AN: Written for an original fiction 100 I'm attempting to work my way through. This one is number sixteen, "Questioning." (Hence the title… I'm not very good at those.) I'd like some feedback on this, if only to know if it provides enough information about the characters- they're from a fantasy story, which is why I avoided giving much information about them.

"Carolyn, you need to start making some decisions about your future."

The redhead slouched in her chair. "I have decided. I’m going to be a bartender."

The guidance counselor sighed as if Carolyn's stubbornness were the straw that broke the camel's back. "Carolyn, bartending is hardly a reliable career."

Carolyn shrugged."I can't afford college, not without a really good scholarship."

"Like your sister received. I understand. You know, you're really very bright. If you made an effort to pull your grades up…" She raised her eyebrows.

Carolyn frowned, sinking lower into her chair. "I don't have much free time."

"I know, I know, you have an after-school job. Is it really necessary to work so many hours, though? You always seem so tired."

"I need the money."

"Doesn't your guardian care for you adequately?" Her voice was its usual genial-yet-neutral tone, but the underlying threat of social services lurked beneath it.

Carolyn sat up straighter. Her frown went from annoyed to miffed in an instant. "Nemo's fine. I got the job so I'd have some money of my own."

The guidance counselor still looked a hint suspicious. "So why not save for college?"

Carolyn snorted. "I can't earn college tuition at a part-time job."

"What about tech school?"

"Why bother to save when I can get those classes for free in my senior year?"

"Ah, youth options, of course." Like a dog worrying a bone, she brought the conversation back to Carolyn's home life. "I understand that Mr. Watercress is only four years older than you."

"I thought we were here to discuss my schedule for my junior year, not my guardian." Her voice took on a bitter tone, and she looked away as she added, "If you're that desperate for a date, he's legal. Can't drink yet, though."

The guidance counselor happened to be taking a sip of her coffee just then and almost choked on it. "I am only asking because I know it must have been hard for you to adjust to him. So soon after your father's death and all."

"Nemo's cool. He doesn't try to act like Dad or anything. He's just watching me until I'm old enough to move out."

"And are you planning to leave as soon as you turn eighteen?"

Carolyn blushed, looking at her feet. "No, not really." She met the counselor's eyes for a moment. "It's a free place to stay, all right?"

"And how would you react if he were to get a partner?"

"Call him yourself. I'm not Chuck Woolery."

"Carolyn…"

"I wouldn't care. It's not likely he'll get a 'partner'," she made air quotes with an extremely dry expression, "anyway."

The guidance counselor propped her head on on her hand. "I think you might."

"Maybe if he started dating you," Carolyn sneered. "But even if someone moved in, he wouldn't kick me out. We have lots of spare rooms."

"Oh, yes. I understand your sister's boyfriend lived with you for about a year?"

"Before he became her boyfriend, yes, thereabouts. We didn't talk much." Carolyn crossed her legs. "Besides, I thought we were discussing Nemo."

"We can discuss whatever you like."

"Then how about my classes instead of my personal life?"

"You seem rather defensive when it comes to that topic, Carolyn."

"I hate it when people pry."

"I'm only asking because I care about you."

"And you only 'care' because you're paid to."

The guidance counselor sighed. "Carolyn, I sense you have an unwillingness to trust me. Are you like this with all people in authority? You talk about Nemo as if you to were close."

"We are close. We were friends before Dad died, and he doesn't treat me any differently now."

"Well, what about your teachers?"

"Speak when I'm spoken to. I'm not into volunteering."

"Your peers?"

Carolyn scowled. "What peers? I only have one friend here." The guidance counselor opened her mouth, but Carolyn quickly added, "Yes, I am happy with that. Very happy. Can I go now?"

"We haven't discussed your schedule yet!"

"There's a chick who wants to date you at the school," Carolyn announced.

Nemo, who was lounging on the table, shrugged. "If she goes to your school, she's automatically too young for me."

"It's the guidance counselor."

"I thought you said she was hellspawn."

"She is. I'm just saying she wants to go out with you."

Nemo didn't lift his head from his arms, the picture of disinterest. "And why do you say that?"

"Because she kept asking me what I thought of you."

Now Nemo looked up, one eyebrow raised. "Oh, really? And what did you say?"

Carolyn was staring at the drip of coffee through the filter and missed the unmasked curiousity in his eyes. "I told her I was very happy and well-adjusted, what else?"

Nemo laid down again. "Oh, of course."

"Well, if you're going to break her heart, at least have the decency to do it in person. Mediating it through a second party is so passe."

"How am I to tactfully explain to a woman that she's too old for me?"

"Too old, too young. You're so picky."

"Well, I assume you're just the same."

Carolyn raised her eyebrows."What do you mean?"

"You don't have a boyfriend." Nemo's expression soured a bit. "And I know your friend Jared likes you."

"Yes, but as I've told you, I don't like him. I've known him since I was six. He's not interesting."

Nemo propped his chin on his fist. "And what is interesting to you?"

Carolyn made a disgusted noise. "I wasn't aware it was 'Give Carolyn the Third Degree Day.' You'd expect that sort of thing to be on the calendar. I believe I got ripped off."

Nemo snorted. "Carolyn, you're actually answering my questions for once. This is an opportunity not to be missed… besides, can you blame me for being curious, oh queen of the inscrutable?"

Carolyn sneered at him, making a zipping gesture across her lips.

"Oh, fine." He paused, and then, smirking, he added, "So, this guidance counselor… what's her name?"

Carolyn threw the coffee filter at him.