Instructions: Read the short story and once you’re done (scroll to the end of the story) VOTE on whether this story should be turned into a novel or novella. And if you don’t think the author should keep going, we have a choice for that too.
The Unfortunate Events of Connie Mills
In the quaint town of Feldman County, where secrets whispered among the trees and everyone knew everyone else, lived a curious and adventurous 15-year-old girl named Connie Mills.
Connie had spent her entire life in Feldman County, cherishing the peaceful simplicity of her surroundings. That is until one fateful day when everything changed. A new family had moved into the old Victorian house at the edge of town.
Among them was a 16-year-old boy named Chase. With a mop of tousled black hair and an air of mystery, Chase immediately captured the attention of the locals. Connie, always eager to meet new people, was naturally intrigued.
One sunny afternoon, Connie spotted Chase sitting alone on a bench near the town’s lake, his gaze fixed on the ripples. She approached him cautiously, a mix of curiosity and sympathy in her eyes. “Hey, are you new here?” she asked softly.
Chase turned, surprised to see someone reaching out to him. His eyes, once filled with hope and adventure, were now clouded with sadness. “Yeah, just moved here,” he replied, his voice tinged with melancholy. “My name’s Chase.”
Connie sat down beside him, sensing the weight he carried on his shoulders. They talked, sharing stories of their pasts, dreams, and hopes for the future. Chase revealed that he had been sent to live with his Aunt Misty in Feldman County because of a string of unfortunate events that had plagued his previous town.
As Connie spent more time with Chase, she noticed something peculiar. Whenever he was present, strange occurrences would unfold. A bird would swoop down and snatch an ice cream cone right out of someone’s hand, or rain would suddenly pour down during a clear blue sky. Misfortune seemed to follow Chase wherever he went.
At first, Connie dismissed it as mere coincidence. However, as time went on, the coincidences became too frequent to ignore. Objects would inexplicably break or fall, and accidents would happen in Chase’s vicinity. Connie started to wonder if Chase truly was the source of this streak of bad luck.
She decided to confide in her best friend, Lucy, about her observations. Together, they devised a plan to investigate further without alerting Chase. They discreetly followed him, taking note of the strange events that occurred. The evidence began to pile up, and Connie couldn’t shake the feeling that something supernatural was at play.
One evening, under the starlit sky, Connie mustered the courage to confront Chase. With a mixture of concern and empathy in her voice, she shared her findings and expressed her worry for both him and their friendship. Chase listened intently, his expression a mix of sadness and resignation.
Finally, Chase opened up about his past. He explained that he had always been at the center of unfortunate events, no matter how hard he tried to avoid them. It seemed like a dark cloud followed him wherever he went. He had hoped that by moving to Feldman County, he could break free from the cycle, but it seemed to persist.
Connie’s heart ached for Chase. She realized that he wasn’t responsible for the unfortunate events; he was merely a victim of circumstance. The two friends shared a vulnerable moment, their bond strengthening as they vowed to face whatever lay ahead together.
Over time, Connie and Chase discovered that their friendship brought balance to the chaos surrounding Chase. The more they embraced their connection, the more the town of Feldman County flourished, and the unfortunate events slowly faded away.
In the end, Connie and Chase taught the townsfolk of Feldman County a valuable lesson: that compassion and understanding can overcome even the darkest of misfortunes. As they ventured into the future, hand in hand, they embraced the uncertainty, confident that their friendship could weather any storm that came their way.
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