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message 51:
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Cami
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Feb 07, 2012 04:37PM
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Time for an update! :)Once I get to the pool, I slink into the locker rooms. I briskly put on my swimsuit, and then walk out of the locker rooms. I slip into the pool and act like I’m taking a swim. Trying my hardest to look casual, I glance around the pool, searching for Scarlet and the mystery person. I spot Scarlet, but there’s nobody with her. She’s behind the pool equipment, looking like she’s searching for someone. As Scarlet’s gaze falls on me, she gestures wildly toward me. I wonder if she saw somebody behind me, then it dawns on me. The message was for me! It was all a trick. I was supposed to hear her scream, “accidentally” find the message, and come spy on her. How could I be so stupid?
BOOM! Time for another wonderful UPDATE! :PI hurry back to the dorm, get my pajamas on, grab my book, and hop in bed. For some reason reading always calms my thoughts. After a while Helen comes in. She’s looking really flustered; her top is crooked, her nail polish is chipped. I’m wondering what somebody would have to do to get that kind of look on her face. From what I know about Helen, she always has a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her face, but not now. Her expression is the exact opposite. “What happened to-“ she stops me before I can finish.
“Don’t ask."
UPDATE! “Come on Helen. I really want to know.” I pleaded.
“Fine!” she gives in. “I was walking towards the dorms, and I’m pretty sure that I fell into a largish hole, maybe about 6 ½ feet deep. I got really scratched up and stuff, but that’s not the worst part. I couldn’t get out. Being the petite girl that I am, I was still a good foot and a half from the top, even when I reached my arms up. I tried calling for help, but of course, nobody answered. Then I started wondering what a 6-foot deep hole would be doing in the middle of the courtyard. I knew that I’d never seen this hole before, so it must be newly dug.
I haven't finished Helen's sentence yet, just so you know. :)
I just finished editing and adding to this paragraph. Hope you enjoy it!“Come on Helen. I really want to know.” I pleaded.
“Fine!” she gives in. “I was walking towards the dorms, and I’m pretty sure that I fell into a largish hole, maybe about 6 ½ feet deep.” She starts before continuing, ”I got really scratched up and stuff, but that’s not the worst part. I couldn’t get out. Being the petite girl that I am, I was still a good foot and a half from the top, even when I reached my arms up.” I’m amazed at this. Helen doesn’t seem like the kind of girl who would get stuck in a hole! “I tried calling for help, but of course, nobody answered. Then I started wondering what a 6-foot deep hole would be doing in the middle of the courtyard. I knew that I’d never seen this hole before, so it must be newly dug. Then I remembered the well that they were going to put in over here. It was announced during breakfast, so you didn’t hear about it. I finally got myself out by scooping out some dirt to form makeshift steps.” She finishes. “Ugh! How could I be so stupid?”
“It’s okay.” I console her. “I thought the same thing today.” Helen looks at me questioningly. The intercom crackles. “Dinner time!” It’s our housemother, Margaret. We have intercoms, which is another thing I love about Empire Academy. “I’ll tell you about it after dinner.”
I'm off for a snack! :)
I can't think of what to write next. Any ideas?
This is what I just wrote.
For dinner we’re having spaghetti & meatballs, string beans, mashed potatoes, and a choice of lemonade, Margaret’s homemade strawberry-kiwi smoothie, or just plain water or milk. Margaret won’t let us have any soda or junk food. I’m glad about that, mostly because I grew up drinking and eating all organic foods and drinks. Having junk food around will just tempt me. After dinner I tell Helen about Scarlet, and how she tricked me into meeting her at the pool. "She was probably going to insult me in front of all her friends,” I finish miserably.
Aw man. I hate writer's block. It stinks. :(
It's been, like A MONTH! Ugh. I hate writer's block.
I got over my writer's block (sort of)!!!!! I'm writing a story using random words that I got off the internet. Here's the website if you want to know it: http://watchout4snakes.com/Creativity...
Here's my story so far. I haven't come up with a name yet: “I promise that I will try to clean my room more often.” My statement isn’t very cunning, but it will have to do. Mom sighs.
“Okay, fine, you can get a laptop. But there is one thing: laptops are very valuable, so be careful with it.”
“Yippee! Thank you so much Mom! I will be forever grateful!” I am very entertaining when I’m happy. I made a plan for when I get a laptop. It looks like this:
1. Pick what kind of laptop I want (size, brand, etc.).
2. Find out how much it costs (must be under $1200).
3. Choose a date when I must have enough money to buy the laptop.
4. Find ways to earn money.
5. Earn money.
6. Buy laptop.
7. Celebrate!!!! ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
I put the list on my desk. It’s really late. I better get to bed. After going through the tween bedtime routine (I created it exclusively for tweens ☺), I hop into my totally awesome loft bed.
I just finished the sentence that I started a couple days ago. I'm not sure what to add to it. Any ideas?As I’m getting ready, Helen comes into the dorm, collapses on her bed, and covers her ears. I’m about to ask what’s going on but a loud wailing sound interrupts me: an ambulance. I rush to my window but see nothing unusual. I look out Helen’s window and see the same, nothing unusual. Maybe somebody got hurt.
Plot monster to the rescue!
~Wouldn't she be curious as to who was hurt?
~Was the ambulance near the house? If so, most people would worry and look for where it is.
~What's going through her head exactly? Does she not care, due to selfishness? Or is she worried, because she has a lot of friends nearby?
~What does she see? Are there trees? Is this in a city?
~Go into more sensory detail. Does the bed creak? Or is it that *fwomp* sound when you fall on a bed. Are the sheets scratchy?
I know this may not seem like good ideas for plot, but it may help you in the future by knowing a bit more about the characters and the setting. Say, the house is on fire. If there's a tree outside, she could climb to safety. But, if it's an apartment building, there would be a fire escape. Knowing details can help you create more plot twists in the future.
~Wouldn't she be curious as to who was hurt?
~Was the ambulance near the house? If so, most people would worry and look for where it is.
~What's going through her head exactly? Does she not care, due to selfishness? Or is she worried, because she has a lot of friends nearby?
~What does she see? Are there trees? Is this in a city?
~Go into more sensory detail. Does the bed creak? Or is it that *fwomp* sound when you fall on a bed. Are the sheets scratchy?
I know this may not seem like good ideas for plot, but it may help you in the future by knowing a bit more about the characters and the setting. Say, the house is on fire. If there's a tree outside, she could climb to safety. But, if it's an apartment building, there would be a fire escape. Knowing details can help you create more plot twists in the future.
Hey people! I really need help for a plot. I'm creating a new story. My character's name is Violet Rees and her hair is brunette. Her eyes are blue and she always looks like she's hiding something from you.
I posted it in the Plot Help discussion.Today at school, we had a poetry specialist come in and we wrote some poetry (obviously). I wrote free-verse poems and discovered that I LOVE poetry! Here are the poems that I wrote:
An Endless Sleep
In the dark of night
A blizzard rages
The stars sing
To an endless sleep
Soon a flickering flame dies out
To an endless sleep
Darkness
On a clear night
The moon comes out
The sun dips low
Then disappears
A blanket of darkness
Envelopes the city
Until dawn
The darkness won't lift
But fire is raging
And it will rage on
Until dawn
Pueblo House
In the blazing hot sun
A pueblo house stands
Upon the cracked ground
Day and night
It stands
Rain or snow
It stands
Firm and straight
It stands
For mothers and fathers
And children and cousins
It stands
The Music of Life
Grass sways
To the rhythm
Of the earth
Flowers sing
To the song
Of the universe
Rivers flow
To the orbits
Of the planets
Everything moves
To the music of life
Please tell me which one was your favorite!
This is my revised summary.Summary
Violet has a secret. A BIG secret. She’s considering switching schools because of her secret, but then she’d lose Addison, her best friend. They both go to Misty Creek Middle School, and they’ve known each other since 1st grade, so Violet would hate to break up their friendship after all these years.
Jen thinks middle school is a complete joke. Everyone has to have the "in" thing. This week it was clutches, last week it was messenger bags. What are clutches, anyways? Jen is in 6th grade at Misty Creek Middle School. She hasn't made any friends yet, but Violet Rees looks like a good friend. Jen doesn't know how to approach her, though.
June has everything she’s ever wanted, but she feels cold and miserable inside. She has no real friends, only her senseless, coldhearted follower named Gracelen. June really wants friends, but everyone thinks that she’s too spoiled and snotty to be their friend. She is in 7th grade at Misty Creek Middle School. Gracelen is at her worst. She’s clinging to June everywhere she goes. How will she ever be able to shake off Gracelen?
New Character Profile for a new story...Name
Temina Delaney
Age
11
Date of Birth
June 6, 2001
Appearance
Dirty blond hair, shoulder-length hair, very curly
Emerald eyes, long black eyelashes, tan eyebrows
Buttermilk skin, some freckles, innie bellybutton
Tall, skinny figure, stands apart from other girls
Personality
Smart, witty, self-confident, responsible, organized
Friend(s)
Quin Ursula, Mayla Jacklyn, Lynsey May
Grade
6th (middle school)
Sports
Swim team, gymnastics
Hobbies
Dancing, reading, creating dance beats on computer
Job
Babysitting (summer)
Location
Undecided
Tell me what you think and what my plot should be.
Here's the final summary and beginning chapters.Summary
Violet has a secret. A BIG secret. She’s considering switching schools because of her secret, but then she’d lose Addison, her best friend. They both go to Misty Creek Middle School, and they’ve known each other since 1st grade, so Violet would hate to break up their friendship after all these years.
Jen thinks middle school is a complete joke. Everyone has to have the "in" thing. This week it was clutches, last week it was messenger bags. What are clutches, anyways? Jen is in 6th grade at Misty Creek Middle School. She hasn't made any friends yet, but Violet Rees looks like a good friend. Jen doesn't know how to approach her, though.
June has everything she’s ever wanted, but she feels cold and miserable inside. She has no real friends, only her senseless, coldhearted follower named Gracelen. June really wants friends, but everyone thinks that she’s too spoiled and snotty to be their friend. She is in 7th grade at Misty Creek Middle School. Gracelen is at her worst. She’s clinging to June everywhere she goes. How will she ever be able to shake off Gracelen?
Chapter 1
Violet
As I ran through the halls, looking for Addison, I heard a cry. A desperate cry for help. It sounded like… no… it couldn’t be. It was just my imagination. I shook the torturous thought off and focused on finding Addison. I had to tell her that our homeroom wasn’t in Mrs. Wagner’s classroom, that our whole schedule had changed… My thoughts drifted off into that foreign world. The world where I could be myself and have my own laws. I wouldn’t have to follow everyone else’s stupid rules… No. You must not go to that world anymore. I had to leave that foreign world long ago. While I was deep in thought, someone slammed into me. I fell to the ground, my hip throbbing.
“Hey, watch where you’re going,” I said. Before I could stand up, a hand reached out to help me up. It was a small, pale hand. The fingernails were bitten down so short that you couldn’t see the place where the fingernail stopped and the skin began. There was no way that I was going to grab that hand. Not in a million years. But despite my protesting thoughts, the hand grabbed hold of my thin, soft, spotless hand. As soon as I got to my feet, I pulled my hand away and brushed it off. I glanced up to see who this stranger was. I was startled at what I saw. The hand that reached down to help me belonged to Gregward Bartholomew, the shy new kid. Wow. Not in a million years would I have guessed that Gregward Bartholomew would ever even look at me, much less touch me.
Chapter 2
Jen
The first day of school is always the worst. Especially this year, since I hadn’t made any friends yet. All the girls were wearing halter tops. Whatever. I was just wearing my normal t-shirt and jean shorts. Who even likes halter tops? They’re like rope around your neck, and they’re just another possible choking hazard. I got several disapproving looks from the other girls. They’re so self-centered that they think everyone just has to wear what they’re wearing. I just looked away and tried to remember whose homeroom I was in. Was it Mrs. Ross or Ms. Rose? I dug into my backpack to find the schedule. Yep, it was Ms. Rose. I looked at where her classroom was on the map and realized that I was going the wrong way. I turned around and headed towards the east wing. I wondered who was in my class. Probably nobody that I would like. Probably some halter top girls and dumb jocks. Probably… nothing.
Huh. I wonder where that thought came from. Maybe a long-lost memory… Somewhere… As I entered Ms. Rose’s classroom, a thought occurred to me. All I had to do was find someone to hang out with, and all the disapproving looks would vanish. Just like that. Poof! Just like Cinderella.
Huh. I wonder where that thought came from. Another random thought. This whole thought thing was getting annoying. Stop it! I told my brain. Just stop thinking of random stuff! Focus on middle school. You are here, at Misty Creek Middle School, in Ms. Rose’s classroom. I realized that everyone was staring at me. I was standing in the middle of the doorway, and everyone else was seated. The middle of attention, AGAIN. I hate being the middle of attention! I quickly found an empty seat in the front of the classroom.
Ms. Rose cleared her throat. “Welcome to your first day of middle school. I am Ms. Rose, your homeroom teacher for the entire year. These are your assigned seats for the rest of the year.” No! Not for the WHOLE YEAR! I can’t sit in the front row.
Another clearing of the throat. “Anyways, here are your official schedules. She handed out laminated schedules, clearly marked Ms. Rose’s Classroom. Ugh. I already have a schedule, and it’s WAY better than this one…
Chapter 3
June
I was trying to hide from Gracelen, but she was following me everywhere, so I decided to live with it, because she was only in two of my classes anyways. I was wrong to leave it alone. She found my locker, and she kept asking me where I got my “frilly booties”. I kept telling her that I got them at the mall. She just wouldn’t take that as an answer. After the same question being heard about 50 times, I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Gracelen, if you want to know where I got these boots, then here you go. I got them from my parents. How’s that for an answer?” Gracelen looked shocked. I don’t think she’s ever gotten anything from her parents; she always buys stuff with her own money, as far as I know. There was an awkward silence. I took this time to adjust my halter top, which was hurting my neck a little. After the awkward silence passed, Gracelen walked away. Wow. That’s a change. Usually I’m the one walking away. Fantastic! Now I wouldn’t have to deal with Gracelen for the rest of the week, and if I was lucky, maybe the rest of the month! I did a happy dance. Fortunately, nobody seemed to notice.
This is the story that I'm entering in the May contest for this group. It is not finished...The Great Depression
When Barb got home from school, her mom was in the kitchen, crying quietly.
“Mom, what happened?” Barb asked frantically.
“Your father lost his job today. They just can’t afford to pay him anymore.”
“Did Eleanor’s dad lose his job, too?”
“I’m afraid so, dear. We aren’t sure what to do about it all.”
Barb was scared. What if they couldn’t pay for food? They needed to be able to pay their taxes, too.
“Mom, how are we going to pay for food?”
“Sweetie, I don’t know.”
Barb had to tell Eleanor. She probably hadn’t heard the news, yet, because she usually had to stay at Roy’s house after school.
“May I go over to Roy’s house to see if Eleanor is there?”
“Sure, sweetie.”
Barb threw her overcoat on and ran out the door. She knew it wasn’t ladylike to run, but this was important. When Barb got to Roy’s house she was out of breath. Before Barb could open the door, Eleanor burst out. She was in tears.
“Did you hear? My dad lost his job,” cried Eleanor. Barb gave Eleanor a big hug. She must be really scared. Eleanor’s family didn’t have that much money in the first place.
“I’m so sorry, Eleanor. My dad lost his job, too.” Eleanor looked at Barb.
“Really? Oh, Barbara. You and I need to have a cheer-me-up party.”
Cheer-me-up parties were a celebration that Eleanor and Barb had whenever something was troubling them or sadness was upon them. Barb threw a surprise cheer-me-up party for Eleanor when her mom died. They had a cheer-me-up party when Rusty, Barb’s golden retriever, passed away. Now was a great time for a cheer-me-up party.
“I’ll get the blankets, you get the tea.” Eleanor was always the one to organize events. As Barb was walking home to fetch the blankets, it started to rain.
“Oh, perfect. Just another stupid thing to make my day WORSE!” Barb was not in the mood for any type of party right now. Barb turned onto Washington Street and sighted her father’s car pulling into the driveway. This was hardly the time for sad conversations, but Barb had to speak to her father. It was customary in their household. When Barb reached her front door, she unlatched it and slowly walked in.
Her father and mother were in a tight embrace, weeping. Barb sauntered in, trying not to disturb them. One of the floorboards creaked. Barb’s mother looked startled at the small noise.
“Hello, father,” Barb said hesitantly.
“Hello, Barbara,” her father croaked.
Barbara looked at the floor and quickly walked into her bedroom that she shared with her younger sister, Louise.
Once she had grabbed the required blankets, Barb hurried out to the tree house that Eleanor and Barb had built two summers before. Eleanor was already there, tea in hand. Eleanor helped Barb lay out one blanket, then they sat down on it and pulled a second blanket over themselves. Barb slowly fell asleep, pressed against Eleanor, who was also dozing.
Crash! The thunderous sound awakened Barb. But it wasn’t thunder. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. What could it be, if not thunder? Barb shook Eleanor, trying to arouse her.
Eleanor’s response was a slurred sentence, “WhatsgoingonwhereamI?”
“Your in the tree house, and I think someone broke into my house,” Explained Barb to the half-asleep Eleanor.
“What!?” Eleanor seemed to be fully awake now. Barb hurried down the ladder and dashed into her house. Nothing looked wrong, but there was an unusual noise coming from the basement.
“Not in a million years am I going down there,” Eleanor said.
“C’mon! It’s just my house.”
“But-“ Eleanor started to protest, but Barb pushed her down to the basement.
“We are going to find out what’s down there whether you like it or not,” Barb sternly told a frightened Eleanor.
As they slowly tiptoed down the wooden staircase, Barb realized a light at the bottom of the stairs. It moved towards them.
“Eleanor, don’t move,” whispered Barb. They heard heavy footsteps climbing up the stairs. The light was almost to them when it stopped. The light went off. The heavy footsteps continued up the stairs, finally reaching the top. A flood of light blinded Eleanor and Barb when the intruder opened the basement door, which led to the kitchen. When the intruder finally walked outside, Barb hurried to the top step and switched on the light. At the bottom of the stairs was the family safe. It was open.
“MOM!!!!!!!” Barb screamed. This was serious. If someone had broken into their safe, they had no more money. No more money to buy food, no more money to buy clothes. NO MORE MONEY! This hit Barb hard. What if they went homeless? Just in case the money wasn’t gone, Barb ran down the stairs and looked into the safe. Empty. Empty. Barb felt very faint. Then there was blackness.
“Barbara! C’mon Barb! Wake up!” Eleanor was screaming at Barb. She was in tears now. Barb’s family had no more money, and Barb had fainted, too.
“Wha?” Barb was finally awake. She sat up abruptly. Black spots flashed in front of her eyes.
“Eleanor! Barb!” It was Eleanor’s dad. “I came right over when I heard you scream, Barb. What happened?”
Barb told of how she had heard the unusual noise, and they had gone to investigate. Just when she was getting to the part where she fainted, Barb’s mom rushed in.
“Girls! Is everything okay?”
“No, everything is not okay. We got robbed!”
“Oh, god.” Barb’s mom was looking pale.
This is a new story that I started, and I want to know if I should continue it.Everything changed when Ava, my baby sister, was born on that cold, rainy night. It was 8pm. I was helping Penelope, my younger sister, get ready for bed when Mom yelled for Dad.
“Drew, I need to get to the hospital!”
“Ok. I’ll call Mandy and tell her to meet us there.” Mandy was Mom’s midwife.
Penelope was confused. “Mommy, why are you going to the hospital to have your baby?” I quickly explained how the doctors needed to make sure that the baby was healthy, and that it was safer to have a baby at the hospital. Penelope still looked a bit confused, but I couldn’t think of a better way to explain it.
“Ok, Penny. It’s time to get in bed now.”
“But I don’t want to go to bed!”
“Penelope, please, just cooperate for once!”
Nopes. I ditched that story, and this is my other new one (I don't have a plot): Today I made my first friend since we moved to Michigan. Her name is Amber. She sits next to me in French class. She has an older sister named Taylor and was born in Denver. Her parents are divorced, and she says that her and Taylor stay with their dad every weekend and their mom on weekdays. She is eleven and her birthday is in March.
My name is Mya. I have an older sister named Alexis and I was born in Santa Barbara. I am eleven years old. My birthday is in February. We moved to Kalamazoo in July, because my dad got a job there.
I would definitely come up with a plot. Those two paragraphs were a little blunt and boring.
I ditched that story too. I'm trying to think of a good plot, and I want to start fresh! Any ideas anyone?
None right now, but I am looking for a partner to write with for another group. You like wolves?
Ok, so I came up with two character profiles and a setting. I haven't thought of a plot yet. I really like my characters and my setting.Character Form
Name: Temina Rose Delany
Main Character
Age: 12
D.O.B: February 5
Gender: Female
Height: 5' 0"
Eye Color: Blue
Hair: Long, straight, and brown
Family: One younger brother, one older sister, a mom, and a dad.
Personality: Fun, loving, outgoing, quirky, and smart.
Name: Rose Marlowe Green
Main Character's Best Friend
Age: 12
D.O.B: January 20
Gender: Female
Height: 5' 2"
Eye Color: Green
Hair: Short, wavy, and blond
Family: Two older sisters, a mom, and a dad.
Personality: Smart, daring, talkative, funny, and distinct.
Setting
Country: United States
State: Illinois
City: Chicago
Year: 2011-2012
Month: September-March
Ok, so I started writing my story, but I don't have a plot. I don't have any ideas for a plot... Here's the first three paragraphs: Rain pelts against my window. Thunder crashes, echoing off the surrounding buildings. Through my shades, I see a flash of lightning. My computer screen flickers. I hear a low rumbling, then another loud crash of thunder. Finn runs into my room, crying. "I don't like the thunder," He whines. "Shhh, it's only a thunderstorm. It won't last long." I cuddle Finn into my lap and continue typing. "What are you doing, Mina?" Finn came up with that nickname when he was learning to talk, and it has stuck ever since. "I'm finishing my paper for school. It's due tomorrow," I explain to Finn. "Oh." That's Finn's answer to all my explanations.
The thunderstorm stops and all that's left is a small drizzle. "Okay Finn. The thunderstorm is over, so why don't you go see what Mommy is making us for dinner?" Finn hops off my lap and scurries out of the room. I finally get to work on my paper. I'm about three quarters of the way through when Mom knocks on my door. "Temina, sweetie, time for dinner." She doesn't actually open the door. My mom is very respectful of my privacy. She knows how hard it can get, being the middle child and all. "Okay, Mom. I'll be down in a minute." I finish typing my sentence and close my computer.
For dinner we have pasta with red sauce and broccoli. Mom asks everyone how their day at school was. Ashley of course, talks about all the cute boys who were in her math class. It's not like we haven't heard about these boys. She's told us about them ever since school started two weeks ago. Finn says that he finally got to play with the toy trains alone. He's in full-day kindergarten this year.
Ok. Fine. I don't care if nobody comments on my story. *hides in corner*... XD
Sugarbug wrote: "Ok. Fine. I don't care if nobody comments on my story. *hides in corner*... XD"A good plot to start....
If anyone wants to look at my story for NaNoWriMo, you can go here: http://figment.com/books/465441-Crushes. I would love it if you gave it a heart (if you're on Figment), or at least give me some feedback on it right here!
This is my story for NaNoWriMo so far...Crushes
By C. M. Kittredge and A.R. Farrer
Chapter 1
Beth
As I yawn and open one eye, I see that my iPod screen is lit up. I have two notifications from Instagram. Nikki (@nickels200) and Roger (@roorooroger) liked my post about National Boys Hug Girls Day. It's not actually a real "holiday", it's just a fun day when boys hug girls for no reason. I'm hoping that Roger gives me a hug today. That would be awesome!
I wait until my clock says 7:00am, then throw my covers back and hop out of bed. As I slowly get dressed, my cat, Agnes, creeps into my room and jumps onto my bed effortlessly. When I try to pet her, she hisses and bats a claw. I sigh.
"Good morning to you too, Agnes." I saunter into the bathroom to brush my teeth. As I glance in the mirror, I notice that my mascara from yesterday still hasn't washed off. Yesterday was halloween, and I dressed up as a vampire. Nikki dressed up as a pirate, and we called ourselves the Vampirate sisters.
After I brush my teeth, I run downstairs and scarf down my eggs and toast. Just as I finish my cup of orange juice, Nikki's mom's car pulls into our driveway.
*****
Nikki
"NIKKI!!!" my mom yells from the front door, "It's time to GO! We're going to be late if you don't hurry up!" I quickly grab my mascara from my vanity and hurry downstairs.
"I'm coming, Mom! One sec!" As I grab my backpack and tear my coat from the hanger, I realize that Coco is out of her kennel.
"Come on, you. Get in your kennel!" I pick her up and carry her to her kennel in my room. She's a carmel-colored pug that I got for my birthday in May. She's almost 9 months old now, and I have to take care of her pretty much 24/7. My parents don't have time to take care of her because they both work full-time as doctors at the Bronson hospital.
When I finally get in the car, Jonathan, my baby brother, is having a fit. He cannot stand to be in the car for very long. That's part of the reason why I've never been on any long road trips with my family. He gets fussy and starts screaming at the top of his lungs. It gets really irritating after about 5 minutes, so Mom and I have to start singing the ABC's and Wheels on The Bus to get him to calm down. When we get to Beth's house to pick her up, Jonathan is fast asleep.
*****
Beth
When we get to school, I hop out of the car after Nikki and we walk in side by side. Kate and Sophie are waiting for us right inside the entrance. They both look exhausted from last night. We went trick-or-treating for hours. At 11, we all finally went home.
"Hey girls! How did you sleep last night? You're looking pretty tired," Nikki sounds like she got all the sleep she needed.
"Yeah, I'm kind of tired," Sophie yawns and blinks her eyes slowly, "How did you sleep, Kate?"
"Eh, I didn't get to sleep until about midnight, but I'm not super tired. How about you, Beth?"
"I slept pretty well, actually." For some reason, I sleep better if I go to bed really late.
"Anyways, did you guys see Mason and Roger trick-or-treating last night? I heard that they went in the same neighborhood as us," Kate is practically stalking Roger and Mason. Ever since we told her and Sophie about our crushes, she has been reporting to us about their whereabouts and such. I wouldn't be surprised if she had a crush on one of them, the way that she follows them around all the time.
"If I saw them, I probably would've told you guys by now, so no, I didn't see them last night. They may've been out there, but how would we know? It was pitch dark and they were wearing costumes," Sophie practically takes the words out of my mouth.
"What she said," Nikki nods toward Sophie.
"Yep," I agree.
*****
Nikki
"Hey Mason! What's up?" I try to make small talk with Mason while we're waiting for Mrs. Luciano to get back from the teachers' lounge.
"Not much, you?"
"Not much," I decide to ask him if he was out trick-or-treating in my neighborhood. "Where did you and Roger go trick-or-treating last night?"
"We were in the Newbrook neighborhood for a while, but then we had my mom drive us over to Crandall. Where did you guys go?"
"We went in the Crandall neighborhood, too! I didn't see you guys, though."
"We didn't see you and the other girls either."
"It was pitch black," we say in unison. I smile.
"We think alike, don't we?" He smiles back at me.
"Yes, yes we do."
"Class! It's not the time to chat!" Mrs. Luciano yells at class. "This is mathematics!" The class immediately goes silent.
"That's better," Mrs. Luciano smiles bitterly. "Now get your textbooks out and turn to page 122." There's lots of rustling as we all get our textbooks out of our bags.
"We will be investigating decimals and fractions today. What's an example of a mixed number?" A particularly bratty girl named Lucille raises her hand confidently.
"Yes, Lucille?" Mrs. Luciano says sternly.
"An example of a mixed number is 1¾," Lucille says this as if she knows everything there is to know about mixed numbers.
As Mrs. Luciano drones on about how decimals can be converted into fractions and vice versa, I stare at Mason until I catch his eye, then I look away. I keep repeating this until the end of class.
*****
Beth
I can hear Mr. Fredericks starting his introduction and start to run. I'm late for biology. When I walk in, everybody stares at me. Mr. Fredericks just continues talking.
"We will be doing an experiment on how what we eat effects our health. I will tell you all the details separately, because you are all going to have different projects. Here are your partners: Julia and Sam, Carl and Scarlet, Maria and Grace, Roger and Beth…" That's all I hear. Roger is partners with me! I almost scream "YESSS!" but catch myself just in time.
As Mr. Fredericks hands out our papers with the rubric and the details of the project, I try to think of something smart to say to Roger.
"This will be interesting, don't you think?" That's the best that I could come up with.
"Um, yeah, really interesting," Roger doesn't sound very excited about it.
I pick up the rubric and scan it quickly. I have a weird feeling that something is wrong here. It says that we're going to be eating a frog. Roger notices it, too.
"Excuse me, Mr. Fredericks, but it says here that we're eating a frog. Is there a typo or something?"
"No, there is most certainly not a typo, Roger. You will, in fact, be eating frogs for this experiment," Mr. Fredericks sounds so sure of himself that, for a brief second, I actually believe that we'll be eating frogs.
"You can't be serious, Mr. Fredericks. Why would you want us to eat frogs?" Roger has an inquiring look on his face.
"I'm obviously joking, Roger! You and Beth will be eating different types of pastries and desserts."
"Oh, ok. Phew!" Roger imitates wiping sweat off of his brow.
*****
Nikki
My Latin teacher, Mrs. Adler, smiles warmly at the class before beginning.
"To finish up our first unit, we will be doing an in-class project on parts of speech. You will be paired up with someone of the opposite gender." She smiles again and picks up a stack of paper. A wave of whispers overcomes the students as everyone wonders who they will be paired up with.
"I will hand each girl a sheet of paper with the other person's name on it with the instructions." As Mrs. Adler walks down the row passing out instruction sheets to the girls, I glance at Roger and hope that we are paired up, because he is the only person that I know in the class.
Chapter 2
Beth
Mason smiles at me from under his mop of black hair. I can't help but smile back. Mason makes a funny face and I giggle. Mr. Henderson glances our way but since my back is facing him, he doesn't see my face. I stick my tongue out at Mason and he stifles a laugh. I tear a piece of paper out of my German notebook and quickly scribble out a note. I fold it up into a tiny ball and throw it at Mason. It bounces off his shirt onto the ground. He goes to pick it up, but Mr. Henderson notices and quickly walks over to where Mason is sitting.
"Mason, please pick that piece of paper up and hand it to me," I catch Mason's eye and shake my head slowly. If Mr. Henderson reads that note and someone tells Nikki, I am dead meat. Mason looks apologetically at me before bending over and picking up the note. He hands it guiltily to Mr. Henderson. Mr. Henderson unfolds the balled up note and clears his throat loudly before reading out loud,
"Mason, I know this is gonna sound really weird, but I like you. A lot."
Mason's face turns bright red as everyone looks around, wondering who the note was from. I try to act like I have no idea who the note was from, but it's hard. Soon enough, Lucille looks at me looking at Mason. She gets it. She totally gets it. I know that she will tell Nikki. Nikki and I will never have the same bond ever again.
*****
Nikki
As I walk down the hall towards the cafeteria, I hear footsteps and Lucille's voice shouting,
"Nikki! Nikki! You'll never believe it! Beth has a crush on Mason! She passed a note to him in class saying that she liked him and got caught! Do you believe me?!" I stop breathing. This cannot be true. Beth is my best friend, and she wouldn't do something like that.
"You're lying, Lucille. I can just tell by the tone of your squeaky little voice. Beth would never do something like that to me," I know it's not true.
"But she did, Nikki! You have to believe me! Why would I lie to you?"
"It is perfectly normal for you to lie to people, and everyone knows it."
"I'm not lying, I swear," she whispers into my ear.
This really freaks me out. Lucille only whispers when she is dead serious. Just then, I hear Beth screaming,
"Nikki! Don't listen to Lucille! It's not true!" I turn so I am facing Beth, take a deep breath, and yell,
"Beth, I cannot believe what you did! How could I have ever thought that you were my friend?!" I feel the need to punch something, someone, but I hold back. Instead I bite my lip and try not to cry as my eyes tear up.
"Nikki, I'm really sorry. It was a joke, really--,"
"I don't want to hear your excuses, Beth!!! Just come clean and say sorry, for Pete's sake!!!" In response, Beth glares at Lucille, then storms away, toward the girls' bathrooms.
