PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Making a Break
Alissa always imitated the neighbor kids. She liked what they liked and played what they played.
When the tiny library appeared, they wandered over and she followed. Turning pages, Alissa felt like heaven had opened. They would come here every afternoon from here on out. How could they not?
But the next day the kids voted to play soccer. Soccer. For the first time in her life, Alissa was torn. She trudged after her friends, paused, peered backward, then made her decision.
“Hey, Alissa! Where ya goin’?”
Sprinting toward the library she shouted over her shoulder. “I’ve gotta read!”
As always, many thanks for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers! Stop over and read a wonderful array of 100-word-fiction pieces based on this photo prompt!
Angela Writes... 
Good for Alissa! So glad she finally made her own decision that worked for her. Too many kids don’t.
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Exactly! Our innate loves often start in childhood, but it usually takes years before we have the courage to chase them.
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Absolutely. I know mine (for reading) started very young. And is still going strong. It really does take courage to chase our own loves- if they are outside of the “norm”.
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Agreed! We all need practice standing up against the crowds every now and then.
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Yes!
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Oh well done her – the reading will take her far but the willingness to go against the herd is what will really make her fly!
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I fully agree! We all need the courage at times to go against the flow!
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It isn’t easy to go off on your own when everyone is doing something else. Good for her! She’ll never regret being bitten by the reading bug!
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True! I think she’s grasping these ideas at an early age. And hopefully she’ll be a reader for life :).
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It seems Alissa is maturing marvelously, choosing for herself.
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It’s such an important skill to develop!
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Wise girl! Grew up all of a sudden. Lovely story Angela.
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She did! Sometimes all it takes is the right motivation :). Thank you!
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Dear Angela,
Good for Alissa! Finally, she’s being true to herself. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There are times to be part of a group, and times to break free and go our own way. I think she’s learning that :). Thank you for your comment, Rochelle!
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You’re most welcome, Angela.
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Wise choice, Alyssa, though a game of soccer occasionally would give that healthy mind a healthy body to sustain it!
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You make a very good point! I hope she doesn’t give up all physical activity :). Thanks for your comment!
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This kid will go far
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Here’s hoping! I think she made an important discovery about not being a mindless follower.
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Good for her! An independent action based on what she wanted and what made her happy! I’m so glad.
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There is a time for being part of a team, of course, but we’ve got to have the guts to go our own way when it’s important! I think she realized that. Thank you for your comment, Laure!
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Beautifully told. It’s not easy to give up following the friends and doing something she likes. And maybe some of the other kids will follow her in future.
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Thank you! You’re right; it can be rough, especially when it’s all you’ve known. The first step towards being a leader is often going off on your own.
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Great story, Angela. I think every child faces some variation on that theme, where they decide to go along with the crowd or go their own way, sometimes many times along the way.
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Agreed! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!
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You’re very welcome.
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I can relate to Alissa.
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Me too! It isn’t easy to stand up against the norm. Thank you for your comment, Dawn!
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I’m cheering for Alissa. What courage, to follow her own heart when imitation of the other kids was such a strong motivation for her at the start. I like how you’ve portrayed her. She comes alive in the story.
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Margaret, thank you so much for your comment! It can certainly be difficult to make own decisions.
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Ah, The Rules of Soccer, published 1921, not available on Amazon. She’ll be fine.
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Hehe! Wouldn’t it be great if she found a soccer book to read, and it inspired her to love the game? 🙂
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