Fiction 59: junior high winners

First place

Missing

Alex was driving his rusty pink Volkswagen to McDonald’s. The yellow sign read, “Alex White missing.” For a second he thought it was someone else missing, but realized the sign was for him and the reward: $100,000. Honking out of the drive through, he viciously ate his Big Mac, flooring the pedal in a race to turn himself in.

Cedar Bailey

When he’s not writing, Cedar Bailey can probably be found at the skate park, which is appropriate considering he and his brother, Colin (see first- and third-place in the high school division), and their sister, Clover (see honorable mentions in kids), were a big part of the community activism that helped secure funds to expand the Humboldt Skate Park. When asked what the latest trick was that he’s trying to land, Cedar said probably a kick-flip 180. If you head over the skate park you’ll probably find him practicing it.

Second place

Cold Night, 1935

We were all jolly and talking when suddenly the door swung open. Letting the cold air in, Mr. Dixon stood there, breathing heavily and groaning. Ma shone a lantern on him. His black face was oddly pale. He’d been shot in the leg. “Who would go and do that?” I exclaimed. Ma shushed me. “Sadie, send for the doctor.”

Avriella Whiteley

Fiction 59 has been part of Avriella Whiteley’s life for half of her years on Earth. The South Sutter Charter School student has had her work published since her first honorable mention as a 6-year-old in 2012. Since then she’s placed third twice, and this year moves up to second place.

Third place

Real Boys Don't Cry

Other times the tears appeared out of nowhere. Daniel wished it would stop—he wanted happiness. He rubbed the redness out of his eyes, which made them a darker shade. Daniel’s irises were so blue against the red they resembled the ocean resisting sun’s shine on a summer day.

I’m trying so hard, but I can’t even care anymore.

Sabrina Howell

Sabrina Howell’s entry did not start out at 59 words. The Forest Ranch Charter School student had written a longer story as part of assignment for class, and her instructor encouraged her to edit it to 59 words for the contest, and she says she “butchered the story” into shape. Besides creative writing, Sabrina enjoys studying history, reading (currently, To Kill a Mockingbird) and playing volleyball.

Honorable mentions

Paparazzi

Camera flashes that are bright enough to blind one’s eye crowded densely on her like a blood-pressure monitor squeezing tightly on one’s arm. A ringing, some may say, as a metaphor, “only dogs can hear,” but of course, she wasn’t a dog. What she was was passed out, her dark black hair fanning over her red Hollywood star.

Abigail Holman

The Babysitter

Shelly Davis’ long hair shone golden when she tossed it back, laughing. I hid behind my mom. “Well hello there, mister big boy out of diapers.” I blushed. She still thought of me as a baby. “Hi, Shelly, I said weakly. She giggled and hugged me. I smelled her honey-vanilla shampoo. I felt like I was gonna faint.

Avriella Whiteley

The Future?

One morning, Mark woke up coughing. He looked out his window, hoping to see a clear sky for a change. But all that he saw was an endless smoke. He couldn’t see the ground even though he was only six stories above it. Animals were dying. Mountains of trash piled sky high. Is this what our planet will become?

Oscar Schlicting