On Turning Ten By Billy Collins Novels & Stories

I looked at him with a mix of sadness and confusion plastered on my face. “I didn’t know I could do that..” I said truthfully. Beta Cornelius frowned “How old are you?” He asked me. I smiled as I replied “I just turned 10 today!” I exclaimed happily. His eyes widened along with Brayden’s eyes. “You just turned 10?” He asked with shock clear in his voice. I nodded and smiled wide. “Happy Birthday, Little One.” Beta Cornelius smiled as he spoke. “Thank you!” I said with an even wider smile.

"I told you to shut up!" Bang. Bang. Bang. Several shots rang out, each fired straight into the man's mouth. The echoes thundered through the empty factory. The lower half of the decoy's face was reduced to mangled flesh, silencing him forever. Yet his lifeless eyes remained wide open, still filled with mockery. Anthony gasped for breath, then collapsed to the ground. He had lost. In this game between Dons, he had been played from the start, reduced to a clown raging helplessly in defeat.

Back when we were 16 years old, I'd once captured a whole bag of fireflies for her one summer. We'd lain on the green, grassy meadow under the glow of the fireflies and made promises to love each other for the rest of our lives. But now, it felt as though I'd finally let go of the past—and also let go of her. Sabrina wanted to explain herself, but before she could say a thing, Bianca just asked speechlessly, "What on earth has gotten into him?"

His instincts took over, and before he could stop himself, he turned and blurted out… "Mommy…"

Five or six large men stood behind her. Every hair on my body stood on end. I backed away in terror. "What are you doing–" Before I could finish my sentence, someone grabbed my hair from behind and threw me back onto the bed. They covered my mouth before I could scream. I felt a sharp pain from the waist down. A warm liquid trickled down my legs. The men's laughter blended with Jessie's applause. By the time silence returned, I was lying in a pool of blood lifelessly. I heard Jessie's soft voice close to my ear. "How about we make a bet too? We'll bet on who Samuel chooses to believe."

"Babe, you've stuck with me for ten years and watched me mature. You keep worrying that I don't want you or that I'm too close to other women. I know that your insecurity comes from how long we've been together. "Now, I'm going to give you the sense of security you need. I'll give you a title and the happiness you want. Ingrid Colson, marry me!" The sight made my stomach turn. The bystanders cheered and shouted for me to say yes, but all that did was make the look on my face grow darker by the second. My assistant, Wendy Smith, rushed over, looking alarmed. "Ms. Colson, some villagers livestreamed what happened just now and shared it online. The internet's already full of people saying they'

Backstage, I teared up with excitement. After that fashion week triumph, work consumed my life. Garth stayed by my side, supporting me as always. On his 99th confession, my studio was buried in drafts and fabric. I had just finished a grueling meeting, rubbing my temples. Garth walked in with my favorite dessert and coffee, setting them down gently. Then he knelt beside me and looked at me earnestly. "My feelings for you haven't changed since day one. They've only grown. Let me stay by your side forever, okay?"

"Chill. You're safe—for now. At least until Terrance Felton shows up with the cash. You two must be something. He's offering a whole billion for you. Not bad, huh?" He clicked his tongue. But all I could hear was that number. Terrance... was insane.

“If I don’t get caffeine, I’m not retaining a single equation.” Micah stood beside him, hands in his pockets, hoodie sleeves half-pushed up, gaze wondering across the chalkboard menu like he already knew what he was ordering. “Kayla?” Colton called back. “Jess?” “Vanilla cold brew!” one yelled. “Chai, oat milk,” said the other. Colton tapped it into his phone. “Alright, I got Micah, Callum, me, the girls…” Then he froze. “Shit,” he said suddenly. “I gotta call Amelia. Forgot to ask what she wants.”

But when Mom and Elena are planning it, I hear them say things like, “ I can’t believe you’re turning ten this week! ” “ Oh, you won’t believe the surprise I have for you, my little baby Elena! ” I sit right there at the dining table, listening, but no one notices. No one says how happy they are that I’m turning ten. No one asks me what I want for my birthday.