Two friends plan separate birthday parties on the same day
156 words
"Are you even listening, Liam?" Sarah's voice, usually a cheerful melody, sounded strained. He snapped his attention back to her, forcing a smile that felt brittle on his face. He'd been staring out t...
A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them
161 words
"Just another customer," the words echoed in Finn's mind. He had run into Chloe at the grocery store, she worked there, ringing up customers. It took him a moment to get her to acknowledge his memory,...
A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them
148 words
"Excuse me, do you know where I could find...?" He stopped, his voice catching in his throat. He had spotted Olivia across the museum, surrounded by tourists, looking at a painting. He had found his w...
A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them
165 words
The old carousel, once a source of endless joy, now seemed to mock him. Liam sat on a bench nearby, watching the painted horses go round and round. He'd found Jessica at the carnival, laughing with he...
A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them
140 words
The air in the gallery was stuffy, the art on the walls seemed to mock him. He’d seen Amelia at the opening, admiring a sculpture. He approached her, heart hammering, but her response was a polite b...
A person learns their childhood best friend doesn't remember them
148 words
He stared at the blank screen, the cursor blinking, mocking his inability to focus. He had run into Chloe on a video call for work. He had heard her voice and, heart skipping, asked about their histor...
A musician hears their song being performed by someone else
127 words
A stale, stagnant feeling clung to Eliza as she walked through the bustling marketplace. The sun, usually a welcome companion, seemed to glare down on her, amplifying the bleakness that followed her. ...
A musician hears their song being performed by someone else
127 words
From his booth at the greasy spoon diner, Mark watched the world go by through a haze of apathy. The clatter of plates, the chatter of strangers – they all felt muted, distant. He was stuck, a broke...
A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher
146 words
“Not for us, unfortunately,” the email read, the words blurring through Daniel’s tear-filled eyes. He slammed his laptop shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise quiet room. He had been...
A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher
133 words
He’d always considered himself to have a thick skin, but the words of the rejection letter felt like a physical blow. Thomas, a writer of crime thrillers, sat at his desk, staring out at the grey, o...
A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher
119 words
The air in the gallery felt stifling, the bright lights assaulting Eliza's eyes. She stood, a solitary figure, in the crowded room, her manuscript clutched tightly in her hands. The publisher's verdic...
A person's manuscript is rejected by their dream publisher
118 words
Her heart sank. This rejection felt different, more crushing than the others. Chloe, a children's book author, sat on the edge of her bed, the letter trembling in her hand. The vibrant colours of the ...