Hudson Valley Writing Project | Clear

"Clear" by Lilly Azmitia (12 yrs old - featured story during the Hudson Valley Writing Project hosted by SUNY New Paltz - story inspired by an artwork piece called 'Beaver Lake' housed at the campus museum)

     I stopped walking in the small field in front of Beaver Lake. Walking a bit closer, I started to wade at the water's edge. The water was clear and cold. It calmed my nerves ever so slightly. I closed my eyes and tried to figure out why I was here and not at home trying to work things out. I stopped wading and just stood there for a few minutes. I listened to the birds as they sang around me. I opened my eyes slowly and looked around me. The light had switched positions from where it was prior to me closing my eyes. It now shone brightly through the leaves and although it was pretty bright, the leaves shaded part of the lake, making the light that shine through look softer and less harsh. The trees casted moving shadows on the water as they swayed in the gentle breeze. The birds had stopped singing, too. They sat in silence, as if they were judging me.

     I tried to steady my breathing as my heart beat faster, telling me I was going to cry unless I calmed down. The wind started to blow heavier and shook the leaves to the point where they threatened to fall off the tree, just like the tears that threatened to come down my cheeks. As the wind started to settle, the leaves did fall and along with them came flower petals. The dark green leaves and bright pink petals delicately cascaded to the water's clear, blue surface. The nearby willow tree gently swung, softly dipping the tips of its branches in the water. Only the small, white leaves of the willow got wet and as the wind continued to blowing, they whipped around, spreading small drops of water on the lake's surface. I waded a bit further into the water and sat down on a small mound of grass on the other side of the lake. I breathed slowly as the breeze flowed through the trees. 

     I let the breeze shake over me as I thought again why I couldn't try to work things out. Why I had to run away from my problems all the time. I came here to escape. To escape from my problems. To escape from everything bad that keeps happening. I shouldn't run away but the lake makes me feel better. I sighed and grabbed a willow branch. I dropped the branch in surprise as my hand almost instantly got wet. Then I noticed that there was a abandoned bungalow nearby and I think I might spend the night there. I gently waded back over to the other side and attempted to dry my legs with my sleeves. I calmly walked through the small field again making my way to the bungalow. I stopped walking when the wind blew and the thick scent of trees washed over me. I walked over to a pair of trees and hugged one before heading inside the bungalow. Pushing dust off some forgotten shelves. I felt my way around in the darkness of the bungalow. The moon didn't do much to illuminate the bungalow because of all the trees surrounding it. After a bit of struggling in the dark, I felt my shin hit the bed frame. I felt my way along the frame until I felt the dusty mattress. I untied my jacket from my waist and laid it out carefully on the bed. I tossed the dirty pillow onto the floor and curled up on the bed. When I tried to sleep, the tears started to come. 

     I don't know how long I cried before I fell asleep. I don't even know how long I slept. All I know is when I woke up, it was still night time. It might have been a few hours or maybe a day but I didn't care. It was nice to get away even just for a little while. Even if it was for the wrong reasons. I tossed the pillow back onto the bed and pulled my jacket back onto my body. I was going to head over to the lake again to say goodbye. As I reached the lake, I thought about what I was going to say and how I was going to face my problems. I knew that once I got home, I was going to wish that I had never left the lake, but that's okay. I always come back to Beaver Lake. It's the only place I'm happy. So, I gathered what little was with me and got ready to go back to the place I call home. The place that caused me so much pain but somehow still the place I love.

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa, I have many wishes for Christmas. I wish you could use your powers to make the world a better place. I wish you could make sure that people and animals get along and don't hurt each other. It makes me sad to see animals and people get hurt. I wish that people would not gang-up and hurt somebody very badly. I wish that could happen because where I live currently it is not a happy place. There's a gang that lives around us, too. One person is trying to make it a better place but it's not enough. I also wish the poor and homeless would not be homeless and they would have food on the table and clothes on their back. But, Santa if you make this, it would make a difference in the world. The world would be peaceful and a very happy place. Dear Santa, that's all I wish for! Love, Lilly

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am thankful for everything! I am thankful for my family because they are here to help and support me. I am also thankful for my best friend, J, and wonderful teacher Mrs. Bergin because they both help me learn life, math and reading!

Not Happy Feet, Too!

Well, I was at the movie theater sitting quietly watching Happy Feet Two on Friday night. Then I heard a scream that said, 'No! Nico!', so I looked behind me and I see a woman laying on top of the chairs and the man, Nico with his fists in the air along with another man. Then the next thing I know I am being pulled out of the movie theater because they started an angry fight with cursing, hitting and lots of yelling.

As we were running out of the theater I burst into tears and almost hyperventilated, no I think I was hyperventilating, yes I was definitely hyperventilating because I was so scared!!

After we came home I grabbed my feather duster and started swatting it around the house to make sure no angry fighters were hiding in my house. I had to follow my mom into every room because I was still shaking and nervous that something bad was going to happen again.

I vow to never go back to that angry, fighting and bad, bad mall/theatre/boxing ring again!

And that is the story of how I almost, no I really actually did, hyperventilate the lifeout of my body!

The, not-so-happy, END!!

I'm going with the flow

My mom asked me today if I should write a letter to see if things change or if I wanted to just leave it alone and go with the flow. I picked go with the flow because no matter how many times I try nothing is solved and I'm just tired of trying. Mymom says i should never give up but it is a losing battle so I am going with the flow. Maybe now things will change and if not it won't hurt me or make me sad anymore! I am putting a protective bubble on and going with the flow!!!!

Best 20 minutes ever! [maybe?]

Prelude...I put a big crack in the door. I can sneak in when I want [for now]...

Chapter one - Problem!

Well, cant sneak in...girl on computer. Darn it! [find plan]

Chapter two - The plan

Try to use knees? Nope. Slither? Nope. Act like dog? Nope. Bad plans! Gotta find a good plan!

Chapter three - The Bad Plan

Bad day, Bad plan! Help! Help!

Chapter four - Help!

Asked boy that left....I got no help. OK. Ask teacher...no way Jose! Ask Jose...nope! Ask class. Nope!!

Chapter five - Come On!

Come On! I want help! Ask???.....nevermind, yay [that was sarcastic]! I got no help. Die before....(Ding! Ding!) Oh Come On!

Chapter six - Going home

Going home is the best thing in my life [well sometimes]. Bye! See ya! Whatever. Live at home? YA!

Chapter 2

Chapter 2
In a couple of weeks it will be my birthday, I will be six years old! My mom asked what type of party I wanted and I did not know so she suggested having a small party at our house. She asked me for the names of 4-6 friends to invite, I gave her 10 just in case she allowed this many more. She didn't and I had to make the hardest decision ever by taking 4 names off the list.

We decided to make my party theme a girly make-over/glamor photo-shoot party. My aunts, their friends and Annabelle's mom agreed to be our make-over technicians. My mom bought supplies for a nail station, make-up station and a costume station complete with different color wigs for each of the girls. I was getting so excited!

The week leading up to my birthday was hard because all I could think about was my party! In school I felt my mind wander from math and spelling to all the decorations and props that were sitting in bags in the dining room waiting for my big day. I made sure to do my work extra fast so that the days would hurry up and be over but no matter how fast I did my work the days seemed to go by even slower than normal. Mrs. Walton had to tell me to slow down and work neatly but I just couldn't help myself, I was too excited!

Friday finally came and I was even more excited than ever! I stared at the clock in the classroom and made sure not to make any mistakes because mistakes meant having to do it over and there just wasn't any time to waste on stuff like that. Lunchtime came which meant time was drawing nearer to the end of the day.

While on the lunch line waiting to get Friday's pizza special I noticed my friend Jill was being bothered by a boy named Omar. She kept telling him to leave her alone and then all of the sudden I saw Omar slap Jill in the face. I was beyond shocked and mad so I went up to Omar and told him that he has to leave my friend alone. He told me to be quiet and that he could do whatever he felt like. This angered me because I knew it was wrong so I smacked him in the face. He was completely shocked and asked why I did that and I said because he hit Jill and he said so what so I hit him again. Then he hit me back and the next thing I knew both Omar and I were sitting in the vice principal's office.

Mr. Summer was our vice principal. He was shorter than my dad but a lot louder and much more serious. Right before he asked us what had happened Omar started to cry. Before Mr. Summer could take pity on his tears I decided to tell the whole story. When I was finished Mr. Summer asked Omar if he agreed with what I had just said and Omar nodded his head. Mr. Summer told me that there was a better way to have handled the situation like going to a teacher or another grown-up after seeing Jill get slapped by Omar. Then he told Omar he never wanted to see him slap, hit or touch another person again. I whispered to Omar that he should try sitting on his hands because it works and Mr. Summer gave me a funny look which made me go instantly silent.

We were to sit in his office until the bell rang but I quickly remembered neither Omar or I had eaten lunch. Mr. Summer's face turned a fire engine red and called the secretary into his office. In less than 5 minutes yogurt, fruit and milk were brought to us. Mr. Summer apologized to us and said this was all that was left of lunch and let Omar and I eat past the bell. When we were done eating we were escorted back to our classroom.

My mom and dad instantly noticed the sad look on my face when the bus brought me home. After they asked what was wrong the 3rd time I couldn't keep it in anymore and started to cry. I explained everything best I could in between fits of tears. I think my mom was confused because she kept asking questions over and over again which made me get a little angry. I told her I didn't want to talk about it anymore and went to my room and shut my door. I heard mom and dad mumble through the door and then I heard the phone dial. My dad was calling Mr. Summer to get everyone's side of the story.

After what felt like many hours my mom and dad knocked on my door. I opened it without looking at them. My dad scooped me up into his arms and hugged me for a few seconds then handed me to mom. Dad stayed hugging me with mom and they both gave me an even tighter hug. We sat on my bed and we talked about how I could have made a better decision so that the outcome would have turned out positive. I told them I knew the right decision but I hated seeing my friend get bullied like that, I just needed to help her anyway I could plus Omar needed to be taught a lesson. Mom and dad told me they understood but was hoping that I'd decide to make a better decision in the future.

I was put on punishment and had to prove all weekend that I deserved my birthday party or else it would be canceled. This made me cry but I knew what needed to happen so I started to write a plan in my head: Make my bed, feed kitty, pick up my toys, help mom and dad without being told, stay quiet, go to bed on time, wash myself without giving a hard time and the list kept growing because I was determined not to have my party canceled!