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#BirdvilleVoices
vol. 5, edition: 1 October 2021
Welcome to #BirdvilleVoices Digital Literary Magazine!
This digital literary magazine is a compilation of writings from the budding PAP middle school authors around the district. Please enjoy their insights, humor, and writer's craft.
6th Grade
Penelope M- Smithfield MS
Rosalie looked down at the french horn case that sat on the floor at her feet. The case was a bit heavy, and the black, velvety coat of the case looked worn.
This horn will determine my future as a musician, Rosalie thought.
Rosalie lifted her eyes to her inpatient director.
“I’m ready,” Rosalie told him.
Mr. Yosivak nodded and made his way onto the stage, explaining to the crowd who she was and the instrument she played.
As he did that, Rosalie unbuckled her case and took out her french horn. Rosalie had played the instrument for over four years now; she was ready to face this competition.
Rosalie made her way to the edge of the curtains. She took slow, deep breaths to calm her pulse to a steady beat. Rosalie watched as Mr. Yosivak motioned to her to step onto the stage. She took one last deep breath, smoothed her silky, black dress, and walked towards her director on the stage.
The lights blinded her as soon as she was fully away from the protection of the curtain. She got an adrenaline rush, and her knees locked where she was. She could see Mr. Yosivak’s eyes urging her to come closer and sit in the chair stationed behind him.
Rosalie willed herself to keep moving, lifting one foot, then the other. Slowly, Rosalie made her way to Mr. Yosivak’s side.
“You can do this,” he whispered in her ear. Then out loud, he exclaimed to the crowd, “Please give a hand to our very own, Rosalie Calawind!”
Rosalie looked to where the cheering audience sat. The lights were so bright, she could hardly make out the silhouettes of people in the crowd. The judges sat closer to the stage, and Rosalie could feel their eyes staring at her intensely.
Everything soon went silent, and Rosalie’s nervousness was starting to rise. The only sound was a couple of scattered whispers rippling through the crowd.
Rosalie took a deep breath and nodded towards her director. He nodded back, winked, and exited the stage.
Rosalie sat in the chair in front of her music stand where the piece of music she’d chosen had been placed. She felt her anxiety build up as she read over the music in front of her.
Rosalie lifted her instrument to her lips, counted down silently in her head, and then let the sound fly. It swirled and twisted and bent around in all directions; faster and faster the melody got. Until the twenty-sixth measure, where the song slowed down and got quieter. It filled the theater with a sad vibe. But then the music sprang to life again and the sound started bouncing around the room.
As the music poured out of the instrument’s bell, the less worry she felt inside. Rosalie began to feel more confident and played the rest of the song smoothly, soothing the audience.
The song quickly came to an end, where the rapid melody slowed and the rests in the music started to appear.
Everyone cheered and clapped endlessly as she finished the last note. She stood up and bowed, a smile overcoming her tight lips. The crowd was so loud, Rosalie felt like she needed to cover her ears.
But she fought the urge when she saw Mr. Yosivak coming toward her. The judges stood as he approached her. They were clapping wildly. Rosalie felt her smile widen when she looked at them.
“Thank you so much!” Mr. Yosivak boomed into his microphone. “That was a stunning performance, Rosalie”—after offering her a smile, he turned his full attention to the crowd—“Why don’t we give Rosalie Calawind one more round of applause.”
The crowd began another round of enthusiastic cheering. Rosalie bowed again and smiled at Mr. Yosivak.
“Thank you for making this happen,” She whispered to him.
“No, thank you for never giving up and always pursuing your dreams,” he whispered back, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, and waved to the crowd, then leading her off the stage.
That performance will determine what my future looks like, Rosalie thought to herself, And I just changed my life. I will forever be grateful that I never stopped doing what I loved.
Loriann B- Watauga MS
I stare into the empty abyss, mirroring my sister’s dead eyes I was forced to leave in the rotten corn maze. As much as I grieved and mourned her death, it brought me a type of bliss to know I was continuing the prominent thing she always wanted to do. Whatever my fate be, I clutched the tattered lace on the end of my dress, looping my fingers in with the angelic holes. One thing was for sure, this hole was certainly not angelic. I suck in a breathe and step inside. I screamed as I plummeted down the darkness. I cry out as I watch the fluorescent daylight die out, signifying no escape or a possibility of survival.
My falling slowed as a wave of slight calming delight warmed my blood. I felt a sense of mysterious wonder blended with the feeling I’ve been here, but perhaps in that life behind me where up was up and down was to never be spoken of. My stomach lurched as the ground felt solid and before me was the same door I had come to see many times before in my past. It was painted an unworldly lavender with an imitation gold door handle. Scratch marks and smudges scarred the freshly painted wood.
My very own front door.
Emma V- Richland MS
Just Thoughts
I have so many thoughts and questions about life. The world is so big and we’re just now finding things that we’ve never seen before. There are so many things I want to do and so many places I would like to visit. Most times when I'm thinking really hard I tend to overthink. I have so much more to do in life and it’s kinda crazy because of what’s going on in the world right now. There are so many questions I have like if a person was born deaf, what language were they thinking? And what was the first animal to ever be discovered in human history? And when did people first learn to speak???? It’s CRAZY how much you have to think about! I always wonder if we could have avoided certain events that took place but then I also wonder if I would still be here today if those events never occurred. I like to think that most things come with a certain reason. That’s just something positive I say to myself to keep away from all those bad negative thoughts. Sometimes it doesn’t work though.
Often when I’m sleeping I always have the fear I’ll never wake up. There were multiple times where I nearly died in my sleep. I usually keep myself awake without even knowing it. That happens when I let my thoughts get the best of me and think of things like “ I wonder what age I’ll die at” and “ How do people fall asleep?”. Lately I’ve been keeping away from those thoughts so I can actually sleep in peace. If we think about it, the future could turn out to be so many things. Like what if in the future we rely on technology based items to survive like floating cars, robots, video call apps, and other things. These are just a few thoughts I have. They’re just thoughts though, right?
Rory G- Smithfield MS
Just My Luck
I could feel the pit in my stomach, my knees were shaking, I felt like I could vomit at any second. Let's rewind a bit earlier. It all started this morning. I woke up to realize it was my first day of middle school which later I’ll realize wasn't as good as I had dreamed it would be. I threw on my Rolling Stones t-shirt which is apparently some old band, I don’t know, I just liked the shirt. I combed my hair and got all the tangles out, then headed for the bus stop. When I got there there was some strange kid who looked lonely. I didn't think anything of it until later that day. Anyway, I hopped on the bus and found a seat next to my best friend, Shawn Marshalls. We’ve been best friends since as long as I can remember. We first met in kindergarten. I missed my mom and he made me feel better. Kinda seems foolish now, missing my mommy but I was young. Moving on, we sat and went over our schedules. Turns out we have no classes together. Just my luck.
After what seemed like hours the bus finally reached the school. We walked up to the front just in time to hear the bell. We went our separate ways as we both rushed towards first period. As I took a seat I noticed the kid I had seen waiting for the bus. He was short and looked kind of skittish. The bell rang and the teacher came rushing in. She seemed frazzled like she had also forgotten the first day of school. She wrote Mrs. Smith on the board in shaky handwriting. She seemed scared. She wore a blue dress, had curly red hair, and broken glasses. She taught geometry, my least favorite subject. She started by having everyone say their name and where they were from. When it got to be my turn I was nervous so instead of saying Jake Chicago I said “,um well me I’m Jake and uh I live here but um came from the home of the cubs.” People must think I’m really stupid.
After that the day kind of flew by and before I knew it it was lunch. Yes, the time I dreaded. Why lunch you may ask, because of the pressure of finding a place to sit. So I stood there in the middle of the cafeteria. Then we come to the part you’ve all been waiting for. I could feel the pit in my stomach, my knees were shaking, I felt like I could vomit at any second. But instead of vomiting I decided to pass out instead. I woke up in the nurse's office. “rough day huh” it was that kid. You have no idea, I said. “Try me” I told him about how I hated lunch and that I got so scared I passed out, I told him about how I have no classes with my best friend, and that middle school was going to be the worst years of my life. “Wow you win,” so what are you in for? I asked him. “Some bully beat me up and took my lunch money.” After that we talked on and on, then it hit me, I made a new friend.
Then I realized middle school might not be as bad as I had thought, and thank god for that.
Yanitza R-Watauga MS
The voice of a little girl echoed down the hall. It went from cheery laughter to blood-curling screams. Then the footsteps. Faster. And faster. Then silence. The shadow of a 5 or 6-year-old girl standing at the other end of the hall. The flickery light in the middle of the hallway was the only source of light I had. It flickered for what seemed like 10 seconds, before closing out to pitch black. Then the footsteps. Louder and louder, until there was silence in front of me. Then the whispers. A bunch of overlapping whispers all saying the same thing. 576359. The number I had on my neck.
I wake up from a dream that seems to last forever, however, it was only 4 am. But the whispers replayed in my head the whole day. 576359. I stared at my neck and started to think how people from my dreams knew my number. I eventually got caught in a different thought, but the whispers are what kept the thought coming back.
As I’m brushing my teeth I swear I see a little girl run across the room. Layered medium-sized hair, as black as night, with light, pale skin. I fumble onto my bed and feel cold even though I have 2 blankets covering my body. I doze off to sleep, but I have the same dream from the day before, but something felt different than in the dream the previous night. I wake up. Sweaty and gasping for air. The number on my neck hurt so much I nearly cried. Then the laughter. But I was awake. I felt pain and fear. I was at my house. Then the little girl ran past the hallway. Her footsteps stopping right in front of a door. My door.
Dillon A- Smithfield MS
Operation Neptune
My stomach was churning.
Not just because I was on a rickety metal boat in the middle of the roaring ocean, but because I knew hundreds of my comrades were about to die, and maybe also me.
Today was the day we were going to storm a beach in Normandy. The Nazis had just taken over the beaches of Normandy, and I co. We were getting closer to the shore, and every minute that passed made my heart beat faster.
At last, we were at the shore. The door was about to open, and I knew we were in big trouble when almost everyone was getting shot by gunfire, and the door wasn’t even halfway open. I realized it would be too dangerous to get out of the boat from the front, so I briskly jumped off the side into the cold and murky water below.
I stood up in the water and looked around with blurry eyesight. What I saw was a foamy red ocean with tattered corpses floating on top of it.
I soon realized that it was my fellow friends, and I was frozen in place once I found out, but I knew I had to move. It took me several tries to get my legs moving before they worked.
Once I finally made it out of the water, I rubbed my eyes and started running on the beach towards the bunkers, making out the shapes of mines so I could avoid them and occasionally taking cover behind tank traps to dodge machine gunfire.
I came up to a barbed-wire fence protecting the bunkers, and somebody had to explode it so we could get through. Grains of sand and shards of weathered wood flew into my face when it detonated, and I had assured myself that some barbed wire also caught my wrist.
After I helped raid two bunkers, I heard somebody call out “ Enemy Tiger tanks inbound!” With their metallic green surface and noisy caterpillar tracks, I was almost mesmerized.
We all hid in a trench since we didn’t have anything to get rid of the tanks. Four soldiers in my squadron went to an armory, and they came back with a German Panzerfaust, an anti-tank weapon. I didn’t have time to notice that only two came back and were telling us to run. “There’s an enemy platoon coming!” They said. I wasn’t paying attention because I was already putting bombs inside the Panzerfaust and aiming at the tanks.
After I finished that, they told us to run to a different bunker. We came up with a couple more tanks, but with our Panzerfaust, we were virtually unstoppable.
We found a tunnel, and some of the routes led to machine gun stations. We found some hand grenades in a supply room and then threw them into the rooms with the machine guns.
I thought we had just won. But right then, a platoon of enemy soldiers dashed into the tunnel, and I guessed they were the ones who killed the other two that went to the armory. They put on their gas masks and ran towards us, shooting and holding out their razor-sharp bayonets.
We tried using the Panzerfaust, but we forgot that we had left the bombs in the last bunker. All we could do to protect ourselves was keep running.
Then we came to a dead end.
There was one room to the right of us, and we bolted towards it. We went up the ladder and shut the trapdoor. We found a padlock in the room and locked the trapdoor.
However, I then realized that the soldiers were very clever.
They had directed us right towards a room with no other door or window, and I heard the sound of the soldiers throwing chemical grenades.
There were no gas masks in the room, just a couple of beds and a shelf filled with water bottles, gasoline, and rope.
We started looking around the room and underneath the beds for anything we could use, but we couldn’t find anything.
I could smell the chemicals leaking in through the trapdoor, and I knew we needed to act now. I took the sheet off of one bed and soaked it with water. Then I put it up against my face and tied it. The other people in the room seemed to get what I was thinking, and they did the same thing.
Now, all we needed to do was get out of the room; I could hear the other soldiers trying to break the trapdoor. The vent in the room was too small for us to fit through, and we obviously couldn’t open the trapdoor and walk through the tunnel.
That’s when I noticed another small trapdoor in the corner of the room, this time in the ceiling. It looked like an escape hatch, except instead of a handle, it had a hook on it.
I realized that’s what the rope in the room was for; to open the trapdoor!
I swung the rope a couple of times until I had it attached. Then I gave it a firm pull, and the trapdoor opened. A ladder came down with a loud thud!
The other soldiers must have heard, and they started cursing in German. I grabbed a jerrycan of gasoline and headed up the ladder. At the end of the ladder, I saw trees. We had made it out.
After everybody else had made it to the top, I poured the entire jerrycan of gasoline into the room we had just escaped. Then I pulled out my box of matches that I always keep with me and lit one match. Right as the trapdoor broke, I threw it into the room and quickly shut the escape hatch.
The room wailed and screamed as the flames engulfed it, and the trapdoor even bumped itself up a bit, belching gray smoke.
Then we ran back to the other troops.
When we got back, we realized that the battle was over. All the Germans were either killed or captured, nobody was controlling the machine guns, and there was no more shooting.
I looked out on the beach and what I saw was horrific. I saw transport ships piled high with bodies, a rough ocean with a maroon hue, and scattered sand, burying bodies halfway underneath the ground.
Then I looked over to the bunkers. I saw more pleasant things than there were on the beach, such as military chefs preparing steak and mashed potatoes and surviving soldiers chatting with each other.
The only unpleasant thing I saw was my squadron commander walking towards me with a frown on his face. “Get ready to move,” he said. “We only have 40 minutes left before we start the next phase of Operation Overlord.”
Andrew V- Richland MS
Popeyes is So Good
A couple of weeks ago my parents bought me popeyes. Since I haven’t eaten popeyes in a while I almost forgot what it tasted like. The chicken tenders tasted so good it was like heaven in my mouth. The biscuits are always dry but I love them because of the taste and the texture. I don't like it with honey but it still tastes great. Nothing can ever match Popeyes biscuits but KFC's are pretty good too. The fries are the best things I’ve ever tasted in my life, they have the right cajun flavoring, potatoes, and salt. Nothing can explain how good the fries are until you taste them. The mashed potatoes are great, I don't have a lot to say about them because they taste like a lot of other mashed potatoes but still really good. I order chicken tenders, fries, biscuits, and mashed potatoes. I will always love Popeyes and it will forever be my favorite and best chicken place of all time, it’s way better than chick-fil-a and KFC.
Jack B- Smithfield MS
Florida Man
It was a sunny Saturday in Florida and young 12 year old Fredrick Massalmen was hanging out by the lake fishing with his parents. He wasn’t a huge fan of fishing but the alternative was staying at home by himself, so he went with them. While there, he started to realize that maybe fishing was actually kind of fun. He’d do some stuff like catch a giant fish and he was actually a fairly good fisher for his age. However, while at the lake, the boat would fall over, with him and his dad having to swim in the dirty, smelly, somewhat polluted lake. Worse though, the alligators would find them and would start heading towards them. His dad would be able to get out before the alligators got close to him but Friedrick wasn’t lucky and so was attacked by the alligator. He’d soon fall to the ground of the lake, and his parents would attempt to save him but it was too late. However, he’d come back with new powers from being attacked by the alligator. However, he had to decide if he would use these powers for good or bad, and he’d decide to use his powers to save the world from danger. His parents once finding out this would be joyful but would be worried he would use his new superpowers for evil, however he was reassured by them this would not be the case and soon, he’d save the world from dangerous threats under the name of.. FLORIDA MAN!
7th GRADE
Aymee L- Richland MS
Point of View
Eye Doctors,
They always ask,
“Can you see?”
The common answer would be
A yes or a no,
But what if
I don’t know.
Is everything I’m seeing even
Real?
Glasses,
They help you see things through your eyes,
But not with your mind, obviously.
My mind sees more,
Knows more,
Experiences more.
If only visions could be
Words,
I would speak more frequently than I do now.
We say the same things,
But different meanings.
It’s just like saying, our minds are in the same place,
But in a different
Point
Of
View.
Reaghan N- Smithfield MS
Sick days
Pain rushes through my veins as she sticks the long piece of plastic up my nose. It feels like an alien is taking a piece of my brain to study, luckily I don’t know what that feels like. My head is spinning like a teacup ride at the amusement park, my eyes are watering, and it’s hard to breathe all of a sudden. Finally, I am done with the torment.
Previously, I started demonstrating all the symptoms for Covid-19. Of course, everyone thought it was Covid. My mom takes me to get a covid test the day I started getting symptoms. Negative. The next day, when I’m not feeling any better, my dad takes me to a different testing site. Negative. At this point, I am officially done with being sick.
Now we are bewildered about what I have because now I have two negative tests and all the symptoms. I think my parents are planning to take me to the doctor. The nurse puts me in the sports theme room and I’m looking at white walls covered with pictures of football and baseball stars. The doctor comes in and takes not one, but two Covid tests. I will spare you from that pain.
After Thursday, we get a text that says I am negative! I’m starting to believe that because most of my symptoms are gone! I am so joyful to be going back to school! I chose to write this story because it tells the story of when I got sick and how I overcame it. In the end, I learned that it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Briley D-Haltom MS
Where I'm From
I am from the trampoline in my backyard, from stuffed animals and sweets that feel like soft, warm, bunnies. I am from old gaming consoles and books and broken but cherishable diamonds I am from the old oak tree, whose roots expose from the ground welcoming me to its loneliness I am from the paintings and clothes in my room, that remind me of who that girl once was. From Duvall and Lynn, I am from stubbornness and word straining, and from strict ropes, and white lies I am from going to church with my step-grandma, from getting baptized reluctantly, and from the sole purpose of being there for making friends I am from my Papa Steve and Meemaw, from banana pudding and turkey, from sicknesses that separated loved ones, and from the old workshop that my papa had, and when I spent the last day he had alive coloring with him. I am from those moments when ups and downs get to you, but they only make you stronger.
Krisha C- Watauga MS
Will It Reach You?
The last leaf falls
From the cherry blossom tree where we met
The piano competition
Which you inspired me to enter
Is starting soon
But you’re not here
Instead your on a bed
In the hospital
Losing your spirit like a butterfly without wings
My music, my piano, my performance
Will it reach you?
Past the autumn breeze
Across the chaotic town
Through the school
Kenny W- Haltom MS
Where I'm From
I am from the home that cherishes the forever-changing train set of memories
growing and shrinking caused by fresh and forgetful minds. I am from the rock collection that reignited the flame of forgotten memories who knew the clay sculpture of emotion. I am from the serviceable home I lived in until the day I had to leave from the endless arguments, I tried to drown out to stop my ears from hurting. I am from the poorly cared bonsai whose sadness overcame it.
I am from the elegantly crafted sword on the wall that was close friends with the hunting bow from Kenneth and Maria, I am from the stubborness and strictness and from the perseverance from dedication. I am from the long-lost memories of cousins who live so far away that their culture is foreign to me. I am from the caring grandmother and the honorable great grandfather. I am from the scrambled eggs of love and the tamales of hard work from the sound of moving missiles ringing out through the war and from the sadness of the loss of a child and the times I was helped up when I fell. I am from those moments because the time that passes is unstoppable and the memories that are lost are lost for good.
Addison C-Richland MS
Drowning
I can't remember what it's like to feel happy anymore.
The color has drained from my face,
My smile permanently locked away,
My laugh now an odd occurrence
And having a dry face is almost impossible,
All because my brain is stained with memories of you.
You once made me so uncontrollably happy.
You hurt me so much, words can't explain it.
It's starting to pile up.
All the pain left me drowning,
And I can feel myself turning into the person I never wanted to be.
What happened to me? The old me. Myself.
Emma M- Smithfield MS
Volleyball Life
We were tied in the second set 24-24, and it was my turn to serve. I walk back to the serving line to get ready, I take a few breaths, raise my hand, and hit the ball as hard as I can.
I have been playing volleyball for a long time now. I have played with three different teams and won many championships, but back to the game. The ball goes over and the other team doesn't even try to make it look pretty. They swing the ball over right back to us, and it goes straight for me. I didn't have enough time to back up, so I made a really bad pass to the setter. She wasn't able to pass it well either so, it was up to me to hit it over and, I DID! WE WON!!!! It was us! We were going to STATE!!!!!
I was so proud of myself, because the whole season I was told that I wasn't good enough to play volleyball, and I wouldn't have a career with it. But now I am trying out for 7th grade volleyball and surviving through the cuts and waiting a whole week to see if I'm on the A team...WHICH I MADE!!!! I was able to make it all the way through the stress of waiting till the final day.
On our first day of practice, we were able to work on our rotations for our game. And I was so scared that rotation was always so hard for me to understand because I had one special spot that just gives me the best energy to hit the ball. So whenever I would move to different spots it would make me so nervous cause I never play there, so I don’t know what it’s like. To be honest I didn’t do that bad, it was a little easier from having the experience of playing, but obviously there's something that everybody needs to work on, including me.
Now finally it is game day! All the girls are screaming down the hall “ITS GAME DAY, ITS GAME DAY, WHAT'S TODAY, ITS GAME DAY!!” So after that we walk into the gym and the B team starts to warm up. Me and 1 of my teammates start on our homework. Soon after we heard the buzzer go off, and to our surprise they won! So now it's our turn. We run out onto the court and also start to warm up. The buzzer goes off and we get into our positions. I can feel the beating in my heart explode out onto the court. I see the ball go over and I realize…
Ok here we are again, 24-24, and my turn to serve, I take my few breaths, raise up my hand, and hit the ball as hard as I can. As the ball goes over I know we are gonna win this game, one of the players on the other team just passes it right back and we know we are better than that. So it comes over, one of my teammates passes the ball beautifully right up to the setter. Then she sets it behind her, and that's my spot! All these thoughts are rushing through my head until I smack the ball so hard no one even tries to get it! The loud buzzer goes off, we all look up to the scoreboard, and boom 25-24!!! Our first game! And we won!!!
After the game we walk up to the other team to say “hi” and “good game.” Next our coaches called us over to take pictures, and we took some pretty funny pictures if you ask me. Then I walk up to my mom who is congratulating me, and I also hear other moms telling me how good I was doing. Finally I get to go home with my first win in volleyball season and some Cane's chicken in my hands. In the end I learned that you should always believe in yourself even when everyone is doubting you.
Jullyssa P- Watauga MS
Will my music reach you?
The Way of war. . .
Bloody and painful, the shrieks and screams from all around, your mind playing tricks, bullets flying, twisting and turning never missing the target.
As blood spills and souls are free of agony and suffering, friends and families are being separated by death. They see their corpses in a peaceful and eternal sleep, While people sob and cry creating a lake of tears in honor to all of the people who have lost their lives.
The pledge of allegiance, a sacred time to honor the dead, but yet kids talk and play. . .imagine going to a war, you know the risks. . .you know you may never come back. Would you like for people to laugh at your death? Or would you like to be remembered with honor
The way of war. . .
Long ago the enemy was painting the sky with blood, their flag waving victoriously, now years have passed and we have gotten our revenge, now our flag sways in the air. We celebrate and enjoy. . . but somewhere families are sobbing for the loss of sons or husbands, and no one is the to comfort them as they receive the news that they will never come home,
The way of war
Jaiden J-Richland MS
Game Day
First whistle.
The ball is snapped.
Another man coming at you full speed.
Back into a huddle, back on the field getting ready, the ball is snapped again.
Whistle is blown, first quarter is over.
Sides are flipped, back on the field.
Timeout small break getting our plays ready for our next drive.
Back on the field defensive drive.
Lockdown defense.
Turnover.
Whistle is blown, halftime.
Going over our next plays for our next drive.
Whistle is blown.
Kick off return.
Offensive drive next up.
Driving down the field.
Touchdown!
Last quarter of the game.
Kick off.
The game is neck and neck.
They're driving down the field our defense is locking down.
Last 30 seconds on the clock our defense needs a stop.
We get the… stop! The game is over.
As we line up on the 50 we shake the other team's hands.
8th GRADE
Crystal A- Smithfield MS
A Frightening Ride
Have you ever experienced an emotion so intense that it felt like your entire body was being overridden by that feeling? As I plummeted downwards, surrounded by nothing but an overwhelming, blood orange gleam, I finally knew what true fear felt like. I shrieked as loud as possible as I fell; fear had completely taken me over. Then, I crashed into the water.
As we walked through the crowd in the notable hotel's waterpark, I could feel trepidation rising within me. I knew we were going to ride one of the two most terrifying rides at the park, but I didn’t know which one or when. After a few rounds in the Crooked Creek, my brothers coaxed me into riding Great Wolf Lodge’s infamous Howling Tornado with them. For context, I have mild-acrophobia and get terrified during any sort of drop. This ride contained both heights and drops. Yet with persuasion, I steeled my nerves and began walking up the stairs with them.
The wet wood under my feet gave me something to focus on as I approached my doom. I held on tightly to the stair’s railing. It was slick ; I couldn’t tell if it was because of the sweat on my hand or the chlorinated water from my previous swim. Though I had swam hard and screamed loudly in the other attractions, none of them put fear into my body the way this ride was. After a few minutes of walking up the stairs, my brothers engrossed in a random conversation in front of me, we reached what in my opinion was the worst part of the wait. The line. With every passing second, panic rose within me. Thoughts scurried through my mind like ants after their pile had been breached, and all I could do was watch as family after family adjusted themselves on the green tube and slid down. Seconds later, you could hear their screams. Eventually, it was our turn.
After being weighed, my brothers and I seated ourselves onto the green floatie. The color clashed with the ride itself, which was a deep red and orange. The ride actually led outside the waterpark, it was a giant enclosed cone that could be seen from the front of the hotel. As we seated ourselves, I was somehow the one with my back facing the entrance, which I now know was the most consternated seat on the tube. Suddenly, I heard the creaking of the machine under us that had begun turning like a treadmill. Next thing I knew, we were sliding down the slide. As we swooped through the slide, I could feel my fear residing. Other than the unexpected swivels, the ride was pretty tame. I had expected it to be absolutely horrible from the very beginning to the end. “This isn’t too bad.” I said to myself. Then, I heard my brothers scream. I twisted my head around, just in time to see a huge drop that would plunge us down into a twisting tunnel. I squeezed my eyes shut as we fell, overwhelmed by the feeling of my heart rising up to my throat. No matter how loud I screamed, it didn’t feel like enough! My knuckles were white from how tightly I was gripping the raft. When I opened my eyes, a bright red was all I could see. The color was gorgeous, and seeding the feeling of the rush of adventure amid my fear. It felt surreal, surrounded by such an intense color, while being jerked from side to side! Somewhere along the line, I had begun to laugh and scream with excitement!! As the ride slowed and we drifted out of the tunnel, I was practically bouncing with joy! “WE SHOULD RIDE AGAIN!” I exclaimed to my brothers as I scrambled out of the raft.
Fear is an uncontrollable feeling that can hold us back from pursuing something that will provide unexpected gifts. If we let it, it’ll take over our entire body, like our own personal puppeteer. But once you let go and open your eyes, the view will break away from the cardboard stage you're stuck in and you’ll experience something you will never forget!Xylah N- Haltom MS
Zombie Story Ending
Twenty seven minutes later, Jeffrey’s car sputtered to a stop, its gas gauge on
empty. “Blimey, Jeffrey!! How could you be so ill-prepared? We all knew this day was
coming,” exclaimed Natasha. After what happened with Stinson, Jeffrey knew better
than to reply at all. The 8th grade ELAR dream team took in their surroundings and it
was clear to them all that there was nowhere to run to, and nowhere to hide. Suddenly
it occurred to Matthew that the terrain looked oddly familiar. “Hey, I think I’ve been
through here before. When I was a kid, my mother’s sister’s brother’s cousin worked in
an MRE factory just up the road from here. I’m pretty sure I can get us there and
hopefully we’ll find some MREs that were left behind,” said Matthew. They high fived
with their eyeballs and subsequently leapt out of Jeffrey’s car. “Lead the way!” cried
Jeffrey.
Several months later, with dwindling food rations, Natasha and Jeffrey followed
the meandering trail of miniature Tabasco bottles, sporks, and discarded food wrappers
in hopes of finding Tysor, who had become increasingly absent from the superfluous
daily ELAR dream team meetings. Nestled in a nook under the stairs, they find Tysor
assessing the wound on her left thigh, which they could smell from down the hallway. It
was nine inches long, seeping seropurulent fluid, and festering with maggots. “I think
it’s time for me to be your appe-Tysor,” said Tysor. Jeffrey and Natasha dropped their
mouths in shock and stared in disbelief. “What exactly are you saying, bro?” asked
Natasha.
After a grueling battle of Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock, it was decided
that Natasha would set up the fire and Jeffrey would be the team member to dismember
the 8th grade ELAR dream team member, Tysor, who volunteered to be the appe-
Tysor. Later that evening, as the sound of meat sizzling over an open fire filled the
otherwise cavernous silence in the warehouse, the remaining ELAR dream team was
frightened by a distant rumbling sound. Matthew came tumbling down the stairs from
the roof exclaiming, “Help is on the way! We are saved!” He stopped for a moment and
looked around. Seeing only Natasha and Jeffrey, Matthew asked “Where’s Tysor?”
Stephanie M- Watauga MS
The Red Star
There are many kinds of stars
all of them are unique in their own ways.
Even they have different personalities
they are all the color white.
Except for one, which they are the color
Red.
They don’t like to be the only one
with the color
Red.
That star doesn’t want to talk
with anyone.
They think that everyone is always making fun of them,
just because they are the only red star.
In reality, the other stars
want to be like the Red Star.
They got tired of being a simple color,
White.
The majority of the stars that are white,
are so jealous of the
Red Star.
It’s like the Red Star will only happen once in
history.
Meanwhile,
the Red Star
Still feels disparaged.
Emma C- Smithfield MS
Where I'm From
I am from library books,
from Norwex and acoustic guitar.
I am from shelling peas at the kitchen table
(green, brown, making my fingers sore).
I am from the lilies in the flower bed,
the tree in my grandparents' backyard
whose branches I used to swing from.
I am fro
m going to Lake Leon
on the Fourth of July
and "angel kisses,"
from Gavyn and Amelia and Mash.
I am from blasting music on the TV speakers
and making everything into a song.
From "Never give up!"
and "Finish strong!"
I am from First Colleyville,
my second family.
I'm from Abilene and Stephenville,
fudge and pumpkin pie.
From the phone call my grandma got,
saying they might have found her uncle's remains from the war,
and calling my great-grandma "Nana Burrito,"
which became her nickname.
I am from my dad's binder of Boy Scout badges
and the pictures on my grandma's closet,
that make me feel closer to my family.
Leyda M- Watauga MS
The moon
The tides swing
Left, right
A gravity handle
Pull, force
It goes to sleep once the sun comes
Not a fun relationship
It changes every day
A beautiful cycle
New to full moon
It might be cheese but ooh that beautiful cheese
The stars blend in with the moon
A beautiful scenery
The moon is beautiful isn't..