SSC archives ↑
The Contest Categories Authors Results

1st A Picture is Worth Five Hundred Words

Red Darn

Mija

Copyright 2010 to mijita (AT) the treehouse (DOT) net . Please respect this copyright. Don't distribute or archive this story in any way except for personal use without explicit permission. No, it's not in the public domain. Ask first, okay? Thanks.

--------------
Red Darn
by Mija
--------------

A shout startled the daydreaming girl from her novel.

"Fairfield, what are you about?"

Fiona (aka Fairfield) looked up, annoyed. A pair of navy wool knickers were being shaken in her face.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Miss," said the girl resentfully.

"These knickers, *your* knickers, are shredded. Clearly you took a shortcut on your run."

"Only once. I--I got lost. I'll write to my mother -- she'll send me a new pair by return post."

The matron drew herself up as her annoyance visibly increased.

"No you won't. Bad enough cheating, but as our headmistress made it quite clear at the start of the term, we are *all* were expected to conserve and ration as part of the war effort."

"But I can't do gym without knickers," replied Fiona, sounding hopeful. Perhaps she would be excused gym.

"Right. And so," said the older woman, thrusting out a sewing basket "you will give up your free time until each of the tears is properly darned. And remember you have gym class Monday morning."

As the older woman sailed from the room, the sixteen-year-old eyed the basket with disdain. Fiona hated sewing and darning. Further, it was Friday evening and she'd looked forward all week to finishing her book. With a sigh she examined the long tears in her tattered knickers before opening the basket.

Inside were slim darning needles threaded with several rows of wool stitching, a perfect darn. Perfect save the color.

o0o

"Fairfield! What are you wearing?"

Fiona looked up at the games mistress, sulking.

"Matron had me mend my knickers, Miss."

"I doubt she had you mend them in red, but be sure I will ask. Now stand forth and touch your toes."

The girl felt the eyes of her classmates burning into her as she stepped forward and bent over. At least one classmate giggled. Her pleated games skirt rose. Tears pricked the corners of Fiona's eyes as the slipper thudded into her darned knickers, once, twice...

....six times.

o0o

Fiona's bottom still ached as she stood in Matron's study. The woman's face flushed as she examined the knickers.

"What a lazy sneak you are! Fairfield, these knickers are truly ruined; they'll have to be replaced."

Nervous as she was, Fairfield couldn't help but feel pleased there'd be no further darning. Unfortunately she couldn't keep the delight from her voice.

"Sorry, Matron. I'll write to my mother tonight."

Matron eyed Fiona grimly, making the girl blush.

"Well you should be, and will be when I finish with you. Have you forgotten clothing is rationed, you horrible girl?"

Fiona felt hot with fear and embarrassment, anxiety rising. She was unable to say anything as the matron removed a heavy wooden hairbrush from her side table.

"If only your mother had spanked you longer and harder I dare say you'd be more responsible and considerate. Knickers down and across my knee, Fairfield."

The matron raised the brush and continued.

"Think of this as me doing *my* part for the war effort."

o0o

(*Note: I didn't notice until after I'd written the story that the ration book in the picture is for food rather than clothing. Doh!)

Kris

I thought you did very well with the historical setting. With few words--the tears pricking the corners of her eyes--you let us know the girl was crying in humiliation, not from the slippering. A little bland, as a selfish girl is something of a sterotype. I wanted to see a little more of what was going on in Fairfield's head, as in, were the knickers hidden, implying shame? Left out in indifference to being caught, or because she's such a daydreamer, she simply forgot? Or left out in sheer laziness (which would be in character with a girl who cheats at runs)? Any insight of which could have possibly made her more likeable or more interesting. I liked the story overall, firstly, in that the knickers themselves were something of a character, but especially that there were two spankings worked in, the last one a bonus on a still aching bottom, and one that was obviously going to be much more memorable than the six she got for cheating.

sarah nada

School stories aren't generally my thing, but I really like this one. Fiona is just sullen enough that I don't feel especially sorry for her, but do find her relatable. Not that I've ever been sullen of course. The pace is good, the ending leaves me wanting more, and the story does a good job conveying the spirit (if not the details) of the picture that inspired it.

Dyke Grrl/Jigsaw Analogy

The story ties in well with the title. Fiona's stubbornness comes through quite clearly, and she gets her comeuppance for it. The story is packed with action. It feels like a snippet from one of the many school stories I've read (in a good way).

Marie

I enjoyed this. I'm not much for school stories, or F/F, but the plot was new and I always love to see that! I can't imagine walking around in dark gym knickers with bright red lines! I know the picture was for food rations, but who says knickers can't be rationed? They certainly are in our world! Well done.