“It’s weird how this has become just, like, normal again,” Lee says as we pull on our coats and head out of the flat, locking the door behind us as we go. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love university, but you know? I kinda, like, got used to it being summer, having all the time to myself… Am I making any sense?”

“Maybe a little,” I reply, smirking as my flat mate rolls his eyes. “But I kinda get what you mean, I think.” Even though my summer was a hell of a lot busier than yours…

Living Next Door to Alex - Chapter 8
By Julie D Cole

This chapter submitted after the competition closing date but the story continues as requested.

I didn’t have chance to move before Rachel pushed past Gemma and I.

‘No way it’s me first not some opportunist looking to cash in. He never mentioned anything about a girlfriend to me.’

"I'm telling you no son of mine is gonna go in front of our family in a dress no you better change right now" my dad said.

A high-flying divorce lawyer is brought to his knees by a Casino owner and is contracted to become a Vegas Showgirl...

This is a poem I wrote the day after Christmas. I am alone on Christmas and found this one hard. If you are looking for bright and cheerful, this is not it. Sorry.

The chapter that is more fantasy than reality, but one that is still based (even if very loosely) on my experiences in the ward. In this, I find myself new in the ward who I make an unusual connection with.

Again if you are not okay with Dysphoria type stuff, the please avoid reading this. Also, this has more ex-rated scenes to it (yeah sex- even if short :P)

The continuation of the story based on my real life experiences.

Once again, there are conversations of suicide and mental anguish, so if you are not emotional able to read on this stuff, please avoid this story.

A Well-Planned Christmas Vacation

by MonicaS

16-year-old Dan goes with his sister and their parents to a family gathering at his grandparents' farm for Christmas. Dan plans to spend most of the 5 days with his cousin John playing games. What could go wrong?

“It’s okay to be a little nervous,” the nurse said as Janet fidgeted in her bed, trying to get comfortable. “The surgeons know what they’re doing, and they’ve done it countless times already. You’ll be back up on your feet before you know it.”

“Yeah, I know,” Janet said, taking several deep breaths to try to steady her nerves. “And God knows it’s not like I haven’t dreamed about this every day of my life since- heh, probably since before you were born!”

“Well, I was born in 1994, so maybe,” the nurse said, making Janet chuckle.

“Me next! Me next!” Dorothy squeaks, bouncing up and down with excitement as I put the finishing touches to the pink lipstick I’ve applied to Cassie’s mouth.

“Okay, okay, calm down!” I giggle, before kneeling down next to the six-year-old girl and carefully applying the sweet-tasting cosmetic to her lips. “Now remember, this is a one-time treat, okay? And you have to wash it off before you go to bed.”

“Aww…” Dorothy pouts, making me giggle.

“And no kissing Eddy either!” I chastise. “You’re lucky that mum and dad agreed to this!”

Thirteen year old "Katrina" is forced to dress up as a little girl prior to a mercilessly long tickling by her cousin Karla. This unexpected humiliation seems to go on forever: when the torment is finally complete, "Trina" realizes she will never be the same again.

An experiment in dystopian sci-fi, inspired by the works of William Gibson and Anthony Burgess.

In a post-apocalyptic world devastated by environmental and economic collapse, young Yana Milovic struggles to survive the horrors of everyday life, pursued on every side by human traffickers and corrupt officials alike. When a mysterious serial killer codenamed 'M' begins stalking homeless tranzies, Yana finds herself trapped in an endless cycle of terror from which there is no escape, no respite and absolutely no end in sight.

“Umm, okay,” the young man says. “It is kinda late, though.”

“I know, but this won’t take long,” I say. “Are- is anyone else here, are we alone?”

“Umm, yeah,” comes the reply as I sit down and try to calm myself. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“Just- just water will be fine, thanks,” I reply. And I’ll try not to tip it all over myself to calm down, I think to myself.

“Okay,” my host says as he returns from the kitchen and hands me my drink. “So… What’s up?”

“Sit there,” he ordered me. “Stay put. I’m going to go down and tell him to lay off!”

Then Helen explained that Christopher was coming back from the hospital and really they needed to talk as a family over what had happened. This triggered Tracy to feel uncomfortable again. Ginny's mother decided that it was time to be going and reminded Ginny not to gossip about what she had said or heard today........

A different Angel 8,

"Tell you what," said my guy. "You charge me extra for the size of my truck, and I'll charge you the same for looking at my girlfriend."

A Different Angel 6

“I can feel your hands Mandy!” Richard crowed............

now we continue....

Back at home David and Helen spent a good while as he finally got his emotions under control. Helen was concerned for how this change in David would be perceived and also how others would treat the family. She was a product of her upbringing, the perceptions of those around her had a larger influence on her behaviours than she realised. There was not a lot of experience with trans individuals and the internet to her and her husband was a distraction.

"Trust me," he said, grinning. "That's not even in the top 2000 of weirdest things on the internet."