Just a fun little (very) short story using characters that aren't mine. J The idea came to me and I really liked it, but I wasn't sure how to work it into a larger story, so here it is. AND, as always, Wonky Formatting.
Kate's List
John had sworn to himself that he would never, ever snoop in any of Kate's private writings. Never, ever, ever.
But the notebook was just lying there. Wide open. And Kate was taking a shower.
Perhaps this is a test, he thought to himself. A true leader must have the trust of those around him, and if Kate couldn't trust him, then—
But by the time he could finish the thought he was already hovering over the notebook page, "accidentally" catching a glimpse of the words
Black cherry soda
Confused and intrigued, he caught another inadvertent, and slightly lengthier, glimpse:
747s
R.E.M.
Mood rings
Crayons
Sushi
By the time Kate emerged from taking her shower, John's "glimpse" had become full-blown, head-bowed-over-the-page reading, though he was still hovering as if to make a quick getaway.
Kate stood across the room watching him as he reached the end of the page and visibly began dealing with the moral dilemma of turning the page. He soon noticed her, though, and smiled sheepishly, caught.
He thinks he's so cute, she thought to herself, snatching the notebook from his view in mock anger. "Enjoying the book?" she snapped.
"I'm sorry," he said honestly, "but you know better than to leave documents in the open like that. It's a clear security breach."
"So put it on my permanent record," she said, sitting down with the notebook. "So," she continued in a more serious tone, "did you crack the code?"
"It's not a very good haiku," he replied, sitting next to her. As she rolled her eyes, he added, "No, really, I…I think I understand."
Scanning over the list, she said quietly, "It seemed like a good idea, but…I could write forever." Together they read the last page, which contained Hostess cupcakes, Beanbag chairs, Chocolate milk, Catnip mice, Robin Williams.
"At first I thought I would list things in categories," Kate said, "but I was afraid that the 'People' category might make me kill myself."
John nodded, trying to convince himself that this was all healthy and normal and not really creepy and depressing.
"Do you want to add anything to the list?" Kate asked softly, handing him the notebook and pen.
John thought for a minute, then wrote
Sunshine
Rivers
Trees
"I was never much in the pop culture loop," John explained as Kate's eyes filled with tears. "Although…"
Videogames
Kate kind of laugh-sobbed as they leaned against each other, two would-be warriors with only each other and a growing list of memories.
**Okay it turned a little maudlin there at the end. But I still like the idea, and I might expand upon it if the mood strikes me.**