Creative Writing Practice #2 - Character

                Fumbling through my big black bag, I finally managed to pull out the key to my small condo in the middle of downtown Toronto. I gladly accepted working overtime at the small local café down the street, without thinking about the music class I now had five minutes to sprint to. College tuition had been put first on my list of things to pay off, so sadly I could not afford a car. Unlocking the door, I scurried towards my bedroom so I could change out of my work clothes. There was no way I was going to class with a frilly white apron and a name tag with “Ava” written in a romantic font.

            “Hi Sam, hi Ella!” I said to my two turtles who were blankly staring at me from their glass cage. They were the only family I had in Toronto, and cared greatly for them. I always wondered what they thought of me since I was always flying back and forth from work to class. They never really got a chance to see me without a stress line painted across my forehead.

            The apron got stuck when I tried to untie it, so I tried pulling it over my head. I was in such a hassle that I knocked my glasses off my face and tripped over them, only to leave me face down on the hard wood floor. I laughed at myself through my clumsiness, and pulled myself off the floor. I threw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, having to cuff them since I was so short. I found a pair of sneakers, and tied up the laces quickly almost tying my fingers in with them as well.

            I ran out of my bedroom and over to my piano where I had yesterday’s theory homework scattered everywhere. When I was little, my mom forced me to take piano lessons. I always dreaded my lessons and rarely practiced, until one day when she took me to a music store and told me I could pick out anything I want. I picked out a Coldplay sheet music book, and absolutely fell in love with my instrument. I then realized playing piano was my one and only passion. So right after high school, I packed my bags and moved across the country, by myself, to Toronto so I could attend an arts school.

            Not even bothering to look in a mirror, I ran out the door and down the street hoping to catch a bus so I wouldn’t be as late. I was on my way when I ran into someone, and my sheet music and homework flew everywhere. Oh, just great!

*Change in perspective*

            I was late for class and running to catch a bus, when I fell in the path of a girl running in the opposite direction. I knocked her to the ground causing all of her papers to fly everywhere.

            “I am so sorry,” I mumbled offering her a hand up. She had a petit frame, and I was pretty scared I had broken something since I was the stereotypical football player towering over six feet with muscles galore.

            “Thanks,” she said blushing and not wanting to make eye contact.

            Her long, black wavy hair was blowing in all directions, as well as the papers. I noticed she had thick glasses on with vibrant blue eyes hidden behind them. I was getting distracted from the simple beauty of her presence. I woke myself from my trance and began to pick up the papers that surrounded us. I glanced back at the girl, to only see a small tear escape her eye as she organized the sheets in her hands. I quickly rushed to her side with the rest of the papers, and brushed the tear from her eye. Her skin was icy cold, but the burning from her cheeks was still present. I could tell she was very shy, but there was something about this girl that was so interesting.

            “I’m Liam,” I said looking down into her breathtaking eyes.

            “Ava,” she replied.

            She quickly walked away taking her papers, and also my heart as she scurried to the bus stop.