Olivia Lake

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2021

Stories (9)

9 Stories

236 karma pts

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“Vampire Teeth” by Olivia Lake

Katherine had asked Jim to pick Tiffany up after school. For Jim, this was either a sign of Katherine’s unfounded optimism, or her profound desperation. The first and only time he met Tiffany was a disaster. Katherine told him that Tiffany loved Italian food, so he took them to his favorite restaurant. Katherine and Tiffany both showed up looking disgruntled, and the tension was palpable from the moment t...

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“Video Killed the Radio Star” by Olivia Lake

On the rare occasion that anyone bothered to ask why he played the drums, Rick Karlsen said that he liked how loud they were - but that was a lie. He didn’t like being loud. He liked being in control. A drummer held the band in the palm of their hand. If he sped up, they sped up. If he slowed down, they slowed down. He was the heartbeat. He had the power. It didn’t bother him that Rachel was the focus of ...

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“Grateful Nuisance” by Olivia Lake

Arigatameiwaku: when someone does a favor for you that you didn’t want or ask for, and the favor causes you trouble, but social customs require you to express gratitude regardless. A Japanese word made up of ‘arigatai’ (‘grateful)’ and ‘meiwaku’ (‘nuisance’). “I’m going to help,” said Doug. Melanie could almost hear him beaming through the phone, proud of his own selfless offer. “...

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“Kintsugi” by Olivia Lake

It was going to be a good day. It had to. Lily knew the perfect way to start the day: cinnamon sugar doughnuts and coffee. When she got to the cafe, though, the barista was locking the doors. “Are you closed already?” she asked. The barista shook his head. “Something with the plumbing. They have to shut off the water.” “Oh…” she trailed off. ...

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“Twenty-Three, Fifty-One” by Olivia Lake

Age: 23/51 Because he was my physics teacher, I was now in grad school. I said so in my application - my love of physics was sparked and nurtured by Mr. Turner from the moment I stepped into his class. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know what I would have majored in undergrad, if I would have done research on semiconductors, if I would have pursued my PhD. When he was my physics teac...

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“Brain Waves” by Olivia Lake

Returning to her childhood bedroom made Sophie feel like she was examining the prototype of a familiar technology. The bookshelves were lined with paperbacks organized alphabetically by author. Plastic dance trophies topped with gold ballerinas were perched on top of her dresser. A gigantic corkboard was mounted over her bed with achievements and memories pinned to every surface. Ribbons from the math team and medals fro...

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“Monsters” by Olivia Lake

“Mommy, I want to go home.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to swallow the scream building in my throat. "This is your home now, sweetie." Rosie crossed her arms. She had been a nightmare all morning, sliding around on the hardwood floor in socks and nothing else, barely dodging the buckets set out for the leaky roof. She was so delighted by my fruitless attempts to catch h...

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“Stones” by Olivia Lake

Audrey had not wanted to go to the wedding. Samantha and Barry were Josh’s friends, not hers. She wouldn’t know anyone there. The wedding was two hours outside the city - an idiotic choice, considering all their friends lived in the city - and she didn’t want to get home so late. But she kept her mouth shut. The day was over, and she had survived with her arsenal of smiles. She simpered as she shook hands...

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“Lorraine” by Olivia Lake

She loved it when the air began to cool and the leaves began to redden and yellow. The empty campus would flood with life: students milling about the green quad, overwhelming cafe baristas with their demands for coffee, populating the tiny chairs and even tinier desks of the lecture halls. It was the start of a new academic year. The cycle began anew.  It isn’t anything prestigious, she thought a...

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Author bio

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Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #188
Kintsugi – read story