Flash Fiction: The First Day of School

     I walked into the school, the dim lights fluttering off then back on occasionally. I pull the straps of my backpack closer to me and try to become invisible. Although it's the first day of school and no one knows each other, I feel so out of place. The only person I know is that random neighbor boy who came to introduce himself when we moved in a week ago. And I don't even really know him.

     I head to my first class, quietly staring at the ground. I bump into someone and fall to the ground. Did I mention I'm not the most graceful person? "I'm so sorry!" I say quietly.

     "Are you okay?" For the first time I look up. There I am staring into the most gorgeous eyes ever. And then I realize that it's that random neighbor kid. I panic. I was trying to avoid him at all costs.

     "I'm Tyler. You're new right?"

     "Yep." I thank him as he helps me up. I awkwardly point to my classroom. "I should probably go. I need to go get an education."

     He just smiles at me. "Alrighty. See you around." He walks away.

     I'm happy that he's gone. Not that he wasn't nice or anything, I'm just really awkward. I run into class before the bell rings. I close my eyes and sigh. So much for being invisible. But I can't risk anymore confrontations. I don't want to have to move again.

Picture found at: http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/03/high_school_hall_monitors/

Flash Fiction: A Cloud of Dust

     I glance outside and see a giant cloud of dust coming towards the town. I run outside and grab my two little brothers and tell them to go down into the basement. I grab as much food and water as I can and follow them down, shutting the door behind me. Why does everything bad always have to happen when my parents are gone?

     My brothers seem scared but they quickly fall asleep. I try not to panic as I wait for the storm to pass. The rumbling finally stops after a couple of hours so I go upstairs.

     The house had turned from pretty clean to horribly messy. I don't see anyone on the streets. I don't see anyone at all. Or any houses in my neighborhood. I turn around and I don't even see my house.

     I scream but I can't even hear my own voice. I don't know what to do. I'm all alone in this land full of dust. I curl up in a ball on the ground and try not to cry.

I got this picture from http://controlled-states.co.uk/giant-dust-clouds-roll-in/

Flash Fiction: Pink Cotton Candy

     I pull apart the pink cotton candy, my fingers getting stickier with every bite I take. I love the sugary feeling it gives me. I close my eyes, happy and content.

     I lean back, waiting for my boyfriend, Felix, to show up. I wait and wait and wait. I call him but he won't answer. Finally he shows up with two pink cotton candies.

     "How'd you know I wanted cotton candy? You're the best boyfriend ever, " I say hugging him. But I don't really mean it. He hates cotton candy. Something's wrong. He just smiles at my comment. Not his adorable smile with dimples. A timid, weird smile.

     He takes my hand and stands me up. We walk onto a bridge in the park. It's like a perfect movie in a movie. A movie that Felix would hate. Except it's not. Something's wrong. This isn't the place where he'll propose to me. He's going to break up with me.

     He doesn't look into my eyes as he says, "This isn't going to work anymore. I'm in love with someone else." He just walks away.

     I stare out onto the river, stunned. I never thought this would happen to me. But I don't think I'm sad. I feel fine. I push the confusion away and decide it's time to move on. I drop my cotton candy and walk away.

This picture was found on Google Images.

Flash Fiction: Lightning Storm

     A deafening crack sounds, making me jump, followed by a flash of light. The world has made its own terrifyingly beautiful firework show.

    I make hot chocolate and go grab a blanket from my room. I accidentally step on my dogs tail, the other half of him hidden under the bed.

     I watch this amazing show of lights while sitting on my couch. I'm glad I'm safe inside. Until I'm not. A crashing sound slams into my house. Sparks are everywhere. I grab my dog and run outside.

     I cry as I watch my beautiful home burn to the ground. If I hadn't been so distracted by the beauty, I would've seen how close it had become. And then maybe I'd be able to save some of my precious worldly things.

This picture was found at http://lakeandhomemagonline.com/2014/04/17/life-uninterurpted/

Flash Fiction: The Woman in the Wheelbarrow

     The woman was found in the wheelbarrow, as the hot sun hit its peak. She no longer had a pulse, her arms hanging down from both sides.

     She wore a short, black dress and her hair was done nicely. Her makeup was almost perfect. But something was off. Something didn't match. Was it her shoes? They seemed fine but one was missing. It was her necklace.

     The overly chunky necklace seemed out of place on such a small woman. Strangle marks peered out from underneath it. A shovel was found feet away from the wheelbarrow.

     That fall afternoon we didn't find the killer. He knew we were onto him. But we haven't given up hope. We're still onto him.

Eclectic Me

As a kid, I lived almost entirely inside books, and eventually the books started returning the favor. A lot of my internal world feels like an anthology, or a library. It's eclectic and disorganized, but I can browse in it, and that hugely shapes both what and how I write.

-Kathryn Schulz

That's how I feel about myself. As I write, it'll be eclectic and crazy. But I hope it'll spark some ideas. Something inspiring. Something beautiful.