Character Moods
"Fine! Do whatever you want!" Chloe slammed the bedroom door so hard the picture frames on the wall rattled.
Chloe is furious or angry.
The smell of chlorine was overpowering, and the sound of splashing echoed off the tiled walls and metal bleachers.
An indoor swimming pool.
"Don't use that tone with me, young lady. Go to your room and think about what you just said."
Parent and daughter.
The captain looked up at the barometer; the needle was dropping fast into the red zone as the ocean waves turned a deep ink black.
A severe storm or hurricane is approaching.
Everywhere Arthur went, he left a trail: a half-empty soda here, a dirty sock there, and his school backpack open on the kitchen floor.
Kevin kept checking his watch every thirty seconds, pacing back and forth across the lobby rug until he wore a visible path.
Kevin is impatient, anxious, or waiting for something important.
Rows of metal folding chairs faced a wooden pulpit covered in flowers, while people spoke in quiet, hushed whispers wearing black clothing.
A funeral home or church service.
"If you can't keep your speed up on the left side of the lane, I'm going to take you off the starting lineup for Friday's game."
Coach and athlete.
As the hiker stepped over the fallen log, a sharp, dry buzzing sound echoed from the dark space right near his boot.
A rattlesnake is about to strike.
Penelope organizes her colored pencils by color wheel order and spends 20 minutes making sure her bedsheets have zero wrinkles every morning.
Penelope is neat, meticulous, or a perfectionist.
Rita tucked her chin into her sweater, avoided looking anyone in the eye, and wished the floor would swallow her whole after tripping on stage.
Rita is deeply embarrassed or self-conscious.
Endless rows of tall metal shelves stretched into the dim distance, stacked high with identical brown cardboard boxes waiting for forklifts.
A warehouse or distribution center.
They walked down the street without speaking, leaving a wide three-foot gap between them, both staring straight ahead with frozen expressions.
They are having a fight or their relationship is strained.
The check engine light flickered on, followed by a loud, metallic grinding noise coming from deep under the hood of the car.
The car's engine is failing or breaking down.
Whenever the group had to decide on a restaurant, James would wait to see what everyone else wanted and then say, "Whatever you guys want is fine with me."
James is passive, indecisive, or people-pleasing.
When the acceptance letter arrived, Lucas let out a loud shout, jumped onto the couch, and began high-fiving his dog.
Lucas is ecstatic, joyful, or proud.
The ground beneath their feet was soft and spongy with pine needles, and the only light came from thin sunbeams slicing through a thick canopy of oak trees.
A forest or woods.
Without saying a word, Liam reached over and finished the rest of Sarah's crusts, while Sarah automatically reached into his bag to steal his sour candies.
They are very close (siblings, best friends, or a couple) and comfortable with each other.
Mr. Harrison stopped talking mid-sentence, his face turning pale as he stared at the principal standing in his classroom doorway with two police officers.
A student or staff member is in serious legal trouble.
After failing his driving test for the fourth time, Tommy walked right back up to the counter and signed up for a slot the next morning.
Tommy is determined, persistent, or resilient.
Clara stared blankly out the window at the rain, ignoring her untouched tea as the hours ticked away into darkness.
Clara is depressed, grieving, or profoundly sad.
Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as people in paper gowns waited on crinkly paper sheets, surrounded by jars of cotton balls and biohazard bins.
A doctor's exam room or clinic.
"Mr. Vance, your performance this quarter hasn't met our targets. I'm going to need your badge and the keys to the company vehicle by 5 PM."
Boss/employer and employee.
The dog suddenly froze, its ears pinning flat against its skull, and let out a low, vibrating growl at the locked basement door.
There is an intruder, animal, or danger behind the door.
When the new kid sat alone at lunch, Brenda ignored her friends' laughter, walked over with her tray, and introduced herself.
Brenda is kind, brave, independent, or empathetic.