A Fizzy Secret

I'm Bryony. I'm fifteen. I wear my hair in a high ponytail. I'm not confident enough to wear it any other way. My most stand-out feature is my freckles. I'm covered in them, especially on my face. They make me self conscious. I am so close to being absolutely mortified in any given moment, that it doesn't take much to set me off. I'm fair-skinned as well, so I blush easily. This makes me even more self-conscious.

My dad left when I was two. I don't remember him. Mum doesn't talk about him much except to say he's never been in touch. I wonder why he never bothered. I get that not everyone wants to be a parent, but wasn't he even a little curious how I turned out? I would have been. I am, a bit anyway. Curious, I mean. About him. What's he like? Probably an asshole, sure, but, like, how does he take his coffee? Is he a good driver? Does he look like me at all? Little things like that.

I've had a go at tracking him down. On the internet you know. But that isn't as easy as some people try to say it is.

Anyway, I found this guy, by signing up to this website for old people. FacedBook. I sent him a message, and he wrote back. He's super friendly. He says I'm beautiful and mature for my age. We messaged each other, like my friends do with the boys they're dating. He was a secret I kept in my waistband, sneaked a peek at between classes and fizzed over. Sometimes he'd send me memes, or just gifs of roses or teddy bears.

It made me feel... Different. Bold. Grown-up. I started wearing my hair loose and thinking my freckles might be cute.

It's been a few weeks now and he's keen to meet up. I told Mum I was staying with Joanna, and caught the bus across town to his flat.

He might be my dad. He might be a nonce. I don't care. I've got another secret, a sharp one, and if I feel like it, I'll put it in his neck when he isn't expecting it.

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Word count excluding note: 366

Submitted on Friday 12th July

*Quick Author's Note*

First, and most importantly: thank you so much for reading my story! The ha'penny that Vocal will toss in my hat for your eyeballs landing on this humble piece will be well-spent.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

A Year of Stories

I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 193 day streak since 1st January.


Please do consider lending your support to the other creators who are also on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They are putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

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Thank you!

Thank you again, most sincerely. Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed!

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