Here are the winning contest entries from our 150 word contest where writers had to use the prompt, “I’ve never been the type of guy to say,” or, “I’ve never been the type of girl to say.”
I’ve never been the type of guy to say that I want the approval from the homicidal, half-insane, human being that I call my dad. Who, may or may not have stolen a million dollars from an institute for the public awareness of spousal abuse. As much as approval would be great from such a person, I never really have, oddly enough.
So, as we sit across from each other, a Plexiglas window standing in between, just after he asked me to commit grand theft auto in the middle of a police station, I feel myself squirm. The fact that my own flesh and blood was so stupid to ask such a question in front of a bunch of guys with guns, isn’t the worst part. Which is a complete problem of its own I must admit. The worst part is, I just might say yes.
The judges say: This is really interesting. I’m hooked and want to know more.
By Pavi C., 1st place
I’ve never been the type of girl to say outlandish things, which was why my parents were so disturbed when I told them about the man and the streetlight.
It had been one of those nights when every sound seemed too loud, from the shrill whine of the refrigerator to the pulsing throb of my own heartbeat. These sounds in particular were what drove me from my bed and to the window, where I stood in silence, nose pressed to the glass, curtains hanging limply on either side of my head.
Someone stood in the circle of orange light below the streetlight. From here he appeared almost two dimensional, a black paper cutout propped beside the curb. Suddenly he straightened and strode towards the light, but instead of passing behind it, he disappeared, as though traveling through a doorway only he could see.
The judges say: This is fabulous. I loved your descriptions. I loved the suspense they invoked. Very well done.
I’ve never been the type of girl to say the world revolves around me. But it kinda does. Now, don’t get me wrong – I don’t mean I expect everyone to bow to the floor and grovel when they see me. In fact, most of the time they don’t see me at all.
You might think being invisible would be fun, but trust me – it stinks. You wander around, you do what you can to help people, and what thanks do you get? None, because no-one even knows you were there. Last time I showed myself, the lady I’d come to save went hysterical. Must have been the way I picked her up from sixty feet away. Apparently that’s not normal.
My name is Arya, and I’m a Spectre. If you don’t know what that means, don’t worry – if you even know I exist, you’ll understand soon enough.
The judges say: This is super fun. I’ve never read anything like it.
By Callie, 3rd place
I’ve never been the type of guy to say that ‘happily ever afters’ don’t exist. After all, all of my life I had been taught one simple formula. The dragon captures the princess, the prince slays the dragon then rescues the princess. They get married and live happily ever after.
“So all I have to do is rescue a princess,” I had asked once. It sounded so easy.
Mother smiled and held her tapestry up to the window, checking for flaws. It showed a grown version of me, a sword in one hand, fighting off a fire breathing dragon.
“Yes. After that, you will-“
“Live happily ever after!” I finished, a broad grin on my face.
The formula had been repeated until I had grown up. Princess in distress + fire breathing dragon + brave prince = happily ever after.
Of course, like all good formulas, there were exceptions.
The judges say: This is super fun. A very creative way to start a fairy tale-type story. I’m curious where you’ll go next and would definitely read more.