Series
LHS Class of 01 Reunion '16
The central arena, once a flat expanse of polished hardwood that had witnessed countless slam dunks and frantic scrimmages, was now a shimmering sea of color and texture. Marc coordinated the placement of round, metallic tables that were covered in shimmering silver cloth, each topped with crystal vases filled with deep‑red roses and white lilies, the flowers’ petals soft against the hard surface. Peter, ever the detail‑oriented, arranged a series of small LED lanterns around each table, ensuring that the light would bounce off the polished surfaces and create an ambient glow reminiscent of a warm, inviting lounge rather than a stark school gym. “If we angle the lanterns just right, the reflections will make the whole room feel like we’re inside a giant disco ball,” he said, his eyes alight with the sort of childlike wonder that only a well‑planned event can inspire.
By Forest Green18 days ago in Fiction
LHS Class of 01 Reunion '16
It was a damp, early‑winter afternoon in 2016, and the echo of squeaking sneakers and the faint hum of the gym’s fluorescent lights filled the cavernous space as Marc lugged a massive roll of glossy, burgundy‑tinted tablecloth across the polished wooden floor. The scent of fresh paint from the recent renovations mingled with the faint, lingering aroma of disinfectant, giving the room an oddly comforting, institutional perfume that reminded him of countless high‑school assemblies. As he unrolled the fabric, he could hear the clatter of metal ladders being set up by Scott, whose formerly lanky frame moved with an almost frantic efficiency, while Peter, ever the meticulous planner, consulted a crumpled checklist that read, “Balloons, banners, lights—don’t forget the photo wall!” Their collaborative energy turned the otherwise sterile gym into a bustling workshop, each of them determined to transform the space into a nostalgic haven for the class of ’01.
By Forest Green18 days ago in Fiction
Absolute Musings
Birds sing their songs. Snakes hiss as people pass. Dogs speak to each other. Cats play around the trees. Apes seclude themselves in the corner. Monkeys throw their shit towards the dogs. Lizards run on the tree limbs with the cats chasing them. Lions observe their surroundings. Tigers scowl at the lions. All is well at the zoo.
By James Staskus19 days ago in Fiction
LHS Class of 01 The Reunion
On the ride home, the city lights blur into a river of colors, and he found himself reflecting on everything they said and heard. Joan looks out the window, her profile illuminated, and she murmurs, “Do you think we’ll come back next year?” He glanced at her, feeling the warmth of her presence, and answered, “If we keep making memories like tonight, I’m sure we will.” The conversation drifts to plans for future gatherings, shared recipes, and the possibility of taking a trip together, all while the hum of the engine becomes a steady backdrop to our renewed connection. They were also thinking about Valerie and how she will deal with her pending divorce.
By Forest Green19 days ago in Fiction
LHS Class of 01 The Reunion
Joan felt a warm tear escape, quickly brushed away, and whispered, “It’s like we’re stepping back into a living memory, not just looking at it.” Scott, his hand resting lightly on her back, replied, “And we get to add a new chapter tonight, one we’ll talk about for the next reunion.”
By Forest Green19 days ago in Fiction
Wolf Kindred
Njall had never felt comfortable in the pinewood of the Blackmore clan's lands. The trees here seemed to grow beyond the rules of the ground, reaching out to the sky mother who blanketed the air above. The environment gave him a sense of unease that rarely ceased, even though he'd been born here, had grown up here - became an apprentice under their shadowy canopy here.
By Amanda Starks19 days ago in Fiction
LHS Class of 01 The Reunion
The cool breeze carried whispers of distant music and the distant hum of city life, offering a soothing backdrop to their renewed dialogue. They spoke of reaching out to Valerie, of offering silent support, and of the importance of staying connected despite the inevitable drift that adulthood imposes. In that moment, the reunion transformed from a mere gathering of old acquaintances into a reaffirmation of enduring friendship, a reminder that even when lives unravel in unexpected ways, the threads of shared history can be pulled tight again, providing comfort and solidarity amidst the inevitable storms of change.
By Forest Green20 days ago in Fiction
LHS Class of 01 The Reunion
Peter halted a few steps away, his eyebrows knitting together as he scanned their faces for any hint of the story that must have drawn them together. “What’s happening?” he asked, his voice low enough not to disturb the surrounding chatter, yet infused with a genuine concern that made his words land with an uncharacteristic weight. Joan offered a weary smile, the lines around her eyes deepening, while Emily’s gaze lingered on Peter’s shoes before she finally met his eyes, as though gauging how much to reveal. Megan, however, broke the tentative stalemate with a sharp inhale, her eyes flashing a mixture of empathy and urgency. “It’s Valerie,” she began, her tone threaded with the gravity of the news she carried, “and she’s divorcing Francis. It’s… it’s happening now, and everyone’s trying to figure out what that means for the rest of us.”
By Forest Green20 days ago in Fiction
LHS Class of 01 the Reunion
Megan’s eyes flickered back to Joan, searching for a glimmer of understanding, while Emily’s posture shifted, the investigative angle of her mind transitioning into a protective stance. “Why didn’t anyone tell us?” Joan asked, her tone now layered with a mixture of guilt and astonishment, as if the news should have been a communal warning rather than a private burden. Emily, ever the pragmatic voice, added, “I always thought there was something going on with him. Back when you two dated and he went to date Valerie” Emily says to Megan. “Don’t remind me,” Megan replies. The school gym’s ambient chatter seemed to crescendo, echoing the turmoil within the group, as Megan pressed her palms together, feeling the tremor of her own anxiety. She explained that Valerie had confided in her just the day before, whispering through sobs that Francis had become increasingly distant, even to the point that he spent some time with a co-worker and exchanged texts with her for over a year. “She’s terrified of the legal battle and the fallout,” Megan said, her voice cracking slightly, “but she also can’t bring herself to walk away without a safety net, and she knows I’ll be there for her.”
By Forest Green20 days ago in Fiction
