Joanna Ortega

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020

Stories (17)

17 Stories

352 karma pts

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“Bailey's Cheesecake and Italian Leather” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #81

Same characters as in "A Few Steps Ahead." “Happy anniversary, Princess Olivia,” Fionnlagh said. It had been the first time in a week we were speaking or seeing each other. I was on the piano when he walked in, going through Freddie Mercury’s portion of Bohemian Rhapsody, my favorite song. I kept playing, refusing the interruption to look at him. We were both stubborn enough to continue to...

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“Words Unspoken” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #76

“This isn’t working out.” I paused and shook my head. “How could you do this to me? We were together for three years! Three years, I gave every part of me to you and you just didn’t care. Because if you did care, you wouldn’t have done what you did. But you did. You did it the entire time behind my back. How could you?! How are you okay with doing this to me?” Tears filled my eyes from anger and frustrati...

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“A Few Steps Ahead” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #72

The click of my heels was the only noise around me. I walked down the snowy street in my high heeled black boots, the smoke from my cigarette and large fur coat keeping me warm. Most people were probably inside, already at a party or with their loved ones. I was far from alone, but I wasn’t afraid. I had plenty of people relying on my life to manage the trafficking contraband. Weapons were today’s flavor of choice, espec...

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“Samhain Nights” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #65

*Prayers and information taken from the Learn Religions website: https://www.learnreligions.com/about-samhain-prayers-4079509 * Samhain was complicated this year, more so than normal. The coronavirus had hit, and we just couldn’t celebrate the way we used to. The ladies and I decided to socially distance for two weeks straight prior to ensure safety of all participants. Everything I had for food, ingredie...

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“Revenge Ablaze” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #64

Same characters in "Justice For the 16 Year Old". “They have him,” Ellis finally said.  The world started spinning. I felt my knees give out. Sebastian held on to me until I felt myself into a sitting position.  It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Anatoly was going to be in Russia for a simple mission. It wasn't going to take too long. He was going to come back hom...

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“Chai Latte with Cocoa Foam” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #63

“Chai latte?” Lewis asked when I walked in.  I had my typewriter on me. It was heavy since I had no upper body strength but necessary. I went straight to set the typewriter down on a table near the window. When I finally set it down, I looked at my weekend best friend and smiled.  “Sure,” I said.  “If you’re interested in trying something new…” he started.  ...

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“A Secured Limbo” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #62

*Trigger Warning* The events in this story were inspired by the recent K-12 school tragedies, pre-COVID. “If you don’t get married, you will die!” my mother yelled at me as soon as the door closed. “I’ll die anyway!” I yelled back. “That’s life. Everyone that lives DIES. You and Dad are the ones that don’t get that! I’m tired of having the same argument weekend after weekend! Just stop!”<...

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“Justice For the 16 Year Old” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #61

Ruth Bader Ginsburg High School cordially invites you to the Class of 2011 High School Reunion! May 29th, 2021 The banner on the invitation was as pretentious as the people that attended. If the people I'd gone to high school were anything like the Supreme Court Justice, I’d want to go. Since that was not the case, I closed the invitation. Ellis Williamson...

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“A Hunter and A Healer” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #60

I pulled the trigger, his hands releasing my neck. He went limp over my body, and his blood started dripping on me. I pushed him off the best I could, maneuvering under him. I looked through the man’s backpack, finding some food, matches, and dirty clothes. I took it all anyway, shoving my things in his backpack. His backpack was nicer than mine, and it didn’t have nearly as many holes.  A dizzy spell cam...

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“New York” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #59

The city that never sleeps. It was probably also one where the city’s habitants slept four in an efficiency bedroom to make rent and didn’t have the concept of a backyard. Everything and everyone was packed like sardines. How could anyone either large or wide survive in this city of cramped spaces and overflowing people? But they lived like everyone else did. When no one else did, I noticed them. But it w...

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“Shadow” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #58

There was no bigger cage than the lack of options. Stuck. Nowhere to turn.  Four padded walls and a straitjacket. I’ve been this way for 398 days. I was captured by guns pointed at me, until my hands were bound and I was caged. I knew myself, knew who I was and what I was capable of. I knew my own abilities.  They did too. The problem was that there was no d...

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“How Grandpa Got The Whole Lopez Family Banned From Auntie Mae’s Pie Shop” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #57

“I can’t go in there!” I said as Levi pulled my arm to get me inside Auntie Mae’s Pie Shop.  “Victoria, why not?” “I’m not allowed in there.” “Don’t do this right now. You hear the thunder and you can see that the storm’s coming!” “Levi,” I said and pulled away. “If I step foot in there, I will be turned away. You go in if you want but I’m walking HOME!”...

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“2185 Calories” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #56

Breakfast had been about 600 calories. A breakfast sandwich, including breakfast sausage, bacon, eggs, and cheese. Yogurt. Fresh Fruit. Lunch and snacks, 800.  Ham and Cheese sub with all the veggies. Mac and Cheese. Carrot sticks and Almonds. Fruit juice. 600 left for dinner when I got back.  Ugh. I wish I didn't need to leave my dorm today....

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“Unvictorious Red” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #55

I waited in the parking lot until there were five minutes left. Before leaving the house, I had put on my brightest and most vibrant red strappy dress. I did my best to match the lipstick color to the dress. Victory red seemed to work best. I reapplied it to my lips, checking in the mirror for clean teeth and smearing. I shot two sprays of perfume above me and allowed it to fall on me gently. I stepped out of the flats I...

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“A Fern's Dead Leaves” by Joanna Ortega

Submitted to Contest #54

I couldn’t wait until I got home. My red pumps were a bit too high but they worked best with my navy blue dress. I walked on the sidewalk towards the garage, my crossbody satchel close to my body. There was a lone man sitting next to the entrance with ripped shoes and long hair. He was likely homeless. Before I got to him, I pulled a 20 dollar bill from my purse. I was feeling generous and lucky; I’d gotten some new clie...

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Author bio

Mental health took a hit with everything that was 2020. Trying to get back in the groove of things. Thank you for your patience if you're reading! I'm just here to practice my writing and have a little fun. Please feel free to read and comment. I appreciate feedback always.