Alone No More

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 23 December 2022

Photo Credit: Dale Rogerson

 
On his way for a free dinner at a local church, Samuel walked by a home with a Christmas tree and heard children giggling inside. It made him miss more the family he left behind.

Living in a foreign country he now considered home, he never felt so alone. He thought of being continuously preyed on, bullied, and insulted over his looks and accent.

At the entrance to the church’s dining hall stood its charismatic leader extending his hand.

“Welcome, welcome,” he said. “I’m Rev. Jim Jones.”

At that moment, Samuel felt he belonged and was accepted like everybody else.
 

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A New Beginning

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 16 December 2022

Photo Credit: Lisa Fox

 
Ella was hanging her freshly washed stuffed animals outside their apartment window when she spotted that cute boy living on the second floor playing on the ground below.

One of her stuffed animals fell off the line as if on cue.

The boy saw it, picked it up, and waved it in the air.

“Got it!” he yelled.

He then rushed upstairs to give it back to her.

“Hi, I’m Jimmy,” introducing himself. “Hi, I’m Ella,” she replied. “It’s nice to meet you.”

What do you know? It turned out to be the beginning of a new friendship for both.
 

Betrothed

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 9 December 2022

Photo Credit: Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 
It was still summer heading to fall but winter had already set in his heart.

Austin remembered that particular moment when he found Layla reading alone in the library. Sitting beside her, he couldn’t help but reveal his true feelings for her.

“I love you,” he said.

Layla was taken aback. “I just want us to be friends,” she frowned as she momentarily fixed her hijab.

Shortly after graduation from high school, they parted ways. He went to college and learned she was betrothed to her distant cousin.

“Fight for her,” his best friend advised. “Don’t give up that easily.”
 

A Bridge He Couldn’t Cross

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 2 December 2022

Photo Credit: Roger Bultot

 
The teacher introduced her as their new classmate. She looked weird wearing a hijab, but he felt a connection right away.

In school, Austin and Layla became fast friends. Introverts at heart, they were often seen in the library sharing their love of poetry and literature.

One day, Austin asked her to be his prom date. “Are you serious?” Layla replied. “You know, my parents wouldn’t approve of it.”

From then on, he realized that falling in love with her was a bridge he couldn’t cross. So be it. He knew she belonged to a culture different than his own.
 

He Did It

For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 25 November 2022

Photo Credit: Sandra Crook

 
It was early morning when the tour group arrived in the Doolin village. The plan was to hike the Cliffs of Moher.

Knowing his fear of heights, Erin gave her boyfriend a choice.

“You can join us or stay in one of the pubs until we come back,” she said.

Not wanting to be left alone, Jason summoned his courage and decided to go with them.

Panting for breath on occasion and slipping twice on muddy slopes, he finally made it to the top.

“You did it,” Erin said.

“Just barely.”

“Next time, we’ll go skydiving.”

“Don’t push your luck.”