When I saw the notebook, I knew I had to get it. It had crisp white papers that were college ruled, which was my favorite. And the gold binding and page edges were absolutely beautiful, as if they were real gold. The pages were practically begging for me to write in them, to fill them with glorious memories and tales of magic and anything I could possibly dream of. “It’s perfect!” I whispered to myself. As soon as I got home, I started writing my story. It was about me and my life- only I wasn’t really me, it was me in a life where I was rich and famous. This had always been a dream of mine that I have been trying to pursue since I was just a little girl. I would be a famous singer and actress, with my own mansion with a view of the gorgeous Hollywood sign. I would have my own limousine and have sold out concerts! My own TV shows and the lead role in the most popular movies! It would be amazing. By the time I completed my story, it was late and I was extremely tired. I had accomplished a lotI wrote the story and revised and edited it. As I dozed off in bed, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. When I woke up in the morning, I felt energized and happy. My bedroom was warm and smelled good- like flowers. But then I realized- it wasn’t my bedroom. It was much bigger, with high ceilings and multiple doors on the walls. The beautiful, expensive-looking furniture made it one of the most beautiful rooms I had ever seen. It had gorgeous decorations with accents of gold… just like… the notebook! I sat up and gazed at the four-poster bed with canopies draped over them. When I looked forward, I saw a huge wall covered in corkboard. I stood up and went to look at it. As I did, I couldn’t help but notice how soft the rugs were that laid atop the hard, marble floors. On the corkboard hung posters of me. But my hair and makeup were done perfectly, and in some, I was posed in front of a microphone or movie set. I looked like a real movie star or singer. It didn’t look like the me I knew. I looked at as many things as I could on the corkboard, but one thing really caught my eye. It was daily schedule, filled out for today. I realized that I should probably stick to it, to keep my cover… whatever my cover was. Besides, I had always wanted to be famous, so today I could see what I have to do to become famous. I wrote down the schedule so I could remember it because I probably wouldn’t remember it all otherwise. After that, I got dressed and then wandered around the mansion, trying to find out where to go. Eventually, I found a table next to a giant window overlooking Hollywood Hills with a view of the legendary Hollywood sign and sat down. “Woah,” I breathed, as I saw it for the first time. A man that must’ve worked for me or something- maybe as a chef?- smiled. “Ah, yes, isn’t it a wonderful view?” he said, delighted, as he placed my favorite breakfast in front of me- bacon and eggs with toast. As I continued throughout the day, I realized that life in Hollywood might not be as easy as it seems. All day, I was dragged event to event without stopping to have time to catch my breath. I started out recording a song in a professional studio, then I went to one of my album signings. After that I went to a movie audition and a premiere of one of my movies, then I was ambushed by paparazzi and fans as I exited. Once I got back to my house- well, my house when I was famous- I went straight to bed, and even though I was completely exhausted from my day, I couldn’t fall asleep. As I laid in the soft, extremely comfortable bed, I wondered how this whole world came to be, with me being famous and all. Then it hit me! The notebook! Well, not literally, of course, but the thought hit me. My day today was just like my story in the notebook that I had written last night! Except, of course, my story had much more glamour and fun, while in real life, it had been extremely difficult. With these thoughts in my head, I had once again dozed off. Except today, instead of a sense of accomplishment, I was scared- wondering whether or not I would ever get home- to my home. I wondered if I would ever see my family again. Just like always, I woke up again in the morning- but this time, I knew I was home, as soon as I felt my handmade blankets! I was home! My home! I was so happy, I didn’t want to lay around in bed, I wanted to enjoy my life in my home with my friends and family! I went out to our kitchen, where I had left my notebook two days ago- or was it just yesterday? Had it all been a dream? Had I only imagined being famous? I may never know. But I do know one thingI don’t want to be famous anymore! My little sister was sitting at the kitchen table, eating her cereal. “Mommy! Sissy!” she exclaimed. “I want to be famous when I grow up!” I smiled. “Be careful what you wish for- being famous isn’t all that easy.” I grabbed my notebook and headed back to my bedroom. As I sat down at my desk, I took out my lucky writing pen and smiled. Opening the notebook, I put my pen on the paper and started writing. I knew this would be a good story, even if I had to experience it- which, as long as I survived and got back home, wouldn’t really be that bad.
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Memory Lane
Fictional Narrative Mason was very outgoing. He had brown hair and blue eyes. He always wanted to go and explore. He always loved his family, especially his brother Collin, who was the complete opposite of him. Collin was a redhead with brown eyes. One day, specifically September 23, 2015, Mason was just driving around looking for a way to pass time. He drove around Pennsylvania thriving for something to do in his spare time On his way, he noticed a sign that lead into a cave that looked suspicious and the sign said, “Memory Lane.” Even though the cave looked dangerous and almost scary, Mason still decided to go into the cave and take a look around. Once he entered the cave about fifteen feet in, the walls started to glow and light up with many colors and he thought, “What is going on here?” As Mason looked at the walls, he saw himself as a baby. It seemed as if the cave was a theatre. Before he knew it, the walls were already showing himself as a teenager that was thirteen years old. Mason kept watching his memories on the walls play his life before his eyes. Mason was so mesmerized that he didn’t even realize the cave was filling up with water. He had reached the point where he was seeing himself in the cave watching the memories. Soon, as he was only 24 years old, the walls showed memories that were from when he seemed to be thirty. After realizing that the memories he was seeing were memories he didn’t experience yet, he thought, “Great, now my whole life is spoiled!” Even though his life was being spoiled, Mason kept on watching. Soon Mason started laughing at a memory from the future where he tried asking a girl out and got rejected. The memories seemed to now be when he was 38. He had seen himself getting married to the same girl that rejected him as well. At one point, Mason thought he should go back home because it felt like a lot of time had passed, but he just couldn’t. Mason was even more mesmerized than before. Mason kept on watching, but couldn’t feel the water slowly rising up to his torso. As the water crept up slowly and smoothly, Mason got a call from his brother Collin asking where he was. Mason replied saying, “I’m in this wonderful cave and I can see my life before me. It is like a theatre that shows your whole life on its walls.” Collin was in denial of what Mason was saying and told him to get home right away, but Mason hung up without a word. Mason felt his phone vibrating and could hear his laughing minion ringtone, but wouldn’t answer. He knew that he should go home, but he just couldn’t. He kept on watching memories from his 50 and to his 60’s. In this memory time period, his wife had passed and he couldn’t feel anything, not even sorrow. He thought to himself, “This cave is great because you can watch your life without even feeling sad or angry.” Once Mason got to his 70’s, he looked at his phone and saw 120 missed calls from “Best Brother.” He decided to come back tomorrow as it was already 7:00 in the afternoon. As he arrived home, he walked into his house and saw his brother. He said, “Hi” But there was no answer. His brother seemed like he couldn’t see or hear Mason. He was starting to worry, so he called it out again and at that moment, his brother walked through him. He felt like he was going to cry and thought, “Maybe if I go back and finish what I started in that cave, my life will go back to normal.” He just wanted his life back. So, that’s what Mason did. He knew he made a mistake and drove back to the cave. He passed the signs, but he seemed to have missed a sign that seemed to have vines growing over it. The sign read, “Do NOT Enter!” He knew this was a strange thing to miss, but he was too scared to not get his life back that be didn’t listen to its advice. The same thing’s happened, but the memories resumed where he left off, and so did the water. The water was not almost to his chin, but he could not see or feel it. Soon he got to the 90’s in his memories and thought, “This is almost the end, my life will go back to normal.” Somehow, the last memory went back to where he was in the cave. He thought this was weird. Was it not going to show how he dies? Suddenly, the cave walls glitched the photo and something was starting to surround him in the photo. It looked icy, black, and cold. The memory showed him dying and then the walls went black. He looked around and suddenly he realized, the walls weren’t black, the water was. After a day went by and Mason wouldn’t answer his phone, Collin decided that he was going to set out and find his brother. Not Ready To Die
One fine, beautiful morning, just as the Sun was rising, Steven hopped out of bed, and went directly to the place he always goes. The Sunset Beach. Everything was great, but then, his day, no, his life took a very unexpected turn. Steven is a twenty-five year old man. He had lived with his parents for the majority of his life, but had just moved out within the past year. He has dark brown eyes, and dusty blonde hair. He is about five-six, which is a little short for his age, but it doesn’t bother him all that much. In his spare time, he likes to participate in many city activities, or turn to one of his hobbies. One hobby that he particularly enjoys is collecting rocks. Every morning when he goes to Sunset Beach, he brings back about a dozen rock friends, just like he did this morning. As Steven was walking, he found a beautiful, shiny, bright green Petoskey Stone. He did not have one in his collection, so he decided to take it home with him. Little did he know that in a few hours , this rock would change his life forever. Legend says, that whoever holds the “magical” Petoskey Stone takes a very unexpected trip everyday at noon. This trip starts their life everyday, and then one day ends it in a heartbeat. This rock fast-forwards through the life of the person that has possession of it, and continues to until one day it thinks they have lived long enough, and they die. The scary part is, they never know which day they will be gone forever. Eventually, Steven arrived back at home with his cursed Petoskey Stone, and about five other rocks to add to his collection. Steven suspected that everything was normal, so he sat down on his couch, and turned on the television. All of the sudden, out of nowhere, the rock started glowing. Then, it was levitating, and then… it was talking. “Hello Steven. I am glad we finally get to talk. I have been waiting for this day for a while now. If you have not already figured it out, I am a rock full of evil. Don’t try to get rid of me, because you can’t. We will never be separated until… well, the day you die!” The Petoskey Stone exclaimed while softly chuckling to himself. Steven couldn’t think of anything to say. He sat there for a while in awe, and then finally decided to speak. Steven asked, “How do you know who I am? Why did you choose me to experience this?” “I didn’t. Lesa did.” “But why? She is my sister!” “I know. I drove her to death. Before she died, she had to choose someone else to experience this, and your name just popped out.” Steven sat there in complete, and udderly shock. Steven thought, “Why would she do this to me? I thought I was a good brother.” Noon was approaching, and the stone was getting excited, but Steven didn’t know what was going to happen. Steven felt a little bit queasy, so he laid back down on the couch, and tried to get some rest. A few minutes later, Steven was lifted up off of the couch, and started spinning around in the air. Steven blacked out. He was scared, and had no idea what was going on. Steven eventually woke up, and started to focus again. He didn’t really remember what had happened. He got up off the ground, although he had no idea how he got there in the first place, and stretched out, thinking that it would make him feel a little better. After getting up, Steven looked around. He had no idea where he was. Nothing looked familiar. He most definitely wasn’t in his house anymore. The Petoskey Stone began to speak. “This is ten years into the future. This is your house, your lovely wife, and your two children.” The stone narrated. “What are you talking about? Where am I?” Steven asked with a panicked tone. “I just told you. Ten years into the future. If you have not yet figured it out, this is my job. My job is to fast forward you through your life, and then start it over.” “Everyday?” Steven asked. “Everyday.” answered the stone. Steven felt uneasy again. He just wanted to go home, and forget all of the weird things that happened today, but he couldn’t. Within seconds of saying this, Steven was blasted off into the next period of his life. This time, Steven forwarded through time twenty more years. This would make him fifty-five years old. Although Steven was not actually a fifty-five old man in reality, he still felt the aches and pains of one after being blasted through time over, and over again. The stone, again, narrated the setting, the people, and everything in between. After a full day of being run back and forth through time, Steven finally approached the day he was afraid of. The day of his death. Steven was very eager, and yet at the same time, very fearful to see how he would be rid from the world. He covered his eyes, and tried not to watch, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he began to peek through the little openings in between his fingers. Steven examined his surroundings, and paid attention to every little detail that occurred during his death. First, Steven awoke in the morning. Everything seemed to be one-hundred percent normal. He quickly grabbed his breakfast, and his jacket, and was off to work. As he was walking down the street, he greeted everyone that he saw with a wide smile, and a nice “good morning!”. He continued to walk, but then he heard a noise. It sounded like screaming, and then a gunshot. He quickly ran over to where he heard the sound. The sound came from a dark alleyway. As he approached the alleyway, he saw two “shadowy figures”. When he got closer, he realized that these “figures” were two young men. These men were definitely not very pleasing to the eye. Their pants were hanging down so low, that their whole underwear was almost exposed. Steven looked at them for a minute, and then asked, “What is going on? Is everyone okay? I heard screaming, and came to check on everyone, to make sure things were okay.” “Everything is fine. Go back to what you were doing. This is none of your business grandpa.” The men responded. Steven was a little hurt by being called a “grandpa”. He had thought that he looked pretty young for his age considering that he was only sixty-five years old. He started to turn away, but then there was a loud boom. Steven found himself on the ground, and breathing heavily. He looked down at his stomach, and noticed that he was bleeding. At that moment, he realized he had been shot, and that the loud boom was another gunshot. Soon after, Steven woke up, but instead of being in the alley, he was in a white room. The curtains were white, the bed was white, the table was white, and the chairs were white. Everything seemed white. At that moment, Steven had realized he was dead. Steven stopped focusing on his death scene, and stood there unable to move. He could not believe that the way he died was through being shot. “I was very surprised to see that this is the way you died too. I did not see you as someone that would get shot, or die so young.” The stone said without any compunction. “Take me back to my normal life! Now!” Steven yelled. “Okay, if that is really what you want, but I think you should know something first.” “What?” “I am unable to take you there. I have to take you back to the day you were born. Your life will never be the same again. The life that you had is now gone forever.” The stone said. “This is horrible!” Steven exclaimed, “but if that is what you have to do, then do it. It can’t be that bad to go back, and be pampered again.” “Okay then.” the stone replied. Just then, Steven was lifted up into the air again, and began to spin around. When he awoke, he was exactly where the stone said he would be. In the nursery section of the Sunset Hospital. Baby Steven looked around. He didn’t see the rock, but knew that it had not forgotten about him, and will be back. Steven was fine with becoming a baby everyday for about a week, but then he just got annoyed. Being fast forwarded through time every day was exhausting, and was putting a lot of stress on Steven’s body. One day, Steven woke up, and things just didn’t feel right. He felt as if he was going to die today. Noon came, and just as always, he was taken through time by the Petoskey Stone, but today, the stone asked him an unusual question. The stone asked him, “Who would you want to experience this after you?” “I wish this upon no one!” Steven replied. “What if you absolutely had to choose though?” “ If I had to choose… I guess I would say… Billy. He picked on me all throughout middle school, and high school.” “Good choice.” the stone replied. Steven thought the question was a little strange, but didn’t really think much of it. He just thought the stone was being his normal, creepy self. Eventually, after almost a full day of traveling through time, Steven and the stone approached his death. Steven got an uneasy feeling in his stomach, although he did not know why because he had been through this about a billion times before. The death scene started like it did everyday, but something felt different. Steven realized that he wasn’t just watching the event this time, he was living it! “What is happening!” thought Steven. Steven was terrified, but then realized why he woke up thinking that he was going to die today. The stone had finally picked the day that his life would end forever. Then, Steven realized why the stone had asked him for the name of the person he would want to experience this. The stone had tricked him, and now he was going to die! Steven was still terrified because he was unsure if he would feel the pain of the bullet, or not. Steven thought to himself, “I guess I am kind of lucky. At least I know what to expect. Most people have no idea what will happen, they just die unexpectedly.” All of the sudden, Steven heard a noise that sounded all too familiar. It was a gunshot. Not the gunshot that kills him, but the first gunshot. Steven eventually found himself face to face with the young men that will end his life. He fought the words that he was supposed to say, but they came out anyway. The men responded with their offensive joke, and Steven got scared. He knew that within the next minute, his life would be over. Steven was forced to turn around by the stone, and he began to walk away. Then, the second gunshot was fired. Steven felt the bullet rip through his insides. In through the back, and out the front of his stomach. He felt the pain, and cried out in agony. He looked down, saw the blood, and that is the last thing he remembered. Steven was dead. Not fake dead, but really dead. Gone forever. Never to be seen again. Dead. A few days had passed since Steven’s death. His family had been notified, and had time to grieve. His funeral had been scheduled for the next day. It was the next day, and Steven’s funeral came around. Steven was put into the casket, and lowered into the ground. Steven’s life was officially over. Next, it was Billy’s turn. Trick-NOT-Treat
Halloween. Halloween is a favorite time of year for many children. It is the time of year when the air gets crisp and the leaves get crunchy. All the warm smells of cinnamon and pumpkin come out, and the sticky, sweaty clothes are replaced with warm, cozy sweaters. Kids have been waiting all month for the one night where they can eat as much candy as they want, and talk to strangers! Everyone pities the kids who don’t dress up and pass out candy. But this year, they’re the lucky ones. It was Halloween night, 2016. Matthew and his friends were getting ready to go trick-or-treating. Matthew was super excited, Halloween was his favorite holiday. Matthew was in the 7th grade. He had bright blue eyes and auburn hair. He had freckles that covered the top of his nose, right about where his glasses sat down. His voice was somewhat deep, but still had that middle school puberty sound. He was about the height of his mother, but was still an ant when compared to his dad. Matthew was 13 years old, it was his first year being an official “teenager.” He was hoping his parents would let him go out with his friends instead of being babysat by his parents. His friends have been making fun of him for a couple of years now, for they had been allowed to go by themselves since they were eleven. This year, Matthew made the executive decision, go with his friends, or don’t go at all. But it all lied in the hands of his parents “It’s now or never.” Matthew thought. “Try to act as mature as possible.” Matthew went through his little-prepared debate to his mirror a couple of times. In his head, everything went perfectly. But he was smart enough to know that not everything was going to go perfectly. But trick-or-treating was in a couple of hours, so even if he wasn’t ready, he had to ask now. “MOM! DAD!” Matthew yelled while racing down the stairs. “I need to talk to you!” “What is it, sweetie?” His mom said while running out of the kitchen with a dirty apron. “Finally decided you’re too old to go trick-or treating?” Dad said. “I’ve been waiting for this day to come!” “Sort of…..” Said Matthew. “You see, I was hoping, well, maybe you might just let me…..go out for Halloween with my friends tonight.” “You’ve been asking that question since you were eleven, and what has been the answer every time?” Dad with a blank expression on his face as he continued to watch the T.V. “I know.” Said Matthew “But I’m not eleven anymore dad, I’m thirteen!” “I think he should go!” Said Mom as she came out of the kitchen again, this time with a plate of cookies. Matthew was surprised with what his Mom’s response was, for she was the one who turned him down every year when he asked. She would always go on with her little rants about how it’s not safe to be out alone when the streets are crowded and there is a lot of commotion going on. She had a good point, and Matthew knew that, but it never stopped him from asking again next year. “What?!” Dad yelled. “Honey, you know it’s not safe….He’s a CHILD!” “He has to go out and see the world at some point!” Mom proclaimed. “Why not tonight? He is allowed to go, that is final.” “Thank you so much Mom!” Matthew said while jumping up and down. “I’ll call my friends right now!” Matthew sprinted up the stairs and contacted his friends right away. He couldn’t wait to tell them the news. He started getting ready, he was going to dress up as the grim reaper, death itself. What Matthew didn’t know was the debacle that was going on downstairs between his parents. “JILL!?” Dad said angrily at his wife. “Do I have to remind you of the bad history we have had at Halloween.” “Be quiet!” Jill said in a hushed tone. “Just because we had some bad luck in our past Halloweens, doesn’t mean he will. Besides, it’s not everyday that-” Before she could finish her sentence, the doorbell rang. “I GOT IT!” Screamed Matthew from upstairs. Matthew struggled to run, because of the gown he was wearing for his costume. This was his first time wearing a gown. When he finally got to the door, he was greeted by a group of his closest friends. First there was Adam. Adam was like a brother to Matthew. They have been friends since kindergarten. He was the popular boy in school, the boy that all the guys wanted to be on a team with, and all the girls, well they just wanted to be around him. He had dark blonde hair with hazel eyes, and there wasn’t a day that you could catch him wearing something non-athletic. Which totally explains why he’s dressing up as a football player. But besides all of the athleticism, he is actually a very nice, down to earth boy. Matthew’s other friends were Hannah and Carmen. Hannah and Carmen were twins, and best friends. They weren’t identical, but they were definitely close in looks. They both had dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. They had a fair complexion with, without one blemish. They were quite pretty girls. They may look similar, but their personalities differ. Hannah is more of a tomboy kind of girl. While most of the girls in her grade can be found twirling their hair and taking selfies, you can find Hannah playing football with all the guys. Carmen is the opposite. Carmen never goes a day without wearing a dress, or a nice pair of cacky’s. While Hannah is at her soccer practices, Carmen and her mom are usually at the mall looking for a new outfit. Carmen was obsessed with Matthew, and she wasn’t afraid to show it. Matthew found that, well, off putting. Hannah and Carmen were wearing creepy doll twin costumes. Hannah was obviously not happy, because they had to wear a dress. As soon as Matthew was about to walk out the door, his Dad grabbed his collar. “Now, listen.” Dad said. “You don’t go out of this neighborhood, and you DON’T go to any creepy houses, you got that?” “Yes Sir.” “And most importantly, you have to promise to not go into any houses, boy.” Dad said this with a genuinely scared look on his face. “I promise, dad.” Said Matthew. “Gotta go! B-” Matthew slammed the door shut. After the group finished going around the entire neighborhood, they realized their pillowcases weren’t even a quarter full! Matthew heard what his dad said…”Don’t go out of this neighborhood.” So he was about to head home. But his friends had a better Idea. They were going to the big house one block away from the neighborhood. They approached a big, ominous house that looked like it was hundreds of years old. Candles were glowing in the windows, and the grass looked like it has never been mowed. The group ran up the cobblestone pathway, onto the creaky porch. Adam rang the doorbell. The door slowly opened the door, and a very, very old woman opened the door. “Hello, dearies!” “TRICK-OR-TREAT!!” Everyone said simultaneously. “Well, I don’t have any candy right here, but come inside and I’ll fix you up with something delicious.!” Matthew remembered what his Dad told him. “I’ll just wait outside for you guys.” He said. Matthew waited for what felt like forever! Until finally, the door opened again. Everyone came out eating giant candy bars. They looked like they were in some sort of daze.! They were walking home when Adam said something interesting. “I can’t take my helmet off!” Just as he said that, the twins started shrinking, until eventually, they were dolls. Their eyes were green and they looked like they were angry. Matthew was in a state of shock at first, but instinct took over, and he ran! When he got home he was out of breath, but he needed to talk to his parents. “DAAAAADDDDD!!!” Matthew screamed at the top of his lungs. “What is it?!” Dad replied from the living room. “Everyone ate candy from a creepy old lady and turned into their costumes!” “Was the lady little?” dad asked. “Yes.” “Did she have weirdly green eyes.” “Yes.” “Did she tell you to come inside?” “Yes.” “Matthew, I have to tell you something.” Dad looked very worried. “What is it dad?” “The same thing happened to your mom and I.” “But...you’re humans.” “Exactly.” |
AuthorStudents in St. Clair County, MI Archives |