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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write about a character who’s always thinking of things they’ll say to people, but who ends up saying very little when they finally get the chance.

Posted in Character on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 219 stories

“More Than That” by Lucy Newman

Submitted to Contest #76

“I’m telling you, I’ve never felt better. Once I started writing again I’m like a new person. Like I’m living again, you know?” I told my friend Kasey as our lovely server slid our plates in front of us. “Let me know if you need anything else ladies. Enjoy!” she stated, grinning widely before turning away.  She took a sip of her coffee and set it down gently in front of her. “Lucy, are you taking your meds?” she asked.  What do you mean, am I taking my meds? “Yes, of course I am,” I replied. Kasey and I had been friends...

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“Everything I Could Have Said ” by Kathleen M.

Submitted to Contest #76

The cart rattled over the cobblestone path, the sounds echoing through the empty street. Pavel sat in the back with his cloak wrapped around him to keep away the morning chill. He faced away from the destination, not wanting to watch as the imposing fortress loomed closer and closer on the horizon with every step the horse took. The driver whistled a cheery tune that grated on Pavel’s nerves, and he knocked on the side of the cart to get the driver to stop. The man shot him a glare, but remained quiet. Without the added distraction, Pavel al...

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“Songs and Space ” by KENNEDY PLANT

Submitted to Contest #76

"I-uh- am just really happy here." What was that? The 14th lie of the week, and it's only Wednesday. I can't even talk straight to the guidance teacher. "That's good to hear, Henry." She replies, handing me a slip of paper. "As you can see here, your grades are really super, but your citizenship is quite low." I nod, knowing this is true, but not wanting to fix it. "A really good way to fix this is to participate in class more. Raising your hand, asking or answering questions. Can you do that for me?" Oh gosh. She looks like a helpless p...

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“Who You Are Made to Be” by Amanda Kelly

Submitted to Contest #76

     Don’t be shy, Adelyn reminded herself. It’s a sleepover! You’ve done this hundreds of times with these girls. They’re nice, and they’re your friends for heaven’s sake! Stop being a baby! You’re gonna get in there and grin and be happy. Tell jokes and be funny! She reprimanded herself, gripping the strands of her backpack.        Adelyn walked up the front steps of Charlotte’s house, her heart pounding. Adelyn’s older sister, Alexa, bounded up the steps radiating confidence and ...

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“TULASI” by SHYAMALA BHUVANACHANDRAN

Submitted to Contest #76

Tulasi was watching from her balcony. A lady was dragging her unwilling child to a nearby kindergarten school. The girl was crying and reluctantly followed her mother. It was a just a routine mundane sight. Tulasi felt disturbed. But it stirred her innate emotions. She was left with an empty feeling. Though no body in her family blamed her as a barren tree, she felt the pinch. Whenever she spotted a mother with a child she felt as though she was the only unlucky person on earth to be left barren. How she wished to be a woman carrying a baby ...

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“Words Left Unsaid” by Hannah B

Submitted to Contest #76

The dirt road curved through tall trees, over a hill and then down, opening out to reveal the small home made of stone, smoke curling out of the chimney, which jutted out of the red brick roof, striking against the gray sky. Sarah cut the engine when she pulled into the drive and exhaled. In doing so, she realized she had been holding her breath, and wondered why. Her heartbeat rose at the sight of the house, a mixture of excitement and dread pulsing through her veins. All throughout the night, Sarah contemplated how this day would go. She c...

2 comments 2
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“Introverted Musings ” by Alex Arias

Submitted to Contest #76

11/04/20 If there ever were evidence of gods worming their way through the mortal world, he would be a compelling corroboration. Gold hair, wavy and long, tucked into a bun at the nape of his neck. I wanted to reach over, past the student sitting between us, and hold it in the palm of my hand. How long did it take you to grow? I imagined myself saying. Did you know that when I look at you everything and nothing rests at the tip of my tongue? Instead I sat in my seat, my fingers interlaced on my lap, and listened to him introduce himself. ...

2 comments 2
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“I'm Always Almost There” by S. F. Brooke

Submitted to Contest #76

I have trouble with speaking. It’s not with a stutter, although I do trip over my words a lot. It’s more of a conscious anxiety. It’s not easy to explain because I know my mouth works after a good head slap or two but it’s like the words get stuck from my brain to my tongue. It’s not a conscious decision, the words just shoot out of my head like the way my blood pressure and pulse skyrocket when I try to speak. I’m not a “quiet” person, I just get quieter. I know I could ask for that ketchup from the waiter, but can I? is the issue. &nb...

2 comments 2
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“Not Picture Perfect” by Odusola Sunmisola

Submitted to Contest #76

Kayla hugged herself as she read through her chats. Her relationship was only few days old but she felt like quitting already. She had sent Dylan a text five daysdays before but he was yet to answer. She kept loading and reloading, waiting for his text, but it didn't pop up."Didn't he see it?" She muttered, her thumb swiftly wiping sweat off her brows. All the messages she had sent were marked seen yet there was still no answer. She didn't want to dwell much on it but she just couldn't hold it in."080..." She reeled off under her breath...

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“Labda” by Ian Njenga

Submitted to Contest #76

The Boy must prevail. He knows this. The sun, that hangs heavy on the sky, about to recede into the unknowns of tomorrow, but, still sharp enough to drench him in the salty waters of his vesicles and cloud his sight in a kaleidoscope of color knows this. The wind and earth work together, conspiring to muddle and unsettle him even further with their fog of sand because they too know. They know the Boy, know what he wants and hopes to achieve by the day's end. They've watched him before more than once and as their own version of a cosmic joke,...

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“Not This Time” by Michelle Knight

Submitted to Contest #76

It started out a perfect day. The sun had splashed pink clouds across the horizon and rivers of silver light ran through the streets. Pero had jumped into the day in high spirits. The weather was only a sign from above, his plans for today will definitely come out better than he had anticipated. His girlfriend, Alice, wouldn’t know what hit her when she comes over.This is why the sudden change of the skies to grey and the thunder mumbling overhead had thrown him off balance. What could possibly have changed in two minutes? A cold and wet eve...

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“Just Perfect” by Amy Jayne Conley

Submitted to Contest #76

Ten days before. Jemmy is staring at her screen. James Green is coming to the office for the last time in a while. She clicks away from her emails and loads up her online personal training portal, and books five personal training sessions. Alright alright alright oh my god this is IT!! He’s coming – right. First things first, get project material before Miss Just Perfect does. Plan advertisement event – don’t forget to bring six tablets to demonstrate software. Ohhh, I have to tell him. He’s going to Australia soon. I’ll… well, I’ll have to...

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“That Day” by Reilly McKevitt

Submitted to Contest #76

Reilly McKevitt Contest #76 8 January 2021 That Day That day I woke up with a smile, and an ounce of hope. The type of hopefulness that provided clear skies, sunny days, and a field of flowers that danced peacefully in the wind. Some days it was hard to speak. The doctor said it was anxiety. That I had so much in my brain but it wouldn’t let it out. But that day? That day felt different. That day the sky was pink; vibrant, and glimmering with possibilities. The morning calls of early birds had finally begun. My legs, clad in the worn, gray...

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“Fixer Upper” by Julia Snyder

Submitted to Contest #76

One… two … three. The thoughts begin to slow down in my brain. One … two … three. I remove clammy palms from a tear streaked, puffy face. One … two … three. My breathing steadies as I take note of my surroundings. I remind myself that I am safe, I am healthy, I am alive. I sit up straight, take a deep, shaky breath, and put my pen down on the page. December 27th, 2020 Trying to constantly survive yourself is like living in a house that is constantly falling apart. For the majority of my life, I’ve been holed up in the basement of this ...

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“The Guard” by Anjali Goel

Submitted to Contest #76

“Rodriguez, lights out in five.” The guard stalks over to Rodriguez’s cell and raps on the bars. “Quit fuckin’ around, wouldja?” Rodriguez scowls, flipping the guard off when he thinks his back is turned. But the guard sees. He always sees. It’s his job, after all. But he stays quiet-- one rude gesture isn’t worth it. After completing his rounds, the guard ambles down the long, concrete hallway that ends in his office. He’s in no hurry-- after all, watching over a complex of sleeping inmates isn’t exactly a job that requires haste. His ch...

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