Tony

Paste in your story below

Genre: Romance Characters: The president of the USA and a member of the communist party Setting: A jungle Starting sentence: Red is my favorite color

“Red is my favorite color”, said the president of the USA as he accepted the exotic flaming red rose from the member of the communist party. “I’m glad you like it, Mr. President.” was the reply “You know, I never got why my people resent you people so much, you don’t seem like bad guys” said the president, as he leaned in to kiss the communist member on his cheek “Of course we don’t”, a blush appeared on the communist member’s face, as he stared into the president’s eyes. “Isn’t it a wonder how we ended up here, together, stranded in this godawful jungle? My wife’s gonna be so worried about me” “I can’t believe you’re still thinking about your wife, Mr. President.” He paused. “What does this relationship mean to you?” The president of the USA chuckled: “This? Hah, this is nothing. Once we get out of this we’ll go our separate ways and never see each other again.” The devastation on the communist member’s face turned into a visible outrage. “What about all the time we spent together at that resort in Beijing, after the morning meetings were over? How about the kiss just now? How can you throw all those moments away?” “For god’s sakes, Dong, I’m the president of the USA. The only reason why I’m stuck here with you is because we got separated from the rest of the hiking team, remember? Everything I’m doing with you now is silly. I’m just exploring my alter ego. This means nothing.” It was at this moment that the communist member realized that there would be no convincing the president of the USA to become his lifetime partner. He silently drew his knife as a single tear slid down his still blushing cheek. “Wh...what are you doing, Dong?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. President, but it has to be done.” “Dong, no!” Dong slowly raised the knife, and the president waved his hands in fear. The moment was frozen in time. Two men on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, one full of sadness and rage. One full of fear and confusion. The knife came down… right onto the last apple. Dong resumed chopping it up, methodically. “Dong, you filthy pig! That apple hasn’t been washed. I told you.. ugh… I told you so many times that we couldn’t eat that yet. You know, this is exactly why our relationship can go no further.” Dong didn’t look up, he just ate his apple slices in silence. From behind them, the way they had been walking, they heard voices calling out. “Hey, boys! We thought we lost you there.” It was Fabio, the leader of their hiking group. He laughed at the misfortune of the amateurs. The Amazon was a confusing place to those who hadn’t grown up there, but Fabio knew it inside and out. His enthusiasm and sass was only a bonus to the experience he lended to hiking groups. “Fabio, I missed you so much,” said the President. The two embraced in a fierce hug, one that, in Dong’s eyes, was far too long.

______

For the rest of the trip, Dong’s eyes blazed whenever he saw the President and Fabio together. Every laugh, every glance they shared was a missile to his heart. In his frustration and despair, he isolated himself. Adopting the same strategy as his North Korean best friend, building himself a fortress. Although Dong dedicated his life to Communism, to his philosophy of sharing, the love and attention of the President was the one thing that he wanted to own. He thought perhaps he would give the President a taste of his medicine. Chinese traditional style. Right to the core of problem. Not like those flimsy Western pills, only scratching the surface.

__________

That night, when everyone was sleeping, Dong sneaked into the President’s tent to check if he was still asleep. When he was about to open the flap he heard a noise behind him. I whirled around to see Fabio, standing tall and confident behind him, holding a pillow in his hand.

Dong and Fabio stared at each other in front of the President’s tent, neither one saying a word. It was at that moment that Fabio broke the silence.

“Well. This is awkward”

Dong didn’t give an answer as he continued to stare at Fabio.

“So. How are you?”

Dong’s face twisted into an expression of utter confusion. How are you? What do you mean how are you? What the heck? Why? What? Thought Dong to himself.

Again Dong did not reply.

“....So. I’ve been meaning to ask you. What’s your relationship with the President?” “None of your goddamn business.” replied Dong. “I...well I’m just asking because...I feel that there’s been a pretty big misunderstanding here.” “Oh really.” “Well yes. You see, the President and I are cousins. And. Well I feel that you’ve been thinking that we’ve had something going on and I just...I also have a confession to make if you’d like to hear it” rambled Fabio.

Throughout Fabio’s speech, Dong’s expression smoothed out into shocked expression. “I. I uh sure”

Fabio leaned in really close, eyes staring into Dongs’.

After a long minute, Fabio whispered in Dong’s ear: “I ate your apple pie”.