AMELIA’S PERSPECTIVE

My mind went blank as I slowly dazed of into dreamland. Just a few days prior, me and my best friend, Evelyn, had an argument over cancelled plans, I feel bad.. No I don’t. Evelyn would always cancel plans last minute, leaving me in a well prepared outfit for nothing. It’s infuriating!

I was in class when the other students started to stir from the desks, leaving me in an embarrassed scramble to grab my binders and cromebook. A soft, awkwards blush climbed onto my cheeks as I felt my teacher’s sharp, strict stare boring down on my back as I rushed to the door, practically tripping over my own feet on the way out.

Chaught up in the moment, I find myself looking into Evelyn’s blue eyes, suprised, I stumble back a little bit, before we both go our separate ways, her going to out home room for Social Studies, me going to my locker.

EVELYN’S PERSPECTIVE

My heart beats uncomfortably in my chest as Ameila locks eyes with mine, I clutch my soft knit sweater, trying to hide my sweating palms. I quickly whip my head around and walk in the direction of our home room class, Social Studies, leaving Ameila to proceed to open, and rummage through her unorganized locker.

Our friendship, even if blocked, was still there, just sitting and waiting to come back to life, like a wilted flower under a thin sheet of snow, waiting to bloom back. I still remember her gentle smiles, her genuine laughs, ever since they’ve been distanced, everyone seems tainted with betrayal, so… unfamiliar.

Upon sitting in my chair, I feel Amelia’s presence in the doorway, I lay my head lazily on my desk, my arms protectively wrapped around my face, my world went black as I let the last of the light leave the contained pocket, and I close my eyes, taking deep breaths and letting her heartbeat slow down a little.

No matter what happens between her and Amelia, things will never be the same, wether it’s chatty mornings replaced by awkward silence, or somber sidelong glances from the other side of the room; things will never be the way they were.

Dad, Charlie has been ignoring me this whole ride!! I tried to share the birds with her multiple times, and she just acts like she’s too cool for me. I’m not positive what aloof means, but it feels like it fits Charlie. She just listens to her headphones and tunes out the world. Ugh!!!!

Dad, I wish you were here. I feel small and insecure without you. Sam is so loud, and I just want a little, tiny space from all this noise in my head. I feel pressure form all sides. Mom wants me to be this perfect child, Sam wants me to be the playmate that I can’t be anymore, and my friends want me to always be available to chat. I can’t do it, Dad.

Slamming my fluffy, white paw on the table, I snarl at the German Shepherd in front of me. “How could you?!” I hiss, my tail prickling with anger. The dog snickers. “Do what? Hurt your feelings?” He mocks me, how could I fall for those eyes, those beautiful, warm eyes. I shake my feelings off. “You mauled my kid! Thank goodness I was able to stop you before it could get much worse. And now, your owner’s kid and mine are best friends! Why?” “Look, April, instincts, ya know?” The dog says. “Don’t you ‘look April’ me! I know how evil, yet strangely charming dogs can be . . .” I trail off. The German Shepherd leans forward towards me. “I’m sorry.” ‘Should I believe him? Or will he betray my trust again?’ I wonder to myself. “Kitty!” A young boy exclaims, picking me up from my spot on the mini table in the shadowed closet. “Come on, Sam.” Says a young girl, tugging on the dog’s leash. “Let’s play pretend wedding with our pets!” Exclaims the boy. The girl nods excitedly and they begin to lead us outside. “Now will we have to file a complaint against our kids?” I whisper jokingly to Sam. Sam smiles. “Oh well.”

The End.

You are not only worthy but you are unfathomably good.

But I have done so much bad.

That does not, must not, shall not, define you.

Only be so if I let it, you know?

From here all you can do is grow.

What if I don’t?

What if I do?

What if we fail?

What if we don’t try and never get the chance to succeed?

So many pointless questions you have.

So many answers in that beautiful mind of yours.

It’s because we’re cancer.

You mean A cancer, water sign?

Yes, cry babies who always whine…

Actually, we are quite divine…

Who said that being self critical is a crime?

It will work itself out, take your time.

I am DYING!

You’re going to be just fine.

I can’t do this anymore…

When it rains it really pours…

You’re not funny.

Maybe you’ll feel a little better if you go running.

You’re stuck with the cards you’re dealt.

Let your friends know if there is anything they can do to help.

I don’t need help, I can do it all myself.

You are so much more than a trophy sitting idle on a shelf.

I can’t do it.

Can’t hurt to try.

I’m weak if I cry.

You are strong and resilient like a butterfly.

Sometimes I think of giving up.

But you haven’t, because somewhere, deep down behind that careless, aloof attitude, you give a fuck.

Shut up.

We were surrounded by piles of corpses covered in blood and wounds. Her russet hair drifted in the wind, revealing her angered expression. She stood five meters away from me but I could still feel her glaring into my soul. “We need a plan.” She said, strictly. “I thought you had one?” I tied my long hair into a ponytail. “I did, but it seems it hasn’t worked. So we’ll need a new one, and we’ll have to hurry because the ghouls might smell the flesh and come.” She took a couple steps towards me and reached out her hand. “What? What’s up with your hand?” I asked. “Give me your grenade.” She demanded. “Hell no. We’re going through the mountains since “you don’t have a plan”. Besides we can set up camp in the mountains and the ghouls won’t notice.” “Distracting them and escaping will be the better option. The ghouls might smell the blood on our clothes and kill us.” She argued. “Yeah, but what if they hear the grenade? We’ll be dead meat.” I protested “Fine.” She paused “Then I’ll go kill them with my machetes.” “There are too many of them. You won’t be able to handle them on your own.” I said. “You can’t tell me what to do.” She started walking to the direction of the ghouls’ cave. “What are you talking about? I’m just stating facts.” I raised my voice. She kept on walking over the piles of dead bodies, ignoring me. “Stop.” I said, my voice strict. She was about 10 meters away from me now. “Stop walking!” I tried again but it was no use. “Rinoa Phillips!” I yelled. She halted and stood there without even turning around. “Why can’t you just trust me? I know what’s best for us.” I said. She turned around, glaring at me. “Yeah and why’s that? Let me guess. Is it because you served the queen which was my mom? But guess what. She’s dead! And it’s all because of you!” “Me! Ha! So now it’s my fault? Your mom was the one who wanted to sacrifice all those poor lives in order to “fend off the ghouls” or whatever! You didn’t even do anything then! You just sat there in your pretty little dress in your luxury room eating five star meals and not giving a shit about what was happening to the rest of the kingdom!” Rinoa stared at me, shocked. “I see how it is. Maybe if I’m such a burden it wouldn’t mean anything to you if I died. Now excuse me while I go save our asses.” She turned around and walked off. “Good luck with getting killed!!” I shouted. I was alone now. Surrounded by a bunch of stinky corpses. I looked up to the darkening sky and thought I should probably set up camp. So I did. It’s been hours since Rinoa left. I hope she’s okay. I shouldn’t have yelled at her. I was getting unbearably hungry since she took all of the food supplies. So I decided to go hunt. I packed up my water, knife, gun, ropes, and flare gun and set off to the mountains. Some time had passed and I was on the mountains, searching for food. I held my gun and kept my knife in my back pocket. Suddenly I heard a twig snap to my right. I readjusted my gun to the place where the sound had come from and sneaked closer to it. But I didn’t see an animal. I saw Rinoa lying on the ground. She was covered in dirt and her clothes were ripped. “Rinoa! Are you okay?” I put away my gun. I came closer to pick her up but she was unconscious. “Rinoa I was so worried I-“ I paused in shock. Her leg. Her leg was gone. Torn off by a pair of sharp teeth. “Curse those damn ghouls.” I said in a quiet voice being careful not to attract any ghouls. I tore a piece of my shirt off and bandaged her leg. I picked her up and carried her down the mountain. It was hard and I was getting tired. My back was in pain so I put down Rinoa and decided to have a break. I took out my water and poured it into Rinoa’s mouth and then I drank. But then, out of nowhere, stood a ghoul right in front of us.

Hey guys I’m going to move away. Why Sally, where you moving to? I’m going to Atlanta Georgia. I don’t think that’s a good ideal said Jane. Why not, asked Alice? I think change is a good ideal. I don’t think so, Sally that’s far away and besides ,who do you know there? I don’t know anyone,I just want to go there. I got a job with a big law firm and I’m very serious about moving. Look Sally, I know you got a good job opportunity but the city is very dangerous, you don’t know anyone there. Don’t move! Please don’t move! Oh Sally, don’t listen to Jane, do what you think is best I’ll come visit you., said Alice. I don’t agree with you Alice, you should be trying to stop her from leaving. Jane, you should be happy for Sally, she is looking to better her life, I would be a lot more happier if she would stay, said Jane. Well Sally, as you can see, we are both your friends with different opinions. I don’t agree with Jane and Jane doesn’t agree with the both of us. I hate to see you go but I am happy for you. Well your right I don’t agree, but you are my best friend and I’m going to be lost without you. I will never agree but I can’t stop you. I will miss you Sally, Jane said crying. Alice, started crying also Jane I’m still here and they all hugged each other.

                                  Written By:
                                   Ghostrider 
                                   4-29-2021

Bert Mama is holding down the fort, as the head of our family is gone. Divorce may be filed, but a document cannot stand in the way of putting my family back together.

Richard My brother Robert is filled with glamorous illusions of our family’s past being restored. Mama cannot accept Father and I back into her household unless we stand down. That is not our specialty.

This war will be fought, on the battlefront and in homes.

Bert Father and Ricky are going to insist on having things their way. I love them profoundly, but this house was inherited under the circumstances that Mama own this home, and what Grandfather considered property.

And Father got married under the circumstances we never talk politics at dinner. When Father cannot be in control since our country cannot be, he flees and takes my rake of a brother with him. I care deeply for them, but they will persist until power is all of their possessions.

It is no wonder those confederate traitors are blatantly loosing the war.

Ricky Mama has freed her property, and many of them are still working for her, according to my dear friend who writes to me on the state of my home.

My dearest Aunt Lucille insisted I try to make peace, as my mother is ill and we want to be written back into the will. However Papa and I by no means plan on marching back and begging forgiveness.

No, I will not push aside my sensibilities just for money! I shall act in the opposite. If I begged, why I would practically be another one of their filthy abolitionists!

Bert I no longer wish for a United family, as Robert wrote a letter kindly telling us to kiss his arse. I do, however, wish for a United nation. That is why I will not accept a low level of slander from my own family.

The war is nearly over. We shall permit my brother and father back into our home, but it will no longer be their home. For they do not even want to be on United States soil.

Richard The kindness of those housing father and I has run out, as has our meager funds. We are coming home. What else is there to say other than **** *******.

Bert Walking back in shame, I know they have died inside. I am pleased to see family come, the torment of their stay has only just begun.

Richard Those ****** got rid of our things.

I think that you are wrong, I came here the right way, I am not illegal, Why can’t you understand?

My parents were desperate, We really had no choice, We left everything we knew, To start over anew.

You are taking away jobs, We have to pay for you, As much as I want to sympathize, You are making the country poor.

The last time I checked, You didn’t want that job, It is beneath you, I have a family to support.

I have to disagree, I worked hard to get where I am, I had to wait for years, To receive my citizenship.

You don’t know my story, I am a hard worker too, You don’t know my struggle, You are not even trying.

I understand that life is hard, But you have to follow the rules, I left my country too, I had my struggles like you.

I find it very sad that you do not recognize, That you are not that different from me, Your circumstances were better, I guess you feel superior when you should be sympathetic.

I pay my taxes and I don’t ask for handouts, I wish it was that easy for me to be a citizen, I am sorry, I cannot feel bad for you.

I am not asking you to feel bad for me, I am asking you to look in the mirror and find your humanity, If you did that, you would know I want the same things that you want The ability to support my family, And for that insult to go away being called an Alien.

I came the right way, You broke the law, I cannot see your pain, I can only see you selfishness.

Talking to you is like talk to a narrow wall, You forgot how it felt, Your mind is narrow and closed, You could not walk one hour in my shoes, I have no time for you, I bid you adieu!

They say the flowers green. Green?! Like an icky goo! I think its yellow, like the Sun thats warm to the touch. Its yellow, like a ring that twist and turns around my grasp. But most of all its like the yellow in his eyes, welcoming and warm.

Yellow?! Yellow is bright and annoying. Take a highlighter, serving its point saying “Over here! Look at me!”. No this flower is Green. A green as sweet as the apples which bring a smile to anyones face on a summer day. Or a green identical to the grass after a midnight rain, perfect for a picnic the next day. Maybe... a picnic with her, the next day...

I do not want to go. I said to the district nurse. I have recently had a foot infection and suffering a bit of necrosis in one of my toes. They have been coming and changing my dressing, rubbing liquids that hurt and handling my foot like an unruly child. It hurts but they don’t understand. I don’t speak English well. I can only moan in pain and they say it’s fine. It is not fine. Then they wrap it up in a bandage so tight that I feel like foot is on fire and ready to burst. They want me to go to the nurse myself as I can hobble. But it hurts. Walking on my feet is like dragging a rake across the grass. It hurts. I do not want to go. My son translates and he says they will not come to us. I will not go to them. It’s a waste of money ordering a taxi and it hurts.

The district nurse came today and told my mum she needs her dressing changed twice a week. It’s important to keep the foot clean to prevent further infection. But she refuses. The nurse says that if she can walk, she is expected to go to appointments to have the dressing changed. I understand this but my mum is adamant. I say to her that she needs to get it changed, otherwise there’s risk of infection. Given that I’ve seen her walk in her bandages and that she takes it off at night. This makes me angry. These actions can make it worse if she were to get another infection. There’s no way around this. It’s either go or not and by not doing it, she isn’t going to get better. I thank the nurse as she leaves and I am boiling with frustration. My mum and I have a heated confrontation and I cry. “Who cares about the money, do you want your feet or !?”