Flash Fiction: Pedestrian Crossing - A Flashing Red Light

One day, I am going to give some serious thought into a story.

But today is not that day.

So here's me goofing around, reliving some of my most embarrassing moments via this piece of flash fiction. I hope it'll strike a chord of familiarity in you as it has in me. (And maybe make you groan as it has made me.)

***

Pedestrian Crossing:
A Flashing Red Light

Layla was not always a convincing actress.

She did pretty well on stage, sure. Her delivery was always on point, even when the glaring stage lights made her sweat under all that heavy make-up. A round of applause always followed every performance. In the theatre circles, she was seen as a minor celebrity. Although of course that didn't mean much in college.

Layla was not always a convincing actress - not when there was no stage, no script, no director. Not when she had only one spectator.

This is impossible, she thought as she punched random keys - the sound too loud in her ears. She stared hard at the paper on her the desk, willing meaning into the haphazardly written numbers. She knew that with the way she had been squinting, she looked more angry than absorbed. And yet, she just couldn't relax the muscles in her face.

Not when Allen Hawke's gaze was pinning her dawn.

Summer Workin', Having a Blast!

Because of an academic calendar shift, my usual two-month summer bumming has become a five-month existential crisis. And while I detest school load as much as the next guy, I loathe the brain dead feeling slightly more. Besides, when I am left alone with my thoughts for too long I start to think about the unpleasantries that come with being a mortal. 

So for me, the next logical step was to find a way to distract myself while actually being a useful and pragmatic human being, which roughly translates to applying for an internship!

Pay day!

Fortunately, I was accepted in the companies I applied to. My first internship was with a luxury and lifestyle magazine. As a marketing intern, I made an unbelievable number of calls and e-mails, with some menial tasks here and there. I had intended to stay there until my summer semester began but because of the tiring commute and the schedule conflict, I decided to end my internship early. And although I felt like I didn't contribute as much, my boss generously gave me copies of recent issues. 

I learned much about patience and external communications there. 

I spy with my little eye...
A birdie perched on top of my shoes?!

When I realized I could not afford to stay in my first internship, I started looking for the next one. This one - my current internship - is involved with the local footwear industry scene; and I am beyond thrilled to be part of it. 

It may sound naive of me but, directly after my interview, I knew this was a job worth sticking to. And not just because it is right across my school, but more so because I believe in what the company endorses. 

Creative story-telling, nationalism, artisanry, and socially-aware entrepreneurship - Risque Designs successfully incorporates all these things in a single pair of footwear. The designs are inspired by multiple aspects of Filipino culture like myths, animals, and the Filipina woman. Made only from local materials and by the hands of local craftsmen, these shoes are without a doubt uniquely Filipino masterpieces. 

It's so inspiring! Add to that my second day of work involved helping out with a photoshoot! 

Everything is just plain awesome. 

I can't wait what else is in store for me!

Book Review: Better off Friends

“So, as I was saying, guys and girls can be friends.'

'Best friends.' 

'And what is better than falling in love with your best friend?' 

'Nothing." 

- Levi & Macallan, Better off Friends

From the title, it's ridiculously easy to gather what this book is about. 

Yes.

It's that kind of story - when best friend A falls in love with best friend B. But, of course, best friend whoever (or even both) doesn't want to risk their beautiful friendship. And, of course, their feelings are never in sync - just when one has moved on, the other realizes his/her feelings. Then shit hits the fan.