weirdsvile76

“*I wish I may, I wish I might. I wish on the first star that I see tonight.*” It was a lonely summer night, a young woman would stare at the beautiful starry sky above as the crickets chirped in the yard. Her gentle blue gaze transfixed on the stars gliding across the sky, a cosmic show for all to enjoy and for those with a wish in their heart. She held her hands and touched her heart, feeling its gentle beat as her eyes closed. She mutters her wish, a wish for love, a want for comradery…a wish… “I wish I had a beautiful, goofy girlfriend.” She utters, almost like a prayer to the heavens as she opens her eyes. With a hefty sigh, she sits on the gentle grass and looks back at that wondrous sky. “Listen to me, wishing for a girlfriend. God, I must sound desperate…” She’s been alone for a while now, with a single apartment to her name and family a few state lines away. “Well, Clarissa.” She told herself with a groan as she enjoyed the star shower, “Hope this time your wish comes

“This is perfect! Absolutely perfect! Lance won’t see it coming!” Damien Hartmann gleefully watched as the last piece of paper was spit out of the school’s printer. See, Damien had a problem: Lance Bernard. Lance was this new transfer student who arrived in their senior year and just had to shake up all Damien’s plans. He had been working hard to become the most essential role on their high school basketball team, the first guy off the bench, the sixth player. He had been eyeing this role for the last four years, and now the time was finally his! And Lance might just tear it all away with him gaining the coach’s favor. This could not be! Despite it being an appalling proposition, their coach considering Lance an alternative to him was a confusing one as well. Damien was simply physically superior. He easily surpassed six feet by a couple of inches, while Lance could only claim to be six feet if one generously rounded. And Damien’s efforts in the gym clearly showed results, since

Katie’s foot tapped rapidly against the linoleum floor outside her professor’s office. After knocking what seemed like ages ago, the door she stood before remained closed as one of the three working florescent lights flickered overhead. With a sigh, she reached into the front pocket of her navy university hoodie, pushed some stray black hairs out of her tired, baggy eyes, and re-opened the email labeled “See Me - Academic Status - ENG 102”. “Your grade has fallen and stayed below 60%… yadda yadda… blah blah, whatever” Katie mumbled, searching for the time she was supposed to arrive, just to make sure it wasn’t /her/ fault that she was standing in an eerie corridor for almost ten minutes. It was getting to that point in the semester, after all, where Katie knew she was gonna have to cram. It was a familiar cycle at this point, coast along until it was time to do just enough to stay enrolled. At least mom and dad were paying for it… not like she enjoyed school anyw— A hand waved in between her glazed eyes and the phone screen in her hand. “Oh! Professor Hawthorne..!” Katie mumbled after jumping back a bit. “Heya! Everything alright?” asked her professor. After Katie nodded, Hawthorne beckoned her inside. Professor Hawthorne’s office and appearance were a stunning tribute to the female, middle-aged university scholar. She wore a grey, knee-length knit shawl over a neutral blouse and capris, her decades-old vintage converse working as hard as they could to stay together. Her sharp features contrasted with her mousy brown hair in its messy bun and the warm, brown eyes that they surrounded. Her office was an avalance of papers, essays, un-read and un-written books smashed in piles alongside very well-read and well-loved books. Many many coffee stains and mug rings littered most surfaces, alongside pencils, pens and highlighters galore. After pulling out an ancient folding chair for Katie, Hawthorne flopped down behind her desk, reaching for the mug that sat beside her computer. “Wanna try some? It’s like 3 different kinds of tea grown in the Himalayan foothills.” Katie winced at the kind, but unusual offer. Hawthorne nodded and pulled the mug back. “So, girlie, what’s the problem?” “Huh? Oh, my grade I guess.” “Well, yeah!” Hawthorne exclaimed sarcastically. “I read your first paper—yknow, the one you actually’ve turned in this semester—you can write!” Katie sighed. “Yeah, whatever, I’ll try harder the rest of the way I guess.” Professor Hawthorne sat up. “Ohh, cmon chica. You know I can’t just leave it at that!” Katie recoiled. “What? Why not…?” “Wouldn’t exactly be very professorial of me, right?” Hawthorne laughed, the professionalism her words conveyed undercut by her irreverent attitude. “Maybe…? I dunno…” Katie trailed off, clearly confused. Hawthorne clapped her hands together. “Alright. Well, just play along with me then.” Katie shrugged. “Can I get some extra credit out of it?” Professor Hawthorne laughed heartily. “Oh, girlie, if you give me a chance, you’ll pass this semester no problem.” “Fine.” “Now.” Another clap. “Has anyone ever told you about the effects of positive affirmation?” Another shrug. “Uh, I guess. Stuff like ‘what you say becomes who you are’ or whatever.” “Exactly right! Vocalizing our goals can be extremely powerful! Let’s try some affirmations, shall we?” “Sure, I guess.” “Repeat after me: Academic dignity and excellence are my highest priority.” Katie shot her professor a look. “Seriously? A little much don’t you think?” Professor Hawthore waved her hand playfully, but dismissively. “Precision of language is important when declaring things about yourself!” she retorted cheerfully. “Ugh. Fine. Academic dignity and, uh, excellence are my highest priority.” “With your chest, girlie! Cmon!” “Academic dignity and excellence are my highest priority.” “One more time!” “Academic dignity and excellence are my highest priority.” Dr. Hawthorne nodded vigorously. “Good! Good. Feel anything differently?” “Uhh… my mind feels a bit clearer, I guess.” Katie stuttered, sitting up straighter in her chair. “Let’s do another! Repeat after me: I am an intelligent, scholarly, and eloquent young woman.” Katie rolled her eyes, but opened her mouth. “I am an intelligent, scholarly, and eloquent young woman.” “Again!” “I am an intelligent, scholarly, and eloquent young woman.” “Again!” “I am an intelligent, scholarly, and eloquent young woman.” “Aga—“ “Dr. Hawthorne, if I may.” Katie interjected. Professor Hawthorne nodded. Katie stood up and folded her arms pensively before continuing. “With respect, Professor, I simply fail to see the tangible benefits of such an exercise. Would our time not be better spent putting together some sort of academic progress plan or exploring avenues of supplementary assignments or research?” Dr. Hawthorne shook her head, smiling. “Oh, don’t worry about that, Katie. I think you’ll find this to be more transformative of a procesd than you think!” Katie shrugged. “If you say so, professor. Shall we continue?” “Absolutely! Repeat after me: I obey my professors without question.” “I obey my professors without question.” “Good girl. Again.” Dr. Hawthorne’s voice darkened. “I obey my professors without question.” “Again.” “I obey my professors without question.” “Kathleen?” Dr. Hawthorne asked sweetly, rising from her desk and walking behind her student. “Yes, professor…?” came a dazed reply. “When I snap my fingers, you will be under my complete control and command. The next step of this process is very important. If you want to be a proper schoolgirl, you’ll listen to me.” “Yes, professor.” Kathleen nodded. *snap* “Now, undress for me, darling. You may keep your underwear on.” Kathleen slowly peeled off her musty hoodie, t-shirt, and stained sweatpants. “Very good. Now, look to your left. There should be a cardboard box. Pick it up and place it on the desk.“ Kathleen’s head slowly turned, and her eyes rolled down to the ground. At her feet was a small, shabby cardboard box. Slowly, she bent down and picked the box up, placing it on top of the desk in front of her. “Open it.” Kathleen obeyed. “Do you see what’s inside?” Kathleen nodded. Dr. Hawthorne reached over Kathleen’s shoulders and into the box. She pulled out a pair of glossy black mary-janes with a slight heel, and pulled them tightly towards Kathleen’s chest. “Kathleen, darling, these are your shiny black shoes. Repeat after me.” “My shiny black shoes…” Dr. Hawthorne set the shoes down on the desk and reached back in, this time pulling out white tights and pulling them again into Kathleen’s chest. “Your pretty white tights. Repeat.” “My pretty white tights…” Dr. Hawthorne repeated the process. “Your proper pleated skirt.” “…my proper pleated skirt.” A knee-length, red, blue and white pleated skirt hit the desk. “Your button-up blouse.” “…my button-up blouse.” “Your cute little bow.” “My cute little bow…” Dr. Hawthorne turned to a cabinet behind them on her wall. After slowly opening its ancient wooden doors, she pulled out a pristine, still, navy-blue blazer. “And finally, your beautiful, blue blazer.” “My beautiful… blue blazer…” “Very, very good my dear. Now, I’m going to be bringing you in and out of trance. Whenever you are in trance, you will be calm and obedient as you are now. When you are out of trance, however, you will notice something. Something that is very, very wrong. You will notice that you are out of uniform. If you are ever, ever out of trance and not in uniform, the only thing you will be able to think about is how desperately you need to put your uniform on. Is that clear, my darling?” Kathleen nodded. *snap* Suddenly, Kathleen’s senses returned. Her eyes darted around the room, first to Dr. Hawthorne, then to the desk, and finally, to her naked body. “My… professor, I— oh my god, oh my god, professor!” Kathleen shrieked, hyperventilating. “What happened?! I was in your office and then—“ Kathleen looked down at the desk. Her right hand lunged for the tights. “Professor I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry, I need to be in uniform! I need… I need my pretty white tights!” “Pretty white tights?” Dr. Hawthorne cooed. “Pretty white tights!” Kathleen whined, jamming her right leg into the cuffed nylon. Once the tights were on, Katheen looked around herself frantically until her eyes landed on the shoes. “My shiny black shoes!” She exclaimed, lunging and swiping them off the desk. “Your shiny black shoes?” Dr. Hawthorne mocked. “My shiny black shoes!” Kathleen cried desperately in return. After throwing the shoes on and delicately fastening the buckle, Kathleen popped up again, eyes whipping around. *snap* At once, her eyes glazed, and she froze. Dr. Hawthorne stood and admired her frozen handiwork, smiling devilishy. She slid around Kathleen, picking the starched white blouse up and holding it at her fingertips as she retreated back behind Kathleen *snap* Kathleen’s senses returned. Her head once again began fluttering about as she tried to gain her bearings. Then, after looking down, the weight of her newly-eternal dilemma came crashing down on her shoulders again. “I’m out of uniform! Professor! Oh my god, Professor, I’m so sorry! I, I, I need—“ “Your button-up blouse?” “My button-up blouse!” Kathleen shrieked, turning around to see Dr. Hawthorne holding her precious blouse up. Kathleen dove for the blouse, but Dr. Hawthorne stepped out of the way, laughing. “Aww, darling, do you need your button-up blouse?” “I need my button-up blouse, Dr. Hawthorne, please!” Kathleen pleaded. “Would you do anything for your button-up blouse?” “Anything! Professor, I’ll do anything!” Dr. Hawthorne grinned triumphantly. “You’d stay after class every day from now on so that I can have some fun with you?” Kathleen nodded ferociously. “Good girl.” Dr. Hawthorne tossed the blouse on the ground. Kathleen dove for it, pulled it over her shoulders, straightened the wrinkles, then buttoned each button strictly up to the neck. “Don’t forget this, darling.” Dr. Hawthorne preened from behind, slowly wrapping the bow around Kathleen’s rigid neck. “Thank you, professor, I need to be in uniform!” Kathleen affirmed pathetically, her attempt at decorum severely undercut by her ferocity. Next, her eyes darted to the skirt. “My proper pleated skirt!” She yelled, stumbling forward towards the desk. She seized the garment off the table and quickly pulled it up over her nylon-clad legs and over the bottom of her stiff blouse. After zipping the back, she hurridly fastened the waist button. *snap* And at once, she went limp again. Professor Hawthorne walked up in front of her. “Alright, my darling, you’ve done so well. You look almost like a proper schoolgirl. I have just one more command for you.” Kathleen nodded sleepily. “From now on, you’re my little model student. You will personally show each and every troubled soul in my class how a proper student carries themselves. At my request, you will come to my office and make proper schoolgirls out of every student that requires it. Are we clear, my darling?” Kathleen nodded again. “Very good. Now, I am going to snap my fingers once again. When you awaken, slide your blazer on and wear it proudly. Our class is in forty-five minutes. I expect you to be there on-time, with a made-up face and coiffed hair. Are we clear?” Another nod. *snap* This time, Kathleen didn’t wake up frantically. She looked towards her professor with a modest smile. With a polite nod, she minced over to the blazer and slowly slid it on, carefully buttoning the top button and setting it straight on her chest. “You look every bit the proper schoolgirl that you are, Kathleen.” Dr. Hawthorne affirmedz “Why, thank you, professor!” Kathleen smiled back. “I truly delight in projecting an air of academic propriety. I am delighted to have caught your attention.” “The pleasure’s all mine, dear. Now, run along! We have much time accomplish today.” Kathleen nodded and made for the door. Academia was such a delight!

A Rock and Family Vacation [30] Brooke knew the perfect moment, just between the two of them, to use as proof of her identity for Eliot. It was oddly romantic but silly. Her inevitable husband started out as a psychology major and was nervously stuck giving out survey flyers on the first cold November day. He had a script that he repeated rotely about human social situations and breaking clichés. But no one stopped to even look at his flyer. Brooke felt consummately crummy. She had just broken up with her longest boyfriend effort and it had been brutal. Her father encouraged the relationship, which should’ve been a clear warning sign for her. Silvio. He worked at the same store she did and noticed a dainty decoration at the end of her keychain. He was so nice in all matters. She got back rubs, notes of affirmation, and calm reassurances. But then they moved in together at his suggestion. It wasn’t long before he started scrutinizing and getting irritated at every single aspect of

“OK, so if I remove this, then I lose power on my long game…” William was looking at a series of cards effusively. “But if I end up drawing it, it could be very useful… but then this one doesn’t work as well because it loses targets… Uhm…” he was very focused on them, trying to come up with the best possible strategy. The cards and deck William was modifying were part of a game Liam and he liked to play a lot, Zyro Frenesy. Now that it was summer and they had a lot of free time, it was very common for the two to meet up and play the game a couple times every week. Liam usually ended up as the winner, but William was determined to change that this time. As the bug lover kept watching his cards, someone knocked on the door to his house. “Ah, coming!” he wasted no time going to open the door, unsurprisingly finding Liam at the other side. “Hello Liam, good to see you! How are you doing?” “According to Nick, I should be Alicia now and I am being very late to transform… but apart from

The weight of another mundane day eased off of my shoulders as I walked along the familiar parkside path. It was a longer route home, but it avoided the bustling city streets and it was often quiet in the evenings. My name is Harry, I’m 37 years old, and if I were to describe myself in one word, it would be “average” with an average build that mirrored my absolutely average life. Each day at work blurred into the next and I knew I would be here for just over another two decades. I was a computer engineer and while that was an interesting job, it began to lose its charm the longer I worked in the field. The mundane same schedule day in and out left me longing for the simpler days of my youth when worries were few and dreams of the future were endless. As I walked through the usually quiet park on my way home and admired the sunset, the laughter of a group of young adults caught my attention. They lounged on the grass, basking in the warmth of the fading sun, their carefree demeanour