There he is again. Same time, same place. Doesn’t this guy have someplace to be. Probably not. Look at him sitting there without a care in the world. Sitting there in his faded jeans and scruffy high tops. I wore those shoes when I was in 2nd grade. Grow up already.
Every day, he is just sits there, relaxing. Reading his paper, smoking his cigarette.
“I hate you.” I whisper to myself.
Because, I come here every day, too. But, my demeanor is far from relaxed. I am pretty much in a constant state of panic because I am looking for a job. And have been since I graduated two month ago. Pounding the pavement everyday wearing this uncomfortable outfit void of personal style. But, this is what I am supposed to do.
I scour this paper daily for a job. At this point, I would do anything. But, there is nothing out there. Oh, wait. Here’s something. Wanted: Printer Repair Man.
That’s it. That’s the perfect job for me. If I hadn’t have gone to freakin business school for four freakin years. I am going to be living with my parents forever. I will be 30 years old. Still living in my childhood bedroom. Reading my diary where I portrait my future life as one with a husband, career, children, dream house and a perfect 4 carat asher cut diamond solitaire ring.
You see, this is life’s cruel little joke. Go to school, get an education, find a job, have it all. In that order. No one told me that most of the time, it doesn’t happen like that.
And this one here. He probably didn’t even go to college. He’s probably one of those laid back, go with the flow kind of guys who will never be successful at anything. And the worst part is he probably doesn’t even care. I could never be like him. Or, could I.
I could. I could take his lead. I could sit on this bench all day. With no worries. No problems. I am going to do it. If he gets to do it, why can’t I.
“Hello,” he says into his cellphone.
He has a cellphone. How does slacker boy afford a cellphone?
“Yeah, I am in the park. She kicks me out of the room for a couple hours each day.” He says.
Yep, even his girlfriend can’t stand to be around his laziness.
“There is nothing more they can do for her.”
Is he crying?
“If you want to see her, you need to come soon,” he said, “I gave up everything to spend these last couple of months with her.” He pauses, “Yeah, it was worth it.” He hangs up the phone whips his eyes and smiles at me shyly.
I said the only thing I could think of, “Can I borrow the classifieds section?”
Read more stories based on this photo and 5 words at Writer Wednesday Blog Hop.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 
This falls under, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” or maybe “Things aren’t always as they seem”
Hi Sydney! Great post!
“Grass isn’t always greener.” You got it. Thanks Karen.
Wow that was quick! You must be on line this morning or night?
Night. 9:36 to be exact. One quick go around on the twitter, blog, email and then to bed. Night.
That’s what I thought. Sleep well and sweet dreams.
This was so perfect! I could relate to that main character in their job hunt and I could relate to how they really saw that person beside them (and kinda how got put in their place..definitely has happened to me!)
Thank you so much for participating!!
Thank Nicole. I really liked doing this. Great practice. Looking forward to next weeks post. That photo is interesting.
You totally got me! Man, now I feel all verklempt for the guy. A fictional character has just stolen my heart. Well played, my friend.
Thanks Tameri. It is hard to build up a little surprise at the end in 500 words. Thanks you so much for your encouragement. The fact that the character stole your heart. That is the best compliment I have every received. So, I say, well played to you too, my friend. 🙂
Very nice. You do a great job of turning that around at the end. Good voice.
Thanks so much Randy. That is such a encouraging comment. It means a lot.
Hi Sydney! Enjoyed reading your story. You’re so right… great minds think alike! Thanks for reading my story and leaving a comment. Glad to meet you here 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Anne. That was a fun practice. Already thinking about what to do for next weeks.
Love the story!
And congrats to both of us, last night you gave me my 100th ‘like’ on a blogpost. 😀
So, of course, I’m following you now. 🙂
Thanks so much!
And yeah, I’m with Tameri: verklempt. Poor guy!
Hey Julia. I liked and followed. So now I am all in. Look forward to reading more. Thanks for your kind words. Yeah. I love this story.
Hi Sydney, (I’m a little slow to catch up on the reading, but -) loved your story! Beautiful, unexpected twist at the end – I think we’ve all had those moments 🙂
Hey Alarna. I know what you mean. I have some blog reading catching up to do myself. I really appreciate the feedback. I really liked writing this story.