An Excerpt from a Writing Project

From The Somewhat Perilous Plot of the Patriotic Mosquitoes

Andrew Grzedek drove from his house in Valparaiso to his family's house in St. John in the afternoon. The thirty-five minute drive from Point A to Point B did not prove to be that big of an issue. Andrew's brother, Caleb, and his band were performing for his friend's engagement party that was happening later today. Andrew brought all of his flat mates, Chris Pelt, and Matthew and Harrison McCarthy to the get-together.

That way, the drive to St. John would not get too lonely.

It was 1:30 in the afternoon, and the party was going to start at around 6:30. They would get there at around 2:15, which would be more than enough time to help set up for the event. They probably would not even need to set up until around four o'clock. And maybe even later than that. All they knew was that tonight was going to be fun.

"Who's getting married?" Chris asked, very curious.
"Caleb's friend, Kathryn Ashley," Andrew asked.
"Do I know her?"
"She and her brother, Mark, were in Caleb's band for a few years."
"That's probably where I know her," Chris said.
"Yeah. She used to play keyboard, and Mark played drums," Andrew remarked.
"Okay. I remember Mark."
"He's really tall and quiet."
"I remember him. He's adopted, right?"
"You are correct."

Meanwhile, Caleb and their twin brothers, Adam and Cameron were coming home from band practice. They were going to play some music for Kathryn's engagement party. Their friends, Tad Beruve and Alessandra Marbanks, were going over to the Grzedek's house on Muirfield Lane in St. John, a town in Northwest Indiana. However, they were coming over a little later.

Alessandra Marbanks is actually Caleb's girlfriend. They have been very good friends for a long time and have just recently started dating.

Caleb, Adam, and Cameron were conversing a little when they were coming home. However, their conversation stopped abruptly when they noticed a very familiar car. They knew who this was, and they could not back out of any conversation that they would most likely have with the owner of this car. And it would most likely be an absurd one at best.

“Ya got beanies?” Ryan Phillips asked.
“No, not today,” Caleb replied.
“Dang it, man. Ya know beanies are amazing.”
“I prefer baseball caps myself.”
“I don’t like baseball caps. I like beanies,” Ryan remarked.
“I have friends who like beanies,” Caleb stated.
“That’s great. I have a great purple beanie that’s pretty great.”
“That’s good to know.”
“My friend gave that one to me for my birthday. It’s pretty great.”
“Sounds like a cool beanie.”

So what do the three boys do now? Do they keep the conversation going? Or do they try to walk home without any annoyances? Ryan Phillips was just trying to make some great conversation. The problem was, the conversation was not all that great. As a matter of fact, it was more awkward than anything. And it has been recurring. For a little under ten years. As long as Ryan has had his driver's license and his own car, he has had nearly the exact same conversation with the same people about the exact same subject. Now that was a bit awkward and somewhat annoying.
​
"My girlfriend's cousin has a collection of beanies," Caleb remarked.
"Really?" Ryan responded, quite surprised.
"Yes, he does."
"What's his name?"
"Jack," Caleb replied.
"Jack...." Ryan tried to get his last name.
"Somehow I can't remember his last name."
"Oh. No need for that."
"Oh, okay."
"I was just curious."