“I’m open! I’m open!” Toby shouted, thirty yards away but everyone ignored him. This always happens. Cody, Will, and the guys would huddle among themselves, leaving Toby out of their secretive conversations. Then every time he approached, their conversations would instantaneously seize and Toby would get the stink eye.
It’s not fair, he thought. They’re not accepting me because I’m a year younger. Just because I’m young doesn’t mean I don’t know how to take charge.
It was time for him to take charge. Toby stopped waving. He pumped up his chest and approached the group. “Hey!” He spoke loudly. The boys turned. “Do you want to win or not? Because I certainly do. If you don’t want to be here, then leave.”
Will, captain of the team and a head taller than Toby, stood before him and stared down at him with pursed lips. Normally, Toby would be scared that he’d peed his pants but that day, he wasn’t. He stared up at Will with determined eyes. Seconds later, Will backed away. “Yeah, I’ll play.”
(~175 words)
There is absolutely no explanation for this picture, just an odd ball photograph I took at the park. Hope it’s inspiring and hope it will generate plenty of stories! Thank you for choosing my picture for this week’s prompt!
I am participating in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writer, where we write a piece between 100 and 150 words (more or less 25 words) in length inspired by the photo prompt above.
This is Another Story 
Nice photo and story! Now, I need to write one. 🙂
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Thanks, looking forward to reading yours. 🙂
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Thanks for the photo. Enjoyed your story – go Toby!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Great story of determination and courage, Yinglan. And your photo did the trick for me and for the others too. Plenty of great stories this week 🙂
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Thank you. I’m glad the photo inspired you too. 🙂
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My pleasure 🙂
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Great story Yinglan! I’m glad Toby gained confidence and stood up for himself! Thank you so much for our photo prompt this week!
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Thank you. I’m glad he stood up for himself too. 🙂
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Thanks for your prompt. Great story. Very enjoyable.
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed the story. 🙂
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Glad he found his ability to be a leader, to not be led, and Toby still wanted to play 🙂
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I’m glad too. It’s time for the younger, smaller people to take charge. Thank you for reading. 🙂
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Who knew that football could bring out so many differing stories. Just great.
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It surprised me too. Thank you for reading. 🙂
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Thanks for the prompt this week, Yinglan. It’s quite a challenge for I know nothing about soccer or football. I believe, Toby’s team will win this game. 🙂
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Haha, I know nothing about neither sports either and yes I too believe Toby’s team will win the game.
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A good message in your story, well done and great photo prompt – thank you.
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Thank you. 🙂
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The photo stimulated great stories. Well done.
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Yes, the photo sure does. 🙂 Thank you.
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The photo stimulated great stories. Well done.
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