Empty Smiles Novels & Stories

Zara’s Pov I let the silence sit. First rule: never fill silence defensively. Silence was neutral ground and whoever moved first gave something away. So I let his words hang in the amber light and kept my face smooth and gave him absolutely nothing. Then Pinky smiled. Slow. Unbothered. The kind of smile that said I’ve heard more interesting things. “Most clients think that too,” I said. “By the end they realize they’re exactly like everyone else.”

The year I started middle school, my parents solemnly handed my sister and me each a bank card. "This is your college fund. There's 100,000 dollars in each one. The password is your birthday. Don't touch it unless it's truly an emergency." I listened. I treated that card like a treasure. I never bought a single new piece of clothing. Even my worn-out canvas shoes got patched with glue and worn again. I thought that if I was just responsible enough, I'd live up to my parents' idea of "fairness." Then, after the SATs ended, I wanted to use the money on the card for a graduation trip with my classmates. Instead, the ATM screen flashed a number that burned my eyes: [Balance: $0.00]. At th

"This feels like emptiness." Elias set the folder down on the table with the careful patience of someone who was not surprised by what he was hearing. "Emptiness can be a form of freedom," he said. "You are no longer fighting for recognition. No longer pushing against his control, or his narrative, or the version of events he needed the world to accept. You can simply exist. That is not nothing, Lana. That is everything."

Lucien said. Ethan smirked; he looked up and met Aiden's smug face behind Lucien, sticking out his tongue. Ethan's smirk widened. "It's empty." He said, still locking eyes with Aiden. Aiden's face twisted into confusion within seconds, "Wh...at did you say?" "I said it's empty. I know how much you love my leftovers, so I emptied it before you asked, aren't I generous?" He asked, tilting his head to the left, his smirk still on.

Hughes sighs closing his book. Looking around the silent space, the empty packets of snacks, bottles, cans and food containers lying around us on the blanket are the only evidence of our earlier feast. Martin's head resting on August’s lap as he snoozes and August on mine. Closing my manga, I nod to Hughes before tapping them both awake. “Come on boys. Wakey wakey.” Moaning, they both open their eyes and squint as the sun enters their still hazy vision. “W-What time is it?” August groans before snuggling back in my lap.

she replied in a friendly tone. The man felt at ease and took a seat beside her. They engaged in a lighthearted conversation, and a smile adorned Emine's lips. For some inexplicable reason, she felt comfortable around this man. Aiden observed it all—her smile was breathtaking, a burst of radiant sunshine. It illuminated her face, captivating everyone who saw it. Her lips curved gracefully, revealing a row of dazzling, pearly white teeth. Joy glistened in her eyes, reflecting the warmth of her smile. It was a sight that could melt hearts and bring happiness to the world.

Your obsession will kill you. Georgia (moving closer, voice cold): "Obsession? No, Kiara. This is clear. This is the first time I can see clearly what I need to accomplish. The invitation trembled in her palm, but her voice was firm as steel. "Do you know what I see when I shut my eyes? Anna in white, with a smile on her face. Andrew was delighted to be by her side. And then... I saw it fall apart. Their ideal world is falling apart.

Once the determined crew was tamed she invited the kitchen staff in to help them do things the right way while she and a couple of the staff cleaned everything up to give them a clean space to teach. Ife couldn’t resist cleaning with a magical touch. Once everything was ready they served the pack a hearty breakfast. A breakfast full of gratitude and love. The other half of the pack in Africa also got a love filled home cooked meal. They spent the day as a family, park time with the pups and their friends. A picnic for lunch and some water fun in the evening. Everything seemed normal until the undead surrounded them and ushered them back home. The pack grounds looked desolate. Strange beings

I looked up after sending the message. The comments in the air were blurring, like static on a television with a bad signal. "What's happening? I can't see…" "The story fell apart, so we're being forcefully removed!" "No! I haven't finished reading yet—" The last comment disappeared before it finished scrolling across my vision. All the lights in the room were switched on. I had no choice but to squint against the blinding glare. The music on the huge screen stopped and returned to the karaoke's usual interface.

Every time, I would force an awkward smile. But the answer stayed stuck in my chest like a splinter, working its way deeper again and again. I stared at him until his guilt had nowhere left to hide. Finally, he gathered enough courage to tell the truth. "Vivian Blair gives me inspiration. That's all. Do you really want to keep asking?" The darkroom was very quiet. Quiet enough that only I could hear the sound of something inside me breaking. Julian's phone suddenly rang, shattering the silence.