289Please respect copyright.PENANA73CDEjXMDk
I wake up to jazz music blaring through the radio.
Cassidy is sitting at her desk rhythmically tapping her foot to the beat.
289Please respect copyright.PENANALHQU3Efijq
"Ugh Cassidy!" I groan peeling the damp covers off my sticky face.
289Please respect copyright.PENANArBEyVriLq3
Cassidy continues on like she doesn't hear me.
289Please respect copyright.PENANARZJvXqEPhm
"CASS!" I yell catching her attention.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAlq7bFzzxjO
"What Hay?" Cass says.
She pushes the button on the old radio a bit to hard.
The button cracks under the weight of her finger.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA8bWKoN6w1z
"Don't you have any decency it's 5 in the morning." I am not a morning person at all.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAiZJPlbZekr
"You're the one who decided to sign up for extra school during the summer." Cass says turning back to her drawing on the desk.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAHEkcsCHQye
"It's not school, it's a writing program."
289Please respect copyright.PENANArrFlFP0jSO
"Sounds like school to me."
289Please respect copyright.PENANAVEDpJDlpgS
"Just get out of my room so I can get ready."
289Please respect copyright.PENANAgxGqMVeVR1
"Can I take the radio?"
289Please respect copyright.PENANAMByljVSIH1
"No, you have a radio." I say rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and sitting up.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAkXLPBDWhrB
"Yours is better." Cass whines back
289Please respect copyright.PENANAYF1Z3kexBj
"That's because I know how to take care of my stuff." I grab her shoulder and begin pushing her to the door.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA7YbCzQwssO
"I know how to take care of my stuff." Cass turns at the door jam and crosses her arm.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA1eXPW2ljLt
"Okay, get out Cass." I push a curl hanging in her face back into the bun on the top of her head.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA0AYn1celKB
Cassidy is only seven but she's going on 17.
She's the only sibling who actually enjoys hanging out with me, despite how much i push her away. It's now 5:25 and I'm going to be late for my first day. I grab some clothes from the hamper and ball them up in my towel as I run to the bathroom. Remi walks out of the restroom with her phone in hand.
She dosent even notice me as I slip past her and lock the door. I strip off my clothes and hop in the shower before it even has a chance to warm up.I scrub my arms with the soapy rag and watch the murky water run down the rusted drain. After I dry off on slip on black legging, a knee length jean skirt, and a yellow t-shirt that probably belonged to one of my Remi long ago. In a household of 6 children, clothes get pretty mixed up. I wipe the condensation from the mirror and look at myself. I rub oil all over my face to keep it from being dry. I place my hands on my face and scrunch up my puffy cheeks. My tangled hair is reaching out to me in the mirror. Checking the time, I decide to put my hair all under a beanie despite it being the middle of July in Hawaii. I make a promise to myself to detangle my hair tonight. The stairs squeak as I rush down them. Our house is an old wooden house that we have lived in sense i was born. The outside of our home is painted yellow and the floors are a faded brown. We have two floors and six bedrooms. All of our rooms are upstairs except for my parents room.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAEdBv6lMfpf
“Mom!”
289Please respect copyright.PENANAu3Uq2FiZD5
“Dad!”
289Please respect copyright.PENANAIy6LKP7atP
I call our into the kitchen. When no one answers I assume they left and took the twins worth them to the store. It’s no surprise where I am going, I take this class every summer. Kaleo is going to watch Cassidy while I am out.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAGu9XcatGNn
I slip on my sandals and I am out the door. The wind blows hard and threatens to lift my shirt, but is held down by my bag.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAAT2ZscpVhV
The palm trees in my neighbors yard sway side to side. Dad had been trying to grow a palm tree in our backyard since the twins were born, but it has not gotten past three feet tall. No one in the family really likes to take care of it.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAXtdLu74YSg
When i get to the end pic my driveway I walk on the sidewalk that leads to the library.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAJkfIxRaLQ3
I have a huge family. Remi is my parents first born daughter who is twenty-two. Then there is my older brother Kaleo (Kuh-lee-Oh) who is twenty. Next is me Halia (Hu-lee-Uh), and i am eighteen. Then there’s the twins, Kane and Bane, who are twelve. Lastly, there is Cassidy who is seven. We make up the Mahelona family.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAaLLpwdoqBv
Our parents met here in Honolulu when my dad was on vacation. They got married three months later when they found out they were pregnant with Remi.
289Please respect copyright.PENANALgjEEBWopM
I see the library up ahead so i pick up my pace. I’m hoping when i publish my novel, I will have enough money to buy a car. I actually enjoy walking though.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAHQJva41JA6
“Authors Anonymous.” The sign reads as i slip through the double doors. This class is not accredited. Credits for college don’t matter to me. Ever since i graduated high school a few months ago, I have focused all my attention on finishing my book. I have been writing this book since this time last year. My days consist of nonstop writing and research. I have to hurry and finish it. So, i sign up for this class to help me with my journey of publishing my book.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAzCBA0YGeUl
It’s 6:45 am when i walk through the door of the writing class. The class is held in a conference room in the back of the library. Mr. Wallace teaches the class. He’s a very old man and we are not even sure if he’s ever written a book, but he’s all we got here in Honolulu.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAqCnsVN3SL3
I take the seat in the second row, second seat from the back. The start to fill in before Mr. Wallace lumps in. I watch the sweat roll down the front of his steaming cup of coffee.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA02YDUQHgJI
“Well look at the turn-out this year!” Mr. Wallace says looking around the room.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA9jqhOhuSwF
I maybe see about fourteen people.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAbhptCQQ3qd
Mr. Wallace is a slender, dark-skinned Hawaiian man. His hair hangs in white curls the frame his round face. His skin is damaged from many years in the hot sun. He wears grey pants with a blue shirt the looks like the ones you see many of the tourist wearing.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAgV5CI846gg
“Let’s call roll.” Mr. Wallace says pulling down his glasses and looking at a list of names types in large print.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6zTGtZ4qa
He begins calling names.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAaDjehm0xXK
“Cali Beamer.” He calls. A young Italian girl raises her hand. She cowers back after noticing the attention on her.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA3NEeb5GEsp
Names continue to be called, in no particular order.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAx6lYhQi06E
“Halia Mahelona.” I raise my hand at the sound of my name.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAc8TiG18QvT
“My start student!” Mr. Wallace says with a smile.
289Please respect copyright.PENANALHEw4Eem9w
I smile back.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAfrrMRLuETj
“..and...kai?” Mr. Wallace looks around the room.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAR2l4yA8Z8c
“That’s me.” A voice says behind me.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAxsCqM9SXO5
I turn around in my seat.
289Please respect copyright.PENANArJijEqdj2x
The young man behind me looks around nineteen years of age. He is obviously not Hawaiian with his right coily hair that sticks straight up. His skin is the color of Mr. Wallace’s coffee when he forgets he’s put one too many creamers. His nose is wide and his lips are full. He is wearing dark clothes and his countenance is reserved.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAXgsH3Wzfej
I had watched everyone come in the class, but he must have slipped by. He must be new to town, because I have never seen him in school. Or maybe he’s much older than i thought.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA843BvL9LFD
“No last name?” Mr. Wallace ask
289Please respect copyright.PENANAxWXZ5aXFcP
“It’s just kai.” He responds back
289Please respect copyright.PENANAR49rPFCERh
“Okay...just Kai. Welcome to Authors Anonymous. Let’s get started!”
289Please respect copyright.PENANAdagcE99z0u
The first thing we do is a get to know me exercise. We have to describe ourselves in three words. I says passionate and determined. We do this every year and i always say the same thing. I have not yet come up with a third adjective.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAXvFRFT5i4Z
For the next exercise we we tell what our favorite poem is. I say a poem called “Hopeless.” By Rebecca Hinning.
289Please respect copyright.PENANATqf2ThzBsO
“Kai?” Mr Wallace ask reading from the list of names.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAjKqTR7Sx7b
Mr. Wallace searches around the room until his eyes find him.
289Please respect copyright.PENANATCUKNZ0own
“I dont have one.” Kai replies playing with the zipper on his jacket.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAg661CdsL3P
“Who comes to a writing class and doesn’t have a favorite poem!” I think
289Please respect copyright.PENANA8X4adXtgRd
“I just never found on that stood out to me.” Kai shrugs.
289Please respect copyright.PENANABESItuk99Z
At first I’m scared that i actually said that aloud. I quickly realize that Mr. Wallace has asked when i wasn’t paying attention.
289Please respect copyright.PENANATqVwyZKb2B
“Alright folks, our thirty minutes are up. Any questions before we depart?” Mr. Wallace says packing up his things.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAuX7AQ75rWV
I raise my hand before i know what i am about to say.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAoBCRB5zC4A
“Yes Miss Mahelona?” Mr. Wallace saysnot even looking up.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA1QbJn0cFCl
“Will we be actually writing net class?” I aay not trying to be rude. I just don’t have much time to finish my book.
289Please respect copyright.PENANA1p1NSDa0es
I hear someone scoff behind me.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAhf9MBXkqhW
“Halia, always so hasty aren’t you. Don’t rush life sweet girl.” Mr. Wallace pats me on the head with his free hand as he exits the room.
289Please respect copyright.PENANAAIz04D8tM0
289Please respect copyright.PENANADyusSwfXtg
289Please respect copyright.PENANAjpYNIoi7A4
289Please respect copyright.PENANAgJcclPZqt7
289Please respect copyright.PENANA3MeyF5tZSa
289Please respect copyright.PENANAkGy5y2GNDK
289Please respect copyright.PENANANWCe0VlS1D
289Please respect copyright.PENANABgm42CEee3
289Please respect copyright.PENANATnJI9Zp3v7
289Please respect copyright.PENANAhMd6MQ3SRV
289Please respect copyright.PENANADfpu5xgz1q
289Please respect copyright.PENANAjj3OjnmKgh
289Please respect copyright.PENANA4ylETdP7Pw
289Please respect copyright.PENANA7FlrFFSl33
289Please respect copyright.PENANAIbyJS12Dlc
289Please respect copyright.PENANAdXxTPiXTwq
289Please respect copyright.PENANA6MtfYDjose
289Please respect copyright.PENANAVYkhVVSbU5
289Please respect copyright.PENANA1cRgfuhlXR
289Please respect copyright.PENANAreghqK075a
289Please respect copyright.PENANApQK5dQVbA2
289Please respect copyright.PENANANBbaGKor3P
289Please respect copyright.PENANADc4BEr9ksK
289Please respect copyright.PENANAARZH26L1B6
289Please respect copyright.PENANAaDOXlmT4qc
289Please respect copyright.PENANALiQQBHuleu
289Please respect copyright.PENANADnCUinkH06
289Please respect copyright.PENANAitTp48XDUg
289Please respect copyright.PENANA5KO3L4wHxG
289Please respect copyright.PENANACLj6hRvPiD
289Please respect copyright.PENANAZq75wrzTiN
289Please respect copyright.PENANAxyHtywGuE0
289Please respect copyright.PENANAPhIxk5Sltt
289Please respect copyright.PENANA9af1m0xuzL
289Please respect copyright.PENANAb1b2SIgHUo
289Please respect copyright.PENANA83EUh69f2h
289Please respect copyright.PENANADYaHwI5EI0
289Please respect copyright.PENANAIv7WR9p53b
289Please respect copyright.PENANAs0VpK2XXZo
289Please respect copyright.PENANA4zPZiUPxo1
289Please respect copyright.PENANAy5KJqIL2Ou
289Please respect copyright.PENANAUOn7mXELC2
289Please respect copyright.PENANAvcIJDyyO3w
289Please respect copyright.PENANAdVe2B3xT2a
289Please respect copyright.PENANAnRMOIgDH18
289Please respect copyright.PENANAlIW3rucVn5
289Please respect copyright.PENANANsJZf4ep7y
289Please respect copyright.PENANAIN4d6fxxEk
289Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2ekQojgSJ
289Please respect copyright.PENANAgm596g0TPK
289Please respect copyright.PENANAolywyXNijj
289Please respect copyright.PENANAjUJ2dsXsaA
289Please respect copyright.PENANAFJBBmLylsh
289Please respect copyright.PENANA07spL7FAkC
289Please respect copyright.PENANAymoRHhnwNG
289Please respect copyright.PENANAIMhdSrhQlo
289Please respect copyright.PENANAcn0Q2Y6XDf
289Please respect copyright.PENANAk4wenTXP3V
289Please respect copyright.PENANAUOwypJ8QJq
289Please respect copyright.PENANAUbrZgeMeeL
289Please respect copyright.PENANAFnMajEX6Aa
289Please respect copyright.PENANAgGl8d1oZFC
289Please respect copyright.PENANAapbQNNrbkV
289Please respect copyright.PENANAEVNj1XVehL
289Please respect copyright.PENANAfsx9PluXKe
289Please respect copyright.PENANAcRuAuOPTg4
289Please respect copyright.PENANACu44V2AnkQ
289Please respect copyright.PENANAPwP5Y1dYfn
289Please respect copyright.PENANA9md6IsOyK6
289Please respect copyright.PENANARfutTlANbu
289Please respect copyright.PENANA8HKNCVnH7Z
289Please respect copyright.PENANA8aEpd6R68L
289Please respect copyright.PENANA5Wl0AeDsAb
289Please respect copyright.PENANArsjbpQj0oO
289Please respect copyright.PENANAByohnxKOUn
289Please respect copyright.PENANAKeMCnikwVA
289Please respect copyright.PENANAOpp28SMy6H
289Please respect copyright.PENANAz1jTRSCA6l
289Please respect copyright.PENANAmH6xf7Bck4
289Please respect copyright.PENANAfFU00JGdgm
289Please respect copyright.PENANAMYeSKYbctp
289Please respect copyright.PENANAVSwayDjpxA
289Please respect copyright.PENANAKVWx1XRsvM
289Please respect copyright.PENANA9ysWlhxobT
289Please respect copyright.PENANATWptrwt2dx
289Please respect copyright.PENANA6WsD5GJas5
289Please respect copyright.PENANArAKaWTgTAN
289Please respect copyright.PENANA8Zs3SxzfdG
289Please respect copyright.PENANAYyatDT0m8N
289Please respect copyright.PENANALMULSJtiqz
289Please respect copyright.PENANAFwi9EINwmH
289Please respect copyright.PENANABSPIKsgSio
289Please respect copyright.PENANAOVTNGeJn3n
289Please respect copyright.PENANAgX5KIpvoX3
289Please respect copyright.PENANA1lIjaPDiej
289Please respect copyright.PENANAE4xRQf18Gq
289Please respect copyright.PENANAQx5xOVeXbj
289Please respect copyright.PENANAs2Y4vSWCEP
289Please respect copyright.PENANAOd1rSLLh3X
289Please respect copyright.PENANAt0EYDoKJPZ
289Please respect copyright.PENANA2PMY84104J
289Please respect copyright.PENANA2tXgCtuqKx
289Please respect copyright.PENANARdo5Mh7EnS
289Please respect copyright.PENANAVilLQ1tJJx
289Please respect copyright.PENANAhiLLIRpO3v
289Please respect copyright.PENANAQh5VXqzo7r
289Please respect copyright.PENANAL3B1V8IWNY
289Please respect copyright.PENANA4buhNdBbO8
289Please respect copyright.PENANApGgGj7sC4a
289Please respect copyright.PENANAA2cboIOjNw
289Please respect copyright.PENANA4YEJEgnsSo
289Please respect copyright.PENANAKaYkWlQWQe
289Please respect copyright.PENANAittYJsCFAz
289Please respect copyright.PENANAYetgILjbbV
289Please respect copyright.PENANAWhA22Je22U
289Please respect copyright.PENANApWB4u8lzPt
289Please respect copyright.PENANAehc1T6DBQR
289Please respect copyright.PENANAzNsw7DNdql
289Please respect copyright.PENANAgFIXg6kMMf
289Please respect copyright.PENANApr69aHiA4h
289Please respect copyright.PENANAuUJeIvsXlW
289Please respect copyright.PENANAItdgIvOcIz
289Please respect copyright.PENANA6DLMJhfv71
289Please respect copyright.PENANAqQSd4UNMF5
289Please respect copyright.PENANAHA4iLnIbBN
289Please respect copyright.PENANAY52Ies683X
289Please respect copyright.PENANAGApO37ijjB
289Please respect copyright.PENANAhH9oJzGMye
289Please respect copyright.PENANAEA0ZxY6x9Q
289Please respect copyright.PENANABwXqLgbCiR
289Please respect copyright.PENANAR8hBZnGoib