Try A Little Tenderness

      ❛ i’m glad someone can, ‘cause not a lot of          people do anymore. and you can call me         just Heather, you don’t have to say Miss.  ❜

“They don’t? Now that’s a gosh darn shame. People  just don’t understand good philosophy nowadays.”

[ You never saw your parents? I mean, ducks are great, but that has to suck. Do they work abroad or something? ]

[ Sort of. It’s a combination of a job abroad, and the simple fact that they never actually wanted a kid. No big deal, I’m self-sufficient. ]

                 “ yeah?  you also admire a woman who could’ve been                 your babysitter before you learned to tie your own shoes? ”

“I do indeed. You get me.”

“ You’re not going to feel better if you try to ignore it. “

“Been working so f a r.”

“Ew, who are you, black and white is the best.”

“Why on earth would you taint chocolate with vanilla. That’s absolutely disgusting.”

“ Are you? Sure doesn’t seem like it, Duckie. “

                                          OPEN STARTER

           “You’re overreacting.” 

           The words are spoken flatly as she twists her locker combination            to the final number and opens the door. Her computer screen is            blank – no urgent news from Wade – and she calmly swaps out            her Latin book for her History book, before turning her gaze on            her locker neighbor. 

           “I’m telling you – it’s a creative, autobiographical assignment.            It’s not like it’s the end of the world.” 

“My darling, I am the king of overreacting.”

It’s a massive grin on his face, leaning up against his still closed locker. He didn’t bring his Latin book to Latin, so there’s really no need to grab his English book. He doesn’t plan on paying attention anyways.

[ …I think I was expecting a lot worse. So that’s pretty comforting actually. And cute. There is no way in hell my mom would have let me keep a duck as a pet. ]

[ I must say my good friend, I miss that little duck. Best friend I ever had. That is the upside of having your parents gone 364 days a year. You get a duck pet. ]

“That’s one way to put it.”

“And how would you put it?”

      ❛ very funny, duck. ❜

“What can I say, I’m a true comedic master.”

tobetheduckman

“ She’s got a boyfriend, anyway. “

“Trust me Veronica, I’m fully aware of that.”

“Duckie…I’m so sorry. I was just…I got swept in the idea of a richie liking me…and wanting to hang out with me. I got carried away, and it turned out you were right. He used me in the end. Guess I deserve it huh?”

“Not at all. You never deserve it darling. No one deserves heartbreak.”

“Sounds about right.”

“What can I say, it’s a hell of a decade.”

“Not the gods, just my wallet. What flavor?”

“Chocolate obviously. There is no other flavor.”

“Dude, what era are you from?”

“Not quite sure. Most likely the 80s.”

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear that.”