A Composition Class Project

The following novel is written in installments by the thirteen members of the Bevier C-4 Composition Class. The story is arranged as a novel, so pay no attention to the dates of posting, but follow the tale to its close. As of January 21, we are starting the third of five scenarios for our thirteen characters. You may email or leave comments if you like, and we will be happy to respond if you wish. Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Scarlet

Tomorrow was the big day, the day she took the long plane ride from her small hometown of Greenfield, Oregon, to the big city of New York. Though she didn’t want to leave her family, she needed something new, an adventure. It was time for Scarlet Benochi to grow up and start a life of her own in The Big Apple. She had always been very family oriented person, so moving wouldn’t be easy.

The next day she packed up all her bags and prepared for her trip. Her family had a big going away dinner to send her off. As she hugged all of her loved ones and said her goodbyes, tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t believe she was going to be thousands of miles from these people whom she loved so much, but she had to be strong. As she boarded her plane, she looked back at all she was leaving behind, but this time felt a sense of peace she was starting a life of her own, and it was going to be a great adventure.

When she got off the plane, she was so nervous. There were so many people all around her, and it was so chaotic. She took a cab to her new apartment and as she stepped in the door, she was less than amazed. It was kind of small and empty, but she knew with a little fixing up she knew she could make it a home.

by Hunter

Sabrina

Sabrina Marie Johnson was just a simple girl from the little town of Bevier, Mo. She grew up with a good Christian family that instilled good character and Christian morals in her. She is the oldest of her other two siblings, therefore she’s always had to be the one to take up more responsibilities in the household.



She enjoyed the little things in life. Blue jeans, a t-shirt, and cowgirl boots was her signature look. Her free time was spent working on her chevy pickup, and her 1100 shadow, her pride and joy. Well and before everything in her perfect life came crashing down, it was spending time with that special someone, after all he could do was just constantly consumes her thoughts.
It seemed like more and more it was getting harder to distract herself from his memory. She could still remember how he smelled and looked the last time she saw him. How he looked at her with that crooked smile and told her that he loved her. She knew he wasn’t lying, he was genuine about it. It made her heart beat more rapidly as she gazed into his eyes. She could feel the tears coming. This was bad, she didn’t like letting anyone see her cry, especially him. He always had a way of getting to her emotions, no matter how hard she tried denying it, he really did. He owned her heart. It was the inevitable. No matter how much she wished it wasn’t so, especially now, when he wasn’t with her. When it killed her that she couldn’t hold him, kiss him, or tell him how much she loved him.
That’s what growing up does to us though. It makes us get in touch with reality. Life can’t always be like it was in high school. You can’t always look to your parents for help and to do everything for you. We have to do things on our own now, for ourselves. That’s what he did. He’s pursued his dream. And this dream took him to New York. XXX miles away from her. But she couldn’t keep him from leaving; she’d hate herself if she did. He had to go, she had no choice. Even though he gave her the choice, she knew it wasn’t hers to make. Even though with every inch of her being she wanted to chase him down the driveway as he left on that rainy Tuesday afternoon in the middle of may, and tell him that she didn’t want him to leave, that their love for each other would be enough to keep them both happy, but she knew deep down that he would never be as happy if he didn’t leave. So she watched as he drove off in his blue chevy pickup, as her world slowly fell beneath her, until she could finally see him disappear into the horizon. At that moment she knew she would never be the same.
Days passed on. Then turned into months, and she still mourned at the loss of her one true love. She tried distracting herself in her school work. She was attending a college about an hour from her home town. But even her chemistry and psych classes weren’t enough to take her mind off of him. She still yearned for his touch, his smell, his smile. Then the pain became to unbearable. She couldn’t take it anymore. She couldn’t take the need to hold him not being fulfilled. She had to see him, had to feel his warmth, and look into those dark brown eyes and get that feeling of security that everything was ok when she was in his arms again. It was slowly killing her inside. She wasn’t happy, as much as she tried making herself move on she just couldn’t. That’s when she made an impulsive decision to go find him. She played their meeting in her head a million times. In her dreams she would run up to him, wrap her arms around him and tell him that she couldn’t live another day without him. Then he would look in her eyes and tell her that he had felt as much pain as she had in the past few months and would never leave her again. That everything would be ok now that they were together. That was in her better dreams. There were still the ones that didn’t have such great endings. In the worst of her nightmares about him, she would find him moved on with another girl, some would be of him on a date with a former girlfriend, others would be of him at parties with several girls, and the worst were the ones where he would be living with a new girl, completely in love, and totally oblivious to the existence of Sabrina. These were the vivid dreams. In these she could feel her heart literally breaking in her body. These dreams always made her wake up in a sweat, usually crying and shaking.
The following morning she bought her plane ticket to New York. The whole time wondering if she was making the right decision. I mean what if he didn’t love her anymore, what if he had moved on. She couldn’t think about that though. She went through with the plan. That night she packed up her things and went to bed early. Though she didn’t sleep at all, she laid there ready for the day to come.


by Samantha

Monday, January 11, 2010

Avery







Broadway. New York. These two things were constantly on Avery Farr’s mind. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to go to New York. Now twenty-four, and sitting on the red velvet seats of a passenger train, she was headed for the Big Apple. Her head was still spinning after the past few days events.
Avery’s whole life, she had taken care of her ill mother. Her dreams were always put on hold until ten days ago today when she found out her mother had left her some money after her death. Avery looked out the window as the greenery flew by and started thinking.

She sat remembering the day she found out her mother had had a secret bank account set up for her. It was just a few days after the funeral when her mother’s lawyer, Tom Broker, contacted her and told her that her mother had left her something in her will and to come by his office. Avery hadn’t known her mother had even written a will, but she decided to go to find out what was left to her.
Once at Tom’s office, he read a letter her mother had written to her telling of how proud her mother was of her and how much she loved Avery. The letter also explained that Avery’s mother had set up a secret bank account when she was eight and had been depositing a small amount of money every month up until her death.

“How much exactly is in this bank account?” Avery asked wide-eyed.

“Well there’s about $19,400 in the account,” Tom read off, “your mother said she wanted you to use it to get to New York and rent an apartment so you can follow your dreams.”

Avery sat in the small chair still not believing that her mother had had this money set aside for her for all these years. Tears swelled in her eyes at the thought of her mother sacrificing so much even though her mother had been ill a majority of her life.

After leaving Tom’s office, Avery headed back home to think about all that happened and to plan her trip. The next few days went by in a blur as she started calling hotels and train services and of course packing.

Once everything was settled a few days later, Avery shoved her things into the trunk of the taxi and was on her way to the train station. She looked out the back window of the taxi at the house she had lived in with her mother and was saddened at the thought that she might never return to Champaign, Illinois.

Avery focused on these thoughts as her breath fogged up the window of the train. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t notice the train attendant standing beside the empty aisle seat beside her.

“Excuse me, miss?”

Avery jolted slightly at the sudden break of silence and turned her attention to the attendant. She was a pretty golden haired woman, the attendant, with a short stature and a cheery disposition. Avery felt herself staring at the woman so she quickly smiled at her.

“Would you like anything to eat or drink, miss?” the attendant asked cheerily. She flashed a smile at Avery and waited for her response.

“Um…a glass of water please?” Avery asked wearily. The attendant smiled again and rushed off down the car. Avery turned her attention back to the passing greenery and wished she could be as cheerful as the short blonde woman.
Avery sighed and began wondering what her new life would be like once she got to New York. She was excited, but also nervous and saddened about leaving her childhood home behind. She felt her eyes grow heavy with exhaustion, so she brought her knees to her chest, leaned her head against the window, and fell asleep.

Avery awoke to the sound of the train’s breaks screeching beneath her. She got up from her seat and stretched, accidently knocking over the glass of water the attendant had brought for her while she slept. She picked up the cup and apologized to the cheery attendant who told her not to worry about it while juggling her bags on her shoulders and in her other hand.

Avery exited the train and stepped into Grand Central Station. She was awed at the size and beauty of the building. After walking out the door she gasped at what she saw. Thousands of people crowding the sidewalks, hundreds of cars stuck in traffic, and the giant buildings that reached toward the sky.

Hailing a taxi was harder in New York than it had been in Champaign. It took twenty minutes for Avery to finally get one to pull to the curb for her. After having her belongings stuffed into the trunk, she gave the driver directions to the hotel she would be staying in until she found a place of her own.

After arriving at her hotel, she had her bags taken to her room and decided to explore the hotel a little. She went swimming in the rooftop pool, ate dinner at the hotel restaurant, and finally went up to her room. She went over to the window of her room on the 26th floor and looked out at the city’s multicolored lights.
Avery sighed, “ This is it, mom. We’re here.” She then lay down on her bed and fell asleep.

By Luc

Dimitri




















The idea of going to New York City to run from the law seemed ridiculous but it was just the kind of place for someone like Dimitri Kerechniklov to go. Being a Russian immigrant in the southwest was too conspicuous, and in NYC there was a large Russian community, providing cover and hospitality. The Boss would not be happy with this relocation, but this decision would bring safety and many more resources for the studies that still needed completion.

Dimitri was “notorious” in Russia for his criminal activities and involvement with the Russian Mafia. He was often looked at as The Boss’s most trusted operative, that is until the accident two years ago. Dimitri was in a high-speed chase with a rival group after he recovered a flash drive from their headquarters in Moscow. He was instructed to lose the pursuers and take the flash drive directly to The Boss. The chase was not going well, and Dimitri was run off the road by another car, his car violently hit a tree and burst into flames. A man from the other car retrieved the flash drive and left Dimitri to die. He was pulled out of the car by what seemed to be a divine act. When he came to he realized that the savior was The Boss himself, and that an entire convoy of vehicles had accompanied him. He was unsure how long he had been unconscious,
The Boss spoke softly and sternly “Dimitri this is a most unfortunate situation, where is the drive?”

“It was taken from me.” Dimitri replied painfully.

“I assumed as much. For years you have been at my side and have never failed me, today on what could have been our greatest triumph, you have finally shown weakness.”

“In my greatest regret for my actions, I throw myself at your mercy.”

“Dimitri our mission has been compromised because of your shortcoming, but I will spare you because of all you have done for me. We must leave before the authorities get here.” The Boss spoke these last few words and left.

Two men came and carried Dimitri towards The Boss’s SUV, but instead put him in the back of a pickup truck. He was treated for his wounds by one of the medics in the bed of the truck, which left the convoy at a certain point. It was now driving down an empty road, and the air of the cold Russian winter had begun to get to Dimitri. He was considering asking where they were going and if he could have a coat, but the only other man in the back of the truck was the medic, who now sat with a rifle in his lap and a mean look on his face. Dimitri couldn’t wait any longer.

“Where are we going?”

The medic replied, “You will see soon enough comrade.”

Though it was not the answer he was looking for, it had at least been enough to let him know they were almost there. The only things he could see were icy fields, and the road behind him. What could they possibly be taking him out here for? The Boss must have ordered them to take him very far away and terminate him. This would be the perfect place. Just then they stopped abruptly and the soldier in the passenger side got out of the truck. He gave Dimitri an icy stare and walked in front of the truck. There was a short rustle and a yelp. How odd. Four gunshots rang out and the soldier got back into the truck while reloading his sidearm.

The truck began moving again and Dimitri could see four dead dogs on the side of the road. It was a bad day to be in the way of this truck. After almost 15 more minutes the truck stopped at a fence. The driver said something into the intercom and the gate opened. The truck passed into a very small compound, with only two buildings, one was labeled as the barracks and the other was labeled as a laboratory. As soon as the truck stopped the medic opened the tailgate and pushed Dimitri out onto the ground.

“This is where you get off, go inside the Laboratory and talk to the man named Alexei. He will have your new assignment.”

The truck returned the way it had come, and Dimitri hurried inside to speak to Alexei. When he went in the laboratory he noticed that it was a lot bigger and nicer that he had thought. It was three stories, the second two both being underground. An elderly man with an awkward gait approached him.

“I assume you are my new operative. My name is Alexei, and here my associates and I are working on a top secret project that you may know nothing of. You have been sent to be my errand boy. Your job description is this: I will frequently need mail and groceries fetched from town, you will acquire them for me. You may sleep in the barracks, I will see you in the morning, good night.”

As Dimitri slept he heard something going on outside, and it was very loud. Someone burst into the room and started yelling profanity at the men. He ordered everyone out and into the truck. When Dimitri got outside he stood next to Alexei who whispered in his ear.

“We knew this day would come, the government is here to shut us down. I cannot let my years of work go to waste, it is a shame we did not have more time to get acquainted. While I was talking I slipped a cylinder of liquid into your pocket, it is what the Boss sent you here for me to give you. You must take it back to him. Do not burst it or open it.”

Just then the soldier screamed at Alexei to quit talking. When he failed to say yes sir, the soldier kicked him in the stomach and shot him in the leg. He pointed the gum directly at Dimitri and told him to beg for mercy. Dimitri delivered a swift kick in the groin and took the soldier’s rifle. He opened fire on the rest of the soldiers and jumped into their cargo truck, which had still been running. He completely blew through the gate and was on his way back to Moscow.

His arrival back at The Boss’s Headquarters received a mixed reception. Some looked at him as unworthy of his position due to his failure the day before, others were excited by the story of his heroism at the lab. Dimitri was just glad that the worst night of his life was over. The new day had begun, and he was back in the safety of his own territory.

Upon speaking to The Boss, Dimitri learned he would be heading to Phoenix, Arizona. His mission was to learn of the American scientist’s progress on a similar project, since they no longer had that information because of the lost flash drive. If the American scientists were convinced that they had made a breakthrough that could counter the vial of liquid Dimitri had gotten from the Russian lab, he was to give himself a dose and then return to Russia with the rest at the end of the study.
Infiltration of the lab was easy enough. There were no guards, and the men inside were unarmed. Dimitri spoke to the scientists, and they were confident their serum would work. These men gave Dimitri plenty of the serum, they just wanted to keep their lives. Dimitri wanted answers. He didn’t know what he had gotten in Russia, he didn’t know why he was here now or what this serum was preventing. He asked the scientists, but they claimed to not know. They said all they were told by their government was that it was to prevent massive casualties. Dimitri knew then that he must have something awful inside that large vial he had been carrying with him. The scientists refused to tell any more, so Dimitri killed them. He was sick of this game, and decided that he must contact The Boss.

Dimitri was on his way to New York City, via train. Trains have less security to go through, and it is highly unlikely that a Russian national with a long list of crime could board a plane in America. New York City is the largest center of population in the United States, and The Boss had specifically instructed him to go there, and upon his arrival, mail the rest of the serum back to Russia.

The Boss had always been too secretive and vague. Dimitri had not even known his name, and had never seen his face. That was until several weeks ago when Dimitri had men at the headquarters talking about a plan to take down the Americans. They spoke of cleansing the world, and finishing the Cold War. That war had been over for fifteen years. When The Boss told Dimitri that flash drive had information that was “vital to his existence”, Dimitri knew he must have it. He crashed his car on purpose, and kept the drive to himself. Here on this train, his laptop would tell him everything he needed to know.

by Patrick

Zachary

He was on his way to New York right now because of a girl that he met last year on their mission trip. They had grown very close to each other when they were on their trip; they still today were very close. They exchanged numbers and e-mail, and they had been messaging each other daily since the last day he saw her.

Zachary Morris was 23 and single, and he had been dating a lot these last couple of months, but it had not been working out good because I hadn't really found anyone who got him. He felt like the only person in this world that got him was that girl. Her name was Bioncha Elizabeth Ryan, and she was amazing. Zachary got on the computer to talk to her the other day, and he was going to tell her his true feelings, but right when he got on the computer, she said, “Guess What!!!!!!!”

He said, “ Hey, And what???”

She Said, “I’m getting married to a guy that is friends with my parents!”


He then said, “You can't!”


She then replied ”Why?”


“ Because I’m falling for you.”


She said “ I have loved you for the longest time, and you never have visited once, you have never told me the way you feel until now, so I need to move on.”


Zachary whispered, “ Well, do you still love me?”


She said” I will never stop loving you, but I don’t know if it would ever work, so good bye, and good luck!”

Zachary didn’t say anything back to her because he was in such shock that he let the one person who cared, and the one person who really got him out of his life!

Then he thought to himself, "She said that she still had feelings for me, but she just had to move on." He then started packing up all of his stuff, so determined to see her again, and hopefully he could change her mind because he would not let this go in his life.

Zachary then raced to the Airport to get the quickest plane to New York, and all they had was first class tickets which cost him an arm and a leg, but it would be worth it. The whole time he was waiting for his plane to board he just kept thinking what am he going to say to this girl, and this trip was crazy what if she was just saying she liked him to make him feel better. He did not care though; he had to try.

So there he was on a plane from Reno, Nevada, headed to New York to tell Bioncha he loved her! He thought to himself, "I have to get on two more planes before I am there. I stop in St. Louis Missouri first the fly to somewhere in Pennsylvania, then I will be there to see her and tell her what I think and that she shouldn’t do this and I really do want this to work or I wouldn’t have traveled across the United States to get to her.

"Well here I am 13 anxious hours later sitting in New York Trying to rent a car at the airport. There computer is messing up and they told me to take a seat and they will get back to me in a minute when the computer works. I cant wait to find a hotel room because I am so tired, and don’t want to be around anyone right now." With that, Zachary got off the plane.

by Andy

Carolyn











Dear Diary,
It has been two weeks since my nineteenth birthday and I have decided it is time for me to make a change in my life. I have always wanted to travel and now seems like the perfect time, I just want to get out of this small retched town of Braymer. I have lived there all of my life and just a change of scenery, not just a small one but am extremely large one for the better.

Braymer, Alabama is a small country town of about 910 people. It may not seem as small as other towns in the world but to me it is like the town is just a grain of sand in an hour glass. Everybody hear seems to know everything about everyone, though some people may like that, I however am getting a little tired of everyone knowing about my personal life and would just like a little privacy.

So as I have already said I am ready for a change in my life and tomorrow is that day. I have been asking myself why tomorrow, my not right now? Then it came to mind that I should at least have to heart to tell my family and friends and let them prepare themselves for the chance that they may not see me for months or even years. The same goes with writing in here.


Carolyn Greenfield was a nineteen year old girl from Braymer, a small country town in Southern Alabama. Her family was rather wealthy and well admired there. Her family owned a business called Greenfield Farms.

Her family was the kind of family that not only were wealthy and respected but they were also people people do not want to have as their enemy. Though Carolyn loved her family deeply, she knew that people talked of her family as if they were worthless and some even thought the same as her, though she was not anything like them. That included her father Derek, mother Donna, and siblings Johnathan, Laura, and Dylan.

Johnathan and Laura were both older than Carolyn and her family expected her to be just like them, the perfect child who stayed in Braymer and will marry a young man from a wealthy family and never leaving. Carolyn seems to think that this way of living was due to her grandparents who had lived in Braymer for their entire lives and now her brother and sister were doing the same thing. In spite of this, Carolyn knew that this way of life was not for her.

Once Carolyn told her family that she would be leaving, she and her sister went up stairs to begin the packing. They did not think it would take that long to pack three suit cases of the things she would need. Needless to say it took them longer then she planned for by the time they were finished. It was almost ten-thirty in the evening and they all knew that the next day would come early, so off to bed they all headed.

When morning came, Carolyn and her family had a farewell breakfast for her then took her to the train station. Her train was leaving at straight up noon so she wanted to make sure she was there at least an hour before departure time so she would be able to find the correct train that she would be on. Once she and her family found the right platform, they went on ahead and said their goodbyes fore they thought it would be less emotional to say it prior to right before train left.
Carolyn spent eight hours on the train and for the majority of that time she slept since she was by herself. When she arrived in Rochester, New York the first thing she did was get a cab and go to the Marriot Hotel where she made reservations. By cab it took her a half an hour to arrive there, by then it was eight forty-five in the evening and was exhausted from the long trip as well as tired of sitting down for that long of time. When she checked-in and went up stairs to her room she didn’t bother unpacking her belongings, instead she went to sleep, for in the morning she would have time to unpack before she went out siteseeing.

by Shelby

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Lillyanna


Lillyanna stepped off the plane with a bright smile and a feeling of contentment. She had finally made it to New York City! She had always wanted to go to New York, but Lillyanna lived in Bevier, Missouri. Going to New York seemed next to impossible. Almost as impossible as becoming famous!

Well, Lillyanna had just finally learned NOTHING was impossible. Lillyanna had always dreamed of being famous. When she was little, she would look in the mirror and say quotes from movies out loud. her mom had laughed at her because when Lillyanna was crying, she would run to the mirror and look at herself and quote a sad movie line.

Lillyanna graduated high school which she never thought she was going to do, Lillyanna thought to herself, “If I can graduate high school, why can’t I be famous?” Lillyanna booked the first flight to New York. She was going to go to New York Film Academy to fulfill her goal. Before Lillyanna became so ambitious, she never finished anything. She never thought she could do well enough, so she set her goals way too low.

She worked at Walmart for yhree years accepting that she might work there for the rest of her life. But one day it was like something hit her that this was her life, and if she had enough will and she was determined, she could do what she wanted to do. If she couldn’tsucceed, at least she could say she tried and not feel like a failure all her life. So here she was stepping off the plane in the big City where she can finally full fill her dream of maybe some day being famous.

by Angelica

Miranda

After the pilot announced the arriving to John Kennedy airport, Miranda looked through her window and saw all the high buildings of New York city. Although anybody would feel excited about going to New York, she felt bad, and angry with everybody, especially with her dad. Her dad, Richard, was an English rich banker who went to live to Madrid when he was young. There, he had met Lisa, Miranda’s mother, and they had got married.

Miranda’s life was really good; she lived in a big and pretty apartment in the city center. She had all she wanted, and her parents loved her a lot. She went to a private school; she loved her friends. When her dad told her the news about an offer from an important bank in New York, she felt scared. She knew if her dad accepted the job, they had to move there, and she didn’t want to!

She loved her life in Madrid. She had cried a lot the last months thinking about this change in her life. She was scared, and she didn’t know anybody in New York; she didn’t know when she would have the chance to visit her friends in Spain. Her mother had told her their apartment in New York was really nice. She told her that from her apartment they could see Central Park and that everybody in their neighborhood was very nice.

Miranda loved New York; she had visited there a couple of times, but the idea of changing Madrid, her town home, for New York, made her feel sad. She tought her life in New York was going to be miserable. She was fifteen years old, and she had no brothers or sisters. She felt alone when she though about it, the only company she had in New York was her mom. In that moment, her mom called her.

"Miranda, what are you thinking about? Let’s go honey we have arrived."

"Yeah, I know mom, sorry." She took her hand baggage, and she followed her mom. When they were in the airport gate, a limousine was waiting for them.


"Hi Charlie, how are you doing?" her dad said. "This is my wife, Lisa and my daughter, Miranda. Lisa, Miranda,this is Charlie, our new driver."

In the limousine Richard started talking about Miranda’s new school, her new house, all the people from the new neighborhood… and although Miranda knew he was trying to make her feel better, it only made her feel nervous and sad.

After forty five minutes they arrived to a twenty story building; it was gorgeous, and Miranda loved it. When they arrived to the fifteenth floor and Charlie opened the door of their new apartment, Miranda was impressed. It was really beautiful.

"Dad, this is amazing, I love this! See! You can see all Central Park from here! Oh my god, this is awesome!"

by Andrea

Briana


For many years she had longed to go to New York. Her name was Briana Rich and she had been awaiting the lovely lights and huge buildings, and all the shopping that the huge city of New York contained. She had never had enough money, so for the past year she had been saving all of her minimum wage paychecks so that she could get herself to the city.

She had always lived in a small town right on the borderline of Tennessee and Kentucky called Bartersville. Ever since a little girl she had been longing to go out and experience the world, and New York was the first place that she wanted to visit.

Being 18, she was able to go on her own. First, she went and hitched a ride with her friend Alana because her friend’s mother lived in Columbus, Ohio. From there on, she caught a ride on the Metro train, which took her clear to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After arriving there, she walked her five-mile journey to the nearest rent-a-car and rented the cheapest car and drove her way to New York City. Once into the great city, she became nervous but yet so excited! She had made it, and knew this was where she wanted to be. She found a parking garage and walked her way up the street. While walking she had seen many weird and unusual things. Even the people were a little different. The first thing she did was go to the Hilton where she had made her reservation, and she then took her belongings up to her room.

by Drayse

Kayden


" My name is Kayden Smith and I am on my way to the Big Apple! Hmm…mom just gave me this journal and I’m not sure how I should start? Well first off, I just turned 18 years old, and I just graduated from Mountain Valley High School. This trip is actually one of my graduation presents from my parents. I will give you a little bit of my background so you can get a feel for me.

"I graduated at the top of my class (131 students). Pretty impressive huh? Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. Between softball, basketball, FCA, and Art Club I did not have much time to study, but I figured out a way to make it happen. Don’t misread, I still had time for a social life, but I am very focused on my studies. Along with being an honor student I excel in sports. I am a pitcher on the softball team, just like my mother, Danielle, who pitched in college. My dad, Tom, played basketball in college and he was a shooting guard. My brother, Josh, is sixteen years old and he plays football and baseball. Athleticism definitely runs in the family. Since this is such a long flight I will give you some facts about them:

"1) My mother, Danielle Smith, is probably one of the greatest moms in the world. She is my best friend, my coach, and she always makes me laugh. I can always count on her and I know I am going to miss her while I’m away. It was really hard for her to let me go on this trip because we are a very close family. My mother is a very smart woman, and she still knows how to throw a softball. I am very much like my mother- she played softball and basketball. She graduated at the top of her class, was involved in FCA, and she was an amazing artist. Our attitudes are also much like the same. We are stressful people, but at the same time we are very laid back. I love my mother so much. I miss her!!

"2) Tom Smth…this guy is amazing. I pretty much have the best parents in the world! He is so funny, smart, athletic, and he keeps my mom and I calm. He is the life of the party. I am very much my daddy’s little girl. He will always see me as his 12 year old. Believe it or not, he actually cried when I boarded the plane! Ever since he watched that stupid movie, Taken, he will not let me go anywhere. But my mom wears the pants in the relationship, so she over-ruled him. He is the softest biggest guy I know, and I love it!

"3) As far as Josh goes, he’s not half bad. We got really close this past year, and I can actually say I’m gonna miss the dork. Josh is a very unique young man. Along with being an All-State athlete, he has his priorities straight and he has high standards. I’m very proud of him for not being one of those ridiculously hormonal guys. He has a good head on his shoulder and he will succeed at anything he sets his mind to. We have been blessed with parents who care about the way we act, and who show us how to succeed in life. They held high standards for us, and I believe that is why we have turned out the way we are. Now lets talk about my future…

"I’m going to be spending the next five or six years of my life at Cornell! Woo hoo! Cornell is one of the reasons I wanted to go on this trip. I only visited once, but as soon as I saw the campus it just felt right. Still, I want to tour the campus as a future student. I do not know exactly what I want to major in, but I want to work in the medical field. Cornell has one of the best medical programs and I want to learn from the experts. Along with the school, New York City attracted me. I want to see the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Empire State Building. I might hit up a few of the art museums and a Yankees or Giants game if I have time. I’m only going to be here for two weeks and there is so much to do and so much to see! But enough about school, this is summer break and I’m ready to have some fun!

"Do not think I am some book nerd; I’m ready to have some fun. New York City is the fashion capital in the United States and I am ready for a shopping spree, and maybe a little bit of clubbing, but I’m not usually into that. Well journal…you know, I need a name for you. “Journal” is so boring. What about Chloe? Well Chloe, I’m about two hours away from the John F. Kennedy Airport, and I think I’m going to take a nap. Ttyl!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Kayden set her pen down and closed the journal her mother gave her before she left. She thought her neighbor was getting tired of her writing. He was “clearing” his throat and tossing and turning since she turned the light on to write. Oh well, she asked the stewardess for a pillow and blanket and watched the back of her eyelids as they slowly fell.

by Katelyn

Renee


It had been a long stressful year for her. She was going to take a long vacation trip to one of the big cities of New York. She was having a hard time staying at home alone, just remembering all of her good memories with her ex boyfriend. She had fallen so hard for him. All that turned out of the relationship was a broken heart.

She had lots of family who lived back in New York. She thought if she took a long vacation from this place, that it would be better for her. It was Saturday night, and she was deciding when she wanted to leave. She wanted to leave soon.

It was now Monday, and she had most of the things she was willing to take packed. She headed to the airport to set up time and day to leave. She would be leaving Wednesday to head to her hometown, New York. Tuesday morning she woke up and finished packing. After she got everything packed, she went and picked up the house a little.

Wednesday morning and she headed to the airport. When she got to the airport, her flight had been delayed for about an hour and fifteen minutes. She thought of leaving and going to get something to eat, but she just stayed at the airport and thought she would eat on the airplane.

Forty-five minutes later as she woke up from her nap. It was time to get everyone on the airplane and their stuff packed on the shelves. When she got onto the airplane, she got into her seat and just sat there. The airplane slowly took off. As she woke up from her long ride, she woke up with her head against the window. The view she saw was the over look of New York. She had now made it to her hometown of New York.

by Latisha

Remington & Rylan

She loved the rolling hills, the puzzle of the barbed wire fence, the trickle of the summer rain on the incomparable ravishing leaves of the grand oak tree that stood in front of her bedroom window. The outdoors led to so much adventure in her eyes, but through her full-blooded German parents everything was about business. But her day dreams often led her on wondrous adventures to rain forests, desserts, caves, and abundant accounts of racing danger; with her true love Rylan Fitzpatrick.

He dreamed of her long golden curls gracefully blowing in the wind with a moonlight glisten about it. They gazed at the midnight stars trying not to make a sound; for their parents would highly forbid “this type of behavior”. His mother dearest never under stood him, his thoughts, his love, and his dreams. Proper! Proper! Proper! What happened to the thrill and rush of life? When did everyone make this world so boring? Dream jobs sitting behind a desk all day? Where is the thrill, the life? He longed to be with his true love Remington Ackland.
Dinner was as silent as a graveyard, as usual. Before the butlers brought out the appetizers, Mother spoke of a lazy maid while giving her a glare and shaking her head and Father always spoke of how the stock market was affecting his line of banks. Remington always sat; day dreaming of her nights spent in the oak tree with Rylan. Before she knew it the awe-striking sunset had arrived. Alas! Night has come! She couldn’t bear the sunlight. All of the proper bore. Night brought such adventure and love. Mother insisted she would be in bed by eight and since a certain date a few years ago she never complained.

He knew exactly what Remington was doing. He knew her thoughts and her actions. She was an amazing star to him. He knew right now she was anticipating for the sunset because she thought sunshine was boring because they were not allowed to be together. Their parents did not need to know about their midnight escapades. He sat and listened to his family talk about money and politics. He sat and waited to be dismissed from the table to complete his Advanced Calculus homework; although he had finished it quite a few hours ago. Finally he was dismissed to the table and politely kissed his mother on the cheek and said goodnight and headed up to his room. Soon he would escape.

She knew his routine. It was 8:45 P.M. He was kissing his mother goodnight and laying out his Advanced Calculus book so it would look like he had been doing homework. He would act like he had fallen asleep for an hour because his mother always looked in his door at 9:30 P.M. After she had come in his room moved his books from his lap, he would wait for ten minutes for her to walk to her bathroom and begin the intense prep for bed. She knew his every move. His every thought. He was so predictable to her. It would take him a few minutes to get the horse saddled, but he would be on his way in no time.

He listened for his mother to go to her master bathroom and complete her evening prep. Containing anti-aging lotions, clipping nails, painting nails, plucking eyebrows, and all the other unimportant things his mother did to herself that he saw silly. He hated that his mother had to please my father everyday be dressing up like a beauty queen. If he thought she was beautiful all dolled up, why wasn’t she beautiful without makeup and with her hair down? He saddled up his horse and galloped to the trees. The night air of the thicket was so pleasing to him. He was on his way to see her. It was time. He signaled Fire into a hard run once they jumped the creek into the pastures. He made a clear note to stay close to the trees. He knew her parents were already asleep but he didn’t want to take any chances.

She watched vigorously out her window. There he was. You could barely see him against the trees. He always knew to take precautions and protect their secret even if it was safe to drive a car. He always brought fire because he was fast, gentle, and quiet. She hurriedly planted her pillows under her blankets to look like she was still in her bed knowing it would fool her parents. She listened against her door for footsteps. Nothing. She quietly slid her window up and felt with her feet for the trusted oak tree that held so many of her secrets.
He tied Fire at the very edge of the thicket and snuck up to the south side of the villa. She was already waiting for him. His heart leaped with exploding joy. He darted up the tree and soon he could smell her hair and see the glisten of her hair in the moonlight. He kissed her quickly without saying hello.


Her hand landed on his freshly shaved cheek. “Mom he remembered.” She hated fur on his face. She thought it took away his beauty. His kisses without saying hello always sent her heart and soul for a rollercoaster ride. He knew just how to make her knees shake. She whispered hello as if she was out of breath. He smiled took her hand and kissed it. His texts were always heart-warming, but it was nothing compared to his warm lips on hers.
He smiled and silently laughed at her weak hello. He knew what was going through her mind. He knew she loved it when he was freshly shaved. He knew she loved his wordless kisses. She was so predictable.

They talked about the one thing they could ever disagree on. College. Her dreams drew her to a college in New York. His drew him to a college in California. She cried. He stared into the moonlight with tear filled eyes at the thought of being with out here. They both hated these nights. She asked why he hated her following her dreams. She asked why he was trying to keep her in a cage. She asked why he was trying to be her parent. She begged him to go to. She just wanted him with her every night and away from their proper parents and live the dreams and love that they had always dreamed of.

This killed him. He wanted too much to be with her every day. He would give anything to solve this problem and go with her. He wanted to wipe her tears away. He held her, sighed and told her he would go. Her eyes lit up just like they did when they met. He kissed her forehead.
She couldn’t believe it. He was going with her! They never would be apart! She stopped suddenly and asked how he was going to achieve this. She heard the words come out of his mouth. Run. They were going to just so happen to go to the same college. Away from their parents, and live how they wanted to.

He couldn’t believe the words that just came out of his mouth. But he couldn’t help it. This made her happy. His dreams could wait. She needed him with her. So New York is where he would go. He was going to speak with his parents and do his best to change their mind about California.
His parents would not move. He begged and pleaded with them that this was the better choice for what his parents wanted him to be. He continually talked about how well their law school was and how far its students normally went after college.

Over a long stressful two weeks, he convinced them. Before they knew it, they were off to New York; for the famous New York minute. Their parents had no idea what the two love birds had planned.

The flight was long without their other half. But they would soon be together once they got to the air port. The flight took only five hours but it seemed like forever. She had a different flight, on a different day. He flew down the day before and was supposed to start looking for apartments. Her mind drifted away from the documentary about whether or not Pluto was a planet or not, and leaned more to seeing Rylan again. She missed him. Did he miss her?
The apartment search had been quite a success. He had found reasonable apartments in the same building, within walking distance of their new school. He couldn’t wait to see her smile again. Smell her hair; it was so distinct. On his way to the air port to pick her up he stopped by a small flower shop. He knew she loved roses, deep rich red roses. A dozen should suffice.
Once in the air port they searched diligently for the other. He tried to call her but as usual her phone was on silent. He was irritated but silently chuckled to himself. He found were her flight was supposed to come out of the loading dock and stood for a moment. But then it caught his eye. Honda motorcycle magazines. He couldn’t resist. It wasn’t that far from her exit.

She saw that smiling face next to a rack of magazines filled with motorcycle articles. She should’ve known. He pulled out a dozen roses from behind his back and kissed her without hello. Her favorite. They were finally together here, at the Big Apple.

By Lynnsey

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Briley


The sky was too black for it to be five o’clock in the afternoon. The sky rumbled a threatening sigh as she rushed to get to the motel before the rain cut loose. She pulled into the Super 8 motel parking lot and turned off her car. The sky flashed a warning, so she pulled her keys out of the ignition, grabbed her bags out of the back seat of her beat-up ’62 Chevelle, and locked the doors before dashing to the motel’s main office to get her room for the night.

The clerk looked at her with blood shot eyes and mumbled something incoherent. She tapped her feet and sighed as she waited for him to get her key to her room so she could go get food for the evening. She was starving. He kept talking to himself. It was really starting to aggravate her. Finally, the stoned clerk gave her the key, and she breathed out as she walked out of the office.

Now she She wasn’t going to walk across the street to the diner. She got to the diner and almost laughed. It was the biggest clichĂ© she had ever seen. It was like a nightmare based in the 1950s. She took a small table in the back and looked at her menu that was water-stained. She felt as if someone was staring at her, so she looked up. A waitress with the name of Bernice took her order. As Briley waited for her burger and fries, she glanced around. There was a police officer who looked too similar to someone she knew back in Kansas.The officer noticed she was looking at him and smiled. Briley winced. He looked just like Adam, her ex boyfriend. She looked away quickly, knowing that it was so rude of her to do that.

Her food arrived to the table but she could honestly say that she wasn’t hungry anymore. But she had already paid for her food so she would eat it. She ate her food slowly trying not to look back up at the officer who looked so much like her ex.Adam was the ultimate reason Briley left Kansas. He broke her heart so badly. She couldn’t stay in the house they had shared. She couldn’t sleep in the bed they had slept in together so many nights. So, her best friend Adriana told her, “Briley, I love you, and I don’t want you to just waste your life away pining for him. Go somewhere. Travel. I would totally go, but dude, I have a baby. No way I am going anywhere with him.”

Briley didn’t know where to go until her friend who had moved to New York City to go to college called her. Her name was Haley, and she and Briley had known each other for years. So, Briley asked her. And Haley was totally cool with it. And this is why she was on her way to New York City.

That night, Briley didn’t sleep. Adam was on her mind. She remembered the night she and Adam had met. And how he was so sweet. She fell in love at first sight. He was tall, strong, and hansom. He was too good to be true. They had dated for a year and a half before she found out he was a liar. He had been cheating on her with her best friend and his best friend’s wife.

She told him to burn in hell and packed up his belongings and kicked his sorry butt out. Every day for a month, he called her, texted her, drove by the house just trying to apologize. But she wouldn’t take him back. Briley’s best friend tried to apologize too and she told her that she was a hag that deserved him. She hated them both.As she lay in the motel bed, she kept thinking about how good he was to her otherwise. He was sweet, and kind, and she loved him… She still loved him…

The next morning Briley woke with a start. She jumped out of the bed, her hair a disheveled mess, and her clothes wrinkled from sleep. She went to the bathroom and took her shower. She let the water run down her body, allowing the heat to sooth her. After her shower she stared in the mirror and suddenly realized, She was better than this. Briley glared at her reflection and said, “I am going to go to New York, hang out with Haley, and have the best time of my life. I am much better than him. I will not miss him…”

Briley felt relieved as she entered New York City’s outer limits. She was almost to Haley’s apartment and she couldn’t wait. This was going to be great. She slowly inched her way through the city’s traffic and could see the Statue of Liberty. She stared in awe at the beautiful thing.She got to Haley’s apartment and locked up her car. She was not going to let her car get stolen. It was too important to her.

Briley walked up the stoop to the door and buzzed the intercom. Haley’s voice greeted her, “Buzz off if you aren’t Briley.”

Briley laughed, “Hales, its me. Let me in!”She heard a snap which meant that Haley had let her in. Briley grinned from ear to ear and dashed up the stairs to Haley’s apartment, Room 21B. She had barely got up the stairs when Haley had bounded out of her door and knocked her down with hugs. Briley laughed again at her pixie-like friend. Haley had a button nose, black spiky hair, green eyes, and she was tiny. Like short and really skinny. Briley loved it.Compared to her, Briley felt like an ogre. Haley was 4”9 and 105 pounds. Briley was 5”7 and 130 pounds. Though Haley was really tiny, she could kick anyone’s butt. Briley loved hanging out with her. She was so much fun. So sarcastic and tough, it was cute.Briley had brown hair, with natural red tint, and brown eyes. She had been called pretty, but never really saw it. Haley embraced her cuteness. She was very confident.

Haley helped Briley up off the ground and smiled, “We are going to have the best time ever!”She helped Briley bring her bags up from her car, and got her settled in the room with her. Haley kept blabbing away about how much fun they were going to have, how she was going to take Briley to the Statue of Liberty, they were going to have picnics and go shopping. Haley was so excited she was bouncing. Briley nodded and laughed with her and acted as if she were into Haley’s conversation with herself, when really, Briley was in her own little world. As much as she loved Haley, and couldn’t wait to start her adventure, she felt a little pessimistic.

Briley couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was going to happen and it bugged the heck out of her. Haley was still babbling when they heard a knock on the door. Haley called out, “Who is it?”

A man’s voice said, “It’s me. Erick.” Briley immediately saw Haley’s smile fade away. Her stomach turned. This wasn’t going to be good…

by Taylor

Monday, January 4, 2010

Miranda Scenario II

After Miranda put her staff away, she decided to go out for a walk; she loved walking between the high buildings, with the noises of the crowd in the streets. She lived in the northern edge of Pentral park, and after an hour and a half walking she arrived to the 59th street, where Hell’s kitchen started. For Miranda, it was the most amazing part of the city.

She loved walked between those old buildings and noticed the different cultures of that neighborhood. It had a very interesting history. In the mid 19th century Irish people began setting on the west side of Manhattan along the Hudson River. Later Italian people arrived and at the turn of the century, gangs such as Gopher Gang or Owney Madden controlled the neighborhood. During 1950's Puerto Ricans appeared.

Miranda always had loved traveling and knowing new cultures, and that neighborhood allowed her to experience several cultures in the same place. She walked in front of the Windermere building, one of the oldest buildings in Manhattan. It was really beautiful.

While she was walking along Hell’s Kitchen, she started thinking that maybe her life in New York was not going to be that bad. She could walk in Central Park whenever she wanted; she could go to the theaters placed in Broadway every month. She could go shopping in the 5th avenue with her mom… There were a lot of wonderful things about living in New York she had not though about before, although she would miss her friends and her family.

Now she was walking in front of Manhattan Plaza hotel, at the 42nd street, she remembered the several times she and her parents had spent in that hotel during their trips to New York, they usually went dinner in one of the several restaurants placed in Hell’s kitchen and then they would go to Broadway.

She kept walking for an hour and suddenly she realized it was ten o’clock at night, she found herself at the Hudson River. Luckily her dad had given her enough money in the airport in case she had to take a taxi. By ten forty-five she was at home, but her parents were not at home, she went to her room, she put her pajamas on and in half an hour her parents arrived.

by Andrea

Briana - Scenario II

With her belongings in her room, she walked down to the lobby and out through the beautiful gold painted doors onto the sun lit sidewalks. It was January but the weather was marvelous and its warm presence was inviting. As she approached the edge of the street, she waited for a taxi. This felt weird to her, mostly because she never really sees taxi’s let-a-loan ride in one. In Bartersville you get lucky to see a yellow car, but here in New York it’s like a sea of yellow. After only waiting for a few minutes, a taxi had pulled over and in hopped Briana. Excited yet a little scared, Briana looked up to the scruffy man in the mirror and said “World Trade Center site please.”

Although it was going to be a sad experience, Briana had never seen them before, even when they were still standing. She was going for the looks and the piece of history that she will forever keep in her heart. It didn’t take long before the taxi pulled up along a sidewalk that appeared to be a new building site. There were tons of metal and broken pieces of building lying all around the area.

“Surely this isn’t it.” She questioned herself. Just then the taxi came to a complete stop.

“ $9.55.” replied the taxi driver. Briana dug in her pocket for ten while she still remained a little confused. She handed him the ten and said keep the change. She then opened up the door and proceeded out of the taxi.

The smell of new steel and fresh dirt filled the air. She couldn’t believer her eyes. She felt, as sadness and terror began to fill her chest. Briana just didn’t realize how bad it actually was. While feeling great depression, she preceded to walk down a newly paved sidewalk, where she saw he plans for a memorial with thundreds of green beautiful growing trees and two massive waterfalls.

It was to be the museum, and it was gorgeous! Feeling better but still the feeling of remorse, she lookeed at the photos of the shiny steel door and pretended she walked in. Inside were many things to do about the people that had survived and went through the attack. Her throat began to feel numb and her eyes filled with tears. All the thoughts and remembrance began racing through her head. This is what she wanted to see but didn’t know that it would be so hard. After spending about an hour looking around the plans for building, Briana could no longer take the hurt that she felt from the building's history.

She then picked herself up, and walked outside and sat down. The water was beautiful and the shrubbery was so lush and green. The smell of the fresh air made her feel better, and the cold touch of the water helped with her stomachache. Sitting there, she knew what she had seen and read was to be real. She told herself she would never forget it and it would remain in her heart forever. After getting herself together, she got up and headed down the sidewalk back to the main street to take her back to her hotel.


by Drayse

Zachary Scenario II

Well there Zachary was 13 anxious hours later sitting in New York Trying to rent a car at the airport. There computer was messing up, and they told him to take a seat and they would get back to him in a minute when the computer worked.He couldn’t wait to find a hotel room because he was so tired, and he didn’t want to be around anyone right then.
That morning when he woke up, he thought he would try to go to her address she gave him, 16934 South Marriet Blvd. He saw a phone booth and decided to just give her a phone call since he had been looking for her all day and couldn’t find her. So he called her, and she was really excited to hear from him. Zachary told her to meet him tonight in front of the New York Stock Exchange building. So there he was at 7 o’clock waiting on her in front of the New York Stock Exchange building. That building was really big, and it was beautiful at night. It was built in 1903, and was just an amazing old building with columns on the front.

Dimitri Scenario II

The moment was here. He had the flash drive, and was ready to learn all that it had to offer. As soon as the drive was in place, a little boy, no more than 3 or 4, came and sat next to Dimitri.
“Whatcha doin mister?”

Dimitri was annoyed but decided to be nice to the kid until he left. It was better to not make a scene right now.

As Dimitri was about to bust out his American accent, the boy’s father grabbed him by the collar and told him to “leave that nice man alone.” A close encounter, but Dimitri could get back to his work.

The screen went blank for a few seconds and the anticipation began to build. All the answers Dimitri wanted were about to be revealed. He would finally know The Boss’s identity, and what their organization had been working on.

Finally a menu came up and the moment was here. Several of the first few files were just logistics and all kinds of numbers. Nonsense. The next file was actually an email conversation. The first of the messages was addressed from an address within The Boss’s organization, to a government address. It spoke of a divine cleansing, similar to what the soldiers had been saying at headquarters.

Two messages later, the person from the mafia said that he was being probed now and that it was best they either speak in person or communicate through only government emails. That made it clear that The Boss was a member of the government, now the mystery was finding out who it was. The only clue was the initials used. VP was The Boss, and DM was the other man, who was definitely a high-ranking government official.

When Dimitri read the next message it became painfully obvious who these men were. “VP” was telling “DM” that it was a good thing he had been ready to take over his position as prime minister. DM was Dimitri Medvedev, Russian prime minister. The Boss, the spearhead of the entire Russian mafia and its operations around the entire world, was Vladimir Putin. Vladimir was Russian prime minister from 19—until his multiple terms came to an end in 20--. He was still rumored to be in charge, through a “puppet president”. This man was Dimitri Medvedev.
Dimitri now knew that The Boss and his organization was in control of the Russian government and that obviously the Cold War was still being waged behind the scenes. Dimitri had to focus on what he was going to do once he got to New York. He decided he would go to the Empire State building to scout the area.

The train ride was about another hour long, and Dimitri spent most of it thinking about the state of his government. It blew his mind that something so huge could have been going on this entire time without anyone knowing. The Russians were obviously trying to exterminate America with a massive infectious disease. The Americans must have learned about this, and begun work on an antidote. Dimitri was sent to get the virus from the Russian lab, then to the American lab to retrieve the antidote. Both were to be sent back to headquarters so that they could be duplicated and put into the water supply. The Russians would be safe, and the Americans would be ravaged by disease. It’s the perfect crime, executed on an entire country.
The train station was crowded and noisy. Dimitri quickly left the area and walked in the direction of the Empire State Building. He found an unchained bike outside a Starbucks, so he commandeered it. It made the transit much easier, at the actual owner’s misfortune.
The security in America was better than expected, but still not good enough to stop Dimitri. Carrying a bag full of guns, ammunition, and knives into the Empire State Building was not advisable. He left the duffel bag in a trash can across the street, and went through the security checkpoint without a problem. The elevator ride up was boring and full of corny American music. The view from the top of the building was rather beautiful, despite the act that everything was made of concrete. The Russian district was within view, and Dimitri knew where to go now.

Dimitri got to where he had left his bag, and it was still there, sort of. A homeless man was using it as his pillow. Only in America… Dimitri woke the man up and took the bag back. The downtrodden man only groaned and went back to sleep.

The bike had been stolen, ironically. Dimitri stole another bike and rode into the night. Not entirely sure of his destination, he had a lot on his plate for the next day.

Rylan & Remington - Scenario II

She asked him to talk to her about the places that he had found for them to live. He mentioned the name Greenwich Village, and she knew Mother would approve. The sound of the living complex sounded rich, and she knew her mother would never approve something that sounded cheap. She asked him to take her there. He did just as she said, of course.


He told her about the location, bounded by Broadway on the east, the 7th Avenue on the west, Houston Street on the South, and 14th Street on the North. He heard her laugh. He knew why. Their parents would be pleased with the top street names in New York so close. Every bragging right our parents could grasp they took. He took her inside to the realtors.


She saw so many pictures of scenic homes that Rylan had picked out. He knew her taste in homes. This was the perfect place for her, and her parent’s approval. There was one house that really stuck out at her. It wasn’t exactly in the city. It was a simple little cottage home on a private drive with water entrance to a lake. She was going to have to change a lot of the furniture; Mother would not approve dated floral. Everything about this house invited her in, she was so pleased. He knew this one would be her favorite. She was so predictable.

They both told their parents they were sharing the house with another because it was so big. Rylan told his parents it was another male, and Remington told her parents it was another female. Little did they know they were staying with each other. It didn’t take long for them to get moved in. Most everything came with the house. She was not content with some of the floral furniture. He knew she wouldn’t. She found exactly what she wanted, and she knew he would like it, too. Of course, he did. He was so predictable.


by Lynnsey

Carolyn Greenfield Scenario II

When Carolyn woke up the next morning she ordered room service and watched some movies on pay per view. She was not really in the mood to go out in the hustle and bustle of the new city just yet and by mid-afternoon she thought she would be but for now she just wanted to be a lazy bum. At about two o’clock in the afternoon she decided she should probably phone home just so her family would know she made it safely. By the time she had spoken to everyone back home she decided she would venture out into the city. But before she left she had to make up her mind as two where she would go. So she got her laptop out and searched for sites that she thought appealed to her nature.
It did not take her long to figure out what place she wanted to visit. When she looked up her information she was astounded when she realized that she didn’t much know about this marvelous historical place. As soon as she realized that how much fascinating information that there was about this national monument she got ready and headed out on her adventure.
It took her about 6 hours to get to her destination. Thankfully the traffic was not too horrible and she was able to drive herself with car she rented from the hotel services. Since it took her so long to get there she got there at about 7 o’clock in the evening.
Once she got to the Statue of Liberty, she was able to walk through and read all the different facts about it. She never knew that it was given to the United States by the French and was completed in June. She also did not know that it was presented to America on July 4, 1884, almost a year after it was finished. Another fact she read about was that it was almost another year before the Statue of Liberty was dismantled to be shipped to the United States.
She seemed to finish reading the facts about the Stature of Liberty just in time to divert her attention to fantastic firework display that was going off. No one around her knew why there were fireworks but they didn’t care either fore it was the dead of winter and she along with everyone else were getting to see a marvelous firework display.

Scarlet Benochi Scenario II

After being stuck in her apartment for a few days Scarlet decided to get out and experience New York. “Where better to go in New York than Central Park?” she thought. She took a cab to the huge 843-acre park and when she stepped out into the cold New York air she was amazed. It was beautiful, more beautiful than she ever expected. She began to walk the wide snow cover sidewalks. When she got to the ice skating rink she was speechless. It was breath taking. Watching the families and children having fun just made her miss her family even more. Though it was one of the most beautiful sights she had ever seen she walked away feeling sad and homesick. Maybe she had made the wrong decision. Maybe she should’ve stayed home where she had friends and family who loved her. She felt so alone. She thought she was going to have the experience of a lifetime in New York, but with no one to experience it with it wasn’t as great as she had hoped.

As she made her way out of the magnificent park she tried not to forget to take in her surroundings and make the best out of it. Beautiful snow covered trees and the sound of kids playing in the snow surrounded her, something that at any other place and time bring a smile to her face, but not today. She decided to walk back to her apartment rather than take a cab hoping it would cheer her up. Though it was only 5 blocks away it seemed like forever in the cold and windy air. Tall luxurious buildings and people bustling past her in every direction were all around her. She figured if this is what New York is all about she might as well get used to it so she just zipped her light coat up a little more and kept walking at a fast and steady pace.

Sabrina Scenario II






















Kayden Scenario II


You know, I think I’ll just call you journal…what am I, twelve? I do not really have much to say this time. I got off the plane and met my aunt and uncle. Then we made our way to their house, which is a mansion in the Hamptons. It is a three-story house with a theatre in the basement, a game room, and an in-ground pool! My aunt and uncle have three kids: Jessica, Danielle, and Cameron, and they are the most spoiled rotten kids I know. Anyway, I’m going to bed now and tomorrow morning I am going to the Brooklyn Bridge. 
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It was completed in 1883 and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. It was designed by John Augustus Roebling and is 5,989 feet long. The Brooklyn Bridge carried trains until 1944, streetcars until 1950, and it now carries cars, pedestrians, and bicycles. I walked along the wide wood-plank that was elevated above the traffic. The Manhattan skyline was so impressive. I could not imagine what New Yorkers thought in the 19th century as they crossed the Bridge. The bridge was used by pedestrians during the attacks on the World Trade Center to leave the city. I couldn’t grasp the magnitude and history of the Brooklyn Bridge. The view was so amazing, I left speechless.

Carolyn Scenario II







by Shelby

Avery Farr Scenario II

Avery awoke the next morning to the sound of blaring car horns and the cooing of pigeons outside her hotel window. She got out of bed, called for room service, then sat down on the end of her bed and turned on the television. While waiting for her breakfast to arrive, Avery flipped through the channels.
Rap-tap-tap.
Avery got up to answer the door. It was room service with her breakfast. The bellhop, a young man of about twenty, rolled the cart of food into Avery’s room as she thanked him. After closing the door behind the bellhop, the delicious aroma of her breakfast, lured Avery over to the cart.
Avery sat and ate her breakfast, which as a matter of fact was the most delicious omelet she had ever tasted, while watching a program for tourists visiting New York. She thought that she would a little site-seeing before checking around for auditions. The Rockefeller Center in central Manhattan was a place Avery would definitely be going.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, Avery headed out the door of her room and into the hallway of the 26th floor. While in the elevator Avery noticed the bellhop that had delivered her breakfast.
“My omelet was delicious,” she blurted out. Feeling like a moron for even saying anything, Avery expected him to not reply. Or laugh. She would feel even more like an idiot if he laughed at her.
The bellhop was kind of cute. She hadn’t noticed before. He gave her a crooked smile and chuckled, “You know that I didn’t cook it right?”
Now Avery felt herself turning red. She felt even more ridiculous now. She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and nervously laughed.
“Y-Yeah I knew that,” She stammered nervously. She averted her eyes and focused on the steadily decreasing number above the door and the light tune of the elevator music. Once the elevator opened into the lobby, Avery rushed out the doors to avoid embarrassing herself any further. She hailed another taxi, easier this time, and was on her way to Manhattan.
Traffic on 5th Avenue was backed up, but of course in New York when wasn’t traffic awful. Avery sat in the back of the taxi staring out the window in wonderment. New York was much more than she had dreamed.
The smell of cigar smoke filled her nostrils as the taxi driver rolled his window down to smoke. Avery sighed and rolled her window down a little for some air while the driver yelled profanities out of his window at some pedestrians crossing in front of his car. She sighed and laughed to herself as she waited to arrive at her destination.
The cab rolled to the curb of 1250 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan, the Rockefeller Center. Avery thanked the driver and paid her fare. She stood in front of the massive building’s fountain, which protruded the flags of several countries, in awe, wondering what she would see inside. She smiled, looked around, reveling in the thought of actually being in New York City, and then entered the building.

Briley - Scenario II

Erick… Haley was so upset when she heard the sound of his voice. It scared Briley to see her friend that way. She had never seen her friend that way before and it gave her the chills. After about thirty minutes of him yelling through the door and yelling at Haley to open the door, he finally left, and Briley saw Haley physically relax. Briley could tell that this wasn’t going to be fun if it involved this Erick guy.

Briley looked at Haley, “Hey. Why don’t we go out? You know, introduce me to The Big Apple. Come on. It will be fun and it will get our minds off things. How about we go to a museum? That was the first thing I wanted to do when I got here and now is the perfect chance.” Briley paused to look at her friend, “What do you say?”

After a moments pause, Haley smiled again and agreed. Briley gave Haley a hug and they left the apartment, making sure that the door was secured.



The Metropolitan Museum of Art was HUGE. Briley stared up at the building that consists of two million square feet. It is known as the “Museum Mile” in New York. It contains over two million pieces of art, and is divided into nineteen curatorial departments. Briley was in awe. Never had she seen such an amazing art gallery.

Haley was quiet the ride on the drive to the museum. It kind of scared Briley, but she knew Haley wasn’t up to talking after that little incident. Instead, Briley pulled Haley into the museum. She paid the toll to enter this phenomenon of a building and led Haley to the paintings.

They saw many pieces of work by American painters; Winslow Homer, George Caleb Bingham, John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, and many more. Briley gazed at the sculptors of famous war veterans and presidents, and the sculptor of David. Briley’s breath was taken by all the different pieces of art that lay beyond the walls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Haley made noises of acknowledgment that this was cool, but Briley could tell she wasn’t feeling up to doing this. Briley sighed, “How about we go out to eat? I am starved and you are looking a little pale.”

Haley followed Briley reluctantly to a coffee shop on the corner. They ate bagels and drank cappuccinos before heading back to Haley’s apartment. Haley barely said anything the entire time.

By Taylor

Renee Scenario II





Scenario Two
The plane had just landed, and as Renee was just waiting to go and see her family. As she was starting to walk down the long ramp, she realized that the weather was nice outside and it would be a good day to go and look around her home time “New York.”

Her rental car was there; as she got into it, her phone rang. It was her mother that she hadn’t seen for years. Mother asked, “How are you?

Renee replied, “I am doing good and you?” As Renee was almost in tears, trying not to cry. When she got off the phone with her mom she headed straight to her house. She had a little ways to go.

When she got there she got out of her car and got her stuff out of the truck. She said to herself “I’m home.” She then walked to the door. “Knock, knock, knock.” Renee then heard footsteps. The doorknob turned and then the door opened. It was her mother. Tears then ran down their cheeks.

Mother responded “I just talked to you on the phone.”

Renee replied, “I was on my way here and I was just wanting to surprise you all.”
Her mother then said, “Come in and put your things away.” No one is home right now but they will be home in a few minutes. As Renee was putting her things away she heard the front door open from upstairs. Then she heard her dad’s voice. She then finished putting her things away as her mother was downstairs trying not to ruin it. When she got her things put away she then started walking down stairs. Again tears started to run down her face as she ran to her dad and gave him a hug. As they sat down for a little while and talked, the phone then began to ring. Her mother answered it to hear the voice of Renee’s brother saying that they are back at the station and ready to come home.

When her mom hung up the phone Renee asked, “Where is April and Ehly?
Her mother replied that they left and went on a brother sister trip for the day. Her mother then asked, “Would you like to go with me and your father to pick them up from the Grand Central Station?”

Renee replied, “Yes I would love to.” They then both loaded up in her dad’s truck and headed to the Grand Central Station. When they got there, Renee got out as her parents drove off to find a parking spot. When she walked into the station, she looked over to her right to seeing her sister and brother. She then walked up to them and gave them both a big hug and said, “I’m home for good.” They both were so happy that they finally get to spend time with their older sister. So they stood there waiting on their parents to then walk in. When their parents walked in, they walked around for awhile so Renee could remember what her hometown New York was like.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Carolyn, Lillyanna, and Miranda

Carolyn
When Carolyn woke up the next morning she still amazed with what she had seen when she visited the Statue of Liberty. She wasn’t too for sure what she was going to be doing today but she did however know she thought she should start looking for a more permanent place to live. So she got ready and decided she was going to go and try out the little coffee shop she went by when she was headed to the Statue of Liberty, it was called Le CafĂ©.
She thought it was a cute little coffee shop and she was hoping it would be just what she needed to feel a little more at home. When she got there, there was no line which she loved because she was not in the mood to wait. After she got order and went and sat down she saw a newspaper lying on the table next to her so she grabbed hoping she would be able to find available apartments in her price range and in actual New York City, which was her actual dream destination.
She started flipping through trying to find one and it was like one just popped out of the page at her, she thought it was perfect. It was a one master bedroom, master bath, half bath, full kitchen, dinning room, living room, and laundry room. It was at the Westmont Apartment buildings on the west side of Central Park. She didn’t want to give it another thought, the price was perfect, and the location was excellent. Once she finished her coffee she went back to the hotel, went up to her room, gathered her stuff, went back down the front desk and checked out.
After driving six hours she finally arrived to the apartment building. When she found a place to park, and went to the apartment manager’s office. After explaining why she was there, he took her to vacant studio apartment on the fifteenth floor.
After exploring what she thought could be her new apartment, she and the superintendent went back down stairs to write up and agreement. After an hour of discussing the agreement they finally agreed on one. By the time they were finished it was about ten thirty, she went back out to her car and started up loading the backs that her family had sent he earlier in the week to the hotel where she was staying.
When she got all she could in the elevator she went up to her new apartment. As she was unloading the boxes as young girl and her mother came out of the apartment which was just down the hall from hers.

Miranda
Miranda woke up at ten thirty in the morning, she went to the kitchen. Her mom had prepared the breakfast for her, it looked delicious. Her dad had already gone to work and her mom decided it was going to be a shopping day, Miranda though that was a perfect idea, it was a sunny day, and she had changed her mind about living in New York. Miranda and her mom sat down at the big table by the biggest window in the apartment, they could see all central park from there.
After taking the breakfast, Miranda took a shower and got dress. She and her mom were ready and got out of the apartment. In the entrance they saw a bunch of boxes and suitcases. New neighbors, they though, at that time a young girl, about 19 years old, appeared.
Lillyanna
Lillyanna finally decided to move into the Westmont apartments near Central park she always loved how beautiful it was there. Lillyanna was walking up the stairs with boxes about the size of her, it would really be nice if I had help right abo… Lillyanna didn’t see the boxes right in front of her and she fell flat on her face two girls came to her aid. They helped her up Lillyanna said “Ugh I’m sorry I’m so clumsy!” One of the girls name was Miranda the other one Carolyn they both helped her carry her boxes in. ironically they were all moving in the apartment build around the same time so they all helped each other out. “I think I this is going to be the beginning of a good friendship Lillyanna said to herself.”
Carolyn, Miranda, and Lillyanna
After Carolyn and Lillyanna got their boxes in their new residence with the help of Miranda and her mother, they all went for a walk in central park and out to lunch. After spending the afternoon together and getting to know each other really well, they went back to the apartment complexes and went their separate ways but made a deal to hang out again real soon once Lillyanna and Carolyn got better settled in.