The Fifteen Minute Novel is an attempt to take a single prompt and use the last sentence written each day as a start for the next day. This year I had several prompts circling around a similar story, so I have combined them. However, the story starts the same way each day, with the last line from the day before and a timer set for fifteen minutes. The hope is to end up with a complete, if very rough draft by the end of the year. Some stories are better than others, but I always learn a whole lot about my own writing when I do this so for me it is not only a nice way to work out a story, but it is a tool for helping my writing get better. And so, we continue this story for 2024 with…
Day 106: She left the bathroom, dropped the bottle off on her desk and went upstairs to find out what the fall out would be.
She left the bathroom, dropped the bottle off on her desk and went upstairs to find out what the fall out would be. Sophie took the elevator up to the upper floor where Sean’s office was. As she stood in the metal box, Sophie reviewed what happened Usually she assumed that something was at least partially her fault. This time she knew it wasn’t and she wasn’t in the mood to take the blame for one of Kristen’s actions.
‘I saw her empty the water bottle,’ Sophie thought.
The elevator dinged and she got out. To her surprise Elizabeth was standing at the receptionist’s desk chatting with her. Sophie wondered if it was coincidence, but as she neared the thought was dispelled. Her supervisor was waiting for her.
“I suppose you heard?” Sophie said.
“I did,” Elizabeth said. “Why don’t you come to my office and tell me what happened while Sean finishes up with Kristen.”
Sophie nodded and followed her supervisor into her office. As Sean’s office was next door, Sophie could see Kristen seated in front of Sean’s desk animatedly talking to him. The door was shut and the soundproofing adequate enough that she couldn’t hear anything.
Once in Elizabeth’s office, the door was closed and they sat, Elizabeth behind her desk and Sophie in front of it. It was a mirror image of the scene next door. Sophie tried not to think about it.
“So what happened?” Elizabeth asked.
I went to refill my water bottle and I didn’t see Kristen until she was right in front of her. I was thinking of something else rather than paying attention I guess. I stopped before I ran into her and she snapped at me. We both went on out ways. I filled my water bottle and noticed the lid was cracked. I was wondering if I needed to get an entirely new bottle or if I could just get a replacement lid with a new straw,” Sophie shook her head. “Not important,” she said. “I suppose I wasn;t paying as much attention again. This time, Kristen ran into me and in addition to spilling soe of my water she emptied her own water bottle on me.”
“Deliberately?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes,” Sophie said, nodding. “She shook it.” Sophie mimed turning over a water bottle and shaking the last few bits out just as Kristen had done.
“That seems a bit aggressive,” Elizabeth said. “Has something happened this week?”
“Between me and Kristen?” Sophie asked. Elizabeth nodded. “Not really. Other than apologizing for almost running into her I haven’t spoken to her all week. I listen to my podcasts while I work so I’m not distracted by gossip, but everything has been really quiet with everyone giving everyone else the cold shoulder.”
“Cold shoulder?” Elizabeth asked.
“Well that group was always thick as thieves but with everything going on they seem to be falling apart and sniping at each other more than getting along,” Sophie said. She had no desire to talk about their interpersonal relationships.
Ten til Midnight 