I was thrilled to start the school year, a drastic change from the last few years as a junior and senior in high school. Not only was I able to leave the rivalries with drama queens and kings back at home, I could choose my classes (I knocked out all my general eds), decide what time they would be at, and live in an area with a predictable weather forecast… 75 degrees with an ocean breeze. Ah, the...

Angry clouds rolled in, illustrating dark shadows across the rushing grass of the vast dale. The flowers that had smiled at the sun only minutes earlier drooped and braced themselves for cold, wet showers. A great crash echoed above the tallest tree, standing with a boldness, as if accepting its fate.

The wind cut through the valley like a knife and the flourishing plants shivered with fear. Thi...

In the arms of Californian glory, I discover the true meaning of “home.” The palm trees swaying as the wind whispers, bringing serenity to my troubled soul. The sun falls steadily across the sky and I am engrossed in the vibrant hints of red and yellow. The tide reaches for me and offers to wash away all my fears and worries. I oblige.

My sandals lay sprawled across the sand next to me as I sit, ...

“I kinda want to break up with Kirk,” she mumbled unsteadily. “What do you think?”

“Kim,” I told her. “You are better off without that sorry excuse of a boyfriend. He is preventing you from being your best self and you deserve better.”

She thought for a few moments, then admitted, “I know, I’ve been thinking about this for a few months actually. Can I show you something I wrote recently?”

“Of c...

Evelyn looked around at her tightly-knit group of four friends. They were all chatting happily without any sign of awkwardness, something she had only dreamed of in middle school. When there was a moment of quiet, it was comfortable, but not long. One of the friends would always have something to say, whether it was deep and philosophical or quick-witted and funny.

As Evelyn took a bite of her l...

Every person is hard on themself, whether it be comparison, not getting the grade, or a dislike of a personal trait or characteristic of themself.

One may feel as if they are not worthy of good things because of a mistake they have made in the past. They may believe they deserve harassment from the kids at school or the striking comment from the boss in the office. They may believe they are resp...

I tried not to cry, I couldn’t afford to because I knew I would never stop if I started. But she was weeping, gasping as wet droplets fell from her kind, beautiful face.

How could this be the last time I saw her? How could I leave her here like this? We had been through so much together already and it had only been three years I had known her.

We stepped towards and grasped each other in sync,...

It’s hard to find a place where you feel belonging, confidence, and positivity, especially when you constantly have to change what you call “home.” I have never stayed in one place more than five years and struggle to find belonging in a place no one seems to accept difference in.

Writing is a solace for me; it whisks me into worlds beyond my own and provides a spark of hope. Fictional character...

Sometimes, I feel as if I deserve the negative treatment I am receiving from these so called “friends.” I feel as if there is no hope to find great friends after I moved away from my best friend.

This is not the first time I have moved, nor the second, but the eighth. I am used to constantly leaving friends and trying to build a new life for myself. I would not consider myself an extrovert by an...

“Come on, Auggie! Stop being such a fuss bucket,” grinned Candi, pulling August along into the tea shop. “I come here all the time and the people don’t care that I’m superhuman.”

August shot a glare that could have made a grown man shrivel up in fear, but Candi beamed and laughed light-heartedly. A bell chimed as they entered the petite shop and aromas of sweet, floral teas and the earthy scent o...