Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SOCIAL (04/07/16)
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TITLE: Aunty Alert | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ellen Carr
04/13/16 -
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She bobbed down, crept past the kitchen window and tiptoed to the back door.
I can slip into my room without her seeing me. She won't even know I'm home.
It wasn't that Greta hated Aunty Barb or anything like that. It was just that Aunty Barb always asked her questions. And expected answers. She just wasn't in the mood for that smiling, well-meaning face and those annoying questions.
She made it. She threw her bag on the floor, grabbed her Ipad and flopped onto the bed. What she really wanted was a nice cool drink from the fridge, but Mum and Aunty Barb were in the kitchen. She slunk along the passage to the bathroom and had a drink straight from the cold tap.
Back on her bed, she flicked through her messages and posts. Someone had posted a quiz: 'Social or Anti-social'. Well, why not? Might as well have a bit of fun. These online quizzes were rubbish anyway.
Four minutes and she'd finished the twenty questions. She clicked on 'Your Score' and read 'Eighty percent anti-social'.
“Hmph! So what!” She spoke out loud. “Who makes these quizzes up anyway?” She grabbed her earphones, scrolled through her playlist and clicked on her current favorite. She lay back, closing her eyes.
Even with her music going she heard Aunty Barb's voice outside the door. Oh no! There was no escape. Her mother opened the door and just walked straight in, with Aunty Barb on her heels. She stopped dead when she saw Greta was there.
“Oh Greta! Sorry! I didn't think you were back. I was going to show Aunty Barb your painting. The one that won the prize.”
“Okay. It's on the desk.” Greta pointed.
Her mother picked up the painting and held it up proudly. Aunty Barb gushed, “It's amazing! You are so talented! Thank goodness I didn't miss you, Greta. I guess you're flat out preparing for exams and all that.” She paused for breath.
Greta shot a look at her mother, but she just smiled back her 'you'll cope' smile.
“Yes, I'm pretty busy Aunty Barb. But I'm going okay.”
Aunty Barb was off again. “I love the way you've decorated your room, Greta. You've got such artistic flare. It certainly didn't come from our side of the family.” She sat on the end of the bed.
Greta felt helpless. This was an invasion. The last thing she wanted was a discussion with Aunty Barb about her room, or her artisic flare. She groaned silently.
Her mother came to her rescue. “Our coffee will be brewed by now, Barb. Let's give Greta some peace to recover from school.”
Good old Mum. She understands me.
Mum left the room and Aunty Barb sailed out behind her. Greta lay on her back gazing at the ceiling.
Am I anti-social? I'm definitely not mean like some of the other girls. That's what I call anti-social. I try not to upset people, not stir them up. I just like a bit of time on my own, that's all. I don't hate people.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ding of a text message. She grabbed her phone.
'Hey Gret. Wanna meet up at Frothy's 4 milkshake then library 4 homework PTB.'
It was Laura. And yes she did want to go. A quick text back and she was on her way. She dropped into the kitchen to tell her mother where she was going.
Of course Aunty Barb had something to say. “It was good to see you, Greta. Next time let's make time for a good chat.”
“Sure. See you Aunty Barb.” Greta planted a kiss on her aunt's cheek and left the kitchen, rolling her eyes behind her back. As she headed for the front door she heard her aunt say, “Good to see she's got some friends. Maybe she's not as anti-social as I thought.”
Trust you to give your opinion, Aunty Barb. No, I'm not anti-social. There are just some people I like to avoid! Sometimes.
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You sure did a good job creating your MC. Good job in telling this story. There's always two sides of a coin, the italic thoughts gave us good insight into the young lady.
An epiphany for the MC or Aunty Barb (either one) would have worked for me. But, that's really just me projecting what I want onto your story. There's no rule that a good story can't be non-dramatic and completely grounded in reality. :)
All in all this is an excellent piece and I really enjoyed the read. Nicely done.
Blessings~