The Plot Sickens: Free-Write & Reflection

               It was Christmas Eve. Fog stuck to the tarmac at Lindbergh field. Tonight was the night I would arrive back home to my family after living in Florida for 3 years. Three years, I hadn't seen my parents. Three years, I celebrated holidays with my friends, which was completely different. Sitting in front of a shoddy, fake Christmas palm tree and watching re-runs of Big Bang Theory was nothing compared to sitting in front of a beautiful pine tree with the strong smell of pine leaves permeating the air and watching classic Christmas movies. Even on Thanksgiving, we’d just order out. Once again, nothing like home. Nothing like the smell of all the different types of food, all just waiting to be eaten, my entire family all talking over each other and our excitement for Auntie Rosie's pistachio and butterscotch cakes.  I smiled at the thought of my father constantly turning around to check and see what was hitting the back of his feet and it would always be the pom-pom of the five-foot long Santa hat he wore every year.

                I got off the plane, smelling the familiar air again for the first time in three years. I gripped my carry-on bag tightly as I walked into the airport.  The lights burned for a quick minute until my eyes got used to it while I walked to the luggage pick-up. As I waited for my bag to come around, I turned and started looking for anyone from my family here to pick me up. My eyes scoured over all the people. All these people reuniting, after a long time away or even a short vacation, it seemed like everyone was smiling. Everybody except me while I looked harder until I saw a familiar, loving smile. My father. He sped up his walking speed over to me. My smile grew bigger as he got closer and his arms flew open.

“Wake up!” the words that came out of his mouth didn't match his lips. Neither did the voice. This was a girl’s voice. My brows furrowed and he disappeared into blackness. Everything disappeared.

                Finally, my eyes opened. It was all a dream.

“Gianna, wake up, you’re gonna miss your flight!” My roommate called out from the doorway. I sighed as I realized my dream would soon become reality. Home, sweet home. 

Q: How does your free-write product either substantiate or deviate from the author’s claim regarding the tendencies and flaws of young writers? 

I believe my free-write deviates from Fanny Howe’s claim regarding the tendencies and flaws of young writers. I think this  because Fanny believes writers these days use too much violence and don’t back it up with why or how it happens, as she said in the article, “It’s not the violence per se; it’s the fact that violence enters the story without benefit of plot. My product deviates from that because it doesn’t involve any violence, just pure nostalgia and family reunions. Even when I do use violence in my stories, I’ll make sure they make sense and everything fits right.

                

Self Deprecation Essay

   "Gianna!" My mother shouted as I got comfortable on the couch. Always when I sat down on that heavenly couch, she had something to say.

"Whaaat?!" I whined, throwing my head back. All I wanted to do was just relax. Just to scroll mindlessly through my phone. I was often called lazy or a procrastinator, but really, I just liked to escape from the real world. I love reading because of that. I also love writing because of that. But remembering things, was another problem. It wasn't that I had short-term memory loss. I just couldn't remember things I had to do. I always got in trouble with my 'favorite' phrase, "I forgot." When I say that, I'm not lying. I really did forget. Either way it's embarrassing. Even if I knew I forgot something, It'd be on the tip of my tongue but it'd never come out. My mom would say I was just too busy and liked to do everything at one time. Starting something, never finishing. I agreed with her, but I wouldn't admit it. Anyway, the point was...

   As I waited for her response, I noticed the sound of water running. I left the sink on again. 

Really, Gianna? Again?   

I lugged myself off the couch and to the kitchen, shutting off the water. 

I chuckled sheepishly, "Oops." 

"Really, Gianna, I don't know how you forget to shut the water off." She said as she put all the leftovers of our pork chops and rice in the fridge, which we both knew nobody was going to eat. 

"Don't ask me, it just happens." I turned towards her. 

"One of these days, you're most likely gonna forget to turn off the fire on the stove and burn down the house!" She nagged, pots and pans clattering as she tossed them in the cabinet they belonged in. 

"I'll make s'mores!" I said, brushing her off and going up to my bedroom. 

My favorite place to be. If I could, I'd never leave my room. And take me seriously when I say never. 

Needs to be cleaned. I'll do it tomorrow. 

It looked as if someone had ransacked my room and decided, 'Hey, let's leave bowls, cups and bottles everywhere!' But that was okay, all I needed was a pathway to my tech center, aka, my bed. I slept with my laptop at my side, and my phone under my pillow. 

I hopped onto the bed, sinking into it with a sigh. It felt like someone had wrapped their arms around me and started comforting me from the long day I had..Was I forgetting something? 

 I shrugged, pulled up my laptop and opened it eagerly, waiting for it to greet me with my beautiful background of Five Seconds of Summer. This is when you know not to bother me. This is a holy moment for me. But something did bother me.

My phone bleeped with a message which kicked off the dramatic music in my head. 

Who dares to text me? I said as I reluctantly picked up my phone and looked at the message. 

Heyyyy, are we still hanging out tomorrow??? It read. 

Tomorrow's Friday?! I replied. 

I shook my head in disbelief at how fast time went.

Yeah..? So, yes or no?

I scowled at the thought of someone coming between me and my tech center, especially on a snowy Friday night. But my mother would be jumping for joy to see me step out the house for once. I felt evil but I said back, 

No, I can't. Followed by a sad emoji. 

Then she instantly replied. 

Whyyyy??

Why do I need an excuse for you? I sighed and used the classic, 

My mom said no. Followed by a sad emoji again. 

I jumped up and sprinted to the stairs, 

"Mom, if Kadee asks if we can hang out, say no!" I shouted and ran back into my room. Now my plan was fool-proof. 

Wow, Gianna, you really are a hobbit, just like Mr. Kefor was talking about. 

I realized as I sank back down into my bed hug. I shrugged it off. 

What can go wrong when Internet is your best friend? 

So then I fell into a downward spiral of gaming and 'Netflixing' until the sunset faded into darkness. Occasionally, my phone rang, but I ignored it for the sake of their feelings. When I use the laptop, I use it nonstop. To the point where I'm gonna pee my pants. Finally, I got up, running to the bathroom with my legs basically twisted. As I finished my business, I looked at the clock beside me. 

3:35 AM.

Oh, crap. 

I ran into my room, diving onto my bed and shutting off the laptop before my mother could hear the loud flush of the toilet. 

I laid there in the dark, wishing I would've remembered to saved my game before I shut it off. I started to drift into a two-hour power nap, wrapped up in my blanket. 

Aaah, so comfortable.. My eyes closed and I slowly fell, thinking about the day I had. Then suddenly they shot open. I finally remembered what I forgot. My homework.