April 28, 2019 Reunion on Marbella Pier I was at my usual place. Sitting still on the edge of the pier, I dangled my legs into the water. My toes dipped into the cold saltwater. I opened my mouth and could taste the seawater on the brim of my lips.
April 21, 2019 A Little Bit of Chemistry “Now we are going to talk about the chemical equation for Sodium Chloride. Anyone care to offer the answer?” My chemistry teacher, Mr. Anderson, rambled on and on about chemical equations. My eyes were glued to the back of Luke’s perfect head of hair. It seemed like every curl on the back of his neck turned upwards at just the right angle. How did he have such perfect hair? My hair barely did as it was told even after using the straightener.
April 14, 2019 Kymopoleia’s Assignment This night, like every other, was exactly the same. I stood idly on the edge of the sand, watching the waves as they connected with the shoreline. Each crash comforted me, encouraging me. Don’t leave. Not yet. Another wave lapped upon around my ankles, shooting chills up and down my tired body. More reassurance. It’s nearly time.
April 7, 2019 Lanterns and Lollipops I’d never liked cherry lollipops. Maybe it was the sharp distinct cherry taste, or perhaps it was the fact they were red, as I’d never been quite fond of the color. All I’m saying is there are better flavors than cherry when it comes to lollipops.
March 31, 2019 Lost Dreams High above the tops of the trees, the sun shone down upon the pack. Their chests rose and fell, deep in slumber. In the middle of them all, Amber lifted her tired body. Rubbing her eyes and tugging her long hair from her face, she took in her surroundings.
March 24, 2019 The First Encounter “Penny! Wait up!” I turned on my heels. Behind me, a girl with vibrant auburn hair and bright blue eyes bounced up to me. Pushing the glasses up the brim of her nose, she handed me a piece of fresh printed paper.
March 20, 2019 Changing Tides “Louise, can you pass me the sunscreen?” Jane, my best friend, held out a tanned hand, not bothering to look over from behind her giant sunglasses. Reluctantly, I snatched the pink Coppertone bottle and gave it to her. I waited for her reply, but as predicted, there was none. “Do you think Nick is coming today?”
March 10, 2019 The Tragedy at Kingston Manor If it wasn’t for the full moon overhead, all of Boyston Lane would have been pitch black. A dim light lit some of the walkway, just enough so that anyone could see how dead quiet the neighborhood was, not that it was bustling normally. Boyston Lane was one of the safest parts of Oak Park, thus no one batted an eye. August 14th was just any other ordinary evening for the residents.
December 5, 2018 Tattooed Back in May 2013, I went in for my first tattoo ever. I was terrified, but I spent a lot of my days back then in a constant state of anxiety. So, in an effort to push myself past my comfort zone, I sat under the needle for about an hour. I got my first tattoo, and one that would cause me a lot of controversy for a couple of years: a girl breaking out of chains.
November 11, 2018 Travels from the Time Vault: Naples The tall mountains of the Mediterranean coastline seemed even larger from on top of them. I had spent the last two hours on a bus full of kids my age—twelve and thirteen years old—ascending the majestic peaks ever so slowly, each circle we did around them bringing us closer and closer to the point where I felt uncomfortable staring thousands of feet down to the small foreign fishing towns below. The mere sight of the distance between sea level and me made my stomach twist but also gave me a sense of wonder when I realized just how small the area was.
