The Building

Once there was a girl called Pennelopie (it was pronounced Penelope, but it was just spelled weird because in this town, it's normal). She was weird. No one knew anything about her, except that she was an orphan and she lived with her geriatric aunt.

She didn't have friends, and to top it off, students loved to bully her. Pennelopie was so weak and bully able. As a result, Pennelopie was very miserable indeed.

One day, she brought a little red crystal with her to school. She kept on turning it and polishing it with a velvet scarf. By lunchtime, all the students were mesmerised. They approached her and asked her about it. But Pennelopie didn't say anything. Her eyes just glinted mysteriously.

She picked up her lunch tray and threw away her rubbish. Then she seemed to vanish, and all the students were amazed.

When the students went to the study hall, Pennelopie was there, sitting quietly and playing with her red crystal as if nothing had happened.

"What is that, Pennelopie?!" a mean girl named Raymonde asked. "Yes! Yes!" the other students said. Pennelopie just looked down at her desk. She did not say anything. Her eyes just flickered as though there was a flame in each of them.

The students became uneasy. They went to their tables and waited uncertainly. Then they heard a bewitching voice. "Raymonde." the voice said. The students noted that her voice was smooth and rich, but treacherous.

Raymonde turned her head, her heart starting to beat quickly.

"I'll show it to you alone behind The Building." Pennelopie said. The students gasped. The Building was a scary place. It was an old apartment building that had not been used for 32 years. It was old and crumbling. The children believed it to be haunted.

"B-b-b-but--" Raymonde protested. She didn't even dare to go to The Building with her best friend, let alone Pennelopie!

"Can I bring Maisie?" Raymonde asked, terrified. Pennelopie's eyes turned into slits. "I said, alone." she said, her voice becoming lower and deeper, with every syllable she uttered.

The class of students were all sweating and shaking all over. They were horrified. Raymonde gulped. "Must I go?" she asked. Pennelopie looked up, her green eyes becoming a fiery yellow. They bored into Raymonde's skin. "You have no choice." Pennelopie declared.

Raymonde yelped. "Yes, I'll go." The students were growing more fearful by the nanosecond.
Then, Pennelopie's eyes turned back to green and she looked normal again. She turned to her work and then no one said another word.

***

Raymonde crept to The Building as carefully as possible. She looked around, hoping that a ghost wouldn't come and grab her. She pulled her jacket hood on and looked about carefully. Then she spotted someone lurking about. It had messy hair that looked burnt, and a black cape.

It looked at her. Raymonde screamed. Then she realised that it was Pennelopie.

"Why, hello, Raymonde." Raymonde's heart beat quickly. It was so dark now, and Pennelopie's eyes were gleaming yellow. "What's going on?" Raymonde asked, afraid.

Pennelopie smiled malevolently. "All these years, you and the other students have bullied me. Did I wrong you? Have I ever called you a cruel name? Did I ever push you even the slightest bit?"

Raymonde shook her head. She didn't like where this was going. Pennelopie came nearer. "I have not." she said, answering her own question.

"I was helpless. I was meek. I never fought back!" Pennelopie's voice grew louder. "You laughed at me. You abused me! This was how you treated me. You ruined my life! You never stopped to think about how I felt!"

Raymonde started to cry. "I'm sorry! I'll never do it again! Let me go home!" She tried to run away, but Pennelopie stopped her. She dragged her to a post and tied her there. "This is my payback!!!!!" Pennelopie screamed.

She lit a match and started to burn the end of the rope that tied Raymonde there. Then Pennelopie disappeared around the corner, laughing dementedly. Raymonde screamed.

"HELP!! Help!!!! Oh someone!!" Raymonde screamed and flailed her arms. "HELP!" Then, at that moment, a boy came rushing in. His eyes widened and he acted quickly. He grabbed a nearby bucket and filled it with water from a tap in the corner. The boy splashed Raymonde and repeated the process until the fire was gone.

The boy untied the ropes and helped Raymonde to a stone on the ground. She sat on it and the boy examined her arms. She was quite severely burned and the ropes had burned her too. Then the boy introduced himself as Samm.

"Are you alright now?" Samm asked, after applying some salve from his bag onto her arms. "Yes." Raymonde sobbed. "I-I-I want to go home."

Samm nodded. "I understand." He carried Raymonde up in his arms and they left the alley. Samm carried Raymonde home. Then he put her down at her doorstep.

They stared at each other for awhile. Then Samm said, "It was a good thing the fire didn't burn your face." He kissed Raymonde very gently and then he walked away, saying goodbye.

***

At school the next day, everyone talked about Raymonde's predicament. They were amazed at Pennelopie's act. They looked around for her but not surprisingly, she did not come to school.

The headmaster tried to call Pennelopie's aunt and ask her for Pennelopie's whereabouts. But the operator explained that there was no such number. The head master was puzzled. He went calling to their house after school and he got a shock.

The house was empty and rundown. And lying on the doorstep was Pennelopie, dead.

There was a note attached to her shirt. The headmaster read it. It said,

"Goodbye."

*Epilogue*

* Pennelopie's aunt was nowhere to be found. Pennelopie was buried in a cemetry for unknown peoples and people with no family. Nobody ever figured out the mystery.

* Raymonde was traumatised, and she tried to forget the scene, but she never did. Also, she had fallen in love with Samm when he kissed her that night, but she never saw him again. When Raymonde asked about for Samm, no one could say that they had known him or seen him. He had come out of nowhere and disappeared to nowhere, it seemed. In the end, Raymonde died, a sad soul.

* Slowly, the people of this town went away and never came back. But when a descendant of one of the townsfolk came to look for it, it was gone.

The unfortunate mistake

I had always thought my teacher, Mrs. Bu, was extremely smart and I thought she remembered everything. But on the 29th of July, I thought differently.

The day started off normally, but the first turn of events was that Mrs. Bu was late. The class took advantage of the fact and started fooling around.

When Mrs. Bu arrived, she was sniffing and she carried a box of tissues. She explained she had a cold but it was very mild, so we shouldn't worry. She then started our chemistry lesson.

She mixed some chemicals together and soon, she started sniffing. "Excuse me," she said and wiped her nose. She put the tissue down and accidentally sneezed into my friend, Wai Hai's face.

Wai Hai was very susceptible to germs and he immediately started sneezing. He reached for a tissue and knocked over a yellow substance.

Mrs. Bu quickly wiped it up with a tissue. "Ehhh..." Wai Hai said, his nose starting to run. Mrs. Bu gave him the tissue she used for the yellow chemical. Without thinking, Wai Hai wiped his nose.

Suddenly, Wai Hai's face turned a ghastly yellow and he flew into a series of apoplectic sneezes. Everyone, including Mrs. Bu, screamed.

Wai Hai was rushed to the Nurses office and then after getting examined, he got rushed to the nearest hospital. After half an hour in the hospital, Wai Hai was pronounced dead.

Mrs. Bu was fired, and I was scarred for life.

The polka dot dress

Ugh. Aunty Raydene is coming over. I'm so angry. Aunty Raydene is the maddest aunt in the WORLD.

She is coming for my birthday party for family only. I bet she is going to give me something second hand again. One time, she was at Myra's party, and she gave her a mug that she herself had for 15 years! Weird? I know.

And, every time she comes or goes for a party, she ALWAYS wears this totally out of fashion terrible polka do dress. It's so ugly. And at Myra's party last week, she dropped chocolate ice cream on it. The dress was stained with chocolate!

And do you know what happened? She cried. And people made a fuss about it. But Aunty Raydene cried the hardest and the loudest. And in the most annoying way. Anyway, the stupid dress was not spoiled. It was just uglier.

The day after the party
Oh no! Everyone is gone. So is my life! Do you know what Mad, annoying, Aunty Raydene gave me?

Her polka dot dress. With the stain.

The fan

Leah Grossenheimer was a big fan of the famous band Koobkrow. The lead singer, Harry Tellall was her favourite. He was cute and funny and smart. Leah was always thinking about Koobkrow or Harry Tellall. Leah was obsessed.

He door was covered in Koobkrow posters and stickers and there were Koobkrow albums everywhere. Her bedsheets were embroidered with the words Koobkrow, Harry Tellall, and the names of the other band members. Leah went to 16 of their concerts and she never ever got sick of them.

Koobkrow was one of the most popular bands in Pleh, Harlridge, Weirndosia. One day Leah went to college and met a girl named Breesa Hopkins. It turned out that Breesa was a nice and friendly girl. Leah and Breesa became good friends.

One day, Breesa and Leah started talking about bands. Leah mentioned her love for Koobkrow and Breesa said that Harry Tellall was her cousin! Leah fainted and died of a heartattack, even though Breesa was only joking.

(edited on 20/9/08. written on 10/4/08)

The intelligent Prig

I am the smartest girl in my school. I am 13 years old and I go to an exclusive private school. Come and share a day of my life with me.

I wake up infallibly at 5 a.m. every morning. I take a shower and then I get ready for school. I eat my breakfast then I walk to the bus stop. I go onto the bus and adress the fatuous bus driver. He would wave back jauntily and I would go to my seat.

When the bus stops at my school, I walk down charily. I go straight to class and study before the bell rings. I work and listen diligently until class ends. I get my other books from my locker and glare contemptuously at the coquette who's locker is next to mine. I walk off feeling prudent and scrupulous.

At lunchtime I eat my food placidly and then I continue to study my dictionary smugly, making sure people notice me. No one seems to so I glare at all my frivolous schoolmates and judge everyone of them in my mind. Soon, I go home and complete my homework feeling like an angel.

(edited on 20/9/08 and written 21/2/08)

Eve

Eve was a poor girl of 19. She was poor and rather fatuous. The people of the Selato town of Minnesburg looked on her with contempt. Eve would go around begging for money and usually she would receive only 10 cents every two houses. Eve was a sad but determined girl.

One day, a new family arrived in Minnesburg. They were the Stevenson family. Bob and Mara Stevenson arrived in a black limousine. They were indisputably rich.

Mr. Stevenson was to become a member of the Minnesburg village board. At one meeting, he started a discussion on Eve.

"I am absolutely perturbed by her. She is extremely reprehensible." The other members of the board nodded contemplatively. The meeting lasted 5 hours because they were busy disputing on whether to take Eve out of the village.

Meanwhile, Eve was looking through the garbage for a pair of shoes. The next day, Eve went begging again. This time she went to the Stevenson's house.

"Money?" she said, putting her hands out. "Go away, you putrefied girl!" Mara shouted, perturbed. Eve started to cry so she ran away. Every villager was told to treat Eve unkindly so that she would leave the village.

Everywhere Eve went she was 'greeted' laconically. Eve wept in the this predicament. No one greeted her with at least a bit of deprecation.

Eve ran into the woods and found a hut. The old man and his wife living there greeted her. They were kind and gentle. "Come, stay with us. We are old and we might die soon."

So Eve accepted and lived comfortably ever after.

(Edited on 20/9/08 and written on 23/2/08)

The calling

Lulu went into her room and switched off her light. She went to her bed and climbed in. She was just about to sleep when she heard a sound.

"Come, Lulu." it said.

Lulu looked around and saw a fairy at her window. The fairy was very beautiful. She had golden hair, blue eyes and a pretty tutu.

Lulu jumped up and went to the window. "Hi!" Lulu said, excited. The fairy smiled and waved her wand. Suddenly, Lulu was in a different world. She was standing in a castle, and there were people dancing, wearing grand clothes.

Lulu looked down at herself and got a surprise. She was wearing a lovely dress and she felt something on her head. It was a silver tiara.

Lulu looked around. The fairy was dancing. Then a boy came up to Lulu and asked her to dance. Lulu accepted and danced with him. When the whole party ended, Lulu was in her room again.

She smiled. She would always remember the calling.

(Note: This story was edited slightly on 20/9/08. It was written 7/8/07)

Note!

I must post more stories! Okay, I'm going to put up my essays, (story ones) as often as I can.


So that you won't wither up and die. Though you might keel over and shriek from the weirdoness.

The story of the Castells

Chapter One
Cecil Mordgrass got up and yawned. Last night was extremely excruciating. He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth, peering at himself in the mirror. He wasn’t very handsome, he observed. He had dark blonde hair and striking green eyes. He sighed and gargled.

He went out and made himself some coffee. He drank it quickly and went to change. As soon as he was ready, he packed his bag and left the hotel room. He went to the check out desk and returned his key. Then he got a taxi to the airport. Once he was there, he bought himself a sandwich and waited for his flight to be called.

“The plane is leaving for Spenulia in forty-five minutes.” The robotic voice said in an emotionless tone.
Cecil picked up his bag and let out a sigh of relief. He had enjoyed himself in Gorgaria but he was glad that he was going back to his home in Spenulia. He let out a yawn and walked toward the train to fetch passengers to the plane. When the train arrived, Cecil went through the security and finally, he saw the plane.

He went up the ramp and showed the air stewardess his ticket. She gave him an undeniably fake smile and Cecil went on. He went to his designated seat, 2b, and found a lady sitting in his seat!
“Excuse me, but this is my seat.” Cecil said politely. The lady looked at him with her head cocked on one side. She looked about 23, with straw blonde hair and the most dazzling green eyes.
“Is it?” she asked, in a charmingly sweet voice. Cecil coughed. “Yes, I’m afraid so. 2b.” The lady looked at the side of the seat.

“Oh,” she said. “So it is.” She moved aside. “I must have forgotten to read the number.” Cecil couldn’t help but feel rather exasperated at this strange young lady. The lady leaned back in her chair. “Since we have already started talking, let me introduce myself. I’m Maria Chouder.” She extended her hand. Cecil sighed.

“I’m Cecil Mordgrass.” he said, shaking her slender white hand reluctantly. Maria beamed. “I’m so glad I sat in your seat.” she said, clasping her hands like a little child. Cecil rolled his eyes. He had wanted a pleasant and peaceful flight home. Instead, he was stuck next to a lady who seemed very intent on being his friend.

Cecil nodded, vexed. He settled back in his seat and tried to catch some sleep. But to his dismay, Maria tapped his shoulder. Cecil turned sharply. Maria drew back.
“Um, sorry Cecil, is that your name? It’s rather strange. Well, the stewardess is here, to offer you a drink.” Cecil drew a sharp breath and shook his head. “No thank you.” he said. Maria looked at him and wondered why this man seemed to be so bad tempered. She sat in her seat quietly. Soon, she fell into a light sleep.

Cecil looked at her, hoping she was not going to disturb him. He smiled when he saw her sleeping breathlessly and he relaxed and went to sleep. But soon, he woke up after the plane started moving shakily. “The plane is going through some turbulence. Please wear your seat belts.” Cecil fastened his seat belt and waited impatiently. He glanced over at Maria.She was holding her seat so hard that her knuckles had turned white. Her face bore the expression of fear. “Do you fly much?” Cecil inquired. Maria shook her head lightly. “This is the first time I’m flying after 20 years.” she answered. Cecil found that rather peculiar.

“Oh. That seems strange. Do you live in Gorgaria?” Maria gulped. “I used to. Well, actually, well, I’m running away.” Cecil gasped. “Well. That is very… interesting.” Cecil paused. Then he said, “I hope you don’t mind me asking but, how old are you?” Maria was silent. Then she said, “I am twenty-one.” Cecil frowned. “Then why ever are you running away?” Maria started to sob. “My mother, well, I thought she was my mother. So, I’m running away.” Cecil stared, amazed. “If she adopted you, why did you run away?” Maria shook her head.

“I was kidnapped.”

T.B.C.

Little Fart and the berries of Berrywood

Once upon a time there was a little pixie living in the woods. His name was Little Fart. Little Fart was shy and he had no friends. He was afraid people would make fun of him. His lived in a small tree house on top of the smallest tree in Berry-wood, Hamlyn, Weirndosia.

One day he was strolling through the woods, looking for some magic berries to reduce gassiness. All he found were strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, poison berries, chocolate berries, elephant berries (They were big, juicy, and sweet), creamy berries, vanilla berries, rainbow berries (They were rainbow coloured, had different flavours at each colour and could only be found just after it rained), the very, very, very special Star berries that were the sweetest, most delicious berries under the moon. You could never find them under the sun. There were many different berries too, but I can’t recite all two million of them.

Little Fart found thousands of different kinds of berries, all delicious, juicy, and ripe. Little Fart ate as many as he could. The berries were too delicious to resist. The best thing about the berries is that they would never ever, run out unless you took away all their carbon dioxide.

Poor Little Fart; he could not find anything that would reduce his gassiness. He was afraid he might let one out since he was so stuffed with berries. His mouth was also smothered in berry juice and his hands and cheeks were sticky and colourful. So he went to the Berry Lake to wash himself off. The beautiful Berry Lake was clear and clean. The water was cool and refreshing. It tasted like a mix of berries and it was tinted red. It was the finest lake in the world. But no one knew about it except for the Weirndosians in Weirndosia.

Little Fart went in and washed up. Then he drank some of the water in there and went back to his tree house. He sighed and took a nap. It had been a long day. He decided to look tomorrow. He fell asleep. Then he let a big one out.

In Her Eyes - Alice's perfect life

I ran into school. "Hey Carol!" I said, thumping her back. Carol laughed and I giggled. We laugh over tiny things. Today was no exception. Carol was my best friend. We always hung out and we were close enough to be sisters.

But I have three sisters. They are all pretty weird. Especially Allison. She walks around like the incredible Hulk except that Allison interacts with people.

Then Carol told me some good news. "The school is having a party for our school day." she said casually, knowing that I would scream excitedly. I did. "Your mum told you?" Carol nodded. Her mum was the principal's secretary.

"It isn't a date thing, but a lot of kids are already getting dates." I screamed again and we jumped up and down like maniacs. No one made fun of us. I was kind of popular. Carol was my best friend.

Carol and I ran through the hallways and unfortunately for us, we bumped into Allison. We looked up at her and smiled sheepishly. Then we ran away and ran around the school, spreading the word.

***

I ran home and burst into the house. "Can I go shopping with Carol?" Mum looked at me and gave me a blank look. "The school is having a party--" Mum shook her head. "No, you are not buying new clothes. Wear something you already have. Why are you so extravagant?"

I made a face and ran to my room. "Come back here!" Mum shouted. I went back down, sulking. "You know if I buy new clothes for you, you're sisters would want some too. We don't have enough maney for that. Now don't make that face." I forced out a smile. Mum smiled at me.

I ran up the stairs to my room. Then I closed the door carefully and started to pick through my clothes. I ran to my sisters room and asked them for any of their old clothes. Allison had some nice skirts and tops. But they were all either black, dark brown, dark purple or dark blue.

I took some and said thank you. Then I went to Alisa's room and asked her for old clothes. She gave me some airy, light coloured dresses, blouses and skirts. I thanked Alisa and went to my room to fix my outfit.

I was also pretty good at sewing. Alicia had taught me how to hem, add buttons and beads and sew patterns. I customized some things and put together some other fabrics until, Voila! I had the perfect outfit.

It was a pink satin dress with beaded lace at the hem, a few beads at the collar and at the sleeves. The dress looked worth at least 3oo lysas. I smiled and hung the dress up carefully. Then I put the other articles of clothing in a bag for later. Then I tried on the dress and twirled in front of my mirror. It was perfect!

***

I sat in the school cafeteria and then I asked Carol whether anyone had asked her to the party. Carol nodded like a bobble head puppy and we both giggled. "Who?" I asked. Carol smiled like a bride and said, "Lionel Weston." We both screamed and ended up laughing.

My friend, Macey suddenly said, "Ooh. I heard that Tom Fellows, the guy who plays first chair flute wanted to ask you." I smiled. Sure enough, Tom Fellows came over.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked. "Sure." I said.

"I've been wanting to ask you. Um, will you go to the school party with me?" I smiled and stared into his lovely brown eyes. "Yes." He smiled at me and walked away.

I couldn't wait for the party!

In Her Eyes - Nobody

Allison scanned the hallways. It was jammed with students, shouting and exclaiming and giggling and falling. Allison walked through like a silent knife. No one took any notice of her. They all thought she was just some strange girl coming out from nowhere.

She took her books and headed home. She had no one to walk with. People were busy with their friends. Allison had no friends. She saw her sisters walking with their friends. Allison felt her eyes go blurry. She was crying. She wiped her eyes and ran.

When she got home she ran straight to her room. Mother didn't notice her. She was busy talking on the phone like always. Allison climbed onto her bed and went under the covers, sniffing miserably. Alisa came in, looking at her phone. She bumped her head on a a hanging picture of Allison's favourite band.

"Ooooch!" Alisa said, rubbing her head. "This is my room, you repugnant oaf." Allison said, her face full of contempt. "Sorry." Alisa said, and she went out. Allison scowled. Her sisters were a huge problem. Allison locked her door. Then she went on to her bed and cried.

Alice saw Allison close her door. She felt sorry for her hermit-like sister. She wanted to comfort her sister. But Allison was proud. She was proud and she didn't like people. Alice went to Alisa and knocked on her door. "Can you come to my room?" she asked sweetly. Alisa shrugged and walked there, thinking of the new boy in class who was very cute.

Alice knocked on Alicia's door and told her to go to Alice's room. Alicia hesitated and then walked there. Alice closed the door. "I need to talk to you gu--girls about Allison." Her sisters suddenly looked extremely bored. "She is so sad!" Alice said, not noticing her sisters lingering looks at the door.

"Yeah but she made herself that way." Alisa said, wondering whether she should run for the door. Alicia began to feel restless. "Yaaaggghhhh!!!" she screamed and ran out of the room. Alisa and Alice stared at the open door. Alisa took a deep breath. Then she ran out.

Alice flopped onto her bed and sighed loudly. Then she took up her violin and started to play.

***

Allison walked into school her eyes hurting. Crying always made them sore. That day was starting out normally when suddenly someone bumped into her. People never bumped into her. Usually they would run away from her. Allison looked at the person. It was a boy.

"S-sorry." the boy said, picking up Allison's books. "Its okay." she said. She noticed that the boy had blue eyes. "I'm Allison." she said awkwardly. The boy laughed. "I'm Foster." Allison blushed. She never blushed. "I'm so sorry for bumping into you." he said. Allison looked at her feet. "It was okay."

Foster smiled and started to walk away. "Bye." he said, waving. She waved back and he walked off. Allison's heart thudded. She had never felt this way before. She always ran away from people. She didn't know anybody well. Now she felt she didn't even know herself.

T.B.C....

I'm very sorry that I haven't been posting my stories. I have been very busy and I have been distracted by a lot of other things. Once again, I'm so sorry. I shall post up a story when I get some inspiration.


Thank You.

Alyssa Koh
________

Author

Ana - The girl who saved her village

In a land far from the equator, there lived a 16 year old girl called Ana. Ana lived on the top of a big green hill with her Mama, her Grandma, and her little brother Danny.

Their hill was so big that there was place for Danny and Ana to play and there was space for their little farm and of course, their cottage. The family had all they needed up there. There was a well in their farm, and they had cows, pigs, chickens and a vegetable garden.

There were also blue rickety stairs leading down to the village below. But it was a long way down so nobody really used the stairs. If Mama needed anything she would send Ana down and she would climb all the way.

Mama, Grandma, Ana, and Danny were all content on their hill and they all took care of each other and helped one another. Their lives were always full of happiness and joy.

One day, Mama and Ana decided to make pies while Grandma read to Danny. When Ana put the last pie into the oven, there was a knock on the door. Ana looked at Mama in surprise.

“Now whoever could that be?” Mama said, wiping her hands on her apron. She opened the door and standing there was 18 year old Thomas Whitaker from the village. He looked scared and he was wringing his hands together.

“Why, Thomas. What a pleasant surprise. Ana and I were making pies. Would you like a slice?” Thomas hesitated. “Well, I sure would like a piece.” Mama smiled warmly and Thomas stepped in.

Ana gave Thomas a slice of apple pie. “Be careful, it’s hot.” Thomas smiled at Ana and she blushed. Then she felt some butterflies in her stomach. Mama took off her apron and sat down. “Now, what do we owe the pleasure of meeting you today?” Thomas’ frightened look returned again.

“The mayor has died.”

Ana dropped her plate in surprise. The plate smashed into many pieces and so did her beautiful slice of apple pie. Ana rushed to clean it up. Mama was too shocked to scold Ana. “But how?” she asked Thomas. He sniffed.

“He was s-s-shot!” Ana dropped her broom. It made a loud clatter. “Oops.” she said, and bent to pick it up. Mama looked at Ana sternly. Ana squirmed and picked up the broom.

“Who will replace him?” Mama asked worriedly. Thomas’ lower lip trembled. “His only relative left, his nephew, the nefarious Wallaby Powers.” Grandma walked out from Danny’s bedroom. “Did you just mention Wallaby Powers?” Thomas nodded and sniffed. Grandma made a face.

“That man is ruthless!” Thomas nodded. “All the villagers are disenfranchised. The leadership board said that Wallaby has the right to be mayor because our mayor line is hereditary.” Ana carefully put back the broom and sat down next to Mama. “Is he evil enough to want to kill us all?” Thomas shrugged. Then he said goodbye and left.

Ana burst into tears. She ran into the bedroom that she shared with Danny and threw herself onto her bed. Grandma shook her head and went out to feed the chickens. Mama sighed. She knew life could never be perfect.

“Rise and shine, Ana.” Ana looked up and groaned. Mama shook her lightly and told her to get up. Ana got up sleepily and went to wash her face. Then she woke Danny up and they went to have breakfast with Mama and Grandma.

They ate some toast and some eggs. Then Ana and Danny went to do their chores. The day went by normally. That particular day was no different from all their other days. The weeks went by quickly. Everyone forgot about Wallaby Powers.

Until one day, Thomas came up again with more bad news. “Things are growing worse. The villagers are all living at the expense of Wallaby. Plus Wallaby wants you to clear out. He said that he would like to live here himself!” Ana started to cry. Danny didn’t like what he heard. “NO! We live here and you can’t! Go awaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!!”

Mama laughed and picked Danny up. “He is just confused.” Grandma said, giving Thomas a cup of tea. Ana ran to her room and sobbed. “I wish Wallaby would go away.” she said to herself. Then she had an idea. Ana knew that what she was going to do would save everyone in the village. If only she could have one day off from her chores…

“Mama, can I have on day off please? I’m so tired… Please? I want to go to the village.. Pretty please?” Ana tugged on Mama’s apron. Mama shook her off. “Okay, just don’t disturb anyone okay?” she said absently. Ana nodded. “Keep up the good work!” she encouraged then she ran to get ready.

She put on a big coat and tied up her long hair. Then she filled her bag with some of her belongings and crept down the hill. She hoped Danny didn’t see her. When she had reached the village she walked through normally. The villagers were all sad looking people. They looked tired and worn out.

“Why is everyone so sad?” Ana asked a villager. “Wallaby Powers is rebuilding his mansion. Not only do we have to pay for it, he is forcing all the men to build it. And he is not even paying them! Wallaby is also making people give him their best crops and taking our children for servants. I miss my son Thomas.”

Ana gasped. “Are you Mrs. Whitaker?” The woman nodded sadly and walked away. “Oh no, not Thomas!” Ana raced over to the mansion and peeked in at the window, taking care not to be noticed. Thomas was walking towards, Wallaby, holding a cup of wine. Wallaby sipped it and slapped Thomas. “It’s not cold! Get me one with ice!” Thomas’ faced burned. He walked off meekly.

Ana was indignant with anger. “That odious man!” Ana said, walking off.

Then something caught her attention. Wallaby was talking to a man. “I want you to regenerate the house on the big green hill. Turn it into a… holiday home! Yes, turn it into a holiday home. And do it fast!” Ana scowled.

She went over to a patch of mud and put some into a little bottle. Then with her heart beating, she climbed into the mansion through a window. Covering her face, she ran past Wallaby and threw some mud onto him. Then with a flying jump, she jumped out the window. Wallaby shouted but he didn’t get up.

Ana threw off her coat and her bag and hid it behind some rocks. Then she looked down at the dirty dress she was wearing and messed up her hair. Then she marched into the mansion and went over to Wallaby. “Sir, shall I prepare a bath for you?” Wallaby looked at her suspiciously. “Okay. Make it nice and hot.” Ana curtsied and went to the biggest bedroom in the mansion. The door said,

Wallaby Powers

Ana nodded and went in. The door to the bathroom had a picture of a bathtub and Ana went into it. There was a massive bathtub in there. Ana opened a jar in her bag. In it was the stickiest glue in the world. Ana poured it out. The jar was sticky-glue repellent so the glue slid out nicely. Then Ana read the instructions carefully.

Add water to expand glue. Water proof. Does not dilute. Remove with wool.

Ana put the jar back into her pocket and took a deep breath. She filled the tub with water and sure enough, the glue expanded. Ana touched the glue a little and it stuck to her finger. “Oops.” Ana said. She took some wool out from her pocket and cleaned her finger.

When the tub was filled she went out to call Wallaby. “Your bath is ready Sir.” Wallaby rolled his eyes and went to his room. Ana turned away and ran to the window. There weren’t any guards around. Ana jumped out and retrieved her coat and bag. She put her coat on and slung her bag onto her shoulder.

Then she heard a scream. “Help! I’m stuck! Get me out! I order you to! Aaaauugghhhh!!” Ana went to a man running into the mansion to see what was happening. “He is stuck! He is at our mercy!” Ana said, pretending to be a wide eyed child. The man suddenly had an excited look on his face.

He shouted to everyone. “He is stuck! He is at our mercy!” Everyone listened and soon everyone looked excited. People marched into the mansion feeling new strength. They pushed down the guards and all of Wallaby’s followers. They searched the mansion and soon they came to Wallaby’s bathroom.

The men saw the glue and avoided it. They beheaded Wallaby and the village was saved! Everyone wondered who put in the glue. Ana never told them. In the end everyone forgot it and left the mansion the way it was, with the head and the body, sunk in that big tub of glue for visitors to come and see.

The Village was happy and since the Mayor had no more relations, the villagers elected a mayor and life for everyone was happy again. Then when Ana grew up, she married Thomas and so everyone lived happily ever after.

The End.

The introduction of 'In Her Eyes'

Once there were four sisters, a mother, and a father living in a medium sized house on the corner of Langley Street in Harlridge, Weirndosia. The sisters were named Alisa, Allison, Alice, and Alicia.

Alisa was the oldest. She was 17 years old and she was always thinking and daydreaming. She was quite shy but she had a considerable number of friends and she was never lonely nor were there too many people around her. She loved writing stories and that suited her quite well because she had so many ideas.

Allison was the second child. At 15 she was quite odd. She was the tallest, skinniest and definitely the most moody. She wasn't very popular, she had only one friend and that was her little turtle.
She was the saddest one of all the sisters.

Alice was the third daughter. She was 14 and she was the most musical one. She was a dazzling singer and she could play the piano, violin, flute, and guitar. She was also the prettiest and the most sensible of all her sisters.

Alicia was the youngest daughter at age 12. She was most artistic one. She drew beautiful pictures, painted masterpieces, and could sketch a picture of one of her friends in 15 minutes. Alicia loved art and she always enjoyed a trip to an art gallery.

Now begins my story about four not so ordinary girls that are all sisters, living in one house with their parents and a little turtle on Langley Street in Harlridge, Weirndosia.

***

"Alisa!!" Mother called. "Stop daydreaming. Your sisters have already left for school." Alisa quickly gulped down her juice and choked on the pulp. "Errr, sorry. Bye Mother." She kissed Mother's cheek and grabbed the bag on the chair next to her.

Alisa ran to school as fast as she could. School was just 20 metres away from their house. Alisa ran into her class just five seconds after the bell. Miss Hart looked at Alisa sternly. "That is the fourth time you have been tardy Miss Albert." Alisa smiled sheepishly.

"I hope it won't happen again, Miss Albert." Alisa nodded and squirmed from where she was standing. "Please sit down." Alisa obeyed and then Miss Hart proceeded to explain about the history of Weirndosia. As Alisa sat in her seat she wondered what they would be having for lunch.

Meanwhile, Allison was brooding in her seat all the way at the back of the her class. She wasn't allowed to sit up front. "She is too tall, Sir." Mr. Rupert said to the Headmaster. So Allison was placed at the back where all the bullies sat. They teased and bullied poor Allison every chance they got.

Somewhere on the other side of school, Alice sat at her desk, Her posture perfect, her desk clean and dust free, her clothes unruffled. Girls would pass her notes, and some of the boys would smile at her the way they would smile to a girl they especially liked. Alice was by far one of the most popular girls in her form.

Just opposite Alice's class, Alicia sat at her desk, doodling on a piece of paper. She wasn't really listening to her teacher, Mr. Reilley. She was busy wondering what she could create with four buttons, two used boxes, some paperclips and six marbles. Alicia was creative and soon came up with an idea for her junk under her bed.

That day was a normal and ordinary day, not a day one would remember for the rest of his of her life, but it was just a day I picked out because it was so ordinary.

When would an Un-ordinary day come then? Ah, that will happen in story 2.

Dust me please?

Once there was a little speck of dust living in a flea who lived in an old monkey in the Pasire Forest in Hamlyn, Weirndosia. The speck's name was Dusty and he lived on the flea with his mother and father. They were a happy little family and they had no worries.

Mother Dust cleaned their little home and Father Dust went hunting on the flea for some flea hair. The Dust family loved to eat flea hair. It was crunchy and sometimes sweet and sometimes savoury.

One day, Mother and Father Dust were having a nap. Dusty was bored. He wanted to play. Nap time was so boring! So he crept out of the house and went for a walk. He nibbled on some flea hair and ran and played. His parent still slept on.

He ran around, indulging in the bliss. He hopped around and shouted and laughed and giggled. The he came to the flea's head. Not knowing, he hopped onto the head and yelled, "I'm the king of the flea! Woohooo!!!" The flea woke up and he was very angry.

He shook his head hard. Little Dusty fell off. He screamed in fright. The evil, merciless flea opened his big mouth and CHOMP! Little Dusty now lived in the flea's stomach.

Tha End... Rating: zero *

The rats of Sewerville

Once there was a rat living under Mrs. Leech's bed. Mrs. Leech was a little blind and she was always sewing so she never noticed the rat running around the house. The rat's name was Fatty and he always took food from the pantry at 8 'o' clock at night and in the morning.

He would grab a chicken leg (or any animal leg there was), an ant infested jelly (Mrs. Leech always receives jelly everyday. She hates jelly so she never eats any), a pinch of salt and a little capful of whatever drink thats there.

Then he would drag it under the bed and chomp them down. Then he would get very stuffed and would barf it all out. When he barfed it out he would feel hungry again so he would eat the lumpy substance and pat his stomach. He loved to eat.

Even though Fatty was very greedy, he was very neat. He cleaned up his messes and threw away the chicken bones (or whatever animal he ate's bones) The problem is that Fatty was extremely smelly. He never cleaned himself; he used his body to wipe the floor.

Fatty was also the most popular rat in Sewerville, where Mrs. Leech lived. Every house in the small village of Sewerville lived a lady who loved to sew even with bad eyesight and a rat. The town was filled with rats and sewing women. That was how Sewerville got its name.

Fatty had many friends. His best friends were Lollie and Stinky. Lollie was the smallest rat in Sewerville and Stinky was the cleanest. Rats hate the smell of flowers and pretty things. Stinky bathed in 'Sally's floral flavour shampoo'. It repulsed the rats in Sewerville.

Now there was a rat in Sewerville that everybody listened to. She was the leader. Her name was RLOAR which stood for Rat Leader Of All Rats. Rloar was mean and hard, but everyone listened to her because her younger brothers were gangsters. They adored their sister.

Rloar lived in the biggest house in Sewerville with the mayor of Sewerville. The mayor of Sewerville was the nicest lady in Sewerville. She gave all the ladies in Sewerville a jelly everyday. Everyone respected her and loved her very much.

One day, Fatty, Lollie, and Stinky went for a walk. Fatty and Lollie looked through the rubbish while Stinky licked his paws. They brought out some banana skins, a chocolate bar (from one of the ladies grandsons), and an amazing green thing.

The rats didn't know what it was, but it was very delicious. It was crunchy in some places and soft and thin in other places. It was a bitterish but plainish and it tasted delicious. Rloar came up behind them and the rats quickly jumped down and bent their heads down low.

Rloar nodded and waited for them to put their heads up. They didn't. They didn't see her nod so they remained in their position. "Lift your heads, you silly rats!" They obeyed and Rloar spotted a bit of the green stuff sticking out of Fatty's mouth. "What are you eating?" Rloar asked.

"Umm.. We don't know." Lollie said, her cheeks turning a little pink. Rloar squinted at her. "I wasn't talking to you." Rloar said rudely. Lollie blushed again and nodded. Fatty spoke up. "We just found it in the bins." Rloar looked at Fatty, suspicious.

"Get some for me, Stinky." Rloar ordered. Stinky's eyes grew wide. He hated the bins. They were too dirty. "I just had a bath--" Fatty jumped up. "I'll get it." he said. Rloar glared at Stinky. "I asked you to get it, you fart lard!" Stinky trembled. Rloar pointed to Stinky and her brothers came.

They grabbed Stinky by his legs and threw him into the bins. Stinky let out a bloodcurdling scream. Rloar and her brothers laughed loudly. Fatty quickly threw them the green food. They lunged for it and scampered away. Fatty pushed poor Stinky off the bins and he fell with a thud.

He whimpered and ran home. Lollie shrugged and ran off, calling goodbye. Fatty sighed and went home. Then he went through the pantry and looked for some of the delicious green stuff. He found some and stuffed himself. Then he went under the bed and fell asleep.

That night, Mrs. Leech decided to cook dinner for herself and for two of her neighbours. She looked through the pantry and gave a shout of startled surprise. All her vegetables were gone!

Star

“...Ninety-six... ninety-seven... ninety-eight... ninety-nine... one hundred.” Star put her hair brush down and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She patted her glossy auburn hair and then she climbed into her bed.

She fluffed her pillow and settled down. She waited for the knock on the door. It came.
“Come in.” Star said. The door opened and her Aunt Blossom came in. “Hello Darling.” she said affectionately.

Star beamed at her. She bent down and gave Star a kiss. “Goodnight Sweet.” Aunt Blossom said, looking at Star lovingly. “Goodnight, Aunt Blossom.” Star said, snuggling down under the covers. Aunt Blossom switched off the light and went out quietly. Star smiled and fell fast asleep.

*.*.*.*.*

“Hurry up!” Luke said impatiently. Star ran down the stairs and grabbed her sling bag. “Bye Aunt Blossom!” Luke and Star said in unison. They ran outside and Luke ran over to his motorbike. He fastened on Star’s helmet and then he fastened on his own.

Star wrapped her arms around her brother’s waist, and he rode off. When they arrived at the school, Star hopped off and undid her helmet. She dropped it into Luke’s hands. “Bye!” she shouted before running into the building. Giving a wave, Luke rode off.

Star put on a cheerful smile and walked through the busy hall to her class. Her teacher, Miss Rogers, gave Star a friendly smile. Star returned the smile and went to her desk. It was neat and clean.

Star put her bag on top of it and sat down. Then a note fluttered onto her desk. Someone gasped and Star looked around. Everyone was quiet. Star picked the note up carefully and opened it slowly. Everyone whispered to the person next to them. Star read the note with bated breath.

Hey don't you think Star is a weird girl? I don't like her.
She is such a teachers pet. Yuck.
Did you know she is actually an orphan? Weirdo!
Penny.
P.S. Pass it on!
P.P.S. Don't let Star see this!

Tears filled Stars eyes. She crumpled the note and stuffed it into her pocket. Everyone stared as Star wiped her eyes. “Please turn to page Forty-six.” Miss Rogers said. Every-one gave a sigh of relief and turned back to their books quietly. Star sniffed and opened her book. She couldn’t wait to go home.

*.*.*.*.*

Star lay on her bed, her face bathed in tears and her head throbbing. She remembered what the note said. ‘Did you know that she is actually an orphan? Ha-ha.’ Star turned over and sniffed loudly. She wished she had parents.

Her father had died in a car accident when her mother was still pregnant. Then her mother died in childbirth. She never got to hold the baby. Luke was 9 years old then. He held the baby and Aunt Blossom told him to name her. “Star.” he said. “I want to name the baby Star.”

So Aunt Blossom decided that the baby would be christened Star. Aunt Blossom had raised the two children ever since. Star loved Aunt Blossom very much. But she wasn’t their mother. Star wiped her eyes and sat up.

She put her hand on her head. It was aching terribly. She flopped back on the bed and sighed. I was so happy this morning. She thought tiredly. Then she remembered the note again and cried herself to sleep.

*.*.*.*.*

“Star? Star. Wake up. Are you okay?” Star opened her eyes and saw her brother looking at her anxiously. “Yeah, I’m fine.” she said before yawning. Luke gave her a hug and kissed her head. “I was kind of worried for you. As soon as we got home, you ran to your room and slammed the door.”

Star gave him a weak smile. “Its okay. I’m alright.” Star sat up. Luke smiled at her warmly. “How was school?”
Star cringed as she thought about it. “Uh, fine. I mean,” Star hesitated. “Pretty awful.”
Luke looked concerned.

“It was just some girls--” Star faltered. “Do you want to tell me about it?” he asked gently. Star burst into tears. “I was in class and then this note fell onto my desk and then I read it and--” Star reached into her pocket and pulled out the note.

She gave it to Luke and he took it, smoothing it out. He read it and his eyes flashed with anger. “They shouldn’t do things like this!” he exclaimed, angrily indignant. Star shrugged even though she agreed with her brother.

“I’ll have to talk to the teacher.” Luke said. “No!” Star shouted. She blushed. “No. She wouldn’t understand.” Luke gave Star a puzzled look. Then suddenly someone downstairs screamed. Star and Luke jumped up and ran down.

“What happened aunt--” Luke stopped when he saw Aunt Blossom lying on the floor, drenched in blood. Star screamed and ran nearer. “What happened?!” Star screamed, tears streaming down her face.

“Oh.. Luke... Star... Darlings... Come... I-I--” Aunt Blossom's voice wavered. Luke was crying already. “What happened?” he asked urgently. Aunt Blossom held Star’s and Luke’s hands.

“It was him. He came and- he demanded- I mean, asked me for the map. I refused. Then he- he kind of- s-s-shot m-me. No, don’t worry. Take care of yourselves.” Star cried. “Why you? What map? Who are you talking about?”

Aunt Blossom sighed. She was breathing very heavily. “The-the- map. The map to the treas—treasure.” Luke looked puzzled. “Treasure? Who came to take it?” Aunt Blossom looked very troubled. “My brother.”

To be continued...

The sky is the limit

Here's an old story. Read it again if you want to.

Once upon a time there lived a boy who dreamed of flying. He was only six, but he had great plans in his mind. He would say, "Flying. It's so wonderfully magical!"
One day, his mother was planning to go grocery shopping. "Robert," (for that was the boy's name) "I'm going out. I have arranged for you a baby-sitter, so be good." Robert smiled innocently and said, "Yes, Mummy-wummy." His mother smiled and gave Robert a kiss.
The doorbell rang. Robert's mother went to the door and opened it. "Oh, Carlie, Thank goodness you are here." Carlie the baby-sitter smiled and went in. "You know what to do Carlie. The numbers are here so call me if anything happens. Mr. Frason will be back at around two o'clock." Carlie nodded and Robert's mother went off.

Robert sighed. "I wish I could fly." Carlie giggled. "Oh, Robbie, you know that flying isn't easy." Robert scratched his cheek. "I know, it's just- I wish I could go to Mars, and see if there is any life on it. Or, or, follow the birds when they migrate south. Or something." Carlie smiled, amused. "Isn't it so wonderful?" Robert asked. "Robert, how about some ice cream?" she said, trying to change the subject. Robert shook his head. "I just want to fly." he said stubbornly. Carlie sighed. "Oh, Robert. There is more to life than just flying. Many people had great lives without ever flying." Robert was silent. Then with a cry he ran to his room.

"Robert, were you a good boy when Carlie was here?" Mr. Frason (Robert's Father) asked. Robert didn't say a word. "Robbie, darling?" Mrs. Frason said, worriedly. Robert burst out in tears. "I wanna FLY!!!!!!!" Mr. Frason buried his face in his hands. "Why is he so intent on flying?" he asked no one in particular. Mrs. Frason hugged Robert. "Why do you want to fly?" she asked gently. Robert wiped his eyes. "I want to see the sky really near. I want to touch the sky. I want to hug a cloud." he said finally. Mr. Frason was getting wary. "Hug a cloud??" he asked in disbelief. Mrs. Frason tried to hide a smile. Mr. Frason got up and shook his head. "Why in the world does the boy want to hug a cloud?" he muttered under his breath.

Many weeks passed. It was almost Robert's seventh birthday, but still he kept on wanting to fly. One day, Mr. and Mrs. Frason visited Mrs. Frason's sister, Fran and her husband James. They had coffee and they were talking to each other. Soon, the conversation turned to Robert. "Oh, Fran, It's almost Robert's birthday and he still wants to fly." Fran and James laughed. "Fly, Darla?" Fran asked. Mrs. Frason smiled and nodded. James chuckled. "Why in the world does he want to fly?" he asked. Mr. Frason laughed. "Oh, He wants to touch the sky and hug a cloud." Fran giggled. Then she had an idea. She was an interior designer and she had thought of a marvelous plan to help the Frasons'. She told the Frasons' her plan. Mrs. Frason clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, that would be very good. But where would we get the money?" Fran smiled. "Don't worry about it. It will be our birthday present to him."

Robert was sent to his grandmother's to stay, because now the Frason's were very busy. He came home on his birthday and his parents had a wonderful surprise for him. Robert ran to his room. Was it a pet? Or an airplane? He opened the door to his room and gasped. His walls were painted blue and there were puffs of white on it. He had a new bed. It was blue with clouds all over. He had some new toys, from his other aunts and uncles, airplanes, sky themed finger puppets and bird soft toys. He climbed onto his bed and gave a cry of delight. His bedsheet was in a sky theme and the quilt had pictures of airplanes and clouds. But his favorite surprise was his pillows. They were shaped as clouds and they were so soft. Then Robert hugged the cloud. His bed was so comfortable. He snuggled down and fell asleep.

An attempt to make you laugh

Once upon a time there was a small boy that lived in Pluto. He loved singing and dancing. One day, as he was singing and sprinkling Pluto dust around, he was careless and some of the dust fell into his eyes.

He screamed so loudly that the family living on Neptune almost flew over and struck him down. Unfortunately, the Pluto dust settled into his eyes and the boy became partially blind. He fell onto the hard Pluto ground and received a concussion.

He lay there, not thinking about anything. After awhile, he groaned and got up. His head throbbed and his eyes were hurting like crazy.

He walked around and without knowing where he was going, he stepped onto a sleeping meteoroid. The meteoriod thought his commander was calling him to destroy earth. He flew off and the boy grabbed hold.

The meteoroid saw him and became furious! He went faster and plunked right on top of Weirndosia's famous stone monument of Lady Ursula of the land. Lady Ursula's head fell off and the boy rolled off her parasol.

His head was spinning. He screamed again and ran into the nearest alley. He hid under a garbage tank and wondered where he was.

He rocked himself and started to cry. Then miraculously, his tears cleared away the Pluto dust. He looked around and gasped.

He was terribly scared. He ran to the street and then a car hit him. The man in the car pressed the horn and then braked. He jumped out of the car and went to the boy. But he was already dead.

The crown princess

Here is a story I wrote a few years ago. I edited it a little just now so that it wouldn't sound so weird. Here goes...

Once there was a princess called Nina. She was the heir to her throne. And she was to marry Prince Eugene.One day she went for a walk with Prince Eugene. The day was beautiful, For it was the first day of spring.

Birds sang, flowers blossomed, butterflies fluttered, frogs hopped. Nina and Eugene thought it was fantastic. "I wish I could stay all day." Nina said dreamily. "Mm-hm. Its wonderful out." Eugene murmured.They held hands and walked around. Then they walked out.

The next day, they went out again. But they went in deeper. Suddenly they were surrounded by nine Oryers. Nina’s heart pounded. Eugene drew his sword and killed 4 Oryers. Blood splattered. Nina screamed. "Quiet!" Eugene yelled. Nina stopped. Suddenly, more Oryers came and surrounded them. Eugene fought and fought. At last, the Oryers left. Eugene was badly wounded.

TWO MONTHS LATER...

The romantic couple went for a walk again. Then they were surrounded by Oryers again. Nina then remembered what happened the other time. She pushed Eugene away and fought. The Head Oryer then ripped off her leg. Nina screamed.

"Go Eugene!" Eugene hesitated, then ran off. "I shall get help, Nina!" he called anxiously. Blood poured out of the place Nina's leg was. Nina was covered in blood. She started crying. Then she was unconcious. The Oryer then killed Nina. Blood flew in all directions. Each Oryer had blood splattered on their faces. They wiped it off, then spat on Nina. Then the Oryers cleaned her and cut her into 20 pieces. They washed up and then ate her for dinner.

~THE END~

The mermaid

“Jacqueline! Come here!” I sighed and ran toward my house. “Yes, Mother?” I asked. Mother came to me and pulled me by the ear. “What were you doing,” she asked. “When you were supposed to do your homework?” I pulled away from Mother’s grasp. “Mother… I am terribly sorry. Father called me to--”
“Excuses, excuses. Jacqueline, Stop talking like a character in a fairytale. This is the twenty first century for goodness sake. Stop calling me ‘Mother’. It is so embarrassing. Just be like those children that call their mothers ‘Mum’. ” I nodded. Mum shook her head and went into the kitchen.

“Antoinette! Do your homework with Jacqueline!” Antoinette came down and stuck out her tongue at me. Antoinette is my older sister. She is stuck up and mean. She hates me sometimes, but I don’t care. Sometimes we team up against my oldest brother Frederick. He has a lot of girlfriends. Personally, I don’t think those girls have good taste.
All of us have nicknames. I’m Jaci, Antoinette is Toni, and Frederick is Fred. Sometimes girls call him Freddie or Ricky.

Anyway, Fred came down and flipped back his long hair. He does that to attract girls. “Gross.” Toni and I said in unison. I glared at her. She stuck out her tongue at me. “Loser!” I said to her. Then she pushed me. “Break it up, girls!” Fred ordered. I looked at Toni. She nodded. Then we both lunged for Fred.

He screamed and we started bruising him. Mum came in. “Girls!!” she shouted. I got up and brushed myself. “Punishment,” Mum said. I groaned. “All of you have to camp on the beach at ten o’clock till… Nine a.m.” Toni gasped. “W-w-what! I am not staying on Forte beach tonight!” Mum blinked. “Are you disobeying me? Fighting the whole morning, not doing your homework? You need a punishment.” I gulped. “Forte beach is haunted at night!” I said. Mum rolled her eyes. “Face your fears.” Mum walked into the kitchen.

I felt my stomach do a turn.

At exactly 10:00 p.m., we walked onto the beach. I shivered. Fred built a fire and we warmed up next to it. Next we helped Fred set up the tent. I gulped as the wind howled. “This is too harsh a punishment.” Toni said, opening a can of already prepared tuna. I opened my can and Fred opened his. We ate silently. Then I climbed into the tent and wriggled into my sleeping bag. Toni climbed into hers and Fred went into his own tent. I lay awake, listening to the sound of waves crashing onto the sand and I fell asleep……

I awoke to the sound of screaming. I glanced at the light up alarm clock. 2 a.m. I shook Toni. She woke up and shivered. “What’s that?” Toni asked worriedly. I looked outside and gasped. There was Fred, sitting next to a creature. She had dull blue hair, yellow eyes and a purple tail. She was holding Fred. I pulled Toni out. Toni stifled a scream. “W-w-who are you?”

The creature smiled an evil grin. “I am Latia! I am the princess of the sea! I am a mermaid. You?” My heart was beating. “I am Jaci, She is Toni and he is Fred.” Latia frowned. “Do you have a title?” she asked. I shook my head. “Oh well, I shall tell you what is going on. I am ready to take over the sea! My father is on his death bed, and I am the oldest daughter. I will be queen. But in order for me to be queen, I must marry. That is such a stupid rule. Anyway, I have searched far and wide, deep and low, for a husband. Most of them are conceited, few are nice, and none are handsome. I have never seen a human boy until now, so I shall take with me Fred. He is very charming. The only thing is that he screams like a girl, and he is not made to live underwater. But I could fix this.”

Latia started pulling Fred into the water. “Don’t take Fred!” Toni screamed. Latia turned her head. “What did you say? Are you defying me, Latia, princess of the sea?” At this Latia’s eyes turned fiery orange. Toni put her hand over her mouth and started to cry. “Goodbye, ladies!” Latia’s eyes turned yellow again and she started swimming away, with an unconscious Fred on her back.

I screamed. “Come back! Fred! Please come back!” I fell on my knees and put my face in the wet sand. I cried loudly. Latia swam back. “Stop that!” she said. “You are such babies.” I wiped my face. “Don’t take Fred.” I said. “I must take him.” she said indignantly. I pushed her. Then I realized. “Big mistake.” Latia shouted. Then a whole army of blue haired, purple tailed merpeople rose from the sea! I started to run but Toni caught my arm.

“Look at them.” Toni said. They carried pink birthday candles and each one was lighted with green fire. They started talking in unison. “We are the Merpeople from the sea. And we are ready to destroy your species.” I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. The Merpeople were real! “Toni….” I said uncertainly. Toni grabbed my hand.

I looked at Fred, lying on the sand, wet and unconscious. Tears poured from my eyes. “Don’t cry. Don’t cry.” I told myself. The Merpeople threw their candles onto the sand. The place burst into green flame, just missing Fred. Fred woke up with a jolt. “Run!” I screamed. The three of us ran and ran, leaving behind the tents and sleeping bags. I ran as hard as I could.

I heard the merpeople screaming at us. I saw a pale wet hand on my shoulder. I screamed. “Be prepared to meet your doom!” a voice said. Then more hands went onto me, until I was weighed down. “Help!” I shouted. I kicked and screamed and yelled. Where were the others? I heard a scream from Toni. “Stop!” I screamed. I panted and punched every place I could. Slowly, I couldn’t breathe anymore……

I woke and found Mum was holding me and rocking me. I gasped for breath. “Darling. Jacqueline, sweetie. Ohhhh… I love you.” Mum kissed me. Then I saw Fred and Toni looking at me. They were sitting down and they were smiling. “She is okay!” Toni said, relieved. I sat up, glad to be in my mothers arms, where I was safe at last. I looked over at my siblings. Fred gave me a wink.

Unwanted and Unloved - Megan

"You are too much of a nerd." Tara taunted. Megan blushed and sat on the school bench, her stomach starting to turn. "You're the biggest loser in Weirndosia." Tara said, flipping her hair back. Megan wrinkled her nose, feeling nervous.

Tara picked up her bag and showed it off to Megan. It was gold with silver flowers and white beads. The bag was stunning and quite pretty. Megan wished she had one. "I know you don't own something like this.." Tara said, noticing Megan's longing look. Tara laughed meanly and strutted off. Tara turned to have one more look at Megan's unhappy face and she walked away, leaving a hurt and sensitive girl behind.

Megan did look a little bit like a nerd. She had plain long hair that she wore in two long braids hanging down her back. She was tall and skinny, and she wore big, hard, metal rimmed glasses which hid her pretty eyes. Megan always wore her school uniform like the other kids, but you could tell it was always clean, starched, and neat. Megan carried big books around and many kids teased her for it.

Tara was the meanest girl in school. All the girls were scared of her. Tara also was the president of the 'coolest' club in Hermes Montgomery school. The club members got special privileges like free clothes, fancy dinners and they got to hang out in Tara's humongous and glamorous bedroom. Tara's father was a famous movie star and Tara got anything she wanted. Every girl wanted to be her 'friend'. Including Megan.

Megan ran home and went to her room. She flung herself onto her bed and started to sob. Her sister Vera came into the room without knocking and went over to Megan's bed. "Bullied?" she asked nonchalantly. Megan sobbed loudly. "Go away. You didn't knock." she said, in between hiccups.

Vera rolled her eyes and walked off. "Too bad you're not hot like me." Vera said, looking at herself in the mirror. Megan growled. "Go AWAY!" she screamed. Vera jumped. "Fine! You don't have to get so touchy." Vera sauntered out. Megan went under her covers and burrowed down. She sobbed and cried until she fell asleep.

"Dinner!" Mum called. Megan got up, her eyes hurting and her foot asleep. She limped downstairs and sat at the table. They started eating and the family chatted together. Only Megan remained silent. Then when everyone was quiet, Megan decided to tell her mother about Tara. "Mum." she said. Mum didn't notice. "Mum." she said, louder. Mum didn't reply. "Mum!" she said, at the same as her other sister Hilary. "Yes, Hilary?" Mum said. Hilary talked to her mother.

Tears welled up in Megan's eyes. 'No one loves me.' she thought, feeling very miserable.
That night, Megan went into her bed, trying to forget that awful day. Mum popped her head into her room. "Not asleep yet?" she asked briskly. Megan snuggled into her bed. "I was going to sleep." she said quietly. Mum nodded. "Good night." she said. The door closed. Megan heard Mum open another door. "Vera?" Silence. "Yes honey. OK, go to sleep." Silence. "I love you." Mum closed Vera's door and Megan heard her walk to her room.

Megan started to sob again. For sure, Mum didn't love her. Megan waited for the light outside to go off. When it did, Megan hopped out of bed and switched on her own light. She grabbed the suitcase that her Grandma had given her and filled it with the clothes that Mum and Dad didn't give her. "They'll hate me if I take those clothes." Megan told herself. She packed all her favorite things other people had given her and she changed into a comfortable outfit. She made sure she had her things and she slowly crept out.

She had no food but she decided she could buy some in the morning. She had 30 Lysas* from her savings. She walked away from the familiar lawn she had seen everyday. She jogged off, a tear rolling down her cheek. She loved her parents. But they didn't love her. She broke into a run. She ran into the park and went to the cleanest bench she could find. She lay down and fell asleep.

The next morning she went to the bakery and bought the cheapest bun she could find. She ate it up and walked all the way to the end of town. She had lived in Harlridge. She walked out of Harlridge and into Selato. There were lots of towns. She had learned that Selato was the biggest state in Weirndosia. She walked around aimlessly and she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She was homesick. But she forced herself to go on and bumped into a woman carrying a laundry basket. The clothes fell out. "Ooops! Sorry." she said. The lady glared at her and picked the clothes up hastily.

Megan felt sick. She ran to the nearest bench and sat down. She held her stomach. She was hungry again. Megan felt tears. She slapped herself. "I'm not a baby." she told herself sternly. She took a gulp of fresh air and she felt the tears again. Megan couldn't help herself. She let herself cry until people were staring at her like she was a lunatic.

Megan was lost, unhappy and she was feeling unloved. She wanted someone to care about her.
Do your part and follow this: Do not practice favoritism. Learn to love everyone. Even if they seem unlovable. God made them for a purpose. Everyone wants love. It seems like love has become extinct. Help save lives by preserving love.

*Weirndosian money

Another stupid short

There once was a boy in Southwest Park with a...... (refer to picture)

A stupid short

There once was a girl in Selato called Lena. Lena was a very fussy girl. She was beautiful and rich and she was quite a nice girl if you got to know her. But there was one other thing about her. She only wanted to get married to a handsome, entertaining and rich man. She wanted a man with loads of cash. She wanted to stay wealthy all her life. Her parents gave her all she wanted. Lena always knew what she wanted. One day, as she was sewing on her porch, a another suitor came up to her and asked for her hand in marriage. Lena refused as usual. In the end she never got married, but she died, happy and content.
The End.

Strange happenings

Slowly, slowly, Pollyanna crept up to Honker. She grabbed his bag and took off. She ran through the snow, panting and sweating even though it was freezing out. Honker ran after her, screaming and shouting. But he didn’t go far.

He stopped as soon as his toes felt numb. He couldn’t feel a thing in his feet. Then he spotted a shack. He limped toward the shack and rapped on the door. “Come in.” a sweet voice said. Honker went in and sighed. A pretty lady was stirring something in a pot. “Ah, a cold and wounded traveler?” she asked mysteriously.

Honker sat down apprehensively and took the bowl of soup the lady gave him. “Yes, miss.” The lady smiled a deep, understanding smile. “Alright. Are you to stay the night and travel again tomorrow?” Honker hesitated. “I need my map.” he said finally. “And where is it, young man?”

The lady gave him a hot mug of cocoa. Honker sighed. “That is the problem. A young girl stole it from me.” The pretty lady laughed gently. “A young girl, can defeat a big man like you?” Honker blushed. “No ma'am. I was unaware and she just came and stole it. I ran and my toes got numb from the frost.”

The lady sighed and took the empty bowl of soup from Honker. “You must be tired.” she said. Honker nodded. “Well, I will go and make a bed for you.” Honker nodded again. “Thank you madam.” The lady laughed. “Please, call me Miss Po.”

Honker awoke and found himself on a soft but lumpy bed. He looked around. He was in the pretty lady’s cottage. He got up and found his coat. He put it on, scribbled a note for Miss Po and went out the front door.

He walked down the little lane and noticed the walk had been shovelled. “Probably some kid.” Honker walked down and he then got a shock. “Mister! You forgot your breakfast!” Honker sighed with relief. He walked back and Miss Po gave him a piece of paper. It said:

Miss Po, I have to go. I would have liked breakfast, but I don’t want to wake you up. Good Bye. Honker.

Ha-ha very funny. You need breakfast. It is my job.

Honker threw the paper into his pocket and sat down at Miss Po’s kitchen table. “You are a silly man.” Miss Po said, giving him a plate of sausages and eggs. Then she passed him a mug of coffee. Honker sipped it gratefully.

When Honker finished his breakfast, he looked around the small but cozy room. Miss Po laughed and Honker looked at her, feeling uncomfortable. Honker looked at Miss Po and gasped. She had turned into that girl who had stolen his bag! “Pollyanna Harper!” he shouted. Miss Po (Who really was Pollyanna) gave a cry and ran into the kitchen.

Honker spotted his bag under the couch and grabbed it. Then he turned around and screamed. Pollyanna was pointing a knife in his direction! Honker ran for the door but it was too late. Pollyanna had killed him with her knife. Then Pollyanna started to cry and she stared at the floor. Miss Po had found out the secret of youth: Kill the man that you love. But he was dead already, and she had her wish, she was young. Miss Po stuck the knife into her heart and fell to the floor.

Beauty isn't everything

Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in the kingdom of Blue Weather. She was the most beautiful princess in the whole wide world. She had silky and curly brown hair, dark green eyes, and the most charming smile. Her name was Christine. She was just beautiful. Now if a princess is beautiful, a prince would come and marry her. But, no prince would marry her. To you, it’s a puzzle, that no one would marry the beautiful princess Christine. You see, Princess Christine was a conceited princess. She did not like anyone but herself. She was fussy and impatient. She was mean and rude. That was why princes’ did not want to marry her.

In another kingdom on a hill called Lemon Hill, there was another princess. She was the nicest person you would ever meet. She was cheerful, kind, funny and fun. Her name was Hayden, but she was totally opposite from Christine. Hayden was ugly. She had short and messy blonde hair, plain brown eyes, a billion freckles and a tiny, tiny nose. The nice things about her were her smile. It was sweet and always there. Hayden was ugly, but her smile made everything better. The other thing was her voice. She had a sweet voice, she sang well, when she laughed it was so sweet. Princes’ did not call on her to get married to them though. The princes’ were quite shallow in those days, so Hayden had no suitors, but many friends, like other princesses and villagers. Hayden’s parents were very proud of Hayden. They weren’t disappointed that their daughter was so homely. They loved her all the same.

One day, the kings and queens around the world came to the kingdom of Blue Weather.
Princess Christine decided to walk in the woods, followed by two guards and two servants. So they went, until they came to a clearing in the wood. There sat a prince. He was Prince Derrick, from Lavender Meadow, The most handsome prince in the whole world. He had short blonde hair, striking blue eyes and he was very tall. When Princess Christine saw him, she immediately fell in love. Derrick was certainly very handsome and strong. “Good evening, your highness.” Christine said, curtsying. Derrick smiled and bowed. “Good evening, Princess--?” Christine smiled, which made Derrick smile even more. “Christine.” she replied. Derrick sat down again and motioned for Christine to sit down. Derrick had heard about Christine’s bad reputation, but decided that he had heard wrong about her. “Very nice evening, isn’t it?” Derrick said politely. Christine nodded, making her curls bounce a little. Derrick was very charmed by Christine. She was so pretty and nice, or so he thought. Then someone rushed into the clearing, followed by a trail of children. The person was laughing and the children laughed too. When the person saw Christine and Derrick, she stopped and the children bumped into her and laughed. “Who are you?” Derrick asked politely. The person bowed her head and curtsied. “Princess Hayden, sire.” Christine giggled. “What is it?” Derrick asked. “Princess Hayden?” Christine said, giggling. “She is only the ugliest princess in the history of the world!” Christine started laughing again. Derrick was taken aback. He was surprised that Princess Christine was so rude and so mean. Hayden fought back tears. How humiliating! She ran out of the clearing, and the children followed her. Prince Derrick stood up. “Excuse me.” he said to Christine, and ran out of the clearing. Christine rolled her eyes and motioned for her servants to give her more make up. Derrick ran after Hayden and caught her. Hayden screamed, thinking an Oryer had caught her.

Derrick pulled her sleeve but she ran faster, ripping the sleeve off. “Wait! Hayden!” he shouted. Hayden ran, and tripped over a branch. Derrick went over to her. Hayden screamed. “Don’t eat me, don’t eat me!” Hayden was shaking in fear. Derrick smiled at her. “Its okay, don’t scream.” he said. Hayden looked up and saw Derrick looking at her. The children were staring down at her. Hayden blushed. Derrick pulled her up and laughed. “What did you think I was?” Derrick asked. Hayden blushed again. “An Oryer.” she said. Then she realized how weird she sounded. Derrick laughed again. Derrick thought, ‘Hayden is really nice.’ Derrick wasn’t really shallow, he saw past Hayden’s face, into her heart. Hayden felt so shy suddenly. She smiled shyly. Derrick was so surprised that Hayden had such a pretty smile. He took her hand. Hayden’s heart started beating really fast. Hayden pulled her hand away. “Let's get the children back.” she said quickly. Derrick nodded and they took the children out of the woods. On the way back to the castle, she bumped into Derrick’s brother, Seth. He was a handsome fellow, but not as handsome as his brother. At lunchtime, he would crack jokes and he seemed really friendly. When he wasn’t talking, she saw him stare at Christine a lot. She giggled when she looked at him. But, she was also doing the same thing to Derrick.

After lunch she talked to Seth. He was a friendly guy. He made a lot of jokes and he seemed so nice. “Let’s be friends.” she told him. He agreed and they became very close that day. Seth told her many things, and Hayden did too. Seth told her that he had loved Christine. “I know she is a nice person, deep down inside her.” Hayden nodded. She told him that she liked Derrick. “He is so sweet. I think I love him.” Hayden and Seth became best friends and they promised to write to each other.

As the days passed, Hayden thought about Derrick a lot. She wondered if he loved her, or if he was marrying someone else, or—Maybe he forgot her.

One day, Christine decided to hold a party. She invited all the princes and princesses in the world. All of the princesses and princes did not like Christine, but they all loved parties, so they all went. The party was to be held on the 21^st of May. But Hayden came earlier. She was always early. So she arrived on the 15^th of May. She went there and she settled herself into a nice inn. One day, she went walking in the wood, and she went to the same clearing the wood. There she met Christine. “Good Morning, Christine.” she said politely. Christine just stuck her nose in the air and sniffed rudely. Nearby the clearing stood was a fairy. She saw what happened and she was very angry. She was the sort of Fairy who liked to punish the bad people and make good things happen to good people. So she popped out of the bushes. The girls gasped. “Hello, what have we here?” she asked. Hayden, remembering her manners, curtsied. “Good afternoon, Madam.” she said, smiling. Christine just sniffed. “What are you doing in my kingdom?” she asked snobbishly. The fairy stuck out her tongue at Christine. “My name is Deirdre the fairy.” she said, becoming nice and sweet again. Hayden smiled at Deirdre again. Christine rolled her eyes. “More like weird-dre.” Christine said rudely. Hayden nudged Christine to keep quiet. “Um, hello. My name is Hayden. She is Christine.” Hayden said. Deirdre nodded and started twirling. Christine laughed at her. Hayden had to keep back giggles. Suddenly, Deirdre started spinning like a top. Around and around, she spun. Hayden and Christine got dizzy just watching. They lay down to stop the sensation. Hayden couldn’t take it. Suddenly, she went unconscious. Christine breathed heavily. Then she went unconscious too. Deirdre whispered something and disappeared.

Christine woke up to find herself on her bed. “Oh… It was just a dream.” She got up and went to the mirror. To her horror, she was uglier than Hayden. You could tell it was her, but it was like she changed some of her features. Her hair was messy and dirty, her face was covered with freckles, her ears were red, her face was also covered in pimples, her eyes had bags under them, and the worst thing was the huge brown mole right next to her nose. Christine screamed. Her servant Jess ran is and screamed. “Your highness—you look, just--” Christine cut in. “Disgusting!!!” Christine started to cry. Her parents ran into the room. “Oh my goodness.” The King said. The Queen started to cry. “My beautiful daughter is now ugly!” the Queen ran out of the room, sobbing. Jess noticed a note on the dresser. “Your highness, a note.” Jess handed the note to the King. The king took it and read it. It said: Your daughter needs to learn Manners. She will stay ugly if she doesn’t change her ways. Christine was rude to me in the woods, so I cast a spell on her. It will never come off. She will regain her beauty every time she changes her attitude. Sincerely, Deirdre the Fairy.

The King glared at Christine. “This is a punishment. It will never come off. If you want to get your beauty back, you must change your attitude. The fairy was very reasonable.” The King marched out of Christine’s chambers and slammed the door behind him. Christine threw herself onto her bed and started to cry.

Hayden woke up. She looked around and saw that she was in a room. Not her room at the inn, but in a royal room. The room was decorated with purple and blue. She was on a bed. The bed was soft and it was covered by a canopy and curtains. There was a dresser studded with jewels and a chair in front of it studded with jewels too. There was a blue couch with purple pillows, a wardrobe with a full length mirror on it and a big bookshelf right next to it. There were many books inside as well as pictures and decorations on it. This room was as nice as her own bedroom at home, so Hayden felt very comfortable. She drew the curtains at the bed and stepped off the bed. There was a big purple robe on a chair next to the bed, and Hayden put it on. Hayden went to the dresser and looked into the mirror. She gasped. She was not ugly anymore! She had long silky blonde straight hair, deep and beautiful brown eyes, no freckles, a normal sized nose and smooth and soft skin. But Hayden’s smile remained the same. Hayden was so delighted. You could tell it was her, even though she changed so much. Then she spotted a note on the dresser. It said: Hayden, you are beautiful now. It’s because you have a kind heart. Your personality becomes your looks. This spell would never come off, but if you become horrible and rude, you get ugly. Only that time, worse than your normal self. Use this wisely. Love, Deirdre the Fairy.

Hayden sighed in relief. Then it struck her. “Christine!” she exclaimed worriedly. She tore out of the room. “Christine!” she screamed. “Where is Christine? Help! Christine!!” A servant in the hall took her arm. “What are you doing? Your mother is going to be very upset with you if you keep on screaming. Princess, why did you dye your hair? Why are your eyes brown? Your Highness, I don’t like it when you do things like that. Why are you shouting your name? I know I’m your servant, but your father gave me authority!” The servant stopped for breath. Hayden giggled. “I’m not Princess Christine. I’m Princess Hayden of Lemon Hill.” The servant pouted. “No excuses. Go to your room.” Hayden sighed. “Where is it?” she asked. The servant groaned. “Don’t tell me you don’t know where your room is! Fine, I’ll take you there, if you would just stop.” Hayden nodded. The servant took her to the room in a huff and stomped away. Hayden knocked on the door. “Go away!” a sad but angry voice said. Hayden knocked again. “It’s me, Hayden.” “Double go away!” the voice said. Annoyed, Hayden opened the door. The whole room was pink. She looked at Christine and gasped. Christine got up and went over to her. “I told you to go away!” she shouted. Christine sat down on a pink chair near the door and sobbed. “I need to tell you something.” Hayden protested. “I know. I read a note that Deirdre gave me.” Christine said. Hayden looked at Christine and sighed. “If you want to be more beautiful, you just have to change your attitude.” Christine burst into tears again. “But it’s so hard!” she said sadly. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you.” Hayden said with a smile.

The five days passed by quickly. Christine and Hayden were best friends already. Hayden helped Christine and Christine was as beautiful she was last time. Hayden had sent her parents a letter and they sent one back saying that they were delighted and they could not wait to see her. Christine was different now. She was becoming sweet and gentle, and everyone liked her now. She had more friends and suitors. Christine had friends over and people saw how nice she was. Word went round about what had happened to Princess Christine. But no one took notice of poor Hayden. Hayden started to feel awful.

Before the party, Christine had Prince Derrick come over for a dinner. Then, as if things couldn’t get worse for Hayden, Derrick proposed to Christine. Christine was to get married the next month. Hayden was sad. But she tried not to show it. She acted normally and Christine didn’t see any change in her.

Christine’s party was coming soon so Hayden was given a new dress for it. It was peach coloured and it had many lace flounces. It resulted in being very itchy. Hayden was to wear it with a plain necklace and a beaded bracelet. Hayden felt miserable about it but she tried to hide it. Christine, however, was looking very beautiful. She was to wear a beautiful blue dress with purple petticoats and 10 white lace flounces. She looked very exquisite. Hayden couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. After all, her best friend was going to marry the most handsome prince in the world. Hayden loved him too. Christine was also getting a gorgeous dress. Hayden then remembered what the fairy Deirdre had written to her. She put on a sweet face and tried her hardest to be kind and happy. Doing this made her forget her jealousy.

It was the night of the party. Hayden had dressed in her beautiful dress and she looked picturesque. Christine was a vision. Everyone marvelled at her beauty. Hayden reminded herself sternly that she wasn’t to be jealous. The party went on and everyone was having a good time. Then Derrick came in and everyone saw how handsome he was. He was very happy that night and that made him look extra handsome. He walked over to Christine and embraced her. They kissed each other and Hayden felt a twang of sadness. She looked around. No one except for Christine had talked to her. No one took notice of her. They thought she was just another random princess. She walked quietly from the room and went to the fountain outside. She sat down at the side of it and there she sobbed and tears fell onto her dress. She didn’t look so pretty anymore. Her makeup was smeared and smudged and her dress was messy because she used the dry spots to wipe her eyes. She looked like a ruined Cinderella. Suddenly, Deirdre appeared. “Hayden? What is the matter, darling?” she asked, even though she knew the answer. Hayden sobbed out the story to Deirdre. “And I don’t want to be jealous. I know that being jealous is wrong. I know that I want to be Christine’s best friend too.” Hayden said, wiping her eyes with her dress again. Deirdre smiled at the sweet girl shedding dewdrop tears. She patted Hayden’s shoulder and gave her a magical hanky that would be clean and dry all the time. Hayden wiped her eyes and blew her nose. Deirdre sat down next to her and smiled at her. “Ready for some magic?” Deirdre asked, mischievously. Hayden looked at her with wondering eyes. Deirdre jumped into the air and suddenly, half the water from the fountain formed into a dress around her! It was long, silver, sparkly, and it had thin straps. The straps crossed at the back of her neck and formed into a neat bow. Hayden looked dazzling. Her shoes were strappy and made of crystals. Hayden felt like Cinderella. Hayden’s hair was shiny from the water and her face was cleaned. Hayden had a silver chain with a diamond pendant on her neck and a matching bracelet. She wore a beautiful diamond tiara on her head, and her hair was pulled together and it sat gracefully on her head. Deirdre filled the fountain with water and Hayden saw her reflection. She looked more beautiful than Christine. Deirdre smiled at Hayden. “This is kind of like Cinderella except that you can keep these things. They won’t disappear at midnight, dear.” Hayden smiled gratefully and gave Deirdre a kiss on the cheek. Deirdre smiled. “Goodnight, Hayden.” she said, flying away. “Thank you!” Hayden called.

Hayden stepped into the Ballroom and suddenly all eyes were on her.

“Who is that lovely girl?”

“She is so beautiful.”

“More beautiful than, you, eh, Christine?”

“I want to dance with her.”

“She looks so graceful. Like a dewdrop in the morning.”

Hayden blushed with all these compliments. She ran over to Christine. “Hayden!” Christine exclaimed. Derrick looked at her in disbelief. “Hayden?” he asked, puzzled. “Are you the princess from, L-l-l-lemon Hill?” Hayden smiled and nodded. Derrick almost fainted. “But—you—I—It’s impossible!” Hayden smiled shyly and went to go sit down. Many princes asked her to dance. Hayden enjoyed herself thoroughly. Then she spotted Seth, Derrick’s brother. She remembered meeting him. He looked a bit sad. Hayden felt her heart pounding as she walked over to him. ‘Do I love him?’ she wondered. Seth’s eyes lit up when he saw Hayden. “Hi.” he said awkwardly. Hayden smiled at him. ”Hello. May I have this dance?” she asked him. Seth laughed and pretended to curtsey. They danced together and all eyes were on them. Hayden was so beautiful, and Seth was very handsome. They were the perfect pair. When their dance was over, they went outside and sat by the fountain. That night felt romantic and quiet. Seth leaned over and kissed Hayden. Hayden’s heart started pounding and she felt so different. ‘Is this what its like to be in love?’ she asked herself. She smiled at Seth and he smiled back. “I’ve been looking for—for—for you.” he told her. “I was shocked when Derrick announced his engagement to Christine. But to my surprise, I wasn’t that upset. It was then that I realized, I loved you instead. When we talked, I felt so close to you. I know that I didn’t just like you as a friend, but deep down inside I knew I loved you.” Hayden blushed. Hayden smiled shyly. “I guess I felt that way too.” she told him quietly. They stared into each others eyes. Then Seth reached into his pocket and pulled out a glass box. He opened it and said, “Will you marry me?” Hayden gasped at the beautiful ring. ‘Seth loves me! Even when I was ugly he saw me for who I was!’ she thought excitedly. “Yes!” Hayden said. “Yes, yes! Of course I will marry you!” Seth kissed her and they got married in two months time. And so, they lived happily ever after.

~The End~