C’est La Vie by Nic Contreras

Origami Star Gazer by S. Matthew Jones




C’est La Vie by Nic Contreras

Start.
Get up.
Get dressed.
Nothing to wear.
Need to go shopping for new clothes.
Have to do laundry too.
Maybe tonight.
I need to soon.
Still tired.
Gotta get more rest.
Tomorrow night, maybe.
Headache already?
Make breakfast.
Hmm, someone got groceries.
Maybe I should make some eggs, cut up some straw-what time is it?
Shit.
Don’t want to be late.
Hurry Joaquin!
No time to eat.
I should start eating healthier.
I want to be healthier.
It’s cold outside.
Out the front door.
Down the stairs.
In through the car door.
Start car.
Drive.

Stop.
Bye Joaquin.
Have a good day.
Drive.

Stop.
Park.
Walk to class.
Sit down.
Write.
Pay attention.
Ugh.
Headache is getting worse.
Pretty girl. What did he say?
Gotta listen, dammit!
Write.
Memorize.
Write.
Stand up.
Walk out.
What time is it?
Look at watch.
Hmm, class is out early today.
Walk.
I like this class.
NASA is sending people to mars?
“Yeah.”
I wonder.
What would that be like?
Complete isolation…


Write.
Talk.
Write.
Smile.
I like this class.

Walk to car.
Jump in.
Start engine.
Drive.
Stop.
Park.
Up stairs.
I should work out.
I want to be fit.
Get dressed.
Set treadmill for one mile.
Should run more.
Want to be fit.
Don’t want to be tired for work.
This weekend I’ll go run with John to make up for it.
Run.
Don’t stop now, almost done.
“End of run.”
Shower.
Dress for work.
What’s there to eat? This’ll do.
Not much time.

Hey Amanda.
“..nothing crazy…How was your day?”
Good.
Sit.
“Checking in, last name…”
“Checking out, room…”
“Hi, what is your rate for one night?”
“…closest place to eat?”
“That Obama is a bastard…”
“That vending machine isn’t working!”
“What’s the best place to…”
Finish paperwork.

Hey Bill.
“Hi.”
Nothing much.
Shift was normal.
Have a good night.
“Toodles.”

Drive.
Park.
Turn car off.
Up the stairs.
Open door.
Hi Mom.
Hi Dad.
Yes, school was good.
Work was good.
Tired.
I forgot to finish the reading for tomorrow.
Need to do that.
I’ll just lay down for only a second.
Stop.


Start.