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[mercedesp24-blog]

College

Damn, look at all these acceptance letters. I sprawled out the 5 envelopes over my bed, picking each one up carefully and studying their insignias. I had been warned in my classes that applying to college was a grueling and often disappointing process. Yet, I sat here staring at a very bright future. When my first acceptance letter rolled in, my parents bought me a new BMW and laptop. I knew they were happy but I doubt they were surprised. Both my grandpa and dad had attended Stanford, it was only fitting that they accept me too. My dad wasn't pressuring me, however for he said I could go anywhere I wanted as long as I truly wanted to go there. Money was never an issue for us so I didn't have to take financial aid into account. Distance? Well, with my new car driving home wouldn't be a problem and if I went out of state, I could just fly home. My brothers flew in from the east coast all the time and they never missed any holidays. Nah, the only thing that was making this decision hard was figuring out which school was THE party school. A huge party scene, girls, and plenty of drink. This is what college is about, maybe I'll even stay an extra year if I'm having too much fun.

I chose to write about a teenager who is about to head out to college but he is privileged in the sense that he has money and therefore college is more like a fun excursion to him rather than a necessity. I've unfortunately come across such individuals on this campus and this is a representation of how I would envision them acting. I actually felt really uncomfortable writing this because I use some stereotypes. For instance, I assume that those with money don't really think much about their economy when they make any decision especially if one is young and they have their parents to foot the bill. I obviously do not mean to insult anybody but when I wrote this I felt like I was in a way doing an injustice to those that can relate to my character's situation. At the same time, however it was interesting trying to place my mind into someone else's shoes and portray a lifestyle much different than my own.

[myriahjsmith-blog]

Complex Emotions

Rachel silently stared at the computer screen for another five minutes before clicking the grey “submit” button. After four years of intensive studying, graduation would soon arrive. All the refusals to party, constant internal struggle to bury her nose in biology books rather than socialize; it would soon be over and all worth it. Medical soon was within reach. Her MCAT scores had not disappointed, and she knew in her heart that Harvard awaited. She couldn’t wait to get out of here. She was done. 

***

But Rachel knew something inside her was wrong. She didn’t know why it took her so long to click that button. For some reason, she didn’t want to do it. She knew she was finished. There was nothing left for her to do here. And yet she wanted to stay. Who knew what the future would hold. Sure it probably had a path of Harvard med and a successful career as a doctor, making every stereotypical parent proud… But was it what she really wanted? Of course it was, she knew that… But then why did it suddenly feel wrong? She was the most assured person she knew. She planned everything, always, just because. Why was she doubting her plan know?

[mercedesp24-blog]

I like how you chose to write about the feelings one gets when they are about to undergo a drastic change in their life. I'm sure anyone nearing graduation can relate heavily to this. The thought of having to leave a place one has called home for four years just to start all over again is daunting and nerve racking. However at the same time deep down you know this change is something you have been awaiting for for so long and you finally have a chance to make it a reality. I was able to feel all of this through your descriptions of the scene. To me, Rachel is a very relatable person because I understood her happiness of attaining success yet also feeling doubt of what is to come next. I got the sense that she likes to plan everything accordingly and has a vision of where she wants to go, however she is constantly second guessing herself simply because its hard to truly know what is the "right" path to take.  

[mercedesp24-blog]

Max

1

He kept me warm at night. Curled up next to me, he made me feel safe. I would run my hands through his fur until I drifted off to sleep. His lush white coat was soft beyond comparison, addicting to touch. Though his coat was impressive, Max's intuitive nature toward humans was perhaps his most amazing trait. Any trace of sadness I felt would dissipate quickly when I was with Max. He would sense my discomfort and immediately take action. Should I have tears running down my face, he would lick them away and shove his nuzzle in between my hands. If I were to be upset or angry, he would place himself right in front of me refusing to move until I had petted him and calmed down. When I was happy he would giddily prance around and make noises that were half bark, half some form of dog language. I never felt alone when he was by my side. In many ways he completed me more than any human could have and I will never forget that.

 2

The car didn't see him. Speeding down a residential street, the driver ended Max's life. In mere seconds, this stranger managed to steal my best friend away from me. Friends told me he was just a dog and I would get over it with time. Some even suggested getting a new puppy or maybe rescuing a young pup from a shelter. But they didn’t understand that the light in me ceased that day. Max was given to me when my mom passed away and since then he has never left my side. Now, without his warm presence I feel empty. Incomplete. Thoughts of Po used to bring a smile to my face, now I constantly wear a grim expression. I hope everyday that such a dreadful way of feeling will leave me, until then I walk through life numb to the world around me.

[ucdfictionalthings]

Prompt 8.1 25 words or less

His parents told him nothing. He saw nothing. He heard nothing. He felt nothing. He said nothing. He knew everything. Nothing was the same.

[mercedesp24-blog]

He knew everything that happened, but felt nothing. Emptiness claimed his entire being.

[ucdfictionalthings]

The footsteps getting closer as she runs and runs and runs.

With one last look behind her, she leaps with eyes closed.

[dee-mvp-blog]

Footsteps nearing, no where else to run.

She jumps.

[mercedesp24-blog]

Footsteps approaching, she runs. Seeing no other exit, she takes one last look behind her, and leaps into the water.

[mercedesp24-blog]

A little bit about myself

Mercedes Posadas grew up in San Jose, but was born in Peru and immigrated to the US when she was four. Growing up with two older brothers, she came to love sports, especially basketball. This past year her family added a new member, their Pekingese puppy, Po. Though she doesn’t get to see her family everyday, she is proud to be going to college and attaining a degree while pursuing the pre-medical path. As for her writing, she loves to incorporate music, such as rap/hip hop, into her narratives. She grew up listening to a variety of artists from different generations. She believes rap is essentially like storytelling and you can have so many different elements in one verse, which keeps the listener entertained. She tries to include some of this spontaneity when she writes in the hopes that her readers really attain something from the story and remain fully immersed with the words on the page from start until finish.

[mercedesp24-blog]

9mm

It felt light. Such an unusual object but it felt right. She fired, ending the life of the man who made her like this.

[albertn5f-blog]

3:00 AM

Nicki I miss you

I just drank three bottles of Ace of Spades

This pink bottle remids me of when you used to dres in pink

Drizzy, I am with Meek.

Drop him for me I better

You’re drunk

I know… 

Btchs in my old phone…. I shoud cll one nd go home

I been drinking so much

Don’t start texting me Marvin’s Room

Meek will kill you

haha……

Wat is he going to do tweet me?

Just come over

Read 3:12 AM

3:45 AM

Nicki….. My diss on Meek was nominated for a Grammy.. He has nothing on me…

Read 3:47 AM

4:12 AM

Nicki I miss you

Read 4:13 AM

11:23 AM

Sorry about last night

I guess I’m not over you

Read 11:28 AM

[mercedesp24-blog]

This was hilarious and my favorite post! So creative, I was entertained the whole time, I just wish it was longer. Your use of Drake’s lyrics was on point and it added an even more comical aspect to the texts. I like how you choose to omit Drake or Nicki’s name every time they texted something, and your use of italics so you can clearly tell who was talking without getting confused. Throughout the conversation Drake texts in small sentences, some not grammatically correct and I thought this fit well with him drunk texting Nicki. Also, I listen to a fair amount of Drake music and I felt that the manner in which Drake was texting sounded a lot like he would in a song so I think you captured Drake’s voice pretty well! I wish Nicki would have said more because it would have been even funnier, but I understand that she wouldn’t want to text Drake back and encourage his drunk behavior. 

[mercedesp24-blog]

Gone but not forgotten

Dear little brother,

I will forever remember the memories we have made together. The laughs, the smiles, the love for which you showed everyday to me. We were cruel to each other at times and played some interesting pranks but at the end of the day we loved each other and thats all that ever mattered. Looking back, I wish I cherished these moments even more and showed you endless appreciation for being a part of my life. You have helped me through thick and thin, you have even seen me at my absolute lowest point. Every hardship I went through you were always there to help me, guide me, and just show your whole support. You may have been younger than me but you showed wisdom beyond your years. I have learned so much from you, I would definitely not be the person I am today if you were not a part of my life. I know I can no longer call you when I need someone to talk to or go on our late night snack runs and then drive around aimlessly. I know you won't be here to see your niece be born or hear her first words or watch her grow up. I know you would have been there for her like you were for your big sister. But I know you are watching over us and will forever be by our side. So I won't be sad or cry anymore because I know you wouldn't want that, you always said to be strong no matter what. I will be strong for the both of us.

I love you, little bro.

[ucdfictionalthings]

6.1 question

Sometimes, I don’t understand a certain part of the story, or something happens with the format, and I get confused. But I can also see how that could be part of the author’s intention, to make the reader think or feel a certain way. How can we tell what is the author’s intention, and what needs to be fixed?

[mercedesp24-blog]

I think no matter how many times we read a story or think we understand it, we don't really know what the author's intentions are at every single point in the narrative. I believe when we read anything we are using biased lenses even when we try to be objective. This can cause a story to have a variety of meanings all depending on what the reader decides to focus on and think is important in the story. We see this every time we talk about a narrative in class, whether it is written by a published author or one of us. For example, in "Cleopatra Brimstone" by Elizabeth Hand we all had different perspectives on Cleopatra's life. Some of us didn't believe she was actually turning men into insects, while others were very much rooted in the idea that she was transforming men into such creatures. So what did the author want us to think? Did she want us to 100% believe that Cleopatra was doing this or maybe she was just trying to convey how the trauma from rape was affecting a character so greatly that it basically consumed her everyday life, even her passion which was studying insects? Moreover, having different perspectives when we read a narrative also creates clashing opinions when we try to suggest ways an author can fix a story. We see this during our workshops, a piece of a narrative can really work for one person but for another it doesn't flow well and obstructs the work for them. I think the best way to handle such situations and provide the most helpful critique is to try to understand other people's opinions, see how it compares to your own, and from there state what works and doesn't work about a certain part of a story, whether it be a character, voice, setting, etc. This way the author can get a sense of what to keep or strengthen and what needs to be revised instead of just getting overwhelmed by clashing opinions and then trying to create a story that caters to everybody's needs which is impossible, I believe. 

[ucdfictionalthings]

A Question About Fiction

In almost all of the stories we have read this quarter, excluding perhaps The Girl, the Wolf, the Crone, have been focused on characters as human beings. My question is, how do I create a character that seems genuinely human? I want people to read my story and connect to it in a very real way, but I am not sure how to go about achieving this. 

[mercedesp24-blog]

Any character within a story will relate differently if at all to the reader as he or she progresses through the story. There isn't a "right" method to creating a character that will be genuinely human, for there are various angles one can approach when it comes to writing a narrative. However, I think a great example of a character who I found believable and full of human characteristics that I didn't necessarily have to relate to but could understand was Mr. Kapasi in "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri. Mr. Kapasi at least to me seemed very genuine. First of all, I received a rather descriptive physical description on page 45 that allowed me to really picture him. I don’t think physical descriptions are necessary to get close to a character but I think it allows the reader to place a face to the voice being portrayed which can allow the reader to gain a closer sense of the character. Besides his appearance, we also get a sense of Mr. Kapasi as a person. For instance, the manner in which he caters to the Das family and is aware of their needs shows how much he cares for his job and has grown comfortable with it over the years. A great example of his manner of conduct is when Mr. Das strikes up conversation with Mr. Kapasi in the car and asks him if he ever gets tired of his job. To this Mr. Kapasi replies with an optimistic answer and mentions that he feels relaxed on these drives and enjoys seeing some of the tourist spots himself, such as the Sun Temple. This conversation stood out to me because you would think that driving in the hot sun would make some one irritable and anxious to end their day. However, Mr. Kapasi's answer was the complete opposite and this just showed his patient and calm demeanor. Then as we dwell more into Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das we don't get a sense of a creepy obsession instead the narrator conveys Mr. Kapasi's interest by tying it into his life. We learn that Mr. Kapasi has a somewhat troubled marriage and to him at least Mrs. Das is like a breath of fresh air, someone to curve his mind off things. Receiving no attention from his wife, he comes to crave the attention that Mrs. Das gives him and thus wishes to spend more time with her. By providing some background information on the character and then building on that, I believe it gives any character a strong foundation and thus captivates the reader's interest in them. Of course, the narrator has to be careful on how the information is portrayed because I think subtle is the way to go. If a narrator is just telling me facts about a person, I tend to lose interest but if characteristics are tied into the story then I am much more engaged. Also, in class it was mentioned before that people tend to like characters that they can relate to. However, I also believe that readers like characters who posses qualities that we don't have but we wish to acquire, in a sense we strive to copy them. On the other hand, some characters can be out right atrocious yet we still learn to care for them and we want to know what their ending is like. I think this is because the author doesn't try to make a relatable character but rather a character that fits with the story. Mr. Kapasi may not be a character who I dream of becoming but the manner in which his traits were given to me in the context of the narrative made him real in my mind, enough that I could picture him in the setting provided and gain a sense for his motives and wishes in life.

[danielleistakingawritingcla-blog]

It all started with...

It all started with beer, Kevin thinks as he walks a few blocks to meet up with his friend Jeremy at the bar down the street that is “way cooler” than the one they were just sitting at. If he hadn’t just said no the one drink after work then he would probably be at home in sweatpants by now. 

Well, actually it was probably the beer and the tequila shots, Kevin thinks as he boards the train to that underground house concert that Jeremy was SO POSITIVE would be the greatest night of their entire lives. 

Well, more acurately, tequila shots and Beyonce. Yes, Kevin thinks as they stand outside of a broken down warehouse in the freezing cold winter hoping to see some new DJ or something. Yes, if the bar hadnt started playing Beyonce just as they were doing tequila shots Jeremy wouldnt have insisted they go somewhere that plays “real music.”

Or actually, Kevin thinks as they shuffle forward in line, It was probably the Beyonce and those goregeous women they overheard talking about that cool new warehouse party just a few subway stops over that everyone was going to.

Well, it was the women and the fact that his job has been so goddamn boring recently, Kevin thinks as Jeremy bribes the bouncer some obscene amount or money to let them in to to the pretentious warehouse party. Insurance claims processing isnt supposed to be the most exciting job out there, but its just been stifiling recently. 

Or really, it was the fact that his job has been so boring and Lisa found herself a new boyfriend, Kevin thinks, sipping his beer as Jeremy buzzes around the crowded warehouse, looking for a dealer.

Fucking Lisa, this is all her fault, Kevin thinks, bleary and disoriented, just before he slips out of conciousness on the cold bathroom floor. 

[mercedesp24-blog]

I really enjoyed the flow of your story, for the narrator at times rambles which fits right with the main character, Kevin, since he is drunk out of his mind during the entirety of the piece. For instance, he attempts to find things to blame for his being intoxicated and exploring the city so late at night. Kevin ends up blaming various situations, such as hearing Beyoncé in the first club he went to with friends as well as the tequila shots he took. In the end, however, Kevin ends up placing responsibility for all the nights events on the fact that he has broken up with his girlfriend. Upon mentioning this breakup, I believe the reader comes to understand that Kevin was battling with this thought all night and it didn't just occur to him right before he passes out. Kevin decided to go out to probably forget his unfortunate situation and thus led him to enter such a drunken state.

A suggestion I would make, however, is to perhaps hint at this breakup a little bit sooner instead of just at the end. I believe this would help the reader understand Kevin's actions better early on in the story rather than gain that comprehension once the narrative is over. Also, maybe go into more detail on Kevin's night so the reader can clearly follow Kevin as his night progresses.

[mercedesp24-blog]

Surreal

"It all started with a bite. Just a small nibble of this little orange tablet. It looked harmless yet people said its effects were eye opening. My curiosity got the best of me so I did it. It's almost as if I had to; I needed to know what the hype was about.

It was extremely crowded on the dance floor with little to no room to move an inch in any direction. Surrounded by people, I felt suffocated by the smell of alcohol, smoke, and some major BO. Yet despite the amount of people everywhere I was having a fun time. The music was great and I was with some of my closest friends. We were all jumping around and singing along to pretty much every song. It was good vibes all around. It was then that Bekah tapped my shoulder and as I turned to face her I saw her cradling something in her hand

'Their set is going to start in a little while so take this now' she exclaimed loudly for in that room you pretty much had to yell to get anyone to hear you. She slowly opened her hand and there in the middle of her palm was the pill. Holding it up to my mouth she told me to take a small corner of it. I expected for the effects to be instant, but I felt nothing different. This couldn’t be the experience that everybody raged about.

These thoughts didn’t last long, after about an hour it hit me. I didn't expect anything like this feeling. My naïve mind assumed the experience would be much like being drunk where you lose some sense of inhibition and things get blurry. This was different. Much different. Everything was clearer, was vibrant, was alive. As the dj played his set, I not only heard every sound, I felt it. Every beat seemed to fit perfectly in the song as if he knew exactly what I wanted to hear. I have always valued music and grown to appreciate it over the years, but I suddenly felt like I had a new understanding of it. Swaying and dancing, I passed the night away wishing it would never end.

Of course, it had to and as we were leaving I couldn't help but feel ecstatic. The whole experience felt surreal. For a few hours I had perceived the world in a new way, a manner that can't be explained unless one is in the moment. After the effects had subsided, I felt fine, normal even. Nothing in my life was different, but I had a new understanding for why people went to these concerts and did what they did. I used to think they were just immature but after living the experience I finally got it. People get tired of their lives sometimes or they just want to get away from it all for just a few moments, so they turn to drugs which to them seem like the appropriate answer. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't feel great but what I can say is that since that first bite there has never been another. That bite made me realize that yes there are ways to make yourself feel wonderful and give you the impression that you are merely living in the moment. But eventually this mask of happiness wears off and you are left wondering why you never feel like that normally. This is why I never took another bite. I want to feel life as it is, not as it could be. I gain happiness among other things. Spending time with you, Jaden, and your daddy may not send me down a whirlwind adventure  everytime but I would never exchange such moments for anything else. And I have never regretted that it all started and ended with that one bite"

As I finished talking, I looked into my daughter's eyes. She had called me crying earlier tonight begging me to not hate her for what she had done. At a party with some friends, she had made some poor decisions. Decisions that reminded me of my younger self, so while I had become upset I couldn’t blame her. I understood far too well what she must have been going through, so I decided to talk to her. Hopefully, now she too realizes that it's ok to have fun but to remember that there is still a world out there that she needs to be a part of, a life that she can't abandon even if just for a few moments.

[mercedesp24-blog]

The Basketball Court

The sun spread a sparse light over the basketball courts. The park was nearly empty and would have been dead quiet were it not for Jay practicing. He had two basketballs with him as well as some tennis balls. He practiced his reflexes first. Facing a wall he dribbled a basketball and threw a tennis ball as fast as he could against the wall. He would then catch the ball in his other hand while simultaneously crossing over the basketball. If he got bored of that he would simply juggle the balls in the air and not once look down while he dribbled. Next, was ball handling, his favorite. He started off with one basketball and walked himself up and down the court while bouncing the ball in between his legs. With time he would work himself up to two basketballs. He pounded away at the pavement, focusing on his hand movements. Shots were up next. He would shoot from within the paint, then close to the arc, and then beyond. Sometimes he wouldn't even use a basketball he would just perform the movements so he could improve his form. BEEF. Balance, eyes, elbow, follow through. Simple yet hard to master. As the sun rose higher, sweat poured down his face. Jay paid it no attention and shot until he had made 300 baskets. When the last one swished through the basket, so clean that it made the net curl in on itself, Jay grabbed his things and left. The park once again silent.

[upperatm-blog]

Sipping

The girl in the corner, her name was Lyssa, was sipping on her short-black-pike-place-roast while chattering into the phone. She would go on to eventually finish her roast and head home, where she would be greeted by her family. Her youngest, Timmy, would be crying in the corner until the dinner was ready. Her oldest, Chelsea, would be smoking in the bathroom until dinner was ready and she felt like coming down. Her husband would call home, saying that he was very sorry he couldn’t be home for dinner tonight  it’s just been a rough week at the office and he needs to finish some things up, while the newest intern’s knees begin to turn red beneath his desk.

But for now, Lyssa continues to sip on her short-black-pike-place-roast while chattering into the phone.

The guy in the middle, his name is Frank, was sipping on his grande-iced-sugar-free-vanilla-latte-with-soy-milk while typing on his computer. He would go on to eventually finish his latte and head home, where he would be greeted by his family. His dog, Spot, would be underneath his feet as he worked into the night. His wife would be on his mind, trying to ease his pain from sixteen miles away in the local cemetery.

But for now, Frank continues to sip on his grande-iced-sugar-free-vanilla-latte-with-soy-milk while typing on his computer.

The third one, his name is Joseph, was sipping on his triple-venti-half-sweet-non-fat-caramel-macchiato while listening to music through a pair of yellow headphones. He would go on to eventually finish his macchiato and head home, where he would be greeted by his roommates. They would get ready for some party, and head out to a place characterized by excess and irresponsibility. He would at some point find himself hovering over a toilet, unaware of how he got there, and he would see his macchiato for one last time before his stomach was pumped. 

But for now, Joseph continues to sip on his triple-venti-half-sweet-non-fat-caramel-macchiato while listeneing to music through a pair of yellow headphones.

[mercedesp24-blog]

The girl sitting behind me her name was Jessica. She didn't have a coffee in her hand instead she had a red bull and was happily sipping away at it. Jessica had three midterms coming up, all of them for her upper division science classes. Neurobiology was slowly killing her, biochemistry was laughing at her, and microbiology had her on a leash. She also had an English paper due at midnight on a book she had yet to open. Yet Jessica stared contently at her computer screen, typing away seemingly without a care in the world. She knew she had a long night ahead of her hence the red bull but no matter how many responsibilities she was currently facing, nothing would take her away from the cloud nine she was on. This euphoria she was in wasn't because she was on drugs, though she had experimented with those in the past. Or that she had some party to look forward to where she would sip on jungle juice and celebrate finishing her week from hell. None  of these were the reasons behind her constant smile. If those in the café noticed her permanent creepy smile and thought she was a crazed college student on the brink of an emotional meltdown, she didn't care.

For now, her whole focus was on her computer screen as she checked out the campus of John Hopkins and the various programs they offered their medical students. As she scrolled through the page she hit the newly admitted students link and continued to stalk her future medical school while sipping on her red bull.

[mercedesp24-blog]

The Jar of Satisfaction

They looked so fresh. The silver Nike sign resting against the creamy white exterior made these shoes seem godly. They were the latest model in Nike's Air Jordan shoes. And there they were, sitting on a small clear pedestal in Foot Locker just waiting for someone to claim them. Drew wanted to be their owner and to have the pleasure of wearing them with some ankle high socks. He pictured himself walking down his halls in school and receiving envious looks from his peers. All these daydreams ran through his mind as he stared longingly at the shoes. The wilder his thoughts became, the more his desire grew. So he peeked at the price tag to see how many candy bars it would cost him. He didn’t get allowances like most kids, he got candy bars placed in his candy jar instead. Drew didn’t ask for much, but when it came to his Snickers he had to have them so his parents compromised with him. If he brings in good grades and behaves himself, he will get his jar filled every now and then. But as he saw the price he almost dropped his Snickers from the shock. The three-digit number made him realize that his thoughts would remain just that, nothing tangible anytime soon.

He would have to give up Snickers for years! He would never have his candy jar filled again, his cravings would go unanswered. He wanted the shoes badly, but not enough to give up the chocolate and nuggety goodness of a Snickers bar. Drew used this thinking to justify what he did next. As the thought crept into his mind, his palms became sweaty, melting the remainder of his Snickers. But he didn't care for he had to act fast. The workers were all busy attending to customers; nobody paid any attention to him. Swiftly, he knelt down, took off his own shoes, and threw them in his backpack. He grabbed the Nikes and placed them on instead. Just before he walked out, his courage got the best of him and he decided to do one more thing, just to cushion the blow to the store. He pulled a post-it out and wrote I OWE U and left where the shoes had once been.

He sprinted the whole way home, taking back streets but avoiding anywhere with dirt. The adrenaline coursing through his body propelled him to continue until he arrived home. His parents were both at work but he ran into his room anyway. He had the shoes! They were his but they had to remain hidden, possibly forever. He grabbed a fresh Snickers from his jar and dung in as he held the shoes. He was home free, chillin’ with the Nike’s in his possession.

But as the adrenaline went away, paranoia crept in instead. Drew began to replay his every move in his head. He had checked for workers then took of his shoes and oh crap… He had dropped his Snickers. He had left DNA at the scene. In his naïve mind, this was the key to finding him. Drew became more engulfed in his thoughts and with every passing minute he slowly grew to regret his decision all because of that stupid Snickers bar. He would get caught. His parents would put an end to his precious candy jar and it would be goodbye Snickers for good. He looked at the time, maybe the workers hadn’t even noticed the shoes were gone. Drew gave the shoes one last look and put them in his backpack. He ran back to the store and placed the shoes where they belonged. He placed a new post it and walked out.

At home, he felt ten times better and decided his day of adventure was over. He reached in his backpack to get his homework but instead felt a warm creamy substance. As he looked inside, he noticed the melted and smashed remains of his Snickers.

At the store, the workers finally noticed the Air Jordans, not because they had gone on a brief trip but because they had some chocolate smeared on the side. And on the floor they found a post-it that read SNICKERS SATISFIES.

[mercedesp24-blog]

Cafe chillin’

I feel like I am making it obvious that I am listening to their conversation. How can I make it less obvious?? I have my headphones in and I’m pretending to be in my own world when I’m really just trying to be in theirs. I rarely go to coffee shops to study in the first place so this is already weird enough for me. I honestly would have preferred to go to an In n Out to people watch. Or better yet! El Burrito! They always have something interesting going on, especially around 1 am on weekends when drunk college students stumble in and try to act composed as they order their meal. Makes for some good laughs. Late night snack and entertainment.

But sadly, that will have to wait. For now I am trying to listen in on this conversation that is happening one table away from me. The topic of conversation: midterms. Yes this is a boring topic, but bare with me. I have been sitting here watching nothing happen for the last 20 minutes so if this is as good as its going to get, fine with me.

Midterms usually cause me extreme stress, so listening to this conversation should make me uneasy, maybe a tad sweaty as I start to focus on my responsibilities for the coming week. However, the reason I am still forcing myself to sit here is because the two girls are not talking about studying for a midterm they are discussing whether to cheat on one.

My initial thought when I understood what they were suggesting to each other was: you gunna’ get caught. Cheating on a college campus and having to mess with SJA. That was not on my bucket list for my time at Davis, but maybe it was on theirs. As I keep listening I realize that one girl was more inclined to cheat than the other. She kept on saying it was the only way they would pass the class. They had to help each other during the test. They would each study a part of the material and then collaborate and… this is where the conversation gets a little hazy. I only caught parts of what they were saying but from the sound of it Hesitant Girl was yet to be swayed by her friend.

At this point, I am debating whether to leave or not. I don’t want to hear the outcome or care much for it. I just felt bad for the two girls because if they had to resort to cheating to pass an exam… that was just sad. So I decide to go on Facebook for a little before I leave and that’s when I hear Hesitant Girl say “I knew you would see it my way.” Did Hesitant Girl convince her friend not to cheat??? I try to listen in some more but I just can’t make out what they are saying. I pack up my things and leave with a smile on my face. This experience may not have been the most exciting but I like to believe in the good in people. So in my mind (and hopefully this really happened), Hesitant Girl not only strayed away from a bad situation but also helped lead her friend down a better path instead of leaving her behind.

[mercedesp24-blog]

She'll hear my out. She has to. She's my best friend there's no way she won't see my point. True I've never suggested anything like this but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. Well… it’s a frowned upon idea if anything, but I'm only suggesting it because I feel like I have no other way out of my situation. She's understanding she won't judge me.

As I sat there in the coffee shop waiting for her, I couldn't help but feel nervous. Why the hell was I nervous? I'm about to tell my childhood friend something. That is nothing new. We've been through everything together and shared so many secrets, we know each other in and out. And surprising to many, we have yet to get tired of each other. I love her company and I'm sure she can say the same about me. So why now am I feeling so uneasy? I know she would never think of me harshly unless I did something to intentionally hurt her but maybe I was still afraid that she would lose some hope in me. That in her eyes I had taken a turn for the worse. Maybe she will.. OH she's here!

"Adry!" I tried to yell but I'm pretty sure it came out like a weak little call from my throat being so dry. I beckoned for her to come over and sit. I had already ordered her favorite coffee, maybe that would put her in a good mood right away. As she sipped her coffee and got out her laptop and notes as usual during our study dates, I just straight out told her, "I need you to help me cheat."

The conversation that followed was a long one. We talked for a good hour, just the two of us in the corner of the coffee shop. After my initial blunt statement, I tried while stuttering a lot to explain everything. My reasons for asking her to help me in something so unjust. Adry being the person she is, listened to my every word. She asked some questions, but not once did she make me feel judged. She never used a harsh tone with me or made me feel like I was anything less than her. I grew less nervous as we talked and she truly wanted to help me out. She understood why I was scared. We were in the same class and she knew the material was insane. She herself was struggling, having received a 57% on the first midterm which looked spectacular next to my 34%. I started to try to persuade her that this was good for both of us that we both needed to succeed and this could be our ticket.

During this whole time, I had forgotten where I was. The café had become irrelevant. But that is when I noticed her. She was sitting two tables away from us on her laptop, typing away with her headphones in. How long had she been there? Did she here what we were saying? Even if she did she probably wouldn't mention this to anyone, why would she care?

Anyways I need to focus, I feel like Adry is really seeing my point. This could happen. But then, Adry does what she has done since we have known each other. She has always known how to keep me grounded, stop me from losing my way. When we were in high school, even though she would be right there next to me at all those parties having fun she not once let me out of her sight and always took care of me. She says the right thing at the right time. Always. And this moment wasn't any different. Cheating wasn't in either of our natures and even if we could manage it, we would feel worse after. She was right, so right.

"I knew you would see it my way." Adry exclaimed a little loud compared to the whispering tone she had just been using.

Yeah I did see it her way and I was relieved. Maybe this what I wanted all along, for her to discourage me from doing something stupid and taking her down with me. Even though I was still in the same horrible situation academically, I felt ten times better. I couldn’t help but smile. I have such a trusting and loving friend, how did I get so lucky? I look up to see if Headphones Girl is still there but I see her leaving, a small smile on her face, as she turns the corner away from the café.