Internal Conflict Blogfest

Today I’m contributing a scene to the Alliterative Allamorph’s Internal Conflict Blogfest!

The following is a scene from my recently finished novel ‘Welcome to Coventry’.  I finally got around to creating a page for the book with a poll so if you have the time and you’re interested in knowing more- please feel free to visit and vote:).

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Scott sat back in his chair. “We got a new student.  That girl I told you about who moved in across the street.”

“Oh.  Is she nice?” Sophie gave him a knowing look.

Craig scoffed and Scott hoped for a moment he’d choke on his pasta as he opened his mouth and spoke while chewing. “Yeah, she’s cute alright.  But a total headcase.  Told the whole school she’s a witch, like Old Evelyne.”

Sophie’s eyebrows rose.  “Huh.”

“That’s not true.” Scott interjected.  “She’s Pagan.  Her mom’s Pagan too.  I think it’s kinda cool, you know....alternative religions and stuff.”
"What the hell is Pagan?  Is that some kind of, like, cult where they speak pig latin?” Craig took a swig of coke and wiped some sauce from the corner of his mouth.

Scott narrowed his eyes. “No, Forrest, it’s a religion that was around before Christianity.”

Craig sat back. “Chill man.  You got the hots for the girl.  I get it.  You guys can go dance naked around a campfire like the natives.” He pointed to his chest.  “I don’t care.”

“Jesus, you’re such a douche.”

“Right back at you, jackass.”

“Boys that’s enough now.”  His father’s voice broke through.

            “May I be excused?” Scott grabbed his plate and headed toward the stairs before receiving an answer.

“Scott?” Sophie pleaded. 

“Just let him go, hun.  It’s alright,” his father said gently but followed him with his eyes.

            Scott dropped his plate on the desk next to his computer and ate while he checked his emails.  He could understand what his father saw in Sophie.  She was nice and kind of pretty with her dark hair and eyes.  And she was a great cook. 

            But his stepbrother Craig was almost enough to make him wish that his dad had never married Sophie at all.  Craig was a senior.  He was all-star basketball, football, wrestling and basically good at everything. 

Scott hated him.

 And it wasn’t just because ever since he moved in, his own father had jumped on the Craig Savoey Bandwagon.  It was because even though Craig was a complete jerk, everybody still seemed to love him.  His teachers loved him.  His father loved him.  The entire student body would probably give their right kidney for him.  Scott had never seen anyone who tried so little and gained so damn much.  The freaking jock even managed to get straight A’s.  Scott was a perpetual B student and his dad never failed to point out the differences in their report cards. 

It made him sick.

A light flickered on across the street and Scott stood and looked out the window, wondering which room in Old Evelyne’s farmhouse belonged to Avery.  There was something about that girl.  Craig was right about one thing.  Avery was really cute.  He sat back down in his computer chair and turned off the desk lamp so he could get a clearer view of the farmhouse. 

There was some movement behind the window; someone obviously moving around the room but Scott couldn’t make out who it was.  ‘Damn.  If only I had some binoculars.’

He leaned back and stared at the ceiling for a moment, thinking about Avery’s crystal blue eyes and pink mouth that curved up in the corners when she was being a smart ass.  She was the perfect height; not so short that he’d have to lean down too far if he kissed her. 

He smiled and closed his eyes.  The sun had shone off her hair that afternoon on the fire escape.  There were so many colors in it, he could have stared at it for hours.  He’d had to resist the urge to sweep one of the locks away from her face, just so that he could see how soft it was.  Yeah, she was something alright.