http://slow.writerscafe.org/Orb_Manson The original writings of author Orb Manson en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1779363400 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 Chapter Five: This Can’t End WellAs Mary-Kate and I sat down for lunch, she wouldn’t stopasking me questions.“I know I heard everything, but…but, you said you didn’teven know him!” she barked happily. Ishrugged,“I lied,” I told her, .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665780/ Chapter Four:  “You Gotta AtLeast Call Dibs”I skipped down the hall on my way to breakfast. I felt sogood this morning, and I didn’t even care why. I sat down and started eatingand Mary-Kate came up to sit across from me.“Someone’s extremely happy.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665777/ Chapter 3: Late Night TalkI lay in my bed in the girls’ dorm, wondering why today wentthe way it went. Everything had happened almost too quickly for me to take itall in.Not too long ago, I was walking up to the corridor and heardsome girls talking about me. I glared at them,.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665776/ Chapter Two: Today Is the Day, cont.The sun finally broke through the clouds. I only noticed asI walked to the Great Hall for lunch how bright it was outside. I felt a littlehappier inside knowing I had made a new friend. Today was turning out to be agreat day.“Heads up!&rdqu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665522/ Chapter One: Today Is the DayAll I have to do is schoolwork. Today is Monday, so,naturally, I’m ready for the week. Not that I don’t like homework…“Watch out!”I had about a split-second to react, and that wasn’t nearlylong enough. I came face-to.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665519/ Prologue“Just give me an answer, Reg.”The piercing silence gave me shivers down my spine. Hewasn’t answering any of my questions.He was…acting suspicious. This wasn’t him. This wasn’t him at all.“Reginald?”I turned around to se.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665518/ http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665517/ With everything falling apart, can these amateur heroes pull through and find a solution? And what will happen in the meantime? http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/665067/ Chapter 26: A Plan to PartyThe day went by slowly, and the evening creeped up on them. Aunt Izzy made a comment about the time, and Cranberry suggested that her and Leon should go back to the church and fix the decorations she had destroyed. Aunt Izzy agreed, and went to grab her keys, but Cranber.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658584/ Chapter 25: Let’s Meet NatalieShe sighed, and pulled her leg through a knot of ribbons, and then her arm. She saw Leon and Aunt Izzy coming to help her, so she tried to sit herself up. But it didn’t quite work.“What did you do?” Leon asked, staring down at her. She glared.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658579/ Chapter 24: Having a Name & Ribbon BondageCranberry and Leon both walked into the fellowship hall slowly, and looked around. There were a couple of people, mostly women, scattered about, putting flowers in vases, putting lights up, putting tablecloths on tables, etc. Leon’s mom and aunt .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658575/ Chapter 23: Welcome to the Middle of NowhereLeon felt himself sit up in his bed, and blinked sleepily. He looked around, and looked at the alarm clock on the little night stand next to him. It was blinking 7:08 am. He rubbed his eyes, and got up, picking up his iPod. For once, he didn’t feel.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658570/ Chapter 22: Not What I ExpectedThe girl rubbed her eyes, trying to see anything out the window, but it was just too dark. She leaned back in her seat, and sighed. She looked over at Leon, and realized that his eyes were closed. “Leon?” she whispered. He didn’t move. She bit her.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658564/ Chapter 21: The FlightAs Leon left his apartment, he sighed, trying to shake off his nerves. He carried his black duffel bag on his shoulder, and walked down the sidewalk, planning to flag down a taxi before he reached her apartment. Luckily, one drove right up to him, and he hopped in the back af.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658553/ Chapter 20: Just One More Day“I’ve got everything packed, and I’m ready to go,” she told him, “What about you?”Leon sighed,“I’ll get around to it.”The girl frowned,“We’re leaving tomorrow,” she said. Leon rolled his ey.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658140/ Chapter 19: That’s RightA knock on the door signaled his arrival as the girl scrambled around her room quickly, pulling on her jacket, and shoving her wallet in her pocket. She ran up to the door, opening it slowly,“Hi,” said Leon, “Can I come in?”The girl smiled .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658139/ Chapter 18: Processing ThoughtsThe girl stood up,‘What is wrong with you?’ she screamed in her head. She walked over to her bedroom, angry at herself.‘Stupid…’ she thought as she grabbed her laptop off her dresser, and plopped down on her bed, ‘What were yo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658138/ Chapter 17: In Desperate Need of CoffeeLeon sat up in his bed, looking around quickly with wide eyes.“Wh-why--“ he sputtered, and caught his breath.He paused, and laid back on his pillow.“What the heck was that?” he muttered to himself, and shut his eyes. His dreams h.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658131/ Chapter 16: Thou Shall Not DenyThe girl walked up to the door, and then paused as she opened it,“Hello?” she asked, as the door slid open. A robust man stood in the doorway, looking mildly concerned.“Is everything okay up here, miss?” he asked. The girl smiled, almost l.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658129/ Chapter 15: Is It Cliché?The girl sat down on the couch, sitting on her knees. Leon sat down next to her again, unsure what they were going to do now.“So…are you excited for this wedding?” she asked, obviously just trying to make conversation.“Well, yeah,”.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/658119/ Chapter 14: Her ApartmentThe next day, Leon sat on his couch, staring into space.“What time is it now?” he asked. James, sitting next to him, looked at his cell phone and answered,“6:24.”Leon sighed, and then the room went silent again. After a while, Leon asked aga.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656864/ Chapter 13: A Little Insight“Bye.”The girl walked inside, and sighed deeply as she made her way up the steps and to her door. She unlocked it and slowly went inside. As she walked into her bedroom, she dropped her key on her dresser and plopped down onto her bed.She closed her eyes.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656862/ Chapter 12: Strangely FamiliarDanny and Leon were walking down the sidewalk again, just for the heck of it. Danny had a huge slurpee in his hand and was sipping it loudly, and Leon had his cell phone open.“Wow,” he said, “I can’t believe I’m leaving in just a week t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656861/ Chapter 11: Phoning Home and Making PlansLeon jumped to his feet, feeling too energized to sit down any longer. James looked up at him, surprised.“What’s with you?”Leon turned around quickly and suddenly proclaimed,“Holy crap! We need to call my mom!”He ran to.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656860/ Chapter 10: Date or Job Interview?Leon walked back into the café, feeling less anxious than usual, and pulled his hands out of his pockets. Within seconds, the girl from before came up to him and pulled him over to a table.“Guess what?” she began, “I have this funny stor.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656859/ Chapter 9: The Recall“Wait…so, you’re saying it went well?” James asked in a very surprised tone. He sat up on the couch, asking more questions.“So, you didn’t freak out on her?” he asked. Leon paused, and then answered,“Well, I was a little&hel.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656858/ Chapter 8: The No-Name GirlLeon yawned as he sat up in his bed. Lying back down, he closed his eyes, and sighed.Within the next few seconds, his phone rang, and he reached over to pick it up off of his alarm clock.“Hello?” he answered, sounding exhausted.“Get up, you lazy b.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656857/ Chapter 7: Just One More TryBack in Leon’s apartment, the boys were sitting around, planning their next move. Danny was sitting on the floor with his laptop open, and James was sitting on the couch, watching Leon play his Xbox.“I’ve compiled a list of options for James and I to.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656856/ Chapter 6: Another Failed Attempt“Danny!” Leon growled, pushing him back down on the ground. Danny smiled innocently,“What? What’s wrong? She didn’t like you?” he asked. Leon clutched his head, and yelled,“What the heck was wrong with that girl?!&rdquo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656855/ Chapter Five: Lather, Rinse, & Repeat“So, I was talking to her on SecondLife this morning, and she said that she’s been considering dating again. I told her about you, and she seemed interested.”Leon stopped dead in his tracks, almost surprised at what Danny had just told h.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656854/ Chapter Four: Encouragement & Room for ImprovementLeon paced back and forth, clutching his cell phone for dear life. Every two seconds, he would glance at the screen, hoping his friend would call. He was very uncertain about this ‘blind date’ idea now. He trusted his friends, but w.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656853/ Chapter Three: Forming a PlanAfter calling up Danny, the three friends sat in Leon’s apartment, silently thinking. Suddenly, Leon grumbled, clutching his head.James stretched, and leaned back against the couch.“So…why can’t you just skip out on the wedding? This chick&.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656850/ Chapter Two: A Little White LieLater that night, Leon turned off his Xbox and kicked back on the couch. Pulling out a pad of yellow paper and a pencil, he started writing back to his parents again.“Dear Mom and Dad, I’m doing fine, as usual…” he starts, “…Ge.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656849/ Chapter One: Lazy Bum“Leon, you’re so lucky. Even I couldn’t hold down a guy for longer than a few days when I was your age.”“Good to know, Mom…”“It’s true. Well, I have to get back to work. Thanks so much for calling! I love you! Bye!&rdq.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656848/ He needs a date for the wedding. Anyone up for it? http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Orb_Manson/656847/