Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
Today’s somewhat bleak photo, courtesy of Roger Bultot, takes me to a sunny place, long ago.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
Copyright Roger Bultot
In Line
Old Ronald, the music teacher, bellows instructions.
We shuffle reluctantly, alphabetically, into line.
I am second, Anderson is at the front.
I am the new boy, my second day at this school.
I gaze around desultorily.
My eyes drift to the girls’ line.
I gape.
She was not there yesterday!
Small, slim, dark, my fantasy in heels.
As I stare, she smiles across.
I raise my hand to chest height, she waves prettily.
I am in love.
Roll call over, the lines disintegrate.
Still smiling, she moves towards me.
I am thrust roughly aside.
Barclay’s brawny arms wrap around her.
For Ron, my brother, who has the patience of a saint.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Good piece, C.E. Young love can be cruel. It seems there’s often a bully involved. Well done. I hope your physical pain is less. 🙂 — Suzanne
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There was probably some invisible girl checking out the new guy watching the whole thing play out.
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Oh that was a rough blow. To always be left is a tough thing…
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Poor guy but time will tell, perhaps there’s still hope.
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He will win her over with a drum roll in the next music lesson, he has to because your in my line with your writing.
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Happens all the time. Good writing!
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Yeah but only because Barclay has his own bank. Doesn’t have your charm and the wit 😉
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Ouch! Been there, done that. I played French Horn in school band and this reminded me of the new girl in the French Horn section in junior high school. I had a crush on her for three years.
Nice work, CE.
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That’s why I always turn around and check when someone waves in my direction. A great tale of infatuation at first sight crushed in a heartbeat.
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Oh I felt his disappointment! Hope you’re feeling better.
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And it looked to be going so well. Damn that Barclay. And after him it will probably be Chaz, and Dave… Nice one, I felt for him. I hope you’re feeling better – courage, mon ami. 😉
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Oh so well done, mon ami! I though you were going to give us a happy ending… but noooo 😉
Damn that Barclay!
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Ugh! How disappointing that Barclay was the one she was waving to! Poor guy!
I like how you built up the whole scenario. Nicely done, CEAyr!
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Dear CE,
I wanted to hug the boy. It’s hard enough being the new kid. His disappointment and sadness are tangible. Healing hugs to you, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve built the tension so well, so exactingly pointed the sense of excitement, hope, disbelief, anticipation, only to have it crushed in a second! Brilliant writing 🙂
And I hope you are managing better and with much less pain.
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Lovely tribute. Who would have thought the little girl was waving at Barclay. To bad for the new guy.
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