I NKLI NGS 2021
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H K I SMi d d l eS c h o o l
J anePoon
WhereI ' m From I s abel l eHs u I ’ mf r om bust l i ngs t r eet si nCent r al , Honki ngc ar sal lar ound, I ’ mf r om r edt axi sandol df ashi onedt r ams . I ’ mf r om Vi c t or i aHar bour ; J unksgl i di ngal ongt hec r yst alc l earwat er , Ref l ect i ngt hecol or f ul neonl i ght s emi t t edf r om t hegeomet r i cBankofChi naTowerast heni ghtf al l s; t hemoon’ sshi mmer i ngl i ghtgl i st eni ngont ot hewat er . I ’ mf r om 4am saf ar idr i vesi nSout hAf r i ca. Fr om Mal ac hi t eSunbi r dschi r pi ngast hegol densunr i ses ; Tot heawest r i ki ngmi l kyway, ar chi ngacr os st hepi t chbl acksky, Gl owi ngupourpat hwi t ht i nys peck soft wi nkl i ngl i ght . I ’ mf r om yel l owt ax i sandt ower i ngsk ys cr aper si nt heBi gAppl e, Fr om vi br antbi l l boar dsi nTi mesSquar e. I ’ mf r om Tar getandbl uer aspber r yshavedi c ebyt hepool . I ’ mf r om myf i r stdownt hewi r eswi mmi ngcompet i t i on. I ’ mf r om t enni sbal l shi tovert hef ence,outoft hecour t , r ol l i ngt ot hebot t om oft hehi l l . I ’ mf r om ner vewr eck i ngvi ol i nandpi anor eci t al s, Myhear tpoundi ngagai nstmyches t asIpr epar ef orSei t z’ sv i ol i nconcer t oorMoz ar t ’ sSonat i na Fr om ski i ngdownt r eac her oussnowyhi l l si nHokkai do,J apan; Tot umbl i ngdownev er ysecond, Whi l el ear ni ngt osnowboar dont hemagi ccar pet . I ’ mf r om homemadepepper onipi zza, Wi t hexcessi veamountofmoz zar el l acheese s l owl yoozi ngof fasIbi t ei nt ot hemout hwat er i ngsl i ce. I ’ mf r om di ms um,t hewhi f fofeggwaf f l es. I ’ mf r om car ameli cec r eam onahotsummerday . I ’ mf r om di sgus t i ngs pi nach, Todel i ci ousspaghet t ibol ognai sef orev er ymeal . I ’ mf r om I nNOutandShakeShac k. I ’ mf r om t hes eadvent ur es , Thathaves hapedwhoIam t oday. Butmosti mpor t ant l y, Iam f r om myf ami l yandf r i ends Whoencour ageandsuppor tmeever yday.
Through theRi ver Madi s on Margol i n Thewi ndr ushesdownmyf acer emi ndi ngmehowmuchmyl ungsl ovei t st ast e.Car ef ul l yIcr awl overt her ock st r y i ngnot t of al ldownbel ow,asIl ookbac kIsmi l eandkeepgoi ng.Ipassov erasmal lc l ear i ng,butsomet hi nghadsoundedof f . Ipausedt omyshock,al ongr api dpacedbeastl aybef or eme.Wai t… pas st her i dge,undert hemount ai n. “ . . .t hr ought her i v er , ”Acoolsneerr ant hr ought hedr agon’ sback ,upt i l lt hi spoi ntIhadf or got t enabouti tt hi nki ngonl y af t ert hemount ai nIwoul dr eacht hecamp.ButIwaswr ong.Somesayt hewat erwi l lbr eaky oubef or eyouf ul l ygeti n, butIdon’ thaveachoi ce.Ist r i pdownt omyt ankt opandshor t sandcr awli nhol di ngmybagabovemyhead. I t ’ sc ol d,r eal l ycol d.Idon’ tl i kei t .Ican’ tr eal l yf eel i t ,butst ompi ngmywayt hr ought hecol ds t i ngsandbur nsmys ki n al mostcausi ngi tt obr eak.Pr essi ngon,t hi ngsski dpastmyski nundert hewat er .It r ynott ot hi nkaboutwhatcr eat ur es mi ghtbel ur ki ngbesi demeandkeepmovi ng.I ’ m al mostt her e,al most .Gaspi ngf orai rasmyhandsscat t erf orl and, pul l i ngmysel fup.I t ’ sal mos tdar k,Ineedapl acet ost ayandqui ck .Gat her i ngmys el ft oget herIdas hi nt ot hewoods. Af t eraf ewhour s,t hesunhads etandt hewoodsbegant odance.Cr eat ur esemer gedf r om t hei rs l umber ,eagert ogr ab t hef i r stdi sht hatcomest hei rway.Bugsandi nsect st wi nkl ei nt hef or es tl ongsl umber ,speaki ngawhol econver sat i on wi t houtev ens ayi ngawor d.Ani mal sofal lshapesandsi zesr oami ngf r eei nt hi sf or est .I t ’ spr et t yt oi magi neunt i lyou r eal i z et hatt heyhadal ldi edal ongt i meagoandbeast sar el ooki ngf oryou. Is t r ol l eddownt her i v ert henextmor ni ngj ustbef or edawn.Mybodys t i l lachedf r om t her i verf r om yes t er day.Suddenl y, al oudscr at chcamef r om t her adi o;i tscr eechedqui t echoppybutl oudenought osi gnal at owerbei ngi nr ange.Acr ac k ofat wi gcamef r om behi ndme,Acol dbr eezeki l l edt hesi l enc e. “ Ohhhhhboy,l ookwhatwehaveher e! ”Agi r l i shvoi cecooed,Don’ tl ookback .Don’ tl ookbac k .Idashdownt her i veras qui ck l yasIcoul d,Icoul dheari tchasi ngme.Runni ngf ast ert hant hewi ndunt i l t hel andseemedt or unout ,overa wat er f al l . St oppi ngandt ur ni ngar oundt hegi r lhadst oppedt oo,shecr eepi l ysmi l edhol di ngamac het ei nonehand,bl ood s pl at t er edal loverher .Herhai rwascuti nbangsal lf r azzl edandev er ywher e,hereyesshi mmer edbutt heydi dn’ tl ookl i ke her sbecauset heywer en’ t .
Ir emember ,i nt hebegi nni ng,mymom gotsi ck.Shewasi nbedal ldayf ormont hsunabl et omove,t r appedi nherown body.Unt i lonedayIhadcomebackhomeandshewasn’ tt her e,Il ookedal lovert hehousewhenIf oundheri nt he gar den.If r oze,sheki l l edt hecat .Shel ookedbackatmewi t ht ear si nhereyesbutwi t hasmi l eonherf ac e,t hatwas whenIr eal i zedshewasn’ tsi ck… shewasaZani e.Andi fIst ay edshewoul dki l lme. That ’ swhyIhadt ol eav e,Idi dn’ thav eachoi c e.Thegi r lgi ggl esl i k eak i donChr i st masaf t eropeni ngt hei rgi f t ,shehol ds t hemachet et i ght l yi nherhandsbef or eshel unges.Idodgequi c kl yands pr i ntt ot hewat er f al l ,t hegi r ll aughsbehi ndme. “ Youc an’ thi de! ” Whatnow,doIj umpof fa40f ootdr opi nt ot hewat erorst ayandf i ghtt hegi r lmaybebecomi ngaZani e?Mybodyi s c ont r ol l edoni t sown,I ’ m noti nchar geasIpl umat edownal ongsi det he40f ootwat er f al l .Whenmybodyhi t st hebot t om pai nandagonyr i sesi nmeast hewat erpul l smeundermaki ngi ti mpossi bl et obr eat he,myhear ti sunabl et obek ept i nsi des oi tdeci dedt opouroutofme.Asmybodyhi t st hel andmyner veshav egone,Ic oul dseeanout l i neoft hegi r l s t andi ngatt het opoft hewat er f al l .Ipul lmysel fupandwal k,Idon’ tk nowwher eIj us tputmyf ooti nf r ontoft heot her . Ther adi ost ar t st ost r et chagai nbutt hi st i mel ouder .Qui ckl yIscat t eri nt ot hewoodshopi ngt hesi gnalwi l li mpr ovebet t er t hani ti s,onl yf ol l owi ngi t ss ound. Unt i lIf oundt hecamp,Ihadf i nal l yf oundi t .Af t eral lt hoseday sIhadf i nal l yf oundi t .Il i mpovert owar dst hef r ontand bangedont hef r ont .Twoset sofhandspul l edmei nandshi nedal i ghti nmyeyesf or c i ngt hem t oc l os e. “ Showusyoureyes, ”Theydemand,andIdo.Theyst oppedshi ni ngt hel i ghtsoIc oul dseet hem bet t er .Onewasaboy wi t hamberhai randaquaeyesl i kewat erpl usamascul i nevi bet ohi m,andt her ewasagi r l t hats eemedt obehi st wi n wi t hembereyesi nst eadofaqua. “ Okaygood, ”t hegi r ls i ghsi nr el i ef .“ Sor r y,we’ vehadt oupgr adeoursecur i t ybecaus eofal lt hest uf ft hat sbeengoi ng ar oundl at el y.AnywaysI ’ m St aceyandt hi si smyt wi nbr ot herAl ex,i t ’ sni c et omeetyou, ”t heboyl ooksawayasi fhewas uncomf or t abl e.“ Ni cet omeetyout oo, ”Isay . “ Wel c omet ot hecamp,youmadei t ! ” “ Ya… Igues sIdi d. ”
J enni ferLi
soci ety( ex cer pt ) mazelchan depr essi oni sgi vi nguski dsasenseofoppr essi on s i nceourownbodyi ssupposedt obeourmostpr ec i ouspos sess i on, weneedt or ef r eshenands t opt hi sobsessi on bodyshami ngi scaus i ngourbodi est ogoi nf l ames notonl yt hat buti t spl ayi nggameswi t hourbr ai ns wecr yi npai n butwhatdowegai n? abr ai ndr ai norami gr ai ne? s ost opcr yi ngi nvai n . . . whathappenedt obei ngyour sel fandbei ngni ce whathappenedt ol ooki ngatt hescenei nf r ontofyou i nst eadofl ooki ngatt hes cr eenf arf r om you i guesswej ustgr ew i nourpoi ntofvi ew s t er eot y pesar et henewhype s i ncei twor ks i t saj er k andapi eceofwor k weneedt ol ear nt hati mper f ect i onsar enor mal notabnor mal s ost opphot oshoppi ngi t andbel egi t wear eal lbeaut i f ul anduni que andwonder f ul s ost ophi di ngt hat i t ' saf act s ost opl ooki ngatsomet hi ngt opi ckat ands t ar tl ook i ngatsomet hi ngabovet hat t hi si soursoci et y andi tgi vesusanxi et y
BeforetheDusk Anni eEl l i s Lowbeneat habl anketofl ushandvi vi dspr i ngl eaves t hel astf r ostofwi nt ermel t si nt oasl i mr i ver l et s l i c i ngt hr ought womagni f i c entwal l sofear t h,whi c habr upt l yend Ast hecur r entgr ac ef ul l ycascadest owar dt hegr assbel ow i t sdec l i nei sdel ayedbyananci entr ock' sweat her edsur f ace Ther et hewat erpool sf oramomentt henover f l ows t r i ckl i ngt ot hegr oundbef or esi nki ngbeneat ht hedi r t Undert her ockabi desaj ackpi nebeet l ewai t i ngf orni ght f al l Hepeeksf r om hi shomeoncei nawhi l e,cat chi ngcooldr opl et s Pi nkpet al l edor chi dsbl oom of ft hes t one' sedge s oaki ngupt hemoi st ur eoft hr i vi nggr eenmoss Anemer al dhummi ngbi r deager l ysi pst hei rsugar ynect ar Near by,apai rofr edbel l i edsongbi r dst weeti ndel i ght Ac unni ngcedarsqui r r elboundsof ft hest one l aunchi ngskywar dt ot hec anopyabove Agai n,t her ocks t andsst i l l t i l lduskset t l esovert hewoodl ands
Vi vi an Kahm
Strangers Mi nj aeChun Fr i endsandf ami l y, Theywer eal loncest r anger st ous Maybei fwehadn' tmett hem,wewoul dn’ tbeher e St r anger sar epeopl ewhoar enotmet Meet Fi nd Fal l St r anger sar eal lwear e.
Wi llMi
When theClockStri kesTwelve( excer pt ) Wi l l i am Feung AsGeor geandLuc aswentt opi ckupbr eakf ast ,t heynot i cedast r angesy mbolont hewal last heypassedbyanal l ey. LucasandGeor gec r epti nt ot heal l ey.Sl owl y,Luc asr eachedf or war dt of eel t hehummi ng,f ai nt l ygl owi ngs y mbol , butt hen,hehear dsomet hi ngr at t l enear by.LucasandGeor gest umbl edback war dwhensuddenl y,t hel i dofat r as h c anexpl odedupwar ds.Thel i dcl at t er edont heal l ey ' swetf l oor ,andt hesoundec hoedf ai nt l yof ft hewal l s.Sl owl y,a f r ai l l ook i ngol dmancar ef ul l ycl i mbedout . " Iwoul dn' tt oucht hati fIwer eyou, "cr oakedt heol dman. " Whynot , "Luc asandGeor ges ai di nuni son. " I t ' sdanger ous … mi ghtevenki l lyou, "sai dt heol dman.Theol dmanwavedhi shand,andt hebl uesy mbol i nt hewal l s t ar t edshaki ng,anddebr i sst ar t edf al l i ngoutoft hewal l .Abl uei s hmi s ts eepedoutoft hemar kandgat her edi nt he ol dman' shand. " Yousee,l ongago,bef or ehumansexi st ed,al i ensv i si t edt hi spl ace, "t heol dmansai d." Thi sbl uesubst ancewast he mostpower f ulsubst anceoft heuni ver se. . .unt i lt heyf oundEar t h.Theys ens edt hepowerandr eal i zedt hatt heener gy wascomi ngf r om i ns i det heEar t h,f r om whatyouear t hl i ngscal l t heEar t h' sc or e.Thi si swhatt heyar egoi ngt ouset o bl owupEar t h. " " Yeahr i ght … Al i ens, "Geor ger et or t ed." Al i ensar ej ustbedt i mest or i est os car eki ds . " Thewi ndhowl edi ndel i ghtast hewi ndgotst r ongerandi ts t ar t edt os wi r l ar oundt heal l ey. " Yes… Al i ens.Longago,aoncef or sakenl and,f i l l edwi t ht r eas ur es,hadnear l ybeenl ai dt owast ebyt hemost r epr ehensi bl eanddest r uct i vecr eat ur es.However ,t hel eaderoft hatal i ent r i bes av edEar t hj usti nt i me.Wi t heach monst erst or m,comesawar ni ngoft i mewhent hecr eat ur eswoul dr et ur n, "t heol dmansai dabi tl ouder . Lucasst ar t edbacki ngaway. " I t ' sokay,chi l d, "t hemansai d." Youdon' tneedt obescar edofme,Ihaveseent heval ueofyouear t hl i ngs,andIknow i twoul dn' tber i ghtt owi peanent i r ec i vi l i zat i onout .Ihav edeci dedt odot her i ghtt hi ngandt r yt ost opt hem. "Theol d manpoi nt edatt hemeni nbl ackcoat s . " Ik newi t ! "cr i edGeor ge." Thosewei r dmenar eal i "hol l er edGeor ge. " Keepyourvoi cedownchi l d,t her ear epeopl eever ywher e, "t heol dmancr oaked." Remembermi dni ghtt oni ght . "
SprySoccer NoaWood Socl os e Al mostt i me. Ther e. Mat chs t ar t i ng. Pas s,t opass . Shot ,t os hot . Goal ! 10. * Tweet ! *Penal t yki ck. Goal .11. Ex t r at i me. Soul l essseconds. Monot onousmi nut es . St ochast i cshot . GOAL! Cel ebr at i ons !Cheer s! * Beep! ** Beep! * * Yawn* * Wak esup*
Ben Di ao
TheSi lentRoom J as mi neBai Qui etc r eak s Si l entt weet s Iwal ki nt her oom Si l encei sal l Ihear . Not hi ngmovi ng Not hi ngs peaki ng. Ihearnot hi ng. Not hi ngbuthope, t ohearal i t t l enoi s ei nt hesi l entr oom.
Dylan Zhang
defi ni ti ons Li l yGao &CeriPhi l l i ps y ou’ r enotdef i nedbyt her ef l ect i oni nt hemi r r or , ort hesi z eoft hec l ot hesyouwear . y ou’ r enotdef i nedbyt henumberont hescal e, ort hecol orandt hewayyoudoyourhai r . y ouar et hewor dst hatyouspeak, t hest or i esyout el l , f or getwhatyou’ vesai dbef or e, goon,openanewdoor . y ou’ r enotdef i nedbyt hej ewel l er yyouputon, ort hemak eupyouappl y. y ou’ r enotdef i nedbywher eyoushop, ort het hi ngsyouc anaf f or dt obuy. y ouar et hesoundofyourl aught er , t hepl acesyoucal lhome. y ouar et hef ut ur eyouseef ory our sel f , t hedr eamst hatsi tonyourt hr one. y ou’ r enotdef i nedbyyourgender , orwher eyouar ef r om. y ou’ r enotdef i nedbyyourhei ght , orhowmanyt i mesyou’ veor bi t edar oundt hesun. y ouar emadeupofami l l i ont hi ngs, eachonedi f f er entf r om t heot her . s t ar tdef i ni ngyour sel fbyt het hi ngsyouar e, onedayyou’ r egonnagof ar .
Lorrai neLee
Stri ng ConnorDavi dDecatur Movi ngar oundf eel ssol i kel y Notwhent hest r i ngpul l ss ot i ght l y. Hat r edt oenr agementt ov i ol ence Thes t r i ngs t i l l bot her s . At r oubl i ngdayagai n. Awhi t edsepul chr eont her i se. Toi l s omepedes t r i ansst r uggl i ng Thes t r i ngs t i l l bot her s . At r abi l i ousandf ul lofi r e Thebr umeoft hesecondsky. Ev er yonei sbet ok enedbuti tst i l lspi l l s Thes t r i ngs t i l l bot her s . Mor et i di ngscasebyc ase Fr om onet of ourt hous and. Thi swor l dneedsl eni t y Butt hes t r i ngst i l l bot her s. AsI ’ m wr i t i ngt hi spoem Thi nk i ngaboutt hel ongdayswhi l s twear i ngamask, Thes t r i ngwi l lcont i nuet obot her Butt hi ngsdonotgoonf or ev er .
Alexandri aPark
WeCan Change Thi aSheth Aswepasst hemoons omequar t er mi l l i onmi l esaway, Ear t hl ooksl i k eanaz ur e,br i ghtspher ei ns pac e. Butwhenyouopeny ourey esandbl i nkanot hert i me, Yous eet hats pher ei nadi f f er entl i ght . Wor r i edeyesandpai nf ul c r i es, St eal i ngval uabl esi nt hebl i nkofaneye. Fr i ght eni ngv oi cesandc emet er i esf i l l edwi t hghos t s , Wonder i ngwhenourt i mewi l lc omet obebur i edwi t ht hel oat hed. Wel ookar oundatt hec haosanddi s may , Weknowt hatourwor l dnowhasdr as t i c al l ychanged. Thel aught erandj oyhav ebeenputt os l eep, Whi l esor r owhasc omet opr eyont heweak . Nat ur ehasal s obecomeal i f el es spl ac e, Wher epl as t i candgar baget ak eupt heocean’ sgr ac e. Sk i eshav et ur nedf r om nav yt oas l at egr ay , Whi l eweemi tmor esmok e,des t r oyi ngt hi ss pher i c al s hape. Iwonderwhent het i mewi l l c ome, Whensor r owandweak nes shaves ur r ender edt ous . AsIl ookbackatt hatspher i c al s hape, Ihopeourpl aneti sf i l l edwi t habubbl eofhappi nes sandf ai t h.
AngelZhang
Snowflakes J uno Huang&AmberYung Outoft hebosonoft heai r Outoft hef oggys ky Ov ert het r eesl eaf l essandbar e Ov ert hemount ai nsl us handhi gh Ti nywhi t ef l ower sbl os som Fr om t hehazys ky Cascadi ngdown Down Down Sheat hi ngt hegr ound Wi t hagl i s t eni ngwhi t ebl ank et Twi s t i ngandt wi r l i ngi nt heai r Tr i umphant Appeal i ng Del i c at e Abut t er f l ydanci ngi ns t i l l nes s Bombsc anbr i ngdownboul der s Cannonbal l scanc r ashdowncas t l es Butnot hi ng Not hi ng Candest r oyt hes e I nnumer abl e Fl ower s Ast hesnowf l akegent l yt ouc hes Onani nqui s i t i veboy ’ snos e Heponder s Gi ggl es Cat c hes AtawonderMot herNat ur ec r eat ed Thes nowf l ak ei sahuman Bi l l i onsof I di osy ncr at i c Soul s
YuriKang
TheSolo War Ri naKobayas hi Iam j us tasol di er Butyouar ej ustagr enade Bl owi ngmeawaywi t hyour s peci alf eat ur es Youar eaf r i end,y etaf oe ButIst i l lf eelf or l or nwhenIseeyougo It ookadvant ageofyou,myoneandonl y Thr ewy ouoverandaway,nowmyhandsal ll onel y Beggi ngf oryourl ove,beggi ngt oseeyouher e Dr owni ngi nt heoc eanofal l myt ear s Thes par kofbr i ghtl i ght ,i si ty out hatIhear ?
CHASI NGTHENI GHT Addi s on Wong Onyxdr i psont of l ur r i esofbl ur r edseasofdar kcl oudst hatpai ntt hesk ywi t hshadesofi nk.Shi mmer i ngst ar ss cat t er ac r os smi dni ghtsk i esl i kec onf et t iast heyf l ut t ert hr oughgal axi esl eav i ngf ai ntt wi nkl esofl i ghti ni t swake.Pal es t er l i ng s i l v ersl i ver sofmoonl i tmer cur ysoakt hegent l eni ghtbr eezel eav i ngnowar mt hbutas l i ghtc hi l l -nott het y peofeer i e c hi l lt hatl ef tat wi ngeofdr eadi ni t swakebutt hechi l lt hatf el tc oolagai nstone’ ssk i n-mak i ngt heheatoft hehumi d s ummerdaywashawayi nt ot hecool ni ght s. Onl yf ool swoul ddr eam ofgr azi ngt hest ar sandcat chi ngt hemoons-t ot as t et hec l oudsanddr i nkt heonyxs ki esof t heni ght . Fori twasonl ybutadr eam t ogr azet heheat edst ar st hatbur s twi t hener gyandhel dsuchadeepmeani ngt oast r ol oger s andas t r onomer sal i ke. Fori twasonl yadr eam t oc at cht hel ar gemoont hathungheav yi nt hes kyandl i tupt heony xcanv aswi t hmer cur yr ay s t hats oakedt heni ght . Fori twasonl yadr eam t ot ast et hewi spycl oudst hatwaf t edl azi l yt hr ought hedaysandni ght syetl ookedasi ft heywer e madeofcot t oncandyi t sel f . Fori twasonl yadr eam t odr i nkt heonyxski esoft heni ghtt hatwoul dal waysl eav eas enseoft r anqui l l i t yormenacei n i t swak e. Onl yf ool swoul dchaset heni ght ,f ori twoul dal waysf adeawayatt hef i r s tr i bbonofgol dens unl i ght . Onl yf ool swoul dchaset heni ght ,f ori twoul dal wayssl i poutofourgr aspast i menev ersatst i l l . Onl yf ool swoul dchaset heni ght ,f ori twasal r eadyhunt edbyt heday.
MaxLi u
TheBeam ofDeath Ai ns l eyMacSl arrow Shar pr opescuti nt omyar ms,sl i ci ngi nt omywr i st sandbendi ngmyar msbehi ndmyback.Bi ndi ngmeusel ess. Hel pl ess.Mycapt or sshuf f l eatei t hersi deofme,keepi ngf i r m hol dofmyar ms.Myl egsar ef r ee,butescapei s i mpossi bl e.Abl i ndf ol dcut sof fmyvi si onandIhavenoweapons.I ’ mt r apped.Caught ,l i keaf l yi naspi der web.Igr i tmyt eet h,f i ght i ngagai nstdespai r .Iwi l lnotgi vei n.Iwi l lnotgi veup. I ’ m shovedont oabenchandsi t ,l ocki ngmykneesandkeepi ngmyspi ner amr odst r ai ght .Theywi l lnotseeme weaken.Theywi l lneverseemeweaken. Thebl i ndf ol di sr i ppedof f ,andIst ar ei nt ot hef acesofmycapt or s.Ii nst ant l yr ecogni set hem f r om r ecor dsofbat t l e. Rol phusi st i ght ,ser i ousandbusi nessl i ke,hi scl osel ycr oppedbr ownhai randgl ar i ngbl ueeyesneverl eavi ngmyf ace. Mi l l si ssl i ght l yyoungerandhasaf ur i oust emper ,hi sst r ong,br oadshoul der sandj eer i ngbr owneyes war ni ngofdanger . “ Readyt ot al kyet ?”Mi l l sasks,hi seyesf l i cki ngcasual l yt ot hear r ayofweaponsIknowi sshel ved notf arbehi ndhi m. Is t aysi l ent ,st ar i ngdeadahead. Mi l l s’ seyesf l ashdanger ousl yandhel eanscl oserunt i lIcansmel lhi sr anci dbr eat h.“ Iasked,i fyouar e r eadyt ot al k. ” Ipr essmyl i psi nt oat i ghtl i ne,r ef usi ngt ol ookathi m. “ Fi ne. ”Mi l l ssayst i ght l y.“ Pl ayi tt hatway. ” Thenhe’ sr ushi ngme,shovi ngmyshoul der sbacki nt ohar dr ockandput t i nghi sf acedi r ect l yi nmi ne. “ Whoi st hel eaderoft her ebel l i on?” Il ookpasthi m,keepi ngmyeyesahead,al ways.Myj awi sl ocked. Hepr esseshar der .“ Wher ei syourhi deout ?” Is wal l owascr eam andcl osemyeyes,shaki ngmyheadsl i ght l y. Rol phusst epsf or war dandpul l sMi l l sbackwar d.“ Ver ywel l .You’ vef or cedourhand. ”Het ur nst oMi l l s.“ Gat her t hescr y. ” Myexpr essi onr emai nsneut r al .I ti ssai d,t hatt hescr yi st hemai nt or t ur edevi ceoft heempi r e.The mostpai nf ul .I ti ssai dt oknowyourgr eat estf ear s,yourgr eat estweaknesses.I ti ssai dt obeundef eat abl e. ButImustnotgi vei n.Il ockmyj aw,det er mi nedt osur vi vet het or t ur e.Theywi l lnotseemeweaken. Rol phusgr absapai rofheadphonesandsomesor tofeyepi ece.Theysmackt hem overmyeyesandear s. Theeyepi ecei sascr een,f or ci ngmet owat chever ysecond.Theheadphonesar eonhi ghvol ume, scr eechespoundi ngi nt omybr ai ni npai nf ult hr obs.It hi nki tcan’ tgetanywor se.Iam wr ong. Thef i r stvi si onbegi ns.Pai n.Bl ood.Tor t ur e.Donebymyownhands.Squeezedf r om myownf i nger s. Deat hhungovermel i keavei l ,butwast i ngedwi t hpr i de.Pr i de,f orcommi t t i ngt hegr eat estcr i meont he pl anet .Forcommi t t i ngmur der . Thencomest hesecondvi si on.Fai l ur e.I nsul t s.Shame.Shovedont omewi t hbi t t er ness.Wi t hdi sgust . Wi t hembar r assment .Wi t hf ear .Andgui l t . Thef eel i ngspi l ei nt omeast houghr eal ,ast houghnoti nt hevi si on,scr eamedi nt omybr ai nf r om t he headphones.Thi s,Iknow,i st her ealpoweroft hescr y.Pai n.Power .Fear .Channel i ngemot i oni nt ot he vi ct i msunt i lt heybr eak.ButIwi l lnotbr eak.Iwi l lneverbebr oken.
Kayl
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Thet hi r dv i s i ons t ar t s .Butt hi st i me,i t ’ samemor y .Myf i r s tdayi nbat t l e.Fearandangerwaspl ai nonmyf ac e,asIs t ood as i deus el es sl ywhi l eot her sf ought .It r i edt opr ot ectmys el f ,t r i edt opr ot ec tmys i bl i ngs ,butf ai l ed.Ov erandov erandov er . Onebyone,t heywer es l aught er ed.Iwass par ed.Sav edbyt heonc omi ngr us hofs ol di er s .Sav edwhenIdi dn’ tdes er v ei t . As c r eam r i psf r om myl i psandmyc apt or sl augh. “ Hadenoughyet ?”Mi l l sas k smoc k i ngl y .“ Readyt ot el l uswhoyourl eaderi s ?” “ Nev er . ”Igr i tout ,c l enc hi ngmyhandsi nt of i s t s. Mi l l sshr ugs .“ Ver ywel l . ” Thef our t hv i s i onwhi r l smebacki nt omyhead.Tot or ment i ng,st abbi ngpai n.Emot i onsr ockmef r om t hei ns i de andout ,andIs hak ei nmys eat .Fear .Anger .Fur y.Pai n.Gui l t .Lonel i nes s .Ev er yi ns ul tI ’ dev erbeenpai d, ever ys hov e,orpi nc h,ork i c kI ’ dev ers uf f er edi nmyl i f e.Al l s mashedi nt omybr ai n,l i keacannonbal l meet i ng i t smar k. Igr oan,butr ei gni nmys ani t y .Iwi l l notweak en.Iwi l l nev erweak en. Thef i f t hv i s i on.Deat h,ev er y wher e.Ont hebat t l ef i el d.I nsi c k beds .I nmyver yownhead.Al l t angl edi nt o unbear abl eangui s h.Andf ear .Ands hame.Ev er yf uner al ai sl eI ’ dev erwal k ed.Ev er yc ondol enc eI ’ dev er s pokenandbeent ol d.Unt i lf i nal l y,atl as t ,i t ' sov er .Isi t ,s hi v er i ngandshak i ngont hebenc h,t heey epi ec et or n f r om myf ac e,andt heheadphonesr i ppedof f . “ Whoi st hel eaderoft her ebel l i on?” Is hak emyheadandMi l l ss c r eamsi nr age. “ Mymout hr emai nss hut , ”Is ayqui et l y. “ I twon’ tf orl ong. ”Rol phuss t ar esatme,hat ei nhi sey es .“ Tel luswhot hel eaderi s. ” “ Nev er . ” “ Tel l uswhoy ourl eaderi s ! ”Mi l l sy el l s. “ Never ! ”Is c r eam. Rol phusst andss t i l l .“ Theny ouwi l l di e. ” Hes t r ai ght ensands wi f t l y ,Iam y ank edf r om t hebenc handdr awnt owar dst heweapons .Ar opef orhangi ng. As wor df ors l i c i ng.Ac l i f ff r om whi cht of al l . Iam t i edt i ght l yi npl aceandhav enowher et or un.Mi l l shol dsak ni f e. “ Youhav eonel as tc hanc et ot el l uswhatyouk now, ”Mi l l ss ay s .“ Ory ouwi l l di e. ” Ik eepmys pi nes t r ai ghtandl ookhi mi nt heey e.“ Ic hoos edeat h. ” “ Ver ywel l . ”Rol phusnodst oMi l l swhor ai sest heweapon. Ist andt al l ,myey esnev erl eav i ngMi l l s ’ sf ac e. Thekni f ear c ’ sabov eme,s wi ngi ngi nt heai r .I t ’ sdeadl y .Andbeaut i f ul .Andf oramoment ,al l s t andsst i l l . Thes unpaus esi t ’ sdesc enti nt oni ghtands hi nesonel astr ayofs unl i ghtov ert heear t h,war mi ngal l t hos e whos t anduponi t .Thef l ar eec hoesupont hebl ade.Wi ndpushesdueeas t ,r uf f l i ngt hr oughmyhai r .Theoc ean cr as hesandbur s t sdown,f arbel ow. Ic l os emyeyesast hekni f es t r i kest hr ought hes k y. I ’ m nott hef i r s tt odi ef orpeac e. AndIwon’ tbet hel as t . Foral way s ,ast ars hi nesi t ’ sbeam ov erbat t l e. Thebeam ofdeat h.
I magi neA Soci ety Ari aTahi l ramani I magi neasoci et y As oc i et yi nwhi ch Ev er yonewasf r eet obewhoevert heywant ed Noonewoul dj udge Noonewoul dsmi r k Noonewoul di nsul t I magi neasoci et y As oc i et yi nwhi ch Weal lst oodt al lonpi l l ar sofequal i t y Pi l l ar sofequi t y Wewoul dal lhavewhatweneeded Butwewoul dal lbedi f f er ent Andt hatwoul dbeokay I magi neasoci et y Wher echi l dr endi dnotwor r y Wor r yaboutt hedest r uct i onoft hei rpl anet Wor r yabouti ft heywoul dgett oeatt oday I magi neasoci et y Wher eki ndnessi sneverf ort hewr ongi nt ent i on Wher egener osi t yi sal waysgenui ne Wher er especti sneverf r ownedupon Nowi magi ne I magi net hatt hi ssoci et yi sn’ tadr eam Butt heact ualwor l dwear el i vi ngi n Weneedt odoever y t hi ngwecan St andt al l Fi ghtf orot her s Nev ergi v eup Wecan Wewi l l Wemus t
Lauren Tze
TheRunner Al exanderChoy Thet r eesmel tt oget her ,becomi ngst r eaksofbr ownandgol d.Theas phal taheadr emai nsunchanged,wi t ht heyel l ow s t r i pesmer gi ngi nt ooneasIi ncr eas et hepowert omyl egs. Br eat hei n,onet wot hr ee,br eat heout ,onet wot hr ee,br eat hei n,onet wot hr ee,br eat heout ,onet wot hr ee. Runni ngt hi spat hhashel pedkeepmekeepmyf ocussi nc eIwasl i t t l e,t hewaymedi t at i onkeepsamonkcent er ed. However ,asIr unt hepat ht hi st i me,mycal m br eat hi ngbecomesmor ebl us t er ed,andIst ar tsweat i ngs har pl y. Myhear tst ar t sbeat i ngf ast erandf ast er ,har derandhar der . Andt heni tst ops. Myar msgonumbandIdon’ tf eel t hem ast heymovet ot hebeatofmyst eps.Myl egsgonumbandIdon’ tf eelt hem s l apagai nstt hef l oor .MychestgoesnumbandIdon’ tf eeli tex pandt oc at c hai r . Thear ct i cbl ueskyf al l sawayasmyvi si ondepar t s.Thechi r psoft hemor ni ngbi r dsc easeasmyhear i ngf ades. Thec r i spsmel lofaut umnv ani sheswi t hmysens eofsmel l .Thecool nes sofal i ghtbr eez eescapesmyf aceasIl ose mys enseoft ouch. Now,onl yt hememor i esi nmyheadar el ef t ,andevent ual l y,t hos el eav ef or ev er . Andnott ool ongf r om now,sowi l lI .
Ki anaHi ll
Clue LauraLeal I twasanappar entdayf orbei ngl at ef orwor k .Forwaki ngupear l y ,andcomi nghomel at e.Forbak er i est os el l boi l i ngcr oi ssant s, andr i c hf ol kt odr i vet hei rPor s c hest hr oughbus yav enues.Mor ei mpor t ant l y,howev er ,i twasadayt hatwoul dbebookmar kedi n t hehi s t or ybooks .Adaywhent hes t r eet swoul ds hak ewi t hexc i t ementasat eam ofbr i l l i antf ourwoul ds oonbef or ged.Andt hen, t her ewasnot el l i ngt hel i mi tt owhatt heyc oul ddo.Butf i r s t ,t heyneededt obumpi nt oeac hot her .As i mpl epus hwoul dbeal lt hat i tt ook. Lar aSongpr ess edt hey el l owbut t onont het r af f i cpol et ocr osst hes t r eet ,j us tass hehadmi ss edt hepr ev i ousgr eenl i ghtf or pedes t r i ans.Sheknews hewasget t i ngf i r edt oday .Af t eral l ,i twast het hi r dt i mes he’ dbeenl at ej us tt hi sweek.Butshecoul dn’ t gi v et hem acl ueast owhy .Notbec aus ewhat ev ers hewasdoi ngwasi l l egal —oranyt hi ngoft hesor t .I nf ac t ,qui t et heopposi t e. Hermot herwasc ur r ent l yhos pi t al i z edi nt hel oc al i nt ens i v ec ar e,andvi s i t swer eonl yper mi t t edbet ween6and7am.Unl ucki l y, hers hi f tatt hel ocal ci nemabeganat7: 15,andt het wol oc at i onswer emi l esapar t .Al r eadyr unni ngt hr oughanewl i stofpossi bl e j obsi nherhead,Lar at ookahur r i edbr eat handl ook eds t r ai ghtahead.Shewasnotgoi ngt oc r y . Meanwhi l e,JeanDenv erhadpr es s edt hey el l owbut t onont heot hers i deoft hes t r eet .Hi syel l owi s hbl ondehai rshonei nt he mor ni ngs t r eak sofsun,l i k eaf l uor es c entl i ghti nt hedar k estdept hsoft heoc ean.Hewass or ec ogni zabl e,i nf ac t ,i tt ookt he bi gges tbeani ei nt hes t or et ohi deal l ofi twi t hi n.Butt odayhewasl at e,andf oradi f f er entr easonal t oget her .Hehadadat e.Qui t e anunusualone,ashehadn’ tev enmethery et .Si mpl yput ,hehadbeeni nst r uc t edbyaf r i endt osi mpl yt r av er set het hi r dcr ossi ng onCl ues t r eet ,andshewoul dbewai t i ngf orhi m ont heot hersi de.I twasr eas onenought okeept hebi gbeani eathome.Fort he f i r stt i mei nhi sl i f e,Jeanwant edt ober ec ogni z ed.Bywhom,howev er ,hehady etnocl ue. OnLar a’ ssi deoft hes t r eet ,DanaCl uewasal s ol at ef ors omet hi ng.Al t houghdonotmi st akemywor ds,s hewasnoti nahur r yat al l .I nt r ut h,Danawasonherwayt obr eak f as twi t ht her i c hes tper s onont hei sl and—hermot her .Herbr i ghtyel l owr ai nboot sand desi gnerdr essmat chedi nc ons pi c uous l yt oget her ,andhert hi cks ungl assesk eptanyonef r om beggi ngherf orpi ct ur es,or —God f or bi d,shet hought —anaut ogr aph.Dana,i nf ac t ,wast hi nki ngaboutsomet hi ngel s eent i r el y .Unbek nowns tt oanyonei nt hewor l d, Danahadmadeaf as c i nat i ngdi s c over y .Agai ns tt hej udgment al “ No”f r om hermot her ,shehads ec r et l ypur s uedt hewor l dof genet i cengi neer i ngandwasf i nger t i pc l os et ot ur ni ngasi mpl emous ei nt oahi ghl y i nt el l i genti ndi v i dual .Herboy f r i end,Phi l l i p,had al r eadyv ol unt eer edt obenex t ,j ok i ngt hatheneededi tt hemos t .Danagr i nnedatt het hought ,f or ci ngher s el ft obecomposed, f or mal ,andc al mi nf r ontofhermot her . Onaf i nalnot e,besi desJ ean,ont heot hers i deoft hest r eetent i r el y,wasanot hery oungmannamedDenv erCr os s .Andal t hough t heyshar edaname,J eanandDenverc oul dnotbef ur t herapar t .Denver ,i nf ac t ,wasac i v i l engi neeri nc har geofr enovat i ngt he count r y’ smostf abul oushot el .Howev er ,heandhi st eam hadmadeaf asc i nat i ngbr eak t hr ough.Beneat ht hesi t e,deepdownand unbek nownstt oany one,wasac r at erofgol d,ands ev er alc hest sc ont ai ni ngs ecr et i vemess agesandr us t ypaper wor k.Hewasi n t hemi ddl eofamor al di l emmawi t hhi ms el f ,wonder i ngwhet herornotkeepi ngt hegol dt ot hemsel v eswoul dbeabenef i tatal l . Af t eral l ,bei ngc aughtwasaseas yass t eal i ngc andyf r om ababy .Howev er ,t aki ngj ustapi ecec oul dc hangehi sl i f eent i r el y.And t hatwasal lheneeded,att hemoment . Thel i ghtt ur nedgr een,andeac hmemberoft hi sex t r aor di nar yt eam begant ocr os st hest r eet ,amongdoz ensofot herper f ect l y i nnoc entci vi l i ans .Asi mpl eac t i on,y etapor t al i nt oanewwayofl i f ef orev er yonei nt heuni ver se. That ’ sr i ght . Is ai duni v er s e.
Gi aGhosh
PerfectPerfecti on SeriEgas hi ra Sc r ol l ,t ap,swi pe. Sc r ol l ,doubl et ap,swi pe. c l i c kcl i c k. Gr ouppi cs,sel f i es,swi msui t s. On, andon, andon. Br i ghtl i ght s, r edeyes. Gl ar i ngscr eens, r ef l ect i ngl i es . Ani nf i ni t escr ol lof per f ectbodi es. Per f ec tf aces . Per f ec texer ci ses. Per f ec tdi et s. We’ r et ol d, “ acceptandl ov et hebodyyou’ r ebor nwi t h. ” Buti t ’ sal waysf r om t hesamepeopl e. Theoneswhopr omot ewai stt r ai ner s ,f ast i ng. Theoneswhol ookdi f f er entever yweek . Howar ewesupposedt obel i evet hem, wi t hal lt hei rmessagesof s el f l oveandaccept ance whent heydon’ tbel i ev ei tt hems el ves? I ns ecur i t i es poppi ngup. Li keagameof whac amol e.
HowIwal k. HowIt al k. Myl ook s, myhei ght , myeyes , mybody , myhai r , mynose, mymout h, ev er y t hi ng. Looki ngi nt hemi r r or , s omeday sIwantt odance. Iwantt obl ast“ HotGi r l Bummer ” , bel tatt het opofmyl ungs. Tot opi tup,dosomewei r dmi x bet weenspl i t sandapi r ouet t e. Ot herdays,Il ookandIf r own. Fr owni nggi v eswayt oov er t hi nki ng, t hes uddenur get opunch, becaus emaybe,j ustmaybe, i fIpunc ht hemi r r orhar denough, i t ’ l l s hat t er , br eaki ngi nt opi ec es. Tak i ngal lmyi nsec ur i t i eswi t hi t . Pi ct ur eper f ect , per f ec tpl aces. Phot osphot oshoppedf orper f ectper f ec t i on. Sel f l ovei sanut r i ent . Notpr i or i t i z edbymany, butess ent i al f orone’ sheal t h.
J enni ferLi “ Lovey our sel f ” ,t heysai d. “ I t ’ l lbeeas y! ” ,t heysai d. Howc anwel oveour sel ves whensoci et ypr essur esusnott o? I t ’ squi t econf usi ng. Onesecondt hey ’ r esayi ng: “ Lovey our sel f !You’ r ebeaut i f ul ! ” Whi l et heot hert heygo: “ Fi xt hi s!Fi xt hat !Youneedt ol ookl i k et hi s! ” Whyshoul dIl ets t r anger s al lovermyphone det er mi nemywor t h onl ook sal one? Al t hought hi smaysoundhar sh, i nmanyc ases,i t ’ st r ue. “ Who’ sgoi ngt ol ovey ou, i fy oudon’ tl ov eyour sel ft oo?” Nomat t erhowhar dIt r y, i tal wayscomesback . Sc r ol l ,t ap,swi pe. Sc r ol l ,doubl et ap,swi pe. c l i c kcl i ck.
AvaWri ght
2020, Grace
Ahockeymat ch. Eart oearwegr i nnedSl ammi ngt hepuc kt owar dst hewi nd. Wi t hcr umpl i ngnet s ,wecheer ed; Onl yt hecl oudswer ef ear ed. Fr om Zoom,c ameabuzz, Adul t s’voi ces ,j ustbec aus e. Wedi dnotpr ay ,wedi dnotc r y; Whatdi dwek now?Andwhy?
Oli vi aSouleyman
Summer . Aswel t er i ngHongKongday ; Wechaf eatourmas ksi ndi smay. Wehangourheadsaswewal k; Undersuspi ci on,wedar enotgawk. Spr i ng. I nI t al y ,awav eofor angegr oves; Vani l l aski esands unnyt r ov es. Hoppi ngof fourboatont oc l oudni ne; West i l lbel i evedt hef ut ur ewasf i ne.
ChaseBaldwi n
Aut umn. Aseaofwar ni ngs i gns,shout i ngs, " Mask s! "Di s count s ! Cr i si sdeal sabound. Cr owdsandl i nes,papermas ksar ound, Nomor ef r eedom,nomor eout i ngs.
J uli aSWri ght
AdaHo
0,2021 ceChen
Wi nt er . Theyout hnol ongeryel l ! Nomor er ebelbr i cks! Nat ur ehass i l encedt hehel l , Wi t hi t sdeadl yvi r ust r i cks. Mi nut esr ol li nt ohour s,days,ay ear ; For ci ngal lt ol i v ewi t hf ear . Cr avi ngt heendofCov i d,expr essi nghope, Jumpi ngf orj oy,wesomehowcope.
ornung
LelaElAsmar
Samec i t y, Samepeopl e. Newc hal l enges , Newoppor t uni t i es.
Weac c ept ; Cont empl at i ngpas tevent f ulday s, Weadapt ; Wer eas sur eour sel v es. Wehol deachot her “ Wher et her e’ sawi l l , Evencl oser ,mor eandmor e, t her e’ saway! ” Toget her ,wef acet hi sendl esschor e.
ChaseBaldwi n
Megan Au
TheGi rli n theMi rror( excer pt ) J us ti n Sau As i ngl el i l y,notunl i ket heoneatmymot her ’ sf uner al ,sati navasei nf r ontofmyhot eldoor .I t spet al swer ewi l t ed, devoi dofl i f e.Onedr oppedi nt ot heebonyf l ui dbel ow,r emi ndi ngmeofasai l orf i ght i ngal os i ngbat t l eagai ns t at umul t uousoc ean.Todayhadbeendeadl ycol d,t hewi ndashar pbl adeofi c eper meat i ngt hr oughmyt hi ckc l oak. Ihadhur r i edi nt ot hecl os esthot elIcoul df i nd.Doz ensoff l uor es centbul bsf l i cker edi nt hehal l wayandt hesound ofmyt appi ngf eetechoedont heasbest ost i l es.Thehot el smel l edl i keahos pi t al .Ac adencedt r i l lofdr i ppi ngwat er wasaudi bl et hr ought hedoor .Pr obabl yal eakyf aucet .AsIl i f t edmyr oom key,Inot i cedmyhot el r oom doorwas sl i ght l yaj ar .Obs er v i ngascr at chont hesecondoft het hr eesi xes,mypal mst ur neddampandmymout hf el tl i ke s andpaper .Theeyewasdr awnt ot hesc r at ch;i tseemedt ocr ys t al l i zeandmagni f yal lt hebadener gyhummi ngi nt he ai r .Thek eycuti nt omypal m asIs l owl yl ower edmyhand.Fi ght i ngmyr i si ngemot i ons,Ipus hedt hedooropen. Peer i ngi nt ot her oom andnotseei ngany onet her e,Iwal k edi n.Amust y ,mol dys mel li mmedi at el ycl oggedmyt hr oat . Theyel l owpai ntwaspeel i ngof ft hewal li nst r i psandbubbl es,r eveal i ngamar r edgr eywal l under neat h. Thebat t er edwoodenf l oor swer epoor l yconceal edwi t hascuf f edcar pet ,f r ayi ngatt heedges.Ther ewer est ai ns i nsev er alpl acesont hef l oor ,r ust col or edsmear st hatr el easedamet al l i codorwhenIbentt ol ookc l os er .It ookof f mycoatandf l ungi tont ot hebed,causi ngac l oudofdustt or i seandt henset t l es t i l l .Thewi ndowwasopen, butt her ewasanot i ceabl eabsenceofwi nd.Savef ort hegr oansoft hef l oor boar dsbeneat hmyf eet ;t her ewas nosound,exceptf ort hati ncessantdr i ppi ngsound,muchs t r ongernow.Ipr es s edmyhandst omyear s,butt hesound cont i nued.I twasdeaf eni ng,anec hot hatdr ovesodeepi nsi demys kul l t hati twasl essl i keanact ual soundt han awal lsl ammi ngdownhar di nmymi ndanddr i vi ngmebac kt ot hec hi l dhoodmemor yt hatIhadat t empt edt osmot her …
Li lyChaney
Bi tterEvanesce J amesEl l i s anar ct i ct er nci r cl esover head asor cassoj our nt heunchar t ednor t h beneat ht r act sofboundl essi ce, har moni z i ng s i l v er yseal sf r ol i c heedl ess t o t heper i l apol arbear ,whi t eassnow,onceai ml essl yambl ed c aughtbywander l ust nowshest ar esi nt oobsi di anwat er s,nowher et ogo s hesur vi vesonani ceber g, wi t heac hpassi ngday,i tshr i nkssmal l erandsmal l erandsmal l er heri ceber g,l i ket hegl aci alwor l d, goesunseen i t sbul khi des i ngr adual l ywar mi ngwat er s SPLASH! api eceoft hei ceber gf al l sof f herhome i smel t i ngaway. . . . . .
GabbyKi m
I solated Mol l i eMei I t ’ sj ustbef or edi nner , Del i c i oussmel l sofacooki ngmeal Waf t i ngt hr ought henooksoft heopendoor . Fr eshveget abl esandr i ce, Si zzl i ngnoi sessol oud, I t ’ sl i kel i st eni ngt of i r ewor k s. Thenoi seofc l i nki ngpl at esandcut l er y, Li ket hey’ r et r yi ngt opl aymusi c; Andat apr ushi ngawat er f al lofi cywat er I nt ot hemet alsi nk. Out si det hewi ndow, Lowbul l hor ns Honkl i keat ubaensembl e, Sy mbol i zi ngt hedepar t i ngoft heboat s Ast hef i sher menandsai l or s Hol l erandcal lout . I ns i det her oom, I mper f ec t i onsl i net hewal l sal l t hewayt ot hef l oor . Hel pi ngt her oom bec ome Mor ehomeyt hani twas; Sc r at chesi nt hepai ntj ob, Li ghtpenci lmar ksont hedesk.
ButIcan’ tevenheari t . Not hi ngatal l , Li keI ’ mi nas oundpr oofr oom, Onl ydi s t antnoi sesout si det hegl as s. Al mostasi fI ’ m Under wat er , Muf f l ednoi sescomi ngf r om t hesur f ac e, Wor dsIcan’ tqui t ehear Onl ynoi s es … Oppr es s edv oi cesi nt hebac kgr ound. I t ’ sj ustanor di nar yr oom. Buthowcananor di nar yr oom Hol dsomuch Andsol i t t l e Al latt hesamet i me?
Peacei si nt her oom aswel l : Smal lbamboopl ant si nac l eargl assj arofwat er , St ack sandpi l esofser i esofbooks Sc at t er edev er ywher e, Onshel ves, Onwi ndowsi l l s. Thent hedi st ants oundoft heTVpl ayi ng, Ec hosofi tcomi ngt hr ought hedoor . Andt hewhi sperofamusi cpl ayl i st Thr ought hedi mmedspeak er s. Ic ansmel lcr i sp,f r eshappl esEv ent heodori st ar t . Tast ei t , Sweetandj ui cyandcr unchyThepl at ecl at t er sasIpi ckupanot her .
CasperCha
emblem katheri newong af at alst r et chofl and; t hel essf or t unat ebowdownbef or eme iam numi nous iwat chwi t hcont ent ment howt hel andkni t si t sel ft oget her i napl acewher et hes k i esandt r eet opsal i gn iwat chwi t hcer t ai nt y ihavenopr econcept i ons ist andi mpassi v e i wat chwi t ht r ut h t hey ’ vel ef tt hei rmar k wi t hi never ywor d; ever ys t r uc t ur e, andme iwat chwi t hs i gni f i canc e t hi swor l di sexpansi v e t i met ur nsi nt of oot pr i nt s;andi nt oday s iwat chwi t hi mpar t i al i t y
Gi aGhosh
Not ef r om t heaut hor : Thef ol l owi ngst or ydeal swi t haneat i ngdi s or derandbodyi mage.I tc anbeas ens i t i v et opi candt hi spi ec ewaswr i t t ent os pr ead awar enessaswel l asunder s t andwhatsomeonewhos t r uggl eswi t heat i ngandbodyi magemi ghtbegoi ngt hr ough.Theaut hor r es ear chedt hi spi ecebys peaki ngwi t hsur v i v or sofeat i ngdi s or der s ,ands heunder s t andsever y one’ sex per i enc ei sdi f f er ent .Al l , some,ornoneoft hi sc oul dbeappl i edt os omeonewhost r uggl eswi t hf ood.I fy ouar es t r uggl i ngwi t ht hi sory out hi nkyouc oul dbe st r uggl i ngpl easer eachoutt oat r us t edadul t .
TheCellophaneWrapper Chl oeJ unao Wu I ’ mf ul l .Idon’ tneedt hi s,Idon' tevenwanti t .C’ monwhatam Idoi ng,I ’ l l puti tback,I ’ ms t r ongert hant hi s . Remembert hechi psyouj ustst uf f edi nt oyourmout h?Remembert hatr ol lofr ai si nbr eadt hatwasl i t er al l yj ust car bs?Al lt hesugarandsal tyouhadt odayt hat ’ shor r i bl ef oryou?You’ ver eal l yf al l enof ft hewagonher e. Rememberl astni ght ?Yeah,whenyousai di twoul dbet hel astt i me,j ustl i keever yt i mebef or e. Yeah,ok. Al lt het hi nki ng,al lt hevoi ces,i twasal lt r ue.Iact edbef or et heycoul dc omebac k.Myst r engt handf i ghts hr ankbac ki nt o t hecor nerofmybr ai n,whi l emyf i nger sact edj us tt hewayt heyal waysdi d.Ihear dt hegl or i oussoundoft hewr appert ear . Theal l t oof ami l i arsmel lofsweetchocol at eandcar amelhi tme.Myey esl andedont hesmoot h,dar kbr ownsur f aceof t hechocol at easIr ai sedi tt omymout h.I tmel t edonmypal at e,per f ect i onandf ai l ur eatt hesamet i me. Thebl i ssonl yl as t edunt i lIswal l owedt hel astbi t e. Whatdi dyouj ustdo?Youar esoweak,soweak,soweak,soweak… Is t oodt her ei nt hedi ml i ghtoft hepant r yast hecl oc khi tmi dni ght .Igr abbedacupofwat erevent houghIknewi twoul d onl ymakememor ebl oat edandf ul l .Ideser vedt hebl oat ,i twoul dr emi ndme.Ipl ast er edonas mi l e,st r ai ght enedmy post ur e,andwal k edout .Daddi dn' tl ookupf r om hi swor k,buts t i l lcal l edoutagoodni ght .Imadei tbac kt omyr oom, t ur nedont hel i ght s,qui et l ypul l eddownt hecur t ai nsandopenedmycl osetdoor .Themot i onswer ef art oof ami l i ar . God,whydoIdot hi st omysel f . I fyouwer est r ongert hi swoul dn’ thappen. St opi t .YouAREme,asat ani cvoi cet hatcover t l yconj ur edi t s el fup,buty ouAREme.Whi chbasi c al l ymeansIsel f s abot age.Ihat emysel f ,Ihat eyou,I ’ m goi ngt obed. Ihast i l yc l i mbedi nt obed,gr abbi ngmyphoneandheadphonesbef or es i t t i ngdown.TheOneDi r ec t i onpoundi ngi nt omy s k ul lf ai l edt odi st r actmyt hought s.Ir eal i sedt hatIwasundercont r ol oft hev oi ce.Ipul l edoutmyj our nal .I t ’ ss moot h gr eenl eat hercoverr emi ndedmeofal lt hegoal sIs etf ormy sel f .Andeachoneoft hegoal sI ’ vef ai l edt oachi eve. Gr abbi ngapen,Ibegant owr i t e.
Li lyChaney
Fe b212021 I ’ ms t r uggl i ng.It hi nkt hi smayber oc kbot t om.Ihav e n’ tf e l tl i ket hi sbe f or e ,i t ’ sne v e rs howni t s e l fl i ket hi sbe f or e ,I t ’ s ne v e rbe e ns opr omi ne nt .Ij us tl os ts t r e ngt handt hee ne r gyt of i ghtagai ns tmybadhabi t s / t hought st oc ons umer andom unne c e s s ar yf ood.Ihav edi s or de r e de at i ng,pos s i bl yane at i ngdi s or de r .Imayormaynotc l as s i f yasone ,andI ’ m notov e r orunde r we i ght ,ne v e rs e e nadoc t orofanyki ndf ori t .How c oul dI ?I ’ m agoodac t or ,nooneknows ,andt hat ' st hewayI l i kei t .Butdon’ ty out hi nkt he r e ' ss ome t hi ngwr ongwhe nIc anpi c kapar te v e r ys i ngl ef ood,know t heappr oxi mat e amountofc al or i e si nf oodsj us tbyl ooki ngatt he m? Ic anf i ndane gat i v eas pe c tt oe v e r yf ood,t hati snotokay . Ihat emybr ai ns ome t i me s Ihat emy s e l fs ome t i me s Iam admi t t i ngIhav eade e pr oot e dpr obl e m. Ine e dt or e c ov e r , Ine e dt or e wi r e , Fort hes akeofmy s e l f ,myf r i e nds ,myf ami l y ,myl i f e ,mywor l d,andmyf ut ur e . Thi si st hepl an:Eatwhe nac t ual l yhungr y .Fi ghtt hev oi c ewhe npi c ki ngf ood,whi t ebr e adi sok,nos uc ht hi ngas“ t oo manyf at s ” ,s omet hi ngsne e doi l .Shutt hev oi c edownwhe ny ou’ r enothungr yorc r av i ngany t hi ng.I ’ m ge t t i ngmy f r e e dom bac k. Iputt hej our nalaway,putt hepenaway,andwi l l edt het hought st ost ayboundbet weent het hi n,gr eencover s.I tf el t r el i evi ng,l i keapower f ulmoment .Thedemoni nsi demehadbackeddown,notdef eat ed,notyet ,buti thadr et r eat ed, andIf el tl i ght er . Thef ol l owi ngdayswer et hedef i ni t i onoff r eedom.Il etmysel foutoft hepr i sont hatwasmyownmi nd.Iwasf r eef r om c onst r ai nt sIdi dn’ tevenknowIhad.Imader eal i sat i ons,r ef l ec t i ons,andwr ot edownmyt hought swhi l edef eat i ngt he monst eri nsi demybr ai neac hday.Oneofmymanyr eal i sat i ons?“ WhatIEati naDay”vi deosar et oxi c.
Fe b252021 Di e tc ul t ur e .I t ’ sawor dt hat ' sov e r us e dandhasbe c omenumbt omeov e rt i me .Soc i alme di ac ont r ol smymi nd,ac e r t ai n pos tl i nge r sorac e r t ai nt hi ngs ome ones ai d.Buti nt hee nd,whatt heme di ai ns t i l l si nmybr ai ni sal way sc hangi ng.One mont h,c ar bsar ee v i l .Ne xtmont h,v e ge t abl e shav et oomuc hf i be r .Ne xtmont h,s ugarmus tbec utoutofe v e r y t hi ng. Al way st hewor dsl owf at ,s ugar f r e e ,l owc ar bar ef l oat i ngar ounde v e r y whe r e .I ts ur r ounde dmyl i f e ,myt hought s ,my ac t i ons .I ts t i l ldi d.I fal lt hi swas n’ te nough,t hebi gge s ti s s uewast hati thi dmyowne at i ngdi s or de rf r om me .Iwast ol d t hate at i ngdi s or de r sme anty ouf e l tbadf ore at i nge v e r y t hi ng,Ionl yf e l tbadf ors nac ksandunhe al t hyf oods ,s ot hat doe s n’ tappl yt ome .Iwast ol dt hatane at i ngdi s or de rt hatwas n’ tr e s t r i c t i ngme antt haty ouwoul dbi ngeonobs c e ne amount soff oodandt he npur ge ,Ine v e rpur g e d,s ot hatdi dn’ tappl yt ome .Nott r ue .I tdi dappl yt ome ,i tal ldi d,I tal l doe s ,Ihav eapr obl e m,Ihadapr obl e m.I ’ m wor ki ngoni t . Thosef ourwor dsmeantmor et hant heyeverdi d. Soont hef ol l owi ngday,whenmyf r i endsandIdeci dedt omak eas t opatt hesuper mar ketaf t erschool ,mymi ndwas r aci ng.Icoul dn’ tnott hi nkoft hej unkai sl e.Thel ongr owofhi ghshel v esl i neduponeaf t ert heot her .St acksoff atand s odi um.Ref i nedsugarandpr ocessedcar bs.Att heends t oodt hebi gf r eezer swhi chhel dwi t hi nt hem t hosef r ost yt ubs ofsat ur at edf at .Ful loff atandsugar ,al lt het hi ngsIusedt ohat e,f ear ,andl ov est oodwi t hi nt hatai s l e.Iwenti ns i dewi t h myheadhel dhi gh,pr oudt hatmymi ndwascl earoft hatnast yvoi ce,andwasabl et oseet hoset r eat saschocol at e, c hi psandi c ecr eam i nst ead.AndIgotmysel fachocol at edr ums t i c k .J us tbecauseIwant edi t . Gr owi ngup,ever yonehasabi ggestf ear .Forsomei t ’ st hemonst er sl i vi ngunderyourbed,ort hedar k ness ,ors pi der s, orsnak esorofbei ngal one,butmi newast hecel l ophanewr apper .I twasat y peofmonst eri ni t sel f .Mor especi f i c al l y, t heonei nsi de,t hatcal or i edenser ec t angl ehaunt edmydr eamsandt hought s.Butwe’ veal lgott of ac eourf ear s ev ent ual l y.Inotonl yf acedmyf ear ,If oughti t .Thebat t l ewas n’ twi t houts l i pups ,butIwon,andt hat ’ sal lt hatmat t er s .
Dami an Lee
IPlannedFi rst( excer pt ) I l aDaryanani “ Hur r yup! ”Cl ar acal l edf r om herc ar . Mybagwaspr act i c al l yst uf f ed.Thez i pperbar el ycl os edov eri tal l . Myduf f l ebagi nmyar m,mybr eak f as ti nmyhand,mymom wai t i ngf ormeatt hedoor—wai t ,t hat ' snotr i ght ! Iwai t edf orhert os ays omet hi ng.Shel ook edmeupanddown. “ Mom c ’ mon,wet al kedaboutt hi s ! ”Iexc l ai med. Shesi ghedandhandedmeapac k age.Igav eheraques t i oni ngl ook . “ I t ’ sspar ecashandapoc ketkni f ec uzy ounev erk nowwhat ' soutt her e, ”s hes pokewi t hhersoot hi ngv oi c e. Is mi l ed,t hank edher ,andwasoutt hedoorbef or eshec oul ds ayany t hi ngel s e. Cl ar a,al ongwi t hJ ames ,Tes s a,andJ ayden,wer eal l wai t i ngf ormei nt hec ar .Herj eepf i tal l ofusc omf or t abl y , Wi t hJ ayden,James,andTes s ai nt hebac kandmeandCl ar ai nt hef r ont ,wewer egoi ngt oanol dhouset hatusedt o bel ongt oCl ar a’ sgr andpa,wewoul ds t ayt her ef ort heweek end. Weev ent ual l ypul l edupt oar oc k yar eac l os et oacl i f f .Cl ar ac hec k edherGPSwhi l et her es tofusgotoutands t r et ched. “ Heyguys ,i t ’ sonl yf i vemi nut esawayf r om her e! ”s heex c l ai med. “ Okayt hen,l et ’ sgo.Iwantt os eet hepl ac ebef or ei t ’ sdar k , ” Jaydens ai d,cl i mbi ngi nt ot hebac ks eat . Cl ar awasr i ght ;i thadonl yt ak enusf i v emi nut est ogett o,wel l ,agat e? “ Hey,Dus k,youmi ndget t i ngoutandopeni ngt hegat e?”Cl ar aas k ed. “ Yeah,s ur enopr obl em, ”Ir epl i ed,pul l i ngonmyj ac k etands t eppi ngoutoft hec ar . Thegat ehadt hi c kmet al bar sandak ey hol et oopeni t .Iwal k edbac kt ot hec ar ,andCl ar a pass edmeakeyasi fs hewer eex pec t i ngmet oc omebac k .Iunl oc k edt hegat eandgotbac k i nt ot hec ar .Thehousehadadar kwoodex t er i or .I tl ook edol df as hi onedandquai nt .I twas al s oqui t esec l uded.Thei ns i dewasmoder n,andt hec oac hseemeds oc omf or t abl ewi t hi t s f l uf f ypi l l ows,andi t ’ spear lwhi t ec us hi ons .Thebedr oomswer eev enmor es pec t ac ul ar ,wi t h t hei rwhi t eshi ni ngwal l sandt her e,el egantbedsheet sandpi l l ows .Ic hos et her oom i nt he mi ddl eofJ ay denandJ ames ,andCl ar ac hoset her oom nex tt oTes sa.I twasal mos tni ght nowandi twasget t i ngc ol d,s owepul l edonourj ac ket sands t ar t edt omak es andwi c hesf or di nner . Al i t t l eaf t erweat eIdeci dedt ogoandc hangebef or ewet ol dours c ar ys t or i esf ort heni ght ,i twasourf r i endgr oups t r adi t i on.AsIwasl eavi ng;af t erIhadc hanged,Isawt hepac k agemymom gav eme,Iopenedi tandt ookt hepock et kni f eoutandst ucki ti nmys weat er ,“ May beIc anusei t . ”It hought .
Gi aGhosh
TopoftheWorld2021 Kri s tyLuk Suc haf eel i ng’ scomi ngoverme Ther ei swonderi nmos tever yt hi ngIsee I nt hel eavesoft het r ees andt het ouchoft hebr eez e Ther e’ sapl easi ngsenseofhappi nessf orme Ther ei sonl yonewi shofmyl i f e wheneachday’ st hr oughIhopet hatIcanf i nd t hatIl ov edandl i ved,t hatIdancedasIdr eamed Idec i dedl ongago nevert owal ki nanyone’ sshadow I fIf ai l ,i fIsuc ceed atl eastIl i v edasIbel i ev e Nomat t erwhatt heyt ak ef r om me, t heycan’ tt akeawaymyDi gni t y Bec auset hegr eat estl ov eofal l i shappeni ngt ome Thef i r ebur ni ngi ns i de t oshi nemyi nnerst ar putmeont het opoft hewor l d. Ius edt obeunabl et oc ombatt heobs ess i on t ol ookbac kandscr ut i ni zewher eIbl under ed, f i l l i ngever ynextst epwi t hi ncr easi ngt r epi dat i on unt i l Inol ongerwal kbutt umbl et omyk nees Iusedt owonderwhet heri t ’ dbeeasi er i fIc r yunt i lmyv i si onf ogs may bei fever yt hi ngl ooksbl ur r y I ’ ds omehowseem s t r ai ght i fIsendsnakesofl i esi nt omyhead t hatIwasofmydr eams par al yz i ngmyexi s t enc e andneverwak e i fIdr owni nt ot hei cyabyssofdespai r unt i lmyski ni snumbt oal lpai n Iusedt oexami nemysel f i nev er ypai rofeyes sur r oundi ngme360l i keami r r ormaz e butnomat t erhowIshi f t ,
Ri naKobayashi
s omer ef l ec t i onsar eal way sdi s t or t ed, Ic oul dneverpl eas et hem al l Butwhyshal li tmat t er i fIdeci dei tdoesnot I ’ v egotenoughbl ood,ner veandl ove i nmypoundi nghear t pul s i ngt hr oughmyvei nst of l oodt hem out wat chev er yboul derbec omeas t eppi ngs t one t ocl i mbt hemount ai noft i me andr eac ht het opoft hewor l d t hepeakofy ourdr eams f al l ni net yni net i mest os t andont hehundr edt h andi fwesi nkt ot hev er ybot t om weonl yar i s e Whendayc omesweas kour s el v es , howc anwef i ndl i ghti nt hi snev er endi ngshade? Thel osswecar r y as eawemustwade Yetf orsc or esofc ent ur i eswek newi t wel oved,per si s t ed,ands omehowwedoi t Wewi l l notbet ur nedar ound ori nt er r upt edbyi nt i mi dat i on f orourapat het i cat t i t ude wi l l bet hei nher i t anc eoft henextgener at i on t hehumdr um ofs ombr enews wi l l notdr ownourt enac i t y t hel ov eofl i f e wi l l nev erbec omeobs ol et e danc et ot her hy t hm ofy ourhear t beat openy ourmout handl ety ours pi r i tspeak dar e t ounl ockt hel oc kofy ourhear t f orev er yone’ sgl owi ns i dei sev er yhueont he s pect r um ofc ol or ourcongr uousc ol or swi l l f i l lt hesk i es Openy ourey es l eti tf i l l t ot hebr i m wi t ht hi si r i des centl i ghtoft hewor l d. Wef oundourst r engt hi nl ov eandl i f e. Whendayc omeswest epoutoft heshade, bat t er edandbeaut i f ul , af l ameandunaf r ai d, t henewdawnbl oomsaswef r eei t , Sei zei t ,Owni t ,Bei t Comeal i veatt het opoft hewor l d!
WhereI ’ m From Kyl i eS.Hua Iam f r om f l i pf l opsal lyearr ound. Amot l eyofdi f f er entcol or s,shapes,andbr andsofsandal s s war m ar oundt hedoor . Theper pet ualpat t er nofcl aps f r om f l i pf l opsf l oppi ngagai nstmyf oot wi t heac hst r i de, andt hedemoni acalscar l etbubbl e ev ent ual l ygr owi ngbet weenmyt oes. I ’ mf r om myf eetget t i ngdust y andpowder yi nt heLAst r eet s, t oepr i nt s nowvi si bl ef r om adi st ance. Iam f r om mygr eataunt ’ sTai wanes est r eetr est aur ant , ac r i spi cecr eam f r i dge s i t si nf r ont , wher eanombr eofbr ownr ustr es i des andwat erdr opl et sf r om condensat i on t r i ckl e ont heconc r et ef l oor . Mysi st erandIsi t t i ngont hecur b l i c k i ng t hecr eami estmi l kl ump t hatsav esusf r om t hest uf f yai r . Wet r yt ocat chal l t hedr i ps. Thebl azi ngsun r oast sourski n andhumi dandsuf f oc at i ngai rcausesourt shi r t s t ost i c k t oourbodi es.
I ’ mf r om pl ay i ngi nGr andma’ scl os et , herwi gs s wi s h aswemak et hem soar ac r os st heai r , wehi de whenwehear f oot s t eps andsee abl oodcur dl i ngs hadowt hatr es embl esacr eat ur e wi t han80sbl owout . Wet hr owr oc ksi nt ot hepondaswegetscol ded. Headshaki ngsar ec ompl ement ed wi t h“ t sks” ,“ huhs”and“ oi s”f r om Yeye. Iam f r om r ockc l i mbi ng, f r om myf i nger sr ed gr i ppi ngt i ght l yont oal edge andt het i pofmyf oot s hovedi nt oacr ampedcr ev i ce. Thes al t i nf usedai r makesmyhai r c r unc h. Thebr eezel i f t smysweat y, y etcr i spypony t ai l . Myeyeswanderdownt owat cht heocean c r ashi ng i nt oheadspl i t t i ngr ock s bel ow.
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