They stand on the edge, breathing in the ocean’s smell beneath them, their arms spread out. They take a deep breath, close their eyes; when they open their eyes, the wind captures their blonde hair, and it blows out behind them. On the palm of their hand, which they face upward, orbs of blue magic ...

| Part 1 | and | Part 2 | Buzz… Buzzzz.. Buzzzz I slowly woke from my slumber as the vibration of Eliza’s cellphone lingered. The end credits of Avengers: End Game were on the T.V. screen. My shoulder and arm tingled from the weight of Eliza’s upper body. She was cuddled up next to me. I swore our ...

Susan hated company parties. Everyone pretending to like everyone and acting happy. People pretending to enjoy each other’s company while exchanging gayly wrapped presents. Plastering fake smiles on their counterfeit faces. Acting like everyone was their best friend. Pretending was not one of Susan’s strong points. If she liked you, she loved you—none of this ...

Mom kept pacing the living room, back and forth, not saying a word. It would have been easier if she just had just come out and told us how disappointed she was, announced our punishments, and sent us to our rooms. She wanted us to apologize, to explain. Finally, I could not stand the silence ...