Lindsay Anderson

"She is killing this thing " Josie exclaimed, as she, the rest of our teammates and myself watched Dylan perform her solo to Robyn's "Dancing On My Own". "You've got this, Dylan " As I watched Dylan perform, I knew that Dylan's, Debby's, and my fellow junior and good friend was correct. Dylan was doing fantastic. She was hitting every move right on cue. Judging by the smile on Dylan's face, I could tell that she was having the time of her life. In my mind, this fact alone was the best payback that the Dragons could receive for trying to tear Dylan down.

Dear Journal, As I write to you tonight, I cannot help but reminisce on just how blessed I am. For example, I am blessed that I have such a wonderful family. I have a wonderful mother and Sigma Phi Lambda sisters who love me unconditionally, and vice versa. I have a boyfriend and best friend whom love me for me. I have amazing teachers, good classes, and lots of friends. Finally, I have an acting career that is about to take off: ) Thank you God for Your many blessings

"I can't believe that we are going to be in Scherer Island tomorrow afternoon " I exclaimed, as Mom and I enjoyed a dinner of chicken salad and rice." Me too " Mom replied, excitedly. Smiling widely, she added, "This will be the first Christmas that we will be spending there ""Don't forget that it is also the first Christmas that we will be spending with Andrew and Georgia Mallory." I pointed out. "In my mind, that is the best part "

Luke 21:19: "By your endurance, you will gain life." Luke 21:19: The verse that I have tattooed on my right forearm. Saturday, November 26, 2016: The day I got the tattoo and six days after my parents, Misty and Marcus Johnson, died in Iraq. This verse, God, my school, church, dance team, all of the wonderful people in my life are what have been my rock these past months. Sometimes, they were the only thing that got me out of bed in the morning. Today, I am so much stronger in all areas of my life. I have gained ten pounds of muscle, continued my "Straight A" streak, was named the captain of my dance team, and became a bible study leader for the sixth and seventh grade girls. Finally, I am stronger and happier than ever. As I finish my packing for my upcoming summer long stay at camp, I am excited about the new journey of rediscovering myself. I am truly looking forward to what God and this summer have in store for me.

As Wes and I sang "I Can Only Imagine", I began to think of my parents. I thought of their bravery while serving in Iraq, and how they died for my freedom. Their bravery and selflessness was what inspired me every day to grow, mature, and continue the journey of becoming even more of the strong, selfless, and confident person that I am today.

"Was it nerve wracking to be up there on stage yesterday?" Kristin wanted to know. "A little, but it only lasted for ten seconds." Fallon confessed, applying her mascara. "When the music began to play, I had quickly begun to feel confident and calm.""It truly showed yesterday." "Kristin's right, Fallon." Katie added. "You truly rocked the house yesterday and I am not just saying that as your best friend or teammate.""When you were performing yesterday, the members of the other teams had shocked looks on their faces." Kristin put in. Before Fallon could reply, Mrs. Gutierrez was letting them know that it was time to get ready to perform. After all, the Bears were scheduled to perform first. "Are you guys ready to the Texas teams just how hard the Brocket Academy Bears can bring it?" Fallon asked, giving her friends a confident smile. "After all, here and now is the place and time to show them just that.""You bet." Kristin replied, as she and Katie returned Fallon's smile. "Let's do this thing "

"Sorry? You're sorry?" I asked, flabbergasted. Tears filling my eyes, I said, "Sorry does not change the fact that you betrayed me and made my years in middle school a living nightmare. It does not change the fact that I can't ever forgive you for what you did to me.""Marion, Gina and I know we messed up and we wish we could take it all back." Ingrid said, her own eyes filling with tears. "There's not a day that goes by where we don't feel guilty about what we did to you and that we wish we hadn't let you go as a best friend.""I am glad that you did." I said, keeping my voice even. "If you hadn't treated me like scum, I would not have found people who actually care about me and enjoy being my best friend. In fact, I would not have found the strength to move on and come to love myself for me." Without saying anything more, I walked away. After all, I had nothing more to say to Ingrid. I was done with her.

Dear Journal, My head is pounding and my wrist is tingly. When I fainted, I hit my head against my computer desk and fell hard on my right wrist. Unfortunately, I also remember why I fainted. Marilyn and Julianne had sent me hurtful and ugly messages via my Facebook inbox. How they were able to send me messages, I don't know. After all, I have them blocked. Because of how angry and hurt I was, and how much I had been crying, I somehow fainted. The next thing I know, I am waking up in the pediatric hospital. My parents, Ava, McKenzie, and their families are sitting around me. People are crying. Ava and McKenzie are attempting to hug me, and vice versa, but their parents and my parents are preventing us from doing so. When I ask why my head and wrist hurt, the doctors remind me that I fainted, hit my head, and broke my right wrist in two places. They also explained that when I fell, I cut my forehead open. Well, that explains why there are five stitches on the very far right side of my forehead. On a different note, I will be able to come home on Monday. However, the doctors don't want me to return to school until the following Monday. Even though I love school, my friends and my teachers, I am glad that I am getting a small break from it. After what happened with Marilyn and Julianne, I am kind of apprehensive and afraid to return.-C

As Charlotte stood behind the curtain and listened to Principal Miller's extend words of welcome to theaudience, many questions ran through her mind. Was her song truly amazing? Would it impress the audience? Furthermore, would she be able to do this and successfully bring the true reason and meaning of Christmas to life? Standing in her forest green spaghetti strap dress, black chandelier earrings, and shimmery size 7 black flats, Charlotte shook her head and smiled. All of her life, she had been a fighter. She had always conquered things she had put hermind to. She had even taken on the battle of Leukemia and won. This was nothingcompared to the challenges that Charlotte had conquered growing up. Taking a deep breath, Charlotte told herself that, no matter what, she would do great. After all, Charlotte was a survivor, a conquerer, and last but not least, a trailblazer.

If you were to ask anyone in the world about forgiving someone, they would all say the same thing: Forgiving someone is one of the hardest things one will have to do in this lifetime. Just ask eighteen-year-olds-Lanica Miller and Bonnie Combs. After the school bully and two of the girl's former best friends humiliated them at the beginning of the summer, the last thing that the girls ever wanted to do was forgive them. However, when the three girls reach out to Lanica and Bonnie asking that they meet them for lunch, the girls begin to have a change of heart. In this story of forgiveness and reconnection, find out what happens when two girls let their guard down and open their hearts to forgiveness.