The Prefab Story Exercise

The Prefab Story Exercise

By Ruth Robinson

Luka could only barely conceal her feelings of disgust as she heard the tires of Niko’s ratty old bike screech and squeal their way to her family’s house. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Niko, for if Luka did, she would have only found herself even more angry. Luka brushed back her sleek black hair so that it would fall gracefully behind her, nervousness seemed to quickly replace any feelings of disgust she had. Niko really hadn’t changed since that last time she’d seen him-- he rode his bike with a crooked back, his moppy brown hair went in any direction the wind was. His dark brown eyes did not glimmer in the light like Luka thought they had used to. Instead, his eyes seemed dull and lifeless now.

Thanksgiving had always been a fun celebration for the two former friends. The crisp chilly air of November coupled with the warmth and aroma of a feast always seemed like the perfect combination for Luka. She thought about what her mom begrudgingly told her and tried her hardest not to roll her eyes.

“You haven’t seen him since Leo passed. I really don’t understand,” Luka’s mom was in the kitchen, sweat drops dotted her forehead as she attempted to use a potato masher.

“I don’t think you need to understand mom,” Luka leaned against the kitchen counter, “he stole Leo’s paint brushes. He knew how much I wanted to keep them and he stole those stupid brushes and left.”

Luka’s mom clicked her tongue in disapproval. After setting down the potato masher next to Luka she let out an elongated sigh.

“Luka, your cousin will not be able to make it to dinner this year. I want you to invite Niko to join us instead.”

Luka felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up straight. She knew what her mom was trying to do and she knew that her mom wasn’t giving her a suggestion-- she was ordering Luka to invite Niko.

And so, there Luka stood on her front porch. Watching Niko struggle to ride his bike up the gravel road that led to her house. All of the emotions that she had managed to avoid for years had rushed back to her. Before Luka had even a second to contemplate them, she heard one last squeak of Niko’s tires as his bike came to a halt at the top of her driveway.

“Long time no see.” A cheeky grin was plastered to Niko’s face.

“Likewise.” Luka narrowed her eyes, upon further examination maybe Niko hadn’t changed as much as he thought. He still held himself with bad posture-- always looking like he was in a slump. His hair was just as disheveled as always. Oil paints always seemed to graciously stain the tips of his fingers.

“Well...you gonna invite me inside or what?” Niko shifted his weight from one foot to the other, “I haven’t been able to bike this far in a long time.”

Luka only dismissively nodded as she turned her back to Niko and opened the large mahogany front door to her house. Immediately the warmth and scents of turkey and sweet potatoes hit the pair as they walked inside. Niko discarded his worn out sneakers by the door and stretched his arms. It was as if Niko had never really left, he already felt like a piece of the home.

Niko gently dumped his dusty gray knapsack next to his shoes. Luka closed her eyes, listening closely, hearing those damned paint brushes clank together as the knapsack sagged to the floor. It was as if she could hear Leo’s precious paintbrushes calling out to her, she felt a sudden desire to paint.

The pair made their way into the small cozy living room. A large red leather couch was placed perfectly in the middle of the room, judging by the scratches on it the couch had seen better days. A small fire crackled and popped in the fireplace directly in front of the couch. There was a sense of warmth and coziness in the room that Luka and Niko clearly lacked. Niko found himself sitting in his usual spot-- a red leather recliner that had matched the couch. Luka sprawled herself on the main couch, letting her uneasiness sink into the worn out leather.

“So what have you been up to? Doing any painting?” Niko asked. He was always quite the conversation starter.

“Meh…” Luka sighed, “I haven’t felt an ounce of creativity left in me since that fateful day. Feels like everything left me that day if we’re going to be honest…”

A quiet sigh escaped Niko’s lips as he watched his former friend sink further into the couch. The distance between the two grew further with every word they spoke to each other.

“Y’know...I know you were a little mad when we went through Leo’s stuff,” Niko paused making sure that Luka was paying attention.

“Yes, Niko, I know you know. And it’s NOT because I’m a hot head,” Luka felt a fire start to roar uncomfortably in her chest. 

“Those brushes were really a nice set and I wasn’t going to waste them like...well..”

“Like me? The only person in our group who never finished her projects? Have you ever tried to think about how I felt?” Venom became laced into Luka’s voice. 

An awkward silence most definitely would’ve followed, if it weren’t for Luka’s mom began to hum loudly from the kitchen.

“Leo always encouraged us to paint whatever and whenever we felt like it,” Niko’s voice abruptly cut through the silence, “You never needed those paintbrushes, you just needed a little encouragement that’s all.”

“If only it were that simple, dear Niko.”

“It really is that simple,” Niko retorted back.

Luka felt like she wanted to disappear at that moment. Thanksgiving was supposed to be a feast, a gathering of friends and family. Niko was not a friend anymore and he most certainly wasn’t family either.

“Niko you know I’ve always admired your work. You snatched those paintbrushes and since then your career has flourished. Meanwhile I’m…”

“Stuck living at your parent’s house due to neverending art block?” Niko questioned.

“Exactly! At this rate I’ll never finish anything I set out to do. Not only have I disappointed Leo but I’m disappointing myself,” Luka allowed herself to make eye contact with Niko, “I’ll be forced to go back to data entry. So much fun!”

To Luka’s surprise when their eyes met Niko shook his head in disappointment. Something had definitely changed in the years of cold silence between the two. Yet despite the coldness Luka could feel herself warming up to him again. Talking to Niko as if they hadn’t been on speaking terms for the last four years.

“Now Luka, you know it’s hard for me to lie. Maybe the uncomfortable truths that I pointed out were what caused our downfall in the first place.”

Luka nodded silently in agreement.

“But listen, Leo wouldn’t have wanted you to give up so easily, he would know you don’t need a pair of silly paint brushes to create something of your caliber,” Niko smiled gently, “If anything you could probably fingerpaint and still create something better than what any of us could make.”

The fire in the fireplace ceased to crackle and began to roar.

“Honestly Niko, I didn’t expect to hear that from you,” Luka felt the negative emotions that she had held onto for so long begin to slip away.

“Well I won’t lie, I’ve missed our friendship. Want to try out some painting again after dinner?”

Luka smiled and nodded. A sense of relief washed over her. Maybe they weren’t back to their close friendship yet but at least there was a start. Before Luka could respond, her mom burst into the living room. The aromas from the kitchen had finally reached the living room. Dinner was ready.

“I can help set the table,” Niko offered. Luka’s mom smiled and grabbed his hand leading him away from the living room. Luka sat in a deafening silence. Now would be the perfect opportunity to do some digging through Niko’s knapsack. All she would have to do is snatch those paint brushes and she’d be set for life. Leo’s seemingly never ending creativity would flow through her and she wouldn’t have to resort to going back to data entry.

But there was something holding Luka back. For her conversation with Niko made her realize maybe the only thing she was lacking throughout the years was a real friend. And the thought of losing that made Luka reconsider every thought and feeling of ill will she had held toward Niko.

Even if she held those worn out paint brushes in her hand, dipping it into a mixture of blue and green oil paint, would the creativity that she had lost even return? That thought never failed to leave her mind as Luka hopped up from the worn out couch. She didn’t even give Niko’s knapsack a second thought as she walked through the entryway into the kitchen. Surely there would be more opportunities later tonight, Luka could make up her mind then.