creative nonfiction

Finding your space as a sophomore in college

Posted on Sep 28, 2023 by Ilana Gunson

In the words of Taylor Swift, “the scary thing is, you’re on your own now. But the cool thing is, you’re on your own now!”

stale by MacKenzie

Posted on Apr 4, 2019Jun 18, 2019 by Germ Magazine guest author

you tell him, “thanks for letting me know, sir,” then you amble your way off the table still chewing your crackers. you got them at the back of the fridge this morning, the holiday’s leftover. stale like the lips of an indulgent lover. you’re so cool when you play pretend, and even you know it. […]

Mother Always Wins by Arlene Antoinette

Posted on Dec 3, 2018Feb 11, 2019 by Germ Magazine guest author

My second love, a Cuban boy with skin as white as paper and curly charcoal hair, adored me from the ends of my nappy braids to the tips of my caramel toes. Growing up in different neighborhoods, fate spiked with dumb luck brought us together in high school. I’m still unsure what the attraction was, but I couldn’t […]

Childhood by Alyssa Gibb

Posted on Nov 8, 2017Jun 22, 2018 by Germ Magazine guest author

I awoke to the smell of her cheap perfume filling the air. “Mom?” I asked confused. “Get up,” she growled, scratching the skin of her neck. “Get dressed. I’m taking you somewhere.” She never stayed long unless she needed something, and the previous night she had been in a fight with my stepdad, because […]

Each Morning I Paint a 12-Hour Masterpiece by Rin Baatz

Posted on Sep 20, 2017Oct 30, 2017 by Germ Magazine guest author

“I didn’t recognize you at first.” I had just walked into my first period when I was greeted by the confused stare of a classmate I’d known for over a year. He, apparently, didn’t recognize me without makeup. “Are you sick?” In my natural state, I look ill. I am pale, and I am veiny. […]

136 to 110 by Rebeca Talley

Posted on Aug 6, 2017Sep 27, 2017 by Germ Magazine guest author

I was always a little plump. Plump meaning “having a full, rounded shape: slightly fat.” As a child, people referred to it as my cute, little baby fat, but when you’re a socially awkward sophomore in high school, the title changes. Up until the previous year, I had not given much thought to my shape […]

Memoir of My First Heartbreak by Crystal T.

Posted on Aug 3, 2017Sep 27, 2017 by Germ Magazine guest author

The sunset reflected on your brown eyes. The air was cool, and there were many people around. But somehow, I only saw you. We were fooling around, and you kicked a ball at my sister. I laughed, so did you. Your laugh filled the cool air surrounding us, wrapping around my mind and calming me […]

It’s All in Your Head by Madeline

Posted on Mar 13, 2017Feb 27, 2019 by Madeline

I used to be a dancer. I spent twelve years of life dedicating my time to the beautiful art. My nights would be spent in the studio dancing my heart out — doing what I loved best. Dance was my identity, and I embraced that for as long as I could. When I was thirteen […]

Breathe by Salem Bidwell

Posted on Mar 13, 2017Feb 28, 2019 by Salem Bidwell

I looked around the room, terrified. Everything was too loud, and the kid next to me was tapping her foot which was driving me crazy. My hands started shaking, I couldn’t write anymore. It felt like my throat was closing up. I was breathing too quickly and the room was spinning. I wanted to stand […]