magisternihil's 100-word story for July 26, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on July 26, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

Deirdre likes to sit in cafes and listen to the conversations around her. It’s not really eavesdropping. It’s public property. The couple in the corner are fighting about his work. She thinks he should quit. He thinks she quits things too easily. They don’t discuss this as they sip their coffee. The man in line wants to talk to the woman in line, but he’s too afraid of rejection to try. The barista hates all of them and just wants to work on her novel. Deirdre knows she should feel bad, but it’s their own fault for thinking so loudly.

Want to write flash fiction like this? Join the daily challenge at Hectalex.com and discover how powerful 100 words can be.