Karma P

“That's just how teenagers are” by Karma P

Submitted to Contest #105

I pounded my fist on the table.She had looked at him in a way she never has.My little girl let out a sigh and touched my face.…ARTI:“Arti.” My father squeezed his hands together, taking off his glasses. He said my name the way he always did, with more pepper than pep, like it was the name of a sleepy cinnamon. The ‘r’ and ‘t’ didn't collide with each other, making it sound like ‘aarathi’ in his thick accent and rolling Rs. “Papa, I know what you’re going to say and all, but I think I’m old enough to make my own choices.” I pulled on my ...

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“Love Under the Persian Moon” by Karma P

Submitted to Contest #104

“Ezra, Happy Birthday!” A couple who I swear I have never seen in my life, cooed. “Thank you,” I nodded politely, watching my mother’s trying gaze. She seemed worried. Worried that I’d mess up. The crowd watched my every move, and people were pulling out their phones, like paparazzi. I shuddered, wishing I was back in my bedroom, reading a cheesy romance novel. My mother huffed, nodding ever so slightly. We sat down at our own personal table, a seat left out for my dad, even though everyone knew that he wasn’t going to make an appearance. Mu...

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“Signs in the Clocktower” by Karma P

Submitted to Contest #103

Dong The first chime from the clock tower rang out bright and clear, nearly shaking the walls of Cora’s room so she could feel the rhythm under her feet. Pulling out her phone, she let the voice recorder app suck in the sounds, until she could play them back out her room, just as loud and powerful. Cora scrolled through her recordings, playing ones of significance, comparing them to each other. The clock tower made a happy bellowing sound, as it groaned under the weight of a large marble block being added to the top of it’s tower. Cora f...

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“The Little Girl with Too Braids” by Karma P

Once Upon a Time… There was a Little Girl with Too Braids She liked a lot of things She liked to play on the swings Pumping her legs, going hire and hire And she liked numbers She liked being the best at numbers. And you would think, with being the best at numbers She would be the best at words, too. But faster than you can add fifteen to itself She'll tell u ‘No.’ ‘I don't like words’ ‘I don't like to rite!’ She would put her hands on her hips And explain, That words wear the monsters in her mind That they would get all mixed up Like a ...

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“The Hungry Tramp” by Karma P

Submitted to Contest #100

I was always the last one to wake up. The last one at the breakfast table, only left with ice-cold coffee and the wimpy butter sliding off my pancakes. If I’m lucky enough for pancakes. I’m usually not, though. In a house of fourteen kids, it’s first come first serve, and being the last one up doesn’t help. But tonight, I was the first one up. My sleepy head bounced between my shoulders and my hair had fallen loose around my head. My legs, which felt like wood planks, drove me towards the doorway, with the faint remembrance of a loud knock. ...

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“Shark Girl” by Karma P

Submitted to Contest #99

I strolled down the boardwalk, nibbling on my ice cream, watching the world go by. Most people are busy during the summer, sometimes too busy to notice a teenage girl, but everywhere I went, I was followed by people’s attention. Their admiration. Their fear. Sounds like too much? Yeah. Being me is exhausting. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Only one new message. Halmoni. My Grandmother. Don’t be late, Summer. Your parents are going to come home in an hour with your brother. I flicked the phone off. One hour. One hour left. Plenty of ti...

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