Student story-Ain’t No Misbehavin’ at the Holiday Inn

By Meredith Osborne

Owen Praegar and Caroline Sweeney sit on the third floor of the Holiday Inn. Waiting.

“Wanna start now?” Caroline asks.

“I think we should wait a few minutes,” Owen says while changing the song on his iPhone, his head bobbing in recognition of the beat.

Within a few minutes, both agree that it’s time. Room checks for the Flint Hills Publication Workshop are about to begin.

Knock. A girl opens outfitted in pajamas and glasses. “Hi, we just want to make sure everyone is here,” Caroline says, her voice light and friendly. They smile and nod when everyone is found, and move on to the next room. Knock after knock, they journey down the hallway. Some girls open the door in matching leopard print pajamas, some peek out from behind laptops, their massive workload showing on their faces.

Finally, they reach the end of the hallway. Pat Hudgens is standing next to the door and says, “We need to tell this room to be quiet.”

Loud giggles are heard from the other side of the door. Knock. Caroline delivers the same line. “Hi, we just want to make sure everyone is here.”

A quiet hush falls over the room.

Owen and Caroline end right where they began, sitting cross-legged on the third floor of the Holiday Inn.

Meredith Osborne is a senior at Kapaun Mt. Carmel and a student in the advanced writing class at the Flint Hills Publication Workshop.