MidPointe’s Summer Reading Program had an early start this past April with our “Oceans of Possibilities” Teen Writing Contest. The Trenton branch offered the contest to those in grades 6-12, who were challenged to submit a short story (up to 2,000 words) or poem with the theme "oceans of possibilities.”
We are excited to share the winners’ entries here, and congratulations to all who participated!
Winner - Grades 6-8: “Oceans of Possibilities” poem by Cali Taulbee
I've always found it peculiar how tears taste like salt water Reminding you of the sea of emotions washing over you The way you can't breathe as if you were trapped underwater The waves of sadness wracking through your body The rip current pulling you under, keeping you surrounded in sorrow
Tears roll down your face like the top of a wave curls in on itself. The redness of your face is reminiscent of a sunburn from the angry sun if only they knew you were angry for another reason Even after the tears have dried up, the feeling of sadness sticks to you like sand Pesky and annoying, only escapable by washing it off with more water
Upon first glance, you seem as tranquil as morning Calm, put together, mature But if they look close enough they can see the lightning flash across your irises The storm brewing inside, your mind reflects a similar one brewing across the deep blue Your thoughts crash into each other, spraying the aftermath to add to the mess that is your mind
Occasionally the dam breaks and the water floods out You spill out a few select droplets and let them into your underwater world but they often leave as soon as you do The cold water: too much for them to handle on this sunny day
And your tears continue to taste like saltwater even after the beach has closed. The possibility of what might happen, what could have happened, and what's happening. These possibilities lap like the ocean tides, like the thoughts that flood one's brain. Once there, then gone again, taking everything with it. These oceans of possibilities.
Winner - Grades 9-12: “Last Man Standing” by Jenna Marotti
She shouldn’t have done it. Everyone knows that kidnapping is punishable by life imprisonment. She shouldn’t have risked it, not when her roommate had a newborn daughter waiting at home. Not when she had her whole life ahead of her. Even worse, she had kidnapped a boy.
5 years later
“Ma!” Young Amelia yelled from her room. Jessica rushed down the stairs, worry in her deep green eyes. She has starkly pale skin compared to Amelia, but she looked even paler as she entered the room. Her long, red hair was in a messy braid she had clearly slept in. One look at Amelia’s gap-toothed grin and the worry faded from Jessica’s eyes.
“You know better than to scream like that,” Her mom chided, thin eyebrows furrowing. Amelia’s smile wavered, but her excitement pulled through. She had been sitting on the floor right in front of her dresser, several shirts spread in jumbled heaps across the floor. Her thick, brown, curly hair was a ratty mess on her head.
Amelia jumped up, grabbing onto both of her mom’s hands, “Can you help me pick a shirt for school?” She pulled on her mom’s hands, a feeble attempt to bring her down to the floor with her. Her mom would’ve smiled or giggled at her daughter’s silliness if she hadn’t noticed that her friend, who she was supposed to be watching, was not in sight.
The sides of her eyes tightened with worry, “Where’s Ollie?”
“He went to look out the window,” Amelia’s excited tone had diminished as she pointed down the hall at where the curious little boy stared at the world he could never see. Her mom stared down after the boy, sadness pulling at her features.
What had Bethany done?
“Ma?” Amelia’s tone had gone from excited to distraught. Her mom looked back at her to see worry tug at her dwindling smile.
“What’s wrong, hun?” She crouched down to Amelia’s level, meeting her gaze.
“I just don’t get why Ollie can’t come to school too.” Her lip started quivering, eyes becoming glossy. Her mom had explained to her a few weeks before that Ollie couldn’t come to school, and that she couldn’t talk about him, but she had never explained why.
“Honey, boys aren’t allowed to go to school, they aren’t even allowed to have families. If they find out that Bethany took him, they could take him away forever.” She knew the truth was brutal, especially for a five-year-old, but it was imperative that Amelia doesn’t talk about Ollie. The little girl was definitely crying now, little sobs puffing out of her chest. “Now listen, you cannot talk about Ollie. If you do by accident, do not let anyone know he’s a boy, do not talk about him unless prompted, and do NOT” her voice started to raise, “do NOT tell your teacher or any other staff member about him.” Fat tears leaked out of Amelia’s deep brown eyes as her sobs caused her to shake, “Do you understand?” Amelia nodded. “Say it out loud,” her mom pressed.
“Yes,” she choked out.
“Good,” her mom's voice became more calm and gentle, “Now come here.” Her arms opened as she took the little girl into a warm embrace. They stayed like that for a few minutes, Amelia’s sobs becoming less frequent. She finally pulled away to point at the shirts.
“Can Ollie pick the color?” she asked.
Her mom giggled, “Of course he can.”
6 years later
“What’s wrong with me?” Ollie’s puffy eyes shone with tears. His arms wrapped around his flat chest. Bethany had warned him that his body would not change in the same way as everyone else's, but this was worse than he could’ve imagined. Flush spread across his face as hot, angry tears shed from his eyes.
He hated his body.
“I told you,” Beth spoke gently, “you’re a little bit different than Amelia and all the other people your age,” She wiped a tear from his cheek.
“Is this why I have to stay home so much? Why I can’t go to the store with you or the playground with Amelia?” His voice cracked and his cheeks grew redder.
“You know it is, bud,” She sat down next to him on his bed, wrapping one arm around his shoulder. “I wish things were different. I wish boys were allowed to live in the world like they used to. I wish they could have families and jobs and partners and friends. And one day, I believe they will. But for now, we have to stay home,” She squeezed his shoulder, but his gaze grew distant.
“Why did I have to be born a boy?” He whispered, “I’m just a burden.” New tears fell, but not the hot, angry kind before, but quiet, solemn tears. Beth’s arm tightened around him and she picked up his chin with her other hand.
“Don’t ever think that you’re a burden, you understand? I would never have taken you from that truck if I thought I couldn’t handle you. Nothing that you do, say, or cause will ever make me stop loving you.” Now, tears fell from her eyes. She pulled the scrawny boy into a long embrace, combing his long brown hair with her fingers.
“I love you too, Mom,” He sobbed.
2 years later
Amelia’s heart raced as she ran down the dark alley with him, and not just from the exercise. Ollie’s long hair flapped like a flag in the wind. Her own hair was tied back in a bun, not nearly as graceful. His breathing was rapid from lack of exercise. They hadn’t snuck out for months and it was starting to take a toll.
As he had grown, he had lost a lot of his ability to blend in. He had to start voice training with Jessica and wearing looser clothes to hide his body’s shape. He even learned to do his own makeup. One wrong move, one slip up, and she would lose him.
But Ollie had told Amelia that tonight, they wouldn’t worry about the risks.
“I see the end of the alley!” Amelia exclaimed through labored breathing.
“Thank mercy!” Ollie coughed, “I thought it’d never end!” They reached the end of the alley to see a ladder, light shining above it. Ollie hunched over once they reached it, taking in rasping breaths. Amelia climbed the ladder first, making sure no one resided in the area above.
“All clear!” she called down. Ollie awkwardly climbed the ladder before gasping at the sight.
Amelia had led him to a balcony that overlooked the river and the city beyond. It had a few chairs and tables facing the river, but that wasn’t what Ollie was amazed by. The dark water was like a pool of midnight, reflecting the sky and stars above. The long bridge connecting the city to the rest of the world was reflected in the midnight waters. The lights of the city to the left of the river shone like stars, flickering out and on as people moved through rooms.
Amelia walked over to him and closed his mouth which he hadn’t noticed was open. His skin tingled where her finger had brushed him. He blushed, but no embarrassment could surpass the beauty of the city.
“It's amazing how such a cruel world can look so beautiful,” Ollie whispered. Amelia walked over to the railing and leaned on it. He noticed her messy curls and how they complimented her medium-brown skin. How her peaceful smile seemed to make her eyes spark. His blush deepened when he realized he was gazing at her instead of the view.
“It’s odd,” she said, breaking the silence, “how beauty and cruelty are often intertwined.” Ollie walked over to the railing and leaned on it, very aware of the distance between them.
“Oliver,” She muttered to him, breaking the long silence that proceeded. His breathing hitched, using his full name immediately grabbed his attention.
“Amelia?” he whispered back. He could feel his heart racing. Pounding against his chest in anticipation.
She turned to face him, noting the way his eyes widened when she looked at him. His hair was silky from being recently washed but with a little frizz from their run. He was slightly taller than her, just enough that she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his gaze.
She held his gaze as she reached out to grab his hand, surprised when he didn’t pull it away. His hands were soft and slim, she’d always been the one doing work outside and learning combat at school, so her hands were much more calloused. She looked at their grasped hands as he ran his thumb over her naked nails, his teal polish contrasting them. She looked back up to meet his gaze.
Then the sky exploded.
A loud crack caused both their heads to shoot up, mouths open in awe as they watched the fireworks light up the sky. Thousands of colors Oliver had never seen before broke the midnight blue of the sky. Sparking and fizzing and popping, sending chills down his spine.
Amelia had seen the fireworks before, and while she was still awestruck every time, this was her chance. She gazed over at Oliver, still in awe of the fireworks. She watched the way his eyes lit up every time a firework burst. How he flinched slightly at every crack. As her eyesight started to go fuzzy, he noticed her gaze and met it. Her breath hitched.
Then their lips met, emotions exploding like the fireworks behind them.
“What’s wrong?” Oliver whispered. Amelia had stopped dead in her tracks, right at the end of the alley. They were on their way home, but curfew had been hours ago. The fireworks had been a gift to the sailors and only meant for them. If someone caught them outside, especially Oliver, they would be in deep trouble.
“Patrol,” her eyebrows suddenly rose, her breathing became rapid as she looked back at him. During their kiss, some of Oliver’s make-up had rubbed off, exposing his stubble. He should have shaved.
“Run.”
“But where-”
“Just run!” Her whisper had become urgent as she turned to face him. “Find somewhere, anywhere to hide. I’ll take the blame, but if they see you, they’ll kill you.” Her emphasis on “kill” only reminded Oliver of what he’d heard all his life. He should be dead. And he was not about to accept that fate.
He bolted down the corridor, scouring for places to hide, while Amelia stumbled out of the alley. She began her act by walking like her limbs were liquid and the room was spinning. The guards were clearly taken aback, but they knew the signs of underage drinking.
“Excuse me,” one of the guards said, her voice laced with boredom. “We’re going to have to see an ID and run a few tests real quick.” Amelia thought about the kiss in order to make herself blush, letting a dopey grin spread across her face.
“Oh-ok, I’m-nnot,” she giggled, “I’mmm not drunnk byy the wa-ay. I only had a ffffew drinnks,” she giggled again, praying that the more she slurred the words and the slower she spoke, the more time she could buy Oliver.
Oliver finally found an alcove in the alley. He sat down, grateful to be wearing dark clothes, and praying that Amelia kept the patrol from investigating the alley further.
He didn’t know when he fell asleep, but an arm shook Oliver awake.
“Let’s go. Now.” Amelia had on a different outfit, and the alley was lighter than it was when Oliver fell asleep. Amelia had two bags on her back and a grim look on her face.
“What happened?” He asked, anxiety settling in his stomach.
“No time to explain, but we’re leaving,” her gaze fell, “for good.”
“Where-”
“I don’t know!” her voice broke, her eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill over, her cheeks reddening. Oliver stood up to embrace her, but she waved him off, “We don’t have time. I have a boat we can use for the week, put these on and let’s go.” She tossed him a bag of makeup and a scarf. He didn’t like whatever she had in store for them, but he had no other choice but to comply.
“Will you tell me what happened now?” They had been on the boat for well over an hour and were finally outside of the city. Their boat was equipped for ocean travel and, in addition to everything else, Oliver didn’t know where Amelia could’ve gotten the money to afford it from.
“Well,” She began, “When we were kissing, someone on a boat had spotted us. I don’t know how they were able to tell that you were a man, but they contacted patrol regardless. When I went to the patrol office, they were talking to each other about a male spotting. I got a fine for underage drinking, but they let me go home. I knew they’d be searching the whole city for you, so I knew I’d have to get you out.
“How did you get the money to afford this ship?” Oliver asked, a knot began forming in his throat, but he pushed his emotions down.
“I just so happen to be friends with Gabriella, who works with the shipping company. She said she’d loan me the boat for a week so long as we take this,” she reached into her trouser pocket, pulling out a small pouch, “to the next city over. We can leave the boat there and the shipping company in that city will take care of it.” She finished, putting the pouch back into her pocket.
“So-”
“I don’t know what’s in the pouch, and if I open it, they’ll know. There’s a seal on the inside and if we break it, we’ll be in trouble.”
“What if it carries drugs or something?”
“Just don’t worry about it, it’s the only option we have right now.” Anger started to rise in Oliver, but not because of the pouch. Amelia had come up with this whole plan while he had slept in an alley, completely useless. She had given up her life in the city and her family and friends just so she could keep him safe. And what had he done? He neglected to shave and someone on a boat thought he looked masculine.
“Hey,” Amelia had moved closer to him, putting her hand on his. He hadn’t even noticed that he had clenched them into fists. “Do you want to talk?” His heart broke at that, his emotions welling up inside him and threatening to overflow. And they did. He began sobbing. Loud, ugly sobs. She pulled him close to her as he broke down.
“I knew,” he choked, his voice strained, “that something like this would happen one day, but I had just,” his voice broke as he let out another powerful sob, “I had never thought it would be so soon.” She hugged him close to her, trying to keep herself together for him, but her own tears threatened to spill over.
“Worse yet,” he met her gaze, “I hate that I’m such a burden to you.” That broke her. Hot tears escaped her eyes.
Then she slapped him.
He looked back at her, shock replacing his depressing expression. “Don’t you ever,” She was yelling through sobs now, all of her aggression about their situation bursting out all at once, “Ever say that you are a burden. If I thought you were a burden, I would’ve left you in that alley. I would’ve stayed in the city with you and let the patrols find you and take you away. But I’m on this boat with you going through an ocean of possibilities, praying that the one to come to fruition is one where you don’t end up dead.” Their sobs were replaced with silence. The only sound was the water lapping on the side of the boat.
“I’m-”
“Don’t apologize.” Amelia choked on a sob. “You did nothing wrong.” He walked closer to her, slow enough to give her time to object. She didn’t, letting him wrap his arms around her.
“I just don’t know what to do,” she sobbed. He rubbed her back as it shook with her sobs. “Our plan is so feeble. Even if we get to the next city, then what? What will patrol do when they can’t find you? I just feel so,”
“Helpless,” he finished for her. He pulled her closer to him. He had no clue what to say, so he didn’t speak. He just let her sob in his arms. Her limbs started to go limp and her sobs became less frequent. “You should get some sleep. I’ll take the first watch.” He whispered. Amelia wanted to object, but she hadn’t slept in almost a day, and her limbs begged for rest.
“Fine,” she whispered back.
“We’ll come up with something,” he said, hoping the optimism in his voice wouldn’t seem as fake as it felt.
Amelia had no response to that, so she went to sleep.
