Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: GATHERING (07/14/16)
-
TITLE: Pretentious popularity. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Vlantis
07/21/16 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Wallowing in his smugness, he glanced around the popular café, sizing up the other patrons. There were no spare tables. Everyone was either riveted on their electronic gadgets or absorbed in conversation. His gaze rested on a girl who, like him, was also sitting alone, but at a table for two – no gadget in hand and no friend sitting across from her. Bit fat for my liking! Bet she hasn’t many friends on Facebook, maybe not even one friend. Perhaps her mother had befriended her – but probably only out of pity. I wonder what it feels like to have no friends. Oh well, not my problem! Loneliness is for losers!
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by much joyful laughter and twittering. He swung his head around from the lonely fat girl to the entrance and watched as a bunch of vibrant women entered the coffee shop. There was much whooping of delight and outbursts of fresh hilarity as each of the party nudged the other along.
As the gaggle of girls looked around the coffee shop, Paul particularly noticed Twain with her long legs and her fiery red hair.
“You are welcome to join me”, he gestured to the 5 empty seats surrounding his table.
She smiled and shook her head. With much chortling, she floated past him. Paul followed Twain’s movement as she sashayed to the rear of the café. His eyebrows shot up as he watched Twain stop at the lonely fat girl's table and laughingly hug her.
“Princess! It’s so great that you’re here! I hope you don’t mind but when everyone heard you were in town, they all rescheduled their calendars so that they could meet up with you! There are still some more on their way.”
Sarah hugged her friend back and playfully tousled Twain’s bouncy mop of red hair. With a twinkle in her clear green eyes, she chuckled, “We’ll have to borrow those five chairs and squeeze around this little table, and when the others come, we’ll just have to sit on each other’s laps!”
Paul felt conspicuous sitting alone at his table for six. He also began to feel isolated and a bit envious with each eruption of raucous laughter.
“Oops! Careful you don’t fall off your chair.” Sarah grabbed Twain as she rocked with mirth.
Twain carried on giggling. “My cheeks are so-o-o sore! I haven’t laughed like this in ages! Sarah you should come into town more often!”
“Yes, we all miss you so much. We never have this much fun when you aren’t here”, Jane chuckled whilst holding her stomach.
“Oh noooo! There goes my cup of coffee!“, Rose guffawed as she tried to contain the spillage as it flicked over them all huddled together.
The atmosphere was contagious. Paul also wanted to feel some of the love that freely flowed around that table.
He photographed his Coffee and plate of fripperies and posted it on Facebook. That should get some ‘Likes’
He refreshed the Facebook Tab. No notifications came in. A bit agitated, he muttered aloud, “I suppose everyone is busy at work or asleep!”
Paul then took a Selfie, and made sure the girls were in the background. This will get some of my friends to take note. Bet they wish they were here with me, surrounded by all these beauties.
Thud, Thud, THUD!
In frustration he hit the touch screen harshly with his finger as he refreshed his Facebook page.
Still no notifications! What’s wrong with these idiots! Surely one of my friends would send a ‘Like’!
Paul felt disconcerted. He wasn’t feeling that great. He couldn’t quite fathom what he was feeling but, whatever it was, it was horrible.
He checked Facebook again - still no ‘Likes’ or comments. Despondent, he packed up his iPad. He noticed it was hard and angular and felt cold to touch.
As Paul shuffled out of the coffee shop, he glanced back at the joyful gathering. His shoulders sagged as it dawned on him that despite his thousand friends, he was LONELY! As lonely can be….
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
The only way to have a friend is to be a friend to someone.
You might use this as a teaching tool.
Being social on Facebook is very different than being social in the real world. I enjoyed that the hero wasn't blue eyed with drop dead gorgeous looks.
i think it should read: leaned back in his chair.