This story made a first-place in the Short Story category at my school a few months ago. Read it to believe. Does it deserve it?
---Desert_Eagle
(copied and pasted directly from Word, with spacing mods)
---------------------------Library Day--------------------------
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEE…
*Yawn* “Ahhhh…what an extravagantly gorgeous day outside!” I woke up out of bed and looked out my window. “Wow, what now?” I thought of the many things I could do as I leapt off my bed and brushed my teeth.
There are so many sports I could do right now. How about soccer, or football, or swimming, or basketball, or volleyball, or tennis? I could be the Heisman trophy winner next year! Of course, I could never do any of them; I sucked at sports. Really, I lied to myself. I just needed a happy dream running in my head before school started. Moments later, “Breakfast is ready!”
I hurried out of my room and followed the smell of food. I slid across the imitation marble tiles and entered the kitchen room like skating in an ice rink. The family waited for pancakes and sausage, my favorite. Big brother prepared the table for breakfast while I helped make eggs.
”Can you get milk for me, Neal?” Father asked. I opened the fridge and picked up a gallon of milk, then handed it to him.
As my brother worked on the final touches of the table, Mother asked me a question, too. “Have you gotten all the library books for school?”
I froze there, bug-eyed open. My library books?! I had completely forgotten about them, thinking they weren’t important. I always had those books on time. Curses to every bad word possible! Every year at school, they awarded the prestigious Punctual Worm to me. To me! But I couldn’t tell my parents about my books, or they’ll pull out their hair, literally. They always counted on me to be “perfect,” like any model student. I’ll have to think about the library teacher, Mrs. Briggs, too. She came in this year to replace our old librarian. I hear she’s strict to anyone, especially when they forget their books. Fines are usually $.10 a day, but if she’s in a bad mood, BAM! They get a pink slip with their name on it.
I need to think up of a way to rescue myself soon. Quickly I turned around and lied, “Uh, yes Mother! I have them all! Just give me a minute and I’ll have them by the time the bus comes!”
Mother looked at me and left, noticing confirmation.
I felt worried. What if I don’t find those books, or maybe if I have to pay those fines? Mrs. Briggs will be ashamed of me, and I’ll be the laughingstock of the entire class! Of course, those are all big “ifs”. Maybe it won’t happen; maybe she’ll forget, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore! But for right now, I’m going to eat.
-------------------------------------
Later…
-------------------------------------
“Mmm, that tasted delicious!” I rubbed my belly in delight. Those pancakes filled my appetite so much, I almost felt like my stomach was about to burst open. Feeling so full, I relaxed on the couch and watched some cartoons on the TV.
“And now, we return to another episode of Spaceman Pluto,” blurted out the TV set. “Today’s show: Pluto vs. the Krakulans!”
“Give up, you alien scum, or eat my plasma rifle!” Spaceman Pluto shouted. POW! ZAP! KABOOM! TATATATATA! I jumped in joy, giddy like a child. “I have you outpowered! Surrender!”
“Ah, but it is you, Spaceman Pluto, that is to surrender, for I, have the President and your daughter for hostage!”
“Egad!” What plot did the aliens have this time?! My mind raced frantically.
“Yes, for now I have you in a chokehold! Ho ho, if you try to stop us, your precious leader and your daughter will drop in the pool of radioactive water and die a slow, painful death! The whole galaxy will go into disarray! But…“
But what?
“…If you give up the Khalis Crystal that rightfully belongs to us. I’ll… consider the choices.”
“Grr, your kind are very tricky, indeed. I won’t give up just yet!”
“What will Spaceman Pluto choose? Will he be able to save the President and his daughter in time? Find out in the next episode of Spaceman Pluto!!!”
The show was so exciting, I nearly wet my pants. I couldn’t wait for the next episode! My eyes were glued to the TV. Nothing could peel them off, until Mother started yelling at me.
“Do you have all your stuff?” she exclaimed to me. “Don’t forget your books, too. School starts in a half hour!”
Then suddenly, my brain exploded. I forgot all about my books!
“Yeah, Mom, uh, I have all my books and stuff.” I had to lie to her. I didn’t want her to make a commotion. Now I had the chance to find my stuff. Where could they be? I know they’re in the house, but what if I can’t remember before the bus comes? I might have to pay that fine, get scolded continuously, or… too painful to say… DETENTION.
Desperately I looked for all the books that I needed to return, but nothing. I checked under my bed if they were there, but still nothing. Rummaging around the room, I found just about everything there: a basketball, my teddy bear, old eight-tracks (eight-tracks?), family pictures, a bag of chips *munch munch*, socks, supplies, shoes, and a couple of cobwebs.
Still no luck. I might not be able to find them in here, but probably they’re in the kitchen, where the computer is. My eyes scanned the room, without any luck, but I identified a suspicious pile of programming jargon. Slowly I searched deep into the pile of junk.
“What are you doing, Neal?”
“AUGHH!” Father’s voice startled me. “Oh, it’s you. Whew.”
Father questioned me, “Just what are you doing in my stuff? You know that if I lose this work, I might get fired.”
“I was just looking for my, umm, uhh,” I started to stutter around with my mouth. Where’s a good lie when you need it? “Umm, I was umm, looking for my, uhh, flash cards! Yeah, yeah, my flash cards!”
“Ok,” he said, “but your cards are over at the computer,” and left.
Whew, that was close; too close, I might say. Nothing here, so I went to search in my brother’s room.
--------------------------------------------------
“No, you cannot go in my room,” was the answer from my brother. He slammed the door rather quick in my face. Sheesh, why might there be a book there in the first place? Besides, he uses a locker code to come in. Darn brother can’t trust a good sibling. (Except when he has the latest video games. He can NEVER trust me.)
Anyways, the books weren’t in my room or my brother’s, or in the kitchen, so they must be in my parents’ bedroom. I looked at the clock, noticing I only have five minutes left! Maybe, just maybe, the books stuck into a clump of papers, or maybe they’re under the bed.
With every last bit of luck I could strain out of me, I searched my hardest in Mother and Father’s room. Searching through the desk, the bed, the closet, the cabinets, every square foot of this room, it was investigated without a clue.
At that moment, I saw a book spine in the middle of a pile of paper. There’s seems to be hope now. Might it be my library books I’ve been looking for so long?
A C++ computing book. Whoopee do. All hope’s lost now.
“Neal,” Mom hollered, “the bus is coming in a couple of minutes. Get your clothes on.”
“Yes, Mom,” I said boringly.
I wore a couple of clothes from the floor, took my binder, and left the house. As the bus came, Mom waved me bye, even without my response. I went in and sat at my seat.
My friend looked at me and asked, “Why the long face?”
Silence.
“Huh, well, have it your way.”
Slowly, the bus got closer to the school. All I cared was nothing.
“Okay, here’s the school. See ya later! Have a fun day!”
I sat there, doing nothing but sitting. My face looked horribly nervous, thinking of what may happen to me because I forgot my books. I go right after the bell rings my execution.
I breathed hard. Reaching the perimeters of the library, I just waited there. Our teacher welcomed us in a low voice and shooed us away for checking out books. Mrs. Briggs had that stern look when I eyed her. I know how the event could play out when she finds out the truth. I could see it play and replay inside my head over and over and over…
Like a five-star drama played in my head, my mind just went nuts here. I couldn’t hold the pressure any longer. Any minute now she’ll know, and I’ll get in trouble just like any other person. Wait a minute, maybe she knows already! She’s acting dumb! Look at her smiling. She knows it. She’s just trying to force me to yell everything out. Her plan must be to get me to do all the dirty work getting me in trouble. Her lock on me, you can’t see it; but I could feel it real good. Feels like I’m Spaceman Neal against the queen of all aliens, Mrs. Briggs, and plasma guns have no effect. Must… resist… death grip…
“Umm, Neal?”
Gotta assume I didn’t hear Mrs. Briggs.
“Are you okay?”
Drip, drip, drip, if only my sweat didn’t absorb through the carpet.
“Neal? Neal? Neal!”
Must take pressure, mental capacity bursting wide open…
“…Alright, alright! I’ll say it! I did it! I did it! I was the one who forgot their library books! I was the one who forgot it! Your best student, too! I should be ashamed of myself because I lost a book that could’ve saved me from all this trouble! Just give me a detention and get it over with it!” I whimpered worse than my little nephew when he wet himself.
Everyone stared at me for a moment.
I think she was whispering to herself that moment. “Wow, the kid should’ve went to Drama Club.” Finally, Mrs. Briggs said what needed to be said, “Neal, I was about to ask if you were going to check out?”
“Oh.”
My scattered thoughts were recollecting after the mental explosion.
“Seriously?”
“Yes, ‘seriously’. I just wanted to say that you didn’t check out anything at all, so maybe you would today.”
“Uhh, lemme check your list.” I still couldn’t believe it. I had to rub my chin hairs in astonishment. I had nothing out, nothing, nada, zip, zero books out. Everyone knew I had that awkward moment. My cheeks blossomed in rose color, a sign of obvious embarrassment.
Oh well, at least that problem’s over. I can peacefully borrow some books now, although I knew someone’s stabbing a “Ha ha!” through the psychic dimension behind my back. I learned now to keep track of my belongings, and I learned to make sure I had belongings in the first place.
Well, if there’s supposed to be a moral or lesson in this tale, it’s to keep track of my library card, also. Now where’d it go?
---Desert_Eagle
(copied and pasted directly from Word, with spacing mods)
---------------------------Library Day--------------------------
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEE…
*Yawn* “Ahhhh…what an extravagantly gorgeous day outside!” I woke up out of bed and looked out my window. “Wow, what now?” I thought of the many things I could do as I leapt off my bed and brushed my teeth.
There are so many sports I could do right now. How about soccer, or football, or swimming, or basketball, or volleyball, or tennis? I could be the Heisman trophy winner next year! Of course, I could never do any of them; I sucked at sports. Really, I lied to myself. I just needed a happy dream running in my head before school started. Moments later, “Breakfast is ready!”
I hurried out of my room and followed the smell of food. I slid across the imitation marble tiles and entered the kitchen room like skating in an ice rink. The family waited for pancakes and sausage, my favorite. Big brother prepared the table for breakfast while I helped make eggs.
”Can you get milk for me, Neal?” Father asked. I opened the fridge and picked up a gallon of milk, then handed it to him.
As my brother worked on the final touches of the table, Mother asked me a question, too. “Have you gotten all the library books for school?”
I froze there, bug-eyed open. My library books?! I had completely forgotten about them, thinking they weren’t important. I always had those books on time. Curses to every bad word possible! Every year at school, they awarded the prestigious Punctual Worm to me. To me! But I couldn’t tell my parents about my books, or they’ll pull out their hair, literally. They always counted on me to be “perfect,” like any model student. I’ll have to think about the library teacher, Mrs. Briggs, too. She came in this year to replace our old librarian. I hear she’s strict to anyone, especially when they forget their books. Fines are usually $.10 a day, but if she’s in a bad mood, BAM! They get a pink slip with their name on it.
I need to think up of a way to rescue myself soon. Quickly I turned around and lied, “Uh, yes Mother! I have them all! Just give me a minute and I’ll have them by the time the bus comes!”
Mother looked at me and left, noticing confirmation.
I felt worried. What if I don’t find those books, or maybe if I have to pay those fines? Mrs. Briggs will be ashamed of me, and I’ll be the laughingstock of the entire class! Of course, those are all big “ifs”. Maybe it won’t happen; maybe she’ll forget, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore! But for right now, I’m going to eat.
-------------------------------------
Later…
-------------------------------------
“Mmm, that tasted delicious!” I rubbed my belly in delight. Those pancakes filled my appetite so much, I almost felt like my stomach was about to burst open. Feeling so full, I relaxed on the couch and watched some cartoons on the TV.
“And now, we return to another episode of Spaceman Pluto,” blurted out the TV set. “Today’s show: Pluto vs. the Krakulans!”
“Give up, you alien scum, or eat my plasma rifle!” Spaceman Pluto shouted. POW! ZAP! KABOOM! TATATATATA! I jumped in joy, giddy like a child. “I have you outpowered! Surrender!”
“Ah, but it is you, Spaceman Pluto, that is to surrender, for I, have the President and your daughter for hostage!”
“Egad!” What plot did the aliens have this time?! My mind raced frantically.
“Yes, for now I have you in a chokehold! Ho ho, if you try to stop us, your precious leader and your daughter will drop in the pool of radioactive water and die a slow, painful death! The whole galaxy will go into disarray! But…“
But what?
“…If you give up the Khalis Crystal that rightfully belongs to us. I’ll… consider the choices.”
“Grr, your kind are very tricky, indeed. I won’t give up just yet!”
“What will Spaceman Pluto choose? Will he be able to save the President and his daughter in time? Find out in the next episode of Spaceman Pluto!!!”
The show was so exciting, I nearly wet my pants. I couldn’t wait for the next episode! My eyes were glued to the TV. Nothing could peel them off, until Mother started yelling at me.
“Do you have all your stuff?” she exclaimed to me. “Don’t forget your books, too. School starts in a half hour!”
Then suddenly, my brain exploded. I forgot all about my books!
“Yeah, Mom, uh, I have all my books and stuff.” I had to lie to her. I didn’t want her to make a commotion. Now I had the chance to find my stuff. Where could they be? I know they’re in the house, but what if I can’t remember before the bus comes? I might have to pay that fine, get scolded continuously, or… too painful to say… DETENTION.
Desperately I looked for all the books that I needed to return, but nothing. I checked under my bed if they were there, but still nothing. Rummaging around the room, I found just about everything there: a basketball, my teddy bear, old eight-tracks (eight-tracks?), family pictures, a bag of chips *munch munch*, socks, supplies, shoes, and a couple of cobwebs.
Still no luck. I might not be able to find them in here, but probably they’re in the kitchen, where the computer is. My eyes scanned the room, without any luck, but I identified a suspicious pile of programming jargon. Slowly I searched deep into the pile of junk.
“What are you doing, Neal?”
“AUGHH!” Father’s voice startled me. “Oh, it’s you. Whew.”
Father questioned me, “Just what are you doing in my stuff? You know that if I lose this work, I might get fired.”
“I was just looking for my, umm, uhh,” I started to stutter around with my mouth. Where’s a good lie when you need it? “Umm, I was umm, looking for my, uhh, flash cards! Yeah, yeah, my flash cards!”
“Ok,” he said, “but your cards are over at the computer,” and left.
Whew, that was close; too close, I might say. Nothing here, so I went to search in my brother’s room.
--------------------------------------------------
“No, you cannot go in my room,” was the answer from my brother. He slammed the door rather quick in my face. Sheesh, why might there be a book there in the first place? Besides, he uses a locker code to come in. Darn brother can’t trust a good sibling. (Except when he has the latest video games. He can NEVER trust me.)
Anyways, the books weren’t in my room or my brother’s, or in the kitchen, so they must be in my parents’ bedroom. I looked at the clock, noticing I only have five minutes left! Maybe, just maybe, the books stuck into a clump of papers, or maybe they’re under the bed.
With every last bit of luck I could strain out of me, I searched my hardest in Mother and Father’s room. Searching through the desk, the bed, the closet, the cabinets, every square foot of this room, it was investigated without a clue.
At that moment, I saw a book spine in the middle of a pile of paper. There’s seems to be hope now. Might it be my library books I’ve been looking for so long?
A C++ computing book. Whoopee do. All hope’s lost now.
“Neal,” Mom hollered, “the bus is coming in a couple of minutes. Get your clothes on.”
“Yes, Mom,” I said boringly.
I wore a couple of clothes from the floor, took my binder, and left the house. As the bus came, Mom waved me bye, even without my response. I went in and sat at my seat.
My friend looked at me and asked, “Why the long face?”
Silence.
“Huh, well, have it your way.”
Slowly, the bus got closer to the school. All I cared was nothing.
“Okay, here’s the school. See ya later! Have a fun day!”
I sat there, doing nothing but sitting. My face looked horribly nervous, thinking of what may happen to me because I forgot my books. I go right after the bell rings my execution.
I breathed hard. Reaching the perimeters of the library, I just waited there. Our teacher welcomed us in a low voice and shooed us away for checking out books. Mrs. Briggs had that stern look when I eyed her. I know how the event could play out when she finds out the truth. I could see it play and replay inside my head over and over and over…
Like a five-star drama played in my head, my mind just went nuts here. I couldn’t hold the pressure any longer. Any minute now she’ll know, and I’ll get in trouble just like any other person. Wait a minute, maybe she knows already! She’s acting dumb! Look at her smiling. She knows it. She’s just trying to force me to yell everything out. Her plan must be to get me to do all the dirty work getting me in trouble. Her lock on me, you can’t see it; but I could feel it real good. Feels like I’m Spaceman Neal against the queen of all aliens, Mrs. Briggs, and plasma guns have no effect. Must… resist… death grip…
“Umm, Neal?”
Gotta assume I didn’t hear Mrs. Briggs.
“Are you okay?”
Drip, drip, drip, if only my sweat didn’t absorb through the carpet.
“Neal? Neal? Neal!”
Must take pressure, mental capacity bursting wide open…
“…Alright, alright! I’ll say it! I did it! I did it! I was the one who forgot their library books! I was the one who forgot it! Your best student, too! I should be ashamed of myself because I lost a book that could’ve saved me from all this trouble! Just give me a detention and get it over with it!” I whimpered worse than my little nephew when he wet himself.
Everyone stared at me for a moment.
I think she was whispering to herself that moment. “Wow, the kid should’ve went to Drama Club.” Finally, Mrs. Briggs said what needed to be said, “Neal, I was about to ask if you were going to check out?”
“Oh.”
My scattered thoughts were recollecting after the mental explosion.
“Seriously?”
“Yes, ‘seriously’. I just wanted to say that you didn’t check out anything at all, so maybe you would today.”
“Uhh, lemme check your list.” I still couldn’t believe it. I had to rub my chin hairs in astonishment. I had nothing out, nothing, nada, zip, zero books out. Everyone knew I had that awkward moment. My cheeks blossomed in rose color, a sign of obvious embarrassment.
Oh well, at least that problem’s over. I can peacefully borrow some books now, although I knew someone’s stabbing a “Ha ha!” through the psychic dimension behind my back. I learned now to keep track of my belongings, and I learned to make sure I had belongings in the first place.
Well, if there’s supposed to be a moral or lesson in this tale, it’s to keep track of my library card, also. Now where’d it go?
