Last night I showered

In his three piece suit

Water cascaded over Italian cashmere

Sliding into a 120 thread count

Montblanc cufflinks shone bright reflecting

Arrogance that danced across the tile walls

Notched lapels drooped over

And egyptian wool shoulder pads filled heavy to the brim

I tilted my head back

Jagged laughter rose from my throat

I let my mouth fill with water

And lazilly drooled it down

Like a bubbling crab

Over his favorite Hermès tie

And once pride lay saturated on my frame

I suctioned flat against the bottom of the tub

Inhaled the fumes of uptight pretentious bastardization

And let the water beat me in the face

Steam pruned my fingertips

Before the Parker pen in his breast pocket

Leaked out across a chest with arms of 100% cotton

Half asleep I watched it bleed

Wicking at fibers hungrily with capillary action

I’d been hollowed.

"I should probably shave my peach fuzz off before the big show," I said thoughtfully, looking at my childish beard hairs in the mirror.

"The show begins in three minutes, sir," Maya, my cute stylist, said after barging into my dressing room. "Oh, sorry," she said, closing the door after realizing I didn't quite have my pants on yet.

"It's good," I said, walking over to where my pants were hanging, taking them down, then pulling them on. "You can come in now," I said as I zipped up the zipper to my black suit pants.

"Need anything?" she asked, batting her lashes at me.

"Yes, actually. I don't know how bow ties work."

I truly did not know how to fix them, but I did not want to learn because I enjoyed being close to her. I absolutely loved when she patted my chest and looked into my brown eyes when she finished.

You should make a move, I thought to myself. No, then I'd have to fire her… that would be awkward.

But she's a great person, Caleb, one of the many voices in my head said to me.

True, true. But… I don't want to lose her: she's a great friend.

This is the best part about you, Caleb.

What is?

You friendzone yourself.

I chuckled to myself as Maya finished and patted my chest. "What's so funny?" she asked, her blue eyes sparkling as they looked deep into my eyes.

"Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself."

She smiled. "You're weird, Caleb. You're weird."

Kiss her, the voice told me.

I stared into her eyes. Time seemed to slow as she stared back into mine.

When her watch began to beep, she looked at the ground and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's time for you to get on out there," she said.

"Yep," I said with a sigh.

She stood on the tips of her toes and fixed my hair. "Have fun," she said.

I looked into her eyes one last time before I left the dressing room and headed into the auditorium.

I stepped up to the microphone and pulled out my notes. The lights were still off.

"WELCOME TO PEN TO THE PAPER 4!" I shouted through the microphone. I squinted as the blinding stage light shined into my eyes.

I was met with cheering from the large crowd gathered in the auditorium.

"Who's ready for the big announcement!?"

The cheering, clapping, and whistling grew louder.

"Before I get started, I must make an announcement."

The crowd calmed.

"I need to pee, I'll be back."

A few people in the audience laughed as I ran off of the stage and to the bathroom. I passed Maya on the way.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I gotta use it!"

Maya rolled her eyes and walked away with a grin on her face.

A minute later, I was back on stage.

"Welcome, my fans, to the big announcement! We had some good ones this time--not that we didn't have good ones any other time… In third, we have Voidkin's I Laugh Alone. I'm not sure what it was about it, but I loved it! I loved the mentality, I loved the way it was written… I just really, really liked it.

"Coming in second, we have GLD's Edita Castaldo. The descriptions were beautiful, the story amazing, and it was very well written."

The crowd clapped and cheered. GLD, who was sitting in the front row, was patted on the back by the man sitting next to them.

"In first, we have DaisyMae's Ik hoop dat je me blijft verrassen. It was beautifully written, and I loved her portrayal of emotion throughout the story.

"Some honourable mentions are--"

CRASH!!!

A light fell off of the ceiling, falling right in front of me. Startled, I dropped my notes. I leaned down and began picking them up. As I did so, Maya ran onto stage to help.

"Are you okay?" she asked, looking into my eyes with concern.

"I think I had a heart attack and died, but, other than that, I'm good. Thanks."

I accidentally touched her hand. We both pulled back and stared at each other.

A few moments like this passed, then she snapped out of whatever trance she was in.

"Here you go, sorry," she said.

"Thanks," I said, standing up.

She stood up and ran off of the stage.

"Where was I? Ah, yes. An honorable mention is Ashes to Ashes and the Bottles to Hide Them In by Sadwinistic. Your writing style is beautiful, and the story pulled me in. You are one of the creators I always look forward to seeing post. Keep up the good work!

"Mellondeau's Queen of My Own Creation also pulled me in. I found it very interesting. It was a fun, short read.

"As a final mention, but not the least, we have Laylee's Layer Upon Layer. Your message was amazing! I loved it!

"Thank you everybody for entering! I enjoyed reading through your entri--"

"Are you going to tell us who that was?" arctic asked from the back.

"Oh, her? She was, uhm, she's my, uhm, she's..." My cheeks turned bright red as I stuttered. "Good night everyone!" I said, running off of the stage.

Through the deep,

in the heart of a heartless,

soul less world,

I was there.

Looking for a cure,

for a disease I didn't know

I had,

If I am being honest,

I didn't even know

what was I looking for.

But I knew I was there.

For you.

And, then, suddenly,

the universe was born,

I saw a light, and I was sure

it was destined to cure me.

I approached inch by inch

with each flap of my fin

I was scared to ruin it.

And as I was about to

feel eternity,

I smelled a stench.

The cosmic light went off,

darkness reappered,

the only light was the reflection

of the teeth of my doom

or cure, I don't know.

I didn't want to know.

In those moments,

I thought about you

as like these slipping time

you haven't gave me anything

but darkness and dread.