Our Beautiful GMC

We had a car.

This car that served us well.
In this car we went on family vacations
This car brought us to school everyday
This car was our 6th family member
This car was our Baby

In 2011 we bought a car. This car was very spacious and big to me. Back then.

We slipped on our heavy jeweled indian dresses and went into this new silver car that we were supposedly to make new memories with.

A two hour long ride later, we got out of our new car. Coconuts were thrown. Vermillion was applied and our new car looked like a furnished hindu god. We get back in and set off to our house. We rode in this car for the next 7 years.


This GMC brought my baby sister home, Her curious small eyes observing everything around her. Our dad’s endless facebook posts with “Babe” featuring him and his shiny silver car, often holding a beer. I think at these points Daddy loved the car more than his own wife! We laughed in this car, We cried in it too. We invited people in and even forced them out. Most of the time it was me. (I’m a very misbehaving child).

This car was our family. Sometimes My dad would teach us how to drive in this car. Often times i would be waiting and waiting for the car to show up at school. Sometimes i would be the only kid left at school. And so i would swing my feet under the railing and hope to see the familiar mug of our car with promises of shelter and happiness. It’s hard to describe but that face of our car was like another close knit face of a family member that stays seared into my mind. I won’t forget our Baby. I never will. That car carried me into my competitions, performances and even my first day of middle school!

It’s hard to believe that I’ve become so close with a machine. But that’s what memories do to you.  And our car always always always carried us safely to our home. Never was there a day when  we didn’t return home. Many of my friends have two or more cars. But our one car was just enough for us. And we had the biggest family.  Many days I would sit by myself in the back because I was moody. And who knows how many candy wrappers and coffee spills litter our car. Who knows how many valuable objects that we’ve been looking for are stuck in the seats?

I used to think that i would got to prom n that ar. That i would go to college in that car. Always a vision would play off in my mind that would be shipped off to college in another car. But i really don’t know why. But it’s ok. I’m ready to make new memories with this new car we have. And it’s so hard to believe but our NEW GMC ACADIA will drive me to prom and college! Wow! So I’m so ready to make new memories in this new car we have. And our GMC will always rest in our hearts. BUT now ur old GMC will hopefully be repaired and given to a new family to start some beautiful memories just like we did. And now we’re ready to start some new memories with this car. And then eventually we’ll let it go and get a new one. And the car cycle will continue. But for now i’ll stay in the present. Because the future is filled with great things yet to come. I love our car and i will learn to love this one too. Thank you GMC for giving us a car to make memories with.

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.

Decisions for the Determined

Sometimes I feel like nothing is going right

And I just want to stop

Stop everything

It’s like I’m stuck in a path of four crossways

And here I am

Stuck in the middle

Destined to be stuck forever

And always

Just letting the pain absorb me as I fade away

The light is at the far end of the tunnel

But I’m too scared to cross it.

No one knows of the dangers in the darkness

And one must sacrifice everything to find the light

Even if the light is just a small flickering lantern.

We do so much for that light.

Always searching for new ways to achieve happiness when in reality

We’re not

And we feel like we never will be

And I’ll keep hoping and praying that someday I’ll succeed

In this maze called “Life”

The walls are too high

And the water is too deep

And I’m stuck here contemplating everything I can do.

I’m stuck deep in my thoughts when really

I should be acting

Why should I sit here and think when there is a world out there for me to explore?

Maybe if I’m determined I can get it done

Only if I’m really determined

I see the light coming closer

And I feel like I am ready for this.

I’m coming for you, Oh shining light!

You Changed Me

Dear Aayat,

Hey! You may never read this, but i’ll waste my time anyway. Hey Aayat. Your name has made me smile, made me curse, made me cry. I will never forget you. Never.

You see.. Manushree Navaneethakrishnan may have just been a period in your life. Just another friend that came and went. Because you were probably skilled in the art of friend-dumping. I was just another one of your tests. Another victim. But you. You are going to be a pinnacle in my lifetime. Aayat Ali. Your name makes my blood boil. It makes me want to peel my skin off. I have no words for u. None. I probably won’t have the guts to send this to u ( i also have no idea how to) But you.You..

Maybe I’m just so damn crazy. Why do i relive every moment with u. Why do I light up when i hear your name. Why do i seethe with anger when i hear it? I don’t know.

I was probably Manushree, the girl who never stopped smiling, the girl who had no damn feelings or emotions. But you know what?  I do. You don’t know how you changed my life immensely. You will never know the  amount of days i spent crying. How i teared up after your words. How i propped my binder on my desk so i wouldn’t have to see your face. I sat on the stairs that day, contemplating my life. Aayat you changed me. I don’t hate you or love you. I don’t know. I will never know until the day i die. I will forever wonder why...

Maybe you don’t really collect it. Let me set the scene for u. It’s a Thursday.. I’m so damn pissed  because some girl verbally fought with me after i accidentally ruined one of Evie’s Markers. I stand at my locker awaiting you. I need someone to cry to. Someone who will comfort me. Tell me it’s okay. You arrive. Your tall frame swaying side to side with your bouncy hair. You clutch your binders to your chest. But your not smiling. Your eyes aren’t scrunched up and your lips aren’t wide and stretched. Your olive skin is weary and your eyes are lifeless.  You do your combination. And open your locker. I stare at your perfectly painted purple nails and the charm bracelets that gleam on your wrist. You get down on your knees and pick up your math binder. I bend along with u. I stare as you you utter that final sentence. I still remember it. It will always be in my head. You lower your head and speak in a small voice.,”Manushree, I don’t think we should be friends anymore.” My heart breaks. A million pieces shattered. My heart turns to dust. I feel the waterfall. Everything is blurred as water forms in my eyes. I see your blurry shape walk away, hair swaying side to side. I walk slowly to math class. I sit at my table and i clearly see you working on homework. Smiling. I prop up my pink binder and cover you up. I can’t see you but the pain is still there. It throbs throughout my body.

Aayat Ali.The main reason why you trouble me. I never did know why we stopped being friends.

Fast-Forward to a few months. 3 days before DI State Competitions. You walk up to me and scream. I stare at your eyes, smoldering with anger. My ears are filled with loud words. But i keep staring. All the hate and everything i kept back, wells up in me. I can’t hold in everything anymore….

I yell the truth. I never said what i wanted to say. Something about too much song, script is unfair , something like that. I don’t know. But what i do know is that i felt happy. I broke out of your jail that held me for so long.

What you don’t know, Aayat, is that i took a long walk after that. What you don’t know is that i stopped and started crying. I collapsed right in the middle of that hall. What you don’t know is that Delaney held me in her arms. She told me it was going to be OK. And she was right.

I was scrolling through my random docs and found something. When we were friends, you shared your realistic fiction story with me. I have spent the last 10 minutes reading your story.

And I have to compliment you! It was very interesting. As i read it, I couldn’t stop thinking about us. The way we were inseparable friends. Remember how we broke borders? A Pakistani and Indian were Best friends! I thought we would stay that way. I thought we would end up in college together. Heck, i thought we would live together. Too soon. Too soon. I assumed. Assumed that we would be BFF’s. BFF stands for “Best Friend Forever” you were my Best Friend For 2 months. Why is it gone? The Spark we had? All tarnished and ruined.

It’s just a heartfelt sad story, isn’t it. But no no no. Honey, My story is not over. You may have broken me but you built me. Your words and your actions tore me apart. But they made me realize how strong i am. Because of you, i learned that not everyone will like me. Because of you, i won spelling bees, won awards, and became class president. Why? Because Aayat Shazhad Ali was born into this world. So you’re not my enemy or friend. You’re my Not Applicable. I remember sitting in the nurse’s office crying saying I lost my best friend today. She asked me ‘Did she die’. I said no. But in a way you did. You died in me. The little part of my brain that praised you had gone.

So that leads me to conclude this. You probably will never read it, but whatever. I will have the satisfaction of sending it to you. For once i won’t be a coward trapped In your Jail. Aayat i hope my name stays in your head forever, so you know how i feel about u. I hope you understand that I’m not just an optimistic little princess. Aayat, I am a Young Woman with feelings and emotions. And i hope you know that.

You’re probably enjoying your life in your new school with your new friends, that you’ll eventually dump someday. They will all have their Aayat time in their life. You may not even remember me Aayat but i will always always always remember you. You’re not the friend who didn’t quite make it. You’re not the friend that i hate. You are the Girl that Changed my life. So thank you for everything you put me through because it made me realize that i have a voice and a mind. Thank you from the bottom of my mending heart. I will never forget you, Aayat Ali. You Changed Me, Aayat !!

Your Transformed Friend - Manushree Navaneethakrishnan

"A Traveler By Heart" : Anthony Bourdain

There's nothing more adventurous than travel. Tony, you will be remembered. I will never forget the nights when my family and I would seat ourselves in front of our TV and eat crab with absolutely NO dignity. We didn't care if it would tarnish our respect. We ate with pride like hugry cavemen. And what did we watch as we teared apart our poor prey? Well, it was you. My parents didn't care if your show advised parental discretion. They wanted us to watch the culture and the difference decorated in your TV shows. I admired the way you were never scared to try new things (not just food). In the Tijuana episode, you were so happy when roasted crickets were served in front of you. You called them "The BEST Side Dish." How could a sophisticated travel host enjoy crickets? That's the magic you put in us. That gleam in your eyes as you set eyes upon the food served in front of you. I could see that you DIDN'T take food for granted. And it wasn't just about food. How you related it with general life. How you spoke about the excitement of new things. I know it must've been hard, not seeing your family. I know that life wasnt the best for you. How you were repeatedly pressured to stop what you LOVED doing. What you worked so hard for. How COULD you just push it away after one suggestion. This is your life's work. You had so much more time. So much more time to be with your family. So much more time to explore this amazing world. So much more time to LIVE. But you chose to throw it away. You chose to toss it away like a failed dish. Why? You worked SO hard to make this dish. And in the end YOU'RE the one who tosses it away. I used to be a hater of suicide. The thought of it made my blood boil. How could someone just take their own life in hopes of it becoming better? I was SHOCKED to hear that you did this? You're not just affecting yourself.  "Think about Me" and fans like us. Think about your family. Your loving wife. Your 11 year old daughter! You'll never get to see her graduate. You'll never hold her arm as she walks down the white aisle. But what's the use of it now?! The job's done! You got what you wanted. Or maybe you didn't want it. It doesn't matter anymore. But you are still my inspiration. You don't need to worry anymore. You have made your mark in this world. Hopefully, you try new things; wherever you are. You were always like our 6th family member. I remember sitting in front of the TV: My parents had glasses filled with beer. And as my dad slowly slunk into the world of drunk-ness, he would slip this one really old joke that never failed to make us laugh. He would start speaking about the title, "Parts Unknown." "Look at this guy! He should've thought of a more careful name instead of Parts Unknown!", he would joke as he sipped his drink. He had the dream to take you to Madurai, South India. he wanted you to see the culture and art of this South Indian Treat. But he never got to. Tony, did you WANT an entire nation to mourn you?! Because we ARE mourning! We want you to come back. I wish i could take a time machine and stop your death. I wish Eric sat with you in that hotel room. I wish you guys drunkenly cried about death, instead of actually experiencing it. I wish i was there to tell you NOT to do this! To tell you that you have an entire world of inspired people. I wish you were alive. I wanted to MEET you in person! But now i will never get to do that. I want you to know that i will MAKE my future kids watch your series. I wanted ANTHONY BOURDAIN to be in their blood. I want them to follow in your footsteps. Your shows made my family. We are travel folk. When we went to the Bahamas, we tasted conch for the FIRST TIME at a restaraunt, while everyone ate at the cruise ship. We didnt care if it would food poison us or kill us. It was the idea of trying something new. And that is only because of YOU! I dont know where you are now, and I honestly think you shouldn't have commited suicide. You had many more years. However you will always be in our hearts forever. Your love of travel will always stay in my next generations to come. An author once said "The greatest risk is not taking one". And Tony, You took so many! May you Rest In Peace, Anthony Bourdain! I will always be "HUNGRY FOR MORE!".


I'm a 13 year old girl Manushree Nawin, who is grief - stricken at the news of the famous Traveler, Writer, Chef's death. This article is only a sliver of my love for Anthony Bourdain. I'm mad at him, but I don't know how to feel anymore. Anthony Bourdain will be a "Truly Exceptional Human being" that will hopefully be remembered for all of time.

Clarinet Composure and Centrals

"TUNE AND SOUND"

Music is a world of creativity. Welcome to the fundamentals of the clarinet! When properly played, the clarinet produces a beautiful sound. But, if there is even one mistake or slip-up, the clarinet will make a very annoying squeak! Squeaking is essential to the clarinet, because squeaking is like your notification that something is wrong.
 

I’m sure every successful clarinetist has squeaked at least a hundred times. Anyway, everything needs to be perfect, if you want your clarinet to make a proper sound. You need to have perfect posture, good embouchure, and a working clarinet. Let’s focus on posture, first. You should always have a straight back and your feet should be on the floor. You should always be attentive, and focused. Posture is essential to tune and sound.

A good tune happens, when you blow an even stream of air that can be distributed among the instrument. Good air flow can help your tune. A clarinetist; Paula Corley says that clarinetists should voice their mouth in the vowel “E”. You should always have a tight lock around your mouth piece, and good embouchure. Embouchure is how you keep your face in band. If playing the clarinet, you should have a good posture, and have tight lips around the mouthpiece. You make a “too” noise, as you bump your tongue against the reed. 

Having a working clarinet is also very important. It can be very frustrating, to deal with a broken instrument, thinking you’re the problem! If everything is perfect You are ready to go!  Now we need to talk about heavy and strong air flow. Don’t puff out your cheeks or suck in air. Create a long breeze of air, that you can feel from your lungs and out through the bell. If you imagine a long string from your lungs through your clarinet, you can achieve this. A strong sound is key. Sometimes you can make airy sounds, and it doesn’t sound right. It shouldn’t sound like you’re hearing an actual clarinet; it should sound like a recording. That is how pure it should sound! Keeping in beat also helps with tune. If you feel confident, then your sound will be beautiful.

Woodwindintation.weebly.com says that high and low notes can help with tune. Playing challenging or high notes can warm you up for practice time. It recommends using vowels while adjusting pitch. Keeping your mouth in different ways changes pitch so you can adjust. Now that I think about it; I’ve been playing the clarinet with my mouth held in an “E” shape this entire time! In sixth grade I used to have a lot of trouble with my instrument. I figured it was because of my posture! I was given this book in sixth grade, called “Tradition of Excellence”. 

The book states that you should keep your chin parallel to the floor, and your elbows away from your clarinet and knees. Keeping your clarinet at a 45-degree angle can also help. You will always need necessary items to have a successful practice time. A metronome will help you keep beat. If you can’t buy a metronome, just download a metronome app on a phone. You should be able to keep beat that way. If practicing pieces of music, you should always use a music stand, to read your paper.

 If you have music to practice, always have it in front of you! Memorizing a piece is great, but I recommend you do that after you’ve learned the entire piece. This way you can always learn more during practice! On a blog, I discovered that you shouldn’t pinch the corners of your reed. It also says to voice “E’s”. Voicing seems like a good technique for many clarinetists. Pitch is very important, especially for beginners. 

When my sister started playing, the notes were so airy, and out of tune! I alerted her about this, and I taught her how to apply pressure. If you really blow in a nice even stream of air, you will make a nice sound. Do not puff out your cheeks! Puffing out your cheeks will make it even more hard to play. Many people use a double fold lip to play the clarinet. 

I would recommend this: fold your bottom lip and place your front teeth directly on the mouthpiece. This way you can produce a good sound. There’s nothing more magical than playing your very first note or sound on an instrument! After that milestone, you successfully enter the world of music. Where struggles become high notes and triumphs will be satisfied playing.

SOUND PRODUCTION 

When I first started playing, I learned my very first note (Middle C). This note had a nice tang to it, as it was low and high! This year I started taking private lessons. My teacher introduced me to this cool new technique/teaching method. He said that if students learned the high notes, first they would breeze through the low ones. I have got to agree! Moving to the upper register or “crossing the break” is a bit of a pain in the back! 

The picture below is the literal definition of the one thing that BUGS me about this instrument! The picture shows a b flat to natural transition! Just one little note change, right? WRONG! A b flat is the “A” key and the register key together. A b natural is when you press every single darn key on the clarinet! Maybe, that’s why Squidward is bad at playing the clarinet! 

Anyway, whatever you feel about it, reaching the upper register is a big step for all clarinetists! 

 

Clarinet sound is produced with good embouchure, posture, and 99% enthusiasm! I became a clarinet

 

player by accident, because some person told me to play the clarinet to train for saxophone! But I’m 

 

kind of happy that I made that mistake, or else I wouldn’t be here writing this! I love my instrument, 

 

and I really hope you enjoyed reading this! Until next time, clarinet companion!                                                                                                                                                             

THE FRIENDS WHO WEREN’T

7:45 am. A dry hand reaches out to open the glass door. It was cold out. A morning filled with fog, and dew. The parking lot was sprinkled with students wanting to go back home. She was a small girl. Barely four feet. Though Garnet never wanted to get up in the morning, she knew today would be a good day. Even the weather smiled at her! It was only November, and it was starting to get cold! Maybe, it would snow soon, and she wouldn’t have to go to school. The thrill of Christmas kept on tapping her on the back, as she counted down the days until winter break. Tangled in her thoughts, she almost forgot a huge line was behind her. Slowly she pushes the handle. She steps in, but is pushed back by a hyper child. After a big herd of students, the girl finally comes in. She wears a toothless smile. She walks slowly to a wooden door, and she is again pushed back. Finally, she gets in. She is blinded by a white light. She looks over at two girls sitting on the ground. One is happily chatting away, her deep dark brown hair swaying behind her. The other girl has a sneer and is adjusting her rhinestone encrusted necklace. The girl staring at her friends happily skips to them, her long black braided hair hitting her festive backpack.

The happy girl spots her, and yells,”Hey Garnet! Over here!” Garnet walks to her friends and sits down.

The girl adjusting now, her hair, gives  Garnet a reluctantsmile.”What’s up, Sapph?”, exclaims Garnet. 

Sapph ignores. Hapi, the girl with the dark brown hair, starts talking about the upcoming fall party. Since, her day was already kind of a blow, Garnet decide to brighten up her day, and everyone else’s, so she cracked a joke.

“Hey, Sapph! Mrs. Ivey’s standing above you!” Sapph looks up, scared, and realizes that the teacher wasn’t looking at her.

Garnet laughs and says,”Made you look!”

Sapph bangs her fist on the gym floor, and screams,”You’re a liar, Garnet! Heads turn to the two arguing girls.. An echoing ‘ooooooh’ is heard throughout the gym. The loud bell pierces the noise. Sapph slams into Garnet, as she stomps to class, Hapi trailing behind her.

Sapph yells to Garnet,” You’re gonna get into BIG trouble at recess!” Garnet catches a lump in her throat. She tries to swallow, but it doesn’t help. Her face had lost most of the sunshine she had. She tried to blink back tears as she walked to math.

Sapph is seen pushing Garnet to Hapi, who has an evil smirk, that is so unlike her. Hapi pushes Garnet back to Sapph. Garnet is stuck in a never ending metronome.

“STOP!!” Garnet’s voice echoes throughout the playground. No matter how much she pleads, she is stuck in the infinite metronome. A woman’s voice pierces her screams.

It gently calls,”Garnet? Garnet! GARNET!!” Garnet opens her eyes, and sees pitch black. She lifts up her head and sees Mrs. Ivey glaring at her. Garnet instantaneously picks up her pencil, and scribbles aimlessly.

“What do these numbers mean?”, she said, inside her head. Her thoughts were interrupted by an ear splitting noise. Garnet wakes up from her deep immense thoughts, and warily walks to the lunchroom.

An aromatic smell drifted through the cafeteria. Kids scrunch up their noses, as the smell passes.

A girl with chestnut hair disgustingly asks Garnet, ”EW! What is that!

Garnet sneers and says,”Its unique food that I like!” The girl gives a weird grimace, and turns her back. No kid would sit with Garnet, because of the food she brought to school. Garnet turns her stare to her two friends, sitting at the next table. Hapi is chatting away with a red head. Sapph is checking her reflection in her container lid. She puts the lid down, and looks at Garnet. She gruesomely smiles.

Garnet warily walks down the hall, tears rolling off her cheeks, and landing onto her black puffy jacket. She is shoved by a rosy cheeked blond boy, who doesn’t even stop to apologize. He smacks her water bottle out of her hands. It rolls onto the floor. She grabs it and wipes her tears, and she pushes the handle to the playground. The sun blinds her instantaneously, and after several seconds of pitch black, she could see again. Garnet could see children on the swings. Children running and chasing each other. Teachers talking and gossipping. Garnet walks, almost forgetting that she was about to told on. Garnet prays to god, that Sapph wasn’t there, but she is walking toward her, with an evil smirk on her face.

Sapph looks at  Garnet, and tells her,”Now you’ll stop being such a liar!” She sashays away and grabs Hapi by the elbow. Hapi looks like she’s about to hesitate, but she shuts up. Garnet curses in her mind.

”What a friend!”, she says internally. She sees them walking to Mrs. Schuster. The teacher beckons to her. The world fades…..

Garnet stands before the teacher. Mrs. Schuster stares coldly into Garnet;s deep black eyes. Garnet could feel her amber eyes staring into the depths of her pupils. Mrs. Schuster has a delicate smile. She claps Garnet on the back.

”Make sure not to lie Sweetie, lying is bad!”, she gently speaks. Garnet stares at her dimples, her white teeth, polished with deep brown lipstick.

Garnet feels her heel turn, and she is walking away. She needs to get to someplace, anyplace, with no one or life. She wanted to go away forever and sulk, for the rest of her life. Garnet saw a secluded yellow tube with an assortment of plastic windows. She slowly walked to the tube, unable to hold back tears. As she took steps, she noticed Sapph and Hapi at the corner of her eye. Sapph had a satisfied smile. Hapi’s face was red. She had tears, all over her face, knowing she just lost her very first and best friend. Hapi is so disappointed in herself. She questions herself.  She wants to rip Sapph into a billion little pieces. She wants Sapph to get into trouble, not Garnet. She wants to walk up to Garnet and give her a big warm hug. But she can’t. She knows that Garnet won’t be better. Garnet won’t be comforted.

After walking for what seemed like forever, Garnet finally reached the tube. She climbed in and sat on both knees. Her red pants had drops of magenta, from her tears. Her tears ran down her face. All she wanted was to forget what happened! To wake up and it was all just a dream. She sadly stares out the window. She sees Sapph and Hapi through the window. Sapph is soaring to high heights on her swing. Hapi’s face is barely seen, her brown hair covers her face, as she slumps on the swing.

Garnet refrained from thinking about anything. There was no more happiness left in her. She stares out the window again, and sees Mrs. Ivey scolding a blonde boy. She didn't even laugh like how she would've done. She stopped staring and thought about hatred. She hated everything at that moment. She didn't think about how her family would welcome her home. Or her pregnant mother who would smother her with kisses.or her little sister would playfully punch her. She couldn’t think of any of that. That happiness was far from consoling her. It wouldn’t help. She sulked in that lonely tunnel, knowing that no one loved her. No one would care! Not a soul would sit next to her and comfort her. Oh, how she longed for that warmth!

A soft tender voice came out of nowhere. “Hello? Are you ok?”, it gently pondered. For a split second, Garnet thought it was her own voice. She looked around. No one was there. She longed to hear that voice again. Something about it had a tiny shred of hope. She needed that hope. A small hand reached into the tunnel. It was followed by a tender face, laden with brown eyes, that twinkled, as light danced in them.

Her big chocolate eyes were curious, as a single strand of frizzy hair, fell on her brow. Garnet focused on the girl’s naturally rosy lips, as she spoke.

Garnet thought it was cute as she stuttered. “H-hi! My name’s  P-peridot! But I guess you can call me Peri!”, she rambled. Peri stuck out her bracelet clad hand. Garnet shook it, glumly. Peri’s eyes grew big with curiosity, but the light stopped dancing in them. She was serious.

She asked,”What’s wrong?” Garnet did not want to reply. After several seconds, of silence, she raised her hand and pointed a trembling finger at the two girls on the swings. Peri seemed to perfectly understand. She gives Garnet an unexpected hug. The hug was warmth. Garnet liked the warmth. She hugged Peri as hard as she could. Then suddenly, a spark! A burst of light. The light that would lure her from the darkness. Garnet felt it burn her heart. She liked the burn. She wanted to follow its command. Garnet wiped her tears, with one swipe of her jacket. Garnet attempted to lift her numb legs.                 And for the first time, her first words to Peri were,”Come on! Let’s get out of this miserable place!” With that, she stepped out, Peri trailing behind her. She knew that she should’ve done this a long time ago!

Garnet felt happiness. She felt courage. She could not believe she was about to do this! She trudged to those two girls, along with Peri. She saw Sapph eyeing her, as she got off of her swing. Hapi got up too, her hair shading her face. Sapph stomped to Garnet.

“Well, if it isn't the liar! Why are you here? Came to tell yet another lie?”, she cackled. Garnet felt her cheeks getting hot. Garnet shrugged off the fury. Garnet regained her step, and went right up to Sapph and Hapi. Except that Hapi had distanced herself away from Sapph. Hapi didn't even want to look at Garnet. She crumbled under the pressure.

Garnet yelled. “A friend is one who cares about her buddy. They make her laugh. They pick her up when she’s fallen. A friend is someone who you trust your life with.”, Garnet added slowly. Hapi trembled and whined as she stood in the shadow of her own shame. Garnet turned her stare to Sapph.

She deliberately spoke,”Sapph! You were never my friend! What kind of friend are you? What kind of friend ditches her friends? What kind of friend frequently discourages her friends? Or in this case, ex-friends!” Sapph tries to hold her sneer, and her mean composure, but it was clearly visible that her emotion was drastically changing.

Garnet forgets about that mean old Sapph! She turns to trembling Hapi. Garnet holds back her tears as she spoke.”Remember that day, i came into preschool, for the very first time? Remember when you gave me a hopeful smile. Told me, that i was going to be okay. Well, look at me Hapi! Do i look okay to you! Tell me Hapi, tell me!”, Garnet cried as she looked deep into Hapi’s once lively eyes. Hapi runs up to Garnet and wraps her arms around her. She whispers into her friend’s ears,”I’m so, so sorry! Garnet didn’t want to hear it. But she hugged Hapi for one last time.

Garnet turns her heel, and slowly walks away. Tears roll down her cheeks, as pictures came to her mind. A little girl blows out her candles, as another girl stands next to her. Two girls playing hide and seek. A big hug shared by two girls. Just two. “Just two, she whispered as she walked. Her tears stopped as more pictures came to mind. Two girls hugging. A girl breaks the hug. Garnet’s friend goes to the girl. Garnet feels her feet crushing the mulch. A girl under the spell of popularity. Garnet wants to look back but she can’t bring herself to do it.

Garnet takes Peri by the hand. Kids are lining up to go inside. Garnet and Peri walk to the line, as if they were escaping an explosion. Garnet knew that she wouldn’t sit with Sapph and Hapi tomorrow. She would never ever sit with them again. Though many might say Garnet was foolish to take such a little thing to heart, it is not foolish.

Garnet’s friends did much more, that was too painful to think about. Being only a second grader, Garnet took the decision to leave her friends. Though it ached her heart, she knew it was what she needed to do. Garnet and Peri reached the line. Peri squeezed Garnet’s hand. She gave her a warm smile. Behind them, Sapph and Hapi trembled, as they limped, arm in arm. Sapph had finally started crying. Sapph would never forgive herself. Hapi had straightened up, as she comforted Sapph. Sapph and Hapi would start their own story. No Garnet. Just them. Two girls. Garnet was happy to be out of that miserable friendship triangle. The bell rang.

Garnet and Peri said at the same time, to each other,”Let’s do this!” Garnet did not know it, but Peri would be her best friend for the next five years. But that’s another story!

Manushree Navaneethakrishnan

A Fantastical Odyssey

Epilogue

You know…. I thought this was all a crazy dream, but now I know.... it’s not !!! There’s no way that this is real, it just can’t be, I mean what person gets stuck in a kid’s storybook?! Your probably wondering how this happened. Well it’s a long story!!!! So sit back and relax, break out the popcorn and listen.

Chapter 1

The beginning

It all started one Saturday morning, when my baby sister woke me up to read her a stack of children’s books.  Normally, I would, but my friends and I were heading out to the mall. There, I found these cute pairs of jean leggings, embroidered with gemstones. I mean come on!!!!!! Wouldn’t you want a pair too? So anyway, I refused. She got mad and threw a Tantrum! Oh god!! I ran downstairs, grabbed a granola bar, and headed out the door. My friend’s mom drove us to the mall, and we had fun. While I was trying on some cute headbands, my mom calls and asks me why I didn’t read to my baby sis. So, I made up some lame excuse, and hung up. When I got home, mom looked like she would blow up! My baby sis was watching TV, while I got yelled at. I swear, she was snickering behind my back. Sometimes I feel like the mother and the youngest child have a secret connection, or alliance! So, I skipped dinner, and went to my room, where I gobbled down the rest of my leftover lasagna from the mall (I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD!!!), and lay on my bed. The pile of children’s books left on my desk, were demonically staring at me. I was studying how the books were all stacked in a weird order. Studying this order, I was imagining a wacky story involving all these storybook characters. I guess all this imagination put me into a deep sleep.

Chapter 2

A Bunch of Weird People

So, that’s how this happened. See after my sleep, I woke up in a fancy room. The odd thing about this bedroom, was that the bed was 20 mattresses tall! Then it hit me! I was in, “The Princess and the pea”! I searched under the mattresses, and found the tiny dried up pea. So I threw it out the window, and plopped on the crazy bed. The next morning, the queen asked me, if I had a good sleep. So, I responded “I had a wonderful sleep! The soft mattresses made it extra cozy!” The queen had a look of dismay on her face. Immediately, she forced me out of the castle, in the middle of my toast! So I was kicked out, along with my half eaten piece of toast! Then I’d realized what I had done! I just ruined the chances of the princess becoming the prince’s wife!!! I was walking with my head down (mostly because there was a delicious turkey for breakfast, and I didn’t get to try it), when I bumped into a straw cottage. I hid behind it, and I saw a fat porky pig walking out of it. In my mind I was thinking, “MMMMM BACON!!” And, also, I knew I was in “The 3 Little Pigs” The fat pig talked with a southern accent. He seemed to be waiting for something. I leaned more over the wall, and fell plop on my face! The pig turned around and saw me! He let out a big squeal and ran, hugging his piggy butt! Of course I went in his house, and started rummaging but then, a great big loud voice sent a chill down my spine!   LITTLE PIG! LITTLE PIG! LET ME COME IN! So, without thinking I came out, walked up to the big wolf and said,” I’m a human!” Then I kicked him in the shin, and ran off.

Chapter 3

Why????

As I was running, I bumped into a tree trunk, and boy did I have some splinters in my nose! I leaned over and saw 2 twins, a boy and a girl, sleeping on the roots. The girl had blonde braided hair, and the boy had dirty blonde, shaggy hair. Both were covered in filth and stains, so they were probably poor.  I was in “Hansel and Gretel”!    The 2 children began to awake, so I slowly tiptoed away from them. I stepped on a stick, and they saw me. I made a horrible mistake by telling them what was going to happen, and they had looks of horror on their faces! Instead of wondering down to the gingerbread house, they ran off and jumped into the creek, next to the tree. So, I seized the opportunity, and ran down to the house, and started picking at the sugar windows, and breaded walls. (Hey! After 2 hours without food, I needed to eat something!) Then a kindly old voice rang in my ears, “Nibble, nibble, little mouse. Who’s that nibbling at my house?”  Oh no! I knew she was going to invite me in. So, I kicked her in the shin, and ran off, with bread in my arms. As you can see, I like kicking people. The old lady shrugged her shoulders, and went back into the delicious house. I saw the chance, and snatched some of the sugar candies from the door way. I ran and ran, and I didn’t see where I was going, so I bumped into a tall being! I found myself being carried away by a man dressed in blue, embroidered with gold. He looked like a castle guard.

Chapter 4

I Become a Prisoner

Next thing, I’m being thrown into a dark stone room with a hole in the ground. I was pondering about the hole, so I peered into it. The smell was revolting. I was thinking, “Who in their right mind poops in a hole? It’s even indoors?  EW! ” I sat on the stone bed, and tried to stay as far away from the poop hole, as possible. I mean, who puts defecation in the same room, you sleep? YUCK! Anyway, I heard loud footsteps coming down the stone stairs. It was a bunch of guards. They were releasing all the female prisoners. I was wondering why, but who cares? They released me! We were led to a big fancy room. A prince, in TOO MUCH gold trim, was sitting smugly in a humongous chair, or was it a throne?  Anyway, he seemed to be in dismay. I almost strangled the spoiled prince, the way he lazily slouched in the chair. Sure, in the books it said he was perfect, but actually, he was a big brat! Anyway he announced in a big, old timey voice.” Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Will thou princess, that I danced with, please step forward.” Nobody stepped forward. Most of the women were dressed in oily rags. They were probably maids or poor. One of them had a huge wart, along with a snaggletooth. I could see the prince avoiding her eyes. Then, he pointed at me, and said, “You!  Why are you in here? All of these prisoners are my servants.”  “I don’t know! I was just walking, and these guards grabbed me!”,I complained. The prince felt sorry and let me go. I could see the maidens staring sadly at me as I left. I knew I had to release them!

Chapter 5

The Escape

I waited until midnight outside the castle, and broke in through a nearby window. I ended up in the queen’s room. I couldn’t stop myself from snickering! The queen had a green facemask, cucumber eyes, and rolled up hair. What was hilarious, was that she had her mouth open, and she was drooling all over the place. Not the queen’s finest hour. Anyway, sneaking past her was a breeze! I was tip toeing in the grand hall, and a guard saw me. I ran and kicked him. I ran even faster down the stone stairs into the dungeon. I could hear the rushed footsteps of the guards behind me. Quickly I kicked the dungeon bars and woke up everyone. I used a stone post, and was able to bust the bars. All the prisoners ran and hit the guards. They were no match to us! Quickly we flooded out the castle doors. I dived into the bushes of the nearest house I could find. Well, I guess it was a mansion. Anyway there was a dimly lit window in the attic. I took the chance and climbed to the half open window. A young maiden with beautiful blue eyes, was kneeling beside her bed, praying. “Oh, mother. When will things get better? Father still hasn’t returned from his trip! Each day, gets worse, as I hope for the best. Oh well. I will always have hope. I bid you good night! I love you!” Her words made me feel sad. I heard someone yelling “CINDERELLA!”, from downstairs. The maiden responded, and rushed downstairs. There was a big cupboard so I hid behind it, and luckily the carpet was soft so I called it a day and took my rest!

Chapter 6

A Bit Of A Problem

The next morning, I woke up and Cinderella wasn’t there. Maybe she woke up early, and went to do more chores. By now, I realized what story I was in! Anyway, the doorbell rang. I rushed downstairs (this was hard, because there were people down there), I saw the prince sitting in a chair using one of his guards as a footstool. He said, ”Please fit your foot in this glass slipper!” The fat chubby princess (Drusilla) fit her foot in the slipper. Her foot was humongous! The stepmother ordered her to step into the backroom, while the other thin as a stick sister (Anastasia) tried on the slipper. Her big toe was too large. I heard a shrill scream from the backroom, a red like substance poured out the door. It was blood. Meanwhile, Anastasia was called into the back room, as Drusilla stepped out, limping! She sat down and slid her foot on the slipper. The prince wasn’t fooled! The red blood only stained the glass! The prince pushed her aside and let Anastasia try one more time. Her whole big toe was missing, as if somebody cut it off! Then a voice perked up behind the kitchen. “May I try?’, Cinderella asked shyly. I knew what was going to happen next, so I just ran out the back door. But before escaping, I made a circle outline on the grass, with the foot of my shoe. I wanted to leave a mark. I walked down to a small beach. But I tripped on a rock, and the tide pulled me in!

Chapter 7

Something Smells Fishy!

I woke up in a closed up space. It was very dark, I could feel the ground was squishy and soft, I went to feel the walls, but they weren’t walls at all! I realized I was in a sea anemone! I went out and there was only sea around me, fish everywhere! I saw something glistening in the distance, so I swam to it. I saw it was a pearl. Except it reflected a lionfish! It wasn’t reflecting me! Then, I lifted up my hand, and it wasn’t a hand at all! It was a fin! Just my luck! I was a lion fish. Suddenly, I heard sweet singing. I hid behind some seaweed. “I want to be, where the people are!”, sang the voice. It was coming from a mermaid with beautiful red hair, and a scaly green tail. It was “The Little Mermaid”!  Accompanying her, was a red lobster, and a yellow butterfly fish. Behind her came a merman with a long silvery glowing beard. “Ariel!”, boomed his voice. “Oh father, I apologize for leaving the castle!”, said the sweet mermaid. Her father had a disappointed look, and swam away.  I swam over to Ariel, and hid behind some red coral, to blend in more.” I really want to be human! My only solution, is Ursula, the underwater sea witch.”, said Ariel, hopelessly.  “No you mustn’t!  She will eat you!”, warned the Jamaican accented lobster. The butterfly fish swam up and down in warning, too! Ariel swam down anyway. I followed her down to the deeper waters.

Chapter 8

A mistake

We went down to a sea moss covered villa. We went inside, and this hideous lady with purple skin, and white electrocuted hair was busy making concoctions. “Who enters my lair!”, bellowed a low, evil voice. “It is I, Ariel. I wish to be human.”, said Ariel, bravely. “Well I will be able to help you, but there is a cost.”, replied Ursula.” I need your tongue!”, she said. Ariel looked at Ursula, like she was crazy! If it meant that much for her to be a human, then she might as well give away her tongue! “Alright.”, responded Ariel. Ursula grinned with satisfaction, grabbed a crab with sharp pincers, and walked slowly to Ariel. I couldn’t bear it! “STOP!”, I yelled!  I stung Ursula (Thank goodness I was a lion fish), and told Ariel what was going to happen. Ariel didn’t want to lose her life, to some human man, so she swam back to her castle, and gave her father a great big hug! King Triton thanked me, and let me stay for dinner. I forgot I was a fish, so no meat for me, but oh well, it’s the thought that counts! So, I stayed and ate seaweed. After that, I bid the family goodbye, and swam away.

Chapter 9

Back to Human

By this time, I wanted to go back to human, I saw rocky stairs and tried to swim – climb up them, but that didn’t work, after about 100 more fails, I gave up. I was tired, hungry, and homesick. I wanted to go `home to my family. My mom would probably have something delicious cooked up for us. My dad probably wanted to drop a lame joke, and give me a hug. My little sister probably wanted to snuggle up close with me and chat about the world’s problems. My baby sister probably had drawn a messy picture for me! These thoughts brought me to tears. But, no fish could see them, since I was in water. I couldn’t give up. I knew I would get out eventually! I tried jumping out of the water by hoisting myself onto a big fish. That only made it grumpy. To take a break, I started rummaging around for shiny things. I saw this beautiful pearl that was golden. I looked into it, and saw myself as human! That was weird! Then I realized, I became human!   But how could I know where my home was? I sat on a rock and started thinking about home again. Suddenly a bright flash appeared, and a beautiful shimmering being was floating there. The being was me, but way more goddess like!  She/me asked me where I wanted to go. I replied with one word. Home. She threw a bright golden light at me, and that’s all I remember!

Chapter 10

Just A Dream

I woke up, in my bed. I realized, it was all a dream! Standing beside me, was my baby sister. I grabbed her, plopped her on my lap, broke out all the storybooks, and read to her! After the books, I told my family about my dream! They all told I should write a book about it. Well that was my odyssey! A Fantastical Odyssey!

The End