Fiction
The Quiet in Room 17
I always knew something was different about me. Not the “gifted child” kind of different, or even the “she’s so quirky” type. This difference didn’t come with praise or pats on the back. It came with whispers, narrowed eyes, and the lingering silence after I entered a room.
By Zakir Ullah9 months ago in Pride
The Truth Beneath the Northern Lights
Janice Liu had grown up in a household where achievement wasn’t just encouraged—it was enforced. The daughter of Chinese American immigrants in the bustling suburbs of New Jersey, Janice was raised in a home characterized by discipline, deference, and diligence. Her parents, both engineers, believed in structure, order, and the absolute necessity of excellence. Her path, as they envisioned it, was straightforward: top grades, a prestigious university, and a respectable, high-earning profession.
By Anthony Chan9 months ago in Pride
Rising from the Ashes. AI-Generated.
In a small, weathered town where hope often felt like a distant dream, two brothers, Jaya and Rian, faced a crumbling world. Their family had fractured—parents separated, debts piling high, and relatives scattered, each battling their own struggles. The streets were unkind, offering little mercy to those already down. Jobs were scarce, and the weight of survival pressed hard on their young shoulders.
By Rofiq Samanhudi9 months ago in Pride
Snapshots of God's Image. Second Place in Pride Under Pressure Challenge. Content Warning.
This is a ghost story, but not the way you think. Snapshot 1: A Crooked Smile I wasn’t sure if I was bi until I met Elliot. He sat down next to me in Comparative Literature and that was the last nail in the coffin. I found myself staring at the shapes and lines of his face—his jaw, the way he nudged his glasses up his nose—symmetry adorkably skewed by a crooked tooth whenever he smiled. I melted. He was a revelation.
By Tyler Clark (they/he)10 months ago in Pride
Silent Colors, Loud Hearts
Every June, the city came alive with a tide of rainbow flags, laughter, and music — but to Sam, it always felt like a festival meant for someone else. Hidden beneath baggy shirts and borrowed silence, Sam walked past the painted sidewalks and the crowded streets of Pride Month with lowered eyes and a tightened heart. No matter how vibrant the world became around them, Sam remained gray on the inside — not from lack of color, but from fear of what might burst forth if they dared to open up.
By Leesh lala10 months ago in Pride
Right here, waiting
Sweat fills my palms and my legs are shaking, almost failing under me. The first people began to flow out from the gate, tired eyes scanning for exits while pulling rolling bags. Breath left my lungs, I gripped the small little box tied with purple and black bows tight, looked out for one set of eyes in particular …
By Savannah K. Wilson10 months ago in Pride
Why I’m Proud of My Roots: A First-Generation Immigrant’s Voice
Why I’m Proud of My Roots: A First-Generation Immigrant’s Voice Introduction: Who I Am and Where I Come From They say identity is a journey. For me, it has been an ocean—deep, unpredictable, and endlessly vast. I was born in a land where my name was not strange, my accent was not noticeable, and my food didn’t need translation. But that land became a memory when my family moved across continents, chasing a better life and sacrificing almost everything familiar to start from zero. I became a first-generation immigrant overnight—young, confused, and silently holding the weight of two worlds.
By Afia Sikder10 months ago in Pride
Queer Light of Truth. Honorable Mention in Pride Under Pressure Challenge.
There was a strange glow coming from your closet since last week. At first the light wasn’t too strong. When you woke up in the morning it wasn’t on. So, you shrugged it off as just a figment of your imagination. That maybe you had been seeing things, or it had been part of your dreams. Though the next night you found yourself completely awake and the light had grown stronger.
By Raphael Fontenelle10 months ago in Pride
