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Astrid F

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2024

Stories (13)

Comments

Library

15 Followers

17 Following

13 Stories

213 karma pts

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The Fall

Astrid F

There wasn’t anything greater than the atmosphere that Opal Beach had to offer. The sunlight twinkled on the surface of the waves as they rolled into shore. Children’s laughter filled the salty sea air. Couples walked the esplanade hand in hand, chatting away with each other and saying hello to others passing by.I was in paradise.Except there was one thing that could kill the calming mood. The ever-looming presence of Endometriosis. It was like a shadow that followed me around, or a bad smell. The predictably unpredictable pain caused me to ...

0 likes

Ruin the Friendship

Astrid F

*CW - mentions/insinuations of gynaecological painful conditions *Story is also part of a bigger story* Through my back door, I watched as boats floated along the horizon under the rising moon. Their lights glided slowly along the water, bouncing ever so gently with the waves. Further up the beach, the flood lights turned on, and a flurry of people made their way out onto the sand to get the best spots for the fireworks.I ran my hands over my stomach, flattening out my mustard-coloured maxi skirt. Despite my painkillers, the bulge of my endo...

2 likes

The Dratted Letter of '08

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #329

** This is an excerpt from a larger story***** 27 July 2008Dear Estelle, Happy 11th birthday.You’ll never believe what I found … Well, you probably could, I put the letter in the box that Winnie the Pooh is in. I had to purchase him for you. The trip was the best ever! I wish that you could’ve come with us. You would’ve loved it. I also got a few pictures with Winnie the Pooh. I’ll respond to your letters. I just got to the boarding house and just wanted to say happy birthday first. I’ll print the photos out, as they’re on my camera, when I’...

11 likes

In Amongst the Leaves

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #325

CW: Self-harm, Physical violence, stalking, emotional abuse/blackmail, mental health The crunch of the leaves from the bush out back was music to my ears as I jogged through the path to the beach. The sandy opening got wider the closer I got. Its picturesque view reminded me of why I loved coming out here, even if I didn't want to. Not a single troubled thought ever entered my mind. The crashing of the gentle waves and the feeling of the salt in the air touching my bare skin was heaven for me.It was as if the breeze blew away all my troubles...

8 likes

Interview 2 - Markus [the ex-boyfriend]

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #315

[TW - the following fictional interview excerpt contains mention of emotional abuse] “Let’s start with how you met Georgiana?”We met at my High School formal in November twenty-eleven. I went to an all-boy private school, and she went to an all-girl private school. Gin — Sorry, I called her Ginny. Ginny went with a mate of mine, Oliver “Ollie” Harper, who was a closeted gay at the time and figured taking Ginny would stop the teasing. I went stag as I broke up with my cheating ex shortly before the event.By the time I showed up, they were alr...

8 likes

Yellow is for the Month of Awareness

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #292

TW: This story contains elements of medical gaslighting, and negligence The emerald green and royal turquoise palette felt like a combination of luxury and calm. Yet, how could a calming colour palette and soft furnishings make for an uncomfortable waiting room? It was the constant question that weighed on my mind every time I rocked up to my Gynaecologist's office in Buderim. I always had an 11 am appointment, which always ended up being a noon call-in. I swear she hated me. I was a problem patient. Constantly "complaining". I wished she'd...

5 likes

The Wipes

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #289

The room is unfamiliar. I don’t know how I got here. One minute I was in the sticky and dark bathroom having the best rendezvous with my fiancé, the next I am suddenly in a coffee shop, my head reeling.There is no one here, not even a barista.Only floor-to-ceiling books opposite the entrance, encased on mahogany bookshelves. Matching brown booths are erect on either side, with the barista’s station smack bang in the centre.‘Hello?’ I call.‘Ah, so happy you could meet with me, Beth,’ a voice pipes up in the far-right corner of the room.‘Who a...

8 likes

I Live a Lie

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #288

August, 201014 Years OldThunder clapped, lightning cracked, and rain hammered down right outside my window. It was as if I was having a conversation with the weather. I sat at the foot of my bed, my Nan’s blue and white blanket she crocheted for me, wrapped around me as I listened. The sound of the harsh storm was a comfort to my depression. It got me into a heated bate, a feeling I grew to love. The darkness became my best friend. It didn’t lie to me like my parents did. My parents made me believe that I was brave, strong, and sma...

7 likes

Finding Herself

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #279

The sound of the hail hitting the roof sent a high-pitched ding echoing through the air. ‘McKenna,’ Dylan said through the computer screen.‘Huh? Sorry,’ I replied. ‘What did you say?’‘Doesn’t matter, you okay?’I had one of the many throw blankets from the couch wrapped around me with a cup of juice mixed with half a shot of vodka beside me. Was I really okay? If he could see the state I was in beyond the screen, he wouldn’t have needed to ask me that.‘Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.’ ‘I may have only known you for a short time, but you’re mo...

9 likes

Surrender to the Nightmare

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #279

**This story contains teacher perpetrated psychological child abuse** Winter of 2006 was the start of a string of winters that McKenna wanted to forget. As she sat down in the cold concreted prison-like covered area of the oldest building in the school, McKenna’s mum was having words with Mrs McConnell about bullying. She had said nothing of the sort to her mum, but unbeknownst to McKenna, Leonie’s "mum-senses” were tingling. ‘What’s your mum doing here?’ Bec asked as she walked over to McKenna.‘Talking to Mrs McConnell about bullying,’ she ...

14 likes

A Family Secret

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #278

My great grandfather had found me when I re-entered Gayndah, Queensland, and checked back into Hover and Grove’s Caravan Park. No clue how, no clue why. Sure it concerned me, considering the safety measures I put in to ensure my family did not know I was investigating my mother’s and grandmother’s suspicious deaths.The receptionist at the park had handed me the letter from who claimed to be my great-grandfather wanting me to see him at the Maryborough nursing home. Dear Edwina,I am John, your great-grandfather on your mother’s side of the fa...

7 likes

Standing Her Ground

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #278

**This is part of a much bigger story** June 2019 Cue the pre-exam breakdown. My heart felt like it was about to explode. There was so much writing on this one exam, and I couldn't shake the feeling like I was going to blunder again. I laid out all my notes, my textbook marked and labelled. Praise the Lord for open book exams. I was as prepared as I could be. That wasn't in dispute. Now all I needed was food to fuel me through the next hour and a half.'Apple and hummus, and I'll be good to start,' I muttered to myself as I made my way t...

9 likes

In the Shadows

Astrid F

Submitted to Contest #234

The Malborough/Sarina Road used to be the busiest thoroughfare to get to far North Queensland from Brisbane along the old Bruce Highway. But now, a forgotten town occupies the Malborough/Sarina Road, and a road holds onto some of the darkest memories.  Until the early 80s, the Malborough/Sarina Road was the major thoroughfare to get to Mackay from Brisbane, taking the inland route. During the 60s and 70s, this road saw several murders and unexplained disappearances.  Along this very road, someone murdered my grandmother in the ...

8 likes