Anil Smith

“What Christine Harris Regrets The Most” by Anil Smith

It was the middle of the night. It was the time for tranquillity. It was a perfect opportunity for her to lie down and not think for a bit. The perfect opportunity for her to be selfish. She didn’t have to think about him, not right now. Her skin itched and her hands figetted as she checked the clock every few minutes, desperately hoping for time to pass faster. When morning comes, she thought to herself, I’ll be able to think. It’s too late for thinking and too dark for any bright ideas.  She was right. No bright ideas sparked inside...

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“Something Gained” by Anil Smith

TW: Homophobic text (not meant by the author, important as a story plot) and conversion center I arrived at the academy exactly four months, ten days, and three hours ago. I haven't exactly broken a world record or been the one to consult with if you're lost on the way to History class with Professor Poe. I am not the person you should ask about various dealings that happen here in the dark of night because I will not know what to answer you with. I am not the person you reach out to for help with mathematics or with questions about the bi...

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“It Takes Time” by Anil Smith

October 12th,  I see her standing in the hall, head slumped, hair loose. Her locker is open and a picture of her holding a first-place trophy. She's smart, I know it. I've known her for years. She's smart, of that I'm sure. But she doesn't think so, you can see it.  Her head turns, and for a second I think she's turning towards me, so I quickly turn around and pretend like I'm speaking with Theo and Sam. But I can feel her eyes on me. And I want to turn around, I do, but I don't. I know that I can't because there are others aroun...

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“Olivia Isn't Normal (According To Them, Even Though She Is)” by Anil Smith

Submitted to Contest #96

Content warning: suicide This is a sad tale. Warning you.   "Hey, uhh, Gavie?" Olivia was seventeen with dark skin the color of her brown eyes and gorgeous curls in her shiny hair. She had been withholding a secret from everyone, and even herself. "Yeah what?" Gavin, also seventeen and pretty. Orange hair and freckled, rosy cheeks. Her icy eyes were a mirror to her icy soul. It was crazy for her to be friends with Olivia, due to social rank. "This is really hard for me, Gavie. But I need to tell you. I've known this about myself for wha...

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“Dared Into Submission” by Anil Smith

Submitted to Contest #94

"Fine, but I want real cash. Not hundreds, thousands," Ben had a bad feeling in his gut, one he couldn't seem to shake. "Ben, buddy, you know we don't have that kind of money," Maximus said on behalf of the group. "Listen to me, you idiots. This thing that you want me to do? It's expensive. It's worth a lot. If you think I'm going to do this for five hundred, then you really are that. Idiots, I mean-" "But-" "It's going to take me 24 hours to get the job done. At most. You have until then. Real cash, Max. Real cash." *** The smell o...

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“Re-” by Anil Smith

Submitted to Contest #88

Lisa was sitting at her wooden desk, with her typewriter sitting in front of her. She was racking her brain for ideas. Ever since her retelling of Rapunzel blew up, Lisa didn't get any time to herself. It was book signings, events, and even meetings with directors for the potential movie version of When Will My Life Begin? She was excited, sure, but Lisa was growing tired. She was about to give up and go for a cup of coffee in her kitchen when the phone rang."Elizabeth," I heard my mother's voice."Boy, I haven't heard that name in a long tim...

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“Alex and Cassidy” by Anil Smith

Submitted to Contest #85

"That's the thing about this city... Alex... you love it but you hate it at the same time," Cassidy said. He and Alex were holding each other and crying. You might not understand right now, so let me rewind. Alex and Cassidy had been going strong for a year and 4 months, and they were already moving in together. But one day, Cassidy received a call. He got an internship at a law firm, the law firm he has wanted to work at forever. Alex was staying in New York, working at the famous sushi restaurant called Le Sushi Palais. Cassidy decided ...

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“How I hate Covid-19” by Anil Smith

Submitted to Contest #84

I am Amber Cassidy. I am 25 years old and I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I am also frequently visited by nightmares. Of the worldwide pandemic. I was 6 when it happened, so 19 years ago, and it still haunts me. It haunts me when I design living rooms and bathrooms and everything in between. When I see anything that reminds me of Covid-19, a bag of chips I might have eaten, a book I read, a tv show I watched, all those painful and gut-wrenching memories bombard my brain like a tsunami and its aftershocks. You can't stop it, but...

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“Our spirits are high” by Anil Smith

Submitted to Contest #83

Amazi was sitting on the cloud chairs. Yes, I said cloud chairs. You get everything when you're a god. Focu was sitting across from her, fidgeting with his pencil. Amazi was resting her hands on her palms, waiting anxiously to get the meeting started. All of a sudden, the air began to smell of flowers and an overall earthy scent. Isi and her long, leaf-made dress, waltzed across the room. Her hair was in a messy bun, and her green skin was complemented by the brown makeup. Urubura was following her, his icy state practically freezing anyone ...

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“Karessa” by Anil Smith

Submitted to Contest #82

My app was read to take off. I was feeling dizzy from all that time staring at a lit-up screen, but it was finally worth it. Karessa was being released in mere minutes and I am sure it will blow up. First, I'll be the one playing their music and managing all the user's requests, but after I make enough money to hire assistants, it'll be their job. My sister was standing on the left, her hand on my shoulder. "Do you really think it will be big, James?" she asked me. I tried to overlook her sudden fear. Jessie had been my audience. My personal...

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