INTRODUCING THE Short Film/Short Story Unit (2024)
Featuring
10th & 11th Graders
Win Or Lose
Ty’Shyla Lawrence
Lyric Landry was an exceptional cheerleader for only being on the team for one season. The way in which she advanced her skills was astonishing. She was sure to attend all practices and even took advantage of private lessons for tumbling as well, always cultivating her craft. She was wise like an owl and very self-aware to only be fourteen years old. As excited as she may have been, Lyric still has a bit of an uneasy feeling about competition. She wasn’t sure why though. Just a short two-hour and fifteen-minute flight and they had arrived. Kissimmee, Florida was the location. Specifically, the Silver Spurs Arena. The energy at the competition was thick. Thousands of people filled the halls. It was finals on this sweltering afternoon in April. Despite the uncomfortable weather outside, Lyric felt prepared for the task ahead. While she did feel a bit of nervousness, she was ready to hit the mat. The whole team was ready. They worked hard, and now it was time to show and prove.
Lyric and her team had practiced all season for this moment. This very morning alone they had a three-hour practice. She was used to that though. She normally went to three-hour practices, and she did that three times per week. She was born to cheer. After practice, she and her mom went to breakfast. Lyric seemed to eat a little of everything that was offered in the hotel lobby. “Guess you weren’t hungry” her mom joked. “Nope, not all” responded Lyric. The air was dry and humid. At only one o’clock in the afternoon, it was already above eighty degrees. “It isn’t hot at all” uttered Lyric’s mom. Lyric just smirked. It was a great day for the competition. She sat patiently waiting for her team’s turn, admiring the beautiful palm trees she could see out the window in front of where she sat. Rhinestones, glitter, fringes, and bows filled the room. Every shade of the rainbow could be seen gracing the eyelids of all the cheerleaders. “Looking good ladies”, one spectator was heard saying as Lyric and her team waited patiently. Music, chanting, and cheers were heard throughout the convention center. Lyrics noticed that her flyer, Cassidy, seemed to be sort of overly nervous. Cassidy is a flyer that is afraid of
heights, but she seemed far more nervous than usual. Cassidy knew that sacred and all, she still had to hit the mat and do what she was trained to do. They had only been mocking out the routine all morning but something was off. Lyric took mental note of it but didn’t actually say anything about it though. Everyone on the team understood that they needed to give t their all and push through.
It was showtime! Lyric’s team was on the mat and the music began. “TWO-THREE, Jasmine yelled”. They began. The opening went exceptionally well. Everyone made it to their spots on time. The facials were on point. Running tumbling was happening. Round-off, back-handspring, TUCK! Out of the corner of her eye, Lyric noticed Cassidy stumble, likely because she failed to ball up and tuck her knees. For some reason, Lyric began to see red. She almost didn’t even land on her feet. It was more like a one-foot landing. Five Six Seven Eight! All of the parents could be heard counting the team along. The girl’s red iridescent eye shadow looked stunning under the bright lights. All of the rhinestones on their uniforms made it look like a star shower was happening. What could go wrong?
Lyric couldn’t help but get distracted by Cassidy’s behavior. Just as Lyric, Bella, and Morgan began to take Cassidy up into the pyramid, Cassidy’s ankle gave out and she began to fall out of the air. This had never happened to them before. Cassidy’s right foot hit Lyric in the eye and her left foot slapped Morgan on her left cheek. Morgan, the back spot attempted to break Cassidy’s fall but both of them ended up on the mat. All the while the rest of the team kept going as they were trained to do.
The crowd gasped! There were so many ooh’s and ahh’s that it felt like everyone was in sync. Lyric could see her mom in tears. Coach P was in awe. Her eyes jumped back and forth from the failed pyramid back to the rest of the team. The judges wore a look of concern. Each one of them whispered to the others. “Push through” coach P yelled, and well, they did. They managed to get through their routine for whatever it was worth.
Dynasty! That was the last word uttered as the team ended their routine. Lyric, Bella, and Morgan managed to make it through the dance portion of the routine. They exited the stage. “you ok, Bella” Morgan asked. Her face was still full of tears, “Never been better” Bella answered as she rolled her eyes. They exited back into the warm up area. Lyric observed from across the room a lady walking towards them. The blue star of life could be seen n the lady’s arm before she even got close. Lyric recognized that from her first aid class. She knew this wasn’t going to be good. A paramedic came over to examine Bella. All of a sudden, they heard Coach P get loud. “What”? Coach P exclaimed, “broken?” It just couldn’t be Lyric thought. She wondered why Bella hadn’t mentioned to anyone that she was in pain or even having any issues with her ankle. Lyric thought back to what she had witnessed earlier. I guess there was really something to be concerned about she thought. Bella was rolled away on the stretcher, her mom walking right beside her. A whole sea of people was watching. “All teams to the stage” was heard from the announcer’s microphone. Everyone would now find out their fate. Lyric and her team members waited with doubtful eyes for their team’s division to get announced. “In eighth place, in seventh place, in sixth place, in fifth”, the announcer exclaimed excitedly. Athletes were jumping for joy with bright and wide smiles. Trophies, banners, crowns, and more were given to the many winners. And still, Lyric and her teammates sat waiting to hear the results.
“No way we got top four” Morgan whispered to Bella. “Right” said Bella. Lyric sat with her eyes closed tightly. “We are the winners, we are the winners, we are the winners” repeated Lyric under her breath. Just as everyone else had figured, they didn’t even place. Eight winning teams and they didn’t even get the eighth place. Heartbreak was felt by all. “Don’t worry, there’s always next year” said one of the judges as the team left and went back to the waiting area. “Next year” uttered Lyric, again under her breath. She had no intention of returning to compete next year after such an embarrassment. Lyric sat, eyes fixed on the palm trees and bright sun out of the huge convention center windows. They were partially closed. All of her teammates were gathering their belongings with some sense of urgency. Lyric still sat there, in fact, she didn’t budge. It was like she had fallen into some
deep depression after losing so terribly. The girls were lined up but Coach P and Lyric’s mom gathered close to her. They were staring into her face. “Lyric”, shouted her mom, “Come on”. “Can you hear me?” said Coach P. “What is happening?” Jasmine asked Morgan. Lyric’s mom splashed a little cold water on her face. She sat straight up at that moment. She had been somewhere between sleep and daydreaming. Before you knew it, they were in the warm up room at it was showtime. For real this time. TWOTHREE! Lights, cameras, action. Everything went flawlessly. Dynasty! And just like that, they were done. A few more teams performed and the session was over. The announcer started with the winners in eighth place and continued on place by place. Finally, In the first place, It’s Dynasty! “We did it”, yelled Lyric. Everyone was overjoyed that they had won the championship. “Who run it? We run it”, they all chanted as they exited the convention center. The sway of their victory dance captured the attention of all as they left. “Great job ladies” could be heard from every direction. It was a great day, indeed.
~Katherine’s POV~
A Bottle of Wine Mikeah Velasquez
It’s been a while since I last saw him. It may have been my fault, but he was also to blame. I bought a bottle of wine and poured some into my wine glass, hoping I’d be able to get him off my mind. But it didn’t work. I have kids to take care of, but my state of mind is nowhere capable of taking care of them. These kidneys are killing me slowly. I called my sister, but no help. It’s 7:40 am and the kids have to go to school. I woke them up and took a shower. I drove them to school and waved them goodbye. Maybe if I had stayed, he would still be here with me. I miss him being with us, as a family. I got my wallet and some more stuff to go grocery shopping. As I pass by through an aisle at the grocery store I walk past some of my old friends. They saw me and ignored me. I wouldn’t blame them, I’d do the same thing if I saw myself. I continued walking through the aisles. I suddenly saw him, Michael, my ex-husband…But he’s with someone else. How could he move on so damn fast? He sees me and starts walking towards me while my body freezes. Why can’t I move? I hate the way he makes me feel. I hate the way I still love him. He walks towards me with a beautiful young woman. I could never compare to her, she’s everything a guy would ever want. They stop and we’re facing each other.
~Convo~
Michael: Hey Kathrine, this is Emma, my girlfriend.
Emma: Hi Kathrine.
Kathrine: Uhm hi...
Michael: How are you and the kids, Kathrine?
Kathrine: We’re fine. I’ve got to go, it was nice seeing you guys...
Emma: It was nice seeing you too!
Michael: Bye, tell the kids I miss them!
We talked for less than five minutes. I couldn’t bear to see him moving on. He thought after 3 months of leaving he could just act as if he didn’t damage me and his kids, and yet introduced me to his new girlfriend? But I can’t get him off my mind. It was
quite nice seeing him again, to be honest. I checked the time and it’s already 3:00 pm. It’s time for me to pick up the kids. As I picked them up I asked Lydia and Ethan how their day went, and they said it went well. I told them that I saw their father at the grocery store earlier with his new girlfriend. They shrugged it off. They said they didn’t care, they knew all the damage he had caused to this family and I thought they’d probably care about him since he’s still their father, but they didn’t. I’m the only one who still cares about him...
We get home, the kids go to their rooms and do their homework while I cook dinner. I took out a wine glass and poured wine into it. As I was drinking I started remembering the good times I’ve had with my kids. I love being their mom, It brings me back to reality. I finished cooking dinner and called them to eat. We all finished eating and decided to watch a movie. As they decide what movie I start cleaning.As I’m cleaning. I suddenly feel my chest getting tight. I breathe in and out hoping this anxiety attack leaves, but it only makes me feel weaker. Five minutes went by and it finally stopped, I finished cleaning and headed to the living room with the kids hoping they didn’t see me have an anxiety attack. We watched a movie and then headed to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I poured myself some more wine, It’s already halfway through, and I should buy some more later even though I shouldn’t, because it will make me get worse, but there’s no point in trying to get better if I have my lifetime limited.
I headed to my bathroom and turned on the jacuzzi. I filled it up with bubbles, I love them, they’re so beautiful. They make me feel at peace. I got in and read my favorite book “Stop Pretending by Sonya Sones”, she’s got real talent. Time goes by and it’s already 3:00 am. I headed to my room, an empty room.—an empty room with memories, and an empty bed that has pillows filled with tears. As I get in bed, I start spacing out thinking about the times we were happy, and the times we went through hell. How could I still miss him after everything he has put us through? I remember trying to be tough and mean
towards him so I could move on but I still cared about him and failed. I barely had any sleep, it was already morning.
I woke up the kids and got dressed, I made them their favorite pancakes. I took them to school and then headed to the hospital for my checkup. My chronic kidney disease got worse, it’s on level 5, and I’ve only got a little bit of time left. I got home and poured some wine into my wine glass. It was almost Lydia’s 16th birthday. I picked them up and asked Lydia what she would want for her birthday. I took them to our favorite restaurant, so we could talk about what she wanted. I forgot when was the last time we had this much fun, I love them so much. We got home and headed to bed. We were all so exhausted but it was worth it.
A few months pass by and it’s March 6th, Lydia’s birthday. We surprised her with tickets to a Bruno Mars concert. She was so happy she almost cried. We sang our hearts out and had so much fun. One more month goes by and it’s Ethan’s 15th birthday. We took him to a Bad Bunny concert. He was so happy, we were all able to even take pictures with him. Once we got back home, my doctor called me. They said I only had one month or even less to live. I couldn’t hide this from the kids anymore, they needed to know. I tried hard to stay strong for them, I tried doing everything I could do to get better for them. So I told them that I had chronic kidney disease level 5 and that I only had one month or less left to live. They hugged me asking if there was any way I could get better. It was killing me inside telling them that there was no time left and that it was too late to get a kidney transferred. I decided to call Michael and tell him so he could take care of the kids when I’m gone. He agreed, but it was now time for me to tell the kids. I told the kids about it and they didn’t mind. I was honestly surprised at their response, but either way, there was no other option. I told them how proud and grateful I was for them. I went to my room, took out pieces of paper, and wrote a letter for Michael, Lydia, and Ethan for once I’m gone. As I wrote while drinking some wine I remembered this one quote my ex-mother-in-law had told me. I smiled, she was the mother I had never had, she was my everything. I wrote the quote in Lydia’s letter, I wanted her to read it at my funeral. Two weeks passed by and I had gotten worse, I was like a toothpick. I was at the hospital 24/7 Lydia and Ethan would check on me after school while Michael would check on me in the mornings. It was already
April 27, and Lydia and Ethan came with Michael. Ethan and Michael went to get something to eat while Lydia stayed with me.
As I started feeling my chest get tighter my breaths got shorter. I tried with all the strength I had left to tell Lydia that I loved her. As I saw her look worried, my heart suddenly stopped.
~Lydia’s POV~
I heard her say “I love you” with weak eyes. I started crying and panicking, hoping she was just playing with me. However, there was still no response coming out of her. I suddenly hear the beep going straight, and my heart drops. I called my dad and brother, choking on my tears trying to tell them to get to the room because she was gone. The doctors came running while I was standing frozen, in a corner crying. I know me and her weren’t that close, but she always tried to make us happy. The doctors gave me three letters with each of our names. Mine was the only one saying to open at the funeral. My dad called the funeral home and they approved him for the 29th of April.
It’s April 29 and I get ready to head to the funeral home. Once we all got there, every single person my mother had ever known showed up. I was in shock when I saw the big crowd, but I was also happy because each one of them was able to have my mom in their lives. As Ethan finishes his speech I get up and open my letter. As I read it out loud it said...
“Lydia, if you’re reading this, I have passed away. I want you to stay strong for your dad and brother, they need you, and each person in this funeral needs you. I remember when your grandmother told me the quote “Life is short so make the best out of it.” And that’s what I did. I know I haven’t been the best mother, wife, friend, daughter, or sister, but I’ve given my all to try and be there for each one of you. Lydia don’t you ever think that you mean nothing, you and your brother meant the world to me, and if I could still be there with you guys I’d do anything to be able to. But everything has a purpose. I love you guys with all my heart. As I finish this letter, I want you guys to make a toast to life. -Love, Mom”
As tears flowed down my face I took my mother’s favorite wine glass and the wine she had almost finished and made a toast to life. That bottle of wine lasted the same amount of time that my mother had left to live, and today at her funeral I finished so she could live in peace. I love you, Mom.
Short Films
(Click the thumbnails to watch)
The Big Fish
Jean Molina Negron
The Kidnapping
The Trafalger’s Last Victim
Connor Jones, Joseph Jordan, Joshua Dannison
Robert Bryant, James Patterson, Larone Whitfield, Zaire Campbell