 
END WORDS

An anthology of student work by Amy Balogh's 2018-2019 ESOL Students

Chattahoochee High School

Compiled by Amy L. Balogh

Forward by Amy L. Balogh

Original Cover Photo by Ken Kubodera

Forward Page Photo by Valeria Perez

Table of Contents Page Photo by Chloe Lee

Author Biographies Page Photo by Luisa Rein

Poetry Page Photo by Nafisa Ali

Memoir Page Photo and Miscellaneous Page Photo by Julia Semianovich

Short Stories Page Photo by Daisuke Yamagishi

Character Biographies Page Photo by Prince Mauricio

Character Monologues Page Photo by Alexandra Garcia

Post-Apocalyptic Posse Essays Photo by Ken Kubodera

All compositions written by Ms. Balogh's 2018-2019 ESOL students

Smashwords Edition

Published by: Amy L. Balogh at Smashwords

Each original piece of writing and artwork appears with the permission of each student author.

©Copyright 2019 by Amy L. Balogh

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*****

FORWARD  
FOREWORD

This is the fourth year of our producing an end of the year book showcasing our works from the year. The grammar is not always perfect, but the heart, passion, and creativity of my students shines through. We have had another great year of working hard and it makes me so happy to look back and see all the wonderful things my students have written. The first book came about thanks to my dear friend Buffy Hamilton and even though we don't work at the same school anymore, she continues to inspire me. Check out her blog https://livinginthelayers.com/. Also thanks to Jodi Rothman, our wonderful assistant, who also helped the students write and grow this year.

The works are organized by the units in the order that we wrote them. We started with poetry and ended with research. The Post Apocalyptic Posse essays were inspired by the Popcast Episode 234 Noah's Pop Culture Ark. Thank you Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden.

Enjoy our celebration! And to my students: I am so proud of you. You inspire me daily!

Our previous books, Twelve Worlds, One Book; More Than Words; and Infinity Words are also available on Smashwords.

Amy L. Balogh

ESOL Teacher

Chattahoochee High School

*****

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward

Author Biographies

Nafisa Shaikh Ali

Julia Brando

Andy Kang

Ken Kubodera

Alexandra Garcia

Chloe Lee

Sebastian Onofri

Bryans Mambell:

Prince Mauricio

Guillermo Roque Matute Andujar

Valeria Perez Alvarez

Julia Semianovich

Luisa Rein

Lucia Rutherfurd

Roman Smieja

Anastassia Vazquez Zuniga

Samuel Andres Veras Rodriguez

Denilson Velasco

Daisuke Yamagishi

Cesar Zorrilla

Chapter 1: Poetry

Analysis of Football (in the style of May Swenson) - Ziyang Feng

Burger - Anastassia Vazquez

Burn Out - Daisuke Yamagishi

First Day of School - Sebastian Onofri

GAME is ON - Cesar Zorrilla

I Am From (in the style of George Ella Lyons - Roman Smieja

I'm a Football Player, Too (in the style of Langston Hughes) - Denilson Velasco

It Felt Cold but Colorful \- Nafisa Ali

Love Yourself - Valeria Perez

My Beautiful Car - Samuel Veras

My Life - Bryans Mambell

Ohayou - Ken Kubodera

On Moving to America (in the style of Billy Collins) - Chloe Lee

Pleased Day - Andy Kang

The Minimonster - Alexandra Garcia

The Swing - Luisa Rein

Snow Falls - Julia Semianovich

Sunday Afternoon - Prince Mauricio

Venezuela - Guillermo Matute

Where Am I From? (in the style of George Ella Lyons) - Lucia Rutherfurd

Chapter 2: Memoirs

First Heartbroken - Denilson Velasco

First Time Going to the Gym \- Ziyang Feng

I Couldn't Forget-Andy Kang

I Ran (so far away) - Cesar Zorrilla

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Chloe Lee

Juju on the Beat - Julia Semianovich

Küss Mich-Halt Mich- Lieb Mich - Luisa Rein

La Gasolina - Samuel Veras

Memoir - Guillermo Matute

MomoCon - Anastassia Vazquez

No Me De Cotorras - Samuel Veras

One More Light in my Dark World - Alexandra Garcia

Pangako - Prince Mauricio

Summer Vibe - Roman Smieja

Tera Suroor - Nafisa Ali

Where Words Fail, Music Speaks - Valeria Perez

Chapter 3: Short Stories

A Change of Life - Bryans Mambell

Captain Abortion: The First Survivor - Guillermo Matute

Claire Meets the World - Luisa Rein

Christmas Vacation - Roman Smieja

First Time in Love - Julia Semianovich

Haruka's Story - Anastassia Vazquez

Little Fisherman - Nafisa Ali

Love is Blind - Alexandra Garcia

Making Dream Not Dream - Daisuke Yamagishi

Remember the Time - Zi Yang Feng

Repressed Power - Lucia Rutherfurd

Sweet Home - Chloe Lee

Second Chance \- Samuel Anders Veras Rodriguez

The Revenge of Stan Jodi Dos Santos - Sebastian Onofri

The Suspicious Sir - Cesar Zorrilla

This Story Is Not Over - Valeria Perez

Undefeated Asian - Ken Kubodera

Unconditional Love - Prince Mauricio

Volunteer Club - Andy Kang

Chapter 4: Character Biographies

Ken - Ken Kubodera

Sophia Smith - Julia Brando

Chapter 5: Character Monologues

The Accident - Julia Brando

Michael Williams - Daisuke Yamagishi

Chapter 6: Post Apocalyptic Posse Essays

Julia Brando

Sebastian Onofri

Chapter 7: Miscellaneous Writing

If Oscar Wilde Would Be Alive What He'd Make Fun Of? - Lucia Rutherfurd

My Family Almost Got Poisoned by This – Alexandra Garcia

*****

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES

Nafisa Shaikh Ali: Hi, I'm Shaikh Nafisa Ali. I'm sixteen years old. I'm a junior in high school. I came to America from India almost four years ago. I love drawing, painting, photography, sports, and any kind of adventure. I love traveling. I been playing soccer at Chattahoochee High School for three years. Soccer is my passion, it drives me to be the best version of myself that I can be. But other than soccer I also love painting very much. In my free time I always paint or draw and in the future my goal is to be an artist.

Julia Brando: Hi my name is Julia, I'm 16 years old, sophomore in high school and I am from Brazil. In December twenty first of 2018 I arrived in The United States. I really love fashion I like to put together pieces of clothes together and create looks, if you like that too there's this amazing app called closet that you could do that. I also really enjoy cooking or baking, I watch a lot of videos of how to make foods. When I was living in Brazil I moved a lot I was born in São Paulo then I moved to Brasilia, then Goiânia, back to Brasilia, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, back to Goiânia again and the last city Belo Horizonte, if you like to visited Brazil one day they are all amazing cities, actually the entire. Unfortunately right now Brazil is very dangerous that's one of the reasons that I moved to the United States. This past four months living in the United States it's been really cool, sometimes hard because of the language but I am loving this new part of my life.

Zi Feng: My name is Zi Feng I am 15 years old. I am a freshman in high, I love sports. I also like to travel around the world. I love play video games, and draw. I am lazy in my life, I love sleeping and play video games. I play football for Chattahoochee high school team and like it a lot. It's hard to practice every day under the sun for 3 hours. I must do homework every day and I have to practice so I don't really have time to play games.

Alexandra Garcia: Hello! I'm Alexandra Garcia, I'm 15 years old and I'm currently a sophomore. I was born in Georgia, but I spent lots of years in Mexico because it's where my parents are from. I love writing and reading, and I've been able to improve it along with my English thanks to my projects and Ms. B! I had so much fun writing my memoir, the short story, which for some reason was inspired by a Chemistry teacher I had; and my poem, which I dedicated to my little brother. Those are the reasons why those projects are my favorite and I hope anyone who reads them enjoys them as much as I did while writing them.

Andy Kang: Hi, my name is Andy Kang. I'm from South Korea. I'm junior, this year is I have been in America for four years. I think this year is most fun when I was in the America, because this year were many happens going on. I loss the weight 75pounds in three months, make the new friends, and first time break left foot. Many teachers said I will be out of ESOL on next year. I think it's good for out of ESOL for me, but I don't want to out of ESOL because grow very attached to ESOL, Teacher help for the grow my English level. I hope the next year will be more fun.

Ken Kubodera: My name is Ken. I came from Japan two years ago. I could not speak English at all first, but I learned so many things in ESOL. To be honest, I did not like to write or read at the beginning of the semester because of my English skill. However, I studied and experienced great things in the class. I appreciate the helps from the teachers so much. Huge shout out for Ms.B. I will have to go back to my country after this semester sadly, but I will keep my English skills as like now.

Chloe Lee: Hi, my name is Chloe, sophomore in high school this year. I was born in Busan, South Korea, moved to Georgia last summer, and have been here for 10 months. This year was my first year in high school in America. I've done lots of writing and essays in my English class this year. Although writing essays in English was really hard and had hard times thinking of new ideas for writing essays, I learned many things and enjoyed sometimes. I have struggled with studying since my English is not as good as other people, but I think I am getting better as time passes. Now I have two more years left, I am going to try my best as I can on everything that I'll have at school. My goal of my life is trying my best and enjoying my life. I hope I could enjoy my life more next year at Chattahoochee High School. Thanks!

Sebastian Onofri: Hello, I am 16 years old and I come from Venezuela. I've been in the United States for about three years and I speak fluent Spanish and been learning English efficiently through the years. I don't really like writing, but I love to watch and play soccer, go to the gym and I like watching Game of Thrones. In this class I've learned how to write and read in English. Spent lots of hours learning with Miss B. and improving my English.

Bryans Mambell: Hi my name is Bryans Mambell. I'm from Venezuela-Caracas the Capital. I'm in 9th grade, and I go to Chattahoochee High School. I've being in the U.S for 3 years and 4 months. I like to work, and one of my main goal is to give my family everything they want. To have a big family, and a good job. Also, I want to help other people that need food, clothes, and happiness. I want to help the nature. First, I'm going to think about my future. When I have everything done, I want to help others including my family. To let them know that there is someone that is there to help. I like being an author because I can express myself writing, it helps me with my grammar. Sometimes may help other people understand the mistakes, or get entertain by my poems. When I write it makes me focus and reflect.

Prince Mauricio: Hi, my name is Prince Mauricio. I'm from Manila Philippines. I'm seventeen years old. I'm a sophomore in Chattahoochee high school. I moved to the United States almost 4 years ago. One of my favorite things to do is play basketball because it helps me to release my stress. It is my hobby since I was a kid, every day I play basketball. I love doing photography too because whenever I travel I love taking pictures for memories.

Guillermo Roque Matute Andujar: I'm Guillermo Matute, and I'm from Venezuela, Caracas. I'm came to Georgia when I was 14 in 2017, now I'm 16 years even though I look like 8 years old. I like to play soccer, my hobbies are play soccer, play video games, draw, make memes, and watch soccer games, and youtube. When I came here, I thought my English level was good, because I studied English in Venezuela, but when I listen the people I realize that is not the same thing, listen a latin person speaking English than a native English speaker, so I realize that I need to learn more. I think my English level was increasing a lot.

**Valeria Perez Alvarez:** Hi! I'm Valeria. I have 18 years old. I'm from Mexico. I just have 9 months living here, it's crazy. I have been through a lot of stuff to get where I'm. I love drawing and play volleyball. I have one sister and one brother, but my family grow when I came here. I like to hang out with my friends every time I can. I prefer be busy than don't do anything, enjoyed every single time doing something. I'm thinking about going to college here but we'll see what happened later.

Luisa Rein: Hi! My name is Luisa Rein. I'm 16 years old. I'm an exchange student from Germany. Being here in America is one of my biggest adventures until now It was a challenge to live in another culture and with another language. Even though I learned English before, it is something different to communicate in English. I am thankful for this amazing people which I met and with whom I could share this amazing time.

Lucia Rutherfurd: I am Lucia Rutherfurd, I come from Lima, Peru. I came here in 2015 when I was only 13 years old. For me everything was new and different, my English was terrible, with time I've become more fluid. Starting this class, I did not know how to write a poem, or an essay, all was hard to me, but I've learn how do it and I enjoy it now.

Julia Semianovich: Hi, my name Julia. I am from Belarus. I came to America almost 2 years ago. I'm Junior in Chattahoochee High School and I'm 17 years old. I don't have a lot of free time because of the school, homework and I also working at Marco's pizza, but I don't like to stay at home, so if I do have time I will spend it with my friends having fun. I really like to do sport, go to the gym, run every evening. It's part of my life. I also like food. I think food makes me happy. Especially chocolate or something sweet.

Roman Smieja: Hello, my name is Roman Smieja. I born and raised in Ethiopia and move to the state. I move in America when I was fifteen and went to Chattahoochee high school. Which I am a senior this year and been in ESOL class for the hall high school year and I love it. I met a lot of amazing international students and learn a new word in many languages. In my free time I love painting and Love watching thriller and comedy movies on Netflix.

Anastassia Vazquez Zuniga: Hello! My name is Anastassia Vazquez Zuniga. I'm from Mexico, Puerto Vallarta and California, San Diego. I am 18 years old. I move to Atlanta, Georgia since 2012, and it's been 6 years since I stayed here. I like to draw, watch anime, playing my dog, and play video games. I been struggle to talk to kids since I move to this school since freshman, I always been shy at the kid even I been moved to different school and tried to talk to people. Now, I can talk people a little bit, because I sometimes take time to calm and say hello of new people. I hope I can become an animation or animal rescue!

**Denilson Velasco:** Hello my name is Denilson Velasco, I'm 17 years old and from Venezuela. This year with Ms. Balogh, I learn how to transform all my feelings into a beautiful poem, also to reflect my memory in music and write how the music is relate with my memory. Now something about me is the I'm an athletic guy, but my main sport is volleyball. One of mine main goals is help my family in Venezuela, and to earn a scholarship to be someone in this life. I remember my first year here in Chattahoochee a boy the could even write two sentences without making mistake or express my feelings, thanks to the help of Ms. Balogh I feel confident of write, also the feeling the I become a better writer, Thanks Ms. Balogh.

**Samuel Andres Veras Rodriguez (negrito ojos claro):** Hi! I'm Samuel. I have 18 years old. I'm from Dominican Republic. I love cars and obviously I love driving. I do really good parties at my house and I always have a lot of fun. I know how to dance because I'm Hispanic. I'm a good friend every single time. I don't mind if people talk bad about because I learn that from Bad Bunny, my favorite singer. I hate fake friends. You can make fun of all my jokes and alwaaaaaaaaaaaaays!!! Have fun with me

Daisuke Yamagishi: My name is Daisuke Yamagishi. I'm fifteen years old. I'm from Japan. My favorite sport is swimming. I have practice every day except Sunday. It is hard for me but also it makes me more strong and fast. I have learned a lot of things in America. I want to keep improving myself for physically and mentally.

Cesar Zorrilla: Greetings dear readers as you guys have noticed there in the left is where my name is. I am from Venezuela and I been livening here in the United States of North America, for about two in a half to three years. I really like programming and coding, play video games with the homies, and listen to music while I let the pencil flow with the paper. I have learned to many experiences since I got here, for example, I'm typing this in English which is something I would never imagine if I was in Venezuela, is funny how ironic life can be because is something that I used to say when I was a kid in Venezuela "Who speaks English? I speak Spanish and I don't think I would need to learn another language in my life", and here I am speaking English and I might be really bad typing it because grammar never was in my side, but even so there I go. Another thing is how dynamic and interactive the classes here are because in my old school everything was too formal and lineal, but in here it's the total opposite. Here at Chattahoochee high school they have something called pep rally in addition with a full week where people sometimes dress pajamas, other days they dress they all dress the same, and other days they all dress with the same colors of the flag. This country has teach me things that I cant describe with words, but maybe in another time since I'm about to leave the school pretty soon but it's time for me to look at doors and see which route take for my own best.

*****

POETRY

Analysis of Football (in the style of May Swenson)

Ziyang Feng

It's about

The ground

The legs

The arms.

The foots step on the ground

By legs and legs

To move the body.

Football field

Is happy as

A joker

When play on it.

Football field is sad like

A crying dog.

when

No one play on

The field.

Football away crying

Like a baby

It is kicked fill

On the field.

Throw fill on

The field.

When no

One catch

The ball

100 times

A day.

Even is

Raining like cats

And dogs.

It's Hot .

It's Cold .

Even the grass is wet

We still practice

Still play games.

Never give up

Never ever.

Football

foot woke

Need to be good.

To run

fast.

Football is fun

When you play

With friend .

With team .

With other team in

A game.

In a practice.

Football is

Never a

one person sport.

It about

the coach.

You and

The team work.

This is football.

*****
Burger

Anastassia Vazquez

We went to Kentucky to a

restaurant called Steak and Burger

close to my dad's friend's hotel.

The inside of the restaurant

was a little fancy.

We sat at the table close

To the window and table looked

good and shiny.

My mom's friend and my family

are eating a burger.

It was big and squishy.

The inside has meat, lettuce, onion,

and buns.

And I got some fries.

The fries taste salty and

crunchy, with ketchup.

I drank coke.

It was in the glass and it tasted

bubbly and sparkly.

It was kinda of fancy,

and to me it's

too awkward because

too much money.

I kinda going to

miss there, because

I love the meat and

the steak.

*****
Burn Out

Daisuke Yamagishi

Alarm was ringing in the quiet room.

I woke up with some sleepiness and

there was some darkness.

I had fresh milk and a sandwich for breakfast.

It was different from normal sandwich.

Meet was going to held where somewhere in the GA tech.

I was pretty sure that I would be able to perform well.

The water was cold, right reflect shiny

and gold shine illuminate me coolly.

It was feel good because I like cold water that makes my mind high.

The time was come. Nothing could disturb me, and I was just watching surface.

Whistled, everyone got on the diving board.

The silence enlarged and said, "take your mark".  
The thing that I had to do was just swimming.

Water was clear I could hear only the noise from water.

I couldn't think anything about this race and payed attention for stroke.

Last ten meter, I just needed to burn out.

After race I was ash.

*****
First Day of School

Sebastian Onofri

First day... first flurry,

eighth grade didn't feel

great, no one to sit with

other than myself.

Food's crap just like the

class. Didn't know nobody

and felt observed, dying

inside 'till the end of the day.

Couldn't understand anything

people said other than my

thoughts. I want my old school

Back just like my old backpack.

Killing the time with my phone in

the middle of boredom with

nothing to do.

Missing my friends, food and classes

that my school in Venezuela has that

this prison doesn't have.

People looking weirdly and

getting first impressions of

myself. I wouldn't to talk

to anybody either.

It was always cold inside; my school

didn't even have air conditioner. Missing

the school uniforms and the warm weather of

my dear Maracaibo city.

*****

GAME is ON

Cesar Zorrilla

That purple with grey box

In the front of the tv cabinet

With a wire controller,

And connected to the

Tv.

The controller had this

Sad face shape, it

Has four buttons plus a

Yellow joint stick in the bottom,

And one big joint stick

In the right of the controller.

In the back of the controller has

Two big buttons and one little button

In the right, was something that

Shocked me because i knew

What I was touching in that

Moment.

After seen the controller like

A detective checking the evidence,

Those words appear with sound

in the big tv

of the living room

"SUPER SMASH BROS

MELEE"

I couldn't believe it, all of me

Favorites heroes and Pokémon's

from the Nintendo company

world was there:

Mario

Samus

Link

Zelda

Fox

Falco

Donkey Kong

Mewtwo

Even the brother of Mario

Luigi

But, I wasn't a fan of him

After that, my cousin saw me,

"want to try it?" he said in that

Exact moment I knew that the

Game is On

*****
I Am From (in the style of George Ella Lyons)

Roman Smieja

I am from Ethiopia

from the capital city of Addis Ababa.

I am from the blue door gate

next to the supermarket.

I am from my bedroom

from the second floor of my house.

I am from my bedroom standing

next to the window,

where I can see all the wilderness

the yellow flower, trees, rain

the trees are going

back and forth

the rain is pouring.

My sister is standing

under the basketball court

putting one of her hand

Straight In Front of her body

the rain is bouncing in her palms

her hair is soaked with rain

her clothes are glued to her body

her eyes are closed like she is dreaming

I am from the green desk

from my pink calculator sitting

having different signs on it

from odd to even

I am from my bedroom

from the top of my bed

lying in the corner with a sad face

my eyes are watering

seeing my sister and I together

with happiness, laughter, and love

hanging on my bedroom wall

my sister lying next to me

my head in her arm

my arms around in her face

all of the sudden I wake up

with myself in my room

It was all a dream :(

*****
I'm a Football Player, Too (in the style of Langston Hughes)

Denilson Velasco

I'm the younger brother

They throw me in the field

When the couches come

They tell me isn't my sport

I felt nervous, but

I will become better

I will push myself in practice hard

I owe it to my mom

My mind is focus on the field

My body is working hard

I'm gaining experience

To show them

This is my sport

When the day comes

I will show them

I become a better player, too

The first game day

I will be on the field

When the couches come

I would not feel nervous

I'm going to be prepared

And nobody will dare

Say to me

"This isn't your sport"

Besides

They will see

How I become the most valuable player

And be shamed

I'm a football player, too

*****

It Felt Cold but Colorful

Nafisa Ali

It felt cold but colorful.

It was white and Bright morning

Like a Blank page in a notebook.

We were all getting ready for it...

The fight that was to come,

The fight of color and people.

It felt cold but colorful .

A blank sheet of paper

Became full of distinctive colors.

In a hot summer day.

Pumping freezing water out of the pump.

Filling up the water balloons with blasting water.

As we were about to go to a cold war

Like soldiers getting ready for a battle .

A Battle without sadness

Only happiness.

It was cold but colorful.

Water balloons and water guns full of

Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Pink.

It was cold but colorful.

Rain of different colors.

My body was numb.

NOT because of the freezing water. But....

Because I was full of happiness.

Too much happiness

That I could not handle.

It was cold but colorful.

Only if I could go back to that,

Hot summer day.

*****
Love Yourself

Valeria Perez

He was a normal people like me

I get curiosity on his big green eyes

His laughing was loudly and beautiful

I need to find what are saying to me

I want to know him

He called my attention since the first hand rub we had

Also

The eyes kiss first always

But wait

My main is driving me crazy

I'm not sure that I want you at all

The first of all

You need to show

That you worth it like my favorite sport

It's feel good, I'm not going to lie

But this worth it?

Love is battlefield

In a war of feelings and fears

The thing is

I want to love you

But not like you're the only one in the world

I want to care of you

But care of me first

I want to spend days with you

But nights without you

We can be beautiful together

But separate too

I want all with you

But also without you

*****

My Beautiful Car

Samuel Veras

I have a Dodge Charger

Is grey

4 doors super nice

But one day I went to pick up Alejandro

And I don't see my car get hot

I saw the temperature was very high

The antifreeze hose broke

My Grandpa doesn't have a car

I forgot to tell Grampa

Don't use my car

Because the car is broke

So, he left in my car

And when he was driving

The auto tracks the engine broke

So, he had to call a tow track to get home

When he come home

I asked him

What are you doing to my car?

As if I did not know anything

And I said you have to pay

Because my car was good before

And you broke my car

Fixing car, please

He said

Okay I can pay

For your car

And know I have my car

Know I'm happy

Because I have my car

And know is better

Thankyou Grandpa

*****

My Life

Bryans Mambell

I was 1 year old, and I got to meet new people, my uncles, and aunts

Cousin and more family.

2 years old:

Happy with mom and dad, going to different places,

But my mom seems sad these days.

3 years old:

My mom and dad broke up.

They always told me that it was because they were fighting a lot

And I've always believed it.

4 years old:

I was at home with my sister; she always cooked for me and her

When we were home alone, and of course

I had to wash the dishes, so I washed them and heard

The water went splash splash, we played with the water and my sister

Always made me laugh.

My mom told us that she was very sorry for what we had

To go through.

5 years old:

My dad didn't go to my house anymore, not even to play like we used to do,

Playing Ludo in my house, he is staying at my house to

Sleep with me and my mom, yeah all that it was gone, forever.

6 years old:

I meet some new people on a summer camp, my mom

Knew their parents, their names were Romina and Santiago

They were siblings, and I went to their house a lot of times we really

Had fun every time we see each other.

7 years old:

I saw my mom with punches marks on her body

I asked her why and all she told me was you'll understand when

You grow up.

My mom said that I had to know the basics of to not talking to strangers and not

Taking candy from other, and how to defend myself and how to fight

Venezuela is beautiful but it's dangerous like Six Flags.

8 years old:

Me and my mom use to always race before we got home. She always

Let me win.

I found out that my parents didn't really break up

Because they were fighting a lot. It was because my dad was

Cheating on her.

-My dad lived with his girlfriend's son, mom, and her

I remember that so we could see each other to go out and eat

He had to go outside and quiet, so we could go and play

Like we were playing hide and seek.

-My dad got his girlfriend pregnant; it was me, my brother,

And my sister now

9 years old:

My mom and dad decided to be friends for the happiness of

Me and my sister

But nothing was the same.

9 years old still:

My dad sister mom and I went to a restaurant, I could

Feel the chicken and touch the crust, it felt like little rocks.

That same day Dad, Mom, and sister told me that I had another

Sister, and it was my dad's daughter

I don't know what to believe anymore but I will always be

With my mom

I was mad at my dad, but he said he wanted to change, and he did

We went to places still, we played and played

Did so many things that I would never forget them, we were pretending

That nothing happens, but you can't change the pass neither forget it.

10 years old:

My mom had to go to the U.S.A

Because she wants a better life for me

So, she went got a job and got an apartment

And she did it by herself.

Flashback

It was my uncle's birthday; I went to Colombia to celebrate it

We went to the airport and we ran into the sky.

10 Years old still:

My mom took the plane and ran away in the sky

I went to Miami visit a lot of places, and I went to see my mom

In Atlanta, I stayed there for 2 weeks

But I had to leave again since I needed stuff from my old house

When I went to Colombia, me, my cousins, uncles, Mom, and Grandma

Went to an abandoned place, you could hear the cracking glass

It smelled weird, and that day, changed my life because...

"What is that?"

"What"

"Here I am, now run"

"Noooooooooooooooooo"

TO BE CONTINUED...

My life, Bryans Mambell coming soon just in Docs

By 10/03/2018

*****
Ohayou

Ken Kubodera

"Ken, you are going to America"

Woke up 7:10 as usual

To go to morning soccer practice

Said "Ohayou" to my mom

Means good morning in Japanese

Ate breakfast, Watched TV

Checked today's weather

And today's horoscopes

"Today's your rank is..."

"12th"

"Unfortunately, you will get unlucky day..."

I was like "Ugh, I don't wanna die today."

My mom told me

"Ken, hurry up! Time to go!"

I run with little bit bad moods.

My day didn't have not that

Differences compared to general days.

About 7 hours later,

My classes were done.

And I think

"I won't trust the horoscopes anymore"

I went back to my house.

Opened the door,

Tried to sleep on the sofa.

I got called from my dad.

I'm lazy to receive it.

But I got up and took the phone.

"What, I have practice from 4:30.

I just wanna sleep as soon as possible"

Dad said "It doesn't matter. It's super important."

I said "What, are you kidding me?

Today's dinner is probably Sushi."

Then dad said "I'm serious. Listen..."

"Ken, you are going to America."

I said "Dad, are you a kid..."

"NO. I'm not. It's for real." Dad said.

I couldn't say anything for that so I said

"Oh... I really don't get what you said now. But yeah ok...

I need to go practice, so let's talk about it after that."

Call ended

I thought "Is this because of the horoscopes?"

"Ken, wake up!" My mom tells me

Every single day.

Now, I'm here.

All English, Different cultures.

I'm writing this poem right now.

I'm looking back the moment.

I was so scared, I had a hard time.

But, I'm here.

I'm surviving the days

Which are started by

"What's up?"

*****
On Moving to America (in the style of Billy Collins)

Chloe Lee

The whole idea of it makes me sad.

I have to say goodbye,

like I am never coming back

or feel like I am a bird

that is gonna fly to the new nest.

I will be leaving my friends,

treasures, that are my pleasures.

And I can't measure

how much I am grateful and thankful for them.

You tell me it is too early to be anxious,

but that is because you have forgotten

the perfect simplicity of adapting to a new school, country, culture,

and complexity that makes me feel

as if I'm walking through a dark, quiet, and rough road.

But now I start to walk faster

like I have found a bright, yellow, beam of light in the darkness.

Back then it was foggy and full of flurrying, falling snow,

so I couldn't really see.

It is time to say goodbye to my home that is like my life.

It seems only yesterday I used to believe

there was nothing that could make me leave.

But now I'm so excited

to draw and color on my new, white sketchbook.

I go.

*****

Pleased Day

Andy Kang

What a lovely day in the morning.

I wake up fast take the shower like a runner.

I finished shower and start making up like

The guy wanted to look good on his favas.

My heart can't stop palpitating.

I'm on my way to meet her.

I felt the sweet and fragrant in this place.

There is someone standing on a floor.

It looks like flowers blooming in the city.

I smiled and go to her.

My heart can't stop palpitating.

We going to watch a horror movie,

I can't be focused the move.

Because she grabs my arms.

My heart palpitates it's like hit the drum sound

After the movie end, I couldn't hide my face.

Sadly, thing is we break up for the watch movie

Because she going to meet her friends.

But today is my pleased in my life.

Think about your lovely or pleased day.

When you filled your pleased day.

*****
Snow Falls

Julia Semianovich

Waking up,

I look out the window

and I see the first snow.

My happiness is boundless.

I put on my warmest clothes

and quickly run out

into the street.

Taking steps

through the snow

I hear a crunch,

as if something is breaking down

and I leave prints

on the snow

from my shoes.

Raising my head

I see a bunch

falling snowflakes

from the sky.

Holding my hand

in the air

I start to catch snowflakes.

They are so white,

cold

and light as fluff.

Not having time

to examine the snowflakes

they begin to melt.

I start to feel the frost

on fingers

because it's very cold.

My nose begins to turn red

and cheeks turn pink.

With a smile I go home.

*****
Sunday Afternoon

Prince Mauricio

On Sunday afternoon my father's cousin birthday

It was held in the park

It was hot that day like a Mars

Colorful trees, fresh air, bright sun.

We celebrate his birthday on the park

I gave my uncle a shirt that I bought in the Philippines as a gift

It's color white shirt with a Philippine map.

I eat a lot of foods in his birthday

I ate Siomai it's a steam dumpling

I ate Shiopao it's a steam meat with a bun

I ate Carbonara and Lumpia Shanghai.

I call my cousin to play some monkey in the middle

It was live and tiring in the end.

After the party my father drove us back to home

I fall asleep in the car while my dad is driving

We get back home safe.

*****
The Minimonster

Alexandra Garcia

He popped into my life suddenly

He was unexpected.

Having a baby

Is the most beautiful thing?

I didn't feel it was like that

Another minimonster. Now,

they were invading our property.

The minimonster was eating my

mother inside out!

But I couldn't stop him.

One day, he made it

out of there.

He was stealing all I had,

Those were my last days

for sure.

Suddenly, when he caught

Everyone and I knew I was

Next. He stole my heart

And I realized that

The minimonster wasn't mean.

Instead, he made

Our cloudy days sunny.

The minimonster's smile

Shined like millions of diamonds.

So, now I have to say;

Don't beware of the minimonsters.

*****

The Swing

Luisa Rein

The warm summer breeze tickles my skin,

The sun envelops me with their warmth.

I keep on swinging.

It happens as if by magic.

But no, someone's here.

Someone to protect me.

I can feel the love.

I close my eyes.

Birds chirp enchanting melodies.

I understand every word they say.

And I keep on moving,

With power of someone.

Someone who gives security.

I can feel the love.

The scent of flowers penetrates my nose.

How lovely it is.

I can't get enough of it.

But now the swing comes to a stop.

Someone lifts me up,

Hug me warmly and carry me home.

Someone named Mom.

*****
Venezuela

Guillermo Matute

Venezuela, my country,

a tropical paradise.

I lived in Caracas,

have a great mountain,

named Avila,

a lot of vegetation,

a green mountain,

a lot of life.

Venezuela have so many foods.

Arepa, every morning I eat it,

a mass of flour,

that you open in the middle,

like a sandwich,

put the condiments.

Hallaca,

festive food for Christmas,

which taste really good,

is yellow like the sun.

I went to school at 7:15 am,

with a great fog,

but when the hours pass,

the fog disappears,

and come the sun,

to enlighten us.

At the afternoon,

I played soccer with my friends,

we touched the ball,

with passion,

the game is our passion.

I loved the travels to Margarita,

a beautiful island,

with a lot of beaches,

with white sand,

like the salt

and great waves,

like the Avila Mountain.

*****

Where Am I From? (in the style of George Ella Lyons)

Lucia Rutherfurd

I am from Peru

No is not in Africa

But we taste like them

To be exactly...

I am from Lima

No, I'm not talking about the fruit

Although they're abound

In those fertile lands.

No, I've never been in Machu Picchu

But I would like to,

No, I've never eat guinea pigs

And I wouldn't like to.

No, my grandfather wasn't an Inka

But I might have some

Inti blood running through my veins

And some blood of Spanish royalty.

No, I don't hate Chilean people

But if you want to debate about

Where the Pisco is from

I might destroy your doubts with facts.

No, I didn't grow up between

Huge snake or hairy tarantulas

I wouldn't like that

Also, I did not grow up

with fluffy, white llamas

Even though I would like that

Yes, the food there is amazing

Yes, fauna and flora are rich there

Yes, we are diverse

Yes, I'm Peruvian

*****

MEMOIRS

First Heartbroken

Denilson Velasco

It was 2012 when I fell in love with my neighbor, the one I grow up with. I spent most of my childhood with her, well we go to the same school since I was Three, I will always play outside at free time, we start dating in September 21 of 2012, I remember I was eleven, well it was a really at dating thing, we just spent more time each other and we shared our problem or secrets at the age of twelve, we kiss for first time, I remember I was sweating and red like a tomato, after that the night comes true and I just couldn't stop looking at her, her smile was as bright as the moonlight, at this point I couldn't think or talk just appreciated her beautiful face, but also i couldn't see if one they she could betray me. Also, I got a best friend too called Luis, for me he always was more my best friend he was my brother.

At the age of fourteen, I still was dating her but sometimes she disappear for a day and she even could not contact me, I didn't know why?, but at the next day she appear, she always got the excuse the she were with her dad, I believed her because I didn't know what to think, she was my everything, I still remember the date of my two favorite person betrayed me, it was October 30 of 2014, when she disappear again, I go straight to her house and I ask her mom where she was and she say, she is in her room, I said good can I come in, she said yes of course Denny, when I open the door, I saw her kissing my best friend Luis, I start crying, I told them the I would never forgive them and I run away, pushing the from door the harder's I could, I only could hear the door hitting the wall "Boom", After that I felt empty with no purposed in this life no more, I didn't know what i really want at that moment. They came to my house everyday but I never open and my mom tell them to get away, them my mom and I move out to at other place, she said it wasn't healthy living there anymore.

Years later a music come out with the name of Marlon and Gabby, I start listener to the music over, and over, and over again, I couldn't believe the lyrics were talking about what I live at the moment, and how I feel betrayed and also the guy who betrayed Marlon it was his best friend called Luis too, I start crying into it and having all the flashback.

*****

First Time Going to the Gym

Ziyang Feng

It was my first time going to the u.s gym it was big as half of the middle school when I first time saw it. "AHH'' said I boom after i went in it was not that big but it is big I went to the second floor first start ran for 20min. I went to bench second the place for bench have a lot of different thing like working for legs, bench squat and a lot of things.

I went to the locker room it was red locker and have TVs you can watch in the locker room the locker room have place to swim I went to swim with my friends. The swim pool was big and water are clean and I jump in to the pool like a fish jump in to the river swim in the ocean I swim not that fast my friend are fast and there are swim for the hooch swim team he is fast and he name is Mr. Wang and he is in Dynamon he swim at the dynamo swim center in abbotts bridge johns creek. He is neighborhood number 3 at his neighborhood swim.

He swims like a fish and he know a lot of things after swim in the pool. We have to take a shower it takes more than 15mins to finish the shower. I went back to the bench place and bench with Mr. Wang the first bench i did was bad and I drop it was hard at the first time when I do it. When I finish bench I went to work on my legs.

I look a lot of strong men's in the bench area their bench a lot and squat a lot of reps and I was surprise. I saw a nice person who tell me what to do with different areas and he is nice let me feel like this is not my first time met him. After that I went home. It was a happy day. I was think to myself I will be better and better.

*****
I Couldn't Forget

Andy Kang

It's a beautiful blue sky and shiny sunset outside but my face is pale like blueberry. I'm panic when I saw the colorful message. When I saw the letter and I said, "what the heck?" In a letter, Yeaji said, "Andy I think we need to rethink about we are a relationship and don't look for me." Things have been crazy. I couldn't even say a word did I something wrong for her. If I something wrong, then I can understand but this is just noticed. I start calling her, but she didn't answer.

When I keep calling her about sixty times my friends come and he sings, "I-ge jin-jja-il li eobs-eo ni-ga nal t-teona-neun ge." That means this is not true you leave me. When I stare at someone in a cold menacing way him like beast stare, he stops the singing and said, "Okay relax bro I'm sorry." I turn off the phone and sit down on the blue sofa and said, "Jonghuck why did you come? If you tease me then get out of my room!" I throw the snack and he caught. Jong Huck said, "Andy you know what I'm not going out whatever you said." I said, "Ha ha ah I knew you would say that so why did you come?" "Hmm... I just come to want to play the game with you but when I come in your room your face like angry and panic, I just want to get release one's feelings."

Oh my god, how I get this friend his so sweet. I hit his back and play the game together. When we lose the game, he starts to sing again to "I-ge jin-jja-il li eobs-eo ni-ga nal tteona-neun ge." and I can't focus the game because that song keeps running through my mind. I grab my phone and start to search the song name I founded its name is It Can't Be Real by Lim Jeong-hee. We just turn off the game and we put arms around each other's shoulders and singing loudly.

I think that time I just singing with a friend to excited, but now I think I do without accepting the sad situation and try to get out of the sad situation that's why I'm singing loudly. Really, I think thanks for my friend because if there was not a friend, I would be very sad on that day. It's been a long time ago, but he still my best friend.

*****
I Ran (so far away)

Cesar Zorrilla

I used to live in Margarita, but my parents told me that we were moving for a good reason and maybe even serious. I was probably five or six years old when I first move to Ciudad Bolivar which was between 2006 or 2007, I didn't care too much about it, but was something that day change my way to listen to music. The beat, the drums, and then the piano, those instruments with the speed of the car all combined, was just beautiful, but I didn't know what it was.

"Hmm dad what is this?",I asked,

"This song is soooooooooooooo good!!! It's this a modern song?? It's that even a Spanish name?? Are those the beatles??"

After that I was thinking and wondering about the "Ciudad Bolivar?" that I was about to go "Am I going to do new friends at this new school??", I asked, "Why are we moving for the fifth time?? What its Ciudad Bolivar?? A what? But why we were really good at Margarita why we have to move to this CiuDad BolIvAr?"

But apparently my dad was saying kind of the same answer, for every question I was asking him, but then I start to pay more attention to the song, and listen to it, while I was looking to the trees passing. We were going that fast, that everything looks like that it was moving with the song. When my Dad told me the name of the song I was confused because I didn't know what he was saying I thought he was talking in some kind weird alien language, then he said, "that's English!" I was more confused,

"English?"

"Who in the entire world would speak English?" I said again.

Apparently this guys do, and they were good singing, and playing the instruments at the same time ,or rather saying in harmony which was something incredible for me that I wanted that song so badly, so I told my dad if I can get his disc of the band, of course he will said "NO", and that's exactly what he said because was a gift of the dad of my mom, and he liked too much, but he said, that when I become eight years old, or when i start given value to things I can get it for sure.

I was excited because in just a few months I was about to become eight, so I wait, but those "few" months were passing as years for me, I was trying to don't forget the name of the song, so what I did was... I write the name in every single back page of my books and even in the wall. And I even told my friends to remind me the name.

"Ramón me haces un favor porfa?", I asked,

I became eight, my Dad and I were looking for the disc, but we didn't find it because in Venezuela the only thing they sell is reggaetón, salsa, or despacitos.

I was disappointed and a little bit sad because I waited months that were like years for me, and all that wait for nothing, I didn't cry that was the rain of the of the clear sky and the sunshine morning outside, with the pass of the years I start losing interest for the song until I forgot completely about it.

With the past of the years, I start listening other kinds of songs with my friends like rap and even some trap, but that was a bad phase of life that I erase of me, after those years I start listening to some electronic that was when I get in middle school in Venezuela which was an amazing phase of my life was like be in a party all year after all that now I listen to chill music because I can do my homework while I'm listen to it. Music is like drugs for the ears.

Now I have seventeen years old, also I have a phone, and when Ms. told us look for 3 songs for a project I try to remember what it was, and when I fended, was like go back to the past.

*****
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Chloe Lee

"Look, Chloe! Look at that!" my younger brother Daniel put a smudge on the car window. "What is it?" I asked, while looking in the direction of his index finger. My dad turned on music on the radio, which played It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas by Johnny Mathis. "The lights! The toys! I want it all! Can you buy that for me?" he begged as he pointed to a huge Christmas tree that was ten times taller than me.

It was the first day of December, and I was going back home from school. There were Christmas decorations on every store and on every street. The bright colorful lights lit up the whole city while white full of fluffy falling snowflake were laid on the floor and on roof of every building. The bare tree branches was holding layers of red and white lights like a candy cane. The city was shouting that it is almost Christmas. The scenery that I could see in my dad's car was exactly like the lyrics of the song. I could feel the cold wind with my cheeks, but I felt warm Christmas spirit. It was not Christmas day, but I already felt like It was Christmas, which made me so exciting.

As soon as I stepped into my house, I felt the rush of warm air, the smell of sweet, vanilla cookies, and Christmas songs playing in the background. My mom always played Christmas music from the first week of December each year to prepare for the season. Although the song was soft, I recognized it immediately.

As my family filled the living room and shared cookies, this song embraced the moment. It reminded me of why Christmas is my favorite holiday. Although I have some other favorite Christmas songs but this song especially can make me feel warmer and cozier than any other Christmas songs. Whenever I listened to this song even when it is not Christmas, I can feel the Christmas and remember the scenery that I saw in the car.

*****
Juju on the Beat

Julia Semianovich

"Come to the football game," She said.

"He is there?" I asked.

"Yes."

"I'm coming right now." I didn't expect that he will be there, but I was happy to see him.  
It was a day of the week. I was about to go home after school. I called to my dad " Heey , Dad , Can you pick me up?" He was like always joking with me " No , I can't , you can go walking it's not that far." " So can you ?" I asked. "Hmm , let me think ,maybe." It was not time for a joke. I felt very tired and irritable , and my dad was annoying me.

I was lying in my bed. I just had a nap. What time is that ? Should I get up? Do I have a homework? Tomorrow is Friday, one more day and this week end. I didn't know that today is the football game. But it turns out that JV played against Alpharetta High School. I saw a massage from my friend. She texted me that she is there and I have to come and I will be so happy. At first I did not understand what she meant. " If u come , you will see him," she said. Just then I realized that he is there. The guy who I likes.

Should I go? Just because of him? Why not? It was kind of late. Outside was dark, but the weather was really nice. I quickly got out of the bed to go get ready. I didn't think for a long time what should I wear. It took just a couple of minutes and I was ready. On the way every five minutes I asked my friend " he is still there?" I was walking and smiling. I don't know why but it makes me really happy.

When I came and I saw my friend, she was waiting for me at the gate and I saw a smile on her face. When I got in there were not a lot of people, it was not that popular team. But there was fun and music playing. In one moment my friend started screaming " Oyyy ,Look he is there.... "I turned my head and I saw him standing on the field. He was like always gorgeous. The white football uniform looked very nice on his dark skin.

We sat not far away from him, we could see him very well. I guess he saw me too. He was staring at me. I doesn't want him to see me , I doesn't want him to think that I came because of him. Maybe it's true , but still...

At the point the team scored a goal. He was so happy and he started dance. At this time was playing music ' Juju on the beat ' He was dancing so funny, just jumping and waved his hands like a penguin. I was laughing so hard. Then I said " It is favorite my music now." From now on my friend always includes this music for me. And I always remember his dance.

*****
Küss Mich-Halt Mich- Lieb Mich

Luisa Rein

"Do you have time?" Mom asked. "Sure. What do you want to do?" I answered. "It's a surprise, make you ready for go to bed, and then come into the living room," Mom replied. "I need ten minutes. I hurry up!" I yelled.

This was the typical sentence on Christmas time when me, and mom looked always the fairy tale 3 Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel. I felt always happy if I heard this sentence, and actually, I knew before what the surprise is, but I wanted to let my mom still in the belief that I have no idea.

I ran into the bathroom, grabbed my toothbrush, and changed my clothes. I didn't need 10 minutes like usual. I was done in nearly two minutes. This was a real record. Finally, a jump into the living room. "Huh!", that was fast.

Outside there was so much snow, and inside we sit on the coach we a cuddly blanket. The snow falls like flying dancers from the sky. Near us the hot fireplace, which makes us feel warm. The sound of the burning wood completes the warm feeling. The living room was decorated with a Christmas tree in the middle of the room with a shiny star on it. The sunset was long ago, but it wasn't dark outside. All windows had light bows, which made the darkness more light full., and so it felt a little bit magical.

It is our Christmas movie, and the soundtrack to it the first what we heard, while we started the movie was the soundtrack "Kuess Mich-Halt mich- Lieb mich". "Wer sagt mir heut was morgen noch kommt. Wird die Welt für neu erfunden", my mom started to sing., and I did not wait long for myself. In the Christmas time, we used to watch this movie a lot of time, and we still loved it. In my family is it not Christmas without 3 Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel . Now my mom has it as her ringtone on her phone, and every time if someone calls her I think on Christmas and hope that Christmas comes again, so that we can watch again.

I didn't know why it's something so special because we did it every year. Or maybe this is the reason. Now, the time when I don't have it for one Christmas I miss it and know that the time we spend together was the precious.

*****
La Gasolina

Samuel Veras

That song Gasolina by Daddy Yankee reminds me when I was little and my brother bought his first car, We went to the movies to watch the Fast and Furious, and I remember that he played that song all the way to the cinema. Every weekend we went out to eat together and he played the same song and I liked to go out with my brother because the CD we used to put that song on his red car, The song Gasolina reminds me of many nice memories like when my brother taught me to drive his car. I remember that my grandfather did not like that song because the singer is singing very fast and he could not understand everything the singer says. He felt uncomfortable every time we heard that song and every time we went to our grandparents house we had to remove that song because grandpa got mad at us if we were listening. Over time everyone started listening to it and all the cars that passed by where my grandfather lived was most listening to it. Then my grandfather did not care if we looked at that song and we started again listening to the song Gasolina over and over and over.

*****
Memoir

Guillermo Matute

Tommy Webo and Steve become best friends. In the first day of school in third grade I enter to the classroom, I have no friends, so I set alone, a lot of kids with his friends except my, I'm new. Day one, day two, day three, day four, day five, day six, day seven, day eight, day nine, ten, eleven, twelve, and I have no friends.

One day a kid behind me don't know how to do a activity, He is nervous and agitated, he does not know what to do, they spend the hours in class and he continues in activity one, and I in activity 12.

After a while I finish all the work, I was very happy, I was going to be able to do my others homeworks the rest of the class. I'm going to give the sheet to the teacher, I give it to her, and I go back to the seat, while I'm arriving I see that the child behind me is just in activity 2, then I remember that my mom told me that I have to be nice to the other, then I go and offer my help, since I already finished everything, he tells me that he feels bad, that he does not understand any activity, and he is desperate because he does not like school, so I go and start to help him and explain everything, we do additions, subtractions, and multiplications, which is the most difficult for him, the bad thing is that there was very little time left in the class, but I still explained the things I could. At the end of the class he thanked me very much, I felt good, as my mother told me, helping others makes one feel good. I asked him his name, he's called Steve, he asked mine, and then we went to the playground together to play.

From that day began my friendship with Kevin. He was very bad at school, he told me that he always got bad grades and for that his mother scolded him, but since I start helping him everything changed, he start to get very good grades and have more freedom, his mom gets happy and buys him a lot of toys that he shares with me, because thanks to me and my intelligence everything was possible.

*****
MomoCon

Anastassia Vazquez

Last summer,

My parents and I are excited to

see our friend in Miami, Florida  
even though I am way more excited to see them,

the only thing I got excited is I am going to see MomoCon.

A MomoCon is like a Cosplay of anime wearing a costume,

The only problem is that I don't know what to wear,

I was thinking if I am gonna wear a dress, but nah.

My dad brought a goggles and hat,

I was okay with even though

I want to wear a skirt like a anime.

My mom's friend and her daughter coming to our country tomorrow,

and I am a little excited to see them,

the only thing we have to wake up early to pick them up.

The next morning,

we got up and get ready to pick them up,

I was very sleepy to get out of bed even though we have to

wo to the MomoCon, or it will be traffic at downtown.

We started to get in the car, and we started to drove off.

While we are ready to go to the MomoCon,

their was a little bit traffic, and my dad can cut them

very easy way, and it will take us there around 10 minutes.

After the traffic,

we made it and we found a perfect parking spot,

and we just got out the car, and we are ready to go.

We started to walk toward the Atlanta United,

and after we made it there, we started to

go in the center and my dad went to get the necklace

where u can enter anywhere, so my friend was excited to

buy something or take picture.

After my dad got us a necklace and we put it on and stated to

go downstairs, and boy let me tell you,

their is so many video games coming from Japan.

My friend and I started to look around the game center,

my little sister started to follow us.

After we finish looking around, we told our parent to go

somewhere, and we walk to the store, and it has a lot

of anime, gamer, collection, youtubers, and costume.

My friend Sarah saw her favorite anime character and she started

to taking picture and started to get hyper.

I really don't mind, so I started to look around with my dad,

my mom was so mad, because he was walking too fast, and

I started to laugh so hard.

When my mom and her friend was busy chatting and

my sister too with Sarah,

I found some anime DVD, T-shirt, and collection,

I was so happy that I want to buy everything,

but my dad said: "If you want to buy them, you have to carry them",  
and I said back: "Okay."

After we walk around everywhere and I finally

my favorite anime pillow that I wanted so bad,

but we can wait a little longer so we won't carry them so much.

My mother wanted to see the design

where how they make it,

I really wanted to try it, but it is kinda hard to

make the needles.

We sat down and listen to the owner how they did it,

we just looking how they do it, and we got out the chair,

and walk away.

After we got out, we started to get hungry,

and they have japanese food, however their were

too many line, so we went to CNN center,

so we got Chick Fil A.

Finally, when we walk back to the MomoCon,

I can finally get my anime pillow and my friend

started to look around and buys something.

After I got my pillow, I have to carry it and now my mom's

friend wants some dessert, and we found it at Japanese snack,

and I got Hi-Chew flavor of green apples.

My friend and my family never try it before, so I gave them some,

and they love it so much.

When it was almost evening,

I found my favorite anime character,

my dad and I walk outside where the Atlanta United is.

Their are so many cosplay that their are the same,

and my dad took some picture, but I didn't bring my phone.

After it was finish, we started to head back where my friend,

my mother, my sister, and her mother are waiting for us.

Finally, when it was almost time to go,

my friend got a lot of stuff of anime,

and I got a little bit, because I got a phew

bunch of anime in my room.

She show me what she buy, and I am happy that

she can buy anime so she can put them on her room.

When it was dark, we finally walk back to the car,

and ready to go home.

*****
No Me De Cotorras

Samuel Veras

That song No me de Cotorras reminds me when I was 13 years old I started listening to it, In my room my mother listened to me she told me to take that away, She don't want me to hear that song was for adults, not for children But I took it off until she left but she came back and found me listening to her and then she got angry with me and took my computer away and told me you had to eat what I tell you I am your mother and after that I said is ok mom I do not hear anymore and beautiful said okay but I kept listening to her and she found me again and got angry like never with me, I told her three kisses, then she took my computer and still does not return it.

*****
One More Light in my Dark World

Alexandra Garcia

"I want a little brother," I begged my mom over, and over again. I would make her crazy because of it, I knew she was not going to give me one because she was not in her age of having babies anymore, but it was very funny and maybe there was a little bit of hope at the bottom of my heart.

That brother fever stopped a while later. I didn't even remember that I wanted a little brother until one Sunday night, she had to tell me something. I didn't know what was going on because she and my dad were acting very strange. When my mother says she has something to tell me or a surprise, it usually is not a great thing, but this was different. What was all of this about?

"Are we finally moving?" I asked, and it wasn't that. "Is it something for me?"

"Maybe," she replied.

"Was it good?"

"It depends."

And then I remembered how I asked for a brother. She was pregnant, two months, and I was the happiest girl alive.

That until the day came. Dad came from the hospital and he was very nervous, he started to cry silently and he was trying to hide that but I already knew something went wrong. He said the baby was very hurt, and some doctors didn't even gave us hope. I was very mad at the doctors because I knew they didn't do their job correctly, I was only thirteen years old but I knew what was going on. They made the baby born two weeks earlier for no reason! I cried a lot, my grades went down a little by then because I needed to take care of my sister while my parents were at the hospital.

I bothered a lot for a little brother, they were just giving it to me, and now they wanted to take him away? No way, it was a lot for me because my mom was also in danger, not as much as my baby brother, but that were two weaknesses for me. I haven't met him by then and I already loved him.

I remember that the doctors wouldn't allow kids under eighteen to visit the patients, but I hadn't seen my mother in almost three days so I sneaked upstairs in the hospital and looked for my mother. It was a hard mission and I was nervous, there was more hand sanitizer than oxygen in the air and everything had a sad color, I made it in, and I was glad to see and know she was okay.

One More Light by Linkin Park was a song I used to hear by then and it reminds me of those days every time I hear it because the lyrics somehow matches all the feelings I had.

We got out fine from that hard time. The baby was in the hospital for twenty days but he got out like new, he was fine and I was very happy to know I had a new little member in my family, just to make me smile every time I came back from school.

*****

Pangako

Prince Mauricio

Pangako was a song that brings back memories from when I lived in the Philippines. My mom became a nurse and she was so busy. She got better job opportunity in Australia to work. She stayed there for 7 months. While my mom was packing her clothes because she was leaving soon, I asked her, ''Mom do you really need to go there?'' ''Yes, Prince I need to go, it's a job but I will come back in Christmas.'' Suddenly I felt sad and happy, It's like mixed emotion. I felt sad because my mom will go to another country and I will miss her. I was happy because it's a better job opportunity for her. Before the day my mom was leaving for the airport I talked to my dad. ''Dad can I go tomorrow with you to the Airport?'' I asked. ''You can't Prince because you have school in the morning and it will be traffic there for sure,'' my dad said. That night I hugged my mom and she explained why I can't go. ''Every night I will call you and your dad on Skype, so Prince don't worry,'' my mom said. ''Okay mom, just update me when you get there,'' I said.

One week later, I saw my dad in the garage and he was listening to the song 'Pangako' and he was drinking beer. ''Dad why are you listening to this kind of song and why are you drinking?'' I asked him. ''I don't know I just miss your mom,'' he responded. ''I miss her too dad can we call her?'' I asked. '' We can't right now Prince, she's probably in her work right now let's wait for her,'' my dad said. The day after, my mom called me on my phone. ''Prince, how are you how'd you do in school?'' My mom asked. ''It's okay my friends and my dad help me with my school work,'' I said. ''That's good how is your sister?'' She said. ''She's okay my dad and I taking care of her.'' I said. ''That is good Prince, you are a big brother now, Can I talk to your dad?'' My mom said. I gave the phone to my dad and they start talking. While they are on the phone I remember the things that my dad does at night listen to the music Pangako. I went to my dad ''Dad can I talk to mom for a second when you are done talking?'' I asked. He said, ''Okay sure.'' When I get the phone, I started talking to mom about my dad. ''Mom did you know what dad does every night?'' I said. While I'm saying that to my mom I was laughing. ''What?'' she asked. ''He always listens to sad songs, and he always drink he thinks you're not coming back.'' I said. My mom keeps laughing but she understands why my dad do that. My dad trying to deny what did I say but it's the truth. After I told mom what happened, my dad stops listening and drinking.

At night when my sister and I were sleeping. I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night. When I look on my side my dad is not there only my little sister. I try going out of the room and walk in another room because my dad will might be there. When I look into the room my grandfather and my grandmother was sleeping. I don't know where to go I tried to hide under their bed because my grandfather is about to wake up.

When my grandfather tries to look under the bed he thought I'm a Dog. He screams and called my uncle. He told my uncle that there was a dog under their bed, when my uncle tries to get me under the bed. He realized it's me they're laughing. My uncle asked me what I am doing under my grandfather's bed in the middle of the night. '' I was trying to find my dad,'' I said. ''Your dad is not here he is in the neighborhood; do you want me to take you there?'' he asked. ''Yes'' I said. My uncle took me to the neighborhood, he told my dad I was under my grandfather's bed trying to find him.

My dad saw me when my uncle took me to him. He was laughing when my uncle told him what I did. He took me back to the house and he told me never do that again because I frightened my Grandfather. We went to rest after that and he didn't go back to his friends on our neighborhood.

*****
Summer Vibe

Roman Smieja

It was in summer 2010, it was a Sunday rainy morning me and my friend just came from four hours long church. We were all hungry so we directly went to the dining room. While we are eating our lunch we talked about how many Ethiopians and going to participate in the running Olympics. Many of my friends want to watch the news while they interview strangers from the street so they went to the living room. I and my friend Kalkidan decided to go to our room and decided to wear our Ethiopian flag shirt on.

"OMG, I hope we are going to win first place", Kalkidan said.

"I think they are going to win", I said.

"We should paint our face green, yellow, red and a blue star, too," said Kalkidan.

"Yes, that is a great idea and we can take the paint downstairs do for our friend too, " I said.

We jogged in the living room and ask the rest of our friends if they want us to put Ethiopian flag paint in their face. They were okay with it, so we all put a paint in out face. Many of the people were sitting on the floor close to each other so we joined them. There were 3 best Ethiopian runners, 4 Kenya runners and many other international runners. I was a little bit scared when I see 4 Kenya runners but I know I have to be positive and watch until the end. The gunshot shot makes a big BOOM sound toward the sky and the 10,000 meters men running start.

I can see they were taking it slower at the beginning because they were all saving there best energy for the last minutes. As they are running I can see their leg is long like a giraffe.

"Did you want to go outside?" I said to my friend because it's going to take a long time.

"No, because besides running they are going to show us high jumping," Kalkidan said.

I know she loves running so try to let her watch but I can't so I asked her again, "did you want to get some water with me?

"While I'm not trusty and I really want to watch this part," she said.

"Ok, I will be back in a couple of minutes. "I said.

I went to the water fountain and drink some water, then I decided to stay outside for a couple of minutes. I put my back against to the wall and put me hear up in the sky. I try to relax but I can't relax I kept thinking how big it's for Ethiopia if we won this Olympics with one thru third. After a couple of minutes, I decided to go back inside but it did not even get in have way yet. I turn around and see my friend, and I felt relieved because they look nervous about the winning situation, too.

The last bell rings. From no were two Ethiopia runners come first place and second place. One of the Kenya men was mad about not being first place but he finished third place, and in fourth place another Ethiopian win. We were all screaming with happiness even know we didn't get the full result as we want it. Everybody was hugging their friends and crying even me with happiness.

Sometimes we don't get the full result as we want it but we have to be happy and try again for the next time Because life always has a second chance if you keep trying. I was scared that we are not going to win is because we were not winning in the first place for a while. In the last Olympics Ethiopia was in second and fourth place but we practice and improve our weakness to put Ethiopia in the top.

*****

Tera Suroor

Nafisa Ali

Kids were running around on the rooftop. It was the perfect weather. The wind was very cheerful and the leaves were dancing. It was almost like the wind was playing a sweet refreshing song and the leaves were dancing to the song that wind was playing. Tamanna was crying because she just woke up from a nap. Karina and Sukrana were playing with Tamanna and Riaj & Bubon joined not a nit later. Tina apa was making fire in the "Chula". I was washing the potatoes and cutting them in half. My mother was getting the spies ready for the dishes that we were going to make. Chachi was washing the meat. One of my cousin Rintu was just sitting on the chair doing nothing but talking. Bubon and Riaj came running toward me ; wanting to me play with them.

"NO I cannot play right now" I said. "I am working right now. Go play with the others." I said to them with a calm voice so they won't think that I'm yelling at them. "Diya can you bring me the knife from the kitchen downstairs?" Chachi said to me. I was sliding down the railing of the stairs, feeling the breezy wind I went to get the knife downstairs. " Here you go Chachi and I also brought some juice too for us to drink." I said to Chahi with a bright smile on my face. "Let's take a short brake everyone" said my mother. We were sitting on the floor and some were sitting on the chair. On an open rooftop all of us were enjoying the drink while talking. "This is very nice; Isn't it ?" everyone said on after one with a bright smile on their face. That moment was unforgettable. Time passed by, the sun started to set. It was a beautiful sun setting which was full of red orange, yellow and pink. The elders and youngers we all were together and having fun. We had a big speaker so one my cousins set it up and all my cousins and I, we all danced to this song and sang " TERA TERA TERA SUUUUUUUUUUUURUUUURRRR..."

We replayed it over and over again danced and sang the whole night. The elders were having fun, talking, looking at us with a big smile on their face that I can NEVER forget in my whole life. All my cousins and me dancing having fun, enjoying the moment. Being in a joint family of thirty five means thirty fifth the more fun. For this big family we always had picnic twice or three times a month.we also had many celebration to celebrate so there was always something to celebrate.

I still remember whenever we celebrated someone birthday, any holiday or even whenever we did picnics; we would always play this song "Tera suroor." This song was very very famous when I was little. Dance was always a my thing so I always danced to whatever song was playing but this song was special to me. This song somehow connects me, my cousins and all of the thirty five people in my big family. Still to this day sometimes I play this song and my brother also plays this song in his car, me and my brother we always sing along " TERA TERA TERA SUUUUUUUUUUUURUUUURRRR..." It makes me think, "What if I could go back in time and enjoy those happiest times and precious moments of my life?" This song brings me back a lot of memories; which makes me feel very sad and happy at the same time.

*****
Where Words Fail, Music Speaks

Valeria Perez

My parents put us together in the living room. It was really weird. "What is the good news now?" I asked a hundred times. My parents just looked at each other. "Can someone tell us what is happening?" I shouted. Both sitting down, they looked scared. "Mom and Dad will no longer be together," Mom said. "Why?" the three of us screamed. "Because isn't good for us be together," Dad interrupted us. I thought that sounded really crazy. How that it's supposed to be better than be together? Well. That's divorce.

It was 2013, I was twelve years old, I was in 7th grade. Awful. My sister was nine years old, my brother six years. What was I supposed to do? Be a big, responsible sister? I couldn't handle that. How was I supposed to pretend that this didn't hurt me? My only preoccupation at that time was supposed to be school. "Ennie meenie minie moe, let's see how long this will be," I said many times in my head.

I had a crash for weeks. I need to pretend to be the 'mother'. Was hard. I was in bedroom, with my headphones on and my music louder crashing my mind. I was looking for music that can fixed me for a little longer.

Google give me suggestions. Lana Del Rey? What is that? I just put a song to see what it was about. At least I realized I was listening the whole album. I fall in the beautiful meanings of the songs or the rhythm. It was my bedtime, I didn't notice how fast the hours went by. My afternoon it was about hearing new songs. Clear my mind. It works. But before it all ended. I found my song. Ride. It was like after the pressure inside my body disappeared. I became a lake of tears.

I listened her songs every day. After a while, I became a fan. My mom bought me tickets for her concert. When I was at the concert. I felt a sea of feelings in that moment. I cried, but I was really happy. When I listened that song I remember all the stuff that I had been through and how the little scape that I had with music supported me and helped to handle all. Since then I believed that some escapes from real life are with songs.

*****

SHORT STORIES  
A Change of Life

Bryans Mambell

Hey, my name is Alejandro Monte. Today you will read my story a change of life. This all started outside of my friend's house, it was a cloudy and sad day. I have three good good friends of mine Roberto, Pepe, and Pablo. They helped me when I needed them but now is my turn to help them. Now let's begin this adventure.

\--October 2003 location Colombia Medellin—

That day I remember it as if it was yesterday.

"Alejandro run, we need to get to that building over there ok, I will cover you" Roberto said.

"Ok" I said.

"Do you still have that gun?" Pablo said.

"Yes" I said.

"Well then pull it out, because you're going to used it" Pepe said.

I pulled the gun out just like he said. When I ran to the other building there was these police already pointing a gun at me he shot 5 times Bang he missed, Bang he missed, Bang he missed, Bang, he missed, Bang he didn't missed. He shot me right in my leg, so I fall right to the ground smashed my head right into a piece of metal. I don't even know how I didn't die there but thank god I didn't.

I was 22 years old when all that happens. I want to forget about that day, but I can't that was the worst day of my life because when I fell and hit my head, I got very dizzy, so I couldn't see that much, all I saw was my friend Pepe shooting at the police and my friends, Roberto and Pablo calling out my name and screaming, "ARE YOU OK?". I didn't even answer they grabbed me each by one arm and helped me get to the other side we all got there except Pepe that was on the other side still shooting at the police we told him to run and we will cover him. Pablo shot the police as me and Roberto were running and looking everywhere to find an exit.

We found it and as soon as we screamed "OVER HERE!!" we heard Pablo saying "NOOOOO". We ran towards him and right when we got back their Pepe was bleeding from his leg. He got shot and I don't know why but he raised his other arm pointing the gun to Pablo. He put the finger on the trigger and Bang! Birds started to fly all over the place; you could see all of them in a big group getting away from the sound.

"I can't believe this why, this can't happen to us please" Roberto said

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT, YOU KILLED MY FRIEND!!" I said

\--8 years before all of this had happen—

I was 14 years old and from this age is when everything started to happen.

"Hey mom" I said.

"Hey, are you going to your friend's house?" my mom said.

"Yeah, do you want me to bring you something".

"No that's fine, I will pick you up when I can ok".

"Sure".

I went to my friend's house his name is Axel and he is like my brother, we have a good relationship.

3:00pm Saturday.

I was running to see my friend and then I saw this weird looking man that was following a girl and I called my friend to tell him where I was and to come and see because we were about to fight you know everybody here respects girls like who doesn't. Well apparently, this man he grabbed her by the arm so I yelled at him.

"HEY, LEAVE HER ALONE MAN, WHY DON'T YOU MESS WITH A BOY AH?".

"Mine your own business" he replied.

"Or what?" I said.

"You don't know who you're messing with, so if I were you, I will leave".

"Oh yeah but the thing is you're not me so leave her alone".

He was still holding her with this very mad looking face he had; she was suffering I couldn't just leave her I ran to him and pushes him as hard as I could. He came at me and hit me in the stomach I hit him in the face and kicked him in the leg, so he falls. I got over him and punch him just one time. He was choking me then and I was a little bit scared not going to lie. One of his friends I believe came to me and punches me in the face.

My best friend Axel was running down the street yelling and saying all the bad words he could say. When he got to where we were, I was already bit up on the floor. Axel told them to stop, and then the man I pushed first said "Or what?".

"Or I will call the police" Axel said.

"Call them I don't care they work for me so let's see who they are going to listen to".

My friend was very mad for what had happened to me, so he looked at the man and came to him and punched him right on the face. The man got very mad so with all his furious he punched my friend back in the stomach. My friend falls down to the floor. After that all I remember is the man

I punched saying...

"Haha don't mess with me or my people again ok, my name is Juan Sevilla de la Cruz but you

can call me Diablo".

\--2 years after--

2 years have happened since that day. Me and my friend Axel had to go buy something for my mom and his mom, when we got to the store these two boys were looking at us in a weird way like if they wanted to do something bad. We got into the store bought what we wanted and needed and then as soon as we were walking out the boys that we told you came to us with knifes and telling us to give them what we got, me and my friend ran to the store, but he tripped so he falls and this boy with a hoodie on came to him to stabbed him but he yelled

"HELP"

"Shut up "one of the boys whispered.

My friend Axel said, "make me, you think you're a big man because you have a knife well, you're wrong".

"We don't want to fight we just want to leave please" I said.

"Aww you guys are leaving yeah ok bye princess" they said.

We ignored them

"What you're seriously going to leave ok wow poor of your mom had to educate a rainbow kid well maybe she is like that too" they said.

I turned around because I don't like other people talking bad about my family

"Be quiet you nasty and bad mosquito, you think you can just come and insult me and my mom like this no" I said.

"Aww the baby wants to cry, you want to fight then fi..."

I didn't let him finish the world I just got mad and punched him right in the face. Axel was

fighting the other guy, we all had a huge fight and then three trucks came and in one of them was

Diablo yeah that evil man. His people came to me and Axel punched us and kicked us and all that. After that Diablo came to me and Axel and said...

"Wow, again didn't I told you to not mess with me or my people?".

"Are those guys with you, we didn't know that" Axel replied.

"Yeah one of them his name is Erick he is my son".

He took off his hoodie and I saw his tattoo on his neck, a tattoo of a tiger with the name Patricia.

"Well you guys break the deal we had now get your consequences" Diablo said.

Axel spit on his face and told him that he was dead. That he was going to see his bad way. "This is just the beginning, and I already know who the first person on my list, hahahaha is" Diablo said.

\-- 1 week has passed –

Axel called me saying somebody has being following him since the last 4 hours he called me again that, the person disappear that he didn't know where he went. We planned to meet up in the park Calendaria it was sunny that day it looked like a happy day. Axel was here we talked for a while and then after that we were going to go home so I was buying something while he was in a call. Right now, I was walking out of the store I saw these two guys with mask on on a motorcycle they were going fast and then slowed down right next to my friend Axel. I yelled a t him "AXEL WATCH OUT RUUN!!!" He looked up and turns his head to see the guys and then one of them said "Hey Axel you forgot about something."

That same person pulled out a gun and BANG BANG BANG 3 times I looked at my friend Axel falling. I ran to him and looked at the guys; the one that had the gun wasn't wearing a lot of stuff, so it was easy to see his skin. When I looked up to see him, he had a tattoo of a tiger and a name Patricia right on his neck. I knew who it was, it was Erick yeah Diablo's son.

\-- Next day—

My friend Axel was in the hospital, but the doctor gave out the results and he died I can't believe this had happened to my friend, but now I'm not looking for happiness I'm looking for revenge.

\-- 5 years later --

My mom had a girl, yes, my little sister. I was so happy because I had my little friend, but Diablo came and ruined it. Diablo knows where I live, so I couldn't stay calm. After all of this had happened, I got into drugs, I sell them, and I brought my own gun, so I could take care of my family, I'm in gangs, but don't judge me this is what I like this is my life.

I came back to my house that day to see my mom and my sister she is 4 years old right now,

when I got home there was this note in the table that said

"If you want your mom and sister back you must do what I say if not well then bye bye to them, they are safe but not for long, so you have two choices work for me and make your own money, but this is not a clean job ok, second choice is saying bye to your family."

\-- 3 months later –

I was looking and looking for my family, but I couldn't find them I left the gang Aquilas pistoleras because they were such a traitor, they were working for Diablo too. After I left the gang they got mad at me and told me that if they see me again, they will kill me. I met this other gang that didn't work for Diablo and they just had hate on him.

I told them what had happened, and they said they were going to help me. I don't know who to trust now it's a lot harder to trust anyone at this point.

Somebody came at me and whispered to my ear

"Distrito capital, barrio el juguete".

As soon as I heard it, I ran towards that person, but he was running too, and then I lost him. I immediately went to my gang and ask them the thing he whispered they told me that it was a place here in Colombia that was very dangerous.

"Let's go over there, my mom and sister may be there" I said.

"Are your crazy man?" My friend Charly replied.

"Ok you can stay I don't care, but I'm going to look for my family" I said.

"Ok do whatever you have to do but get those two girls".

\--2 hours later—

I found the place and there was a man wearing all black clothes with this scary looking eye right around the corner. Two guys came from behind me put a mask on my face and knocked me out, all I remember it's me waking up and looking a video of my mom I couldn't move I was tight up to a chair they made me watch a video of Diablo torturing my mom I couldn't handle it. The end of the video was Diablo threw my mom from a bridge to an ocean and he said.

"You mess with my family I mess with yours, now your sister is next".

I was crying, and I was very mad. Somebody knocked me out and released me when I woke up, so I could hug my sister. They locked us in a room and there was glass all over the place. I had this crazy idea I'm sorry, but I had to do it.

I told my sister that we were getting out of this place I remembered all the people I had killed on the passed in the gangs. After that I will go to my room and drug me because that's my way to escape from problems.

I grabbed a big glass on the floor as soon as the guardian unlocked the door and came in I stabbed him two times. I grabbed his gun and grabbed my sister very tightly. I got out of the place and then the man I was telling you that were right around the corner was still there he raised up his gun pointed at me and told me.

"Hey, get on my car, both of my friends are in the truck so don't do anything stupid."

"How can I trust you?" I said.

"I was an FBI agent, but now I work for the S.W.A.T you should join us you have the

Information we need."

"S.W.A.T doesn't work like this I know so tell me the truth".

"Just get in I'll explain you when we are far away".

BANG BANG BANG Diablo notice we escaped so he and his people were shooting us BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG.

I grabbed my sister and got her into the car. We shot back, I shot Diablo in the arm, so his son came to cover him and shot back. I got in the car and the man too. There were four of them.

"Hey are you ok?" The man asked.

"No, tell me who you guys are and what you want".

"Ok sure I think we started with the wrong foot, So I used to work for the S.W.A.T until I got in drugs and that ruined my whole life, my parents left me by myself when I started them and this three here are my friends we were on jail but if we help the FBI find the Diablo then we will be free."

"Please help us I have to take care of my grandma and I don't want to leave her alone" the driver said.

"What's your name?" The other guy asked.

"Alejandro and this are my sister Vanessa".

"Alejandro and Vanessa nice names, well nice to meet you my name are Pablo".

"My name is Pepe, and this is my brother Roberto".

"Hey" Roberto said.

"He is Pancho the leader of the group" Pablo said.

"Ok then do you want to join or group?".

"Sure, what do you want me to do".

"This is not all about do this and that this is about taking care of us, we are a family" Pancho said.

"Thank you, Sr. Pa...."

"WATCH OUT!!" Roberto yelled.

Somebody was throwing us bombs and one of them exploited right when we pass through, it was all a mess. Pepe who was driving lost the way, so we ran into the forest and the car flipped over.

I wake up and only, Pepe, Pablo, Roberto, and me were on the car. Pancho and my sister were missing, nothing bad happen to us three only cuts. We heard a scream coming from our right. We ran to the place and it was Erick holding my sister pointing a gun at Pancho. Pancho was talking to Erick and telling him to let her leave, Erick didn't want to listen so, Roberto, Pepe, Pablo, and me. Pull the guns out. Pointing the guns at Erick we told him to leave my sister alone. Diablo was running and coming to us with his people he said put your guns down.

Erick stopped holding my sister and then said get out of my face Pancho you are always getting in our business. There was a quiet moment until, BANG!! he shot Pancho.

"Nooo why?" Pablo said.

"If you don't want me to kill your sister then work for me, there is this favor I need you all to do, so are you guys going to do it?" Diablo said while choking Pancho.

"Yes, we will do it" we all said.

"Ok so all are going to go to this place and have to get some drugs and money I left there, kill whoever you have to kill".

-Few years later—

Today is the date that we must do what Diablo said the day Pancho was shot and killed. When we got to the place two guardians were looking at us and talking to the radio. I, Roberto, and Pablo went inside. Seems like the guardians knew what we were up to. The police were chasing us, and this is when it all started.

\--This is the next part of what had happened on the chase at the beginning of the story.

Pepe was pointing the gun at Pablo for no reason but then he said.

"Pablo shot me in the arm, so I could stop running and give myself to the police, so it would make more time for all of you.

"He is a traitor BE CAREFUL" Pepe said.

"No that's a lie doesn't believe him, shut up Pepe" Pablo said.

"It's true don't believe him he was the one that told Diablo where your mom and sister lives, he did that and more like the...." Pepe said

BANG Pablo didn't let him finish he shot him right in the brain now no one will know what he was going to say after, but I know that thanks to him my mom is dead, and he will pay back.

"You can't be part of this team, we have to kicked you out." I said

"Why would you do that you idiot?" Roberto said.

I knocked Pablo off and he fall to the ground and me and Roberto ran away.

\--3 days after—

Pablo was arrested but Diablo and Erick were still out. I and Roberto decided to go to the police department and tell them what we knew.

\--4 years later—

I and Roberto are FBI agents and we are up to capture those two persons. After trying to locate him we finally knew where they were hiding, we told everybody, so we could go and capture them.

After we went, I finally saw him but throw a camera I needed to see him face to face I went inside of the building he was going to talk to him.

We sat down and talk.

"You finally came, this is how you wanted it to be you want to get killed I know this is consider suicide you know" Diablo said.

"Where are the others?" I said.

"They are not here, let's play a game with a revolver there is only one bullet lets see who will die".

"Ok" I said.

We took turns the bullet didn't choose any of us until...

"There are some things you need to know about Roberto he is not innocent as you think he is "Diablo said.

We were still playing with the revolver and BANG!! Sirens of police cars and ambulance coming loud sounds you could hear.

2018

My name is Vanessa Monte; this story will now be about me since my brother is not with us

now. I'm looking for Revenge.

*****
Captain Abortion: The First Survivor

Guillermo Matute

Two people that love each other, Alan and Ana, spend their night in a bar near to the coast of Bolivia, Alan Brito Delgado is a few years older than Ana Lisa Melano, 10 years, but is just a little big. They had drinks, they got drunk, and had a great night of wild sex with passion, sweat, and emotions, on a red bed, with a dim light... 1 month later she's pregnant.

"Oh my god, what happen?!" said Ana.

"What happens honey?" said Alan.

"I'm pregnant, I have a baby inside me!" said Ana.

"How much time you have been pregnant?" said Alan.

"1 month said the pregnancy test that I just did," said Ana.

"But is not a baby, is a fetus" said Alan, "I don't care I have a life inside me, do you understand the situation?!" said Ana.

"Yeah, yeah, calm down, oh my God can we abort it?" said Alan.

"Yes, I think we can, let's go with a doctor, I don't wanna a baby" said Ana.

So, Alan and Ana go to their red Ferrari to go to the hospital and see a doctor who can help them. When they arrived at the hospital, they go to the office administration for find a doctor and they spend 3 hours waiting, then when finally arrives the moment they went with the doctor, they talk with he about the situation

"Doctor I have a baby inside me," said Ana.

"We want to make an abortion doctor, you can help us, we are worried," said Alan

"No, I can't, the abortion in Bolivia is not legal, "said the doctor.

"Please doctor, we don't want a baby, was an accident," said Alan.

"It is against the law Alan, I can't, you guys have to be responsible for your acts," said the doctor

"Oh my god Alan what we are going to do right now?" said Ana.

"I don't know," said Alan. Then Ana came up with a great idea.

"Doctor and... if we pay some extra money eh" said Ana with a seduction tone.

"No no no no no no I'm married," said the Doctor.

"No!!!" scream Ana, "I meant to bribe you."

"Ohhh, it's not what I expected, but I'm satisfied," said the doctor.

"Let's to do business doctor... How much do you want?" said Alan.

"It's a hard operation dude, so I need a good amount, this is illegal, but if you help, I help," said the doctor.

"We have $5,000 for you, we are entrepreneurs, we have a chain of pigeon restaurants all over Peru, and a fishing service in Bolivia, that's work?" said Alan.

"I want $7,000...and your watch" said the doctor.

"Oh no man, my watch cost more than all your house, $6,000 is my last offer" said Alan.

"Okay, enjoy your baby, bye!!" said the doctor.

"No no no no no, it's okay, the $7,000 and his watch," said Ana.

"No, is my watch!!" said Alan.

"I don't want a baby, give him your watch right now!!" said Ana.

"Okay oh my god," said Alan. He gave the watch to the doctor.

"Men of business!! It was a pleasure to do business with you guys, goodbye. In a couple of weeks I call you to do the abortion," said the doctor.

2 weeks later... They go to do the abortion. They get inside of the red Ferrari, then they drive 2 hours to the hospital, 2 hours because they did a stop at McDonalds but that does not contribute anything to the plot, so let's continue. So they arrive to the hospital, get inside and walk through the white hallway, with sick people, and then eat the hamburger of the McDonalds but that does not contribute anything to the plot too, so let's continue. So finally they go to the abortion, they find the doctor, Ana Lisa Melano enter to the surgery room, and there spend 30 minutes of operation, for nothing, because 7 months later born the baby.

"Alan that doctor is a hustler, I have been calling him for 7 months to tell him that I'm still pregnant, but he does not respond" said Ana.

"Oh my god, he's a stupid, honey you know what...I'm going for cigarettes bye," said Alan.

"Oh no, I know that trick Alan, you can't leave me, wo a parrrrriiiiiirirrrriiirrrrr!!!" said Ana with deep breaths.

"Right now?" said Alan.

"Yes, oh my god, to the hospital, right now to the hospital!!" said Ana.

They get inside the white Lamborghini and drive fast to the hospital. They arrive and Ana Lisa Melano and Alan Brito Delgado get inside to the emergency room, white, with a lot of lights, wear stuff, people with a blue scarf on the face and white coat. Ana Lisa Melano about to feel one of the most painful pains in the world, she opens her legs, Alan Brito Delgado holding her light hand screaming: "pujaaa, pujaaaa, pujaaaaa, puuuujaaaaaa."

A silence invaded the room, Ana Lisa Melano wakes up, tired, exhausted, without strength, with a lot of sweat around her body, confused, the doctor get close to her, and show her the miracle of her life, his baby (that was a fail abortion), Ana Lisa Melano, with a face of dislike says: "I don't want it."

"Why? Is your baby," said the doctor.

"I don't care, I don't want it!!" said Ana.

"Well, you have the obligation to have it!!" said the doctor.

Ana Lisa Melano and Alan Brito Delgado accept the baby with a bad attitude, they treated the baby badly, and nobody wanted to grab it, they fought to see who had it. The doctor asked them to sign the birth certificate and put the name of the baby, Ana Lisa Melano take the pen, and sign in, then Alan Brito Delgado take the pencil and sign in too, and then write the name of the baby...

And so begins the amazing story of Jhonny Nazco, a fail abortion that who the lives give him a second opportunity. He has brown hair like the wood, and a great head like a dinosaur egg.

The first 8 years of his life, he lives with his parents, that not love him, because he was an accident, and so the parents hate him, don't buy toys for him, sometimes they didn't feed him, the worst parents in the world, a trash. A rainy day, Alan and Ana are discussing about the kid.

"That kid is useless, we should get rid of him" said Alan.

"We need a plan to get rid of him" said Ana. Both stay thinking about what they can do, a quiet silence invaded the room...

"We can go to camp and leave him there and we escape" said Alan.

"You are crazy...I like it buaaahahahahaha" said Ana.

The next day, Saturday, the family go to a forest outside of the city, Alan and Ana ready for do their plan, they sit down at the green grass, between big trees, and begin to eat the lunch, they talk for about 30 minutes, and then Alan and Ana said to Jhonny that they will go to the car for bring more food, but that is not true, Alan Brito Delgado and Ana Lisa Melano get in the car, and they left the place, leaving Jhonny alone in the forest, without food, without water, the first big challenge for Jhonny Nazco with 8 years old.

3 days later the parents report Jhonny disappear to the police, to pretend that they are worried about him, and avoid suspicion, while the police look for Jhonny, Jhonny have been 2 week living in the forest, he is eaten in the forest wild fruits, and swinging like Tarzan, he make is own house with wood, now he's a entire wild boy.

Jhonny spent 1 year living in the forest, within animals, but one day, someone find him, an old lady, with glasses, and white hair like the snow, see Jhonny within the trees, and talk to him.

"Hi little kid, what are you doing here?" said the old lady.

"My parents were gone, and left me here," said Jhonny.

"Oh my god, you parents are really bad kid," said the old lady.

"My parents have a company and a lot of money," said Jhonny.

"Yes, maybe, but they lack the most important, a heart, why you don't come with me kid?" said the old lady.

"Okay lady," said Jhonny.

The old lady hug Jhonny, her hug was a jolt of happiness, Jhonny felt the love that he had never felt before. And that was the begin of the new life of Jhonny Nazco.

*****

Claire Meets the World

Luisa Rein

16 years ago, my parents had to escape. They were scared and not sure if they do the right thing. They only thing they wanted to keep us safe with the hope that we will find us again to unite our power, which they have given us.

I woke up and grinned to my amulet. I breathed loudly and my heart beat fast. I looked around. Everything seemed normal. The sun shone through the window on the small wardrobe. Next to my bed were still two other beds. The room was big for an orphanage, and the patterned, light carpet makes it look even bigger and more welcome. I was still upright in the bed. It was only a dream I said to myself. Nothing from this happened for real. There was no other world, named Aurelia, and I didn't have magic powers. Before I could calm myself down, my best friend Noah came singing in my room with "Happy Birthday." I almost forgot about it. "Happy 13th Birthday, Claire. I organized a birthday cake for you. Vanilla like you loves it." I ran to him and gave him a huge hug. He is literally the best friend, which a girl can imagine. With him as a friend, it makes it not too bad to have no family. We sat down on my small bed and ate the cake.

Before I could finish my piece, one of the staff of the orphanage came into the room. "A man came and asked for you, Claire. He said he is your uncle." I stared at her first and then to Noah." "I have no family anymore. They died in a car accident." "This guy has photos from you when you were a baby and an important document," she replied. We went together to the entrance part.

I saw a man with long blue jeans and a white shirt. He was huge and wore a black hat. "Can I talk with you alone, Claire? I have important information for you," he asked with a deep friendly voice. We went into another room. "Okay, I know that will sound crazy and you will not believe me, but you have to trust me," he started. My name is Phoenix, and I was a consultant from your mother. See, your parents didn't die by a car accident. After your mother born you and your twin sister"." Wait, what," I interrupted him, "I don't have a twin sister!" I yelled and ran the stairs up into my room. He followed me. "I can understand you but let me explain.". So your uncle took control of Aurelia. Your parents had to secure you, they gave you and your twin sister Chloe an amulet, which should help you. I think your parents are still alive and I need you and Chloe to save them and Aurelia too. We have to find Chloe, before it is too late. "How can I believe you?" "Take your amulet and open it, go in the sun and start to sing anything". After I started to sing, something happened what I still cannot believe. The amulet began to glow and sparkle. Around me, a kind of protective blanket enveloped me. The feeling was indescribable. I felt safe and secure. I stopped singing and everything magical disappeared again. "Was that proof enough?" he replied with a playful tone in his voice. Even if I thought everything is still a dream, I agreed. If all this was really all true, then we could not waste time.

Noah didn't understand anything of course. But I promised him, that I will be back soon and that I will explain him everything. I gave him a huge and left.

Phoenix told me his plan, as we went to his car. "First we have to find Chloe. Your parents told me, if your amulet and Chloe's are matched then you have the power to destroy your Uncle Isaac," he started. "Do you know, where she is? How could you find me?" I asked in amazement. "It wasn't easy because I didn't know where exactly your mother took you. But I knew your name. And besides, you look like your mom." The car stopped in front of a big white house. Before there were a couple of colorful flowers. In the middle of the small garden stood a red slide and a yellow swing, which made the place looked playful.

Chloe was overwhelmed by the whole situation. After she needed time to process it, the tears rolled down her cheek and she hugged me. She was sighing, "I thought I'd lost my whole family and be alone." In addition, it was also funny to convince my alleged twin of something that I can't even believe right yet. She looked just like me. Long blond hair, a slightly pale face, and big blue eyes. If Phoenix had shown up with someone who looked exactly like me and wore the same unique looking chain, it would have been easier to buy the twin story from him.

When I saw Chloe the first time, I didn't know how to react. It was like standing in front of a mirror. I then decided to embrace my reflection. My amulet looks like a moon with white glitter stones on it. But Chloe carried a sun that was adorned with the same stones. I guess that's the only difference between us. Minutes before we both thought we had no family anymore, and now everything changed and that on our 13th birthday. But to celebrate was no time.

"How do we get to Aurelia?" asked Chloe. "There is only one way because Isaac has closed all the other portals. These drops of magical fairy dust are our only chance. I'm going to put these in the air scatter and we need to run through them as fast as we can." Phoenix explained. The serum tickled on my skin as I ran through it. I floated as if through a brightly lit corridor.

We showed up in a totally different world. Fresh air came towards me. The mountains were as white as if someone had dipped their tips in sugar glaze. But on the other hand, everything seemed dead. It looked dry and extinct. How could a region like this emerge next to such a beautiful landscape? "Under the army of Isaac, everything will soon look like this. The beautiful things will all disappear, and it will look ruined," explained Phoenix. "Also, the inhabitants of Aurelia are getting worse and worse. The fairies can't fly that long anymore. The powers of the wizards are waning. And the mermaids are losing their habitat, poisoning the seas here in Aurelia," he continued. "But what can we do to stop that," asked Chloe. "Isaac has his palace on the black mountain. He must keep your parents trapped somewhere so they can't use their magic. I guess they are close to him, so Isaac is in control of them."

It was a long way to the palace. While we walked, Phoenix told me and Chloe about our parents. It was a good feeling to hear about our parents, how great powerful wizard they were and how much the people loved them. If I am honest, I was really scared from the whole situation, but especially for Isaac. Even the thought that I will see my parents again who I have thought for years that they are dead made my heart beat faster.

On the way to Isaac's palace, we have seen more of the destroyed landscape. "But why do the people nothing against Isaac? Why do they let like it is while knowing how bad it is?" I asked. "See, only if a member of the royal family governed the country, the people and nature can stay alive. And they don't know, that your parents are still alive. So they have no choice. "But what can we do," asked Chloe. Phoenix told us, "You are the true heir of Aurelia. You're the only one who can do something against Isaac. Isaac wears a necklace too, in there are his powers. So we need to grab it and to destroy it, after this, we can save your parents."

We walked about 30 minutes to the top of the rock. With every step, I got more excited. We hid behind a big grey stone from the passing of big birds. Phoenix told us they were guarding the palace of Isaac. We close very carefully to a large castle door. We opened it and scathing sound appeared.

I saw a big red room. It seemed dark and scary. There were statues everywhere. Phoenix must have meant this when he explained that Isaac can turn people into stone with his amulet. At the end of long tables with chairs stood a great throne protected by thick muscular creatures with swords. But I couldn't see Isaac.

We heard two voices and so we had to hide again. The voices grew louder and louder until the creatures finally stood before us. "Have you already prepared the car for the king," one of the two asked slowly in a low voice. "He will come soon and want to go to the "Center Place" for the celebration. You know he hates it to wait," whispered the other one. "Yeah, yeah the car is standing by behind the palace."

"Phoenix, do you know this place?" I inquired. "Yes, if we hurry up, we are there before them," imparted Phoenix

The "Center Place" looked beautiful. It was a big place surrounded by houses. The facades were decorated with garlands. There were already many people gathered. These include fairies, trolls, creatures with long ears and dwarfs. We watched how Isaac came from his car to the big golden chair, which was placed in the middle of the place. He stalked like a stork to his throne surrounded by his guards "How do we distract the guards so that we can destroy the chain?" I wanted to know. "Chloe and I will distract the guards and you'll sneak up on him behind and grab the chain and then you'll run as fast as you can."

Chloe and Phoenix did a very good job, they led the guards away from the evil king. I heard my heart beating as I was so near behind Isaac. I was so close. But as I wanted to grab it, Isaac turn around and held my hand. How did he know this? In the same moment, the guards came back with my caught twin sister and Phoenix. "Who we have here? Oh, and Phoenix, didn't see you for a long time. I see you have found new guests for me. Who are they? Wait, say nothing. Aren't they the daughter of Queen Amalia. You are dumb like your mother to come here. It was her mistake to marry this man from the normal world. So let's do the same what I did with them. You will become a stone. You will be a beautiful completing for my rock collection." Isaac announced proudly.

"Take your amulets together. Hurry!" I interrupted me from the guard. Chloe did the same. We ran together. Chloe looked unsure to me. I could read the thoughts: She was scared. As we put our amulets together, something happened what I can still not believe. We started to glow and everything around us. I felt like the time would stop. But when I turned around, I realized that the time had really stopped. Everybody stood and nobody moved anymore. I was staring at Chloe. But she was just as overwhelmed by the situation as me. Only now did we realize that we can defeat Isaac. We floated to Isaac. Who could not move and snatched his chain from him. "And how do we destroy it now," I asked. Chloe took a stone and hit the chain. When she was broken, a black smoke came out of her. Isaac also became black smoke that was drawn into the chai. After that, the chain unfurled into thin air.

Time went on normally again. All creatures turned around in amazement. Chloe and I went before the crowd. She starts talking. "We're the daughters of the true Queen and King. They are still alive. Isaac captured them, but now they are free." After a short surprise, the creatures began to cheer.

Everyone flocked to the palace and waited before it. In the lower part of the palace were the prisons. Our mother was in one of these. Our father in another one. We did break the steal. Chloe and I ran to our parents and simply hugged them. It felt so warm. I couldn't believe that I still have parents. Nobody said anything for a while, it was just enough to have each other.

We went outside to the other people. My mom spoke in front of all the citizens of Aurelia. After she explained everything, she continued "And all this we owe to my daughters and of course Phoenix." As a thank you, you can live anytime in the normal world and here in Aurelia as you want." Everyone cheered. "But first we have to celebrate a birthday," my mother finished.

My family was finally reunited and that should never change.

*****
Christmas Vacation

Roman Smieja

It was three days before Christmas, I, my husband Jackson and our beautiful daughter are driving to see my grandparents. The drive from California to Alaska was long, so I decided to play Christmas music in the car which makes our eight years old daughter Dana and my husband happy. we are quite a party family so we sing a lot thru the drive. At some point, Dana follows sleep so he turns the music down but I want the music to still play loud.

"I don't want Dana to wake up this time and ask for food to turn the music down," said Jackson with high tone voice. Without saying anything I lower the volume of the music. For a couple of minutes, we have a long quiet car ride. I pull my bag toward me and grabs a book from my bag. I open the book harshly and stars toward at it like I have something to say but before I said anything Jackson cleared his throat and said

"How many days are we planning to stay in your parent's house?" said Jackson.

"I don't know maybe a week, what do you think?" I said with a deep voice staring at the book.

"I just don't want to stay longer because you know, your parents don't like me that much," he said.

"What do you mean, THEY DON'T LIKE YOU?". I close the book and star at him with a confusing face.

"You know that they are not happy with your choice of marriage even know we were married for nine years. Oh, and they don't know what we are divorce for almost two years".

"Yes, but they are not going to find and we are just taking some space from each other?"

"So, can we talk about our problem now," he said

"I mean there is no us, in this problem you are the one who slept with your employer when you have a child," I said with anger.

"Yes, apologize for that thought?" he said

"I still need more time to think about that," I said when I open my book back.

"Just promise me that we would raise Dana together, I mean I don't want her to be different than the other kids at school". Jackson said.

Even know I love him to death I know I must choose the best for my daughter. I remember falling in love with him was the best thing ever happening to me, but now I must focus on my child. We only left 2 hours to drive, I was a little tired so I put my head back and close my eyes in the passenger seat and the car was full of silence. He put a love song and pet my back like a dog.

Before he knows it a deer jumps in front of the car. Jackson was going 50 miles per hours so it was hard for him to stop. So he turns the car while faster, and run into the tree. I see the airbag hanging out. I saw Jackson is lying on the car while covered with blood. I turn around and see my daughter's neck sniped sideways. I called 911

"Hello," I said

"Hi, how can I help you?" said one of the policeman.

"I and my family have a car accident please help us?" I said with a broken voice.

"Ok, tell me slower this following question, what is your name?"

"Aliyah, Ali...yah," I said crying.

"Ok, how many people are in the car mama?"

"Three. I, my eight years old daughter and my husband Jackson.

"Can I ask where your location is, mama?"

"I am two minutes close to the Tongass National Forest"

"We are sending someone right away mama," he said and the phone hangs up.

I don't know what to do so I open the door and went outside. I see birds flying high with freedom and sing with peace. I see two sirens coming toward me, I wave at them so they know that it is me. Some of the policemen went to the car when one of them is asking me a question about how we get the accident. I told him everything and ask him to do me a favor to save my family.

I see a light reflection flashing from the outside and the siren device was loud. I put my head beside my husband holding his hand tight and by my other hand, I use my daughter's hand. I move my head next to my husband ear and whisper I love you, but it was too late.

"We are losing him, we are losing him," one of the nurses said.

"What is his heart rate said?" said the second nurse.

"0," said the first one.

"What do you mean 0"?" I said crying my eyes out.

"Mama, mama we are asking you to step back, we are doing our best here," said the second nurse.

"I'm sorry mama, we tried our best." then they covered his face with a white sheet.

I hold my head with my right hand and get straight down to my knees to the floor. The next thing that I know is that I am in the hospital having a needle thru my veins. I ask the nurse what day is it, then she said Merry Christmas.

*****
First Time in Love

Julia Semianovich

Diana sat in the back of the parents car and cursed everything. Right to her was sitting her annoying little brother Jason, and on the left her older sister Sarah, loudly singing some popular melody that sounded in her headphones. When her father turned on the left turn signal and pulled off the track, Diana took full air and sighed loudly. She could not believe that the family decided to move right now to Arizona. When she is in the tenth grade. She was very scared to go to school. What if she not gonna to make a friends? What if she gets teased? What if she can't love this place? What if her clothes seem strange to the locals? She was afraid that her sister would tease her at school, and her brother - to force her to blush because of her behavior.

The car drove slowly through the central part of the town. Through the window, Diana looked at a pizzeria, a video rental store, a beauty salon, and a shop selling balloons at the entrance. "Where are we?" At the end of the street the car slowed down. Jason stretched out his hand and asked: "Are we here?"

Diana froze: she is about to see their new home! She wondered how it would turn out.She looked at the house as they slow approached it. This house was different from others on the street. It was a modest white building with red door. Getting out of the car Diana took a deep breath, grabbed a suitcase and ran into the house with Sarah and Jason to see what bedroom she would get. "The biggest is mine!" She cried

When Diana went upstairs, there was only one room left. Upon entering, she put the suitcase on the floor. The bedroom was small and dark , but most importantly - it was her room! So she don't have to live in the same room with her sister.

She was mad at her parents for several weeks, ever since they announced that the family is moving. Diana has lived all her life since her birth in the same house and bedroom. The last thing she expected was that they would move, all the more so while she was studying at school. "Don't worry honey, you will like it here. I promise," said her mom. Diana shrugged. "We'll see."

She really missed her house in California. Diana closed the bedroom door and sat on the floor near her belongings. Over on the box were photos of her with friends from California. She missed them. She can't imagine life without them. She was not particularly popular at school, but she had enough friends. And they were all ordinary teenagers. She sat crying and viewed these photos.

Diana wasn't a good friends with her sister. They were very different. Sarah was very sociable and everyone loved her. In college she had a sexy boyfriend who was older than her. They were going to get married. Sarah had a blond hair and her blue eyes is like a sky. She loved popular music. Dancing and singing is her life. She would never agree to play sports. Sarah was beautiful what we can't say about Diana.

Diana was a smart girl with dark hair. She was not fat, but she wasn't that skinny. She looked decent, but never considered herself beauty. She was a good girl and always followed all the rules.Even she had a friends but she never had a boyfriend, although she fell in love many times. Not to say that the sisters were enemies, but they were not close. A mother ran into the kitchen. "Come on, children, you do not want to be late on the first day ?! It is time to go."

The children gathered and ran to the car. Diana never stopped thinking about it. In just a few minutes she had to cross the threshold of the new school! They drove slowly and Diana looked out the window at the cars passing by with laughing teenagers and worried more and more, thinking about how she would make new friends. She imagined how she would drive like this in a car with new friends, laughing and discussing boys. But her brother Jason was glad to move, because he was about to move to High school and he was not that sad that they left. He was so excited to go to new school, make new friends.

Diana entered the school and immediately felt lonely. Jason and Sarah disappeared in the crowd. The school was very large, even more than the school where she studied before. Opening the backpack, Diana tried to find a schedule. She did not remember the number of the classroom and her locker. Standing in the middle of the hallway she rummaged in her backpack, but could not find anything.

All students fled somewhere. The bell rang. And Diana understood that she was late. She finally found her schedule and hurried to class. When she entered into the class , everyone turned and looked at her. Least of all, Diana wanted this on her first day. She saw that people of the back desks begin to whisper and looking at her. "Yeah, I think so, Diana?" asked Mr. Allen.

Diana nodded."First day, and already late," he continued. "Sorry, I'm new and lost," Diana muttered. Children Behind the back desks laughed. "Don't be late anymore. Here is your place," said Mr. Allen, pointing to the only empty seat in the very center of the class.

She wanted to turn and look at the new classmates. But she did not dare, because Mr. Allen could make a remark to her again. At the same time there were people around whom she would see every day all next year. And she was very worried about what they thought about her, because the teacher made a remark to her when everyone was looking at her. It was very awkward for her. She just wanted leave.

The next few lessons were solidly boring compared to the lesson from Mr. Allen. After doing math, literature and physics, Diana, holding four crumpled dollars in her sweaty hand, set off for a snack.

Diana was looking at the price in cafeteria and everything was so expensive. She bought a pack of cookies and chips, she paid off and went out. Looking around she felt lonely. Everyone was sitting in the big group of people. And she didn't know where to sit. She saw a group of guys, they all had a jacket with a name of school and their names. Diana understood that they playing football. One guy turned around and was looking at her. His friends started whisper. Diana felt weird and she left outside.

Diana could not forget his face, his look. His look was like a sun rays. The guy looks so cool. She didn't understand why he was looking at her and what his friends were talking about. She was bothered. The remaining lessons went very slowly, but it was easy for her. No one pay attention to her and she was thinking about a guy from cafeteria.

The bell rang. Today the lessons are over. Diana hurried out of the classroom and felt free. She picked up the things from her locker and went outside and headed for the mother's car. On the way, she met her brother with some two guys. When Jason saw her, he waved his hand and weird looked around. Diana realized that he could not understand why she was walking alone.

She went out and saw their car near the school. She quickly jumped into the car, covering her face with her hand and hoping that no one had noticed her. After a few seconds Jason joined her. A smiling Sarah came out of school with a group of new friends.

Diana felt envy. It's been just one day, but her siblings already got friends and she don't. Sarah opened the door and said: "I'll go have a bite with the girls. I'll be later, they will give me a ride." "Good, honey. Good for you to walk. I'm so glad you made new friends!" Said the mother. Sarah slammed the door and hurried to her friends.

When Diana got home, she went to her room closed a door and started cry. She was thinking about her friends from California. Why they never call me? Maybe they got a new friends and they forgot about me. But if they already forgot about me does they were a real friends? "Children, go to dinner! Get down," said their mom. Jason and Sarah ran out of their rooms and hurried down. Diana was slow. She didn't want to go because she know that they are going to talk about school and ask questions. Diana had nothing to say.

She ate silently, listening to Sarah and Jason talk about her plans for the coming days. "Diana, what about your first day?" asked father. "Fine," she answered."She did not meet anyone, she is unsociable!" Said Jason. "Shut up!" snapped Diana. "Dear, is it true?" asked the mother. "No, is nonsense." Mother, having decided to change the subject of conversation, turned to her father and asked: "And how was your first day at work, dear?" "Just great! I immediately went to work," he answered. Diana hated her brother he was like small evil.

Diana woke up twenty minutes earlier to catch the bathroom before Sarah, and quickly got there, not wanting to deal with her sister. She tried to be better than her sister. After breakfast, Diana hurried to the car to take the front seat. She put her music. This music she used to listen with her friends. She was thinking why they are not texting her. It's been a few days they didn't talk.

Getting out of the car, she saw several sports teams. There was a guy from cafeteria and he was looking at her again. Someone called him " Hey, Rob, we have to go." "Oh, so his name is Rob,"

Diana thought. This days wasn't special. No one pay attention to her. The bell rang. Diana walked into the classroom and sat at the desk, and Rob flew in through the door and sat down at the table next to Diana, she shuddered in surprise. He put the bag on the floor, took out a notebook and pulled off his sweater. Diana was looking at his big muscles. In California, she did not see such strong guys as Rob.

Mr. Allen began the lesson by checking homework. Diana raised her hand, wanting to answer the first question. Most likely Diana wanted to reproduce the impression on Rob. Mr. Allen was impressed with her response. Diana felt a surge of confidence.

The bell rang and everyone jumped up from their seats. Diana dropped her notebook. Rob stopped and picked it up. "My name is Rob," he said. "I am Diana," she answered with feeling the trembling in the knees. "So how do you like here?" he asked. "It's okay, I like here." "I have to show you some good places here, you will like it," he said with a smiling. "Yes, sure." "Well, See you later," Rob said, and ran out of class to catch up with his friends.

Diana could not believe what had happened. Rob spoke to her! She listened him like a god and his voice is prayer. The first lesson was just over and Diana had already begun to think that it was the best day in her life. In lunch Diana was not afraid and sat down at a table with girls. They were very nice to her and they immediately began to talk. At one moment Diana felt herself happy. "Diana, do you want to go to the cinema tonight with me and some my friends?" asked Emily. The rest of the girls nodded and smiled approvingly. "Yes let's go," they said.

Diana liked the idea of going to the cinema in the evening. Especially in the first week in the new school. Diana really wanted to go, but she knew that she would have to ask permission from her parents. Parents were very worried about her. And they often forbade her to go somewhere, especially with those whom she hardly knows. She was in seventh heaven when she left the cafeteria with new friends. She was glad to move for the first time. "See you in the evening, Diana!" said Emily and other girls. For the rest of the day, Diana thought only about the plans for the evening.

When the bell rang, Diana ran out of school and quickly got into the car. "Hi, Mom! I have great news!" she exclaimed cheerfully."What happened, Diana?" " I met local girls today. They are very good. And they invited me to the movies tonight." Diana said. Her mom was very happy about it and she let her go, but she had to come back at 11 p.m.

In her room, Diana almost jumped for joy. She could not believe that mother agreed. Diana began to rummage through the closet in search of suitable clothing. She did not want to stand out among the new girlfriends, so she decided to dress like them. Skirt, pants, leggings, jeans - she had a big choice. She went over several options and settled on tight-fitting black jeans and high black boots. Diana adored these boots. She felt that she looks even more cool than other girls. She put her makeup on and was waiting for her friends.

Saying goodbye to her parents, Diana left the house. Emily lowered the glass. "You look cool," she said. Diana got into the car and asked "So.what are we going to watch?" Girls are thinking "Do you want to go to the party instead cinema?" They asked. Diana didn't know what to say. She wanted to go to the party, but she knew that her parents doesn't like it and she doesn't want to lie to the. "Come on Diana, it will be fun. And a lot of guys from our school going to come, so you can make some friends," said Emily. Maybe and Rob will come? Diana thought. "Okay, let's go," Diana finally agreed. "But at 11 p.m I have to be at home," she said.

When they come to the party, Diana didn't know what to do. She never been on the party before. Emily with other friends quickly disappeared somewhere. Diana was confused but went inside. She didn't know anyone and she didn't understand why Emily left her. She tried to find Emily, but she came across a rob. "Hey, Diana, I didn't that you are going to come," he said. Diana was happy to see him and or a moment she thought how good he is. "Oh, sorry, my friends invited me," finally Diana answered. "Want some drink?" Asked Rob. Diana doesn't want to drink and she actually never drink before, but she wanted to looks cool. "Yes people," she answered

Diana didn't notice how time flew by. She saw a massage from her dad. Dad: "Where are you? Go home." "I'm a little late, the movie is almost over," she said. Diana was so scared and she actually didn't know how to get home because her friends left her. "What happened?" Asked Rob. Diana doesn't want to tell him what happened. But she urgently needed to go home and maybe he could take her home. "My parents told me to be at home at 11 p.m. and it's already 1a.m. They going to kill me and I don't even have a ride." Diana started cry. Rob hugged her so she calmed down. "Don't worry, baby. I will take you home." Rob said. She could not say anything. She hugged his neck and slowly kissed.

*****
Haruka's Story

Anastassia Vazquez

My mother has been killed since I was 5 years old, they came out the news talking about her, and I knew that someone have been murder her while she walking home from work. My father was sobbing and starting to drink alcohol, and when I try to get closer, he started to hurt me and never spoke to me ever again, and I felt so lonely, and that is how I change my life. Now I am 17 years old, and I live in Chicago. My father works at the bank, and he always get home late in the middle of the morning, and I must go to sleep early or else he will punish me. All I want my father to listen to me, maybe someday I will stand up for him and listen to me.

I didn't tell my father that I started to smoke in the middle of the night, because I keep having this nightmare about what if my father has been killed too and I have to live by myself or I can live with my Aunt and Uncle. I tried to quit smoke, however if I keep doing it and I am too young to have a cancer, so I have an idea to help some people to quit some smoking, even though it is hard for the people to quit smoking and their children has to see their parents with their cigarettes on their hand. I knew right away that I can help the people who can try to stay living with their family and see their child going to college.

Now it the change to talk to my dad at front of him, and I want my dad just listening to me for the first time and tell him stop doing drugs and never leave left me alone forever. When it was getting dark, now it was my chance to talk with my father for the first time to talk to him, however I keep forgetting that my father comes home very late and I have to throw away my cigarettes, I was so proud of myself that I threw it away. I waited for my dad, and he usually be home at 2:00am, "I have feeling he been killed, but that won't happen, will it?", I keep mumbling myself and I keep waiting for him about an hour.

Finally, I heard a loud door slam so hard, and that scared me a lot, I walk slowly and I saw my father for the first time. I was in shock, his face was beating up so bad, his head was bleeding so bad, his suit was ripped half on his shirt, and he fell on the ground. I rush to him, but I froze for a bit, I was thinking to myself; "what if he will beat me again?", I said myself: "I have to be strong, be brave!", and I walks toward him. I heard a sobbing, I look closer to him, he was crying while he was on the ground, as soon I get closer, he looked at me and hug me so tight, sobbing and shaking. "I am sorry, I am very sorry...", said my father sobbing around his face, hugging me so tight, I started to cry too, my tears came out and I hug him back so tight, "Please quit doing drugs dad, please.", I answer to him and he answer back, "I promise, I won't happen again." After it was over, he finally got home very early and got a different job, he is now never doing a drugs ever again, I was very proud of him, and I heard a voice sound like a mother saying "I am so proud of you my sweet daughter.", and I turn back, it was a white bird flying away up the sky, very bright and I was happy and walk with my father for the first time.

*****

Little Fisherman

Nafisa Ali

Our house was directly across the street from the big hospital in the city. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out the patients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was setting up the dinner, suddenly I heard "knock knock" at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man.

"He is hardly taller than my eight- year-old, why?" I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the worst thing was his face - lopsided from swelling, raw and all red like a tomato. Yet his voice was so pleasant and gentle as he said, "Hello, Good evening. I have come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from eastern shore, and there is no bus from here till the morning.

He told me he'd been looking for a room since noon but he couldn't find a room. "I guess it's my face. I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments."

For a moment I hesitated, but it was his next words that convinced me: "I could sleep in this chair on porch if you don't mind. My bus leaves early in the morning." I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch for right now.

I went inside and finished setting up the dinner table. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he wanted to join. "No thank you. I have plenty, but thank you for the offer." And he held up a brown paper bag. I went inside finished eating my dinner and when I had finished doing the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk to him for a few minutes.

It didn't take long time to see that this old man had an big heart that was crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, his three children and his wife, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury.

He didn't tell it by the way of complaint; in fact, every sentence was prefaced with thanks to God for a blessing. He was very grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving his strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the next morning, the bed sheets were neatly folded and the little man was out in the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, with a pause as if asking a great favor, he said, "could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put out a bit. I can just sleep fine in a chair."

He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind." I told him he was welcome to come again.

On his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quarter of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 am and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.

In the next years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetable from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale. Every leaf was carefully washed.

Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts more precious. When I received these little remembrance, I often thought a comment our next-door neighbor after he left that first morning. "Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose your respect and people will start talking rumors about you! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!"

Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! if only they could have known him, perhaps his illnesses would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; for him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude.

Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful on of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with bloom. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought myself, "if this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!" My friend changed my mind.

"I ran out of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden."

She must have wondered why I laughed so delightly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. "Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body."

*****
Love is Blind

Alexandra Garcia

Graham was very proud to say he was different. He was the last person you'd expect to be ashamed of a disability, and that was only one of the things that made him special. Sometimes, I would sit down and talk to his parents about our childhood, and they would tell me how hard it was to raise a bind kid; specially a kid as curious as Graham is.

It was fine when he was a baby, they said, because he would only do normal baby things like sleep, cry when he was hungry, needed his diaper changed or be carried by his mom or dad when he felt alone. But it turned harder when he was beginning to walk and touch things. Average kids would touch only things they find attractive to their sight, but Graham would touch everything, and when I say everything, I mean it. It could be dangerous, and that is what made his parents decide to move to a bigger house. I like to say that was the best decision they've ever made, because thanks to that he became my neighbor, and him becoming my neighbor was just the beginning of our story.

The day I met him came until a Saturday morning, which I remember perfectly even though I was very, very young, like six years old. I was playing in the front garden of my house when all the sudden this little boy appeared in my house, calling for his parents, with both arms extended to the front like a cartoon zombie and walking as he was afraid to fall. I asked him what was wrong, and he explained he wanted to get to his house but never found the main door, which made me confuse because if the door was obviously big in front of him while he was in his garden, why didn't he find it?

"I am blind, like a blind fish," he said spontaneously. He was smiling a little bit, but I didn't really know if it was supposed to be funny because being blind is a serious thing, isn't it? So, I did not laugh.

"Oooooohhh... Well, I guess that explains it," I said instead, then I took his warm hand and walked him to his front door where his father was already rushing to the outside. He hugged his son like he was made of glass and apologized to him like he had done the worst thing. I would be scared as hell to if my blind child doesn't make it to the front door. What was he doing alone outside anyways?

"I told you to wait in the stairs! And I am so sorry I left you there."

"Is the boy still here?" He asked, breaking gently his dad's hug and kept talking like nothing happened. This is when you can realize that would never know the way he would react about something. He would never stop surprising you. This is another of the special things about Graham Sinclair.

"I am here, but I think I should leave now that you are back home, so bye-bye!"

"No, no, no, no. Wait! Thank you! For bringing me here and not letting me be crushed by a car or something, you know." I looked at his dad, who was smiling at me and thanked me too as I realized he was not even surprised about the way his son was taking, maybe because he had to deal with his words and expressions every day. I would, or maybe everyone would expect a blind six-year-old kid barely being able to talk, but I was wrong, he was smart; the smartest kid I've ever met.

Before I said anything, he talked again.

"Can I know your name?"

"Uh, sure. My name is Isaac!"

And he was Graham. Sweet, bubbly and innocent Graham. It was so nice to meet him, and instead of leaving we played all morning until we were hungry and went to our houses to eat. And, what did we do next? We went outside and kept playing. And so we did the next day, and the next day when I got back from school. A few days later we were confident enough to play at each other's bedroom. He knew my mom and brother, they knew him; I knew his parents and they knew me.

And, fun fact? Nine years later, when we were fifteen, we started dating. Yep, he chose me, and just as he told me he was as blind as a blind fish, he told me he liked me like bees love honey and flowers. And whew, of course I did like him back. No, I loved him so damn much.

Now it's time to talk about his seventeenth birthday, the one with the gift that changed his life completely. It changed mine too, of course, because I was a part of his environment and he was a big part of mine.

"It's a surprise for both of you," his dad said as he handed me a folded newspaper and a letter. I reminded quiet for a few seconds, not knowing what to say or open first.

"What is it?" He tickled me in the ribs with his pointing finger which was that kind of tickles that hurt you a little.

"Give me a second, I am not quite ready."

He remained quiet as I told him, for literally just one second.

"Okay, so it has been exactly a second, so I assume you are ready now."

"Graham."

"But I don't want a second."

"Jeez, fine." I opened the newspaper first, reading out loud the big letters that were underlined with a red marker.

DOCTORS AND SCIENTIST DISCOVERED AN EFFECTIVE CURE FOR ALL TYPES OF BLINDNESS.

I didn't say a word after that, and neither did he. I looked at him, his face had no expression, at least not one that I could read. This was an everyday thing, so all I did was wait, and wait, and wait for a word from him, because my brain was completely blank.

"Actually, I think I do need a second." He said, finally, releasing a chuckle.

"That's not all the surprise, there's the letter too," Laura, his mother, said.

"Nah, mom. I think I'll take the second, you are with me, aren't you, Isaac?"

"Totally."

I looked at his parents and they looked at each other. Graham was sitting in the couch beside me without moving or emitting a sound, he was still. For a moment I wanted to know more than ever what he was thinking. Was he happy to know that there was an opportunity? Was he afraid? Because I already knew what was written on the letter, I knew Graham already had an idea and I know you are having it too, so there's no need to explain it.

"You know, I'll just think about it."

Laura said the appointment was already made, so if he didn't want to do it, they'll just have to cancel it, and everything would be back to normal.

Some days passed since the announcement, Graham was stressed out and overthinking it, but I don't blame him, I would be doing the exact same thing if I was in his place so all I could and tried to do was show him my support, because he needed it. When he asked me what I wanted, I told him all I want is him to be happy with whatever choice he made, and I was being honest.

Graham had an answer now. He accepted.

The days continued, and as the days went on, the anxiety increased. He went to the appointment and know there was a date for the surgery.

"Are you sure?" I asked, for the hundredth time.

"Oh, Lord. I am, Isaac."

"Really?" He laughed this time, a little annoyed laugh. Then he looked for my arms with his hands and hugged me when he found them. I hugged him back as I kept going with my worries. "What if you don't find me the way you expected?"

"What if I don't find you the way I expected but I like it anyways?"

"Are you scared?"

"Are you?"

"Yes, I am, a lot."

"So am I." This is when I really began to wonder, did he really want to see?

My brother spent time with us the night before the big day, our parents told us to sleep early because the next day was going to be rough. We didn't listen, no one could sleep being this nervous. So we stayed in the living room eating that afternoon's pizza and some popcorn, watching a bored movie.

"Guys, I can't see why he decided to kill her." Graham said, talking about the movie and smiling very widely.

"Haha, very funny, Graham."

"Stop bullying yourself, poor boy." My brother replied, and this is how we spent the next two hours before we fell asleep without even noticing.

We got up early with zombie faces because we obviously didn't sleep well, and Graham was the only one who did not regret the decision, in less than two hours he would be sleeping for a whole surgery to wake up having a completely new perspective of the world.

"That will be the best sleep I'll ever have," he said, and then he laughed at himself as he always did. Here is another special thing about him, he would laugh at the things other people would cry about. "I'll have real nightmares now, I think I am excited."

He talked, and I listened but all I could think of was how amazing this boy was. Filled with hope and dreams. A pure heart, a pure mind. Honest. Dedicated. A person you'd expect to be someone amazingly big in this life.

Goodbye time came. And crying time too.

"Don't make me cry because the doctors won't be able to get to my eyes if they are swollen." He cried anyways. Was he crying because he was happy? It seemed so, so I was happy too. I saw him disappearing behind the doors, and that was the last time I saw this Graham.

We waited hours and hours. We were frustrated, what if something went wrong? But nothing went wrong, not with the surgery. It was when he waked up when I noticed there was something wrong, not with his sight, with Graham. It was not that he got scared as hell when he waked up and saw everything black because of the bandage in his eyes, the doctor said that was normal since he had never seen before. Just a few days before we take the bandage off and you'll be good, you'll be perfect. Okay, Graham? Maybe.

I was not what he expected, but he liked it. Laura, his dad, my mom and brother were not what he expected, but he liked it too; at least that is what he said. The first thing he wanted to do was not to explore or travel, but to learn how to read and write English, and he did quickly.

A night, while driving, he was watching at the moon.

"Is it following us?" And we laughed, because of the innocence he still had.

But why didn't he tell me what he had in mind? He didn't say he didn't really like the idea of being able to see. He didn't say no when he was about to go to OR. He didn't say he did not like the trees, or the sky, or the way birds look like. I won't lie, sometimes I wished he could see how pretty his face was, but not if he didn't want to, not if he didn't feel like it.

Why did he let us know when it was too late, when he was not with us anymore?

I didn't discover he left this world because someone told me, I discovered it because I was the one who found him that sunny morning. Had he been spending all night laying on that cold floor in his bedroom? Without us not even noticing or asking ourselves, what is Graham doing right now?

In the note, he apologized to his mother, because he waisted the life she gave to him. To his dad, because even though he taught him how to be strong he couldn't handle having the gift of seeing. To my mother and brother, because he knows he would break their boy's heart. And to me, because I saved him that Saturday morning when we were kids, because I had so much patience with him, because I was with him every hard time, every fun time, because he knows the amount of love my eyes were filled with every time I saw him, he was sorry he couldn't see anything in that same beautiful way. He loved every single one of us.

And it did destroy my heart. Tiny little pieces, millions of them. But after a few months I forgave him because I knew he was just scared, or ashamed to say he did not like what he saw. Saying yes was a mistake, and he was a human after all, like all of us, with likes and dislikes, fears and strengths.

I contemplated the same action, but I didn't want them to be hurt again, never again.

Now, two years later watching his grave, I am happy I had him in my life. I am happy that I am making my own even when those first days I thought I would end up the same way because I couldn't live without him like he couldn't live without his blindness. He died for it, and I will live for him until the end of my days.

*****

Making Dream Not Dream

Daisuke Yamagishi

It was gone 100 years ago. Big climate change occurred and sea surface increased. Most of popular cities are in the water. 70% of the population was gone. Also, many traditions was gone too. Now age 2150, world is united, and they call themselves as earthman. They live in one continent and there city names are come from the countries that was gone. English is spoken in the world and it is the common language.

It was freshly morning. Japan city, Tokyo street 1234, there was a small house. "Yuta wake up!" elderly woman said. "Ok, but I need ten more minutes grandma." Elderly woman asked, "Wake up or no breakfast?" Yuta got up from the bed as possible as he could. His room was neat, all books were in the book shelves and nothing was on the floor. There were traditional Japanese homestyle dishes available for breakfast. He ate those like drinking water because those were so delicious. He said, "Your dishes are the best in the world cause I've never eaten Japanese food like this at restaurant." She said, "Good cooks were gone by that crisis and no one can make Japanese food except me". He was so proud of her any time. After that he left his house, but he didn't know what's going on.

At the school, he was known as a bad student. He always slept in the class and didn't turn in the home work. However, he always got one hundred on every test. It made him think he was genius and don't have to do same thing as normal students do. He had a lot of friends. All of them were individual and one of them likes study and one of them likes to read but they had never argued about their personality, also Yuta too. Lunch time came. He opened his lunch box and delicious smell filled whole class. He always has lunch with his best friend. Tomoki. Tomoki said, "Can I have some?" Yuta said, "Why do you ask me every single day? It's so weird." He replied "Cause, your grandma's food is so good and I'm proud of it." Yuta laughed.

After school, Yuta came back to the house and said, "I'm home." However, there was no reply. He felt something that can't perform with word. He ran into the house and opened the door of the living room and found her. Her eyes were widely opened and looking at one place. He rushed to the telephone and called 911. After that ambulance came and she was taken. After 1 hour later, he knew she died. It was like unbelievable thing for him. He cried like fall and it stopped next morning.

Sunday, he started to pack her stuffs up. He found many pictures and one of them made him a decision. It was picture of when they had dinner when he was three years old. He cried and decide he will be a cook because cook can provide happiness for everyone.

Monday, he told about the dream to Yuta. Yuta said, "It's impossible for you. You better give up." Yuta had known he can't study and never cooked before. He realized how hard that is. Yuta couldn't say anything. However, his decision couldn't change. Once, it made him depressed, but it made him serious.

From this week he started studying hard and never slept. He had to study to go to good cooking school. He kept getting good grade on the test. Everyone liked him. This good atmosphere made him better. After two years, he graduated from high school. Teacher asked him, "What do you want to be?" He replied without concern, "cook."

Next August, he enrolled to the best cooking school. He majored in Japanese food. It was hard for him the beginning, but he was getting better and better and better. However, he felt something wrong because it didn't taste like his grandma's. He was concerned.

After he came back to home, he was still concerned. He started cooking for the dinner. Good smell expanded and filled the room. When he tried to get the cup, he slipped, and a paper fell into in front of him. It said recipe of her foods. Many characters were on the paper and each one was so small. He remade his dinner with the recipe and it tasted as delicious as she made. He cried. After that night, his skill got better and started improving. When he graduated from high school, he was chosen for best student in the school.

4 years later, he made his own restaurant. He made dream to real. Dream is not dream. His restaurant is called grandma cafe because he serves food as same taste as his grandma's. His hands can't stop because there are still many orders. He became good cook like his grandma.

*****

Remember the Time

Zi Yang Feng

In 2109 that day it was raining cats and dogs the sun star fragment hit the earth a lot of people are died by the sun star fragment . There was a boy name Wang his family died in the sun star fragment rain. It's like happening yesterday for him he was scared to remember because at that time outside after he went back to home saw the sun star fragment rain hit his house. Long time after he pass away he remember the time before the sun star fragment rain he said'' I will remember.''

It was before the sun star fragment rain in 2099 Beijing china, wang was live in a small house. The house small like two classroom add in one but their have a lot of fun. One day it was not sun star fragment rain yet. That day it was morning the sun raise up Wang mom Yi said "Wake up Wang is time to go to school wake up or no food for you.'' ''Yes sir. " said wang with a smile face and wang's mom said what are you say wang? "I'm just joking mom.''

After food he went to school Wang have no dad and only have him and his mom, grandmother and grandpa. Wand is 13 years old after he went to school have a lot of fun with friends and teacher after school he went home there is mad on his shoe and his dress.

Wang's mom said "Oh my god what happen to you" and he said "I was playing football with my friend on the field.

His mom wash all his dress and shoe that have mad and his mom said" Now we wash for you when we are older like you grandmother you will wash for me and you grandmother and grandpa right?'' "YES mom we I grow up I will go to NFL and buy a very big house and a lot thing and I will buy other house for you and grandmother and grandpa." said Wang.

After a long time sun star fragment rain hit the earth lot of his friend teacher died and his family and he is the only person survive because he was outside. Before Wang pass away he said" I will remember the thing my family and my friends, teacher told me."

*****
Second Chance

Samuel Anders Veras Rodriguez

It all started on the day when Hugo Chávez celebrated his birthday with an election campaign promising to fight insecurity for Petare. That day, just a year ago, he made a curious appeal: "Stop being bullies and be 'good guys.' I speak to them as if they were my children."

According to government figures, during 2012 in Venezuela there were just over 16,000 homicides, 14% more than the previous year. The rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 54.

However, the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence (OVV) raises the calculation to about 22,000, for an annual rate of 73 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. To get an idea of the contrast, in Argentina, violent homicide rates are 5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Therefore, after more than 20 major security plans, Chávez opted to appeal directly to those who are supposed to be the driving force of this delinquency wave, the youth of the neighborhoods.

That day in Petare, at least one group of them was listening. "Why would not we follow that call, it's giving us an opportunity, and no other president has called on criminals to ask them to be good guys," says Manuel. It was at that moment when he decided to launch what is now the presiding foundation, called "The underworld wants to change."

"To encompass all who have a background, and give an opportunity to everyone that society rejects and help him to reflect and realize that crime is not the way," he says. Another of the rescued by "The underworld wants to change," Carlos tells BBC Mundo how he started stealing when he was not even 13 years old.

Mine was about having a motorcycle. In my band we were like 16 and today we are three who are still alive. We began to steal, in alleys, those who entered and left, those who arrived with the market. One did not believe in anyone. Carlos, "The gang wants to change"

"My thing was to have a motorcycle, in my band we were like 16 and today we are three of us who are still alive, we started stealing, in alleyways, those who entered and left, those who arrived with the market. I believed in nobody, "he says.

At 30, he tells how hard life is in a neighborhood like Petare and how easy it is to end up as a delinquent. "When you're fried, without money, you're told to 'come with us.' When you come to see, it's already spoiled, now you have to kill for your friend, and you have to steal," he recalls.

According to him, although we can not talk about organized crime in Caracas, there is a certain leadership: "The oldest, the one that has thrown the most pods, the one that has the most homicides, the most has stolen, the one that sells the most drugs, that He is the owner of the band."

Carlos claims to be rehabilitated, but he and his companions, as well as facing the rejection of those criminals who refuse to leave the criminal life, also face the skepticism of many Venezuelans who do not believe that redemption will fit for people like them.

An example, an agent of the National Guard who in an informal conversation with BBC World expressed his doubts about the initiative. "Now the 'goodies' are being made to get out of the law, but they are still in the same," he said.

Nevertheless, Fernando replies and considers that it is fair to have a new opportunity. "I have committed sensitive crimes and also my comrades, and yet we are here and we do not have in mind to be getting into trouble." "Just as we could get out of crime, we are demonstrating to those guys from the hill who can also be sitting here talking, everyone has the right to a second chance. He said his second chance was moving to the U.S.A to find a good work and to be safe.

That was the story that my Grandpa tell me two days ago. That is why he don't live in Venezuela anymore. He move to Venezuela when he was 34 years old he said Venezuela was beautiful but all politicians are bad in Venezuela. I come from Dominican Republic and it's all full of Venezuelans because they can't stay in their country because what my grandpa say is true. Venezuela dangerous now maybe get better and me and my Grandpa can visit there.

*****
Repressed Power

Lucia Rutherfurd

Part 1

Andalucía, Spain.

6 February 1964.

'Where could it be this girl? Why she's like this?"

"She is just like you! There's no crazy in my family!"

'Great. Fighting again as usual, Dad is going to kill me. Crazy I must be to go back right now.'. All dark and quite now, that not even a soul could be heard, on the sly Alejandra went down from the roof. She opens the door carefully. With much secrecy she finally made it to her room. Blindly try to find the key of her room, just in case someone try murder her that night. As soon as she lay her head to her bed she falls asleep.

Her sleep was interrupted by "Pom!" that my dad was making the loudest sound of the entire block. She prepared herself mentally before open the door.

"Yes?", I asked.

"Where you've been, we were so worry about?!,", her dad threateningly asked her while he raised his hand like he was about to slap her. "Answer me!"

"I was in the Peña of Jose-", she shouted.

"Don't you dare to raise your voice to me, I'm your father and you owned me respect", he yelled back.

"And if I don't what you are going to do hit me? Kicked me out of the house? And why you were looking for me if I don't exist to you?"

"Don't try me you know I can. Anyways we have some news to you.", her dad sarcastically said.

"What news?", she asked.

"You are going to get married!", Dad tell her with a smile that reached both ears.

"What? What do you mean? I am not going to get married!", Alejandra was so confused.

"You are going to get married in two weeks with the son of my compadre"

"What?! No, I won't.", she protested.

"You know what you are starting to piss me off, so I'm going to ask you as a favor to shut up because if you do-", she interrupted

"Force me then!", Alejandra replied.

He slapped her, but he wasn't satisfied just with that, he took of his belt and hit Alejandra every inch of her body, he was unstoppable. And her mom was useless, crying in a corner without moving a finger for her daughter.

After a half of hour horrifying martyrdom her dad finally stop.

"I hope that this time was pretty clear to you that under with ceiling I am who decides who does what, and unless I am dead I will still be your father and you must be obedient to me. Get it? Let's go Maria, cook me something good that can change with sour taste out of my mouth"

Her face and body were painted of purple, purple as her dad's rotten heart, because of all the bruise that her dad did. Alejandra stayed on the floor until the night came. With a lot of pain, she finally stands up and directly went to her bed, her back was replete of open wounds and her legs dark light belt marks. She was a prisoner of her mom's weakness and dad's savageness. That night she didn't sleep the pain gripped of her tiredness, there wasn't no position that didn't cause her pain.

24 February 1964

"You look absolutely beautiful", Maria and her older sister, Claudia, hypnotized by Alejandra's beauty said.

Alejandra haven't say anything the entire day. That pearly dress fits her perfectly, but only her didn't match at all, her express no emotions, not sad, not happy, not scare, not anger.

It was only two hours left to get the wedding start, her mom was fixing her hair and dress.

"You look gorgeous!", Maria said with excitement, but she didn't have any answer from Alejandra.

"What's wrong honey? Is your wedding day, you should be happy", her mom said with a fake smile in her face?

"What's wrong? I am about to get married with a man that I don't even know, isn't that enough wrong?", Alejandra spoke back.

"Alejandra, sweetie... I know that aren't happy now but I sure that with time you'll end up falling in love with him,", Maria continue "he actually reminds me a lot to your dad, I'm sure you'll be happy and that everything will be fine."

"Really? He reminds you to my dad. Thanks mom I'm so much happier now,", Alejandra sarcastically said, "Mom, I've understand that you can't afford a school for me, but I don't get this, I just can't believe that my own mom is agree with this madness." Mariah stayed quiet for a bit and then left her daughter alone, again.

It was time. Her arm attached to her arm, walking slowly, seeing her only ten guests, containing the tears she finally sees him, a tall, dark hair, of deep stare was waiting, he didn't have a cheerful face either, she could easily tell that he double her age. The long and bored ceremony, Alejandra's hands were getting sweatier with each minute that passed, she didn't want to engage with that stranger that in a few minutes will become her husband.

"Alejandra Veraz Matute. Do you accept Mauro Maduro Chavez as your husband? Do you promise to love him and respect in the good bad moments?", the Priest ask. Alejandra with no other option that to accept. That night was the most disgusting night that she ever had to live.

Carmona, Spain 1967.

Alejandra has been feeling sick lately, every fifteen minutes she rushes to the bathroom to throughout, she feels bad, and she had notices that her belly is a little bit bigger now. And she feels so sad, her worst nightmare is about to come true, she was pregnant, she hates the idea that she will give birth to the child of that horrible man.

The days have passed and yes, her fear became true she is pregnant, but she hasn't say anything yet, she scared, scared to death.

One night when she couldn't hide it anymore, she took all her braveness and valency to confess to that man, that she was expecting a baby of his.

"Mauro, I have to say something to you"

"Now what? I don't have more money for you, just make some rice with something again.", Mauro tired said.

"No, is nothing about that.", slowly said.

"God dam, then what the heck you want to say, faster!", Mauro was starting to get pissed off.

"I am expecting a baby of yours." The entire room was in absolutely silence.

"What? What do you mean with that you are pregnant? I don't want it, we don't have the money to have a child.", Mauro angry said.

"Don't talk to me like that, I didn't want to get pregnant anyways"

"Shut your mouth, don't you dear to talk to me like that!", Mauro shouted showing to her his furious eyes.

She only put her head down, trying to contain her cry.

"Augh I hate when you do this to me! You really try hard to make lose my mind!", Mauro start to cry.

"You always blame me for everything,", Alejandra start raising her voice, "and sometimes I convince myself that yes, yes, it is my fault, is my fault not killing myself before getting married-" Mauro slapped. Once again, a man takes his advantage of being man against her. But this time she had enough. All her anger gets concentrated in a punch, which make Mauro bleed. Mauro was surprised, a woman dared to touch him, and in a moment of insanity he pouched her until she falls unconscious to the floor, but it wasn't enough, he kicked her belly until he got tired. Maria was wrong Mauro wasn't like her dad, Jose, he was worst, complete worst.

Alejandra wake up wake up next morning, she had a terrible headache. And her body once again was stained of bright red and purple, she takes her shirt off and looked herself in the mirror, her belly was turning black.

After few hours later, her husband -if he still is- came and claimed his food again like nothing was wrong, and like another usual day, she fed him, she fed that monster. Before going to sleep she had terrible abdominal cramps, she just drank a tea and tried to fall asleep.

In the middle of the night she got wake up by the cramps, by the pass of each minute the cramps get more intense. She was boiling in fever and swimming in sweat, she couldn't hold it anymore, the pain drives her to the bathroom. She felt something coming out and falling between her legs. Her baby, her almost precious baby has died, she holds it with both hands. She was crying and sobbing in silent clinging to her baby in a red sea of blood.

Suddenly psycho voices started invading her mind driving her insane. Suddenly she stopped crying and kissed her baby and covered with a towel. Alejandra covered with her own blood started walking through all the house and singing lullabies to the baby, the voices wouldn't leave. Until she couldn't more, the evil in her own. She went to the kitchen, she grabbed the sharpest knife that she could find, and went directly to the bedroom, where her lovely husband was sleeping quietly, just like baby.

She put her baby in a side of the bed, then she stood in the front of her yet alive husband, and weirdly a moment of sanity interfered her mind. She knelt and started crying, she couldn't believe what she was about to do but then she saw her death baby and the evilness took control of her. She stabbed him until she took all the furiousness out, she took revenges of all what he has done to her, each tear that she cried was each stabbing.

In the dawn, she took a shower and get dressed, and cold blood she took her baby and left, to never comeback. Nobody knows where she went, or what she did, no even if she still alive. Nothing had been confirmed, some people said that she killed herself, other said that she moved back to Andalucía to kill her father. But one thing is for sure is that after that horrible event all the men from the zone start fear woman, and they have never underestimate their woman. Alejandra's desire somehow came true, man respect the women.

*****
Sweet Home

Chloe Lee

Ring, ring, ring! I swung open my door and leaped down the stairs. Ring, ring, ring, I rushed against the phone.

"Hello, this is the Simith's Farm. How may I help you?" I said almost out of breath.

"Hello, can I talk to Ivy Smith please?" a man answered.

"Oh, this is Ivy speaking. May I ask who this is?"

"My name is Mr. Jay and I am the headmaster of the California Art Academy. We found your art blog and saw your talent, would you like to come our art academy in Los Angeles with a full scholarship-"

"Wait, when do you want me to start? Does my family have to move? Wait, did you say it is in California? Los Angeles? I've never been outside of Delaware!"

"Ms. Ivy please calm down. California Art Academy is a boarding school, so your family does not have to move. Only you will be staying at our campus. The first day of school is a month away from today. You have plenty of time. We have already sent you our school information brochure and application form."

"Okay, I need to discuss this with my parents. This is a big change for me."

"This is a big opportunity for you. I wouldn't want you to miss it. We will be looking forward to your enrollment to our academy." Mr. Jay said as he hung up the phone.

At that moment, my mom walked into the room.

"Mom you wouldn't believe what just happened!" I said and continued saying about my conversation with Mr.Jay.

"Oh, so you are scouted to one of the famous art schools in California."

"Yep. But mom, would it be okay if i go? If I go to the school, I should live at the dorm and I won't be able to help you work. I might not gonna see you for like 3 years."

"I'm fine, honey. It would be a great opportunity for your dream and future. Don't think about me and just do whatever you want."

"Aww, momma thank you so much. I love you."

A month has passed now, and it was already the day before the first day of school.  
My parents were helping me move my belongings to my new dorm room. The room already had been set-up by my roommate. She was not there, so I was scared to meet her. What if she doesn't like me? What if she hates me? My heart was beating like a broken drum. At this exact moment, a girl with red, long and straight hair with brown eyes and slim body walked into the dorm.

My Dad stepped up to greet her, "Hi, I am Mr. Smith, Ivy's father, I believe you are her roommate. What is your name?"

"Hi, my name is Rose. It is so nice to meet you. Let me know if you need help with anything!" Rose answered with the brightest, sweetest smile. Then my Mom gave Rose a huge hug. "It is so nice to meet you Rose. Would you please help my Ivy? Because she has never been to school with other kids before, she is shy and will have a hard time making friends-" "Mom, please stop talking about me like that. Okay, it's time for you guys to go," I said as I rushed my parents out of my room. I hugged and kissed them and said goodbye, and they finally left. As soon as I turned to talk to Rose, I could see her arms crossed and her eyes glaring at me.

"Okay, here's the deal, farmer. We only live together, so we don't have to be friends. I don't want people to think that I hang around with a countryside farmer who's never been to school with other kids. Okay, well I need to go now. Please don't act like you know me. Oh my gosh, it smells like a farm ewww." Rose's words pierced my heart as she left the room. Are all of the people here gonna think of me as just a farmer? I fell asleep with these thoughts in my head.

I didn't see Rose until lunch time. She was with two other girls and didn't even see me. I brought my food tray to a corner of the cafeteria. I was alone everywhere I went today from first period to third period. I felt like I was alone in the world. Sometimes people pointed fingers and sneered at me. Rose might have told about me to them. I was really scared and depressed when I recognized that they were talking about me.

All of the sudden, Rose and her friends came up to me and started to talk to me. "Hey hi, is your name Ivy? Haha, you are from a countryside right? So are your parents farmers? Have you seen computers in your life? You smell like a cow's poop," they giggled and went back to their seat. As soon as I finished eating, I went back to my dorm room. When I put my backpack on the floor, my phone rang.

"Hey honey, how was your first day of school so far? Are the people there nice to you?" my mom sweetly asked me in concerned voice. "Uh... yeah of course, Mom. I'm doing fine. Don't worry about me. But I gotta go Mom. My class is starting soon," I forced myself to end the conversation. "Oh, ok I understand that you are busy. Just let me know if you want to talk, ok?" "Ok Mom, thanks," I said as I hung up the phone. I slouched in my chair and just closed my eyes. Do I really want to stay here? Do I even belong here? I need to get out of this room. I know what to do to help me calm down.

I went to the library. I took out my sketchbook and a pencil and began drawing. Drawing was my way of expressing myself. It relieved my stress and made me forget everything bad. I was so focused at drawing that I didn't notice someone behind me. I turned around my head and saw a girl with short blonde hair, pale skin, and green eyes. She gave me a big smile and said " Wow, you are really good at drawing. My name is Daisy. Can you teach me to draw like that?" That was the start of our friendship. She was my only friend in this whole school but I was happy when I was spending time with her at school. She was also the only person that I talk to a lot. Daisy was my a ray of light in the dark room for me.

Now two months have passed since then. Nothing much has changed. Rose and her friends were still mean to me and some other people started whispering at me. However, Daisy was different. She told me not to care about it and that I should be confident at who I am.

"Ivy, are you going to enter the school's drawing contest? You should, I think. You are really good at drawing." Daisy spoke with eagerness.

"No, I can't. Everybody is gonna make fun of me," I said. "It's okay, it's anonymous. No one will know that you drew it."

"Really? I mean if no one will know, I guess that's okay," I said as we walked to class. For the next couple days, I worked on my drawing and I finally turned it in.

The following week during dinner, Daisy and I were talking about the contest when somebody shouted that the contest winner was posted on the main hall wall. Everyone finished eating quickly and rushed to the main hall. Daisy and I quickly followed. As soon as I got close to the crowd, everyone turned their head and looked at me. I whispered to Daisy, "Why are they all looking at me?" Daisy's eyes grew big and she shouted. "Ivy that's your drawing!" At that moment, I ran to my dorm. How did everyone know that it was mine? When I got back to my room, I jumped on my bed and took a nap. I woke up because of the sound of Rose's voice but didn't get up because I know she wouldn't want to talk to me.

"Hey farmer, get up. You can't just lie on bed all day." I woke up when I realized that Rose was talking to me. Rose continued, "Hey, that wasn't a bad drawing."

"Wait, how did you know that it was my drawing?" I asked.

"It was so obvious. Nobody else would draw a picture of a farm and title "Sweet Home," she said. That was the first actual conversation Rose and I shared in a few months.

The next day, I was walking to class when a boy I've never talk to before talked to me. "Hey, I really liked your drawing. I didn't know that you could draw so well. I think you are the most talented person in this Art Academy." Throughout the day, a few people I've never spoken talked to me and complimented me and my drawing. This is when I realized that I can be myself and be proud of where I came from. Now I know that I don't ever have to give up my "Sweet Home".

*****
The Revenge of Stan Jodi Dos Santos

Sebastian Onofri

Stan was in a little jungle of Brazil chasing a monkey because it had taken his banana.

"MACACOOOOOO, EU MACACOOOOO" he said in Portuguese.

And his heart tucun tucun tucun and the bullets pacan pacan pacan.

"Nooooooooooooooooooo".

The floor was red and felt cold even in the warm weather of Brazil.

"OUuu Ahhhhh OOUUaa I'm hurt Oouuhu ahahh ajiji tukituki" yelled the monkey.

"I won't let you die!" said Stan "I'm going to kill the hunter that did this to you"

"Ou Ou Ouuu I'm sorry for stealing your banana ouu ouu".

"Don't be sorry, is all yours now, eat my banana".

Stan Jodi went to a tree and got some leaves off of it and bend them in the monkey's waist.

"What's your name?", said Jodi.

"Meu nome e Macaco", said Macaco in portuguese.

After presenting each other Stan helped Macaco and brought him to the veterinary. The leaves fell of his waist showing his reddish waist full of blood that dried off. When they got into the doctor's consultory Macaco got checked by him.

"Macaco needs to rest for three days, the good news are that he is alive, the bad news he will never be able to walk with his legs again" said the doctor.

"Ouuuuauauuauauauuuau Nooooooooooo, uuuu" Macaco cried.

"I will revenge you, the guy who did this to you is morto... muito mortinho", said Stan.

Stan went to the gun shop and bought an AK-47. Anger and malice were inside Stand's head, couldn't think on anything else but taking revenge on the guy shot Macaco. His eyes were filled with fire and they looked like windows to hell. Stan ran out of the shop and looked at the blue and clear sky, beautiful view from the ground he was on.

"STOP RIGHT THERE JODI!" yelled someone a few meters from Jodi.

There was a gang that Jodi owned some money on them and they want it back.

"What do y'all want" said Stan.

"We want our money back".

"Come get it".

Stan got out his AK-47 and shot two of them as fast as a rabbit in a matter of seconds and got behind a trash container that was nearby. Pam pam pam pam pam, many bullets were chasing him but none of them reached him. This shooting was a bath of blood the gang, Stan was known for being the best shooter of his ghetto. There were a few left and there was a familiar face between them. Stan shot one of them and his head flew and the red blood went on the ground. The shots stopped and there was only one left.

"You got away with my monkey" the last one said.

"Reveal yourself you bastard" said Stan.

He took off his hat and sunglasses, it was the same face Stan had seen a few hours ago. Stan Frowned at him and his face started getting red more and more.

He loaded his AK-47 and said "This is for Macaco".

Pam pam pam pam pam pam, the shooting continued. They were both mad at each other. Stan shot his hand and his pistol fell to the ground and suddenly the hunter started running away Stan accommodate himself, prepared, pointed and PUM, he headshoted the hunter and his head started rolling on the ground making a line of blood on it. Stan felt accomplished and free from his problems. He went to see Macaco and told him he killed the hunter. He had finally taken his revenge...

*****

The Suspicious Sir

Cesar Zorrilla

Michael Cassoulet and his friend Bob Huancaina were two brothers from the streets, and this guy were always trying to be better than the other, but in a good way. They live in the las Delicias street in Ciudad Bolivar, they saw this guy one day, which was really weird for the year and the moment, he has this black shoes some black pants his white shirt with a black tied and this good looking suit, he was wearing some really black sunglasses walking in this suburb where everything is dirty the roads are don't even roads it's just earth, he just didn't fit very well in the environment. This of course call the attention of Michael.

Who is that?" Michael said "What you think am I an FBI agent? I don't know!"

Michael didn't care that much in the moment, but when the sun fell down the moon comes out, Michael has this curiosity over flooding from his body that he just couldn't sleep, and that exact night he went to the store where the rich guy passed, but for some reason the store was closed and with some yellow lines taped in the walls of the store.

Next day Michael and Bob were playing some soccer in their neighborhood, Michael is like flash in the field and Bob was the wall in the goal, but, when Michael saw the guy from the other day, Michael just forgot that he was playing soccer and start to paying more attention to the sir, even he receive the ball, but he just don't even look at it, Bob put this confused face just exactly if someone would try to explain a kid how to do precalculus.

"It's everything ok Michael?" Bob said

"Yeah yeah all good"

"What's up with that guy, right?"

"I don't know but seem that he's into something..."

Bob just didn't understand what his friend was saying, after that moment they just keep playing soccer until nightfall again, Michael didn't sleep that night he wanted to know who was that guy, he put on a pair of jeans shorts, black Nikes shoes and a red shirt or well those were the first things closest to him and he start walking to find out who was this mysterious guy.

While Michael was walking and asking people he sees someone familiar to him, he walks towards Michael, Michael start getting nervous, the face of the strange start getting clear with steps that he take, and then "Michael? What the f are you doing here?" Bob said

"What are YOU doing here at 3 am bro"

"Touche" Bob answered with a smile in his face, and then he explain to Michael what he was doing here, Bob put this serious face to Michael and said "Listen carefully Michael this is real ok, i am looking for a strong-box" Bob said, Michael with his right eyebrow up and the left one down and his mouth semi open answer "are you for real? Like for real? Bro you just can bu-" Bob cuts him just right there and said "shhh this is not just a normal box it's golden one people said that if you sell just the box we can became RICH!!!", Michael opens his eyes a little bit more open than usual, after minutes of looking around he just couldn't believe it, he went to his house which was between two stores and in the middle was his mattress where he sleep.

The next day Michael wake up and he saw this fancy black with red and good looking car just in front of him, he ask himself " what the...... ", Michael said, and right after that his face of confused to extremely happy and surprised at the same time, Michael knew who own that car, he grab the same cloth that he grab the last night and went to the gigantic building in front of his house, he was so excited to see this suspicious, wealthy and good looking sir.

He walks and walks and walks and even walks, but nothing, the mall was just too full of people that find him was like find needle in a haystack, what he did was just, don't give up and keep looking for about two hours non stop, "Oh my god this is imposib-" Michael said when he saw the same suit of the other day, he runs towards him but then he turns and saw Michael, Michael stop running and saw him too, suddenly is this awkward moment between this two,

" Hi, did I know you little fella?" strange Sir said

"Umm, yes I mean no wait maybe?"

The strange sir just smile to Michael and give him one hundred dollars.

'Holy chicken nuggets!!!!! Thank you thank you thank y-o-u?" suddenly everything start falling apart people start falling the floor start breaking up his friend Bob was standing there but wasn't floor where he was standing and he was looking Michael with this cold look saying "I- Told-You" and then he disappear with the ash's he saw the strange sir......he was floating he has the same black suit but this time he was wearing black gloves for some reason was box of cigarettes in his right hand "Wait what? What's going on, hello Bob where did you go? help please, someone please what its this?, after he said that Michael watch himself and he was the one now who was wearing the suit.

"HAAAAAAA"Michael said breathing heavily, after that night he start thinking and wondering about what was the meaning of his dream Michael tell to his brother Bob, he take it really well, but a little worry about himself they were confused, Bob just shake his head and start a new conversation about the golden box, Michael start forgetting about the dream he had the last night, " so where is it?"Michael said,

"Don't you remember that we were looking for it because I DON'T KNOW WHERE IS IT!!"

" pff yeah, you right" they both start laughing until Michael saw the Sir but he kinda doesn't care, but he still wondering why he had those black gloves in his hands when he enter in the stores. The shadow was the darkest shadow that Michael have ever seen in his 17 years of life.

Michael and Bob went to this drug store just waiting for the sir to appear and as they planned he appear, they were pretending that they were reading the newspaper when until the sir said " hey you little fella do I have seen you before?", Michael all nervous, he start sweating and said " no" the strange Sir just laugh a little and said " so, what are you little fellas doing here then?" , the the heartbeat of Michael was exactly like the heartbeat of an bunny, he just couldn't answer, so Bob answer for him " oh we get confused, we thought that this was the ice cream store for some reason, hehe" Bob put this face really fake smile in his face, while the strange sir was getting more curious about them.

"What you kids are trying to hide?"

"Nothing sir, we got here by accident" Michael said, the Sir whistle the cashier and the cashier guy closes the door and the windows.

"Albright little fellas I don't have time for you two, so please don't wasted my time if you know what it's good for you two......fellas" the sir put this huge smile after he said that.

Michael and Bob start thinking how to get out of the situation until the Sir receive a call, He gets mad throw whatever thing its front of him such as cups and flower pots then he look at them and then he said to them" HEY FELLAS GUEST WHAT!! Hehe wanna get a Benjamin Franklin ? ah fellas what all think?" the strange sir said all nervously, they didn't know what to answer and when they did know what to answer they were already in this huge building with people in it, "What!! Wait when we get here bro?" Michael said

"Like maybe 20 mins ago bro" Bob said

"And what are we doing or rather saying what are you doing?!?!?"

"What your idol told us to do, don't you remember?"

"Wait what!!!!!? Why?"

"Because he paid us like five hundred dollars? Duh and he tell me that under this building its the golden box!!!! What a dumb businessman."

"Bro did you even know what's inside of those boxes that you are putting there?

Apparently, those were termites that the business that the sir made in is factory that pretty much eat the iron and destroy the base of the whatever infrastructure.

They stop suddenly and realize that was bad and if they finish of putting every bag in the places where they supposed to be they could hurt people and even......kill.

They just walk out from there and go to the commissary but for the fortune of our kids the Strange sir was already there. "You guys finish the work???"

"Oh yeah easy "Michael said.

"Oh, now if you young fellas excuse me let me see the beu-" he turns to Michael and Bob angrily but with this psycho smile

"Hem, why still the building there?? Uh'

"Oh yeah you didn't tell us to put the boxes in that drug store?" Bob said

"YOU TWO IM GONN-" someone with a rough voice stop him

"PUT THE WEAPON DOWN NOW!!!"

The strange sir start laughing continuously heavy with nonstop until he drops his gun in the floor. After that the strange sir was in all the medias, Michael and Bob were like the starts of the world for capture one of the biggest criminals in the country.

All his secrets were exposed even his full name Nick Cassoulet G, Michael shake his head and look at Bob, but Bob didn't notice that Michael was looking at him, Bob has this face of happiness while Michal was more like of wondering and emptiness.

"It's this over bro?" Michael said with this melancholic voice.

"I...I don't know bro".

*****
This Story Is Not Over

Valeria Perez

It was a night cold, perhaps the coldest of every night. Emma was sitting down in her big window looking at the sky with his blue pajamas, with her red cheeks and brown hair. The breeze froze his fingers. Every night she waits for a signal. She dreams about what it can be her life with that signal.

The noise of the steps on the great staircase leading to his room, brought her back to reality. "It's coming" she thought. The big door opens and her big brother, Alan, poked his head. "What are you doing little sister?" he said with a suspicious, doubtful and strong voice, "I'm waiting for a signal to get out of here" answered Emma peacefully. Her brother said with a noisy tone "You can't get out of here until you know what exactly want you to do with your life," he said pointing her "It needs to be another way to discovered and fix this" Emma almost shouting.

Alan just look at her, his brown deep eyes and big body, were tense. Emma was intimidated by her brother. "You know that Dad and Mom put in me in charge," he said, "they trusted me to give you the best and don't waste your life" getting closer to her trying to be friendly "But you can't keep me locked up forever," she said, standing up and approaching him.

"You never going to get out of here until you know what you want to do with your life, you hear me?" he shouted that almost made her cry. He knocks at the door. She goes back to the big window sit still waiting for the signal. It was a night cold, perhaps the coldest of every night. And good night people, this story is over.

Wait a moment. Excuse me? I said wait a moment, that's it? I'm going to pass the rest of my life in my bedroom sitting down in my big window waiting for a signal? Well...You always say the same story, the same thing and I'm here looking forward to the day that changes the story, the day the damn sign appears. Let a star fall, the moon get dark or even that the sun raised, but no, nooooooo! You know that is a cold night, perhaps the coldest of every night? Of course, you know! You're the writer and you repeated it TWICE in the story. That closed the story plot.

I don't give a damn about your story plot! I'm tired, annoyed, boring and cold-dead. You know why? Because this night it's not just too cold, not just the coldest night ever... it's freezing! And I'm sitting here with my blue pajamas. For God's sake. You couldn't have written a sweater? The reader understands your suffering like that.

I have a better way of making them understand me. I'm dying, reader! I'm not just waiting for the signal that it's going to change my life and apparently it will never appear. I'm not just locked in my own house...? How big is my house? I don't know I never thought about that.

You're the writer and you don't know how big is my house? If my literature teacher knows you she would kill you for don't put sensory details and adjectives. Okay I just imagine that is too big. Tell me how big you imagine the house. I don't know, like 234 square meters. You know something about architecture? No. Yeah, it seems. Let me look around here... you keep narrate, that's the only thing that you know how to do.

Good...am... Emma look around her room. OH thanks, appreciate, she doubts. No, I didn't doubt, I'm just measuring the room. Sorry. Okay let's said are 50 square meters per room.

Fine, are 50 square meters. Well. as I said: I'm not only waiting for the signal that doesn't arrive and may never arrive. I'm no just locked in my 50-square- foot room. I'm not just have my big brother watching every move I make. Also, I'm cold-dead, you think if this is a night... let's not say warm... let's say lukewarm. Do you think if this would be a lukewarm night, the reader would understand less my suffering? You think then reader is an idiot? Sorry, I didn't think that the story would affect you so much.

You didn't think that the story would affect me so much. You didn't think that the story would affect me so much?! You read that reader? Put yourself in my place, dear reader. You're waiting for the famous signal to change your life, every night you do the same for the rest of your life. Have you ever felt this way? Frustrated, fed up, desperate? I feel that every single night.

But today I'm tired of the same thing and I'm going to do something about it. This story is not over, and you put yourself to narrate. Okay.... Emma who was evidently very annoyed with her actual situation... I'm FED UP! This is... Emma who was evidently very FED UP with her actual situation, she took courage and...?... She approached to the door? You can't do that. I do things and you narrate, okay?

Her hand was directed to the knob and tried to open, but the door was closed. Don't say silly things. In the last page you said that he only closed the door, not that he locked. You can't do that. The door opens easily. Thank you. And Emma go out easily. She would go down the stairs, jumping every staircase like as if she were flying as a bird, but get stuck with her foot and falls all the stairs down. Crap!

When she raised her face, she realized that she had fallen to Alan's feet. I told you! Alan look at her furious... rather bewildered. "What is happening here?" Alan said furious. What is happening here? Alan said really confused. Nothing, I just decide that I'm going to get out of here. But you can't do that. It's the same thing that I said to her.

Who says that? Me, the writer-narrator of the story What is happening here? Alan said distressed. "And let's add that he hit his big back with the wall, flipping everywhere". Alan was scared. Very scared. What are you going? How the narrator? I don't understand anything. Alan you aren't tired of always climbing the stairs of my room to repeat the same phrases that make me feel bad? Aren't you tired of having me locked up without you and me being able to do anything with our lives?

I hadn't thought about it. Of course, you hadn't thought about it, all you think is in that you must keep me locked. But that's what I must do, our parents ordered me to take care of you. To take care of me, it's fine, but not that you had me locked eternally. But there's a lot of dangers out there, you can't go out just like that. The whole thing of the story is that you can't go out because you're scared of your brother. Can you please tell him to shut up? Is scaring me. How can you easily get scared, the big brother with the strong voice, deep brown eyes and big body. You made my 'brother', remember? I hope not all my stories do the same to me.

Tell him to shut up! shouted the frightened big guy, closing his eyes and covered his face like a child. Hey! Here the narrator is me, okay? All right, all right. Shut up! shouted the frightened big guy, closing his eyes and covered his face like a child.

It is clear, Emma concluded, as far as I can see, fear is not as strong and fearsome as they paint it, or in this case, as write it. Look 'brother' how about we both go out and look... Whatever's out of this house.

But there are terrifying things out there, said Alan frightened. How do you know? Alan hesitated and closed his eyes again frightened. My God! Alan don't be afraid, is only the writer who must narrate, is not going to do anything. Alan opened his eyes. You're not going to make me anything? No. You swear? I swear. All right, I believe you, but don't think I'm going to neglect me, you understand? Understood.

Re-Taking... Alan how do you know there are scary things out there? I don't know... I've been told, who told you? I told me. Why did you tell you? By habit? You mean you've never been out of this house? This... no, why? Because there are scary things! What are you not understanding?

But you can't know that if you never been out, tried to make him understand, and you can't sit and assume and don't do anything, we have to leave, said Emma decided. Where? Anywhere. We're going out, that's all, let's go.

But the signal. There isn't a signal. "But we need a signal to get out of here, Alan shouted frightened. All right, all right, don't be like that. The signal, the signal is... Emma thought. The signal is the life itself! As easy as that, if we are here, if we live, I'm sure it's not to be locked up. Life itself is the sign that we can get out of here. We need to get out! Got it 'brother'? Ammm no. It doesn't matter, I understand that and that's enough. That's the sign, okay? Let's go outside. Well if you say so, let's go outside.

Both headed to the door. Is he coming with us? Must, he's the narrator. I'm the writer. He's the writer. Is fine but I'm taking care of myself. You have nothing to take care of. Anyway, I'm going to take care of myself. You're going to take care of yourself in vain. I take care where I think it's convenient. Shall we go out?! Emma interrupted the weird discussion and they left the house. The night was cold, perhaps the coldest of every night. Emma give a hostile look to the narrator.

Could you say something else? The night was very cold, but the enthusiasm in the heart of Emma emanated a warmth so special that she doesn't feel cold. But is freezing! Instead, Alan trembled at the cold that was inside his bones. Don't worry Alan, everything's going to be okay. The two approached to the front door of the house, a big iron door in front of them and behind it, the infinite blackness of night.

Emma...Alan whispered We are already outside the house and we already said that we will go out to the world, but, I say, do not we could stay inside the house tonight?

Emma did not listen, her hands grabbed of the black bars of iron, her look was lost in the deep of the night, while the icy wind was hit her long and beautiful brown hair.

Emma, Emma! I heard you Alan, don't worry, we'll spend the night here. Alan sighed and quickly searched for a warm corner away from the wind, where he lay down. Emma followed him and lay down beside him, resting his head on one of his huge legs. As soon as Alan put his head on the ground, he was asleep. Emma couldn't fall asleep.

What's waiting for me behind this door? Thought. What has the life prepared for me? Because it feels like a rainbow of feelings. She felt scared. I'm excited, the princess told me. Emotion also produces a little bit of fear. No, what it produces is anxiety, insisted stubborn.

The anxiety is a form of fear. I'm not scared. Emma, look, fear is not always bad, sometimes it helps us to stay alert. You're about to go to the unknown, to cross the door that you had never dared to cross, you will take an important step in your life, in the life of Alan and in the plot of my story. I can understand that you're excited, that you're anxious to know what it is going to happen, but you're going to tell me that you do not feel scared? Aren't you a little afraid of what's waiting for you out there? No. Oh, please!

Could you stop arguing once and for all? Alan interrupted annoyed. It's impossible to sleep. You're a foolish writer, and you're a stubborn one. No more arguing. If this works for you writer, I'm afraid, there are terrible things out there and don't ask me how to do I know I just know okay? Now let me sleep, the last peaceful night. After tonight and nothing will be the same, because I do, I am afraid of the unknown. I don't know what it's going to happen.

Alan turned his head, trying to go back to sleep, his brown eyes shone for the last time as he clos... Shut up. Sorry.

Guys I got to go, there are already 8 pages and it's too much for a short story, maybe my teacher wants to kill me for a lot of writing, I promise I'm going to continue this. It's fine, you need to get back to finish our story. I will, I promise. Fine. Emma whispering. By the way I'm little scared.

I knew it! See you later. This story is not over yet.

*****
Unconditional Love

Prince Mauricio

"Where are you going? Come back here! I'm not done talking to you yet!" These were the last words of my mom before she was taken to the hospital. I still remember the time when she first took me to school. When I was in elementary school she would always help me do my homework and prepare my lunch. Every weekend we would watch movies together. She was like an angel guiding me every minute of my life.

However, as time passed by, I would always ask myself why I didn't have a father. During school activities all my classmates were accompanied by their parents. In my case it's just my mom. I got bullied because I didn't have a father. I tried isolating myself from them. I don't need to explain to them my life, for I, myself, don't know the answer to my questions. Every time I ask my mom where my father was she would change the topic immediately. That question lingered my mind for the longest time.

Then, after a few years, I started hanging out with people who understood me. We would go out to have drinks and to have a good time. Oftentimes, I would go home late without even telling my mom where I went. There were times when I won't even go home for a few days. I know she was so worried about me. She would always call my phone, but I wouldn't answer. I wanted to be free. I wanted to know why I didn't have a father. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry.

I always fail my Math test every time I get low grades on my Math she would get notifications from the school, I am not surprised if she's not talking to me the next day because I knew it's about my grade. Sometimes I wanted to talk to her or tell her something, but I just keep it to myself.

I know my mom was upset but then she's still my angel, for she never gave up on me. She never asked why this was happening. She never judged me. She always has an open and understanding heart for me.

I always fail my Math test every time I get low grades on my Math she would get notifications from the school, I am not surprised if she's not talking to me the next day because I knew it's about my grade.

One day my friend ask me if I can go out of town with him. I didn't tell my mom about it we stay there for 1 week. When I get home she was really upset to me, we argued and then I left at the house.

I got a phone call from my mom's friend. She told me that my mom got a heart attack and she was taken to the hospital. She told me I needed to go there. I rush right away to see my mom at the hospital.

Now I'm sitting next to her waiting and praying for her to be conscious. She's been in the hospital for 2 weeks. I regret everything that I said to her. Not knowing who my father was does not matter anymore. What's important is my mom who is always here for me.

*****
Undefeated Asian

Ken Kubodera

"Be undefeated Asian, Kenneth."

Konnichiwa. My name is Kenneth, I'm typical Asian. I came to the US, can't speak English, don't know the culture at all. I don't even know how to spend time here. I'm extremely anxious.

School has started, I spend every day with a nervous feeling. I grow accustomed step by step. I feel like "Asian is still weak" at this time. Honestly, I feel it sometimes even for now.

"What is my specialty?" "How do I win?" When I think it, only soccer came to my mind. Then, I know that high school has a soccer team. After that, I started working out by myself for the tryout. I trained my armpit, abdominal muscle, back muscle, sprinting, and ball touching every day for a little less than 3 weeks. I have been playing soccer from when I was like 6 years old, so I can do basics. However, I don't know about American soccer level and high school soccer level. It is like the unknown world for me. Therefore, I did my best to train myself to get better. Even when it's white out, or it's so hard windy weather. I keep doing it.

The tryout week started. I remember it was cold. I was warming up at the field where no one is here. Coach came to the field, and he said "Oh, you are a new face. Are you a freshman?"

Then I said, "Yeah, I'm from Japan this year." Coach got surprised, and I guess he interested about me. The tryout is over, I could make the team. I feel like this is the scenario that I imagined in my head. I will score every single game... I was thinking like that. The practice is started. The teammates are only kind and good players, so it was comfortable and I became familiar. But, surprisingly, there are only two Asians included me. Kenneth will know why only a few Asian could make the team.

The game season started. It is the first official game since I came to the US. US national anthem was announced. I got goosebumps. I had enhancement and thrilled which are bursting in now. I can't hide the feelings from my mind. I form a circle with my teammates and put in a spirit. Piii! The game started. The game didn't get moving. The first half was 0-0. There is so hard pressure for me because I was playing in the middle. I didn't feel like this hard pressure in Japan. Their legs are long, their bodies are huge, they are fast. They have abilities which Asian doesn't have.

At the early second half, the score turned to 0-1 because of my teammate's own goal. Honestly, I was like "oh my god, this is so bad situation." I was holding the ball by myself and then I dribbled straight to the goal and shoot it to the goal so many time. But, it's not going in. We could do nothing at all.

At the last minutes of the second half, the opponent got the ball. The player was about to cross it in. I was running back to the goal as fast as I can. At the moment, the player crossed the ball in. I tried to clear it with tackling, but the ball bends where I didn't think it will go and I made its own goal. I was really sad. I punched the goal post and ground so hard. Why does it happen to me? It was an important game and it was the first game of the season. That was a crushing defeat. There is no way to win with our real ability. After the game, the coach said "it is not the result with you guys' real power. The season is just now started, there is no problem. You guys going to be fixing it." the coach told us kindly. However, I felt so frustrated. I couldn't start the season well. The last point losing was definitely my fault. The feeling came together and made crying. The coach told me, "You played really well. You played best on the team today. The own goal was because of your running back from far." After they said it, it made me cry more. This moment was really unforgettable.

From that game, what all I did was practicing so hard. I was thinking in my head about my grades but nothing above the importance of soccer. I was looking for what I can do to be getting better. I was thinking and thinking. Then, my decision was my brain and technics. At quickness, running, jumping, and body, I can't beat the players. I thought like I need to know about soccer more and more. It's like where I should be at the moment, what I have to first. I was thinking this whole time in the game. It made naturally more goals. That became my soccer style. I guess I can say I have the best shot in this whole team.

Actually, after lost the first game, this happened. In the practice, the coach wanted to talk with me. That was only for me when the team was warming up. The coach started talking, "The yesterday's loss was not your fault and that was not a that bad game. You dribbled by yourself and made changes. That was a good result for a first game. If you keep playing like this and getting better. You will be able to play with the upper team." I was really surprised. I just played one game, but I feel like coach knows all about me.

When the lower team's season is about to be over, I had a pain on my hamstrings. I could not practice for like one week. However, the coach told me to be on the upper team. I was regretting I got this pain. I could not even walk down and upstairs. But the coach told me to follow the upper team from the next game. At this time, I felt like what I've done before was rewarded little bit.

After this happened, I spent the one month as alike convulsion. One of the weeks had 4 games. Honestly, my whole body hurts and the practice is hard. But more than that, it was really fun. The place was the best to get better. There are players who have a bigger body, faster than me, and better than me on everything. It was really really fun to be following the players. I could think it is happiness that I can be with the best players and the environment.

Now, the upper team plays on region 7 with 8 teams. Our group league was called the hardest region. Every single game was difficult to win. The time I can play was just a little. It was like 5 mins playing is good. I was sitting on the bench and watching how they play and thinking about how to steal the skills. But, there is a day that I can't even think about it because of the so cold weather. I could know what literally freezing means. Even when I am at the hard condition, I could think it is happy.

That was like in the middle of March. We had gotten a most important game in the regional league. Before that day, the team ambiance was close to perfect. We could bring it to the best one. We are home, and there is going to be more audience than before. That was very good euphoria.

On that day, we did a meeting in the same room as usual. We listen to the coaches talking. "What you guys did was so proud. If we could win this, we are in the first place. If we lost, we are in the second place. It's simple. Win or lose. I think if we do 100%, we can definitely win. The opponents are pretty good. Play with whole body and soul!!!" the coach said. After that, everyone had to meditation for 5 minutes. It's an usual tradition of this team. We get concentrating as we can do best. We got into the field and started warming up. The team balance was close to perfect. The starting eleven was called out. There is not my name on it. But I didn't surprise about it because there is a better player than me and the 100% of this team is not included me.

The game began. The other team's right and left wingers were very fast and had a hard time with the two from the beginning of the first half. It breaks steadily in the vertical direction. A dangerous scene is made many times. At the beginning of the first half, we gave a free kick to the opponent in a good position. Four walls, the regime of defense should have been not bad. The kicker kicked, and the opponent is one in the position bounced off the wall and bounced back. The player kicked into a good course, and it became 1-0. In the first half 30 minutes. The first half is over, and breathing is adjusted. "There is nothing to be afraid of yet, I guess from here. it is real."

The coach believed in us and said so. Because the number of our goals so far is overwhelmingly large in the second half.

Supply water and get ready for the second half. In the second half, I was made to not give free time to the opponent with a fierce press. Latter half 15 minutes. The time of our own difficult times will come. Physical strength was exhausted with a fierce press, becoming a battle of fullness creation. Here the ball will cross over to the opponent. One person is pulled out on the left side It was a very bad position. Another shot is hit by one touch. Here the center back slid and tried to stop. It goes in a bad direction, it became a fool in the penalty area, giving PK.

The other party has surely sunk this. 2-0. Latter half 20 minutes. There is still hope. However, it was clearly seen from the bench that the physical strength has already started to bottom out after the remaining 15 minutes. Finally, we will try to overwhelm my power and set off the onslaught, but the goal is far, too far. As time went by, the whistle at the end of the game rang. For us, this was the first defeat of the official game. Moreover, it was tasted by humiliation at home. The whole team was very regretted. However, I knew from here that it would start an important game for them. Because we say playoffs, the top four teams in that league game can appear in the tournament. If you lose, it's over.

Practice started the same way, as usual. The ambiance of the team remained tight. Three days have passed since then, we will face the first game. The opponent of the first game made it 4-0 in a bang. The decision power that was our weak point is gradually getting better. I was able to get a good evaluation from the coach, although I could not get results in this game for 10 minutes. The second game, it was two days after the first game. While the tiredness still remains, the team will face the game with full power. 3-0. Both attacks and defenders were gathered enough to say perfection.

After that, we surpassed the third game which was a piece of cake with 2-0 to such an extent that it was too good, and five days later semifinal came. We practiced the day before this game, I was doing very well. I made a good appeal to the coach, and it was a satisfactory finish. I will definitely do it. I take chances. I decided so and came. I finish the regular 5 minutes meditation and stand on the pitch. It is a perfect routine where the American nation flows and goosebumps stand as usual.

We will have a chance early in the first half. The right side half of my team got a shot from a nice place, passed by 5cm next to the goal. Because he was putting intense pressure on the first half, he was exhausted in his physical strength and forced to change. It was my name called here.

"Kenneth, your turn."

I remember everything that he said with every word. "there is a guy who will pass the ball straight to the up top, so you gotta get him before he could kick the ball, and when u go back to defense, you have to cut the course from center back to central space. Don't follow the ball too much." And then one more word. "Kenneth, it's a big stage, but don't be afraid and show them you are still a freshman." I said, "Yes sir."

I returned it with a crying voice. Start warming up. At this time I did not hear any sound. I wondered why I was focused. Perfectly the eyes were only tracking the balls in the pitch, and only having to burn the body was in the head. I did not cheer for it at all. A substitute call came. High five and enter the field. This euphoria. The concentration and excitement of the teammates in the field are coming through. I will also concentrate on that area, My teammate pushed my back against me who was a bit nervous.

And the time came when I first touch the ball. What a perfect loop-through pass that matched my withdrawal. I followed it. With all my might, the breath of the defender can be heard at my ear so that I will not lose to the opponent. A keeper came out in front. Defenders come tackling. Take it by yourself with your eyes, softly, one touch. The ball drew a beautiful parabola over the keeper's head, dancing in the air, and shaking the goal net.

It is surrounded by enthusiasm as if the venue burns. I was as happy as ever in my life. Freshman with first touch and goal with semi-final? You're too crowded. My teammate came down to me and was pleased with all of them. I got a pose to the audience. Paying respect to all parents, friends, supporters who are grateful. As it is, the coach finished the first half, and the coach hit his head "Good job, Kenneth, that's what I wanted u to do". But the game is not over yet, the second half began and I sat on the bench again. The excitement that he decided the point was not yet settled down, but I was concentrating on watching the game. The atmosphere that is not so good continues, the ball will cross over to the opponent. Because the latter half my legs came to a standstill. But I end up losing with defeat. It was repeated. I will change again and enter the pitch. Then the opponent gets a corner kick. Although it bounced off well successfully, the shift to the second ball is one step a step, and the fear is taken in the penalty area. I gave PK. The other party will sink this. It was the worst development. In another five minutes, the game enters an extension game. And the whistle at the end of the game rings. The extension game is about to begin. My team put the center back 190cm captain on the top and made a formation specialized exclusively to attack. That tactic is completely addictive. What we wanted to do was perfect. And the last pass from number 10. It was perfect. I thrust it with volley voluntarily. Drawing a beautiful arc, it was sucked into the goal. The audience stood firm, all of them excited. And the game was over and all the audience came in the field. I could not enter the whirlpool at first. My friend, a friend, was not anything but soccer. To be honest I was painful to be alone at that time. However, they say one and two. I decided the goal. I forgot that I decided the goal until that moment, clenched the joy of victory. "Hey, this is a freshman who made that goal" It became a topic. I was about to be picked up. I did not want to stand out much honestly, so I did not say anything in particular, but I am very happy and I felt I was really recognized for the first time.  
From then on, I've gradually become more confident. Final game. We all had breakfast together in the morning and got on the bus. I got to the match venue about an hour from there. Despite the beginning of May, the temperature was too hot. From the ground, a sunny sight was visible.  
Enter the locker room. I entered the locker room for the first time before the game. There is an atmosphere that starts from now, goosebumps stand the best in my life. It will begin. . .

Everyone was nervous. There were members who had won the previous year as well, so some people were tense, but almost everyone feels nervous. Turning to warm-up, inside of burning, honestly reasonable. I put on my knees on the ground and it was hot enough to burn. I was most focused. Because it seemed that I lost consciousness and collapsed if I was not concentrating. Return to the locker room and listen to the director's story, "This is literally our last game. No more games if we win this. Do what you got in this season and show your supporters your best."

It was completely motivated. Just like the switch was pushed. The game began. The other party was a partner who lost in the final match of the region, in fact, the teams of the group where my school was actually all strong, the other party who won the semi-final was the same region.  
I do not turn back here and I turn around wherever. I will taste regret by doubling if I do it. I pledged my intention to never lose.

First of the first half, because of the heat, the legs of everyone including the partner are not moving so much. It was a development that could not be said to be a very good game.  
The first half passed as it was, nothing happened and we entered halftime.  
The coach said in a locker room. "The coach started crying." Again, it's our last game. It's the last game with seniors ... "The coach burst into tears. Everyone got lucky with it and started to cry. The match has not ended yet, but the coach thought of it and was feeling less. When will we be able to respond to this? It will be only now. "1, 2, 3, Hooch!" We are ready to fight with the whole body. The second half began. Deployment faster than the first half. The ball went quickly, and the speed was surely rising. About the latter half, ten minutes passed. The coach calls my name. "Ken, come on," I remember well what I said at this moment. "You can do it." And I tried to demand the replacement to the referee, another word. "Be undefeated Asian, Kenneth." It was a very impressive word.

Request a change to the referee. Well here is the beginning of the final game for me. I will fight with my mind to clench my teeth. I think so and enter the pitch.  
As soon as he enters the ball, he receives a ball at a good position and shoots at a good angle. I was sucked into the side net and I was not happy with my score, but I was able to make a good shape. The time passed as it was, I came near the last 5 minutes, I could not hide the team impatience. A good ball came across to me. Fold back to the teammate inside. And cross the float ball pass inside. The striker of his team shoots it from the chest trap with one touch. Sucked into the side net and sucked in 1-0. Great excitement. A cry caught in the whole venue. The scoring person took off his clothes and rejoiced, I recorded his assistance.

I did what I had to do. I was able to leave results. Then a rudimentary dramatic development is born. How far the opponent scored in the last 28 seconds. The commentator also jumped and surprised, just like an animation happened. I was aimed at the gap that I had thought that I could win completely, and I was knocked down. I was very sorry. However, there is still hope. I have no choice but to extend the match.

We did not want to be a PK. So I attacked the extension game and attacked it.  
And a corner kick comes. The kicker was perfectly aligned with the head of the captain. The captain calmly adjusts it. And the ball was carried to the goal with everyone's feelings.

"Let's goooooo !!!!!!" Everyone was excited, the venue was packed with tremendous cheers. And the whistle of the game end. Final battle. Final game. I was able to finish with a smile instead of tears. I was very happy.

One year since I came from Japan with freshman. I caught a huge success. Undefeated Asian. I'm not that good Asian. It's a long way to be that, but I will. I will keep trying to be that. Definitely.

*****

Volunteer Club

Andy Kang

As usual, sitting alone in the club room the wind blows gently it feels so good. A few times ago someone knocking on the door she closes the book and looked at the door. The door opens and two people come in one is a small and sweet woman and one it looks like a boy. I ask, "Ms. Yuri what's going on and who is he, his eyes like rotten pollack eyes?" Ms. Yuri said, "He is a volunteer in this club, hey introduce yourself." He was a smile and he said, "Hi my name is Magio, wait, Ms. Yuri what you mean about I'm a volunteer in this club?" Ms. Yuri said, "your sleep in my class and not work in class this is punishment, Hanra my favor has requested this guy." she requested and go out of the club room.

A few minutes after she left, he still standing in front of the door. Hanra sighed and said, "Are you keep standing the front of the door?" Magio said, "hu? oh, I'm sorry. He looks around, I said "What?" "a... What kind of activities in this club?" "Take a guess." "The library?" "Why did you think?" "you just read a book and many books is here." "Unfortunately, this club is not a library." "Hmm... I don't know why I need to guess so what is it?" "Magio this club is volunteer club and Ms. Yuri favor the fixed your problem so I will help you." "Ha~ problem? Hey, I don't have a problem I'm third place in the class and my face looks fine, just I don't have a friend I'm fine." "Hey~ you're dirty, anyway I think the reason you're lonely is like that rottenness and crooked emotion." "ha? I don't wanna hear from you." "then, this is completed the simulation to different people." "ha? What the heck?" "you are talking with me so you can run about how to talk with someone." Static flows in the clubroom.

Someone opens the door and come in the clubroom. "Ms. Yuri, I said please knock the door when you in." "Hanra I'm sorry about that but I think you having a hard time to corrected Magio." "he doesn't know about what he wrong." "no, I know about what I wrong but I don't want another person anticipates me." "Relax guys. Hmm... I think you guys compete to who's better helped the people." "ha? Ms. Yuri why is that?" "Hanra what do you think?" "Nah I don't want If the opponent is that nub man I don't want more." "are you afraid about lose?" "ha? It's like obvious provocation but let's do it." "excuse me? How about my opinion?" this is first meet with Magio.

Next day after school someone opens the clubroom it's Magio. "Hi, I think you would not a comeback are you a stalker or a masochist?" "ha? What the heck? Why are you assuming that I love you?" "ha? Was not?" "no, it's not. such pride is overworked, are you have a friend?" "Hmm, I need to figure out to which is friend..." Magio break here says and said, "enough that means you don't have a friend." when Magio he stops talking someone knock the door. Hanra said, "Come on in." open the door and girl come in girl said, "excuse me is this volunteer club?" Hanra said, "Hi, are you senior A class Sora, right?" "did you know every student?" Magio ask. Hanra said, "I know about some of the students, but I don't know about you." Hanra and Magio keep brawl Sora said, "you guys stand each other." Magio, Hanra shouted "no we don't!" Sora sitting down the front of Hanra and start saying to what is her request.

They move the school kitchen and Magio ask, "why we come here and what is her request?" "Sora request helps the making cookie." "ha? Sora asks your friend to help." "I know but I don't want, it's hard to ask my friend and it's comfortable." they make the tree time, but it does not work. Hanra said, "how we make the cookie like black charcoal." Magio said, "why you guys think to make the delicious cookie?" Hanra and Sora said, "what you mean?" Magio said, "you guys come back to ten minutes later." Magio sends Hanra and Sora out of the kitchen. Ten minutes later Sora and Hanra come in. Magio give the cookie and said, "have a try to eat." Hanra and Sora ate and said, "it tastes awful." Magio said, "oh really? I will throw away." he takes the cookie and tries to throw away. Sora said, "don't throw away it's bad taste but it's not bad to eat." Magio smiled and said, "that's you made." Hanra ask, "what you mean?" Magio said, "I mean, the man is simple, if you showed sincerely, he will like it taste not good." Hanra ask, "Sora what are you going to be?" "I try to make alone thanks for help Hanra."

Next day Sora open the clubroom door and said, "Hi guys, how are you?" "Hanra ask, "something errand?" Sora said, "Hmm... not very welcome Hanra you don't like me?" "Hanra said, "I do not hate you but it's just annoying." Sora said, "that means something Hanra! Hanra can I join this club?" Hanra said, "I don't care but why?" "it looks like fun!" Sora answered with smile and someone open the door. Two guys come in and they request the help the propose succeed Hanra ask, "how we helped you guys like find the place and what she liked?" mano said, "oh, yea like that." they go back and a few minutes ago girl come in she is Mano's companion. Her request is she wants to maintain the relationship with Mano. that mean She will refuse Mano propose but it was only Hanra understood this.

Magio, Sora, Hanra, Mano gathered at the appointment place that evening. Mano shakes hands and said, "it... it's should be okay right?" Hanra said, "well life is an adventure, so it's fine" She appeared and Mano ready to propose but Hanra does first. Static flows after Magio propose. Magio said, "Why do you do it this way? they have many different choices, why are you hurting yourself? I don't like your way." Magio left that place and Sora said, "Hmm... Hanra I think you need to know about different people think, are you think if you do this way and we liked? I don't think so." Sora follows the Magio and Hanra grab chest and said, "... it's hurt." Hanra completed her request but felt her mind.

Hanra on my way to home some car stopped in front of Hanra. It's Ms. Yuri said, "Hanra get in (Hanra ride the car) I here every happen to Sora." "Hmm... Ms. Yuri I think if I do that then it was going well, but it's not... what should I do?" Ms. Yuri said, "Hmm... you need to think about the different person though and save yourself." Hanra fall into deep distress and said, "Ms. Yuri I want to say sorry for Magio and Sora what should I do?" Ms. Yuri said, "show to Magio and Sora what you wrong and say to sorry." Hanra felt a lot of thing after a talk with Ms. Yuri.

Knock! Knock! someone knock the door. Magio said, "Come in." It was Hanra, Hanra took the chair and sit in front of Magio and Sora. they embarrassed, Hanra choke up and said, "I know about what I'm wrong and I never think about you guys think I'm so sorry." Magio and Sora said, "did you really know about what you wrong?" Hanra crying and said, "I... I'm so sorry and I... ha... have a request for you guys." Sora takes the Hanra hands and said, "what is it?" Hanra said, "could you guys care for me." This brings Hanra, Magio, Sora closer and we are waiting for a different request.

*****

**CHARACTER BIOGRAPHIES** 
Ken

Ken Kubodera

His name is Ken (same as my name!). He will turn 36 years old in one month. His height is 5'9 and weight is 150lbs. His hair and eye color are black. Like a natural black. His posture is good which means he stands like commonly. His weight is general as I said and he is a neat who can think about things correctly and do whatever he needs to do. He is attractive. In office days, he wears like a suit and shirt. In rest days, he wears kind of fashionable clothes. He knows about TPO (what to wear depends on where, when). He does not have special defects. His tone and rhythm are general. He has more vocabulary than other people.

His economic level is not the highest, but he is close to the highest one. He is an employee who is a higher level in the company which is like a tech company in Atlanta, but not the highest. His occupation is an employee of the Atl tech company. He took great educations through college. He learned about how to be more productive on PC. His home life was and is really good. He is married already and He had a brother. He also has two kids who are a girl and a boy. He doesn't have religion at all. He is Asian, but he is a quarter of white too. He likes to collect shoes so much. He likes the person who cares about their child so much, but he dislikes the person who especially parents who do not deal with their kids.

He decided things with from his experience from childhood experiences because he thinks his parents are always correct. His goal is basically letting his child be a better person and educated well. He actually did not have that big fear, but only he was his parents' death. He thinks too much sometimes. But on the other hand, sometimes he can be kind of easy going. His attitude towards life is like sunny. He judges other people from their education or environment that they were in the past. His habits are studying even though he is already an employee, but his growing cannot be stopped. His good traits are the way he thinks about his children and his habit that he keeps studying on something to be a good example of his child. Also, he can basically do everything. Like sport, studying, social interaction, communication, etc. His only bad trait is he judges people from their growing place, environment, or how they were educated.

*****

Sophia Smith

Julia Brando

Sophie Smith is 36 years old, 5'3"ft, medium brown hair, brown eyes, pretty. She has good posture, in the right weight, is a very neat person and a very attractive woman. She is determined, strong, smart, brave, love the animals and the nature, kind, like to speak a lot, have good communication and good with people. When Sophie is doing her job her tone of voice is serious, respectful and formal. When she is not working her tone of voice depends on her mood, if she is feeling sad she's said with a not enthusiastic, sad tone. If she is happy her tone of voice is enthusiastic, funny and casual voice.

Sophie has come from a rich family, her father owns a company, graduated in Harvard in the part of political and worked in the legislative aide. She was raised to be a strong and independent woman and that is how she is. When she was younger she studied on catholic school, she is catholic and believes that God is up everything. Sophie have three siblings, one younger sister, one older brother and a younger brother. However her parents are rich, she work too much and make her own money, pays her own bills, buys your things. On her free time, she likes to cook, walk with her dogs and hang out with her friends and family. Sophie is a very close family person.

Sophie's parents teach her the right things and the wrong things that she can do or can't do, but sometimes there parents let her learn on her own. She is sharable, easy going but sometimes pessimist. She have the fear of being alone, spider, deep ocean and sharks. Her goals is try to make the world better. Sophie her goal is to became the first president woman of the United States of America, show the world that woman can do what men's do too. She likes to show how strong and determinate she is, she doesn't like to show her weakness but sometimes she needs her mom. Sophie have a good judgment, posture and imagination. The way she sees life is moody, sunny and sometimes she think totally opposite of that.

*****

CHARACTER MONOLOGUES 
Michael Williams

Daisuke Yamagishi

I'm Michael. I'm a reporter of CCC news network. CCC new network is famous for its reporting techniques. I'm chosen for the reporter of the election next month.

I decided to be a reporter when I was high school student. That day, I was watching news because my dad was there. His talk was easy to understand, and reputation was good too. I was respecting him as a human. However, he made big mistake. It was election day. Jake vs. Jesse. Jake was rich person and male. Jeccie was the first female candidate for the president and had support from many women's. I was expecting this election was going to be fair and good game. However, it was not. 70% of vote went to Jake and Jessie only got 30% of whole vote. I thought it was impossible, but it was fact.

Next day, it was Saturday morning, I heard many people surrounding my house. When I got newspaper, I knew that. I was disappointed. My dad's company was bought by Jake to vote. Many people blame him because he was famous reporter. He was fired his job and changed. He became junky man. He drunk alcohol a lot and started smoking. His bod getting weaker, weaker, weaker, weaker, and It didn't look like him. He was dead when I was 10th grade. When he was dead I decided to be a reporter who trusted by everybody. I swear that I'm not going to tell fake information even I will blame.

He enrolled in good college which famous for first reporting class. There was a girl Cindy. She was also taking the class. She wanted to be CNN caster. They met each other and fell into love. After one month, they became a couple. It was happy for him. His college life was so great. He had many friends and girlfriend. He was thinking if this could be continued.

However, it was not always going good in life. Cindy was dead. She got shot from unknown guy who tried terrorism. It made him so sad. It was like a puzzle piece was gone and lost from completed puzzle. His heart was broken down like frazil grass cup. This made him decide to be a reporter harder because she also wanted to be a caster. He thought to be a good reporter would make her glad and send her to heaven.

After this accident, he studied more hard and graduated college. He joined CCC news network. It was challenge for him and he was thinking he would be the reporter.

After he joined CCC he couldn't work as like as he wanted. However, he endured because he had known it was challenge. It was continued for 1 year. After 1 year, he was chosen for mid night news reporter and then known by many people. He was liked because his talking skill was good and easy to understand.

Next year, in the office, he was chosen for election reporter. Many people recognized he worked hard. He was surprised because it was unexpected thing. He was so happy. He wanted to tell it to Cindy next to each other. His dream became true but he has been working so hard to improve.

*****

The Accident

Julia Brando

My character sas invited to talk about the accident that happened to her.

Talking to the audience:

Hey how is everybody? my name is Sophie Smith I am the new and first woman to become president as you might know. Today I was invited to talk about my accident and I accepted because I think is really important to talk about this right. In this days when you turn on the tv, all you see is this bad news like the crises that people from Venezuela is going through, in Brazil people don't even know if they are going to come back home and the others country that are suffering for violence or war . Or when you go in the internet and see the bad thing that people were saying to each other, the cyberbullying, the judgment, the chauvinism. The people this days are suffering so much and I am suffering to.

When I announced that I was running for the presidential I received so many comments saying that I should give up, that I have to stay at home because that is my place, woman can't be president and others bad comments. When I read that I really thought that i should give up, i talked to my best friend, said that I wasn't sure if I should keep running for the election and she convinced me to keep running. After that one week passed, I was walking in the park training my speech because in the next day was the results of the election when I got shoot in the arm. Before that second I just heard a big noise and after that felt something in my arm. I didn't felt anything for the 5 seconds before I realized that I something to happen, that I got shot in the arm.

In that exact moment I was in shock, I got scared and started to scream for a doctor. The ambulance came in and took me to the hospital, that ride was so fast and so long at the same time, the people from the ambulance was asking me question, I couldn't hear it because that my mind was think in so many things in that moment. Then I arrived to the hospital, I asked to the doctor if my arm was okay, he said yes, it was just a small wound and the shot didn't get me directly and a thanked God but then he said that I needed to rest and didn't think that it was a good idea to go to the final election that was in the next morning and asked me if I still wanted to be in the election and in that moment I didn't know. My best friend came again in the picture, she helped me again at not give up and chase my dream. You might not know but I wanted to be a president since I was 10 years old and I still don't know why, it's just feel like I was born to do this, it's just feels right.

Maybe some of you still didn't get why am I talking all of this, some of you may have an idea what I am talking about. I accept to talk about my accident to help and show that you can do whatever you want. You are gonna pass to some really bad situations, sometimes not really bad, but bad, you are going to think about giving up, but you have to remember before it gets better it's gonna be bad. I think that we have to pass this be bad situations so we can learn from them, get better and use the things that we learn and use it on the after phase. I talked all this to show that everybody's the same. We have to stop hating ourselves and start helping, loving each others. Thank you to all of you and thank for listening.

*****

POST-APOCALYPTIC POSSE ESSAYS

Post Apocalyptic Posse

Julia Brando

My first animal that I want for the pop cultural ark is Remy from the movie Ratatouille. I choose Remy because he knows how to cook. He will cook and create some delicious foods. He is little so he can be in some places that i can't and he is determined. Some people might say that he is a rat and he can't go to the ark without Linguini. However, this not bother me because we could bring Jerry from Tom and Jerry in Linguini place and it doesn't bother me that he is a rat because he knows how to cook, he worked in a five star restaurant in Paris. However I want Remy because he will make great foods

My second animal that I want for the pop cultural ark is Dory From the movie Finding Nemo. I choose Dory because she is Determinate, she doesn't give up on something easily. She is a Female, and she is funny. Some people might say that she talks a lot and forget things to easily. However this does not bother me because even though she talks to much she knows how to say the whale language so if we get lost on the ocean she could talk to the whales and it would be nice to have a female on the group. However Dory would be awesome to my apocalyptic.

The next character that i want for my ark is Scooby-Doo. Some people might say that he is not a good choice because he eats a lot, he is clumsy sometimes he don't solve the problems but make it worst. However they would mistaken. Scooby-Doo is awesome. He is funny so when I'm not feeling very well he could make me laugh. He is also friendly so I could count on him for everything and he is also loyal. Yes, he may eat a lot but I will bring Remy from Ratatouille. He is clumsy, but he's clumsy way help solve a lot of mystery. And Scooby-Doo have staining in a lot abandoned places so he have skills to survive. All around, Scooby-Doo would be awesome to my apocalyptic.

The last character that I chose is the Dragon From Shrek. Some people may say that she is a bad choice because She is a Dragon, she is will burn everything, she is big, so if we have to hide we are going to get caught. However they would be mistaken. Dragon from Shrek is Awesome. She is a Dragon so she can fly and if she can fly she could see from far. She spits fire and may burn everything be we could train her. The Dragon is a female so it's always nice to have females in our group and she was a mom so he is going to take her of me. All around, Dragon would be awesome to my post apocalyptic.

****
Post Apocalyptic Posse

Sebastian Onofri

The first animal that I want on my pop cultural ark is Shrek's dragon from Shrek. I picked the dragon because she can fight my enemies and fly me, which can be used for transportation. Some people might say how I'm gonna make her obey me because she is a wild animal and hard to tame. However, I wouldn't worry about that since I'm also bringing her husband Donkey whom I assume I can talk to since he is way more reasonable and he can tell her what to do. Besides she wouldn't try to kill me, I'd only have to become Donkey's friend.

As I said before, I want Donkey from Shrek in my ark. He is smart, loyal, a good friend and someone who can see things from different points of view. I know by fact that some people say it would be useless to bring him and the only reason is because of the dragon. Donkey can be my right hand, the second in command not because of his athletics and physical strength but because of his mental strength. As well, I think he can be kind of like a break for me because he thinks twice before making a decision which would be very helpful to be more accurate in our accomplishments.

The next animal I chose to be in my ark is Remy from Ratatouille... most people will say he can get killed easily and won't be able to fight. That he is useless and won't even last a day. To them I say that I don't want him to fight I want him to cook. This little friend of us will cook for us and feed us with his delicious plates. Besides, he is too small and is going to be out of sight most of the time. Our enemies won't even notice him.

Last but not least, Diego the Saber-toothed tiger from Ice Age... Some people might say he'll betray me eventually like he did in the first movie to his "original" pack. That he isn't someone who could be trusted. As a counterargument I say, he is fast, fierce, smart and obviously feline qualities and could be very useful. Diego has learned that he can trust people when they're good with him and accept him how he is. As long as we give him good vibes and treat him correctly, he'll be loyal to us like he was to his friends.

*****

MISCELLANOUS

If Oscar Wilde Would Be Alive What He'd Make Fun Of?

Lucia Rutherfurd

1- The excide of make-up: Most of the girls since a very young age use makeup and some excessively and covers her natural beauty. Oscar Wilde would do a scene showing how before classes all this fourteen years old and even 18 years old fight for the mirror, drawing huge eyebrows, spider legs eyelashes, and Kardashian lips.

2- The use of Tinder! Most of adult -including young and old- use Tinder to flirt and find the true love. Oscar Wilde would write a scene like man eating chocolate in his bed is trying to find her perfect match by judging all the women's that he doesn't like. This will show how cheeky people in now days, people judge others without judging themselves.

3- The magic of filters: Now days is very common to see a picture of someone with a dog filter on it instead of seeing a normal face. Apps like Snapchat and Instagram has made very popular the use of filter in the photos, many people used them because they make them look funny and others because they think they look more beautiful, which for some has become an obsession, many of them now they can't take a normal picture without a filter. So, Oscar may write something like a lot of people in the street, school, library taking out their tongues, doing the dog filter.

4- The necessity of exposing: Materialism is a key word for today's world which is very sad. There's a lot of people that can't stop posting pictures of their daily life, and what they do: eating, walking, in class, in theatres, in their beds, in a trip, 'sleeping', even pooping. So, Wilde could have written a scene like a girl or a guy showing what they're doing without even realizing that they are wasting their time and missing all the good times with their families and friends.

5- Our new way to communicate: Now with smartphones is easier to communicate and faster, but sometimes that not good at all because we don't know really mean our feelings sometimes. For example, it could be a scene that shows how a they're a couple showing their loves by texting stuff like 'I love you so much, you are the love of my life', with a excessive use of emojis, while their faces are showing no emotion and having no body language.

6- The excess use of electronic devices: In our society for a lot of people is hard to live and do their daily activities without having a smart phones, tablet, smartwatch, and computer. He could do a scene where it shows how people shows off their new iPhone XXII and something like moms giving a tablet instead of a toy to their babies and kids.

7- Ideal bodies / Photoshop: A lot of people, -females and males- take care of their bodies, which is perfectly fine, some do diet or exercise; but some rather photoshop. Instagram is a perfect site to see tons of examples, like it could be this guy that is waiting this girl that he has met in Instagram but when he sees her there is no curves and she just doesn't look like her at all.

8- Dumb expensive brands: It could be a trend or people like it but there is a fact right here, if your clothes look more 'homeless' is more expensive. Jeans with holes, T-shirt with holes, even dresses with holes, everything has holes; some brands like Supreme offer something completely different: a white blank t-shirt, only a white shirt with a red rectangle with the brand's name.

9- Junk food and hunger: Is not a lie that in a lot of countries there's a high rate of obesity and exist countries that are so poor that their own can't have a decent meal. Wilde could write a story like people on their daily basis throwing away a entire meal just because it have too much salt, and then a scene that show how people die of hunger. That would make conscience of being more careful with our actions.

10- Ideal job: People usually would like to become doctors, lawyer, police man, astronaut, fireman, etc.; sadly, in our society young people has changed their goal in life, now people expected to be a Kardashians, or a 'model' but not even a professional model, they want to be a Instagram model. Wilde could write something like in an elementary school class the teacher is asking to his student -6 years old kids- what they would like to be when they grow up, and the answering stuff like: Reality star, Instagram model, makeup guru, etc.

*****

My Family Almost Got Poisoned by This

Alexandra Garcia

It was almost Christmas Eve, and I was browsing around the internet, wondering what was I going to prepare for dinner. I was getting pretty nervous until I saw this wonderful chicken baby! I was really happy and excited because my daughter-in-law wouldn't have to prepare her disgusting meals like she always does for my grandchildren's birthdays. Her food always has a lot of salt, or it doesn't have enough.

I bought the Baby's First Farm Animal Friends Duck because I was hoping to have a wonderful meal since the packaging of this chicken baby appeared to be very good. I have always said that weird things are the best ones, and this already made an impression. I was expecting something wonderful. Everything was going as planned, the post office delivered the chicken baby just in time for me to prepare it calmly. I opened the package and the baby was in a weird blue box. When I took it out it was very dry, which is very weird since meat tends to be moist, and it also had a weird shape; I could even swear it looked like a baby.

I decided to give it an opportunity anyways. I took the weird clothes off and started preparing it for the oven. I made some cuts in it and put some seasoning on ir. When I put it in the oven it started melting! It lost its shape and turned into a brownish color. My oven kept smelling weird. I ordered a baby chicken, not a plastic baby chicken! Imagine if my grandchildren had eaten this! They would be in the hospital dying because of you. You should thank God I am not going to sue you.

This product is not good. The first step you should take to improve this product is to start giving real chicken babies, because plastic is poisonous and harmful for the environment. I would not recommend this for anyone.

I rate this a 3/5 because even though it was horrible, no one had time to cook (not even my daughter-in-law), which was amazing, and the chicken baby was very cute before the oven.

