Avery Olive

Alright, it’s time for another deleted scene. Though I admit this is more of an extended scene of what actually ended up in the book. Had it made it in, this would have been part of Chapter 2. Either way, I loved the interaction between Landon, Daniel and their teammates. Hope you Enjoy!

Landon

            “Yeah, I broke up with her. It needed to end,” I comment.

           “Who are you kidding? You guys always end up back together.”

            I raise my chin and say sternly, “Well, this time it’s different. We. Are. Done.” But Daniel’s right, we’ve been on and off for years. Sure there were the odd flings in between, but nothing substantial. We always did end up right back in each other’s arms.

            “Yeah, well, I’ll believe it when I see it. Though, if you’re serious, you mind if I... ask her out?”

            I know Daniel would be just about the last person Charity would end up with but that still doesn’t stop me from saying, “Sure, you guys would be great together. My best friend and my ex,” as my voice drips with sarcasm.

            Daniel tends to have a one track mind.

 “Really? SWEET!” He says, even pumping his fist in the air having not heard the truth in my words.

            “Alright, well I think we have a game to practise for.” I put the last of my stuff into my locker and shut it.

            Daniel, always the over eager one, hops up onto a bench, boxers hanging dangerously low on his hips. I wonder if he’s thought of becoming a plumber, you know if he doesn’t make it as a pro soccer player.

            I see it coming, but it’s too late to stop. Steven stalks up to Daniel, who’s still standing on the bench. Without hesitation he yanks down Daniel’s boxers and skirts away, fast. The locker room erupts into laughter with a few, “Pull up your damn pants,” and “No one wants to see that shit.”

            “What the f**k Steve?” Daniel says, face blushing as he struggles to grab his underwear and pull them up from around his ankles, then hops down. Two hundred and fifty some odd pounds barrel towards Steven who’s hunched over with laughter.

            I sidestep into his path, he could take me down without batting an eye, but he stops, anger in his eyes, “Save it for the field,” I say putting my hands on his chest, forcing him back.

            Daniel’s face relaxes, “Yeah, yeah, okay,” he says, then looks over my shoulder, “You better watch it Steven, not cool. So not cool bro.”

            We all know, however, Daniel’s anger is nothing; he wouldn’t hurt a fly. I wouldn’t put it past Daniel, though, to do something equally as embarrassing back to Steven. I’ve seen him lift Ryan, who weighs a heck of a lot, upside down and dunk his head into a toilet. He’s flipped guys over his shoulder and carried them around like a sack of potatoes until they are green in the face and ready to blow chunks.

            “Oh c’mon, it was just a joke,” Steven adds as he tries to control his chuckling.

            “Okay guys, let’s get out there and warm up,” I say to no one in particular, “and Daniel,” I shake my head, “put your damn uniform on, cause you did kind of ask for it.” Even I can’t help smiling.

            Most towns have football, or even hockey, but Silversprings is all about Soccer. It’s something we do well, very well. We’ve won the championship most every year; I don’t even think the other teams really care anymore. They come, get their asses beat down and call it a day. To the Rams, however, this is everything. No matter how good we are, we always strive to be better.

            We fall into form and start out with stretches. After a few minutes Coach says “Alright, suicide.”

            We all stand up and form a line, and at the blow of his whistle sprint forward, touch an imaginary line down the field and rush back. Starting out slow then pushing ourselves faster and faster, back and forth.

            “C’mon Mason move, move, pick it up,” Coach screams.

            I chance a look behind, Daniel is huffing down the way. Slowing down my pace I wait for him to catch up.

            “Hey, don’t listen to him. Just keep running, it’s almost over,” I say as I slap his back encouragingly.

            His breath is fast, face red, sweat beading and rolling down his forehead and cheeks, “I don’t--don’t under...stand... why I have,” he stops, bending over, hands on his knees, “I’m just the goalie,” he puffs out.

            “Hey buddy, we aren’t done yet, just a few more minutes.”

            “I can’t man, I’m going to throw up, seriously.”

            Daniel is the best damn goalie we have, but sometimes I can’t even believe it. In the net he’s fast, his sheer size helps too. But when it comes to physical exertion, he just can’t carry all that weight around with him and come out ahead.

            “All right, don’t worry about it.” He is worrying about it, though. He stands upright, breath steadying, his face full of disapproval. “Hey, look at me, don’t worry. You focus on blocking that ball, okay?”

            “Okay,” Daniel says and wanders over to the bench, while the rest of the team walks off the exertion from sprints. I expect coach to say something to Daniel, instead he looks at me and shakes his head. As captain, I’m probably supposed to do more, lead my team and make sure they are all in top shape. And I do, but Daniel is like a brother, I need to look out for him. I know for a fact, if he couldn’t block a goal attempt like he does, he wouldn’t be on the team. So what if he can’t run like a track and field athlete? He gets the job done, and to me, that’s all that matters.

Posted in A Stiff Kiss Deleted Scenes

 

Alright, so I’ve promised some of you some more A Stiff Kiss deleted scenes. Last time we got to meet Landon for the first time. Or rather, what would have been the first time if it wasn’t for improving the novel through rounds and rounds of edits. So, this was the original first chapter of A Stiff Kiss, with Xylia Morana. I won’t give you much of a intro aside from what I’ve already said, and one more thing: The original time line for the novel was quite different from the time line that ended up happening in the published version. This shows us that School is almost out, whereas in the published version school has only just begun, and Xylia and Landon were heading into Christmas Break. Now, without further ado... I give you...

Xylia

When I was twelve, I found my mother hanging lifeless from a tree. It was Christmas day. Since then, I’ve always found death fascinating. My father thinks I’m still coping, trying to understand why my mom wanted to leave, and hopes it’s a stage that I’ll grow out of. But I’m not so sure it is. 

* * *

“Now, once everyone has their frogs in place, you can pick up the scalpel and make a lateral incision on both lymph nodes,” Mr. Wagner says, taking his scalpel into his hand. A large white pull down screen is playing it like a movie, in real time, as he takes the sharp end of the blade and punctures the frog. “Now remember class, the lymph nodes are found on either side of the jaw of your Kermit.”

Concentrating on the frog, I am already a few steps ahead. I might not have done this before, but I have read up on it. I’ve already made the cut through the bone and muscle, down the length, from throat to hind. I’ve even released the sternum by cutting the shoulder bones. This has been something I have been waiting for all year. Hell, this was the only reason I decided to suffer through an entire semester of biology. The final project. Not only does this mean I get to play with something dead; take it apart and learn from it, but it also means that school is almost over. This is the icing on the cake.

Just as I had imagined, once my other classmates cut open their specimens, “Ewes and Awes,” escape their lips. Girls can be heard gagging.

A loud high pitched sound then comes from the front of the class. “Um... Mr. Wagner... I think I need the pass.”

Mr. Wagner audibly sighs. “Charity, really, could you not have done your business before class?”

“Well no, I couldn’t, the washrooms were all taken up, please, I gotta go,” Charity whines.

He sets down his scalpel and walks over to his desk, pulling open a drawer. Mr. Wagner produces a blue card with a bright yellow P on it. Charity quickly grabs the pass from his outstretched hand as she flies towards the door.

“Although we should probably wait to continue, I have a feeling she won’t mind at all if we don’t,” Mr. Wagner says.

The class collectively chuckles and nods.

I have it on good authority that Charity, will in fact take her time in the washroom. If that’s even where she went, of course.

“Can someone tell me how you know if your specimen is male or female?” He looks up from his dead frog and eyes the room. “Anyone... Anyone?”

The class is silent; you can hear scalpels slice through bone and tendons. Looking at my fingernails, black polish chipped, nails chewed down to the nub, I roll my eyes. I know the answer, but don’t want to raise my hand. I like to blend into the background. The less people realize I’m around, the easier school is. I know what people think of me, and although I know I shouldn’t be ashamed of it, about being myself, I still can’t help being bothered by what they say.

“There are tiny black eggs in the... Anyone, anyone? Abdomen... That you’ll need to remove.”

Mr. Wagner is the spitting image of the teacher from Ferris Bueller, that movie, where the kid pretends he’s sick, then has the best day of his life. Gray and white hair combed straight back. Round spectacles on his nose and boring brown suits on his back. The voice is what gets me. It’s so painfully monotone, no emotion, you’ll want to stick the scalpel in your eye just to make it stop. But then again, it comes with its advantages as well. He’s so much like that teacher, I think he knows it too, because he steals that line from the movie and uses it all the time. “Anyone? Anyone?” He’ll stand at the front of the class. “Morana?... Morana?... Xylia Morana?... ZYE-lee-ah Morana?...” Until I decide to raise my hand and acknowledge that I’m here. Then he’ll move on... “Morton?.... Morton?...” Collectively, I think it’s a game, see how long it will take him to do roll call, or how many times you can get him to say your name before he marks down you’re absent.

But as I stare down my frog, the slight hum of death filling the air around me with its wavering of unknown, the thought, that this will be my last project, that this will be the last time I sit in this chair, at this table, is exhilarating. A few more hours, a few more tests, and the rest of my life will finally start. Though I have no idea where I’m going, I’m thankful that I can leave this chapter of my life behind. There will be so much more for me out there, so much more for me to discover. I know, however that for some people,  high school might just be it for them. That these will always be the best days of their lives, and nothing will ever compare. They will be trapped here, in these halls and never succeed past the person they were when they were here.

Also, don’t forget to check out the A Stiff Kiss 1^st Anniversary Contest happening now until February 28^th! There are TONS of prizes to be won!

 

 

Posted in A Stiff Kiss, A Stiff Kiss Deleted Scenes

 

Alright, for your reading pleasure, allow me to introduce you to the first A Stiff Kiss Deleted Scene, with your host, Landon Phoenix! I’m not sure if I should give a little introduction or not, or rather let the excerpt speak for itself... But I will say, originally this would have been the first time we met A Stiff Kiss, the old Chapter 2!

 

Landon

As I step into the janitor’s closet, the darkness overwhelms me. I reach around beside the door fumbling to find the light switch, but can’t feel one. Instead, I wait in the pitch black, in the small tight and cramped space. I can feel broom handles poking me in the back, mop heads brushing up against my shoes. I try to stand straight, afraid of what else might jump out and touch me.

A few minutes pass and the door knob jiggles, my heart instantly speeds up because if it’s the janitor I’ll be in some serious shit. I’m relieved—only slightly—when Charity steps through the threshold and into my arms. I stiffen up and have to pry her off me.

“Why are you hanging out in the dark?” she asks as the door begins to slide closed, the last bit of light escaping into the hallway.

I shrug, even though she can’t see, and reply, “I couldn’t find the light switch.”

She lets out an annoyed sigh. Then almost instantly, and as if by a magical force, the tiny room is illuminated. Looking up I shake my head. Of course. The tiny pull string from the light is dangling in the air.

“I only have a few minutes. I’m in the washroom.” She holds up her hands and air quotes.

“So what was so important, you had to meet me, right now, in the janitor’s closet?”

At first this game was fun, sneak away, make out and return to class. It was like we are drug addicts, who needed a fix, and couldn’t wait until the end of the day. But now, with the final game of my high school career hanging in the balance, even the notion that I’ll be getting a full ride to the college of my choice just outside my grasp, and what lies beyond this town, this seems silly. Not to mention, I think I’ve attempted and failed to break up with Charity two times this week already. She just doesn’t seem to be getting the hint.

“This is what couldn’t wait.” She grins and pulls my head forcefully towards her, our lips meeting for a brief moment before I wrench away.

“No,” I say as I wipe her spit off my lips. “Remember, last night, when I said we should see other people? I meant it. Every word.”

Her eyes grow wide filling with tears. She’s going to cry, again.

“I don’t understand... I thought you loved me.” She frowns, then, a single tear rolls down her cheek.

I fight the urge to wipe it away with my finger. “I do love you, I’m just not... In love with you. It was great. It really was. But this has to stop. I mean you’re going to L.A. or wherever it was, and I’m going to college...”

“But—but it’s like a rule—head cheerleader marries high school sweetheart...”

“Right... ‘Cause that worked out so well for your parents. Aren’t they divorced? And mine... Who are we kidding? We’re teenagers, we don’t know what real love is. And I for one, am not willing to settle.”

Her face contorts angrily, red flushing her pale skin. “Fine! I’m sooo over you anyways; you are such an asshole, Landon Phoenix. I hope you lose tonight. I hope you have the worst goddamn game of your life.” She turns her body in a flurry of rage, hair whipping me in the face and storms out of the closet. And man I hope she gets it. That this was the last time we’ll have this conversation.

I don’t even let what she said bother me. Not while I’m preparing for the game. Tonight’s game is all that matters. And the full ride to college I’ll get when we win the State Championship. Nothing is going to stand in my way.

 

You can Learn more about Landon by reading A Stiff Kiss, which is available all over the place! Check out the below links J

Amazon   B&N   Chapters/KOBO    Goodreads   Facebook    

Avery Olive

Posted in A Stiff Kiss, A Stiff Kiss Deleted Scenes