Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list
102 words
Dust motes danced in the attic air, illuminated by the single bare bulb. Elias, his chest puffing slightly with a sense of superiority, held the list aloft. His father, a man of quiet, predictable hab...
Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list
87 words
The scent of lavender, still clinging to the old cedar chest, filled Amelia’s nostrils. Inside, nestled amongst moth-eaten shawls and forgotten letters, was her father’s list. "See the Northern Li...
Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list
72 words
He folded the paper. Arthur's list was short, but revealing. "Learn to speak Italian." His son, Gregory, had traveled the world, becoming fluent in dozens of languages. He looked down at the list, fee...
Someone finds their deceased parent's bucket list
74 words
The worn paper crackled in Martin’s hands. His father, a man of simple pleasures, had dreamed of "Building a model ship." Martin, a successful architect with a portfolio of award-winning projects, c...
A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student
156 words
Sarah, fresh from her morning yoga class, hummed a little tune as she opened her mailbox. Her posture was erect, her back straight and her smile wide. It was a perfect Tuesday morning, and the world s...
A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student
123 words
He surveyed his reflection in the polished glass of the elevator. The perfectly knotted tie, the flawlessly pressed suit, the neat, graying hair. He’d always been a man of meticulous detail, a stick...
A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student
154 words
"Another rejection email," Mark muttered, tossing the paper onto the already cluttered desk. He slumped back in his chair. Teaching was a grind. The pay was low, the work was relentless, and the stude...
A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student
141 words
The air conditioning hummed, a familiar, sterile sound. Mr. Abernathy, his usual expression as impassive as ever, finished correcting the final exam papers. The majority were, as expected, mediocre. H...
A teacher receives an unexpected gift from a former student
104 words
"And remember, children, practice makes perfect," Miss Peterson said with a warm smile, as she dismissed her class. She was a firm believer in repetition and rote learning. It worked, she knew.
She r...
An artist's work is displayed without their permission
124 words
"Extraordinary!" the critic declared, gesturing grandly at the photographs on the wall. Clara stifled a giggle, hiding it behind her hand. The lighting was terrible, the prints fuzzy, and the artist s...
An artist's work is displayed without their permission
130 words
The artist, Benedict, was supposed to be the guest of honor, but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Silas, a friend of Benedict and an expert in his work, was basking in the attention of the media. S...
An artist's work is displayed without their permission
123 words
“Magnificent,” the gallery owner proclaimed, his voice booming across the crowded room. Arthur, leaning against a pillar near the entrance, felt a twitch at the corner of his mouth. The gallery ha...
An artist's work is displayed without their permission
95 words
The curator, in a tailored suit, was explaining the "deep symbolism" of the installation. A small, almost imperceptible smile played across Olivia's face. The gallery had, against her wishes, used her...
An artist's work is displayed without their permission
98 words
The gallery owner beamed, her arm draped around a prominent art collector. Across the room, Anya watched them, a faint, almost unnoticeable smile on her lips. They'd chosen to display the work she'd d...
Someone discovers their neighbor is secretly wealthy
141 words
The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from Alice’s kitchen, a scent she knew, without a doubt, would irritate Mrs. Gable next door. Alice hummed as she slid the golden loaf from the oven, delibera...
A student receives a much lower grade than expected
121 words
"Alright, everyone," Mark heard the professor say, but he barely registered the words. He’d prepared for this presentation for weeks. He'd stayed up nights, perfecting every slide, every gesture, ev...