(no subject)
I joined NaNoWriMo today ...
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EEEEEEK! I have no idea if I'll be able to do it or not ... I've had a killer case of writer's block for, oh, about a year now. BUT I do actually have some inspiration thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! for this fic, so keep your fingers and pencils crossed for me. I've already written 1,300 words and that was in just 2 hours of work. If I can write 1,000-2,000 words a day, I figure I'll come close.
*sigh*
We shall see.
I don't know how often I'll update here, but keep in mind that it'll usually be a rough draft posted :) so be nice if you want to review it. Yes ... I'm looking especially at you leemal10, nentari and captain_lubey!!!
Title: The Time of My Life
Author: Lisa Murphy
Rating:
Word Count: 1321
Disclaimers: None - all original characters. I own them.
Summary:
A/N: This story was inspired by a line in a song called “Boston” written by the band Augustana … “I think I need a sunrise. I’m tired of the sunset.” That is easily one of the best lyrics ever written.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Stacey’s eyes popped open. It was early - the room was still dark - but when she glanced at her alarm clock, she was shocked to find that it was only 4:30am. She sighed loudly, knowing full well that she wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep.
Today was an incredibly special day. Probably the most important one she’d had in her 21 years of life.
Graduation. College graduation.
Tossing back the covers, Stacey got out of bed. Not wanting to disturb her roommates, she dressed as quietly as she could and left the room.
Stacey pulled on a sweatshirt and slipped out of the sorority house. She began to walk. Darkness, black as obsidian, swallowed her as she made her way through the deserted campus. There was a slight chill to the early morning air and it was filled with the soft, comforting sounds of robins nesting, crickets chirping and leaves rustling. The symphony of spring. Her lonely steps echoed loudly as each foot pressed against the pavement. Not wanting to disturb the peacefulness, Stacey paused and removed her shoes, then continued on.
As she passed each house, each dorm, each building, memories flooded through her. Of classes taken; of parties attended; of friends made. Loves found … and lost. Four years of experiences, all of which had changed her. Shaped her into the women she’d become.
When she reached the center of campus, she stopped. Her eyes swept across the expanse of ground tucked securely between the Chapel and the Union. The stately elm trees that lined each side. The perfectly manicured emerald green grass. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply; taking in the scent of the moment. Wanting to grab hold of that little piece of this place - the one thing she knew would always bring this part of her life back. Stacey held her breath for as long as she could, then released it.
Her eyes opened and she noticed that the sky above her head was beginning to lighten. A glance at her watch told her that it was already 5:15. She’d been walking for 45 minutes.
It was in that moment Stacey realized she’d never seen a sunrise. Sunsets were a different story. For as long as she could remember, she’d seen at least one sunset a week. But, in all her years of early morning classes and 24-hour finals study sessions, she hadn’t ever watched the sun come up. And strangely, that fact made her a little bit sad. She felt as if she’d missed out on something important.
Something special.
“Well,” she said to the empty air around her, “that’s about to change.” Stacey stepped out onto the grass and walked until she reached the center. “I’m a little tired of sunsets,” she paused and sat. Leaning back on her elbows, Stacey turned her gaze to the heavens above, “I think I’m ready for a sunrise. My sunrise.”
As if on queue, the sky began to slowly brighten. Starting in shades of black, then moving into purples and blues. Reds and oranges were next. They spread like fire along the edge of the horizon as the first curve of the morning sun made its presence known.
Then, the blinding sphere thrust itself into the blueness. It was majestic and commanding. Stacey was awed by the sun’s beauty and power. She glanced around her, watching as the golden rays touched everything around her. Every blade of grass seemed to stand up straighter. Each elm leaf spread out to its fullest.
Even Stacey felt herself stretch out a little longer, sit up a little taller. The warm air wrapped around her like a blanket and she couldn’t help but smile.
“That was,” she sighed and lay back against the grass. “That was absolutely perfect. The perfect beginning for the first day of my new life.”
* * * * * * * * * *
It was scary. A new town. A new school. Her very first job after college. A classroom full of fifth graders who, no doubt, would rather have a teacher they were familiar with, rather then a wet-behind-the-ears-right-out-of-college-newbie English teacher.
Stacey was a bundle of nerves. She hadn’t gotten a full night’s sleep in weeks. There were so many questions running through her head:
Would her lesson plans be interesting enough for them? Would they be entertaining enough? Would she be a good teacher? Would the students even like her?
She shouldn’t have worried so much.
Her class was wonderful. An even split of boys and girls. They were well-mannered and smart and really just a group of great kids. Stacey couldn’t have asked for a better class.
On their very first day, she told them about her sunrise. About how that one, small moment in time had changed her life. Changed her outlook on everything. Her students stared at her in awe as she spoke; the same way she’d stared at the skies that morning three months before.
And Stacey knew, right then and there, that she was where she belonged.
* * * * * * * * * *
Spring.
The kids were anxious. Crabby. Tempers were running short and everyone was getting on everyone else’s nerves. School would be over in a matter of days and her students were definitely suffering from cabin fever. They had taken all of their tests and Stacey knew that there was really no good reason for them to be sitting, cooped up in the classroom when there was nothing more, educationally, that needed to be done.
“Who’s up for a little extra recess?” she asked, not really expecting any disappointment in their answers. She was right. All 24 kids jumped up from their chairs and cheered. Stacey laughed at their exuberance. “I guess I can take that as a yes.” She pushed herself back from her desk and grabbed her jacket, “Okay, let’s head outside. Jackets on and we’ll be outta-heya!” When they began to cheer again, Stacey placed her finger to her lips and shushed them. “But we have to be quiet as mice. We don’t want anyone else to steal our idea, do we? They’ll all come out and hog all the fun.”
The kids nodded and lined up quickly. Stacey led them quietly down the hall and out the side door. As soon as the class hit the fresh air, their moods changed. They were happy and silly. They were back to being what they should be … children.
Stacey took a deep, refreshing breath, and leaned back against the cool brick of the school.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” she admitted quietly to herself.
The sound of rock crunching under tires caught her attention. She pushed away from the wall and wandered to the edge of the building. She peeked around the corner and saw that a large pickup truck had pulled into the unfinished staff parking lot that was located behind the school. Three men were standing beside it; two facing her direction, the third had his back to her. He was gesturing towards the edge of the lot; pointing here, pointing there.
Stacey could see a trailer attached to the back of the truck. It was covered with trees. These men were obviously the landscapers, here to line the lot with those trees.
She turned and glanced back at the kids. It seemed as though they had decided to play a 24-person game of duck-duck-goose. They were sitting in a huge circle and one, then two, would run around the perimeter. She chuckled and returned her attention to the landscapers.
They must have heard her laugh, because now the third man had turned towards her. He was tall and tan. His hair was sun-gold and he had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.
*
*
*
*
*
EEEEEEK! I have no idea if I'll be able to do it or not ... I've had a killer case of writer's block for, oh, about a year now. BUT I do actually have some inspiration thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! for this fic, so keep your fingers and pencils crossed for me. I've already written 1,300 words and that was in just 2 hours of work. If I can write 1,000-2,000 words a day, I figure I'll come close.
*sigh*
We shall see.
I don't know how often I'll update here, but keep in mind that it'll usually be a rough draft posted :) so be nice if you want to review it. Yes ... I'm looking especially at you leemal10, nentari and captain_lubey!!!
Title: The Time of My Life
Author: Lisa Murphy
Rating:
Word Count: 1321
Disclaimers: None - all original characters. I own them.
Summary:
A/N: This story was inspired by a line in a song called “Boston” written by the band Augustana … “I think I need a sunrise. I’m tired of the sunset.” That is easily one of the best lyrics ever written.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Stacey’s eyes popped open. It was early - the room was still dark - but when she glanced at her alarm clock, she was shocked to find that it was only 4:30am. She sighed loudly, knowing full well that she wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep.
Today was an incredibly special day. Probably the most important one she’d had in her 21 years of life.
Graduation. College graduation.
Tossing back the covers, Stacey got out of bed. Not wanting to disturb her roommates, she dressed as quietly as she could and left the room.
Stacey pulled on a sweatshirt and slipped out of the sorority house. She began to walk. Darkness, black as obsidian, swallowed her as she made her way through the deserted campus. There was a slight chill to the early morning air and it was filled with the soft, comforting sounds of robins nesting, crickets chirping and leaves rustling. The symphony of spring. Her lonely steps echoed loudly as each foot pressed against the pavement. Not wanting to disturb the peacefulness, Stacey paused and removed her shoes, then continued on.
As she passed each house, each dorm, each building, memories flooded through her. Of classes taken; of parties attended; of friends made. Loves found … and lost. Four years of experiences, all of which had changed her. Shaped her into the women she’d become.
When she reached the center of campus, she stopped. Her eyes swept across the expanse of ground tucked securely between the Chapel and the Union. The stately elm trees that lined each side. The perfectly manicured emerald green grass. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply; taking in the scent of the moment. Wanting to grab hold of that little piece of this place - the one thing she knew would always bring this part of her life back. Stacey held her breath for as long as she could, then released it.
Her eyes opened and she noticed that the sky above her head was beginning to lighten. A glance at her watch told her that it was already 5:15. She’d been walking for 45 minutes.
It was in that moment Stacey realized she’d never seen a sunrise. Sunsets were a different story. For as long as she could remember, she’d seen at least one sunset a week. But, in all her years of early morning classes and 24-hour finals study sessions, she hadn’t ever watched the sun come up. And strangely, that fact made her a little bit sad. She felt as if she’d missed out on something important.
Something special.
“Well,” she said to the empty air around her, “that’s about to change.” Stacey stepped out onto the grass and walked until she reached the center. “I’m a little tired of sunsets,” she paused and sat. Leaning back on her elbows, Stacey turned her gaze to the heavens above, “I think I’m ready for a sunrise. My sunrise.”
As if on queue, the sky began to slowly brighten. Starting in shades of black, then moving into purples and blues. Reds and oranges were next. They spread like fire along the edge of the horizon as the first curve of the morning sun made its presence known.
Then, the blinding sphere thrust itself into the blueness. It was majestic and commanding. Stacey was awed by the sun’s beauty and power. She glanced around her, watching as the golden rays touched everything around her. Every blade of grass seemed to stand up straighter. Each elm leaf spread out to its fullest.
Even Stacey felt herself stretch out a little longer, sit up a little taller. The warm air wrapped around her like a blanket and she couldn’t help but smile.
“That was,” she sighed and lay back against the grass. “That was absolutely perfect. The perfect beginning for the first day of my new life.”
* * * * * * * * * *
It was scary. A new town. A new school. Her very first job after college. A classroom full of fifth graders who, no doubt, would rather have a teacher they were familiar with, rather then a wet-behind-the-ears-right-out-of-college-newbie English teacher.
Stacey was a bundle of nerves. She hadn’t gotten a full night’s sleep in weeks. There were so many questions running through her head:
Would her lesson plans be interesting enough for them? Would they be entertaining enough? Would she be a good teacher? Would the students even like her?
She shouldn’t have worried so much.
Her class was wonderful. An even split of boys and girls. They were well-mannered and smart and really just a group of great kids. Stacey couldn’t have asked for a better class.
On their very first day, she told them about her sunrise. About how that one, small moment in time had changed her life. Changed her outlook on everything. Her students stared at her in awe as she spoke; the same way she’d stared at the skies that morning three months before.
And Stacey knew, right then and there, that she was where she belonged.
* * * * * * * * * *
Spring.
The kids were anxious. Crabby. Tempers were running short and everyone was getting on everyone else’s nerves. School would be over in a matter of days and her students were definitely suffering from cabin fever. They had taken all of their tests and Stacey knew that there was really no good reason for them to be sitting, cooped up in the classroom when there was nothing more, educationally, that needed to be done.
“Who’s up for a little extra recess?” she asked, not really expecting any disappointment in their answers. She was right. All 24 kids jumped up from their chairs and cheered. Stacey laughed at their exuberance. “I guess I can take that as a yes.” She pushed herself back from her desk and grabbed her jacket, “Okay, let’s head outside. Jackets on and we’ll be outta-heya!” When they began to cheer again, Stacey placed her finger to her lips and shushed them. “But we have to be quiet as mice. We don’t want anyone else to steal our idea, do we? They’ll all come out and hog all the fun.”
The kids nodded and lined up quickly. Stacey led them quietly down the hall and out the side door. As soon as the class hit the fresh air, their moods changed. They were happy and silly. They were back to being what they should be … children.
Stacey took a deep, refreshing breath, and leaned back against the cool brick of the school.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” she admitted quietly to herself.
The sound of rock crunching under tires caught her attention. She pushed away from the wall and wandered to the edge of the building. She peeked around the corner and saw that a large pickup truck had pulled into the unfinished staff parking lot that was located behind the school. Three men were standing beside it; two facing her direction, the third had his back to her. He was gesturing towards the edge of the lot; pointing here, pointing there.
Stacey could see a trailer attached to the back of the truck. It was covered with trees. These men were obviously the landscapers, here to line the lot with those trees.
She turned and glanced back at the kids. It seemed as though they had decided to play a 24-person game of duck-duck-goose. They were sitting in a huge circle and one, then two, would run around the perimeter. She chuckled and returned her attention to the landscapers.
They must have heard her laugh, because now the third man had turned towards her. He was tall and tan. His hair was sun-gold and he had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.