Hi. I'm Indy Scott. After reading and enjoying stories, I decided to try my hand at writing some of my own. So to get started, here's a brief story about Sid, Adelaide, and new up-and-comer Doyle. (Doyle B. tag) A huge thanks to the writers, family, and friends that have helped me get to this point. This is my first work, so please provide constructive criticism.


"Spin and Shout"

Sid Chang is considered by her family and friends to be, by nature, the definition of good cheer. Normally always with a bright smile and a K-Pop song in her heart, she is known for being as eager and excited as she is optimistic and easygoing. On some days, though, the balance between these aspects tended to shift within range of their extremes. For example, eagerness and excitement could cross over into impatience and being on edge. Today was a textbook case for this example as she turned to call out behind her for the umpteenth time of her walk through her adopted neighborhood in Great Lakes City.

"Come on, Adelaide! We're supposed to get there quick so I –" Catching herself, she cleared her throat to cover that little slip of the tongue. "So you can get Froggy 2's flies before your Junior Zookeepers' meeting!"

A couple yards behind her, a younger girl wearing a red sleeveless blouse and navy blue skirt was crouched on the ground behind a shiny green little frog in the middle of an impromptu leapfrog game. At the sound of her name and her older sister's repeated insistence, Adelaide let out a small whine that turned into a huff. Standing, she lowered her hands for her loyal companion to leap into them. The aptly named pet, Froggy 2, leapt into them, appreciating the lift.

"Sorry, Froggy 2," Adelaide apologized, gently stroking his back while picking up her pace. "We'll pick this up later." She then glanced at Sid. "If someone doesn't mind, of course."

Sid sighed. "Sorry, but we don't have too much time today. Mom and Dad are both at work, and we have to be back in time to get your uniform. And," she added, "who knows how long it will take to get Froggy's flies? We could be there for a while. A long while."

As Sid talked with an increasing tone of nervousness, she absentmindedly straightened her pink hairband and smoothed out her signature blue shirt and black shorts.

Adelaide, not missing these last-minute adjustments, groaned audibly. "Oh, please, Sid. Stop acting like you're doing this just to help me and Froggy. We know why you really volunteered to take us to Pete's."

At that, Sid turned her head in shock. "What do you mean? I do nice stuff for you all the time!"

"Oh, I know, Sid," Adelaide said with a hand wave. Then she continued in that sugary singsong voice she liked to use when jumping rope or making a point, "But that's not what's go-ing on here!"

Sid scoffed as the pair (or trio, if you count Froggy 2 like Sid and Adelaide do) as they rounded the corner. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"How original," Adelaide deadpanned.

The two stopped their banter as they came closer to where Pete's Pets was. In front of them on the sidewalk was a small crowd of people excitedly whispering and cheering.

Sid gasped. "Come on, Adelaide!" She exclaimed as she led the way. Adelaide glanced up at Froggy 2 on her head, who returned her bemused look. "Here we go again," she sighed as she followed Sid to the crowd.

With some utterances of "excuse us," "sorry," "pardon me," and "ribbit," Sid, Adelaide, and Froggy made their way to the front of the excited group to see the source of the commotion, which prompted a soft gasp and smile from the elder Chang.

In the center of a sidewalk arena made by the ring of people was a young, purple-haired kid around Sid's age dressed in dark blue overalls, green sneakers, and a white and red tee and cap. Pinned to the left overall strap was a name tag that read "Doyle." Doyle was standing along the narrow edge of a yellow sign with a turtle on it that displayed "Pete's Pets" in matching green lettering. The sign itself was balanced on its lower corner, with the arrow-shaped end pointed on an upward diagonal at the store in question.

The feat of standing on a precariously balanced sliver of thickly corrugated plastic alone would be impressive enough, but an instant later Doyle jumped up off the sign into the air, during which they grabbed the sign out from under their shoes. Spinning it in one hand as they touched down back on the pavement, they began rolling it lengthwise across their back to the other hand. Balancing it on the hand's index finger, they spun it over their head and leaned backwards to the ground, landing on their free hand. With the sign still spinning, they pushed their legs to sweep them around, using the momentum to help lift themselves back up.

Sid watched as Doyle effectively danced across the pavement, effortlessly tossing and catching the cardboard as if it were an extension of their will. She chuckled as Doyle caught it in their mouth and playfully chased a younger child like a friendly puppy, causing the little one to let out giggles of her own. Visibly pleased, Doyle then backed up to give themselves some room to safely work, and then backflipped with the sign still clutched between their teeth. The bold move garnered several awe-struck gasps from the crowd, including Sid. Doyle Butler was talented, friendly, good-hearted, a skilled showperson, and with moves that could rival those of any 12 is Midnight member. Even - dare she think it? - her cherished Yoon Kwan, though secretly her crush on the K-Pop maestro had lately started taking the backseat, with a new voice calling "shotgun."

Doyle landed, hoisted the sign once more, and leaned into a grand bow, doffing their cap like the ringmaster of a one-person circus.

"Impressive!"

"Rad moves!"

"They're a wonder!"

"WHOO! GO, DOYLE!"

It took a second for Sid to realize that the last acclaim came from her. And another second to realize that she said it right as the applause started dying down. Loudly.

A few polite chuckles scattered the air, mixed with some less polite snickering from the sister and frog at her side. A blush crept on Sid's cheeks as she felt the gaze of a few eyes in her general direction, including the eyes of the sign spinner, caught in mid-bow.

Doyle appeared stunned for a split second – Sid was positive her embarrassment was making her imagine the faintest red tint around the eye black stripes on their cheeks – but then broke into a good-natured grin. "Thank you all. I really appreciate your enthusiastic support. Feel free to take a look inside. We've got all kinds of goods for your best friend. And you may even find a new one!" On that note, he gave the audience – it had to be the audience and not just one specific person – a friendly wink.

Sid grinned and chuckled sheepishly. Adelaide rolled her eyes at her sister's giddy expression and grabbed her sister's hand, following some of the other folks into the shop. "Right, Sid. You don't know what I'm talking about at all."


So, yeah. Not very long, but everything starts somewhere. Don't worry, I will have more stories of the Casa-Loudiverse and other tales coming up. Until next time!