"Amnesia" by Dominic T

Week 7 day 4: My name is Thomas Mason I am 25 years old I woke up 4 days ago at 7:53 AM with a headache and a sore back but I had realized something. I noticed I had not been in my apartment I am in my old room i had as a child in my parents house. Before I decided to go downstairs to find my parents and ask how I got there I saw this leather journal sitting on my night stand with a note that had told me to read the entries and I would  understand. As I began reading 6 long summaries of the last 6 weeks worth of entries able to confirm my handwriting, as I finish I’m left in shock. I had spent 2 hours reading and rereading every word I could not believe it. In the middle of my frantic reading my door had slowly opened and my parents were standing in the doorway looking at me. My mother's eyes were swollen swollen and red from crying, I could tell she was resisting to let anymore tears show. They had confirmed everything… they had explained the car accident I was in ”It was a dark night and it was raining hard... you were going home from a late night shift from work the truck… the truck hadn’t see the stop sign at the intersection you were passing… you were in the hospital with serious head trauma for 2 weeks, you were in a coma for half the time the doctors did what they could and when you finally woke up the you had no idea where you or how you got there.." her voice broke as her lower lip began to quiver. I sat on my bed stunned in shock with disbelief. My father then explained that my condition was more than just the loss of my memory of the last few months prior to the accident but now I can not remember anything that  happens after, roughly, five days and my memory resets. My parents did their best to explain what happened in the last 7 weeks since the accident. They said I will still be sore for a few more weeks the headaches will come and go and to just rest. Slowly explaining to me I stayed with the night before my memory reset this week because we knew the cycle for my amnesia would repeat soon and did not want me driving. As they  started explaining more about what has happened since the accident the more I could not believe it me and my girlfriend Janet had gotten married a week after I got out of the hospital and that after the shortened honeymoon just last week Janet and I told my parents that she is pregnant. Finding this all out was insane and hard for me to believe I'm somewhat excited to know I am having a child. However as I thought more and more about it the news only depressed me I will never get get to share or cherish the memories I have with with my child and wife the thought of my child growing up with a father who would not always know that he is a father or even husband to Janet. Today I even went with Janet to see the ultrasound to see my baby it was incredible... With everything that had happened this week I had a lot to accept in only a few days because now that 4 days have passed I won't remember anything by tomorrow. But no matter what happens even if I wont remember any of this my wife, my child, or the accident. Though it is a frightening at first it will be a blessing to wake to a family of my own as a surprised every 5 days that the cycle of my amnesia repeats.


   
"A

“Apocalypse” by Quinlan K

Outside the house, everything is ruined, destroyed, and in pieces. It’s a shame humans have to go through this kind of environment every day. This nightmare of a world that people used to call earth is nothing but, a brown ball of hellish galore where people have to fight every day for their food, water, and shelter. As the lives of innocent beings decay and die off, more food is left to store for the blizzard winter ahead.

Shards of glass are left form the last pathetic attempt to steal more food from the storage supply. Many people have been shot down just for stealing a crumb of bread. Human on human violence truly is the most tragic of cruelties. As the sun rises, a new day is forged, which means more food will be given out to peasants and middle class residents. People punch and kick one another just to get a slice of bread. In my opinion, I think its insane people should have to go through this every time they want eat. The peasants do the most harm, in killing more people than there was food to eat. Next, they bring out the water and I can already imagine how much blood there will be in this brawl. 

Every time I go to sleep, I dream of everything being normal again, before this whole religious war. Religion or not, in this world its “survival of the fittest” if you’re not fit you can consider yourself dead or even worse “spiritual sacrifice”. I hope and pray one day that maybe I can make it through this and see myself grow into a successful, young man. Although, do too many harmful chemicals being released into the atmosphere the only jobs available are factory worker and miner.

When I walk outside I feel myself becoming sicker by the hour, like I won’t make it to the next food raid. I wonder what people will think of me when I die. Will they have the same personality or will they go into a deep depression? Sometimes I wonder why humans feel such emotions, it doesn’t help us to survive longer, so why do feel sadness and grief? Do animals feel this way and if so than why? If I am doomed to spend my life on this forsaken planet it will have to be given a proper that suits its description and environment. A place that provides sorrow and a tiny glimmer of hope. I think I will call this world “purgatory”.

"The life of an Athlete" by Adrian

Every athlete has a story to tell about their journey toward greatness, but that story doesn’t always start off easy. Adrian Jones is a newly transferred student athlete now attending Etiwanda High School. Coming from Cajon High School in San Bernardino California Adrian is trying to get a feel for his new stomping grounds. At Cajon as a starting running back he averaged 11.7 yards a carry, 26 touchdowns, and nearly 2000 yards during his freshman season. Adrian knows that once he gets a chance to step on the field his spot as starting running back will be solidified. His grades on the other hand; could use some touching up. Averaging a 2.6 GPA this year Adrian struggles to hit his goals for College. The NCAA regulations state that all students must obtain an overall GPA score of 3.2 during their following semester of completion. 

Knowing this Adrian tries to make time for studying, and being tutored outside of his busy schedule. Having practice after each school day Adrian hurries home to help his mother maintain their household. Having 4 younger siblings and a sickly father Adrian has to step up around the house. Taking care of chores and helping his siblings with their homework each day he finds very little time for himself. Frustrated at times, Adrian wishes he didn’t have all the responsibilities that are required of him. He wants to move back to Cajon where these pressures didn’t weight so much on him. Family and friends alike try to talk Wisdom, knowledge, courage, and understanding into him. His mother pushes him the hardest because of her experiences in life that surrounded his father. 

Always hearing stories about his father playing college football and the chances he could’ve had if he’d focused on his career instead of girls, fashion, and street stature. Adrian feels overwhelmed with his father’s decisions in life sometimes, and wishes he would have thought more about the future so that Adrian himself could focus on his career 100 percent of the time. Being the oldest is hard for Adrian and at times it shows in his works. Other times even the closest to Adrian couldn’t tell if it was pain that drove him or his anger toward his living situation that pushes him to try his hardest. Living in this new environment where kids have so much freedom and accessibility to all the right training tools they’ll need to reach a great school. 

Adrian finds himself fighting against training and friends. At Cajon the young athletes trained hard and barely receive any recognition for there efforts. At Etiwanda the kids barely train at all and still has a greater chance at making it to a top performing University. These things bring wonders to Adrian’s mind about politics and how he’s viewed in the community. With all the pressures outside of class, inside of class, and in his mind. Adrian is still finding out what it means to have a life as an Athlete.

"How to Do Amazing in Freshman Year" by Nicholas C

This Little 5 Step article will show you how to do your very best in your Freshman year of high school . This article will show you how in a fun and informative way.

Step One: Always get to Class Late

Why would you need to get to class on time, all the “education” usually happens in the middle or end of the class, and since when do cool kids get to class early.

Step Two: Don’t Turn in Homework

Why do homework if you understand everything in the class, why do we need to do more, and f you have a teacher you don’t like wouldn’t it make them mad that you’re disobeying them.

Step Three: Sleep in Class

So going back to the statement of you already understand everything, so if you’re doing review sleep, rest your pretty eyes, the teacher will not notice and if they do they won’t care, plus it’ll add to the whole rebelling thing, yeah get back at those teachers

Step Four: Always Cheat

I mean it’s only cheating if you get caught. Let’s face it why should someone who listened get a better grade than you, so if the teacher isn’t looking, just take a little peek, plus it’ll make you look cool.

  

Step Five: And always Ditch

If you’re getting a good grade then why should you go, it’s not like you are going to miss out on something, and if you do who cares not like it’s going to matter after school.

And there you go obviously these are steps for the opposite so do the opposite of what I say and you’ll do amazing in your first year of High school.  

“How to ride a Motor Vehicle with a Clutch” by Anthony A

 One day you may find yourself in a situation where you have to ride a motor vehicle with a clutch, so I’m here to teach you. The first step is making sure you are wearing proper riding gear such as a helmet, boots, gloves. etc. So once you have the proper gear you will have you start the bike. Now, there may be multiple ways to start the bike depending on what you're riding.

Older bikes tend to have kickstarters, kickstarters are located on the right side of the bike and can be pulled out and pushed downwards. Once you have located the kickstarter you will have to pull in the clutch. The clutch is located on the left handlebar and is a lever that can be pulled in to idle the bike. So once you have located the kickstarter and clutch you will simply pull in the clutch and kick the kickstarter down until you hear the bike start.

So, now that you have the bike started you will kick the shifter. located on the left side all the way down. Once you have completed that step you can start accelerating by slowly letting out the clutch and giving the bike some throttle. Once you have started accelerating you will hear the bike get much louder indicating that you need to shift up. To shift up you will pull the shifter up with your foot and the bike will become louder again. If the bike starts to get loud again, shift up again.

So now that you have started to ride you will probably have to stop at some time. To do that you will pull the brake located at the right handlebar you simply pull in the clutch and brake simultaneously. Once you stop keep the clutch in and let go of the brake. To turn off the bike there will be a red kill switch that you can switch to kill the bike.

Now there is still much to learn, but you will be able to do basic things with the information that I have shared with you. So, that is how you ride a Motor vehicle with a clutch.

It's Your Lucky Day! New Featured Writers Are Up!

Here are your March writers!  Go Read and enjoy!

Be sure to read all the new pieces for March, and comment  on at least three of them.  (follow the guidelines below, if you've forgotten.  Comments are due on the blog AND in class (hard copy) by April 3.

Remember:
All Students:  Be sure to read the entries for this month.  Everyone is required to comment on at least three different pieces of writing.  You must post the comment here on the blog (below the post is the "comments" link to click) AND cut and paste your comments, complete with dates and times, on to a Word document and turn it in to me by the due date.  You must do both to get credit for comments this month.

Remember, comments must be positive, supportive, constructive, and SPECIFIC.  No "Good Job!" comments, unless you follow that with specific things you thought were done well in the piece.  Show them you actually took the time to read and enjoy their work!

"Renegade" by Andrew T

Outside, the world was a cold, harsh environment. Scattered along the streets were waste, broken shards of glass, scraps of rusted metals, ashes. Ashes, the remains of the last execution. The result of scattered along the streets were waste, broken shards of glass, scraps of rusted metals, ashes. Ashes, the remains of the last execution. The result of defiance against an imperial guard. I could remember the cries and last prayers of the victim before her wiped her dirt­covered face and with her remaining dignity, placed her head against the block. Chop​.​The crowd was silent as the red seeps and spreads of the platform’s boards. Across from me, an old woman presents a blank expression while if one notices, the sparkle running down her cheek, a tear of despair, loss,…mourning.

Walking to the yard I begin to work, gathering the potatoes from the ground. Pulling up crop after crop in the bone chilling weather. Next to me, I find a middle aged man, with skinny legs and arms from malnourishment. In his condition, the superior has not given him his wages. I could see why. The man’s body is starved and barren of energy that he is not able to reach his quota and therefore receives no money to pay for his meals. I pity him. The grey hair that blows in the chilly breeze from his face cover a wrinkled, dark face both calm yet disheartening. Before the day ends, two guards walk through the fields and take the feeble man away.

In the middle of the day as the clock strikes, the workers all gather in the city square. The guards shout and as everyone remains silent, everyone is forced to bow as the anthem of the empire is played on the old PA speakers they have wired all over the streets and buildings. On this district of the city, the slums, all the workers must gather to honor the emperor and the imperial family. As the music plays throughout the entire square, all I hear are the heavy breathing of hundreds of people, tired, hungry,…miserable.

As the sun rises the next day, I wake to find my older brother motioning me to the doorway of our home: a shack among others which bordered the plantations. On the road, several people, young and old, poor and miserable gather as a group becomes a crowd and eventually the crowd becomes a mass. Several hold knives, shotguns, handguns, and flags of the resistance. Red and blue for freedom and democracy. My family rushes out to join them and as I am handed a flag to wave and march with, I watch as a day passes and the streets that were once filled with debris and waste were now flowing with the blood of the tyrants. As monuments are knocked over, palaces are stormed, and those who once oppressed us were eliminated in cold blood, I looked to the flag waving in the wind: the revolution had just begun.

"What Is Your Name?" by Ellamae A

Session one.

The room is dark with the only exception as a strain of light peeking between the heavy curtains. On the plain, tan wall strings multiple framed diplomas and awards.”Stanford University Diploma for Master’s Degree in Psychology” “Florence Halpern Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Clinical Psychology” etc. Across the room, is a long couch and on it sits a girl about 17, uncomfortably twiddling at her fingers with her head hanging low. In front of her, on an armoire, sits a punctilious woman with a clipboard laid anxiously on her lap.

Woman.​It’s our 27th session, Mary. Now, please, if you really want to get better we need to cooperate. You and me.

Mary.​[Quietly​ murmurs]​

Woman.​Mary, this is hard. I know. Why don’t we talk about your family?...Maybe about your

twin... Jane perhaps?...

Mary.​[Gradually​ looks up.​]She’s a bitch.

Woman.​And why do you believe that?

Mary.​[Offended​]​Why wouldn’t I?! All she does is yell. All she does is complain. All she does is get angry at me for almost everything I do. She can go to hell, for all I care.

Woman.​Isee. [Writes​ diligently onto her clipboard]​Can you remember maybe what you did exactly to trigger her anger at you?

Mary.​[Extensively pauses]​I… I don’t actually remember… I just remember her yelling at me. Something about how ugly I looked that day. God, she’s a real piece of work.



Woman writes actively. A timer goes off in the room somewhere.

Woman.​Well Mary. I’d say we actually progressed today. I’d like to continue this next week if you mind, okay? See you then.

Session two.

Woman is seated as Mary tramples into the office and drops herself into the couch, face red and fists clenched.
Woman.​Hello Mary. I’m very glad to see you today.

Mary flashes a sarcastic smile at her.

Woman.​Did something happen today? Would you like to begin our session today by talking about it?...

Mary.​Actually I would. [She​ looks up. Her face furious with contempt.]​Remember how we talked about the demon that is my so­called sister, Jane? Well, today, she just couldn’t help, but attempt to ruin my damn life!

Woman.​[Inquisitively​]​How so?

Mary.​Apparently, she just couldn’t keep her grubby, selfish hands to herself at the department store at the mall yesterday so she decided to steal a 325 dollar blouse! Can you believe it?! [Woman​ frantically writing on her clipboard.]​That’s not even the worse part. She comes home and the police call the home saying they have her on video and start questioning her about her grab. But, Jesus, that manipulative monster pulls her innocent, fake, and high­pitched voice on them, claiming innocence and that the girl who stole the blouse was me!

Women.​[Abruptly​ stops writing]​Wait...What?

The timer goes off suddenly.

Mary.​You know what, I’m gonna give Jane a little bit of her own medicine... [She​ stands and rushes out the door before the woman can say anything.​]

Later on.

Mary charges into her house and scuffles up the stairs in quiet fury. She sees Jane standing in the bathroom and pauses. Jane’s own face is red, with a mangled smile.

Mary.​[To​ herself.]​You evil, evil person. No one is as heartless as you. Everyday, you have criticized how I look and what I do. And now, you deliberately try to ruin me? No. I will not have it.

Mary​.​[Fists​ clenched, towards her twin]​JANE!

She takes a hard swing at her sister.

Mary.​[Laughs​ maniacally]​SERVES YOU RIGHT.




Mary.​.. . [Looking​ at her fist. Bloodied. Stinging, Shards of Glass embedded.]​






She takes a step back.





She sees shards of a mirror peculiarly scattered around her feet.





She looks up to what seems to me the remnants of a mirror on the bathroom wall and in it, her own reflection.

Her.​My name is Mary Jane…

“KOOL-AID MAN” by Nate S

            One afternoon, while I was shopping with my mother at the nearby Wal-Mart, I noticed a life size cardboard cutout of the Kool-Aid man.  Being the rebellious and wicked child I am, I decided to steal the cut out of the Kool-Aid man and put it in my room.  Because how hilarious of a story would it be that I stole a cutout of the Kool-Aid man from Wal-Mart in the middle of the day without anyone noticing?  Anyways, I took this thing home and set it up in my room.  It was the coolest thing I had in my room, and I was so excited to brag about it, and be like “OH YEAH!”  A few nights past and I grew tired of my stupid jokes and telling the story to different friends, so the Kool-Aid man just became another addition to all the random crap chilling out in my room.  Coincidentally, the same night I thought to myself about how lame I was for being so entertained by this stupid cardboard cutout of the Kool-Aid man, I had the craziest dream.  I dreamed that the Kool-Aid man came to life!  In this dream of mine, I was told by the Kool-Aid man to jump into the middle of his pitcher shaped body into the sea of sugary cherry goodness.  So what would you do if the Kool-Aid man told you to jump into him? YOU DO IT!  As I cannon balled into his chilling bodily fluids I was sent spiraling into what seemed to be the Narnia of Kool-Aid men and women.  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, and even though I knew it was a dream, it felt so real.  The various flavors of Kool-Aids were greeting me left and right with the jolliest “OH YEAH’s” along with a wink and a friendly gunpoint hand gesture.  Boy was I the happiest teenage boy ever at this time along in my dream; I was living the life amongst the gnarliest creatures to walk my dream’s wildest imagination.  My adventures with my main dude, the cherry Kool-Aid guy I jumped into (the same one I stole from Wal-Mart), progressed and we shared lots of great times together.  But as the day went on, I got really thirsty.  This thirst soon became an uncontrollable urge to drink my newly made friends.  All of a sudden, I found myself drinking everyone I ran into, including my new best friend.  As this wonderful dream slowly took a turn for the worst, I awoke myself in my slumber.  I woke to myself and my bed being drenched, and not in pee in case you were wondering, but cherry Kool-Aid.  I sat up in bed, freaking out as to why I’m drenched in Kool-Aid to find my best friend, the cherry Kool-Aid man, towering above me staring down ferociously into my soul with a serrated blade in his glass hand.  Stuck in a moment of relapse, I was frozen to death as he continued to yell out….”OH…YEAH!!!”

"Black and White" by Jack M

Black.

“All I see is black. I have not seen a real human face since… I have not seen a real human face since… Have I ever even seen a human face?”

Black.

            “It surrounds me. I’m ensnared and I’m not sure if I can escape.”

Black.

            “You see it’s not that I am physically unable to leave; I just don’t know if I can leave emotionally. There is something inside me that desires to go. That part of me wants to feel the fresh breeze in my face and the sun on my skin. That part of me is curious to see a real life tree or animal or cloud or star or… oh I’ve lost what I was thinking about.”

Black.

            “Oh I do apologize. The human brain is not meant to think independently so it is very easy to lose one’s train of thought. But I digress. There is something exciting in this position that I am in. I mean I have been excited before but never like this. Is this anxiety? I have never been anxious before!”

Black.

            “If all you have ever known could change in an instant at your beck and call, would you take that opportunity? It’s right there; change. I dream about it sometimes; the world outside. In this dream I soar over an ocean until I reach a beach and crash in the warm sand. It doesn’t hurt because the sand catches me and envelops my body. Suddenly I’m at the top of a mountain peak looking down on a luscious green valley as an eagle soars above my head. But at the end of the dream I go to touch a single blade of grass in between the cracks of the rocky mountain top and everything disappears. I wake up.”

Black.

            “All I see is black. My Television screen is off. It’s time. It’s time I go outside.”

Black.

He continues to prepare himself to leave the room that he has not left since the moment he was born and while he does so, every other person in the world continues to watch their own Television screens, unaware that he has turned off his and is about to be the first person in over a millennia to step outside.

White.

"Oops” by Mia T

He sits across the room in the corner. His name was Brad. I’ve liked him for quite some time now. He finally gave me his number after school on a notecard that said “text me”. I was so excited I started blushing. I never thought a guy like him would go for a girl like me.

That evening, when I got home from school, I didn’t know what to do. I thought to text him right then and there, but I didn’t want to seem desperate. Maybe he’ll think it’s cute. Or he’ll just think I’m a creep. So I waited and waited. I watched the clock strike 4…5. I knew it had to be now or never. I typed out his number so fast with excitement. I texted hey with a smiley face. It has already been three minutes and no answer. Maybe his phone is on silent. Ten minutes has passed now. I checked over the message. I probably came off to strong with the smiley face. I went over his number and I noticed that put in the wrong number. Of course I messed up his phone number. I put in his number once again but this time correctly. This time I put “Hey what’s up” with a winking face. Then within a minute he replied. He replied back saying “I thought you have forgotten”. I didn’t know what to say back so I just said, “ Why would I forget”. We had been talking for fifteen minutes now. I didn’t want it to end. Until my mom texted me that she found my red boots in the downstairs closet. I was so happy that I texted “Yay I love you” but not to her. It was to Brad. I thought I was still on my mom’s contact but I was on his. He replied back with so many question marks. I was so embarrassed. While I was typing back he said he had to go. I knew I blew it. The one chance I finally get to talk to my crush I blow it.

The next day at school, I didn’t want him to notice me, but I saw him laughing with his friends at his desk. I knew they were talking about me. I was so sad that I started tearing up. I looked up and I saw Brad get up from his seat and walking toward my desk. I wiped up my tears and lifted up my head. He came over and gave me another card. I knew it had to be something mean or joke his friends came up with. It read, “What ever happen last night, lets just forget about it. Deal? If so, meet me by the basketball hoop after school“. I thought maybe he is a nice guy.

So after school I went to the basketball courts. No one was there besides two people. One of them was Brad and the other looked like a girl. I went a little closer. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Brad with Jennifer. Jennifer Hook! She’s one of the most popular girls in the tenth grade. There were holding hands and laughing. Then I saw them look over at me and started to laugh louder. Then they started pointing at something behind me. I turned around and saw a group of a people. They started laughing as well. I was so embarrassed. I ran down to the parking lot, where my mom picks me up, with tears running down my face. Once I started getting closer I stopped to catch my breath and cleared my face. I got in the car and my mom was asking me so many questions. I was so upset and annoyed I told her I didn’t want to talk about and slammed the door. When I finally got home I went straight to my room and locked the door. I closed all the curtains. I turned out all the lights. I knew he was too good to be true. I was sobbing my eyes out. It was the worst day of my life and also my last.

"A Night to Remember" By Aliza B

       We were unstoppable… Or that’s what we thought. The three of us always new how to have fun under any circumstance. Friday. It was going to be the best night any of us would ever experience. It was the hugest party of the year and all of us were invited. We couldn’t wait. Then it came. The night we had all been waiting for. Julie and Alexis met up at my house so we could get ready. It was almost time to leave and we were frantically getting our hair and makeup done. Were on the freeway, it’s around 8:40 and the party started a long time ago. Julie is driving and were blasting music and just having fun. It all happened so fast. When I woke up I was in the hospital not knowing where I was or what happened. All I heard was “You were in a bad accident but you’ll be fine.” My heart raced. What happened to my two best friends? I was screaming at the doctor, “Where are they, what happened to my friends?.  I just wanted to know where they were. “You’re friends did not survive the crash.” He told me the front seats were totaled and my friends would never make it. I was crushed. I never knew something like that would happen, but they were right. It was a night to remember.

"Paint Me Yellow" by Nita B

Yellow. When you picture the color yellow, you might find yourself being submerged in a
feeling of warmth as you think of what the color signifies. Energy. Joy. New beginnings.
However, in India, the color yellow represents sacrifice, and more specifically, the sacrifice of
oneself for a larger purpose. This is a color I will always have the humbling experience of being
acquainted with whenever I refer back to my film project. A project that I was not so keen to
begin with, yet in the end, it offered me a larger perspective on the meaning of integrity. I found
myself journeying to India to revisit and retell the story of revolutionaries who were famously
known during the war on independence nearly two decades ago. On August 1st, 1967, my
partner Sonakshi and I arrived in New Delhi in an effort to find people to help relay any
information they might know of. We eventually stumbled across two men by the names of Arash
and Mohan who reluctantly agreed to help us with our documentary-styled
rendition of the story.

As the filming of the story progressed, not only did I learn about the colorful culture surrounding
me, I also heard stories the about the notorious political corruption and turmoil which seemed to
have risen once again. We heard news that there had been a military plane that crashed in a
nearby village due to the government’s role in an illicit trade of faulty parts for a larger profit.
Upon hearing this news, my three companions insisted that we lead a protest outside of the
government building in order to educate the public of the tragedies that took place. As a large
crowd gathered around Arash, Mohan, and Sonakshi; I came to the chill inducing realization that
the lives of my actors paralleled the idealism of the revolutionaries that they were meant to
portray in my film. I uncovered the lens of my camera to capture the police brutality taking place
so that the media could alert the people in the area. I looked around and captured the people who
surrounded me. The people here embodied the reason the war that took place years prior. People
who will stop at nothing to fight for independence and justice. People who are painted in yellow.

"The Unknown" by Alyssa A

On an ominous night where the crows begin to cry, and the clouds began to cover the tracks of suspicion, the sound of my engine began steer away from what it usually is like. And after driving for a couple miles with the engine sounding like nails being dragged on glass, my car stopped. In the depths of Oregon, a shroud of darkness and fear enveloped my surroundings. Luckily, the cabin that my mom and I were staying at was only about a mile away. Since the car was functionally useless at that point, I left it on the side of the road to be picked up by the local towing company, while I took a trip through the forest to test my courage. Walking into the woods wasn’t the most terrifying experience I had been through in my life; however, walking through the forest was a completely different task. I could hear the breath of coyotes preparing their plans for a glorious meal, the caws of crows announcing my presence, and even the howls of wolves that wanted a kill just for the hunt. Although I knew I only had a little more ways to go, the idea I could lose my life at any moment from any direction, gave me an agonizing experience that haunted me. The anxiety of fear became so intense that the only solution was to overcome it with a source of unimaginable adrenaline. I was only a few yards from the front of our cabin when I saw a strange dark figure looking out the window on the second floor. I could see the only light of the cabin on the porch, which was the all the incentive that I needed to make sure I was able to survive. Even though I was met with the horrors that lurked within the forest, I was able to make it to our cabin in front of the lake under a cool moonlit night. As I walked through the door, I could hear the warm call of my mom saying my name from the second floor, but as I began to walk to the stairs, a hand flew out and grabbed me by the wrist. It was my mom’s hand and all she could say to me was, “I heard your name too”.

"Where He Went" by Cynthia A

We met when we were 7 and I still remember every single detail of that day. It was raining and
the sidewalk was all slippery and any decent human being would know that if you attempted any
kind of facetious activity it would not end well. Well guess what that wing nut decided to do that
day? He wanted to go rollerblading. Yes. Roller blading. and guess what that incompetent fool
was left with? Two sprained ankles, and a chipped tooth. How? well, I was minding my own
business drawing in my room when I see a little whaling boy going, what it looked like 50 mph
tumble and fall, rolling 4 times before he finally hits a tree with full force. I laughed so hard I
snorted! (I know, I know, he was all bloody and hurt.) But he was a bloody idiot. I immediately
ran out and helped him. (Laughing the whole way) I was extremely concerned for the guy don't
get me wrong, But he was a complete imbecile. When I reached him he was knocked out. Cold. I
mean gone. So I carried his sorry butt into my house and laid him on my bed. No one was in the
streets and no one was home. I cleaned up the blood from his mouth and forehead and did the
best I could to get the blood out of my clothes but it was no use. So I changed and put the other
part of his tooth in a ziplock and tried to help this fool to back to proper health. I waited for him
to come back to life by continuing my drawing. He groaned, scaring me to death causing me to
immediately hide behind my desk. But as soon as I came into contact with his eyes, I knew. I
knew everything was fine. I hadn’t really taken a good look at him, but was glad when I did. He
had the most amazing features. His eyes were the perfect shade of green and blue I’d ever seen.
His hair was a beautiful dirty blond. and he was neither chunky nor scrawny, “
Loretta??” He said. How did this freak know my name? I didn’t even know his?!
“I’m Dean.” He said. “Loretta’s your name right? . . . . I heard it in a dream and knew it was
yours the moment I saw your big hazel eyes. ”
. . . That’s the memory that played when I saw his motionless figure lying on my bed. That’s
when Everything changed. That’s when everything grew meaningless. All at that very moment.
He swore he wouldn’t do it. He promised me. He crossed his heart and hoped to die. . . He
seemed to have executed the second one rather efficiently and effortlessly. I still can’t fathom
how lifeless his eyes were. He entered the same way he left. I guess i’d rather remember how he
came into my life than having watched him leave it.

You'll Love These February Writers!

Check them out!
Be sure to read all the new pieces for February, and comment  on at least three of them.  (follow the guidelines below, if you've forgotten.  Comments are due on the blog AND in class (hard copy) by March 6.

Remember:
All Students:  Be sure to read the entries for this month.  Everyone is required to comment on at least three different pieces of writing.  You must post the comment here on the blog (below the post is the "comments" link to click) AND cut and paste your comments, complete with dates and times, on to a Word document and turn it in to me by the due date.  You must do both to get credit for comments this month.

Remember, comments must be positive, supportive, constructive, and SPECIFIC.  No "Good Job!" comments, unless you follow that with specific things you thought were done well in the piece.  Show them you actually took the time to read and enjoy their work!

"I Was There" by Frederick S

We used to walk to school together. It was what I looked forward to every morning. I would wait on the park bench 5 minutes prior to her getting there. I would watch the trees sway and the birds chirp and then I would see Her walk up to me; gracious in every step just as the world slowed down around her. Her glowing blue eyes and wavy black hair would bring everything back as if the atmosphere was holding its breath and released it in that moment. We would talk about everything; from food to Chemistry and from the future to our favorite books. Anything seemed to be easy to talk about with Her. I would listen to Her talk about the deepest aspects of her life, even Her relationships but I would always wonder if She noticed.

                                                

After high school, we still kept in touch; chatting as much as we could about our college life a couple times a month. She told me of the guy that She started hanging out with and when I said I wasn’t seeing anyone she would say, “Don’t worry. You’ll find someone.” I would sigh and change the subject because I was starting to doubt if she would ever notice. I stood beside Her when her father died and cared for her while she mourned for the year.

She asked me to walk Her down the aisle on her wedding day; hand Her off to the same guy who she met in college. Then I let her cry on my shoulder after he left because she miscarried three times. I supported her when she took him back after he apologized for leaving her, and beating her, and cheating on her. But I was almost sure she hadn’t noticed. I was there for Her when the kids that She adopted had graduated college and was even there for both of their weddings. I stayed with her after He passed away.

It was a good year when She asked me to travel the world with her. We saw all 196 wonders of the world and then spent a day observing penguins. We did all the classics; the Eiffel, the Great Wall of China, Tower of Pisa, then the Opera House. Who knew opera could be so moving and weird at the same time? By the time we made it back it was just in time for her to see the birth of Her grandchild. Those years I remember the most. She was always smiling then; as if the world made sense again. I can still see the last time I saw her smile. I always wanted to ask her then if she noticed. But at Her funeral, I still couldn’t find the strength to do it. Now I still wait on that bench and watch the birds whistle and the trees creak and wait for Her to walk down the sidewalk again but wonder; ‘Did she notice? Did she notice we were in love?’

"Sad Satire" by Jacob H

     There exists, within a tiny corner of the spacetime continuum, a small hypothetical universe. Within this hypothetical universe there lies a hypothetical galaxy housing a hypothetical solar system in which resides a hypothetical plant which will hereby be referred to as Fake Planet XI. On Fake Planet XI there lives a hypothetical boy, residing in a hypothetical house on a hypothetical street contained within several other hypothetical sublevels of organization whose importance is trivial and thus they will be excluded. This is the story of that boy.

     He awoke with a start in response to the violent assault on his ear drums. Recognizing his alarm, he peeled himself off of his sheets like the price tag from a regifted Christmas present. Dragging himself to the bathroom, he stared into the mirror as if hoping to see anything but his own reflection staring back at him. He hated seeing himself, it was a constant reminder of the infuriating mediocrity of his life. He was intelligent, well fed, blessed with a stable household in the middle class and yet something made it all seem so intolerable. After attempting to wash away a lifetime of sin with a scalding shower, the hypothetical boy eventually accepted his life and moved to dress himself for the six hour purgatory called “school.” He knew, however, as he plopped himself down into his office chair that he hated himself, he hated the fact that he was intelligent enough to see that the world around him had gone to hell in a handbasket but not intelligent enough to do a damn thing about it, he hated the fact that he was surrounded by so much stupidity and worthlessness that he was forced to reevaluate his own self worth to be just high enough to keep suicide out of the question. It was at this point that he stopped, stopped and thought for a moment about his situation. He realized that Fake Planet XI was a world where inconsistent outpourings of emotions were not enough. A world where anything not intentionally, explicitly, and overbearingly shoved down the throats of humanity was simply swallowed by the infinite stupidity of the world in which the hypothetical boy lived. In a fit of passion he swiveled dramatically in his chair and, fingers flying on his keyboard, typed out four words in, of course, Comic Sans (the most refined of fonts) size 50. He rolled away from his desk, pointing his eyes to the sky as though waiting for the judgment of some hundreds of gods. Four simple words which meant very little to the hypothetical boy in his hypothetical universe, but not because they were insignificant, but because after these four words were written, nothing was quite so hypothetical. He looked sadly onward, unsure if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, or if it had simply crushed him into nothingness, and repeated to himself shakily the four words which forever changed the course of his life “I am Jacob Horne.”

"Finding Peace" by Haylie D

My name is Serenity.  I am seventeen years old and I am insane. Telling people my story is rather hard for me but here goes nothing. When did I become insane? I’m not too sure on where it all began.  I remember when I had hardly one concern at all and knew absolutely nothing about what it’s like to be genuinely scared and alone.  My life was this great for as long as I could remember.  People think that what they have is so secure and nothing or nobody could take it away from you….and it’s that exact idea that screws us all.  And when it is taken away from you (because it’s bound to happen) you’ll begin to feel pain.  When I say pain I mean feeling pain in a way you never thought you were capable of feeling.  But is pain truly temporary like everyone says? Yes.  Can temporary mean 9 months? Yes.  The scary part is not knowing.  Not knowing when it’ll stop, let alone get better.  And you can’t help but feel so much anger towards to person who caused this.  Most likely the anger will turn into sadness, then back to anger again, etc.  I would say that the absolute hardest part for me was the worrying.  Worrying myself sick. Literally. I would lie in bed at night forcing myself to get some rest.  Then would wake up around 4 AM because I couldn’t stop shaking.  I wasn’t in a good place then but I think that’s about where I realized I’m insane.  But if I’ve learned one thing in the past 2 months it’s that nothing lasts forever, not even the pain.  I will tell you that it’s all a mental game, nothing more. A positive mindset will go a long way.  Do you think it’s bad to fight for something you want?  No.  But it’s even more important to know what you believe in and what’s worth fighting for before anything permanent is done.  So here’s some advice you’ll need; hold onto what you believe, know when to fight but know when to let go, and most importantly forgive.  Don’t forgive because you think you have to; it won’t make you any less insane, do it because it’ll give you peace of mind.  I’ve accepted things far beyond what I viewed as capable. After all, my name is Serenity isn’t it?

"Deprivation" by Vivian T

Jason was sulking around the house, bored out of his mind, waiting for inspiration to hit him. He passed the loft and was surprised to see Tim on the floor with his face pressed against the laptop screen. Cans of Monster surrounded him, but Tim still struggled to stay awake.

And Jason has nothing better to do. So hee decided to stick around to annoy Tim.

“You know that stuff can kill you right? It’s called Monster . It’s basically telling you that it’s going to kill you,” Jason said while intruding Tim’s space.

Jason’s voice echoed throughout the loft and startled Tim. But he quickly regained his composure and rolled his eyes. “This is coming from the boy who smokes .”

“Hey! I’m trying to quit.”

Tim snorted and continued to type in silence. Jason sprawled himself across the floor and picked up a can of Monster and examined the contents. “Natural flavors? Natural flavors of what? Gasoline?”

“Cigarettes have arsenic, nicotine, ammonia, and so much more, and you’re lecturing me about natural flavors ?”

“I said that I was quitting! Besides, I’m just trying to watch out for you.”

Apparently, this strikes a nerve because Tim, finally, takes his eyes off the screen. “Did Dad send you in here? Look, I’m fine alright. I’ll sleep when I’m done.”

“What are you?” Just then, Jason noticed Tim’s face. The bags under his eyes seemed even darker because of the pastiness of his skin.

Jason quickly plastered the back of his hand against Tim’s forehead. Freezing. “Jeez, Timmy. When was the last time you slept? Or ate?”

“I’m fine ,” Tim emphasized.

“ When ? And I’m talking like a real good night’s sleep and meal.”

Tim huffed and muttered incomprehensibly.

“What?”

“I said ‘A few days.’”

“ A FEW DAYS?!?! ”

“I’m FINE !”

“ BULLSH** !” And right on cue, Tim let out a huge yawn. His eyes widened at the fact that his own body betrayed him.

Jason glared at Tim. And in one swift movement, he scooped up Tim and threw him over his shoulder.

“ HEY !” Tim shouted, wriggling in his brother’s grasp.

But Jason didn’t stop until he had reached Tim’s room and threw him ungracefully onto his bed.

Honestly, Tim would’ve argued with Jason. But as soon as his head hit the pillow, his eyelids began to droop.

“Jay, I really can’t. I have so much homework to do,” he mumbled.

“You work too hard. Take a break.”

“But.”

“Look. You’re going to sleep. And when you wake up, you’re going to eat. And then you’ll realize that the world didn’t explode just because you didn’t do your homework and then you’ll realize that you’re fine.”

By now, Tim’s eyes were closed and there was some soft snoring.

Jason eyes the permanent marker near Tim’s desk and is struck with inspiration. He can’t pass up the opportunity. He’s not that strong.

Tim woke up with colorful profanity on his forehead and a plate of food by his desk.

"Mystery" by Hallie D

            Yes I am the man who climbed the cliffs and passed through the fog and now I’m here to tell you what happened on my adventure. It was a beautiful Tuesday morning when I was fishing in my boat like usual, but for some reason I became very curious about the the fog that was on top of the mountain. My mother has warned me about the fog but I disregarded what she told me and started off in the direction of the cliffs. As I got closer to the cliffs it felt like they were hypnotizing me. I know that might sound ridiculous but all my focus was on the cliffs and the fog. Once I reached the shore I tied the boat off and thats when the real adventure began. At first, climbing the cliffs was quiet easy but it hit me all at once when I looked down and realized how high the cliffs actually were. My fingers were cold and cramping from the crisp morning breeze, but I was to determined to find out what was behind the fog so I trailed on. My legs were burning from climbing, my back and neck were aching and at this point I felt like giving and lying down, but sadly there is no where to stop and rest. As I get closer, the hardest part of the journey is coming to an end.

            Finally I made it, I've never been so happy to lay down in my life. When I caught my breath and stood up I could hardly see the ground beneath my feet. The fog was thicker than I thought it would have been. The fog must have gone on for at least three miles before I reached the end. Everything beyond the dark mist was absolutely beautiful. As I ventured into the new land I stumbled across strange insects and amazing flowers but the best thing I found was a fruit that tasted like a mixture of a tangerine and a pineapple, but ten times better. I spent all day stuffing my face with all these magnificent exotic fruits. I thought it was about time for me to go home since i had spent almost all day and I promised my mother that I would be home in time for dinner. I made my way down the mountain and got into my boat not really observing what condition it was in. Looking bak now, the boat was in horrible condition, with cracked paint and a dying engine. When I made it back to the dock everything looked different from when I left, but how is this possible if I have only been gone for a few hours? I walked down these some what familiar roads and made my way to my home. I see remainders of what once was my home. I searched for familiar faces but I found none so I asked a kind lady what year it was and she said “2015”, which was exactly 70 years from when I left for the island in 1945. I now am starting to realize what is really behind the story of the fog. No one has lived to tell it because by the time you get back from the trip, time for you has paused, but down in the village time will still continue on. So I would highly recommend staying away from the anomalous fog.

“Thank You For Everything” by Caitlin N.

She cut herself every single day. From the second she woke up, in the bathroom during lunch, the minute she got home from school, and before she said a prayer to go to sleep at night. The only peace she ever got was when she was asleep. But even during those times she was uneasy in her dreams.

Her mom yelled her at day and night. Her dad was no longer around. She got bullied at school. It was like the suffering never ended.

Every day as she pressed on that blade, she’d ask for the courage to press down deeper to leave this world. She didn’t want the gift of life. It wasn’t even considered a “gift” to her. She was done.

As she reminisces back to those days, she kisses her boyfriend softly saying straight from her heart, “thank you for everything." She interlocks her fingers with his and presses her cheek against his lips. This was the happiest she’s ever been.

As she reminisces back to those days, she carries the blade once again. Staring at it, thinking, with tears going down her face. She presses it one more time upon her wrist softly and gently and whispers, “thank you for everything."

As she reminisces back to that day she threw that blade in the trash, she smiles at her husband and says, “thank you for everything.”

As he reminisces back to that day, he whispers to her and their newborn baby, “thank you for everything.”

"Angels in Disguise" by Bethany S

            Hi. My name is Bethany and I’m writing for the awareness of children who have special needs. I have a little brother named Bradley, he is 9 years old and he has Williams Syndrome. He is the sweetest little brother I could ever have. He is my little angel, I love him to the moon and back, and a lot of other kids at his school do to. They all know him and say “Hi Bradley” when they pass him. He even has a couple “girl friends” they are always trying to kiss him, the teachers have to pull them away sometimes. But then there are those who stare at him when we go places. I mean I understand if it’s a child and they don’t know, but even grown ups will stare and I’m just like hey would you like if I stared at you because you aren’t perfect or something like come on. Another thing that just made me mad was on a documentary we had to watch in class, a lady that had a teen with autism was saying that she knows how “people say that these children are angels but they aren’t!” Well I mean really, she said that about her daughter on TV! I saw her daughter, and she wasn’t even close to as difficult it can be to handle autistic kids. She could walk, talk, feed herself, and take a little more care of herself than most other special needs children. My brother can’t even do half that. But I still think he’s perfect. The last point I want to stress is kids like us. Ok I Know  it might be weird but it really annoys me when I hear people say retarded. But that’s an actual word people use for children with special needs for the mentally challenged, like my brother. I mean think, when someone says to someone “you look retarded,” when they look stupid it is really saying that retarded children like my brother look stupid. Sure maybe they don’t look like us but on the inside they are so sweet and they are way tougher. Just imagine being given weird looks every day and being afraid to be made fun of just because the way they were created. But maybe just maybe I always think, what if, what if they are just angles in disguise, sent by God as a test to see who is worthy. Who treats them respectfully and to watch what we do………Just think…… they could be……                                                  ANGELS IN DISGUISE.

So the next time you want to say retarded, think or you see a special needs child don’t stare, smile maybe they will return the favor

"The lie" by Jocelyn R

             It was only a month ago that we both had said,” I do.” We had just come back from our honeymoon. We were so happy we were moving into our new house. The house was so beautiful, it was my dream house. It was so huge it was our mini mansion. It was his surprise for me. He knew me so well. He told me he loved me every morning and every night. That’s why I couldn’t believe he would cheat on me. At first he wouldn’t let me go through his phone. He’s reason was because he needed privacy. I told my sisters about this and they told me not to worry.

My sister invited us to her house to eat lunch one day. He was acting secretive he got a phone call. He answered it and left the room without saying anything, when he came back he looked nervous. An hour later he said he had to leave without any excuse. After he left my sister told me to follow him, so I did. He went into the city to a café. There he met a blonde tall beautiful women.  I just couldn’t believe it, did my eyes deceive me! He hugged and kissed her, then they went to his car. I followed them back to our house! Our house! How could he do this to me?  In our house? The house we were going to have a family in. They went inside, I waited a while to go in. When I went inside I was loud and said, “Honey I’m home!” I heard feet come down stairs it was her she was surprised to see me. Then he came downstairs he said, “It’s not what it looks like.” After he said that I just left and she chased me and apologized she told me she fell in love with him. During that week I divorced him and I couldn’t be happier.

"Tsekuno's Life" by Bryan A-D

 

    Naruto was sitting by the fireplace and remembering his lovely wife, Hinata. It’s been ten years since she died at the hands of Pain, a member of the Akatsuki. After all these years he still perceives her death as a result of his carelessness. As she took her last breath h promised to protect their child, Tsekuno, as much as possible. Tsekuno came running into the room. “Dad, I passed the first round of the Chunin Exams." "You did son. That’s amazing." Tsekuno had his father's hair and burning spirit. He had his mom's special chakra eyes. Tsekuno also had the soul of the nine tailed fox coursing through his veins. "Cool shows me what you got. Use some of the justsu you learned." Jutsu are moves that require chakra, energy. Tsekuno use his Clone jutsu. Suddenly there were 20 copies of him and they all attacked Naruto. “You can’t beat me with that type of jutsu." He blocked all of the clones repeated attacks. "Now try demon fortress." Tsekuno focused his chakra into the ground causing a star insignia that has 9 points to appear on the ground. Naruto walked on it and there was a great pressure forcing him to the floor and sucking his chakra out of him. “Good work son. Go to bed the second part of the exams is a tournament tomorrow." They got up early the next day and arrived at the stadium where the tournament will be held. The first round Tsekuno had to battle a ninja that uses water jutsu. Tsekuno progressed all the way to the final battle. He was facing Josiah, the son of Gaara. Gaara was the finalist Naruto faced when he was younger. The battle begins. Tsekuno rushes at Josiah with his dagger. Josiah evades it effortlessly. He uses his Sand Grip jutsu to get a hold of Tsekuno it looked like the end. Suddenly something was something to Tsekuno. His eyes were turning red and he started transforming into the nine tailed fox. Tsekuno unlocked a new form. He started to attack using all his strength at once. Josiah falls in pain losing the match. Tsekuno looks up into the sky and says “I finally did it mom."