To Dance With You Is to Risk Being Bruised
I hate writing dialogues so I challenged myself to write a story, entirely… of dialogue.
“Enter at your own risk
I am not responsible
For the misery I will bring you
It's just a matter of time
Before I start to destroy you
Let me warn you” - Elaine - Risky
Aislinn: ‘Don’t act like you don't know, Parker.'
Parker: ‘I don't have a clue. Aren't you supposed to be doing something?,’
Aislinn: ‘Yeah, but I'm concerned, why do you act as if nothing happened, tell me why did you flinch?’
Parker: ‘I didn't flinch.’
Prevarications
Aislinn: ‘You can say the word, but still lie to me as if I am not-’
Aislinn: ‘I promise I am trying to help. Please let me help, did someone… flip sake Parker, just tell me.’
Parker: ‘You're the one in denial, if you have to ask, go ahead. I have nothing to hide,’
Aislinn: ‘Parker, I am clearly getting annoyed. Is it really this hard for you to care about someone besides yourself?’
Parker: ‘You’re the one that was shouting at me and about to hit me over the head with your iPad.’
Frames of Reference
Aislinn: ‘I didn't try to hit you over the head, I was trying to pick it up to leave the room because-’
Aislinn: ‘It's not even fair, why do you get to be the victim? Weren't you the one that was in a bad mood, trying to bring me down with you?’
Parker: ‘This is why I don't trust you.’
Aislinn: ‘Great, so now I'm left to do all the emotional labor.. ’
Parker: ‘Do you care about me, or is this what you tell yourself?’
Aislinn: ‘... I just meant that you're not helping.’
Cynicism
Parker: ‘Fine…’
Aislinn: ‘Fine what? Am I supposed to lead the way with this too, am I supposed to persuade you until you find the words — have you take all the credit for solving the problem?’
Parker: “Here you go, everything is a competition.’
Parker: ‘Is this about finding out why I flinched, or is it about trying to keep yourself from holding the blame— is it really that hot?!’
Aislinn:‘Is that what you think I am doing? Holding one over on you, do you think I am just waiting to attack?’
Parker: ‘No.’
Aislinn: ‘Then why would you treat me like someone who doesn't care about you?’
Parker:‘I’m not feeling my best, I don't feel cared for and it might not even be your fault, it's just how I feel,’
Aislinn: ‘It would've been a lot easier for us if you had just come out and said that,’
Aislinn: ‘I feel like this sometimes, I just have days where I don't feel loved, and no matter what you do I can't see it…’
Parker: ‘I know I blamed you for the way I felt, but you were showing me you cared all this while.’
Acquiescence
Aislinn: ‘See.’
Parker: ‘ I am not good at seeing things in the heat of my emotions.’
Aislinn:‘ I wish it was that easy too, but chaos is chaos, I suppose there is a reason why there's a word for it.’
Parker: ‘Don’t you mean argument?’
Aislinn: ‘Yeah, same thing.’
Parker: ‘Well, if you say so.’
Aislinn: ‘Do you want to end on a good note or not?’
Parker: ‘Not safer to say nothing, huh?’
Bedlam
Aislinn: ‘What is that supposed to mean?’
*Walks away*
Aislinn: ‘It's frustrating when you point out something I did wrong, but then walk away’
Parker: ‘Don't you get it? Why respond to me when I am clearly doing something wrong…’
*Sighs*
Aislinn: ‘You're right, there's plenty that I could let slide, but that won't keep me safe from giving you the benefit of hurting me — pushing my boundaries…’
Parker: ‘So you would hurt me to protect yourself?’
Aislinn: ‘You know that’s… that’s not fair’
…
A/N Thank you so much for reading, I appreciate you and everything you do for me, always. Good luck to everyone who entered the sky-ku challenge, I know we are all really nervous including myself. Thank you once again if you got this far. ❤️☺️🙏
About the Creator
Caitlin Charlton
poetry too close to home
🪄~unique fictional stories 💎 you’ve never known 🪄
📖~ let me read your work, say hi to me, I will leave comments longer than the road, please do return ~ 🙏🏽
📸 YouTube natures finest moments 🎥
~ married👰💍 ~
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Outstanding
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Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
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Comments (23)
Wow. Congratulations on your top story!!🎉🎉🎉
Congratulations on top story! You certainly rose to the challenge, Caitlin, and crafted a deep dialogue about the intermingling of relationship woes. I am impressed. Dialogue is difficult for me and something I need to practice.
Nice
This is so cleverly done. I hate writing dialogue too - It always feels stilted...mostly because I'm a socially useless human so obviously that's gonna show. You nailed it though! Beautifully crafted. C 🤍
This is impressive and utterly convincing dialogue, Caitlin! Congratulations on a Top Story nod, richly deserved!
Congrats on the TS. This was truly well done.
This is a fascinating study of human behavior. The characters' constant shifting of blame and their inability to communicate effectively create a tense and dramatic atmosphere. It's a powerful reminder of how destructive toxic relationships can be. I'm eager to see how the characters will resolve their issues and find a way to heal.
Such an incredible story! Congratulations on your well-deserved top story! ✨💫
Gosh this just felt too real! Like so freaking real. It hit me so hard! You are so talented! Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Such a wonderful emotionally charge story told through dialogue Caitlin!! I love the way we get to watch the dynamic between these two shift, very cleverly written!! Congrats on Too Story!! 🎉
Good work. Have you ever tried to write a play. Your dialogue is easy to follow and if you add stage directions there you go. I wrote one play, and I turned into a short story. An American Revolution Story here on Vocal.
This was a wonderful read - you handled the dialogue superbly well! Congratulations, too, Caitlin, on the Top Story. Well done.
Hi Caitlin! Congratulations on your TS! I’m not surprised! This is exceptional and well crafted! ‘To Dance With You Is to Risk Being Bruised’ This is such a poignant title. Your signposted dialogue format is perfect for this piece. It allows the reader to focus on the spoken. Yet still perceive the overt but also subtle undertones. The complexities of a relationship: sripped bare. I have read it a few times to fully appreciate how you challenged yourself. Pauline ❤️
Wow! Back to say congratulations on your top story 👏🎉🤗
Your writing captures the complexities of relationships beautifully, especially the interplay between vulnerability and trust. The imagery you use is vivid and evocative, making the emotional journey feel very real. I am so proud of you !!! TS Well deserved. keep it up
CONGRATULATIONS on this marvelous Top Story!
I hate writing dialogue, too....BUT you did this one BEAUTIFULLY!!! I loved the content, too. Soooo many times this happens: "Parker:‘I’m not feeling my best, I don't feel cared for and it might not even be your fault, it's just how I feel,’ Aislinn: ‘It would've been a lot easier for us if you had just come out and said that,’ "
Wow! Caitlin you've done this beautifully. Your reads never disappointed me from the very first I was sure that I'll just crave for your thoughts and for your writings and Now there you go! ;)
What a good job with this dialogue. Easy to follow and everything in between.
This was brilliantly done Caitlin! You captured all of the different mindsets so masterfully and effortlessly. I also love how you categorized them and gave them each their own spotlight! Exceptional work my friend! BRAVO!
I like the structure. It's easy to read even with the complexity of the couple’s interactions. The characters subtly shifting blame, seems so realistic.
This dialogue felt very authentic, believable. Pretty cool that you challenged yourself this way :)
Do you want to end on a good note or not?’ this caught my attention 😀 I like the way u put this story together.