Welcome to the Fifteen Minute Novel. Each morning I spend fifteen minutes writing on a singular story line. Each morning starts with the last line of the previous day. The goal is to get a (very) rough draft out of the simple story idea and to avoid letting the story idea languish in limbo forever, actually writing it out. This is the third year I have done this writing experiment and each year I learn just a little bit about myself and the way I write as well as creating a framework for the story. But without further ado…
Day 116: He frowned as though just realizing it and wondering about the objectives of the marketing department.
He frowned as though just realizing it and wondering about the objectives of the marketing department. Gwen wondered if there was some diabolical plan they had for takeover, or if the marketing department wanted to use it as a marketing tool. ‘Perhaps they are just overly competitive.’
Gwen remembered going through the marketing department when she went to her grandfather’s office, but couldn’t remember anyone standing out as overly aggressive. ‘Or designing marathon winning themed advertisements.’
They reached the apartment and Alan left her to go up to the apartment alone as he headed out to start his day. Gwen took the elevator back upstairs, her mind already shifting from overly competitive marketing people to getting ready for her first class.
In the apartment, Gwen had breakfast with her grandparents and when rain was mentioned, was shown the cache of umbrellas in the front hall closet. “Choose whichever one you like,” Margaret said. “I’m not entirely sure how we ended up with so many.”
Gwen chose one that was small enough to fit into her bag. She figured that way it would be out of the way if it wasn’t needed and she had a better chance of not leaving it somewhere. At breakfast they all covered their schedules. While her morning class was at the bakery down the street, her afternoon drawing class would need a driver and Gwen noted down the time she needed to be in the lobby to meet Sebastian.
Over all as Gwen helped tidy from breakfast and went off to finish getting ready for her first class, she was excited to have a schedule again. She liked the shopping and the visiting restaurants and galleries, but it felt like she was just waiting for things to begin. Even if the classes were mostly designed to see if they were things that interested her, Gwen felt like she was actually finally starting something. Like she was actually jumping off the diving board and into the pool instead of just standing on the diving board.
It was a nice feeling to be moving again even if the destination was unknown.
Before she left the apartment, she checked her list of needed items. It wasn’t a long one for this class and mostly included her dressing appropriately. She looked over herself. The clothes were on, the hair was pulled back and ready to be tucked under the hat and out of the way and the few things she needed, including the umbrella were in the messenger bag she used for school as well as serving as her carryon for the plane ride here.
She turned the ringer off on her phone in case anyone called and made sure she had her keys before setting off. Her grandfather was leaving at the same time and he wished her luck as they stepped out of the front doors. He got into the car and she started walking to the bakery.
There were far more people out than earlier and they all seemed intent on going where they planned to go, without paying her any attention. There was a vague sort of comfort in that. For the past few weeks she felt as though everyone was looking at her and scrutinizing everything. It felt good to be anonymous for a bit.
She walked past the door to the bakery and into the adjacent office.
“Morning, Gwen is it?” the receptionist asked. Gwen’s anonymity fled.
“Yes,” Gwen admitted.
“And right on time,” the woman said with a smile. “Just go on through these doors, the class is the first door on the right today.”
Gwen nodded and took a deep breath. “Thanks,’ she said. She moved to the door.
Ten til Midnight 