This is a collection of short stories, featuring crystals, crows, soccer fields, bloody skies, and more. Most stories will be based off prompts from writing contests across Wattpad, and some may be based off the splinters of my soul and the waltzing...
I eyed Josh carefully. The last time he had tinkered with my phone, the glass screen ended up shattering with the smallest of taps from my finger. And even that wasn't as bad as that time he had worked for hours on my phone, only to have it light up on fire as soon as I had shoved it into my pocket.
Don't get me wrong – I loved my older brother. But, sometimes, it was hard to love him when he was constantly setting my pants on fire with his new inventions.
"It's a simple invention," he was saying. "I changed your privacy settings so that your phone no longer needs a fingerprint to unlock it."
I frowned. "How do I unlock it, then?"
"You take a picture of yourself."
"That's stupid."
"Just try it, Julia. Please?"
With a sigh, I snatched the phone from him and raised it into the air, snapping a quick photo. My phone blinked red, there was a slight beep, and-
Access denied.
What?
"Oh, silly me," Josh said. "I forgot to tell you: it'll only recognise you if you smile."
"You're kidding, right?"
"Nope. Try again, princess."
And so I did. I forced my lips to stretch into a stupid, lifeless grin. And, each time I did, it was the same thing over and over again.
Access denied.
"It has to be a real smile," Josh chimed in. "It helps if you think happy thoughts."
I glared at him. He smiled sheepishly and stared down at his feet.
Happy thoughts.
I snapped another photo. Then another. And another.
Access denied. Access denied. Access denied.
"Happy thoughts," Josh whispered again.
This time, I just stared at him incredulously.
How could he expect me to have happy thoughts? How could he even manage a small smile like that when, just last week, we had been sobbing and wailing at our own father's funeral? How could he?
"Happy thoughts," he repeated, squeezing my hand. "I know you can do it."
His fingers felt warm around my own. And even though I caught the glassiness of his eyes – the pain and desperation in them – I knew he was right.
There were always happy thoughts.
Papa had died, yes.
But it had been after months of suffering from cancer. Months of pain and heartbreak and agony.
And my mother was still here. My brother was still here, even with all his stupid inventions. My dog was still just around the corner, chasing his own tail, yelping when he did manage to catch it.
Happy thoughts...
And before Papa died, he had told me that he loved me. He had told me that he was so happy to hear about my plans for university. He had told me that he couldn't wait for me to become an artist.
Happy thoughts...
He had promised me he would always watch me. And I had promised him that I would keep smiling.
I raised the phone again. With tears streaming down my cheeks – hell, even with sobs itching the back of my throat – I smiled and snapped the photo. This time, the phone blinked green, made a light ringing sound, and-
Welcome, Julia.
"I knew you could do it," Josh said. "And now, every time you want to check your phone, you have to smile. Just like you promised Papa. Do you like it?"
I couldn't help myself, then. I threw my head back and laughed.
"Of course I like it," I told him. "In fact, love it."
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So, yeah, always remember to smile. :)
Word Count: 575
Prompt: Create a new invention and describe it, by Platonic_Soulmates - I am Team Opal.
