NaNoWriMo, Day 4

As of yesterday, I was 2000 words behind the target. Well, 1999, but why not round up? I had 3001 words and was supposed to have 5000.

Today I'm pretty determined to get over 5000 before I go to bed. I'm at 4775 now, making it my most productive day so far.

I've decided I'll post scenes from my novel here, but you probably won't get a real narrative flow from what I post. Ideally (hahaha), I'd like to publish this someday, so I don't want to throw the whole thing on the web as a first draft.

Anyway, here's today's scene. In this scene, Anh (the main character) and her roommate Liza are coming home after meeting Greg, who is clearly interested in Anh. I intend to open the novel at Greg and Anh's wedding, so it will be no secret that she's meeting her future husband. At this first meeting, Greg tags along to a party with the roommates, and this is their conversation when they return to their apartment that night.

--

Liza unlocked the door while Anh yawned and stretched exaggeratedly.

“Oh, don’t give me that!” Liza warned her roommate. “It’s not like you’re going to go to bed without discussing Greg with me!”

Anh giggled. “It’s not like I want to!”

Liza grinned at her roommate. “That’s m’girl! Tell me what he said when you met!”

Anh put her purse in her room while she though of a suitable reply. “I don’t think it’s really what he said as much as the look on his face. It’s almost like I was a painting. Or a math problem he was trying to figure out. He’s an engineering major. I couldn’t decide if he was confused or admiring. Maybe both.”

“Could be. It was definitely an admiring look that I saw. It looked to me like he’d never seen anyone so beautiful. And you are – don’t get me wrong. You’re gorgeous! But the look on his face was like he was going to follow you home like a puppy dog.”

“Well, he did follow us to the party…”

“True. And he didn’t really look like he wanted to go home. Too bad we went together to the reception on campus. You guys could have hung out for a lot longer if you hadn’t had me along.” Liza frowned.

“I dunno. I’ve never been one of those people who thinks you should stare into each other’s eyes and talk until sunrise. I’m sure I’ll see him again.”

“I was going to ask if he got your number.”

“What do you think?” Both girls laughed.

Just then the phone rang. Two necks snapped around to look at it, then the girls stared at each other and roared with laughter. “You don’t think…” said Anh, just as Liza said, “Is it him?”

Anh jumped off the couch to check the caller I.D. Sure enough, it read Greg Stanton. “Holy crap, who doesn’t wait two days to call?” she shrieked.

“Well? Answer it!”

“Give me a second to catch my breath!”

Anh fanned her face and breathed deeply while the phone rang once more – three rings total now – and picked it up before the answering machine got to it.

“Hello?”

“Is Anh there?” My gosh, thought Anh, I don’t remember his voice being so deep!

“This is she,” said Anh, remembering the prim phone manners her parents had drilled into her from the earliest of ages.

“Hi, Anh! This is Greg Stanton, who you met tonight. I wanted to call and let you know I had a great time tonight. Thanks for inviting me to the party.” What, a boy with manners? thought Anh.

“Of course! I had a great time too, Greg. I’m glad you came along. It’s always good to bring some new people into that group.”

“They’re a fun crowd without me, I bet.”

Anh laughed. “Well, they are. But it was fun having you there, and I am glad you came along.”

“Me too.” Anh could hear him draw in a deep breath. “Listen, I was wondering if you’d like to go to dinner sometime. Maybe next weekend?”

“Sure Greg, I’d love to! I have plans on Friday night…”

“Oh sure, of course you do. If you’re free on Saturday, that’s great with me.”

“Saturday is great.”

“Pick you up at your place at 7? 7:30?”

“Ummm, 7 is fine I guess.” She gave Greg directions to her apartment and hung up. She turned to face Liza, her eyes shining with excitement.

“So you’re going out next weekend?” Liza gasped. “And he didn’t even wait a day or two to call? What guy doesn’t wait? He must really like you!”

“Oh my gosh, I told him I was busy on Friday, and he clearly assumed I was going out with someone else. I didn’t get a chance to explain that we have a standing girls’ night on Fridays!” Anh dropped her face in her hands.

“There’s nothing wrong with that!” Liza grinned. “If he thinks there’s competition, he’ll have to bring his best game!”

“Did you meet him?” Anh gasped. “He’s gorgeous, funny, smart… he is the best game!”

“And that’s why there’s nothing wrong with letting him thing there may be someone else for him to have to compete against.” Liza smiled grimly. “Nothing like a little competition to bring out the best in a guy who likes a girl.”

“Wow, does that ever sound like the voice of experience!” Anh shook her head at her roommate’s logic.

“Trust me on this, Anh. Just let him think what he wants to think for a little bit. No harm, no foul.”