Thanks for your review…I’m glad you enjoy the entry.
-Jane
Young Adult / Chapter Three- Compliment of a Crush.
” November 5th, 2005 (Saturday) Entry 21
Hey Mr. Poe- Thoreau,
I know I’ve written a lot. I wonder if other people do the same. If they write every spare moment they get. I write any time I can, for instance in school, whenever I sit down before class starts I write. After tests, at lunch, during study hall, then when I get home it seems all I do is write to you. I’m not sure why, but you’re the only person I feel comfortable talking to, to this extent at least. It’s sad to say, but not many people really know me; the real me. There is something about you that makes me feel like it’s alright to tell you anything. I don’t want you to think that this sounds weird, but I feel like when you look at me you see right through me. You see everything that I can’t say. Then again, you probably started reading this, and stopped by now because of how crazy I sound, so my saying that should be of no consequence. I normally don’t look people in the eyes. I normally keep my head down, or look past a person when talking to them. It’s not out of disrespect, it’s just I don’t feel alright with looking directly at a person. It’s good that I can look at you and be okay with it. Consider it a compliment, not something freaky. :)
I liked the play last night, and was glad you were there. “The Crucible,” was really fun to watch, especially so close up. How did you find that place? Did you like my dad? I know he can be a goofball. When the play was over, and we were all walking out to the parking lot it seemed like you two had a good chat. I’m SO sorry he said that men singing in public is for Richard Simmons wannabes. He really was just kidding. When we got in the car, I told him that you are in a band, and sing regularly. He felt like such an ass, and wanted me to apologize to you for him. It was great seeing you outside of school, you seemed more comfortable and relaxed. I am looking forward to the next play.
This may seem like I’m gushing, or trying to kiss your ass, but I love the way you teach. You have such a flare for it, and a sparkle in your eye that people can just tell you’re not faking it. The Salem Witch Trials are so interesting to me, I think I might do my research paper on it. I enjoy all of the pictures and different memorabilia you bring into class when we are learning about different things. The grave rubbing you got of the Reverand Hales stone was awesome!
I am going to keep this one short. I’m sorry I’ve written so much, I can’t believe I hit the 150 page mark. Everyone else I know is lucky to have 150 words per entry. Well, at least this one will give you something to do. I hate that we have to turn these in on Monday. Okay, I hope you have a great weekend.
~Selena Lane”
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Two weeks later, Selena walked into class with a smile on her face. Today was the day that she was going to get her journal back. Her stomach twisted inside of her, but tickled at the same time as if there were butterflies struggling to be free. She took her seat and tried to sit still as her anticipation rose. Megan Morris walked in and sat down next to her, with her hair newly highlighted and a brand new purse.
“Did someone put ice down your shirt or something?” Megan asked.
”No! Are you kidding? You don’t know what today is?” Selena replied.
Megan smiled, “Hmmm….No idea. It’s just a normal day isn’t it?”
”OMG! Megan! I’ve been telling you about this for the last week and a half! We’re getting our journals back today!” Selena said with a sparkle in her eyes, as she squirmed forward in her seat to try to see into the hall where Poe-Thoreau was talking to the other English teacher, Kanzer.
”I know Selena, sheesh. Take a chill pill. You’ve been rambling about this since we turned the damn things in. I really can’t see what the big deal about them is. He probably failed me for it anyways,” Megan ranted.
“Well maybe, but he wouldn’t have to give ya a low grade if you didn’t wait until the last minute to buy a journal. Playing catch up on journal entries can’t be easy,” Selena commented.
Megan looked at Selena with a straight face, “Are you kidding me? You wrote more than anybody else here. How would you know about catching up?”
Selena smiled, “Because I’ve had to watch your dumb ass do it.”
They both laughed as Poe-Thoreau walked in the room. “Roll time!” As he checked to make sure everyone was in class, Selena straightened her desk as she always did. Notebook under textbook, pencil, pen, and highlighter beside them. When she was finished, she sat up straight, and unwrinkled her shirt, making sure she looked perfect.
“Okay class, most of you did very well with your journals. You’ve all written more than I’ve seen in past years,” Poe-Thoreau said as he passed them out in alphabetical order, ” There was one person, I won’t name any names, who actually almost filled the entire journal.”
As he handed Selena’s journal to her, he smiled, and gave a slight wink. “Now, there were others…who slacked quite a bit. Entries are to be at least one full page a piece. For those of you who did not meet that expectation this time around, I’ll be looking for improvement next time. I have left some comments in them all in pen, just what I thought, or a brief response to any questions you may have had.”
Once all of the journals were passed out, he told the class it was journal time. Selena sat staring at her journal. There was a frog in her throat, and she was slightly afraid to look inside. Was he going to think her a mental case? Or would he be okay with what she wrote. Remembering his smile and wink, she opened up the notebook and read his responses.
”Well Selena, I must say…You are nothing like your brother. I was lucky to get half a page out of him, most of which was gibberish, when he was writing. I must say, I am quite amazed by you. Most people just talk about their dog Spot, or the new purse they bought…You truly opened up, and told me about your past. No one has ever done that before. Working through being suicidal, and everything that has happened with your parents was hard for you, I am so sorry that you had to do it alone. I’m not trying to be condescending, but my stance on suicide, is that it’s a permanent solution, to a temporary problem. I’m sure many people have told you that, but I’m glad that you beat it.
You are a very bold and out there kind of young woman. To answer some of your questions, I’m not gay. I don’t have anything against them, but I do have a girlfriend.We’ve been together for four years. I’m thirty-one years old, my favorite color M&M and Skittles are blue, I drink my coffee with two creams, no sugar, I love singing with my band, I have been teaching for 8 years, I don’t really watch many movies with the exception of documentaries, I never wear coats or hats, and I love going to see different places that I teach about. I find that it helps me teach.
You’re father was very nice. I didn’t feel bad at all when he said that about men singing in public. A lot of people feel that way. I find that it is a good release for me.
You talk down about yourself a lot, and say sorry for things that you don’t have to apologize for. You don’t have to do that. You’re an intelligent, respectable, very honest woman. You stand for what you believe in, and I respect that. Please, never feel sorry for saying what you think. Thank you for feeling comfortable around me, and I’m really glad you’re comfortable looking at me. I would hope I didn’t look so horrible you couldn’t. Haha. You did write a lot, but don’t be sorry about that. You gave me something to do. I read a little bit every night before I went to sleep, so you did me a favor if you think about it. I look forward to reading your next entry.
-Mr. Poe-Thoreau
220/200
P.S. I gave you extra points for how much you wrote, but couldn’t give you anymore than 20 because you already had a 100 avg in my class.”
With a beaming smile on her face, Selena closed her journal. She didn’t write anything, just sat and thought about what he said about her. He thought she was intelligent. That was one of the first compliments she’d heard in a long time. It gave her a sense of purpose, happiness, and a not so small crush. Megan looked over, and saw Selena smiling.
She whispered, “Selena, what’s up? What’d you get?”
”220, you?” Selena asked.
”137, show off.” Megan said.
”Hey you asked…” Selena replied still smiling, and looking at Poe-Thoreau with dreaming eyes.
”What’d he say to you? You seem weird,” Megan noticed.
”Oh nothing,” Selena said trying to keep it cool, even though inside she wanted to scream.
”Oh come on, lemme see!”Megan said as she took the journal, and read it.
”Wow Sel, this is…uh….” Megan said as she stumbled to find words.
”It’s what?” Selena asked, now with her full attention on Megan.
”Weird. Good for you, but weird,” She replied.
”How so?”
“Well, it’s not everyday a teacher opens up like he did. I don’t know, its just different I guess.” Megan stated with the concern of a friend.
”Hmm, I know. It’s because he’s different. He’s a good guy Megan. I know it. There is something about him, something…I don’t know.” Selena said smiling at the teacher again.
Megans eyes widened, ” Oh. I see.”
Turning her attention, once again back to Megan, “What? You see what?”
”You like him don’t you? I mean, like him like him…” Megan asked.
Brushing her off, “Psht. No…no, I mean, he has a girlfriend as he clearly says here. He wouldn’t like me anyway. He’s above that. No, I don’t like him…I mean, I like him but not the way your trying to say.”
”Okay Selena,” Megan said dropping the topic.
Selena knew that there was some truth to what Megan said. She did like him. She didn’t know why, but there was definitely something about him that made her feel comfortable, and safe. As time went on, that feeling would become stronger, as she…and people around her would find out.
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BigMamaMags reviewed Version 1 -
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Although this is two weeks later, it picks up smoothly where it last ended. I think Selena is coming out of herself more and from what I can gleam of the writing, and seems to enjoy this new feeling. The Mr. Poe character seems to be a genuine, caring and considerate teacher. The idea of a journal, is well thought out and adds to this story as a way to communicate between characters without things getting carried away with a one on one conversation, not to mention, the time element that would be involved doing this. Good job. Looking for the next installment.
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Supernatural1 reviewed Version 1 -
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i’m loving this story. i think it’s great!! one thing i would do is watch for the difference between you’re and your. i noticed u made that mistake once or twice, which is really common. one of them that i noticed is on the bottom of pg 6, where selena’s telling meghan, “not the way you’re trying to say.”
also, watch your punctuation, but otherwise, i thought it was great!!! awesome job!! and i love the slang, but i don’t think i’d use OMG when someone’s talking. most people don’t talk in acronyms, which is what that is. spell it out. now if she was writing in her journal, yes, u can use it, but i wouldn’t use it when someone’s talking. just a suggestion!!
horsees reviewed Version 1 -
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Hey, It would be great if we could juts go back and read the other chapters and still reveiw this one: but we can’t, so i am just going to try to do my best to offfer you some good advice based on what is here in this chapter. Okay?
The voice in the first paragraph isn’t my favorite. It is okay, but sounds a little bit too girly and reduntant. I ask: Do you really need this part about writing? If not, think about cutting it back or even removing it. It is a little boring and it makes me wonder if non-writers can relate to it?
This girl’s got some nerve, eh? I find it frightening, personally.
The situation is making me very uncomfortable. For that reason you may want to tone it down a little bit. Make things less blatent… I don’t know. It is hard to do, but I will tell you that my face is red with embarassment at just reading this.
All that said, what you have here is pretty well written. It sounds young at times, but that is okay because this is for the young and I am suspecting by someone who is young. Good Job!
Ramblin_Jack reviewed Version 1 -
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well written and you kept me reading the whole way down. i want to know what happens next! keep up the good work.
HopelessRomantic reviewed Version 1 -
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That was a very cute story. I really can’t wait to read more of it. You had good word usage, better punctuation then most, and little to nothing misspelled. Great work! _
william2233 reviewed Version 1 -
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Very well done, I didn’t have any teachers to look up too after the 5th grade.
I guess nowa days they don’t seem to really about there students.
I have a daughter 14 and a son 16. Always there complaning about most all their teachers.
themysticrose reviewed Version 1 -
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I guess I needed some background of this peice. It is kind of slow reading. You do very good at expressing your feelings. I would advise you not to use text slang in your writing. I finally got on to what was happening at the end.
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