This blog post is going to focus on the alternate outcome of Blog post number 5, the “What if’s” of my story. What could have happened if I went down a different path of my night? This will be a reflection along with a dialog scene to show my alternate ending. We were assigned the following reading to get a more in depth look at writing an alternative ending. There are also links below to a short clip from the movie Kramer vs Kramer that shows depth and conflict to a "What if" scenario.
In blog post number five, I composed a narrative scene based on the night of my sexual assault at West Virginia University. I started out the night happy, excited and ready to take on a party with all of my friends. The pregame was so much fun, the room was bright, energetic and just filled with good vibes. What I didn’t mention was the fact that I did not even feel like going out that night. I went to Lex’s room pale faced, tired and miserable from my classes all day, but I thought in my head “You need to make friends” which had convinced me to drink my energy drink and go out. I could have just left after the beer pong tournament. Why did I drink the celebratory winning cup? Why didn’t I question why he had to go into the other room to get it when the jungle juice was in the same room? Why didn’t I go back to my room when I felt sick? These are questions I still ask myself to this day. What would have my alternative ending been like if I didn’t drink that last drink? How would it differ my life now? “Yo! D! You’re back, want to be on my pong team” “Alright Lex, I was your partner but fuck me right. Bitch” “Ashley we lost, were switching teams” “Yo!! Lex, be on my team!” “Ash, I'm gonna be on Kyle's team, You can be with D!” Me and D won the whole tournament. “FUCK YEA, We are chugging a celebratory cup of jungle juice, Ill be right back!” He said. Ashley, don't take random drinks, I already told you this. My head was right this time. My inner thoughts have been warning me all night, not keeping me from the fun. “Why did he go into the other room to get the jungle juice when the keg of it is right there?” I thought to myself. “D, what is in this drink?” “Eh you know just a little concoction I came up with” “Ok.. but what is in it?” “Just drink it Ash, I promise you’ll like it” Don't drink it Ashley, this is really sketchy. You’re right. “Nah bud, I think I’ll pass on this one. I'm not feeling that good” “Come on, we just won!! We have to celebrate” “I'm good!!! I don't want any” “Where is Ash?? ASH!!” “I'm over here Lex! I don't feel that great, are you ready to go back to the dorms?” “I thought you’d never ask” She responds. The scene above is the night I wish I would have had, my college life drastically changed because of that night; if I would have just said no to that celebratory drink, I would have gone home unharmed and happy. I would not have had to speak to cops, ashamedly give them a bag of my undergarments, or been in the hospital. I would not be 3,500 in hospital debt; I would have gone back to school sooner because I technically withdrew and had no financial aid help. This night altered my life and still kind of does to this day. If I would have taken that one step back to listen to my inner thoughts and not let impulse decisions of drinking control me, my life would be a little bit different then it is today. With all this though, I think to myself that I learned a lesson from it. What if it happened later in life? I never learned not to take the drink from a “friend” and I ended up dead? Or hurt? This was a learning experience, I am cautious now, I bring my own drinks, I know my limits; and as much as I wish the outcome was different, it taught me a valuable life lesson that I hope no other human has to ever experience.
5 Comments
Sabatino
3/2/2020 10:56:36 am
CIF
Reply
Ashley Gaylor
3/3/2020 07:11:41 am
Now that I am thinking about it, I should have added some of this to my memoir, luckily I have another draft that I can add this material in to. I am more then okay with any sharing of my material to the class!
Reply
Mayamu Waton
3/3/2020 06:58:07 am
Ashley i think you should always follow your heart when every you are not sure of any thing that may not be good for you.
Reply
Heather
3/3/2020 06:59:02 am
Your story is emotionally relatable and gave me more impact than similar stories that get broadcasted on the news. I've never had this experience, but I have some idea on how you felt because I've heard these stories from friends or friends of a friend.
Reply
Kellie v
3/3/2020 09:47:41 am
This is something that a lot of women deal with. I think it's awesome that you are able to openly talk about it and look at it as a learning experience now.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Ashley GaylorI use this blog as a place to reconnect with my author self Archives
May 2020
Categories
All
|