George bested Timothy in everything. He was better at his sums, better at spelling, hand-writing, reading and tying his shoe-laces. George could run faster than Timothy, was always first-pick at football and had more gears on his bicycle. George always had the best sweets in the playground, the smartest new trainers, the most fashionable t-shirt and his haircut was always on trend.
And above all that, George always had the attention of Rosie. Before George had come to their school, Rosie and Timothy had been inseparable. Now she barely gave him a second glance. Well, that would change.
The school trip was the perfect opportunity. They were visiting some old cathedral with towering arches, collapsed roofs and crumbling walls. Timothy watched from the back of the group as they were given the tour. George and Rosie were at the front, hand-in-hand, smiling and laughing. George answered every question the guide asked them.
Then it was break. Everyone got a packed lunch and after they’d eaten there was ten minutes to explore the cathedral grounds. Timothy saw George and Rosie walk under the arch at the end of a long pathway, out of sight from the rest of the class. This was his chance.
He crept up to the arch. From his school backpack he pulled the gun. This was it, this was his moment. He spun around the corner, gun raised, and fired. In a split-second the rapid fire deluge was over.
Rosie and the tour guide stood drenched in the red paint, dripping from their clothes. George didn’t have a spot on him. As Rosie burst into tears, George put his arm around her to console her.
Timothy was frozen, paintball gun by his side. The teacher came running towards them screaming Timothy’s name. George glanced back at him, guiding Rosie away in his arms, and smirked.
One day, thought Timothy, one day I’ll get him.
This is a response to the Thursday Photo Prompt – Arch curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image
That’s not boding well for the future…
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Indeed – just the start of a long spiral for Timothy perhaps.
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That would be a tragedy…
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Wow. Not sure that’s a way to get a girl back, but glad it was only a paint gun.
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It certainly back-fired on him. I get the feeling Timothy will have a series of these best laid plans going wrong!
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Nice twist at the end!
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Thank you Reena
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Phew. Relieved that it was only a paintball gun.
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This time….
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Oh, the joy of growing out of those teenage years! A few years on, Timothy would have realised that a fickle girl like Rosie would only bring him further heartache. Plus the golden boys sometimes fizzle out when adulthood kicks in. We’ll never know what happened to David Watts, but I bet there were times when he would have swapped places with Ray Davies (or Paul Weller).
Another excellent story Iain.
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Thank you – I fear Timothy might have a few more years of being bested by George to come, but who knows where they will end up.
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Great story Iain… for a while I thought something gruesome was going to happen but it was just a toy gun!
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Nothing gruesome… this time! 🙂
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Having suffered like Timothy in my youth, I can say the best way to handle the situation is to give George and Rosie the broom, have nothing to do with them, especially if they need to elevate themselves at another’s expense. There will always be the Captain of the football team and the Homecoming Queen. Living a life by comparison is wasteful. Make your own life and leave the spotlight to what society perceives are their superstars.
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Sound advice, but poor Timothy lacks the benefit of hindsight. Thanks for reading James.
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So did I but then I didn’t try to shoot anyone either, paint gun or no. Sometimes it just hurts for a while.
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good one
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Thank you
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Scary…
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They all start somewhere. Thanks for reading.
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She’s not worth it.
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Probably not
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Sounds like Timothy needs to put his glasses on next time he takes aim. Timothy’s loss and determination come across so well, and his determination that he will regain Rosie’s attentions. I think he needs to give himself a deadline if he’s not to end up a disappointed old man.
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I fear he may not learn his lesson. Thanks Sarah Ann
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All I can say is they can all be thankful they live in a country where paint ball guns are the most dangerous weapons a primary school kid could get his hands on! I was quite expecting another outcome there!
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Yep, nothing too tragic this time round…
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Let’s keep it that way.
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I have misgivings about what might happen next!
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It may escalate over their school years…!
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Yes indeed it may 💜
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A great and unusual response to the prompt, Iain.
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Thank you 🙂
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Oh, thank God it was a paint gun. So much to win over a girl, mhhhh
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He won’t give up yet 🙂
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Excellent take Iain, Timothy’s complexes and insecurities will only increase after this incident I guess.
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Definitely so, thank you
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