A Notebook

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You’ve probably had a lot happen to you in one week. But in one week have you ever: gotten a boyfriend, became friends with a cheerleader, found out how much your friends support you, and wished you had never been born? I didn’t think so. Well, maybe you have; but it probably didn’t shock you as much as it did me.





Dear Notebook,
Mom is making me write in this stupid spiral bound stack of papers, so, here I go. Nothing eventful, it’s Monday, morning to be exact, 6 a.m. to be exacter, is exacter a word? I dunno, I’ll ask Jacob when he gets his lazy butt out of bed. I’m writing this at the bus stop in the freezing cold. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I’m trying to keep warm by pacing. Not working. Here comes Jacob and his lazy but.

What are you doing Star? Writing in a… diary? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA wait tell the group gets a load of this. Here comes the bus!

Excuse Jacob. I need to go kick his butt, later.
STAR
In one quick movement I threw the notebook in my back-pack and chased after Jacob. He lied about the bus, just tried to through me off. He slipped on a patch of ice falling down and I ran over laughing. He grabbed my ankle and pulled my foot out from under me causing me to fall too. We were a heap of laughing twin. That’s right, twin, we’re fraternal twins.

This time the bus really was coming and we got up, still laughing, and ran to it. The heat was amazing, the bus heater was awesome. We squeezed into a seat together with are back-packs and huge winter coats. I pulled out the notebook and he grabbed it.

Dear Star’s notebook,
This is Jacob! Stealing her notebook and getting whacked with another one. Ouch! Star! You hit me with the wire.

Good, I meant to.

Anyways, we are currently going to school.

No duh, we just get on random busses at 6 a.m. for the fun of it.

Shut up Star!



Like I said before I was so rudely interrupted. We are going to school, private school that is. Why does private school have a bus you ask? We’re wondering the same thing. I’m technically not aloud to have this pen because colored ink is forbidden, only black and blue. The only time they allow such colors is on days like this Friday, write love on your arm day. You see everyone is encouraged to participate even us ‘goths’. Just because we like black doesn’t mean we’re goth people. Here comes Justin.

Hello peoples reading this! I am Justin as Jacob mentioned and I am also in the mood for taking over Stars journal/notebook/diary. Ouch! Stop whacking me! Whack Jacob!

Thanks Justin!

Anytime Jakey! Here comes Rain!

Justin! You stole my pen! Yes he is right I am Rain. I love rain and the color blue. I’m dating Jakey as Justin calls him. And I am also in the mood for diary taking over.

You guys aren’t fair, it’s three against one measly me!

Too bad! Here comes Tony!

‘….’

He’s real silent. And he’s dating Bailey, here she comes!

I am in fact Bailey, as Rain kindly pointed out. I am also in the mood for diary stealing. OUCH! Now I’m getting whacked! Guess I better give this back to Star.

Thank you Bailey. So notebook, I guess you’ve meet everyone now. And we’re at school, so perfect timing.

I placed the notebook into my backpack and walked off the bus. We were all stuffed in one seat so we fell out of the bus like it was vacuum-sealed. “So, how was church for you guys?” We’re all Christian and members of Church of Christ’s but are parents, unfortunately, didn’t agree on the same one. “Really good.” Bailey said.

“Ditto.” Rain sang dancing around us.

“Yup.” Justin said.

“Good.” Tony said.

“Ours was good too; our sermon was about the Ten Commandments.” Jacob said.

“So was mine.” Everybody said at the same time.

That was the irony; all of the churches had the same lessons, just different preachers. We all walked inside and sat down waiting for the morning to begin. We discussed our weekends and adjusted our itchy uniforms. Everything was so prim and proper. The only freedom we had are our back-packs but even then we had to have them in school colors.

The bell rang and we got up to go to our lockers and then meet again. We were all lucky enough to have the same schedules. I walked to my locker and opened it putting in my back-pack and pulling out my books. I shut it and started towards the stairwell were Tony, Rain, Bailey, and Justin stood. “Jacob’s a slow-poke,” I mumbled and they laughed in agreement.

Jacob ran up “C’mon, slow-pokes.” He called over his shoulder taking the steps to at a time. We followed him and got into our class with five minutes to spare.

I picked up the notebook and wrote in it under the desk.



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Chapter Two

Class

Dear Notebook,
I’m writing this during first period, we’re having a free period since it is close to break. Don’t ask me what break, our school is those weird six weeks on two weeks off places. Ugh… here comes everyone.

HELLO!

Jacob, buzz off.

Cheery today aren’t we?

I wouldn’t do that man, she seems pretty irked.

Irked? Bailey translate your boyfriend’s big words. He’s confusing me.

Irked means annoyed.

Thank you.

I want to write!! Happy, happy free period to all!

Rain hunny, are you okay?

Nope!

I didn’t think so.

Don’t make fun of Rain!

Awww, you don’t have to stick up for me Jakey-Pooh I can do it!

Jakey-Pooh?

Yes I just thought it up, isn’t it wonderful?

Not really…

Oh well, I’m going to call you it anyways. Jakey-Pooh, Jakey-Pooh.

I shut the notebook. “C’mon guys, next class.”

The rest of the day passed with no chances to write. Not even at lunch. We all crammed together on the bus again. Justin snatched my note book.

Dear Notebook,
I am no longer going to call it Star’s notebook since we are all writing in it. So…

Hee hee! I took it over! I noticed Jakey-Pooh talking about write love on your arm day and I wanted to talk about it. I think it’s amazing. But I hate people who write love who don’t care. I like it when they really mean it and aren’t doing it for extra-credit. So yup. I’m going to write love and not except the extra-credit. They’re going to have to sneakily put it in the grade book.

I agree.

Me too, good point Rain.

Thank you!

I agree too.

Uh-huh.

Yup!

Thanks again!

I again shut the notebook as I need to get off the bus.



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((Thanks!!))


“How long do you think we have till they show?” I asked Jacob through my bedroom door. I was looking for something to wear before the group came over.

“30 minutes tops.” He said.

“Okay.” I said pulling a long sleeve shirt on and then a sweater on top of that. I had already gotten a pair of jeans on so I was good. I opened up the door causing Jacob to fall in.

He jumped up. “Whoa!” He said. “Do it again!”

I laughed. “Um, no.” I said stepping around him. I had the notebook tucked under one arm and walked downstairs for a snack.

My mom just got into a health food kick so we basically had tofu bars at every meal. “I would kill for brownies right about now.” I said falling into a stool at the counter.

“We’ve got tofu and organic.” Jacob said.

“Organic, way better than tofu.” I said getting up to help him.

A few bags of flour later we had brownies. Justin and Rain had come over and we were still awaiting Tony and Bailey. I feel like mentioning that Rain is wearing blue jeans with a blue sweater, a blue headband which matched her blue eye shadow, and what appeared to be blue lip-gloss that went with her blue earrings. That girl loves blue.

Jacob and I offered them brownies. Rain took a dainty bite “Well, that’s um, different.” She said sliding it into the trash. Justin was a lot less nice. He took a big bite and then spit it out into the trash dumping the rest with it. I nibbled mine. It was terrible but it was warm.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.” I said walking over to the door and opening it. Tony and Bailey stood there. “Can we come in?” Bailey asked.

“Of course!” I said stepping aside and letting them in.

They both got brownies but kept eating them despite the looks of disgust on their faces. “So, since you guys keep stealing the notebook, I am letting you co-own it with me.” I put the notebook on the table. “I sectioned of six equal pieces for us to decorate when we want to.” I added.

It was like putting out food for starving vultures. They all grabbed their pens and began drawing and coloring and writing in their spaces. When they were done there was a space left for me and I colored it in quickly. I could tell whose space was whose. Rain was the one with water drops, Jacob’s was the one with Rain and hearts in it, Tony’s was the one that was just blank red, Justin’s was the one that had weird little Lego drawings, and Bailey’s had the trees in it. Mine didn’t have much a few squiggles.

“We should document this, you know in the notebook.” Rain said snatching it.

Dearest Notebook,
We have just written on your cover to make known everyone who writes in this.

Dearest Notebook?

Got a problem?

Nope, not one Jakey-Pooh.

Shut-up you two!

Why do they always fight?

STOP IT!

As I was saying, we have personalized our section of the cover so we now share you equally. If we can’t be together physically we’ll be together notebookly. If that’s a word.

No, it isn’t actually.

Put a sock in it.

I slammed the note book shut. “Ok we need rules.” I said. “They’ll be printed on the back of the notebook as a consistent reminder.” I flipped it over.

Rule 1: No fighting in the notebook. You must do it verbally.

Rule 2: No all caps, I don’t like yelling.

Rule 3: You have a right to not write in the notebook.

Rule 4: No use of the phrases ‘shut-up’ or ‘you’re stupid’ in the notebook.

“No more rules.” I said. “We’ve covered it all.” I reopened the notebook. “Under the new rules I’ll start a new entry.”

Dear Notebook,
We’ve decided to now have rules which are clearly printed on the back of you for all to see.

Though I can’t see them right now.

Nor can I.

Be quite!

Isn’t that a rule?

Nope, she said be quite and the notebook says ‘shut-up’. It’s legal.

I’m sighing.

I shut the notebook. “C’mon you guys, no more writing for right now.”



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Dear Notebook,
So much has happened! There are many rumors going around about me, that I hate my group and want to leave them! I would never. My mom cut my hair yesterday, it’s now a bit past my ears, she cut Jacob’s too it’s a buzz cut compared to his old shoulder length style. All of my teachers expect me to get strait A’s on my report card on Friday! Ugh… I’m very stressed with all the tests coming up. Crap, Jacob’s coming and I don’t want him to see this.
STAR

I ripped the page out of the notebook and shut it. “Rain’s going to kill you.” I said running my fingers through his newly cropped hair.

“Correction, she’s going to kill mom.” We laughed. Rain had always loved his hair. She told me that was the first thing she noticed, that and his blue t-shirt.

We climbed into the bus when it came.

Dear Notebook,
Mom gave me and Star stupid hair cuts.

Stupid short hair cuts.

That too.

Dude… Rain’s going to kill you.

Correction she’s going to kill mom.

Here she comes.

Rain got onto the bus and ran over to Jacob. She smashed into the seat “Jacob! What happened to you hair?!” she asked running a gloved hand through it.

“My mom cut it.”

Rain’s eyes were big and round in shock, like a child’s. I laid my head against the cool seat back in front of us. Rain was mumbling something about Jacob’s hair and kept running her hand through it.

All of the sudden I felt hands on my shoulders. I jumped and then sigh, it was Tony. Tony’s mom is a massage therapist so he learned a few things. “You’re very stressed.” He said quietly.

I heard Bailey come on and sit next to him “Good idea,” she whispered. “I was going to suggest you do that, it looked like she needed it.”

I sighed. “Tony, this is heaven.” I said. “You’re magical.”

He laughed quietly.



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((Yeah, same with one of my friends.))



We got off the bus and walked towards the school just like yesterday. But today, something different happened. “Um, Star.”

It was this boy I used to be best of friends with but we kind of drifted after I found my group. “Yeah?”

Everyone stopped standing a bit away from us watching. “Can I talk to you, alone?”

“Um, sure.”

“I’ll catch up you guys, go on with out me.”

They took a moment but left. “Yeah?” I asked.

He rubbed his hand together and blew air into them trying to get warm. “Would you, um, like to go out with me?”

Everything was silent for three heartbeats, mine, his, mine. “Like, date you?” I said slowly.

“Like, yeah.” He said looking down.

“Um…” I wasn’t going to say no, that’d just be terrible. “Sure.”

He let out breath he’d probably been holding for a while. “Cool, can I pick you up later?”

“Sure, fiveish?” I asked.

“Sounds great.” I said. I ran into the school before he could say anything.

I sat down at the table and laid my head down. “Tony, if you thought I was stressed before, you have no idea.”

I heard a quite laugh and felt his hands on my neck.



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((Cool.))


I sat down at the table with my tray.

Dear Notebook,

Star is now going to tell us what happened this morning.

I froze. I was planning on telling them later not sooner. I searched for a lie to tell them until I could figure out what was happening myself.

And she’s going to tell the truth.

I was about to say what happened before I heard a noise I desperately wished I had made up. It was the thunk of a lunch tray hitting the table. “Hi Mark.” I whispered to my (insert shudder here) boyfriend.

“Hey Star.” He returns.

“Group, Mark, Mark, Group.” I said.

“Hi! I’m Rain.” Said Rain twirling a strand of bright blue hair. Yeah, she highlights it.

“Bailey,” said Bailey. “This is Tony.”

Tony nods.

“I’m Jacob.” Said Jacob.

“Justin.” Said Justin narrowing his eyes at Mark.

“I’m Mark.” Said Mark seeming to mentally note everyone’s names.

I press my lips together in a tight line. “Mark is my um, my um, my um.” I sounded like a broken record.

“I’m her boyfriend.” He said finally.

“Her what!?” Everyone said at once.

“Yeah, surprise.” I said quietly.

Different levels of shock filled everyone’s faces. “I think my toasters ringing.” I said before running into the nearest hall to find a bathroom



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((Haha, yeah.))



It took all Rain and Bailey had to get me out of the bathroom. School’s over now and I’m at Rain’s house getting ready for my date.

Rain hands me some blue eye shadow, my change of clothes, and pushes me into the bathroom. She closes the door. “C’mon, it’ll be fun!”

I don’t say anything and put on my clothes.

“My dates with Jakey-Pooh are always fun.”

“Yeah, and dates with Tony aren’t bad.”

“Thanks for the encouragement.” I said.

“You’re welcome.” They chorus.

I come out of the bathroom. “You look amazing,” says Rain.

“I’m wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.” I say.

Rain shrugs.

DDDDDDDDDDDDDIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGG DOOOOOOOOONNG echoes through the house. “Too late to back out now.” Says Rain pushing me towards the door.

I open the door to see Mark dressed like me, t-shirt and jeans. I’m really glad I didn’t take up Rain’s dress offer. “Hey.” I said.

“Hey.” He repeats.

I step outside. He leads me to his mom’s car, which he drives. I climb into the passenger’s seat. “Where to?”

“It’s a surprise.” He says backing out.

Not long later we arrive in the parking lot of a McDonald’s. I get out of the car and walk around to him “Mickey D’s?” I ask.

“Yeah.” He says embarrassed.

“It’s cool, I love hamburgers. Or heart-attacks-on-a-bun as my mom calls them.” He laughs.

A while later after dinner I have concluded one thing. Mark and I have absolutely nothing in common. We get back into the car. “Um, Mark.”

“Yeah?”

“I hate to break you’re heart, I really do, but I don’t think this is going to work out.”

He laughs “I’m relieved, I don’t think it’ll work out either but I was afraid to break you’re heart.”

We laughed.

He dropped me off at my house and I walked in happy it was over. I sat down on the couch and stare at the ceiling very relieved. Until I hear the doorbell ring, three hard knock and “Star!”

I run over to the door and open it up to find Justin.



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“Hey.” I said.

“Can I come in?” He asked.

“Yeah, of course,” I said stepping aside. “What’s up?”

“I don’t mean to be rude, I really don’t,” he says. “But what do you like about this Mark guy?”

I laugh. “I don’t we ‘broke-up’.”

“Oh.” He said.

“Why?” I ask. “Is someone jealous?”

“No.” He says looking at the ground.

“Oh, I think someone is.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Oh sure, sure.”

“I’m not!”

“Rejection is the first sign.” I say teasingly.

“No it isn’t!”

“Yes it is.”

“I’m not rejecting it; I’m saying it’s not true.”

“Oh, which is totally different.”

“It is.”

“No, it’s not, you just like me but you’re not going to admit it.”

“What if I do? What would you say?”

“I’d say I like you too.”

“You would?” He asks suspiciously.

“Yup.”

“No you wouldn’t.”

“I guess you’ll never know.”

“I love you.” He says quietly.

“What? I didn’t hear you, speak up.”

“I love you.” He says a tiny bit louder.

“Was that so hard?”

He shakes his head no.

“Good, because I love you too.”



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Dear Notebook,

Star knows something and she’s not telling me.

Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.

Here comes Justin, he’ll tell me.

Tell you what?

What Star’s not telling me.

You mean me dating her, or besides that?

‘…’

He’s in shock! Slap him!

Don’t slap me! I’m not in shock! Ow Justin quit it!

Justin stop hitting Jakey-Pooh!

Sorry.

Aww, you’re dating! How sweet!

‘…..’

Thanks for the input Tony!

….

Ditto Rain! How sweet! (Sigh) Young love.

You’re in young love too. I’m older than you actually so you shouldn’t be talking.

Be quiet.

Sir, yes, sir!

….

Jacob, no kissing on the bus. There’s six of us on one tiny little bus seat.

(insert blush here)

Fine, but that rule applies to you to! No kissing on the bus!

I flip the notebook over.

Rule 5: No kissing on the bus, though this rule doesn’t really apply to the notebook.

Jacob took the notebook and reopened it.

New rule everyone, nobody forget it!



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Since we’re all couples now the seating arrangement was a lot easier. All the girls were on one side of the table across from their boyfriends who sat on the other side. Rain was eating her blue cotton-candy ice-cream with a blue plastic spoon, Tony was sitting quietly eating his sandwich, Bailey was eating a salad made out of veggies she got from her garden (yeah I didn’t believe it either.), Jacob was eating his spaghetti like an animal so to speak, Justin was staring at his plate.

Dear Notebook,

I just found out Justin can sleep with his eyes open.

I’m not sleeping, I’m thinking.

No, you were defiantly sleeping.

I agree with Rain, you were taking a nap.

No, I was thinking!

What about?

….

So you were sleeping!

Star would be the only one who would understand.

Then whisper it to me.

Fine.

He leaned over the table “Last night.” He whispered and then sank back into his seat.

“He was defiantly thinking.” I said.

“Whatever you say.” Rain said in a sing songy voice. “Jakey-Pooh have some ice-cream!” She said and then stuck a spoonful in his mouth.

I have to say his face was a Kodak moment. We all laughed harder than we ever had as Jacob got the spoon out of his mouth and whipped his face.

“Can you ask next time, hunny?” Jacob said.

“Sure, Jakey-Pooh!” She said.

Jacob took the spoon and ate some of her ice-cream. “Mmm, it’s good.”


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((Sorry, I know it's short.))



We were hanging out at my house when the phone rang. I jumped up “I’ll get it.” I picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Star?”

“Hey Mark!” I said.

“I wanted to invite your group to a dance at my friend’s house this Friday.” He said.

“Cool, just need place and time.”

He gave me an address and a number to all for directions. “Well, we just got invited to a party Friday.”

“Ooh!” Rain said. “Dancing!” she began to dance with herself until Jacob went over and danced with her.

“Socialization!” Bailey said turning around to face Tony who had a look of pure dread on his face.

“Food.” Justin said coming over to me. I had recently realized I was almost the shortest in the group. Rain was standing at 4’11”, me at 5’2”, Bailey at 5’3”, Jacob at 5’5”, Justin at 5’7’, and finally Tony at 6’0”. Justin leaned down and whispered “Would you go with me?”

“Of course.” I said standing on my tiptoes to whisper back.

Everyone else were lost in their conversations about the dance. I was just happy to finally be invited to one.



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We get off the bus just like the day before, but this time Mark doesn’t stop me. Something else does though. My eyes scan the words on the poster in front of me as my stomach flips. ‘Talent Show TODAY! Come see our wonderful talent!’ My eyes scan the list of performers. There I am the last one. Star Sanders ---- Singer ---- Lucky – Jason Mraz. “There you are!” Rain sings.

“There I am.” I whisper.

Justin puts his arm around my waist. “I’m proud of you.” He whispers.

I let him pull me towards the door as I stare back at the sheet. Back then, it was a joke. Something to do for fun, you know? We never have practices, you try out, you make it, you perform it two months later, first thing in the morning. I give myself half an hour to mentally prepare.
We sit in the auditorium at the very back. The acts are amazing, the singers are confident and sound beautiful, the performers never make a mistake. I was so scared. “You’ll do great.” Justin promised in a whisper holding my hand tight.

“And for our final act, Star Sanders with Lucky by Jason Mraz.” Says the announcer. Justin gives me a one arm hug before I go up to the stage.

“Nod at the DJ when you’re ready.” He whispers to me before handing me the microphone and going over to sit offstage.

“C’MON STAR!! YOU GOT THIS!!” I hear my group shout.

My palms get sweaty and I keep dropping the mic. My heart pounds in my chest and my head spins. The lights seem way too bright and my vision is getting blurry around the edges. I can’t pass out, I can’t! I scream at myself.

I hear a loud thunk but I’m too freaked to see who’s standing next to me. Probably the announcer wrapping up the show. I feel the mic get taken from my hands by a set of warm ones. I don’t know who it is but they tall, they had to bend down to get the mic.

Whoever it is cues up the music. They begin to sing and I turn. “Tony?!” I whisper.

He doesn’t acknowledge me but sings. His deep voice puts a weird spin on the song. He’s an awesome singer though.

When the pause comes he hands me the mic. “If I can sing, anyone can.” He whispers. I hadn’t noticed but the rest of the group was on stage. They started clapping to the beat and Rain had found a tambourine and started beating on it.

I began to sing, my soprano voice a contrast to Tony’s bass. He stands next to me clapping to the beat with the rest of them. When the next pause comes I stand on my tip-toes so we can both sing. He leans down so I don’t have to stand on my tip-toes. We finish the song out.

It is quiet for a long moment and I want to run and hide. Suddenly, everyone is giving us a standing applause.

I take a huge sigh and bow with Tony. His dark sweep of hair covering his face when he lowers his head. I give him a hug. “Thanks.”

He lets go with out saying anything. He was no like a big brother to me. I stared up at him while he took one more bow and went to Bailey who kissed him.

Justin’s arms scare me as he wraps them around me from behind. “Told you, you could do it.” He whispers.

I turn around in the safety of his arms and lean against him hoping this moment would last forever.



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Second and third period came and went as always. In fourth period though something different happened. We walked into the room and this kid, totally random kid at that, came up to us. “You’re Star, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“And you’re Tony, right?”

Tony nods.

“I just really wanted to meet you guys!” She said.

“Okay…” I said, the rest of the group was off to the side watching.

“I know you’re, like, a couple and stuff and I think it’s really cute! You guys should do duets more often!” She says.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up. Couple?” Tony says. “I don’t know where you heard that but you’re dead wrong. I’m with Bailey, and she’s with Justin.”

“Oh you don’t have to pretend, I know you guys are, like totally in love and stuff and-” The girl stopped and her jaw dropped.

I ripped my gaze from her to look at Tony, well Tony and Bailey. They were basically making out right in front of the poor girl.

Tony broke the kiss and looked at the girl. “I’m defiantly in love with Bailey.”

The girl nodded and scampered off to her seat.

We all broke into laughter, even Tony. Sometimes he could really scare the wits out of people.



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Jacob and I got off the bus. We turned around when he heard four more people get off the bus. “Can we come over?” They all asked in unison.

Jacob and I laughed “Sure.”

Dearest Notebook,
I fell that you should know what we look like so we are all going to write descriptions of ourselves. Who wants to go first?

Me!

Take the stage then.

Ok. I’m 5’ 3”, yeah I know, I’m short.

You are not, you’re vertically challenged.

Fine, I’m vertically challenged. I have long straight brown hair and bangs that are highlighted blonde. I’ve got a pretty plain and pale face featuring my bright blue eyes.

Bright blue, beautiful eyes.

(blush) and that about sums it up.

Jakey-Pooh you go next!

Fine. Some people tell me I look like a farmer or a summer boy mainly because I have a tan year around. I have a mess of blonde hair that always looks windblown and messy no matter how short mom cuts it (right now it’s in a buzz cut). I have light brown eyes that I was once told look like a pixies apparently. And my nose is splattered with freckles. Oh and I’m 5’5”. I apparently have a foot ball/wrestler muscular build but I’m more of a cross country/soccer person. That’s about it.

I’ll go next. I stand at a measly 5’2”. I have short dark brown hair with light brown eyes like Jacob. My cheeks have freckles unlike Jacob who has freckles on his nose. Ummm…. I’m really skinny.

Me next! I’m 5’7” the second tallest in the group. I have short black hair in a buzz cut. I have blue eyes, and I mean light blue which I find weird. I’m weird because I look like a mega athlete but I’m a wimp. That’s about it.

Me next! I have long red hair down to my waist that is highlighted blue. I have green eyes. I’m vertically challenged standing at 4’11”. I’m not skinny and I’m not fat I’m one of those in between people. I’m kind of pale I don’t know. Tony’s turn!

I’ve got dark brown hair and many people mistake it as black. I have dark blue eyes which people also mistake for black. That’s about it. Oh and I’m six foot nothing.

Well I believe that wraps it up. Jake, Tony you ready?

Yes.

Yes.



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I immediately froze. Which in turn gave Jacob and Tony time to fulfill their jobs. Tony took my right arm and put his left arm around my waist and Jacob did the same thing except with my left arm. I pressed my heals into the floor “Don’t tell me, we’re going to the mall aren’t we?”

Rain nodded excitedly. They all knew this was my pet peeve. Everyone but me can look great in anything. I, on the other hand, look terrible in everything except are private school uniforms.

Tony and Jacob got me into my mom’s car. Tony went around to the front to drive. He’s older than us by a year, he is a sophomore and we are freshmen. Rain climbs in the passenger seat and Bailey is already in the seat next to me.

Tony got us to the mall quickly and said “What time should I pick you guys up?”

Darn, I thought not even a car to hot wire.

Bailey thought about it for a second “We’ll call you.”

Tony nodded and got out to get me out. I unbuckled my seatbelt to make it easier for the poor boy.

He opened up the door. “You’re more difficult than me.” He murmurs picking me up and setting me down on the pavement.

Tony kisses Bailey by and pulls out of the parking lot.

“C’mon Star.” Rain says pulling me into her favorite store.

I follow her in obediently and she starts looking through dresses. “We’re looking for the dance tomorrow.” Bailey tells me.

Rain squeals when she finds a pretty blue dress her size. It’s a light blue with spaghetti straps and sequins around the neck line. She runs into the dressing room and comes out a few minutes later with it on.

It fits her like a glove, of course. She spins around in front of the mirror. “I like it do you?” She calls over to me and Bailey.

“I love it.” I call back and Bailey agrees.

“I think I’m going to get it.” Rain says before running back into the dressing room.

Just as she does Bailey says “I think I found mine too!” She holds up a bright red dress to herself. This one has short sleeves and nothing real fancy on it. She disappears into a dressing room.

I decide if I want to pick my own dress I better get to it.

A few moments later I find a simple white one and got to try it on. Just as I’m slipping it on Rain knocks on the door “Hey I found something.”

She throws something black over the door. I pull off the white dress and pick up the black thing.

The black thing ends up being a dress. It comes just past my knees and has cords that you tie behind your neck. I put it on and step out of the dressing room.

Rain and Bailey clap and I spin towards the mirror. I gasp. The only reason I know it’s me where the dress is because it’s my face. The dress looks really pretty.

“I think I found mine too.” I tell them.

Bailey and Rain released me from my shopping duties and went to find shoes. I walked into the candy store thinking I would get Justin something. I found a machine that let you pick different flavors of powder and mix them together in a test-tube and decided to get him that.

I mixed every flavor they had together about eight times and shook it up. I went to pay for it and it was surprisingly cheap at 1.99 including tax. I then decided to make everyone one.

About 20 minutes later I met up with Bailey and Rain outside the front doors of the mall and gave them theirs. Bailey called Tony and he was there almost instantly, I think he was keeping look-out to see if I tried to run. I climbed into the passengers seat to hand him his and relaxed for the ride home.



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On the way home it was agreed we would not show the guys are dresses so we had to sneak them into the house. We got them in successfully but they were gathered around the living room when we got back. “What?” I ask sitting next to Justin.

“This came for you.” He says handing me an envelope that has not been opened thankfully.

It’s from our school. And not only is it to me but is to Tony too. I press my thumb under the sealed part and carefully open it. I pull out the letter and unfold it to read:

Dear Star Sanders and Tony Thompson,

You have been invited! This year we have decided that the top three talent show winners from Highland Private School will be going head to head against the other schools in the district for a new tradition! The winner will receive a medal and bragging rights for the year. The second place will receive a ribbon and everyone who joins in the fun gets a participation ribbon saying you were in the first talent show! If you are even remotely interested please come to our first practice and only practice tonight! The talents show will be tomorrow after school at Highland Private School. If you do not go there you will get out of school half an hour early to be bussed there. I hope everyone can attend!!!!

The School Districts School Council
Harry Handman
President of the School Districts School Council

I dropped the letter and leaned on Justin who put his arm around me. “What was it about?”

I hand him the letter and his eyes scan it quickly. “That’s great!” he says and then hugs me.

“What’s great?” Tony asks. Justin hands him the letter.

He reads it. “I’m not understanding the great part.”

Everyone takes their turn reading it and everyone has their own opinion. The noise gets louder as people converse. “Stop.” I say and everyone looks at me. “We’ll flip a coin to see if we do it or not.” I say getting out a quarter. “Heads we go tails we don’t.”

I flip the quarter and it seems to go in slow motion as it goes into the air and then falls onto the floor. Everyone crowds around me as I pick it up. “Tony, grab your keys.”



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Dear Notebook,
There are currently six of us squished in a car meant to hold five people. Way to go mom.

Stop being such a sour-puss you’re the one who suggested we all go.

Fine. Let’s turn it to Star for some input on the meeting.

We’re not a news show. Plus we’re in the parking lot.

I close the notebook and set it down before climbing out of the car. Rain, Jacob, and Justin follow me out. There are a few cars in the parking lot so I assume the doors are open and go up to try them. They open and I see signs leading us to the meeting.

In the meeting room are a few people. One I recognize as a cheerleader who went before me, she danced, I think. I sit next to her and my group sits next to me. I look at the cheerleader who is putting on yet another coat of bright pink lip gloss. She looks at me, looks me up and down and then turns to talk to her partner in dance, probably gossiping about me.

I leaned on Justin who was on my right until the meeting/practice began. Harry Handman went up to the microphone. “Good evening!”

There were a few mumbled replies.

“Well, you all know why you’re here. Let’s get this practice on the road! Any volunteers?” He looked around the room where no one raised their hands.

All of the sudden a perfectly manicured hand shot up. “We’ll go. We’re not afraid.” Says the cheerleader her brightly glossed lips sticking together with each word because of the lip stick.

Her and her friend went to a door labeled “STAIRS” and where on the stage in a few minutes. The two girls put their hands on their hips and smiled out to their audience of about twenty people.

All of the sudden loud up-beat cheer music blasted the speakers. The girls began to clap to the beat and started a neatly choreographed routine. It turns out the cheerleaders buddy can’t dance to save her life and was messing up right and left which I must say was pretty comical.

They finished within five minutes. Harry went up to the mic “Whoever goes gets to choose the next to go.” He says. “Ladies.” He nods and hand them the mic.

The cheerleader puts her hand over her eyes to scope out the crowd. Her eyes stop on me. “You.” She says pointing a hot pink nail at me.

“Okay.” I say. “Tony?”

He stands up wordlessly and follows me to the edge of the stage. “One.” I whisper.

“Two.” He whispers back.

“Three.” We whisper in unison and jump onto the stage making the girls jump back and scream. They scatter down the stairs and Tony takes his place at the mic.

The music starts up and is suddenly stopped. “What happened?” I ask jogging over to the radio.

“We just got something from… you.” Harry says handing me an envelope that has been opened.

Dear Harry Handman and council,

I was writing to inform you that Tony and I will not be singing Lucky by Jason Mraz. We will instead be singing a self composed song that we wrote. We hope that this slight change can be made.

Sincerely,
Star Sanders and Tony Thompson

I show the letter to Tony who stares at me. In silent agreement we decide to wing it.

I take the mic from his hand and walk to the front of the stage. “I’m sorry.” I say looking right at the smug cheerleader. “I forgot, I decided that I am not going to sing Lucky. We are going to sing a self composed song. I hope you guys enjoy it.”

I look at my group. They’re all worried. “This one’s for you guys.” I mouth.

I run back over to Tony and pull him to the mic stand. I take a deep breath.

“It’s funny how some things just come easy. Perfect hair, perfect nails, perfect dress. And you’re dancing around your room think he’s the one. But it’s even funnier how things are meant to be.” I sing improvising the tune and using the song I’ve always known but never knew. “You’re all alone in a big place that you think is going to swallow you. And then you become two.” I look at Tony. “No you’re all alone again he’s a year older and then you become three.” I help Jacob on the stage. “He’s more than you’re best friend he’s you’re brother, but he doesn’t want to be seen with you. And then you become four.” I help Rain on the stage. “She’ you’re best friend but than she meets you’re brother and there’s a whole new relationships” Rain goes over to Jacob. “You’re back to square one and you’re all alone until you become four.” I help Bailey on the stage. “But then, there’s another relationship and you’re head is spinning.” I say. “And that’s when you become five.” I say helping Justin on the stage. “He’s you’re best friend he listens to you no matter what you say, he comes over when you’re sick and even when you’re well. And then, you’re back to two.” I sing and hug Justin.

Tony takes the mic and starts to sing a chorus to it. “You’re one then you’re two, three, four, five, and then you’re back to two. One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Two!” He shouts and the audience shouts with him.

I take the mic back and let the exciment back down. “A really terrible thing happened tonight.” I say. “I was very prepared to sing Lucky, and all of the sudden I was told I had written a note saying that I wasn’t going to sing the song that I had one self composed and totally ready. I have no idea who wrote that note and I hope it made them happy. I’m sorry if the song stunk but it’s the best I had.” I say and put the mic back in the stand.

The entire crowd erupts into a standing applause and I feel amazing.


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I had used my Spanish notebook to finish the song lyrics and I was finally done sitting in the auditorium waiting for the bus to arrive. We were sitting in the very front row watching people set up gymnastics mats and mic stands and tables.

All of the sudden about two hundred kids poured in wearing various uniforms, clothes, and costumes. There are girls with their hair teased out a mile wide and guys with their hair sticking straight down.

I look down at my school uniform and adjust the skirt. All of the sudden I got an idea. I pull Tony away from Bailey and lead him out of the busy auditorium. “Do you have any extra clothes?” I ask him.

He grins and nods producing a pair of dark jeans and a black tee from his back-pack. “I was waiting for you to ask.” He says quietly.

“Okay, go change and meet me back here in ten minutes.” I say over my shoulder as I jog to the girls’ bathroom.

I am met by a ton of girls adjusting make-up and hair. I run into a stall and close the door. I pulled off my uniform and stuffed it in my back-pack before pulling out the spare outfit I always bring to school. I changed into it quickly and pushed my way back out of the bathroom and to where I had left Tony. He was still standing there but this time instead of the sweater-vest pleated pants, uniform he had on jeans and a black t-shirt.

I grabbed his wrist and pulled him down towards the auditorium where the show had begun, luckily we were the last to go so we had a while. When we sat down Jacob was leaning back on the chair snoozing and Justin looked half-way there. I hunched down in my seat hoping I wasn’t blocking anyone’s view, but then again I’m only 5’1”.
The acts pass through quickly and I can’t believe it’s one act away from our song. The cheerleader and friend are on stage and start their peppy dance routine. Like I said before, the other girl can’t dance to save her life.

Their dance ended and Harry Handman went up to the mic. “Next up Star Sanders and Tony Thompson with their self composed song.”

Tony and I leap on stage and our group waits quietly at the bottom for be to help them up.

I sing the first verse helping everyone on stage and Tony starts the chorus. Then he sings the next verse “You’re head starts spinning because everything’s happening way too quickly. You close you’re eyes and hope everything’s back to normal, but what is normal anyway? One second you’re singing as a joke and the next you’re in the final round. You’re wondering what happened to living life a day at a time and you trying to remember normal. But hey, no one ever said anything would be easy, they just said it would be worth it in the end.

“You’re one then you’re two. Three. Four. Five. Two. One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Two!”

He leans down with the mic so we can finish the song. “You look around and realize you’re no longer a kid. Those easy times back in kindergarten when the biggest drama was who got the pink crayon is ancient history. People betray you and hurt you for their self confidence. Everyone seems so mean and you’re about to give up. And then you find you’re two and you’re three and you’re four and you’re five and then you’re back to two.”

Everything is silent for a long moment and then the audience erupts into applause. I put the mic up and jump off stage letting the applause continue until it dies down.

Harry goes over to the mic and turns it on. “The judges are deciding on the winner, they will be announced shortly. Until then it is a quick break, there are cookies and lemonade on the table just outside.”

Stupid move on his part I must say, the entire auditorium runs out of their seats and towards the table. I follow the crowd and grab some cookies for everyone since they stayed back, probably afraid that they’ll be trampled. As I weave my way back to my seat I get a lot of compliments about the song.

I sit down and pass out the cookies. I eat mine savoring ever bite since this will probably be the last piece of junk food I have until after break.

I forgot to mention, that everyone in the group has love written all over their arms. I felt to mention that because it was a big part of today. Turns out nearly everyone forgot it was write love on your arm day so we were one of about fifteen people who had love on our arms. All of the teachers were really disappointed and praised us for writing love.

I was snapped out of the recap of my day because of Harry’s voice coming out of the speakers. “If everyone could quiet down the judges have made up their mind on the winner.”

Everyone is instantly silent. He takes the envelope and opens it. He pulls out the cream colored card stock that has been folded to fit in side and he reads it. “The winner is… Star Sanders and Tony Thompson!”

The audience applauds again and there are a few sighs from those hoping to win. We jump back on stage and they put the medal around both of our necks. The cool fabric against my neck and the medal hanging between Tony and I gives me the sense that I’ve finally accomplished something great.



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Tony drives us home in my mom’s car so we’re all squished again. I try to move my arms but end up accidentally hitting Jacob in the face. Well, I’ll say it was an accident anyway because I was quite pleased when I did so since he had been complaining ever since we got in the car. “What was that for, Star?!” he asks.

“Sorry I was trying to move my arm.” I say.

“Well next time can you not hit me?”

“I’ll se what I can do.” I say rolling my eyes since he knows we can all barely move without hitting one another.

Rain begins to hum Jesus Loves Me and I sing it softly. Soon the whole backseat is softly singing it. Just when we finish it Tony pulls into my and Jacob’s drive. “May we come over?” They all ask.

“Fine with me.” I say. You’re probably wondering by now, why isn’t their mom showing up, and how do they keep snagging her car. Well, I’ll tell you. My mom’s on a sort of vacation, every year she goes on a one week vacation and entrusts me and Jacob to stay home by ourselves. This is our first year alone and we hope we don’t mess it up.

We all get out of the car and file inside. I’m hoping to sneak off and not have to face the horror of Rain and Bailey getting me ready for the dance but just as I’m about to go into my room I hear two familiar voices chorus “Stop right there, missy.”

I sigh and turn around to face my doom, so to speak. Each of them grabs an arm and pulls me into the bathroom. Bailey pushes a chair into the back of my legs making me sit down. Rain puts a blind fold on me and now I’m really scared. “I’m not aloud to see it?”

“I want it to be a surprise.” She says. They both start tugging on my hair and putting in clips and some sort of spray and gel. The tugging and spraying and gelling finally stops and is replaced with them tickling my face with brushes. I sneeze when powder gets in my nose and laugh when the lightly brush on blush because it tickles so badly.

I don’t know how much longer but the finally take off the blind fold. My jaw drops a bit. I don’t recognize myself under all the layers of make-up the only reason I do recognize myself is because the girl in the mirror mimics all my movements.

I put a hand on my cheek to see if I can feel my face behind all the make up, but the hand quickly gets smacked down. I’m sad and happy, I’m happy because I think I look pretty, but I’m sad because that’s just it. I’m covered in make-up this isn’t me, this is Avon, L’Oreal, and Revlon.

I make my decision. I pull out the complicated braids and wipe off the make up. I can feel the disappointment behind me. “This isn’t me.” I tell Bailey and Rain before leaving. I see Tony standing outside the door probably keeping guard. He doesn’t say anything to me, doesn’t tell me if I’ve done the right our wrong thing all he does is give me a small thumbs up. I smile at him and he smiles back as I walk back into my room.

I find my dress laid out of the bed with a pair of at least nine inch black high heels. I change into the dress and instead of putting on the heels I grab my Sunday church shoes. I pull on a dark black school certified sweater and pull my hair back into a ponytail.

I hear a soft knock at the door and open it to see Rain and Bailey. They take in my outfit as I say “This is me.”



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I took a step back, it couldn’t be. But it was, in front of me sat the cheerleader who had gone before me during the talent show. I sit down next to her and put my arm around her shoulders. She pretends not to notice and continues sobbing.

I close the door and lock it since she probably doesn’t want anyone barging in. I grab some toilet paper and wiper her face. “Listen.” I say softly. “Let’s get you cleaned up and back out there. Sure, he may seem like the only guy you’ll ever love, but you might just find the one who won’t leave you or cheat on you.”

She looks up at me and sniffles. “You think I can find someone?” she asks like a child her eyes big and round like a child’s I can see how much she wants to believe me but how scared she is of getting hurt like that again.

“I know you can find someone.” I say helping her stand up and she smiles.

“Now let’s get you to looking the way you should I say.” Opening what appears to be her handbag and finding tons of makeup. I fortunately learned a few things from Rain and Bailey and began applying make-up to her.

A few minutes later she looked as good as she had when she danced. “Thanks.” She says hugging me, it takes me a second but I hug her back.

“Oh, no biggie.” I say.

“No, really.” She says. “I’ll never forget this. Here…” she says digging something out of her purse.

She hands me a pretty black necklace. “Think of it as a friendship offering.” She says before disappearing back into the party.

I stare at the necklace trying to figure out what just happened and trying to regain my composure. I put the necklace on and weaved my way back into the party.

((I want to say YAY! To have written 45 pages of this (on microsoft word).))



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((Thank you!!))



By the time I have located Justin and gotten to him they’re playing a slow song. I look around and see all the couples dancing and the singles standing by themselves. All of the sudden I feel Justin’s arms around my waist and hear him whisper “Would you like to dance?”

“Sure.” I whisper back as he moves around so he is in front of me. We dance for a few moments and all of the sudden he starts to lean down towards me.

“Justin! What are you-” I whisper loudly but I’m silenced by him kissing me. I freak out for a moment but then remember I should probably calm down since he’s my boyfriend.

He breaks the kiss and my head is fuzzy for a second as I try to blink through it, I realize that was my first kiss and I wouldn’t have wanted it with anyone else. Justin suddenly acts like he realizes what he just did, he blinks a few times looking down at me as if wondering if I’m really the girl he just kissed.

I look around remembering where I’m at and no one else has been making out in the middle of a dance. No one seems to have noticed except Rain, Jacob, Tony, and Bailey. No one but them.

Jacob gives Justin the thumbs up, Rain giggles, Tony stands there, and Bailey waves like nothing just happened. I am embarrassed for a second and feel my face flush but I decide to tune them out. I look back at Justin who I realize was watching me the entire time which makes me blush more.

“Did you know that you’re really cute when you blush?” He asks tilting his head to the side as if trying to see it from a different angle.

I look down and put my head on his shoulder. “You know,” I whisper. “Someone once asked me, what my dream was right then. And I told them to have my first kiss at a dance with the boy I love. And they said to me thank you for giving someone that chance, dreams may not come true in your lifetime but they will come true. So now, I’m just the tiniest bit sad I took that dream away from someone tonight.”

When he doesn’t say anything I look up to see him smiling.


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I tell Justin and I am thirsty and then have to insist for five minuets that I get the punch myself. I go over to the table and start to pour punch into a plastic cup and then I stop. The punch begins to overflow onto my hand and the table and I stop jerking my hand up putting the ladle back into the bowl. I put down the cup and get lots of napkins as I try and mop it up.

When I stand and start to throw them away I am confronted with the same sight that I made me overflow the punch. Mark and nameless cheerleader staring into each others eyes holding hands. I clear my throat loudly as I toss the napkins in the trash.

Still they don’t look apart. This time I gently tap Mark’s punch cup and make it fall onto his leg which it soaks. This time, he jumps. “Uh, Star, uh, hi.” He says.

A giggle bubbles to my lips but I swallow it not wanting to make them feel anymore guilty. “Hey Mark.”

“Uh, Chrissie Star, Star Chrissie.” He says nervously.

I gesture my cup towards her. “We’ve been… acquainted.”

“Oh, well then.” He says running his hand nervously through his hair.

“Try the punch.” I finish smiling and walk back to Justin who bursts out laughing.

“Try the punch?”

“Shut-up.”



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“We’re going to slow down again for the last song of the night.” Says whoever is djing the music. As if on cue all of the couples go back together again and people without a date start to leave or stand against the wall so they can stay until their friends leave.

Justin turns me around gently and we begin to dance. Over Justin’s shoulder I can see Mark and Chrissie again google eyes at each other. I almost laugh but I hold it in.

Justin looks over his shoulder and turns back to me when he sees what I see. “Try the punch.” He whispers in my ear.

I stand on my tiptoes “It’s delicious.” I whisper back. He grins and twirls me around slowly.

Something about the song makes everything seem to go in slow motion. That is until somebody yells “PARENTS!”

Everyone scrambles out the back into the cars parked back there and away they speed. I round my group up and we run after them jumping into the car we took here.

“Well that was fun.” Jacob said sarcastically. “Our first dance and we get ran out because of an idiot not watching the clock.”

“I think it was fun.” Rain says still swaying to the beat of the music that we had just left.

“Yeah like a cop show.” Justin adds. “Running away before we get busted.”

“Busted, crap.” I say thinking about how mom’s coming home tomorrow and we need to clean up the house. “That’s what me and Jacob are going to be if we can’t get the house cleaned up by seven p.m. tomorrow.”

“I’ll come help!” Rain says. “I love to clean.”

“Me too.” Says Justin. “I don’t love to clean, but I’ll come.”

“I’ll come to.” Bailey agrees.

“Got nothing better to do.” Says Tony.

“Thank you guys but it’s not your problem you don’t have to help.” I say.

“Star are you stupid?” Jacob asks. “Never turn down free help. You guys are hired.”

“Oh I feel the love Jacob.” Justin says sarcastically making me, Rain, and Bailey laugh.



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