I wrote this about 2-3 years ago and I know my writing has improved since then, but I tried hard not to edit it too much (every writer knows the urge to completely rewrite their old stories lol)  besides the common grammar mistakes. This is just a short story I wrote on my own time cause I thought the prompt was a cool concept. It’s not super deep or thought out but I had a lot of fun writing it. Hope you enjoy it!

“Who’s ready to have an amazing vacation in Alexia?” asked Esma. 

“I sure am,” I answered, “this year has been crazy at the academy.” We were currently getting off the plane at the Willows Airport located in Alexia, the capital of  Alexandria.

“Did you make a list of things to see?” Esma teased. 

“Of course,” I said while rolling my eyes, “what would we do without a list?” Esma just laughed, and eventually, I joined in.

Once we got back to the hotel and unpacked our bags, I consulted the list. “We could start at Daphne’s tower or Romar’s statue…”

“You, Lyrik, the girl who refuses everyone I set her up with, wants to go to Romar’s statue!? Who are you and what have you done with the real Lyrik Armin?”

 “Relax, I don’t want to take a selfie with him or hold his hand, I just think that it’s fun to watch everyone’s reaction when he doesn’t wake up,” I snickered. Esma, who had already found someone at Thillow Prick Academy, had been trying to set me up with what seemed to be every single person she knew. All of the dates went horribly, either ending up with me embarrassing myself or the person turning out to be a creep. So, consequently, there was no significant other in my life and I was fine with it. 

“Oh no,” said Esma, tossing her dark waves of hair behind her shoulder, ”if we go then you have to take a selfie with Romar.” 

“Come on, Esmeralda,” I complained. She just stared back, with that stare that I learned at first grade meant it was either Esma’s way or no one’s. I gave in, just like that first day back in elementary. “Fine, but can we make it quick?”

 Her look of triumph on the bus ride there was reminding me of my defeat. The smile on her face made it seem as if she had swallowed the sun itself. But if Esma had the sun, that meant I had no light for myself, which was exactly how I felt around her sometimes. My cautious personality was constantly being overshadowed by her boldness and ability to throw caution to the wind. Don’t get me wrong I loved Esma, we had always been best friends, but sometimes…

“We’re here!” She announced in a sing-song voice. With an audible sigh, I stepped out of the bus and into the blinding sunlight. Surprisingly, there were very few people there.

As Esmeralda started to drag me toward the statue, I was suddenly filled with an irrational wave of nervousness. When we were about 20 feet away I remembered a late-night conversation with Esma, where I had told her that if I ever went to Romar’s statute and he didn’t wake up, I would give up on love. She had laughed, but I knew in my heart that I had meant it. So as we got closer and closer, my heart beat faster and faster, until finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Can’t we watch some other people first?” I pleaded. 

“Come on, Lyrik, there’s no one here! It’ll be fast and then you can do your people watching, ok?” It was not ok, but her stubbornness won out and in the next few seconds I found myself scrambling up onto the stone where Romar stood.

 He really was quite handsome, he had to be with the number of girls fawning over him, but I was unprepared for his stunning eyes. Even though he was made of stone, the warmth of his stare made its way straight into my bloodstream where it quickly turned to chills. Romar was in a kneeling position with his hand stretched out. One of the most common selfie poses was of the person curtsying and taking his hand.

 “Alright, now strike a pose!” said Esma as she got out her camera. I had always liked to think that I would be unique with my choice of pose but with my stomach still fluttering I bent into a curtsy. Trembling, I put my hand as close as I could to his without touching it. “I see you missy!” yelled Esmeralda. 

Trembling, I inched my hand further down, whispering to myself, hoping that I would be the one, that love hadn’t given up on me.

All of a sudden I heard a yelp and my reflexes kicked in.

 When I finally opened my eyes, I saw a disgruntled man in my arms staring up at me. What had happened finally sank in. I heard a scream of joy in the background. Probably Esma. 

“Pardon me, but may I ask, who are you?” said a smooth voice from below me.   

“And that my darling, is the story of how I met your father.”

“Wow….. I wonder if there are any more statues like dad’s?”

“Who’s to say?  Just remember that love will come for you if you wait for it and truly believe. And when love does come to you, embrace it willingly.”