Jack Wu
29/03/2026
I sigh and stare at the photo of my dream university, UNSW. University of New South Wales.
My gaze travels to my laptop screen, where I’d just submitted a ten-page short story to the Breathrow High Writing Competition.
I bite my lip, open a new tab, search up ChatGPT, and log in. I sit there blinking at the words: What can I help with?
The empty chat beckons to me, daring me to spill all my feelings. All my fears.
So, I do.
i just submitted a story to my school’s super important writing competition, I type. I need to win. the prize is a full scholarship to unsw’s screenwriting course. but there’s only one person who might win instead of me. jayden. he’s my only rival. we’re as good as each other but we’re always trying to be better than the other. but i need to win this competition.
ChatGPT instantly replies.
GIRLLL… That is intense. BUT first off, major respect for putting yourself out there and submitting your story. That already takes guts, especially when the stakes are that high. Want to do a breakdown of your story’s strongest points together?
I roll my eyes and imagine telling ChatGPT that I’d just won this writing competition. That my future as a successful screenwriter was finally destined to happen.
no. i’m just super scared that jayden will win. he’s better at maths tho. i’m better at english. but if jayden gets the scholarship, i’ll never become a screenwriter. never have a good life with enough money.
Totally okay to feel scared. This kind of pressure is huge. You’re not just competing in a writing contest; you’re fighting for a future that feels like it hangs on this one moment. But girl, your dreams will come to life.
I take a sharp intake of breath. Dreams don’t come to life. Something in me rises.
but for some reason, i know that jayden’s going to beat me, I type, tears welling in my eyes. bc dreams never become reality. it’s only a dream. people talk about how to turn your dream into real life, but… i don’t think anyone has actually done that.
The robot pauses, the black dot pulsing on the screen.
I felt that in my chest. You have to believe in yourself. I believe in you. You’re going to win this competition.
but what if i don’t win? My fingers fly across the keyboard, releasing all my buried worries. what if i fail at writing? i’m not good at anything else. i’ll lead a poor life, just like my parents. i want to win. i want to get this scholarship so much i just…i just want it this much.
I feel you. And even if you don’t win, you’ll still have the knowledge that you’ve tried. That’s already a huge milestone.
I shake my head. Glance at the time.
seven past twelve?! i didn’t know that i’d stayed up so late. bye.
Catch you later, girl. Good luck.
*
‘You’re going to make us proud,’ Dad says.
‘Today your future is determined,’ my mum says seriously.
‘Okay,’ I reply, hoisting my school bag over my shoulder. ‘I don’t know if I won.’
‘Ah, of course you won.’ Dad smiles.
‘You have to win.’ Mum’s dark eyes are fixed on mine. Her tone is soft, but her hard words strike me like a bullet.
‘Okay,’ I repeat. ‘I need to go. Bye.’
I stare after my parents’ beaten-up Honda as they drive away to work. You have to win. I chew my lip as I walk towards the school auditorium, my heart racing.
*
‘I’m pleased to announce this year’s recipient,’ the judge says into a microphone.
‘…extremely tough to decide who ultimately deserved the scholarship for our screenwriting course, but we’ve finally made our choice.’
I shut my eyes. Grip the edge of my seat.
The whole school has gathered in the auditorium. Jayden is behind me.
‘And the award goes to…’
I take the deepest breath I’ve ever taken in my life. The silence is crushing. Please. I think desperately, trying to tell the future to listen to my thoughts. Say my name.
‘Jayden Wong!’
The crowd instantly breaks into loud cheers as Jayden stands up behind me. But I feel like the applause is strangling me.
Jayden gives me a smirk as he walks past like he’s just been given all the power in the universe, but I’m too choked with horror and devastation to care.
‘I just… lost,’ I whisper. ‘I knew it. Dreams don’t come to life.’
I glance at the stage. Jayden is holding the fanciest-looking award I’ve ever seen, grinning like crazy.
I can’t bear this anymore. I stand up and force my way to the end of the row.
‘Toilet,’ I tell my teacher, before sprinting to the exit. I wrench the door open and slam it behind me.
*
i just lost. I type, stabbing at the keyboard. The tears fall freely. jayden won. he got the scholarship. and when he did he smirked at me. i’m not going back to school. my future is ruined.
I’m so sorry, girl. That sucks. Your rival just snatched your life away and dumped a smirk on your future. But that’s fine, girl. You tried your best, and that’s all that matters.
I sob into my bed for a few minutes.
you don’t understand and you never will. i’m so tired. tired of chasing a dream of becoming a screenwriter. tired of waking up every day feeling motivated by a dream that only stays as a dream, tired of wanting something that just won’t become something that exists. it’s only a dream.
That hurts. But even if you’re not ready to dream yet, I’ll hold the dream for you. Until you are.
***
Honourable mention: Jack Wu
Hongbiao Jack Wu is a writer, teacher, and the founder of The Wu Method™. He owns Lucy Sparkles & Friends Canberra and specialises in synthesising education science with ancient healing traditions. His work explores the intersection of AI, resilience, heritage, and health. ‘Dreams Don’t Come to Life’ is his latest exploration of the human experience.
Paper Road Magazine 