The Struggling Writer

Victor Revenant's alarm clock blared at 6:00 AM, shattering the peaceful silence of his cramped apartment within Eqidux City.

He let out a groan and slapped the snooze button before rolling over and pulling the blanket over his head. Five more minutes, he told himself. Just five more minutes.

Five minutes, of course, turned into thirty.

Victor jolted awake with his heart pounding as he realized he was running late—again. He scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over a stack of rejection letters that littered the floor like sad, crumpled confetti.

"Great start to the day, Vic," he muttered, dashing to the tiny bathroom.

A quick splash of water on his face did little to erase the exhaustion etched into his features. He only managed to sleep for a total of two hours since last night.

He stared at his reflection, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. "You look like a raccoon," he told himself with a grimace.

In the kitchen, he hurriedly poured himself a cup of coffee, only to spill it all over his only clean shirt. "Seriously?" he exclaimed, grabbing a towel to dab at the spreading stain.

The more he tried to clean it, the worse it looked. Now he had a wet, brown splotch that made him look like he'd lost a battle with a cappuccino machine.

Resigned, Victor rummaged through his closet, which was more like a tiny nook crammed with mismatched clothes. He found a shirt that was just barely acceptable for teaching.

As he buttoned it up, he realized it was missing a button right in the middle. "Perfect. Just perfect," Victor sighed.

With no time to fix it, he shoved a granola bar into his mouth and grabbed his lesson plans, which were somehow buried under an avalanche of old manuscripts. "Where are you, you sneaky little... Ah, there you are!" He triumphantly pulled them out, sending a few papers fluttering to the floor.

Victor made a mad dash for the door, only to have his shoelace snap as he stepped outside.

He swore under his breath and awkwardly limped back inside to find a replacement. After what felt like an eternity of rummaging through drawers, he settled for an old, mismatched lace that was way too long. He tied it into a makeshift knot and hoped for the best.

On the bus to work, Victor leaned his head against the window, trying to catch a few more moments of rest.

His mind wandered to his dreams of becoming a successful writer. He could almost see it—his name on book covers, his stories turning into movies, and the adoring fans. But reality, as usual, had a way of bringing him back down to earth with a thud.

Thuumm~

The bus hit a pothole, jolting Victor awake just in time for his stop.

As he got off, he felt a sharp tug and realized his too-long shoelace had caught on the bus door. He quickly yanked it free, nearly tripping over himself in the process. "This day just keeps getting better," he muttered.

Arriving at Beverly Saints, a middle school in the west of the city, Victor forced a smile as he walked into the classroom. The kids welcomed him with witty teases and today was no different.

"Mr. Revenant, you look like you fought a bear this morning!" Timmy, one of his more observant students, called out, causing the class to erupt in laughter.

"More like a bear fought me," Victor replied with a grin. "Alright, settle down, everyone. Today we're going to dive into the wonderful world of adjectives."

As he began the lesson, Victor felt a small sense of relief. Despite the chaos of his mornings and the disappointments that plagued his writing career, these moments with his students were a reminder of why he kept going.

The lesson continued smoothly, with Victor incorporating humor into his teaching. He used funny examples and exaggerated gestures, keeping the students engaged and laughing.

By the end of the class, everyone had a better understanding of adjectives and a smile on their face.

After the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, Victor gathered his materials and headed to the teachers' lounge for a short break. He was greeted by Ronnie Rite, his colleague and sometimes friendly rival.

Ronnie Rite is in his early thirties, standing at about 5'10" with a lean, athletic build that suggests he spends his free time at the gym.

His dark brown hair is always neatly trimmed and styled with precision, giving him a polished appearance that contrasts with Victor's more disheveled look. Ronnie's hazel eyes are sharp and observant, often giving the impression that he's always one step ahead.

Today, Ronnie is dressed in a crisp white dress shirt, rolled up at the sleeves to his elbows, revealing toned forearms. He pairs this with charcoal gray dress pants and black oxford shoes, looking every bit the professional.

His shirt is tucked in perfectly, and a simple, dark blue tie completes his ensemble. Ronnie's look is topped off with a stylish, silver wristwatch that glints in the light as he gestures.

"Morning, Vic. You look like you survived a battlefield out there," Ronnie said with a smirk, noticing the coffee stain and the missing button.

"Morning, Ronnie. Yeah, it's been one of those days," Victor replied, shaking his head. "But the kids make it worth it."

Ronnie nodded, his expression softening. "They do. So, how's the writing going? Any luck with publishers?"

Victor sighed. "Not yet. Another rejection this morning. But Sarah thinks I'm getting closer."

Ronnie patted his shoulder. "Keep at it, man. You've got the talent. Just need to find the right opportunity."

"Thanks, Ronnie. I appreciate it."

Just then, another colleague named Precious Armstrong walked into the lounge.

Precious Armstrong is in her late twenties, standing at about 5'6" with a slender yet curvaceous figure that draws attention wherever she goes.

Her honey-blonde hair cascades in soft, luxurious waves just past her shoulders, often catching the light in a way that makes it shimmer.

Her striking green eyes, framed by long, thick lashes, are both captivating and expressive. Her smile is warm and inviting, making her a favorite among students and colleagues alike.

Today, Precious is dressed in a form-fitting, emerald green blouse that accentuates her figure and complements her eye color.

The blouse has a subtle V-neckline that hints at her décolletage, adding a touch of allure. She pairs this with a black pencil skirt that hugs her curves and reaches just above her knees, showcasing her smooth shapely legs.

Her black, high-heeled pumps add to her height and elegance, giving her an effortlessly sexy appeal. Around her neck, she wears a delicate silver necklace with a small, sparkling pendant, drawing the eye to her neckline.

Precious also carries a sleek, black leather tote bag, often slung over her shoulder, which holds her teaching materials and personal items.

Victor's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly tried to straighten his shirt, as if that would hide the coffee stain.

Precious was not only his colleague but also the woman he had a serious crush on.

Sure she was six years older than him but to Victor... Age is just a number.

"Good morning, Victor. Ronnie," Precious greeted them with a warm smile.

"Morning, Precious," Victor managed to say, his voice a bit higher than usual. He cleared his throat and continued, "How's your day going?"

"Pretty good, thanks. I'm planning a new project for my class, and I was wondering if you might have any tips on integrating more creative writing exercises," she said, looking at Victor.

Victor's face lit up. "Absolutely! I'd love to help. Maybe we can brainstorm some ideas after school?"

"Tomorrow sounds perfect," Precious replied, her smile making Victor's heart flutter. "Thanks, Victor."

As Precious walked away to grab her coffee, Ronnie gave Victor a knowing look. "You've got it bad, my friend."

Victor sighed. "Tell me about it."

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Victor continued his lessons, each class bringing its own set of challenges and laughs.

Despite the rough start, the interactions with his students and colleagues lifted his spirits. By the time the final bell rang, he felt a bit more hopeful about his day.

As he packed up his things, he couldn't help but think about his upcoming brainstorming session with Precious. It was a small thing, but it was enough to make him look forward to tomorrow.

-

With the school day coming to an end, Victor found himself back at his favorite café, The Cozy Quill.

This time, he was meeting his old friend Johnny Cash. Johnny was the kind of friend who, despite his own struggles, always managed to bring a smile to Victor's face with his endless supply of get-rich-quick schemes and humorous outlook on life.

Victor spotted Johnny sitting at their usual table in the corner, a wide grin plastered across his face as he waved him over.

Johnny was a lanky guy in his early twenties, with tousled black hair and an infectious energy. Today, he was dressed in his typical casual attire: a faded band t-shirt, ripped jeans, and sneakers that had seen better days.

"Vic! Over here!" Johnny called out, practically bouncing in his seat.

Victor walked over, collapsing into the chair across from Johnny with a tired sigh. "Hey, Johnny. You look like you've had a good day."

Johnny chuckled. "Every day's a good day when you've got dreams, my friend. Speaking of which, I've got a new idea that's going to make us rich!"

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? What's the plan this time? Selling magic beans?"

Johnny laughed, slapping the table. "Close! It's a little something I like to call 'Quantum Beverages.' We create drinks that boost your brainpower using quantum physics. Think about it, Vic—students, professionals, gamers—they'd all pay big bucks for something like that!"

Victor couldn't help but laugh. "Quantum Beverages? Johnny, that sounds like something out of one of my fantasy stories."

"Exactly! And people love fantasy. They want to believe in miracles," Johnny said, leaning forward. "But seriously, how's the writing going?"

Victor's smile faded slightly. "Another rejection. Sarah says I'm getting closer, but it's hard not to feel like I'm just hitting my head against a wall."

Johnny nodded sympathetically. "I get it, man. It's tough out there. Maybe it's time to focus more on your teaching career. It's stable, and you're good at it."

Victor shook his head. "I can't give up on my dreams, Johnny. Teaching is great, but writing... writing is what I'm passionate about. And it's not just writing. I want to try my hand at scriptwriting, acting, directing, and even songwriting. I want to explore every avenue of creativity."

Johnny leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You've got ambition, I'll give you that. But don't forget, we live in a world where most people are just trying to get by. The sages' war ended centuries ago, and now we're in this reign of peace where the supernatural is just a bedtime story. People don't have powers anymore; we've got to hustle the old-fashioned way."

Victor nodded, understanding the truth in Johnny's words. The world had indeed changed since the ancient days of the divine sages, whose legendary battles had once shaped the course of history.

Now, Eqidux City and the rest of the world enjoyed an era of peace, but it came at the cost of magic fading into obscurity. The sages who remained had either retired or taken up roles within the government to maintain the balance.

"But that's exactly why I can't give up," Victor said, a determined glint in his eyes. "If ordinary people can make it through hard work and perseverance, then I can make my mark with my writing. I just have to find the right story, the right angle."

Johnny sighed, shaking his head with a smile. "You're a stubborn one, Vic. But I admire that about you. Just don't let it drive you to madness, alright?"

Victor chuckled. "I'll do my best."

"You're definitely going to die poor but at least you get moral support from me," Johnny patted Victor on his shoulder while gently shaking his head.

"Oh shut up," They both burst into laughter while Victor proceeded to add; "Tell me more about these Quantum Beverages. How exactly do you plan to harness quantum physics in a drink?"

Johnny's eyes lit up as he launched into an animated explanation, complete with wild hand gestures and exaggerated claims. Victor listened, enjoying the momentary escape from his worries.