a virgin!” I argued back.

“Shut up, Caylin. It’s over.” I could’ve sworn I saw a glimmer of extreme…sadness….tainting those smoky blue eyes I always loved to see when I woke up in the morning.

I leaned against the open doorway to support myself against my world turning upside down.

“You know, Ricky? I just wish you could see that I really did care. I tried to keep the relationship going, trying to patch up our wounds. I guess they were too deep. Good luck with whoever’s next.” I choked out, tears spilling down my cheeks, staining them, wetting my black hair. Ricky looked away as I walked out the door.

I never turned back to see him sob as I walked out of his life.

Two months later….

“Arabelle!” I gave her a hug. We met at the wishing fountain in the middle of the mall. Pennies and dimes were scattered over the floor of the indoor water feature.

“Hey, Cay! How’s it with Ricky?” She winked and nudged my side. I lowered my eyes to the floor.

Although some days felt more free and happier than others, there was still a place in my heart where I missed Ricky Horror. I missed his cuddles. I missed the smell of him after waking up. I missed stealing his jackets and wearing them. He never minded that. I missed all of the old Horror.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Arabelle patted my back sullenly, taking my cue. I shrugged.

“Hey, it’ll be fine.” I shuddered out a forced exhale. As we chatted, I felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

This had happened at least four time in the past few weeks. It felt as if someone was watching me. It shouldn’t be all the weird; we we’re in a mall! There was always someone looking ahead at someone or another.

But this always had the same effect, as if it was always the same person.

“Come on, a trip to Hot Topic will help.” She took my wrist and giggled as she heaved my sullen body into my favorite shop. It was jammed shoulder to shoulder as customers struggled for dominance in the shirt section.

Soon enough, I was separated from my best friend. I couldn’t see above the flailing arms and the heads of kids wearing the same color as me. It was like a big, black mob of band fans trying to find the right size of shirt.

I saw a man wearing a MIW hoody. I ached from my toes to my heart. Swallowing the pain, I turned away and headed out of the store. Arabelle would meet me here if we got separated. Heading towards the pond, I navigated around yet more shoppers.

“Hey, doll. What’s someone like you doing out here?” A man purred behind me. I turned around to see someone about seven years older than me loom above. It was a stranger flanked by three others. I rolled my eyes, pretending I wasn’t scared.

“Nothing. Just going to my friend.” I lied easily. Turning away from them, I walked faster and faster through the shoppers. It was a very formal speed walking that looked almost like a jog.

“Come back here, babe! We can…assist…you.” They all catcalled to me. I took a wrong turn somewhere between Godiva chocolates and the Vans store. I felt myself trapped in a dead end hallway. The three men were closing in on me.

That’s when I felt it.

That same feeling of someone watching me returned.

I looked back as I slowed my walk and glanced for a way out. It looked like I was stuck. Anxiety and panic was rising in me, coursing through my veins as I saw the three boys grin.

“Oh, there you are, Caylin. I was looking all over for you, babe.” An arm wrapped around me. A figure stepped out of the shadows. His hand snaked around to rest on my waist.

I don’t know if I was sighing in relief or internally screaming in frustration.

Ricky Horror was glaring at the boys, who slowly backed away. Ricky had that effect on people. He could make almost anyone back down from a challenge with his menacing stare and vicious looks. The three men turned tail and walked back down the other way. A hurried pace matched their frantic hearts.

“Horror.” I said curtly. He didn’t remove his hand as I attempted to walk away. Instead, he used his free hand to adjust his beanie and matched my pace.

“You looked a little bit frightened back there.” He murmured. There was lack of emotion in his voice, or maybe there was so much I couldn’t decipher it. I shivered a little under his cold touch.

“I was fine. I need to go back to Arabelle.” I stated firmly. He didn’t let me change course. Instead, he pulled me tighter to his side as we continue a slow walk down to the exit of the mall. I stuck my hands in my jacket and just went along with it.

“You’re coming with me. I can’t have you being the target of man whores.” He chuckled softly. I perked up a little, unused to this amount of caring.

“I thought you said I deserved one of them. I thought you didn’t care.” I told him sadly. He stopped, looking down at me. His arms wrapped my body closer to his. I sniffled and attempted to hold back the tears.

“I know, I know. It was wrong of me to say. It was the worst lie I had ever told in my life. I don’t know what was into me when I said those things.” He shook his head, planting a little kiss on top of my head. His hands ran through my black hair.

“But, w-why?” I stuttered.

“Because I didn’t want to hurt you anymore. I just wanted you to stay away from a monster like me. It was hard to see that you were so unhappy with me! It seemed like if I tried to be nice, you would stay around. Play the bad guy made it easier for you to leave, for you to just cut it off.” He took his turn to sniff. I looked up into the stormy blue orbs. After a moment of silence, he sighed and resumed pulling me through the mall.

We got into his car going home. I sent a text to Arabelle, giving her a quick explanation. She responded, wishing me luck. I promised I would make it up to her sometime.

By the time we got to his house, I was dead tired. My emotions had been strained today. I wanted to lay down.

“Come on, let’s watch a movie.” He took my hand, wrapping his fingers around mine, and led me to the couch. Ricky took the remote, flicking to the DVD player. We sat on the couch, side by side.

The Nightmare Before Christmas started up. I could feel looking at me, giving me those same strange feelings as before.

“Why are you looked at me?” I raised an eyebrow. Before I could speak again in annoyance, he raised my chin up to meet his lips. I was met with little sparks of electricity as we connected. He cupped my face in his hands.

“Aww….” I pouted as he broke away. He pulled corner of his mouth up in a little smirk.

“Why can’t I look at the girl I love?” He purred. I blushed and turned back to the screen, starting to lean on him a little for support as I yawned. He wrapped an arm around me.

“Ricky?”

“Yes, Caylin?” He asked. I peeked up at him. His eyes reflected the images on the screen.

“Um, did you ever follow me when we broke up?” I asked him. He turned back towards the screen, not answering. I kept on nudging him until he did.

“Would it be creepy if I said yes?”

With a sigh, I chuckled a little. There had always been the feeling he was following me, being as protective as ever. “No, Horror.”

“Well then, yes, I was looking after my girl.” He stated matter-of-factly. I leaned up and snuck a kiss on his cheek. I saw pink flood his cheeks, although he didn’t react.

“Aren’t you the overprotective boyfriend?” I whispered mostly to myself. I felt a hand squeeze my shoulder.

“I’m not letting you go that easily. I might be stupid, but not enough to let you wander the world on your own.” He pulled me closer into his chest until I was basically sitting on his lap. I nuzzled my head under his chin, listening to his heartbeat.

“Always a poet, Ricky.” I smiled. I leaned down and kissed the tip of my nose affectionately. I beamed and shook my head from the tingling sensation. His arms wrapped around me as he leaned against the arm and back of the couch, cuddling me to him. I started to drift off during the movie. My mind was lulled to sleep by Ricky’s heart.

“Almost asleep, Cay?” He asked. I mumbled a yes and he ran fingers up and down my arm, like little ghosts playing on my cold skin. He pulled a blanket over both of us until we drifted off together, cuddling and listening to a movie in the background.

For some reason, it felt like old times again. It seemed like nothing had happened between us. We were back in our old habits, our old routine of cuddling on the couch and falling asleep together.

All I hoped was that it would stay this way.

Notes

So this is a one shot one for the wonderful FallenStarCreature! I hope you enjoy it and just let me know if you want another one done!

Don't hesitate to request a one shot! I'm currently completely open at the moment and am more than happy to do one for anyone! Just message me!