In the year 2018, we acknowledge the freedom of choice students should have in their academic life of school, college and university. No matter who you are, or where you are from, you should be able to choose what you want to do in the future. “I can’t wait to go to the college of science for the first time,” said Arjun to his mother, with an anxious tone. “I am sure you will learn enough, my dear, and become a scientist in the distant future!” said Arjun’s mother. “Have a wonderful time in the college of science, my son! Remember to stay focused in class and take your time in making good friends as well,” said Arjun’s father while reading a newspaper in the living room. Arjun was awaiting the college bus which was yet to come near his house. He was excited to meet new people and try to make new friends (well, that’s at least what his parents told him to do) but Arjun really wasn’t ready to learnphysics. Arjun is a down to earth, shy and an introvert who suffers from some anxiety in tough situations. He didn’t socialize in school often, but he did manage to make 2 friends at school to this day. Arjun never wanted to do Physics, but his mother tells him to do it since it has many job opportunities. He felt backed out, but he had to show he is excited so that his mother doesn’t have doubts on him. Arjun actually wanted to do animation and was more passionate with animation compared to Physics. “Bye mother!” shouted Arjun while running to the college bus approaching from a distant range on the road. “Bye sweetheart,” replied his mother. Arjun was on the bus and observed his surroundings quite vividly. There were 8 rows and 3 seats on each. He decided to go to the third seat, since three was his favourite number. Since someone already took the first seat, which was the window seat, Arjun had to sit on the second seat from the left. He sat down on thick blue fabric of the bus seat and looked to his left. Arjun’s first thoughts about this situation was how he should handle it. He thought of talking to the person sitting on the window seat. Well, he didn’t look very pleasant. This student had a pair of horizontal lip rings on his lips and an earring on one ear, but not the other. He had black hair, black clothes, black nail polish on his fingernails, black trousers and black shoes and socks. He also had black lipstick and a dark tint of eyelashes which were also black. Arjun thought that this guy really liked the colour black and was really addicted to it. He couldn’t see his shirt and what it said at the time, but it wasn’t very pleasant. Arjun also observed that this guy also had quite long hair and looked western. Arjun, after looking at these details of the individual sitting next to him, wasn’t too confident to speak to him but Arjun knew his father said to make a better friend circle and Arjun knew he implied it. Arjun had to talk, even for at least a minute. It would improve his social skills more and more as time goes on and it would help him with talking to anyone, one step at a time. Arjun was always wanting to have this moment and to shine in the spotlight of socialisation. He knew what he had to do. Arjun approached this guy slowly, while everyone was chatting about their holidays and their test grades. Arjun tapped his shoulder. “Hello?” started Arjun. “What do you want? You fat creep” the student asked, distinctively. “Um, what is your name...?” replied Arjun, with an improvisational tone. “The name’s Bart.” He replied. “Seems to me like you’re in my physics class, aren’t cha mate?” Bart said, with a very heavy British accent. “Yes, I sure am! Are you British?” Arjun asked. “Oh yeah, I am full British. I am thinking you aren’t from this country now, are you?” agreed Bart. “Yeah I am from India” said Arjun. “Oi! Does that mean you are smart in your class?” asked Bart, yet again with his British accent. “Oh yeah… I am…” said Arjun. Arjun’s face turned green, because he felt guilty of lying. He knew he wasn’t doing good with science and even thought he had no interest to it. He felt it burn through his veins, hoping Bart won’t ask for help with studying concepts he himself doesn’t know. He felt disappointed of his actions. Nevertheless, it didn’t matter. “Oh cool! That’s nice!” said Bart. “Thanks… I really am passionate about science itself!” lied Arjun, again. “My name is Arjun, so now you can call me Arjun. So, do you want to be friends?” asked Arjun. “Oh, sure mate! Why not? After all we know a lot about each other already! Like… I know you’re Indian,” exasperated Bart. “Okay...” replied Arjun. Arjun finally, while rushing, got a friend. After that conversation they stayed tongue-tied for quite a while. Arjun attempted hard to look at the scenery while the bus cruised through to its final destination. He looked at the trees, the swamps, the grass, the picnic mats adults set up. It was all drifting away from him while on the bus drive. He was looking over at Bart and he was ignoring him again. Arjun was very confused what he’d done to make Bart his friend. Was it a good idea?Arjun thought. Arjun could tell Bart wanted intelligent friends who he can ask questions to, but Arjun just wanted a friend so desperately to tell his parents about. “Oi, Arjun! We reached college mate,” said Bart. “I can see that Bart…” Arjun replied, with a disappointed tone. Arjun, Bart and everyone else strideoff the bus and walked formally to the college entrance with simple, non-uniform clothes. The scenery was absolutely incredible. Arjun saw the football pitch, which was said to be nearly 2 acres, and he realized how big it actually was. There were students playing in the pitch and everyone was fitter and healthier than Arjun. He has a problem with how he looks, since he is fat. The gates Arjun entered from were made from steel and metal as the title of the school was on the gate and building, as it reflected the sun’s light on Arjun’s eyes. The reception was close by, but he had to go to the main entrance. Arjun wasn’t excited to learn new concepts in the college, since he despised Physics. He felt his inner pain as he entered. But surprisingly, he instantly loved the college infrastructure and interior design! He saw all the college students, heading towards their situated lockers. He did the exact same thing while observing the location he was going to. Down the corridor, he saw a physics lab in the distant area and the teacher was teaching the specific class overall. There were many students in the classroom who were learning a physics concept,and there were more students in that class compared to secondary school. Arjun put his books in his locker but was very nervous as to what concept his class was going to learn. When he was finished putting the unwanted books in the locker, he rushed to his classroom. Surprisingly, he was the first student in the class. He sat in a seat near the end of a very long table. It was equivalent to 5 secondary school tables and there were about 6 of them! Arjun knew this was going to be hard to get used to. He never adapted to his environment as quickly as the other students, but he always tried to, and that’s what he thought was important. It was 8:00 A.M. and the college bell rang indicating the start of Arjun’s first day at college. The students came in, one by one, and Arjun’s face went red as sweat trickled down his cheeks. He was tapping his finger on the table as time was passing, and the teacher was teaching. Arjun had no clue as to how he was going to remember all the concepts the teacher was telling the whole class to do.He was getting bored, slowly. The wordings on the classroom board were all just coming from one ear of Arjun and getting out from the other. Arjun was just waiting for this suffering to end. Bart was sleeping in class and Arjun had sat next to another student instead. This boy was different compared to Bart. He had side combed hair with glasses and a grey t-shirt saying, “Having too much ego can be bad, but having none will be a disaster.” This boy was also focusing on the class and was very slim. Arjun thought that this student could help him more than Bart ever could. It was lunchtime and Arjun approached this student. He asked him what his name was, but he didn’t want to answer. Arjun pleaded again and again until the student found it too annoying and at the end he had to give up his name. “Okay. Fine! My name is Jake. Now please, leave me alone.” He said with fury and left. Arjun thought there were slim chances with being friends with Jake, now that his first impression was bad towards him, so he tried to leave him alone. Arjun regretted his choice and the consequence of it. It was the end of lunchtime and Jake had to go back to class. He had to go to a different class this time because a different concept was being taught. Arjun sat near the end of the second row out of the six rows, but Jake moved to the start of the third row. Now it was clear that Jake despised Arjun and Arjun was sad. After that, Arjun still felt bored while the class was being taught another concept in Physics.He was waiting for the day to get over impatiently and didn’t like the first class at all. The day was finally over, and the buses were waiting for the college students to get onboard. Arjun packed his bag and went to the bus and sat on the same seat. Bart was already there, and he didn’t look like he wanted to have much of a conversation at all. He looked more disgusted than he was in the morning. The bus went back to everyone’s house again and then the bus driver dropped Arjun at his house. “How was your first day in college dear?” asked Arjun’s mother. “It was okay, it will take me a while for me to fit in.” Arjun said, monotonously, while going to his bedroom to change his clothes. “Don’t forget to put your clothes to wash! Don’t forget to put your lunchbox to wash as well,” shouted his mother. Arjun was thinking very deeply about what career he was going to do. He hated the college class and didn’t take any interest in even one word the college teachers were saying. Arjun was feeling pressured in his mind. What should he do? Arjun had changed his clothes and went outside to sit on the dining table. His mother had laid out one Dorito packet and 4 biscuits on a plate. Arjun sat down to eat while his mother sat on another chair in the dining table with her phone. Arjun ate his favourite biscuits and munched on his Doritos. After he was done, he got up and headed to his bedroom. He was walking slowly but stopped. He thought about what his real passion was. He knew there would be no turning back from science to animating and he has to try and convince his mother, and he has to try at least once! He turned around with a thump on the ground while doing so. “Mum…” Arjun said nervously. “Yes sweetheart?” replied Arjun’s mother, while putting her phone down on the wooden table. “I think I have a-a con-confession to make” stammered Arjun, with regret for what he was going to say. “What do you mean? Hmm?” asked Arjun’s mother, getting up from her chair. “I-I don’t want to study Physics mum…” Arjun continued. “I want to major into s-something else.” “What is it you want to do? If it’s animation, then talk to the hand or go to your room.” said Arjun’s mother, justified as to what Arjun was about to say. “PLEASE mum, I will be happy if I-.” “SHUT UP!” Arjun’s mother slammed the dining table. Arjun’s mother grabbed onto her son’s arms and looked at him with her bold, bulging eyes. “Arjun, you won’t be able to survive in this cruel economic world without a good job and salary. Animating will slowly kill you and your distant family! You have to do science dear,” “But mum, I want to do it. I WANT TO,” said Arjun, with a raised voice. “Please mum, if I do science I will be fired out of my own job quicker than this argument. Please I-.” “No, you shall not have a say in this, you can’t! You are too naive to understand the consequences of your actions.” “Mum! I know the pros and cons about animating but doing Physics will be the biggest mistake of my life! I will always be bored and confused as to what I am doing with no passion to what I will help with. I will forget important concepts and I will not get a job by an enterprise. I-.” “I don’t want to talk to you. Go to your room now,” concluded Arjun’s mother. “Mum, you have to listen to me,” disagreed Arjun. Arjun kept talking about his complex feelings, but Arjun’s mother took no notice of him, treating Arjun with contempt. Arjun went to his bedroom, slowly walking, with disappointment following behind him to his mind. He knew his mother didn’t care about what he had passion for, and he thought his mother never cared about HIM. His mother only wanted him to live a happy life, but she thought of only one thing that would make him happy. Money. His mother thought that animating gave you nothing but PAIN, since the income was lower than an average earning capacity in the western countries. Arjun swooped and dropped onto his unorganised bed. He whimpered onto his bedsheets and was sad that he would have to suffer for the rest of his life majoring in physics. He had dark thoughts like begging and starving, just like his mother thought of Arjun if he chose animation. He strides to his bedroom door and locked it. He fell onto his bed again and closed his eyes like nothing happened. He started thinking deeply and hoped to do it for a very long time. After around four hours of Arjun’s absence, Arjun’s mother got concerned. She tried to open the door of Arjun’s bedroom, but it was locked. “Arjun?” She shouted, while knocking on the door. “ARJUN! OPEN THE DOOR!” She shouted, while banging on the door very hard. Arjun’s mother tried to break the door, but it was no use. Arjun was in a trance. He didn’t want to get involved with life anymore. Arjun’s father rung the door bell and Arjun’s mother came to the main door and opened. “What’s going on Sanjana? You look worried…” said Arjun’s dad, with concern. “ARJUN HAS LOCKED HIMSELF! Bharwal, come and break the door down quickly!” Shouted Arjun’s mother anxiously, while pushing Arjun’s dad inside the house. Bharwal sprinted to Arjun’s bedroom and shoved himself into the wooden door. It broke the lock, so he opened the creaking door slowly. “Arjun?” said Arjun’s parents, softly. They found him, lying on the bed. Arjun’s mother immediately went to check Arjun’s pulse and Arjun was still alive. Sanjana slapped Arjun’s face and yelled a lot. “ARJUN! Wake up. Wake up NOW!” demanded his mother in fury. “Sanjana, calm down. You don’t need to let our neighbours know that our son is sleeping,” said his dad. Arjun woke up after some time and then, before Sanjana could say even a latter out of her mouth, Arjun’s dad asked why he did this. “Dad, I don’t want to major in physics. Mother is not listening to me dad. She is forcing me to do something I don’t want to do. Please dad, can I do animation?” Pleaded Arjun. “Don’t do Physics then Arjun.” Replied his dad. “What? Bharwal. Are you out of your mind?!” disagreed Sanjana, while clenching her fist. “Arjun should only do what he wants Sanjana. That’s the only thing that matters to be honest. If he doesn’t then he will be screwed…Sanjana, you should know this,” finalised Arjun’s dad. “It won’t make him satisfied! He won’t get enough salary!” “Please tell me you are joking. Everything isn’t about money Sanjana, if he is happy then that’s everything you should care about.” “Bharwal! He won’t be able to feed his own children.” Cried Arjun’s mother. “He will be able to enjoy his creative achievements of his career with them. Trust me Sanjana, if you tell him to do Physics now and force him then it will end up with his loss. You will be sad and disappointed.” “How will he get a wife! If he animates then he will just get lazier and fatter!” “We will sort that out Sanjana. Stop looking at the pessimistic side of this choice and enjoy it as it is. Think about the welfare our child will have and let him have his dreams come true.” “It is my job to look at the pessimistic side to see the welfare of our son.” “If that was your actual job Sanjana, you would have been fired by now.” Replied Arjun’s dad. Arjun’s mother changed her face from worry to angry. She went red and stepped on Bharwal’s foot. She went to the main door of the house and opened it to get out and then slammed it to close the door. “Are you sure you want to animate Arjun?” asked his dad. “Yes dad. I am not scared anymore… and thanks” replied Arjun while walking outside to speak with his mother. “What a strong boy” his dad said. The door shut, and Arjun stood next to his mother. “You know why I am doing this? So that you can lead a happy life my dear. I want you to have the money to satisfy your family with so that you be satisfied. I only cared about your salary and happiness. Then your dad made me realize that money doesn’t buy happiness. Your dad is right. What a bad parent I was, forcing you to do the one thing you didn’t want to do,” said Arjun’s mother. “Are you sure you want to animate, my boy? My dear son?” asked Arjun mother. “Yes mother… I want to animate,” said Arjun, with full commitment. “Very well. You may do animation as a career. I am so sorry I forced you to do Physics since you were in Grade 4, torturing you from the inside. Please forgive me.” “It’s okay mother. At least you said sorry…” Arjun hugs his mother and Arjun’s mother kisses his head in return. “Go now, I will serve dinner.” Commanded Arjun’s mother. Sanjana went towards the kitchen and Arjun followed. Arjun, at this moment, felt a sense of “relief”. More than ever in his life. It was like he was carrying 100 pounds of weight in his mind, but it went to absolute zero in just a flash. He enjoyed this moment to the fullest in his inner-mind and inner soul. Arjun grew up to work for Disney and owns his own animated show till this day. He has a small family but a big crowd of fans. Everyday, he thinks of this part of his life and always thanked his parents for the approval for him to do animation and the approval to be who he is today. He also thanked his fathe

Riha by Saachi Bhasin

Since the time she was just a little child, Riha’s been afraid of the spotlight.
Her parents found it odd, considering they were both theatre enthusiasts
and well-known actors. They passed it off as a phase, saying she would grow
out of it soon. Eighteen years later, today, Riha’s parents have accepted that
their one and only daughter may have stage fright. Though, this didn’t mean
they had come to terms with it. Riha’s been to doctors, therapists, theatre
workshops, everything that may help cure her. Unfortunately for her
parents, nothing worked. Riha was alright with her fear. She didn’t really
care that she couldn’t perform in theatre the way her parents did. She had
other dreams. Her ambitious mind was fixated on architecture. What Riha
did care about were her parents; and her parents cared about her fear. So
when her parents asked her to take a week long leave from school to
perform at a theatre festival, Riha was heartbroken.
“Just a few days of school! What’s the fuss about, Riha? It’s good practice
for your future in the industry!” Giggled Riha’s mother
“Maa, school’s important!!!! I must go! My…chemistry teacher said that if I
missed even a single day of school she would…uh…FAIL ME!” Exclaimed
Riha, inwardly wincing at her lie. She already knew what her mother’s
next words would be.
“FAIL you? I need to speak to the school about this! How could she?”
Ranted Riha’s mother as she pulled out her phone and began writing an
email.
“Maa, DON’T! I made that up so you don’t make me skip school!” Riha
explained as she snatched the phone out of her mother’s hands.
“I know, silly. I did it to trap you. And why are you so keen on going to
school anyway? Don’t be such a bore! Have fun! Act!” Smiled Riha’s
mother.
“Maa, we need to talk.” Commanded Riha as she urged her mom onto her
bed.
Riha closed the bedroom door behind her, blocking the sound of happy
children playing in the park. Furthermore, she drew the blinds too, stopping
the sunny Sunday afternoon light from entering the otherwise dingy room.
Riha knew that this little talk would bring her emotional mother to tears and
just wanted to make sure she was ready. She didn’t want her neighbors to
think she was making her mother cry.
“What is all this drama for? You’re a theatre actress- not some character
on a soap opera!” Joked Riha’s mother.
“Maa, I can’t act. I can’t perform the way you and Papa do! I have a fear-
remember? The one you and Papa keep pretending isn’t real?”
Riha looked up at her mother to see she had tears in her eyes. Riha sat down
on the bed and held her mother’s hands.
“I love acting,’” Lied Riha “I really do.”
It had been about a month since Riha convinced her mother to let her go to
school rather than the festival. It was a Sunday and Riha’s dad had come
home from his big play in Bombay about a week ago. It was a lazy Sunday
and Riha had spent her entire morning working on a new sketch for her Art
and Design class in school It felt like a completely normal Sunday, so when

Riha found her parents in the living room, all excited, waiting for Riha, she
knew something was different.
“Why’re you guys here?” Asked Riha as she tried to pretend she wasn’t
slightly upset that she couldn’t just eat a quick lunch and jump right back to
completing her work.
“We have good news for you!” Teased Riha’s father- grinning from ear to
ear.
Her mother clasped Riha’s father’s hand tightly and giggled. “Great news”
She corrected.
“What is it?” Asked Riha, genuinely curious.
“See for yourself.” Said Riha’s father and held out a big white envelope
addressed to Riha.
It wasn’t opened, so Riha’s parents already knew what it was and just
wanted to see the look on Riha’s face when she opens it. With every second,
Riha got more and more curious and excited. Riha tore open the big white
envelope. The content was heavy…and spiral bound. She slowly tugged it
out of the ripped paper that wrapped it- her disappointment growing with
each centimeter it moved. She held the bulky piece of mail on her hands. She
felt the increasing pressure on her- both, literally and metaphorically. She
looked at the object in her hands. A translucent blue sheet of paper. Her
parents’ dreams- and her own nightmare. Her mother stood on her toes,
biting her nails as she tried to contain her excitement.
“What is it?” Probed Riha’s mother.
Riha swallowed hard, trying to ignore the lump in her throat. She weighed
the papers in her hand, feeling her fingers get cold under the sheets. They
seemed so new, clean, and inviting- untouched; but they intimidated her
more than anything else. Riha looked up at her parents. The two people that
put Riha above all else. The two people that had allowed and guided Riha to
pursue any dream she had wanted. The two people that had great plans for
Riha’s future, great plans to carry on their family name in theatre even after
their time. The least Riha could do is give it a try. For her parents. Riha was
ready to attempt at a good job- even if it meant facing her biggest fear.
“It’s a script.” Whispered Riha- trying her best to fake excitement.
“We found a way to fix you.” Laughs Riha’s mom as she hugs her
daughter.
“How…how so?” Stammers Riha. “I’m-I can’t.” Explains Riha.
“Oh, Riha! It’s a script for a big film! Movie! You’re the lead! And your
father and I know that you can do this because you’re not on stage! It’s
not a play, so now you won’t be afraid!” Riha pulled away from the hug.
“I’m going to go study now. Exams coming up.” Riha said as she began
walking back to her room, script still in hand.
“But what about your lunch?” called Riha’s mother.
“I’m not hungry. Lost my appetite.” Replied Riha, mumbling the last three
words.
The shoot was as tiring as could be. Eight months of this. Torture. Luckily,
six months were done with. Only two to go. Riha’s parents had been had
been wrong. Replacing ten thousand people with a camera didn’t change
anything. Riha was still afraid. She knew she wasn’t doing well. The

producers would curse themselves for allowing her to do the movie. The
director would pick at his nails during scenes. This was the fourth break
since lunch. That’s one break every 1.3334 hours, calculated Riha. She knew
this wasn’t a good sign, but it meant she got more time in her trailer, so she
could study for her exams. She was hoping to ace math, physics and art and
design this year. It would help out a lot for when she becomes an architect.
She had to do well in these exams. Her finals. Her parents had told her to let
it go, saying that she was stressing herself out too much and that was
coming in the way of her acting. Still, Riha wanted to be an architect. If she
had to study for it, she would. If that came in the way of her acting, so be it.
At the rate she was going, this movie wasn’t going to do well anyway. Her
parents knew it too, so they would arrange for Riha to show up on reality
shows to promote her movie. Obviously, Riha didn’t like this and often didn’t
show up when she had to. When her parents thought she’s leaving to the
venue of the show, Riha would walk to the nearest library and study there
till late night. It didn’t take long till her parents caught on but they convinced
themselves that it was nothing more than her responsibility to have a back
up plan in the unlikely case of a tough time in the theatre industry.
Riha sat at the desk in her study, designing buildings as a way to let out her
anger. On the other side of the door, her parents walked around the house,
raging. Newspapers crumpled up in their hands. Every time they passed the
study, they would talk to Riha through the door about how angry they were.
How embarrassed they were to say that Riha was their daughter. Her movie
had released a few days ago. Film critiques loved the story, but hated Riha.
“A horrendous actor”, “Expressionless and boring”, “Hopefully a joke”, “I
wouldn’t even pick her if she was last resort” These and other similar
colorful opinions decorated this week’s news. As much as Riha tried not to
care, she really did. She was scared even in front of the camera. Riha could
never act, and that bothered her parents. After close to four hours of
thinking and drawing and crying and reading and screaming at her, Riha’s
parents seemed to have calmed down. Her father said he needed time and
left the house. Her mom sat in the study with now, holding Riha’s hand.
“I’m sorry for getting angry. We should have known. You’ve always been
afraid of the spotlight. Your father and I have just had such high hopes for
you because according to us you’ve always been a brilliant actor. Any
actor worth his or her salt can do two things: cry on demand; and lie
exceptionally well. Riha, I’m your mother. I’ve see you do both. I’m not
going to lie, you’ve really let us down. I don’t know, maybe it was my fault
that I had such high expectations. I’m just not used to seeing you go
wrong. Ever. From things like washing dishes to things like school- you’ve
always been right in everything.”
“Speaking of school, Maa, I have something you need to sign.” Replied
Riha
“A report card? Let me guess: eighty per cent in everything except math,
physics and art and design. Ninety per cent in all those three?” Riha’s
mother smiled.
“Actually, ninety four per cent in physics.” Corrected Riha.

On that, Riha’s mother signed the sheet, kissed Riha’s forehead and left the
study. That night, at dinner, Riha’s father apologized too.
A week later, Riha’s parents helped Riha apply to 12 different architecture
schools. Little did they know that the next month would be that happiest
month of Riha’s life.
Riha tore open the big white envelopes, but this time, she wasn’t holding a
script. She held a letter addressed to her. A letter from MIT. An acceptance
letter from MIT.
“I GOT IN! I GOT IN TO MIT! I CAN STUDY ARCHITECTURE!”
Now, here she stood, waving goodbye to her loving, supportive and
understanding parents from the airport- and saying hello to the next big
chapter in her life.

Penetro by Devashree Gupta

Penetro

Prequel: The birth of Penetro
Penetro was just getting off the bus and walking through the parking lot to school
when he overheard a part of a part of a conversation that caught his interest.
“I think we should tell Manon today”, a female voice whispered sounding anxious.
“I agree”, a male voice replied. Penetro assumed it was Manon’s parents as he
moved in closer. “but we have to be prepared to answer a lot of questions about her
adoption.”
This was the window of opportunity he had been looking for. To be connected to
students in a way that made him feel more involved without personally knowing
them. He didn’t think of the lives he’d be hurting, all he cared about was feeling as if
he was part of something.
So that day when Penetro returned home he wrote his very first post as an online
tyrant.

A year later….
The room was filled with students and Ms Malachai droned on about the new social
welfare assignment for the term, but I barely paid attention, twirling my pen and
trying not to envy the kids who were going home. Suddenly, a dark shadow fell upon
me and I looked up only to see Ms. Malachai looking slightly exasperated as she
snapped her fingers too close to my face and said sharply,” Ms Pierce, you should
really pay more attention in class and not what’s going on outside the window. Your
partner for this assignment is Manon Hastings, I want the assignment on my desk,
completed on my desk in a month.”
Then she took heed and waked away, probably to traumatize some other poor
student by snapping her gigantic fingers in close proximity to their face. I was so
busy wondering about how long it takes her to get a manicure that I almost didn’t
notice when Manon slid a chair next to mine and began,” So I’m your partner I think
……um……… what do you want to do for the assignment.”
She didn’t really look at me, but instead she was fidgeting with a piece of paper. She
looked so vulnerable with those brown doe eyes, I just had to suggest with a smirk,”
why don’t we find out who Penetro is and shut down that terrible site?’
Penetro was a cyber bully who terrorised the students of this prison, west bridge high
with malicious posts of the students’ idiocy and recklessness. Penetro’s first post

Penetro by Devashree Gupta 2
about my partner, Manon Hastings herself. She seemed to perk up at this
suggestion, her eyes glinting, “that’s a great idea,” she exclaimed, “let’s start now.”

So, over the next few days, Manon and I went through almost every single post
Penetro had ever posted on their site. We researched at my house sometimes, and
my mother was delighted that id taken some interest in another human being, but I
told her not to gets her hopes up. It was pretty unlikely that Manon and I would end
up friends.
Today, at Manon’s house we decided to make a list of suspects and narrow down
which grade we think Penetro is from by seeing who they favour, who they haven’t
written about and who they target too much.
“Penetro is probably someone from someone from our grade.” Manon explained.
She seemed extremely keen to discover Penetro’s identity, “it can’t be someone
younger as Penetro first started to post when our batch started high school.”
“hmm. it could be someone older,” I countered.
“I don’t think so, Penetro takes too much interest in our grade. Hey, you know
Penetro could be Nelly Yuki.” Manon suggested, “There’s only one post about her –
Nelly pretended to go to an Ariana Grande concert again; anyone see a pattern –
that’s all.”
“Hmm, I don’t think she’s nearly clever enough,” I said looking around Manon’s room
trying to figure out her personality. There were a lot of posters as well as
photographs. Shy as she was, Manon had many friends. She loved music and
Monet. She talked some more about other students, but I was barely listening, giving
her vague answers like “she doesn’t have any friends” and “he’s extremely annoying”
although I had no idea who Manon was talking about.
“That’s true, who hates Jane Dunphy?” Manon enquired.
“The whole school practically,” I murmured while staring at a poster of ‘The Vamps’.
Manon burst out laughing and I looked at her in surprise. What had caused this
sudden fit of laughter?
“I made the name up,” she said when she finally stopped laughing, but the confused
look on my face as I said “What?!” set off another bout of laughter.
“There’s no Jane Dunphy at our school,” Manon grinned, “You are barely listening to
me, Em.”
“Oh” was my reply. I suppose I could see some humour in it however a warm feeling
was growing inside me as I realised Manon had given me a nickname. Perhaps I
would take a liking to Manon and her shy nature.

Penetro by Devashree Gupta 3
The next day in school, Manon and I were following Nelly Yuki’s every move, as
planned the day before. We saw who she was rude to, who she was friends with, but
alas there was no concrete evidence that Nelly Yuki was in fact “Penetro”. At lunch I
sat with someone for the first time, Manon. I made an amusing comparison of us to
Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. I even went so far as to make an illustration of
me in a deerstalker cap and a pipe; Manon saw it and burst out laughing. The day
after that, on Tuesday, we trailed Blair Fields, a cheerleader who knew everyone.
She was almost friends with the entire school. Penetro had not written a single
malevolent thing about her, but she hadn’t taken Computers as a subject and did not
seem very bright. So, we knocked Blair of the suspect list.
On Wednesday, we continued with our real-life version of Cluedo to pursue our next
suspect – Caleb Humphrey, who had got top marks in Computers and who was
rumoured to have hacked into the NASA website. Manon even walked up to him and
questioned him, “What do you think about Elena Salvatore and Serena Gilbert?”
These were Penetro’s common targets. He responded, “I think both of them are
snobbish and good for nothing”. Then he walked away.
“I’m sure it’s him now,” Manon whispered while looking around warily, “but I think we
need more evidence before we confront him and tell him to take down the site”. The
gleam in her eyes told me that Manon felt quite strongly about this issue and I
suddenly had the urge to comfort her.
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s him as well,” I started “Don’t worry,” I continued as I put a hand
on her arm and squeezed it in a reassuring way, “We’ll take down Penetro together. I
know you really hate that site.”
“Oh! You have no idea, after Penetro posted that I’m adopted, the day my parents
were about to tell me was the worst day of my life,” Manon explained, “It didn’t
change anything. I still love my parents, but I didn’t want the school to know before I
actually did. It was just really humiliating.”
Her eyes burned with rage and her fists curled into balls. She looked as if she was
about to cry, but then she cleared her throat, turned away from me to wipe her eyes,
then turned back to me and said perkily, “So, who are we stalking next, Holmes?”
I had to let loose a chuckle at that comment. Manon should get an award for being
an ice breaker. “I guess whoever’s next on our suspect list, my dear Watson.”
On Thursday and Friday, we continued with our list, but also kept an eye on Caleb
Humphrey. The more evidence we collected, the more evident it became Caleb is
Penetro; Manon was absolutely convinced of it.
On Friday evening we took a break from being detectives. Manon and I just sat in
her room while she gave me song recommendations and I gave her book
recommendations.
“I’ve brought you my copy of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd especially for you. If you
do anything to it, I’ll hunt you down and murder you.”

Penetro by Devashree Gupta 4
Manon gave me a look of mock terror, however what I said was true. I hold all my
books in high regard and usually would never lend them out to anyone. Possibly, as
there was no one I could lend it out to.
“Fine, I’ll read your boring Poirot book,” she pouted. I gave her a death glare. She
ignored it and continued, “but you have to listen to all the songs I list out and you
have to love them.”
I came to the realization, right then that over the past two weeks Manon and I had
grown close or as close as we could have for me to consider her as a friend, but I
still wasn’t sure, so I asked in a most idiotic manner, “are we friends?”
“Yeah, of course, Em”, Manon said with a smile. “Now you have to listen to…”
We continued talking and watching movies very late into the night and I had a feeling
that Manon and I were going to get a lot closer, so I knew what I had to do.

--------------

It was Sunday morning and Manon had just finished reading the Murder of Roger
Ackroyd after pulling an all nighter. The first thing she did after putting down the book
and sighing; was race to Emily’s house. By the time she reached, Manon was
panting. As she went up the stairs to Emily’s room Manon thought, “Will we fail the
project if Caleb isn’t really Penetro? Do we have to report him to the school?”
However, as she entered Emily’s grey-blue room (which matched Em’s eyes) with
absolutely nothing decorating the walls except many, many bookshelves, she
completely forgot about Penetro. Emily though was nowhere to be found, so Manon
went up to Emily’s glass desk and sat on her chair waiting. When she turned around
to face the desk, Manon’s lips parted, and she let lose a gasp. Emily’s MacBook was
open onto Penetro’s website and the cursor was right in the middle of typing out a
post.

--------------

When I walked into my room I had no idea how long Manon had been sitting there,
gaping at the screen. I had to think, quickly before she realized I was in the room. My
first approach would be to shut her out completely, but I was going to close down the
site because I saw all the pain Penetro had caused to Manon, my friend, my only
friend. I could beg her for forgiveness but…
“How could you?” Manon croaked, her face showing a mix of emotion-anger, no-
something stronger. She looked at me with hatred.
I knew it was too late then and used my natural tendency
“How could I what?” I drawled, setting my face to a bored look, not showing a hint of
emotion. “What are you doing in my room?”
Manon turned a blind eye to my second question and hit me with an assortment of
questions, “How could you be Penetro? Why did you even suggest discovering who

Penetro by Devashree Gupta 5
Penetro was? Were you messing with me?” she inhaled sharply, “How could you tell
the whole school I was adopted before I even knew?”
With the last question, my cool façade broke and I stammered, “Uh… I… I’m sorry. I
was just messing around at first, but then I genuinely started caring about you and
I’m taking the site down. I just wanted to post one more thing, to have that feeling of
power one last time. I would really do nothing to hurt you, you’re my only friend.”
At that, something clicked in Manon, I had never seen her look at me or anyone else
like this, with such raw unhinged fury, she clenched her jaw, her fists shaking as she
said, “Don’t you dare call me your friend, ever!”
Manon strode the length of the room and was about to walk out, but I stopped her.
“Can you blame me?” I cried out, my last pathetic attempt to try and save this
friendship. “Oh my God! The number of Neanderthals in our school. I think they
deserved it.”
But Manon didn’t so much as give me a glance as she hurried down the stairs and
slammed the main door. This made me think, did I deserve this? Did Manon?
Fortunately, my mother did not come upstairs and question as to what just occurred.
Suddenly, this was all too much for me and silent tears ran down my face. I couldn’t
remember the last time I’d ever cried. As fast as I could, between sobs and my blurry
eyes, I walked towards my laptop and deleted the stupid site that had been the
cause of so many problems for so many students, even Manon. Perhaps, this
website had damaged me and my personality more than anyone else’s. I felt
excruciatingly stupid. How could I ever think this site would help me get closer to the
other students. It alienated me from them even more.
In an instant I rushed down the stairs, running to Manon’s house, but my mother
stopped me, “What do you think you are doing?”
“I’m going to fix this mess with Manon”, I said.
“You should let her cool down, give her time, then approach her.”
“I have to at least explain, or she’ll think that I don’t care.”
Then I left running down to Manon’s house. I almost missed her as she was sitting
on a bench by the pavement. She was listening to some music on her iPod.
“Hey”, I said, sitting down next to her. “What are you listening to?”
I was sure she wouldn’t reply and that we’d be sitting there on the bench for hours in
awkward silence, I was prepared to do that, id give her any amount of time she
needed, but she surprised me by saying, “My sad playlist.”
Of course, she was listening to her sad playlist. Manon had a playlist for almost
every mood.
“Would you care to listen to my explanation?” I asked. When she did not reply I
continued, “I took down the site.”

Penetro by Devashree Gupta

The Court by Zahan Srinivasan Chinnadorai

The Court

I was sitting on a hard hunk of plastic that was the school chair, head turned towards the window, looking out at something greater, that was at the time more important than what was being taught in class.

If felt like I was held captive, like a prisoner looking beyond bars, wishing to be free again.

And just like that I was in such deep thought that I was completely unaware, that I was in class anymore.

“Edd! Wake up”, my teacher shouted.

I shot up from my state of nonchalance and I was quite embarrassed, but I found my mind not agreeing with me.

It wasn’t me feeling the embarrassment, it was my head telling me it was a big deal.

But at the time, I did not understand this feeling.

I woke up the next day more tired than ever.

I was in my own world, so much so I didn’t do my hair or wash my face.

I got on the bus and as I walked in, I felt like everyone had their eyes on me, but they didn’t even notice me, yet this feeling resonated in me for a while.

As I was sitting in the bus, I kept stroking my hair to make sure it was ok.

I look outside and again the feeling engulfs my thoughts, telling me that everyone outside the bus was, well, judging me.

I tried to just shake it off, but I ended up falling asleep on the bus.

I got off and tried to keep my head down as I walked towards the school gates.

I was toying with my thumb and I felt a twitch in my neck.

I found an urgency to get out of the crowd of people. I could barely stand it.

As I walked into class, I felt this instant relief, I was finally alone.

I was confused and quite shocked. I didn’t understand these changes. I never was like this,     but that was not the end.

I did what I had to in school, but the feeling lingered and never let go.

I sat down on my couch numb, home was where I could finally set myself free.

It was relief, it was freedom.

Later that day, I looked into a mirror, but what I usually saw was now different.

All I saw was a frail nerd, with the body of a stick.

I was losing control, but I kept telling myself it was okay and this is all going to work out at the end, even though I knew I couldn’t fight it.

I couldn’t sleep that one night, whatever I did that day, every moment was regretted.

It wasn’t any better when I realized that I was awkward and nowhere close to how talkative I was.

My friends were concerned, but in my mind they were putting up an act, they didn’t actually like me, just pitied me. I was part of a puppet show and I was the puppet, at least in my mind.

This went on for so long that, my eyes started to look dull, sad, and not willing to look around and embrace what was around me. For me, it didn’t matter.

My biggest concern was that all in all, I’m not “me” anymore, I wanted life to be the same again.

I went back home not realizing what had happened to me, and just accepted the fact that I would have to deal with this pain and put on a mask to hide it, I finally gave in and stopped the struggle.

I didn’t move on from that day on.

And there I was, in the middle of the night, with my hands wrapped around my knees, on the cold floor.

My mind didn’t let me move a muscle, my eyes were so sore and my body was trembling.

I looked into the mirror, hating the reflection I saw.

My mind kept telling me that I’m the only one responsible and no one else.

I couldn’t comprehend what was happening, was it right or was it wrong.

At this point I gave up any hopes of piecing together my brain.

But, I tried to think about the great times I’ve had in my life, and how I’ve been of some help, even that put a smile on my face.

My family really cared about me and my friends too, and even though this didn’t solve my problem. It made me feel the comfort I was looking for.

There was a sense of courage and a feeling of freedom that resonated deep within, and I had managed to find it, just a fragment of it, but either ways it helped.

I looked into the mirror again and smiled.

I didn’t see the nerd anymore, I saw Edd.

The judge was gone and the defendant took his stance.

The court was at ease…

Realistic fiction by Anaaya Ravishankar

People change mainly because they go through something inhuman. If people went through what I did, I can assure you they wouldn’t survive. My name is Shay Ross, I’m 19 years and I’m being hunted by my demons. Every night my pillow is soaked in my tears. Every moment I live I wish it was my last. Do you feel pain? Well if you do you’re lucky, you’re lucky you can feel. When he died my heart literally turned stone cold. ‘Sometimes all you can do is hope to fall asleep before you fall apart.’ Although, falling asleep doesn’t really help…it just brings alive my nightmares and fears. If you’re really sensitive about things pick up another story, if not, welcome to my hell….

Wait, what happened? What’s wrong? These questions are probably wandering through  your mind right now. Well, I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. Suicidal thoughts also began pouring in after the incident. Like I mentioned above, somebody died and that’s the main reason I’m like this. Still don’t understand? Let’s make that clearer. Do you know what happens when the only thing you love gets taken away forever? Your happiness, joy, your reasons to live goes away with them and that’s exactly what happened to me when life decided to break me further and took my twin brother away from me. We came into this world together but he left without me. He went away leaving me alone in this dark place. Leaving me to drown in my pain and sorrows. I would give anything to see his smile…to watch the way it could light up the world in a couple of seconds. Whenever I looked in the mirror I could see his glowing ocean eyes looking back at me as if I were a diamond. I’m so lost in this world without him. He was the light guiding me out of that black hole. He was my everything and now this house no longer feels like home.

My parents, Sarah and Jeremiah Ross. My brothers’ death destroyed my parents completely. They were the kindest, most caring people I had ever known. Sure, they had their faults but who doesn’t? They fought sometimes but that just made them stronger but now my dad is rarely at home and when he is, my parents can’t stop fighting. What about my mom? She became arrogant, selfish and couldn’t care less about me. Sometimes I wish she was the one rarely at home because at least my dad cared somewhat about me.

Broken, hut, lost…empty. These words roamed my head as another drop of my blood stained the floor, another cut tattooed my skin. I heard footsteps approaching my door and I quickly pulled my sleeves down covering my bruised bloody arms. My mom threw the door open and I looked into her eyes. My heart sank as it met my moms’ once glowing eyes now sad and lifeless. Ever since my brother died I’ve spent hours trying to impress her. Trying to make her love me. Trying to show her that I’m hurting too, may even more than her. Every time I try to do anything for her she just shoves me aside. Somewhat like how a puppy is seeking its mothers’ attention and love but instead just get abandoned on the edge of a sidewalk.

“Yes mom?” I said breaking eye contact. “I’m leaving for work in 10 minutes. Either get there or find another ride to college.” She said in the least interested manner possible. “Oh, you might want to grab something to eat, you look pathetic.” She rolled her eyes and made her way out of the room.

College. Isn’t it supposed to be a place where all differences where finally put a side but I can assure there was nothing further from the truth. You’re probably wondering how bad could it possibly be? Let’s just say it was bad enough to put me in the hospital a couple times. My moms rushed voice snapped me back to reality. “Get out.” She said firmly. I picked up my books and accidently shut the car door harder then I intended to. “If you break it, you better be able to pay for it.” She said as she drove off almost running over my toes. I turned to face the entrance and I immediately regretted getting out of bed.

Loren, Jane, Kyle and Nate the four people who make my life a living hell without breaking a sweat. “Hey shay, how’s brother dearest” Nate taunted me. “Leave me alone, please.” I begged. Jane pushed me back. “Come on try harder. This is pitiful.” She mocked. “What’s going on here?” Professor Mitchell questioned. “Nothing.” Loren said looking directly at me. “Right Shay?” “Right.” I faked a smile. Hopefully it was convincing enough. “Get to class.” She ordered. I ran to class. I spent the rest of the day hiding for them. When college ended I took the bus home and to my surprise my dad was actuallywaiting for me. “Dad?” I stared at him still surprised. He didn’t say anything. He gently held my hand and pushed my sleeves up. “Why are you hurting yourself?” He asked with tears flowing down his face. He flipped his black hair off his face. I looked into his blue eyes and said. “Why do you care?” “l care because I’m your father.” He responded. “what kind of father is never there for his child?” I yelled. He didn’t say anything. His face turned blank, emotionless. He took out the car keys and gestured me to get in the car. “Where are we going?” I asked as I stared out of the fogged window. “A therapist.” He said.

“Why do you bottle up your feelings?” Okay, let’s talk about your mother. We’ve been at this for 45 minutes and all you’ve done is stare at the wall.Your father put you in therapy because you need help.”

 “All I need is my brother.” I finally answered.

“Do you want to talk about him? It doesn’t have to be anything personal for example we can start with how he looks.”

He looked at me intently. It took me a while to answer. I could picture him in my head. I closed my eyes and said “His name was Noah, Noah Ross and well, he looked exactly like me. Fair skin, jet black hair, ocean blue eyes and a smile that could light up the darkest of days.” A tear ran down my cheek. “It’s been an hour, I’m leaving.” I said wiping the tear away.

 “I’ll see you next week same time, same day.” He called out to me. As the door shut he thought to himself, ‘she’s going to be a challenge. Even thoughshe’s damaged she’s so strong. Her walls are high and secure like the walls of a high end bank, almost impossible to breakthrough. I’m pretty sure no one could but I’m not going to stop until I manage to bring them even a few centimeters down. I know I barely know her I haven’t seen many people standing after going through something like that. She’s literally like a candle in the wind and I’m not going to let her burn out.’

Many weeks went by. Everyday I’d get bullied by those four. Every second day my mom would yell at me or throw something at me. Every week I would go to see my therapist and yet nothing has changed…until today. When a new memory was added to my movie of nightmares. What happened? I don’t quite remember. I just remember waking up on a hospital bed with a broken ankle, my hair cut off and bruises all around my body and now I’m still in the hospital staring at myself in the mirror.

 “Can I come in?” A familiar voice asked. It wasn’t my mom or dad, it was my therapist.

 “Sure, it’s a free world.” I replied to his request. “Are you okay?” he asked gently. I didn’t say anything.

“Can I do anything for you?” I remained silent.

“Ring the bell if you need anything.”  He smiled and walked out. He knew I wasn’t ready to talk. Am I okay? No. I’m not okay nor do I think I ever will be. I could take their insults and their pushes and shoves but this really scarred me. This didn’t only scar my body but cut through my heart. ‘There are wounds that don’t show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.’

The hospital me a few days later and I haven’t said a single word to anyone. After a month since the incident I went back and got my cast removed. I visited my therapist but didn’t utter a word. My parents don’t ask if I’m okay. Either they don’t care or they’re waiting for me to break. I haven’t been to college since then. I’ve had many breakdowns. My depression is slowly eating me from the inside. My anxiety levels are hitting the roof tops. I listen to depressing and suicidal things. I eat only junk and I’ve become slightly overweight. And now I’ve had it. I’ve officially snapped.

I’ve been cut and bruised. Even though my heart is shattered into a million pieces, every piece aches. The little love I had for myself was now lost somewhere in some unknown place. I’m tired of feeling pain. I’m tired of fighting. I’m ready to surrender. I’ve been strong for so long now but when I stand up I can feel my feet slowly failing me. For the first time in years my heart and mind agree on the same thing… it’s time to finally give up and stop trying to fight a battle I can’t win. At last things seem so simple. I slowly moved the cut glass to my wrist as a tear made its way down my cheek. My body shivered as the cut glass touched my skin. “Goodbye.” I whispered into the still air.

“Stop!” I heard a frightened scream behind me. It was my therapist standing in the doorway of the bathroom. “Just please stop.” He begged.

 “Go away.” I said “Go away like everyone else did.” My voice began to crack and tears started building up in my eyes.

 “I’m not going anywhere. Shay, listen to me. Ending your life isn’t the answer. It never is. You’re one of the strongest and bravest people I’ve met and I’m not saying just that because you’re about to end your life. Hearing you talk to me every week showed me how you’re in hell and yet your holding your head up high. You’ve walked through fires and I’ll be damned if you burn out now. Your brother didn’t die saving you just for you to kill you self. You are loved. You are loved more than you know. Put the glass down and I’ll show you.”

My body grew numb. The glass slipped through my fingers and shattered on the floor. My back slid down the bathroom wall. I cried and cried. My therapist hugged me trying to calm me down. I cried for hours with my body shaking uncontrollably.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay. You are going to be okay. I’m going to be by your side through out and so are your parents.” He said reassuringly.

“My parents?” I was confused. “Yes, your parents. They unintentionally took all their anger out on you because they just couldn’t bear the pain. A little birdie might have knocked some sense into them.” He chuckled. I tightened the hug but couldn’t stop the tears from falling. “Please stop crying. They don’t deserve your tears. Nobody does. Do this for your brother.”

I immediately stopped crying when I heard the words “…do this for your brother…” I got up. I wiped my tears off my face. I’m going to be strong. I’m not going to be afraid. I’m going to climb to the top of that mountain, I’m going to look down at that small world and show those people that if they kick me when I’m down again they better pray I don’t get up. ‘The best view comes only from the hardest climb.’ I’M GOING TO DO THIS FOR MY BROTHER.

Weeks passed, and I was improving. My parents didn’t completely ignore me. My father spent more time at home. My mother was still rude, but she was trying to change. My therapist concluded after 25 sessions that to improve I needed to let go, needed to say goodbye and that’s exactly what I did.

I woke up the next morning, changed into warm comfy clothes, went downstairs, picked up a buttered toast and met my parents in the car and we drove to the cemetery.

This is it. This is when I say goodbye to my twin brother. I slowly walked to the grave and placed a white rose. I just sat there quietly for what seemed like hours until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

 “Would you like to say something?” My dad asked.

I slowly nodded my head. I stood up, took a deep breath, my eyes fixated on the grave I said “Even though we’re twins you’ll always be my big brother Noah. I’m miss you so much. I’d tear heaven and hell to find you, but somebody has got to take care of mom and dad. I’m sorry you died saving me. You had somuch to look forward to. Who’s going to annoy mom and dad by speaking in Italian without you? I love you Noah…more than anyone ever can. You’ll always be our favorite hello and hardest goodbye. Sempre e per sempre (always and forever). Sleep tight brother, until we meet again.

Realistic Fiction By Atharva Ashutosh Kerkar

In the year 2018, we remember the freedom of choice students should have in their academic life of school, college and university. No matter who you are, or where you are from, you should be able to choose what you want to do in the future.

        “I can’t wait to go to the college of science for the first time,” said Arjun to his mother, with an anxious tone.

“I am sure you will learn enough, my dear, and become a scientist in the distant future!” said Arjun’s mother. “Have a wonderful time in the college of science, my son! Remember to stay focused in class and take your time in making good friends as well,” said Arjun’s father while reading a newspaper in the living room.

        Arjun was awaiting the college bus which was yet to come near his house. He was excited to meet new people and try to make new friends (well, that’s at least what his parents told him to do) but Arjun really wasn’t ready to learnphysics. Arjun is a down to earth, shy and an introvert who suffers from some anxiety in tough situations. He didn’t socialize in school often, but he did manage to make 2 friends at school to this day. Arjun never wanted to do Physics, but his mother tells him to do it since it has many job opportunities. He felt backed out, but he had to show he is excited so that his mother doesn’t have doubts on him. Arjun actually wanted to do animation and was more passionate with animation compared to Physics.

        “Bye mother!” shouted Arjun while running to the college bus approaching from a distant range on the road.

“Bye sweetheart,” replied his mother.

        Arjun was on the bus and observed his surroundings quite vividly. There were 8 rows and 3 seats on each. He decided to go to the third seat, since three was his favourite number. Since someone already took the first seat, which was the window seat, Arjun had to sit on the second seat from the left. He sat down on thick blue fabric of the bus seat and looked to his left. Arjun’s first thoughts about this situation was how he should handle it. He thought of talking to the person sitting on the window seat. Well, he didn’t look very pleasant.

       This student had a pair of horizontal lip rings on his lips and an earring on one ear, but not the other. He had black hair, black clothes, black nail polish on his fingernails, black trousers and black shoes and socks. He also had black lipstick and a dark tint of eyelashes which were also black. Arjun thought that this guy really liked the colour black and was really addicted to it. He couldn’t see his shirt and what it said at the time, but it wasn’t very pleasant. Arjun also observed that this guy also had quite long hair and looked western.

        Arjun, after looking at these details of the individual sitting next to him, wasn’t too confident to speak to him but Arjun knew his father said to make a better friend circle and Arjun knew he implied it. Arjun had to talk, even for at least a minute. It would improve his social skills more and more as time goes on and it would help him with talking to anyone, one step at a time. Arjun was always wanting to have this moment and to shine in the spotlight of socialisation. He knew what he had to do. Arjun approached this guy slowly, while everyone was chatting about their holidays and their test grades. Arjun tapped his shoulder.

        “Hello?” started Arjun. “What do you want? You fat creep” the student asked, distinctively. “Um, what is your name...?” replied Arjun, with an improvisational tone. “The name’s Bart.” He replied. “Seems to me like you’re in my physics class, aren’t cha mate?” Bart said, with a very heavy British accent. “Yes, I sure am! Are you British?” Arjun asked. “Oh yeah, I am full British. I am thinking you aren’t from this country now, are you?” agreed Bart. “Yeah I am from India” said Arjun. “Oi! Does that mean you are smart in your class?” asked Bart, yet again with his British accent. “Oh yeah… I am…” said Arjun.

        Arjun’s face turned green, because he felt guilty of lying. He knew he wasn’t doing good with science and even thought he had no interest to it. He felt it burn through his veins, hoping Bart won’t ask for help with studying concepts he himself doesn’t know. He felt disappointed of his actions. Nevertheless, it didn’t matter.

        “Oh cool! That’s nice!” said Bart. “Thanks… I really am passionate about science itself!” lied Arjun, again. “My name is Arjun, so now you can call me Arjun. So, do you want to be friends?” asked Arjun. “Oh, sure mate! Why not? After all we know a lot about each other already! Like… I know you’re Indian,” exasperated Bart. “Okay...” replied Arjun.

Arjun finally, while rushing, got a friend. After that conversation they stayed tongue-tied for quite a while. Arjun attempted hard to look at the scenery while the bus cruised through to its final destination. He looked at the trees, the swamps, the grass, the picnic mats adults set up. It was all drifting away from him while on the bus drive. He was looking over at Bart and he was ignoring him again. Arjun was very confused what he’d done to make Bart his friend. Was it a good idea?Arjun thought. Arjun could tell Bart wanted intelligent friends who he can ask questions to, but Arjun just wanted a friend so desperately to tell his parents about.

        “Oi, Arjun! We reached college mate,” said Bart. “I can see that Bart…” Arjun replied, with a disappointed tone.

Arjun, Bart and everyone else strideoff the bus and walked formally to the college entrance with simple, non-uniform clothes. The scenery was absolutely incredible. Arjun saw the football pitch, which was said to be nearly 2 acres, and he realized how big it actually was. There were students playing in the pitch and everyone was fitter and healthier than Arjun. He has a problem with how he looks, since he is fat. The gates Arjun entered from were made from steel and metal as the title of the school was on the gate and building, as it reflected the sun’s light on Arjun’s eyes. The reception was close by, but he had to go to the main entrance.

Arjun wasn’t excited to learn new concepts in the college, since he despised Physics. He felt his inner pain as he entered. But surprisingly, he instantly loved the college infrastructure and interior design! He saw all the college students, heading towards their situated lockers. He did the exact same thing while observing the location he was going to. Down the corridor, he saw a physics lab in the distant area and the teacher was teaching the specific class overall. There were many students in the classroom who were learning a physics concept,and there were more students in that class compared to secondary school.

Arjun put his books in his locker but was very nervous as to what concept his class was going to learn. When he was finished putting the unwanted books in the locker, he rushed to his classroom. Surprisingly, he was the first student in the class. He sat in a seat near the end of a very long table. It was equivalent to 5 secondary school tables and there were about 6 of them! Arjun knew this was going to be hard to get used to. He never adapted to his environment as quickly as the other students, but he always tried to, and that’s what he thought was important.

It was 8:00 A.M. and the college bell rang indicating the start of Arjun’s first day at college. The students came in, one by one, and Arjun’s face went red as sweat trickled down his cheeks. He was tapping his finger on the table as time was passing, and the teacher was teaching. Arjun had no clue as to how he was going to remember all the concepts the teacher was telling the whole class to do.He was getting bored, slowly. The wordings on the classroom board were all just coming from one ear of Arjun and getting out from the other. Arjun was just waiting for this suffering to end. Bart was sleeping in class and Arjun had sat next to another student instead. This boy was different compared to Bart. He had side combed hair with glasses and a grey t-shirt saying, “Having too much ego can be bad, but having none will be a disaster.” This boy was also focusing on the class and was very slim. Arjun thought that this student could help him more than Bart ever could.

        It was lunchtime and Arjun approached this student. He asked him what his name was, but he didn’t want to answer. Arjun pleaded again and again until the student found it too annoying and at the end he had to give up his name.

“Okay. Fine! My name is Jake. Now please, leave me alone.” He said with fury and left.

        Arjun thought there were slim chances with being friends with Jake, now that his first impression was bad towards him, so he tried to leave him alone. Arjun regretted his choice and the consequence of it. It was the end of lunchtime and Jake had to go back to class. He had to go to a different class this time because a different concept was being taught. Arjun sat near the end of the second row out of the six rows, but Jake moved to the start of the third row. Now it was clear that Jake despised Arjun and Arjun was sad. After that, Arjun still felt bored while the class was being taught another concept in Physics.He was waiting for the day to get over impatiently and didn’t like the first class at all.

        The day was finally over, and the buses were waiting for the college students to get onboard. Arjun packed his bag and went to the bus and sat on the same seat. Bart was already there, and he didn’t look like he wanted to have much of a conversation at all. He looked more disgusted than he was in the morning. The bus went back to everyone’s house again and then the bus driver dropped Arjun at his house.

        “How was your first day in college dear?” asked Arjun’s mother. “It was okay, it will take me a while for me to fit in.” Arjun said, monotonously, while going to his bedroom to change his clothes. “Don’t forget to put your clothes to wash! Don’t forget to put your lunchbox to wash as well,” shouted his mother.

        Arjun was thinking very deeply about what career he was going to do. He hated the college class and didn’t take any interest in even one word the college teachers were saying. Arjun was feeling pressured in his mind. What should he do?

        Arjun had changed his clothes and went outside to sit on the dining table. His mother had laid out one Dorito packet and 4 biscuits on a plate. Arjun sat down to eat while his mother sat on another chair in the dining table with her phone. Arjun ate his favourite biscuits and munched on his Doritos. After he was done, he got up and headed to his bedroom. He was walking slowly but stopped.

        He thought about what his real passion was. He knew there would be no turning back from science to animating and he has to try and convince his mother, and he has to try at least once! He turned around with a thump on the ground while doing so.

        “Mum…” Arjun said nervously. “Yes sweetheart?” replied Arjun’s mother, while putting her phone down on the wooden table. “I think I have a-a con-confession to make” stammered Arjun, with regret for what he was going to say. “What do you mean? Hmm?” asked Arjun’s mother, getting up from her chair. “I-I don’t want to study Physics mum…” Arjun continued. “I want to major into s-something else.” “What is it you want to do? If it’s animation, then talk to the hand or go to your room.” said Arjun’s mother, justified as to what Arjun was about to say. “PLEASE mum, I will be happy if I-.” “SHUT UP!” Arjun’s mother slammed the dining table. Arjun’s mother grabbed onto her son’s arms and looked at him with her bold, bulging eyes.

“Arjun, you won’t be able to survive in this cruel economic world without a good job and salary. Animating will slowly kill you and your distant family! You have to do science dear,” “But mum, I want to do it. I WANT TO,” said Arjun, with a raised voice. “Please mum, if I do science I will be fired out of my own job quicker than this argument. Please I-.” “No, you shall not have a say in this, you can’t! You are too naive to understand the consequences of your actions.”

        “Mum! I know the pros and cons about animating but doing Physics will be the biggest mistake of my life! I will always be bored and confused as to what I am doing with no passion to what I will help with. I will forget important concepts and I will not get a job by an enterprise. I-.” “I don’t want to talk to you. Go to your room now,” concluded Arjun’s mother. “Mum, you have to listen to me,” disagreed Arjun.

Arjun kept talking about his complex feelings, but Arjun’s mother took no notice of him, treating Arjun with contempt. Arjun went to his bedroom, slowly walking, with disappointment following behind him to his mind. He knew his mother didn’t care about what he had passion for, and he thought his mother never cared about HIM. His mother only wanted him to live a happy life, but she thought of only one thing that would make him happy. Money. His mother thought that animating gave you nothing but PAIN, since the income was lower than an average earning capacity in the western countries.

        Arjun swooped and dropped onto his unorganised bed. He whimpered onto his bedsheets and was sad that he would have to suffer for the rest of his life majoring in physics. He had dark thoughts like begging and starving, just like his mother thought of Arjun if he chose animation. He strides to his bedroom door and locked it. He fell onto his bed again and closed his eyes like nothing happened. He started thinking deeply and hoped to do it for a very long time.

        After around four hours of Arjun’s absence, Arjun’s mother got concerned. She tried to open the door of Arjun’s bedroom, but it was locked.

“Arjun?” She shouted, while knocking on the door. “ARJUN! OPEN THE DOOR!” She shouted, while banging on the door very hard.

        Arjun’s mother tried to break the door, but it was no use. Arjun was in a trance. He didn’t want to get involved with life anymore. Arjun’s father rung the door bell and Arjun’s mother came to the main door and opened.

“What’s going on Sanjana? You look worried…” said Arjun’s dad, with concern. “ARJUN HAS LOCKED HIMSELF! Bharwal, come and break the door down quickly!” Shouted Arjun’s mother anxiously, while pushing Arjun’s dad inside the house.

Bharwal sprinted to Arjun’s bedroom and shoved himself into the wooden door. It broke the lock, so he opened the creaking door slowly. “Arjun?” said Arjun’s parents, softly.

        They found him, lying on the bed. Arjun’s mother immediately went to check Arjun’s pulse and Arjun was still alive. Sanjana slapped Arjun’s face and yelled a lot.

“ARJUN! Wake up. Wake up NOW!” demanded his mother in fury. “Sanjana, calm down. You don’t need to let our neighbours know that our son is sleeping,” said his dad.

Arjun woke up after some time and then, before Sanjana could say even a latter out of her mouth, Arjun’s dad asked why he did this.

        “Dad, I don’t want to major in physics. Mother is not listening to me dad. She is forcing me to do something I don’t want to do. Please dad, can I do animation?” Pleaded Arjun. “Don’t do Physics then Arjun.” Replied his dad. “What? Bharwal. Are you out of your mind?!” disagreed Sanjana, while clenching her fist. “Arjun should only do what he wants Sanjana. That’s the only thing that matters to be honest. If he doesn’t then he will be screwed…Sanjana, you should know this,” finalised Arjun’s dad. “It won’t make him satisfied! He won’t get enough salary!” “Please tell me you are joking. Everything isn’t about money Sanjana, if he is happy then that’s everything you should care about.” “Bharwal! He won’t be able to feed his own children.” Cried Arjun’s mother.

“He will be able to enjoy his creative achievements of his career with them. Trust me Sanjana, if you tell him to do Physics now and force him then it will end up with his loss. You will be sad and disappointed.” “How will he get a wife! If he animates then he will just get lazier and fatter!” “We will sort that out Sanjana. Stop looking at the pessimistic side of this choice and enjoy it as it is. Think about the welfare our child will have and let him have his dreams come true.” “It is my job to look at the pessimistic side to see the welfare of our son.” “If that was your actual job Sanjana, you would have been fired by now.” Replied Arjun’s dad.

        Arjun’s mother changed her face from worry to angry. She went red and stepped on Bharwal’s foot. She went to the main door of the house and opened it to get out and then slammed it to close the door. “Are you sure you want to animate Arjun?” asked his dad. “Yes dad. I am not scared anymore… and thanks” replied Arjun while walking outside to speak with his mother. “What a strong boy” his dad said.

        The door shut, and Arjun stood next to his mother. “You know why I am doing this? So that you can lead a happy life my dear. I want you to have the money to satisfy your family with so that you be satisfied. I only cared about your salary and happiness. Then your dad made me realize that money doesn’t buy happiness. Your dad is right. What a bad parent I was, forcing you to do the one thing you didn’t want to do,” said Arjun’s mother. “Are you sure you want to animate, my boy? My dear son?” asked Arjun mother. “Yes mother… I want to animate,” said Arjun, with full commitment. “Very well. You may do animation as a career. I am so sorry I forced you to do Physics since you were in Grade 4, torturing you from the inside. Please forgive me.” “It’s okay mother. At least you said sorry…”

        Arjun hugs his mother and Arjun’s mother kisses his head in return. “Go now, I will serve dinner.” Commanded Arjun’s mother.

Sanjana went towards the kitchen and Arjun followed. Arjun, at this moment, felt a sense of “relief”. More than ever in his life. It was like he was carrying 100 pounds of weight in his mind, but it went to absolute zero in just a flash. He enjoyed this moment to the fullest in his inner-mind and inner soul. Arjun grew up to work for Disney and owns his own animated show till this day. He has a small family but a big crowd of fans. Everyday, he thinks of this part of his life and always thanked his parents for the approval for him to do animation and the approval to be who he is today. He also thanked his father a lot because he was the once who saw the bright shining light in his future, which made him convince Arjun’s mother that animating should be his reality and career right now.

Owen-Juz by Rishon Vugane

Owen Juz-Realistic Fiction

Imagine you are a famous superstar and you

are surrounded by different people: people

who hate you, people who adore you, people

who lookup to you and more! Then, try going

to a school and experiencing fansand people

who hate you. Now, this was happening to a

boy named Owen Juz. A singing star moving

to a new city and school with his mom. This

boy hates people who hate him and does his

best to make sure that they start to like him.

Best of luck to Owen in his new school!

“Owen!” cried a woman happily.” It’s 6:30 AM! Get up! “, she shouted again.

“Ughhhugh.”,grumbled Owen as he got out of bed and shuffled over to the bathroom,rubbing his eyes slowly. He stared at himself. His hair was sticking up in random directions. As soon as he splashed water on his face, he felt fresh. He brushed and showered and got dressed fast.

‘What’s for breakfast mom?”, he asked his mom.

“Bacon and eggs”, she replied. Owen scarfed down his breakfast and checked his watch-7:50 AM-.

“Gotta go, mom!” Owen called.

“Have a good day honey!”, she said back happily. “It’s a warm day so you don’t need your jacke-“, she got cut off to see him shut the door with his hoodie. She smiled and went upstairs.

Owen walked down the lane with his hood on. His school was 5 minutes away, and school started at 8:00, so he was walking relaxed. I wonder what the kids will think of me , he thought pulling his hood down lower. He wears a hood to try and not draw attention. He could hear his jeans swishing and the leaves crunching and rustling as he walked over them on the sidewalk. The trees wave and the grass shined the sun glowing above everything.

Owen saw his school up ahead and he thought, this is the moment of truth. He walked down the path, and around the fountain. He saw the huge school, the sports field, the cafeteria. In the central hall and the reception, he slowly and nervously removed his hood…

“Oh, my, GOD!!”, a girl screamed. Owen looked up at the wrong time towards the noise, just to clarify his identity.

“It’s OWEN JUZ!!”, she squealed and everyone stopped to what they were doing and looked at him. For once, it looked as if time was frozen for a split second. Owen just stood there with a pale expression. He had one second to think, OH NO, before…

Everyone crowded around him asking him questions, touching his hair and face and repeatedly asking for autographs, until a few teachers came and stopped the chaos and welcomed him into his new school.

Owen put his hood on and walked to his homeroom when he saw a group of kids glaring at him angrily. The middle kid looked like the leader of the gang. He had white skin and red hair. He was wearing a ‘Call of Duty’ shirt. But the feature that was most frightening for Owen was the red scar going down his right eye.

Owen put his head down and walked away.

Owen checked his timetable after settling down in class. After homeroom, math! Owen went to get his math books from his bag, when his teacher walked in the class.

“Hello everyone, my name is Mrs. Trish and I cannot explain anymore, but math is cancelled and you have assembly instead, so everyone line up and head out!” she said with a smile. Owen walked to the auditorium and sat at the top row. The principal walked to the stage below.ngs

“Welcome to the first assembly of the year, children!” greeted the principal. The children on the bleachers cheered loudly and ecstatically. Owen sat quietly and watched.

“So things have changed this year!”, the principal said going on and on about period changes, timing changes and exams.

Suddenly, Owen’s ears perk up when he hears something tempting.

“…and soon we will have a talent show, so practice your acts and be ready!” said the principal excitedly.

I want to go, thought Owen, but how can I sing with everyone screaming, he told himself. He heard the principal faintly as he thought about that horrific thought.

“…and I would like to conclude by introducing a very special student, the international superstar, OWEN JUZ!!!”, the principal announced with a huge smile on his face. All the students immediately stood up, boys and girls screamed and cheered and suddenly everything came to a stop.

You could hear a drop of water fall.

“Well, where is he?”, complained some kid.

“Go on Owen.”, coaxed the principal. Owen slowly stood up, blushing lightly. The kids all cheered and created a Mexican Wave for him. Only one group of 5 boy stayed put sitting down. One of the boys was the one with the red scar, and then Owen realized that they have something against him. Owen ran up onto the stage where he removed his hood to reveal his good-looking face and messy hair. All the students rushed towards the stage. Owen’s face turned whiter than a marshmallow. He turned tail and ran for his life! Luckily, he was a fast runner, otherwise he would’ve gotten trampled by the crowd. Owen sped towards the bathroom and locked the stall door.

Beads of sweat rolled down his face, his palms were sticky and his heart was pounding.

He could hear the faint chants of his fans: “OWEN, OWEN, OWEN!”

5 minutes later, he could hear the crowd clearing away, and he walked out with his hood back on, and walked to class…

Class was okay for Owen and he did well, until the trouble started again. Owen walked with his plate in the cafeteria looking down, and he didn’t see the scarred boy knock the plate out of his hands! The food spilled all over the floor.

“Oops”, said the boy with a smirk.

“What’s your problem?” demanded Owen.

“You”, he replied as he walked away.

“Come on Max!” called on of Max’s friends, and the bully walked away.

After school finished, Owen walked home past a construction site and suddenly Max jumped out of nowhere and shoved Owen into the mud.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Famous Loser!” jeered Max. “When you weren’t here, I was most popular! EVERYONE liked ME! But then, you came along TO RUIN IT!!!”, accused Max.

“It’s not my fault!”, said Owen.

“I HATE YOU AND YOUR MUSIC!!!” Max screamed.

The words rang in Owen’s ears: “you and your music… music… music.

Owen’s mission has started. I have to make him like my music, Owen decided.

Owen spent a week doing both fun and scary things. For fun, he practiced his song for the talent show. The scary part, was avoiding Max and his gang for a whole week.

But, finally, he was ready. Tomorrow is the talent show and I’m going to blow Max off his feet and he is sure to like me then, thought Owen.

Then, Owen fell asleep in his Owen-themed bedroom thinking about the talent show.

Owen dressed up in his blazer and got to school fast. He got there early to see how the presentation was and how the event was.

As nervous as he was, it got a whole lot worse: his event was LAST. Owen looked around the auditorium to distract himself. There were rows and rows-about 20 to 30 or so-of chairs and the stage had giant, red drawn curtains.

Then, all the audience started pouring in and taking up spots.

Finally, the show started and there were a bunch of different acts like dancing, magic acts, acting and there were some pretty decent singers too!

Until, it was Owen’s turn to perform…

“Now, for the final act of the show, Owen Juz! What is your talent Owen?” asked the announcer.

“Uh, singing?”, replied Owen

“So, what’s your song called?” he asked again.

“It’s called ‘The Power’”, answered Owen. And then Owen performed a beautiful song about the power of music. He sang it with such heart and Max watched… amazed with Owen’s talent. He realized that Owen’s talent brought him attention and not his attitude.

After the show, Owen collected his trophy and walked off the stage when he saw Max rushing through the crowd towards him. Owen braced himself.

But instead Max said: “Hey Owen, I’m sorry for the way I treated you and I’m hoping we could be friends.” requested Max.

“Sure! How about tomorrow we go for ice-cream!”

“Perfect, bye!”

“See you!”

Owen walked home happy that he knows Max likes him and his problem is solved!

Owen had finally got Max to like him. Max and Owen sat on the sidewalk eating ice-cream and talking about Owen’s new, upcoming song. Soon, Max will be helping Owen out in shows and performances until they became best friends.

Owen was happy, but he knew that soon there will be more people to hate him and he will be READY!

Realistic Fiction by Xia Poddar

It was a hot summers day, North Dakota was blazing with heat. I sat on my sturdy wheelchair outside the convenience store that I’ve been working with, I dread this place I thought as I picked on the thread at the end of my uniform which was an ugly shade of bland blue, and I stared at the gigantic board reading “Wilsons goods”, contemplating whether I’m ready to take on this job. I wiped the beads of sweat off my forehead and called out “better late than never”.

I entered the small store and positioned myself behind the checkout counter. The shop helper greeted me with the usual “good morning!” which I returned bleakly. One thing I noticed is that everyone would scowl or roll their eyes when I bill their items, I understood that I slow at my job and couldn’t keep up with the pace of these impatient customers, and this was how my days would usually pass. My wage was extremely low and I had no-one who would care for me, I lived alone in an 1 bedroom apartment and didn’t even have lively neighbors, all I had were old retired couples. “my life has reached an all time low” I always thought, but I tried working hard and impressing  my grim boss but nothing would really work out. Customers came and left, many complained against my timing to bag their products and collect the money. I couldn’t help it , my legs being immobile made it a whole lot harder. It was evening now around 7:30 and I was tired of my routine of bagging and billing, but I had to work for half-an-hour more. I let out a growl and comfort myself against the wall. The shop helper was on one of the benches engaging themselves with the magazine we had on display. The bell to the door rattled as a lady entered the store. My eyes peeled open and I looked up to see a perky, short dressed in sweater vests and jeans with a toddler caressed in her arms, she was extremely short and had a young looking face. Her lips turned into a tiny smirk, I returned her smile but more wider.

She began surfing the toddler aisle, the shop helper was now asleep and the rest of the store was desolate, other than me and the lady.

“where can I find the baby powder?” her head perked up and she raised her eyebrows.

“it’s down aisle six!” I gestured towards her and smiled. She flashed me a quick thumbs up and moved towards the aisle. I chewed on my lip and fiddled with my thumbs violently. I observed as she moved around the tiny store quickly picking up products and dropping them in her basket. After around 15 minuets, she came to bill all of her items, the toddler in her arms was adorable, she had a head full of big black hair and huge green eyes, always giggling and holding the lady tight. I looked down  at her basket and began picking out things to scan.

“Hello” a voice squealed out, my eyes shot up and I greeted her back.

 “Is that your baby?” I quickly asked, regretting it later on.

“Nope, she is my niece I have to care for her” she spoke lightheartedly.

“Oh, she’s cute!” I spoke while punching in the number of baby food jars she bought.

“What’s your name?” she prodded curiously.

“Frank”, I replied with a smile.

“What’s yours?” I quickly rolled out.

“Zoë” she smiled back.

I grinned and picked up the grocery bag and handed it over the counter.

“Thank you! Do you need any help?” she offered kindly.

“I could use some to get home as the metro services are shut down!” I asked while adjusting my circular glasses on the bridge of my nose.

‘Come on by! I can drop you in my mini van” she chirped. The kid smiled, I agreed and she dropped me to my tiny apartment and pushed my wheelchair for me, which no-one has ever done for me! I smiled throughout my sleep over the fact that I found someone who cared for me.

I was back at my job and I was afraid today, about the fact that my boss has been threatening to fire me because I haven’t been efficient with handling the billing counter and may customers issued complaints about it sending the boss into overdrive. This put me in panic mode while I worked, I jittered at the sight of my scary big boss, he always had an overly-authoritative tone lacing his voice, the customers came in and left as usual and I got more complaints under my name, but the thing is that, the constant threat of my boss is nerve wracking and I’m messing up even more, fumbling around the store and getting my wheelchair stuck in random places! This genuinely worsened my problems I had more problems under my belt. My day had gotten from bad to terrible, nothing went right and I was down to my last $15, nothing was under control, all went haywire that day. My shift was going to get over soon but then Zoëcomes through the door, but this time without her niece. A smile crept unto my face as I looked her way, she waved back and approached me.

“Hello Frank! How you doing?” she quipped.

“I’ve been better Zoë!” I huffed out, a tiny frown plastered across her face.

“it happens to the best of us Frank!” Zoë smiled and walked down the freezer aisle to grab a few packs of butter and milk.

“Hey Frank, why are you day-dreaming!” my grumpy old boss spat out. I was immediately pulled out of my trance and gave full attention towards counting the tiny stack of $5 dollar bills.

Shortly after, Zoë approached the counter with her basket full of various products place haphazardly. She smiled brightly, I smiled and asked her “baking a cake?” after assessing all the cake related goods.

“yes!” she giggled. I billed her items confidently. she grinned at me and pulled out a pint of mint ice-cream from her bag.

“This is for you! you work hard, don’t worry be happy!” Zoë laughed, but she ran out instantly because someone had towed her car yelling “hold up there!” I couldn’t even thank her properly, but she was being extremely considerate and kind, she didn’t treat me poorly like anyone else would and has, I smiled to myself and placed the ice-cream to the corner of my counter carefully. Just then my boss gave me a look of anger.” Frank! I wouldlike a word with you! My office now!” the boss motioned for me, I gulped and started to perspire at the sound of his shrill voice. I moved over and entered his office to be greeted with a

“You don’t get it!” the boss yelled at me. I was terrified of him with his big bald head and bulging eyes.

“You mess up everything! Customers and staff is frustrated by you” he spat,

I flinched at his voice, his anger was boiling up but I was vulnerable. The ceiling fan oscillated around the tiny ‘cabin’. I was fidgeting with my uniform, my mind debating whether the boss was right. “I’m sorry” was all I could say.

“See, I know you know are handicapped and blah blah blah but this last straw!” the boss spoke in a calmer tone than before. My temper couldn’t be contained, but I tried.

“You are fired Frank enough is enough!”. Those seven words left me in devastation . The boss nonchalantly sat on his desk and signed a sheet of paper. My eyes were heavy, I was scared

“How will I earn?” I kept asking myself, my wheelchair was mildly damp from my sweat. The boss looked unbothered he signed his paper and work as if it was any other day. That enraged me.

 “Half of these people haven’t been in my shoes” I mumbled to myself as I gripped the cold metal around the wheels, and propelled out of the tiny, dingy cabin , I placed my backpack on my sweaty lap and clenched my jaw wheeling out of the tiny convenience store I used to work in. Zoë was on her way to pick me up, she would be the only one to still care for me. I sat on my wheelchair, positioned of the sidewalk of the tiny driveway waiting for Zoë. I spotted a tan, small hatchback approaching me. I recognized it.

“Hey!” Zoe waved from the drivers seat. I didn’t even feel smiling back this time. She detected my foul mood but didn’t question it. Her niece Isabella was in her car seat playing with a cereal box. Zoe got out of her car and helped me sit in the passenger seat.

“Can you switch off the radio?” I yelled out of anger.

“Jeez calm down”, she spoke while lowering the volume. She furrowed her brows and asked me with annoyance lacing her calm voice

“What happened?”

“Nothing happened, you would never understand” I spat through gritted teeth. Zoe wouldn’t understand because she has never been in my shoes she has never understood or felt the struggle of being misunderstood by everyone, she has had an easy life compared to me I thought in fiery rage. Isabella flinched; she seemed terrified of my voice, on the verge of tears. Just then, I had realized what I had done, I faced Zoë her face full of concern and hint of rage. She yet maintained a calm demeanor nonetheless

“I won’t tolerate you yelling without hindrance”, she yelped out.

 Isabella was bawling her eyes out in the back. I didn’t know what to do, everything seemed blurry and I never had a clear direction in life, I have always victimized myself in every situation of distraught; I’ve been doing it for all my life now, my reactions were always irrational. The young women in the car interrupted my thoughts and spoke out.

“Frank! I don’t know what’s up with you, I don’t think I could help you with it either, you’re attitude is making it harder too” she bent over to open the door and motioned for me to leave her hatchback, I reluctantly leapt out and Zoë helped me into my wheelchair and I slowly watched her drive away. My heart soaked in sorrow and pain, the cold brushed past my hair I sat there outside the store with nothing left in me, other than guilt an regret. I let myself into my home and rolling myself on the dark streets of Dakota. I was back at page one, back to being miserable and not doing anything about it.

It has been 4 weeks now, finding a job has been extremely hard too, everything was a mess, I didn’t have sufficient money to pay rent and buy food. Everything was falling down on me, I had nothing in control. Zoe hadn’t talked to me, I went back to being lonesome and poor. So I decided I would go and apologize to Zoe and try to fix all the problems that I had. So I picked myself out of bed and spent my last dollar on a bus trip to Zoë’s house. I stood outside her door, fingers shaking violently. I pressed the bell and huffed out. I could hear rampant footsteps approaching the door, Zoë swung the door open, she had an expression of confusion painted on her face.

“Hi” I waved weakly.

“Hello” she gestured for me to come in.

“I’m going to make this quick, I’m sorry for everything I’ve done and for hurting your feelings, I am trying to improve and I hope you forgive me” I blurted out of nervousness.

 Zoe smiled and pulled me in for a hug.

 “Everyone has their ups and downs, and we all mess up from time to time, but only a few of us admit their mistakes, I’m happy you were one of them”.

I grinned into her shoulder and mumbled a “thank you”.

We parted and Zoë yapped out “You look so thin and sickly frank!”, then ran into her tiny kitchen and brought me some sandwiches.

“Thank you! Zoe” I grinned and munched on them.

“So what’s up with you?” Zoë asked while looking at me wolf down her sandwiches.

“Oh! I lost my job!” I spoke nonchalantly.

“Bummer! The pet store I work at is hiring, I can work up something for you” she implied.

“ That would be lovely!” I squealed.

I was wrong Zoe, would have understood my pain the other day if only I had the patience and rationality to talk to her just like she did so calmly and gracefully with me, she had kindness and patience , I had anger and irrationality.

“ Everything will be better if you add some effort and sincerity, Frank!” I thought to myself.