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There are times when life goes really good and times when it gets really bad. Either way we move along. I had everything going for me. I was on the football team, had a car, and a girlfriend named Micalea. Micalea was my childhood sweatheart and soon we were going to start college. She was a slender brunette with brown eyes. I always felt she was the most beautiful creature to walk the earth. I guess you could say that I put her on a pedestal. There was no question that I worshiped her. I also had a band and we were very popular.2
Well, I had all my grand plans: A college football scholarship seemed probable, an engagement with Micalea was sure thing, and the band planned to release an album.3
All the members of the band were going to attend Oklahoma State University. We'd been together since junior high school. I was the lead singer. Harvey, the drummer, said, "I don't think I can devote as much time to the band as I have been. My studies are going to occupy most of my time." We were practicing in a building we rented.4
Phil said, "Yeah, I think we'll all have to cut back." He was lead guitarist.5
"We can't!" I exclaimed. "We're about to record our first CD."6
"I'm with the others, school has to come first," said Mitch. Mitch played bass and sang backup vocals.7
"Yeah. We've all got too much on our plates," said Harvey with finality.8
Phil agreed saying, "Harvey's right. Our band will probably never make it, anyway."9
"Ah, don't talk like that, damn it!" I said. "Don't give up hope, be strong."10
"We need to be practical," said Mitch.11
"Well, being practical," I argued. "Doesn't mean giving up!"12
"We've got to move along," said Harvey.13
It was a major disappointment, but maybe the guys were right. College was going to require dedication, but so did our music.14
It was a nice autumn day and Micalea and I were walking together after classes. I had thought of many ways of proposing to her, but there were none that really seemed right. I took her left hand in mine and put the ring on her finger. She looked at it, slowly removed it, and gave it back to me. Then she turned and started walking away.15
"Micalea!" I shouted and turned to follow her. "What's wrong?"16
"I'm sorry," she said. "I can't marry you. I'm not ready, yet. I'm just not sure."17
My heart was sinking to my feet. I felt sick inside. "Do you need more time? I can give you more time."18
"I think we need to spend some time apart," she said.19
I felt like crying, but guys don't cry. "Okay," I said listlessly. "I love you."20
"I know you do."21
I got in my car and started driving carelessly and fast. A cop tagged me and I tried to get away from him. I lost control and smashed into a pole. I was arrested for wreckless driving and resisting arrest. My parents were pissed, my car out of commission, and I was losing Micalea. I got out of jail on a $5,000 bond. The school was threatening to cancel my athletic scholarship.22
It seemed like everything had gone to hell. All I could do was be strong and move along. The band was only practicing once a week. We played in public rarely, but we did finish the CD. I had to ride a bicycle to school and catch a ride with one of the guys when we played. My parents were not having my car repaired. I had to get a part-time job to pay for it. It took me six months to cover the damages. I was given a $1,000 fine and probation with my license suspended for six months. My lawyer said I was lucky. I didn't feel lucky.23
I managed to keep up with my studies and got to keep my scholarship, but the team was losing most of its games. I couldn't help being depressed. I was sitting at home feeling rather sorry for myself and the phone rang. I picked it up. "Hi, is this Joseph Patterson?" a male voice said. "I'm Steve Wilson with Sony Entertainment Group. We're impressed with your CD and we'd like to discuss a recording contract."24
"Are you for real?" I asked.25
"As real as it gets," said Mr. Wilson. "I'd like to hear you perform live. When do you play next?"26
"We usually play at Othellos on Friday once a month. The next performance is this coming Friday."27
"What time do you begin?" asked Mr. Wilson.28
"At eight," I answered.29
"Can I meet with you and the band about six o'clock at your place?"30
"That would be great, Mr. Wilson."31
"I'll see you then. I'll have the paperwork with me."32
"That's great. Thank you."33
Hardly had I hung up the phone when the door bell rang. It was Micalea. "Do you still want me?" she asked.34
"You know that I do, I love you so much!"35
"I never realized how much I need you until I was away from you for so long," she said. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry if I hurt you." We hadn't seen each other much since she turned me down and hadn't talked for a month.36
I grabbed her and held her in my arms tightly, kissing her. Then I held her hands, they were cold and shaking. "I took the ring back, but we can pick one out together."37
"I'd love that," she said.38
"We might get a recording contract with Sony Entertainment Group," I told her filled with excitement.39
"Really! That's marvelous!"40
It was beginning to seem like everything was going my way again. Steve Wilson met with us, heard us play at the club, and explained the contract to us. We agreed to sign it as soon as we had it looked over by an entertainment lawyer. We were going to have to devote more time to our music, it would be very demanding. If the first release sold well, there was an option for two more. 41
Micalea and I got engaged. You've got to be strong even when your hope is gone. Move along, move along, move along.42
Author notes
'Move Along' - All American Rejects
Option 5: Movie: Breakfast At Tiffany's
In a list
A contest entry
- Enter..if..u..wish...Ask for a prompt! by J-Menz223.
175 points, ended December 1, 2007, 5 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - I want it all! (All Genres Accepted). by Rose Hathaway.
180 points, ended May 29, 19 entries
Honorable mention
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - RIGHT ME A STORY! WHOA WHO! by GypsyBorn.
350 points, ended October 18, 4 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 29 of 29
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My opinion is that you should try your best at school but dont let good things dissappear like the bandesp when they lead to great oppertunities. many people wouldnt agree with me but hae never mind. this is such a great turn of event and i am so happy it all turned out great for ou. thanks so much for entering and sharing you story with me
kmp -
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Hi kmp!
Did you change your username?
I'm very glad you like this story. Actually, this story was written about the song video, 'Move Along' by the All American Rejects. You can find it at YouTube. I think it's very good.
I'm a singer/songwriter, but so far I haven't sold my songs to any publishers or recording companies. I am trying.
I have produced and self-published two CDs.
I'm very happy that you like this story.
Andy
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This was great. Everything fell into perfect step with the song and music video. I like how the ending turned out and your wording was good.
Cheers,
~~Roza -
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Hi Roza!
I'm pleased you like this story.
I really enjoyed that video. I watched it five times or more before I wrote the story. I've since downloaded the song and added it to my library. It's really good. I don't know any other music from the All American Rejects, though.
I hope you enjoy your contest.
Andy
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Wow..
Wonderful, I lvoe the entire thing. And the way you wrote it made me(the reader) feel your joy then your pain and your joy again. And This pieace of work has a very good moral as well, based off the song. I am glad things worked out for the characters. And Very glad that it has a happy ending. For the reason for my contest was to show the 'light at the end of the tunnel.' Great work here. It is a very well written and intertaing pieace. Keep writting, and good luck in the contest.
~ Chelsey -
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Hi Chelsey!
I'm very pleased that you like this story so much. I really like the song, too.
I'm not much in touch with the current music scene because I'm a singer/songwriter and focus mostly on my own stuff. I happened to decide to write this story for a prompt contest with 'Move Along' as my prompt. I listened to it several times, then started writing. This was the result. I still like their song
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Thanks for hosting and commenting. May you have many good entries and much fun.
Andy
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Alright the story was good, the plot alright, i knew what was going on, but I felt disconnected... Like, where was the emotion in this?! Where is the heart, the passion, the raw emotion only a writer can provide through words?! T_T I liked the story, but alas it lacked something.... Good luck in the contest
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Thank You
Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading, commenting, and all the applause. I appreciate it. Sorry you found it lacking emotion.
May you have many good entries and much fun.
Andy
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this was pretty good.
the story line and descriptions seemed a little bland. i think it could use more emotion and imagery.
but the dialogue is good! it just needs to be surrounded by more...stuff.
thanks for entering and good luck! -
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Thanks
Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. I'm glad you like the dialogue. I won't have time to flesh this story out, but it was inspired by the song video, Move Along by the All American Rejects.
May you have many good entries and much fun.
Andy
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Wow, I liked it! Is this a true story? Because if it is, i'd give your life a 10! Lol. what im trying to say is, good luck and thankx for entering!
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Thanks
This story was inspired by the song, 'Move Along' by the All American Rejects. I don't know if the song was inspired by a true story. I'm glad that you like this story.
Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading and commenting. I appreciate it. I hope you have many good entries and much fun.
Andy
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good job!!!! keep writing like this and you will do awesome!!!!
xoxo
caitlin -
If you live you will be alive. It was a very good story about how life really works. I'm also I huge sucker for happy endings. Great Job... Keep writing!
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Thanks
I'm glad you like this story. Things seem to cycle sometimes, good for a while, bad for a while, good again. Thanks for reading, commenting, and applauding. I appreciate it.
Andy
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Very good, Mr. Stephenson!
I enjoyed this story about life and "moving along." And, even though there wasn't too mch description, I could see the scenes really well because they were, I guess, familiar in a way. However, at some points the story seemed to move a bit too fast inbetween events. I liked how the story fit the song though.
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Thanks Andrew
This story is weak and it is in need of a rewrite. It needs fleshing out. When I wrote it, I was not at my best and I had to force it. I was surprised that it won gold, but I guess there was not much competition. I'm glad you enjoyed this story. I will try to add to it later. Thanks for reading, commenting, and applauding. I appreciate it.
Andy
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This was very interesting,
and I enjoyed reading it. The storyline was well thought out and you resisted filling it with 'angst' from the main character. I had a chuckle when he learned his lesson, studied and paid for the repairs. Has a terrific moral sense.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Thanks Diddi
Thanks for reading, commenting, and all the applause. This was based on the song, Move Along by the All American Rejects. I'm not really into angst, so avoiding that was easy. This was not an easy story to write. It was written for a contest. Sometimes those are tough.
How are you liking Storywrite? Any questions?
Andy
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WOW!
Very very good! Fits the song perfectly and relates the emotion of the song very well. I really liked how you were constantly using the words 'move along' to connect it with the song! Great Job and good luck for the rest of the contest!
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Thanks
I'm very pleased that you like this story. I hope your contest is going well. Thanks for hosting this contest and for reading, commenting, and all the applause.
Andy
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Great job on this write! It fits the song well. Again great job and good luck!-Liz
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Thanks
I'm glad you like this story and happy that you feel it fits the song. Thanks for reading, commenting, and applauding. I appreciate it. Thanks for stopping by.
Andy
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and your song will be...ill try to pick a fairly popular one so that perhaps u have heard it...Base a story off of the song Move Along by All American Rejects! Good luck!
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Thanks
This song, 'Move Along' is new to me, but I like it. It will be interesting to interpret and turn it into a story. I hope you like what I do. Thanks for hosting this contest. I hope you have many good entries and much fun. I should have the story ready in a couple of days.
Andy
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Ahh my bad! i didnt realize that..sorry for booting u the first time!
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Ahh my bad! i didnt realize that..sorry for booting u the first time!
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a song That I loved from the eighties... lets see here ... fade to grey, I have no idea whom it is sung by... but the lyrics are like hypnotic.... TRY the c-d called the platenem 80s mix, it had 40 songs from the eighties and for a 17 year old listening to them.. they rock much better than todays vibe
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Hey thanks for the applause,
But the contest host thought I was telling them who I wanted for a prompt and removed me from the contest. I am trying to get back in. I don't know that song, but if the title is correct, I could probably google it.
Andy
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