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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020
Submitted to Contest #100
“Bacon or sausage?” “Don’t care,” said Eliza, tonelessly, over her coffee mug. She hated the taste—always had—but she’d lauded the drink in an attempt of maturity years ago and was in far too deep now to give. Few traits came even close to her obstinacy, and she liked it that way. “Come on, El; you’ve always got an opinion on everything–it’s my favorite thing about you.” Eliza glared at her dad. “Fine. Bacon. What does it matter, anyway?” Her dad sighed and shifted in the booth. His coiffed blond hair moved with him, an artificiality...
Submitted to Contest #82
Dad passed down the problem like a reluctant inheritance. Along with my dark green eyes, frail build, and insomnia, I was left with what he named the ‘entfernte Problem’—which awkwardly translated from German meant the distant problem; because even then, nineteen years ago, he knew he would never live to see it solved, that it was innately and irrevocably distant from his attainment. His father, my grandfather, had died during the Vietnam war, so my grandmother packed up her children—at the time my dad, age two; Aunt Lydia, age four; and Unc...
There’s tragedy in a person who can never make herself happy. You cannot help but pity, for there is something pathetic in being a slave to one’s own melancholy. I had known Jaheia for close to a decade, and not once had I seen her truly happy. Perhaps there was an ease of contentment in her shoulders or eyes, but as close as it inched toward the threshold of happiness, it always cowered and fell back. As all those chronically self-absorbed do, I ruminated over the idea that it was an innate characteristic of our relationship—that she coul...
Submitted to Contest #79
Even a scar became a wound if you picked at it long enough, and Charles was a prime example of someone just the level of neurotic necessary for such behavior. Beneath his impeccably tailored appearance laid an insatiable impulse that settled deep within his veins. And while it seemed to pump his blood, it was intolerable to observe as an outsider. “You’re late,” Oliver said, managing to slip an edge of frustration into an otherwise dull tone. Charles threw him a half-assed smile. “Sorry, Ollie–you know how it is: busy, busy, busy.” "I ...
Submitted to Contest #78
Mama always said I had trouble committing; after three weeks of ballet, I wanted to quit, and this trend continued for piano, softball, gymnastics, and choir. They were fleeting fantasies, dreams of a better self, a more talented, capable self. Should my abilities not shine within the first few days of my new pursuit, I grew sullen and pettish. By the time a week passed in a similar vein, I hung on by but a thread. “You’re too hard on yourself, Ness,” my mama had said, weary, as she picked me up from a failed art class. Failed in the sense...
Submitted to Contest #76
“What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.” “It’s nice though, isn’t it?” “If you enjoy frostbite, I guess.” “It’s just… so loud in there.” “That’s kind of the point of a party, yeah.” “Well, I wanted to get away from it all for a bit. Why’re you out here, anyway, if it’s so freezing and pointless?” “Saw you out here looking all sad.” “Thanks, I guess?” “I’m Mina, by the way.” “Oh, Laurie’s talked about you. Noelle.” “Festive; very fitting for this time of year.” “Yeah, my parents think they’re hilarious. My younger s...
Submitted to Contest #70
“Carmen, I can’t find your jacket anywhere. Just forget it; it’s gone.” “Nu uh, no way. I spent forty bucks on that thing!” Carmen crossed her arms and stood between Emily and the door, just in case her friend got any funny ideas about bolting. “Well, it’s not here,” Emily said, annoyed. “Maybe ask for an advance on your allowance.” “Very funny.” “You’re the one who dragged me out of History to look for your jacket,” Emily pointed out. “Are you even allowed to be in here?” Relenting, Carmen took a seat on the bench. “Told Mrs. Oetk...
It started on a Tuesday in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Early in the morning before the sun woke, still half-asleep, Olivia rolled her neck and ran her fingers through her persistent tangles. With a wince, she turned onto her side and fumbled for her phone. Usually waking before eight meant a faulty alarm or an impending disaster.The screen’s sharpness sparked tears, and she wiped at them aimlessly while she thumbed through the latest texts; there were four new ones from her mother all dated within the past hour. Swearing, she sat up and dialed th...
Submitted to Contest #65
“So, you’re definitely getting extra credit for this, right?” I said, avoiding a particularly stubborn weed whose sole life desire appeared to be mating with my shoe. Dozens of them sprouted from the improvised path we trekked; the front gate would have been an easier obstacle, but Wren wasn’t willing to risk getting caught. “Not just a measly ten points or something–we’re talking getting a full grade bump, yeah?” “That’s what Mr. Wright said.” “But doesn’t he want some sort of proof? Sure you can snap a picture, but that only proves you...
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