and how none of them looked like what they were named after .”
Smirking , she helped fill in the details , “ Mr Barnes ; looked like Lenin ; used to get upset when I did no work .”
“ He did ,” he said , chuckling a little through the words .
She took his hand and gently squeezed , not in rebellion , but in an acceptance of the end of things .
“ You know , it ’ s strange ; I felt less lonely before I met you . And , now , even still loving you , I feel more respite in solitude again .”
She pondered a little and , adopting an exaggerated , formal tone , she spoke , as though to herself , “ It seems that love is a drama of contradictions .”
“ No ,” he disputed softly , “ I think some people are just meant to come into your life , and then have to leave .”
“ But , why ?” She asked , losing her composure .
A tear welled in her eye and , as it slipped down her face she tried to continue . “ Why would you want to let go of these people ? People you love ; that have made you who you are ?”
“ I don ’ t know . Not everyone is that way of course . Sometimes it must be easy to tell , I suppose . Sometimes it ’ s hard though .” Squeezing her hand back , he shuffled closer to her .
“ I ’ m glad I knew you ,” he managed , in an even softer tone .
“ I ’ m glad I knew you too .”
Leaning his head in , so as to better judge her perspective , he pointed his finger to the sky .
“ You see that sort of triangle ? The one which comes to the left at a finer point and dips a little in the middle .”
“ Yes ?” “ That ’ s Capricorn .”
“ Now that is just silly ,” she said , fighting through tears .
As he pulled her close , she lay her head on his chest and they lay there together , for the last time , and stared at the sky .
Alexander Elliott Year 13
The Bush
I could see them . They were running down the gravel road , their gumboots making the gravel crunch under their feet . As I moved my weight over onto my other foot I felt a twig snap . My head shot up but they were too busy laughing about something that happened in class that day . I did a quick headcount , still 5 . Slowly sinking back into the darkness of the undergrowth , I disappeared from sight once again .
Sweat . Dampness . A ham sandwich . It was enticing . Why do they smell so good ? I was down to only three now , waiting for two and three to go home while my favourite , Eddie , stayed behind . They were mapping out grounds for their secret base , looking at the dark and damp undergrowth like it was an apartment in New York . They kept moving down the path making their way towards my trap .
I covered the ground quickly . Almost losing them was the last thing I needed right now because I had to impress her . It ’ s all for her . It always is . Moving my legs as fast as I could , I ran . Feeling my heart pounding in my chest and my ears and my mouth run dry was worth it . I quickly stopped , sending muddy water and gravel flying in my wake .
I could see the dark box up ahead , quickly jogging towards it . A . M Jacobs . A name so familiar but sour in my mind , almost like a lemon . I fumbled and grabbed the clasp , unlocking the box and staring down at its contents . Faded red velvet with a shiny gun resting inside . Of course . I reached out with a clammy hand and grasped the cold metal of the gun , slipping down the safety and loading it . It was time for Eddie to die .
I could feel the familiar weight of the gun in my right hand , the cold metal making my heart race . It was time . As Eddie rounded the corner , I saw his flushed face drop in fear and his sapphire eyes widen . Pulling the trigger , I watched the bullet fly free before hitting him square in the chest , killing him instantly . His body fell in slow motion and what I had just done sunk into the depths of my mind . I just killed someone , and once again it was because of my mother . I could feel my face flush and my hands start to shake , I quickly dropped the gun . My breathing was short and choppy , I was having a full-blown panic attack . Curling up into a ball , I just let it happen .
I picked up the gun , refusing to look at Eddies lifeless body again . Picking up the box again and placing the gun back into the holder and shut the box with a snap . Throwing it into the river nearby seemed like the best option , so I headed towards the sound of rushing . Feeling the spray against my cold skin really woke me up as I threw the box into the murky depths .
Turning around , I caught sight of my mother . Her eyes looked awful , rimmed red in stark contrast to her bright green orbs . She whispered the words “ I ’ m proud of you ,” and pushed me back into the river , the banks too high to climb and I was too tired to even try . Accepting my fate , my last sight was her standing on the river bank , brown hair dancing with the wind and whipping Eddies blood off her mouth .
Isabelle Pritchard Year 9
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