2022 Literary Magazine McKinley High School Ka Hana Kaulana

KHK

MH S L iter ar y Magazine - K a H ana K aulana

2022

LITERARY MAGAZINE 2022 Ka Hana Kaulana A publication produced by the students of President William McKinley High School Pr inted by the Reprogr aphic Lear ning Center 1039 South King Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 (808) 594- 0400 https://www.mckinley.k12.hi.us

Table of Contents Ar t w or k & Ph ot ogr aph y "The Ethereal" by Victoria Tanaka

4

"Dripping with Regret" by Mai Doan

6

"Top Text" by Jenny Cheng

8

"Apple " by Kirsten Sakaue-Mito

10

Annabelle by Ya Wen Li

12

"Tired... " by Mai Doan

16

"The Sky Has Gone Awry" by Amy Ruan

18

"Sun" by Tina Huang

21

"Choking On Water" by Lily Cheng

22

"Betrayal" by Stacy Cabusas

25

"Finding the Light" by Wendy Zhou

28

"Chubbabun" by Mai Doan

31

Poet r y "A New Chapter" by Lové Alexander

5

"Dark Eyes Filled With Light" by Rafael Elham

7

"Tryhard" by An Vo

9

"Will You Hold Me" by Takara Tasaki-Ardren

11

"Lotus" by Takara Tasaki-Ardren

13

"Girly Can't Be With Guys " by Chloe Tran

14

"Burn Out" by Tia Cunningham

15

"Rousing" by Rafael Elham

17

"Insecurity" by Malia Manuel

19

"6:55 a.m." by Frances Balcita

20

Pr ose "Unordinary Night" by Jennifer Danh

23

"Tea Time" by Daisy Wallace

26

"Ocean Hearts Collide" by Vanessa Buquing

29

Her e is Ka Hana Kaulana School Year 2021-2022 has been more than a long year. Everyone's had enough of a pandemic and school, even our honorary seniors. W hile there's been enough good changes this year, one being our first senior assembly since the big elephant in the room occurred. But that is also enough of such a thing. All of us can now look forward to the future, awaiting another year as joyful Tigers. To our graduating seniors, however, they're to be on an impending journey of growth. We can all give them a round of applause for surviving these four years. There is only the future to look forward to. One where we can succeed and grow into these opportunities. Ones

that can lead us to even greater things. W ithout us knowing it, the class of 2022 and beyond can be more than just high school graduates. There is no way to know what the future holds, except for amazing possibilities.

We all stand with one another, as well as our own external communities. Once again, McKinley stands with those in need. Ukraine, the LGBTQ+, BLM, and AAPI have our regards this year too. We hope to see them succeed and flourish, just as our tigers surely will. Here is to a great 2022 for everyone alike.

Wesign off with hopeand luck to you all.

Written by Takara Tasaki-Ardren, senior editor in chief

Cover Ar t: The Ether eal Victoria Tanaka, freshman

04

A New Chapter Lové Alexander, senior The burning desire to make it official, yet frozen with fear And feeling blue.

Getting dressed in garb you only wear once.

The start of a song that turns on the waterworks For many.

The fantasy of walking down the aisle To be congratulated with cheer. Posing for the shot, The one that makes it in the books.

Only then do you go to the afterparty, late, But better late than never and party like there's no tomorrow.

The morning after, Life is calling you to begin a new chapter in life.

"Life is calling you" 05

Dr ipping With Regr et Mai Doan, sophomore

Art inspired by @xiuxiukong

06

Dar k Eyes Filled With Light Rafael Elham, senior There is a light that shines in the Dark Behind the unexplainable beauty of your Eyes And despite the despair with which they are Filled

Borne from an entitlement so fearsome and despicable Simply dissolved once our name was christened Such an occurrence, inexplicable Borne from the depths of the night Are dark eyes that are filled with light

It shines through, without or

So, my dear, as you hold me to your bosom

W ith

As my despair falters and dissolves

The hope that guides us to the

The greatest realization dawns

Light

I am blessed by

And that beauty compels my sight

Dark

Such a paradox that can excite Are dark eyes that are filled with light A woeful past, one must rue

Eyes Filled W ith Light

And a broken heart, indeed it?s true But the hope that imbues The minds it will confuse Create a criminal that one cannot indict A curious case of dark eyes filled with light And a wind, one-thousand-men strong

"And that beauty compels

Pushes away the ignorance That had covered me for so long

my

Releasing my mind from a trance And from the cell in which it was imprisoned

sight" 07

Top Text Jenny Cheng, freshman

08

Tr yhar d An Vo, junior My life, swamped by expectations, merely revolves around academics.

Sleep deprivation, meltdowns, and a rigorous course load are prerequisites to be true to myself.

Therefore, I cannot say:

- "Life is not fair."

-

Perfectionism is unrealistic.

-

I deserve to prioritize well-being over grades, simply because

-

I am just a simple-minded human.

Because, realistically, the truth is

"Per f ecti on i sm

Conventionally squishy, sluggish, and absent-minded.

I am like dough:

is

Flattened and bashed; Interwoven and molded; By the stiff, yet gentle, hands of reality.

u n r ealist ic."

Baked to perfection Under the protection of a soft-golden crust; Or, Pessimistically abandoned as ink-black charcoal.

I ponder about being Something I cannot look up in a dictionary?

"Burnt-out and gifted," that is?

W hat I may never genuinely understand to become; Despite the scars, burdens, obstacles, challenges, abnormalities, and misconceptions from life.

Is trying my best My only solution?

Thisisa reversepoem. After reading it from top to bottom, read from bottomtotop for a tonal shift.

09

Apple Kirsten Sakaue-Mito, sophomore

10

Will You Hold Me? Takara Tasaki-Ardren, senior there?s a nagging at my heart

late nights define the almost fervent hands of mine moments of silence can only haunt the tug of my core

another result was possible and yet, each foot step was towards the same thing such a corner nearly collides with the other annoyance, anger, regret all define it from futility

fantasies of tomorrow fill my brain as regrets of yesterday resound in my mind

a difference of feeling, the basis of the human distinction

its all very loud bigger than that of a tangible ringing in my ear

but it is simpler when it comes down to these definitions

nothing else matters, only this banging of failures

futility is accompanied by its mistress of a dull sadness.

corners of loathing can only stare back at me pricks of a heart never change, seeming as do I

as empty as any other part of me one dedicated to uselessness and another to futility.

I can only wonder what you see in a pathetic mess but in these short moments, I?m only happier for it

only a copy of me stares back with a downcast look

for as whiny and idiotic as I am, can I ask for a favor?

disappointment is seen from a mile away

a foolish one is fit for a failure

there?s not a single gaze of truth, only dashes of eyes too scared to look

I can feel my idiocy spread as I ponder it but maybe the incoming tears are even more powerful

but which is it they're afraid to see?the lost opportunity or the despair inflicted upon its seed?

I only have a single question.

only it knows of that recognized frustration it sinks lower and lower into each tug, each hit darker than the last pricks of verity sting maybe nothing is more disappointing than being nothing. a shadow merely acts as an abyss in another it?s a pit of that predicted end

will you hold me?

"for as whiny and idiotic as I am, can I ask for a favor ?"

an inevitable route that it put itself on, time and time again

11

Annabelle Ya Wen Li, freshman

12

Lotus Takara Tasaki-Ardren, senior pink and ivory leaves float upon this water,

one is to guess if they are failed or yet to be achieved

its very reflection nothing more than a shallow truth

barely a soul can see the insides of the lotus

a mirror of its pure beauty

forever is its insides locked from prying eyes

all would cherish the very sight of it

even as it wishes to let out both sides

there is no true way of catching such a thing, hm?

not a soul shall hear the true tale of the dahlia inside the lotus ever.

not even the finest of oils could paint the visage of something so natural that?s what it is, right? natural in its existence but so faux in its core its allure is nothing but a front to the true presence within for a rotting, black dahlia rest in its very soul. a darkness seeps through its leaves, only then brightening into a pink hue blood dances on its edges, bleaching out to become a familiar white both are lies a conniving dash of red turns out to be only a pitiful white whilst a rosy color only darkens at the very prospect of that lost or rather the very thing never to be attained only to descend into a pit of unworthiness, it floats on the very precipice of the hole its black, absorbing all that looks in

this lotus lives on its

quicksand-like, it sucks in all of the poor souls. this lotus lives on its two sides it lives a lie and a pathetic truth at the same time only convictions from the inside surround regrets

two sides 13

Gir ly Can't Be With Guys Chloe Tran, freshman

Being a girl galloping down the street is gruesome, I gamble that I don't get gashed.

Older men can stare.

Though unpleasant, it's what people say The normal.

Because ?boys will be boys?and I'm a girl.

Girly can't be with guys.

Because "boys will be boys" and I'm a girl.

14

Bur nout Tia Cunningham, senior He marches forward, endlessly on fluctuating slopes.

Mercilessly, he is tempted by a break.

Rebuked, he refuses thoughts of rest.

The slope stumbles; he plummets, into the pit of his stomach.

"He chooses

His eyes are pools, void of love.

Shame swims within gaps of regret.

He wants out.

sleep."

He wants to march.

Sinking deeper into the pit.

He chooses sleep.

15

Tir ed ...

Mai Doan, sophomore

16

Rousing I jolt

Rafael Elham, senior

Awake. Falling into An endless void, The world is spinning and spinning And spinning And

"The moon

Spinning W here did the dreams Of times lost in time

has set

Go? Perhaps the same Place, far removed from it All W istfully, the sun calls Out for the moon, wishing For a few more hours Or another chance Or another trance A futile wish torn

and the sun

From the dying light Of yesterday Jolt

has r isen"

Awake. Once again A void swallows The world, spinning Out of control The moon has set and the sun has risen Yet it fails to reach inside this prison

17

The Sky Has Gone Awr y Amy Ruan, senior

18

Insecur ity Malia Manuel, freshman I stood there glaring at her gawking figure.

God, she was utterly repulsive. I detested her.

She was the perfect reminder, the true epitome of imperfection and inferiority.

I looked down at her scornfully, commenting on her much less-than-pleasing appearance. ?W hy is your body so disproportionate?? ?Look at the acne scars on your cheeks.? ?There shouldn?t be chub on your stomach.?

Your face is so fat.? ?W hy are you so disgusting??

I wanted to scream, to kick and punch at the girl.

I wanted her away from me.

Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed onto the floor, knowing that too hard of a push would cause the mirror to shatter.

"God, she was utterly repulsive.

I detested her."

19

6:55 a.m.

Frances Balcita, senior Our giggles fill the silence of the building as we take rushed strides to save all the time we can.

I?m more focused on the weight of her hand and upward curve of her lips as she tugs me past the rows of pews.

We settle in one just before the altar.

And we?re so close that we?re sharing the same labored breath.

I question why they preach this secret must stay in the closet, Left in a box.

Hidden behind confessional doors, our could-have-been love and may-have-been life.

They preach We should ask for penance And sink to our knees to beg for forgiveness.

For our Father, W ho made us in His image,

"Hidden behind confessional door s,

They decided That be untrue.

our couldhave-

W hen her lips meet mine I forget the hatred.

I discover my conviction and convert to it.

been

I worship my sin.

This two-man cult.

love

I find that repentance must wait.

and

W hen I pull away,

may-

Gaps of sunlight kiss her skin where my lips had not reached

have-

Yet. Shimmering light grazes the top of her head A sinner wears a halo.

An exception by God Himself.

been life."

Sister will walk in just before the 7 a.m. mass, Finding our fingers intertwined and the absence of air in the space between our lips.

She?ll pull us apart and warn us that this is the last time.

The pew we are sitting on will still be cold.

20

Sun Tina Huang, freshman

21

Choking On Water Lily Cheng, junior

22

Unor dinar y Night Jennifer Danh, sophomore A silhouette stands at the edge of the rooftop, awaiting their next command. It?s a habit they?ve grown used to after a month. A habit they desperately wanted to break. Their gloved hand reaches up to their ear, touching their ear piece. The same cold, disembodied voice rings in their ears, repeating the same routine and mission they?ve been completing for them. This occurs every night, first completing their thieving mission without difficulty, then their past teammates will come to stop the crime in the name of light and justice. Having to pull their punches gets more difficult as their teammates have already stopped pulling theirs. They only see them as a rogue now.

back into her hand. The two stare at each other for an extended amount of time, waiting for the other to initiate the attack. Theon shifts his feet, his nervousness creeping into his head. He feels his breathing become ragged and accelerated, his palms sweating whilst holding the weapon, and his mind swirling.

He lets out a gruff laugh at the thought.

?Difficult?W ho says it?ll be difficult tossing you into prison??she snaps.

Moving away from the edge, he makes his way towards the vent on the roofing beneath him. He pulls out his silver pistol from the holster, shooting the bolts holding the vent into place, each gunshot making a heavy bang. He crouches down, viewing the inside of the warehouse filled with treasures beneath him. Then, on instinct he jumps away from the open vent and at the same time a dagger smashes into the slate roofing mere inches from where he crouched.

A dagger?

Looking up, he stares in awe as another person comes into view, that person being someone he hasn?t seen in a month.

She walks toward him, her boots clacking with each step.

As the breeze weakens, some strands of hair fall over his eyes, but he is still able to view who she is. But the question is, how was she let out once more? Last time he recalls seeing her was the night of his disappearance and that same night her abilities went haywire, because of his actions. ?Been a while hasn?t it??He allows the words to fall from his mouth.

She stops in her tracks, her feet screeching on the roof. The light from the night sky shines ever so slightly, making her mauve hair look almost ethereal There's visible rage gleaming through her amber colored eyes. He realizes, Valyria isn?t here to talk, nor to hold back her attacks.

In a cruel, twisted way he feels a smile form upon his lips.

Theon expresses, ?Leave, Val. Don?t make this difficult for the both of us.?

The young girl flinches when he says her name and her hold on her dagger tightens, her veins popping out.

W ithout hesitation, he replies, ?I do.?

He moves his gun slightly off from Valyria, pulling the trigger and a loud crack can be heard colliding with her dagger, blocking the bullet. He quickly places his free hand on the bottom of the gun, shooting more bullets as she runs toward him, her dodges and blocking more sharp than ever. W ithout looking back he begins pacing backwards, keeping distance between them. The rounds of gunfire can be heard in the nightly air, echoing in the seemingly quiet hours the city brings upon them. The only thing that can be heard is the clanging of the bullets hitting the dagger and their footsteps dancing on the slate. But in Theon?s ears, he can hear what once was a detached, aloof voice, now enraged and fuming in his eardrums. Although he had been tuning out the voice this entire time, one command he hears makes him stiffen. ?Kill her.?

His hand jerks from the bottom of the gun and presses his fingers up to his ear. At the same time his aim on her lowers to the floor. Theon has forgotten the added factor that his "mentor" was able to watch security footage. And for the first time in a month, he shows emotion in his voice when communicating with his 'mentor." ?If she dies then you know you?ll have no leverage over me.

I?m going to get what you want out of this junk place and get the hell out of here!?Theon yells into his earpiece.

?Not long enough, Theon,?she spits coldly.

He stands up, readying his gun, and aiming it at her. She extends her arm in front of her, her palm beginning to emit an orange glow and from the corner of his eye, he watches the dagger rattle in its place, then fly out of the roof and

W ithout realizing, his foot bumps the wall, indicating he?s at the edge of the roof. And with that opening, Valyria aims her dagger at his throat, the tip of it jabbing his skin.

He freezes, his eyes widening and both of his hands drop to his side. The yelling over the earpiece can still be heard,

23

something he?ll have to deal with later. Right now he can only focus on what?s in front of him. The girl who once laughed and looked at him with admiration now has nothing more than the intent of bringing him to justice. ?Theon W ilkins, if you don?t kill her within the next five minutes, I?ll make you watch her go through the most excruciating pain possible. Remember those femtoscoptic orbs can kill her at any? given? moment.?The voice rings in his ear.

Instinctively his hand reaches up to his ear, but he then stops himself because of the dagger digging deeper than it originally had. He sucks in his breath as a small amount of blood slips from his neck.

Theon lowers his gun and slumps down against the roof's edge. The night feels like it is going to last forever. As if this is a never-ending nightmare. W ith the person in front of him giving him an ultimatum and the other in the earpiece, also, giving him an ultimatum, he has no choices.

Theon looks up at her while she peers down at him, neither of them able to read how the other is feeling. He knows she?ll get hurt one way or another, either by him shooting her in the foot or hand, or the faceless man pulling the trigger on her, hurting her anywhere and everywhere.

I should?venever gotten soclosetoher.

Valyria opens her mouth to speak, but something interrupts, a gadget, summoning on her wrist.

Valyria?s voice rings in his ears, ?W as it worth it??

His eyebrows furrow, ?W hat??

She sighs heavily, maintaining eye contact with him, ?W as it worth betraying us?W as it worth going rogue and ruining this city??

His silence lingers, frustrating the girl before him. And after an uncomfortable amount of silence, she asks him, ?Then at least answer this. W hy did you do it??

Becauseif I didn?t, thepsychopath in my ear would kill all of you, Theon wants to say.

Instead, he gulps, sucking in what?s left of his dignity as his mind continues to whirl. ?Just 'cause.?

Her eyes widen and her grip on the weapon tightens strands of her mauve hair flow over her eyes, and her jaw clenches. But instead of stabbing him on the spot, she pulls her dagger away from him and at the same time she grabs his hand that holds the gun. She lifts it up and aims it at her own head. ?This was all a joke, huh?Everything we?ve been through and everything you did, was ?just 'cause?.?The girl laughs. ?Shoot me, Theon.?

This time, he flinches at Valyria saying his name. He clenches his free hand and simultaneously his grip on the gun tightens, but still refuses to pull the trigger.

They still usethat dial, knowing damn well I still haveaccessto it?

A screeching noise comes from his earpiece and he uses his hand to cover his right ear, now ringing from the loud noise. His head begins to pound from the constant yelling, his "mentor" repeatedly pushing him to shoot her on the spot, and threatening him if he doesn?t that he?ll take action promptly.

He hears footsteps distancing away from him, Valyria is walking away from him. He hastily stands up, still leaning against the edge, shocked that she?s leaving him after all that has happened. The wind mocks him again, the breeze blowing his hair onto his face, blocking his sight. ?You?re seriously going to leave? after all that??he asks, dread flooding his mind.

She immediately stops, turning around slightly with her wrist in front of her face, indicating she?s communicating with her teammates. W ith their teammates.

Valyria nods in response.

Theon feels his heart ache. Brushing his hand through his hair he mutters, ?W hy??

She turns back around, readying to flee, but before leaving, she responds with, ?Just 'cause.?

?All of this was meaningless, right?Just some sick joke you decided to play. So be it, I?m sick of this game. I?m sick of chasing you around. At least let me leave this hellhole thinking that everything you said to me before all this? was genuine.?Her lips form into a pitiful smile at the last sentence.

24

Betr ayal Stacy Cabusas, sophomore

25

Tea Time Daisy Wallace, sophomore The basket weighed heavy in her arms, filled with delicious treats, magical tea powders, along with water skins full of warm water. Everdine swept her hair over her shoulder and reclined her head. Moon spirits danced across the sky, descending through the air along with the stars. The moon spirits bore ethereal silver glows and left trails of glitter behind them with every flourishing step.

She liked to watch the stars most of all for the golden hue they each had. They rode galloping pegasi made of cosmic energy, and looked as if they themselves were constellations, a kaleidoscope of colors and explosions of shades. Everdine was a human, but her house was the home of dead wiccan spirits.

Moon spirits reached the ground first, their lyrical singing sending vibrations through the ground.

The empty field was suddenly full of light and bursts of laughter. Joining them were the melodic sounds of stars. Placing her basket down briefly, Everdine swept her purple velvet cloak over her shoulders and prepared to leave.

Light gleamed through her window, the stars bright glow nearly blinding, lighting up her dark room. Laying her hand on the pane of her window, Everdine smiled as the glass fell away, not breaking, but not there. Crawling through the window, Everdine landed on the other side of the wiccan portal. Green hills rolled for as far as the eye could see, the constant state of darkness the other world had not bothering her in the slightest anymore.

Picking up the skirts of her dress, Everdine sauntered down the short slope, leaving the portal alone while searching for the familiar face of Ghost.

Ghost awaited where it always did, patiently flattening out the small table?s cloth. ?Ghost,?Everdine greeted, her grin brighter than any of the eight moons which hung high in the cloudless sky. A sky whale swam by, followed closely by its pod.

Ghost smiled back, its soft face lighting up at the sight of its only friend. Lowering herself into a curtsy, Everdine sat in her usual seat across from Ghost. As Ghost sat in its seat, they could hear clanking metal. Everdine pulled down the hood of her cloak and then flipped open the lid of the basket.

Ghost helped her pull the treats from the basket and lay them nicely on the round table. ?Everdine,? it began, ?it has been so long. Can you not visit me more often??

Everdine?s electric orange eyes flicked up to meet Ghost?s hollow grey iris?, annoyance reflected in their sunset depths. ?You know I can only come when the moon spirits and the stars come down to dance. That is the only time the portal is open.? ?I understand. You were late tonight,?it added, the sad tone of its voice blowing past Everdine, fading with the wind. ?I like to watch their dancing.? ?Yes,?Ghost affirmed, letting the conversation drift. ?Have you settled that problem back home?? ?Well,?Everdine began, pouring the warm water into each of their cups before sprinkling in the tea powders, ?Not exactly. It seems the nuisance has persisted, so I suppose I will need to take immediate action tomorrow.?

Ghost paused. It replied, ?You?re not referring to? ? it could not finish the sentence.

Everdine?s jaw clenched. ?Referring to what??She asked, ?Murder?I am. She?s been a pain as of late.?

Ghost flinched, its pitch of voice lowering, becoming a warped mess. ?She?s your blood.?

Everdine scoffed, ?That didn?t stop me with you, did it??

Standing from the table, Ghost stepped out from

26

behind the chair. The chains linked around its ankles weighed it down. ?Everdine,?the tone of its voice dropped octaves, forming the warbled haze it spoke in now, ?Reconsider.?

the room, which was already full of other long dead people. Smiling at them, she said, ?You will gain another soul tomorrow. Be sure to teach her how things work here.?

Not looking up from her tea, Everdine said, ?You know I hate when you get like this. Sit back down, or you?ll go back to the cage until I return.?

Turning away, Everdine left the cage, full of familial faces, decayed with age and death. Ghost looked the most like her, however, being her own mother. It should be glad to get to see Everdine?s sister again. They always were closer.

?She is your sister, Everdine, please reconsider.?

Ghost?s warped cries fell on deaf ears. Everdine?s orange eyes snapped up to Ghost.

Standing from her seat, Everdine grabbed Ghost?s arm, her lip curled. Ghost?s features twisted, its human teeth becoming sharp like knives as the illusion magic disappeared at a human?s touch. Its real features appeared. Taut skin pulled over disfigured bones, stretched in a multitude of directions while limp hair clung to blackened flesh.

Its eyes, however, remained the same ? hollow and grey, cloaked by a milky hue of white. ?I told you what would happen if you didn?t sit back down,?Everdine said, her honey soft voice fading with her kind facade.

Pulling on Ghost?s arm, Everdine dragged the dead creature through the green field, ignoring the banshee-like screams it released, speaking in unintelligible tongue.

The only thing Everdine caught between its pleas was a name. Its old name. Everdine never used that anymore, not since it had got too attached to her. It whined for her attention, begged her to stay, and incessantly cried for her to stop with the killing. ?You couldn?t have just been grateful,?Everdine sighed, her voice blank. The cage came into view, its iron bars rusted with age. Using her key, Everdine opened the door and tossed Ghost into

27

Finding the Light Wendy Zhou, junior

28

Ocean Hear ts Collide Vanessa Buquing, freshman The son of the baron?s family, W ilbur III inherited his old man?s ship, a ship that had been passed down many generations, a great swimmer indeed. The baron?s family had a great line of sailors, so surely W ilbur too was destined for great things on the vast ocean blue. Sailing beside him was his chosen crew and his best mate, Caspian.

Caspian wasn?t a great sailor but he was a skillful swordsman. W ilbur had known Caspian since they were lads and they still were as inseparable as two peas in a pod. ?Mate, you?re 23 and already got the big ol?baron's ship to yourself, ay??questioned Caspian.

W ilbur chuckled. ?I sure did. Besides with this ship we can discover a whole new world out there beyond this fine dock.? ?You mean we have to see vicious sea monsters that wait for sailors to come by?! W ith their sharp knife-like razor teeth, I bet they can gnaw through anything!? ?Real funny, Cas. Sirens? Those aren't real. They're just some old folklore people tell down by the dock.? ?Well, how do you know they're not real?

W ilbur took a deep sigh, ?W ho cares what I think. Just get on the ship and let's set sail. We?ve got a long way ahead of us.? ?Alright Captain W ilbur!?grinned Caspian.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the Northern Atlantic Ocean awaited a mythical creature with the heart of the sea, skin that shimmered like piles of gold that glistened in the sun, and silky brown hair that could have been woven by Arachne. This was Reign, a dazzling mermaid who was always searching for her own adventure.

Almost half way after W ilbur and Caspian had set sail to cross the North Atlantic Ocean, it seemed like the tides were starting to rise and a storm was rolling in. W ithin the area, W ilbur noticed a strange wave movement. W ith a closer look, he could tell that there was something in the waters. It had a woman-like figure and bobbed up and down trying to escape the grasp of the atrocious waves. ?Look there men! I think it's a woman. She looks like she's drowning! Set the anchors now!?W ilbur called out. ?Yes sir!?they replied. ?But W ilbur, it?s too dangerous. The tides are escalating.

You won't make it in time!?cried Caspian. ?I have to go save them,?W ilbur said insistingly.

Each crewmate on deck had the eyes of an owl, watching as W ilbur leaped into the big blue. SPLASH! W ilbur dived down and swam with vigorous arm movements under each rough wave that passed through. A damsel in distress is what he saw. W ilbur could hear the frantic panicking in her voice. ?Ack? I?ve been caught between piles of boulders. I can?t lift it up. Help me please, I beg,?she pleaded in agony. ?Alright I?m here. Don?t worry,?W ilbur replied.

Taking in large breaths of air, W ilbur dived down once more. He gasped as salty, fishy water and debris of crunchy sand seeped through his lips. He couldn?t believe his eyes.

In shock, he hurried to lift each boulder till the very last one, hoping to not scratch her. But lifting the last heavy rock only made it worse as it had already pierced her scales, cutting her deep. Free from the rocks, Reign dashed away, giving a wide enough space for the both of them as she was quite hesitant to approach her savior. W ilbur reached the surface gasping for air and felt her sharp gaze. He turned around, locking her eyes with his own. Buh-Thump!

Buh-Thump! Both their hearts skipped a beat.

Reign's face flushed a bright red as she murmured, ?Um, t-thank you for saving me? I?m Reign." ?W ilbur? W ait, are you a mermaid?!" he blurted out. ?Ye? ? ?

Having lost a lot of blood, Reign suddenly fainted and she started plummeting downward. W ilbur lifted her up and wrapped her arm around his neck and swam towards the ship as pools of blood trailed behind them before carrying Reign onboard.

"W il, you're bac? ...?Caspian halted.

The loud cheers from the delighted crewmates turned into a silent whisper. The sky turned muggy, the crewmates stood there terrified like they'd seen a ghost. Caspian couldn?t believe his eyes, stunned by the creature W ilbur held in his arms. It was so surreal. ?The captain has let a sea dog upon his own ship. Hasn?t he heard the tales of their kind taking the lives of men like us?!?the crew rudely pointed out.

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Others stared, laughed and even taunted at the bleeding mermaid. Furious, W ilbur glared at them with a menacing look that shivered their spines. A dark aura surrounded the mad man as he stomped to his captain's quarters, filling his tub with water, gently placing the fragile mermaid and, using ointments, wrapped up her wound with a compressed bandaid.

Some time passed ? roughly reaching the end of their voyage, and Reign was almost fully recovered and they both had gotten along with each other. W ilbur told his stories and Reign boasted about her world. Over the course of the voyage, W ilbur and Reign fell deeply in love with each other. In pure ecstasy, W ilbur couldn?t handle it when Reign wasn't by his side. ?Oh I wish I could see what life is like up above,?Reign enthused.

W ilbur smiled, ?And I too wish to see what your life is like.?

Caspian watched as W ilbur and Reign chatted away on the ship?s ledge. He didn?t understand what W ilbur thought of Reign but Caspian was afraid that his best mate would choose the mermaid instead, throwing his life away. He decided to make a stand and do something about it, but needed to wait for the right time to do so.

The time came, with the winds high and orange rays in the sky. The sun was about to shut its eyes. W ilbur called forth his crew. ?Alright men. Reign and I wish to tell you something really important.? ?Well, tell us??they responded, ?Reign and I truly love each other and wish to stay by each other's side.? ?Pftt, looks like the sea lady would like to be part of our world,?his crewmates cackled.

Caspian barged in. ?W hat!?This is preposterous!?In his rage, Caspian raised his sword to Reign?s neck. ?Caspian! Lower your weapon. There shall not be any bloodshed on my ship!? ?You can?t do this W ilbur. W hat will your parents think about this?They wouldn?t agree with your decision. She?s changing you!? ?Don't make me do this,?W ilbur provoked, drawing his sword from his side. ?Stop! You can't do this. Don't fight each other over me. I know how much your friendship means to the both of you,?Reign pleaded.

?Well then, proceed to make a decision W ilbur, to choose us or stay with her,?Caspian proposed.

W ilbur stood there with a puzzled mind. He only wished to stay at Reign and Caspian's side. But society wouldn't handle merging human worlds with marine life. Reign felt guilty. She couldn't endure watching her lover face such a matter, so she decided on her own. ?It can't go on like this. We have to part ways, W ilbur. One of us has to let go.? ?W -what are you saying?W hat about us?Reign, didn't you want to see my world?? ?I would love to see your world. I absolutely wish to go but they won't accept me W il? none of them will.?

Caspian released his sword from her neck.

Reign lifted herself on the ship's ledge, ready to plunge into the ocean. W ilbur reached for Reign?s hand. ?W ait Reign! W ill I ever see you again??questioned W ilbur with a sorrowful look.

Reign smiled, afraid to say anything more.

Slipping through his fingers, Reign leaped into the blue abyss and headed towards the opposite direction of the sailing ship. Reign turned back for one last look. She watched till each gradient of light in the sky shifted to a dark marine blue.

Years went by. Caspian opened up a fencing class, mentoring young boys and girls. W ilbur started a family of two sweet girls and a courageous son who loved to hear all their fathers stories ? with his lovely wife whom he met during his final voyage. Of all the many books about W ilbur?s travels that were told and published, his mystical meet-up wih the mermaid was one of his best sellers.

W ilbur ended his sailorship and retired, but he researched more and more and read books about what lies beneath the ocean floor. From time to time, W ilbur still wondered if he and the mermaid could've done something about their love, wondered if she was still out there.

W ilbur sometimes took the big ship with his son, going back and forth through the same route across the North Atlantic Ocean hoping to one day meet his mythical love again.

"Father?Do you think there's something far more than what's on the surface?" his son wondered.

W ilbur smiled, turning to stare at the horizon.

"Yes, yes I do," he said.

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Chubbabun

Ar t in spir ed by @alexbeeza.

Mai Doan, sophomore

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Ka Hana Kaulana's Note In the 1930's, creative work by McKinley High School students published as a supplement in the school newspaper: The Pinion. In May-1946, that supplement became its own publication? Ka Hana Kaulana? which the staff translated as "the highest and finest creative work of any kind."

The Literary Magazine had various names over the years. In 2020, the staff brought back the name, "Ka Hana Kaulana." The 2021 staff translated it to "The Celebrated Work."

Student staff selected creative work and used Lucidpress for the design, with guidance

from teachers in the English, Arts, and Tiger Media departments.

A contest for each category winner delivered an amalgamation of McKinley's creative outlet. The 2022 magazine can now be something all can admire.

Also, make sure to check out the expanded digital version of the 2022 Lit. Mag! It'll be up on issuu.com and serves as a different aesthetic for what we couldn't do for the physical version. It can also be found on The Pinion's website at mhspinion.com, under the Literary Magazine tab.

@mckinleylitmag Want to stay updated? Follow us on Instagr am!

Pr int archives can be found at issuu.com/ mhspinion.

Adviser

Editor- I n- Chief

Cynthia Reves Jordin Carmichael

Takara Tasaki-Ardren, senior

Editors Jade Bluestone, junior Jennifer Danh, sophomore Amy Ruan, senior Kirsten Sakaue-Mito, sophomore

Katie Thai, junior An Vo, junior Daisy Wallace, sophomore Wendy Zhou, junior

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KHK K a H an a K au l an a

RS 22- 0845, May 2022