Dezhen Kong's Short Story Proposal

Exposition

Two weeks into the summer vacation of my third year in college, I received a package along with a letter from one of my high school best friend, Adolf. Adolf was going to study aboard at some developing country for a year and a half, so he packed and found some old collections from our adolescence years, and thought it was a good idea to send them to me.

Inciting Incident

I waited until I visited my parents to associate myself with the content of the package. I went to our high school for sentiment’s sake, and sat at the old spot of shade where we used to lunch.  I took out an old, vaguely familiar journal and some pictures, papers and scratch while embracing the three digit degree of hotness and humidity. I’ve seen that journal no more than a hand full of times, but decided to leave that for last and looked at the loose pieces of memories first.

Rising Action

Most pictures and papers shared days from our past. There were always three of us, Adolf, Claire and me, biking to the top of the hills, exploring for four hours, and eventually suffering from poison ivy a day later; passing intentionally hilarious notes to doom the one unable to hold his or her laughter during math; and other little, unworthy details that all came back to me.

The journal however, did not include any experience I share with.

Climax

The journal composed of poems and stories written from the viewpoint of the high school Adolf I had absolutely no knowledge about. He was in love with someone throughout high school. I was not surprised about a teenager keeping a journal about crushes, but he was famous for his numerous girlfriends and skills for leaving them heartbroken yet happy to be with him once again. You can’t help wonder who the wonder girl is who gave him self-destructing inspirations.

Falling Action

Adolf kept the reference to his love as only “Her”. The dates of the entries slowly approached present as I flipped through the page, and finally, stopped three days after the graduation. I glanced at the end of the journal, and there was a note dated right before he packed the package and sent it to me, telling me that this girl is someone whom we both know and love dearly, and will never be replaced by someone more important for the rest of his life.

Resolution

I sat at our lunch spot for an hour or four, letting sweat drip down my hair, enjoying the brief moment of understanding someone more than I can ever about myself. I called his number, only to hang up after two rings. It was not intended as a call but more as a message that I was done reading part of your life and it was cool thanks. I walked back home, thinking about him and that person I know damn well who she is.