The result of the long awaited One Shot Contest Result is here!!

All the entries were fantastic and better than how I can ever write in almost all the cases. I had a real hard time choosing from them, honestly.

The top three are those which seemed to be within the word limit, with least to no grammatical error, and most importantly, unique.

Stories that my book have not been able to tell.. the winning entries are those fascinating tales.

Also, I'm deeply thankful to Neha di (neha12056) for her help as a guest judge in the contest. Thank you for everything, di.

Prizes will be delivered to all contestants shortly. If not, please pm me.

******

****WINNERS*****

1. SILENCE ISN'T GOLDEN

Contest Entry by: ingenuousness
(781 words)

"So, have you decided yet?" I asked Brittney, drumming my fingers on the table. "Are you going to call him or not?"

"I do not know," she said, looking away to where Michael Haywood, one of the school's bad boys, sat. I studied her as her gaze lingered on him a little too long. "I need time to think about it."

I sighed, recognising her despair. "You won't be able to move on in your life if you don't call him. You can do this!"

I knew that she'd been hung up on Michael for ages. We'd fought because I told her that Michael was a bad boy, just one of those wannabes who broke your heart, but she didn't listen. I told her once and gave up. I tried to be a calm and supporting best friend.

She watched as he ran his fingers through his blonde hair, and I caught that dreamy look on her face. No doubt she was thinking about how endearing he was... again. She'd told me time after time about how he was when he was broken, how much she wanted to comfort him. And I listened.

I listened until that party that night, where I told a very drunk her to get herself together and show him she was over him.

Drunk people don't listen. I'd learnt that the hard way.

She continued studying him, leaving her lunch on the table, untouched yet again. I placed a hand on her shoulder as the tears formed. She didn't let them slip, though.

"It's okay," I whispered soothingly, aware of all the disgusted glances people were throwing in her direction. She didn't deserve them. "Everything is going to be okay."

Brittney nodded and picked up her sandwich again. She bit into it, still watching him intently. I heard the whispered 'slut', spreading around like wildfire. I know she heard it too, because a stray tear fell down her cheek.

I wiped it away and dragged her to the toilets. "You have to move on," I said quietly. "He's not worth it. They're not worth it."

She nodded - she seemed to be doing that a lot lately - and we returned back. Her head was held high and her shoulders were thrown back. I smiled, pleased.

But the whispers started up again.

I jumped to my feet and pushed the chair back with a loud creak. Before I could open my mouth, Michael's friends yelled at me to sit down. I opened it again, but Brittney slapped a hand to my mouth, effectively shutting me up.

--

She didn't talk on the way home. I thought it was weird. She normally talked so much and told me all about her day, but today she remained silent.

It started raining. I pursed my lips, continuing to drive. She looked away.

"Annabel," she said.

"Yes?"

I answered, not taking my eyes off the road. It was slippery, so I switched the lights on.

"I went to his room," she told me, her cheeks red. "At the party."

I gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Did he rape you?"

"No," she whispered.

"Good."

"I allowed him to." My knuckles turned white, but I didn't say anything about why she shouldn't have.

Instead, I said, "It's okay. I understand."

She continued staring out of the window. I took this as a bad sign, but remained silent. I knew this was a crucial moment. If I said something wrong, Brittney might be scarred forever.

When she turned back to look at me, tear stains were evident on her face. I pretended not to notice - Brittney was always a strong one. She never wanted anyone to see her cry. So I didn't. I kept my eyes on the road firmly, watching out for cars, or stray animals on the road.

"I regret it," she sobbed. "I regret it so bad."

"Hey," I said gently, swerving the car to the side of the road and pressing the sign that signalled an emergency stop. "It's okay. It's all going to be okay."

"I was drunk, but it wasn't a drunken mistake," she continued, paying no heed to my words. I let her. "I think I would have said 'yes' even if I was sober."

My heart ached for her. "Brittney?"

"Yes?" she replied, her voice full of hope although tears were still running down her cheeks.

"It's time for you to move on," I told her. "If you don't, you will be stuck here forever. You have to do this!"

She motioned for me to continue driving, so I did. Looking away, she said, "I have to call him."

"Yes," I nodded.

"Then I will." she said, determined.

*****

2. HOW KATHERINE FOUND CANDY

Contest Entry by: sparklesqueen_99
(607 words)

It was a difficult and rough day. I had to face the fact that I had nothing more in life to do but wait in expectancy for someone to enter, someone to make the doorbell chime, get in a gust of cool air as they entered, but anxiety got the better of me. I rested my head in my hands and thought about my life.

My mind raced back back to the year 1969. 1969 was the year Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. 1969 was the year I lost my first baby just as he was born. I rubbed my eyes at the memory. Patrick Mathers drifted away from me when he heard that his wife, Katherine Mathers, was no longer able to conceive. It all happened in the year 1969. 1969 may have been a blue year, but I found my goal in life.

Candy. As silly as the term may sound, candies made my life worth living.

I recall the day, December 11th 1969. Fran was a dear friend. She owned the most beautiful candy store in New York. Fran was the wife of Patrick's workmate. She often came around with her husband for dinners. True, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Vibrant red hair, laughing gray eyes and a mesmerising smile, she reminded me each time that she was everything I wasn't.

Fran was never compelled to not follow her dreams. Despite her parents' urges to enter the business world, she opened up her own candy store. It was easy back in the day, owning candy stores. Perhaps it was because no one ever thought of doing so. As I recall her telling me, her parents stopped pressurising her when she married Jacob, my husband's colleague.

I remember her looking at me in pity as she watched me scrub the pots clean while our husbands laughed loudly over a couple of drinks. She would go on narrating the story of her life as I worked on. Little did she know that I paid attention to each and every word I said.

At first I thought that it was out of pity when she took me in to work with her and learn her beautiful recipes of creating strawberry jelly drops, blueberry gum, lime lollipops and all the wonderful delights. I didn't ask myself why. After I was done serving Patrick breakfast before he went off to work, I would rush off to her store and help her out. She would teach me beautiful things.

April 28th 1970, I said in my mind. I felt tears sting my eyes. It was all before me. As I opened my apartment door, Patrick and Fran were in a compromising position- his hands laying sinfully on her naked bottom and hers in his boxers'. None of them said a word.

"Leave," Patrick ordered me.

Fran didn't look at me at all. It was then that I realised that she made me work with her because that was her way of apologising for what she had done, or what she was doing.

I moved back to my paternal place and opened up the candy store and here I am.

I opened a jar of apple gummy bears and picked one. I took in its' scent and I placed it on my tongue and let it roll in my mouth, working it's flavors all over.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched customers happily walk in the adjacent restaurant. I may not be happy with business, but I am happy with what I have been able to find in life. Candy. Katherine Mathers found candy.

****

3. INDEFATIGABILITY

Contest Entry by: MrEnchantress
(601 words)

If Katherine Mathers were told to describe Brittney Claire in any way, she would describe her as a ray of sunshine.

Brittney gave her hope when most of it had left, remembered her when others hadn't.

And so, Katherine could not knowingly or willingly allow a fellow person to fall into the abyss of hopelessness. She could not just passively sit there.

"... I honestly don't know what to do, Katherine," Brittney said. "It feels like whenever I talk to him I mess something up. It's like I'm pushing him away, or causing him to push me away. I truly want to help him, but he's just so set on thinking he's right - but he's not! He matters a lot to me and he can't seem to grasp it.

"What should I do?"

Katherine revisited a memory, and then sat down beside Brittney.

"First, I think you need to calm down," Katherine said. "When you're worked up, you'll say things you don't mean, and if you get this frustrated around him, I think that will cause him to believe he's the problem, that you don't want or need him. Most importantly, you cannot give up.

"Let me tell you a story," she continued, conjuring her memories.

"Once, I had a great friend - my best friend, in fact. She was so rare and pleasant, and I loved her like a sister. The whole town admired her.

"But, she was troubled. She liked to keep it secret, and most of the town thought it was a furphy, but she had let me know the truth.

"Her family had many issues - financially, they were in debt, and her grandparents were passing - I don't know everything that was afflicting them.

"Even more importantly, she was fighting her own personal battles. She was in an abusive relationship she couldn't escape. Also, in school, a group of jealous students had been attacking her - more verbally and mentally than physically."

Katherine sighed before resuming, recounting this was truly paining her. "After seven months, she killed herself. And that's only counting the time she was tortured by our schoolmates. She left me a letter explaining everything. The things I knew, the things I didn't know, and the things she thought I didn't know.

"But here's the thing: I knew most everything. I knew about the bullying and I knew about her cutting herself. I knew she wanted to kill herself, or at least I knew she was thinking about it. I just never did a thing.

"One time. Of all the chances I had, I only tried dissuading and helping her one time. I gave up after that, but if I had been persistent... well, I could be running this shop with her."

Katherine's words eerily rung throughout the candy shop, and Brittney shivered, imagining a new reality.

"I can't let that happen..." Brittney uttered, her voice hushed. "Exactly," was Katherine's reply. "You can't ever give up on him. You must be determined, unyielding, dogged. You must have indefatigability. You have to let him know how much you care."

They sat in a silence that was only broken by their screaming thoughts for a long moment.

Then the door chimed, and Katherine saw two handsome, young men enter her shop, one blond with blue eyes and the other a brunet with an estranged face.

Brittney still sat gazing at her lap, her mind lost in her thoughts.

"Why don't you go help those young men?" Katherine asked, shattering her trance.

"S-sure," Brittney went to help the duo.

Don't give up, Katherine thought. Please, at least for me.

La Fin.

*****

***HONORABLE MENTIONS***

The honorable mentions are in no way lesser than the winning entries as well. They are as fascinating.

1. BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Contest entry by: -Rinii-
(2534 words)

Brittney Marie Claire was at her happy place. Six years had flown past with the wink of an eye and here she was, back to her haven, her Erthington. The only too familiar scene unfolding in front of her eyes, made her smile broaden, every passing second-their restaurant brimming with customers, on a bright sunny day and her parents making them feel at home with their small talks and warm smiles.

Brittney was ecstatic, now that her desire had been fulfilled, to an extent. How much she had yearned for a glimpse of her parents, Katherine and a certain someone whose name started with the letter 'M', over the past couple of years. Quite a lot had changed, from the last time she had visited home-her equation with Michael, for instance.

As she looked out of the window, at the never ending expanse of water a few feet away from the restaurant, Brittney's mind drifted off to all the wonderful moments spent and memories made with Michael, the past six years, from the first time she had come to know him. They had come a long way, from being strangers to friends to best friends and finally a couple, for the past two years.

After their first Skype call around six years back, they had continued to stay in touch through texts and Skype calls, after Brittney had moved to Seattle. Her course had kept her on her toes, but the need to make sure that Michael was doing fine, urged her to check on him every single day, even if she was tired enough to sleep like a log. They had soon grown to become the best of friends, with each knowing the other inside out and having no inhibition whatsoever, in sharing even their deepest secrets with each other. They did have their fair share of arguments and it was during those moments, that Brittney willed herself to remain strong, for both their sakes. She did not wish for a disagreement over something, to end whatever they shared between them.

Their days began and ended with each other's texts and slowly, but surely, they had started occupying each other's thoughts, 24/7.

Brittney was Michael's little ray of sunshine and he couldn't thank her enough, for bringing hope back in his life. They had started dating shortly afterwards, when Michael had gathered enough courage to ask her out. Brittney, who had also come to realize that Michael had come to become an indispensable part of her life, had replied in the affirmative.

Maintaining a long distance relationship had not been an easy task, but they had passed that test with flying colors. Brittney had graduated from the University of Washington, two years ago and had decided to continue as a research assistant in the University. Brittney's parents and Michael had gone to attend her graduation and it was the first official meeting of the three most important people in Brittney's life. Thankfully, they seemed to get along well with one another and Brittney couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief, at that memory.

The workload in the University and her part time job, had reduced her number of visits to Erthington, but as always, Skype had proved to be the ultimate savior. Brittney had finally gotten some time off and she had booked tickets for home, deciding to spend time with her people.

The sound of her phone's ringtone brought an end to her journey down the memory lane. Brittney looked at the caller ID and noticed that it was Katherine's shop's number, flashing on the screen. Guilt consumed her instantly, as she had planned on calling Katherine that morning, but the thought had slipped her mind, thanks to reminiscing about the course her life had taken the past couple of years. She mentally chided herself and answered the call, expecting to hear Katherine's voice and also wondering how Katherine had come to know about her coming home that weekend.

"Hi Katherine!! How are you?" Brittney decided to let her cheerful voice take over, hoping to do some damage control.

"Hey Brittney," the voice, she would probably recognize even when she was half asleep, answered her.

Momentarily taken aback, but assuming that she had started imagining his voice everywhere, Brittney shook her head and saw her phone screen again, to make sure that she hadn't imagined the caller.

"Ka..Katherine?" she tried again.

According to Brittney, there was no way that she could have heard that voice from Katherine's phone, because, if Michael had come to Erthington, he would've informed her for sure.

"It pains me to know that you haven't recognized my voice, after all this time,Brittney," her favourite voice replied again, making her believe that it was indeed him and that she wasn't hallucinating.

"Michael?"

"Now that you know whom you are talking to, can I expect to see you in Katherine's in half an hour?" Michael replied.

"Uh? You are here? In Erthington? When did you come and most importantly, why are you not home??" Brittney fired one question after the other.

"See you soon, sweetheart," Michael hung up, leaving an utterly confused Brittney behind.

To say that Brittney was gob smacked, would be just putting it mildly. The questions she had asked him, continued playing in her mind and it was a good two minutes, before her mind registered what he had asked her to do.

'I should be there in half an hour? What does he have going on, in that mind of his? God, why is he just always so unpredictable? He sounded different than usual too. Is everything fine?'

Brittney started panicking as soon as the last thought crossed her mind, but she took comfort in the fact that he was in Katherine's and she would've contacted her if anything had been wrong.

Also, Michael sounded normal. Deciding it was best to just see for herself, Brittney left the restaurant, informing her parents about where she was going and promising to be back for lunch.

Brittney reversed her dad's car from the driveway and zoomed off in the Honda Civic, towards the familiar downtown area.

Soon,the car pulled up outside the store that Brittney probably considered her second home-Katherine's Confectionary.

She entered the store and a small smile lit her face, at the memories the place kindled in her mind.

"Katherine?"..."Michael?" she called their names, hoping to get her confusion cleared, as early as possible.

"Brittney dear!! How have you been? Oh my little Brittney has grown into such a young beautiful woman," Katherine appeared from the next room, her eyes twinkling with happiness, on seeing her favourite child.

Brittney immediately moved forward and hugged Katherine, the woman she had spent most of her childhood with and someone who was almost like family.

"I missed you, Katherine. I wanted to call you today morning and meet you before going back to Seattle. I have been good but I really miss you guys so much, that at times, I just want to leave everything behind and fly back home," Brittney replied, still having an arm around Katherine's shoulder.

"I understand, dear. This place has been so lonely after you left and I wish you would visit home more frequently too. But Brittney, you are doing a course that you love and this is for your future, so don't worry, time will fly and before we know, you will get done with it. So, would you like your usual Kitkat and M&M's?" Katherine asked her, in an attempt to brighten the mood.

"Sure," Brittney replied, grinning. Chocolates were always welcome, no matter what time of the day it was.

Katherine excused herself to get Brittney her chocolates, before the latter could ask her about Michael. So, Brittney proceeded towards the other room of the shop, hoping to find him there. What she saw there, made her jaw drop.

The entire room was lit up in fairy lights and in the middle was a projector, with a picture of Brittney and Michael, their first picture together, to be precise. The projector soon displayed one picture after the other and sometimes, even screenshots of their text conversations, from moments they had mutually acknowledged as very special to them. Every picture had a small writeup about a corresponding fact and the value that picture held, from Michael's point of view. The slideshow came to an end soon, with the last screen displaying the words -'I Love you,Brittney', in bright colours.

Brittney was overwhelmed with this gesture but was still puzzled as to why he was doing all this, all of a sudden.

"Michael?" she called softly, to hear her phone ringing in response.

Katherine's store number flashed again on her screen and this time, Brittney walked ahead to look behind the projector, to see the subject of her thoughts, standing there, holding the phone to his ear and grinning. One glimpse of him, made Brittney giddy with happiness.

Brittney started moving towards him to engulf him in a big bear hug, but Michael gestured with his right index finger, for her to attend the call. She scrunched her eyebrows, not understanding where this whole thing was going, but one pleading expression on her boyfriend's face, made her decide to do what he wanted.

"Michael, is everything alright? You are acting weird and it's scaring me!"

"Hi Brittney..Well, I know this whole thing might seem stupid, but just hear me out okay?" Michael said, looking at her expectantly. He continued, when he saw Brittney show him a Thumbs up.

"Okay so, I don't know if you remember, but on this day, six years back, was the first time you had called me, from this very store, from this very phone...Okay I am guessing the phone part, Katherine might've changed it," he paused and when he saw her chuckle and reply with a "No. It's this 'very phone'. Happy sixth 'Wrong call' anniversary, baby! Proceed," Michael grinned. He loved it when she called him 'Baby'.

"Happy anniversary to you too. Yeah, the thing is, I don't want to make this sound all cheesy because you know I am not good at talks like that. But, the fact remains, that from the moment you came into my life, you've made it better by a million times. You've changed the torn and a broken boy to a confident man, who listens to his heart and understands the importance of Life. You've made me understand that every hard phase is a passing cloud and it's only a matter of time, before the silver lining makes its appearance. You've never failed to give me that silent reassurance, that no matter what, you will be there for me, without questions or without being judgmental. I am actually glad that I am one of those unfortunate ones in the zillions of humans, to be named Michael, because if that hadn't been my name, you would've hung up without talking to me..."

Brittney wanted to run into his arms and just never let go. This guy was too sweet for his own good. When she was about to walk towards him, he gestured her to stay and continue listening to him. She agreed, albeit reluctantly. Michael continued, when he was sure Brittney was listening.

"I just want you to know, that your presence in my life has become paramount. No one can ever take your place and.. I love you so much! I am giving this speech over phone because this is where and how our story began and I wanted this moment to be special..."

Michael placed the store's phone back on its base, slowly walked towards her with a wide smile adorning his face, took her phone from her hand and ended the call. Brittney couldn't believe her eyes, when she saw what he was about to do next. This was actually happening in her life. She had never really imagined that she would fall in love, again. But she was lucky the second time and the namesake of her first mistake proved to be the exact opposite.

Michael got down on one knee, something he had never thought he would do in his life, and looked at the woman who ruled his heart, with a nervous smile.

"Brittney Marie Claire, the eight year old with two 'T's' in your name, Will you marry me?"

He had finally said it! Michael Adams had asked her to marry him!!

Brittney wiped the tears she never realized she had, until a drop fell on her palm. She nodded quickly and said,"Yes! Adams, I love you! And this time, I know I am telling that to the intended recipient. I will marry you! And that extempore speech of yours, why do you talk as if I am the one who did everything good in this relationship? You have been my rock, a constant in my life whom I know I could depend on,always . So, we have been there for each other and we will continue to be."

Michael was ecstatic. His Brittney had agreed to be his.

He put the ring on her finger and kissed her finger tip, happy that it fitted her perfectly.

"It's beautiful, Michael," Brittney said, looking at the small diamond twinkling brightly. Michael placed his hands on either side of her face, leaned in and kissed her gently, sealing their deal for a lifelong commitment. They broke apart, to the sound of someone sniffling softly. They found Katherine standing there, with a phone in her hand, smiling and crying at the same time.

"Congratulations," she managed to utter, after composing herself and the newly engaged couple were by her side in a jiffy, pulling her for a group hug.

"Aww you are so cute, Katherine! Thank you for being so amazing. You are the best!!" Brittney told the woman she loved dearly.

"Yes Katherine. Thank you for looking out for her all these years and also for letting her make that one wrong call six years back. You are one of the main reasons we are together today," Michael said, genuinely expressing his gratitude for the older woman. "And Thank you for the video!" Michael winked, gesturing towards the phone in her hand, making Katherine chuckle.

He had let her in on his plan before coming to Brittney's place and Katherine was only too glad that he chose her place to propose to Brittney. She had also instantly agreed to film the proposal, as Michael felt that Brittney would love to see that later.

"You filmed this? Oh my God that's so thoughtful!! I love you guys," Brittney squealed with delight and hugged them again, thankful for being blessed with such lovely people in her life.

The trio continued chatting for a while, Katherine and Brittney telling Michael about her childhood here. It was time for lunch soon and Brittney remembered that she had to go back to the restaurant. Her parents sure would be very happy at the recent but unexpected development. Michael and Brittney left the store, after bidding goodbye to Katherine. They walked towards the car, hand in hand, looking forward to the next phase of their life. For now, Life was good.

An Anonymous call, had changed their lives, for the better.

2.YIN AND YANG

Contest entry by: TheTommoWay78
(2246 words)

All things, in general, had been going okay, for Michael Adams. Unfortunately, he certainly wouldn't use those particular words to describe that-nor would he acknowledge the particular statement; but it was the simple truth.

The recent past had been a flurry of emotional roller coasters and rather abrupt explosives of extreme feelings-- still was, really; grief, pain, happiness... whatever it maybe. It had always been at it's zenith and like a bomb.

A nuke, if you will, that brought about the sudden blossom of feelings that only lasted for what would seem like seconds-or minutes, perhaps. But the impact they left, were like bullets on a glass that seemed invincible to bullets; surely, they did not break the glass, but did that mean the glass remained unharmed?

Naturally, in the dictionary of the common, his situation wouldn't be classified as being okay, (roughly scratched it, actually). But to Michael being okay meant only one thing - being alive. He'd taken after Haymitch's advice, so what?

The actual fact, which Michael had yet failed to realize, was that the sad and the bad, had outweighed the good and the joy, in his life for a time far too long.

It had not yet dawned upon him that the one phone call that he frequently spent so much time thinking about, struggling to decide whether it was something good or bad, was the only event that balanced the scale of the darkness and light in his life; yin and yang, if you will.

You see, Michael was so blinded by the self loathing and grief that sang lullaby to his crying figure every night and jolted him up every morning from his meager hours of sleep, that he simply didn't see any need of changing his views on how he believed the world was ruled; by nothing but darkness, or by the aforementioned example, but only the yin.

What was it, that made it impossible for that one tiny fact, to get through his blindness that, yin yang was balance and harmony; but yin-yin? That was simply the name of a panda.

So perhaps you could empathize with Michael's dilemma-- maybe you couldn't. Depends, really - when the very girl who had unknowingly been aiding the brown haired boy discover the yang in his life called him (for the second time-- if you could even count the first one), his phone screen illuminated by the word Brittney on it, staring expectantly at him, waiting for him to click on the green button.

At that moment, the least his thoughts could do to help, was go rampant.

One half of him wanted to desperately pick the call; just talk to someone. But the other fought with him with its fullest effort, struggling to make him see how this would ruin everything. How talking to her would only attract her closer to the empty and lightless vortex of depression and melancholy Michael was.

Surely, he thought to himself,loosing her would definitely be better than having her walk on broken glass.

But no one else deserved what they got, getting intimate with Michael. He didn't know whether to push her away and hurt her or to embrace her close and cause her even more agony.

But in the end, neither of the two sides won. It was a strange feeling that had fueled his courage, making him answer the ringing phone.

He knew he couldn't talk to Brittney. Not in the state he was, no. But he had to try. Because that was all he was good at: trying. Trying and failing.

He shook his head as Brittney's feminine and panicked voice became more evident than his own self destructing thoughts.

"Hey, Adams?"

"Brittney..." He paused for a while, "Look I am really not in the mood to talk right now."

He ardently desired that his voice was how it was normally. That it too, didn't betray Michael and expose how very vulnerable he really was. How minutes ago, he had been sobbing violently, wishing he could stop being how he was.

"Hello, Michael?" Michael noticed how her breath hitched at his name. "Are you okay? Is everyth-"

"I am... I am really busy right now. Okay? Please don't call me." He said, hanging up.

The phone slipped from his hands and landed on his rigid bed. He hissed, holding his wrist. It hurt.

The phone didn't fail to cease ringing and vibrating under Michael leg as tears slipped down his cheeks. He rapidly wiped them away, streaking his face with little smidgens of blood, but unfortunately for him, the water seemed to be incessant.

His eyes grazed over the words of concern that Brittney was asking him, rather-texting him.

Is something bothering you? Are you okay?

It took him some time to reply, but he did.

Yes, I'm not ok. I am not!

Pls stop bothering me wid

    those usual 'what happened's

A part of Michael was very much aware that every word he typed would be hurting her, but then again he asked himself why. Why it would hurt her? Why, the words from a mere stranger would be hurting her.

God! I wouldn't have asked you anything like that!

But can I at least know if you're fine?

You know? You sounded terrible on the phone.

Another buzz. Another concern.

Hey! I am really worried, okay?

Michael exhaled softly, almost laughing. Why, for the love of God, would she be so emotionally invested in someone she didn't even know?

I'm not n a mood/condition to talk.

Where are you?

at home.

You are scaring me like shit right now. God, something is wrong.

Can't type, it hurts.

Adams, what the fuck! What happened to you?

??

I don't wanna b ok.

Hey! I will help you be okay.

The sound of his ringtone indicated his phone was ringing. Again.

He answered, knowing exactly who it was.

"Brittney, what?" His voice shook as he spit out each syllable.

"You know you can talk to me without worrying about your identity or anything for that matter." Her kind voice floated through the speakers.

Michael stayed silent.

"I-" he paused for a few moments, inhaling deeply, and thought about all that has been on his mind. He chose his next words with caution. "I cut my hand with a razor this morning and it..."

Suddenly, he couldn't utter another word. He broke down crying, his mind holding the reigns over his heart. Memories came back. Memories of his momma. His brother. Samantha.

"Hey, are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Brittney asked.

He was still crying, bitterly. But in between the sobs, she caught his words. "No, fine... I-I'm fine."

"Please don't cut the line, okay?"

"Hmm..." He agreed.

Nothing was said and done for a few minutes, the silence hanging between them; only interrupted by her breathing and his irregular whimpers and inhalations.

"I'm sorry if I made you worried, somehow." He apologized.

"It's okay." She replied softly.

Michael panicked for a moment, and he rambled, "Brittney, I know you're wondering what's wrong with me. You wanna know about my pas--"

"No. Honest to god, I don't." Brittney interrupted.

"Seriously?"

"I don't lie upon god, it's a big deal."

"More like God is a big deal." Michael retorted jokingly, his mood a tad bit better.

She laughed a bit, and it was loud and it was also contagious. Soon she could hear Michael's soft giggles over the phone. And soon, their conversation went on, steering away from the intense topic they were conversing about, a few minutes ago.

She complimented his giggles and he protested mockingly. They flirted a bit, and got to know one another a lot more. It wasn't much, but hey, it wasn't nothing!

The call did come to an end, but not before Brittney made Michael promise not to do anything wrong again.

Michael didn't answer on the phone, but he answered by text.

I promise.

His lips curled, a genuine smile making its way onto his face as he stared at his phone.

Thank You, for not questioning. And being there.

You don't know, but it means everything.

He pressed enter as his eyes felt like they were burning; exhausted by the amount of crying he'd done that day. He set aside his phone and smiled as he thought of his conversation with Brittney today, and slowly, but surely, sleep lured him away from reality and into its own, safe, transcendental place.

•••

The next morning Michael Adams woke up to three things: 1. Pain, 2. Sunlight warming his room, and 3. an alarming number of text messages from Brittney.

He wondered who would have cared to text him, especially more than one. But he knew the answer all too well. It was Brittney, the high spirited girl, of course.

There were seven texts ranging from her being as aplomb and chirpy as a bird to her going Hiroshima and Nagasaki on him. She even threatened to call 911 on him!

The last one was two minutes ago. He attempted typing, but found it excruciating. So he called her instead, putting the phone on his chest with the speaker on.

Her voice rushed through the speaker as soon as their call connected, filled with concern asking of his state.

Michael assured her he was okay and that he had overslept, but it was hard coercing Brittney. Her angry words at him reminded of something that he didn't want to. So he shook his head, focusing on apologizing to her.

"I'm sorry, for all of this, Brittney." Michael said, "But trust me, I just overslept. Actually I couldn't sleep all night yesterday, and I fell asleep at like six am. So I just..."

"I was just trying to brighten your mood, Adams. But you got that ruined." She huffed, her annoyance obvious.

"You are welcome to cheer me up now." Michael suggested.

And so she did. They bantered in a friendly manner, Michael protesting on how he never called her by her first name and telling her about that one time he had stopped talking to a guy in middle school because he wouldn't stop calling Michael Adams.

So, when she protested, even after the story telling, he asked her, "Why do you have a problem calling me by my first name?"

"No problem. Not at all. Michael." She said breathlessly, hanging up on the phone.

He liked that.

•••

Michael called Brittney, late at night, unable to sleep. He was very much curious to know what relation Brittney and the name Michael had-other than them being friends of course.

When Brittney picked up the call, her first question was regarding how he was. Annoyed, Michael told her to stop being so concerned over him.

Now that he thought the chick flick moment was done with, he sprung his question, asking Brittney about her hesitation with his name.

You could say her reaction ranged from being pissed off, to being ultra hulk pissed off. The more he goaded her about the matter, the more hulk she became.

"Come on, chill. Why are you shouting?" He asked, cringing at Brittney's loud tone, his voice growing in amplitude too.

"Why do you cut, huh?" She retorted, suddenly.

Michael wanted to reply, but he chose to be quiet.

After a long silence he replied. He told her about how he had gone through a lot and how he wasn't strong enough to bear it. And Brittney heard in silence as she prompted him when he hesitated, encouraging him to go on.

Michael, of course, justified that her problems mattered no less than his. That when he cut, all he wanted to do was die. He confessed to her about his brother's demise and how his mum never got over it.

And when things got too much, he pleaded that Brittney drop the subject. It was now her turn to confess and she did the exact same thing.

At first, she did whatever she could, to make it sound as dumb as possible. But that trick, sadly, didn't work on Michael.

This time, the tables had turned. Whilst Brittney told Michael about how he shared names with someone she used to love, Michael encouraged her, cautious enough not to tip her off the ledge this time.

"So, you called me-" Michael got cut off.

"Yeah, it was a stupid idea."

"Hey don't make me feel so bad about it now." Michael protested and the both of them laughed.

That night, a lot of secrets were spilt, and a lot of emotions were unleashed. But Brittney and Michael thought it ended pretty well, considering Michael's last words before they hung up: "You are something, Brittney. You make all my pain go away."

Michael fell asleep gradually with a smile on his face, thinking of Brittney that night too. A small spark of hope surged through him, sending out the word about a possible good time approaching. But alas, it had not yet penetrated through Michael's skull that every Yin had its Yang.

Little did he know that just a few days later they would end up quarrelling over the smallest of things...

So, now I'm guessing you can proudly say you've gotten a glimpse into the life of Michael Adams, the boy who continually failed to understand that Yin-Yang represented harmony, and Yin-Yin, I iterate, my reader, Yin- Yin, was simply the name of a panda.