Emily Ryan
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Achievements (7)
Stories (7)
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Prague Bathtub. Runner-Up in The Ritual of Winter Challenge.
On my first American Halloween in seven years, I attend a house party in the suburbs of New Orleans. I do not know the couple who has just moved in; I’ve been invited by mutual friends who have taken momentary pity on me, given my status as a newcomer with few friends and no life. It’s only been a few months since I moved back to the US after six years in Europe and socializing has been difficult. I am grateful to the hosts for my inclusion in the evening, but crossing the threshold of their four-bedroom ranch catapults me into a state of internal squirm that stays with me long after the weekend comes to a close.
By Emily Ryan26 days ago in Humans
Neither Here Nor There. Runner-Up in Maps of the Self Challenge.
On most maps of Prague, the Vltava River appears to cut the city straight down its middle, save for one bend that may, to some, resemble a lazily drawn P. The Czechs have always possessed a good sense of humor and an acceptance of their fate—I like to think the ancient gods etched the letter in the earth to give the city’s founders a hint. Praha.
By Emily Ryan2 months ago in Humans
Liberal Art. Runner-Up in The Shape of the Thing Challenge. Content Warning.
1. Three students stand still in front of a bare cherry blossom tree across the street from the library, creating a sort of accidental tableau as they gaze ahead. That’s the first image Mara is conscious of. She doesn’t quite grasp what’s happening but she notes the unplanned choreography of their positioning and almost reaches for her phone to take a picture, then thinks better of it. Her ears are ringing, which is odd. She continues walking towards them, aiming to commit the whole thing to memory. A girl is standing stoic and expressionless while her boyfriend clutches at her, vibrating. Mara wonders why he’s so upset. Another girl stands nearby, alone, jerking her head between her phone screen and the library. She throws a glance in the couple’s direction, begging them to address her, mouth hanging partially open. Spit it out, Mara thinks.
By Emily Ryan4 months ago in Fiction
See them. Runner-Up in Everything Looks Better From Far Away Challenge.
Do you see them? They are women. There are twelve of them sat in a circle laughing so loudly some of them have dropped what they were holding. Miniature white boards clatter to the floor - the one with chestnut hair is suddenly back in first grade, sitting on the cold linoleum floor of Ms. White’s classroom; she has been shoved off the zoo animal carpet by Michael H. She doesn’t mind, however, because she is better than him and she has the right answer. She holds her little board high enough in the air so that her full face and beaming smile remain visible through the frame of her upper arms. How excellent, young lady, that you are already so gifted at blending your letters: green, grit, gross. Yesterday it was blue, black, bleed.
By Emily Ryan5 months ago in Fiction
