508Please respect copyright.PENANAqmPYFDDTaf
I wake up to jazz music blaring through the radio.
Cassidy is sitting at her desk rhythmically tapping her foot to the beat.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAkZpLFBCEE0
"Ugh Cassidy!" I groan peeling the damp covers off my sticky face.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAEurOHzLM6J
Cassidy continues on like she doesn't hear me.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAafJLVatVi9
"CASS!" I yell catching her attention.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAkrVTAPra3k
"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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAakgbZYVq4N
"Don't you have any decency it's 5 in the morning." I am not a morning person at all.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAKZLbdix3Ku
"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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2hV9SHXd2
"It's not school, it's a writing program."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAB27Aq6B2aD
"Sounds like school to me."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAU7njkJmVnX
"Just get out of my room so I can get ready."
508Please respect copyright.PENANAGcrMG9wxaY
"Can I take the radio?"
508Please respect copyright.PENANAHvqa6iumx3
"No, you have a radio." I say rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and sitting up.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAxW2HiVeMpG
"Yours is better." Cass whines back
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzLkIEuaLXh
"That's because I know how to take care of my stuff." I grab her shoulder and begin pushing her to the door.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAeA8tyo57Cc
"I know how to take care of my stuff." Cass turns at the door jam and crosses her arm.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoC9nH7HrfH
"Okay, get out Cass." I push a curl hanging in her face back into the bun on the top of her head.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAVNXgerYVyX
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA2qOQZj4SGn
“Mom!”
508Please respect copyright.PENANANKc7gu63LB
“Dad!”
508Please respect copyright.PENANAUhW6nEF2do
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAFuelJqHBok
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAAMfbhOXL0I
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA4s3TxBbnkc
When i get to the end pic my driveway I walk on the sidewalk that leads to the library.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAmubWKOLu1c
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXkepprwVEU
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA5tThfBGrt8
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAIafHaZaR8q
“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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYL2AZWN9am
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAPSUiCbtPQi
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAacgYXLq7KC
“Well look at the turn-out this year!” Mr. Wallace says looking around the room.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA8iX1zl51oG
I maybe see about fourteen people.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA2aWj2sfc6p
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANADkTZVlge3b
“Let’s call roll.” Mr. Wallace says pulling down his glasses and looking at a list of names types in large print.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6TBeGQdZvR
He begins calling names.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAqzSDrKxGMW
“Cali Beamer.” He calls. A young Italian girl raises her hand. She cowers back after noticing the attention on her.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAIHhcXZ38kY
Names continue to be called, in no particular order.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA41QttkROXn
“Halia Mahelona.” I raise my hand at the sound of my name.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAdwbfOgSZzj
“My start student!” Mr. Wallace says with a smile.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAcQi1nBjqgs
I smile back.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAgXTNRYkAPJ
“..and...kai?” Mr. Wallace looks around the room.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoSG07uLTRT
“That’s me.” A voice says behind me.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAboqrvEGGUM
I turn around in my seat.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAAPTj9zMn72
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXy5wxIGkMD
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ8VdP1N9o
“No last name?” Mr. Wallace ask
508Please respect copyright.PENANArLhVKtcNhF
“It’s just kai.” He responds back
508Please respect copyright.PENANAdERaMw4YGn
“Okay...just Kai. Welcome to Authors Anonymous. Let’s get started!”
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZSYxbfzTtZ
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAAqO4KuDpNJ
For the next exercise we we tell what our favorite poem is. I say a poem called “Hopeless.” By Rebecca Hinning.
508Please respect copyright.PENANA8hdTNVI2zz
“Kai?” Mr Wallace ask reading from the list of names.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAmaxmeO6jJl
Mr. Wallace searches around the room until his eyes find him.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAULTGD5fsdv
“I dont have one.” Kai replies playing with the zipper on his jacket.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAkvShzU1cKG
“Who comes to a writing class and doesn’t have a favorite poem!” I think
508Please respect copyright.PENANAH4o3ehRVb7
“I just never found on that stood out to me.” Kai shrugs.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAevKRGF4tsl
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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAKGC76uz86C
“Alright folks, our thirty minutes are up. Any questions before we depart?” Mr. Wallace says packing up his things.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAK9BDeB6Ro9
I raise my hand before i know what i am about to say.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAnGNhfA0amK
“Yes Miss Mahelona?” Mr. Wallace saysnot even looking up.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXMdqdfZsFX
“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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAO59VjR0OXu
I hear someone scoff behind me.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAP5QygDSKcL
“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.
508Please respect copyright.PENANAryVst3qXV3
508Please respect copyright.PENANA1ixtsabfRj
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzOtuKj3p5J
508Please respect copyright.PENANAxTRf2pBkmn
508Please respect copyright.PENANARk9BftmryE
508Please respect copyright.PENANAPuEfoclJ93
508Please respect copyright.PENANAGrB8OTYAMu
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6WbbqEvhYf
508Please respect copyright.PENANAq7j5yhZM7H
508Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ3rTYc0hh
508Please respect copyright.PENANAQIG8B2mDnL
508Please respect copyright.PENANAcoaEgqBHiC
508Please respect copyright.PENANArFv2qjclPv
508Please respect copyright.PENANAN3mLi78zkm
508Please respect copyright.PENANA9pwqHwsShn
508Please respect copyright.PENANAeA2nqHiY56
508Please respect copyright.PENANAys1HQLPK44
508Please respect copyright.PENANApiwnJuIMir
508Please respect copyright.PENANAJGK1LRic5V
508Please respect copyright.PENANAZtNfhWhG7B
508Please respect copyright.PENANANCC5JCizVS
508Please respect copyright.PENANAfmw2qefFAn
508Please respect copyright.PENANAPJdkxvfedc
508Please respect copyright.PENANAovZqIElbOj
508Please respect copyright.PENANAJEybBwjiuL
508Please respect copyright.PENANAyxtjzo7suI
508Please respect copyright.PENANANb1rZnMYd8
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYd4P6D4JPL
508Please respect copyright.PENANAgj4yifsM25
508Please respect copyright.PENANAUkoUAY3wmU
508Please respect copyright.PENANAcHlAOYJ9rR
508Please respect copyright.PENANAE6euijR2cs
508Please respect copyright.PENANAKvZH2lendb
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzIbIvtyq3D
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6CObNxRxjh
508Please respect copyright.PENANAbQL6epRVle
508Please respect copyright.PENANABCnN5EgAeX
508Please respect copyright.PENANAf7Gjha1fu2
508Please respect copyright.PENANAfQYWGxm7y0
508Please respect copyright.PENANAVZXe6xjHKy
508Please respect copyright.PENANA1wMW7LtscK
508Please respect copyright.PENANAmviBFw574u
508Please respect copyright.PENANAS8c4IQ3Hcp
508Please respect copyright.PENANAn4HnBuSTVn
508Please respect copyright.PENANAY7TJFUEP2Z
508Please respect copyright.PENANAbTuanB2Zom
508Please respect copyright.PENANAFeEa0DL4yk
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXmi2tu6o2W
508Please respect copyright.PENANAF4Rcdd04UK
508Please respect copyright.PENANA70j5WYAOls
508Please respect copyright.PENANAb1T3tdjtca
508Please respect copyright.PENANAbh8Y4ggzhi
508Please respect copyright.PENANAuR3FFIl5v0
508Please respect copyright.PENANApF0UWwRqyq
508Please respect copyright.PENANA8dImNoYrSr
508Please respect copyright.PENANAj30wFErksJ
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYpZirJlqBS
508Please respect copyright.PENANAfsMN7iH3mG
508Please respect copyright.PENANAePfaRePSem
508Please respect copyright.PENANAuaR8KMSNzb
508Please respect copyright.PENANAg7zl1YRdtn
508Please respect copyright.PENANAnItzsYFxx6
508Please respect copyright.PENANArLFSuD13hx
508Please respect copyright.PENANAPc7k13X1Wf
508Please respect copyright.PENANAuVpM76rpOI
508Please respect copyright.PENANAggJDeMghfD
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXT5cfn2Lo8
508Please respect copyright.PENANAJS8Ew5MNDf
508Please respect copyright.PENANAvCubUdrdeV
508Please respect copyright.PENANAmV6bTCQKlI
508Please respect copyright.PENANAwaWlTrr9HJ
508Please respect copyright.PENANAWBjrKmclbO
508Please respect copyright.PENANAjjaXXbJKqT
508Please respect copyright.PENANAhFfFq5VJ70
508Please respect copyright.PENANACFgXkASxzZ
508Please respect copyright.PENANA6L0KIZGlgG
508Please respect copyright.PENANAyXsq8k3wsf
508Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6fZXpYDwk
508Please respect copyright.PENANAWgt8cs8XOM
508Please respect copyright.PENANApotpOolFvs
508Please respect copyright.PENANAcpJxaONQOg
508Please respect copyright.PENANAgjm3k3Ih27
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXroR0WBlMv
508Please respect copyright.PENANAlEu7uZA8Uj
508Please respect copyright.PENANA7VVhgXC5bd
508Please respect copyright.PENANAyQ9zTKm8vP
508Please respect copyright.PENANAtUhoucWyR5
508Please respect copyright.PENANApPavICrUkX
508Please respect copyright.PENANAwdRLHHfx9c
508Please respect copyright.PENANAsQ3auovVeG
508Please respect copyright.PENANAY3fsx3PAQe
508Please respect copyright.PENANA8vG1fBf6tY
508Please respect copyright.PENANAhP12vwtHoc
508Please respect copyright.PENANAP9lKGyXTvj
508Please respect copyright.PENANAViwygYzueg
508Please respect copyright.PENANAqhDzNDfuUm
508Please respect copyright.PENANAT2qwkZPUui
508Please respect copyright.PENANAH8PzKZuZxB
508Please respect copyright.PENANAGZBwAeVZDU
508Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ9DZrfsJy
508Please respect copyright.PENANA4XIhrmT8Ob
508Please respect copyright.PENANAxFGAqimFut
508Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ctse5ySGW
508Please respect copyright.PENANA8v1U4OVJXz
508Please respect copyright.PENANAlq8RBZ37ma
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYehQIfo5ew
508Please respect copyright.PENANAGKnfsdVAbs
508Please respect copyright.PENANAA4EAyM79s6
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoviecqHXE3
508Please respect copyright.PENANAFeKbKkkoKQ
508Please respect copyright.PENANAYAoCpA462M
508Please respect copyright.PENANAqXoczEbmed
508Please respect copyright.PENANA1nOR9SKB8p
508Please respect copyright.PENANARW806OjnGy
508Please respect copyright.PENANAKivXQJJ7Qu
508Please respect copyright.PENANAINu1tWOa3i
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXCfEHeBBoO
508Please respect copyright.PENANA0Xd3AT8Cio
508Please respect copyright.PENANAv5BlbxNTUu
508Please respect copyright.PENANALzmybWP6kq
508Please respect copyright.PENANAxePVPnPn8A
508Please respect copyright.PENANACLD33N9WjZ
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXPChr6yaDz
508Please respect copyright.PENANAoxFwPu9mnF
508Please respect copyright.PENANAAs2aCdSBhb
508Please respect copyright.PENANAN39MUVvwIX
508Please respect copyright.PENANALiyOM1wNWc
508Please respect copyright.PENANAPC8w3YM6Rc
508Please respect copyright.PENANALDJWvE0uxL
508Please respect copyright.PENANAXfGOghIOYK
508Please respect copyright.PENANAU0yayc0DH2