Fall Down, Stand Up
As Becca Deshawn walked down the stairs at Willow Ridge Middle School in late February, she nearly bumped into someone, because she was reading a book of fairytales,but she wasn't sure who. She tripped, fell, and was on the floor before she knew it.” What are you reading,Cloudy?” said Ronan Pitch, sport extraordinaire as he helped Becca up. Mumbling a “thank you” and rushing off, Rebecca’s mind whirled with thoughts and possibilities.
As Becca walked into 4th period Language Arts, a snooty voice interrupted her thoughts. “Look who’s here, Bookworm Becca! Her neck’s too fragile to hold up her big head. What a weirdo.” Becca knew that voice anywhere, because it was Ashlynn Smith, leader of the “Clique”.
Titters and laughs came from every corner of the room. Becca sat down at her desk and tried to ignore Ashlynn, like her family said. But negative thoughts wormed their way into her heart and through her brain.
“Afternoon, Mom and Izzy” said Becca as she walked into her house. Going into the kitchen for her afternoon snack, she noticed snow falling.
“ Mom! Izzy! It’s snowing outside!” Yelled Becca in joyful excitement. They all crowded around their kitchen window to see fat flakes falling.
Checking the forecast, Izzy said,”We’re getting 5 inches! Enough for a snow day!” More joyous exclamations from the Deshawn family.
“Wait until Dad and Curtis get home!” said Izzy.
They dispersed to their various rooms, and Becca called out that she would make dinner tonight.
That Wednesday, Becca went to the school counselor and explained her predicament. The counselor sent her on her way, and didn’t believe Ashlynn, a sweet girl could do such a thing. Becca, who was frustrated beyond belief nearly stomped out of school, but didn’t. She had basketball practice that evening, and couldn't afford to lose her temper.
Meeting Zoe, Addy, and Claire at the Hoffman Gym doors, they walked in, chatting about the weather, how hard homework was, and how Mrs. Ardou’s History class was the best class of all. Zoe, Addy, and Claire had been her friends since preschool, and they intended to be friends forever.
After a successful night of basketball, Becca walked out to the car, but Ronan saw Becca and he ran over to her and started walking.
He said,” Mind if I walk with you?”
Becca softly replied,”Oh, not really. There’s not much farther anyway.” They walked and talked, of aspirations, dreams, and thoughts, and Becca
learned several new things about Ronan that she hadn't known before. She had some tales of herself that she told as well.
When she got in the car, her eyes were shining in delight and she was a little more perked up than usual.
The only thing her mother said was,” I see you have a new friend” but she said it in a kind way.
Her mother wasn’t the only one who saw her and Ronan. Her friends squealed with delight when they heard. Claire said,” It’s totally obvious that Ronan Pitch likes you,the only question is if you like him back.”
Becca replied,” I’m rather surprised, and I think i’m dreaming. Fate or Destiny must have played a cruel trick, but I’m still deciding.”
She sighed, and ate her lunch in a slow manner, for she was thinking away, many different thoughts. The drone of the lunchroom faded away into a sort of whisper as she floated away on bright white clouds of dreaming.
On the Bulletin, their (very large) bulletin board, was a poster that was beautiful, and it said,” Grand Spring Gala- April 25th”. There were also a couple of boxes of the same poster around the school, and Becca snatched one up to show Claire, Zoe, and Addy.
When they saw the poster, the girls squealed with delight and immediately made plans to go to it, for it sounded delightful.
Two weeks later, Becca walked into 4th period Language Arts when Ashlynn started to drawl again.
Becca quickly turned around and said,” You know that whenever you do that, you hurt people. It isn’t nice, and I really don't appreciate it. Whatever you have in your heart, it isn’t good. You’re playing a game that I don't know how to play. It hurts you, and hurts people around you.”
There was a long silence, then Jenny Farn, who was rather quiet generally, stood up and said, “I agree.” Others who had been bullied stood up and agreed. Ashlynn looked scared, but then when they heard footsteps in the hall, (probably their teacher) they all got ready to write.
“Now that is done, all that's left is the Grand Spring Gala.,” said Becca. She and her mother went to a beautiful dress store to get a dress. It was pale lavender, and regal with just the right amount of sparkle. Becca thanked her mother and gave her a big hug.
In turn, she went to Addy’s, Zoe’s, and Claire’s houses to look at their pretty dresses. Zoe had a pale blue, short, sparkly one for her blonde hair, Claire had a pale pink one that almost had the materiality of a butterfly, and Addy had a pale green one with some ruffles and frills, with dresses that suited them perfectly.
The night came of the Gala, and the girls were all dressed and ready by 6:00. Her mother and father came out and admired them all. Her friends and her were to carpool to the auditorium.
Arriving at the auditorium, some girls turned green wit
After 2 cups of punch, some brownies and little cakes, the announcer said,” Now for the waltzes and dancing!”
Later, after some dances, their crush, or a good friend who was a boy eventually whisked each of the girls who sat out off. Now Becca was the last one left. Ronan walked up, and to her double surprise, said,” You look awesome. Will you dance?” Becca’s legs somehow carried herself off the chair and onto the floor to dance. No talk was uttered, for it wasn't needed.
After the gala, Ashlynn tripped up to Becca in high heels and a silver dress and said a heartfelt apology. She talked about how she was jealous of how Becca carried herself, and how her life wasn't as perfect as she thought. Her family was so busy that they hardly paid attention to her, so she wanted attention to keep her happy. She ended with asking for friendship. Becca was surprised to find Ashlynn asking for her friendship. After what Ashlynn had done to her, she wasn’t too sure. With her snootiness and the fact the only time Ashlynn came near her was to tease, she was rather confused as to why Ashlynn would ask. “ Oh well, I guess she actually had a change of heart for once” She thought in her head. But she decided to accept with an open heart. And then,under a starry sky, she knew everything was right in the world.