The guest post, as promised

Many apologies for the lateness of this post.
As usual I have had many things to do and many people to catch up with in the last week, so have been a bit slow with my posting.

As promised, here is the wonderful Marks guest post!
There are some Avatars he kindly provided along with his post, so those of you who are not familiar with him can get a vibe of what he's like.

Those of you who are familiar with him know that he is a talented writer, in both writing about his life and in his brilliant sci-fi short story 'Immortal Space', a story focused around Trent and Geoff (with a g).

Enjoy!

                                                                                                                                  



Hello everybody. I'm here today to tell you a story that, while fictional, may have taken place somewhere. You never know. Kidding, I'm here to make you subconsciously send me all your cookies. ALL YOUR COOKIES ARE BELONG TO ME. Well, actually I am here with a story. I told Aysh that I would happily have her do a guest post, and after some chit chat, we decided we would swap, and do a guest post for eachother. A short story each. Thankfully I had one lying around that I wasn't really planning on sharing, and didn't have to come up with something new. There is a shorter story behind this short story. A while back, eons ago, far before the universe existed, I joined a dating website. I haven't been on it since roughly some time after the universe existed. But while I was on there, there was one girl who told me that she was writing a short story on the idea of fate, of two people being brought together by happenstance. After she told me, I asked her if she would mind if I borrowed her idea. She said no, and asked to read what I had done when I finished. She never actually got to read this story. She, like everyone else on there, decided to stop talking to me. I'm not sure where my love may lie, but I'm getting quite sure it isn't on a dating website. I've babbled more than long enough, so for now enjoy your story. P.S It's mushy as hell and something I think no one would have expected from me of all people.

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Michael was getting ready. He had a shower, shaved off the stubble that had been growing for a few days, and tied back his brown hair. Spraying himself with some deoderant he belted up his jeans, slipped on a t-shirt and put his jacket on. He had a date, and he was looking forward to it. It had been a while since he last had a date, but he had met a nice girl and asked her out to a pub near the beach to make his last day on holiday memorable. He checked himself out in the mirror one last time to make sure he looked okay and then headed out of his hotel and to his car.

He started it up and headed down the road. He put the radio on to help distract him from the nerves he was feeling. A love song was playing. “Typical” he thought to himself. About ten minutes later he pulled up in the pub car park, got out, and walked through the door. Overall it wasn't a bad place. The bar was a shiny mahogany and nearly all the stools were filled. He looked around for his date but couldn't find her, so he went to the bar, and got two pints before finding a table to sit at. He shrugged off his jacket, letting it hang on the chair behind him. He was a little early, so he thought it wasn't too surprising she hadn't turned up.

After fifteen minutes (ten minutes into the date) and three pints, he had drank her pint and gotten himself another, he was starting to change his opinion on that. He looked around again to make sure he hadn't missed her, but still couldn't see her. “I'll give her ten more minutes” he thought to himself, “if she still hasn't shown up, then I'll get going.” He thought it was a bit of a shame for his holiday to have to end like that, but that's just how things work sometimes.

He was going to leave when a woman did come up to him, but it wasn't his date. It was a black haired woman with green eyes. His date was blonde and had blue eyes.

“Is that seat taken?” She asked him, pointing at the seat on the opposite side of the table. He shook his head.

“No ma'am, and soon this one won't be either.” He said, sounding a little surly.

“That's a shame,” She said, looking at him. “I was hoping to talk to you if I'm honest.” She looked away sheepishly when he looked up at her, almost a bit surprised, most definitely confused.

“Is your name Shirley?” He asked her. Now it was her turn to be surprised and confused.

“No it's Anna, why'd you ask?”

“I was expecting someone called Shirley about 20 minutes ago,” he said, checking his watch, “part of me thought for a minute that she'd dyed her hair and put in contacts.” Anna laughed at this and sat down.

“I know that feeling. I was waiting here for a man named Michael but he never showed up.” Michael tilted his head back and laughed, shaking his head as he brought it back down.

“The names Michael” he said, shaking her confused hand, “but I guess I'm not the Michael you were expecting.”

“No, you certainly aren't” Anna said. “Excuse me for a second while I buy a drink will you?” Michael stood up, shaking his head and motioning for her to stay seated.

“No way a pretty lady like yourself should pay for her own drink. I need another so what can I get you?” Anna blushed a little.

“A pint of cider would do fine thank you, if you really don't mind.”

“Not a problem at all, I was expecting to pay for some lady's drink. It might as well be someone who's actually interested in spending some time with me.” About half a minute later Michael returned with two pants and set one down in front of Anna before sitting down himself and having a drink.

“You a tourist yourself?” he asked her.

“Yeah I'm here on holiday, and I go home tomorrow. Thought I'd go out with a bang. What about you?”

“Same here, right down to the going out with a bang part. What hotel are you at?”

“The Seafront. Don't tell me you're there too?” Michael shook his head.

“I guess that's enough coincidences for one night” he said with a smirk, “I'm further in town a bit. Would have been nice to get to the Seafront though, the views must be amazing.” Anna nodded and took another drink before replying.

“It is, but a good view is so much better when you have someone to share it with.” Michael nodded and finished his drink.

“I'm sure it is. I love the beach myself, and the ocean.”

“Me too” Anna replied, finishing her own drink. “Say, you want to go down there now? It might be nice. Going on the beach at night is another thing that should really be done with someone else.”

“Sure but just wait a second, I have to go use the bathroom.” Anna nodded and waited for him. A few minutes later he came out, picked up his jacket, and the two of them walked out of the bar together. It wasn't far to the beach, the pub was next to it and even had some tables on a terrace overlooking it. It was a chilly night though so people weren't sat there, and the beach itself was pretty clear. Michael saw Anna shiver and offered her his jacket. She took it and wrapped it around herself. Though when Michael shivered she insisted he take it back. Instead though he held her hand and walked close to her. She didn't mind though and leaned into him as they walked. Eventually they sat down, and stared up at the stars. Anna was laid partly across Michael and he was stroking her hair.

“The night sky sure is beautiful isn't it?” Anna asked, pointing up. Michael took her and pulled it to his mouth before kissing it and holding it to his chest.

“It's not the only beautiful thing here.” he said with a smile. Anna giggled and playfully hit him in the chest.

“Now don't go saying things you don't mean.”

“No I meant it. I'm looking great tonight, don't you think?” he replied with a laugh. Anna hit him again.

“Yes, I suppose you are, aren't you?” she said with a sigh.

“So are you, Anna.” Michael said. “The man who stood you up sure doesn't know what he missed out on.”

“Neither does the woman who stood you up.” Anna replied, nuzzling his chest. They laid there for about 20 minutes, just staring up at the sky and talking before Anna noticed the time.

“Oh no,” she said, getting up and surprising Michael. “I have to get back to the hotel, I've got to be up early tomorrow. I'm really sorry to cut it short like this. I really did enjoy myself Michael.” she leaned down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I had a wonderful night, and I guess I did get to end my holiday with a bang after all.”

“Will I see you again?” Michael asked, sitting up.

“With any luck” she said, with a smile. “Some things are just meant to happen right?”

“Right” he said, “but what if this isn't?”

“I'm sure it is” she said, smiling. “I know a thing or two.”

“Like what?”

“Like that I have to go, but not before I do one last thing.” She leaned down again, giving him a bigger kiss this time. After that she quickly ran off. Michael was left on his own. He contemplated running after her, but he didn't think there was anything he could do at this point. She was already gone. Not just from the beach, but from his life too. She seemed so sure they could meet again, but he had no idea how. Zipping up his jacket and getting up, he made the short walk to his car, and then made the short drive back to his hotel. When he got there, he reached into his pockets for his door key. He felt something in there. After letting himself into his room he checked his pockets again. He pulled out a piece of paper. It had a note on it that said “You may not have been the Michael I was expecting, but you sure are the one I needed. Who's to say we can't push fate?” After that there was a phone number. Michael ran to his phone and dialled it. A few rings later he heard Anna's voice. She sounded a bit mad to be called so late at night when she was trying to sleep until she heard someone say “Hey Anna, I just got your note. Now, about fate...”

Aww, Mark is making my heart feel all mushy

How amazing is this picture of Mark by Berscules?!