The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.
Photo copyright J Hardy Carroll
Looking Back
What was so great about high school? Joseph entered the classroom, damaged by fire when he was a junior.
“Nothing,” he whispered to the ghosts of bullies past, “nothing at all.” Some people looked back as those years being the best in their lives. His footsteps left imprints in the ashes and dust. When did they give up on themselves, throw away their futures?
His whole class had to transfer to other districts. The new school was like breathing fresh air; Joseph survived.
He looked back one last time. Torching this place was the best thing I ever did.
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J Hardy Carroll, who provided the photo prompt, is also a Friday Fictioneer. You can read his story here.
To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.
It's a long story ... 
Whoa! 🙂 Did not see that last sentence coming! By the way, my mother told me the same thing. I didn’t believe her then, and I was right!
Love the introspective feel of this. I did not expect the twist at the end.
Well written. (But I sure hope no disgruntlrd teens read this! 😉 )
Another good one. It’s amazing what you’re able to do with so few words!
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Joseph has survived, but the things he suffered are there just out of reach enabling us to understand his actions.
Oh! Wow. Took me by surprise. Very sad.
Great twist at the end. Right up to then you feel he has regrets but then boom! no regrets at all