December 28, 2019 Amidst the Rubble “Gen!” I spun around at the sound of Thomas’ voice, immediately crushed by his arms around me. It felt nice to relax in his arms. He held me close, leaning into my ear. “I thought you were in there.”
December 14, 2019 In Over My Head If my mother knew where I was at this very instant, she would have me by the ear, dragging me back into our little apartment complex. But she was at work. Adam and I had parted ways, and I hurried back to the pier, as if I didn’t know any better. Except I did.
November 30, 2019 Sparks Fly Coming up the front steps after my parents, Sam and Luke were both tugging away at a black Guns N Roses t-shirt. Both of their eyes shone gold, brighter than the lights above them. They both turned to us, dropping the t-shirt to the ground. Mom glared at them and crossed their arms.
November 2, 2019 In Seconds The slam of my locker was a blessing. It was finally the end of the school day and I could gladly spend my free time tonight with my best friend, Anna.
June 1, 2019 Copacetic Clare Tapping my foot against the tile floor, I checked the clock adjacent to the door. 2:58. Despite the exciting video that Mrs. Namira had put on during psychology, time was moving slower than sloths. And the more the narrator droned on about Sigmund Freud, the sleepier I got.
May 25, 2019 The Great Divide On the curb outside of Pine Elementary School, Annabelle sat tying her shoelaces. Her hair remained in the braids her mother had put in earlier that day. Over her shoulders, her backpack carried more textbooks than the day before, but for a rather exciting reason: it was the last day of fifth grade.
May 18, 2019 I Free Sally and All Her Friends “Hey, can you pass me the salt, Sam?” Dad reached over with a hand, not bothering to look over as he scrolled through his phone. Across from me, my stepmother, Carol, was also glancing over her emails and not at all interested in talking. I sighed, passing my dad the salt. Then I went back to ignoring everyone and eating tonight’s mediocre carry-out dinner.
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.
