I stroll past a group of local girls idly gossiping in the street.
One of them deliberately walks up behind me and pulls out the neck of my new sweater, exposing the label.
“It’s crap,” she calls loudly to the others. “He’s wearing crap.”
This is my introduction to labels.
Barry O’Farrell is an actor living in Brisbane, Australia. He is enjoying the challenge of writing microfiction. More of his work can be found at A Story In 100 Words.
I managed to buy myself an underground bunker just in time for the 2012 end-of-the-world early Christmas party. My guests and I said our prayers, drank our champagne and got ready for the new beginning.
It didn’t happen.
Everyone went home highly disappointed. So much for that stupid Mayan Prophecy!
Olga Klezovitch is a scientist who lives in Seattle. Her previous work has appeared in 50-Word Stories, Necon E-Books, and A Story In 100 Words.
Sitting in the car, waiting, I watch the clock quickly tick by, every minute getting closer.
I hope we make it in time.
My mother barely stops the car before I jump out.
I run into the house and turn on the TV to see the show start to play.
Sydney Bunch is a writer from Pleasant Hill. She is 14 years old.
There were still several houses left, but he stopped, clutching his belly. The cookies were taking their toll.
At the mantle, his stomach lurched. He doubled over, retching into one of the stockings.
Then it was up the chimney, wiping his mouth.
The kid was on the naughty list anyway.
JT is a 21-year-old college student in Virginia who lives and writes in worlds of his own. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in Nanoism, 365Tomorrows, and ThickJam.
I lie down on my bed, exhausted from a long day. Burrowing under the covers, I feel warmth wrap around me.
I look up into the darkness and see bits of light. Peacefully counting the stars, I watch their movements, every little detail.
Then I think, Wait, where’s the roof?
Gabe Hodge is a writer from Pleasant Hill, Missouri. He is 14 years old.
“We’re eating healthy this Christmas,” Mom announced. “No artificial flavours or colours.”
Six-year-old Joey winced. “Yuck, more Brouches schproats!”
“Nothing wrong with Brussels sprouts,” Mom said. “Or fruitcake with natural dried fruits.”
Joey and Dad frowned.
Then, a miracle happened: Grandma walked in bringing candy canes and chocolate marshmallow Santas.
Krystyna writes poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Her published works can be found online and in magazines and anthologies.
“Ha! What you ever done fer me, eh?” I cry.
He towers over me. “You need to learn who runs this school.”
“You can’t tell me nuffink. I got rights!”
“Calm down and do some work.”
“I’m not scareda you,” I say.
I gotta quit teaching. Students isn’t like before.
Arthur Brown has been a teacher for a long time and hopes to be a non-teacher for longer. He loves to dabble in writing and finds the ‘snapshot’ aspect of the fifty-word format suits him.
Carleton arrived at the office Christmas party sporting a black eye.
“How’d you get that shiner?” his boss asked.
“Boxing Day,” Carleton said.
“But that isn’t until the twenty-sixth and has nothing to do with fighting.”
“Tell that to the shopper who thought I’d blocked him from a doorbuster deal.”
John H. Dromey had a 725-word story, Hunger Gamesmanship, posted on the Stupefying Stories Showcase website on November 4, 2014.
Bertie Beagle’s dinner party had not been a success.
Spencer Spaniel had poured scorn on the minestrone. Hattie, a hotheaded dachshund, had shot his marrowbone risotto down in flames. He’d had to get the Hoover out to get rid of them.
Bertie enjoyed his cigarette that night. He’d earned it.
Brian Ross is a nurse and low-fi poet, fighting a losing battle against middle age. His motto is “So little time, so many biscuits…” Read more at maungybadger.blogspot.co.uk.
December. There is no turning back.
For a working musician, December means less choice in what to play. Not that their ears are more attuned, not at all.
Mine are.
I dare not enter malls: the oppressiveness of yet another version of whatever will rob me deaf of my peace.
Ian Hanchet (aka Boy Blue) is a professional musician/songwriter/recording artist from Montreal, Canada. He teaches music to children in an elementary school.