Pharrel Katz is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.) Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Lion
by Pharrel Katz
I ground out the cigarette I bummed from my roommate on the old stone Lion outside the faculty building. It tasted like crap. They’re not my brand. Benner, the maintenance man who usually supplies me with smokes, was let go last week.
I could have spoken up, in his defense, I suppose, but that would have implicated me in the situation. To his credit, he didn’t snitch on me. Mother always says the lower classes live by a sort of unspoken criminal code and snitching is a no-no. Anyway, nobody, I mean nobody, is going to take the word of a maintenance man over a student.
The principal has called me to a meeting to discuss my future. A waste of time. My grades aren’t great but, my family endows. Anyway, no way I’m in the frame. I mean, Jenkins knew the risks, took the dare. Is it my fault that the crenellation of the tower was in such a dilapidated state? Whose job is it to maintain it? Not mine. Maybe not even Benner’s but still, more his than mine. I didn’t know it would crumble like that.
How long is he going to make me wait?
They must make these chairs uncomfortable on purpose. The principal’s secretary doesn’t like me. She’s giving me the evil eye. Get the door for me? It’s your job.
Two visitors already in there? I hope this won’t take long. Thanksgiving is the end of the week and Mother is sending the car.
