Day 9 - 15,033 words

Hello, again!

I did not write yesterday as I was too busy, and it was too hot outside. But I caught up today, in a writing session with Jill, Katie, Scott and Heather.

I introduced a new character today. Here is an excerpt introducing her:

Sally Anderson was not your classic beauty. Her long, light brown hair was mousey, as was her pale, freckled face. She was slim, and short for her eleven years, and her clothes were always way too small (the ones she had out-grown), or way to big (hand-me-downs from her older brother). But her deep brown eyes revealed her kind heart and sharp intellect. She was always quick with a joke, and made everyone around her at ease with her calm, cool demeanor.

                The only reason Mark and Sally had not met sooner was due to the rather unusual school system of Winigo. The only formal schooling that children got before the age of thirteen, when they were sent away for their ‘intensive education’, was in a one room school house. Well, to be more accurate, there were two one room school houses: one for girls, and one for boys. But each student attended school in a one room school house. Because of this, the boys and girls of Winigo didn’t come into contact very often. For this reason, Mark and Sally had only seen each other, never spoken, until the age of eleven.

The fortunate event of Mark meeting Sally occurred as a result of the heat wave in mid-July of 1986, causing all of the children of Winigo to congregate at the aforementioned Lake. It was, in fact, the same heat wave which had caused Mark and Jake to meet Tom, who did not attend school. Sally was there with a few of her friends that day, swimming in the water and trying to keep cool. Mark was there with Tom, and they were playing soccer. In fact they had been playing soccer together every day since Mark and Tom had met only a week ago. Tom kept insisting that they call it ‘football’, but Mark just kept ignoring him. It was too confusing, in North America, at least.

                Mark and Tom were passing the ball back and forth, nice and easy, not trying to impress anyone. After hearing some girlish squeals from the water, Tom walked over to Mark.

                “Man, we should try out our best moves right now. Maybe if we impress those cute ladies in the water, we can make them our WAGs,” Tom said, rather lecherously. If an eleven year old can be lecherous, that is.

                “O-okay, I guess so. Whatever you want, Tom,” Mark said hesitantly. To be honest, he did not want to impress any ladies, probably could not as he didn’t have any moves. He was uncomfortable around ladies. And he just wanted to have a good time. But Mark was a loyal friend, always trying to please, so he decided to go along with it to make his new friend happy.

                Tom was the first to deliver a solid boot to the ball, causing Mark to have to run quite a distance to get it. He silently cursed the whole way there, but on the way back vowed to himself that he would try to stay positive. It was now his turn, and he thought perhaps he could get back at Tom for making him walk through the bush, scraping himself on the legs.

                The next few moments happened as if in slow motion. Mark places the ball on the ground gingerly, then picks it back up, deciding that he does not like the ball’s current location. He finds a spot more suitable to his taste. He takes three big steps back, getting ready to take a run at the ball. He takes two steps, plants his left foot next to the ball and swings his right foot through. Before, he even sees the flight of the ball, he knows that he has not struck it well and that it is going nowhere near its intended destination. He watches it, a look of horror on his face as it flies over The Lake slowly, ever so slowly. Had it been moving any slower, perhaps he could have run and leapt to catch it and prevent what happened next. There was a loud THWACK as it hit Sally Anderson in the nose.

Until next time, faithful readers.