Mistakes
Author's note: I realise the use of the f-word in my article will no doubt create some worry amongst you. I couldn't think of another way to phrase it. Personally I think it belongs there and would appreciate it if you would consider this when you read it.
There are many kinds of mistakes.
I’ve made a few.
For example, last week whilst wondering around town, a man came up to me and my friend (pictured) and asked if we could spare him some change as he had been trying to get home for the past three or four hours.
I gave him £1.40 and watched him walk away from the train station. The very next day, the very same man came up to me and told me the very same story.
I’m not sure what hurt most: the fact that he had lied to me, or the fact that my generosity to him had not been recognised.
Another example, the very same friend and I were walking around town this evening. We were having a lovely time, having had a Burger King and my very first Starbucks. As we were walking through one of the many arcades in town, some young kids started harassing us.
The oldest being no more than eleven, I suspected that their antics would not last long. It would seem that that in itself was a mistake as they stuck with us for some time, shooting spitballs at us and using language I never even knew existed when I was their age.
Nonetheless, my friend and I carried on, and while I took the friendlier approach, it would seem my friend preferred the more direct “fuck off” approach. It didn’t work in his favour, as they soon forgot about me and targeted him.
They knocked his Starbucks out of his hand, resulting in it spilling all over the floor. I can’t help but feel it wouldn’t have been so bad if it hadn’t cost £3.30. I had become tiresome of my hot chocolate and offered it to one of the girls in the hope they would see it as a peace offering and leave. Wrong, once again.
You’d think I would have had the sense to realise that the first thing they would’ve done with it is chuck it at my friend. Alas, I do not possess such genius. Best to say, he was not pleased. He chased the girl, no older than ten, up the high street, shouting many obscenities at her until she outran him.
I tried to say sorry to my friend but he pushed me away. Physically. Not just like a “go away” verbal push. I mean he literally pushed me away while calling me many unpleasant things. I didn’t blame him. I deserved it for not having common sense.
I had ruined the evening.
Whilst his temper had risen quickly, he had soon calmed down and apologised for pushing me. I, however, did not forgive myself. It is only now, as I lie on my bed in the dark with nothing but the light from my laptop to guide my fingers as they type, that I realise how many mistakes I had made in such a short space of time.
I’m not too sure what the purpose of writing this was, but I hope you found the story amusing, or interesting or something.
'COFFEE DEBRIS' IMAGE: somedesignerguy (M11 Studios)
5 Comments – Post a comment
Scattered
Commented 19 months ago - 14th October 2010 - 15:57pm
You haven't made any mistakes here my friend. You cannot account or be held responsible for other people's actions. Unfortunately you were the victims of people who took advantage of your good nature and upbringing.
You weren't the first to take their abuse and you certainly won't be the last. What to do in this situation is very tricky. Lashing out is never a good idea and will only get you in bigger trouble than them. Sounds like you did the best thing and made the best of a bad situation.
Your friends are always your friends and you'll be fine, and hopefully you'll never encounter those people again.
Stormer007
Commented 19 months ago - 16th October 2010 - 12:57pm
Thanks Scattered. That sort of puts things in perspective methinks.
I'll be honest, I didn't think my article was that good. Certainly not good enough to be a feature. But someone must've liked it. Thanks again.
Tansi
Commented 19 months ago - 19th October 2010 - 22:37pm
i quite liked it and i know how you feel during this, the aount of time ive made the mistakes like that. especially like your friend as i am quite temper mental and get angry quite quickly but then really upset and in tears. i think due to having bipolar but oh well. good story!
Stormer007
Commented 19 months ago - 19th October 2010 - 23:30pm
Thanks :)
DeadAngelLover22
Commented 16 months ago - 18th January 2011 - 10:13am
This is a very strong peice of writting, and i agree with you, kids these days don't seem to know much about manners or anything else, when i was 11 and younger i didnt know what swear words were, sadly i also still heavily believed in the easter bunny. . .thats because of my mother lol but i on times have been known to argue with some kids or young teenagers at or outside my local library and the surrounding area. . .whats so fun about throwing things at a wall and shouting randomly in a library, i dont get it. This peice of work spoke volumes to me, i'll be keeping an eye out for more like this :) Great work!