Class A Short Stories by David Etkin

Short

Stories

Mr. Etkin’s Class A

The Game By: Tessa Sutherland

Emma walked into the field feeling stressed. All the dust of the field was blowing around, and the grass mint green. The worst part of the other team was that they were the tough girl of the school the bullies. Emma was the main target of their clan and if her team lost that would give them one more reason to make fun of her. It was their last game of the year. Emma knew every point and every mistake counted agents them. Emma was the pitcher so she was the one carrying the team and the one everyone was watching. Her every move was watched like a hawk. The coach wanted he to be perfect, the whole team won or lost because of her. The innings went by fast but it all counted on this last inning. The other families yelling out rude comments about her. “ Good luck you need it,” one of the moms yelled out looking at me with her eyes daring me. “ You’re going to mess up,” another mom yelled out

but she was looking around pretending to find the person who said it. “ You will never strike my daughter out. She is used to bad pitchers,” another parent said. Emma’s team was up one point 25 to 24 and there were 2 outs. But suddenly Emma’s hands cramp up making the ball fall to the ground. A cloud of dust rose from the ground, and then blew away by the breeze. She was watching the cloud of dust dancing on the blades of the grass. But then the coach yelled out “ Come on Emma you can do it” it seemed like he was encouraging Emma but he was really telling her to pitch the ball so he can go home and watch a football game. “ You better pitch the ball or your going to be taken out of the game,” the umpire whispered. Emma picked up the ball feeling the laces of the softball. The bumpy texture that she felt all the time when she would pitch but it was just a small thing that no one cared about. The pitch was thrown straight down the middle you could hear the whistling of the ball racing to the glove. Strike the umpire yelled… my ear was ringing from the sound of his voice. “ One more pitch and this will all be over” Emma said to herself “ one more strike and this will all be done.” She thought to clear her mind of all things that were

unnecessary like the laces on the ball or who will win. She wound up released it then….“Boom” the bat hit the ball straight on. Right over the outfielders heads to the back of the fences. The infield looked like they were going to collapse with ghost expressions on their faces. “ Grand slam” the crowd yelled. The infield was waiting for the ball to come in. All the batters came in including the one that hit it. When she got to third she started walking home because our outfielders could hardly throw the ball. The other team started jumping up and down. We started to drag our feet to the dugout. But then the umpire yelled “Hold on, hold on a minute. The girl on third left to early to steal home before she got the hit. She is OUT.” They didn’t have time for another inning. “ So we won?” my friend Jen asked. “Looks like it” the umpire replied. Jen was so happy but everyone was still trying to take it in. “ We won, we won, take that,” everyone’s eyes were on Jen. The team suddenly came back to earth and started celebrating with her they slapped each other on the helmets and threw all their things in the air. Some even ran to hug their parents. Emma looked to the other side of the field all she saw was the other team standing there silent with their

arms hanging down and their stuff on the ground. Well that shut them up, Emma thought but she kept that to herself.

THE NET by Shayla Reed “Mom why do you always treat me like a baby?” Sandra asked as she slammed her things down on her desk. “I’m not treating you like a baby Sandra I just don’t want you talking to people you don’t even know on the internet,” said Sandra’s mom. See here’s the thing Sandra loves computers, and everyday she plays this one game. It’s called Chat & Deal. Sandra thinks because she has nothing to do anyway why not play on the computer, I mean she does have a computer right why not play on it pretty much all day. While playing she made a friend on the game that she chats. His name is Smiley Bob. She checked out his profile before, and it says that he’s

male is 12 years of age and loves to hang out and chill. Sandra really does not know the truth about this Smiley Bob though. One day after school she gets on the computer, and goes to the game like usual and starts chatting Smiley Bob and while they are chatting he asks her a few questions. Smiley Bob says: So you, and your family doing anything today? Sandra103 says: Actually yes were going to a buffet for dinner tonight! Smiley Bob says: So if you have a pet no one is going to be home, and that pet will be home alone for about like an

hour cause your at a buffet eating am I right? Sandra103 says: exactly right, but I don’t have a pet though. Smiley Bob says: Oh so anyways I live in Texas ok, and I have the weirdest address number it’s 666 and that has always creaped me out! Lol Do you have a weird address? Sandra103 says: No I don’t it’s just a normal one it’s 143. Yours is very creepy though! Smiley Bob says: My street name is delicious though its caramel Ave. Bet yours is not delicious is it? Sandra103 says: Nope again it’s

just wood ward Ave. Smiley Bob says: So I guess Texas is weird huh! “Sandra let’s go!” yelled Sandra’s mom. Sandra103 says: Yah I guess it is got to go bye talk to you soon! Sandra ran down the stairs, and grabbed her jacket. Sandra’s mom closed, and locked the door. When they got home, Sandra’s dad walked in and realized they had been robbed. The picture frame was down, and the safe was wide open and all the money they saved was gone. Even the two laptops, and house phones were gone. Sandra’s dad said, “go outside while I check the house.” He grabbed the gulf club next to the

door, and walked around the whole house he saw that in his room all the jewelry was gone. When he came back he said, “no one was there.” They called the police, and filed a report. The police came, and searched the house for evidence they found a fingerprint on the safe, and that was it. They helped clean up the house, and then everyone got back to their busy lives. Sandra had seen that her computer was not gone she figured it was because she had an old computer. She got right on to the game, and saw she had a new message from Smiley Bob. It said… Smiley Bob says: Thanks for the info I’d be needing that now, oh and nice computer! Sandra’s jaw dropped open, and her eyes widened. She turned of the computer, and lay in

bed with a blank face thinking this is all my fault why? She was so ashamed of herself.

The Inventor By Sujiewan Satgunaraja Max opened up a new hardware store. He thought, ”Will this store work out well or not?“ The store had been doing since it’s grand opening four days ago but he was worried that it might close because he might not have anymore customers. Just then, a customer named John came in the store to buy something and left. The next day he came again and bought another thing. After that, John came in and his cart was filled with five things. The other customers began to wonder about what he was going to do with the items he bought. They thought, ”Why is he buying all these things?“ Max and a few of his regular customers tracked him to his mansion. Everyone thought he was a bad person. But John seemed like a good person. He gave them a tour of his whole mansion.

He was rewarded for two years and built robots to help people with cleaning, helping with homework and reminding things. Then the robots turned bad and the people called John and he saved the day. He built a machine that had arms to punch the robots. Then people had more damage to the city and thought it was someone else. They called John again but he never came. John was the one who did all the damage because he wanted to take over the city.

Skate By: Sara Cramer One day Jane and her brother Tyler were outside in the front of their house playing-ball. Then Tyler started getting board by yawning and hardly even paying attention to the ball. So Tyler raced inside of their house and begged their mom to go ride his bike over to the

I.V.Y skate park. Of course their mother said “yes”. But than she started going through the lists of what not to do “Tyler!! Watch out for your sister, don’t talk to strangers, don’t accept candy from strangers, don’t go see your girlfriend (Tyler’s girlfriends name is Candy) without telling me first, don’t steel from gander mountain, don’t ditch your sister, don’t play poker on the street, if anyone tries to touch scream and run but don’t leave your sister”.

After their mom gave them that incredibly boring speech Tyler said with a lazy tone “were heading out mom”. Jane made him promise her that he wouldn’t ditch her. When they got close to the I.V.Y skate park, Tyler jolted the breaks.

Jane went

tumbling off the bike and on to the warm asphalt. Jane yelled with a very distant growl “ TYLER!!!! Why did you stop like that, you could have killed me, you dumb jerk!!!!!!! . Tyler said with a puzzled voice “ there is something shiny over there”. Jane hollered “So! You could have killed me for some stupid shiny thing on the ground…. imbecile” as a big swelling vein started to throb on the top of her forehead. Tyler said with anger in his low yet loud voice “ SHUT UP JANE!!! I think it’s a bolt, it sure looks like a bolt, I think it’s a bolt from a skate board, its connected to a skate board it is it is!!!” So! You stupid jerk you almost killed me for some stupid little skateboard…JERK!!! Jane screamed.

As Tyler

got closer to the board Jane started to take of her red high top shoes and threw them at Tyler as she yelled, “ Are you listing to me”? As a big red vein dashed through Jane’s forehead while anger spun through her spine. Tyler slowly turned around, as complete hatred filled up in his veins, and said “ Jane if you don’t SHUT UP!! I’m going to throw you into the leach infested water and leave you there until

the leaches eat you whole!!!” Jane’s eyes filled with water “ Tyler why would you say that to me I’m your little sister how could you be so mean”.

The blood drained from Tyler’s

face as he started walking over to Jane, then all the sudden Jane bolted from the shady tree she was under and as she ran Tyler could here her distant sobbing. So Tyler turned around, without any feeling, and walked the 20 ft. to the skate park he so desperately urged to go to. Tyler walked over and sat down on the swing and took out the board and started to whip it off with a piece of cloth he kept in his pocket because he thought was lucky. While Tyler was polishing his board a tall boy with dark brown combed back hair, about 5 ft. high, and he had eyes that looked like the devils eyes as they grew redder and redder, his face was flushed as if he were running for 1million miles, But there was one big feature that stood out very well…. His leg, his leg was…was… completely cut off from the waist down and what replaced a metal leg with a metal shoe. He had no crunches or a wheel chair… he just had a metal leg and a metal shoe. Tyler felt so horrible for the boy, But when Tyler looked in his eyes he didn’t feel so bad anymore, the boy’s eye were redder then tomato, they were big and they had a evil look to them. Anyways the boy was wearing dark yellow T-shirt and shorts long enough to touch his knees or his one knee that was not mechanical, and last he was wearing one

red shoe on his right foot. As the tall boy walked over to Tyler, Tyler gave a big loud scream “ AAAAHHHHHHHHHH! The boy said with a snotty attitude “what you doing with my skate board, wiener, I left it over there by the road so I could get something ”. Tyler stated to hand over he board to the boy when suddenly Tyler’s best friend Harry came sprinting over and said while he was running “ don’t give him that skate board Tyler”. As soon as Tyler heard Harry speak he quickly jerked the skateboard away from the boy. “ Harry” said Tyler with a puzzled voice. “why shouldn’t I give the boy his skateboard back” said Tyler so puzzled. “Because” said Harry “ it’s not his, I was playing down by Ellicott creak and I saw him walking around by those bushes over there and then he started watching you pick up the board and said that that skateboard was the prettiest board that he has ever seen in his whole life and said aloud that he needs to act like it was his skateboard all along”. “Wow” said Tyler “ you really like to say things aloud to yourself…. did you grow up with imaginary friends”. “ Actually...yes but that’s none of your business” the boy (Luke) said with a snarl. Luke grabbed the board then Tyler grabbed the board and then Harry grabbed the board and they all started pulling, the board started to creak then crack, you could her the would crackling like fire burning… then all the sudden (SNAP) the board broke right in half.

Tyler started to get that bulging red vein in his forehead when… he said, “ what are we doing. I mean look at us were fighting over a board that is now in half!!!!! Mean really … now none of us can ride the skate board” just as Tyler was about to say something Luke and Harry both yelled “ Shut up!!!

Tyler”.

The two boys looked

at each other and started to talk then the turned to Tyler and said “ listen Tyler were sorry but you should definitely ask or see if someone is around before you just take something dude” Tyler filled with complete embarrassment in his voice “ I guess I’m sort of sorry for whatever I did dude” there was a long pause “ hey” said Tyler with excitement “ do you want to come over to my house to play call-of-duty I heard that if we get all the way to level five we get 5-5 pistol with a case and everything and the best part is my sister is going to order us pizza if she doesn’t I’ll tell mom she stole money from moms poker match”. All the leaped up from the ground and yelled “ last one to Tyler’s house has to drink pond scum”. The boys raced to Tyler’s house and when they got there Tyler’s mom was getting ready to go to save lots for some groceries. Tyler asked his mom if his new and old friends could sleep over and mom said with a sigh “ sure but no keeping your sis tar up late with that racket you call rap”.

“Don’t worry,” said Tyler “ we will be in bed way before 11:00 NOT!!!” Tyler and his friends raced up stairs and started playing video games when the mom came rushing through the door and said “ Tyler they were having a buy one get two for free sale and guess what the sale was on skateboards I got you an your friends and your sister there very own skateboard”. Tyler and his friends jumped up out of their chairs and snatched the skateboards and ran out the door as Tyler was screaming “ thanks mom” and rood around the house for hours.

Bike By Ryan Lindahl Jackson was riding to school one day on his crummy, garage sale, 1 speed, scrap worthy bike when a bunch of kids from the local gang stopped him. “Hey, it’s the hobo from down the street,” one kid said. “Hey, where’d you get your bike, the dump?!” another said. Then a very large, strong kid ripped Jackson’s bike right out from under him. The kid threw Jackson’s bike into the road in front of an 18 Wheeler. “Hey, who do you thing you are?” Jackson blurted out. “Someone a foot taller than you, hey you’re a mini hobo, a mibo!!” The large kid said. “Well I think…”Jackson started to say before he ran down the street like a coward. He kept running until his whole body burned with effort.

Jackson finally got home. He ran in the door and almost knocked over his mom. “What’s wrong Jack, where’s your bike?” Mom said worried. “A bunch of bullies took it and threw it in the street, it was trashed mom.” “Oh sweetie, I’d buy you a new one but I just was laid off and with dad being in Iraq I… I’m sorry sweetie we don’t have enough money. We barely can get by,” mom said sadly. “I… can get a job with Mr.McLeary at his farm. I can talk to Alex and find out if Mr.McLeary needs any help at the farm. I think Alex said…” “Honey, slow down. Lets discus it while we are eating dinner okay? Because you need to eat, I can hear your stomach.” “Okay Mom… I miss dad.” “Me too honey,” Mom said. “Hey Alex, can I talk to you for a minute?” Jackson said to Alex. “What do you want?” Alex asked in his

thick Scottish accent. “Does your dad need any help at his farm?” Jackson asked. “Yeah, he needs someone to tend to the livestock, why?” “I need a job,” “We both have one called school,” Alex said sarcastically. “I need to buy a new bike and I need the money. “Ok, I’ll talk to my dad. You can start today,” Alex said. “Great um, how much would he pay me?” Jackson asked hesitantly. “Probably about 5 dollars an hour. You probably can only work for about 2 hours so you’ll make about 10 dollars a night.” “Ok. Hey, isn’t that your dad now?” “Yeah, he really needs to get a new car, he’s had that Oldsmobile since before I was born. He says it’s about 10 years old but I think it’s older.” “Hey, I didn’t know cars were around when cavemen were living!”

Alex and Jackson both burst out laughing at this. “Hey dad, can Jackson get a job at the farm?” Alex asked. “I don’t see why not,” Mr.McLeary said. “In fact, he can start today, if he wants. “I do want to start today,” Jackson said excitedly. “All you have to do is feed the animals and give them some attention, okay?” “Okay,” Jackson said, very laid back. “Mom, I’m home,” Jackson said tired. “Hi honey, how was it?” “Exhausting, but I made 10 dollars”. “That’s good. Come eat and then get started on your homework,” Mom said tenderly. The cycle of school, work, dinner, homework keeps repeating until Jackson has finally saved up $350. “Hey mom, can you give me a ride to the bike shop, it’s starting to rain,” Jackson

asked his mom. “I’m not feeling up to driving right now, I feel dizzy”. “Do you want me to stay here with you?” “No honey, go buy your bike but wear a jacket. You don’t need to get sick right now, okay?” “Okay mom, I’ll see you later,” Jackson said as he ran out the door. “Jackson wait, I need to…” Mom started to say but Jackson was already gone. Jackson ran down to the bike shop to buy the Road Master he had been admiring for a while. It was red with silver, white and black pin stripes. It had 24-inch wheels and 18 speeds. It had a rack over the rear tire. It was $339.99 including tax. He used the rest of his money to buy a water bottle with a rack and a nice helmet. “Mom, are you…”Jackson said when he got home but he stopped. “Hi Jackie,” dad said as he walked into the foyer.

“Dad, what are you doing home? Weren’t you being discharged next year?” Jackson asked. “They discharged me last night. They felt it wasn’t necessary for me to stay until next year.” “That’s awesome, I missed you so much!” Jackson said. “And you’ve grown so much,” Dad said. “Give me a hug?” Dad asked. “Yeah Dad!” Jackson said. “Hey, where’s mom, I figured you two would be having a little love fest figuring you’ve been gone for like 4 years!” “Number one, it’s been 8 months. Number two, well come sit down.” “Okay dad you’ve had me waiting for like 5 minutes, what gives?” “Well, I got home at about 3 pm and I saw you walking over on the next block but I wanted to surprise you so I didn’t say anything. I walked in and…”Dad started to choke up. “Your mom was laying passed out on

the floor.” “Dad, I…” Jackson stopped to hug his crying dad who just left the military. “I rushed her to the hospital. They did a diagnosis and she had like, a stress related collapse and something in her brain just… snapped. She just, passed out,” Dad said. “Is she okay, will she recover?” “Yeah, but she needs these meds that are like 1000 dollars and she needs them by tomorrow and I only have about 773 and I won’t have it by tomorrow and I don’t have a job, I don’t know what to do.” “I could sell my new bike, that should sell for about 385 dollars. It was only 340 but I spent more on the bottle and the helmet and we have some bike lights in the garage so I think it would be enough”. “Who would buy it Jackie?” “Mr.McLeary might for Alex so, I’ll go right now.” “I’ll drive you.” “Okay dad”

“370, pretty good” “You want to go get the meds and see mom?” “Lets go Dad,”

Told you so!!! Ryan Bailey

"Do you like my necklace?” Said Jackson. “Ya, it is pretty cool.” Said, Rick the transfer student from East Minoa Middle School. “Hey rick.” “What Jackson.” “Do not try anything funny with my necklace ok.” “Whatever” Rick said with a sigh. Jackson then puts his shoes on for gym and heads out to the gym floor. “This is going to be very easy… Ha.” Then Mr. Portside catches Rick. Mr.p is the meanest person in the world. “TO THE OFFICE!!!!! You get detenotion!!!!!!!!” said Mr.p. “I hate stupid detention.” said Rick with a stupid attitude. The next day in E.L.A it was reading time so Jackson took off his necklace and put it on the table. So Rick did the obvious and stole Jacksons necklace and he didn’t even see. Jackson got very upset because he could not find his really cool necklace!!!

During lunch the next day, Rick was showing off his cool necklace. “You like my necklace?” said Rick asking Beth “It looks a little like Jackson’s though.” Said Beth “Ya…But it’s not.” “RICK WATCH OUT!!!!!!” POW!!!!!!!!! WHAM!!!!!! Out of nowhere Jackson socks Rick right in the mouth. Jackson then backs away as rick falls to the floor in pain and Jackson shakes his hand out in pain. The fight then breaks out to the hallway. Swing here… Swing there… Swing everywhere and hit them back. “BREAK IT UP, BREAK IT UP,” said one of the hall monitors. “To the office… What will your parents say.” “Well, it ended up that Rick and me got I.S.S for a week.”

“So is this how you got your nickname

Jackson?” said Tiffany Jacksons little sister. ‘It sure is. But the good thing is I good my really cool necklace back.”

Sadie And Her Dog Sam By :Grace Neupert

Sadie’s Brown hair was blowing throw the summer air. Her small brown-shepherded Sam was looking so happy to arrive at the dog park. But then their moods changed from happy and excited to nervous and scared. Was it because there was a lady starring at them or perhaps all of the people that were there. Sam’s collar was too big on him, “That dumb collar muttered Sadie under her breathe”. Sadie bent down to tighten the collar when all of a sudden this lady just told Sadie how dare you steal my dog! The lady picked Sam up Sadie “screamed what are you doing that’s my dog”. The lady then tripped over a dog bowl. Sam came running towards Sadie then picked him up and went over towards the lady and helped the lady up. “Are you ok”, Sadie asked curiously. “Yes, and im sorry that I did that I lost my dog here an hour ago and I thought that dog was mine I apologies”. Said the lady very sad. Sadie asked the lady well mam I could always help you but if you promise to not take any body else’s dog.

“Well I want my dog and your not helping

me out at all’’. Said the lady. Sadie then said furiously im leaving

let’s go Sam were not coming back because of that lady. Sam then walked away with Sadie and both went home and took a nap.,

The Pass By Lucian Raponi

“Hike” the QB yelled as he grabbed the ball from the centers hands. “He throws it to John Epero,” the announcer yells “and Jack Japo catches it for the 17th time this season.” As they walk of the field John said “Jack, how come you keep catching my passes?” “How come you are talking to me.”? Jack replied as he looked away to go to the QB. The head coach came over and said “You’re the new wide receiver right.” “Ya.” “Have you ever gotten a pass?” “Nope” “You haven’t?” “No I have never caught a pass.” As they were talking the game ended and they won by 14 and were

going to the championship against there rival team. As he was going home he said to his mom “Can I switch teams?” His mom replied, “Why you are undefeated?” He replied, “I can’t get a pass.” “Tell the QB to pass to you.” “He does, Jack keeps catching it when it’s passed to me.” “Well, I can’t do anything about that” “But mom, the big game is in 30 minuets and I haven’t gotten a pass this season. I am gonna be the most worthless kid on the team.” “Maybe you will get a pass this game.” The coach starts yelling, “The game is starting in 10 minuets.” The whole team rushed over to the coach and he said, “Give me 20 push ups” Jack said “sure I will do ‘20’ push ups.” The coach said, “Would you like to be out of the game.”

“You won’t take the star player out.” Jack said “Fine but to make a point to the whole team, you are out!” The whole team gasps while jack is saying in his head yes hes out I cant beilive he is out. “Lets go” the coach yells. It was the 4th quarter and they were down by 2 with 7 seconds left in the game. The coach said to John “do a hail-a- Mary” John go’s to the huddle and says “do a hail-amary.” “Break!” Jhons all rialed up to show what he is worth. The announcer says it’s a long pass. John catches it in the end zone. I don’t believe it I won the game. Why is the team around the QB? The offensive coach comes to john and says, “Nice Catch” “Thanks coach.”

Trouble By, Jack Gardner It was a sunny afternoon; Rider Post was getting off the bus. His mom was waiting for him and had something important to tell him and his little sister Emily. As soon as Emily got home with Mr. Post they all had dinner. During dinner they all had a talk. “I know that this is going to be hard on you guys, but your dad got a different job and it is in Oregon. So we have to move to Oregon.” “What?” Rider said. “What about all my friends, my school, and our house?” “Well you’ll make new friends,” said Mrs. Post. “Well dad is going to have to find a different job because I’m not moving to Oregon,” said Rider. “Well it’s a little too late for that because he starts in one week.” “I don’t want to move,” said Emily. “What about Savannah, Madeline, Kate, Maya, an–“ “You don’t need to list every single friend you have,” said Rider. “What if I want to,” nagged Emily.

“Whatever,” Rider said waving his hand diagonally like he’s swatting a fly. “C’mon we have a really big house,” Mr. Post said. “ It has an in ground pool, huge bedrooms, oh and you should see the basement. It is the biggest basement you’ll ever see! Mr. Post added on. Trust me everything will be alright.” “ You’re moving? Why are you moving?” said Rider’s friend Jake. “ I know, right? I tried to talk my parents out of it but they said it was too late. “But what about us?” said Riders other friend Luke. “That’s exactly what I said to my parents, said Rider “This is so dumb,” said Luke.

1 Week Later “ Okay everyone grab your bags and boxes pack them in the moving van and get in the car I want to be out of here by 11:15, that’s in about a half an hour, so hurry up! Lets go! Lets go! Oh Jake and Luke are outside and want to say their last goodbyes, so go say goodbye and get in the car. “See you later and don’t forget to text me whenever you have a chance,” Luke said. “Oh me too and do you still have those lucky charm key chains we gave you for your birthday?” Jake added on.

“Yep,” Rider answered. “Good, whenever you need something left of us you, could just take those out and hold on to them and remember us and don’t forget to face time us on your iPod. “Okay I got it. So I guess this is goodbye,” said Rider sadly. “Yep” Luke said. “I’ll never forget you, bye. Mr. Post was right it was a huge house they had a porch and everything the even had a hot tub that came with the house for free. But Rider still hated it, but on the other hand Emily loved the house she had made three friends already one named Rikki, one named Cleo and one named Emma and they lived on the same street. The next few days were all right for Rider he shot hoops and played video games, but he still hated it and the state of Oregon. “School? Already?” rider shouted. “Why do I have to go to school already it’s only been Three days why do I have to start now? “Oh so I guess that you are liking the house now, right “What time” Rider said angrily. “The bell rings at 8:45, so be ready to go at 8:00. “Fine I’ll be ready at 8:10” “8:00”

“Okay, okay, nagged Rider. The next morning Rider got dropped off at school and when he got to homeroom he sat down and his homeroom teacher introduced him to the whole homeroom. Then a kid his age walked up to him and said, “hey my name is Matthew, Matthew Help and I’m 11 years old” “Hi my name is Rider and I’m 11 too.” Answered Rider. “So you’re new here” “Yep, but I hate it here no offence. “I used to hate it here too, but I had a couple of years here and now it’s not so bad. Rider and Matthew did everything together they were in all the same classes together and the sat with each other at lunch; Matthew and Rider became best friends instantly. During lunch one day a big kid came up to Rider and he was in about 8th grade and he said something to Rider. “So this is the new punk in my school, said the kid. “I have a question for you, kid. Did you ask permission to come into my school?” Rider shook his head. “Well then get out of my face and find a new lunch table because this one is mine.” As Rider got up

the kid

put his hand under Rider’s

tray and flipped it into the air and it landed right onto Rider. Rider was so humiliated he ran to the nurse’s office and changed his clothes. The bully bullied Rider a lot in the past month or two but one day Rider finally stood up to him and told him that he was a jerk and that he knew that Rider was better than him because he didn’t hurt people. As soon as the kid heard that he threw a punch but Rider dodged it and he ran to the principle and told him everything and the principle gave the kid ISS for two months and made sure that the kid never bullied again. The rest of the year was awesome for Rider he had made new friends and had lots of fun, there was no other trouble that went on with him anymore but if he saw a kid getting bullied he would tell an adult and help the kid out, but other then that there was no more trouble. By Jack Gardner

Movies or Uncle? By: Helen Yalew “Mom, I want to go to the movies with my friends,” said Sam. Sam and her mom were in the living room. Sam was doing her homework, and her mom was reading “Pictures of Hollis Woods.” Her mom looked up. “What movie are you guys going to watch?” Sam said, “Were going to see the Women in Black.” “ When are you guys going to see it?” said mom as she closed her book. “ Were going to see it Saturday at 3:30 pm.” said Sam as she started taping her foot. “ I’m sorry honey, but your uncle is sick, he is in the hospital,” said Mom “ Mom,” Sam whined, I already told my friends you said yes and you’ll take us. “Saturday is the only day I’m free, why don’t you tell your friends maybe another time,” said mom.

Sam knew she couldn’t tell her friends, she thought they would hate her. Actually Sam knew her friends would hate her because she’d been in this kind situation before like,… Sam and her best friend Alley wanted to go to the mall. Sam had thought her mom was off from work, but she wasn’t. Sam was afraid to tell Alley the truth, so she never told her. Alley now hates Sam because she didn’t tell her the truth. Sam didn’t want to loose any of her friends, so she decided to tell them the truth. “Hey guys, I know we were supposed to go to the movies, but my favorite uncle is sick and he is in the hospital.” Sam mumbled. “It’s ok Sam, this is your favorite uncle you’re talking about. I would do the same thing.” Said Jessica, (One of the friends). “Maybe another time we can go.” Said Sam relived. Sam was really happy that her friends understood her. If only Alley had forgave her. Sam thought that was a really easy thing to do. See, now her friends don’t hate her. Sam is really happy she can have her friends. Now she knows she can tell the truth, to her friends.

Tragedies and Physic Mediums “Ha ha” as the mean kids shouted and stared at the new girl Raina. There was something missing to her. It’s not her clothes or her makeup, it’s her body.“Stop!” as Raina shouted and ran into

the bathroom. Over the summer Raina got into a bad car accident with her father. Rainas’ father Randy had suffered a heart-attack and died immediately, while his car struck multiple cars. Raina was in the hospital recovering from her surgery that replaced her left arm with nothing. “Can I get a prosthesis to replace it?” Raina asked. “When I get the money but that is going to be a long time from now” as Raina’s mom, Carmen saw the nurse bring in

Raina’s dinner. When the nurse said “It’s time for bed”, Carmen had to leave but before Carmen left the nurse pulled her aside to tell her that Raina could come home tomorrow morning. The next day Raina came home and Carmen showed her some pictures of the car accident. There was a few picture’s that had two orbs and three appericcians that looked like Carmen’s parents. “Why were my parents there in spirit?” Carmen asked herself as she was shaking her head. “Mom can I take a nap because I’m really tired and I didn’t get any sleep there” “Sure” Carmen said as she was looking for more orbs and appericcians in the pictures from the accident. As Carmen scanned through the pictures she saw another appericcian that looked like her husband Randy. “Raina come over the dinning room with me, I have something to show you” said Carmen. “What’s going on?” Raina asked. “What are those clear circles and people?” “Those are called appericians. Appericcians are ghosts that look like people but in ghost form, I guess?” Carmen replied. “Why do those appericcians look like grandma, grandpa and daddy?” “ Because they are really your grandparents and daddy but in spirit form.” “ On Saturday I’ll take you to a medium to find out why their were their at the car accident.”

3 Days Later “Come on Raina” Carmen shouted from the kitchen. “ I just have to brush my teeth.” “Hurry up you dont want to be late! I’ll be in the car waiting for you” Carmen said. “Hello my name is Michelle. Why are you here today?” “My daughter Raina and I are here today because when my Raina and my husband Randy got into a car accident there were three appericians and orbs. My husband died in that accident and he and my parents were there, so we want to find out why they were there.” “Who was the lady that died on August fourth?” “My mother” Carmen replied. “ She wants to say that they were there to protect Raina and that she wants to acknowledge that she wants to thank you for all you did for her when she was sick.” “Oh my gosh” Carmen said as she shed a tear. “ I miss dad” said Raina. “Randy said that Raina you are my little princess.” “He always said that when I was little” Raina replied. “Thank you so much for all you have done for us” Carmen said to Michelle. “You are very welcome” Michelle said to them as she gave

them a hug. After Carmen and Raina’s appointment, Raina asked her mom if she could get the prosthesis because she has been getting picked on in school badly because she isn’t normal. “Mom? Can I get a prosthesis because I am getting bullied on badly by the older kids in my school because of my left arm or it being invisible or not having a left arm.” “Sure, but why didn’t you tell me before?” Carmen asked as she gave Raina a hug. “I was scared that you would yell at me” said Raina as she started to cry. “Why would I yell at you when you are the victim?” “I don’t know” said Raina as she mumbled. The Next Day… “Mom I’m scared to get my arm today. Will it hurt,” said Raina. “I don’t know. I’ve never had a prosthesis, but I know that you will do well,” Carmen said encouraging Raina. A Week Later… “Love you mom!” said Raina as she shouted getting on the bus. “Have fun in school!” said Carmen as she shed a tear.

The post-it Connor vanderschaaf

At lunch Blake is talking to his friend Matt. “Wow that’s amazing” Blake said while chewing on his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “I know right…by the way how did it get in here,” Matt said, while they’re watching a sparrow peck at the lunch monitor. “Everyone is saying Sammy did it” Blake said, “The bell is ringing dude we should go”. Matt says, “Ugh okay”. Running down the hall while avoiding the school bully Sammy he ends up at his locker. While he’s turning his locker combination Blake notices in the middle of his locker there’s a post it. It read: You are the dumbest 6th grader of all time. So he goes out for the rest of the day looking for the group called the eyes (aka Barnaby Williams, Brett dune, Zack Coast, Jess Rodriguez, and Josh Powers). Blake asked “ Did you see Sammy put this on my locker”. They huddled together violently like a football team. They whispered for along time occasionally popping there head out ocasionally

Blake said “It’s a yes or no question so answer”! The leader Josh Powers came out and said “yes”. As soon as they walk away Blake whispers to himself “What a bunch of weirdo’s”. While walking cautiously down the hall. When he gets home he throws his backpack on his bed. Then he goes on his laptop computer its an old Compaq computer. So it starts up slowly but when it does start up, he goes straight onto Facebook. He is star rider 227 and he has been on face book for 2 years now. Since everyone is on Facebook he looks up Sammy’s parents and he posts mean but true things about what Sammy’s done at school. There is one where Sammy dunks Matt’s head in the toilet then flushes it. When Blake sees Sammy on his rampage he hides. Blake was planning to go to the principal later since he still has the post it as evidence. As he’s walking Blake finds one of Sammy’s papers floating in the hallway. Since Blake still has the post it he pulls it out and compares the handwriting. Blake notices the handwritings different. So he prepares for a beating of the lifetime. When he goes up to explain to Sammy, Blake said “I’m star rider 227”. Sammy said to Blake “Meet me after school at 5:30”. So when Blake shows up he notices about most of the 6th grade showed up. Then he notices Sammy flicking a cigarette butt away. Sammy said “ready butt face”. Sammy throws left, right, left, left, and an uppercut. Then he pull’s out a random brick and

smashes it into Blake’s arm he scream’s “ow ow ow ow ow owwwwwwwwwwwwwww. I think (sniffles) you broke my arm”. Then with his good arm he throws a punch then runs home. He tells his mom and then he goes to the hospital. The cameras at school caught Sammy and he was suspended. Neither of them came back for two and a half weeks. When he goes back to school (with Sammy back from suspension and Blake with his broken arm). His friends start to confess to Blake that the post it was a prank. So Blake and Sammy dropped water balloons (filled with hot sauce) on Matt and the rest of Blake’s friends. They weren’t mad since they caused the chain of events that led to Blake getting his arm broke. After they made up Blake dropped water balloons on Sammy (filled with hot sauce and some rocks) on Sammy. The end

Call The Police By Amaya Turnage Jessica is home alone with her brother and sister. Her mom is at work and her dad left her when she was five years old. Now, when she comes home from school, her brother and sister are there. But when comes home something happens. Her brother Matt that is 16 years old and her sister Olivia that is 14 years old tease her when she come home. They will pull her hair and ears, try to suffocate her with a pillow, and pick on her about her friends. “So Jessica, where were you?” Her sister Olivia asked as she was getting up from the couch where she was watching Jersey Shore. “I just got off the bus from school.” She throws her backpack on the chair. “ Will you are two minutes and now you are going to get hit, so do you want number 1,2,3. “ I would like to RUN!” Jessica screamed as loud as she could and slammed the door in her sister’s face. She waited for her mom to get home are when she saw her mom’s car outside she ran to the door and waited for her mom to come in. When her mom walked in she screamed. “ Mom mom mom Matt and Olivla are teasing me every day,” well she screamed in her mom’s face. But

her my does not care so she will all was say. “ Know can we talk about this tomorrow.” But than when tomorrow comes I ask her and she says the same thing over and over again. So the next day when she was at school she was talking to her friend Sam. “ Will I need some to make my brother and sister to stop teasing me every day,” as Jessica gets up from her chair. “ Will I know we can get my dad to come in your houses and just to preteen to arrest them!” Sam said as she runs to Jessica. “That will not work my sister and brother know your dad,” Jessica turn around. “Will get my dads friend Phill he will do it.” Sam said. “ OK that will work lets do it tomorrow!” Jessica said.

New School

Kayla is new to school. She was walking in the hall, people were staring at her. She walked in her next class, the person next to her leaned over and said “Kayla is poor and ugly pass it on.’’ So she stood up and screamed “WHAT.” The teacher came over and took her into the hall and said “sweetie what’s wrong?” “The whole school is spreading rumors about me.” Said Kayla. They walked back into the classroom. “Who is spreading rumors about Kayla?’’ One kid named mike raised his hand. “Maya is telling everyone.” Then the bell rang. “Class dismissed.” Said Mrs. Wilson. So Kayla went to her locker and two boys 1 year older walked over, pointing, and laughing at Kayla. Kayla shut her locker and walked to her next class. She walked over to her best friend Amber, and Kayla said, “Did you hear about those rumors?” “What rumors?” Amber asked. “The ones about me being poor.” Kayla answered. The teacher walked in. “Take your seats class” Kayla sat down next to Amber. She took out a piece of paper and wrote: the rumors about me being poor, some girl named Maya started them, and pasted it to her. She shook her head “No I did not hear about them.” The teacher turned around

and said “shh” then turned around and wrote down homework. Kayla coped down the homework, and leaned towards Amber. “Ok, well I need to found out who this Maya is.” “Yea I will ask people if they know Maya is and why she’s doing this.” Said Amber. “Ok let me know what you found out,” Kayla said. “Will do” Then, the bell rang so everyone got up and left the room. When she went to her locker, she turned around and saw a group of girls pretty and were nice. They asked if they all wanted to be friends and go shopping and we will pay.” “That would be using.” Answered Kayla. “But we said that we will pay.” “Ok then when?” “After school today?” Answered the girls. “Ok see you there” “See you.” Then, Kayla picked up her book bag and walked out of the door on to her bus, and sat with Amber. After that, she told her about the girls then amber said “the same thing happened to me but all they did was make me look worse.” Then, I knew she was lying by the look on her face. “Why can’t you just be happy for me?” Asked Kayla. Then, stood up and walked away, and sat with a different girl. “Hi what’s your name?”

“I’m Maya.” She answered. “You’re the one spreading the rumors about me.” Kayla said. “Oh…..Yea.” She pushed her out of the seat. She got up. “What was that for?” “Your poor I don’t want to sit with you.” That’s when a tear came down from her eye. She got up and sat alone. She was at her stop. She got up and walked off the bus and ran into the house. Then, the girls were there and they picked her up. They all got into the car, and drove off. When they got there they walked in, she was so excited. “Pick out anything you like.” “Really?” Asked Kayla. “Yea that’s why were here.” One girl said. So she walked over by the clothes and picked out a whole bunch. “Okay, I think I am good now.” So they cashed out and walked to the car, and drove off. “Thank you so much.” “Any time.” They all said. They dropped her off at her house. Then, went back to their car and went to their house. When they woke up and went to school they walked in, and saw Kayla around with other people. So, they walked over by her and listened to their conversation.

“Where did you get that?” One girl said. “I bought it with my money.” Kayla replied. “WHAT?” Pushing her way to the front. “I got that for you.” She said “Oh yea I forgot.” Kayla said. As she walked away to her next class, she ran up next to her. “Why did you lie back there.” She asked. “I don’t know.” Kayla answered. They walked in class and sat down next to each other. When she sat down she saw Amber and waved hi. Amber started to talk to Kayla about what happen on the bus. Then, they left class and walked next to each other and talked. Kayla introduced Amber to all of the girls and they all became friends.

Accused By David A. Etkin “I saw you!” The cashier with the bonnet had come out of nowhere and taken Mike by surprise. “Go get what you just put back on the shelf!” “Wh…what are you talking about?” Mike said. His palms immediately moistened and he wiped them on his jean jacket. “You know what I’m talking about,” she yelled back. Her eyes were darting to Mike’s hands—pockets—eyes. Looking for guilt, looking for evidence. Mike was thirsty that day. Though he had no money with him, he had entered the corner store out of habit. He had parked his bike at the rack, looped and locked the chain around the front tire, and crossed the parking lot to go in. It was Saturday, and another unusually warm day for early-spring —the third in a row. 55 degrees in late March felt almost like summer. Glad to be out of his house after a long Buffalo winter, he had left for a bikeride just after lunch. He pedaled furiously down long country roads, past cows and horses and thawing fields. He slowed down when he entered the sidewalked part of the center of their small town and reacquainted himself

with the old houses. Without thinking, he stopped off and swung on the elementary school playground. He was too big, but the squeenk-squonk of the swing made him feel nostalgic for the long-gone years of kickball and four square and chase at recess. When he got tired of the swing, he rode slowly by his friends’ houses, hoping they would see him and come hang out. No one did. Mike grew bored, but didn’t want to go home—his mom liked to put him to work when he was “underfoot”, ordering him to empty the dishwasher or vacuum. Instead Mike raced up and down Maple Street. He worked up a powerful thirst, which brought him to the corner store—a place that was a required stop on any ride through town. He usually had some change jangling in his pockets, enough to buy some penny candy or a pack of gum. On other days Mike could find cans on the roadside or in the ditches to return for their deposits. It was a little embarrassing, but at five cents a can, it only took five to ten cans to cover the cost of a little treat and make it worth his while. The bell on the door jingled as he entered and he headed past the front counter. The cashier eyed him as he passed. It was Bonnet Lady, as Mike and his friends called her. She wore a bonnet at all times, making her look Amish. She didn’t fit in, and she gave Mike the creeps. Bonnet Lady’s eyes narrowed and her gaze lingered uncomfortably long. Mike lifted his chin in a quick greeting and shuffled past. What’s up with her? he grumbled in his head. The candy counter was at the far front corner of the store. Mike’s eyes slid hungrily over the Snickers—Twix—Whatchamacallit—M&Ms. His eyes moved over to the Big League Chew—Bazooka—gum cigars.

Nah. Too thirsty. The drinks were around the corner and up the side of the store in the cooler. He walked past the beer and water and yanked open the fourth cooler door. Pepsi—A&W—Squirt— Ooooo, Squirt sounds refreshing, he thought. He could almost taste the sweet citrus running down his throat. He licked his lips and reached in, his hand hovering between the 12 ounce can and the liter bottle. It was a big thirst. The liter won. He grabbed it by the neck and let the cooler door slam closed behind him. He made it about halfway up to the register and stopped. “What the heck am I thinking?” he mumbled imperceptibly. “I don’t have any money. Idiot!” He trudged back to the cooler and returned the Squirt, stopping long enough to write a swear word on the inside of the door which had fogged up. Heaving a sigh, Mike headed back for the door. He’d have to finish his ride home before quenching his thirst—with water or some other lame liquid. His mom never had anything good. He was passing back past the candy shelf thinking, Maybe I’ll go comb the ditches for some cans and bottles so I can— He heard a door being slammed open behind him. He spun around and saw Bonnet Lady come flying through the cooler room door and into the aisle of the store. Her eyes were bulging.

Her finger pointed at Mike, then back at the cooler door. “Go. Get. It.” Her words sounded like machine gun fire. “Wh…what are you talking about?” “You know what I’m talking about!” she returned. “Go back and get that drink. Make sure it’s the same one!” Mike’s armpits were dripping. Rivulets of sweat were snaking down his sides and dripping into the waist of his jeans. He took a slow step back towards the Squirt door. “Go on,” insisted Bonnet Lady. “I know what you did.” He felt his ears glowing crimson with embarrassment and shame as he passed her. They felt hot enough to fry an egg on. Hang on—What am I so nervous about? he wondered, trying to gain control of his breathing. Is returning a bottle of pop a crime now? His steps grew more confident with that realization. Bonnet Lady followed him back and was hovering behind him as he pulled the door open. The door fogged up again, revealing the swear he had written just a couple minutes earlier. Mike could feel it taunting him. He heard a aggravated breath escape Bonnet Lady’s lips near his ear when she saw it. He felt childish. Mike reached into the case and grabbed the liter of Squirt. The cooler air felt good on his hot ears. He longed for the pop to slosh down his parched throat. “Are you sure that is the same one?” Bonnet Lady buzzed. “Yeah,” he muttered turning towards her. He held the bottle at arm’s length as if it was poison. “Really?” Bonnet Lady bent over and looked deep into the shelf. “Are you lying to me?”

“No! Jeesh!” “Give it here.” She didn’t wait for it to be handed over, grabbing it instead. She immediately started inspecting the cap, twisting it gently. She squeezed the bottle and tipped it this way and that. “What…are you looking for?” Mike asked. He was angry, but curiosity clawed at him. If Bonnet Lady had heard him, she gave no indication. Having thoroughly examined the bottle, the cashier with the bonnet opened up the cooler and rifled through the other bottles. Finally she straightened up and heaved a heavy sigh. “Sorry. I thought you were the one.” Mike was taken aback at her change of tone. “The one who…what?” “Someone’s been coming into the store, sneaking a drink, then returning it and leaving.” Her eyes looked tired and apologetic. He noticed the gray-streaked hair escaping her bonnet and curling in front of her ears. There were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. The cashier seemed to have aged in front of him. “Who would do that?” Mike wondered aloud. “I just wanted to buy a drink and realized I had no money.” “OK. I’m sorry.” She sounded defeated. “I thought you were the one because I’ve seen you in here before and it seemed to be on the same days it’s happened. My boss keeps taking the cost of the drinks out of my pay.” She returned the Squirt for the second time in five minutes. She looked like she was near tears. “I need this job. I have a handicapped son to care for.” Mike looked around helplessly as the first tear sprung from her eyes. There was no one

to rescue him. “And someone else has been stealing candy, too. I don’t want to lose my job…” She turned away slightly, trying to compose herself. The cashier took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Again…I’m sorry.” Mike shifted uncomfortably. “Can I go?” The cashier turned back to him. “Sure. Of course.” As Mike turned to go she added, “But hey, if you hear of anyone—“ “I will,” Mike shot back, heading for the door. Heading for freedom. As he hurried past the check-out counter, he noticed a picture taped to the register. It was the cashier in a bonnet posing with a boy—perhaps seven—who looked to be her son. Their dark hair stood out against the cloudy blue background. The son looked like one of the kids on those fundraiser telethons that always seemed to interrupt his Saturday shows. He stiff-armed the bar on the door on his way out causing it to fly open. The bells jangled violently. He sucked in a deep breath, shaking his head as he crossed the empty parking to his bike. Now that he was in the clear, the indignity of the situation caught up with him. “I can’t believe she accused me of that,” he complained aloud through clenched teeth. He dialed the combination on his bike lock. He thought back to Bonnet Lady and her sob story. “What a wench. See if I ever go in her store again. Make me feel guilty. Accuse me of doing something I didn’t do!” He wrapped the chain around his seat post, hopped on, and took off towards home pedaling like a madman. Swerving across the street to the other side, he turned his head back and yelled, “See if I ever come back to your store again!” The words bounced off the houses and reverberated in the spring air.

But of course he would go back. He would go back and buy a candy bar. He would return some empty cans and buy a pack of baseball cards. He would go in the store just like he had gone in the store two days before—when he had been thirsty and had grabbed a can of Coke from the cooler, opened it, chugged it down, and buried it five cans back on the shelf. He would go back to the store just like he’d gone in the weekend before and grabbed a warm can of beer from the middle of a stack at the end of the aisle. He had knocked that back and returned it to its place before grabbing a Snickers bar and a pack of baseball cards and sliding them into his jean jacket’s inner pocket. Yeah. He’d be back.