Forever is Never

Author's Note: This is a creative piece that focuses on a flashback. Pay attention to how there isn't very much dialogue, but in this story there doesn't need to be. 

The day was almost as cloudy as my mood. He walked out of his room in his cap and gown; my heart sunk. He could tell how I felt by the expression on my face. Crossing the room he stood in front of me and stared, willing me to meet his eyes. Reluctantly I looked up at him and saw the same cheesy smile that had made me smile a thousand times.

Sitting down next to me he said, “Hey, don’t be sad. I’ll be around forever.”
 “Promise?” I asked, finally meeting his eyes.
“Promise.”, he responded; I smiled knowing he meant it.

As that memory dissolved into the picture of him I was carrying, I continued walking down the grassy path that I knew by heart; I felt the familiar sting behind my eyes as I neared my destination. As I saw it in the distance I stopped, gathering the courage I knew I needed. Steeling myself for the pain, I continued on. His face, his smile, his laugh, all echoed in my memories as I made the final steps to where I was going. The tears instantly began to fall as I stared at his grave. “Forever”, I whispered.

Broken Hearted

Author's Note: This is a point of view piece. It's based on the song "Easy" by Rascal Flatts. Pay attention to how the girl and boy have the same point of view on the break up.

Smiles from cheek to cheek, so many butterflies you could fly to the moon, laughs so merry even Santa would be jealous. All of a sudden transition to tears that fall so rapidly clouds can’t even keep up. Pain so severe you can feel your heart breaking, sobs so loud not even your pillow can drown them out.

In “Easy” by Rascal Flatts the boy is going through a tough breakup and is trying to pass it off like he doesn’t care, but the little things that remind him of her make the pain worse. Like he says in the song “What she don’t know, is how hard it is to make it look so easy”, this just proves that although he’s smiling and acting normal, on the inside he’s falling apart and is having a hard time getting over her.

"The truth is, I miss laying in those arms of his. But I won't, ever let it show."

He’s not the only one suffering though. This is a line from the girl's point of view in this song. If this entire song was in the girl’s point of view it would be similar because she said she basically feels the same way. 

With both of their point of views in this song, it’s very easy to relate to because at one point or another we all go through a tough break up. In most songs there’s just one point of view but this one is more relatable in the way of having two different perspectives to relate to. The song would be changed drastically if one of them didn’t feel the same way though. I personally think the song would be more interesting if for example the girl didn’t feel the same. The boy would be hurting and the girl would be moved on and ready to start a new chapter in her life.

When the sobs stop; the pain subsides, look for the bright side. Everything happens for a reason; now you just have to find it. Don’t stay in the past, move into the future. There’s a reason our eyes are in front of heads and not the back, don’t look back. It might not be easy, but it’ll be worth it.

Family is Forever

Author's Note: When we were told to write about a theme in a book we've read, I instantly thought of family. My family means a lot to me so this was an easy theme to write about. Pay attention to how I made a connection to another book.

When friends start turning against you, who’s there for you? Your family. When you had a rough day and just want someone to talk to, who’s there for you? Your family. Your family is what gets you through the tough times, what makes every moment memorable. But, what if your family wasn’t there for you anymore?

 The main theme you’ll learn in the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, is family comes first. When this famous saying comes into play, some people are forced to make sacrifices to make sure their family comes first, just like in the Hunger Games. When times get hard, families search desperately for something to hold them together, anything to hold them together.

When Katniss’ dad dies, her mom tunes out forcing Katniss to become the parent like figure for her little sister. As a teenager, Katniss becomes the family’s provider. With so much responsibility Katniss isn’t able to experience the teenage part of life.  But as Katniss knows: family comes first.

As Katniss’ mom tunes out, love is the only thing holding the family together. But as times get harder, even the love is growing taut. With every hardship thrown at the family, everything is thrown out of balance. When everything is thrown out of balance you can’t help but wonder if things would be easier if your family was there for you like they used to be.

Katniss is very similar to Hollis in Pictures of Hollis Woods, because they both realize the importance of family. With each obstacle thrown at them they never fail to show their unending care and love towards their family.If everyone was capable of doing what they do, maybe the world would be a better place.

You can change who you are, who your friends are, who you talk to, even who you admire. But, you can’t change family. Family comes before everyone else because at the end of the day, they’re the ones who won’t leave your side. Who know everything about you and accept you for it. Be grateful for the family you have, and pray for the people that aren’t as lucky as you.

The Treasure

Author's Note: This is an alternate ending for the story read in the Reading Lab. I ended it this way because based on the story it sounded like people weren't very fond of Cody. Hurting Cody to get to his treasure just seemed like something the people would do.  

As the sun set, Cody walked down the street. The only sound was Cody’s breathing. All of a sudden there were footsteps behind him. Turning around, Cody scanned the darkening street. There was no one there. Turning around and starting to walk again, Cody started to be paranoid. It sounded like the footsteps were getting closer but when he turned around there was no one there. Getting frustrated, Cody started to walk faster. All of a sudden there was a sharp pain in the back of his leg. His vision blurred and he started to get dizzy. Crumpling to the ground Cody grabbed the back of his leg and pulled out a dart. He had been shot. As he blacked out, he thought, “What will happen to my treasure now?”.

A Change for the Better

Author's Note: This is a character development about Katniss in the Hunger Games. This just proves that people can change for the better.

In the beginning of the Hunger Games, Katniss is an independent girl who only cares about the safety of her family. As her family’s safety takes a turn for the worst, Katniss volunteers herself as tribute to the Hunger Games. Once distance lies between Katniss and her sister, Katniss separates herself from other people and won’t listen to anyone but herself. As the games get closer, her independence level rises causing other tributes to think of plans to eliminate her first.

During the games, Katniss meets Rue. A little girl who reminds Katniss of her sister. Katniss then realizes that helping Rue survive is her new priority. Like Hollis, in Pictures of Hollis Woods, Katniss overcomes her selfishness and uses her knowledge and skills to help another person. As Katniss protects Rue, her independence dissolves leaving a completely changed girl in its place. The once independent Katniss is now a loving girl who would do anything to protect people that mean a lot to her.  

Founding Fathers

Author's Note: This is my Patriot's Pen piece. Our founding fathers did a lot for us and our country but there are many things people would ask them if they got the chance to. These are the things I would ask.

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism”, states one founding father. “Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy”, states another. Throughout history, our past leaders all had one goal in mind for this country, be successful. What we are still trying to figure out hundreds of years later, is what successful means. We all have our own ideas in mind, but the true answer is known only by the ones who set the goal themselves, our founding fathers.

As Americans, we’ve all experienced debt, labor and even false patriotism. Hundreds of years ago I doubt our ancestors would’ve predicted this. But since I’m not hundreds of years old, I have no idea whether or not they saw this coming. That’s one of the many things I would ask one of our founding fathers if I ever got the chance to, did the thought of debt and hardships such as above ever cross your mind when you were forming our country?

When you walk into a store and look at everyday items, have you ever noticed that most things aren’t made here? Places like China, Japan, and Mexico are what keep our stores stocked with our everyday needs.  That brings me to my next point, why doesn’t America make more of these everyday things? That’s also something I would ask one of our past leaders, why didn’t more of our funds go to producing these everyday items right here in America? Why do we have so many things imported here?

Have you ever noticed how different all of our presidents have been? Between personal observations and observations made by others, we’ve all noticed that none of our presidents have been quite the same. So, my next question would be, what advice would you as a former leader, give our current president? Is there anything he should be doing but isn’t?

There have been so many rises and falls as this country has shaped into what it is today. Although some things could’ve been differently, without them being done the way they were, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Sure everyone gets frustrated with our government and society, but without them we wouldn’t have the history that we do, or more importantly, the future.

Cause and Effect

Author's Note: Most actions have consequences. Katie from Pants on Fire learned this the hard way. That's what I'll be writing about in this cause and effect piece.

In this book, Katie hides her opinion about everything. She lies about what she thinks, how she feels, the list goes on. Because of her inability to be honest and tell people how she actually feels, Katie hides a huge secret that could separate her from extreme popularity, to major loser.

Because of how long Katie had been hiding her secret, when the truth finally came out, her friends and family were not happy. The result of finally telling the truth, consisted of Katie being grounded for 3 months, being dumped by her boyfriend of 4 years, and the sadness of losing a beauty pageant.Sometimes it's better to be honest and disappoint others than lie and disappoint yourself.