KA HANA KAULANA 2025
McKinley High Schoo l’s Literary Magazine
STAFF MESSAGE
As I sit here in the stifling heat, counting down my final few weeks of high school life, I am having trouble attempting to summarize all that I want to say about the wonderful pieces of literary prose, art, and photographs that have been submitted by our MHS students.
We stand on the threshold of a new chapter, stepping into adulthood and a world increasingly shaped by the use of technology. One of the most pressing topics in the art community today is the rise of using AI in the creation of art. Our literary staff collectively and firmly advocates against this mishandling of AI in artistic expression. While AI can be a positive and helpful tool in other areas, it lacks the emotional depth, originality, and individualism that true human creativity offers. AI is completely devoid of the connection original art pieces form between communities. We must always remember that art is not about avoiding error. Error is what makes us human.
Above all, we would like to congratulate everyone who was included in our magazine for their work being a product of their own independent talent and merit, and express our avid encouragement in continuing to do so. These works that embody the experiences poured into them, the courage it took to share them with the world, and the fragility each of us grapples with as students in high school and as people are an enthralling example of what it means to create as human beings. We hope that you can dive deep into this magazine and immerse yourselves within the works submitted. It is an honor to celebrate your authentic voices and unique perspectives.
Thank you! - Malia Manuel and Staff.
STAFFERS
Chase Chan
Lillian Franco
Sara Li
Nhi Nguyen
Noel Soukhaseum
Maya Xu
EDITORS-IN CHIEF
Viktor Cambe
Malia Manuel
ADVISORS
Jordin Carmichael
Evon Le
Cindy Reves
COPY EDITOR
Darryl Tang
A Spark of Thought
Jenny Cheng c/o ‘25
The Garden
Chloe Jadotte c/o ‘25
The Sunset
Liana Narito c/o ‘28
I created this because of a book I was reading and there’s a picture of someone’s eyes; I think it’s Aphrodite.
Guardian Angels Watch Over You
Sara Li c/o ‘25
“Weren’t you supposed to protect me?”
This is a drawing of my character where I wanted to experiment with dark colors and a high contrast. The concept of a “Guardian Angel” scared me enough for me to draw this.
Detours of Life
Emmanuel Cordova c/o ‘28
A camera holds long lasting memories that live behind a lively moment. Though they seem close now, you will end up reminiscing on them in the distant future when all that is left is a photograph.
My Camera, Your Smile
Maya Xu c/o ‘25
A Warm Memory
Jenny Cheng c/o ‘25
This art piece shows my character spending his time with his cat at his house and the warm connection between the cat and the owner as they face each other!
Cellphones
In this editorial cartoon, I argue that we are being controlled by our phones and social media, spreading misinformation, and also serving as a distraction for us. To do this, I made specific rhetorical choices. One choice is the wage of phones. This choice shows that we are being slaves to it, getting consumed by what we see. This shows that social media controls people’s perception of what’s around them. Another choice is the message on the phone saying “Everything is fine” as well as the thumbs up right after that text. This uses sarcasm. The phrase “Everything is Fine” displayed on the phone screen is sarcastic, contradicting the reality in the background. Mocking misinformation and the way it can create false reassurance. The last choice is the disaster in the background, the fire, protesting, and destruction. This choice illustrates that lots of people can be bared to issues around because of their social media distractions contrasting between reality and the phone screen.
Hannah Ibbay c/o ‘26
Fascism
Malia Manuel c/o ‘25
A congress gathers at a crossroads Possessed by Rebellion. These voices cry out, “Wake up, America!”
A struggle is replaced with power, A struggle coincides with unity. But people have been infected With an American Exceptionalism. Our efforts are laughed into contemporary progress. Because a fascist is simply a story-teller Latching onto a pulse. He has led a fantasy Orchestrated by a shadowy enemy In this case, A woman of color. Or so he claims “We are unprotected.” “We will be replaced By something alien.” Fascism has lost its meaning This language is spoken In service of only him. The dismemberment of truth Has turned to manufactured history. Because he who shouts freedom’s name has since become the overseer of shackles and shame.
Initially, I had written this piece because I was asked to turn what I did over winter break into a poem. I did not do much over winter break unfortunately, but something that stuck with me was attending a political discussion hosted by members of a group called RefuseFascism. I think that there needs to be a wake up call to spark a sense of agency in Americans at this time. Writing, specifically poetry in this instance, is one of the best ways to speak to the people in a way that is easy to understand and retain.
Dinner Table
Jeighna
Diaz c/o ‘26
The dinner table was always where it happened
Where laughs could fill empty stomachs
When worries would turn into fragments and eventually fade into a temporary memory
Where the sand in an hourglass would find itself floating
And you realize how short-lived this moment would be
Because the dinner table was also where it happened
The miscommunication
The endless bickering
The bad thoughts
The heartbreaking silence
Along with the regret of ever having enjoyed yourself not knowing what was to come
You could not feel the final grain of sand falling
Because the moment you had gotten up from your seat
Some entity had already flipped the glass
Now, like a puppet, you are forced to keep moving
What’s stopping you from cutting the strings that chain you to time?
The dinner table
That is what.
While eating alone, I realized what a dinner table could witness. In a way, I used my dinner table as an outlet for my emotions at the time.
The Other Side of the Sea
Wing Yin Liang c/o ‘28
Yu Hoi. I’m used to calling you this. We met in the winter when I was 5 years old. I know you were hesitant about your choice. But you insisted on becoming a designer. I know you’ve always lacked a sense of security. But you have the courage to face life. We thought you would be happier in the future. Your short and beautiful life brought a lot of meaning and memories to me. You said you like the sea because your name means the sea. We can never go back to the beginning. But every time I see the sea.
We are still like the beginning at this moment. I hope you are still safe and free on the other side of the sea. I hope you find meaning in the desert.
This poem is my memory for my cousin, Yu Hoi. He is brave for life. His life even though short, he gave me much meaning. He was both fragile and brave, Yu Hoi’s life may have been short, but it left a lasting impact. The sea reminds me of the shared moments. Looking at the sea, the bond still feels as strong as ever. Even in a place as barren as the desert, he can still find meaning.
Fading Away
Seraphina Gower c/o ‘28
I used to speak the words as easy as water flows But now, my tongue is a stone, heavy in my mouth
Struggling with words I used to know like it was the back of my hand I’m losing what I once had
Every now and then I hear her voice, as smooth as silk Hardly hear her voice anymore Hardly see her anymore
Echoes of her voice are distant I try to search, but it’s like finding a needle in a haystack
Words start to slip slowly in silence
Speech lingers similarly to a lost ember
Past phases start to vanish, slipping through the days
I feel a part of me is slipping away and losing touch with who I once was.
Remember
Wing Yan/Chloe Liang c/o ‘25
Hey! Grandma, how are you? Hey! Everything is good? Do you remember? Where did you buy the candy in your bag?
I know you have low blood sugar, but I always steal your candy. Coffee candy, my favorite flavor. Do you remember?
I’m the first child of your last daughter, so Do you remember?
I’m scared you will forget me?
I’m scared I will forget your voice.
If I eat coffee candy, Will you remember me, And show up now?
I just want to say I love you forever.
This poem is about my grandmother. I just want to use this form to mourn her.
Divine Enslavement
Loraine
Tambalo c/o ‘25
In heaven’s light, promises gleam, Stripping humanity’s earthly dream. A butterfly without its wings, Foolish devotion with concealed meanings.
Is paradise true if morals become stray, Or is it hell in a different way? Does ignorance cloak with blissful haze, Erasing empathy’s gentle gaze?
If fear guides righteousness, it’d be untrue, Like a leash on an animal, it’s you. Beyond pearly gates, what do we find?. A soul adrift, or one aligned?
Find My Soul
Sweet Love “Marley” Andaya c/o ‘28
I want you
To find my soul.
Search through the galaxies, live like an astronaut and find out If the stars sprinkled on my skin like to swim around in milky-ways, or if they prefer to lay on a cloud and rest.
Traipse planets as you search for me
The real me, whether it be on a scorching, rocky surface or a dusty deserted place where a heart should be For my soul is somewhere there.
Pull back the silky canvas of the night and enter a universe full of multi-colored hues.
Twinkling lights wink at you and swirls shift into different shapes Dig deeper, and you’re almost blinded by the shades of blues.
But then you finally find her, and see her. After all of the complications, she sleeps Like a tiny fawn untouched by the hardness outside of her shell Like a unicorn with only her eyes set on her horn.
Know that she was always guiding you, And know that she let you see all the things that make the sky; Every little crevice of it that no one can truly see.
I want you to find My Soul.
This poem is about wanting someone to dig through all of the layers that make you, basically wanting them to dig through even the physical, mental, and emotional sides. I also wanted to mention briefly in the poem how people don’t just open up about things for no reason, for they let you see that part of their soul in the first place. This piece shows vulnerability in, I believe, its highest form and being vulnerable in itself should be more normalized.
Aaron Nguyen c/o ‘28
I wish you’d pause, just for a while, To let me savor life’s joyful moments. You flew so quickly when I looked away, And stole the beauty of my day.
You moved so fast, you blurred my memories, Of moments delicate, brief, genuine.
I wish I’d held on, wish I’d seen, The subtle beauty in between.
Slow Down Hurry Up
Stop your ticking, let me stay, In memories I let slip away. Oh time, I beg, just let me be, Bound to eternity.
Time, why do you fly by so slow? Every minute feels like a century. I’m trapped in time, longing for less, Waiting for life to open its door.
I watch your hand drag endlessly, Why can’t you move more quickly for me?
I want the future, I crave its light, Why must you prolong each day to night?
Rush ahead, leave this moment behind, Spare me the boredom of wasted time.
I long for the day when I feel free, Time, just hurry. Don’t torment me.
This poem is two poems in one. The first poem talks about how time moves too fast which doesn't give one enough time to enjoy the moments that pass by quickly. The second poem talks about how time moves too slow, creating a sense of time dragging you along with it feeling as if things were going by at a prolonged pace. What inspired me to create this perspective poem is the fact that I did not feel satisfied with how I spent my time in middle school where I missed the beauty of the moments in the passage of time knowing I could have spent my time creating more memories with those I know. The second poem was inspired by me as sometimes when things get tough, and doing certain everyday activities start to feel boring and school doesn't feel enjoyable, I want the future to come by fast where I can start pursuing my dreams, and possibly apply for a job.
We All Are
Hau'oli Tabije c/o ‘26
social pressure
my parents’ standards grades dance eating sleeping friendship sunk cost fallacy
"Just breathe" breathe
I wrote this poem to deal with the stresses of my life currently. Poems are something that I like to do when I’m under a lot of pressure or stress because it helps me to sort of vent or journal in a way. In my poem I wanted to isolate the aspects of my life that I think impact my stress the most, which is why I chose to list them in the beginning of the poem, but I also didn’t want too much emphasis on them because the tone I’m trying to convey is a soft-spoken person who is just venting to herself or her journal in the late night when all her family is asleep.
they tell me to breathe, they tell me to stop crying.
“Okay”
"I'm good!!" that's what I say that's what I always say
Are you good? Are you okay? What's wrong? You look sad. You look tired. Tired
I'm exhausted. we all are. we all are
Iridescent nature.
Airi Matsuka c/o ‘28
The roses bloom beneath the morning light.
A scent flows, blessing my nose with sweetness
The small petals drop as they shine quite bright
The roses display with neatness.
The lilies sway beneath the summer breeze
The petals blowing through the air
Lilies being picked under the big tree
As sunlight shines, giving me golden hair.
The sunflower blooms the pretty gold shade
The gold shade reflecting towards the ground
The sunflowers shade will fade as light fades
Beauty lingers as the wind blows around.
Though flowers die, their scent remains in air
The soft iridescent sifting scent comes bare.
This poem is about flowers. Flowers are beautiful things. They are nature with iridescent colors. They can represent love, appreciation, gratitude and so forth. Flowers have an amazing scent that brightens your heart. The looks of the flowers are amazing, they are bright and amazing. They bring in joy and its very beautiful in bare nature.
Life is a Book
Shuting Cao c/o ‘28
Life is a book
Different book
Different stories It is an infinite adventure and full of unknown mysteries
Different decisions
Different results You don’t know what is right or wrong
But it is an adventure
All you gotta do is try and explore Maybe you can find an unexpected surprise
Life is a book You can write your own story
Moon
Jing Yao Gao c/o
‘28
The sun sets, and the moon rises slowly. The earth was covered in black, dim and dark. The moon illuminates the earth coldly, When the moon is high in the sky, so stark.
Everything is so quiet, in the lake, All scenery is reflecting coldly. You get closer, for your heart to be slake. Like that bright cold moon, peacefully and proudly.
Life goes on and on, from generation, No matter what is going on this world, The moon light is just the sun’s reflection, Yet time goes on, like history unfurled.
Our ancestors saw the same moon as us For thousands of years, it has been like this.
I created this poem because this idea suddenly popped up in my mind and I remember that this similar idea came from something I read before. However, life really is a mystery, sometimes you don't know what is waiting for you. But it's your own life, so the choice is yours; you decide your own life. The world doesn't only have a dark side but also a bright side, therefore, try not to do things you'll regret. Life is in your hands.
In my opinion, the moon is both cold and aloof. Life is endless from generation to generation, and the moon on the river looks the same every year. For thousands of years, we have all looked at the same moon.
The haunTIng of WhIsperIng pInes
Logan Mckee C/O ‘28
It was a warm summer evening on June 13th when Jake and Ryan received the devastating news that their favorite campsite, Whispering Pines, had been closed down. The reason behind the closure was even more disturbing - there had been multiple sightings of a mysterious and vicious creature deep in the forest surrounding the campsite. Reports of missing people and even dead bodies being found only added to the eerie atmosphere that now surrounded Whispering Pines.
Jake and Ryan had spent countless weekends at Whispering Pines, enjoying the peace and beauty of nature. The thought of never being able to return to their favorite campsite was unbearable to them. They couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled over them, but they were determined to find out the truth behind the rumors of the monstrous creature that now haunted the forest.
Armed with flashlights, camping gear, shotguns, and a sense of unease, Jake and Ryan set out into the darkened forest. The trees loomed over them like eerie specters, their branches swaying ominously in the gentle breeze. The crunch of leaves beneath their feet seemed to echo through the silent woods, sending shivers down their spines.
“Ryan, are you sure we should do this? For all we know, whatever is out there could be watching us right now,” Jake said with a look of fear in his eyes.
Ryan turned his head and nodded with a look of determination.
“If we don’t do this, then no one else will.”
As they headed into the forest, the air grew colder and the sounds of nature seemed to fade away. The only noise that could be heard was the beating of their own hearts, growing louder with each passing moment. Jake and Ryan exchanged uneasy glances, each wondering if they had made a terrible mistake in coming here.
Suddenly, a piercing howl shattered the silence, causing both men to jump in terror. The sound was unlike anything they had ever heard before - a chilling mix of human and animal cries that sent a shiver down their spines. Jake and Ryan exchanged a look of fear before pressing on, determined to uncover the truth behind the creature that now haunted Whispering Pines.
As they continued their journey deeper into the forest, they stumbled upon a frightful sight - a trail of blood leading off into the darkness.
“Do you think we should turn back now?” Jake whimpered in fear.
“No, we don’t even know what’s really going on here,” Ryan replied.
“Yes we do, big scary monster kills unlucky campers, End of story, now let’s go home before we get killed out here!”
Ignoring Jake, Ryan continued to move forward up the
bloody trail. Jake showed a horrified glance before following the trail behind Ryan, their hearts pounding in their chests. The trees seemed to close in around them, their branches twisting and contorting in a horrifying way.
As they followed the trail of blood, the sounds of the forest grew louder - the screech of owls, the rustle of leaves, and the distant growl of something dark and unknown. Jake and Ryan kept going, their flashlights casting long shadows that seemed to dance and flicker in the darkness.
Finally, they reached a clearing in the forest, where they were met with a sight that chilled them to the bone.
“What the hell!” Ryan yelled with a fearful voice.
Both shaking in fear with their eyes wide in terror, as dead bodies are laid across the ground, their limbs contorted in unnatural positions. Jake and Ryan stumbled back in horror, their breath catching in their throats as they realized the true extent of the danger that lurked in the forest.
Before they could react, a massive shadow loomed over them, the scent of decay and death filling the air. Jake and Ryan turned to face the creature that now stood before them - a monstrous beast with blood-stained fur, gleaming red eyes, and razor-sharp fangs that dripped with blood. The creature snarled, its voice a deep growl that sent a chill down their spines.
“RUN!!!” Jake shouted.
In a moment of panic, Jake and Ryan turned and ran, their hearts pounding in their chests as they fled through the darkened forest. The sounds of the creature’s roars and howls echoed through the night, sending a wave of terror through their hearts.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT THING?” Ryan yelled in shock.
“HOW SHOULD I KNOW?” Jake replied.
They knew they were being pursued, and that their only hope in finding a way to escape the clutches of the monstrous beast that now hunted them was to escape the forest.
As they ran, the forest seemed to twist and turn around them, the trees reaching out to grab at them with skeletal branches. Jake and Ryan pushed themselves to the limit, their lungs burning with exertion as they raced through the night, desperate to escape the claws of the creature that pursued them.
Finally, they burst through the trees and into the clearing where Whispering Pines once stood. But the campsite was no longer the peaceful retreat they had once known - it was now a desolate wasteland, covered in the same blood and carnage that they had encountered in the forest. Jake and Ryan stopped for a bit to catch their breaths.
“WE ALMOST DIED!” Jake shouted.
“We almost died,” Ryan repeated, “but it looks like
we’re not done yet.”
“What do you mean, we aren’t done yet?” Jake questioned.
“Look...over there.”
In the entrance to the camp, the creature loomed over them through the bushes, its eyes glowing with malice and hunger like it was waiting to attack.
In a last desperate act, Jake and Ryan turned to face the creature, their hearts filled with a courage born of desperation. They knew that they were facing a force beyond their understanding, a horror that lurked in the shadows of the forest. But they refused to go down without a fight.
With a cry of resistance, Jake and Ryan charged at the creature, their shotguns raised high. The creature roared in rage, its claws slashing through the air as it prepared to strike. But Jake and Ryan refused to back down, their determination unwavering in the face of the monstrous beast that sought to destroy them.
Charging towards the creature, Jake and Ryan blasted the creature with bullets while the beast swung its sharp claws, trying to attack. The beast then slashed through the barrel of Ryan’s gun. Unable to shoot the creature, Ryan pulled out a grenade from his bag, and threw it at the beast. The grenade exploded, burning the creature’s flesh, and the cries of the beast could be heard throughout the woods. But suddenly, in a flash of light and fury, the creature was gone - disappearing into the shadows of the forest, leaving Jake and Ryan standing alone in the ruined campsite. They breathed a sigh of relief, their hearts pounding with adrenaline as they realized that they had survived the horror that had haunted Whispering Pines.
“YES, we scared it away!” Jake said with relief.
“I don’t think that’s the case,” Ryan responded.
“How is that not the case?” Jake asked, confused.
“It just seems odd, the beast has been killing and feast-
ing this past week and suddenly when the week is over, it just… disappears.”
As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Jake and Ryan made their way back home, their minds filled with the memories of the terror they had faced. They knew that they would never be the same after what they had experienced, but they also knew that they had faced the darkness and emerged victorious.
Weeks after the incident, the camp reopened as there has been no sighting of the creature.
“Ryan just give up, you won’t find anything about the creature online!” Jake clamored.
“Found something!” Ryan shouted.
“Actually?” Jake said in shock.
“Yeah, it’s right here, from 5 years ago it says!”
Jake and Ryan quietly read the article to themselves.
Hello, I’m Rodger, a now retired park ranger for the Whispering Pines camp site. I believe that I have found the proof that a mythical creature does actually exist. Five years ago a camper ran up to me in terror, telling me that her friend got attacked by some creature. I went to go and check and I arrived to see a giant beast with red eyes and sharp fangs eating the body of the woman’s friend. Later that week, I got reports of dead bodies, trails of blood and sightings of the beast everywhere. When the week ended everything stopped, and the park reopened. Until five years later on the same exact week it reappeared. I did research and couldn’t find out what the creature was. All I knew was that every five years between the days June 7th, and June 14th, the beast would hunt and go into hibernation for another five years, waiting for its next meal.
Jake and Ryan with horror in their eyes, and chills running down their spines, were stuck in place realizing that in five years the beast will return, and they might be its next target.
ClarICe and The TalkIng pumpkIn
Lagi Te Tai c/o ‘28
It was a common, cold, fall Saturday morning for Clarice. The leaves were falling and clouds were swarming. She excitedly hopped right out of bed and set her coat, gloves, and scarf aside. Clarice got dressed and then raced to the kitchen to eat her occasional breakfast with her mother.
“Hi, Ma.” Clarice cheerfully exclaimed to her mother.
“Good morning, Clarice.” Her mother responded to her daughter. Clarice grabbed two glasses and the carton of orange juice and took it to the dining table. Her mother began to serve herself and Clarice a portion of the newly made scrambled eggs.
“What do you plan on doing today?” Her mother asked while beginning to eat her eggs.
“I will go out to the forest and explore!” Clarice said with a determined look in her eye while she poured her mother some orange juice and then herself.
“I don’t like this new habit you’re forming,” Her mother grumbled.
“Ma, I’ll be fine.” Clarice sighed. Clarice wasn’t a rebellious child but could be seen as such. She doesn’t mean it but she is too adventurous like an eagle at times and doesn’t realize the dangers, especially at such a young age. Their conversation ended there when Clarice scarfed all of her food down and ran to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She put on her coat, scarf, and wore her gloves. Before Clarice could leave, her mother stopped her.
“Do you have everything you need?” She asked, crossing her arms.
“Yes, Ma.” Clarice looked down like she was five years old again getting lectured. Her mother sighed, catching a glimpse of her daughter.
“Don’t be out too long, Sweetie, okay?” Her mother said before grabbing Clarice’s earmuffs and handing them to her.
“I won’t, Ma, goodbye.” Clarice hurriedly busted open the door and walked out into the cold, autumn air without looking back. The coldness was nipping at Clarice’s
a dog’s love sense
M Nishihara C/O ‘28
A hopeless romantic named Marlyn lives alone with a dog named Spot. Hey wait… that name is familiar… Oh! My name is Spot, I’m a dalmatian! My owner is Marlyn, oh how I love our little house, no one to bother us. One day though, as Marlyn came home from work, he smelt a little different, he had a new scent, a bad one. It had a mix of different scents, maybe jealousy? Whatever the smell is, it’s attacking my nose. If I could taste the smell, it would taste sour and bitter at the same time.
A few minutes had passed since I smelt that strong scent, Marlyn went straight from the front door to his bed, not even saying ‘good afternoon’ to me! I even went to the kitchen, grabbed the best smelling flowers we had and tried to rub him with it to make him smell better, but he just ended up pushing me away, not even wanting my attention…
Did I do something wrong? Was I a bad boy?
A couple hours of me sitting in the corner seemed to make Marlyn even more sad. He came up to me with a leash and I jumped up with excitement which caused Marlyn to crack a little smirk.
While on the walk, we passed by a beautiful young lady and her dog. That dog had the most amazing scent, so sweet in the air, there’s no mistaking her in a crowd. I ended up following the lady and her dog, eventually even talking to her! I found out my future puppy-partner’s name, Peach.
“Hey there beautiful.” I stuttered, nervously.
“Oh, hello sir.” Peach replied.
“Would you like to hang out for a bit?”
“Sure! Let me just get water from Lola.”
“Is Lola your owner?”
“Yes! The best there is!” Peach said enthusiastically.
After a short pause of Peach drinking water, I yell out, “Alright, let’s play!”
Marlyn takes out the ball and I play fetch with Peach. I run out to get the ball but I stare at Peach, her fur flowing in the wind. She ends up getting to the ball before me.
“Wow… You’re really fast”
Peach just laughs at me.
The next day when Marlyn was leaving in the morning, he was really cheery, he’s even singing and dancing around the house. I didn’t even realize how much Marlyn would enjoy a walk.
When Marlyn finishes work, he comes home with a woman that I’ve never seen before, but she had that scent… the scent Marlyn came home with yesterday. I was kicked out of Marlyn’s room and was forced to stay in the living room, at least I got the couch.
After a long while of waiting for Marlyn to come out, she ended up leaving in a storm! She looked so angry, like someone took her favorite chewing toy and broke it. Looking up at Marlyn I realize that he looked… is the
word guilty? I tried cheering him up but a few hours after she left, I took the leash from the hook and demanded to be taken outside because he was so happy the last time we went out.
While on the walk I smelt the sweet scent of the beautiful Peach. No wonder her name is Peach, she’s sweet like one. I didn’t even realize that I was running, but I bolted towards Peach in the breezy California park. I was running so fast that Marlyn could barely even keep up. As soon as we turned the corner of a dark oak tree, there she was, beautiful as ever. The sun setting behind them made them seem to glow more than anything in the park. I stopped for a second to bask in the beauty of Peach, her long beige fur and beautiful green eyes, her smile every time Lola calls her name, and the way she runs and the wind moves her fur out of her face. I even noticed Marlyn stopping and just staring in awe, looking at Lola.
After snapping back into reality, I tried walking towards Peach but Marlyn tugged on my leash. He seemed to be frozen there in fear, his facial expression didn’t change. After a little bit of waiting, I tugged on the leash just enough to get Marlyn to start walking. We got up to Peach and Lola, and after a while of talking, Marlyn and Lola exchanged numbers. It was getting late, so we headed home.
As soon as me and Marlyn got home, Marlyn looked distraught, maybe even puzzled. He seemed to be just fine a minute ago, he even seemed to like Lola. They were both laughing so much. I look at him, concerned, but he doesn’t look at me. Then it hit me slowly, Marlyn seemed to really like that one girl earlier today too! Maybe that’s why Marlyn is so sad right now…
He likes the sour smelling lady, but also likes the sweet sugary lady.
Marlyn then sits on his bed, and moments later… ‘Ring ring’ Marlyn picks up the phone. I can hear what’s going on through the phone because he put it on speaker.
“How… to me already?… been dating… We’re over.”
Marlyn sits stunned there for a few minutes, staring outside as the sun is starting to set. When I walked over to him and looked up at his expression, I saw a mixture of guilt and pleasure on his face. It looked like he was about to laugh and throw up at the same time.
After a long pause of seeing Marlyn’s creepy face, Marlyn decides to get up and dial a new number on his phone. When the phone was ringing Marlyn started jumping around excitedly, he kind of looks like my rope toy when I flail it around.
While putting the phone up to his ear, he talks out, “Spot, guess who I’m calling?”
His smile was wide. “I’m calling your new best friend, let’s make a playdate.”
As soon as Marlyn said playdate he paused for a second and smiled. “Date…”
