5 minute read

The Final Moments - Anonymous

Contemporary Perturbation - Th...

The air was sprouting with anticipation as the warm and sunny afternoon drifted away. I shot back and forth between the past and present. All my memories from the summer came flooding back like a tidal wave. Emotions surrounded me, anticipation, nerves, nostalgia, and excitement. I stood drinking it all in, a lone statue amidst the bustle of activity. I saw everyone’s faces adorned with huge smiles as they rushed around, preparing for the opening number which crept closer, and closer.

What I’ve spent my entire summer on, will be over, I thought. How can I move on?

“Hi!” I was shot back to my senses and saw Meg and Maddie, some of my best friends thanks to this production. This musical had connected me to wonderful and talented people, who now felt like family, but I knew that the next hour would be the last I would see them for another year. The clock was ticking.

With my friends beside me, we walked down the long hallway that I’d walked through numerous times in the past seven weeks, although it had felt like forever. I remembered all the funny memories we shared here, from sprinting through playing murder mystery almost every day, to when we finally got to see our costumes. I stopped at the door to the prop shop and tentatively peeked inside. The pleasant scent of wood drifted to my nose, as I saw the disorganized chaos that had been the result of years of plays and musicals, of creativity and talent. From us being sure a ghost was haunting the space, to having explored the depths of its treasures, this was a place I would miss. We finally stopped at the stage, with its heavy blue curtains closed, which yearned to open. I felt a stab in my heart and a prickle of tears in my eyes. From learning the entire musical on this stage to playing games and goofing off every day, I knew this was the place I would miss the most.

“Circle up!” My heart stopped. It couldn’t be that time already! Circling up in the hallway meant that it was almost time for the show to start, and closer to our summer ending. I couldn’t help but think that this was a “final goodbye” moment where we would be together for one last time. I had always imagined this moment but I had pushed it back into the future, thinking that it was so far away. I walked as slowly as I could and tried to push back the tears and resentment.

As soon as we got into our circle, Catherine, our main director, told us, “I am so proud of everyone. You have all worked so hard, and this was an amazing experience.” She had a hint of sadness glinting in her eyes, and our smiles were struggling to stay afloat. But, we all knew it was time for the things we were dreading yet excited for, our pre-show traditions.

Although they might sound silly or even ridiculous to some, they held a special place in everyone’s heart. We began with something we called “energy”. We started low to the ground and chanted energy as quietly as we could. We built on that and stood higher and higher, yelling louder and louder. But my mind was clouded knowing that this was the last time.

Next, we did the Wildcats chant from “High School Musical”. Meg shouted, and the rest of the cast responded. I tried to have enthusiasm, but I couldn’t muster it amongst the storm that was shielding my view.

Then came the last and most emotional tradition. We all put our arms around each other and sang “Lean on Me”. As the somber singing reached my ears, I knew that even though we didn’t sound like a choir, this tugged at everyone’s heart. Not only did my eyes prickle, but everyone’s did; the long and anticipated tears rolled down our faces. The raindrops started as a light drizzle, but grew as the storm of sadness welled greater in our hearts.

Sometimes, sadness is like a heavy weight. Even the lightest feathers can transform and soon they endlessly pile, making it impossible to get up. Impossible to move, to breathe. Everyone was under the pressure, but we knew we had to pull ourselves up because the rain would eventually dry up, the clouds would gradually roll away, and the sun would poke its head through.

Even though that was our final moment together before the show, I should enjoy this as much as I can because after all, theater is what I love, I thought. And I knew that all our hard work was not for nothing.

As we all walked away, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing how much fun I was about to have, as we all turned to each other and excitedly said, “Break a leg!”

Maxx, - Zoey B

Maxx,

Your loud whines and barks, The dirty door filled with claw marks. Your big smile and how your tail would wag, The muddy paws I had to clean with a rag. I thought your stay would be long, But oh boy was I wrong...

Your beautiful golden fur, I guess you just became a blur.

I always got annoyed by the trips I took outside to play with you, But if only I knew...

I only ever pushed you away Never listened to what you wanted to say I wished I had listened, cared, and loved you more I only ever ignored you and shut you away behind my bedroom door.

I neglected you all day, Can I apologize now if I may? I just want to forget, All the built up regret.

Now you can relax, As long as you know,

I love you Maxx.

Growing Up - Riley C

I don’t know if it happened in the blink of an eye

Or the flicker of a light

But I missed it

The cheeky smile that used to be plastered on my face

The Harry Potter t-shirts

The monkey bar calluses

When was the last time I asked my dad to do my hair in a bun? When was the last time I tried to hide away from the inevitable bedtime? Or was carried into bed from the car?

It’s all gone

Slipped through my fingers without even noticing

And as each day goes on, I slowly creep into the end of my childhood And I start to dread my next birthday

No: - Cassie S

Itwillbeokay. “Justdoit! ” friends say. The responsibility and the stress is slowly draining me. Sometimes my fake smile is not enough to cover everything. It feels like every emotion keeps kicking me in the stomach. I’m tired of living up to people’s expectations, I just want to feel free.

My friends told me, “Justdoit! ” So I did. Over and over again I would make the same mistake. I would keep saying yes Even though I knew it was wrong. But my friends told me to do it.