Stars and Stripes
By Vienna R., Iowa
Microstory Contest Winner - Grades 9–12 (Prompt A)
Beneath the fluorescent lights and the stars and stripes, Tom and Joey sat with weary eyes fixed on the glowing screen. Election night. The balloons that framed the television were cheerful, but the newsroom buzz gave way to anxious silence. Their press badges were boulders pinned to their chests. "We did our best," Tom muttered, clutching his stale coffee. Joey nodded to no one in particular. The TV hummed, voices fading into background noise. The outcome didn’t matter now. They had captured the voice of a community, a moment in time. They were a part of something greater now.