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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write about a person who constantly has to put on a persona (e.g. at work, in their relationships, etc.) who can finally drop the facade.

Posted in Character on Jul 14, 2023

Submissions are closed

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✍️ 80 stories

“The Voice of an Angel” by Beth Nolan Conners

Submitted to Contest #207

Sara listened to her last, pure note as it sailed past the stained glass windows and reverberated through the church. She sighed happily.  “That was wonderful!” Emily Clapman, who was 85 and deaf in one ear, said enthusiastically. “You are so talented!” “Thank you, Emily,” Sara responded warmly. Now to get out of here and head home. “Good night, Sara.” “Good night,” Sara replied to the conductor as he gathered his music. “Drive safely.” Her inner voice added, “And it’s Sah-rah, not Sair-ra for the upteenth time.” Sara gathered her ...

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“Better?” by Kara Niccum

Submitted to Contest #207

He moved her hand out of the way to retrieve the bacon from the chest freezer. Closing the lid, he resumed whistling and walked back into the house. His bright-eyed beauty sat at the breakfast bar, smiling at him. They'd had a wonderful night, and now, he was making her breakfast. She was absolutely giddy with appreciation. After he put the French toast and bacon on the plate, he held up a finger. "One last thing," he said, and went out the front door. He came back with a rose from the bush his wife had held so dearly. His lover smiled as ...

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“''A Return To Self''” by Francis T. Baker

Submitted to Contest #207

‘’A Return to Self’’ The coffee here always was abysmal, a thin, drab liquid little more than a cheap caffeine delivery system. Good thing I stopped noticing the taste of coffee, or rather stopped caring about the taste of things in general, months ago. As I half-heartedly picked up the paper cup and brought it to my mouth for a large gulp I was already sliding the second cup underneath the machine’s spout. Regardless of taste the barely warm contents of these cups would provide me with just enough energy to operate on some basic level u...

2 comments 2
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“The tumour” by Autism Active

Submitted to Contest #207

She threw her keys on the table and they landed with a brittle bang. What aday. She was tired. In another lifetime she’d have been reaching for the bottle. Now, she turned to the kettle, shook it: enough for a nice cup of tea. She checked the clock. It was just after four in the afternoon. Looking through the window, the sun was fighting its way through copious clouds and she could see it would succeed. Heck, what was she waiting for. She ignored the hot, boiled water and ran for the stairs. With an air of happy abandon, she fired shorts, a ...

3 comments 3
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“The Colorful Mask” by Raine Leggett

Submitted to Contest #207

I watch as they cheer. The applause ringing throughout the room defended my ears. I smile at them as sincerely as I can. I watch them blow kisses I don’t desire to blow back. A void in my heart makes me wish I could leave. Where did it go the love for this stage? Why have I fallen victim to this sea of lust? Give me my name instead of this blind fame. She walked off the stage. Her manager handed her a bottle of water. She drank it down slowly as her manager raved with some of the staff. The coolness of the water was needed. It helped her min...

2 comments 2
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“He was acting the whole time” by Bri Lynn

Submitted to Contest #207

On Sasha's last day of work she found out something very interesting. She was at home with her boyfriend Garfield. They were enjoying their day off together with their grandson Randy and his mom Brit. IT was beautiful out so everyone went outside to have a water balloon fight. It lasted for a while. Everyone was getting hungry. Garfield went in to get changed and to find something to eat while the others were still outside. Randy is an outdoor kid and he loves being outside. Unfortunately Brit and Sasha wanted to go in so they talked Randy t...

1 comment 1
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“The Ultimate Facade” by Patricia Williford

Submitted to Contest #207

THE ULTIMATE FACADE   I drew in a long, deep breath, sucked my tiny, crepe covered wings back into the porous bone of my shoulder blades, and slid screaming out into the cold, bright world. I innately knew I couldn’t keep my feathers on this journey, so I had delighted in their presence while I still had them, fluttering around in twists and turns as my mother rubbed her stomach trying to rid herself of digestive distress.  I didn’t mean to cause her concern, of course. I knew my purpose was to bring joy. Bu...

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“Strange Kindness” by Kathryn Menefee

Submitted to Contest #207

Lina could have just left town. Plenty of people were doing that these days: D.C. felt like a particularly dangerous place to be, even if Lina wasn’t sure anywhere else was better. No one had heard from Estelle in months and several of Lina's co-workers’ desks had been empty for twice as long—though, Lina supposed those could have been forced disappearances as easily as willing. (At least their bodies hadn't been discovered yet, eyes open in horror beneath concave foreheads.)Regardless Mallory would’ve understood if Lina had simply...

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“The Beginning” by Catherine Githui

Submitted to Contest #207

Behind the scenes, there should be no room for regrets, only happiness. After all, I did make the decision to love him. Sometimes, though, frustration overwhelms me, and I find myself yearning for his absence. It would be easier if he just left me alone. Why? Because I lack the courage to leave him. Every time an opportunity arises for me to escape, I squander it, trying to make him happy, attempting once again. “But, I don't understand why it is so difficult for you to leave him? Making the decision should be as simple as the decision t...

3 comments 3
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“Unconditional Haight” by Randall Caporale

Submitted to Contest #207

Mom threw me out of the house this morning.  Or did she?  It wouldn’t be unique if she had and, technically, it is her turn as, last time, I beat her to the ‘off’ switch. In either case, this time, instead of the usual orgasmic ripples of triumphant liberation associated with being freed from The Monster that’s trying to kill me, I’m hating her. True, my hate for her is ongoing, but as the bright, perfect sun burns the chill off our Bay Area, this new day’s hate is a spectacularly blinding paparazzi assault of echoing scre...

2 comments 2
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“The Perfect Wife” by Victoria Blair

Submitted to Contest #207

Content warning: KnivesThe clock chimes loudly, snapping me out of my self-induced trance. 4 chimes, meaning guests will be arriving in 30 minutes. I spend most of my days drifting in a comfortable haze of mundanity, my biggest concern that night’s dinner menu, but the clock seems to be clanging extra loudly this afternoon, making my ears ring and my whole head buzz. I give myself a few seconds to shake my head and arrange a serene smile before William walks in, lest I give him any indication something is wrong. I’ve heard him wandering arou...

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“Unleashing the Real Her: Awakening to Her True Identity” by Carolina Lorenzo López

Submitted to Contest #207

In the depths of despair, there often lies a glimmer of hope, waiting to be discovered. This was the extraordinary journey of Amelia, a young woman whose life took a tumultuous turn during the first weeks of the pandemic. As an average migrant, Amelia tirelessly worked long hours, her exhaustion mounting, while lacking a safety net to catch her if she stumbled.Amelia's strength and resilience were about to face the ultimate test. Before the challenges she faced, she had been an outstanding student, consistently earning straight A's. Educatio...

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“Just Tonight” by Ezra Grey

Submitted to Contest #207

“Enjoy the rest of your day, sir.”  A polite smile graced Tegan’s face as she handed him a brown paper bag with a rectangular box inside that appeared to be containing the shoes the man bought. The man thanked her and turned his back to walk out the door. He was seemingly average and not at all who you’d expect to see in a skate shop. Tegan worked at “FootBoardz”, a small skate shop with a total of four employees: the owner, the floor supervisor ,Tegan(assistant manager), and a part-time associate. The shop often got a decent amount...

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“Metamorphosis ” by Lynel Black

Submitted to Contest #207

The walk to the small supermarket took about 10 min either way. It could be faster if she took the shortcut through the park, but that had its own costs which she painfully recalled. She walked the long way. Along the cracked footpath, past the homeless tents, stepping over their faeces and discarded needles. The human refuse of society, slumped in impossible positions, passed out, or possibly even dead. Nobody would notice, nobody cared. Her list didn’t contain much. Scribbled at the top was 2 quarts of Vodka. It was the first thing her m...

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“People-Pleaser” by Poppy LaC.

Submitted to Contest #207

(TW: Slight mention of harassment) Beep beep beep beep. She’d slam her hand onto her alarm clock, nearly breaking it instead of shutting it off.  “Jesus…” Soli would brush her hand back with her hand. She would get up, immediately going to turn on her coffee maker.  “Oh come ON!” She’d groan as she noticed her coffee machine leaking water out of the side. “I already hate today.” Soli muttered under her breath, walking over to her bathroom to get ready. As she hummed a melody under her breath, Soli combed her hair back into a milita...

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