The Triangle

The following short story was something I submitted for an internship at a well-known publication about two years ago. Unfortunately it only got me as far as the interview but at least they were impressed with it. It has been chilling in my portfolio ever since so I decided to take it out, dust it off and post it on this space. Enjoy!

The worst thing I ever did

Written by Ronel Sampson

“I love you.”


My straw stops toying with the lemon slice floating on my Coke.


“Don’t worry, you don’t have to react,” his soft voice gently assures me. “I just wanted you to know. I know I can’t compete with your precious fiancé.”


Dean! For a second there I forgot about Dean!

“All I want is this moment…” he takes his IPod out of his pocket and unwinds the earphones. “One moment…” he continues as he switches it on, “…that I can take into eternity with me.”



He holds out one earphone to me. Melting into his aquamarine eyes, I lean forward. He brushes my hair gently away. “Any excuse to touch you.” He whispers as he inserts the earphone. He inserts the other piece in his own ear; presses ‘play’ and both of us drown in a heartbreaking Italian lament.

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *            

“What the fuck!” I am shaken wildly from my slumber and my cellphone (that was right at the bottom of my bag) is shoved under my nose.


“Why is this prick sending you messages?” Dean demands fiercely.


I take the cellphone from him and read the message he opened last: “Change your mind and come with me. I can make everything happen, just say yes!”


Dean is rocking himself forward and backward.  I want to comfort him but do I have the right to touch him? I’m not sure, so I don’t do it.


“Did you kiss him?” he whispers. I don’t respond.


Dean pulls in his breath sharply, then bends over and beats the floorboards with his fists…

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *            

I knock tentatively at his door. I shouldn’t be there! I left this room just a few moments ago with my head held high. We had finished a bottle wine and merrily stumbled into his room. Laughing, he fell onto his bed. Then his laughter died down, his eyes became soft, he moved up a bit and held out his hand: “Come here.” He commanded gently.


“I don’t think Dean would like that,” I bit out evenly. Then I left. Now, I’m standing outside his door again, in my pajamas! The door opens and there he is, wearing only his pajama bottoms, ready for bed. “Hey,” surprised he opens the door a little wider. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”


My mind blank, I utter only two words: “I’m sorry.”


“Sorry? For wh…?”


I trap him against the wall and take his unfinished question into my mouth. He is only startled for a second before he regains control. Swinging the door shut, he drags his mouth along my jaw and nibbles my ear. “I’m sorry…” I rasp with the first lungful of air I drag into my lungs. “I’m sorry…”


“Don’t be!” He grunts and swings me from the wall onto his bed … Only; he wasn’t the one I was apologizing to…