A person learns their college is closing down
132 words
"I can't believe it," Maya muttered, staring at the email on her phone. She was on the subway, on her way home from work, and the news had knocked the wind out of her. The university she attended, the...
A person learns their college is closing down
124 words
"No, no, no," Mark whispered, reading the headline again. His hands were trembling. He’d just learned his beloved college was shuttering its doors. It felt unreal, like a bad dream.
He went to his ...
A person learns their college is closing down
118 words
James stared at the article on his phone, the words swimming before his eyes. The place where he'd come of age, where he'd fallen in love, where he'd first discovered his passions, was closing down. H...
A neighbor asks to cut down a tree on the property line
122 words
The clipboard felt cold in her hands as she read the proposal. It was formal, professional, filled with diagrams and cost estimates. The maple, the old maple, was causing problems with the foundation....
A neighbor asks to cut down a tree on the property line
108 words
The surveyor's tape stretched taut, a metallic line dividing his yard from Ms. Peterson's. She stood beside him, her expression a mix of polite impatience and mild irritation. The pine, she explained,...
A neighbor asks to cut down a tree on the property line
125 words
The phone call from the new homeowner’s lawyer was polite, insistent. The cherry tree, on the property line, posed a threat. He was informed of the risks, the potential damage, the clear need for it...
A neighbor asks to cut down a tree on the property line
135 words
He sat on the porch, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The new neighbor had been persistent, writing emails and stopping by. The old cedar, the one that used to have a tree swing on it, needed t...
Two strangers discover they share the same rare medical condition
107 words
The salt-laced wind whipped around Amelia, the waves crashing against the pier. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply. The scent of the sea, the cries of the gulls - they transported her back, to a di...
Two strangers discover they share the same rare medical condition
101 words
The flickering neon lights of the diner buzzed overhead, casting long shadows. He ran his hand over the worn vinyl of the booth, the textures, the smells, the everything was just… so familiar. A wai...
Two strangers discover they share the same rare medical condition
108 words
The ornate clock tower chimed, the sound echoing through the cobbled square. He closed his eyes, his heart clenching with a poignant ache. The rhythm, the melodies, the structure of the sound made him...
Someone receives flowers with no card attached
116 words
The lilies, pure white and perfumed, sat on the mahogany table. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. She’d spent the morning cleaning, the rhythmic s...
Someone receives flowers with no card attached
109 words
He stared at the roses, crimson and perfect, wondering who had sent them. The scent, sweet and heavy, filled the small apartment, a stark contrast to the sterile air he usually cultivated. His hand, c...
Someone receives flowers with no card attached
100 words
The peonies, so lush and fragrant, demanded attention. Sarah stood in the doorway, the bouquet clutched in her hands, her brow furrowed. She inhaled the blooms and felt her chest constrict. These were...
Someone receives flowers with no card attached
89 words
"Well, now," Martha muttered, examining the carnations with a critical eye. They were a bit garish, not her usual style. She turned the vase in her hands, searching for a clue. She ran a finger over h...
Someone discovers their partner has been writing a novel about them
118 words
The old photographs spilled across the table, each one a memory. Emily held one up, a black and white image of her and George, young and carefree, on a beach. She ran her finger across the crinkled pa...
Someone discovers their partner has been writing a novel about them
114 words
The scent of lavender, their favorite, filled the air. Michael sat on the porch swing, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and purple. This was where they'd often sat, sharing stories ...