Cheerful. Loud. Happy.

Those are what my friends describe me. I’m a typical teenage girl living my life like any other girls do in this world. Well, I have to admit, I ‘WAS’ cheerful, loud and happy until one day I was at the park with my best friend. “Kara, I have to tell you something,” he said. “Yeah, sure,” I replied. Then he said, “Kara, sorry but I’m leaving.”

This is a story about my best friend and I. His name is John. Basically, we are best friends since we were both little and innocent. We both live in the same neighborhood. And we’ve been to school together since kindergarten. We have a lot of things in common; our birthdate, hobbies, songs, and the list just goes on. Every day, I will tell John that God loves us so much. And he will say, “That is why God gave us each other.”

“What? Are you serious?” I asked him when he said that he was leaving. He laughed and said, “Kara, I’ll never leave you. You would not even finish up your school assignments when I’m not around to help.” I was particularly very annoyed by his joke and told him that it wasn’t funny to play with other people’s feelings. I pulled a face. “You look cute when you’re angry,” he let out a laugh. I hit him on arm and ran across the park. As usual, he would try to catch me every time I run away from him. But this time, I ran really fast that I didn’t look for cars when I cross the road. I survived. But, he didn't.

It has been two years since I lost him. I was crying by the corner of the room while I read my journal. The date was 8^th June, Friday. I remembered that it was one day before I lost him. “Baby don’t cry, you had my heart, at least for the most part...” we sang A Little Piece Of Heaven together on the way home from school. I was really looking forward for the weekend because our birthday will be celebrated on this Sunday, 10 ^th June. Plus, we will be celebrating it together. I told John that I wanted to go to Avenged Sevenfold’s concert next month. “John, if we could go to Avenged Sevenfold’s concert together, that will be the greatest birthday present ever. And I’ll be the happiest girl on earth!” He just smiled at me as if I was a little girl in dreamland.

Tears kept rolling down my cold cheeks as I continued reading the next page of my journal. It was dated back to 9^th June.  It was the day he left me. I could not bear reading the past because it will remind me that I was the reason why he died. So, I moved on to the next page, 10^th June, our birthday. There were two tickets to Avenged Sevenfold’s concert and a birthday card. Mrs.Cavanugh, John’s mom, gave it to me on my birthday. She said that she found these on his desk when she was cleaning up his room. I couldn’t bare it anymore. I continued crying.

He was a good listener and he was more like a brother to me. I missed him so much. Even though I still have my friends around, it will never be the same without John. But, slowly I tried accepting the fact that everything happens for a reason; and I know that God took John away because He loves John.

If only John knew how much I missed him.

The Island Of Feelings

Over the rainbow, turn right and proceed a thousand miles. You’ll appear in the middle of the sea all of a sudden. That’s just the normal route to reach the cluster of island known as Calimary Islands. These islands, they appear as stars at night. Particularly, there is only one way in and one way out of this place. How? To be exact, nobody knows.

This island is not just an ordinary island yet, it’s an island where the feeling in this universe belongs. From happy to sad to jealousy, you can find all sorts of feelings.  It was peaceful and harmonious until one day…

“SAVE YOUR LIVES! EVACCUATE YOURSELVES! THE ISLAND IS ABOUT TO SINK!” In an instant, the island was in chaos. Feelings scattered all around, boarding their own personal boats. Now in the middle of this hectic situation, let me introduce you a feeling. Her name is Love; affectionate, caring and gentle. Love wasn’t readily prepared for this kind of situation. She doesn’t own a boat of her own. She was terrified.  “Sinking?” she whispered to herself. She thought of a solution to get her out of the island. Then she had an idea. She decided to ask any feeling who owns a boat if they could let her in.

Love spotted wealth at the shore, loading stuffs into the boat. Love thought that maybe wealth could help her. So, she approached wealth, “Wealth, could you please take me with you in your boat?” Love asked pleadingly. “I’m sorry Love, but my boat has no space for you as I have a lot more of wealth to take with me,” Wealth explained. Wealth wanted to help Love but unfortunately, Wealth have a lot of coins stashed in the boat.

 Love left feeling hopeless. But eventually, her face lit up as she spotted happiness. “Happiness!” Love called out at the top of her lungs. “Happiness!” Love called out again. But, Happiness didn’t give any respond because Happiness was too busy singing loudly to herself. Love was in despair and let out a sigh. Still, she didn’t give up. She went searching for others who could help her.

Then, Love came across sadness. She asked the same question she asked Wealth earlier. But Sadness replied, “I’m sorry love. I’m very sad right now. I just need some time of my own. I hope you don’t mind,” explained Sadness and left Love alone.

Love still didn’t give up. She spotted Vanity and asked he same usual question. But this was what Vanity replied, “I’m sorry Love you’re too wet to be in my boat. I suppose you might even damage my boat if I let you in. Go and find someone else to help you.”

Those words really hurt Love’s feelings. As a result, Love gave up.  “I think I’m gonna sink together with this island,” as a tear started streaming down her face.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar feeling approached Love. “Come, hop in my boat. I’ll take you to a safer ground.” Feeling excited, Love did as she was told. The quiet journey lasted a few minutes. Love didn’t recognize that feeling at all. She didn’t dare to talk to the feeling at all. When, they have reached an island, Love hopped out of the boat. As she turned to thank that feeling, the feeling was nowhere to be found and so was the boat. Curiosity filled her thoughts. She saw Wisdom who witnessed the incident. Quickly she thought, ‘Maybe Wisdom knows who that was’.

So, she approached Wisdom, “Excuse me Wisdom. Do you have some time to spare?”
“Of course. As you wish,” Wisdom replied.
“Could you please tell me who that feeling that saved my life?”
Wisdom overlooked into the blue sea and answered, “That was Time.”
“Time?” Love wondered.

“Yes, because it is time who knows how important, valuable and amazing Love is.”

I sat by the window overlooking the sea, my leather-bound diary clutched in my hands. Should I really do this? Relive my gorgy past? My mind wandered back to the phone call I received mere minutes ago. And I knew I should. With trembling hands, I unclasped the worn book, and as I flipped open the first page, the surroundings melted away, and I could almost see what it was like when I was sixteen, ten years ago. The living room changed, my hands were more delicate and when I opened my eyes, I saw my school; the place where it all started.
My name is Anna Smith. And ten years ago, I had met someone online. A boy named Nico. He was my age and French. I was genuinely delighted meeting him, as it was so rare to find someone remotely civilized on the Net. But I only chatted with him once. And then, I never heard of him again.
Almost three months later, a new student came to my school. Nils Allen. He wasn’t from the States, but he would never tell where he actually came from. Even a single person. His accent was hard to place, yet pleasant. But what shocked me was that the principal had ordered me to stick with him for a month, on the excuse that he wasn’t used to the new surroundings. I had to be his friend, following him wherever he went. At first, I was furious, but as I spend more time with Nils, my perception towards him changed. He was a nice guy; protective and a good listener. I owed him so many times. He once saved me from almost being hit by a car, beat the crap out of a guy who tried to kidnap me, and rescued me when I almost drowned.
People said we look cute together, but he was just a friend. But the feeling eventually warmed into something more. And I realized I had fallen for him. The idea itself was preposterous as I had distance myself from every guy since my ex-boyfriend Taylor, betrayed me. But when Nils  got on one knee, asking me to be his girlfriend and to be his date at the upcoming prom, I answered yes without a sliver of doubt.
The senior prom was the best night of my life. But people had other plans. At the very moment before Nils began to kiss me for the first time, the hall was swarmed with the police, and helicopters circled above the school.  A couple of them had yanked Nils away from him, and dragged him to an armored vehicle. I had screamed and begged them to let him go. And that was when I felt a sharp stab on my arm, and the whole world went pitch black.
I woke up in an interrogation room, with an elderly Frenchman sitting across me. He apologized, and began to explain everything. Nils was actually Nico, the boy I had chatted online. His real name was Prince Nicholas the Third, heir to the throne of France. But Nicholas didn’t want to be king, and resolved to run away. But he didn’t know where to go. That was when he thought of the girl whom he had chatted with so briefly. He ordered his guardian, Stefan- the man in front of me- to locate her. He changed his identity, went to America and befriended the girl. He tasted life for the first time. But the royal family had found him, and Nicholas was to be punished for his abrasive action. As for me, I was free to go. A victim by chance. And the last time I saw him.
So I did. I went home, numbed by the turn of events. The French government apologized to me, giving me 10 000 Euros for compensation. And I was haunted by Nils, Nicholas’ face every night. And now, I am twenty-six, and still I could not forget him.
And today was the day of the capture, ten years ago. I was making tea when the phone rang. I picked it up. There were so many noises, people blabbering and shouting in French. Wait…French? Before I could speak, I heard Stefan. He said that Prince Nicholas had been given full pardon. Nicholas wanted to see me. He’s coming right now.
I froze, speechless. And I hear him. How could I forget that lovely voice, lacing through my dreams? The sound of his breathing sent tingles down my spine. I wait for the long speech of apology, the begging and excuse. All I know is I had forgiven him and I wish we would meet again one day. Yes, it’s about to happen. I’m going to meet the person I loved after ten years. But I only heard two words. My heart raced.
 “J’amour… Anna.” And the line went dead.
My French was pretty rusty. But I know the meaning well.
It meant; I love you Anna.

We met at the place he mentioned. At the airport. I searched for him.


Our eyes met. I ran into his arms.


He whispered to my ears, "I miss you. Please be the one that fills up my life. I love you."


Crystal clear tears starts rolling down my cheeks,


"I love you too."

“Isabella, for the hundredth time…HURRY UP! I need to buy the Prada bag that I’ve been saving up for the past millennium.” I let out a long sigh.

“Gimmie a sec. These are super-duper cheap and irresistible,” Bella held out a pink and blue pastel colored shawl to her ‘cotton candy’ dress that sweeps the floor. “Does this match?” she asked, a smile spread across her face filled with hope.

If I could, I would leave her alone in a sea of shawls. But honestly, I wouldn’t. Why? Simple answer. Someone asked her out for dinner at the most exclusive restaurant in town. So, I don’t want to spoil the fun. About the restaurant, people say that the dishes served there are worth the price. Yeah, It’s worth the price that moths and butterflies will fly out of my bag, purse, pocket and the ATM. So, back to the main point, I had no idea who exactly asked Bella out. I’m just  helping her pick out things she wants to wear to the dinner.

“Hmm. Let me see…” as I searched the boutique for a color that matches with her dress. “Viola! How about this?” I held out a white shawl. “Simple yet elegant.” Feeling excited, Bella snatched the shawl from me and she began singing her ridiculous song.

OH KIMBERLY,

I’M EXCITED CANT YOU SEE

IM VERY HAPPY

AREN’T YOU VERY PROUD OF ME….

I cut in, “Okay Bella, I understand. I understand.”

After half an hour searching for another few shawls, we paid at the counter and carried on shopping.

Then, we passed this particular boutique; a turquoise dress caught my eye. I gasped, “That’s the prettiest dress I’ve ever seen in my entire life!” (I totally forgot about the Prada bag I wanted to buy. Thanks to Bella.Ughh.) Quickly, I grabbed Bella by the arm and dragged her into the boutique. I handed her all the shopping bags in my hands and asked the lady if I could try out the dress. Unable to think what was happening, Bella asked, “Why are we here?”

The lady handed me the dress and showed me the direction to the fitting room. “This dress I really pretty!” I showed Bella the dress. “OMG! I am so agreeing with you,” Bella exclaimed.

“Tadaa!” What do you think?” I twirled around.

“Not bad!”

‘Ring’. Bella’s phone disturbed the excitement. She fished out the phone from her bag and answered the call. Still in the dress, my eyes wandered around the boutique for some other beautiful dresses. Then something caught my attention instead. I was awestruck.

“Bye!” Bella finished her call. Without any moment to loose, I shook her hand, “Bella, I just saw someone very familiar. She looked like Miranda Kerr.”

“Really?” Bella sounded astonished.

“Like duhh. She has the prettiest brown eyes. A smile so sincere that could melt your heart. Attractive, confident, outstanding, kind. I don’t know, she’s too pretty for words. She is also trying out the same outfit like me!”

“Show me! Show me!” Bella pleaded impatiently.

“There! The one in the turquoise dress,” I pointed to the place just across where we stood. “Isn’t she pretty?” I asked. And there, stood a mirror across us. There was no one else in the reflection except for Bella and I. So, obviously the one in the turquoise dress was me since Bella was in a ‘cotton candy’ colored dress.

“Haha. Very funny,” Bella commented in a sarcastic tone.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. There’s another person. Prettier than the first one I mentioned. She’s wearing a ‘cotton candy’ colored dress right now,” I blurted out. “Yeah. I do agree with that. This house whole heartedly agrees with the motion that the other person is prettier than the first one mentioned!” Bella exclaimed proudly.

I pulled a face, “Whatever floats your boat.” I got used to her spontaneous debate motion. “…I hope it sinks,” I continued in a whisper. Bella eyed me. “Just kidding,” I said sweetly.

I heard a rumbling noise. I knew where it came from. “Bet that’s my black hole tummy.”

“Wanna grab something?” Bella asked.

“Definitely. Let’s go for cheesecake.”

“How about the dress.  I thought you wanted it so badly. And the Prada bag?”

“Nothing else beats our friendship…” I smiled.

“And cheesecake.” We said at the same time and laughed.

We left the boutique feeling hungry as the cheesecake awaits us.