Dear President Snow

Dear President Snow,

      Hello President Snow, how are you? I am Annie from District 6. I am the older daughter of the two famous architects who designed the train of Panem starting from District 12 going across the whole nation to the Capitol. I would like to believe you respect and honor my parents. So please, take my letter seriously for I am the oldest daughter of them and as I am speaking for all the people of District 6. Also, please do not stop reading if I offend you with something unpleasant for you to hear, because the words I am going to tell you are serious and necessary to be heard.

      The Hunger Games once a year may be entertaining for you and the Capitol residents to watch, but they sacrifice too many young lives, break the dead ones’ family forever and overall, they are not necessary at all.

The Hunger Games is a competition that only one tribute out of twenty four will survive. Every year, young people cross their fingers and pray that they would not get chosen as a tribute. If they did not get picked, they would continue fearing that they might get chosen the next year. Even when they finally broke through of the wall of being scared to be a tribute, they would have to worry for their children. Fear of the Hunger Games is like people’s own shadows. It is always there and it will forever be haunting them. The Hunger Games not only destroy twenty three tributes’ lives, it also may ruin the rest of the victor’s life. Even though the victor survived, he may be physically broken for the rest of his life or he might feel guilty for being the only one coming out of the arena where the lives of the twenty three others who once were just like himself were taken away. The Hunger Games kill young people and damage victors’ souls, just for the sake of satisfying you Capitol people.

The family going crazy for their sister or father is even worse than being dead. A tribute died peacefully. But it is his family that has to bear with eternal sorrow. Can you imagine your own son being taken away? When you know they have no chance of coming back alive? And when the peacekeeper shows you your son’s copse with no sense of life in his dull eyes? Would you still be able to stand there still and calmly? Well, twenty three families have to suffer like this, seeing their beloved children or siblings but being powerless to do change anything. Families are scattered like a thousand pieces of puzzles because of the Hunger Games. I have a good friend who was chosen this year; her name is Amy Zhou. She was taken away and she is probably not going to walk down the train in a few months. I cannot describe my feelings. But I am certain I will always remember her and the pain plus the sorrow. Anyway, do you not feel guilty at all? Taking away the people and forcing family and friends to live with it.

The Hunger Games are not necessary at all. They are only entertainment, but while using lives in exchange for laughter. If you like entertainment, you can replace real and solid human being with animals or insects. Killing twenty three lives every year for the past seventy four years is not necessary. You know that, but you just love seeing tributes suffer so much, you’d rather go to hell, just like every other Capitol residents. However, you are the powerful president; you can stop the Hunger Games and save twenty three lives every year! Listen to my words with your conscience. Listen to all the people’s words with your heart! Save the man-kind! By simply stopping the Hunger Games.

Best regard,

Annie, from District 6

Theseus and the Minotaur

My name is Theseus. I am the prince of Athens. My father, King Aegeus is the King of Athens, sends seven girls and seven boys every seven years for the Minotaur of Crete to avoid battles with King of Crete, the powerful and selfish King Minos, as a deal. Minotaur is a monster, son of a human, son of a bull. I was enraged at the deal and how my father is so afraid to stand up to King Minos. So I, instead, stood up as a sacrifice to kill the Minotaur because my father could not persuade me to not to leave him. He was depressed and upset but I did not care. I desperately wanted the sacrificing deal to end.

      I got to Crete with the others and saw the princess of Crete, Ariadne. Princess Ariadne is beautiful. Her eyes shine with excitement but her emotions on her face are peaceful. She sat in her chair decorated with diamonds and gold but her beauty was undefeatable comparing to the jewelries. She is attractive as the sun in the wide, blue sky. The flowers smile and bloom when they see her. She is calm as the full moon at night. The poets sigh in bliss when they write about her. I was amazed by her beauty and forgot to kneel before her. As she stood up and came to me, I woke up from my day dream and knelt before her. However, our gaze still locked.

      “You are the prince of Athens.” She sounded shocked.

      I smiled and said, “Yes, I am.” Suddenly, remembering the mission I am on and the reason I came here, I put my smile away, and continued, “Theseus.”

      “Why are you here?”

Her move was so graceful I forgot how to talk. I shook my head and looked at the ground, “To kill the Minotaur.” Speaking of this, my heart began beating fast again. I will not fall in love with the princess of the evil and perverted King of Crete, I thought.

She smiled and laughed, covering her mouth. Then walked away.

The next day, the seven girls and boys were gathered in front of the gate of the labyrinth where the Minotaur was trapped.

King Minos asked, “Who would like to go first?”

I did not hesitate and answered, “of course, I will. I am the prince of Athens. I will go first.”

King Minos laughed dramatically and replied, “I admire your bravery and determination, but you will be chewed into pieces in a while.”

I suddenly caught Princess Ariadne looking at me, desperation showing apparently through her gaze. She came to me close and whispered while stuffing something into my shirt, “Tie this to the gate when you are inside. Come back for me. Bring me with you when you are back.” She gave me one last smile and walked away.

      I hardened my heart and told myself I would not be fooled by her outer beauty that simply covers up her evil nature like her father.

      I went into the labyrinth and took out the fluffy object Ariadne put in my shirt. I realized it is a ball of string. I tied it to the gate according what she told me and began my journey to the centre of the labyrinth. I was cautious and nervous.

      After thirty minutes, I felt something furry. I alerted and knew it was the Minotaur. It moaned at me. It was loud and raucous. It was dark but I hopped its back successfully. I grabbed onto its long fur and tried to climb up to its head. I finally caught his horn while it jumped up and down, trying to shake me off. It stopped jumping. I thought it was tired. So I used my bare hand to wipe away the sweat on my forehead. Suddenly, I felt it jumped almost to the ceiling. I had to let go of the horn. My life flashed in front of my eyes. Suddenly, I caught the other horn. Phew… That was close. After a while sitting on the Minotaur’s head, being shaken, I was almost out of energy. However, fortunately, the Minotaur seemed tired as well. While it was slowing down, I got held of the other horn and pulled. The Minotaur moaned loudly. I used all my energy. I tried twisting its head by its horns. Crack… Crack. Crack, crack, crack. The Minotaur moaned louder. Hearing its crying, I felt sad for it. Being locked in this prison for forever. Unable to die. No light. No hope. No food. I felt my hot tears rolling down my cheeks. The Minotaur’s crying was less and less clear. I suddenly realized Ariadne was right. I did the right thing, to kill the Minotaur, to end its misery. Gradually, I gained more power by pitying him, wanting to end his tragic life for him. “Shhh, shh. It’s ok,” I whispered. Feeling the Minotaur relaxing, I continued calming it, “Good boy.  It’s ok. Go to sleep.” Giving it one last twist, crack. It stopped moving and fell to the ground softly. I knew now. Even though it looked like a crazy bull, it had a human heart. It was King Minos that totally destroyed its human nature by locking him in this dark place, giving him no care or love. I bawled out loud beside this dead creature, releasing all my pity for it and anger for the King.

      I found the thread and went out of the labyrinth. I pretended to be proud and powerful, covering the extreme depression in the inside. I saw Princess Ariadne running towards me, yelling into my face happily and hugging me. I did not even care about what she said. Her father is a demon. The real demon. She must is evil, too. Like father, like daughter, right? I pretended to be joyful to see her again. However, I knew I have no love for her anymore, because I knew, even though she is so appealing, it is all fake and empty. She took me to my boat, and told me she was going to come to Athens with me, like I promised. No, I cannot take her to Athens. She is a devil, I thought. So I told her to get some bread for me. She went away quickly, didn’t know I suckered her. I cut the rope that connects my boat to the deck and left alone.

      I had so much to think about that I forgot to change the black flag on my boat to white ones as my father commended me. I suddenly remembered what he said, “If you success, change the flag of your boat to white.” However, I was already so close to Athens. I looked up at Athens and saw a person falling off the edge. No, please no. I thought. I knew who it was. After pedaling so hard toward the place where he landed, I saw it. The body floating. I swam to it and saw his face. Father. Don’t die. I’m right here. I thought. Trying to bring him back to life is impossible now. It’s too late. For the second time, I bawled. 

Inspiration from this Volleyball Season

Inspiration from this Volleyball Season

My dad always says, "Participation and effort can lead you to unbelievable results." I finally realized how true it is from this volleyball season.

Good morning, teacher and fellow students,

The volleyball season started in September, and the players from Grade 8 were split into two teams ---- the blue team and the gold team. The blue team players were mostly new to volleyball and the gold team was for the pros. It was my first year playing volleyball and I was put into the Blue Team.

Honestly, my Blue Team sucked at the beginning. Only a few of us could get serves over the net. Most of us weren’t even able to pass or volley at all.

Even though we were terrible, every one of us participated in morning and after-school practices. We played many schools but haven’t won once. Game after game of losing made us all disappointed and faithless. However, our coach told us we were doing amazing, but my team mates and I still thought we didn’t improve at all.

On the 26^th of October, Collingwood partook in ISA, which is a volleyball tournament for private schools. While we were warming up with Mulgrave, I felt upset. Mulgrave Titans’ strong overhand serves and beautiful high passes reminded me of the game that we lost them badly three weeks ago. I didn’t even want to bother thinking about the result when I knew the winner wouldn’t be us. However, after losing the first set, we were actually cheered up, because there wasn't much difference between the scores of our two schools. The coach encouraged us. “If we have put in a little more effort, we could have won that set.” Hearing that from our coach definitely gave us a lot of confidence and courage. We cheered with our strong Cavaliers’ spirit and were ready to face Mulgrave. While playing the second set, the techniques and strategies we have learned seemed to come back to us. Every time before the Mulgrave Titan stepped behind the service line, tossing the ball, we were already on our toes, ready to make a high pass to the setter. We yelled ‘mine’ as the ball flew hard across the gym and dove for every ball no matter what. As soon as the ball was passed onto the other side of the court, the front role players hopped to the net and were ready to block the ball. I saw that both the players on the court and on the bench put a lot of effort into the game. The players on the court tried their best to get a point as the people on the bench screamed the cheers and encouraged them to do better. A while later, the referee blew the whistle before we realized the game was over. The judges added the total score from each team and our score was higher!

No one seemed to understand or believe the final results. It took about a minute for us to wake up and realize we beat Mulgrave! The gold team started to cheer and the applause from our parents broke out like thunder. Anyhow, it seemed like we were the only group of people on earth at that moment. We shouted in bliss and couldn’t stop hugging or sending compliments to each other. The Mulgrave Titans were looking at us like we’ve gone crazy yet we didn’t care, because we won! Then we learned that our ranking position came from the last to the third last! I felt like I was going to explode because too much good news was attacking me at once. Nevertheless at the same time, it felt like heaven. The glory, the pride, rushed in my veins faster than ever.

That night, after playing the moments of glory over and over again in my head, I realized we won because we participated in practices actively, and at the same time, put effort into the game. All of the players improved throughout the season gradually, so when we put effort into winning, we were able to play well. My speech ends here and I shall leave you with this, as long as you participate actively and do something industriously, you will see the good result. 

Liz with Grace and Sam

1.    Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2.    WinterGirls by Lauren Anderson

Liz with Grace and Sam

Liz became friends with Grace in college. Grace and Sam have been together for two years. Liz began to get her bad disease because she thinks Grace was skinnier and prettier. She tried to cut herself again but Sam found out. Sam realized what was going on and tried to stop Liz. Liz was mad and wanted to get rid of Grace. There were so much going on but Grace didn’t know anything yet. Grace realized Sam and Liz were against each other and Sam couldn’t convince Grace with the truth, but Liz doesn’t admit. So Sam had no choice but protected Grace without her knowing. Grace found out Sam was always stalking her so she dumped Sam. Finally one night Sam went to find Grace and saw Liz stabbing her. He tried to stop it but it was too late. Grace said she’s sorry and gave one last kiss. Sam as heart-broken and he was ready on revenge. He was so mad that he changed into a wolf suddenly! He hadn’t change into a wolf for years. Anger made him change and he ripped Liz apart and ran off.

It was September, Liz moved to a city near the US border for college. She loved that city. On the first day of school, when she was lost in the building that was like a maze with nobody, she saw a girl coming from the opposite side. She is pretty. Liz only saw pureness and kindness in her eyes. The girl gave Liz a small smile and stopped walking. “Are you lost?”

“I’m going to Room 79,”Liz faked a smile, “sorry I have no idea where that is.”

She replied, “Oh, Room 79, Natural Laws right? I’m going to that class as well. Just come with me. I’ll show you.” She started walking and she said again, “I’m Grace. You can always come find me if you have any problems here. You’re more than welcomed. Oh, and you are…?”

“Liz, I’m Liz,” Liz smiled. “And thank you Grace.”

Liz and Grace hanged out more and more often. They had a lot of things in common. They both loved the nature and they always go hiking together with Grace’s boyfriend, Sam. Liz learned that Sam and Grace have been together for two years. After a few months Liz knew almost everything about them. One night she was in bed and she realized something was wrong.

She was going to sleep but she couldn’t help thinking about her best friend Grace. Liz always remembered the nice and cool things about someone. Liz remembered the perfectness of Grace’s thin face, her shaped jaws, and her fit body with curves shown clearly.  Liz didn’t know how she started and she couldn’t get it out of her head even though she wanted to. She tried not to think about it and to go to sleep. She finally realized she was going to the old her years ago ---- when she had anorexia nervosa. She didn’t know how many times she shook her head that night to try to get that thought out of her head. She once again brought up the shadows of anorexia nervosa. She felt disappointed in herself but at the same time, she was mad that Grace just seemed so perfect. In every kind of way.

The next day, Grace saw the difference in Liz’s eyes. The way she tried to avoid looking into Grace’s eyes made Grace confused. Grace thought she had done something to Liz. However, only Liz knew, she felt guilty but couldn’t stop to heal her sick mind. Liz didn’t want to be with Grace anymore. Liz thought, in front of everyone, Grace is the shining star and I am nothing compared to Grace. I need to be better than this. I need to get skinny. Then, Grace will look at me the way I look at her. She then felt she was so helpless. She began to stop eating food with calories over 300 per 50 gram. However, she saw her ugliness comparing to Grace. She remembered she still kept the knife she always had under her bed though she hadn’t use it in forever. She thought it was not a good idea.  She tried convincing herself to not to think of it. After a week of controlling herself to not do this, she gave up. She was tired of all this and she just want to be perfect.

One day, Grace and Sam came over to her house and they were going swimming. When Liz once again saw the amazingly beautiful Grace in bikini standing in front of her, Liz felt so ashamed and disappointed in herself. Liz went in her room immediately and took out the knife. She looked at the reflection of her naked in the mirror and tears ran down her cheeks. She hasn’t done this in such a long time and she knew she was scared. Be brave and cut. Be brave and cut…

Outside, Grace was looking for food in the kitchen and Sam was sitting outside Liz’s bedroom reading a book he found on the table. Ah. Sam heard the loud noise from Liz’s bedroom and he was on his feet.  The noise wasn’t loud but sounded painful. Then Sam heard Liz sobbing and Sam knocked her doors hard and said, “Are you okay in there?? Need some help?”

Liz’s sobbing was louder. Sam was worried. Few seconds later, Sam heard her replying, “I’m sorry… Don’t… don’t… wait… Sorry…” Sam got anxious and had no idea why Liz was saying sorry. Sam pushed the door with his right shoulder. In one shot, the door opened.  

“What the…” He was shocked of what he was seeing. Liz sitting on the wooden floor naked… a knife in the right hand… blood flooding on her left wrist… tears and blood mixed together on the floor… Liz stopped crying but Sam almost fainted. Liz said, “Sam, don’t look. Please go away.” Her voice was uneven, sounded like she wasn’t able to breathe. Sam remembered the moments when his parents tried to cut his wrists when they found out he was a monster. “One. Two. Three…” the voices of his parents were ringing in his ears. He couldn’t get himself focused. When he finally got out of his nightmares, he saw what is really in front of his eyes.

“What the hell are you doing!?” He wanted to yell more but no words came out of his mouth, because he didn’t understand.

Liz answered quietly as she could read his mind, “I know you don’t understand. But I wasn’t trying to kill myself.”

“What…”Sam stared at the blood. It seemed it has stopped.

“See? It’s not very deep. It’s stopped.” Liz sounded proud, but she wasn’t. She didn’t want any of her best friends to see this. She was only trying to convince Sam she’s safe.

Sam thought Liz sounded like nothing had happened. Sam got his mind right again, and said, “okay, I’ll get Grace. You wait here and -----”

“What!? You seriously going to tell Grace!? Please don’t tell Grace.” Liz didn’t want Grace to think she was jealous of her, because she knew once Grace asks why, Liz wouldn’t be able to get away.

“Then what do you want?” Sam felt very uncomfortable.

“I’ll clean up and act like nothing has happened. Please, don’t get Grace.”

“What the hell is going on with you!? What are you thinking? Would you tell me?” Sam was mad but more worried actually.

“No…” Liz thought and continued, “Yes, I will tell you but just don’t get Grace. I’ll be okay. Don’t tell Grace though. I’m serious.”

Sam thought Liz was afraid of Grace or something. However, he asked no more. He got out of her room and shut the door tight. He sat there in his seat and stared at the door of her room until Liz got out.

After a few days, Sam still couldn’t get that gruesome scene out of his head. He headed to Liz’s house alone early in the morning before Grace woke up.

Sam ringed the doorbell until Liz opened the door after a minute of ‘ring ring’.

“What do you want?” Liz was still in her pajamas. Her eyes barely opened.

“Would you tell me now?”

“Tell you what?” Liz said annoyed, “I wanna sleep, Sam.”

Sam hesitated when Liz didn’t realize what he was talking about, “Liz, why did you cut yourself? I mean, you’re so happy every day and… isn’t that good enough!?”

Liz waited until she was sure Sam finished and said, “Yeah… I’m happy. Actually… No it’s not good enough. You don’t understand. Leave.” As she was about to shut the door, Sam sticked his foot to stop the door from closing.

“Try me.” Sam said calmly, staring at Liz, trying to convince her.

Liz opened the door, “Come on in.”

“Well, why did you cut yourself? I know how it felt and I don’t understand. I was forced to be cut! My parents thought I’m a monster when they knew I was a half wolf. They were scared and I had no choice. It’s awful. Why did you do it?”

Liz knew that he used to be a wolf, so she wasn’t surprised. She sighed and replied, “Don’t tell Grace, but… Grace is so perfect! She is so much better than me! I want to be like her and I want to be as skinny as her. It’s so not fair! Do you think I have a choice!? I need to be skinny but I can’t because I am not as skillful as I used to be… you know… I just can’t help it, Sam. Don’t tell ----”

Sam was really confused. No, actually, Sam got it all clear but couldn’t believe what she’s saying, “Are you kidding me!? You want to be like her… Alright… Heck, this is just stupid Liz. You can’t be her. You aren’t like her.” Sam didn’t like the thought of Liz trying to be like Grace. He hated it. Grace is his girlfriend and someone else is jealous of her and trying to be her.

“I can’t? I’ll prove it to you! I won’t be her, but I am going to be the best. I will someday get rid of her and guess what? Poof! I am the best!” Liz yelled.

“What…? You will get rid of her? You mean kill her?” Sam almost laughed.

“Yup. Kill. Her. I swear to kill her. No matter what.”

Sam’s ears were ringing. He thought he was listening to the story of SnowWhite. Evil Queen tried to kill SnowWhite just to be the most beautiful person in the world. This is ridiculous, Sam thought. He never liked the story when Beck once told him when he was young. He just couldn’t believe there would be such evil people in the world. He didn’t want to believe. However, right now, there is one person like Evil Queen right there, in front of his eyes. “Well, you know what? You can’t. You’re just out of your mind, Liz. I will be the one who is going to stop you.” Sam answered quietly but harshly through his teeth. Sam walked out of the door before Liz said anything.

Liz grinned evilly, like Sam was still there in front of her. “Haha, we’ll see about that.” 

As soon as Sam got home, he bawled his eyes out. Grace didn’t know what happened. He loved Grace so much that he wanted to tell Grace. However, he knew Grace would only think it’s a crazy joke.

Grace comforted Sam though had no idea of what was going on, “Hey Sam, what’s wrong? You can tell me anything.”

Sam couldn’t think straight. He knew Grace wouldn’t believe.

“C’mon, tell me. What’s wrong? It’s okay Sam. We’ve been through so much already. Why aren’t you telling me?” Grace sounded so sweet that Sam’s tears just wouldn’t stop.

Sam couldn’t speak and he knew clearly Grace was going to laugh at him. However, he would give it a try. He calmed himself and told the truth of everything.

“Haha, you’re totally lying to me.” She laughed at him. Sam knew she would do that.

“Do you even think I’m joking? Do I look like I’m joking?” Sam looked into Grace’s eyes.

Grace fell silent. She looked away and looked back at Sam, “No. But it surely isn’t funny, if it’s supposed to be a joke.” Grace waited for Sam to laugh. However, his face was dead serious.

They stared at each other for a while. Grace broke the silence and said, “Yeah, well, okay, honestly, I don't believe she would really do so. She was probably just mad or something. She may not have meant it. I’m going to talk to her anyway. She wouldn't kill me right away, don't you think so?” Grace walked away before Sam could answer.

“Stop! I don’t know!” Sam ran to catch up while yelling, “Wait up Grace!”

Sam got in the Blanco that Grace had for years. No one talked on the way to Liz’s house. Grace got a lot of things in mind, but Sam was just afraid that the more he speaks the more Grace would not believe him. Grace got down fast while leaving Sam behind. Grace ringed the doorbell several times. Sam walked to her.

“Well, I don't think Liz is home. We can come back some other day.”Grace said calmly.

      “Yeah, okay, we will come back right? You believe what I said right?” Sam asked her, wishing to hear Grace’s definite answer.

      Grace didn't speak.

      “She’s probably so afraid to face you.” Sam thought out loud.

      “I don't want you to speak like this! She’s my best friend! Do you think I’m going to just be cool about you talking behind my best friend’s back?” Grace yelled at Sam.

      “Sorry.” Sam whispered, “I was just trying to ----”

      “Okay. Enough already. Thank you for being nice, but to be honest I think you just need to take a break, Sam. I’m not saying I don't believe you at all. But I think you’ve been talking craps these days. Stop all this and I’ll figure it out.” Grace sounded cold.

      Sam tried to rebut. However, he was scared that Grace would be angry again.

     

      Grace had gone to Liz’s house the next day without Sam knowing. She waited at the front door of Liz’s house. Her mind kept replaying yesterday’s memory. Grace knew Sam was only trying to convince Grace. However, she was upset but she didn't know why. Grace thinks she was just really tired these days. Maybe she is the one who needed to take a break. As Grace was about to leave, Liz opened the door, “Hey, What’s up? I didn't expect you to be here. Where’s the wolf boy?” Liz gave a big smile.

      “Hey. He’s still in bed. I’ve been trying to talk ----”

      Liz interrupted, “Ah, you want a talk. Come on in and we can do that.”

      Grace smiled and suddenly shivered as she sat down. “Where have you been yesterday?” Sam and I were trying to find you.”

      “I was in the library.” She threw away the jacket of hers and emptied the armchair for herself, “Oh, do you want to make some coffee for yourself?”

      “You don't want to any?” Grace walked to the kitchen.

      “Nah, I’m fat enough.” Liz answered and laughed.

      “Are you kidding me? You’re as skinny as a stick Liz.” Grace joked, but she suddenly remembered what Sam told Liz was doing ---- losing weight to beat Grace. That brought Grace a shiver. She didn't want Liz to notice about anything she knew. So she softened the effect with a laugh, “It’s supposed to be a joke. You know.”

      Liz smiled and looked out the window. She seemed to be caught up with something outside and narrowed her eyes and asked, “You sure Sam is still in bed?”

      Grace looked outside at where Liz was pointing. “What the…”

      Liz laughed and asked, “Did he used to be like this as a wolf too? Because he’s surely not a great hider.”

      Grace ignored Liz and walked outside quickly. As soon as the door opened, the cold air peeled off Grace’s skin. Grace ran straight to Sam, “What the heck do you think you’re doing?”

      “Nothing. Just thought you might be with Liz. It’s not safe with her Grace.”

      Grace’s heart was softened at the way Sam said Grace. However, she got back in her mood, “You are stalking me. Liz is my best friend. Do not tell me you don't want me to be with my best friend. You’re so selfish. You think I’m all yours alone? Guess what!? Wrong! That's the sickest idea I have ever heard. Why am I supposed to believe all your crappy theory? You know what?! This is not cool.” Before Sam could say sorry, Grace continued, “Sam, I’ve got enough of your apologies. We’re done.”

      Sam fell silent. His heart broke into thousands of pieces. He felt so cold that he thought he was going to change. He imagined his back hunching and his bones twisting. He even wished he could just disappear into a wolf in front of her than standing her, not able to anything to change it. He suddenly remembered the song he had written for Grace when they met. And all the happy memories. He smiled and thought out loud.

“I fell for her in summer, my lovely summer girl,
From summer she is made, my lovely summer girl,
I’d love to spend a winter with my lovely summer girl,
But I’m never warm enough for my lovely summer girl,
It’s summer when she smiles, I’m laughing like a child,
It’s the summer of our lives; we’ll contain it for a while
She holds the heat, the breeze of summer in the circle of her hand
I’d be happy with this summer if it’s all we ever had.”

      He continued it,

“And now, my lovely summer girl had left me,
And I know our time is up already.
Though I had been so happy with my lovely summer girl,
now it’s time for me to leave.
I shall go or I shall stay?
I have no choice
but all depends on my lovely summer girl.
Oh, my lovely, summer, girl.”

      Grace knew exactly which song Sam was talking about. She felt the words piercing her heart like needles. She regretted what she said, because she knew it was just harsh and mean. She wanted Sam back, but all she gets is watching him turn and walk into the woods. Useless.

     

      Tears rolled down Grace’s cheek. Sam hadn’t been home for four days. She knew she couldn't live without Sam. She wanted Sam desperately. She needs him, and she knew it clearly. She went to the bookstore where Sam works at. She went to the candy store Sam brought her to on their very first date. She went to the forest, the golden woods. She went to Beck’s house. She cried out her eyes and screamed into the sky. She yelled out so many ‘sorry’s but knew Sam would never forgive her. She went everywhere, but found no sign of Sam. She was afraid Sam would be gone. Again. And that would all be her fault.

      Sam watched Grace from behind the bushes, wishing Grace would see him. Though he was still mad, he wanted Grace to get back to him like nothing had happened.

     

Grace had no choice but go to the only person she had, Liz. Liz tried to talk her out of the sadness. Liz seemed all nice and easy on her. She comforted Grace and Grace actually felt better.

Sam had been watching Grace going to Liz’s house almost every day. He didn't understand. He thought Grace loves him but couldn’t understand why she didn’t believe him and stay away from Liz as he told her to. He prayed every day to not let Liz kill Grace. He bet that Liz is so happy that Grace had lost Sam. Sam was so mad whenever he thinks about Liz, but whenever he thinks of Grace, peace just come in and flood away the rage.

Sam always thought about whether to get back to Grace or not. However, his presence may bring anger to Liz and Liz would not hesitate to get rid of Grace.

One night, when the night was quiet, Grace decided to watch a movie with Liz to try to get used to a normal life. Grace sat on the couch. She couldn’t remember Liz trying to kill her, or at least she didn’t want to remember. Liz was being really great and thoughtful these days after the lost of Sam.

“I’m just gonna go get a drink for you. What do you want?”

“Grape juice would be good.”

Liz had gone to the kitchen. She grabbed a knife from the kitchen and walked quietly toward Grace and a strike was on the door. She knew exactly who it was. Grace looked at Liz and Liz didn’t hesitate. She raised the knife high and Grace screamed. She stabbed it into her back through the heart as Sam forced opened the door. Sam swore loudly and ran to stop Liz. Liz stared at Sam and laughed, “Well, I’m sorry. But you’re too late. Look at Grace now. She’s almost gone. What are you going to do, wolf-boy? You gonna bite me and rip me up? Too late. Nothing saves her. I am the best now. Unfortunately you lose the bet and I win! Yay for me heh?” Liz looked at Grace and laughed.

Sam just glared at Liz and ran to Grace. “Grace, listen to me. You will be okay.” He said as he shook her hard.

“Yeah, I will be.” Grace forced a smile, “Thanks for coming Sam… I’m so sorry.”

“No, I could’ve stopped it Grace.” Sam’s tears were shiny on his cheeks, “I’m sorry Grace. I was too late. I’m sorry I had you cry for so many days. You know I was there right?”

“Yeah, I knew. I felt you there. I smell you there. Somewhere…”

“Why did you not listen to me? Why didn’t you stay away from Liz? Why Grace?”

Grace smiled with blood in her mouth, “I knew you would come out to save me. I knew I would see you again… Even like this… right now…” Grace coughed softly.

      Sam said nothing and his tears couldn’t stop. He watched and said, “I love you Grace. I always do.”

      Grace smiled again and whispered, “Yeah, I know. I love you too… So much it hurts.” Grace gave one last smile and her breath stopped.

      Sam put Grace down slowly and looked at Liz.

      Liz smiled and said, “That was dramatic but really romantic.”

 “You are out of your mind Liz! She trusted you and you did this to her!? You are going to pay for this Liz.” Anger rushed up his nerves. There was asperity in his eyes. He didn’t know what he was doing. He only felt he was shaking uncontrollably. Liz stared at him, scared. His body twisted and a wolf appeared in front of Liz. Liz never really believe that he used to be a wolf. However, there he is right in front of her. She shook her head and stood there awkwardly.

Sam jumped and ripped Liz into so many pieces. Liz’s broken body and dead Grace were there lying on the floor.

      Sam stared at it and turned. He jumped out of Liz’s house, then he finally disappeared into the woods silently under the cold harsh wind of winter…

Grade 7 Speech

Hello teacher and fellow students. My topic is:

Why is ‘family’ the most important people in our life?

Family…… I believe everyone here knows what family is and you must have a lot of experiences. In a dictionary, ‘family’s definition is: A group of people that were related by blood. To me, family is not only a relationship of blood. But more about emotions like love, happiness, influencing and supporting.

First, they are very important that they gave us love and we are able to receive love from them. Love, we can never live without it. It is very important to everyone! A person who doesn’t receive love or can’t feel love is very sorrowful and sympathetic. A person who doesn’t receive family’s love is even more sorrowful and sympathetic! There’s a very famous Chinese quotation. Basically, it is like this: “Mother’s love is the source of peace of the whole world.” It makes a lot of sense. Primarily, a person who doesn’t have family’s love is not peaceful. A person who doesn’t receive love from family would never give love to other people.

For example, if our parents forward love and happiness to us, I am very sure that we all would give love and happiness to other people too! Therefore, everyone receives love from others and passes the love to even more people! So the whole world would be so peaceful and faithful. Once everyone’s family is peaceful, the whole world would be very peaceful too! I believe you can see how strong family’s love is and how influencing to the world is.

Family is important because you get a lot of supports from them. Sometimes, friends might not be very reliable. They might betray you at any moment but you never knew. However, family would never ditch you or forsake you for any reason! Family relationship is like a truth that no one is able to change! NEVER! Family is always supporting you in the behind. Even though we all would grow up and move out someday, it doesn’t mean they don’t love us or we aren’t their kids anymore! They still loved you a lot, and will always love you, support you and care about you.

Family is also our mainly influence, people always say: Parents are children’s role model, children are parents’ mirror. It is very obvious to understand. It means: if parents do something and children would learn to do the same thing! Just the way parents did. When children learned to do something, it is probably because their parents had influenced them.

Sometimes, parents didn’t actually teach or tell their kids to do it, but their behaviors taught them and told them to do it already! Some parents may be addicted to smoking and drinking or they always get mad easily. Therefore, their kids always start smoking, drinking since young age, always fight physically for some reasonless daily things, always bully small kids and is always mean, sensitive and irritable. If parents want their kids to be perfect, they should start to be perfect first! Consequently, parents are always their examples; it is really hard to avoid the bad behaviors on kids unless the parents start to change and therefore set up a good model for their children.

Family loves you so much. Therefore, do you think you should love them more too? Family is family. You don’t want to lose your happy family relationship. No one does. So you should treasure it more! You should always be dutiful to them, because they always deserve it. Remember to always love them with your loving heart!

Thank you!

The Elevator (by William Sleator)'s Continuing Ending (by me!)

The Elevator (Original)

By William Sleator

It was an old building with an old elevator—a very small elevator, with a maximum capacity of three people. Martin, a thin twelve-year-old, felt nervous in it the since the first day he and his father moved into the apartment. Of course, he was always uncomfortable in elevators, afraid they would fall, but there was something especially unpleasant about this one. Perhaps it was its baleful atmosphere due to the light from the single fluorescent ceiling strip, bleak and dim on the dirty walls. Perhaps the problem was the door, which never stayed open quite long enough, and slammed shut with such ominous, clanging finality. Perhaps it was the way the mechanism shuddered in a kind of exhaustion each time it left a floor, as though it might never reach the next one. Maybe it was simply the dimensions of the contraption that bothered him, so small that it felt uncomfortably crowded, even when there was only one other person in it.

Coming home from school the day after they moved in, Martin tried the stairs. But they were almost as bad, windowless, shadowy, with several dark landings where the light bulbs had burned out. His footsteps echoed behind him like slaps on the cement, as though there was another person climbing, getting closer. By the time he reached the seventeenth floor, which seemed to take forever, he was winded and gasping.

His father, who worked at home, wanted to know why he was so out of breath. “But why didn’t you take the elevator?” he asked, frowning at Martin when he explained the stairs. Not only are you skinny and weak, his expression seemed to say, but you’re also a coward. After that, Martin forced himself to take the elevator. He would have to get used to it, he told himself, just the way he got used to be being bullied at school, and always picked last when they chose teams. The elevator was an undeniable fact of life.

He didn’t get used to it. He remained tense in the trembling little box, his eyes fixed on the numbers over the door that blinked on and off so haltingly, as if any moment they might simply give up. Sometimes, he forced himself to look away from them, to the Emergency Stop button or the red Alarm button. What would happen if he pushed one of them? Would a bell ring? Would the elevator stop between floors? And if it did, how would they get him out?

That was what he hated about being alone in the thing—the fear of being trapped in there for hours by himself. But it wasn’t much better when there were other passengers. He felt too close to any rider, too intimate. And he was always very conscious of the effort people make not to look at one another, staring fixatedly at nothing. Being short, in this situation, was an advantage, since his face was below eye level of adults, and after a brief glance, they ignored him.

Until the morning, the elevator stopped at the fourteenth floor, and the fat lady got on. She wore a threadbare green coat that ballooned around her, her ankles bulged above dirty sneakers. As she waddled in the elevator, Martin was sure he felt it sink under her weight. She was so big that she filled the cubicle; her coat brushed against him, and he had to squeeze into the corner to make room for her—there certainly wouldn’t have been room for another passenger. The door slammed quickly behind her. And then, unlike everyone else, she did not stand facing the door. She stood with her back to the door, wheezing, staring directly at Martin.

For a moment, he met her gaze. Her features seemed very small, squashed together by the loose fleshy mounds of her cheeks. She had no chin, only a great swollen mass of neck, barely contained by the collar of her coat. Her sparse red hair was pinned in the back by a plastic barrette. And her blue eyes, though tiny, were sharp and penetrating, boring into Martin’s face.

Abruptly, he looked away to the numbers over the door. She didn’t turn around. Was she still looking at him? His eyes slipped back to hers, then quickly away. She was still watching him. He wanted to close his eyes; he wanted to turn around and stare into the corner, but how could he? The elevator creaked down to twelve, down to eleven. Martin looked at his watched; he looked at the numbers again. They weren’t even down to nine yet. And then, against his will, his eyes slipped back to her face. She was still watching him. Her nose tilted up; there was a large space between her nostrils and her upper lip, giving her a piggish look. He looked away again, clenching his teeth, fighting the impulse to squeeze his eyes shut against her.

She had to be crazy. Why else would she stare at him this way? What was she going to do next?

She did nothing. She only watched him, breathing audibly, until the elevator reached the first floor at last. Martin would have rushed past to her get out, but there was no room. He could only wait as she turned—reluctantly it seemed to him—and moved slowly out into the lobby. And they he ran. He didn’t care what she thought. He ran past her, outside into the fresh air, and then he ran almost all the way to school. He had never felt such relief in his life.

He thought about her all day. Did she live in the building? He had never seen her before, and the building wasn’t very big—only four apartments on each floor. It seemed likely that she didn’t live there and had only been visiting somebody.

But if she were only visiting somebody, why was she leaving the building at seven thirty in the morning? People didn’t make visits at that time of day. Did that mean she did live in the building? If so, it was likely—it was a certainty—that sometime he would be riding on the elevator with her again.

He apprehensive as he approached the building after school. In the lobby, he considered the stairs. But that was ridiculous. Why should he be afraid of an old lady? If he was afraid of her, if he let it control him, then he was worse than all the names they called him at school. He pressed the button; he stepped into the empty elevator. He stared at the lights, urging the elevator in. It stopped on three.

At least it’s not fourteen, he told himself; the person she was visiting lives on fourteen. He watched the door slide open—revealing a green coat, a piggish face, blue eyes already fixed on him as though she knew he’d be there.

It wasn’t possible. It was like a nightmare. But there she was, massively real. “Going up!” he said, his voice a humiliating squeak.

She nodded, her flesh quivering, and stepped on. The door slammed. He watched her pudgy hand move toward the buttons. She pressed not fourteen, but eighteen, the top floor, one floor above his own. The elevator trembled and began its ascent. The fat lady watched him.

He knew she had gotten on at fourteen this morning. So why was she on three, going up to eighteen now? The only floors he ever went on were seventeen and one. What was she doing? Had she been waiting for him? Was she riding with him on purpose?

But that was crazy. Maybe she had lots of friends in the building. Or else she was a cleaning lady who worked in different apartments. That had to be it. He felt her eyes on him as he stared at the numbers slowly blinking on and off—slower than usual it seemed to him. Maybe the elevator was having trouble because of how heavy she was. It was supposed to carry three adults, but it was old. What if got stuck between floors? What if it fell?

They were on five now. It occurred to him to press seven, get off there, and walk the rest of the way. And he would have done it, if he could reach the buttons. But there was no room to past her without squeezing against her, and he could not bear the thought of any physical contact with her. He concentrated on being in his room. He would be home soon, only another minute or so. He could stand anything for a minute, even this crazy lady watching him.

Unless the elevator got stuck between floors. Then what would he do? He tried to push the thought away, but it kept coming back. He looked at her. She was still staring at him, no expression at all on her squashed little features.

When the elevator stopped on his floor, she barely moved out of the way. He had to inch past her, rubbing against her horrible scratchy coat, terrified the door would close before he made it through. She quickly turned and watched him as the door slammed shut. And he thought, Now she knows I live on seventeen.

“Did you ever notice a strange fat lady on the elevator?” he asked his father that evening.

“Can’t say as I have,” he said, not looking away from the television.

He knew he was probably making a mistake, but he had to tell somebody. “Well, she was on the elevator with me twice today. And the funny thing is, she just kept staring at me, she never stopped looking at me for a minute. You think…you know anybody that has a weird cleaning lady or anything?”

“What are you so worked up about now?” his father said turning impatiently away from the television.

“I’m not worked up, It was just funny the she kept staring at me. You know how people never look at each other in the elevator. Well, she just kept looking at me.”

“What am I going to do with you, Martin?” his father said. He sighed and shook his head. “Now, you’re afraid of some poor old lady.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“You’re afraid,” his father said, with total assurance. “When are you going to grow up and act like a man? Are you going to be timid all your life?”

He managed not cry until he got to his room—but his father probably knew he way crying anyway. He slept very little.

And in the morning, when the elevator door opened, the fat lday was waiting for him.

She was expecting him. She knew he lived on seventeen. He stood there, unable to move, and then backed away. And as he did so, her expression changed. She smiled as the door slammed.

He ran for the stairs. Luckily, the unlit flight on which he fell was between sixteen and fifteen. He only had to drag himself up one and a half flights with the terrible pain in his leg, His father was silent on the way to hospital, disappointed and annoyed at him for being such a coward and a fool.

It was a simple fracture. He didn’t need a wheelchair, only a cast and crutches. But he was condemned to the elevator now. Was that why the fat lady had smiled? Had she known it would happen this way?

At least his father was with him on the elevator on the way back from the hospital. There was no room for the fat lady to get on. And even if she did, his father would see her, he would realize how peculiar she was, and then maybe he would understand. And once they got home, he could stay in the apartment for a few days—the doctor said he should use the leg as little as possible. A week maybe — a whole week without getting in the elevator. Riding up with his father, leaning on his crutches, he looked around the little cubicle and felt a kind of triumph. He had beaten the elevator, and the fat lady, for the time being. And the rest of the week was very far away.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” his father reached out his hand and pressed nine.

“What are you doing? You’re not getting off, are you?” he asked him, trying not to sound panicky.

“I promised Terry Ullman I’d drop in on her,” his father said, looking at his watch as he stepped off.

“Let me go with you. I want to visit her, too,” Martin pleaded, struggling forward on his crutches.

But the door was already closing. “Afraid to be on the elevator alone?” his father said, with a look of total scorn. “Grow up, Martin.” The door slammed shut.

Martin hobbled to the buttons and pressed nine, but it didn’t do any good. The elevator stopped at ten, where the fat lady was waiting for him. She moved in quickly; he was too slow, too unsteady on his crutches to work his way past her in time. The door sealed them in; the elevator started up.

“Hello Martin,” she said, and laughed, and pushed the Stop button.

      My continuing ending...

              The Elevator Ending

 By Tracey Chen

“Hello, Martin,” she said, and laughed, and pushed the Stop button.

The elevator suddenly stopped at the tenth floor. Martin felt a pain. The fat lady walked toward him, that he couldn’t breathe. The lady laughed even harder and talked loudly, “Hey Martin, why are you so afraid?”

Martin was stuck in a corner of an elevator. He wanted to tell her that he wasn’t afraid. However, he didn’t, because he was too scared to answer. He didn’t even have any idea that he was actually going to answer her. He tried to kick her in the stomach, but her threadbare coat was too large that he didn’t even have any room to let his skinny leg come up.

“Tell me, why are you even afraid?” The lady asked him again, and said, “Act like a man, Martin. Are you going to be timid your whole life!? Come on and fight with me!”

That reminded Martin of what his father had said. His anger was in all the places in his vessels. He took a deep breath and yelled loudly, “You know what!? I am not afraid! You are a freak!” He felt like he was going to explode in 5 seconds, even he was counting seconds in his own mind.

The lady didn’t reply, she grinned and she showed her the two sharp teeth in each side of her mouth.

Martin was so shocked. He had only heard of vampires in the fiction books. He was so regretful that he said he wasn’t afraid, because he was afraid.

The lady walked even closer and said, “It won’t hurt much. Don’t worry. You won’t die either. Just relax.” She suddenly leaned toward him.

As she tried to bite him on the neck, he slipped toward the buttons and pressed the Bell button immediately. Suddenly, the ring bell rang so loudly and the old lady screamed. A bright light appeared, and Martin covered his eyes. When the lights went down, the vampire lady was gone. Suddenly, the elevator stop ringing and it worked again. Martin opened his mouth wide and still didn’t realize what had just happened. The elevator stopped on the seventeenth floor and the door opened slowly. It seemed like nothing had happened. He walked out of the elevator as usual. However, as he walked out of the elevator, the sticker on the Bell button fell off and it showed another word: ‘In case of Vampires’……