Writerverse challenge fic (take 2)
Here are the other three stories for the writerverse Challenge. Since the word count was so small, I didn't really delve into these enough to come to any conclusions about how I've healed about these experiences but it's interesting to see what came to mind when I thought about things that I regretted. And how much I don't regret. I know, for a fact, that I'm grateful for the good as well as the bad.
Title:The Right Fit
Word Count: 205
Rating: PG
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/RPF etc): none
Summary: She decided that she wanted to be an English Major and she didn't let anyone stand in her way.
The book list was long but no longer than her original college courses had been, back when she'd thought she would be a teacher. Back when she'd thought that getting summers off sounded like a good reason to work toward a career. Back when she'd thought her father declaring that he didn't want a starving artist in his garrett had sounded like something real and not just the postering of a man who wanted his daughter to be able to support herself.
She'd decided on being happy over being able to get a job, though. And summer wasn't the best time to take vacations. Really, it was the random times between school breaks. Besides, three weeks working with a third grade teacher in her class had made her face reality. She liked kids, yet, but not for eight hours a day. Seriously, she had only been there for an hour every day and they'd grated on her already thinned nerves.
"My, that's a big smile for someone getting their books rather late in the semester."
She turned toward the sales associate, her smile getting even bigger. "I'm switching my major."
"Good for you. Looks like you're going to enjoy yourself."
"Yes, I think I am."
Title: Making Time
Word Count: 116
Rating: PG
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/RPF etc):
Summary: It's the things you don't say or the time you don't make that haunt you when a friend dies.
As the plane touched down, she took out her phone. Her parents were meeting her at baggage claim so she didn't bother calling up their number first. There was someone else she needed to talk to.
"Hey, Shannon. I'm in town for Christmas. You want to grab dinner sometime? Catch up on old times? It's been... what? Two years?"
They made plans, figuring out schedules and conflicts so they could at least catch a few hours of time together.
And when she saw her best friend, she gave her a tight hug because they never got to see each other enough these days and she wanted Shannon to know just how much she valued their on-going friendship.
Title: Job Hunt
Word Count: 195
Rating: PG
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/RPF etc): none
Summary: The move back home was so she could get her head on straight but taking the first job that came along might not be the way to start the healing.
"I don't know, Mom. It sounds like a good job but I don't know if I want to go back to the store. Not again. Are you even sure she'll hire me back."
Even through the phone lines, she could hear her mother shrugging and see the patient expression on her face. "It's up to you but she said she'd be happy to have you back. That way, you'll have a job waiting for you when you get here."
It was bad enough that she was moving back home after nearly nine years (actually, nine years exactly considering that she was quitting her job on the exact same day that she started) on her own but now her mother was finding her work, too. This way, she wouldn't have to pound the pavement and find her own job, though. It would be so much easier. Right now, with the fragile way she was feeling, maybe it was for the best.
"No," she heard herself saying, "I think I should find something on my own. Going back to the store isn't a good idea. But thanks, Mom, for trying. I'm sure something else will turn up."
This entry was cross posted at dreamwidth - where the cool kids hang out.
Title:The Right Fit
Word Count: 205
Rating: PG
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/RPF etc): none
Summary: She decided that she wanted to be an English Major and she didn't let anyone stand in her way.
The book list was long but no longer than her original college courses had been, back when she'd thought she would be a teacher. Back when she'd thought that getting summers off sounded like a good reason to work toward a career. Back when she'd thought her father declaring that he didn't want a starving artist in his garrett had sounded like something real and not just the postering of a man who wanted his daughter to be able to support herself.
She'd decided on being happy over being able to get a job, though. And summer wasn't the best time to take vacations. Really, it was the random times between school breaks. Besides, three weeks working with a third grade teacher in her class had made her face reality. She liked kids, yet, but not for eight hours a day. Seriously, she had only been there for an hour every day and they'd grated on her already thinned nerves.
"My, that's a big smile for someone getting their books rather late in the semester."
She turned toward the sales associate, her smile getting even bigger. "I'm switching my major."
"Good for you. Looks like you're going to enjoy yourself."
"Yes, I think I am."
Title: Making Time
Word Count: 116
Rating: PG
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/RPF etc):
Summary: It's the things you don't say or the time you don't make that haunt you when a friend dies.
As the plane touched down, she took out her phone. Her parents were meeting her at baggage claim so she didn't bother calling up their number first. There was someone else she needed to talk to.
"Hey, Shannon. I'm in town for Christmas. You want to grab dinner sometime? Catch up on old times? It's been... what? Two years?"
They made plans, figuring out schedules and conflicts so they could at least catch a few hours of time together.
And when she saw her best friend, she gave her a tight hug because they never got to see each other enough these days and she wanted Shannon to know just how much she valued their on-going friendship.
Title: Job Hunt
Word Count: 195
Rating: PG
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/RPF etc): none
Summary: The move back home was so she could get her head on straight but taking the first job that came along might not be the way to start the healing.
"I don't know, Mom. It sounds like a good job but I don't know if I want to go back to the store. Not again. Are you even sure she'll hire me back."
Even through the phone lines, she could hear her mother shrugging and see the patient expression on her face. "It's up to you but she said she'd be happy to have you back. That way, you'll have a job waiting for you when you get here."
It was bad enough that she was moving back home after nearly nine years (actually, nine years exactly considering that she was quitting her job on the exact same day that she started) on her own but now her mother was finding her work, too. This way, she wouldn't have to pound the pavement and find her own job, though. It would be so much easier. Right now, with the fragile way she was feeling, maybe it was for the best.
"No," she heard herself saying, "I think I should find something on my own. Going back to the store isn't a good idea. But thanks, Mom, for trying. I'm sure something else will turn up."
This entry was cross posted at dreamwidth - where the cool kids hang out.