Story
Writers recount stories of transformation and growth.
Determinism
By Mihir Ramchandani
Underneath my feet, I have walked this cracked sidewalk countless times, was always supposed to be here at this very second. And every molecule of smoke wafting past me was always meant to pass through me.
Little Black Berries
By Angell Lopez
We start to cross the street that cuts across the neighborhood, the wind seeming to have died down a bit, and my mother spots a peculiar tree hanging to the side of one of the dull fences. We begin to go under it, and I begin to see little bits of little black berries dangling from its branches. I look at my mother with a sort of questionable expression, as I’ve never seen such a fruit before. However, she smiles gently at me and picks one and pops it into my mouth.
Rainbow
By Fiona Kuang
“Okay now, do you see the words on the board?” I nod, answering her. “You see that combining these two words ‘rain’ and ‘bow’ together can create the word ‘rainbow’.” Looking at the words before me, something in my brain slowly started turning.
The Breath of My Violin
By Anon
The sun tipped the world into amber. I raised my bow. Instead of lunging into the first phrase, I just drew the bow across the open D string. In that moment, when time seemed to cease to exist, I finally heard the breath of my violin.
They Never Really Left
By Dalia Ayala
When we step outside, the sun sits high above us, bright and heavy. My grandma holds my hand as we walk, her grip firm but soft. My grandpa walks on my other side, close enough that our arms brush every few steps. The street is busy, but I don’t pay attention to anything except the rhythm of our footsteps moving together.
Small Red Cart
By Ziyu Wang
I no longer needed her explanations the way I once had. But she still came. Every morning, she arrived pulling a small red cart filled with my favorite foods.
Sewing
By Anon
She guides my hands, slowly replicating the movement she was just doing. The thread slips through the needle’s eye on the first try. “You need to learn how to do these things.” She says after a moment “What will happen when I can’t help you anymore?”
Seeing the World For What It is
By Brianna Vega
When I touched back down in Oakland, everything felt familiar but not in the same way it used to. The street, the people, and the energy were all things I knew but something felt shifted.
Why Were They Laughing?
By João Barros Goncalves
What’s so funny about being hungry, drenched, and exhausted? There’s nothing fun about being in that situation. Why were they laughing so much anyway? I always had a logical escape route, something to explain why I was feeling sad, angry, or even happy, but they were laughing at their bad luck?
My Mami, My Hero
By Anon
My hands are small, but they aren't alone. They're holding onto my moms warm and delicate hands. I look up, I see her thick chocolate brown hair, her face held a big smile and kind eyes. I find comfort in her presence. I don’t want to be apart from her so, I cry and beg, “mami, quedate conmigo.”
No Desayunastes, Así Que Preparé Esto
By Anon
I unwrap it to see two quesadillas de maíz, filled with queso Oaxaca and frijoles. I have just realized how hungry I am. I sit down next to her and start to eat.
Not Art or Science
By Jerry Wang
“As an engineer, which do you think is more important?” He smiles. “Art or science?” I blink.For a second, I genuinely think I have misheard.
Then, She Began to Weep
By Jayson Pagaduan
Then, she began to weep. Tears streamed down my grandma’s face. It’d been over 18 years since she’d last seen her oldest sister, and though she passed a few years prior, the grief of losing her must have felt as fresh as ever. Kneeling before the grave, she cried and apologized profusely for not coming back to see her sooner.
Snake
By Zhakhongir (Joha) Abdukayumov
The snake didn’t belong there. It felt like something pulled from a distant, humid world, a place of heat and water and dense green, not from a dry place like ours.
He Has Always Been There
By Anon
For practically my entire life, he has always been there. He cooks me food and occasionally takes me to Chick-Fil-A when I beg nicely. He picks me up from the bus stop and from practice, always waiting in the same spot so I can find him right away.
The Foods She Misses at Home
By Anon
Her mom is far away or, more precisely, she is far away from her mom. She left everything behind for the degree she is pursuing here. She is separated not only in terms of physical distance but also time. In between them lies the Pacific Ocean and nine hours of time difference that makes them awake at different times.