Continuity Stories

“It’s definitely one of these…” As she studied Kelsie’s McCollum’s face, Jacqueline Sullivan held up three tubes of lipstick. Each one projected a slightly different shade of the same rich tone. Ruby. Cherry. Apple. “Are you sure?” Kelsie worrily queried. “They’re all so…red?” For as long as she could remember, Kelsie had been conscious of her pale skin. When it came to fashion, she had always gravitated away from strong...

Kelsie McCollum tried to control her breathing as she padded up the walkway toward the dormitory. She was finally here. Perion University. Kelsie had scrolled through as many tiktoks as she could watch, consumed as many IG posts as she could manage: How to put on her makeup just so, how to dress “sexy” but not “slutty”, how to manicure the wavy blond locks that cascaded down her back without looking like she’d tried so ha...

Beyond the timeWe should have ended Braced through trialsWe should have lost Betrayed by thoseWe’ve since unfriended BenefitsVersus the costs Reaching outWhere understanding Doesn’t seemWhat we will find Surprised that weHave stayed together Unlike in lifeUnlike in mind Long sufferingWe perfect our demons Train them to bayOutside for show Yet past the houndsSomething propels us Though scarierThe more we know.