Lily knelt down and started picking up the books, trying to block out the laughs and stares.
She’d got it all wrong. Sneakers when everyone else had shoes. Short summer dress when everyone else wore leggings and tights. New plain backpack and all the cool girls had satchels. Hair plaited when the season’s look was shoulder-length and loose.
And when she couldn’t find her new locker, the pile of textbooks slipped and crashed onto the corridor floor.
She could feel the tears forming when the scruffy sandals appeared on the floor in front of her.
‘You okay, kid?’
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
This is a wonderful story
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Thank you Sadje 🙂
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You’re welcome 😉
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It’s tough being young and trying to fit in.
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It’s tough being middle-aged and trying to fit in, for teenagers it must be horrendous! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Dear Iain,
At my forty year class reunion it was amazing to me to learn that the so-called popular kids had the same adolescent issues I did. Well told story of a traumatic first day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s sweet, Iain
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Thanks Neil
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Very well done. It is hard to fit in.
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Thanks Trent, it certainly is, and at the time it all felt so important. Looking back, it seems so trivial now
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A fine description of an angst ridden school first day.
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Thanks Neel
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I had a disastrous first day at grammar school. How this resonated… Very well done.
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Thanks Sandra.
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Oh god, memories of my first day at grammar school…… grey ankle socks when everyone else was wearing knee highs, pinafore when everyone else was in skirts, mac that was the usual you’ll grow into it four sizes too big. Had I been a year later or my sister a year older, I could have had her hand-me-downs but we overlapped by a year. Mum and Dad did the best they could, I had good shoes and that mac was new.
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No matter what, I always managed to be out of step with everyone else at my school, but as Rochelle says, only later do you realise everyone is going through the similar feelings.
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As someone who attended 7 different schools in 3 countries I can identify with Lily.
Being different is the biggest crime for a child.
I like that you conjured up a happy ending!
PS Both Neil and you have used ‘Lily’ as the name. Is this coincidence or someone in the news?
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Thanks Neil, felt like a happy ending was needed.
If you look closely the girl is wearing a name tag on her top.
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Ah, okay, I deleted her from my photo, so didn’t notice.
And, sorry to be pedantic, but I ain’t Neil!
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Whoops! It’s either because you mentioned Neil, or because I’m over 40 (by two weeks) now and starting to lose it…
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Wonderful story about a terrible first day at school.
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Thank you, it got better in the end.
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You’re welcome. And yes, it did 🙂
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Oh, you found my first and second grade memories. 2 schools in one year also had me in two grades. Moving mid school year made it very difficult. Great story.
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Thank you so much
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She’s not off to a good start but I think she will do ok.
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Thanks Danny, seems like she won’t be alone for sure.
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A friend in need! Great story 🙂
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Thank you Linda
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How many of us can relate to this! Great story.
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Thank you Dora
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You’ve written that story with a lovely delicate touch. I loved the happy ending. I bet they’re still friends years later.
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For sure. Thank you Penny, always appreciated 🙂
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Ah! How fun that it seems we went for the same kind of ‘vibe’! 🙂
Lovely.
🙂
Na’ama
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Thanks, yep, great minds 🙂
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🙂
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Excellent, Iain. You just described my first day of junior high. That was a long, long, time ago, so, well done!
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Sometimes, that’s all it takes. A simple act of kindness can make all the difference. Well told. You’ve captured that real or imagined reality for a lot of us.
Everybody’s protagonist is named Lily this week. 🤣
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Thank you
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Good one, I can feel it have gone through similar situations
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Thank you, yes, and are going to be there for each other 🙂
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A friendly pair of shoes, Ken Kesey always said you could judge people on what shoes they were wearing, this person sounds like a saviour
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Nice, I like that 🙂
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So often those that stand out from the rest and don’t necessarily conform become the most successful in the long run.
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If only they could see that at the time. Thanks Keith.
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Hopefully, with a new friend like this, she will be okay. Nicely told.
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Thank you Liz, I hope so too.
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Her knight in shining sandals has appeared!
And following on from Keith’s comment – who wants to be a sheep? (Well, I guess at school everyone who doesn’t want to get picked on, but still…)
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Perhaps just pretend to be a sheep to get along and then… but why should they have to? Thanks Ali
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Oh this sets a first day scene perfectly. Great descriptions of the school group attitudes. She sounds like an individual. I hope the bullies don’t win.
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Thanks Laurie
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It’s amazing how many times those angels appear at the right time. I really enjoyed your story.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome.
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I was a farm boy in a school where my classmated fathers were doctors, lawyers, and highly-esteemed college football coaches. I can certainly relate. However, like Lily, there were a few kids who would reach out and help you to not feel so alone.
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Thanks Russell
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All that first day anxiety wrapped up in your lovely story Iain. I could feel it.
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Thank you
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Great story! Definitely been there! Never fit in anywhere. 🙂
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Thank you – I hope you found those friends to help you through 🙂
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What a beautiful little story. It almost brings healings to many terrible high school memories. Almost. 🙂
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I tried! Thanks 🙂
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Ah that awkward feeling in a new school captured so well. Nice one.
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Thank you
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Oh, just a hint of kindness always helps. You captured that well.
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Thanks Alicia
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