by LARA JADE
Staff writer

I sat at the bar counter and rolled silverware into napkins.

“So, you and Sammy see that movie last night?” Rosemary asked.

“Nope,” I responded and couldn’t help but smirk.

“Instead?” she pushed.

“We finally-,”

“Called it!” she gushed.

“Yeah, obviously.”

“How was it?”

“Stop!” I groaned as the bell rang over the door. I paused and turned my head to see my reoccurring stalker. He sat in the booth as usual and looked at Rosemary.

“I’m taken. Your turn,” I smirked but spoke quietly.

“Fine. Suit yourself,” Rosemary shrugged and walked herself over. “Hi, I’m Rose. What can I get you?” I heard her ask him kindly. I peeked over to see he looked from her to me. I turned away and began placing the utensils I wrapped into a plastic bin.

“Um… why isn’t she taking my order?” he asked. My heart nearly fluttered at how sad he sounded.

“She had a rough night. Poor girl-,” I heard Rosemary begin. I grabbed the bin and walked over to them.

“The usual?” I asked him making sure to stop Rosemary from saying any more.

“Yep. Thanks, sweetheart,” He smiled. Rosemary frowned at me and followed as I entered the kitchen. I put away the bin and washed my hands.

“Jaz, you’re not mad. Are you?”

by ANJALEIGH HART
Staff writer

​Countdown
 
I was never quite sure
How to tell my family
That I was slowly dying
Because I would rather
Ignore it
 
How do you go about
Something as tragic as
Death, do you sit them
Down and explain that
You are leaving them
And you do not know when
 
Or do you ignore the
Inevitable truth until
The reaper is standing
Before you, with an
Outstretched arm,
Waiting for you to take
And leave forever
 
The world laughed
At me, as I stood in
My place, like a statue
But soon to be a memorial
For a girl who was too scared
And too scarred to accept
Destiny or fate or punishment
Whatever the reason
 
How do I tell them that
One day I will be here
But maybe not the next
How do I face the people
That have been there by
My side, all my life, that
I can no longer stay and
Forever is coming to an
End rather quickly
 
I breathe and count the breaths
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
But I never reached ten. 

by ANJALEIGH HART
Staff writer

​Mercy
 
I’ll bite my tongue
I’ll hold my breath
I’ll keep the words in
I’ll do it all, until I can’t
 
Inhale.
 
I’ll hold myself back
I’ll keep a tight grip
I’ll clench my teeth
I’ll do it all, until I won’t
 
Exhale slowly.
 
I’ll keep it all in
I’ll hold on to sanity
I’ll swallow my pride
I’ll do it all, until I don’t
 
Open mouth slightly.
 
I’ll let it all out
I’ll hold back no more
I’ll keep nothing in
I’ll do it all, cause I can
 
Show no more mercy.