Finally guys! I got some more written! Enjoy!
A breeze blew softly through the trees and a few leaves fell to the ground. Rosalie closed her eyes, her mind a thunderstorm of twisted emotions and thoughts. Then opening them she spoke, her voice quivering. “You don’t understand. You have two parents. Two parents that can talk to each other without screaming. Two parents who love you!” Her voice broke, and her anger overflowed. “Your Mom is still breathing!!! After her outburst Rosalie stood there with every muscle clenched and silent sobs racking her body. Her heart felt solid as stone. Everything was so silent that Lauren could hear water running under the bridge nearby. Feeling totally helpless, she closed her eyes and murmured “Jesus loves you Rosalie.” Then feeling peace overwhelm her, she added. “Jesus loves you.” Lauren silently prayed for wisdom as the dense silence stretched on and the earth seemed to have stopped spinning. Looking up she locked eyes with Rosalie and could almost feel the girl’s emotions writhing in her brain. A spark of hope glimmered in Rosalie’s eyes for a few long seconds, but Lauren saw Rosalie harden her face and look away. Then turning her face back she cast one more glance at Lauren, her eyes now clouded and black with despair. Not a speck of hope remained. Biting her lip Rosalie spun around and ran, leaving Lauren still sitting on the ground with tears slipping down her face. A few raindrops started falling and Lauren tilted her head up to catch them on her face. Closing her eyes she whispered, “I failed. God… I cannot do this anymore. I am a failure. Please send someone else to help her. Because I. I can’t.” Looking up again at Rosalie's retreating figure she saw her stumble and almost fall but recover and keep going, lurching and weaving across the now muddy path.Then suddenly alarmed, Lauren saw her slip and slump to the ground. She waited a few moments more, expecting her to get up. Then noticing the rock Lauren was on her feet without hesitation, racing towards Rosalie to help. ****** Rosalie tried to shut out the noise. She wanted to escape. Her head pounded and voices swirled, her mind confused and distant. The pounding became stronger and a whirring sound rang about her. Lauren’s haunting voice broke through the mist and echoed, Jesus loves you Rosalie, Jesus loves you Rosalie, Jesus Loves you Rosalie. It swirled and fell, swirled and fell, her mind hazy and grey for what seemed like eternity. Then it faded to the back of her mind and a strong voice like a mix of thunder, an ocean breeze, and splashing waves spoke lovingly out of the fog. “I love you, Rosalie.” The voice faded and Rosalie became conscious. Her head was sticky with sweat and ached like someone was running a jackhammer inside of it. Bright white light flooded in through her cracked eyes and she saw someone leaning over her and she could hear a voice mumbling something. “She’s awake!” The voice called. “What happened?” She croaked, her eyes blinking in the light. “You fainted and hit your head, but you're going to be just fine.” The voice soothed. “Now just close your eyes and go back to sleep.” Then letting her eyes droop she felt something cool being pressed to her pounding head, and she was swept back into peaceful oblivion. Thanks for reading! Meg
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Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been posting for awhile... I have kinda hit a writers block but I will be finishing my book in the next couple of months and then posting a cover reveal before doing major revisions to my book to get a completed product. Thanks for being patient with me!
November 29
Lauren closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Wiping away her tears she turned to her Mom standing beside her. “Mom, I’m going to that bridge to collect my thoughts. Is that okay with you? I will be back in a few hours.” After Cynthia gave her approval Lauren made her way out of the tent, and started walking towards the abandoned park. As she did her mind wandered. Wow, that funeral was sooo sad. I don’t know what possessed me to come, but I just felt strongly that I should be there. Rosalie hates me after all, so I don’t think she cared. And when she stood there at the back of the tent at the end of the graveside service, she looked so…. so desolate and totally lost. I feel so bad for their whole family, but I don’t think there is a thing I can do… but I know God is in control, and I know he loves Rosalie though sometimes I struggle too. Then entering into the clearing that signified the entrance to the park she stopped still and closed her eyes as she started praying out loud to her Heavenly Father. “God, I know you are in control, but help me to have faith that you will completely take care of us. Help me to stop doubting you and blaming you for what is happening, and that I do not have to worry about my parents making the rent, feeding us, or Dad keeping his job. Lord I praise you for my family, that we are healthy. And God, heal the hurts in Rosalie, and help her realize her need for you.” After finishing her simple prayer she stood still, her eyes closed for a few moments longer, relishing the peace settling inside her soul. With a sigh of content, Lauren opened her eyes but was startled to see that someone else was beside her Oak tree. Who in the world would come here? She wondered. But, noticing that the person was neither sitting or standing but was partly crumpled at the base of the tree she decided to go see if they needed help. Rosalie woke up suddenly beneath the tree, dazed and wondering where she was. Then looking up, she saw where she was and the events of the last few days rushed into her memory with a crash, but before she started crying again she realized what had woken her up. “Rosalie! Is that you?” Came a concerned and confused voice. Turning halfway around she saw a girl standing there in a faded jumper and white blouse. “Lauren?” She asked. “What are you doing here?” “I came out for a walk, but what are you doing??” Rosalie looked down at her torn and muddy dress, and then reached up and felt her tangled and matted hair. She didn’t even want to know what her tear streaked face looked like. “I’m a mess,” she moaned. “But you probably think this is just what I deserve, and you are right too.” “No,” Lauren took a deep breath, “That's not what I think.” “But what I’ve done to you. I was acting terrible to try to hole up something inside me.” She said almost bursting into another round of tears. “I deserve this!” “No one deserves to have their mother die.” Lauren your so perfect and I know I’ve done wrong to you.. Interrupting her, Lauren got down on her knees beside her and looked into Rosalie’s eyes. “Rosalie, listen to me. I don’t have any fancy words to comfort you with, but I want you to understand that I forgave you a long time ago. I know you hurt me, but I don't hold it against you. And Rosalie? I can introduce you to someone who can take all of your burdens, and who can completely wipe your plate clean. Someone who can change your life. Thanks for reading! ~Megan Good Alright finally here is my 9th chapter!!! Enjoy.
November 29 Lauren pulled the covers on the bed more tightly around her trying to get warmer while she sat thinking and knitting a scarf for her mother’s Christmas present. Leaning over to her wooden bedside table she picked up her cup of watery tea and took a sip before setting it down. I just wish that this house could be warmer, and I am just craving a mug of rich creamy hot chocolate right now. But we can’t afford milk, much less chocolate! Ohh my I just got another craving. Chocolate! Ok Lauren stop thinking about food, you’re hungry enough as it is. Well I would settle for a bucket of charcoal right now though, to heat this freezing house! I could just sit knitting here forever. “Lauren, Are you doing anything right now?” Her mother’s voice floated up from the stairs. “I need you to clean the bathroom.” “Um ahhh, I was hoping to take a walk…?” She started to say but before she could finish her brother Levi burst up the stairs and collapsed on her bed laughing. “Did… you…. actually think that was Mom? “He gasped out between shrieks. Lauren laughed and shook her head before punching him on the shoulder. “You got me, but I was seriously thinking about taking a walk. “Uh huh?? Well just a few seconds ago you were sitting under your covers daydreaming, you looked sad too.” “Hey! You had no right to be spying on me!” “I just thought this house needed some cheering up. Everyone seems to be thinking the world is ending or something and I got you to laugh too!” Lauren groaned, “Well I am going on a walk.” “Where?” You know where I scraped my leg? Well I want to go back and clean up the place. “Don’t hurt yourself!” Levi grinned wide. “Thanks, but that advice is a little late……” Dear Diary, I am on top of the hill right now, and again it is so silent here and serene. When I am near this bridge it feels like nothing else in the world matters, It’s just me and God, here together sipping the peace it supplies. Anyway, since it’s been awhile since I have written here is a few of the things that have been going on. What everyone has been calling the depression has started, and the world took a whole new turn. It seems like every time we start getting ahead something else comes in and sets us back. Silent School after a few more weeks of people dropping out struggled to a shuddering halt. So my education and income to the family is no more. I am basically just dead weight now. Prices have raised so much that we are back to our scraping along, which is nothing we haven’t done before but this time it hurts so much more, and seems to be lasting longer. Everything seems so hopeless because there are so many people just wandering the streets nowadays. Dad still has his job mending and making shoes but his pay is scarce and sometimes not in money but in produce or goods. And now that Silent School is closed and Mom is teaching me at home….. I really don’t have any friends. Whenever I go to stores or pass a school building and see all, the girls laughing it just hurts. I have no one to share secrets with or talk heart to heart with since we moved. And everywhere I go I feel useless. I guess that is why I am here on the hill. I still have to find a name for it….. Lauren raised her head from her diary and sniffed in the cold and clean scented air. Life wasn’t nearly as bad when she was here near the bridge. Placing her diary and pencil in the crook of the tree she grabbed a rake and started clearing the leaves off the weedy dirt paths working her way to where she would fix the bridge. ***** Rosalie sat numb on the velveted folding chair. Her hands clenched into a fist and her eyes glazed over with bottled grief. Her mind wandered as the clergy droned on. She can’t be dead. Mom can’t be dead. This has to be a dream. Rosalie's jaw was stiff as she watched every move of the men lowering her mother into the ground. Then as if in slow motion, she watched everyone move. The heavy sent of the flowers filled her nostrils, and the last refrain of the hymn reverberated in her mind, her mind was numb and she couldn't think. She watched unable to escape as her elderly aunt came up and wrapped a pudgy arm around her shoulder and said, “I am so sorry for you, a stroke, and so sudden! I am sure you are taking it hard, with you father running off and all. I understand your pain. You know my Georgy died too. But you are taking it so well!! I haven’t seen you cry this whole time, but if you ever need someone to cry on I will be here okay? “You don’t understand,” Rosalie said through clenched teeth. “And you never will!!!” With that her trans was broken and she jumped up throwing off her aunt’s pudgy arm, and flew to the back of the tent. She turned around and saw everyone starting to move and start to leave. Trying not to look at her father she turned her head and saw Brain still sitting on his chair, his head in his hands, all her relatives crying and shaking their heads, and… was that…. Lauren? What was she doing there? Then her eyes moved to the men throwing dirt on the casket and all her bottled up emotion from the last year of her life started welling up in her. Then she snapped. Before she could stop herself Rosalie was running out of the tent tears streaming down her cheeks. Stumbling and crashing through brush she ran in no particular direction. Briars scraped her legs and face, and a branch tore her black skirt. Tears streamed down her face, silently making streaks through her bloody scratches and muddy face. Coming out of the thicket she collapsed beside a tree. With sobs tearing through her and ripping up her sentences she shouted raising her fist, “GOD!! You can’t be real. People try to tell me that you love everyone but you obviously don’t love me!” “I was doing fine! I was socializing! I was getting over Dad dumping us! I was handling it!!” She screamed. “Why did Mom have to die? Why?!?!" Then sobbing a few minuets she continued. "She didn’t do anything wrong!!! Dad was the one who left us. I HATE him! I hate him for what he did to our family! For what he did to Mom! Why is he coming back? Why does he think we need him now?!? We needed him a long time ago when Mom started getting depressed, when we lost our money, when the Great Depression hit. But NOT now.." her voice broke to a whisper, "now it’s too late." Rosalie put her head in her lap and sobbed. Whew. Thanks for reading! Megan Good Chapter 8
October 29th, 1929 “MOM!!!” Rosalie screamed. “You can’t divorce Dad, if you do my social life will be ruined! You two just need to work your own petty problems out! I think you are just afraid Dad is right.” Cynthia's puffy tear streaked face colored an even darker shade of crimson when Rosalie burst this out to her. She took a step closer to Rosalie in the hallway her eyes brimming fire. “Petty problems? You mean your father losing ALL our money? Is that what you mean by petty problems?! Your social life is of no importance to me. My decision is made and you screaming at me is showing me I made the right choice! “Mom this a life changing decision, you shouldn’t make up your mind in only 5 minutes after your argument!” “Don’t tell me what not to do young lady!” And with that Cynthia was off to her room. ******************************************* Lauren’s mother, Maria, sighed sadly. She had been thinking about how prices were rocketing, and they had a payment on the house at the end of the week. Then after a quick prayer to God, she realized that she couldn’t solve every problem. That was God’s business, and she would have to just lean on him. Opening her eyes she continued busily washing the dishes and started humming Amazing Grace before she glanced out the window above her sink. The window was in the kitchen which was the very front room of the house and was perfect for watching all the activity and beauty on the small road in front of their home. The whitewash was peeling from the frame in some places, but it was spotlessly clean and cheery yellow gingham curtains framed it. “Lauren!” With a start Maria ran from the house towards the limping figure on the road, wiping her soapy hands on her faded apron as she went. On reaching Lauren, Maria shushed her when she tried to speak. “There will be time for explanations later, for now we need to clean your leg up.” Maria reached down and wrapped her arm under Lauren’s and she helped her walk to the house. “Now tell me everything that happened” Maria said once she had got Lauren settled on the couch and was washing her leg off. ******************************************* Dear Diary, Mom wayyy overreacted with my leg. Sure, it still aches some but I can walk on it, and with all the rubbing and scrubbing she did to it, there is no risk of infection. The funny thing about this afternoon though, is that I want to go back to that windy hillside. It felt so… peaceful there, with just me there to hear the wind whistling through those Oak tree’s. Well me and God that is. I could feel him there. like I haven’t ever felt it before.. And on that bridge, well it was almost so beautiful in a lonely sort of way it took my breath away. And though I was cold before on that bridge I felt warm as though God had wrapped me in his blanket and I felt… I don’t even know how I felt. And then the wind blew and I must have slipped on something and scraped my leg while I was falling. My world slowed down and as I started falling off the bridge and my vision became blurred. But I was keenly aware of all the small little noises and motions happening around me. I could hear so many things. Like the rough edges of the wooden planks scraping deep into my thigh and my own scream piercing the air. I could hear the water crashing on the sharp rocks yards below, and the wind thrashing the trees. I could feel my hands floundering for a hand hold on the ropes before I felt the rough wood grasped tightly under my white hands. After pulling myself up and rolling onto the bridge, I lay stomach down on the bridge and clamped onto it for dear life. “Thank…... you…... God!” I breathed between gasps. And so now I want to go back there and fix up the bridge, with new boards, so I can experience that peacefulness and closeness to God again. I might even clean the old park paths again, see how I can make it better. Now I just hope mom will let me go back there tomorrow! *********************************** Rosalie sat in her room trying not to think about what was happening to her family these last couple of days. Her Dad had already moved out and was staying at a co-worker’s house who was in Colorado. Her Mother walked randomly around the house looking for someone to snap at with her head up, but with the tell tale signs of tears always on her face. When Cynthia wasn’t walking around she was sitting staring at a wall, or making calls to our bank, lawyer, ex-broker, and other banks to somehow get our fortune back. And Brian? Brian was out with his friends partying like nothing had happened, like he didn’t have a care in the world. But Rosalie knew better. She was too much like Brian not to notice the way he spoke a little too quickly as though he didn’t want to show his emotions. Or how he would go into his room for extended periods of time. She noticed the way his face twitched and how he didn’t want to speak to either her or anyone else in the family. In fact she had done some of the same things, she had gone out “shopping” with her friends. She had tried to forget everything that was happening and go back to normal life. Instead of cleaning and bandaging her wounds she let them fester, and covered them up so no one could tell they were there. Megan Good Well guys Megan is back!!! And here is her very exciting 7th chapter. Enjoy! Chapter 7 October 29th, 1929 “That moron broker!” Rosalie's father Allen stormed violently in his office. “I have lost almost everything, and now he wants me to buy?!?!” He slumped into his office chair his eyes glued to the figures that spelled the end of what he thought was going to be his fortune. Then his joyful ringtone broke into his mad haze, angering him even more. Thinking it was his broker calling him again urging him to buy, he leaned back and picked it up. Putting his mouth close to the receiver and clenching his teeth, his tone of voice escalated quickly,“Sell, I don’t care what cost you have to sell it at or what you think about it SELL!!!” There was a dead silence on the other end of the line, then he heard, “Honey is everything alright?” ****************************************** Peeking from an interior window Rosalie watched her mother enter the parlor in a swirl of skirts and a cup of tea in her hand. Her father had been sitting on their plush couch with his head in his hands since he had come home and as her mother fluttered down on the couch beside her father, she opened the window a crack so she could hear what they were going to say. “We going to lose everything Cynthia,” Allan said, “EVERYTHING!” “Well, I have a big dinner planned for tonight and I hope you will be in a better mood about this. I am sure we will be fine.” Cynthia replied carelessly. “You don’t understand. You need to cancel the dinner party right now! You and your dinner parties will be our ruin! They are the main reason you wanted me to invest all our savings in the stock market anyway.” “Are you blaming ME for the bad choices YOU made?!” Cynthia said her voice raising dangerously. “You got yourself into this, and I was trying to be helpful and get your mind off of it, but it appears you are ungrateful.” “My choices?” Allen asked throwing his arms in the air and spilling the forgotten tea everywhere. “You mean the choices you and that broker pushed me into making. Yes, I said the final word, but YOU were the one that wanted more money to spend on your frivolous parties,” He said, yelling. Rosalie closed the window no longer needing it to hear what she had supposed was going to be a whispered conversation. Backing up she bit her lip, her parents had never spoken to each other this way. “YOU wanted to be richer and play the little stock market game. Well look how those turned out!” Her father continued. “My decisions are working fine, we have many friends who can help us, we have a nice house, that I picked out. We have two healthy young children, and respect in the community! Yours on the other hand,”…Cynthia paused...“Are not working out so great.” “You mean friends who just like us because of our money, a house that we still owe debt on, two brats who you spoiled rotten, and people in the community respecting our money! Is that what you mean?” “You know, this isn’t the first time you have mishandled our money. What about the time you forgot to pay off our house debt two months in a row?” “All because….” Cynthia interrupted her husband, “Well it's obvious you just wanted someone to blame for losing your fortune. I can’t believe what your father would say if he were alive. His son losing all the money he had worked so long to get.” “Don’t bring my father into this.” Allen warned icily. “And why not?” “Because he didn’t even want me to marry you, and I am starting to think he was correct in believing so!” As her mother gasped, Rosalie fled through the hall toward her room, but bumped into her brother coming out. Deciding this was not the time to yell at him for being there she just brushed past him and locked the door, before muffling her sobs in her pillow. “No one cares about me!” She said to herself between sobs. “Mom and Dad are threatening divorce, Brian was snooping in my room and didn’t even notice I was crying.” She said bursting into more tears. “My friends don’t actually care about me, they just like my money and popularity. No one just likes me for me! Not even God! I haven’t had lunch, but Mom doesn’t even care. Dad has never loved me now that I think about it. I have no one!” She said all this, ending in a shuddering sigh and multiple sniffs. Raising her head off her damp pillow she could still hear her parents voices raising to dangerous levels and then falling to threatening whispers. Taking a deep breath she decided she would have to take her parents problems into her own hands, but first none should know she was crying. Rosalie stood up and pushed ear plugs into her ears to drown out her parents, turned her soaked pillow over, and re-made her bed. Then glancing at her mirror, she changed her clothes and washed her red and tear streaked face. Straightening up she secured her ear plugs and set her face into stone before unlocking the door and walking out. ****************************************** Out in the frigid fall air Lauren wrapped her arms around her, wishing she had thought to bring a sweater. She had walked out from her house and began walking nowhere in particular, when she had come upon what she guessed was an overgrown and unmaintained park. Dead leaves swirled around her bare ankles and the wind whipped her brown hair around her face. 'Leaves are so much like life,' she mused. 'People, things, and dreams, change colors and fall off from the tree eventually no matter how much they want to stay. Then even when they are on the ground, all shriveled up God has a plan for where they will end up. Only then can they fulfill the will God has sent them to do: nurture and add nutrients to the ground on which they are blown. God help me to do your will, my faith is weak over this stock market crash. I need to rely on you to supply our needs!' Sighing she took a deep breath, she could smell wood smoke in the air. Lauren bent down and picked a sprig of Goldenrod, and fingered it’s dozens of tiny golden flowers arranged on brittle stems. The small golden blossoms seemed like miniature suns to her. Looking around she noticed a few oak trees had turned russet in the distance and wandered to them hoping to lean against the sturdy trunks protected from the wind, and think about the unsettling events of the last few days. Coming closer she realized there was a huge gorge running close beside the royal trees with a wooden rope bridge sagging over top of it. Walking cautiously down towards it, she tested the supports. 'It looks safe enough,' she thought. Stepping onto the wooden planks she held tightly onto the ropes on the side of the bridge. Nearing the middle of the bridge she relaxed and risked a glance at the wild brook and rocks yards below her. Then without warning the wind jostled the bridge and her foot slipped onto the next board which fell apart under her weight. Mute with terror, she fell forward but slipped and started falling off the side of the bridge. There you are folks! Hope you enjoying it come back in about two weeks for the next chapter! Megan Good & Elisheva Kauffman Chapter 6
Friday May 18th Lauren lay back on her comfy bed and sighed. She closed her books and stretched out her aching arms. It had been a busy day because of all her classes, helping clean the kitchen, and now she needed a break from the strenuous homework. She had survived her first week at silent school, and chose not to think of the weeks ahead but of her parents coming to pick her up that evening. She rolled out of bed and started gathering up her things. “Courtney, do you know what time our parents are allowed to come pick us up?” Looking up from her book she replied “I think its from 6:30-7:00. I am planning to go eat dinner in about five minutes, want to come with me?,” “Sure! I would love to! I just have to straighten up a little. I hate when it gets cluttered.” “Really? I don’t like a mess, but I hate cleaning even more. Usually the maid at home cleans for me, so I am too lazy to do anything but straighten a bit here. I think I will keep reading the novel for english class until dinner. Have you read to chapter 6? It gets really interesting!” “No I haven’t I was doing homework for Math class ughhh. At least we don’t have any to do over the weekend!” Lauren stated. “Really? I like Math!” “Then how come you said you were leaving in five minutes when it’s been at least seven! “Hmm, maybe I should work on my simple addition before the algebra quiz next Thursday!” The girls laughed and walked out of the room together to go get dinner. Maybe it wasn’t going to be so bad at Silent School afterall. “Ohh its so good to be home,” Lauren said plopping on the couch after unpacking her bags. “Yeah I am glad you came home too sis!” Her brother Levi said sweetly. “Really?” Lauren asked touched. “Yep. Now that your back I don’t have to do your chores!” Lauren groaned. “Well it’s good to know I’m appreciated around here! “Kids! Dinner is ready! And Lauren we would love to hear about your week while we eat.” Maria said. “But please not when your mouth is full! Three months later, it was August 1929, Lauren had gotten into the flow of her summer school, and Rosalie's play went off without a hitch. It appeared to everyone that the country could never be wealthier and happier all because the stock market was booming. “Hey Mom. Could we go riding horses at Shady Stables this Sunday?” Rosalie asked her mother one night as soon as their family dinner was over. Her mother was reclining on the couch, while her father was reading the news.” “What do you mean by we?” Rosalie’s mother Cynthia asked. “Um, just a few friends of mine,” She answered vaguely. With a knowing smile Cynthia replied, “So you mean you already invited 10 friends to meet you at the stables at 10:00 sharp, and said we would cover the cost of horses, lunch, and travel? Absolutely not!” “Mom!!!! Why not??” Rosalie said whining, “I only invited eight friends, and do you not want me to be happy?!” “Roslaie, you know we just invested a lot of money into the stock market, we don’t have the money to be providing your friends an expensive ride at Shady Stables, it is just not possible.” Roslaie’s Father spoke up. “And” Her mother cut in before Rosalie could complain, “You need to call them right now and apologize that you spoke too soon, and tell them they will not be able to come after all.” “But, mom!!! Can I just go by myself?” “No buts about it young lady! Now go call those money sucking friends of yours.” Her Mom replied tartly. “Well I am not going anywhere unless you allow me to at least go by myself! Unless it’s to go call Victoria up and say that my parents are so stubborn they won’t allow me the small pleasures in life. I will make sure she tells her parents that you guys don’t have the money to spend on a few horse rides for their only daughter, while they just gave us a huge dinner party, and took me and Brian out golfing for a day!” Rosalie stated finishing with a smug smile. “Honey,” Her father said nervously exchanging glances with Cynthia, “I think we can let you go out for a ride on Sunday. You deserve it because of the good grades you earned!” It works every time, Rosalie thought, but said, “thanks you guys are the best!” It seemed to all that everything and everyone was prospering in America. Yet no one even dreamed of the suffering and struggles looming around the corner. Chapter 5
Wednesday May 16th “Hello Rosalie.” Lauren said miserably surprised, “I didn’t know you came here.” “Why, did your parents decide to kick you out of the house because you were being a mean girl? Well, I am sure you won’t last long here until your expelled! This school is all about manners, neatness, and kindness which you have none. Why...” Rosalie’s mocking tone was interrupted when Victoria spoke up. “Rosalie, she is not the one being unkind here. I would rather not mention this…this meeting to anyone, so would you please stop and come with me to the principles before we get in trouble like Mrs, Day promised?” “Well, just wait Victoria, she will get into trouble soon enough.” “Lauren collapsed into her bed, and as she lay there in her new room, she started thinking about the day. Tears slowly began to form on her flushed cheeks, and she quickly turned over to muffle her soft crying in her blankets. Then turning herself over Lauren prayed “God,” taking a deep breath she continued, “give me the strength to do my best, and to love Rosalie like you want me to. Teach me to return evil for good, and teach me to be grateful for my chance at an amazing education, and the chance to help my family.” Then after she got a hold of herself she raised her head from her soaking pillowcase and carefully lifted her well worn Diary out of one of her still unpacked bags. Wednesday May 16th , Dear Diary, Today I arrived at Silent School. When I got there Mrs. Day, the secretary, showed me around the place. The whole place just glowed with money and importance, and I felt out of place. Then arriving at my room, she introduced me to my new roommate Courtney, she seems very nice, but totally different from me. Then walking back to eat a late lunch I ran into the only person who can make my life miserable. The one and only Rosalie. God, I just can’t stand her! I know you want me to love her, but is just too hard! I was just about to retaliate to her words and say everything that was boiling inside of me when her friend stepped in. If she hadn’t done that, I don’t know what I would have done. I just want to be home, where I can talk to my Mom, and just be normal again! I have no friends as of yet, and know I might be picked on because I don’t have the right clothes, have to work to stay here, and don’t know how to act at all. Anyway, after I had the unfortunate meeting with Rosalie, I went on my way and ate lunch. After eating lunch, I came here to unpack. This has been such a stressful day and I can’t wait for the weekend, when I can be home. Why do I keep complaining? Most of the girls I used to be friends with would be glad to just have their own room, and three meals a day, much less pay, and an amazing education. I am so ungrateful! Well I gotta unpack now, and write to Mom. Rosalie stepped into a nearby studio where the silent movie 10011 Madison Street would be practiced and videoed. This was the first after school practice and the first time she would be acting with adults. She could feel her stomach quivering and her head spinning with the noise. The lesson with Mr. E, Victoria, and Matt Wright that morning had gone well, but most of it, was about what would be expected of them, where they would be heading, and not much about acting or the script. The noise of someone shouting directions, some people arguing backstage and props being moved around filled the air with a sense of excitement and Rosalie couldn’t wait to join them. “Hello are you from Silent School?” A lady said stepping out from one of the halls. “Yes I am one of the three actors they sent to be in the show, do you work here?” “I do. I am the directors assistant, so I help people back stage with anything they need. How can I help you?” She replied. “Do you know where I should be? Also are the other students from Silent School here yet? “One girl has arrived, here follow me, I can take you to backstage that’s where your friend, and the rest of the team is reviewing scripts. You already have your part chosen, for your school did that, and everyone else had an audition last Tuesday.” The lady, who as Rosalie soon found out name was Mary, led them through the high arched hall and into a well lit and bustling backstage. After arriving backstage Mary had a brief talk with the director and then handed Rosalie a printed script and a pen. “You will be playing Clara, a maid of the main character Josephine who your friend is playing. You only have a few lines, but you can go ahead and read through the script and underline them with your pen. You have about five minutes before we start, so have fun! What!!! A maid! Something definitely got messed up in their files. And only a few lines impossible! I should get better than that. Rosalie thought. “Excuse me, but are your sure I am playing Clara and not Josephine?” Rosalie asked Mary. “Yes the vice principal of Silent School, Mrs. Lake, contacted us directly and said to make sure you played Clara, so there has been no mistake. Mrs. Lake! So that’s what you meant by it will help my humility! Why, you tricked me!! With this thought in her mind she hurriedly scanned and underlined her parts. Then walking over to Victoria she said, “Congratulations, on getting the lead role! Mr. E will certainly need to improve your acting skills a lot so you only make a partial fool of yourself, and not a complete one. Victoria bit her lip and silently walked away, a hurt look on her face. Then suddenly she stopped and the noises and hurtful words that were spinning in her head quieted down, and she said a silent prayer to God, and taking a deep breath she answered Rosalie. “Yes, I certainly need to improve, this is a big role and a big honor. I just hope God will give me the strength to do my best, and that I can glorify him in everything I do. And Rosalie, I will pray that God will help you do your best too.” With that the director, called everyone together, and the practise commenced leaving Rosalie quietly thinking about what she had said. Hi there here is the next chapter for The Bridge Between Worlds!
Also the next chapter on Monica of Montana should be out sometime next week. Sorry for the delay. I had to be off social media over that week. :( Alright here you are! Chapter 4 Tuesday May 15th After staring at the clock dumbly for about five seconds, Rosalie quickly jumped up, while stuffing the rest of her roll into her mouth. Then stiff with horror she felt the cold orange juice that had splashed from her glass stream through her hair and drenching her clothes. Her nice blue blouse was completely soaked and her jeans were splattered with sticky juice. Her name on her name tag was unrecognizable and her hair, well, it was good she couldn’t see how messed up it was. Luckily everyone else was in class already and Rosalie, not knowing what else to do, ran hurriedly to the bathroom hoping no one would notice her. As soon as she got there she turned around and with a start noticed that she had left a stream of orange juice from the cafeteria to the women's bathroom. Fighting tears she walked into the bathroom, but then saw something that made the orange juice stream the least of her worries. She was a mess, late and getting later, she had acted unladylike and left a horrible mess, but to top that off there was the vice principal Mrs. Lake washing her hands at the sink! Rosalie sunk into her bed exhausted. It had been a very long day and she was ready to just cry herself to sleep. First she had been late, and looked a mess when she had arrived. Then when she spilled her orange juice all over herself in the cafeteria and ruined her name tag, she left a mess and had been even later for classes when the Vice principal saw her dripping in the doorway or the bathroom. Then she was told to get herself cleaned up and go directly to Mrs. Lake’s office. After a very rushed ten minutes that included a shower, change of clothes, and a hurried comb she arrived at the vice principal's office ready for whatever she might get. “Hello Rosalie.” Mrs Lake greeted her warmly “Hello” Rosalie replied sullenly. “I understand you have had a very unpredictable day. I spoke to Mrs. Day and she said you were running late already when you arrived here and I can understand how the orange juice accident would have happened. In fact, I had a very similar one at another boarding school when I was just a little younger than you.” “You did?” Rosalie asked astonished. “Yes I did and I can imagine you are thinking of all of the worst possible things we could do to you right now, but that's not why I told you to come into the office. I asked you to come here if you would like to perform in the upcoming silent movie. I think you would enjoy it very much. You would leave your math class early to go with a couple other students to the auditorium to get special acting lessons from Mr. E and would come back to get the very end of break. Then there are also after school practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday to practice with the other adult performers. What do you think?" “I would be honored” She replied very relieved and surprised. I can imagine that of course I would be one of the ones chosen, everyone else is so dull and I am the best actor in the school! Rosalie thought. "But, you were late and a mess today, and that will show on your grade, I can’t help that. You must learn to be punctual and always keep cool and neat. I am hoping the new movie, 10011 Madison Street, in which you will be participating in will help with both that and your humility." “Yes, Ma’am." I wonder why she said it would help my humility, Rosalie thought, and I thought for a minute that I might not get a bad grade, but now I will, I shouldn’t deserve that! "Now you better hurry and catch the last of your manners class!" “Yes, thank you,” she said and politely walked out of the room before dashing to her next class. Wednesday May 16th “Rosalie, did you hear that there is a new silent movie in the production called 10011 Madison Street?” Victoria, one of the best actors in the school, said. “The best part is the school is sending two girls and one boy to participate in it! I really hope someone announces who they are going to be soon! The suspense is killing me! At that Victoria clutched her throat and slumped realistically to the ground, but then popped back up smiling widely. “Why you don’t need to wait, I in fact, already know who has the most important girls part. Why Mrs. Lake chose the best girl actor in the school! She talked to me about it today, that's why I was late for Manners 4 class and I will start practices tomorrow! “Well I doubt you have the lead Rosalie, but I am glad for you! Now I just want to know who will be doing the other girls part, and who will be doing the boys part.” Victoria reasonably replied. The girls were just finishing their dinner in the cafeteria when Mr. Ray, the principle, said over the loudspeaker. “Hello this is your principal Mr. Ray. Most of you know that in the upcoming silent movie, 10011 Madison Street, we will be sending three great actors, two girls and one boy from our school to perform in it. I am excited to call, Victoria Point, Rosalie Ross, and Matt Wright to come to my office to discuss the details. Thanks, and have a great day!” “I told you Victoria!” “I never said you weren’t going, but I am glad I am!” Victoria answered. “Oh yes you did!” Rosalie replied. “Why, you two stop fighting! You girls should be the happiest of all to be chosen! Now shoo, away with you. The principle is waiting!” Mrs Day, the secretary, swatted them with her papers in an effort to get them moving. “Ohh alright Mrs. Day, we will! Victoria, laughed. “At least as soon as we get the nurse to bandage all our paper cuts from your whipping! “Right, then I will tell Mr. Ray you won’t be coming, and would like someone else to take your place acting? I am sure there are other girls who would love the spot, so it shouldn’t be a bother.” Mrs. Day teased in a serious tone. “We won’t bother you with that! In fact, we were just heading that way!” Rosalie quickly grabbed Victoria's hand and headed toward Mr. Ray’s office. Under her breath she said, “Victoria don’t get us in trouble.” As Rosalie walked through the cafeteria with Victoria on her heels, she hurried into the hall, and passed many of the classrooms. Suddenly Rosalie stopped and Victoria bumped into her. There stood Lauren, the horrible girl who had been so rude! Have fun reading chapter 3 of The Bridge Between Worlds!!!!!!
Chapter 3 Tuesday, May 15th “Brian you wouldn't believe how mean and rude some people are!” “Why would you say that Rosalie?” Brian answered. On her way to Silent School, where they trained young men and ladies to be silent movie actors, Rosalie was telling him all about her troubles. As he drove her to Silent School every Tuesday and picked her up every Friday they had got into the habit of telling each other how their day had been. “Well last Saturday when I went over to a shoe shop to choose some riding boots, there was a girl standing idle at the counter. I went right up to the clerk past the girl and asked him for some riding boots because I had to choose quickly so I wouldn’t be late. Anyway the clerk showed me a beautiful pair, but before I could even go examine the boots this girl, talked very rudely of me under her breath.” “Well what did she say?” Brian asked with a twinkle in his eye. “You don’t want to know” Rosalie muttered embarrassed under her breath. “Ohh yes I do! Now if she was so rude I should be shocked and maybe think bad of her, but without knowing what she said, I can’t know how rude she really is. “Um, she just said that even if this girl has money, and looks quite gorgeous she sure doesn’t have any manners. Mom’s right: beauty is as beauty does,” thoroughly embarrassed now, she said the last part quietly hoping that Brian wouldn’t understand. “Well what did you say back, Brian said holding back a laugh. “Ohhh that just uhhh um: Do you know who my father is? Andrew Roth, and if you don’t speak to me with respect he could get you thrown in jail...” Rosalie’s voice dropped to a whisper. Laughing silently so hard he was shaking, Brian answered. “She is correct, and her rudeness pales beside yours! Ohh ahhh excuse me” He quickly cleared the laughter of his face, but kept his mocking expression when she shot him a poisonous look. “You DO know that laughing at people is rude right?” Rosalie’s voice dripped with a sarcastic honey, “Or has your Mother never taken the time to teach it to you because she believed it hopeless?” “Well now I guess you’re the one who knows all about being all mannerly!” before Rosalie could retort back, he said “Well here is Silent School now! “Have a good week little sis, and don’t go blabbing about other people's rudeness and make a fool of yourself!” “Thanks a lot, I could have used that advice a while ago!” She answered as she quickly got out of the car. I should have known better than to get my uppity brother to agree, and sympathize with me, she thought as she slipped into the front room of the great school. “Hello Mrs. Day! I am really sorry I am late” Rosalie greeted the secretary of the school. “Hi Rosalie! Your room 102 and is all ready just take this name tag and you will be all set! Just remember your first class is in 20 minutes so go get settled, and fast! “Thanks!” Rosalie hurried toward her room, and decided that she would just plop everything on her bed, freshen up a bit and then hurry to the cafeteria to catch the last bit of breakfast. “Ohh my goodness! Look at my hair!” Her hair which had previously been laying curled and nice on her shoulders now had a few large tangles in it. How must have Mrs. Day thought of me! The 2nd most important thing on this school is to look fresh and neat, and the number 1 thing is to be on time! I have failed both!! Rosalie thought disparagingly. This school didn’t stick with giving grades out for things in class, but graded people for their attire, manners, and punctuality, to name a few. Rosalie hurriedly brushed her hair out and put on a headband that matched her outfit. Then realizing she only had 4 minutes to eat, walked as fast as was allowed to the cafeteria, where she grabbed a glass of juice and a roll. She sat down on one of the tables, but then looked at the clock on the wall ohh no! Her first class was starting right now! Sunday May 13th, Dear Diary, Mom and Dad just told me they would let me decide whether I will go or not. I know that we need the money, and I think I would love learning, but I don’t know, working and cleaning don’t really appeal to me, and it would be much safer and easier to stay home… Let me explain. A couple of days ago we got a letter in the mail. Apparently the person Dad used to work for felt bad about having to fire him, so when he saw an add for a school looking for a girl to help clean and help in return for some pay and an education there, he wrote to the address, and recommended me! He also gave the school our adress to ask my parents and me our permission. The school was super on board, for my Dad’s old boss was well known and respected. Anyways mom and Dad said they were ok with it but left the decision up to me. So now I am not sure about what I am going to decide. I have to decide in the next couple of hours, because I would have to pack, Mom and Dad write the replying letter and then I would have to get there tomorrow morning, I think I am going to make a list of pros and cons for going and see which list is bigger. Pros.
“Okay Mom. I have decided to go to the school.” Lauren proclaimed. “Ok well let me help you pack and tell you more about the school, and some tips.” As she walked up the stairs her mind ran through all the worst possible scenarios, and she was glad her mom had gone to a boarding school as a young girl, and would be able to help her out. “Okay sooo they might give you something to wear at the school, but we should pack all your best clothes anyway. Also Lauren, the most important thing to do is remember that God is in control. Don’t think of everything bad that could happen, because you will just make yourself nervous. Instead think of all that God will do. Does that make any sense? “Yes it does but how did you know I was thinking about all the worst scenarios?” Lauren asked her mom. “You mean I never told you I once was a young girl? Maria teased her daughter. “Mom!” Lauren rolled her eyes. “Can we finish packing now?” The next day Lauren was on her way to Silent School. To a world of unknown. To a world where Rosalie and the students lurked, ready to pounce. |
Author Hello! My name is Megan, and I am a 13 year old girl. |