sixwordstories | (no subject)

Well, what were you planning?

I was aiming for "having more self-confidence" but somehow I wound up at "everyone keeps asking if I'm mad at them."

Aww, that sounds tough. Have you tried "having more self-confidence while smiling at them"?

...It's always the simple stuff we forget, huh?

I mean, like, I can't remember if I did or not. So I may not have and that might actually totally go a long ways towards explaining a lot of stuff.

Ohh, always. Don't worry, it happens to everybody. Actually, I think it's a law of nature - you forget something and then somebody tells you so you get some social contact.

We could practise, if you want to!

Nice. Social contact. I like that.

...Practice? How?

Oh, me too! There's nothing like it. See, now we already got something in common!

Smiling! You smile at me, I smile at you.

Nice.

Uh. Okay. How's this? *smiles*

Terrific! You're a natural! *beams*

Well, thanks. *laughs*

My name's Rachel, by the way.

It's nice to meet you, Rachel. I'm Ponch.

Nice to meet you too, Ponch. Do you do a lot of this? Helping girls practice smiling?

Well, I definitely try to do my best.

And is this how you make your living, or do you have a day job, too? *smiles*

Since I'm such a hard-working guy I do! I'm a motorcycle officer with the California Highway Patrol.

Oh, awesome! What part? I grew up in California, in Santa Barbara.

That's a nice place! I'm from LA but I get around a lot when I'm on patrol. Maybe we could have a coffee together someday!

That sounds awesome! Next time I'm back that way seeing family, I'll definitely look you up.

Alright, great! It's a deal. Just let me know when you're in the area!

Will do! And if you ever find yourself in New York, let me know.

It was very nice meeting you. I hope we'll talk again soon.

Promise! And likewise!

Nothing ever comes out like you plan. Like, everything's going well and all of the sudden he's all oh let's run away together and you're all I have responsibilities in your head but really you're all oh God yes please TAKE ME AWAY. And then you get really drunk and can't stop giggling.

God, I know. I'm at where he was all "You deserve better, you should stand up for yourself more" and so then I was and everyone's all "Oh, hey, are you mad at me, sweetheart?" and when you go back to him about it first he's all "That's not what I meant" and THEN he has the nerve to be all "...are you mad at me?"

ARGH.

I might need booze.

MEN ARE STUPID. And wonderful. And stupid.

Booze is good.

WORD, as the kids say these days. I think. Wonderful and stupid and sexy and amazing and god-I-want-to-bash-his-head-in and breathtaking, all at the same time.

Booze is great.

Yes, so much...if you're lucky, there's few 'want to punch him' moments and more 'wonderful amazing' moments.

It's sometimes better that way.

Sometimes, yeah. You get a little surprised by what life throws at you.

Yes, like swords.

...Yeah. Totally not something you can plan for. Swords. Being thrown at you.

...Dare I ask?

Someone I don't like very much ran me through with one.

...that's terrible! Are you okay?

Did the not liking them come before or after the impaling? I mean, after, totally understandable...

I am now. It's been a while, but there's things you don't forget.

Oh no, before. Sort of why they did it.

Oh. Well. Still. God. The thought of hurting somebody I didn't like would never cross... okay, no, that's not entirely accurate. I'll admit, I've, like, thought about maybe smacking people I don't like upside the head, but not totally trying to kill them like that. Geez.

I'm glad you're okay. And no, you don't forget something like that.

Dead was how they wanted me. They just didn't count on me surviving a beat down by four people that included being shot at and the sword.

Four people? That's not, like, a fair fight at all.

How did you manage to survive that?

Not even close to fair, no.

I dragged myself into the sewers.

I'm so sorry.

You must totally be, like, an amazingly strong person, though. To live through that.

You could say that. I call it determined.

I admire determination. It's a good thing to have.