The Test




Today's piece comes from Sarah.  It features something we've all faced at some point: The Test of Doom.


The Test

Tick tock tick tock on the clock. Time speeds away while poor, Ronald Bloom, fidgets with his pencil, as the exponential nervousness is eating him alive.


“You will have one and a half hours to complete your first sixth grade social studies test of the year,” announced Ms. Trenchly.


“More like test of doom! Gosh, kill me now,” Robert thought.


The test of doom was being distributed, still warm from the printer. Suddenly, “PLOP!” A daunting booklet had been left on his desk by Patty-Passer-Outer, with a snicker and a grin. He looked on the right side of his desk; a whopping four and a half page test booklet, and three page answer booklet.


“Pssssssssst!” whispered Ronald’s best friend Cecilia. “If I die before this is over, will you please tell my mother I love her?” Ron chuckled.


“Is there something you would like to share with the class, Ron?” shouted Ms. Trenchly, with her famous evil glare.


“N-N-No-No, Ma’am,” stuttered Ron.


Everyone despises Ms. Trenchly. Even the suck-ups and goody-two-shoes students secretly hate her. She’s the teacher that expects you to know everything already, even if she hasn’t taught it yet. She creeps people out, picks on her students, and calls us stupid. Last but not least, Ms. Trechly is the teacher that thinks she’s hip!! HA! Some teachers are... just not her.  
For example, she’s around 50 years old and she still dresses as if she’s 25! She tries to straighten her hair, she shops at Abercrombie and Fitch, and she wears her makeup like the eighth grader girls do!


“Okay, you may start... now!” said Ms. Trenchly.


Studies show that most kids spend twenty percent of their time actually taking a test and the other eighty percent simply procrastinating. Yup, that would be me. Students procrastinate on almost anything. Students procrastinate if they have to do homework, any type of cleaning, tests, quizzes, chores, and getting up in the morning. For some reason, it’s just what we do.

“What’s first on my agenda for taking the test? Hmmm... procrastination!”

thought Ron.


First, Ron fidgets with his pencil, and pretends to look through the test, “reading” each question before he started. Then he pulls a classic. His signature fake sneeze. Then, he walks up to go get a tissue. But wait, there are no tissues! “Ms. Trenchly, may I get a tissue from the bathroom?”


“Sure Ron, but just get a tissue,” said Ms. Trenchly.


Ron cockily walked out of the room smirking at his success.


On the other hand, motivated Cecilia was already one fourth of the way done and smiling confidently while doing so! It was almost as if she enjoyed this abnormally cruel torture. Cecilia and Ron are absolute opposites, and many people wondered why they would be friends.


Ron was the messiest person in the whole grade, except for his appearance. He had a bedroom floor you couldn’t see, a binder that didn’t know what a divider was, and my goodness his locker - nobody at Mildred D. Middle School ever dared to peek inside.


Then, there was Cecilia. She had a room like no other. Her clothing was organized by the seasons. She had shirts for winter, summer, spring, and fall. There were four different drawers and one closet for her hair necessities, shoes, and pants. There was also a homework desk with sections for pencils, paper, textbooks, and laptop, which was gleaming as if it was new. Lastly, her always made bed with a polka dot comforter was tucked so tightly, you could flip a quarter off of it.


Cecilia was the inventor of the divider, and the binder, which were stowed with care in her locker. Cecilia had a system. She would have one shelf for each subject in her locker. This system followed almost exactly the same principles as her room strategies.


Meanwhile, Ron was actually taking the test! He was starting to get frustrated so he faked another sneeze and went and got a tissue. He only had four questions, and for not studying, Ron was doing surprisingly well.


Cecilia had been quietly reading for twenty minutes and Ron was just about to finish his last question. This was a very big thing for him to accomplish. He took four steps to Ms. Trenchly’s desk and with a gigantic sigh of relief, he stated proudly, “I’m finished!”

“Well that’s great Ronald but my directions were to leave the test on your desk and I will collect it when everybody is finished. But I’m so very glad to know that Ronald Bloom is finished! She said loud to the class, with much sarcasm. The whole class joined in a quiet laughter.


Even though Ron had been humiliated in front of his class, he still did finish this impossible test. He was pretty happy with himself and he thought he would get a solid 90%. Just wait until he gets it back. 

Marjorie and the Robot

This week's piece comes from Breanna, and it's based on a picture prompt I do each year with my students entitled "Marjorie and the Robot".  Bree's version of this strange encounter was very popular with students.

Enjoy!

        

        This kid keeps bothering me. He is always wearing a costume of some sort, like last week he was a pineapple. I was walking home from school. It was more like running because I was late for my piano lessons. I had to cut across Jan's yard  when I heard the most interesting sound. It was like an old man trying to lift a heave idiom. After I heard that I stopped running. Followed the sound. It came from the inside of their shed. 

I was creeping over when all of a sudden the kid in a robot costume comes flying out the shed doors riding on a lawnmower. As he was riding, he sang songs like “Ring Around The Rosie” and “The London Bridge is Falling Down”. I thought to myself “what a interesting boy”. I just watched him ride around for about 3 minutes until he noticed me. When he saw me he screamed, lost control of the lawnmower and ran into a fence. He went flying off of it and it sounded like he hit the ground hard.

I started walking toward him to see if he was okay, but he shot back up and got on the lawnmower. He drove it towards me and just stopped in front of me. He asked me if I wanted a ride on it, but I denied his offer. Then I asked him why he was wearing the robot costume. He just responded by asking me why I was wearing a school girl costume. I tried to ask him other questions, but he answered them with more questions. 

Finally, I gave up and started walking the rest of the way home. During my walk noticed he was following me on the lawnmower. So I decided to take the trail in the woods that leads the beginning of my street. When I was at the end of the trail I poked my head out to check that the kid was there. Then I bolted. My backpack was flying around slapping my back and I could almost see my house. The zipper of my bag was starting to slide, revealing the white papers stuffed in my bag. It was about to fully open when I stopped and gave it a good pull that closed the bag. I got back to running, but three steps later the zipper just gave out and broke. I turned around and just stared in amazement at the white papers fluttering down to the ground. I almost didn't even notice that the robot kid was on the ground picking up my papers. He looked up and gave me a “are you going to help me” look. I bent down and started shoving the paper back in my broken bag. When all the paper was in my bag we both stood up and he went on the lawnmower and rode off. 

I was about to start walking again, but I felt bad so I placed my bag on the sidewalk and ran after him. I turned the corner and boom! I ran right into him at full speed. It sent us both flying backwards, but he had better balance than me and he stood standing. I fell flat on my back. He offered a hand to help me up. 

“I'm sorry I acted like a jerk to you.” I groaned, still recovering from the hard fall. “What's your name?” 

“M...my name?” he stuttered. I nodded with a smile.

“My name is Felix” he squeaked. 

“Well it's nice to meet you Felix, I'm Erica” I held my hand out, but he denied it. 

“Where is the lawnmower?” I asked, looking around noticing it was gone.

“I put it back”he announced. 

I asked him to take off his mask, but he said no. Then I remembered how shy he really was and how he has no friends. So, I decided I would be his friend. I patted down my skirt and pulled up my humiliating yellow socks that my mom got me for my birthday and made me wear. I convinced him to take off his mask. He had short rusty colored hair, like mine but had red eyes.

“Do you wear contacts” I asked. 

“Yes, but there colored. My real eyes are blue, sky blue.” he announced proudly. We started talking.     
         I lost track of time. When I looked down at my watch it was 4:30. I panicked and said I needed to go. He asked why and I told him. He just looked at me, laughed, and told me I need to hurry. I ran home, but before I went around the corner I screamed.   

         “ I'll see you tomorrow, right?” then I heard a faded “yes”.  I picked up my bag from the side walk and rushed into the house. Stealing glances of him in the corner of my eye.  

The Country Side

We have another short story, "The Country Side" by Audrey.  It's a story about hurricanes, cat food, and family reunions.  Note how Casey's brought to life through strong characterization of her habits, characteristics, and even her home decor. 

The Country Side

Casey walked outside into the cool, crisp, fall air on a Sunday evening. Her wispy black hair twirled in the wind while walking down her brick pathway towards her Honda Civic. Casey stole a glance at her oak trees with red and orange leaves ready to fall. As for the others that have already fallen, the beautiful leaves scattered Casey's front lawn with a decorative essence. She started driving down Goat St., and took a deep breath in, smelling the fall air.

Casey had never really looked closely at Goat St. The street was unusually long, and is a road that is out in the country side of Wheatville. It was an old, skinny road with wheat fields on both sides. There were farms here and there, and the road went partially through Wheatville to the west.

Casey drove towards the center of the town in which there were small shops. She needed to run a few errands. Her first was a trip to the post office. There was no mail for her, as usual.

Casey moved to Wheatville after college. Casey majored in design in college, and she now owns a small boutique in Wheatville. It's not open on the weekends, so she had the day off. Her parents liked the big city, but Casey decided to move to the country side.

Casey hasn't heard from her parents, and it’s been nine years. She's not worried, though. She knew her parents were alright. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, did not approve of her well beings. Casey's sister, Lucy, was the main star of the show. Lucy loved the city, and could get her parents to do anything. If she were to say, "Go jump off a cliff," to her Mother, Mrs. Clarke indeed would. Casey liked the country side, and that's where she was going to stay.

Casey stopped at the grocery store for dinner and a loaf of wheat bread. Next, she stopped at the pharmacy for her prescription and cat food for her cat, Mr. Whiskers. She stopped at Sewer's Heaven that sold fabric and thread. She picked up brown thread for her blouse with a rip on the shoulder seam, and white thread for her bed sheets.

Casey drove back to her white home by the wheat stalks, and into her home. Her home had the scent like a holiday, every day. It smelled of cookies, candles, and cats. Casey's home was small, and cozy. It had sand colored walls and a brick fire-place in the living room. It was an open-floor plan; the kitchen, living room, and the tiny dining room were all connected. Her bedroom and bathroom were separate.

Casey placed her newly bought items on her counter top and went to gather wood for her fire place. Outside, she found a dime on her driveway and put it in her pocket. Funny, her parent’s favorite cent was a dime. She thought to herself, "Ha, why would I be thinking of such things? They don't even know I exist anymore." This thought got Casey a little emotional. She went inside her home and started a small fire.

Mr. Whiskers weaved through her legs as she organized her groceries. Casey prepared dinner while she watched the local news. "Yes, there is a large storm coming, possibly around the mid- Kansas area. Possibly a storm to not worry about, but folks it is tornado season so please be aware of your surroundings. Now back to the local news with Mary. Mary?" said the man on the television screen. Casey thought about this for a moment, she was near the area he was talking about. But she shrugged it off before she could think any longer.

Casey sat down for dinner and fed Mr. Whiskers. She heard thunder above and rain gently pit-patting her roof. Mr. Whiskers meowed and ran for a corner of her house. "Mr. Whiskers, there is nothing to worry about! We will be absolutely fine, I promise." Casey said with confidence. Another roll of thunder and some small heat lightning flashes from out on the horizon.

Casey heard a car door slam shut in her driveway. Casey was confused, the town only collects taxes once a month on Thursdays.  Slowly, Casey peeked out her curtain of a window and saw an expensive looking car parked in her driveway.

Somebody knocked on her door and said, "Hello? Anybody there?”

Casey opened the door and there was a man, a woman, a young woman who looked to be in her mid- twenties, and another man also in his mid- twenties.

"Um, yes, eh, are you looking for something?" Casey asked the strangers.

The older man hugged her tightly and wheezed out, "We're so glad to see you!" The older woman smiled and so did the other woman and man.

"Err, not to be mean, but who are you?" Casey asked.

"We are your family, Casey! You don't remember us?" asked the woman.

"No, but come in." She motioned inside. The rain was falling harder, and she thought in the distance she heard tornado sirens going off. All in my head, thought Casey, all in my head.

Pirate Crossing

 This year's first entry is about something we all know and love: pirates.  Selected by popular vote, here's Jonathan's story "Pirate Crossing". 

PIRATE CROSSING

There once was a pirate named Sir Captain Louis. He was hired by British kings for years. If they needed something he was the only one who could do it without getting caught by other people. One day he stopped working for them when the British king John Edwards III said he got 1/10 of the treasure instead of all of it. He got so mad he said he quit. They threw him in jail.

 While he was in jail he meet people in there that also hated the king. They became his crew for his pirate ship. His Crew was Uly, who had one eye one, one leg, and one feather on his hat. Another member is Bloodshock, whose is real name is Juan Pierre. He was named Bloodshock because when he jumped on a military ship with blood on his face and when the doctor came to see who he was, he shot the doctor right in the chest.

They decided to become pirates when Uly said that he was a pirate who was so good at making ships the British people would buy ships from him. He also said that he could teach them to speak like a pirate.

“Now all you need to say is ye instead of you,” said Uly.

“Like this.  Ye want some of ye’s food,” said Bloodshock.

“No that makes you sound like you don’t know anything,” said Louis.

When they became pirates they decided to escape jail. The night was cold and foggy. They broke right through the bars of the cell and quickly let every other jail members come out of there cell too. They ran and made it to the water when two guards found them and the said, “What are you doing?”

They replied, “We are going to pick up our boat at the dock.”

The guards said, “You might want this lantern.”

When they walked away Louis took their gun in the guard’s belt without the guard knowing.

           

They broke a chain on the biggest boat they could find and took it out to sea. They found stacks of ammo, cannon balls, guns, gold, silver, and most importantly wine. There was a captain room, lobby, and sailor’s room. The boat was great and they could cook because there was a kitchen and still food. Now their journey began.

Goodbye, Texas

This week we have a memoir from Karen, written in the present tense, about saying goodbye.  If you've ever had to move, or say goodbye to family and friends, you should read this.  It's a moving piece.

I feel my heart beating as I am on my way to school.  It is just a usual day in the heart of the lone star state of Texas.  I am so eager to sign up for the Spanish spelling bee.  I do not know if I am good enough to enter or not, but hey, it's always good to try.

When I reach the bill board to sign up for the Spanish spelling bee my jaw drops open.  I cannot believe how many people have signed up already.  The Spanish spelling bee is six weeks away, and I need to study.  A lot.  I am looking for spaces available, and I see number forty two is open.  I quickly reach for the pencil and write down my name in the space.

I am relieved that my name is written down.  Plus, I remember that I do speak Spanish as my second language.  My Spanish teacher Ms. Rosalinda gave me a thick Spanish spelling bee book, to help practice for the spelling bee.  I am pretty sure I am going to win this year.  It is almost time to leave, and I am so eager to tell my parents about me signing up for the spelling bee.

When the school day ends, my best friend Selena and I walk home to tell my parents the great news.  It is still shiny and bright as the sun rises over our eyes.  When I enter my house I see both of my parents sitting on the couch looking concerned.  They both don't say a word when I tell them Selena is coming over.  They tell me to take a seat.  "It's just to talk."  They also tell Selena that she has to head home.  They both look concerned.

"Mom, dad!  Look.  I entered the spelli..."I get cut off by my father.

"We need to tell you something, and it might be upsetting."

I am nervous to hear the news, but when my parents say those three ugly words I never wanted to hear, I am shocked.

"We are moving," my father announces.  I am speechless.   My heart feels like it's ripping a whole other side of me.

"Whaaa-ttt?" I finally say.  Then they start to explain the whole situation.

"We are moving to this nice, safe town called Hopkinton.  And it snows there.  It's also in Massachusetts."

I can't believe what I am hearing.  I start to get furious. 

"But Mom, Dad, there's the Spanish spelling bee and I signed up for it!"

They don't seem to care much.  I think about all the things I could lose if I don't argue about this situation: my cousins, friends, grandparents, uncles, aunts, my dad, and especially my home.  I'm so upset and disappointed.  This is probably the most upsetting news I've ever heard.

I rush to my room, slam the door, and call Selena.  I'm not the only one who's upset about this.  She's upset too.  She starts asking questions, and I tell her as much as I can.  I take out my Spanish spelling bee study book and throw it in the trash.

"Guess I won't be needing this anymore."  I think about how now I'll have to tell everyone what my parents told me, and how it will disappoint them.

I think in my mind, "I bet there's no one like me.  What if I have no friends?  Would I learn the same math?"  There were so many questions.

I finally finish packing, with some homework besides that.  I can't bear to do any of it.  Instead I ask myself why.  I never get an answer.

During dinner, I barely eat, even though my mom has made my favorite dinner, salmon with lemon and salt, with white rice and corn.  My parents constantly change the subject.  I don't.  After picking through my fish and rice, I run upstairs, upset.

"Honey, come back!  Can we talk?"  calls my mother.  All I give her is the slam of my door.  I already know she is upset at me because of that.  I just can't stop my cold heart.  I let out tear after tear after tear until I finally fall asleep.

The next day I skip school to say goodbye to all my family.  I'm glad not to go to school because if I have then I would just break more hearts.  My parents and teachers are going to have a meeting about moving.  Selena and my classmates make me goodbye letters.  That is a gift I will never forget.

My mother finally tells me about where we are moving to.  I don't care; I'm not in a good mood.  I have time to say goodbye to all my loved ones, and then we head to the airport.  All my family comes, but I can't even say a word.  My heart is broken.  I say goodbye to everyone and leave them behind.  My eyes are blurry with tears.

When we get on our plane, we sit down in our assigned seats, and I look back one last time at my home and blow a kiss.  "I love you, Texas.  I'll never forget you."  Those are my last words to my home.

Ode to Fishing

Today's piece comes from Nate.  Reading the poem is almost as relaxing as fishing on a summer day.  The fluidity of the lines, how they drift down the page, is a real strong point of the piece, especially in the second and third stanzas.  Enjoy!


Fishing Ode


O body of water
You bring me here
As I cast my line into
Your sparkling water
Waiting for a fish to grab it


Standing by the bridge
Listening to the various sounds
The birds chirping
Dogs barking
Wind blowing through the trees
Like a ghost seeks
Through the misty night


My mind wanders back
To three years ago
When I first came here
And I have been coming ever since
Because it's so relaxing
It makes me want to fall asleep
To the sound of the water
Rippling water hitting from rock to rock


When I feel a tug on my line
I reel it in and tug it back
And I sit there with that feel
Of achievement - it makes me feel
Proud like I did something good.


As the evening goes on
It only gets better and better
More fish more fun
And more relaxing than before
And as I leave I look at the water
And it smiles with the reflection of the sun
And then it gets broken by the jump of a fish
O fishing what would I do without you

The Tempest, Part Three

The Tempest, Part Two

The Tempest, Part One

Ode to Pink

Today's poem is is the creative and vibrant "Ode to Pink" by Elizabeth.  Enjoy!

Pink,
You have
Always
Been there for me.
You have
Brought
Joy
To my life when
I needed it most.

Pink, you are as young
As a flower in bloom.
When I was that
Little flower
You were my favorite.
You made me the hibiscus
Blowing in the breeze on along the
Shore.
I became the lady slippers
Twirling on the floor.
I was the tulip
Dancing
In the sunlight
Swaying back and forth.
And i was the dahlia
Soaking up all of the warmth.

When I wore you every day
I became
Something else.
I needed
You
To keep the smile on my face.

You are the butterflies
Fluttering
In the wind.
The flamingo
Balancing
On its
Leg.
You are the cotton candy
Swirled onto a stick.

You make
Blue feel
Sad.
Blue does not
Have your
Energy.
Blue jumpsuits
Slide along the track.
You race in front of them.

When you walk into a room,
You make an appearance.
Blue doesn't have that zap
To it like you.
Blue doesn't shout and scream
Like you.
Blue doesn't have the sweet scent of
Perfume like
You.
You taste exciting and hyper.
Blue is more mellow.
You can get a person's attention
Before you speak.
You feel sharp when you're vibrant yet
Soft when you're light.
Blue feels dull.
You make everyone
Want to
Get up
And move around.

I would paint the skies
Pink.
I want to see
Seas of pink.
I want grass to be painted pink.
I would paint the sun,
The moon,
The earth,
The stars,
and Pluto pink.
Rhinos and hippos too.
And finally,
I would paint
Blue
Pink.