Preptober Prompts 2023

WEEK ONE

Prompt: 3. The Sun
Character Prompt: Write about your character doing something that they love or winning a competition. Why do they enjoy it so much?
Setting Prompt: Write about a good day in your setting. What is there to do? Why would people enjoy visiting?

Callie Anderson liked to win.

And she was willing to do whatever it took for it to happen. Bribing judges, hijacking opponents, all of those were just everyday occurrences for her. No line to be crossed. Sorry people, but she just wanted it more.

The girl didn’t bother feeling guilty about it either- if they really wanted to win, they should’ve done more. Not just practice and practice, and hope for the best, like a bunch of spineless losers. She was the one who actually deserved the success.

This time, it was no different. It was a lovely Sunday morning, the sun shining brightly overhead, heat sweltering. All around the thirteen-year-old girl, crowds of people jostled to get to their desired destinations- it was the annual carnival of their town, and it seemed like just about everyone was here. Not surprising, of course- the games, from bobbing apples to bumper cars, were extremely fun. Even Callie had to begrudgingly admit that.

But that wasn’t why she was here. No, it was for a much better thing than fun little games and hot-dogs on sticks. The best thing of all.

Money.

Or more specifically, the prize money for the math competition later. Why was there a math competition in a carnival? Well, first of all, Callie didn’t exactly care- money was money, after all. If she had to say, however, it might have been the overly academics-obsessed parents of the town, who had to find a way to lace what was supposed to be a light-hearted event with the horrible subject of math. Which she was horrible at, by the way.

Not that it would matter of course. As she thought about the fun little surprise she had arranged for her opponents earlier, a smirk crept up Callie’s face. Oh, yes. This was going to be fun.

Before long, the competition was starting. A dozen tables and rows of chairs were arranged neatly in a large tent, no doubt forced by their parents. Callie was the only one there, in the last row. Her seat was slightly titled, the girl leaning back, a nonchalant expression. She needn’t worry.

The clock struck twelve, and still nobody came. The middle-aged planning committee guy sctarctched his head. “Huh. That’s weird. A lot of people signed up, seems a bit unlikely they all forgot.” He looked at Callie. “Let’s wait for a little while longer, dear.”

But they did. And still nobody came. Eventually, the man sighed in defeat, and pronounced Callie the automatic winner of the competition. As she walked home, pockets stuffed with bills, she couldn’t help but smirk once more. Because it had been her responsible for all her opponent’s disappearances. Nothing bad, of course, just a faulty date on the posters and the carnival website. Really, it was concerning how horrible their security was.

Callie breathed in the fresh air, then let it out, sighing contentedly. Oh, how she loved winning.

Word Count: 488