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A One-Sided Second Place Love

A Simple Strip of Paper

A Simple Strip of Paper

Feb 11, 2025

This content is intended for mature audiences for the following reasons.

  • •  Mental Health Topics
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Fly unrolled the strip of yellow paper and read.

You're off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way. - Dr. Seuss.

It was a good day today, he smiled. Not because he had finished with 6 First places. But because of this small piece of paper, that he had found squashed down in the bottom of his bag!

It was wet, and crumpled, and the ink had smudged. But to Flyer it was a treasure, that meant more to him than any Trophy or Medal.

The inspirational quotes, were always different but always wonderful! It didn't even matter what they said, it was the thought that someone out there was caring about him, giving him encouragement.

These torn strips, had been his constant encouragement for years. He didn't know who was giving them to him, and he had given up trying to figure it out.

He had been going through a tough time a few years back. His world had fallen into a blackness called Depression. Gradually he had fought his way back! Someone must have known, Someone had cared enough, to send these words. A small bit of colour to brighten the darkness!

Did this person even realize, how they had helped him? Still helped him?

He panned the venue, everyone was packing up. No-one stood out! He folded the yellow strip and tucked it into his phone case. He wouldn't lose it!

After his shower that night, Fly picked up the large jar on his desk and upended it on his bed.

The colorful tubes of rolled paper, scattered across his blanket. There must have been over 150 by now. Blue, Red, Orange, Green. Pink and Yellow. The sight of this colored mass, made him feel emotional. He unfurled a few and read them again. Then took today's from his phone case and read it again too!

Laying back against the pillows, he clutched it against his chest and squeezed his eyes shut. A single tear crept from his eye, and dripped down his cheek.

What was wrong with him? He should be happy, shouldn't he? Why was he so effected today?

Sitting up he swiped at his face, and took a deep breath.

He scooped up all of the paper rolls and tossed them back in the Jar. Then rolled up the latest Yellow strip adding it to the top, where it could dry off. He placed the Jar back in it's spot.

Should he try again, to find this person? Maybe it was time to meet! Put a face to the handwriting!

Did he still have that list? It had been around two years ago he had made it! He had been 18, in Year 12 at High School. He rummaged through a draw. It was in his old Diary, he was pretty sure!

Finding his target he returned to sit on his bed. Leafing through the pages.

Back then he had documented all of his swimming achievements, as well as recorded down his feelings and emotions. His therapist had recommended it. And it had helped!

He read through, a few pages. The dark memories, scrawled across the pages, made his heart ache. He didn't want to remember these times.

Eventually he found his list.

A list of names. Most were marked with a cross, some with a question mark. Sadly none with a tick.

He had never asked his parents. But It couldn't have been them anyway!

Each day for a year, he had searched his belongings before he left home, for School or a Swimming event. The paper rolls had not been present then.

No-one knew the combination on his Locker at School, It couldn't have been his friends! Yet a paper roll would appear in his Locker every few weeks.

Almost every Swimming event he would find one, either in his bag, or casually tucked into his towel or Jacket pocket.

Even when he left school and started at the University, they started appearing in his new Locker. He had even changed the combination! How was that possible?

This had ruled out his Teacher's! His Swim coaches had changed too, over the years!

It had to be someone, who had been constant in his life, for the last 3 or more years.

Someone, he went to school with! They must have started at the University at the same time too! Also they were involved in swimming!

For the first time he felt like he had some clues! Excitement grew. Maybe this time, he might just have a chance of finding an answer.




juliegleeson34
juliegleeson34

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A Boys Love Short Story by Julie Gleeson
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A Simple Strip of Paper

A Simple Strip of Paper

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