Nonfiction

They called him a legend, but legends don't bleed—and I watched Diogo Jota bleed for his game. It wasn't just the goals, trophies or the crowd—It was what he gave when no one was watching.

I’ve been smiling. And smiling– because that's the only way to show I'm fine. But behind that smile lives a storm I don't speak about. The type of storm that threatens to destroy everything in its way. Yet small raindrops just come out.

It was playtime, then pressure.  All gone in a blink of an eye. The girl’s smile weaved stories, soft as a flowing stream. She screamed in pure delight as her uncle threw her into the sky.

Even with my friends, I'm alone.

They date. They love each other.

On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at 10:40 PM, it rained a perfect rain. There was no buildup. The skies never darkened. It just happened. It was not raining before, and now it was.

The heat was oppressive these last two days. In the house it was unnoticeable, the rooms cooled by the central air conditioning system. But something was off, you could tell.

Here are some of my ideas for challenges for next year!

1.) Write about life on another planet in poetry or prose.

2.) In poetical or lyrical format, write about climate change/rising problems such as that.

(Challenge for next year’s prompts)

I wake up this morning.

I was five when I learned that grass is not my friend. I imagined many friends, some flowers, butterflies, and others were hummingbirds. However, grass was anything but.

It’s 6 AM at the end of September, and Vermont's trees are transitioning into their autumn beauty. The mornings are my favorite: the quiet, peacefulness, and calm of the world are one of a kind.

1. Introduction

I wanted a cookie, but the thought of the calories held me back. So, I reached for what seemed like a healthier choice—some strawberries would quiet my craving right? Wrong.