Valerie June

“A Mended Heart” by Valerie June

Sometimes, I steal flowers for my boyfriend from your garden; but, unfortunately, today you caught me and demanded to join me to make sure the, “guy is handsome enough to warrant flower theft.” I’m still trying to figure out how to tell you that we’re on our way to the graveyard. *** I pull the aromatic roses closer to my chest to shield them from the light summer breeze, but mainly in a fruitless attempt to calm my fluttering nerves. I glance over my shoulder to see if you’re still keeping pace with me. You are. I turn back again at ...

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“Moony” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #105

It was a night like any other and, unfortunately, the loud activity of the night made it quite difficult to catch onto a dream and drift off to sleep. But a little girl knew better than to chase her dreams, anyway. A howl from a stray dog mixed in with nature’s nightly lullaby. The crashing of ocean waves sounded like cymbals against the shore and the whistling of the wind was frighteningly similar to that of a sigh or a forlorn echo. Time stood still during this single magical moment. However, the usual pale body of light seen at this hou...

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“Feline Meets Canine” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #96

It was a dare. A dare given to me by Hermes to make a pair of ex-lovers, specifically mortals, fall in love. It was utterly impossible to turn him down, though I knew the dare was seemingly impossible to perform.Love is love and, though I’d never admit it, even I can’t fully tame the heart. It had its own language that I was only partly skilled in. I should know. After all, I was the goddess of love.I regret making that choice now that I’m here, attempting to do the impossible. My temper was to blame for my rash acceptance of the dare. In th...

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“The Battle of Brethren” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #96

This is a collab I worked on with Lone Wolf. Make sure to check out her POV!Lone Wolf's Link:https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/contests/96/submissions/69995/I survey the peaceful valley that lies spread out before me. On the opposite side of the river, is a stretch of generic army tents that held my future victims. The thought of their general makes me cringe away in disgust. A loud whiny pierces the air, bringing me back to reality.I sigh with relief at the sound. It's just my loyal companion and commander of my troops, Spots...

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“The Mockingbird of the Hospital” by Valerie June

Note: This story is dedicated to an amazing person on here named Abigail Cross. Or as I like to call her, Abbie. As many of us have heard, she's gonna be leaving Reedsy soon, and I’d like to see this as a ‘see you later’ gift for her. I guess it’s time to get on with the story then.And one more thing...the italicized words are meant to be sung. Look at my comment below to find the links to these songs if you don’t know them already. 😉“A spoonful of sugar… Now you finish it, dear!”“Keeps the medicine away,” a nurse “sings” in a grumpy and dis...

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“Cellmates and Soulmates (Part 2)” by Valerie June

This is the second part of the collab I did with Abbie. Make sure to check out her POV when she posts her part! Part 3 will be out sometime in the future. And yes, you're welcome for putting this one up so quickly. I wouldn't want to kill y'all from suspense.Abbie's Link:https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/edbcba/The tunnel walls begin to crumble around us, shaking off loose dust. I hear small explosions go off in the distance, screaming followed by each one. I’m almost certain Rayla’s involved with this mini earthquake. ...

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“Cellmates and Soulmates (Part 1)” by Valerie June

This is a collab I did with Abbie. Make sure to check out her POV, too! Part 2 will be posted soon.Abbie's Link:https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/contests/94/submissions/68369/A loud bang disrupts the stroking of my loyal pet rat, Whiskers. I look up at the noise. It’s just a girl with raven black hair and icy cobalt blue eyes entering my jail cell.More prisoners means less provisions for me and Whiskers, so this girl’s bad news. I don’t like the looks of her, either. Not wanting to come off as rude, I attempt to start up a co...

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“One Too Many” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #93

Content Warning: suicideI wind my way through the labyrinth of sweaty people who cheer as if their lives depend on it. All that useless shouting will only reward them with sore throats and a weakened immune system. I huff at their ignorance and lengthen my steps through the packed French Quarter.My arms swing by my sides and hit my legs in pairs of three at an even tempo. Three, my favorite number. Each step is fueled with anger, remorse, guilt, despair, and helplessness. I never thought it possible for all five (another perfect number) emot...

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“A Book as Old as Time” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #91

You walk toward a familiar desk where a small pot of scarlet geraniums stands guard over the most precious of desks. A fake gold plaque is propped up against the pot bearing the majestic word “Librarian” on it.An aromatic smell greets your nose. You’re unsure whether the fragrance is coming from the desk christened librarian or the flowers. Either way, it is a delightful smell.“Good morning,” you tell the desk with the plaque and pot.“Hello,” the desk says back. “Ready for your next book?”“Yeah. I finished reading the book you recommended la...

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“Just Like Nature” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #90

We were packed like sardines in a tin. The putrid smell of urine clouded my nostrils and my eyes watered at the horrible stench of body odor that surrounded me. My calves ached, but I knew if I sat down I would never have the strength to rise again. My neighbors shared the same predicament. Ever since boarding that crowded box car I had never looked in a mirror, but I had a general idea of my appearance by observing the other passengers aboard.It was dark inside the train, but it was still possible to see that their pale faces shone lik...

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“A Good Death” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #89

The time has come. I know it when the pain loosens. It’s calming. The monster that possessed me day and night is finally leaving me. A thrilling yet peaceful sensation veils itself over me, dampening my rising excitement. It reminds me of the mask they wound around my eyes and mouth, but this sensation’s different than that of the musty cloth. It was a better one. With more hope infused in it.I’m not scared of the way I’m squeezed into an impenetrable darkness by some unknown and invisible force. Instead, it feels like a mother tenderly swad...

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“A Call Gone Wrong” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #87

“Do it! Do it! Do it!”“Stop with the chant, boys,” I say, cracking my fingers to prepare for what we’ve all been waiting for.“You too scared Ace?” A boy nicknamed Hunter asks mockingly. I ignore him.“Hand it over.”“Nah, don’t feel like it today,” I say right back to Trampdog’s face. That shuts his muzzle right up.A pretty new member of the gang, a stocky boy of only fifteen years old, shouts, “Lemme do it!”I stand up onto the cold metal bench and wait for them to quiet down by paying close attention to the condition of my bitten down nails. ...

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“The Shepherd and the Sorceress” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #86

“Concord, Socks, Prince, Dolly, Lady, Raven. Raven!” a boy hollered, “Oh, where is that creature! When I find her she’s gonna get it from me.” He curses under his breath and prepares to wake up the rest of his flock of sheep with his wooden cane.“Wake up Dolly, we need to find Raven. She’s gone missing again.”The boy hears no reply from Dolly, but he knows that once the rest of his flock are awake she would follow.He grabs a leather and brass cow bell that lays abandoned on the wilting grass with the letters A V E etched into it. Years ...

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“The Neverending Sisters” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #85

That’s the thing about this city,It’s where sorrowful harmonic ditties,Are sung year round.This city of music is full of unexpected twists and turns,Where two maidens rule with equal power over the place they do call home,Their palace is a colossal dome,And their citizens roam underneath it.Waltzing their palace with plenty of joy,Both by dawn and dusk,The maidens’ fairy sprites,Their most loyal attendants,Keep them company both day and night.Yet the two twin maidens are sisters in disguise,One the mistress of illusions and the other heir to...

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“No Place Like Home (Part 3)” by Valerie June

This has nothing to do with the prompt. Enjoy the last part of the trilogy! Recap: Those black boots thump its way over to my uncomfortable position on the floor and my attacker crouches down to my eye level for the second time. I need to make sure it’s him before I jump to conclusions. Against my heart’s desire, I look into those sweet hazel eyes again and confirm my suspicions. It’s that sweet gentleman, my own dancing partner, my roommate---Brian. He says nothing to me and just re-ties the gag around my mouth a little more gently...

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