"The Door That Wasn't There Yesterday" by Mollie Shaker: March 2026 3rd Place

Lena had walked through the East Wing of her school so many times she could predict every squeaky tile. Nothing ever surprised her there. That’s why she froze when she saw a door between the art room and the supply closet—a door she knew had never existed.

It wasn’t glowing or mysterious. Just a plain blue door with a silver handle. But when she asked her friends, they all insisted it had always been there. Even Ms. Rivera said, “Honey, that door’s older than I am.”

Lena didn’t believe it for a second.

Something about the door tugged at her, like a thought she couldn’t quite catch. Before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed the handle.

The hallway vanished.

She stood in the school gym—but not the real one. This one was brighter, cleaner, and filled with versions of herself. One Lena practiced free throws perfectly. Another Lena stood confidently at a podium. A third Lena sketched a mural with bold, fearless strokes.

A voice behind her said, “These are all you. Just the versions you don’t let yourself become.”

Lena turned, but no one was there.

The room began to fade, pulling her back through the door. She stumbled into the hallway, breathless. The door clicked shut—and disappeared.

In her hand was a small whistle, the kind coaches use. Etched into the side were three words:

Choose your future.