At first glance, today’s story might not seem to match the photo. The setting of one is quite different from the setting of the other, but the photo reminded me of a little story I’ve been playing with in my head and in select Friday Fictioneers pieces. I exceeded the 100 word limit this week, but I wanted to fit in all the little details I’ll want when I (hopefully) weave it into a novel.
Some of you may remember Nora and Molly. This is their beginning…
PROMPT -© Marie Gail Stratford
To Hold a Kindred Spirit (Contemporary YA)
Rail thin, she heaves her backpack onto the lab table. “Anyone sitting here?”
“Stool’s empty, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but…” She scrunches up her freckled nose and glances about the room. “You might be saving it for someone.”
“Um, yeah. Let me tell you a little secret.” I lean closer, like it isn’t common knowledge. “I’m not exactly cool.”
Her face breaks into a smile, and she eases herself onto the stool. “I’m not, either.”
When she opens her backpack, A Separate Peace falls out.
“John Knowles…” I can hear the dorkiness in my voice as I fight the urge to hug the book.
“He’s kind of my favorite. Well, behind L.M. Montgomery. I’m Molly, by the way.”
“Nora.”
For the second time in one morning, I offer a gut-felt prayer. Please, please let her be a kindred spirit.
Friday Fictioneers (n): A world-wide community of writers addicted to writing 100 word stories based on a photo prompt provided by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
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Lisa Dunn 
Interesting piece – not a complete story, but the start of something else. Not sure of the connection to the picture but still enjoyed it all the same. See you next week.
Thanks for stopping by. The connection between the two… The silo reminded me of Nora – strong and isolated. And then you have Molly, thin and somewhat ethereal by comparison, approaching Nora with an offer of friendship.
I like the guarded hopefulness that comes through, especially in her prayer. High school is a brutal time for some people. Great job.
-David
I like how you picked up on the isolation of the silo. I enjoyed your story.
There’s someone for everyone. No-one is perfect but some are perfect for each other. I love the warmth and hope in this piece.
This an excellent way to introduce two characters.. Somehow I can see the view of the lonely silo matching the loneliness
I know and like the feeling/hope of finding kindred spirits.
Nicely written piece. Randy
Extremely sweet 😀 Thank you for sharing
Meeting a kindred spirit is always a wonderful experience. You capture that really well. Good story. 🙂
Maybe you will be able to draw a thread to tell us more about these characters in the photo prompts to come.
I think FF are great to explore parts of larger story and I always like it when people do that. Your characters are great, and the loneliness of the ‘not cool’ shines through, as does the hope of having found someone. I, too, would be interested in more.
Dear Lisa,
There’s so much more story between the lines. When I was in high school a group of us “uncool kids” started our own clique. By the end of the year our parties were being crashed by some of the so called cool kids.
It seems that Nora and Molly will find help each other find their place in the brutal world of adolescence.
Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle