Quickly I tore off the massive, white gown that three maids just helped me put on five minutes ago. I told them I had a headache and needed a moment alone. Thankfully they were foolish enough to believe me and gave me this needed moment to myself which I would use to be rid of this place forever.

Once I was free of the dress that almost swallowed me whole, I put on something more suited for what ...

I’m hot, dehydrated, tired, and scared out of my mind. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. After these past two weeks I’ve grown a respect for all the previous people who’ve suffered through the barbaric Hunger Games. I don’t want to end up being the reason that someone someone doesn’t make it out of this cruel prison. I wouldn’t kill out there so I can’t do it in here. Except I also can’t...

Shoot. If Cali is late one more time, she’s going to be in hot water. I looked at the clock. 12:14. She has exactly one minute to make it to class. A part of me thought maybe this would be the day she got to class on time, but the other part of me did not believe that at all. I looked at the clock again. She wasn’t going to make it. I glanced at the door. No one. Well that’s that.

Except it wasn’t...

Everyday after school you’ll find me at Glenwood Park. Well, mostly everyday. I come to the park next to our neighborhood and I swing for hours on end. Except that’s not all I do. I like to watch the people.

I’ve found over the years that you can learn a lot about someone just by watching them for a little while. Mr. Jenkins is a business man who is always talking into his earbuds while running. ...

A fire burns and gives off light

The flames ascend into the dark night

A forest burns and destroys life

A burning star lights the sky

Burning anger is held for too long

Burning passion sings a sweet song

Light the spark

Let it touch their hearts

Set the world ablaze

It only takes one flame...

“Hey you guys are going so fast!” I yelled.

“That’s the point Tess!” My sister yelled back from farther up the river. “I plan on winning this year!”

“Do you hear that Ben?” I yelled to my sisters boyfriend, “Jenna thinks she’s actually going to beat you this year!”

He looked at her and laughed, “Sure, whatever you need to tell yourself.”

I laughed. Ben and Jenna were so cute together. We have bee...

Pictures of places I’ve wanted to go for years are scattered across my bedroom wall. New York, California, The Grand Canyon, Paris, England, Ireland, Greece, Australia….etc. The list goes on and on. Those places were just dreams of mine. A fantasy. Now I have the chance in a life time to make all those dreams come true, and I’m scared to death.

Most of my life has been spent in one place. A small...

I’m back again

Staring at the winding road

Back at the beginning

With so many unknowns

I try to move forward

I want to stand and say “This is it!”

But I still sit here with no decisions made

I continue to stare down the winding road

Not knowing exactly where to go

Is it déjà vu?

I don’t know

I’m still staring at this winding road...

I had a plane to catch, but I couldn’t bring myself to get in the car. This was my home. The walls of that house hold so much laughter. The stalls of the barn are the keepers of patience. Hours would keep us as we awaited a new resident to the faded red barn. Hot days spent in the shade of the tree that rested in the middle of the field, or in the pond if not already claimed by the ducks. The coun...

Today was going to be great. I looked around me at the people walking, or running, in and out of the hospital. I smiled and walked in. I was now one step closer to my dream of becoming a surgeon. This is where I belonged. All my life I had prepared for this. I turned down parties, skiing, prom, boys, trips to Florida, mall days, and so many other things. I even powered through an exam once while I...