Writing Notes

Story

Yesterday, we eliminated the use of these words: got; get.

For our writing activity, we had six pictures, each in entirely different situations or settings. For my first one I got three kids standing under a house made of sun flowers. My last one was a picture of kids at a water park. It was hard. I didn't even know which one was going to come next, because she had us write for five minutes with one picture, then turn it in and write for five more minutes with that picture. Ugh. Difficult. But it was fun! I hope you get something out of the story below and maybe even try it yourself!

The shovel was sweaty in my hand, but I couldn't let them know. The towering stocks of sunflowers over my head brought both relief from the sun and blazing heat. But they were my worst enemy. My wispy blonde hair, tied back into two thin pony tails, caught on the button at the base of my neck, where my shirt connected with my skin.

I was smiling, but it had never been more fake.

The flashback of my early childhood years on earth ended right as Grandpa lit a pipe. I hated the smell, but I knew better than to complain. Even I, his favorite Granddaughter, wouldn't leave unscathed if I treated him in that respect.

Grandpa was always a smoker. On our planet, it wasn't allowed, but he never really followed rules. And everyone knew he would never be in trouble for his actions. After all, he was Grandpa. Everyone looked up to him. Even though he wasn't really our grandpa, everyone called him that. And no one ever sent him into trouble.

Ocean breezes wafted past my face. Spray from the water overboard the small sailboat sent my mouth into a delighted giggle. It was entirely false. No one but I knew that, though. I was the best spy. And right now, my short life was preoccupied with something far more important – and dangerous – than beautiful waves. I turned, wandering away from the edge of the deck where I had been lounging comfortably – at least, that was what everyone around me saw. Inside, I had never been more alert. I was awake, catching every detail from the Earthlings around me.

"Grandpa," I said quietly, holding his arm tightly so as not to let him fall. Or that was the reason he claimed he wanted me to hold him up. I thought he just wanted to make sure I didn't go anywhere without him. Strolling comfortably down the beach was a tricky process with an old man on your arm – especially when small children littered the place with sandcastles and shells and other such things, and especially when that old man you going with was allergic to about everything. Or so he said. No one ever really knew with him. He kept to himself, and unless he wanted something, people did the same for him.

"What is it, Oaklee?" his grumpy voice said from my side. I turned to look at him.

"Grandpa, I request a reassignment," I said softly. His face twisted into a look that brought tears to my eyes. He would never let me go. He never had, never would. I was trapped by duty.

My back bent, and my legs twisted into a position completely unnatural. I had never felt my body in this strange poise, and I couldn't say I like it. Earth was a bizarre place, and when you went to work at a job you had no experience with – in a place the earthlings called a circus – things got even weirder. My body hadn't gotten entirely used to the posture I was forced to assume, but I had to deal with it. There was no other choice.

"I do not know why earthlings enjoy such atrocious places such as this," Grandpa said grumpily as he surveyed the water park on the screen of the television set with scorn. I was about to point out that for earthlings, the water was not poison, but I remembered not to speak at just the right time. He wouldn't take it lightly.

This was my life. A spy since a young age, I was showed to different places throughout earth. I was told to gather information and send it back to Grandpa, where he would use it to uphold the rules and walls of Andromania. I had never been told why, exactly, it had to be me on these missions, but complaining or even asking for information about my job would contradict Grandpa's primary rules.

This was my life. Somehow, I had to learn to live with it, because heaven knew it wasn't going to end anytime soon.

Aaaaand that's all! Thanks for reading! Please vote and comment. Bye!

- Total_KOTLC_Fan