literature
Whether written centuries ago or just last year, literary couples show that love is timeless.
To the Girl Who Needs it Most
“Calling it a night?” Rosie, the barista, asked as I walked up to the register. I nodded. “Yeah.” I look around the empty shop with it’s worn chairs and hand painted table tops. I found this place about a year before and had fallen in love. It was my home away from home and I was grateful for the inspiration and copious amounts of caffeine it always provided. The shop stayed open until midnight and attracted a strange mix of students and artists who needed a place to work. I had been the last customer to leave the last two nights. “Sorry, I lost track of time. I didn’t mean to hold up your night.”
By Antonia Humphrey6 years ago in Humans
Proxy Marriage by Deceit—Pride and Audacity Part 8
Read from the beginning—Parts 1-7 can be found on my profile page * * * Rashid watched the light dim in Victoria’s eyes. He wrapped an arm under her back before she could topple on the desk. Putting his other arm under her knees, he easily swung her into his arms and placed her on the couch he and Califar had just vacated.
By Lynda Coker6 years ago in Humans
Silo
August 4th, 2025, mankind is five months into the fifth year of quarantine. First-world countries have managed to control the spreading of the novel COVID-19 virus as the rest of the world continues to struggle. Halfway into 2021, the glimmer of hope pharmaceutical companies had promised has faded, and the virus kept mutating making the idea of an efficacious vaccine a mere dream, a pleasant thought perhaps.
By Ali Fakhreddine6 years ago in Humans
A Big Dream For A Little Girl
Introduction- The world seems full of endless possibilities for some, but for me on this day life seemed very gloomy. In fact, gloomy was an understatement as I peered out at the dark night sky from my windowpane. Clouds seemed to cover the once bright stars I used to wish on as a little girl. They were there no more. Now what I used to wish on those stars as a little girl you wonder? Well, I used to wish that I would become the world’s greatest singer. And that I would become famous. Or perhaps become a millionaire. And so, while growing up in poverty I had these nightly wishes. I would pray and pray each night to the only God I was taught about. And now as an adult, I still pray but I pray for world peace and for wars to cease. A big change from when I was a little girl.
By Alisha Miller6 years ago in Humans
Paris
War arrived in her tiny space in the world on steel wings with bombs falling from its ravening, greedy maw, fire blazing in its soulless eyes and jagged bullet teeth, it settled in during a long summer. An unfriendly guest, it brought only death and misery and took everything she had. Her home, her friends, her mother, and grandmother and, finally, her brother.
By Jesse Hayner6 years ago in Humans
New Adventures
Everyone needs an adventure in their life, right? About 10 minutes ago, I left my home for the past 18 years. My parents are some of those “good intentions” types. They had good intentions when they sheltered me from all the hurt and pain I could have experienced over the last 10 years. They sheltered me from overnight stay-the-night parties, potential boyfriend, social activity, and experience. That’s what losing a kid can do to you, I guess.
By Jera Horton6 years ago in Humans
Future Dave
Future Dave David and Arlene were wild with excitement when they talked about their future together. A future they were planning in the freshness of new love. Every day they filled with easy caressing, laughter and love-drunk games. One game they created for fun, they played during long walks and drives across town. As they passed the scenery, houses, old buildings, parks, any land they liked, one would ask the other in a tone of teasing delight, “Would you buy that place for one dollar?” It was absurd that any piece of property could be purchased for just one dollar, but it was fun to imagine. “Well baby, seeing as though I’ve got a five dollar bill in my pocket I think we can make that work.” It sent Arlene into a giggling tizzy. David learned his new love mostly preferred abandoned spaces and odd corners of the city. She would see a rundown shack or an overgrown yard, a rotting dock at the edge of a serene pond, an old barn, or a green gully scattered with debris and exclaim to David that she had to have it. She would point excitedly at a dusty patch of grass growing wildflowers near the freeway. “Would you buy that for a dollar?” She would ask. “Absolutely.” David would say and she would steal from him a celebratory kiss. So when they drove past the big, white farmhouse, and there at the end of the driveway was a sign that read in faded block lettering, ‘FOR SALE $1.00’, David pulled over immediately. They both sat in silence, gobsmacked. “That’s hilarious.” Arlene finally said without laughing. “Well?” She turned to him and smiled. “It’s in our price range.”
By Mary Jackson6 years ago in Humans
A Bitter Pill
'You have to put it in your mouth. Chew it up and swallow it.' I understand the words, but 'Huh?' is the only response I can find, my face screwing into a frown. Although, I haven’t known Trev for long, it feels like it; it’s comfortable. He's a straight shooter who likes to joke around but telegraphs his plays. I'm convinced he's serious which makes it all the more baffling. How am I to benefit from this bizarre, counterintuitive action?
By D.A. Cairns6 years ago in Humans
Marlee's Muse
“Underqualified. For a barmaid job.” Marlee blew this out of her mask as she slammed her catch-all bag down on the subway seat and plopped beside it. The memory of the bar manager’s oily phone voice saying, “Come by after we’re closed,” raised an uncontrollable shiver. Marlee wished she could scrape his smarmy visage from her thoughts like the winter mud clotting her boots.
By Jennifer Johansson6 years ago in Humans
Choices
He woke up in the morning and watched her sleeping peacefully. He just looked at her and in the way that the light would hit her face. She looked peaceful, like an angel. It was in that moment that he knew that he loved her, that he knew that she was the one. They had known each other only for about a month, and this was the first night that they had spent together. But it was all in the way that she looked at him that he knew. It didn't matter what or how much he had, she loved him truly and purely for who he was. She woke up and found him staring at her and couldn't help but to smile.
By Talara Nolan6 years ago in Humans
