Thank you very, very much. I have written around five versions of the start of the novel and aren’t satisfied with any of them, this is the latest version, let me know what you think. Thanks again. Any tips are welcome too.

‘Yet to be titled’

Chapter One

I stormed outside and slammed the door hard shut behind me. I could still hear Craig’s voice chasing me through the wooden door, and though muffled, I could still make out the blunt profanity.
I slung my heavy bag around to my front as I was hurrying off down the street and scrambled around in the inside pouch for my little mp3. My hands enclosed around the cool metal and I whipped it out, eagerly plugging it into my ears and putting Clair De Lune on repeat. I sighed as the ethereal, fantastical music touched my ears like chocolate touches the tongue. I clicked the volume up to full – mind you, it didn’t go very loud, because it was a soft classical piece. The most beautiful piece I had ever heard.
After a few minutes of walking in the cool air, and listening to my lullaby, I felt calmer. I took one of the earphones out; Mike would be joining me any minute. Sure enough, as I rounded onto the next street, I saw his tall and thin familiar shape moving towards me.
‘Hey,’ I said when he caught up.
‘Hey. What’s on the music menu today?’ He asked, smiling with his hands casually in his pockets.
‘Debussy.’ I stated.
‘Again?’ He says, though if he’s surprised, it’s not evident in his voice.
‘Yup.’ I said, staring straight ahead.
‘You’re still upset then, eh?’ He asks, and I can feel his gaze.
‘Well it’s been a rough week and you know my Debussy calms me down.’ I said, looking at him and giving him a reassuring smile. I didn’t want him to worry.
‘You know if…’ He said, trailing off.
‘I know, thank you.’ I said quietly. Mike was all ears, always. I appreciated him for that…he was the only one I could really talk to, yet I still chose not to. I don’t really know why.
‘Anyway, how was your weekend?’ I asked, smiling again.
‘Eh, alright. Stayed at my dad’s…’
‘Oh yeah, how’d it go?’ I asked, though I could tell from his face.
He shrugged. ‘He broke up with his girlfriend, so he was a bit of a sad sap the whole weekend.’
‘Oh…that’s too bad.’ I said, reaching up and patting him on the arm.
‘Never mind. He’ll probably have another one by the time I next see him.’ He said bitterly, looking away.
I didn’t know what to say; I wasn’t much good at consoling people. Maybe he sensed my discomfort, because he changed the subject.
‘Guess it’s a crappy start to the week for both of us,’ He said, smiling again.
I grinned, ‘yep. Ah well, there’s always next week.’
We walked in silence for a few minutes. It brought back the memory of the first time we met – two years ago, but it felt like much more. I had started walking faster after I saw his lean and (back then) shorter figure approaching me. I wasn’t much good at socializing, especially with strangers, and most especially with boys.
To my dismay, he caught up with me and struck up a conversation – if you can call him talking to me and me nodding and smiling politely a conversation. A one-way conversation if you like.
Eventually, I felt comfortable around him, maybe a few weeks after we had started to walk together, and our conversations developed. Now we’re good friends. I smiled…imagine if he hadn’t been persistent with me those first few weeks?
‘Okay, well, this is my turn off,’ Mike said, bringing me back the present.
I sighed. ‘Well try and have a good day,’
‘You too, see you this arvo,’ He called out as he turned down another street.
‘See you.’ I said, putting my earphone back in and continuing down the road. I glanced at my watch and picked up my pace, it seemed that the cold wind did too. I was in a better mood already, thanks to Mike. Sure, our conversation wasn’t the most cheerful one, but just talking to someone that I could relate to was nice. Because I sure knew that wouldn’t be happening at school – or at home for that matter.
I saw Mike for about ten minutes in total everyday, five before school and five after school, yet I felt as though he was my closest friend. Perhaps because he was my only friend, to be really honest. Sometimes I wondered what it would be like if Mike went to the same school as me…I would never have to feel like a Nigel No-Friends…but perhaps it’s meant to be this way. Just the few minutes of my day meeting with the few minutes of his day – maybe that’s what made our friendship so special.
The wind picked up its speed and woke me from my thoughts, tossing my hair about and stinging my nose. The music came to my attention again. The piano in my ears became louder and more passionate – like at the climax of a good romance movie – I thought of myself playing it, how my fingers would glide across the shiny white keys…I imagined Debussy creating this beauty, closing his eyes and feeling his heart warm up, ‘this is the one’ he would

I liked it alot!

2 things-
1. Use quotation marks around speech
2. Most American/Canadians don’t know that avro means afternoon, I know b/c I’m cool like that, but yeah.

Other than that, I enjoyed reading it.

what’s the stupidest thing you’ve done with a spoon?

How about the smell of potato salad?

Do you like to push buttons even if you dont know what they do?

Do you make stupid faces while looking in the mirror?

Do you have a habit of sticking your finger in your ear to get earwax out?

If a stranger came up and licked your face, what would you do?

have u read a 10 page biography on brad pitt?

Who is your longest friend and how long?

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Do you look in the tissue after you blow your nose? why?

Who is your longest friend and how long?

Do you think this surevey is different than other surveys?

what’s the stupidest thing you’ve done with a spoon?
……..drop it in a washing machine!

How about the smell of potato salad?
…….can’t imagine!

Do you like to push buttons even if you dont know what they do?
……haha yes!

Do you make stupid faces while looking in the mirror?
…….yes I do !

Do you have a habit of sticking your finger in your ear to get earwax out?
…….nope! looks like you do?

If a stranger came up and licked your face, what would you do?
…….kick ***

have u read a 10 page biography on brad pitt?
……nope!

Who is your longest friend and how long?
…….well they are all short the longest is about 5′5 I’m much more than that!

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
……..yes ,main paanchvi pass se tez hu! ( I hope you’re Indian else you won’t get me)

Do you look in the tissue after you blow your nose? why?
……..well..sometimes ….why? …dunno!

Who is your longest friend and how long?
……..repeat telecast of questions!

Do you think this surevey is different than other surveys?
…….yesss!

?
?
Keep Smiling!!

A ghetto, ignorant chick was clicking her gum in the library @ my school in the COMPUTER LAB! My ears are very sensitive to gum-snapping or food-smacking. No food, gum, chewing tobacco, smoking, drinks-not even WATER is allowed. I asked her in a polite tone, "May you please stop clicking your gum? My ears are extremely sensitive to that." She looked @ me like I was crazy & said, "B!tch, you better go take your crazy pills!" I told the lab tech, & he tried to say we both have to leave. Come to find out, he’s younger than me.

I wasn’t trying to pick an argument. The girl was breaking the rules, not me. Why do I have to be kicked out, too? I couldn’t concentrate, & I had to print out something important. I didn’t argue back with the girl after she told me what she told me.

Do you think that guy was being fair? What’s the difference between the gum or if someone was playing loud, distracting music with their headphones? I couldn’t concentrate. Now being angry about it I STILL can’t.
***I don’t mean to sound rude, but I’m very angry right now. My day is ruined.

You shouldn’t have been kicked out too. The lab tech probably kicked you both out so he wouldn’t have to hear trash from the gum smacking girl. Either that or you and the lab person are the same race and the gum smacker was a different race, and the lab tech didn’t want to be accused of being racist.

If the library is pretty small, others probably noticed the same thing, including the lab tech, and they were too chicken to say anything for the reasons listed above or other reasons.

Don’t worry about people that act like that. They get what is coming to them every time.

My ears pop all the time and it gets really annoying as it can be quite painful at times, I usually just equalise (hold nose and blow) and it’s quite hard to get back to normal and can put me in some discomfort.

I go scuba diving quite a lot and am not sure if this has anything to do with it but they sometimes pop right after I get out of the shower but sometimes completly randomly.

Again, I’m not sure if this has anything to do with it but my jaw locks when I move it to the far right and always makes a "click" everytime I move my jaw but it isn’t painful. I only mention this because another method of equalising when scuba diving is "wobbling your jaw"

Any ideas on why it is happening and how I can try and fix it?

Thank you.
-Yeah I was thinking about asking my dentist about it next time I go.

not a doctor,but i would check if you have TMJ.A good dentist can
check it.

First of all. Open a new tab and click the answer icon. Read the questions and ask yourself if they are really questions at all…

I myself personally just can’t stand how people ask questions. There are the proper questions, stupid questions, random questions and questions that aren’t even a question like a command.

Have you ever noticed?

Here are a few examples.
1. Tips for playing by ear? -what does this even ask you?
2. explain why polar bears are rather rounded, fat animals? -This is more like a command trying to be mixed with a question.
3. i want to buy a new sinewave inverter (1400VA)? -he is asking you if HE wants to buy something
4. ????The Ku Klux Klan? -What the hell are you talking about questions.
5. I need the name of the song from this site?- We don’t even know if you need the name of the song from that site.
6.i have a book , small, hard cover, titled: The Holy Bible Abridged. Printed and Published in 1811? -We don’t know! only you know.
7. DO YOU THINK IM OVER REACTING? -First glance at question=yes all capital letters, you are over reacting.
8. Please Help………….!!??!!??!?!?!?! – the very desperate ones that i never bother to answer.

so you get my point? People should really format their questions.
I mean also another thing is that what people ask. Its always the same things and i really get tired of answering the same type of questions.

eg.
Does he/she like me?
Help please?
_________ or __________!??!
What should i do? -many same situations.
What should i wear/do/eat?
10 points! HELP!!!
and the most stupid questions ever like…
Why do people ask questions?
How do I blink?
How do I breathe?
Am I gay? etc…

so yes, I need your opinion and why people do these things…

(not trying to offend anyone in anyway).
Seems Raven got offended, probably because she actually does ask questions like the examples.

Firstly please remember that many of those who use Yahoo have English as a second language and therefore may struggle with grammar and spelling. Many users are also quite young and have plenty of time to learn. While I agree that many people post statements rather than questions this is a website not a University English Language exam. I believe those are some of the reasons that Questions are not always perfect. Finally those who take the higher ground should be extremely careful not to fall off.
New sentences start with a capital letter.
I myself personally, I am not sure about that.
I mean also another thing is that what people ask.
What exactly does that mean. have a good day and don’t take life too seriously.

Answering Questions!!!
yay!!
what no??
then why you click here in the first place -.-

1,) Would you dress as a flamingo for 3 days eat cat food for 3 days?

2,) sing in front of people or dance in front of them

3,) kiss an armpit or lick a foot?

4.) make your hair bold? or cutting your ear off?

5,) Kiss a random person? or kiss a frog?
Why yes i am :]

1. no, who in their right mind would!?
2. i’ve danced in front of people before, but not sang.
3. no, yuck. i hate feet, and licking an armpit would just be completely disgusting.
4. no i wouldn’t do either, i’d rather die.
5. kiss a random person obviously. i HATE frogs.

Ok here is the scenario. I met my ex-boyfriend "Brian" 1989 in college. We dated for 6 months then, I went to his home in AL for the summer met his family. When school resumed we continued our relationship until the end of that semester (around Dec) At that time he was having a difficult time at our school, with his, coach in the sport program he was a part of, and some teammates he’d had a falling out with. He decided that the following summer of 90 he would return to AL and transfer to a school closer to home. I thought the natural progression of our relationship would either continue long distance or at least entertain the idea of me transferring at some point. He said to me when I ask about what would we be until the coming summer. He said that we could still be together but that once he left school he had no intentions of staying together or have me come there. I was crushed and refused to be a semester long (committed) booty calls. So we broke up and I quit school (that a whole different deal but he was just the icing on the cake for that situation) Well I quickly went in to "DOG" mode kind of loved em and leaved em, but a lot of them. I was nursing a very wound heart and ego. I really wondered why not me. Side note **my ex is white am I am biracial. I also wondered if he was too scared to commit to someone who wasn’t white for a long term future; was it he just wasn’t that into me as I was for him. Anyways moving forward, I get married to "Anthony" and have a son and move overseas. This is summer 92. I get a call from my mom saying that my ex is trying to find me. He sends me a letter letting me know how happy he is for me and that I played such an important part in his life and that he’ll always love me and I wish you the best blah blah blah…Well of course this completely levels me. Side note** my husband and I married quickly because of my son. I speak with him and it’s a nice friendly call, got it out of my system. I go on with life right? Wrong..I end up separating and divorcing my husband. I am now raising my son and pursuing my career. PHONE CALL summer 94. Calling just to see how I’ve been blah blah, sorry to hear about my failed marriage but he just knew I deserved better. Wants me to come for the weekend. Gets me a ticket. I go for this amazing weekend visiting him. I am once again excited at having him back in my life. BUT the long distance is discussed so "IT" remains open. I date and so does he. During this time he calls me randomly, here there, crazy times like after a bad date to tell me how bad it was, lots of times I’d end it with a goodnight click in his ear. FASTFORWARD…NOV 95 I am somewhat involved with the man named "Kevin" in NY since that summer. My mother dies in a car accident. I call Kevin and he asked me "do you need me there?" I tell him yes and he chokes…leaves me alone. Several days after the funeral, I get my random call from BRIAN and when he asked what was going on, I reluctantly told him about my mom, for fear that he would give me more of the "oh I am so sorry for your loss crap" Instead he said "why didn’t you call me I’ll be there tomorrow" he came down the next day and stayed with me for the next week. The coming weeks we talked constantly…that Christmas he wants me and my son to come be with him and his family. I tell him I need to be with my Dad and Brother during that time but that afterwards during New Years we could come then. He was very upset. I communication pretty much ceased again. I went to AL for 2 day business trip and saw him then and had lunch with his mom. He remained PLATONIC…I don’t hear from him a gain till 8/96. I’ve moved with my son to CA I have a job and I am doing pretty well. PHONECALL- the usual what going on why didn’t you tell me you moved, I want to see you and your son blah…
At this point i am to busy dont have time to deal. FASTFORWAD-12/96 married my current husband Jerry get together (rather quickly) and again PHONECALL- want me to come to TX with my son for the weekend. I say no and by the way i am married. Well again I still get the random call here and there. Till finally 12/97 he sends me flowers and tickects to a sold out Broadway play in town for my birthday!! That was it. I called him and said – "don’t call me anymore, I can’t be your friend my feeling are too strong for me to have you in my life. You can’t have that place in my life or my heart anymore." He was very upset. Said it wasn’t fair to him and that why I was doing this, it wasn’t what he wanted. But I said please respect my wishes and don’t call me. I cried but I did what I knew was best for my marriage.
FASTFORWARD- 2/99 I have just had my 2nd son Ashton. My dad is visiting me to see my new son in LA. I am getting something’s ready before we take a weekend to Vegas for my dad. PHONECALL- out of the blue he calls and wants to see how I am doing. (Obviously don’t call hasn’t registered) I say fine, I’m going to Vegas tonight.

Suggest we all get together for a drink when I get there. I say yeah sure. I get to Vegas and spend all my time in doors in hotel with my newborn. Not going to go out for a drink…we say maybe breakfast? He calls that morning we’re leaving can’t do breakfast…Oh well we’ll catch up later on phone. I return to LA he returns to AL, catch up on talk. He’s surprised I’m still married with my husband. I sent him pica of me and my sons. Once again I don’t hear from him anymore maybe this is it for real this time. ASTFORWARD 10/08 – My 20yr reunion has happened and all my friends from high school are reconnecting on face book. Who sends me a message …Brian? I joined this site after my 20 year high school reunion last Saturday and found you! I hope life has blessed you over the last several years with all the joy and happiness you deserve. Drop me a note and let’s catch uptake Care -Brian Well I reply OMG! Surprise, Surprise…and a wonderful one at that!
So you have joined the face book tidal wave, I see. It seems the 20yr is the magic # to rekindle and revisit. This site is awesome. I am so happy to hear from you. So much has happened since we last spoke, I’m sure for you as well. I’d have to write a mini novel just to fill you in. I hope life has been the amazing journey I know you so desire for your future, and that you too have been blessed as well. I would love to hear all about it. So I guess TAG ur it…talk soon. Xo me I said well hey enough time has gone by solo I can finally deal with him. He writes me to call cause too much to catch up on and write plus his hands are full with HIS 3YR AND 6 MONTH OLD SONS! Ok all the more reason to know for sure that this is capable of being platonic right?! SIDENOTE*** been married 12 yrs now and it’s been hard. My husband is sweet, kind, loving, and a good dad, I love him to pieces but when it comes to taking care of his family, not good AT ALL.
. I have had to do just short of magic tricks to keep us afloat sometimes. I decided to call the day I waited in line to vote. He said so many things that have my head spinning. He’s married with 2 kids. 3 and 6mo. boys. He’s married 3 1/2 yrs. baby before wedding deal. He seemed like it was well, more so about his boys, then anything else. But he went on to talk about, how things were in the past. And how he felt so immature compared to me, and that I knew what I wanted back then and that it took him to get in his 30’s before he had himself figured out. That he always cared and deeply loved me and the memories we shared, that he was grateful for the past we had. He also said something that really made me do a double take. And he said if we had gotten married in our 20’s we would’ve divorced because he was awful back then…WHHAT DO YOU MEAN MARRIED??!
??! I never figured that in his mind about me. look at me in that light as someone he couldve married, let alone on the Richter scale. He acknowledges that he hurt me. He also told me how well he was doing, "not to brag but I want you to be proud of me" Why do he need that from me? Or Like His mom says I’m the one that got away! I was so overwhelmed by it all. I didn’t want to stop talking; as a matter of fact I wanted more time and conversation with him. All the old feeling came to the surface. This situation with Jerry is not helping it either. With BRIAN it was never sexual, As a matter of fact, he was not a great lover at all. It was always that HE GOT IN MY HEAD AND STILL DOES!!! regardless; he gives me a sense of being taken care of, like a wife needs. I could’ve then and still would follow him. I so want that with Jerry but all I get am anxiety, fear, worry.
After all these years, Do i still have have a piece of him or does he of me?I don’t know how to deal with that. I feel so tired of not being ok (security wise) for so long with Jerry. I miss being who I was with Brian..He the kind of presence that made a women want to follow him, respect him, admire him.
I called my male friend Gary to decode. He says that I was the one for Brian and he’s now able and mature to say it all, ( with hope that maybe somewhere down the line there is a chance.) that I am the fairytale that got away. It means alot to me that HE "loved me and still has "a" love for me still But I gave and gave…and waited . What does he want now? I don’t know if we could ever truly be friends. I would never act on anything. but I need more from Jerry and after 12yrs… I don’t think I’ll ever get it
The questions are AGAIN …WHY NOW! AND WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME! Would I be so wrong to ask him after all these yrs All B.S. aside what was I, and what am I to you? Why now? Was he just not that into me? Why this need to bring up, the "love & memories etc" ?JUST GIVE THE TRUTH AND CLOSURE WITHOUT TRYING TO "SPARE" MY FEELINGS. should i ask this or not & how do I?

I did read the whole thing. This guy has popped in and out of your life for years, caused heartache for you and is now making you question your marriage. He missed the chance to have you when he could – you need to put him behind you or your life will always be disrupted by him.

He has his own wife and family now – calling you isn’t being fair to them just as it’s not being fair to your husband and children. I’ve got a guy that use to make me melt like he did but after 5 yrs I cut the ties and have never seen or heard from him again. You’re both on opposite sides of the country, that in itself should help make the break. You can’t keep allowing him to do this to you.

You yourself have said Jerry is a great guy – everyone one of us have areas that we need to work on. Have a heart to heart talk with him and see if you can work it through together. As for Brian … you really need to be done with him and move forward with your life. You’re both different people now than you were back then. I’d be willing to bet if the two of you were to get together the magic of the friendship would wear off in a short while then what would you be left with?

My suggestion is to ask him to please leave you alone – and mean it. No good can come of this.

last month i got all 4 of my wisdom teeth out. and before i did i would get the occonally poping/ clicking in my right ear kinda like when your ears pop on a airplane. but i can not hear myself i just get the clicking in my ear. after i got my wisdom teeth out it picked up. now almost everytime i eat it clicks constentlly. it dose not hurt or anything its just really annoying.

It sounds like TMJ. Have your dentist check it out because, even though you have no pain right now, it can become quite painful in the future. Good luck!

I had normal ipod earphones, was listening to music just now… and in the left earphone I could hear this clicking noise, the sound was fine.. nothing is like broken, just this clicking noise. I’m scared that something will pop or shock me in my ear or something hah! anyone know what it could be?

thanks in advance.

Is it still there, and is it there all the time or just when you are in certain places? It sounds like one of two things, the first is interference from somewhere causing the diaphragm to move in an unpredictable manner. Was it near your mobile phone at the time? The second is that the diaphragm could be working loose but that is unlikely. I wouldn’t worry about anything shooting you in the ear, there’s not enough power there for that. Try it somewhere different and see if the clicks go away. Otherwise, buy some new headphones if it’s constant and annoying.

I had my ear accidently pulled really hard and I heard a little click. The next day it was fine only on the outside it was kind of hurting but the day after that whenever I would touch it, it was extra sensitive I could hear everything and it felt as if something was throbbing. Now today the pain is getting worst but from inside my ear. What could it be? Is it serious? Thank you.

More than likely your ear tissue was over-extended, and should return to normal. This happens to wrestlers like myself all of the time. That is why we must now wear head gear. You can take some ibuprofen for the pain, but quite honestly, there is no treatment other than palliative.Hope this helps.

Dr. Matt