Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Garden of Eden Model?

So, how school I am doing a project of making a representation of the garden of eden. I decided i wanted to make mine different and use all edible substances. So i was needing some help on ideas and opinions of what i have though of.

Land~9 in circle pan, or 9 in square pan

Grass~Green frosting and green small sprinkles

Trees~lollipops? marshmallows on toothepick died green?

Flowers~Flower shaped sprinkles

Bushes~Marshmallows?

River~Cut out a section, line it with saran wrap and put blue jello in it

Fish~mini gold fish

Animals~Animal crackers

Satan~twizzler

Adam and Eve~??? some kind of cookie or cracker?

anything else i should add or change?

Thanks
Garden of Eden Model?
You have left out God!

Maybe a piece of divinity or angel food cake.

Would this be a bad Valentine's gift?

Okay, so i never seem to come up with really good gift ideas for my boyfriend, and for Valentine's it's especially hard b/c he gets it easy..flowers for me ect. So, would this be a bad idea? I want to get an Edible Arrangement basket delivered to his dorm at school. He loves fruit..eats it all the time, hes a very healthy apetite and whatnot. Is that like really lame to send though? We're 19%26amp;20 and have been dating over 2 years now.



Also, if anyone has any coupon codes that would work on that website, or any other ideas it would all be appreciated! Thanks for your time :)
Would this be a bad Valentine's gift?
My boyfriend is a health food fanatic too! I think thats a great idea...I was having a hard time w/ a v-day gift too. Go for it, especially since you know he'll eat it. Why dont you like bake him some stuff w/ fruit in it?
Reply:For coupons on all kinds of merchandise check out http://www.couponseek.net



For example, there is a coupon book which i use alot. You can go out to a fancy restaurant and eat out half price. Not just once, 20-30 times easy if your city's book has many coupons.



Posters make good gifts. Guys like sports. He might like a basketball or football poster from http://www.viewposters.com or he might like other subjects such as movies, music, landscapes, photography or even painting art. viewposters has it all.

Unique Ideas For Reception Centerpieces...?

I want something unique, I dont want a bunch of flowers, besides them being super expensive, they are only good for the one day, I just cant see myself spending that much $$ for just one day, so I've been looking for something else unique, I dont want the whole candle thing either, that's too overdone in my opinion. What I was thinking was having edible centerpieces, there's a place here in San Francisco called edible arrangements {www.ediblearrangements.com}; they are kinda pricey but I like the whole idea of having something different, keep in mind we havent found a reception venue yet, but we have got our guest list together {its still being refined}; but were having about roughly 140 people give or take a few more, hopefully the venue we pick will accomodate that many people, but I was thinking if we have at least 100 people show up and the tables are round and can accomodate at least 5 people comfortably per table we may just need 10 tables %26amp; 10 centerpieces what do you think?
Unique Ideas For Reception Centerpieces...?
Hi and congratulations!



You have done your math wrong. If you are having 100 guests and the tables seat 5 at each, you will need 20 centerpieces total .... not 10.



The edible arrangements ARE nice, but very expensive. You can buy flowers for that amount!



In any case....here are some ideas that I have given others:



~ A stacked favor centerpiece (Martha Stewart idea):

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site...



~ Another idea, going along with the previous one...is a centerpiece/favor that you can make: Hershey Kiss "rosebuds":

http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/crafts/de...



~ And, yet another one....although I don't know the price of this one...it may be expensive:

http://www.wanderfuls.com/



Now...you can always do a potted flowering plant with a few votives....a few roses in a bud vase with votives.....there are soooo many ideas!



Good luck!
Reply:What about branches.

http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/01/02/bra...

I've also seen some where they are spray painted and put in a vase.

You could use photos of you and your fiance, at different stages in your life. Together and separate.

You could fill vases with almost anything (coffee beans, sand, candy, etc)

Here's a site.

http://offbeatbride.com/2007/02/non-flor...
Reply:Why don't you get some small vases and fill them with really pretty big lollipops? If you have 5 people per table, but 5 lollipops per vase.
Reply:A mini version of the wedding cake on each table is pretty. For the main wedding cake you can have a couple faux layers so it will still look good but people would eat from the cake on their table. A candy or cookie bouquet/arrangement or a cupcake tree on each table.
Reply:You mentioned flowers being expensive and you couldn't see yourself spending that much money and that they would only be good for the one day, but then you menion the edible arrangements and say that they are kinda pricey...I would think edible arrangements would be more expensive than flowers and they too would only be good for the one day. You conflict yourself. :)



Most venues seat 8 or 10 people at a round table, so keep that in mind. Also, find your venue before you decide on centerpieces as there might be restrictions at your venue as to what you can use on the tables. Plus, some venues provide centerpieces - some are included in the rental price, some charge extra.



My cousins had small cakes as their centerpiece. They had a two tier cake at the wedding party table that they cut into and then invited people to cut into the cakes on their table. Each cake was a different flavor, so it got guests mingling to other tables deciding if they wanted carrot, chocolate, red velvet, strawberry, white, yellow, etc. They had about 500+ people at their wedding.



We had fish bowls as our centerpiece at our wedding. We bought small inexpensive bowls, put glass beads in the bottom (to match our wedding colors) and put a beta fish in each bowl. Guests got to take the fish home with them after the ceremony. Everyone loved it! Our wedding was about 150 people.
Reply:There are all kinds of options out there that aren't flowers. I have been in the search myself for something other than flowers.



What I have seen is multiple glass containers (that you can purchase pretty cheap at craft stores) with colored water and slices of or whole fruit. I've seen better ones than the link but you get the idea.



Also, fish... goldfish are pretty cheap and look pretty cool in the containers. The second link.



Also you can get glass bubbles that float at different levels in a hurricane style or tall container. The third one.



The first two links have other centerpieces you can look at, as well.



GOOD LUCK!
Reply:Having Edible Arrangements as centerpieces will cost you more than flowers. I've looked into it. I don't know why everyone thinks flowers are going to cost them thousands of dollars. Just don't get roses or any expensive flower. I'm doing my entire wedding with flowers for $1200.
Reply:Eddible arrangements are great! They're delish and unique. Yes they are pricey, but most tables at reception halls will accomodate 8-10 people comfortably...so that would cut your cost.
Reply:diy the fruit centerpieces. it's always sooo much cheaper to go buy the fruit yourself.

depending on what kind of base or basket you want to put them in - keep eyes out for sales at ac moore or other craft stores in the area!



we have a place kinda like the one you mentioned around where i live in delaware.

i just went to their website and copied what they did in the pictures for a party we had over the summer.



you can go as big or as little as you want. you can even go really big- make topiaries with fruit instead of flowers.

you can make cascades of grapes to drape down too.
Reply:I just saw a wedding where the bride made roses out of ribbon in shades of the wedding colors. They were arranged just like the real thing and it was gorgeous yet still unique. If you pick up the ribbon during a sale or using the 40% off coupons the craft stores like Michaels, Joanns, and Hobby Lobby run it can be amazingly affordable.



If you message me with your actual email I can send you a pic of the bridesmaid's boquet.
Reply:We are having the smaller chocolate fondue sets at each table, with little wicker baskets lined with fabric in the colors of the wedding at each place setting filled with some things to dip. They are doing double duty as both the centerpieces and favors.
Reply:We are theming our day around the beach because that is where we met and I love the beach. I went down and found some really unique gnarled pieces of driftwood. I am then intertwining them with some vines and flowers and sticking little shells, dried starfish and butterflies on them.

Might sound a little odd but they actually look really effective.

I like them anyways. And they are not costing me all that much at all.
skates

Creative people? help?

So, how school I am doing a project of making a representation of the garden of eden. I decided i wanted to make mine different and use all edible substances. So i was needing some help on ideas and opinions of what i have though of.

Land~9 in circle pan, or 9 in square pan

Grass~Green frosting and green small sprinkles

Trees~lollipops? marshmallows on toothepick died green?

Flowers~Flower shaped sprinkles

Bushes~Marshmallows?

River~Cut out a section, line it with saran wrap and put blue jello in it

Fish~mini gold fish

Animals~Animal crackers

Satan~twizzler

Adam and Eve~??? some kind of cookie or cracker?

anything else i should add or change?

Thanks
Creative people? help?
I think this is a very good idea so far- I would think about the proportions of your objects you are going to use for each thing- if your trees are going to be suckers and / or lollipops you might have a tough time getting a proportionally correct Adam and Eve and the fish will definitely be too large. Also you will have a hard time making the marshmallows stand up right on the toothicks and have the mbe believable as trees



I would take some round green lollipops, slightly dampen them and roll them in green sprinkles, then cut the sticks shorter (leave them long enough to poke into the cake) and use those as shrubs



If you are carrying this around and it will be in a warm place, the Jello might not be a good thing, cut a groove in the cake and fill it with blue gel icing- then 2 -3 goldfish could stick up out of it as if they were jumping.



I would use a square pan , jsut because to me that would be easier to work with but either one would work



trees - you can scuplt these out of ready to use rolled fondant- it is almost like modeling clay, but edible- if you get white you can add a couple of drops of food coloring to get the color you want- you can also mold Adam and Eve out of this- you will ahve an easier time making sure the trees are biggerthan Adam and Eve- animal crackers are a great idea for the animals you can stand them up in the frosting and lean them against the trees

Flower shaped sprinkles are a good idea for the flowers



Another idea you might try for the trees would be roll a piece of carboard (just like a toilet paper tube but somewhat narrower- secure it with tape or glue then use floral tape to tape several (5 - 7) lollipops to the top - bend the sticks at different andles to make branches but keep them close wnopugh together to make the tree look full (you can add more lollipops until you think it looks good- I am just trying to picture it in my head so you can adjust it to what works) slighlty dampen the lollipops and roll in green sprinkles for some texture- depending on the size of the cake and how much other stuff you put on it, I would do at least 3 trees but no more than 5- when doing something that is essentially an 'arrangement' odd numbers work best- 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 for the # of trees, or the # of branches (lollipops) and the # of shrubs- try not to make it look too symetrical
Reply:Nice don't change a thing!
Reply:Use a carrot and a green pepper to make a tree. Stand the carrot with the wide end down. Cut a pepper horizontally in half. Use the half that doesn't have the stem. Cut out triangle shapes along the bottom. Don't have the point of the triangle go all the way to the center of the pepper. Place the cut out pepper on top of the carrot and you have a palm tree.



Dye coconut green and let it dry. Use it for grass.



Make ginger bread cookies and shape them like Adam and Eve
Reply:sounds like alot of work- good luck on the project-



seems like you are on the right track
Reply:Teddy grahams would probably be good for Adam and Eve? Or there's also this cereal called Mighty Bites, I don't know if they have it near you
Reply:sounds like you are doing well. Perhaps some parsley sprigs for bushes. Ginger bread men/woman for Adam and Eve with the fig leaf in green frosting.



You could also make the river out of fruit rollups and it would not be as messy.



Good luck wish I could see the finished product.
Reply:Satan should be a gummy worm.
Reply:Nice idea!

Suggestions:

-the trees can be the toothpick with the marsmallow died green or, so even the trunk can be edible, you can do a cinnomon stick to hold up the marsmallow!

-The bushes can be cotton candy pieces with green food coloring added to it

-Adam and Eve can be those gummies for certain tv shows that have the characters like Scooby do and then use velma and scooby as adam and eve!
Reply:for the bushes you should use broccoli





%26amp; make adam an apple (lmao) %26amp; eve a pear!! unless thats too big.
Reply:Twizzlers are too good to be Satan! LOL
Reply:sounds good

Physalis alkekengi - cn: Japanese or Chinese Lantern?

Re: Small shrub x orange lantern type flowers, know what it is?

I should like to warn you all; that this plant is poisonous...!

Physalis alkekengi or Japanese: hōzuki is a relative of P. peruviana (Cape Gooseberry), easily identifiable by the large, bright orange papery covering over its fruit, resembling Chinese lanterns. Native to S.Europe thro to Japan. Herbaceous perennial growing to 60cm tall, with spirally arranged leaves 6-12cm long and 4-9cm broad. White flowers with a five-lobed corolla 10-15mm across, inflated basal calyx which matures into the papery lantern 4-5cm long %26amp; broad.

NB: It is not a Cape Gooseberry to be dipped into chocolate...!

The very ripe fruit (not the lantern) is edible but doesn't taste good. It is sour, having more vitamin C than lemons. The rest of the plant, especially the leaves and unripe berries, are poisonous and can even be fatal if eaten, contains solanine, which makes potatoes green and tomato leaves poisonous.

email me for more info

Lou
Physalis alkekengi - cn: Japanese or Chinese Lantern?
That's good stuff Lou - but even though this is Yahoo! Answers... you are meant to pose a question to be answered rather than an answer to a possible question. :-)
  • color cosmetics
  • Garden of Eden model...?

    So, how school I am doing a project of making a representation of the garden of eden. I decided i wanted to make mine different and use all edible substances. So i was needing some help on ideas and opinions of what i have though of.

    Land~9 in circle pan, or 9 in square pan

    Grass~Green frosting and green small sprinkles

    Trees~lollipops? marshmallows on toothepick died green?

    Flowers~Flower shaped sprinkles

    Bushes~Marshmallows?

    River~Cut out a section, line it with saran wrap and put blue jello in it

    Fish~mini gold fish

    Animals~Animal crackers

    Satan~twizzler

    Adam and Eve~??? some kind of cookie or cracker?

    anything else i should add or change?

    Thanks
    Garden of Eden model...?
    You have left out God!

    Maybe a piece of divinity or angel food cake

    I hope you like my story.?

    Saving School and the World





    My SECRETFormula!!!

    If someone knows about it, I'm toast!! I'd let someone take it

    but if I did, it wouldn't be safe with me right now.I will tell you some stories. Of course I don't want to give away the SECRETFormula! ( This is a " imagined" picture of her)

    These stories are about the wicked fashion diva !!! Mua ha ha ha ha ha!!! Her dreaded name is LAVERNA! Milk curdles and spoils at the sound of her name and flowers wilt in her prescense. She's a cheerleader, a bully, a fashion diva, and a powerful witch in disguise. She ruled the school with her evil minions or henchgirls whatever your perfer. School is filled with many wizards, warlocks, trolls, , fairies, nymphs, and WITCHES. Not all of them are bad, it depends on how they use their powers. She had many followers. These followers are more of fearers of her that don't want to be stuffed into her locker or eat at the table near the trash can in the cafeteria. More importantly, they didnt want to get on her bad side so they forced against their will to be as evil and mean as her just not to be looked down upon. Good thing she doesn't know about this. If she did I'm toast and you are too!!! ( Tell me, is this so hard to believe?? )



    You are only supposed to pour one drop of worm potion into the shrimp potion or else it'll explode. ( Now let's call the potions P for short so it will be easier. ) Then the chemicals will start to bubble. Pour it in to the fish egg potion. Then after that step it will be edible. ( Only for fish though ) It'll turn into fish bait but you have to let it dry for 24 hours. Then it'll be ready before you know it and if you have a pet fish, feed it to the fish. You don't have to buy fish food anymore! ( Everyone is probably wondering why I put this huh? It's Laverna's secret formula for her evil!!! Just kidding, this is her now-not-so-secret formula for her fish food for her pet SHARKS AND PIRHANNA!!! Okay I'm just joking, like her parents would let her have one of those two. She actually has 2 pet goldfish. )

    Now let's talk about the evil diva. ( This should be on her bedroom door, not to mention a toxic sign and a " Beware, super-natural fashion-diva in here with evil powers!!! Enter at own Risk " ) Me, I'm only a meek little girl with little or no powers. I know someone has to save the world but I never expected it would be me......

    Now that's scary..........she's so evil and mean! She always says she's rich and pretty and she actually happens to be. I don't care want she or what anyone says. It is fate for me, Stacy to one day defeat the evil Laverna!!!



    LEVERNA !!!Some people say I don't stand a chance ( well her evil minions and followers )but I believe I can!!

    If you can believe you can achieve and if you can ahcieve you can succeed. LEVERNA said she hated that expression but it's genius to me. She's as stubborn as a mule in the summer.

    If she wants something and no one gives it to her, she doesn't talk to them for days until they give it to her. She gets to boss me around and I don't even get to rule my own life anymore. Lifes not fair you know? Doesn't sound good huh? I'm toast when I don't listen to her. She's so rich!!! I can't express this enough. She even made the money tree possible. I'll show you a picture.











    Some of her friends got so sick of her, they quit being her followers and joined the stamp club! Some remained faithful and stayed by her side still in fear. Laverna was enraged that her minions left her for a stamp club and one for the glee club. ( That's another story )



    After that she seemed to fall in her EVIL powers. I, Stacy, would have to finish Laverna off. Of course, I barely knew if or how to use my powers. I had to face this like an adult and so I decided would. One day, Laverna was clearing her table. I found it a perfect time to face her. She was currently laughing at someone who had spilled their lunch. Unfortuantely, I chickened out and ran away. Later on, I saw her yellling at people who blocked her locker. I came up and said, " Powerful or not, you don't have the power to boss everyone around the way you do." I suddenly felt a surge like an electric shock go through me and a tingling thorugh my finger tips. I felt a blot of lightining zap from my fingers. It hit Laverna directly and her minion clone divas. Laverna was enraged! Her eyes fired and so did her hands with power and dark zaps flew everywhere. She rose her arms ready to zap me to a parallel dimension of darkness and despair. Sparks flew everywhere and people shrunk in fear and others watched in amazement. Her former followers ran to get help but it was too late. People that still were her followers had sealed each door with an enchanment freezing all staff and teachers in sight. As I shrunk in fear speechless, she zapped me, but nothing happened. I suddenly realized that when I must've zapped her, I had drained her powers! She too realized soon enough and fled. I quickly opened a portal in front of her and as expected, she was too busy running away to notice so she and her followers fell in disappearing forever in the parallel universe. I was the school hero! Everyone cheered and I was happy too. Mostly because I had found use to my powers and I had destroyed Laverna forever. Life returned to school and everything was once again peaceful. I, Stacy, had saved the world. If you look into life you might find it's purpose. I'm not sure about Laverna's purpose but I can't ponder into such wonders. No one knows where she exactly went. But hey, that's life for you and also our little secret.

    THE END
    I hope you like my story.?
    You could have saved us all a lot of time by simply saying "I'm consumed by my jealousy of Laverna"
    Reply:Very good indeed.. But to make your story short if you have the nerve to stand up you also have the right to voice your opinion. Standing up for rights is what you did in a story .. She went cowering off knowing that she lost and you came out on top. That's true in life, standing up for your beliefs. Always the victorious comes out on top. Thanks made me sit back and think. Thanks to you..
    Nanny Source

    Valentine's Help!?

    My boyfriend%26amp;I Have been dating for over 2 1/2 years now, and he's away at college so i won't see him on valentines. I always give 'bad' gifts (He never says it but i know i do!) so i was wondering if sending an Edible Arrangement delivered to his dorm would be dumb,i know we both enjoy them but ive never sent one. And im worried his friends would make fun of him for getting fruit shaped like flowers!



    Anyone know what else i could send him? Other than like flowers or something raunchy (nudes etc). He's getting flowers for me so i dont wanna give him the same thing! I also wanted to get him something not cheap...Any ideas that would 'blow him away' would be awesome. I really want him to feel special.
    Valentine's Help!?
    You could check out the website - http://www.ExpressionPrints.com - it allows you to upload a photo of your own or use one from their gallery. Then you can add text such as a personal message or love poem on top of the image and it even allows you to apply effects to the photo. Nice site to create a really personalized photo gift for someone special in your life.
    Reply:You could send him something edible. If his friends were real friends they wouldn't laugh. You could also write him a poem or song.

    I have a bush/tree that has red leaves, anyone know what it is?

    It's one of the earliest plant/tree/bush that blooms every spring. When it buds out in spring, the leaves start out sort of pink, then turn to an extremely bright red, then eventually to a deep red or puple. It has thorny, hard branches that sprawl like a misquite tree. It produces a berry about the size of a grape that is about the same color as the tree. Birds won't even eat them, so I don't imagine they are edible. It is pretty old and about 8 or 10 feet tall, probably the same diameter. Beautiful tree and would like to know what it is to research transplanting. There are small ones that come up every year around it. I'm sure that it makes some sort of flower because it makes a fruit, but I never notice the flowers, so I don't think it is a Chinese plum tree. They make a white flower as far as I know and I would have noticed that.
    I have a bush/tree that has red leaves, anyone know what it is?
    Barberry
    Reply:Could be a Photinia

    http://images.google.com/images?um=1%26amp;hl=...

    Sunday, January 22, 2012

    Does the word cumquat bother you as much as it bothers me?

    kumquats or cumquats are a group of small fruit-bearing trees in the subgenus Fortunella of the genus Citrus in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, often segregated as a separate genus Fortunella. The edible fruit (which is also called kumquat) closely resembles that of other Citrus but is smaller.
    Does the word cumquat bother you as much as it bothers me?
    Yep, it's a nasty sounding word, I suppose my mind is also in the gutter =].
    Reply:you seem to know what your talking about,so i dont see the problem

    with it.what are you thinking,thats what im interested in..........
    Reply:It sort of reminds me of getting slapped in the supermarket for verbally expressing my appreciation of a particularly delicious looking pear.
    Reply:i aint never heard of that but i like it hahahaha CUMQUATS
    Reply:No.
    Reply:Nope!
    Reply:eww
    Reply:lmao!! Yes!
    Reply:yes cuz it sounds like "squat" omg i wish that word would disappear!!! and ya i hate the word kumquat
    Reply:no you just have a sick mind
    Reply:No, they are just icky little sour oranges.....
    Reply:no.
    Reply:Doesn't bother me a bit. I like them. Eat the whole thing.
    Reply:it does sound...well...filthy....
    Reply:? nope it doesnt bother me at all?
    Reply:cumsquats ya mean ?
    Reply:doesn't bother me anymore than the name of any other fruit
    Reply:Yes.
    Reply:LOL YES!!!!!!
    Reply:As in cumquat may ? No, not at all.

    Rose P.
    Reply:The word makes me think of something vulgar.
    Reply:no
    Reply:No
  • beauty advice
  • Read the first chapter of the book I am working on!!!?

    It is a little rough but still..tell me what you think of it so far.



    ___________________________________



    One





    My Aunt Bessie drove me to the airport in Denver, Colorado. It was a nice day out; 82 degrees on a fall day. That’s pretty good for Colorado- we would consider that nice. I was wearing my lucky bracelet. It’s chain-linked and it has a heart hanging from it. On the heart says “I love you.”

    I was going to go to the one place on Earth that I hated most; Hillcrest, Washington. My dad, Billy, lives there. He is Chief Billy Johnson of the people of Hillcrest; he’s the chief of police and has been ever since I remember. To that little town of Hillcrest, I know send myself. My mother and I used to live in Hillcrest until I was two. There was an accident and she died. I hated Hillcrest so I decided to go move with my Aunt Bessie to Denver. I would have to visit my dad, Billy, every other year.

    Aunt Bessie and her husband, Lucas, travel a lot because of Lucas’s work. She stayed with me but I could tell she missed him dearly. They had just gotten married a few years ago and I was afraid the longer I stayed with them, the faster their marriage would go down the drain- not that I think their marriage is going to go down the drain or anything though. It’s just that he’s older then she is by many years.

    “Zoey, I’m going to miss you so much!” Aunt Bessie exclaimed while she embraced me in one of her famous hugs.

    “I know. I’m going to miss you too. I’ll tell Billy that you said hi.”

    Aunt Bessie doesn’t look anything like me. She has chocolate brown hair, caramel colored eyes, and tan skin. She looks like the kind of person who would live somewhere…sunny. How could I leave her alone? I mean, she’s like a mom to me. She’s taken care of me almost my whole life. How could I just leave her here? What’s wrong with me?

    “Please dear, be careful. I know how clumsy you are. I mean, I know those soccer muscles of yours help you keep your balance but still. And please, please take care of Billy. His cancer is very bad.”

    “Okay I promise to be careful and take care of Billy.”

    Why did she have to bring up Billy’s cancer? It’s almost as if she’s trying to rub it in.

    I gave my Aunt Bessie one last hug goodbye and went onto the plane. I was going to fly to Seattle and then I would have to take another plane to Lancaster- the little city on the coast- and then drive home with Billy. That is going to be scary.

    Billy’s happy that I’m moving with him but he isn’t sure why I’m moving back with him. I know he won’t say anything though because he isn’t like that. Billy keeps to himself a lot. He isn’t that much into people’s business. It will always be weird with him though because from his phone calls I could tell that he is still upset about my mother’s accident.

    When I got off the plane in Lancaster, Billy was there waiting for me. So was his friend Jonathan. I’m guessing that Jonathan drove Billy out here to get me. Jonathan is Billy’s golfing buddy.

    “Zoey dear, is that you? Wow, you’ve gotten so big! I missed you so much sweetie.” Billy yelled as I went to get my luggage. He gave me a hug when I got up to him. It was a weird hug. I got the sense that he thought it was awkward too.

    “Yes it is. I missed you! Aunt Bessie says hi by the way.”

    We all got into Jonathan’s truck and started our way to my new home. Billy tried having small talk with me. I could tell this whole ride was going to be awkward.

    “I got you signed up for high school at Hillcrest High. You start school tomorrow.”

    “Oh thanks Dad.” I wasn’t excited about school. I’m going to be an outcast, a weirdo. I would probably be able to pull it off if I looked like someone who lived somewhere sunny. I should be tan but I’m white. And I mean really white. My skin is almost translucent but it is kind of pretty. I have dirty blonde hair with red in it. And my blue-green eyes stand out against my skin.

    “Hey Dad, do you know any places where I could buy a car?”

    “Well you don’t have to look anywhere.”

    “What do you mean?” What did he mean? Oh my, did he get me a car already? I hope not. Billy doesn’t really have what I would say as a “fashion sense.”

    “I already got you a car. It’s a good car for you.”

    “Dad, I was going to get my own car.” What did he mean the car was “good for me?”

    “I actually got it for you as a welcome home gesture. I got it last week.”

    “What does it look like?”

    “Don’t worry, it’s a new car; only a few years old really. It’s a blue Toyota.”

    “How much do I owe you?”

    He paused a minute before answering my question. “You don’t need to worry about that Zoey. It’s a present from me to you. You don’t need to pay me for it.”

    Wow. I just got a free Toyota. At least I won’t have to worry about that. I just have to worry about, oh let’s see, the rest of my life. Wow, that won’t be that hard…not.

    “Okay, thanks Dad.”

    Why did I say thanks? It was sure to be awkward with Billy and all this family stuff. Especially since I haven’t been much of a family member since I was two. I will just have to watch what I say from now on and try not to make it to awkward for the two of us. I don’t want to make it look like I’m some needy seventeen year old. Billy already has enough on his plate as it is, with the cancer and everything. Why did he have to get cancer? I mean I already lost part of me when mom died, if I lose Billy I would have lost everything. Why me, why me?

    I shook my head to get those depressing thoughts out. I looked out the window to see what my new home looked like. Wow, I forgot how green and humid it was here. It was almost as if the green was from another planet, an alien planet. It completely covered everything in its path; trees were covered with moss, grass covered in green shrubs, bushes covered in green flowers- holy cow, green flowers? I’ve never seen green flowers in my life! I didn’t even know they existed- weird. It reminded me of a rain forest. It was very beautiful though; a rare beauty.

    Finally, I thought as we pulled up to Billy’s house. Jonathan dropped us off and drove away. I looked at the once familiar house. It was a tiny two story house. The paint was peeling off in some places. I would have to fix that. My bedroom faced over the front yard- my room always has in every house I’ve lived in. There was a giant tree in front of my bedroom window. Perfect for sneaking out, but knowing me, I wouldn’t do it anyways. The flowers needed some work too. I feel bad that Billy can’t fix all this stuff up. Stupid cancer.

    Parked in the driveway was my new Toyota. I loved it! It was made of that really tough material that would turn another car into a billion pieces if it got into an accident. I actually thought I would have hated it but Billy has yet to surprise me, again.

    “I hope you like your truck Zoey.”

    “I don’t just like it Dad, I love it!”

    I went up to Billy and gave him a big hug, a real hug. He probably hasn’t had one of these in a long time. He had gotten tense at first but then loosened up a little. Then I ran over to my truck and hugged it. It was perfect. At least I wouldn’t have to cry about that tonight.

    I got all of my bags and went into the house. It looked the same as it did when I was last here. The family room was to the left. There was an old scruffy couch, a chair, and a TV. The carpet was a navy blue color. There was a huge window above the couch. To the right was the kitchen. The floor was white linoleum. The cabinets were a faded brown. There was a dishwasher, thank goodness. I hated washing dishes like I had to at my Aunt Bessie’s house. There was a kitchen table that was the same color as the cabinets. The chairs matched too. There was a window above the sink with a few flowers sitting on the window seal.

    The stairs were right in front of me. I walked up them with my bags and stood in the hallway while I remembered falling down them when I visited here one time. To the right of me was Billy’s room. I haven’t been in there in years. And I will continue not to. In front of me was my own bathroom. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about sharing a bathroom. I don’t think Billy would have wanted to wait an hour and a half while I get ready every morning.

    To the left of me was my room. I walked in and sat my few bags on the bed. I had to sort all of my winter clothes from my summer ones when I was packing. I ended up bringing all of my winter clothes- which was not that good. There was no point bringing my summer ones because it is always cold here. I guess I would need to go shopping.

    I looked around my room. There was a bed, a dresser, a closet, a night table next to my bed, and a desk with a computer on it. It looks like Billy got rid of all my baby things. Everything in here has been here since I was born, except for the desk. The computer was so I could do my homework and probably keep in touch with Aunt Bessie if she ever wanted to contact me by email.

    I looked out my window at the yard in front. The rain drops were lightly hitting my window one by one. I will have to get used to the rain too. I hate the rain. I love the sun and how it feels against my skin. What stinks is that it barely gets any sunshine here.

    I’m glad Billy isn’t clingy because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to cry at all. He leaves me alone a lot. I guess he’s so used to being alone that he doesn’t feel comfortable with me being here. I kind of like being alone. I mean I’ve always been alone because Aunt Bessie would travel with Lucas. I like the quite. It would have taken an S.W.A.T. team to keep my Aunt Bessie from leaving me for a minute to get settled. That’s why I’m glad Billy and Aunt Bessie are so different.

    Okay, at least the weather here is perfect for my mood- gloomy. I’ve been holding in these tears ever since I got on the plane to Seattle. I should just let them out now. I sat down on bed and started crying. I don’t even remember the last time I cried that much. I think it was when my mom had her accident.

    I stopped crying and went downstairs to see what Billy wanted for dinner. I liked to cook; it kept me busy; it distracted me.

    “Billy, what would you like for dinner?”

    “Zoey, you don’t have to cook for me. I can cook for myself. I have for the past fifteen years.”

    “I know Dad. I like to cook though.”

    “Well I still don’t feel comfortable with you cooking.”

    “Why?”

    “Well, it’s just that I don’t want you to burn down the house or anything while I’m working.”

    “You really think that I would burn down the house?” Wow, he could at least have some confidence in me. I mean, I’m not that clumsy.

    “No, but I just want you to be careful. I don’t know how you cook. If you cook like your Aunt Bessie then you are not going to be cooking in my house.”

    His house? It’s my house too.

    Aunt Bessie can cook…well, anything that isn’t edible. I’ve been cooking for myself since I was seven anyways.

    “I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember. Trust me, my food is edible.” This is weird. I would have thought that I would have been shy around Billy. Well, at least not that bad.

    I’ve always been shy around people. I mean besides soccer but that’s it. Speaking of soccer…

    “Ugh Dad, does Hillcrest High have a soccer team? I still want to be able to play soccer even though it’s freezing cold here.”

    “I think so. I’m not really sure though. You will have to ask the lady in the office tomorrow. Sorry. Why would you want to play soccer in this weather anyways?”

    “Dad, I love soccer okay. It’s my passion. I know I am clumsy, but my soccer muscles do help me stay up, most of the time anyways.”

    “Oh okay Zo. Well anyways, what’s for dinner?”

    “What do you have?”

    “Well, not a lot. I’m always at work so I never have time to go get food anyways.”

    “Well I’ll just make some spaghetti and I’ll go shopping after school tomorrow.”

    “Okay then. I’ll just go watch the basketball game.”

    Billy is obsessed with basketball games. I don’t know why though. There is nothing interesting about it anyways. All you do is shoot and pass. Kind of stupid to me. Soccer is way better then that.

    I got dinner ready fast and we ate in silence. It was awkward. I would have rather eaten by myself.

    After dinner, I wrote a list of all the groceries I was going to get. Billy must go out a lot if he barely had any food in the house. That’s kind of sad. Well, no. What’s sad is the fact that a 45 year old man with cancer lives by himself and is a police chief. I couldn’t imagine going through that.

    I shook the head to get the thought out. I put down the list I made and went to my closet to look for something to wear in the morning. I pulled out a pair of skinny jeans and a short sleeve Hollister shirt. Then I found my old fans- the ones I’ve had for two years- and a black sweatshirt that had the number one on the back. I laid them out on my bed and stared at them with shame. Why did I come here? It was a stupid idea to come here. Well, no it wasn’t- not for everyone else at least. I only moved here to make everyone happy. It worked, but I’m not happy. Oh well, it’s done. I’m already here aren’t I?

    I quickly put on my old sweat pants and a baggy shirt and laid down in my bed. I laid there thinking of how difficult school was going to be the next day. I mean, I would have to introduce myself to everyone, walk around with a map in front of my nose, and…ugh…I just don’t know. Then I shut my eyes and let the darkness take me in.



    I woke up with a slow start. It was 6:35 and school started at 8:00. I got up too fast because I practically fell once I stood up. I ran to my dresser and pulled out the clothes I had picked out last night. I finished getting ready and almost ran into Billy on my way down the stairs.

    “Oh Dad!”

    “Zoey, gosh. You scared the crap out of me! Don’t do that again!”

    “Sorry it was on accident.”

    “Are you ready for school?”

    “Yes I’m leaving now. Bye Dad. Have fun at work. Is fun the right word anyways?”

    “Fun will do. Bye.”

    What was wrong with him? Something was definitely up. He sounded scruffy and sad. Something is wrong. I hope that it isn’t his cancer. I know that he has his bad days but still…

    I walked outside to my new Toyota and tried not to fall on the icy cement. I got into the comfy truck and immediately felt safe; almost like I was home again, like this was where I belonged. I didn’t feel like this when I was in the house. What is wrong with me? Why am I doing this? I hope Aunt Bessie is okay.

    I started the engine to stop myself from crying. I missed Aunt Bessie dearly. I backed out of the driveway and drove back onto the high way. Everything was off the high way; it was so spread out here, almost like everyone was isolated in this little bubble of space.

    Hillcrest High was a small school. It didn’t look like a school though; just a bunch of little buildings with the same matching roofs and a fence around it. What’s with the fence? What do they want to keep everyone here like a jail?

    I quickly stepped out into the light drizzle after finding a parking spot in the crowded parking lot. I ran into the tiny office. There was one desk behind a counter that split the room in half. The lady at the desk had curly red hair. There was a plant on the counter along with many papers that seemed to look like flyers for dances and rallies.

    The lady looked up from the computer screen she had just been staring at. “Hey there sweat heart! Can I get ya’ll something?”

    I tried so hard to not start laughing at her voice. I laughed at everything, it was so embarrassing.

    “Uh, actually I’m Zoey Johnson and I’m new here.” That probably told her everything she needed to know by the look of sympathy in her green eyes.

    “Oh dear, everyone has been waitin’ for you to come! Here, let me get your schedule.”

    She shuffled through a stack of papers and practically ran up to me with them.

    “This is your class schedule and here is a map of the school. I hope you have fun on your first day!”

    I grabbed the schedule and map and power walked out of there. I couldn’t hold in the laughter much longer. Once I stepped out the door I began laughing so hard I almost cried. Some of the students looked at me probably thinking I was crazy.

    After the scene I had just created, I quickly walked over to my first class which was English. I walked in quietly, hoping that no one would see my late entrance. I closed the door seeing that the class had already started. I glanced up and I immediately felt like a fish in a fish bowl. They were staring at me, almost as if they were looking beyond me at something else; like I wasn’t even there.

    “Why Miss Johnson, you’re late,” Announced the very large man with dark brown hair.

    “Sorry I was getting my schedule and such. I didn’t know. I’m sorry Mr.…”

    “Mr. Smith. Oh, it’s okay. Just take a seat anywhere you like.”

    Mr. Smith’s dark eyes penetrated into me. It was a weird sensation. It wasn’t anything sexual or anything near that. I had felt a stab of fear at the sight of his eyes. It was weird and unnatural; inhuman. Wow, what am I thinking? Am I crazy? Gosh, this isolated town is starting to get to me.

    I quietly walked over to the empty seat in the back of the class so that no one would stare at me. I slouched into my seat and kept my hair down so that I couldn’t see anyone gawking at me.

    After sitting there in the most uncomfortable position ever for an hour, a nasal buzzing sound filled the air. Everyone started getting there things together. I’m guessing it was time to go.

    I got up and walked to the door as fast as I could. I was almost out the door when a dark figure stepped out in front of me. I ran right into it too.

    “Wow there gorgeous. Where are you going?” The boy said.

    “To my next class.” I stammered.

    “Oh come on Jake, leave the new girl alone.” A raspy voice had said behind me.

    I turned to see a tall boy with dark curly hair- Superman style- and dark blue eyes. His eyes made his olive skin tone and perfect features stand out in the most perfect ways. His scent was heavenly and it radiated off his skin in waves, the next one as strong as the first. It didn’t smell like any cologne I’ve smelt before that all the guys’ layer on themselves. His black short sleeve shirt fit his muscles in a perfect way. His dark jeans and black shoes seemed to fit him quite well.

    “Dude, you should really relax. I didn’t do anything to her.”

    “Jake, just back the hell up okay. Clearly she is confused.”

    “Fine dude. See you at lunch.”

    The guy who’s name is Jake turned around and walked in the opposite direction of the classroom.

    “Sorry about that, Jake is such a pervert. He doesn’t know anything.”

    “Oh it’s okay.” I stammered. Man, was he perfect…

    “Sorry, it is so rude of me to not introduce myself. I am Steven Deveraux. And you must be Zoey Johnson.”

    “Hi there Steven. Yes, I’m Zoey. How does everyone know me around here?”

    “This is a small town. Word gets around very quickly. You will surely learn that.”

    “Oh well okay then.” I blushed knowing how stupid I must sound right now.

    “What class do you have next?”

    “Spanish with Ms. Latina I think. I don’t know where her class is though.”

    “I would be glad to show you to it. Besides, I have that class next too.”

    Steven and I walked out of the classroom after what seemed like minutes. We walked down the long corridor to room 14. It was so hard not to notice that rain drops hitting the uncovered cement. It smelled so natural out here; so fresh.

    Steven and I walked into Ms. Latina’s class and he went and took a seat in the back row. Ms. Latina introduced me to the class and of course I turned blood red. She assigned me a seat next to Steven and I tripped over my own shoes on the way to my seat. Two girls, both platinum blondes, giggled in high pitched tones. I stared at them with the fiercest eyes I could. They immediately shut up.

    I took my seat and a note was flung onto my desk. I opened it with shaking hands.



    So, tired of this boring town yet??



    I looked over, almost immediately knowing it was from Steven. He even wrote in a nice font. I steadied my hand to make my writing look neat like his.



    Not really. I just got here. How can I be tired of it?



    I tossed back the note and it landed on the floor. He bent over to get it when I saw what looked like a tattoo on the back of his neck. I wonder what it looks like.



    Well, you certainly don’t look like your not enjoying it here. I bet you are only doing this because you think it will make everybody happy. Look I know that everyone has been gawking at you today but it is only because everyone thinks your really hot- as in the guys think that- or that your going to be a ho- as in the girls think that. Don’t listen to the girls though; they are all stupid sluts anyways. Watch out for Clara. She is the leader of the whole prep group. She sleeps with every guy, even the ones who are taken. If she bothers you, tell me.



    I’m glad he’s being really nice to me. He is the first person who actually has the guts to talk to me. This Clara girl sounds like a real *****. I wonder what turned her into this monster, well that is if she hasn’t always been like this.



    How do you know all of this? What, do you read people’s minds or something? And about the whole Clara thing, have you ever slept with her?



    He took a minute to write back. I took this minute to my advantage and tried listening to what the teacher was saying. She was talking in Spanish so I couldn’t understand her. I really need to switch out of this class. I didn’t even pick my classes anyway. The only reason I want to stay in this class is because of Steven. Suddenly, that familiar nasal buzzing sound filled my ears and everyone was in a rush to get out of there. I would have to ask Steven about Clara later. I walked quickly out of the room, not even glancing back at Steven. I walked toward my History class in room 5.

    Mr. Martin sent me to an empty seat next to a girl with platinum blonde hair with no introductions. I sat down and stared straight ahead so that it looked like I was paying attention.

    “Hey, aren’t you that new girl?”

    “Yes I am.” I replied back to the platinum blonde.

    “I’m Clara. This school is so boring. It’s only fun because I go here.”

    Oh. My. Gosh. Did she seriously just say that?

    “Yeah, you heard me right. It’s cool because I’m cool. If you try and mess with me, I will ruin your reputation okay.” Clara said again.

    “Look Clara, I just got here and it is my first day. I haven’t done **** to you so if you have a problem, don’t take it out on me. I’m not going to get in your way so leave me alone.” Wow, I never knew I had the guts to say that to her.

    “Well okay then, we seem to be on the same page. Oh, and by the way, leave Steven alone. He’s mine.”

    She turned back towards the front of the room to make it look like she wasn’t talking. I glanced away form her in discuss. Why was she so mean? I swear it was like someone had taken a stick and shoved it up her tiny ***.

    The class was over before I knew it and I still had one more class until lunch. That class also happened to be the one class I liked, science. I walked into my science class and introduced myself to Ms. Parker. She had long dark hair that flowed gently to the middle of her back. She was wearing a nice suit and a pair of fancy heels. She was so beautiful. She assigned me to a lab table in the middle of the room next to a pixie looking girl. I didn’t actually see her features until I got closer but she was beautiful. She looked like a girl that everyone would love. She had short choppy brown hair and ocean blue eyes. Her skin was a translucent color.

    “Hey there, you must be Zoey. I’m Rebecca, but you can call me Baca.”

    “Hi there.” I said sheepishly.

    Science went by in a blur because the next thing I knew, everyone was leaving the room. I grabbed my things and walked towards the lunch room. It was packed when I first walked in. That girl Becca came to me in a graceful walk.

    “Zo, why don’t you come sit with me and my friends? Don’t worry; I will talk a lot so that it doesn’t make things awkward. I was the new kid before so I know what it’s like.”

    We walked over to the table with her many friends. She introduced me to everyone one at a time. We sat down and started chatting away. I wasn’t even acting shy. Why was that? I glanced up to the other side of the room where a group of guys sat there. Among them was Steven. He looked past his friend and into my eyes. He glanced away before I could. In that moment that our eyes met, I knew there was something different about him.

    “Zoey, Steven is totally checking you out!” Baca exclaimed quietly.

    “No he’s not.” I quickly glanced up to him and there he was in his Superman glory staring at me.

    I stood up mechanically and walked over to his table. It got dead silent once I got there.

    “Hey Steven. What’s up?”

    “Nothing really…How are you doing?”

    “Saying hi to you. Are you doing anything later?”

    “Yeah, I’m busy later. Sorry.” I could see the sacrifice in his eyes. It clearly meant he wanted to be with me.

    “Okay then I guess I will just see you later then.” I gave him a smile I thought could win over anyone’s heart.

    I turned away and could barely hear his friends telling him he should have went out with me. I smiled knowing that he wanted to. I can’t believe I just thought that and did all of that. Am I turning into that girl Clara? Ew, I am so stupid.

    “Zoey did you seriously do what I think you did?” Becca asked curiously.

    “Yes I did. He had ‘plans’ though.”

    “Wow, I am going to have to hang with you more often.”

    “Well first things first, let’s go to class.”

    I looked around the empty lunch room. It was deserted. I ran to my Math class and then an hour later went to my P.E. class. Math class was pretty boring. I had already learned everything back in Denver. P.E. was okay. I was really tired so it wasn’t that fun.

    I walked out of the girls locker room and started walking to my car under the over hang. I pulled up my hood as I walked out into the heavy rainfall.

    “Z, wait.” I knew who it was once that magical voice spoke. “About tonight, I don’t actually have any plans. Would you like to go hang somewhere or something?”

    “Steven, I thought you said you were ‘busy’.”

    “I’m actually not. But I still want to know if you want to hang out. Would you like to?”

    “Sure. I would love to. Where are we going to go?”

    “I don’t know.”

    “How about your house?”

    “No! I mean, sorry we can’t go to my house. We can always go to your house though. That is if it’s okay with Billy and everything.”

    “Oh, I totally forgot about Billy. Why don’t we hang out tomorrow. Billy wasn’t feeling to well today. Plus I have to go to the store. You can always call me later or something if you want. I’m sorry Steven. Rain check?”

    “Okay. Rain check.”

    I took out a notebook and wrote down my cell phone number. I gave it to Steven and walked over to my truck. I got into my toasty truck and immediately laughed. I can’t believe I’m not being shy. This is a start.

    I started the truck and backed out of the stall a little too fast. I almost hit a tiny car. Luckily, I slammed on my brakes to prevent an accident. The other car honked and kept going. I backed out again, slowly, and drove to the grocery store. I got everything I needed and drove back home. I parked my truck in the drive way and ran into the unlocked house. Wait, unlocked? I walked into the dark kitchen and put the bags on the table. I walked over and turned on the light. Laying there on the floor in front of the stairs was Billy. I ran over to him, falling on my way over there.

    “Billy! Billy wake up!” I screamed as I took his head in my hands. “Billy wake up! Come on, please wake up!” I sobbed as I dragged myself over to the phone.

    “911 please help me! My name is Zoey Johnson and I am Chief Johnson’s daughter. I just walked into the house and found him unconscious. Please help me! He won’t wake up! Please hurry!”

    I hung up the phone and crawled back over to Billy. I would give him CPR but I couldn’t remember how to at the moment. My mind completely went blank. All I could think of was what if he was dead?

    I checked to see if he had a pulse but I couldn’t feel one. I looked on his neck and saw two small puncture marks. There was blood dripping down from them. What the heck are those? I laid down next to him and started to cry even more. Then I saw a reflection of red and blue lights in the microwave. The cops and medics came in and told me to step aside. I did as they said and the quickly stared working on him. After what seemed like hours, they put a blanket over him. They kept calling him a body. I knew that he was dead.

    The cops and meds got up and took Billy away. They left me all alone in the empty house that was now mine. I grabbed the phone and dialed in Aunt Bessie’s number. She answered the phone and I couldn’t even tell her what I had just witnessed.

    “Z, tell me what happened? Is everything okay? Are you or Billy hurt? , talk to me!”

    “Billy, he’s…he’s…dead.” I finally got out between my sobs.

    “Oh. My. Gosh. I am coming to get you right now.”

    “No…stay there Ant Bessie. I am fine. Don’t come and get me.”

    I hug up the phone before she could object. Billy was dead. What am I to do? Just go on and live out my life here like nothing happened? Or move somewhere far away and pretend that none of this happened?

    I stood up slowly and grabbed onto the stairs to keep my balance. I fell back down again immediately. I crawled up the stairs one by one and into the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked so empty, so dead. I walked over to the shower and turned it on. I got in it and sat under the hot water with all of my clothes on. I have been dreading this day my whole life. I started sobbing even more. I cried more this time then I did when my mom past away. I felt so empty, like my soul died when I saw Billy lying there on the floor. This changes everything.
    Read the first chapter of the book I am working on!!!?
    I think it needs a little fine tuning, but pretty good.
    Reply:"Here is a lesson in creative writing. First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college." - Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
    running shoes

    Is this okay for the first chapter of my book?

    It is still ruff but I would like to know if it is something you would want me to write more of.

    And yes, it still needs work.

    Thanks.

    ______________________________________...



    One





    My Aunt Bessie drove me to the airport in Denver, Colorado. It was a nice day out; 82 degrees on a fall day. That’s pretty good for Colorado- we would consider that nice. I was wearing my lucky bracelet. It’s chain-linked and it has a heart hanging from it. On the heart says “I love you.”

    I was going to go to the one place on Earth that I hated most; Hillcrest, Washington. My dad, Billy, lives there. He is Chief Billy Johnson of the people of Hillcrest; he’s the chief of police and has been ever since I remember. To that little town of Hillcrest, I know send myself. My mother and I used to live in Hillcrest until I was two. There was an accident and she died. I hated Hillcrest so I decided to go move with my Aunt Bessie to Denver. I would have to visit my dad, Billy, every other year.

    Aunt Bessie and her husband, Lucas, travel a lot because of Lucas’s work. She stayed with me but I could tell she missed him dearly. They had just gotten married a few years ago and I was afraid the longer I stayed with them, the faster their marriage would go down the drain- not that I think their marriage is going to go down the drain or anything though. It’s just that he’s older then she is by many years.

    “Zoey, I’m going to miss you so much!” Aunt Bessie exclaimed while she embraced me in one of her famous hugs.

    “I know. I’m going to miss you too. I’ll tell Billy that you said hi.”

    Aunt Bessie doesn’t look anything like me. She has chocolate brown hair, caramel colored eyes, and tan skin. She looks like the kind of person who would live somewhere…sunny. How could I leave her alone? I mean, she’s like a mom to me. She’s taken care of me almost my whole life. How could I just leave her here? What’s wrong with me?

    “Please dear, be careful. I know how clumsy you are. I mean, I know those soccer muscles of yours help you keep your balance but still. And please, please take care of Billy. His cancer is very bad.”

    “Okay I promise to be careful and take care of Billy.”

    Why did she have to bring up Billy’s cancer? It’s almost as if she’s trying to rub it in.

    I gave my Aunt Bessie one last hug goodbye and went onto the plane. I was going to fly to Seattle and then I would have to take another plane to Lancaster- the little city on the coast- and then drive home with Billy. That is going to be scary.

    Billy’s happy that I’m moving with him but he isn’t sure why I’m moving back with him. I know he won’t say anything though because he isn’t like that. Billy keeps to himself a lot. He isn’t that much into people’s business. It will always be weird with him though because from his phone calls I could tell that he is still upset about my mother’s accident.

    When I got off the plane in Lancaster, Billy was there waiting for me. So was his friend Jonathan. I’m guessing that Jonathan drove Billy out here to get me. Jonathan is Billy’s golfing buddy.

    “Zoey dear, is that you? Wow, you’ve gotten so big! I missed you so much sweetie.” Billy yelled as I went to get my luggage. He gave me a hug when I got up to him. It was a weird hug. I got the sense that he thought it was awkward too.

    “Yes it is. I missed you! Aunt Bessie says hi by the way.”

    We all got into Jonathan’s truck and started our way to my new home. Billy tried having small talk with me. I could tell this whole ride was going to be awkward.

    “I got you signed up for high school at Hillcrest High. You start school tomorrow.”

    “Oh thanks Dad.” I wasn’t excited about school. I’m going to be an outcast, a weirdo. I would probably be able to pull it off if I looked like someone who lived somewhere sunny. I should be tan but I’m white. And I mean really white. My skin is almost translucent but it is kind of pretty. I have dirty blonde hair with red in it. And my blue-green eyes stand out against my skin.

    “Hey Dad, do you know any places where I could buy a car?”

    “Well you don’t have to look anywhere.”

    “What do you mean?” What did he mean? Oh my, did he get me a car already? I hope not. Billy doesn’t really have what I would say as a “fashion sense.”

    “I already got you a car. It’s a good car for you.”

    “Dad, I was going to get my own car.” What did he mean the car was “good for me?”

    “I actually got it for you as a welcome home gesture. I got it last week.”

    “What does it look like?”

    “Don’t worry, it’s a new car; only a few years old really. It’s a blue Toyota.”

    “How much do I owe you?”

    He paused a minute before answering my question. “You don’t need to worry about that Zoey. It’s a present from me to you. You don’t need to pay me for it.”

    Wow. I just got a free Toyota. At least I won’t have to worry about that. I just have to worry about, oh let’s see, the rest of my life. Wow, that won’t be that hard…not.

    “Okay, thanks Dad.”

    Why did I say thanks? It was sure to be awkward with Billy and all this family stuff. Especially since I haven’t been much of a family member since I was two. I will just have to watch what I say from now on and try not to make it to awkward for the two of us. I don’t want to make it look like I’m some needy seventeen year old. Billy already has enough on his plate as it is, with the cancer and everything. Why did he have to get cancer? I mean I already lost part of me when mom died, if I lose Billy I would have lost everything. Why me, why me?

    I shook my head to get those depressing thoughts out. I looked out the window to see what my new home looked like. Wow, I forgot how green and humid it was here. It was almost as if the green was from another planet, an alien planet. It completely covered everything in its path; trees were covered with moss, grass covered in green shrubs, bushes covered in green flowers- holy cow, green flowers? I’ve never seen green flowers in my life! I didn’t even know they existed- weird. It reminded me of a rain forest. It was very beautiful though; a rare beauty.

    Finally, I thought as we pulled up to Billy’s house. Jonathan dropped us off and drove away. I looked at the once familiar house. It was a tiny two story house. The paint was peeling off in some places. I would have to fix that. My bedroom faced over the front yard- my room always has in every house I’ve lived in. There was a giant tree in front of my bedroom window. Perfect for sneaking out, but knowing me, I wouldn’t do it anyways. The flowers needed some work too. I feel bad that Billy can’t fix all this stuff up. Stupid cancer.

    Parked in the driveway was my new Toyota. I loved it! It was made of that really tough material that would turn another car into a billion pieces if it got into an accident. I actually thought I would have hated it but Billy has yet to surprise me, again.

    “I hope you like your truck Zoey.”

    “I don’t just like it Dad, I love it!”

    I went up to Billy and gave him a big hug, a real hug. He probably hasn’t had one of these in a long time. He had gotten tense at first but then loosened up a little. Then I ran over to my truck and hugged it. It was perfect. At least I wouldn’t have to cry about that tonight.

    I got all of my bags and went into the house. It looked the same as it did when I was last here. The family room was to the left. There was an old scruffy couch, a chair, and a TV. The carpet was a navy blue color. There was a huge window above the couch. To the right was the kitchen. The floor was white linoleum. The cabinets were a faded brown. There was a dishwasher, thank goodness. I hated washing dishes like I had to at my Aunt Bessie’s house. There was a kitchen table that was the same color as the cabinets. The chairs matched too. There was a window above the sink with a few flowers sitting on the window seal.

    The stairs were right in front of me. I walked up them with my bags and stood in the hallway while I remembered falling down them when I visited here one time. To the right of me was Billy’s room. I haven’t been in there in years. And I will continue not to. In front of me was my own bathroom. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about sharing a bathroom. I don’t think Billy would have wanted to wait an hour and a half while I get ready every morning.

    To the left of me was my room. I walked in and sat my few bags on the bed. I had to sort all of my winter clothes from my summer ones when I was packing. I ended up bringing all of my winter clothes- which was not that good. There was no point bringing my summer ones because it is always cold here. I guess I would need to go shopping.

    I looked around my room. There was a bed, a dresser, a closet, a night table next to my bed, and a desk with a computer on it. It looks like Billy got rid of all my baby things. Everything in here has been here since I was born, except for the desk. The computer was so I could do my homework and probably keep in touch with Aunt Bessie if she ever wanted to contact me by email.

    I looked out my window at the yard in front. The rain drops were lightly hitting my window one by one. I will have to get used to the rain too. I hate the rain. I love the sun and how it feels against my skin. What stinks is that it barely gets any sunshine here.

    I’m glad Billy isn’t clingy because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to cry at all. He leaves me alone a lot. I guess he’s so used to being alone that he doesn’t feel comfortable with me being here. I kind of like being alone. I mean I’ve always been alone because Aunt Bessie would travel with Lucas. I like the quite. It would have taken an S.W.A.T. team to keep my Aunt Bessie from leaving me for a minute to get settled. That’s why I’m glad Billy and Aunt Bessie are so different.

    Okay, at least the weather here is perfect for my mood- gloomy. I’ve been holding in these tears ever since I got on the plane to Seattle. I should just let them out now. I sat down on bed and started crying. I don’t even remember the last time I cried that much. I think it was when my mom had her accident.

    I stopped crying and went downstairs to see what Billy wanted for dinner. I liked to cook; it kept me busy; it distracted me.

    “Billy, what would you like for dinner?”

    “Zoey, you don’t have to cook for me. I can cook for myself. I have for the past fifteen years.”

    “I know Dad. I like to cook though.”

    “Well I still don’t feel comfortable with you cooking.”

    “Why?”

    “Well, it’s just that I don’t want you to burn down the house or anything while I’m working.”

    “You really think that I would burn down the house?” Wow, he could at least have some confidence in me. I mean, I’m not that clumsy.

    “No, but I just want you to be careful. I don’t know how you cook. If you cook like your Aunt Bessie then you are not going to be cooking in my house.”

    His house? It’s my house too.

    Aunt Bessie can cook…well, anything that isn’t edible. I’ve been cooking for myself since I was seven anyways.

    “I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember. Trust me, my food is edible.” This is weird. I would have thought that I would have been shy around Billy. Well, at least not that bad.

    I’ve always been shy around people. I mean besides soccer but that’s it. Speaking of soccer…

    “Ugh Dad, does Hillcrest High have a soccer team? I still want to be able to play soccer even though it’s freezing cold here.”

    “I think so. I’m not really sure though. You will have to ask the lady in the office tomorrow. Sorry. Why would you want to play soccer in this weather anyways?”

    “Dad, I love soccer okay. It’s my passion. I know I am clumsy, but my soccer muscles do help me stay up, most of the time anyways.”

    “Oh okay Zo. Well anyways, what’s for dinner?”

    “What do you have?”

    “Well, not a lot. I’m always at work so I never have time to go get food anyways.”

    “Well I’ll just make some spaghetti and I’ll go shopping after school tomorrow.”

    “Okay then. I’ll just go watch the basketball game.”

    Billy is obsessed with basketball games. I don’t know why though. There is nothing interesting about it anyways. All you do is shoot and pass. Kind of stupid to me. Soccer is way better then that.

    I got dinner ready fast and we ate in silence. It was awkward. I would have rather eaten by myself.

    After dinner, I wrote a list of all the groceries I was going to get. Billy must go out a lot if he barely had any food in the house. That’s kind of sad. Well, no. What’s sad is the fact that a 45 year old man with cancer lives by himself and is a police chief. I couldn’t imagine going through that.

    I shook the head to get the thought out. I put down the list I made and went to my closet to look for something to wear in the morning. I pulled out a pair of skinny jeans and a short sleeve Hollister shirt. Then I found my old fans- the ones I’ve had for two years- and a black sweatshirt that had the number one on the back. I laid them out on my bed and stared at them with shame. Why did I come here? It was a stupid idea to come here. Well, no it wasn’t- not for everyone else at least. I only moved here to make everyone happy. It worked, but I’m not happy. Oh well, it’s done. I’m already here aren’t I?

    I quickly put on my old sweat pants and a baggy shirt and laid down in my bed. I laid there thinking of how difficult school was going to be the next day. I mean, I would have to introduce myself to everyone, walk around with a map in front of my nose, and…ugh…I just don’t know. Then I shut my eyes and let the darkness take me in.



    I woke up with a slow start. It was 6:35 and school started at 8:00. I got up too fast because I practically fell once I stood up. I ran to my dresser and pulled out the clothes I had picked out last night. I finished getting ready and almost ran into Billy on my way down the stairs.

    “Oh Dad!”

    “Zoey, gosh. You scared the crap out of me! Don’t do that again!”

    “Sorry it was on accident.”

    “Are you ready for school?”

    “Yes I’m leaving now. Bye Dad. Have fun at work. Is fun the right word anyways?”

    “Fun will do. Bye.”

    What was wrong with him? Something was definitely up. He sounded scruffy and sad. Something is wrong. I hope that it isn’t his cancer. I know that he has his bad days but still…

    I walked outside to my new Toyota and tried not to fall on the icy cement. I got into the comfy truck and immediately felt safe; almost like I was home again, like this was where I belonged. I didn’t feel like this when I was in the house. What is wrong with me? Why am I doing this? I hope Aunt Bessie is okay.

    I started the engine to stop myself from crying. I missed Aunt Bessie dearly. I backed out of the driveway and drove back onto the high way. Everything was off the high way; it was so spread out here, almost like everyone was isolated in this little bubble of space.

    Hillcrest High was a small school. It didn’t look like a school though; just a bunch of little buildings with the same matching roofs and a fence around it. What’s with the fence? What do they want to keep everyone here like a jail?

    I quickly stepped out into the light drizzle after finding a parking spot in the crowded parking lot. I ran into the tiny office. There was one desk behind a counter that split the room in half. The lady at the desk had curly red hair. There was a plant on the counter along with many papers that seemed to look like flyers for dances and rallies.

    The lady looked up from the computer screen she had just been staring at. “Hey there sweat heart! Can I get ya’ll something?”

    I tried so hard to not start laughing at her voice. I laughed at everything, it was so embarrassing.

    “Uh, actually I’m Zoey Johnson and I’m new here.” That probably told her everything she needed to know by the look of sympathy in her green eyes.

    “Oh dear, everyone has been waitin’ for you to come! Here, let me get your schedule.”

    She shuffled through a stack of papers and practically ran up to me with them.

    “This is your class schedule and here is a map of the school. I hope you have fun on your first day!”

    I grabbed the schedule and map and power walked out of there. I couldn’t hold in the laughter much longer. Once I stepped out the door I began laughing so hard I almost cried. Some of the students looked at me probably thinking I was crazy.

    After the scene I had just created, I quickly walked over to my first class which was English. I walked in quietly, hoping that no one would see my late entrance. I closed the door seeing that the class had already started. I glanced up and I immediately felt like a fish in a fish bowl. They were staring at me, almost as if they were looking beyond me at something else; like I wasn’t even there.

    “Why Miss Johnson, you’re late,” Announced the very large man with dark brown hair.

    “Sorry I was getting my schedule and such. I didn’t know. I’m sorry Mr.…”

    “Mr. Smith. Oh, it’s okay. Just take a seat anywhere you like.”

    Mr. Smith’s dark eyes penetrated into me. It was a weird sensation. It wasn’t anything sexual or anything near that. I had felt a stab of fear at the sight of his eyes. It was weird and unnatural; inhuman. Wow, what am I thinking? Am I crazy? Gosh, this isolated town is starting to get to me.

    I quietly walked over to the empty seat in the back of the class so that no one would stare at me. I slouched into my seat and kept my hair down so that I couldn’t see anyone gawking at me.

    After sitting there in the most uncomfortable position ever for an hour, a nasal buzzing sound filled the air. Everyone started getting there things together. I’m guessing it was time to go.

    I got up and walked to the door as fast as I could. I was almost out the door when a dark figure stepped out in front of me. I ran right into it too.

    “Wow there gorgeous. Where are you going?” The boy said.

    “To my next class.” I stammered.

    “Oh come on Jake, leave the new girl alone.” A raspy voice had said behind me.

    I turned to see a tall boy with dark curly hair- Superman style- and dark blue eyes. His eyes made his olive skin tone and perfect features stand out in the most perfect ways. His scent was heavenly and it radiated off his skin in waves, the next one as strong as the first. It didn’t smell like any cologne I’ve smelt before that all the guys’ layer on themselves. His black short sleeve shirt fit his muscles in a perfect way. His dark jeans and black shoes seemed to fit him quite well.

    “Dude, you should really relax. I didn’t do anything to her.”

    “Jake, just back the hell up okay. Clearly she is confused.”

    “Fine dude. See you at lunch.”

    The guy who’s name is Jake turned around and walked in the opposite direction of the classroom.

    “Sorry about that, Jake is such a pervert. He doesn’t know anything.”

    “Oh it’s okay.” I stammered. Man, was he perfect…

    “Sorry, it is so rude of me to not introduce myself. I am Steven Deveraux. And you must be Zoey Johnson.”

    “Hi there Steven. Yes, I’m Zoey. How does everyone know me around here?”

    “This is a small town. Word gets around very quickly. You will surely learn that.”

    “Oh well okay then.” I blushed knowing how stupid I must sound right now.

    “What class do you have next?”

    “Spanish with Ms. Latina I think. I don’t know where her class is though.”

    “I would be glad to show you to it. Besides, I have that class next too.”

    Steven and I walked out of the classroom after what seemed like minutes. We walked down the long corridor to room 14. It was so hard not to notice that rain drops hitting the uncovered cement. It smelled so natural out here; so fresh.

    Steven and I walked into Ms. Latina’s class and he went and took a seat in the back row. Ms. Latina introduced me to the class and of course I turned blood red. She assigned me a seat next to Steven and I tripped over my own shoes on the way to my seat. Two girls, both platinum blondes, giggled in high pitched tones. I stared at them with the fiercest eyes I could. They immediately shut up.

    I took my seat and a note was flung onto my desk. I opened it with shaking hands.



    So, tired of this boring town yet??



    I looked over, almost immediately knowing it was from Steven. He even wrote in a nice font. I steadied my hand to make my writing look neat like his.



    Not really. I just got here. How can I be tired of it?



    I tossed back the note and it landed on the floor. He bent over to get it when I saw what looked like a tattoo on the back of his neck. I wonder what it looks like.



    Well, you certainly don’t look like your not enjoying it here. I bet you are only doing this because you think it will make everybody happy. Look I know that everyone has been gawking at you today but it is only because everyone thinks your really hot- as in the guys think that- or that your going to be a ho- as in the girls think that. Don’t listen to the girls though; they are all stupid sluts anyways. Watch out for Clara. She is the leader of the whole prep group. She sleeps with every guy, even the ones who are taken. If she bothers you, tell me.



    I’m glad he’s being really nice to me. He is the first person who actually has the guts to talk to me. This Clara girl sounds like a real *****. I wonder what turned her into this monster, well that is if she hasn’t always been like this.



    How do you know all of this? What, do you read people’s minds or something? And about the whole Clara thing, have you ever slept with her?



    He took a minute to write back. I took this minute to my advantage and tried listening to what the teacher was saying. She was talking in Spanish so I couldn’t understand her. I really need to switch out of this class. I didn’t even pick my classes anyway. The only reason I want to stay in this class is because of Steven. Suddenly, that familiar nasal buzzing sound filled my ears and everyone was in a rush to get out of there. I would have to ask Steven about Clara later. I walked quickly out of the room, not even glancing back at Steven. I walked toward my History class in room 5.

    Mr. Martin sent me to an empty seat next to a girl with platinum blonde hair with no introductions. I sat down and stared straight ahead so that it looked like I was paying attention.

    “Hey, aren’t you that new girl?”

    “Yes I am.” I replied back to the platinum blonde.

    “I’m Clara. This school is so boring. It’s only fun because I go here.”

    Oh. My. Gosh. Did she seriously just say that?

    “Yeah, you heard me right. It’s cool because I’m cool. If you try and mess with me, I will ruin your reputation okay.” Clara said again.

    “Look Clara, I just got here and it is my first day. I haven’t done **** to you so if you have a problem, don’t take it out on me. I’m not going to get in your way so leave me alone.” Wow, I never knew I had the guts to say that to her.

    “Well okay then, we seem to be on the same page. Oh, and by the way, leave Steven alone. He’s mine.”

    She turned back towards the front of the room to make it look like she wasn’t talking. I glanced away form her in discuss. Why was she so mean? I swear it was like someone had taken a stick and shoved it up her tiny ***.

    The class was over before I knew it and I still had one more class until lunch. That class also happened to be the one class I liked, science. I walked into my science class and introduced myself to Ms. Parker. She had long dark hair that flowed gently to the middle of her back. She was wearing a nice suit and a pair of fancy heels. She was so beautiful. She assigned me to a lab table in the middle of the room next to a pixie looking girl. I didn’t actually see her features until I got closer but she was beautiful. She looked like a girl that everyone would love. She had short choppy brown hair and ocean blue eyes. Her skin was a translucent color.

    “Hey there, you must be Zoey. I’m Rebecca, but you can call me Baca.”

    “Hi there.” I said sheepishly.

    Science went by in a blur because the next thing I knew, everyone was leaving the room. I grabbed my things and walked towards the lunch room. It was packed when I first walked in. That girl Becca came to me in a graceful walk.

    “Zo, why don’t you come sit with me and my friends? Don’t worry; I will talk a lot so that it doesn’t make things awkward. I was the new kid before so I know what it’s like.”

    We walked over to the table with her many friends. She introduced me to everyone one at a time. We sat down and started chatting away. I wasn’t even acting shy. Why was that? I glanced up to the other side of the room where a group of guys sat there. Among them was Steven. He looked past his friend and into my eyes. He glanced away before I could. In that moment that our eyes met, I knew there was something different about him.

    “Zoey, Steven is totally checking you out!” Baca exclaimed quietly.

    “No he’s not.” I quickly glanced up to him and there he was in his Superman glory staring at me.

    I stood up mechanically and walked over to his table. It got dead silent once I got there.

    “Hey Steven. What’s up?”

    “Nothing really…How are you doing?”

    “Saying hi to you. Are you doing anything later?”

    “Yeah, I’m busy later. Sorry.” I could see the sacrifice in his eyes. It clearly meant he wanted to be with me.

    “Okay then I guess I will just see you later then.” I gave him a smile I thought could win over anyone’s heart.

    I turned away and could barely hear his friends telling him he should have went out with me. I smiled knowing that he wanted to. I can’t believe I just thought that and did all of that. Am I turning into that girl Clara? Ew, I am so stupid.

    “Zoey did you seriously do what I think you did?” Becca asked curiously.

    “Yes I did. He had ‘plans’ though.”

    “Wow, I am going to have to hang with you more often.”

    “Well first things first, let’s go to class.”

    I looked around the empty lunch room. It was deserted. I ran to my Math class and then an hour later went to my P.E. class. Math class was pretty boring. I had already learned everything back in Denver. P.E. was okay. I was really tired so it wasn’t that fun.

    I walked out of the girls locker room and started walking to my car under the over hang. I pulled up my hood as I walked out into the heavy rainfall.

    “Z, wait.” I knew who it was once that magical voice spoke. “About tonight, I don’t actually have any plans. Would you like to go hang somewhere or something?”

    “Steven, I thought you said you were ‘busy’.”

    “I’m actually not. But I still want to know if you want to hang out. Would you like to?”

    “Sure. I would love to. Where are we going to go?”

    “I don’t know.”

    “How about your house?”

    “No! I mean, sorry we can’t go to my house. We can always go to your house though. That is if it’s okay with Billy and everything.”

    “Oh, I totally forgot about Billy. Why don’t we hang out tomorrow. Billy wasn’t feeling to well today. Plus I have to go to the store. You can always call me later or something if you want. I’m sorry Steven. Rain check?”

    “Okay. Rain check.”

    I took out a notebook and wrote down my cell phone number. I gave it to Steven and walked over to my truck. I got into my toasty truck and immediately laughed. I can’t believe I’m not being shy. This is a start.

    I started the truck and backed out of the stall a little too fast. I almost hit a tiny car. Luckily, I slammed on my brakes to prevent an accident. The other car honked and kept going. I backed out again, slowly, and drove to the grocery store. I got everything I needed and drove back home. I parked my truck in the drive way and ran into the unlocked house. Wait, unlocked? I walked into the dark kitchen and put the bags on the table. I walked over and turned on the light. Laying there on the floor in front of the stairs was Billy. I ran over to him, falling on my way over there.

    “Billy! Billy wake up!” I screamed as I took his head in my hands. “Billy wake up! Come on, please wake up!” I sobbed as I dragged myself over to the phone.

    “911 please help me! My name is Zoey Johnson and I am Chief Johnson’s daughter. I just walked into the house and found him unconscious. Please help me! He won’t wake up! Please hurry!”

    I hung up the phone and crawled back over to Billy. I would give him CPR but I couldn’t remember how to at the moment. My mind completely went blank. All I could think of was what if he was dead?

    I checked to see if he had a pulse but I couldn’t feel one. I looked on his neck and saw two small puncture marks. There was blood dripping down from them. What the heck are those? I laid down next to him and started to cry even more. Then I saw a reflection of red and blue lights in the microwave. The cops and medics came in and told me to step aside. I did as they said and the quickly stared working on him. After what seemed like hours, they put a blanket over him. They kept calling him a body. I knew that he was dead.

    The cops and meds got up and took Billy away. They left me all alone in the empty house that was now mine. I grabbed the phone and dialed in Aunt Bessie’s number. She answered the phone and I couldn’t even tell her what I had just witnessed.

    “Z, tell me what happened? Is everything okay? Are you or Billy hurt? , talk to me!”

    “Billy, he’s…he’s…dead.” I finally got out between my sobs.

    “Oh. My. Gosh. I am coming to get you right now.”

    “No…stay there Ant Bessie. I am fine. Don’t come and get me.”

    I hug up the phone before she could object. Billy was dead. What am I to do? Just go on and live out my life here like nothing happened? Or move somewhere far away and pretend that none of this happened?

    I stood up slowly and grabbed onto the stairs to keep my balance. I fell back down again immediately. I crawled up the stairs one by one and into the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked so empty, so dead. I walked over to the shower and turned it on. I got in it and sat under the hot water with all of my clothes on. I have been dreading this day my whole life. I started sobbing even more. I cried more this time then I did when my mom past away. I felt so empty, like my soul died when I saw Billy lying there on the floor. This changes everything.
    Is this okay for the first chapter of my book?
    honey if you want to write it then put your whole heart into the words and it'll be good but if you want to know what others think before you even finish then you aren't motivated enough to pour your soul out and will never reach your full potential....I think this start is not bad, work on your personal style maybe, but it;s good. Just remember to throw your heart on the page while slapping down the words.
    Reply:it was good but a bit like twilight girl moves in with her father to a small wet town evey1 thinks shes beautiful she falls for a vampire and you didnt really fit claras threat in there very well like she just all of a sudden threatens her for no reason i mean even mean girls let something happen even if its little before threatening them it was good but its like i already read it from the first paragraph all i could think about was reading my copy of twilight again sorry but i would read more if you put it out there
    Reply:You story sounds good! :) 5 stars! :)
    Reply:i really like it could turn out to be really great!!

    Need help with plant project! PLEASE HELP!!!?

    ok, so I have to write a detailed description, (like what it looks like and about the leaves, flowers, height etc.), where the plant can be found, like the habitat, and about its uses, like ceremonial, medicinal, edible and so on. Do u know any good sites that I could type in the plant name and these would show up or a couple of search sites, I don't mean like google but a plant search site. All of the plants are coastal also. Please help!!!!!!!

    P.S. Im having a real hard time finding uses or unique fact about goldenbush.
    Need help with plant project! PLEASE HELP!!!?
    http://www.apstas.com/coastindex.html

    http://www.seedqueen.com/catalog/index.p...
    Reply:All of the plants are coastal also?



    Learn how to arrange words correctly!
    Reply:Try this:

    http://plants.nrcs.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topi...

    I Need helpl with plant project! HELP!!!!?

    ok, so I have to write a detailed description, (like what it looks like and about the leaves, flowers, height etc.), where the plant can be found, like the habitat, and about its uses, like ceremonial, medicinal, edible and so on. Do u know any good sites that I could type in the plant name and these would show up or a couple of search sites, I don't mean like google but a plant search site. All of the plants are coastal also. Please help!!!!!!!

    P.S. Im having a real hard time finding uses or unique fact about goldenbush.



    P.S.S.

    http://plants.nrcs.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topi... doesnt work!
    I Need helpl with plant project! HELP!!!!?
    have you tried wikapeadia or going to the library or ringing up the plant store as they may be able to help the computer is not the only source

    Strange, yet pleasant dream (Click for details)?

    I had a dream a few months ago, (In-body) that I was walking along a road with hills on either side, and to my right was a little farm sitting atop a hill! I went inside the small house next to it, (which was occupied by the owner of the farm) and a kind-looking old man was playing cards with his buff trucker brothers. He got out of his seat and showed me his crops. They were flowers that grew to the size of cornstalks! They were of every color, and if you stuck your hand inside, you would find an edible seed that looked like a small eggplant but was the color of the flower it came from. The man had a small stable in the back where he kept sheep. He never sheared them, but their coats were neat and trim. He used the sheep for harvesting the seeds. They would go in a straight line, side by side, and go through the field, rolling the seeds as they went. After a while, the seeds were in a neat pile. Then I woke up. What does this all mean? I have a green thumb and like to grow corn. -%26gt;
    Strange, yet pleasant dream (Click for details)?
    I believe some dreams have an interpretive value, but I also believe you need to know an awful lot about the person to realistically apply any interpretation to them. We won't be able to figure it out here. You're the best one to try it.



    The fact that you like corn and sheep, and whatever, is just a setting, and probably not specific to whatever it means.
    Reply:this might be helpful

    http://spirita.blogspot.com/
    PDA
  • cartridge
  • Got some harry potter questions?

    1. When first walking into the Room of Requirement in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", Hermione starts reading what book?

    -Jinxes for the Jinxed

    -Common Curses and their Counter Actions

    -The Dark Arts Outsmarted

    -Self-Defense Spellwork



    2. How do Fred and George fix the boils they got from testing their Skiving Snackboxes in Book 5?

    -Murtlap Essence

    -Doxy Venom

    -Bubotuber pus

    -They do not fix them



    3. At the Yule Ball in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", Harry and Ron only listen to Hagrid and Maxime's conversation because who or what is in their way?

    -a statue of a reindeer

    -Hermione and Krum

    -Fleur and Davies

    -a bush



    4. Who claimed credit for Percy Weasley storming from the house during Christmas with his glasses splattered with mashed potatoes in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"?

    -Fred, George, and Ron

    -Fred, George, and Ginny

    -Ron, Ginny, and George

    -Fred, Ginny, and Ron



    5. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington died October 31st, ______.

    -1492

    -1502

    -1484

    -1424



    6. In "The Goblet of Fire", who is Ron talking to when he says, "You lousy biased scumbag...!"?

    - Krum

    -Snape

    - Karkaroff

    - Malfoy



    7. Who was the first to tell McGonagall that Harry would “die” after their first Divination class in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"?

    -Harry

    -Parvati

    -Hermione

    -Seamus



    8. Which other Death Eater went with Lucius Malfoy as they split up in the Department of Mysteries in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"?

    -Mulciber

    -Dolohov

    -Jugson

    -Bellatrix Lestrange



    9. What does mixing powdered root of asphodel and an infusion of wormwood make from Snape's questions in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"?



    -Truth Serum

    -Sleeping Potion

    -Felix Felicis

    -Polyjuice Potion



    10. Which bottle did Harry drink to get through to the Sorcerer’s Stone?

    -the smallest one

    - the round one on the right side

    - the biggest one

    -a large one on the end of the left side



    11. Which of the following is not a correct pairing of wizard and profession?

    -Celestina Warbeck -- singer

    -Broderick Bode -- unspeakable

    -Gwenog Jones -- quidditch player

    -Mafalda Hopkirk -- obliviator



    12. Which of these members of the Order of the Phoenix has spent time in Azkaban?

    -Hestia Jones

    -Kingsley Shacklebolt

    -Sturgis Podmore

    -Elphias Doge



    13. Which of the following items did Harry not see in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley?

    -Ton-Tongue Toffees

    -Nosebleed Nougats

    -Smart-Answer Quills

    -Edible Dark Marks



    14. How many people died during the Death Eater attack on Hogwarts?

    -1

    -4

    -3

    -2



    15. Why would you use the incantation: anapneo?

    -to cause a stream of bubbles to flow from a wand

    -to glue a person's tongue to the roof of the mouth

    -to conjure a bouquet of flowers from a wand

    -to clear the airway of a person who is choking
    Got some harry potter questions?
    1.Jinxes for the Jinxed

    2.Murtlap Essance

    3.a bush

    4.Fred Goerge and Ginny

    5.1492

    6.Malfoy

    7.Parvati

    8.Dolohov

    9.Sleeping Potin

    10.the smallest one

    11. Mafalda Hopkirk

    12.Sturgis Podmore

    13.Ton-Tongue Toffes

    14.1

    15.bubbles

    i think....maybe these are all wrong
    Reply:these r too hard! Report It
    Reply:oh yeah try quizilla.com if u want to make quizzes Report It
    Reply:1. Common Curses

    2. Murtlap of Essence

    3. a bush

    4. Fred, George, Ginny

    5. 1492

    6. Malfoy

    7. Parvati

    8. Dolohov

    9. Sleeping Potion

    10. Umm... the round one on the right

    11. Malfada Hopkirk

    12. Sturgis Podmore

    13. Smart-Answer Quills

    14. In which book? OOTP-2 I think DH-54ish

    15. to cause a stream of bubbles