Undress

Written 54-H14 [2023-02-15], Edited 54-H14 [2023-02-15]

Image credit: Twitter Twemoji

Oh man I’m going to be late, I’m going to be late, I think as my alarm goes off.

I grab my bag, throw my laptop in and race to out the door. No time, no time, I think.

I look to left as I leave the house and see a something glistening in the sun. A large object, far away, with lights trying desperately to form legible writing.

no time, no time, I think as I sprint to the bus stop before the bus does.

I jump in the bus, swipe my card, and collapse exhausted into a cold seat. I try to catch my breath.

These guys, what do they do again? Right, technology for some assessment, mental health assessment, yeah that’s right, I think.

I stare out at the trees and small buildings of Waterloo. It’s a bright sunny day, exactly the sort of day I spend in dark basements staring at my laptop screen. But not today.

I stand up 5 minutes before the bus reaches my stop, and jump out the door as soon as it opens. I sprint right to the co-op program’s building and head to the changing rooms.

Look professional, look professional I think as I slow my sprint to a careful walk.

In the changing room I undress and open my bag at the same time. But when I reach between the zippers, the object within does not feel like a business suit.

No, no! I think as I pull out my taekwondo uniform. Where’s the suit? Where’s the damn suit?!

I stand half-naked in the changing room with my sweaty casual t-shirt in one hand, and my taekwondo uniform in the other.

I sigh, and make what might be the most important choice of the current school term.

Minutes later, as I open the door to the interview room, the interviewer says “So I guess you’re into karate.”

“Taekwondo to be exact.”

Notes

This was written in 15 minutes during a Joy of Writing meetup.

Feedback from the Joy of Writing Group

• you should just bow
• a good flash fiction