My own life
Chapter 2
"So how amazed were your parents?" I slam my
locker.
"Suze we had a quick dinner cuz I was exhausted and Luke
had a lacrosse thing last night."
"But that doesn't make any sense! The lacrosse team
has a game today!"
"It was an important practice okay? Sorry I have to go
give Kendall her mascara back. I borrowed it for Minnesota and
I still haven't given it back."
"She has like fifty! Her parents buy her whatever she
wants to makeup for the fact that they like ignore her. I have
something important to tell you."
"Foster parents," I remind her. I
can't help but think about when I was best friends with
Kendall and she would open up to me. "Anyway I don't
like owing people anything. Whatever is so important it can
wait a few minutes right?"
"Nope. I'm gonna tell you now anyway. Scott's
gonna ask you out today so don't you dare be walking around
in your dance booty shorts before you walk to practice." I
roll my eyes. "What you don't believe me? Just wait
and see you player!"
"And this is my cue to leave. Bye." I walk over to
Kendall talking to her blonde and perfect friends. "This
is your's sorry it took me so long I kept forgetting
it."
"Finally I get what I deserve from you." She looks
angry.
"I deserved that spot and we both know it. They probably
didn't want a brat like you."
"Then explain to me why I stayed after to find out that
the reason I didn't move up was because they didn't
want to hurt all the bad ones' feelings for not being as
good, and they need a role model like me. Don't ask me why
they have the failures like Vanessa in there who are never
going to move up. But don't worry, I'll be with you in
a week's time."
"Vanessa is in sixth grade. We're in eighth. You
can't be so mean to a little kid." She laughs.
"See you in class."
"Sammy why are you dressed for class?" Suzy looks
completely puzzled and I'm horrified.
"We always walk to class together from school. Please be
joking."
"Idiot! You start an hour after me. I knew you wanted an
excuse to be in booty shorts around for Scotty." I
scowl.
"So what do I do for an hour? Should I walk over to the
studio?"
"And wait around for an hour? No way just hang out here
I'm sure you'll find something to do." Suddenly I
wish I wasn't so advanced. "I have to go or
Kendall's gonna get there first and be, well obnoxious. See
ya chica!"
I walk around nervously and head to my locker to pretend to be
busy. "Sammy?" I look over at the sound of a
boy's voice. "I have to tell you something. Umm I play
lacrosse with your brother. It's urgent." My heart
feels like it's stopping.
"What happened to Luke? Did you call my parents? Is he
okay? Should I go to the hospital? Oh my god," I sit down
on the windowsill. "Please tell me he's
okay."
"No your brother's fine. This has nothing to do with
him." I realize that it's Scott. "I was wondering
what you're doing for the next hour." I nearly
laugh.
"Well I would be at dance but now I start an hour later so
I'll walk over in about a half hour."
"In the rain?" He asks. I look outside to realize
that it's raining, not pouring, but it'll start to
soon. "I'll go over with you." He
smiles.
"Are you a human umbrella?"
"Nah, but I'm skipping my game so I'd better not
be at school." I'm shocked and apparently it shows on
my face. "Your brother gets all the attention from the
coach and I broke my hand last year so that's
the excuse to favor him as center offense."
I sigh. "He doesn't ask for the attention. It bugs him
a lot too but it always seems to happen."
"Let's start walking to that dance place." I
almost start to talk but he interupts me. "Maybe we can
stop in the rain."
About fifteen minutes later I'm kissing my first boy friend
in the rain outside of my favorite place in the world, my dance
studio. Life couldn't feel more perfect. But of course it
never stays that way for me.
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Not
my Home
Chapter 2
Not
my Home
Chapter 2
Not
my Home
Chapter 1
My own
life
Chapter 1
"Girls! Point those toes! Do you want to be in pointe? Yes
you heard me! One girl in this class is moving up, but it's
not too late to change my mind!" Everyone's energy amps
up about a million percent. "Okay I am going to clap and you
go onto releve right foot with left foot in pase. I clap you put
your foot down, next clap is opposite." She begins clapping
to a steady rhythm. I easily follow and can't help but look
back to see Vanessa, a sixth grader, struggling. "Okay girls
that was fine. Sit down and stretch out to start working on the
dance. But I'm sure you want to hear about who is moving up.
Well I have two letters." Everyone begins to whisper.
"Ehem? Yes as I'm sure you all know, one girl has moved
up a level, and the other has been asked to return to ballet
technic instead of preparatory for pointe. The two girls are,
come up to me once I call your name. Miss Sammy Tomonski." I
slowly stand up and walk over to her.
Around the room, girls are staring at me and thinking. I like to
think I'm one of the better girls, but I don't know. I
look at Kendall, a girl in my homeroom with her blonde hair
in a low ponytail with a flower hair elastic. Her black leotard
contrasts to Suzy's energetic one. Today, her's is a
sparkly fabric that seems to reflect the light. Both girls are
about my level. Kendall is probably a bit closer, but I'd be
much happier if I stayed with Suzy forever. Kendall is just too
intense.
"Miss Victoria Migman." One of the older girls, a tenth
grader, approaches. "Girls, I will give you five minutes to
read these letters while I explain to these girls that other
girls could be moving as early as next class." Her eyes
wander over. She occasionally smiles and her tan, wrinkly face
lights up. "You will both come back to say thank you and
then you have permission to leave as you are no longer a part of
this class." We curtsy and walk into the waiting room.
"Same time?" Asks Victoria. I nod. ...Dear Miss
Samantha, Your skills have improvided dramatically and with great
joy we would like to offer you a place in the senior pointe
class." I can't even finish the letter because I am so
happy. I look at Victoria. Her eyes are filled with tears as she
rereads it over and over. I offer her a hug.
"No-no this has to be wrong! I've been working so hard
and I've been bouncing back and forth forever! I'm
sixteen I can't be with the ten year olds! They mixed us up!
I'm sure I mean I'm better! Just we have to get this
fixed!" But instead of walking towards the office she walks
to her car and leaves.
I timidly walk back to class and tell them of what happened. Miss
Abigail nods sympathetically. I walk over to the bathroom and
call my parents.
"The Tomonski residents are not here please leave your
message after the-" I almost forgot about Luke's
lacrosse game. I walk over to the cubbies and grab my bag of
homework, knowing I won't be picked up for a while.
"Miss Leonna wants to know why you aren't in
class." says an older girl.
"Oh um I just got moved upto your class I think. But I'm
not getting picked up for a bit."
"Sammy right?" I nod. "I live down the block.
I'll drop you off on the way home. Don't worry we're
ending early 'cause Sarah fell and hurt her knee. It'll
heal fine but she needs to re-block. Lemme grab my keys." I
pull on my hoody and stand ready to go.
The carride is awkward. "So um what's advanced
like?"
"I think you're gonna like it. I saw you in your
practice once when we were sharing dances. Our class starts like
an hour after the prep one so I'll drive you home if you
want."
"Thanks but I do jazz and acro and tap and lyrical and ya
know most days."
"It's fine I usually stay late we can see how it works
out. Is this your place?"
"Yeah thanks so much." I grab my bag and let myself in.
My family is already having dinner.
"Sammy! You should have seen your brother today! He was
amazing" gushes my mom.
"Cool but guess waht! I got moved up! I'll be more
competive this year!'
"Sammy, we were talking about something else. You should
have seen his coach! He was impressed Luke." Luke looks
uncomfortable.
"Dad it was just practice. Sammy what happened? That sounds
cool. Let's talk about that now."
"Oh Luke you're too modest. Sammy doesn't mind
listening and this is somethign to be proud of!" He looks at
me instaead of our mother. He looks apologetic, but I just shrug.
It's no different from any other day.
feedback/ideas?
Just Don't Ask
Chapter 3
"Dana, I wanted to ask you this with your mother out of the
room," says the doctor, "these bruises all over your
body and a broken arm- well abuse is nothing to be ashamed
of." I stare at the shining door knob. "Is there
something you'd like to tell me. I'm only here to
help." I stare at the floor. "Dana, this doesn't
define you or mean anything pernament. We can just get you and
your siblings the help you need."
I clear my throat. "Sorry, I was spacing out for a bit,
must've been those painkillers you gave me." I laugh but
his face stays concerned. "Trust me, I'm fine. If you
must know I was biking when it started raining yesterday and I
totally wiped out. I think the wheel went over something. It was
actually kinda' funny 'cause I was talking on the phone
with my friend and it like flew when i went like onto the
neighbor's property and like-"
"Dana, are you being honest. This is for your
safety."
"Yes!" I smile-groan. "Now can I get home soon? I
start school tomorrow with this block on my hand. A month
right?"
He nods and takes me to my mom who spends the entire carride
crying and apologizing while I cry and promise never to lie again
and we finally reconcile and agree to never bring it up
again.
I tip-toe into my siblings' bedrooms and kiss them on the
foreheads. "It's all okay Leslie. It's all
great." I whisper. I sneak into my room and curl under the
covers.
__________________________________________
6:15 Beep Beep Beep
I stumble out of bed and go into my bathroom, initiating my
morning routine for the school-year. I apply my makeup while my
straightner heats up. Cover up, eyeshadow, blush, eyeliner,
glitter eyeliner(for the top), and mascara. I straighten my hair
in about twenty minutes and apply lip gloss. Finally, I walk
downstairs in my denim booty shorts, flip flops, and neon pink
belly shirt.
I twirl in front of my mom. "You like?"
"Oh baby, you're gorgeous! Are those my earrings?
It's alright you can borrow them. I made you an omlet but you
might just need something quick- how much time do you
have?"
"Enough to eat this." I laugh and sit down as Jack
starts pulling on my chair.
"Is your arm better? Did it hurt?"
"Oh Jack I knew we could trick you! Mommy and I were doing a
joke. It's okay though you can go tell Leslie you knew. Crap
Mom, I have to go. Love you bye!" She hugs me and I run out
the door to catch my bus.
I see Jessy sitting with a group of girls and I see Ethan sitting
alone. I nod to Jessi and sit next to Ethan.
"Hey, did you miss me?"
He laughs. "Oh hey. What happened to your arm?"
"Nothing." I say a little too quickly. "I um just
fell. And the bruises on my stomach, I fell on the way back from
your house." He seems to be concerned for a bit , but drops
it.
"My parents could've driven you." He shrugs.
I lean in and press my forehead to his. "But I'd just be
dying to do this and then your mom might embarass you more."
I press my lips against his. He leans back as he puts his arms
around my back. I lean on top of him. I pull away after a few
minutes. "Am I right?" He's speechless. "I
won't see you until Math, third period. Talk to you
then." I stroll out of the bus in front of school right to
Jessi. "Yeah that's the new kid, and I already called
him"
feedback/ideas?
Just Don't Ask
Chapter 2
Staring into the mirror, I can easily see the bruises barely
covered by my skimpy bellyshirts. I wipe another tear from my eye
as I hear a knock on the door. "Leslie! Jack! I'm in
here, okay?"
"Baby it's me. Please come out? I'm sorry, but I
have a surprise for you." Instinctively, I barely open the
door. I gasp when I see the iPhone box sticking out of a pink
giftbag.
"Oh my god! Mom you didn't!"
"Yes baby. And I got you a cute case. It's pink with
rinestones on the edges. I think I know your taste.
I grab it and feel amazed holding it. "It's already set
up and ready. And I have another surprise." I look at her
smile. "A bunch of those new belly shirts. A ton of colors
and styles. A few halters some long sleeve that sort of thing.
What do you think?"
I hesitate before answering. I think of my new computer, new
bedset, my first phone, thongs, and all of the privledges
she's given me. I can hardly remember when it was just being
nice or if it was like tonight. She seems to be genuinely sorry.
She's my mother I can't hold a grudge like this. After
all, it was my fault.
"All's forgiven. Thanks mom I love you." I hug her
and carry the bags into my room.
"Oh baby I almost forgot! I emailed your school asking you
being in advanced placement for all of your classes and if maybe
you could have your schedule early. They responded but I
didn't get to see it. I'll be right back and tell you
what they said."
"Crap," I whisper. I know lying about that was bad, but
most of my classes are.
"God dammit Dana! Get down here now and bring your
siblings!"
I walk over to their rooms and slowly descended the stairs.
"Do you two know how pathetic your sister is? She freaking
lies about everything! Don't ever be liek her!" She
grabs my arm and throws me toward the wall.
"Mommy stop!" screams Jack.
"Jack it's okay. Just-" I'm pushed onto the
ground and kicked before I can finish.
"Shut up! Do you have any idea what you've done? Now
they'll think 'wow that woman lost her husband and
she's got no idea what her kid's doing!' Is that what
you want?" She kicks my arms repeatedly. Suddenly I hear a
crack.
"Ow I think you just broke my arm!" She looks
mortified. "You need to take me to a doctor!" I say
through tears. "Listen, I'll say I fell down the stairs
but you can get infections and die from untreated
breaks."
"You're faking it." She tries, but I hear the
hesitation.
"I wish I was. This hurts so bad"
"Fine. You fell down the stairs. Got it you three?"
feedback/ideas
Just Don't Ask
Chapter 1
I stand eagerly at the doorway. Why
the heck am I so nervous to meet my new neighbors? I look at my
bike leaning against their gate, wow they must be loaded. I look
at my phone. No new messages from Jess. Why does she even care if
there is going to be someone new in our grade? We're in
eighth grade, it's not like we are toddlers or something. I
know she's always looking for new friends and stuff, but
can't she wait for
school to start on Monday? I mean it's in two days and I
still have to pick out my outfit and find out my classes. I check
the time.
6:18 PM
Crap! I have to be home by 6:30 for dinner. Finally the door
opens and a nice woman opens with dark dirty blonde hair. There
is a little girl who must be about two years old clinging to her
leg.
"Hi. Are you looking for Ethan?" Apparently he's a
boy.
"Yeah. My old teacher sent me some papers to give to him.
Like class requirements and stuff. By the way, I'm Dana
McCarthy; I live around the corner. But you can call me
Dani."
"Thank you for being so hospitable. I
know he's not too excited about moving here seeing as he will
be repeating the eighth grade. But I'm sure you could
introduce him to some people right? I don't want him getting
mixed in with the wrong crowd. Oh let me go find him! Come inside
and have a seat."
"Thank you but um I have to go. Maybe another t-"
"Nonsense! Sit down here. Ethan Burke! Get down this
instant!" I look at my phone and see that it is already
6:29. I nervously pull at my white short shorts and fiddle with
the back of my lavender halter top.
"What is it Mom?" I hear a voice from upstairs
yell.
"There's someone here I'd like you to meet. Now get
down here and don't be rude to our company."
Slowly a tall boy with long-but not weird long blonde hair comes
down the stairs. He shakes his head slightly to get his bangs out
of his face and looks at me with peircing blue eyes.
"I'm Ethan but I guess she already made that
odvious." He angrily looks at his mom.
"Oh yeah. I'm Dana. I just brought some stuff for you
for school on Monday. They told me to drop it off 'cause I
had to be there a bit early. I helped with orientation. Were you
there? I can't remember."
"No uh, I had sports." He says with his head down.
"My Ethan is a national fencer!" He looks ready to kill
her.
"My parents make me do it."
"No way! I'm like the only person in our school who does
it. I don't tell people 'cause people make it sound
pathetic. They don't get how it actually takes work." He
smiles.
"Hey maybe you could give me your number and we could
practice together or something?" I nod and take out my
phone. I read the number aloud to him as his mother walks away
and we talk. Suddenly my phone vibrates.
"Crap! I mean- sorry I have to go. It's like past seven
and I had to be home a while ago. It was awesome to meet
you." I start to leave but he stands up.
"Maybe we could like hang out or something."
I flash him a smile. "Yeah maybe" and quickly run out
the door.
"Dana! You're forty-five minutes late! What took you so
long?" My mother yells.
"I'm sorry I just- I don't know okay?" I
whimper.
"Well you sure as hell better not do this again!" She
kicks me in the stomach. "Now go get your siblings for
dinner."
feedback/ideas?