Week 6


Grass as soft as a brand new plush carpet, colored different but perfect shades of green. I stand barefoot, able to feel the strands between my toes and underneath my feet. The sky light blue, magnifying the summer weather. Trees surround the airport, becoming border lines for the runway. Three leaf clovers scattered all around, popping up from the ground. An old and run down looking hanger is at the beginning of the runway, housing Cessna planes. One plane cannot be mistaken, painted bright orange along with a green stripe running down both sides, my Papa's plane. The propeller is a bright shiny silver that reflects the rays of the sun beaming down onto it. A breeze runs through my hair as I breathe in the fresh air. I glance over at the hanger, watching my Papa as he works on his plane. The airport, a second home without walls or a roof. I walk over to the hanger, watching the ground as I step, making sure not to step on any bees or hornets. "You ready?" I smile as I hear his question, of course I am. I open up the passenger side door and climb up into the plane. Heat rushes out as I climb in, my breaths become harder to take because the air is so thick. I position myself in the seat as my Papa climbs in next to me and hands me a headset. I push my hair out of my face and place it over my head, covering my ears. The plane turns on and the propeller starts to spin. I look to my right and watch the scenery change as we make our way towards the runway. Big tree, little tree, medium sized tree, all unique and different in design, just like every human on earth. I turn to look back at my Papa, fidgeting with all the knobs and buttons.

Week 5


I stood in front of the mirror examining every inch of my body and dress. My hair- ringlets held up with millions of bobby pins. My dress- aqua, green and a bright yellow, I chose this dress because I wanted to stand out. I turned around to face my two friends, Brittany and Jenna. "I would rather go to hell for the rest of the night than go to prom" Jenna said to me and Brittany. "Yeah, I look like a bloated mermaid and I'm missing half the sequins off my dress" Brittany said back. I stand there without replying to either of them, my mind off in a different world, tonight was my senior prom. My hands are clammy, nervous for everyone to see me in my dress. Brittany's door opens and my mom walks in along with Jenna's. "You all look so beautiful," "our little girls are all grown up!" Brittany, Jenna and I all roll our eyes at the same time, when really all of us totally agreed, but kept it to ourselves. I turn to glance out the window and I see my boyfriends truck pull into the driveway. If there were a speedometer hooked to my heart, it would show 120mph. I hold still, quietly trying to steady my breathing as I watch him get out of his truck. He has his white tux on and a aqua colored tie to match my dress. I profusely start sweating, Brittany noticed I was anxious because I hadn't been replying back to her. "Hill, it's going to be okay, you look so pretty." I relax a little, so thankful for my best friend. I strap my heals on and we make our way towards the stairs. Just like you see in the movies, we walk down the stairs, all of our boyfriends were waiting at the bottom. At that instant, I felt like a princess. "You look.. amazing," Craig whispered to me, "you look even better" I replied. Pictures took about half an hour and by the time it was time to leave for dinner my mouth muscles couldn't smile any longer. I hopped up into Craig's truck, instead of renting a limo we all had nice cars and trucks to ride in instead. I gazed out the window, relieved to be away from everybody else.

"You look so beautiful Hillary." I shrug my shoulders and look straight ahead, unable to take a compliment, yes I'm one of those girls.. compliments are just awkward. He smiles, he knows exactly how I am, and he turns on my favorite song. Suddenly my confidence unravels around me, I almost feel like crying when my ex-boyfriend comes to mind. All day I tried to push it out of my mind that he would be at prom with another girl tonight. After four years, we broke up two months earlier, but I was unable to let go of him. The moment I had been dreading would be in only a couple hours.. seeing him with another girl at my prom..

"Were here Hill," I drift back down to reality and realize we had arrived at the Sea Dog. I unstrap my heels, unable to walk in them correctly, and jump out of his truck. He grasps my hand as we start to walk into the restaurant. Matt crosses my mind but I don't allow myself to think about him. Brittany and Jenna, along with their boyfriends, join us a dinner. I order my usual, a BLT. "Jordan, that isn't how you eat lobster.." "oh shut up Jenna, I'm eating my food just fine." "You guys fight like a married couple" Brittany says to both of them. I feel Craig put his hand on my leg, a common sign of affection.

I'm standing beside him, looking up at the sky and holding his hand. "I love you Hill," Matt says as he kisses my forehead. "Matt, you never pay attention to me, only when I talk to other guys do you actually care about me.. I just can't do it anymore." "But Hill, I need you, please give me another chance." I look down at the grass, our shadows play out on the ground before us, a street light shines upon him and I. A tear runs down my cheek as I shake my head, this moment was one that we both knew was coming. "I love you too Matt, I always will, but this is what's best for me." "I'm best for you Hill, I know I am," "No, I can't.. I have to go, I'm sorry." I stand on my toes and give him one last kiss on his cheek.

Craig lifts his hand away from my leg, I snap out of my thoughts, realizing I had been silent for almost ten minutes. I grab my sandwich, eating it quickly to try and catch up to the others, who were almost ready to leave. "I am not eating anymore because I don't want to be bloated in this dress" Jenna says. "Me either" I say back.. My memory I was reliving two minutes earlier made me lose my appetite. The waiter brings the boys their checks and takes their credit cards. "Are you ready for prom?" Craig asks me, I nod and smile.. unable to speak, trying to keep myself from crying. The credit cards are returned and we stand up, push in our chairs and begin to walk towards the door. "Dammnnnnn" I turn around and see a man at the bar looking me up and down, Craig darts his head around to see who made the comment. The man quickly looks away, knowing he had upset him, I just smiled slightly, enjoying the attention.

The next thing I know, were at the civic center. Limos and mercedes were all over the place, most everyone in my class I graduated with had parents who had more than enough money. Craig parks his truck, I look out my window and of course, I see Matt's white Maxima. I knew it was his, black windows with black rims.. my heart sunk ten miles deep into my body. "Here we go!" Craig smiles wide at me, I plaster the best fake smile I have on my face "yes, here we go." I strap my heels back on and get out of the truck, trying not to glance over to Matt's car. We make our way into the building, my mind is running a marathon. "You look soo good!" I hear from behind me, recognizing the voice, Nicole. "No girl! You do! I love your dress" I reply and give her a hug. "I just wanted to say hi but I'm going back to dance with Cote!" I smile as she runs off. Craig puts his arm around me, we walk out of the entry way into the building where everyone else was. My dress, criss-crosses in the back, I walk tall and confident along with Craig, who has a white tux on. Craig is two years older than me, one of the most popular boys from his graduating class, I knew we would grasp others attention. I look around the room, crowded with people and I find who I'm looking for. Matt catches me looking and we stare at each other for what seems like a lifetime. I look away, trying to take control of the situation before he could.

Prom goes on, I see all my friends with their dresses, all of them look stunning. The whole night I try to catch Matt's attention as much as possible. "Right Now" starts to play by Akon, I grab Brittany and Jenna and we make our way to the dance floor without our boys. We dance like there is no tomorrow singing the lyrics to eachother..

The tables have turned and I've finally learned
That this is makin' up for every day I was gone
And that's why I'm concerned but now it's confirmed
That you spread your wings and learned to fly but all alone

Jenna twirls me around and I smile my biggest smile, with the quick moment of turning I have a split second to notice Matt watching me dance. I have so won this one, I think, as I am dancing.

Prom ends as quickly as it started, Craig and I say goodbye to our friends and walk out the door hand in hand. "That was so great Hill, that was even better than my prom." Success in so many ways, I thought to myself. "Yeah, I had so much fun! But I'm ready to put my pjs on, this dress is so annoying." Craig drives me back to my house and gets out of his truck to walk me to the door. "Thank you for such a great night" he says as he looks at me. I tell him thank you also and he gives me a goodnight kiss. I walk into my house and tell my mom all about my night, I sum it up as quickly as possible.. I just want to go to bed.

I head up the stairs into my room, shed my dress and put my nike shorts on along with a t-shirt. I climb into bed, the sheets rub against my legs and my body sinks into my mattress. My bed has never felt so good. I drift off to sleep, luckily so tired that my mind shuts itself off and allows me to rest.

So when the director yells cut, I'll be fine, I'm forever young.. I wake up instantly as my phone goes off, it's 2 a.m. "what the hell" I say to myself as I pick up my phone. "One New Message from: Matt" My heart flutters as I reach to click "ok" on my phone.

"You looked so beautiful tonight Hill."

Week 4

I played for the junior varsity team in high school my junior year. I was captain of the team and started every game as right inner. I would sometimes play the whole game, I would be completely exhausted after. The varsity team had made it to playoffs that year and the varsity coach said she would take one member of the junior varsity team and have them play during the play off game. I was that specific member. I ended up playing the whole last half and in over time along with the best players from varsity. I started off at the bottom and ended up at the top.


My junior year in high school I played one of the roughest sports out there- field hockey. I remember coming home after finding out that I didn't make varsity and crying all night long, my pillows were completely covered with mascara. A couple weeks into the season the team made me captain, which kind of helped the situation. My mom told me to stick with it because everything happens for a reason. I started the blood thirsty game as right inner, playing the whole game at some points. The varsity team had done well that year and made it to the playoffs. The varsity coach said she would be pulling up one player from jv to play in the game, she picked me. I remember the day lucidly, I wasn't put in the whole first half but the second half she put me in, keeping me there for the rest of the game. I was playing my absolute hardest, constantly trying to catch my breath. The game was soon tied, putting us into overtime. We were all sitting around the bench having a team talk when she told us she had made a change in the line up for the overtime. Overtime was the most important part of the game, it could make or break the season for us. She told us "I am making a risky decision and I hope it works out the way I want it to, Hillary you are going in." The whistle was blown for the game to start up again, we all ran out on the field, possibly one of the most exciting moments of my life. The game started up quickly, leaving no time for hesitation, every movement mattered. The crowd was roaring, parents cheering and screaming. Emily hit the ball to me and I sprinted after it, my whole life revolved around that little white ball. I did a break away play and was so close to the goal, I hit it across to Allie and she put it in. We had won the game, it was one of the best feelings ever.



I was sitting on the bench, listening to the coach tell us the players who made varsity. My anxiety level was higher than ever as I anticipated hearing my name. "Hillary Craig" she said and looked up and smiled. I simply smirked, I had made varsity, there was no doubt I was one of the best players, so why wouldn't I? I stood up and went to sit down with the other girls whose names were called. Peering over to the other side of the field where the jv team was sitting, so relieved to be one the better team. The season was a great one, I started every game and played the whole time. Winning games with break away passes and no-assist goals, I was MVP. All the girls were so jealous of me and I loved it, captain and star player of the varsity field hockey team, who wouldn't be jealous!? Our team had eventually made it to play offs, which had not happened in over seven years. Our coach and the whole school was ecstatic, not to mention we were hosting the game on our field- meaning lots and lots of fans. I remember waking up the morning of the game, so ready to play. Lucidly can recall taking a shower, throwing my hair up and putting my lucky "Brewer Witches" ribbon in a bow around the ponytail. I threw my stick and shinguards into my Escape and sped away from the house.. listening to "You Don't Know" by Eminem to get me hyped up. I was one of the first girls there to warm up a bit before the game. We were all so psyched to play, black lines etched across our cheeks, ready for war. Soon it was time for battle, I was starting, like usual. The game was intense, constantly running from one end of the field to the other. I had scored two points out of five, by the last minute of the second half we were tied 5-5. The referee blew his whistle, "overtime, each team will have ten minutes until then." Thirsty for blood, our team was anxious sitting on the bench, wanting to win so bad. The ten minutes felt like a lifetime, finally it was time to go back in. I went in with the top five best players on the team, obviously. The whistle was blown once again and the game started back up. Fiercely running after the ball, trying to win the game. My teammate Emily hit it to me, I had a break away play towards the other end of the field. I psyched the goalie out and slammed that ball right in the goal. The crowed was jumping up and down with excitement as all the players on my team ran out and hugged me.. I had won the game. Feeling like a superstar I walked proudly across the field to my coach where she gave me a high five, I was in the best mood the whole week after. My name was in the paper for scoring the winning goal, "Number 13, Hillary Craig, scored the winning goal for Brewer against Bangor, bringing her team closer to the championship game."

Week 3


My eyes are repeatedly dialating, trying to focus in on the scene around me. My ears are sharp, trying to hear every little bit of all the different conversations. Sitting in a college boys house, the rug is old and worn out, beer posters hang all over the walls. The people surrounding me are under the influence, when a specific conversation gets my attention.

Dan: "You don't have to go to college to be successful yo."
Hannah: "Yes you do, good jobs require college degrees, the rest don't pay as well."
Dan: "That ain't true at all yo, tons of people go out and become millionaires without finishing college."
Hannah: "Yes it is, it might have been that way a while ago but now everyone should go to college if they want to make a good living."

I shift my weight on the arm rest of the couch, sitting next to Matt.

Matt: "Don't say anything, he will just keep fighting with you."

I lean forward to fix my eyesight on Dan, not fixing to start an argument but simply bring about a point..

Me: "I'm not saying that you need to have a college degree to be successful but it is more likely to become successful if you have one."

Dan scoots forward out of his seat, all ready to state his opinion and fight with me.

Dan: "No it's not, blah, blah, blah."

I close my ears off immediately to the non-sense he tries to feed me.
I sunk back into the leather couch and gave up on the argument, his words were foreign to me from that point on, no longer interested in what he was saying. Not to mention every other word coming out of his mouth was "yo." Hannah and I decided to start talking on our own in our corner we were sitting in."

Hannah: "Yeah yo, I yo don't need to go to school yo, 'cause you know, it ain't everything yo."
Me: "Yeah dude, I don't gotta either, who needs school yo?"

Matt jumps in on the conversation,
"You too, it isn't nice to make fun of people and how they talk." He said jokingly.

Hannah puts her laptop down on the empty side of the couch and whispers to us both, "he is so annoying! why did he have to come here!?"
Matt: "Because Han, he's one of my best friends, stop being so anti social and bitchy."

She reply's by rolling her eyes at him and picks her laptop to get back on Facebook.

I sit on the couch until Hannah tells me she is ready to go. We stand up, put our jackets on as everyone is yelling bye and cya. I check all my pockets to make sure I have everything I came in with and realized my phone was missing. I instantly look up at Matt and he has it in his hand.

"Ready? Catch!"
My hands fly out to catch my phone when the other Matt reaches out and grabs it right before I do.
"Why didn't you let me catch it!?"
"Hah, because you probably couldn't of."
"Yeah right, Matt throw it over here again and I'll catch it this time."

Matt looks at him.. "she's a joker that one.."
I snatch my phone out of his hands and wave goodbye, shutting the door behind me.