Dearest Sports...

I want to apologize to you in advance. I hate sports. It's not you, it's me. I don’t have anything against the players or you, it's just participating in playing that I don't like. Running around in the sun, chasing after a ball? Not to mention the humidity that only adds to unpleasant experience. During P.E, I am forced to play, and run. Which implies sweating (Not one of my favorite things. Ask around if you don't believe me). Now I would like to address you all by name and tell you why I feel the way I do. Soccer, I love watching the world cup, but I really don't like chasing after a ball and kicking it into a "goal" (tubes welded together covered with netting if you ask me). Football, I love watching; every season I sit in and watch my favorite team. When it comes to playing though, I can't stand you. It's too hot to run, get the play right and focus on catching a ball all at the same time. Hockey, I already figure skate. Sorry! Basketball, I have a lack of hand-eye coordination, so I always end up hurting myself and those within 5 feet. Once again, it's not you, it's me. I don’t want to hurt any feelings, but I must confess to all of you...I don’t like you. Not one bit. Don't bother writing back. I'm already decided.

I'm sorry! (This doesn’t change anything)
Camila Gomez

Sleepover

Wednesday
To Thursday,
What best friends do
Whenever we get the chance.

Sleepovers are when
We get to chat
And joke,
Even share opinions.

We talked about deadlines;
The one that was steadily approaching.

We talked about tests
And the anxiety they bring.

We talked about math;
How difficult it’s going to be.

We talked about Spanish;
How we’d rather not
Have to speak it.

Before we knew it,
Her mom was waiting for her outside my house;
Time to say good-bye.

“Bye Ally!”
I tried to smile
As I gave her a hug.

The final goodbye
Bitter
And sour.

“Have a safe flight!”
I waved until the car was no longer visible.

This coming semester
Is going to be
The hardest one
Yet…

Single Shriek

I lay awake in bed, unable to sleep. Past midnight already, the clock taunted me. A ghastly feeling hung thick in the room; clouding my thoughts. I lay still, clad with fatigue when I heard it: a single scream; a gruesome shriek. I tried not to be afraid, thought it had electrified me, leaving me in a state of shock. It must have been something else. Like a screeching door, I reasoned, but I couldn’t fool myself much longer. I grimaced at the idea of what could have happened for someone to cry out the way this person had. I simulated the screech in my mind over and over, until I couldn’t take it any longer.

I succumbed to the temptation to sneak a peek and satisfy my curiosity. I immediately rose from my bed and rushed to the window. I gingerly drew the curtains, just enough to see the street and the townhouses right in front. I didn’t know what to expect when I made a cursory search of the street, only dimly lit by the few street lamps. From the search I derived that the cry hadn’t come from the street. I surmised that the shriek had come from the town house directly in front of mine. With no one awake to corroborate what I had heard, I decided to only alert the police of a suspicion of foul play. I thought again to that horrendous scream. I must endeavor to give the police every detail in order to save the old man...if it wasn't too late already.

Lurking

It seems so childish; so stupid. Afraid of the dark? It's something you're afraid of when you're four. I'm not saying that I'm afraid of the dark. It's the things that can be hiding in the shadows, waiting to pounce; the things that I can't see in the dark. The things that I can't protect myself from. That's what I fear. Not being able to see what's right in front of me. Not being able to see those mysterious shapes, lurking, in the dark.

After the Bell Rings...

I looked at Ally, at Sabrina. I knew this was the last time they'd be here. The last time they would hear the bell ring, and walk out of the building chatting with me. It wouldn't be the last time I'd see either of them, but thinking about what everyday would be like without either of them was enough to break my heart on the spot. I'd already been crying for months. Fearing this day, and much worse, fearing what would come after.

I see Ally smiling that silly smile. That smile that I had known since I met her in 4th grade. Ally, the bubbly blonde. Ally, the smart and sporty one. Ally, my best friend. She had been in Balboa since Pre-K. She knew the names of everyone, and of course everyone loved her. I couldn't imagine sitting at lunch without Ally at the table laughing and joking with all of us (and now that I am forced to sit at that lunch table, without her, I can see the tremendous difference she made).

I now look over a Sabrina who was busy laughing with Ally and Victoria. I met Sabrina in 6th grade, not too long ago. Soon after we met we were best friends. We liked the same things, laughed about the same things, even ate the same things. Sabrina, the sassy and sarcastic one. Sabrina, the cutesy one. Sabrina, my best friend. Sabrina hadn't been in Panama long, making it especially sad for her to have to leave. She could make everyone laugh. She used to make me smile when I was upset. Even though I had only known her for a short time, I felt like I had known her my entire life.

Some shook with excitement, some frowned and mourned. I just sat there motionless, watching my very best friends. The ones I might never see again after this summer. As the bell rang, shrill screams rose from the crowd. Most of the fifth and sixth graders simply ran out the doors cheering and chanting. The seventh graders stayed behind. Some crying, some holding back tears, but obviously upset. We gave out hugs and reassuring smiles. We tried to be strong. I tried not to cry, but I couldn't resist. I cried along with several others, but it didn't bring any relief. I still knew that when I walked through those doors again I wouldn't be accompanied by Ally or Sabrina.

What I Hope You'll See This Year

Just joking,
Just playing.
I really don’t mean it.

I emphasized.
I highlighted,
I bold-faced,
Your flaws.
I brought out
Your flaws
Without realizing that this
Alone
Is my biggest one.
This year, I hope you’ll see how much I care.

I cry to you,
I come to you,
When I feel
Lost or
Lonely or like
I’m losin’ it.

Without you there,
Rooting for me,
Helping me up,
Or tying my shoes
I would have fallen,
And not
Gotten up.
This year I hope you’ll see how much I care.

I will not
Laugh at your mistakes,
You never laugh at mine.

I will not leave you behind;
You refuse leave me.

I will not judge you;
I trust your judgment.

You understand
My humor,
My style,
My dislike for outdoor sports.
Above all ,
You understand
Me.

This year I hope you’ll see
Just how much
I care.