
Write a story 100 words or less based on the photo prompt. Not so easy as you think. I am hoping it will hone my literary fiction skills, which are poor at best.
So here is my first contribution.
He seemed so kind. Like he was the one.
The rose, a spontaneous gift, accompanied by a tender kiss goodnight. A night of stimulating, intellectual conversation, of excitement, of feeling so utterly comfortable with a man she’d serendipitously bumped into at the book festival. Until now, she’d not found any teenage guys who loved reading books.
She’d waited all day for 3pm. The time he said he’d call when his work was finished for the day.
By 3.45pm, she had serious doubts and by 5pm, she‘d given up.
Another lonely Friday night with only her favourite authors for company.
Join in with Rochelle’s challenge to write a story in 100 words or less
Sounds like she is better off without him – and learning it now before a relationship bloomed! Welcome to FF! 🙂
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Thank you, Iain. I think she dodged a bullet with this guy. But they are so young. Perhaps he might ring later with a very good excuse? Thanks for the welcome!
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A moving story
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I think one that many girls, in their own way have been through. And perhaps guys too…
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Yes, it’s a common enough story
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Welcome to the FF, and what a lovely first contribution. Yes, that happens but let’s hope it’ll always be a lovely memory of a magical night.
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I feel sure the girl might remember the more pleasant feelings they ignited in her, but retain the lesson about not being overly optimistic! He set a high precedent but failed to follow through didn’t he? Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
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Ah, those fickle teenage years, where words and action never coincide.
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Indeed, James. I made a point of saying they were only teens with much to learn about love, responsibility and life. Thanks so much for your comment and visit. Have you been writing stories for Friday Fictioneers, for some time?
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I enjoy the discipline of these flash fiction stories and I have been writing with Friday Fictioneers for almost three years; could be more. Thank you.
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Three years is impressive. It was fun and not as hard for me to keep to the 100 words as I originally thought. After three years though, I may run out of ideas…
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Telling a story in 100 words or less is a challenge. I like what you’ve done with the prompt.
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Welcome to Friday Fictioneers
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Thanks so much. The stories I have read so far are inspiring me to write more. Have you participated for long?
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Around six years now
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Nice!
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Thanks, Dorothy.
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So familiar.
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Sadly, yes.
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A lovely story that rings true. The company of authors is always pleasant.
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Books can be wonderful learning tools as well as good company. Wasn’t there a saying about that. With a book, you are never alone or such like? I am not good at remembering sayings, even though I adore their wisdom.
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The ring of truth is what makes it an endearing story. Haven’t we all had that experience in one form or another?
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I think we have all had that experience in one way or another, Zazzy. It is highly relatable to most of us be it a friend or family. I have forgotten I promised to ring someone myself, too. But a new beau is harder to reconciling one’s head, particularly if they seemed as enamoured with the girl as this guy was. Still, she had her books!
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A familiar story…
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Sadly, yes.
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OUCH … I’m sure it was devastating and sad. I had a girl in high school stand me up on lunch plans. You never forget that. Your story unfolded beautifully. Well-done! Have a great weekend Isadora 😎
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Oh I so appreciate your comment, Isadora. It is indeed the lack of closure one feels that entrenches these experiences in our memory.
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A charming story. One meeting, a two hour wait, a safe assumption can be made. Risk comes with every relationship. Well done.
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Indeed, Bill. Safe to say he is not wanting to further the relationship or had second thoughts. It was sad for her, but she was at least realistic about the prospects. Thank you for the visit to my blog. My writing focus has been on non fictional or anecdotes, so I would like to develop my fiction writing skills more. Is fiction your preferred genre?
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Thanks for asking. I try to tell a good story.
I consider myself a poet first, and essayist second, and I lean hard toward memoir (reading and writing).
I like to write stories and I like (Pat Conroy, for example) autobiographical fiction.
I like to write things out of my lane (fiction, Sci-fi, Erotica, fantasy, etc.) for the challenge.
But I am a true blue lover of writing and reading non-fiction.
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Ah, a mutual non-fiction, poetic essayist who loves memoir. Great to meet you and what a combination! I used to write poetry as well but gave it away as I want to stick to essays, articles, stories now, hoping to improve those areas of my writing. You say true blue, are you also from Australia?
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Nope. I’m a Yank. A Texan at that (but not born here). I have one Australian friend (also Texan now for some years).
My problem is that so much looks like a poem to me. Essay work is harder, but I think hold more value. 🙂 Nice to meet you too.
The closest I’ve been to Scandinavia/northern Europe is Belgium.
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Everythings is a poem. You sound more Australian by the minute like one of our bush poets. And here I was thinking Australians had a monopoly on ‘true blue,’phrase. It must be said in USA too?
I have not been to Belgium, nor Texas but I do have a blogger friend in Texas! The internet makes the world smaller and more convoluted!
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There are many words and phrases unique to countries and geographic locations even though we all (allegedly) speak the same language. 🙂
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Very moving… and so familiar. No one likes to be ghosted but at least she had loved company she can always rely on. Very well done!
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Thanks Janis. Your lovely comment means a lot! The fact that we have a name for the action indicates how often it happens to young folk. But it is better to know earlier than later that the guy isn’t very reliable.
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At least those authors are faithful in their own ways… Nice first first Friday Fictioneers 🙂
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They are extremely reliable, Trent! Especially when you are bored and lonely! Thanks for you comment. Have you been participating in Friday fictioneers for long?
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Yes. I just checked, and my first Friday Fictioneer story was back in December of 2015! It was one of the first prompts that I found when I started blogging.
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No wonder your writing is so good. Loads of practice! Good on ya. Have a lovely weekend.
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Thanks 🙂 You too, have a great weekend!
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Will do. Very rainy here. Unusually rainy, but I kind of like it. Good writing weather!
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How sad but also so realistic. But to be honest she dodged a bullet because guys like that are even worse when you date them.
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I think you are correct there. If they can’t follow through with a promise on Day 2, even to say that they had second thoughts, what hope is there in terms of relationship equity! However, they both were only teens! Thanks for your comment.
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Haha yeah that’s how it is when we’re teenagers lol!
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enjoyed the story
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Thank you, Tanja. My fiction skills are a w.i.p.
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Welcome to FF! How sad. She’ll have the memory of the first date but hopefully it won’t turn to pain. He could have at least not promised to call. Oy! A good book never disappoints though.
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A good book never disappoints, indeed you are right, Brenda. It is a bit of a sad story, but a very common one in the teen years. She may be better off without someone who stands her up even if it was just a promise of a phone call. Thanks for your visit and lovely comment.
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Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, Forestwood. I like your story. The phrase, ‘a spontaneous gift’ is a good way of emphasizing the nature of the encounter the two youngsters were enjoying.
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Thank you, Penny, for that thoughtful comment. This was my first attempt and pointing out phrases that illuminate the context is helpful for me.
Regards,
Amanda
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Nicely done! You are very good at this!
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Thanks, Donna. I am trying to improve and I hope this wasn’t just a fluke!
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Dear Amanda,
(Slaps forehead.) I didn’t mean to call you Angela. 😉 Welcome again to Friday Fictioneers. And welcome Prince Charming bearing books.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Amanda,
Slaps forehead again. Oy. In the midst of a busy weekend and trying to get to all the stories, I managed to totally confuse myself. There’s a new writer named Angela. With two A names I totally confused myself. So if you’re now as confused as I am, I apologize but the welcome stands. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No worries at all, Rochelle. I have done it myself at my own blog. It is difficult to remember all the names. Happy to answer to Angela at times. Lol.
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Unusual to attach a red rose with teens unless it is given hand to hand, demanding a reward quickly.
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Perhaps that was his motive? Good point, Oneta.
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A painful experience for her, but, as you say, she’s young, and hopefully she’ll be more guarded in her expectations next time. Nicely told, and I’ll add my welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
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Welcome to Friday Fictioneers! What a great first story. Youth and first “love” is never easy, is it? She’ll learn to separate the fakes from the reals 🙂
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I hope he’s ok! Reminds me of that Beatles song, “Don’t Pass Me By,” when it is revealed that he’d been in a car crash. If not, better she find out now that he’s a jerk… Good story and welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
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Thanks for the welcome. Yes, sometimes there is a very good reason someone stands another up!!!
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You’re welcome.
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