ext_204243 ([identity profile] icheb-lover.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] ds_flashfiction2006-08-12 05:58 pm

Cheating Challenge by Icheb_lover- "I'm Not Cheating!"

Title: "I'm Not Cheating"
Author: Icheb-lover
Challenge: Cheating Challenge
Rating: PG-13 (for language)
Characters/Pairings: Stella/Orsini, Stella/Ray, Barbara
Word count: 1 163
A/N: Sorry it's late, I've been really busy!
Summary: 'It isn't cheating,' Stella thinks, as Orsini kisses her, 'if you're divorced.'



“I’m not cheating,” Stella told herself, as Orsini - as Frank – kissed her hand. She was divorced, dating other people was perfectly acceptable. But she didn’t tell Barbara about the date, when she phoned, and, when Barbara told her some stories about baby Stanley, she felt just a little bit better, even though she’d heard them all a hundred times before.

“Not cheating, not cheating” her head sings, as Frank kisses her, and pulls her close; but her heart is crying, and she feels the phantom weight of a wedding ring on her ring finger.

She’s angry that he’s following her, Ray that is; she’s guilty and angry at herself for feeling guilty because there was no need for her to feel that way because she wasn’t cheating. Who does he think he is, following her around everywhere, looking like that damned dog they used to have? He used to be her hero, anger and verve and life – where does he get the nerve, looking like she drained the life right out of him?

And then its there, its back. He’s shouting, right there in the crowded street. It’s embarrassing, and not at all flattering... well, maybe a little... he’s still fighting for her, her hero is still there still fighting...

Looking at her, at Frank’s arm possessively around her waist; he’s looking at her like he’s caught her cheating. And Stella leans back into Frank’s arms, and raises her chin proudly; she may be many things, but she’s not a cheater.
eledhwenlin: (Default)

[personal profile] eledhwenlin 2006-08-12 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
This makes me actually feel sorry for Stella. Poor girl.

[identity profile] lucifercircle.livejournal.com 2006-08-12 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Poor Stella.
Nice idea, well excuted.

[identity profile] marcellapolman.livejournal.com 2006-08-13 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Nice! "Poor Stella", yeah, maybe. But she made her own bed, etc. Very credible story, and so short. I admire authors who write credible stories that are short. It's a skill I lack myself.

"... the fanthom weight of a wedding ring ..." Yeah.

[identity profile] hieronymousmosh.livejournal.com 2006-08-14 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
Very nice. I like how you portrayed Stella's struggle with moving on, she comes off as very "human" and as a realistic character.
kalijean: (Default)

[personal profile] kalijean 2006-08-16 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
I've never liked Stella, but I like this. Maybe I could learn to like Stella :)