Penname: javamomma0921

Derivative Fiction

Rating: T

Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: 4 minutes (originally by Madonna, performed by Glee)

A/N: 4 minutes is a somewhat…modern song. Allow me a little leeway in interpretation. Thanks.

Compelling Visions

1942

It had been 10 years since I left France and my friends there. I had been careful never to form any more close bonds with humans; the pain of leaving them was just too intense. Instead I played the quiet, introverted ingénue of design. I pretended to be too good for everyone else. I pretended I didn't care about any of them. It was harsh and they talked about me often. But it was better this way, cleaner and less dangerous.

I moved around often, never staying anywhere for more than a year or two. I didn't draw attention when I moved and no one ever missed me for very long. But it was a depressing existence. Ten years after leaving France, I found myself wandering through those streets again, looking into familiar windows trying to catch a glimpse of my old friends.

The store was still there, though bigger and richer looking. They had done well for themselves. It was the middle of the night so I wasn't surprised to find the store closed and dark. It wasn't difficult to follow their scent back to where they lived. I found Brienne's house first. She lived in the same house she had lived in before. It was more richly decorated, yet understated. She had clearly had much success in her life and she had used her success to make herself more comfortable. I noticed there still didn't seem to be a male influence in her life; I guessed that she would remain single and happy for the rest of her life. She had found the happiness she was looking for in the success of her store.

I came across Gaby's house soon after. She lived close to her friend but I was surprised to find a light on and a shadow dancing in the window. It was an older Gaby, holding a baby in her arms and singing softly to her. I felt the familiar stinging in my eyes that would have been tears if I could have cried. Seeing her like that made me long for the life I knew I would have…someday.

I ran from her home and into the forest where I had hidden myself so long ago. Once there, I swung into a tree and sat, brooding and unhappy. So much of my life was waiting. Suddenly a blinding vision took over.

I was sitting in a small restaurant. Waiting. I was always waiting. But this time I was expecting someone. Someone who would not leave me and who I would not have to hide from. Only four minutes left. I somehow knew he would be coming into the restaurant in four minutes. My life would change. My heart would heal. He would walk into the restaurant and into my life and nothing would ever be the same again.

I sighed, swinging my leg back and forth and smiling. The visions helped. I wish I knew when they referred to. I wish I knew how. For now however, I would be content with knowing that they would just be eventually.

A/N: I know this one is incredibly short. I'm not going to make excuses for this. I just wasn't feeling the prompt that much today. I hope you enjoy this transition. I think we're getting closer to Jasper and, uh, the M rating actually coming into play. *ahem* k. Have a great day. Oh, and my Jazzward fans...I wrote a boatload of chapter 2 yesterday and hope to finish it up today. Then to the beta and into your box. Hopefully by the beginning of next week. ;) ~Jen