Ages ago I used to participate in something called Friday Fictioneers, which provides a weekly photograph to serve as a writing prompt to create a 100 word flash fiction story. I haven’t done it for a while, but this week my daughter (Johanna, 16 years old) has decided to give it a go. She may do this again in the weeks to come.
Shopping
by Johanna McClure
Going to a new country is exciting, that’s undeniable. It’s also undeniably exhausting. As I walk past shops overflowing with strange smells, in a place where the air is dense, and the language is one I don’t understand, I repeat one phrase to myself: one more week. One more week, then I’m home. Although, home isn’t much better. There are always odd smells, unwanted noises and fluorescent lights. But the air is lighter there. I always feel every hair on my face, every stitch of cloth I wear. Being consciously aware of the air I breathe is just not fair.
Blue Towel Productions 
Welcome to FF, young Johanna! You have some skills, and a great vocabulary. You need to keep writing!
Dear Johanna,
Shopping in a strange new place can be exciting and, at the same time, daunting. Well described. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Whenever I’m away I’m always a bit on edge. Home beckons 🙂
granonine, thank you very much for the encouragement, I’m excited to be here!
– Johanna
Rochelle, thank you for the encouragement. I was hoping to get that feeling, but you never know if you’ve succeeded.
-Johanna
A good portrayal of someone who is extremely sensitive to environmental stimuli (perhaps with a sensory processing disorder)?
Hello Magarisa. I’m glad I managed to convey that this person is very sensitive to environmental stimuli. I wrote it as a description of what the world is like for me, as an autistic person, on a bad sensory day. It is interesting to know that it’s similar to the experiences of someone with a sensory processing disorder. -Johanna