I have friends at school, friends close to my house, friends from my mom’s work and friends from art and sports. I think technically I’m more popular than Emma because I have more friends than her. The “It Crowd” is so narrow minded about who they can be friends with they’ll never make any new ones. So someday if they get in a fight just like Emma and I, someone will end up with no friends.
It’s stupid and I learned that the hard way!
Sometimes I catch Emma sneaking longing peeks at us. She always looks bored with the “It Crowd”. I think secretly she wants to be with us. I know someday when she gets older and gains enough confidence to go against the “It Crowd” we’ll find our way back into each others lives once again. We’ll be able to make new memories along with the old.
***
Remember When
Michaela MacSwain
This night was like no other. This night I will always recall as my most amazing memory.
His name is Nate and, he is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’ve known him most of my life, but I’ve been in love with him for over two years and we’ve been dating for six months. I never regret all the effort it took to get him, because when I got him the wait, work and, pain was worth it. He is the most perfect person you could ever imagine times a thousand, romantic, funny, crazy, and again, perfect. His eyes are like no other, deep brown and strong and the way he looks at me, I could watch him for a lifetime. He smells of the most addictive cologne. When I smell it, I crave to be close beside him tucked into his safe arms forever.
The night started like a normal mid-summer night, rain pounding down on Casey’s house. Casey Sara and I all huddled up talking and laughing, and of course, gossiping. Sara was in the middle of explaining how some girl in our school was moving, I didn’t really care so I wasn’t listening very attentively. That’s when I got the text. My mouth widened in happiness and excitement, apparently too wide because they noticed.
“What is it?” They both questioned in sync.
“Nate just texted me,” I blushed, the corners of my mouth curled up again I couldn’t control it anymore.
“Annnnd?” Casey said.
“Read it!” Sara leaned in attentively.
“Um well” I started. “Hey, babygirl, I miss you. It’s been such a long stressful day, I don’t care how late it is I just want to see your precious face, and embrace your soft body. Do you think we could meet or something? I’m begging. It hurts being away from you for so long.”
“Awwww!” The girls sighed together.
“Would you mind if I left Casey? I know it’s three in the morning, but look at that. I have to.” I paused. Seeing the look of doubt on Casey’s face I added, “I won’t wake your parents, they could sleep though anything, we all know that!”
Casey let out a large breath of air. “Oh I guess so,” then let out a tsk tsk and said jokingly, “You young kids and your love.”
I was overwhelmed, I hugged Casey almost knocking her over in excitement. Nate would be here in around ten minutes since he had to walk across town to reach me.
I went upstairs and threw on a blue tank top over my black and white bathing suite, and put my hair up. It was only Nate, I really didn’t have to try hard for him to love what I looked like. I was never insecure around him, a very rare thing for me around guys. I peeked out Casey’s bedroom window to see Nate walking slowly walking up the driveway, hands in his pockets.
I ran down the stairs faster than I ever had before, surprised I managed not to fall on the way. I said bye to Casey and Sara and I was out. The muggy air rested on my skin and the warm rain dripped down on me. It took me a minute to take him all in, his school soccer jacket and khaki shorts, my favourite. Slinging around his tanned neck was a dog tag necklace. His buzz cut hair was dripping wet, and when he held his arms out for a hug, I found out the rest of his body was soaking too.
“You’re lucky I love you girl,” Nate said.
“Luckiest girl out there” I replied, watching Nate smile as the words came out.
He kissed the top of my head gently, when he pulled away he brushed the strayed hair off my face, and stared into my eyes.
“So where are we going?” Nate asked.
It took me a while to realize he had spoke because I was so engulfed in his beautiful eyes. “F-follow me” I stuttered.
I slid my fingers down his arm and placed my fingers though his, where they fit perfectly. Almost like our hands were meant to be intertwined. I looked up at him then pulled him out onto the middle of the road in the pouring rain.
“Where are we going?” Nate asked me again.
“It’s a surprise,” I answered.
“Oh you’re no fun, can I have a hint?” He tried to persuade me.
“Nope, still a secret” I said.
We walked in the middle of the road for a couple minutes hand-in-hand enjoying just being in each other’s company until we reached where I had been wanting to take him. I held him and started skipping and dancing around a little, excited. We walked along a path that became narrower and narrower until it stopped. The path ended by a pond a little off the main road. We just stood on the grass in each other’s arms, where I could stay forever. He tucked his head into my neck, his breath sending cool shivers down my spine and out my feet.
“You know what?” He asked. “You are honestly the best thing for me. There is no one who could possibly make me feel like you do and your beauty just blows my mind.” He stopped for a second and kissed my cheek, then tucked into my neck once again and continued. “If I had a choice I would stay here, with you forever. I’d never ever get sick of you.” He took another pause and lightly whispered in my ear “I love you,” sending chills through my whole body.
Nate could put together words so perfectly. He could turn an insult into a compliment easily. I could never put them together like he could. I always tried but I couldn’t compare to the way he made the words sound like poetry.
“I love you too” I managed to push out, still speechless from the chills I just received from his breath tickling down my neck, and his passionate words flowing though my brain.
He ran his fingers though my damp hair, untangling all the imperfections. His soft hands slowly moved to my face and, he leaned in, carefully touched his lips to mine. When his lips left from mine I couldn’t stand it, so I quickly moved in and stole one more kiss. I wrapped my arms around his hips, and we stood forehead to forehead looking madly in love into each other’s eyes. Even though we weren’t talking we could both tell exactly what we were thinking.
He took his jacket off and laid it out on the ground for me, I sat down and he lowered himself beside me. He put his arm around my waist pulling me closer, I lean into him resting my head on his shoulder. He kissed my cheek and started to talk.
“Do you remember when we were little? And you used to stay at my house while your parents were away. I liked you then, a lot. I crawled up next to you one night, and started playing with your hair, I was just so mesmerized by you. I still am too.” He continued “Well I remember you got up and went and slept away from me. That really hurt you know?” Nate winked.
“I remember that too! And I remember how awkward it was the next day because I thought I was a dream, I always thought it was a dream until just now!” I throw my head and laugh. “But don’t worry, I wouldn’t move away if you did it now.”
“Yeah, that’s because I’m not fat and ugly like I used to be!”
“So true” I said with a wink.
I check my phone and realize it was five, the time flew by so fast. I never wanted this to end, it was perfect, kissing in the rain, just us being together and, being ourselves. There was no where I’d rather be than tightly wrapped in his toned arms, feeling his body heat radiate off mine and smelling his sweet, sweet cologne. Those are the moments I’ll never forget, the moments that will make me look back and smile insanely.
“We should head back, it’s already five” I said.
“Do we have to, I don’t ever want this night to end.” He was so cute when he pouted.
“Probably should, I don’t want Casey to be mad!” I said.
“Fine, I expect a goodnight kiss when we get back though”
“I guess I’ll think about it” I winked at him.
As we were walking he slid his hand slowly into mine this time, squeezing just a little and smirking at me. It was still raining but I didn’t mind, as long as I was still with Nate nothing else in the world mattered. He was all I cared about, and all I wanted. I felt the need to be closer to him for the time we had left walking back to the house.
“Oh Nateee,” I whined.
“Yes, Michelle?”
“Can I have a piggy back?” I sounded like a little kid.
“Jump on!” he stopped and getting ready for me to leap.
I thought it was a good strategy to get close, and it defiantly worked. We walked with my arms wrapped around his neck, and his arms holding my legs, keeping me on his back with his strong frame. As I start to see the house I felt my stomach drop, I couldn’t believe this was almost over.
But then I thought there will be lots more memories like this one we could make, considering we were inseparable. When we reached the drive way I slowly hopped off of Nate, not wanting to let go. He turned to face me, and kissed me again, this time more desperate, like he was telling me he’d miss me. He pulled away and I wrapped myself around him, he squeezed me tight. I laid my head on his chest listening to his calming heartbeat. After another five minutes of us just being close we stepped away a little more from each other, still holding hands.
“Thank you for the best night of my life, Michelle” Nate rested his eyes on mine, giving me a thoughtful look.
“No thank you. I’ll never forget this for as long as I live,” I confess.
We embrace one more time, and then we back away. I kept looking back and so did he. By the time I reached the door, he was already at the end of the driveway.
“Nate!” I yelled.
He turned towards me, even as I was already running full speed at him. I ran into his arms one last time, almost tackling him, and gave him another kiss, just one more. He held my hand and I slowly start to walk away. When we were not in arms reach anymore our hands drop back to our sides. When I made it to the door again, he was waiting for me to go in. I blew him a kiss, and disappeared into Casey’s house.
The living room and kitchen were all empty, so I headed up to Casey’s room. I found Sara and Casey just sitting on her bed, obviously waiting for me to get back.
“Details, details, details!” The girls questioned me intensely.
I spilled everything, from the kissing in the rain to the piggyback on the way home. They “ooooh’d” and “awwww’d” through the whole thing. When we finally get into bed I texted Nate one last time, even though was probably had already fallen asleep. As the girls fell asleep, I could hear them snoring.
One tear of joy, followed by another streamed down my face as I recalled the night. The last thing I remembered before falling asleep was that I would always love that boy no matter what happened between us. He was always going to be the one who made that one night so special.
And even now, months and months later I still remember everything, and I’m still in love.
***
The Girl At The End Of The Hall
Nicole Mills
It was just an average day in the town we all grew up in. No one too loud or out of place. It was a simple, small place where honeymoon couples would come to relax, or elders would come to have a get away from teens around the block.
It was early fall, the trees changing to beautiful colours as they decorated the ground, the sounds of the crisp leaves crunching under scuffed up shoes echoed around the dimming area, light vanishing from the cloudy skies, night creeping amongst the tall tress that foreshadowed a rather large place.
This was not just any ordinary place though.
This was home for children who didn't have homes, a place no one truly knew existed. Normal people would just glance and drive off, dismissing it as some building that hadn't had life in it for years.
Oh, they were wrong.
Inside were small children, older children and everything in between. Ages varied around nine to sixteen. Only the best of children were allowed to be in such a place. Mystical children, children that don't deserve to be called children from the public eyes point of view. It was almost impossible to even comprehend such a thought.
Werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches, all lit up the scene, every-where you looked. It would be rare for a creature that took shape of something more than a human appearance.
However, there was this one girl, who recently showed up. She wasn't your average everyday person you see on the streets, she was where she belonged now. Instead of embracing her power like everyone else, she considered it something trivial and bothersome, dismissing even the thought of being something so... special.
The girl at the end of the hall was certainly interesting.
She had long auburn hair that curled at the very tips, and icy blue eyes, bright and shining. And they weren't some shadowed or pale colour of blue. Her eyes matched the very colour of the sky on a gorgeous day. She was fair sized and thin, her ivory skin shining and twinkling against anything luminescent that dared to illuminate her.
She reminded the other kids of a sort of pixie. However, she reminded herself of a monster that lurked in the depths of sewers and brought shame upon the very existence she bared.
Her name was unknown to everyone whom dared to learn more of her, kept blank and sacred. As if discovering it would reveal a deeper. Darker secret that lurked within.
The children just called her number Nine, for she was the ninth in place to go to the orphanage, and even with her cold, diminishing behavior the children loved her, all except one young man.
She was not like them, she was a rare case, a human who dared to have mystical features, telepathic powers could almost be the term to describe her abilities. She was able to stop time by simple touches, to wilt forbidden beautiful flowers with such a thought, it would turn them into a dying black mess that sent them to the land of the abyss.
Nine often locked herself into her room, hardly coming out until she was positive no one was around. She kept to herself and, when someone was around, would run back into her solitude where she felt safe, untouchable. Alone. Animals often took a liking to this girl, ravens would fallow her, vicious animals would almost act as if they bowed down to her, their queen in a glass palace.
But even glass can be destroyed. So fragile, so weak, Even with the strongest army defending the queen's land, one wrong move and it can shatter, the game lost and all the pawns sacrificed left without justice.
The girl at the end of the hall was guarded. The most treasured piece of the game. If she fell everyone else would crumble.
I despised the thought of everyone fallowing her when not even she could understand the power she held. She wouldn't act, she wouldn't train herself. She wouldn't do anything but sit and hate herself! We didn't need that garbage around here, We didn't need anyone so weak. And that was exactly what she was, weak... depending on her silly pawns, the fools who acted as if they could protect her.
Someone needed to take a stand about this. Who cared if she was adored or loved? Someone needed to win this game she played.
The question was, was she even aware of the rules? The lives she staked for being so vacant? Someone needed to show her who exactly she played against, to teach her a lesson.
It was I who would just have to put her, the beloved queen, in checkmate.
***
Take the Stage
Sarah Davidson
Chapter 1
“I, Judge Melanie Mcphee, here by state the punishment of seventeen year old Scott Connors. He will volunteer his time this summer at Spotlight Summer School for Teens that excel in music, as a…”
; “Blah, blah, blah.” The sound of Judge Mcphee’s voice is drowned out by the pounding drums in my head.
This is just great. I get to spend my summer as a janitor at some stupid school for rich kids who think they are musically talented. All because I smashed a window out of an abandoned building. I mean come on, no one uses it anymore. Hence the word ‘abandoned’.
Oh yeah, this is the best part, they describe me as a troubled teen. If I’m a troubled teen, how is spending my summer cleaning some school suppose to help?
“Come on, Scott, hurry up and go get packed. I’ll drive you up there tonight.” I stand up and look at Jeff my social worker.
“That won’t take long. I live in a foster home, remember? Not a lot of things to take.”
“Come on, man, don’t get smart with me. You got yourself into this mess so just go get your things.”
I’m standing in the old farm- house’s driveway when Jeff pulls up, in his rusted green pick-up. Making more noise then a herd of elephants. As I open the passenger door it makes an unbearable squeaky ruckus. My knees tremble and I jump in, taking my one small bag with me. Jeff drives down the driveway and turns right, heading out of town.
“At least this beats working on the farm all summer and cleaning up after animals.”
I ignore him and put in my headphones. I blare the music and put my seat back so no one sees me in this heap of junk.
When I wake up and look out the window we are pulling into the parking lot of a huge building.
“This it?”
“Yep, sure is!”
Jeff sounds like he just won the lottery. I look the building up and down.
“I’m supposed to clean this thing everyday? It’s gigantic.”
“I’m sure you’ll get along just fine. Now come on, let’s go tell them you’re here.”
I take one more look at the school then follow Jeff inside.
“This is going to be one long summer.”
Chapter 2