The Fate of Juliet and Other Short Stories Read online

The Multiple-Choice Life

  “Fate16, where in the bloody hell were you?” my mother asked as I walked in (and by in I mean stopping at the threshold, not wanting to go any further, in) the most horrifying kitchen ever created. The entire room screamed Barbie dollhouse. The walls were plastered with bright, pink plaid wallpaper. Neon pots and pans hung above the stove, trying desperately to outdo the brightness of the wallpaper. An old ‘60s style refrigerator stood at the other side of the room (which was only five footsteps from the door).

  My mother camouflaged with the room. She was short and round like a plum. Her hair hid behind her neon blue hair cap. Her wrinkled lips matched the shade of pink on the walls. The drapes she referred to as a dress had bright pink and yellow flowers splattered all around.

  That intoxicating colored room became louder than my mother’s nagging. My mind intertwined itself within the bright pink and yellow lines on the wall. The wallpaper almost engulfed my entire being if it hadn’t been for the dialogue selection popping up, shielding my eyes for the horror.

  What was she talking about again? I thought as I glanced at the options.

  Tell her the truth.

  Tell her you went down stairs for fresh air.

  Give her the flowers.

  Ignore her and walk away.

  What should I pick? Man, I have no freakin’ clue. Okay, think! What did the teachers always say when you don’t know the answer?

  Mother waited, tapping her foot to the beat of the cat clock in the hallway. Her bright green eyes transformed into a dark, inescapable void, demanding me to give her a response soon.

  I sighed. When in doubt, pick “C”.

  My fingertips felt the warmth of the selection button as I pressed it. The sensation traveled through my nerves up my arm and to my chest, giving me a slight shock.

  I watched as all but one of the selections vanished, turning into tiny pixels before my eyes. In their place, smaller pixels gathered. Reds, and yellows, and blues all gathered into tiny teams to form many colors. Those colors collided together to make the shape of a bouquet of daisies.

  “For you.” I handed her the bouquet. “I wanted to show my appreciation, so I snuck out and bought you those. It.. . was supposed to be a surprise in the morning . . .but--um--surprise?”

  “Oh, Fate16, you shouldn’t have.” Her eyes lit up green once again.

  Ten points appeared beside her face. I was clear for the time being. I no longer had an objective in that horrible room. I thanked every creator out there for letting me pass that objective, and I thanked every teacher that told me the answer to all of life’s challenges.