Tuesday, October 12, 2010

English 303B: Character sketch

Professor Luck:
"I want you to write a passage about someone you know, create a character sketch of that person that truly shows rather than tells the character of this person. Be specific. This is one of the key things that fiction writers use, and when you're good at it, it really can make or break a piece."

~~~~~

We were driving to church in her beloved, beat up car, trading stories from the past week. I told her about the 3 pages I wrote then tossed out, while she rallied back with the video she took of herself dancing, but wasn't going to put up online.

"Why not?" I asked her. "I'm sure it's good."

"Psh." She scoffed, shaking her head. "No way girlfriend! Trust. It's just me jumping around like a fool. No one wants to see that!"

She parked her car in the empty lot and sat back in her chair, letting the engine and radio run below our conversation like elevator music. Neither of us moved to leave, instead finding solace to just sit in silence before I turned to her and sighed. "You're crazy wildcat." I told her. "What are you afraid of?"

She laughed out loud and shook her head at me, the smile taking over her entire face. "No, you're crazy '
wildcat'! Believe me, it's just nothing post worthy."

I rolled my eyes. "You gotta get over it man. You're good! Just own it!"

But she only laughed again, as if my confidence in her was completely ridiculous. She shook her head as she giggled and sighed melodramatically. "Just drop it man. I'll do it when I've got something good, don't you--AHHHH!"

The scream came so suddenly that I couldn't stop the laugh that tumbled from my lips. "What?!" I cried out but she only leaned forward and turned up the volume of her radio, screaming out, "I LOVE THIS SONG!!" She began to sway from side to side, letting the music take over her mood. She closed her eyes as she mouthed along with the words of the singer and gestured wildly with her hands creating spirals and shapes in the air as she completely let go to the song.

I sat back and shook my head, feeling my own body start to sway as the song continued. But my eyes stayed glued to her as she continued moving.

I had to smile because she looked
so happy.

~~~~~

Dedicated and written for the unforgettable bestie that has blessed me:
RJuice/RJeans/RJeanius/RJeezy/Richelle

I believe in you! Just go out there and BE HAPPY!


-aarika

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