Short Story

Me, My Life & Why Part 15
Part 15: Suddenly, I’m the Inspiration I opened Instagram and found my face on a quote card. A blurry still from one of my rants, mouth half-open, eyes mid-spiral, overlaid with pink cursive that read:
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
The Canyon of Echoed Choices
The first time Elara heard of the Canyon of Echoed Choices, she thought it was a legend told to frighten children. "Shout a decision into the abyss," the elders warned, "and it’ll show you the path not taken." But when drought scorched her village of Thornwood to dust, and the choice between saving her home or chasing her dreams tore her in two, the canyon called like a siren song.
By Habibullahabout a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 14
Part 14 It was 3:07am. I was wearing one sock. Alex had a screwdriver in his mouth. And the IKEA instruction manual had been ceremonially folded into a tiny paper swan because, and I quote, “this page is disrespecting us.”
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 13
Part 13 I didn’t realise I’d been explaining myself my whole life, until I met someone who didn’t ask for an explanation. Alex didn’t flinch at my weird.
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 12
Part 12 Alex didn’t arrive with a speech. No “You’ve Got This” tote bag. No energy like he was about to TED Talk my life into submission.
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 11
Part 11 Going viral felt cute for, like… 48 hours. The digital equivalent of being offered a seat at the cool kids’ table, only to realise it’s made of reclaimed trauma and everyone’s eating vibes.
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 10
Part 10: I Accidentally Went Viral (Sorry?) I posted a video. A stupid, blurry little thing filmed horizontally with toast crumbs on my sleeve and under-eye circles that deserve their own postcode.
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 9
Part 9 I used to have a morning routine. It was aspirational. Delusional. Held together entirely by guilt and dry shampoo.
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 8
Part 8 My mother called me. Which, in itself, was suspicious. She usually texts. Short, sharp, “?”-filled messages like she’s trying to quiz me into adulthood.
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
My Brother's Keeper. Winner in The Second First Time Challenge. Top Story - July 2025.
Day 432 - The Recovery “How can this possibly be real?” My eyes welled with tears as my, significantly larger, little brother squeezed me like he would never let me go.
By Adam Clostabout a year ago in Fiction
Me, My Life & Why Part 7
Part 7 It hit me while standing in the kitchen, holding a mug of tea I’d microwaved three times and still hadn’t drunk. I had nothing to do.
By Laura about a year ago in Fiction
The Last Song She Played
The Last Song She Played By Mahboob Khan The record player clicked softly. A few dust motes danced in the sunlight filtering through the old curtains. Daniel stood still, clutching the faded vinyl cover like it was something sacred. It had been her favorite — Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat major.
By Mahboob Khanabout a year ago in Fiction