A huge thank you to all who took the time to enter the 2024 Solano County Library Teen Writing Contest!

We were honored to read your work, and encourage each of you to continue writing.

Please enjoy the winning entry below!

SHORT STORY WINNER

Perspective

by JaNya Mays

     Some people say that perspective is how you see the world through your own eyes. From where I stand, all I see is hatred. Hatred is a strong word, but it’s the only one that fits. A man, him, in particular seems to have nothing but an empty, soulless heart. A man who cares only for himself, who takes and never gives. But that’s just my perspective, right?

     Every day, I see that smug, idiotic smirk on his face. Has he really forgotten everything he did to me? Or is he pretending, playing some cruel game? What he did can’t be erased with the snap of a finger. The memories linger, burning inside me. My blood boils every time I see him. It feels like he’s always there, lurking around every corner. He drives me mad, but not in a way that’s easy to shake off.

     As I write this, I’m standing on the roof of his apartment building. Do I really want to let go? Let go of this life? It feels like I have no other choice. I can’t stand to see his face anymore, the way he parades around with her, as if nothing ever happened. Everyone treats him like he’s a king, while I’m the one left behind, working myself to exhaustion. I don’t have much time. If they find me up here, they’ll stop me, but it doesn’t matter. Who cares? It’s not like he does. He never cared. He treats me like I’m nothing, like I’m just a stray dog on the street. How could anyone fall in love with someone like him?

     I’m just two steps away from the edge, from seeing the light. One more step, and it’s all over. I’ll never have to see that idiotic smile again. Before I go, I want to write one last thing; I love my family. I love everyone who was a part of my life, friend or an enemy, it didn’t matter. I cared. I cared deeply, even when no one cared for me.

     But it hurts. It hurts when no one sees you. When no one cares about you. The world is full of hatred, and I’m ending it.

     I was in the middle of prepping for an interview, feeling nervous, when I heard a loud thud outside my apartment. I looked out the window and saw her. What the hell was going on?! I quickly grabbed my jacket and slippers and ran as fast as I could. I know I’ve been a pretty messed-up guy, but this… this was different. After our breakup, things were rough for both of us, and I know I could’ve prevented this if I had just told her the truth about us.

     As I rushed past the ambulance, I saw her face, covered in blood. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe I had just lost her. The girl I loved. The girl who made me happy. If only I had shown her how I really felt, none of this would’ve happened. If I hadn’t hurt her, we would’ve been married. We would’ve been soulmates because we were, weren’t we?

     I moved closer to her, desperate for one last chance. A chance to hold her, to tell her how sorry I was. I wanted a second chance more than anything to show her that I had truly changed. I couldn’t lose her like this. “I love you! GODDAMMIT, RESPOND! PLEASE!” I cried out, holding her tightly against my chest, tears welling up in my eyes. “We could’ve gone on vacation, I bought us plane tickets, I mesmerized your favorite melody on the piano, please just.. Just not yet at least.” I say to her quietly while the ambulance drives her away. Now, I’ve seen her perspective.