Young Adult
The Internet Bar Chronicles: A Life Lived in the Present
I knew Wei back in middle school in Xi’an, China. He was the kind of guy who seemed almost invisible at school, always on the fringes, and often a target for the meaner kids. Perhaps out of pity or something else, I took him under my wing. On Friday nights, we’d sneak out to the Internet bar in the "village inside the city"— a dense, chaotic maze of narrow streets and old brick buildings hidden within the city’s modern exterior. The village was alive with activity, neon lights from restaurants and street stalls painting the night in vibrant colors. We’d stay there until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, lost in the glow of the computer screens in the Internet bar, playing games until our eyes were heavy with sleep. But after middle school, our paths diverged. I went to a different high school, then abroad for college. We lost touch, and I wasn’t even sure which high school he attended—perhaps he didn’t make it to a regular one, likely ending up in a trade school instead. It was only earlier this year, on a whim, that I wished him a happy birthday. To my surprise, we ended up exchanging messages, and through these conversations, I learned more about his life over the past years.
By Harry Haller2 years ago in Fiction
The Mountain's Keeper
Robin stepped out of her car and took a deep breath of the crisp, early morning mountain air. "You just can’t get that in the city," she sighed happily, pulling her backpack out of the trunk. Behind her lay a small town—a modest collection of houses barely larger than a suburban neighborhood, with a few shops and businesses scattered throughout. But before her stood towering mountains, dense forests, and the promise of adventure.
By Matthew Spinelli2 years ago in Fiction
Beneath the Serene Waves. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
The moon hung low over the quiet lake, casting a soft glow that made the water look like a shimmering blanket of glass. The old fishing boat creaked with every gentle wave, its faded paint telling stories of better days. Two figures sat across from each other in tense silence, the weight of unspoken words thick in the cool night air.
By Prisca Osuji2 years ago in Fiction
Forbidden Love
Ngozi Akpovwovwo gazed wistfully out the window of her family's modest home in the bustling town of Ebor Orogun. At 22 years old, she had grown weary of the rigid expectations and constraints of her traditional Urhobo upbringing. She longed for adventure, for excitement, for a life beyond the confines of her small community.
By Emmanuel Ojenike2 years ago in Fiction
Speedy Moves
They gawked at the new hottie as he strolled to the diving board in the school's turquoise swim team Speedo suit. "Look at his legs! He must hit the weight room heavily. I've not seen any swimmers with legs bulging in muscles like his!" Candy exclaimed. They both held their breath as he arched off the board and hit the water in a vertical line.
By Andrea Corwin 2 years ago in Fiction
In the Eyes of a Friend
Chidi and Nneka had been the best of friends since they were children growing up in Lagos. They spent nearly every day together, exploring the bustling city streets, visiting the local markets, or just sitting on the front steps of Nneka's family home, talking for hours.
By Emmanuel Ojenike2 years ago in Fiction
Zulu Squad
It was silent as the dawn approached on the Bragmen’s airforce base. For the soldiers on watch, it was another uneventful night. Their shift would soon end, and they would return to the barracks. To get some much needed rest. As they patrolled the perimeter, they scanned the grounds for any intruders or enemy agents. But they never really expected any. They hardly bothered looking up at the sky, why would they? They had a powerful radar scouring the area for anything that put off a heat signature and a control tower full of trained air traffic controllers armed with binoculars and spotlights. There was no known aircraft that could breach the base without being detected, stealth or otherwise
By Dom Warden2 years ago in Fiction
The Artist
The first time Vinnie knew he was different was when he was 7. Drawing was always Vinnie's specialty, one night he drew a small UFO, a perfectly circular disc with a bubble atop the centre. Inside was an alien waving, as the ship was beaming up a sheep - he thought a person would be difficult, and a horse or cow seemed too big. The very next day, Vinnie was out on a walk with his family, in the distance, off to his right over a field, Vinnie saw the exact same UFO he'd drawn the day before, and it was beaming up a sheep.
By Liam Storm2 years ago in Fiction
The Blood Alchemist; Chapter 10
The next day is rather uneventful. We keep to our quick pace, pausing this time for lunch. It's then that we decide we'll stop earlier than yesterday so we can hunt tonight. Tomorrow, we'll be too close to the city to risk splitting up.
By Katarzyna Crevan2 years ago in Fiction
Gilded Apples; Chapter 6
I'm not grounded, but I certainly can't go. I can't tell Nadia and Celine why I couldn't go though. I suppose I could lie and say I got grounded, but that would also require coming up with a reason why I was grounded. I end up going with the easiest lie I can think of: the dinner party. Nona was coming for the day and some guests would be coming early. Family obligations, blah, blah, blah.
By Katarzyna Crevan2 years ago in Fiction
