Erica’s in our spot, her gold hair shining in the sun. I drop my best friend Birdie’s hand and get ready to run. I’ve spent eighty-eight miserable days waiting for a glimpse of her. She won’t notice me until I’m past the newsstand. I’ll skid to a stop, slide my hands around her waist, and […]

I forgot how cold winter can be. The frigid air is a thousand tiny pinpricks on my face as I follow Caleb down the path between our houses. “Come on, Kiki,” he shouts at me over his shoulder. His breath is a thick white cloud against the night sky. “California hasn’t made you soft already, […]

I liked the way her hand danced with the wind. The air felt harsh blowing against my face in the backseat, but Osh made it seem like her and the wind were good friends. Her other hand rested low on the steering wheel. She was undeniably cool. I made a mental note to drive just […]

(red) On the outskirts of the city lies a sleepy town I’ve given everything to: first breaths, first birthdays, first broken bones. I can’t see everything from my bedroom window. Not the pair of tracks that snake through town like the skeletal remains of a serpent and its former lover, always running in perfect parallel, […]

Jenn and I sat at the table in the corner and drank our punch. It was so, so bad. The punch, not the table. Our table was fine, I guess. We were far enough away from the dance floor to avoid getting bumped into, but we were close enough to get a good view of […]

One crisp autumn morning, Cary Zeiglman almost punched a twelve-year-old in the face. Emphasis on almost. She didn’t, but she comforted herself with the fact that she could have if she had really wanted to. Instead, she plastered a smile on her face, reminded the snotty little twerp that yes, he did have to wear […]

A Catholic confirmation retreat is the last place I’d want to spend my weekend. Especially knowing that if these people knew the real me, I would not be accepted. I don’t know if I believe in any of it anyways. Let’s just say that God and I haven’t been on speaking terms lately. We’re out […]

Content warning: suicide references . It was happening again: water, creeping under the door. It was slick and moved like oil, unnatural. Mr. Brady didn’t notice. He faced Ara with his back to the door, smirking.   Ara tried not to look at the water. She tried to focus on the grocery store manager, his questions, […]

The things we keep on our refrigerator door come and go—shopping lists, Christmas cards, reminders, and notes. But there is one picture that has been there for years now, a picture of my twin sister Dahlia at age ten. In the photo, she is beaming in a bright blue dress, a medallion hanging around her […]

Finalist in Voyage’s Best Chapters Contest Content warning: parental abuse . Part One Venice, California 2002 At the boardwalk, the world’s a hazy blue. The seagulls are already squawking, bothering everyone who camped out the night before. Soon, bodies will emerge from makeshift tents, asking for money. C’mon, man! they’ll say when I tell them […]

Third Place Winner of Voyage’s Best Chapters Contest judged by NYT Bestselling Author Soman Chainani . ONE Calculus or boyfriend? It was a no-brainer. My first major calculus test of the year was in the morning, but I threw the textbook aside so I could sneak out of the house to meet my popular, jock […]

Second Place Winner of Voyage’s Best Chapters Contest judged by NYT Bestselling Author Soman Chainani . CHAPTER TWELVE “The green tea-macchiato ice cream,” I say, “with cherries.” “That sounds ridiculous.” Raj flashes me a grin. “Can I have some?” “You want me to share my ice cream?” My eyebrows lift, and I hope my tone […]