I broke down crying. I was going insane: no walls, no floor, no anything. Just the large board we are all standing on. All I’ve been seeing since we started are blocks of colors, snakes, ladders, and thankfully other human players. That doesn’t even help anymore, everyone has gone mad, eyes dark, hair ruffled, sleepless.

I couldn’t take it anymore, this is a stupid loophole. Who knows how long we’ve been here. A few days? Months? Years? Every time we are near the end someone roles the perfect number to restart. Barely anyone has climbed up the ladders, while everyone has slid down the snake at least ten times each. We are too tired to play, every few turns we stop — hopeless.

I want to feel, I want to know

I want to love, I want to grow

I want to evolve, I want to show

I want to relate, I want to flow

I want to be happy, I want to glow

I want to relax, I want to mellow

I want to hide, I want to shadow

I want to pause, I want to slow

I want to rewind, I want to undo

I want to leave, I want to go

I want to repeat, I want to redo

Across the room our gaze lock. You always looked away first, but my heart still fluttered. Joking with our friends at lunch, for just a second, you would look at me. Your laugh was never because of me or for me. But everyday I looked forward to hearing it, and I’d die a little when I didn’t.

When it was just the two of us, after our friends left, you would talk to me, take care of me. Was that just friendly? You bought me snacks, but then again, everyone else got one too. Did the quick glances mean nothing to you? What about when we all ran around aimlessly at night, when you ran beside me? How about the time you carried my things home, made sure I was safe?

When the confession left my mouth…I knew nothing would be the same ever again. You were always at arms length, yet I was greedy to hold you close. Now the consequence of a terminated friendship will shadow me. I can’t help but smile at the fact that we were once friends, all the memories, even if that is all I will get.

I did not want to be there It wasn’t because I was scared It wasn’t because they were unfair

I went anyway just for your sake I was not going to be a flake I told myself, pretend its for the steak

Maybe they didn’t like me Or I haven’t accepted them with glee I feel like I’m alone at sea

They wouldn’t point or shout They would just stare and pout They never said it to my face They simply whispered that I was a disgrace

Everyone united on the other side Glancing around then gone — my pride Powering through with a fake smile, I really tried at the end of the day, all I wanted was to cry and hide

June 18th Ella: Tomorrow morning my friends and some other people are driving down to the beach watch to the sunrise. I am so excited, I already packed my swimsuits and everything. That was until I found out HE was gonna be there as well. The one who was my childhood best friend. The one who became too cool for me in 5th grade. The one who ignored me ever since.
I honestly wish he wasn’t gonna be there. I was bummed but I have accepted how it is. Things are fine as they are now and him being there will just make things awkward for everyone. When I found out his friends were coming, I was so sure that he wouldn’t.

Issac: I am waking up at the buttcrack of dawn willingly tomorrow to watch the sunset by the beach. I don’t know what has gotten into me, oh wait, I do, I begged my friends to let me come. Not technically beg, but, when I knew Ella was gonna be there I started asked my friends countless questions. They got suspicious, then I admitted why so they would let me go. Weak move I know. But I had to, it was the only way to be around Ella and maybe she would give me a second chance. In 5th grade kids started shipping and teasing us for being such close friends. I never let Ella find out about that because I realized I did like her. I distanced myself from her thinking I was solving the crush problem. I shouldn’t have, it hurt us both and lost us both a friend.

June 19th Ella: When me and my friends got there, 4 guys and 3 girls were sat on a massive towel waiting for us. 4 girls, 4 guys and I all gather out bags and approach them. Squeals, grunts, and high pitched gibberish were exchanged as our groups merge. I tried my best to ignore him. I resisted the urge to make eye contact. I gave everyone else a hug and shot smiles at them. He did the same, the only difference was he came to stand beside me, shifting every few seconds. He even try didn’t hide anything, I could feel his gaze on me, watching for the moment I gave in and made eye contact. The sun is rising at 6:20, we have an hour left. I talk, got to know each other better, then came to a conclusion to play beach games. 4 played badminton, 6 played frisbee, and 6 (including me) played volleyball. After a while we all went for a swim in the ocean. At the same time we were drying off it was the time set for sunrise. We all gather our snacks and drinks and sat down togehter. Our eyes held up towards the painted mural.

Issac: My friends and I got there before Ella and her friends. We laid out the huge towel on top of the sand, and got our bags and a bucket full of drinks out of the car. 2 of the guys fell asleep, while I stared blankly into the ocean, contemplating on what I should even do if Ella did talk to me. A couple of minuets pass and Ella arrives. I note how Ella was sitting next to a guy on the car, I’m gonna keep an eye on him. They approach and all gave hugs, of course I was the only person Ella didn’t hug. I didn’t hug her either not wanting to start things off weirdly, but slyly move to stand beside her. From the moment she got out of the car in her shorts and a see through white button up showing the bikini top inside I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Ever since 5th grade she always avoided eye contact with me, and this may sound creepy but I never stopped watching her. A couple of people went off to play badminton, but Ella stayed so I stayed. Then, a group left to play frisbee, but Ella stayed so I stayed. Eventually we all agreed to play volleyball. Later, we all went for a swim in the ocean to cool off. And of course she took that dang button up off, so I take my short off, but she didn’t seem to care. Moments pass and everyone starts drying off when it’s nearly time for sunrise. We all gather to sit in a circle sharing snacks and drinks.

The sharp whistle shooting high Then comes a pop, center of the sky Louder than I have ever heard Streaks of neon colors dash forward Spreading among the sky

Are they watching amazed while they fly Or quivering in fear somewhere in the trees Up above, just for a second, it freezes Like an explosion being captured to frame Then it all falls into flames

Vanishing midway just like magic Shutting my eyes to recall all the graphics Then within a second double reappears I wish everyday was new years

Every color I could ever imagine In every picture that could happen A dragon or a wagon A canon or a cabin

A billion burst of sparks follow for forever Mouth hung open, eyes wider than ever The prettiest thing I have ever seen Nothing can ever beat this scene

(I wrote such a good story for yesterday’s prompt but I wasn’t done and somehow it didn’t save😢😢 anyway here is today’s one)

Everything felt like being stuck

on a boat while I was sea sick

everything was blamed on back luck

All my thoughts were kept a secret

With you gone I feel free

All my hushed thoughts I’ve accept

Now I am whoever I want to be

My whole life I crawled and crept

At night dark the voices are gone

I can sleep without the taunts and haunts

I woke to sleep peacefully

Repeating in this loophole I can’t seem to escape When will I understand my role To you I was just a mistake

I can’t seem to escape I wish I could learn to move on To you I was just a mistake I guess this is what I have to improve on

I wish I could learn to move on You were my whole album, but to you I was just a verse I guess this is what I have to improve on I can’t bare to live with this growing curse

You were my whole album, but to you I was just a verse When will I understand my role I can’t bare to live with this growing curse Repeating in this loophole

Rustling sounds of leaves and branches brushing pass each other, away from the mansions Looking at the vibrant mural the sky has painted My eyes relax into a close, I felt sedated

Here I sit, a good distant from the city Underneath a willow tree that’s O so pretty At the tip of the hill, the glowing sun goes into hiding Birds return home tweeting and gliding

I’ve never been more at peace What I have learned is everyone leaves From chaos to peace, I learned to release The painful and toxic Alone, I taught myself to love The grateful and nontoxic

"Livy...I really need your help" I hesitated "I have to tell you a huge secret and you can not tell anyone – ever!" I speak slowly emphasizing each word like I'm talking to a toddler. "Oookaaayy...what's your huge secret?" Livy ask suspiciously not expecting any big secret. I hesitate at her unserious tone. "Look, we're sisters! Whatever secret you have that you want me to keep, I will keep. And if you need my help I will help you. So hurry up and tell me!" Livy ensures me. I lower my head and take a deep breath. I reach my hand up to take ahold of my necklace. As my necklace falls into position my bodysuit appears... Then my domino mask... Then my gloves... Then my boots... I lock eyes with Livy and smile nervously. I could see ginormous thoughts sprinting through her mind…literally. One of my powers: mind reading.